Chapter 118: Learning to Slay Dragons, Saving the World
Shi Hao opened his eyes and found himself back in the heart of the giant red peony, with Ye Zi Yin.
He was exhausted, his body slumping, barely able to maintain the seiza position.
Across from him, Ye Zi Yin remained perfectly still, her posture impeccable, like a jade statue.
“Sister Zi Yin,” Shi Hao asked, “how long were we in the Celestial Realm?”
Ye Zi Yin said softly, “About a year, according to the flow of time there. But here, only a moment has passed.”
Shi Hao was stunned, “A moment?”
Ye Zi Yin said, “You can think of it as a mental exercise. Your body never moved. It was your mind that traveled to the Celestial Realm and practiced swordsmanship.
“You feel exhausted, not because your body is tired, but because your mind, your spirit, has been constantly engaged for a year, never resting.
“Mental fatigue can manifest physically, just as a good mood can make you feel energized, while stress and worry can make you feel tired.”
Shi Hao marveled at the wonders of the universe.
It was like a cheat code for cultivation.
But then again, both Ye Zi Yin and Su Mei had become leaders of the righteous and demonic paths, their names shaking the martial world, before even reaching twenty. Such achievements required… unconventional methods.
Shi Hao said, slightly dejected, “Although I learned many sword techniques in that year, and integrated them into my own style, I still don’t understand what ‘sword intent’ is.”
Ye Zi Yin smiled faintly, “If it were that easy, everyone would be a master swordsman. That year in the Celestial Realm merely gave you the knowledge and the techniques, compensating for your lack of experience.
“As for developing your own unique sword intent, that’s not something I can teach you. You were able to enter the Celestial Realm with me because you trust me.
“But because of that trust, our sparring lacked the urgency of a life-or-death struggle. You’ve successfully integrated those techniques and even created new ones based on them. But to truly transcend, you need a powerful opponent, someone who can push you to your limits.
“Only in a life-or-death situation, facing true danger, can you surpass your limitations and discover your own unique sword intent. And that’s just the first step on the path to becoming a Sword God.”
She looked at him, her eyes soft and encouraging, “Don’t be discouraged. My expectations are high. You’re only seventh-rank. Normally, understanding sword intent isn’t necessary before the fifth rank.
“Even those above the fifth rank, even fourth-rank experts, don’t necessarily possess their own unique sword intent. Although you don’t understand it yet, learning those techniques and practicing your swordsmanship will be beneficial.”
She added, “You should rest now. Don’t underestimate that trip to the Celestial Realm. Although only a moment has passed here, the mental and spiritual strain can have serious consequences if you don’t recover.”
Shi Hao sat down, preparing to meditate and regulate his breathing.
He looked at Ye Zi Yin, “Sister Zi Yin, what is the Sword God realm like?”
Ye Zi Yin said softly, “At the Sword God realm, there are no techniques, no forms. Every strike is a killing blow.” She flicked her wrist.
A storm of sword energy erupted above them, swirling and converging into a single, blindingly fast strike that seemed to tear through space itself, its power breathtaking, making Shi Hao’s scalp tingle.
The same Azure Sky Immortal Thunder technique, executed effortlessly, its power far exceeding his own.
Is that the Sword God realm? he wondered, stunned. How did I ever…?
Shi Hao meditated for three hours, gradually recovering.
For the remaining time, instead of martial arts, Ye Zi Yin taught him about the I Ching, the strategies of Guiguzi, and other subjects.
Especially the teachings of Guiguzi, which Shi Hao had previously only vaguely understood, a mysterious and profound art of strategy and manipulation.
As Ye Zi Yin explained, he realized it was an art of persuasion, of observing and understanding a person’s character, subtly guiding their thoughts and actions, manipulating them without their realizing it.
This was quite different from what he had imagined.
Ye Zi Yin said, “Don’t underestimate this art. The demonic sects are cunning and unscrupulous, while the righteous path is bound by rules. The demonic sects can take hostages without regard for the consequences, while the righteous path has to consider public opinion and the safety of the people. That’s why it’s said, ‘When the Dao rises one foot, the Demon rises ten feet.’”
