Chapter Sixty-Eight: The So-Called Thunder Arts

“Jianxian, I recall you haven’t taken on a disciple yet, have you? Well then, let this young Daoist apprentice study the Thunder Arts under your guidance!” Daoist Miaojian said.

Jianxian was somewhat taken aback at these words. Miaojian handed him a note written by Zhao Wujie.

Upon reading it, Jianxian could only give a wry smile. “I’m hardly what you’d call a worthy teacher. Leader, you must be joking.”

Miaojian’s eyes widened with displeasure. “And why wouldn’t you be a worthy teacher? Among all those of the Jian generation on Mount Shujitu, who surpasses you in the Thunder Arts? You simply refuse to accept disciples and avoid interacting with others. If you’re not poring over documents in the office, you’re stationed at the gate. Will your mastery of the Thunder Arts die with you, never to be passed down?

“In the past, I let you be, but today with the Mountain Lord’s note, do you think I cannot handle you? If I say you are a worthy teacher, then you are! If you disagree, go argue with the Mountain Lord yourself!”

At this, Jianxian’s thick brows nearly knotted into a single line.

“Take a good look—this one is a high disciple from Mount Mingzhi. Do you truly think he’ll remain your disciple for life? You’ll be his mentor for two years, teach him the Thunder Arts. If you still refuse, I’ll resign as office leader and recommend you for the role—you’re beyond my command anyway.”

Cheng Xinzhan stood awkwardly off to the side, not daring to utter a word.

“I accept the command,” Jianxian finally sighed deeply and agreed.

“That’s more like it!” Miaojian’s face instantly broke into a delighted grin. “Be diligent in guiding this young Daoist from Mount Mingzhi. The Mountain Lord expects results in two years, so don’t slack off! Take him out on field assignments often; results will come quickly that way!”

Miaojian was inwardly overjoyed. The office was already short-handed; Jianxian was a reticent man, yet when he wielded the Thunder Arts, he was a force of nature. Miaojian had witnessed his ruthless efficiency in exterminating miasma fiends and fog spirits on assignments. And yet, the man simply refused to go out, preferring paperwork and gatekeeping to actual engagement, despite his formidable strength.

But now, with a single note from the Mountain Lord, not only was Jianxian pressed into service, but a new disciple was assigned as well.

“Off you go, then. He’s in your care now—I wash my hands of it,” Miaojian said, as if eager to see them leave, lest Jianxian change his mind.

Jianxian led Cheng Xinzhan out of the office hall. Though unwilling at first, Jianxian was a man of integrity. Now that he had accepted, he showed no displeasure at all, but instead amiably guided Cheng Xinzhan to a small, empty chamber.

“Xinzhan, from now on you’ll cultivate here in this office. My quarters are just across the way, diagonally from yours.”

Cheng Xinzhan nodded. “Yes, Mentor.”

Jianxian seemed somewhat unaccustomed to having a nominal disciple. It was only after Cheng Xinzhan addressed him as “Mentor” several times that he realized he was being spoken to.

“Oh, right. By the way, you probably aren’t familiar with the cultivation methods of our Celestial Thunder Commandery. Let me explain them to you first.”

At his assent, Cheng Xinzhan pulled over a chair for Jianxian, standing respectfully by his side. Jianxian, noticing this, quickly fetched another chair and insisted that Cheng Xinzhan sit as well.

They sat facing each other, both a little ill at ease. But once Jianxian began to instruct, the atmosphere relaxed.

“Our founding patriarch believed that the Thunder Arts are Heaven’s mandate made manifest. Mere prowess in spiritual power is far from enough; without grasping the true essence of Thunder Law, one falls short. The patriarch taught that Thunder Law is not only about destruction—it also demands propriety, righteousness, and discipline.

‘Without grandeur, one cannot command awe.’ The patriarch insisted that practitioners of Thunder Law should reside in lofty towers, don magnificent robes, move with the bearing of dragons and tigers. As for thunder implements, the best are bells, tripods, towers, and sacred vessels; seals, banners, commands, and swords are second tier; all else is inferior.”

Cheng Xinzhan nodded in agreement. The moment he set foot in the Celestial Thunder Commandery, he had indeed been awed by the imposing architecture. When he ascended to the ninth tier, the Divine Firmament Hall, even though it was an empty hall and the Mountain Lord seemed just an ordinary man seated there, the aura he exuded was as unyielding as a mountain.

As for thunder implements, Cheng Xinzhan had yet to see one, but the thought of thunderous power pouring from a massive bell or tripod was indeed enough to capture the soul.

“The patriarch taught that the Thunder Law must be enacted with righteous authority. To wield thunder for personal likes or dislikes is not true Thunder Law—it is merely mimicking thunder and lightning with the world’s spiritual energy, a false art. True Thunder Law requires that one’s heart harbor upright intentions, upholding the principles of rewarding good and punishing evil—be it summoning sweet rain or destroying demons.

