#文章首发挑战赛#
On the battlefield under Xiangyang City, Guo Jing fought bravely, but there was no one around him. At this critical moment, the legendary Zhou Botong did not appear to the rescue. Far away in the depths of Zhongnan Mountain, known as the "Fire Dragon True Man", he is in retreat with an unknown master. Who is this high-ranking disciple, and what secrets are there between him and Zhou Botong?
This history is full of suspense and mystery. What kind of story is hidden behind Guo Jing's fall and Zhou Botong's hiding? Does the old urchin's change of name and surname and the act of accepting apprentices indicate another change in the martial arts? These questions are like a layer of fog hanging over the ancient rivers and lakes, waiting to be revealed.
1. The smoke and clouds are gone: Guo Jing's heroic end
At the top of Mount Hua, surrounded by white clouds, a white-haired old man, Zhou Botong, sat quietly on a boulder, looking into the distance with deep eyes. The mountains in the distance were like waves, endless, but his mind drifted to the distant Xiangyang, the rivers and lakes in which he had been trapped.
His disciple, a young man in his twenties, was standing beside him, his eyes full of curiosity and admiration. This disciple was the only successor of Zhou Botong in his later years, and it was also his only contact with the outside world. The disciple's voice broke the silence on the top of the mountain: "Master, Guo Jing died in Xiangyang, why didn't you save him?"
Zhou Botong's gaze retracted from afar, and slowly turned to his disciple, there seemed to be indescribable affection and pain in his eyes. "Guo Jing, he's a real hero. But the affairs of the rivers and lakes are things outside the body after all. I've seen it all. Zhou Botong's voice was deep and powerful, and every word seemed to be squeezed out of deep memories.
After hearing this, the disciple couldn't help but fall into deep thought. Zhou Botong's former heroism and affection for the rivers and lakes are now only left with deep emotion. He knew that Master's inner world was more complex than anyone else's. Zhou Botong turned his head again, and looked into the distance again, as if looking back on his ups and downs in life.
He was once a legend in the rivers and lakes and had a deep friendship with Guo Jing, but in the end he chose to stay away from the dispute and live in seclusion on the top of this Huashan Mountain. "Master, don't you really regret it?" the disciple asked, unable to comprehend this detachment. Zhou Botong smiled slightly, but there was endless pain in his heart.
He recalled the days when he fought side by side with Guo Jing, and the rivers and lakes at that time were so real and cruel. "Life is impermanent, how to regret it. Zhou Botong said lightly, his voice revealing a kind of detachment. The disciple stood silently aside, knowing that no amount of questioning could lift the fog in Master's heart.
Zhou Botong's life is a legend and a mystery for him. When night fell, only the light of the stars and the glimmer of the fire remained on the top of Huashan. Zhou Botong and his disciples sat quietly, and no one spoke again. The surrounding mountain breeze is howling, as if telling stories of the past.
Zhou Botong knew in his heart that his choice was not only for his own cultivation, but also a farewell to the troubled rivers and lakes in the past. His life is full of legends, but he prefers to find his spiritual home in this breeze and bright moon. And for his disciples, Master's story is like a book that can never be finished.
2. Unpredictability: Zhou Botong's reclusive life
In a secluded place in Huashan, Zhou Botong lived with his disciples. Since Zhou Botong left the rivers and lakes, he changed his name and surname, and he hid it deeply. He chose a simpler and calmer way of life, spending his days with the mountains and forests and nature as his teacher. One day, during a break in his practice, his disciple couldn't help but ask curiously, "Master, why did you choose to live in seclusion?"
Zhou Botong looked at his disciple, his eyes flashed with wisdom, and replied with a smile: "Life is like a dream, and the rivers and lakes are like the sea." I was in it, and I finally felt glitzy. Now I just want to find a pure land and concentrate on cultivating. ”
After the disciple listened, his heart stirred. He knew that Master had an extraordinary position in the rivers and lakes, but he had also experienced countless ups and downs. For him, such a choice is both an escape and a detachment.
At the top of Huashan, spring goes to autumn, and the life of Zhou Botong and his disciples is extremely simple. They get up early to practice swords, talk in the evening, and gaze at the stars at night. In this kind of day-to-day life, Zhou Botong taught his disciples not only martial arts, but also spiritual cultivation. "Master, the rivers and lakes are sinister, aren't you afraid that I will face difficulties in the future?" the disciple asked one day.
Zhou Botong looked at his disciple quietly and said lightly: "The sinister nature of the rivers and lakes can only be truly understood by personal experience. I teach you martial arts, and I hope you can learn how to behave. This answer made the disciple fall into deep thought. He began to slowly understand that what the master taught was far more than superficial martial arts, but more of a wisdom of life and the truth of how to behave in the world.
With the passage of time, the disciple's martial arts became more and more sophisticated, and his understanding of the world gradually matured. Zhou Botong watched the growth of his disciples, and his heart was both relieved and worried. He knew that one day the disciple would leave this mountain and enter that complicated river and lake.