“But why do the Daoist sects usually have the upper hand?”
Shi Hao wondered if this meant the Daoist sects were even more cunning than the demonic sects.
But it wasn’t about cunning, but about principles.
If the righteous path abandoned their principles, what would be the difference between them and the demonic sects?
Ye Zi Yin said, “The demonic sects’ selfishness and ruthlessness lead to constant infighting. But our Taisu Immortal Pavilion, in times of crisis, can unite the righteous path against them, dividing and conquering.”
“The demonic sects’ lack of scruples, seemingly an advantage, is also their weakness. When everyone is unscrupulous, no one can be trusted. In that sense, Su Mei is an anomaly among the demonic sects. Throughout history, many have tried to unite the demonic path, but it’s usually a fragmented and disorganized mess.”
“And our Taisu Immortal Pavilion, although small, can lead the martial world because of our long-standing reputation and our skill in diplomacy and strategy. Don’t underestimate the power of alliances. Individual strength, no matter how great, can only allow you to dominate. But uniting others allows you to lead.”
She said seriously, “If you only want to become a powerful martial artist, then focusing on cultivation and techniques is enough. But if you want to make a difference in this world, to learn to slay dragons and save the people, you must also master the art of strategy and diplomacy, the teachings of Guiguzi and the military strategists.”
Shi Hao bowed, “Teach me, Sister Zi Yin.”
Shi Hao passed through the waterfall, crossed the lake, and walked through the ruins.
Due to time constraints, Ye Zi Yin’s explanations of the strategies of Guiguzi and the military classics were brief. She simply had him memorize key passages from The Six Secret Teachings of Guiguzi and The Yin Talisman, offering a general overview.
These texts were difficult to memorize, but with Shi Hao’s good memory and Ye Zi Yin’s clear explanations, he managed to learn them.
He passed through the tilted archway, entered the partially collapsed hall, and climbed the white jade staircase.
Reaching the carved screen, he heard the Emerald Beauty’s soft cries, strangely tinged with… pleasure.
Su Mei’s melodious voice called out, “Come in.” She knew he had returned.
Shi Hao entered, and with a yelp, the small figure dove under the covers.
Its rainbow robe lay discarded on the table.
Su Mei sat at the table, her chin resting on one hand, the other tapping lightly on the table. Shi Hao wondered if she had spent the past six hours playing with the doll.
He glanced at the bed… What’s it hiding from? he thought, I’m not interested in a doll.
Su Mei chuckled, “You’re back. What did your little wife teach you?”
Shi Hao knew he couldn’t hide anything from her, just as she knew she couldn’t hide his inheritance from Ye Zi Yin.
He recounted his training in the Celestial Realm. Su Mei said, surprised, “She took you to the Celestial Realm? Hmm, accessing the Celestial Realm is something our demonic sects have never achieved. Even the ancestors of the Evil Lotus Sect only learned of the Taisu Immortal Pavilion’s ability to do so during the early Yang Dynasty.
“That woman is truly devoted to you.”
She tapped her finger on the table, “Sit down. Let’s talk.”
Shi Hao sat beside her.
Su Mei, her chin resting on her clasped hands, looked at him, “What do you think of me as your master?”
Shi Hao quickly said, “You’ve been… excellent, Master.”
Su Mei smiled, “And what about Ye Zi Yin?”
Shi Hao hesitated.
Su Mei said, “Just tell me. There’s no point in hiding anything from me.”
Shi Hao whispered, “She’s also been very kind.”
“Then here’s a question,” Su Mei looked at him with amusement, “If, in the near future, only one of us can survive, who do you want to live?”
Shi Hao was stunned. After a long moment, he said, “Master, can’t you two just… reconcile and leave this place together?”
Su Mei laughed, then her laughter faded as she stretched her arms before her.
She said slowly, “Only one of us can leave the Primordial Grotto Heaven. That’s unchangeable. She knows it, and so do I.”
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