Centuries ago, when a plague swept through Lian Village, causing people to die from strange illnesses, a young man named Hung Zai decided to find a cure for the disease. He left the village and ventured into the forests. However, his mind became so restless that he could not focus on anything. For months, he wandered the jungle, despairing and frustrated, even losing his way. Finally, accepting defeat, he sat down by a waterfall to meditate and calm his mind. But he sank so deep into meditation that he lost all track of time, and years passed.

  When the Grandmaster’s eyes finally opened, he had grown old. But the immense internal energy and knowledge he had attained internally dwarfed his long penance. It was then that he used the wisdom of his inner self for the first time. He created the first Fire Hand sell , which awakened his inner core and granted him boundless power. His aged body became powerful. Although he knew that only a healthy body could sustain healthy knowledge, he followed his intuition and strengthened his body. Thus, the Hung Martial Arts was born only he knew its techniques, its art, its mantras, and its moves, for he had invented it.

  Finally, he invented the Musical Medical System, recognizing that a healthy body without a medical system is like a hollow tree strong outside, but hollow inside, ready to fall at any moment. He crafted the Guqin itself, infusing it with sacred mantras and powers; a single tune from it could heal even a shattered soul.

  With this invaluable knowledge, he returned to Lian Village. But it was too late. He had lost his entire family and dear companions. Though he regretted this, he knew that great goals often demand certain sacrifices. On that day, he initiated the Cultivation Path for the first time. He trained many young people into great warriors. Slowly, Lian Village developed and prospered, and its name was changed from Lian Village to the Lianxiao Clan.

  But this was not enough. Since the Lianxiao Clan had become an incredibly powerful clan and a center of authority, its security became paramount, for it held rich and ancient knowledge. Although its academies always remained open to every clan, greed could creep in from anywhere, a fact Grandmaster Hung Zai understood well.

  It was then that he laid another foundation: the Zhangwu Pillars. Each pillar represented a specific purpose and power.

  The Zhangwu Pillars

  He chose some of his most trusted individuals:

  The First Pillar: Pillar of Unity

  Master Jue Gung. He would act as the master to all other pillars. His duty was to judge right and wrong and administer justice. The greatest authority given to him was that neither the Cultivation Path could begin nor end without his permission. He would establish all the clan’s rules and run the academy.

  However, such a large responsibility was not granted based purely on trust. He was given a weapon: a staff called the Hung Stick. This staff was an entity with a soul itself. It had one main ring containing seven smaller rings, which were a mirror to every part of his soul. If any part of his soul contemplated evil deeds, the rings would automatically move to his neck and destroy the Pillar. The Hung Stick was made from a single piece of dark black stone, inscribed with golden mantras in an ancient language that was impossible to erase or change. Its sole function was to punish or reward the master of the Zhangwu Pillars according to their intentions.

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  The Second Pillar: Pillar of Death.

  Yao Wen. No one else in the Lianxiao Clan could take a life. If someone had to be punished and sentenced to death, the most fearsome Pillar of Death would take their life. Pillars of Death were masters of the Hung Martial Arts. Their sword was so powerful and influential that it could split a person's soul into two without cutting the body. They alone knew the highest level of Hung Martial Arts. A single Pillar of Death could eliminate millions instantly without bloodshed or injury. But if the matter involved physical torment and someone had to be physically punished, not even the gods could save them from the Pillar of Death. They could inflict the cruelest death imaginable, especially if the offender had committed a heinous sin.

  The Third Pillar: Pillar of Life. They could revive the dying.

  The Fourth Pillar: The Physician. They possessed deep knowledge of both the Musical Medical System and herbal medicines. Their work was healing.

  The Fifth Pillar: The Protector. They were given a hawk to keep watch over both the earth and the sky. Their job was to provide security, allowing the other pillars to concentrate fully on their duties.

  The Sixth Pillar: Pillar of Knowledge. They possessed all the small and great knowledge of the world. Their job was to provide the right information at the right time.

  When all the pillars were gathered, they were collectively called the Zhangwu Pillars. Their unique identification was that no one could recognize them. They wore long black robes, their hands were covered by gloves, and they wore triangular black caps, with their mouths covered by black cloth. Every Pillar carried a Hung Stick and two swords. A key feature was that they always walked in a V-formation, and their black robes were covered with many black leaves inscribed with golden mantras in the ancient language.And so, when one faction of zhangwu pilers died, another was established before it could depart. This is why the Lianxiao clan ruled for thousands of years.

  With a heavy thud, a very large book closed. Grandmaster Tao Zhen spoke. His voice was steady, gentle, yet unwavering:

  "Disciples. This is how the great Cultivation Path began, and the Zhangwu Pillars were established. But Grandmaster Hung Zai created certain principles for the Cultivation Path, on which the path stands even today."

  Just then, a young disciple seated in the rows in the hall spoke: "Master. Please tell us those principles."

  Responding to his disciple, Grandmaster Tao Zhen smiled and replied. The Grandmaster said:

  "There are five main principles for walking the Cultivation Path:

  Master, Knowledge, Physician, Justice, Resolve.

  Knowledge is incomplete without the Master. The body is weak without the Physician (medical system). And the weak can never dispense Justice. Justice requires Knowledge. And when you have the master’s knowledge, when you know the difference between good and bad, you can dispense justice. And good health gives birth to a sound mind (intuition).

  And when we take a Resolve based on all of this, the fulfillment of that resolve is certain. Every word, every battle, every victory, and every defeat stands behind a Resolve. Without Resolve, your knowledge, your health, and your justice are useless.

  So, until you fulfill all these principles, you cannot proceed to the final path, The Path of Immortality. And even if you complete all these principles and have no desire to walk the path of immortality, you will still have to achieve immortality, because these principles make a person the kind of human the world needs. The kind this deceitful world requires. You must keep this knowledge alive within your body. This is the sole goal of the Cultivation Path.

  It cannot be won by deceit. It cannot be won by force. Only one who has a pure heart and true, boundless love for someone in their heart reaches the end of the Cultivation Path, because true Golden Energy only comes from a pure heart. And true love can only reside in a pure heart. And the power of true love is what teaches us compassion and kindness. It makes us human. It teaches us to help others. Power without love is futile. The power of love teaches us I must live for someone. For which person must I make the world beautiful and right?

  So, before beginning, look into your own heart to see who resides there, because that is your greatest inspiration, and the greatest Resolves often come from inspirations."