"Master, I always feel that there are endless disputes in the rivers and lakes, why is that?" asked the disciple one day after practicing swords. Zhou Botong sighed and said: "The rivers and lakes are like people's hearts, always full of desire and struggle. Everyone is fighting for what they believe in and what they want. ”
The disciple stood there silently, pondering Master's words. He began to understand that Jianghu is not just a place, but also a state of life, in which everyone finds their place.
In such days, Zhou Botong and his disciples spent many spring and autumn together. For his disciples, Master is not only his martial arts instructor, but also the guide of his soul. For Zhou Botong, the existence of disciples has added a sense of expectation and freshness to his life.
3. The mysterious identity of the real fire dragon
In the early morning of Huashan, the sky gradually glows with orange-yellow brilliance. Zhou Botong and his disciples were sitting on a flat boulder, looking out at the distant scenery. At this time, the disciple was full of thoughts, and his heart was full of curiosity about the master's past. "Master, Huolong Zhenren, is he ......" the disciple asked tentatively, his voice filled with curiosity about the legends of the rivers and lakes and exploration of Master's past.
Zhou Botong smiled lightly, did not answer directly, but sighed, his eyes flashed with the light of memory: "Fire Dragon Zhenren, he does have a great relationship with me. But that's in the past. ”
The disciple listened silently, and he could feel the hidden meaning in the master's words. He knew that Huolong Zhenren was a very legendary figure in the rivers and lakes, and he had a deep master-apprentice friendship with Zhang Sanfeng, but few people knew his true identity.
Zhou Botong's past is full of mystery for his disciples. They have practiced together in Huashan for many years, and Master has never mentioned his past. Now, when the disciple finally asked this question, Zhou Botong's answer was so subtle.
In the early morning, Zhou Botong and his disciples did not have any more in-depth conversations. They sat quietly and watched as the sun gradually rose and lit up the entire valley. The sun shines on them, warm and peaceful.
The disciple's heart was full of curiosity about the master's story, but he also knew that there were some things that might never have an answer. He begins to understand that there is an unspeakable part of everyone's past, just as there is an untouchable secret in the depths of everyone's heart.
Zhou Botong looked at his disciple's contemplative appearance, and a deep emotion surged in his heart. He knew that his disciples had begun to mature and began to think about how to follow their path. He hopes that through his teachings, his disciples will be able to take fewer detours and suffer less on the road of the rivers and lakes in the future.
In the afternoon, when the sun hung high in the sky, Zhou Botong took his disciples to practice Xi martial arts. Although he has been away from the rivers and lakes for many years, those young martial arts are still hidden in his blood and bones. What he taught his disciples was not only moves and techniques, but also an attitude towards martial arts.
In the practice of Xi, the disciples gradually comprehended the master's intentions. He understands that martial arts is not only a means to protect himself, but also a way to cultivate oneself. He gradually learned to find inner peace in the midst of martial arts.
Fourth, the choice of concentrating on the path
At the top of Huashan, Zhou Botong and his disciples lived a simple and secluded life. Far from the hustle and bustle, the seasons change and are accompanied only by mountain breezes and birdsong. Zhou Botong's life was simple and regular, spending most of his day teaching his disciples martial arts, and the rest of the time immersed in his own practice.
One day, after practicing the sword, the disciple asked curiously: "Master, don't you want to set foot in the rivers and lakes anymore?" Zhou Botong put down the wooden sword in his hand, looked into the distance with deep eyes, and slowly shook his head: "The rivers and lakes are an abyss that can never be filled. I've decided that this life is just about finding inner peace. ”
The disciple listened quietly, and he could feel the firmness and contemplation in Master's words. In his eyes, Master's life seemed to be extremely peaceful, but he also knew that behind it was a deep review of the past and a firm choice for the future.
Zhou Botong's daily life is simple. He would practice martial arts with his disciples in the early morning, and in the afternoon he would walk alone in the mountains and forests or sit in a cave to Xi. Every movement of his eyes seemed so calm and calm, as if he had become one with this mountain forest.
When night fell, Zhou Botong would sit around the fire with his disciples, telling stories about ancient martial arts or discussing the philosophy of martial arts. The disciples always listened attentively and drew wisdom from the Master's words.
Although Zhou Botong has stayed away from the rivers and lakes, his love for martial arts is still undiminished. He often told his disciples that martial arts is not only a skill for self-defense, but also a way of self-cultivation. In his opinion, a true martial arts master must not only have superb skills, but also have a peaceful state of mind.
In such a day after day, the disciple's martial arts are gradually improved, and the mind is gradually matured. He began to understand what Master meant by "peace of mind." For him, this is not only a physical exercise, but also a spiritual cultivation.
As the seasons change, so does the scenery at the top of Mount Huashan. In spring, the mountains are full of flowers, in summer, the trees are shady, in autumn, the leaves are falling, and in winter, the snow is fluttering. In this cycle of the four seasons, Zhou Botong and his disciples felt the rhythm of nature and experienced the peace of life.
Resources:
- Journal of Maoming University,2007,17(2):66-69