“The patriarch also insisted on discipline and structure. There must be no wanton slaughter, nor excessive mercy. Wherever there’s drought or demon infestation, the matter is reported by the local inspection office or through petitions from the people. The report reaches the Commandery, where the various offices review and determine whether to approve action. Depending on the situation, higher authorities may be notified, and official thunder warrants are issued. Upon receipt, the offices act: bringing rain, ending floods, or exterminating fiends as required.

“Thus, the Celestial Thunder Commandery came into being. As the saying goes: ‘By Heaven’s mandate, we hold the central command, issue orders from above, dispatch warriors below—this is the Thunder Law!’”

Cheng Xinzhan felt enlightenment dawn within him.

This was the true Thunder Law!

This was the meaning of “central command”!

He clasped his hands and bowed deeply. “Your disciple is taught and grateful.”

Jianxian smiled, gesturing to the spacious office. “Hence, for disciples of our Celestial Thunder Commandery, cultivation and official duties are as one. In peace, we cultivate the bearing of authority and grasp the principles of command; in action, we wield warrants and thunderbolts to punish the lawless. The Thunder Law is honed, little by little, in this balance of repose and action.”

“I do not know why you, a disciple of Mount Mingzhi, have come to our Shuji Mountain to study the Thunder Law, nor why the Mountain Lord has set a term of two years. But let me tell you, haste leads nowhere in cultivation—especially in the Thunder Law. If you do not comprehend authority, righteousness, and discipline, you will never master it. I do not know, nor will I teach you, any shortcuts—only step-by-step progression. Even if the Mountain Lord commands otherwise, I fear not. If you find progress too slow, you may seek another mentor from the office leader or the Mountain Lord.”

Jianxian’s expression was solemn.

Cheng Xinzhan replied with equal gravity, “Every word you say is a gem, Mentor. I will obey. Should I learn slowly, it is due to my own dullness, never your fault.”

Jianxian nodded. “Good. From now on, follow me in all things—whether sitting in the office or out on assignments.”

Cheng Xinzhan gave his assent. In truth, after hearing Jianxian’s explanation, his desire to master the Thunder Law grew even stronger, regardless of whether it was necessary to dispel evil.

To act in Heaven’s name, with righteous authority—was this not the very heart of chivalry?

“Let me explain further about our Celestial Thunder Commandery. It descends from the ancient Department of Thunder. Our structure is a streamlined version of the original. I’ve heard that the structure on Warblade Mountain under the Divine Firmament Sect is even more complex, while that of Dragon-Tiger Mountain is simpler.

“At the top of the Commandery are the Divine Firmament Hall and the Five Thunders Court, both of equal rank. The Divine Firmament Hall is the office of the Commandery Lord; the Five Thunders Court houses the Five Thunder Envoys, each a master of the Thunder Law and only second to the Commandery Lord in cultivation.

“Under the Divine Firmament Hall are three departments: the Jade Pivot, the Northern Pole, and the Penglai. The Jade Pivot Department holds command authority and acts in the Lord’s place when absent. Under it are the Seal Office, the Inspection Office, and the Internal Audit Office. The Seal Office handles the issuance of thunder warrants; the Inspection Office investigates dereliction of duty or unauthorized actions; the Internal Audit Office oversees matters within the Jade Pivot Department.

“The Northern Pole Department holds the power of execution, handling campaigns and punishments. Under it are the Demon Execution, Demon Sweeping, Monster Slaying, and Defense Offices. We are with the Demon Execution Office, responsible for eradicating miasma fiends, fog spirits, foul clouds, monsters, yin corpses, and evil ghosts. The Demon Sweeping Office handles heretical cultists and demonic leaders. The Monster Slaying Office deals with man-eating monsters. The Defense Office suppresses those who defy the Commandery’s orders, including rooting out heresy and illicit worship.

“The Penglai Department governs life and creation, bringing universal salvation. Under it are the Sweet Rain, Clear Skies, Plague Purging, and Edicting Offices. The Sweet Rain Office resolves droughts, summoning clouds and rain. The Clear Skies Office relieves floods, dispersing clouds and draining water. The Plague Purging Office eradicates pestilence and disease, sweeping away plague insects. The Edicting Office administers thunder tribulations for worthy spirits and ghosts, granting them recognition and permission to establish temples and cultivate.”

Cheng Xinzhan nodded, marveling at the meticulous division of duties. He wondered what an even grander and more intricate structure the Divine Firmament Sect or the ancient Department of Thunder must have possessed.

It was clear that Master Zhao had assigned him to the Demon Execution Office because it best suited his affinity with the Divine Thunder among the Five Thunders.

“Our Demon Execution Office is divided into five bureaus—east, south, west, north, and central—each responsible for a different region. Since you are with me, you’ll work in the North Bureau.”

Thus concludes the first chapter. At the start of the month, I humbly request your votes! Please subscribe, recommend, and feel free to comment and leave messages!

(End of chapter)