Chapter 15

Yue Buqun was momentarily stunned, thinking to himself: Could it be that our Huashan Sword Technique is so easily broken? Although he always felt there was something wrong with the breaking techniques on the wall, he couldn't figure it out in the heat of the moment, and his heart was filled with frustration. The true qi he had just broken through a few days ago also showed signs of instability.

Just then, a voice came, "Father, do you find these people laughable? They claim to have broken our Huashan Sword Technique with a set of nonsense moves." It was Yue Fangxing, who, seeing that Yue Buqun was momentarily at a loss, spoke up.

Hearing this, Yue Buqun's thoughts suddenly became clear, "That's right. Although these people's breaking techniques are also ingenious, when combined, they don't make sense. They can only be called scattered moves, far from being a complete set of techniques. If the user has deep internal strength, they might still be useful, but if used by ordinary people, it wouldn't work. At most, they might coincidentally break a single move, but would our Huashan disciples really use one move at a time for them to break? Besides, for those with high internal strength, would they even need these breaking techniques? It's clear that Xing'er has a better perspective, while I was momentarily bewitched."

While pondering, Yue Buqun already understood the intentions of these demon sect elders, "These demon sect elders left these breaking techniques mostly to undermine our Five Mountains Sword Sect. If disciples with weak wills see them, they might lose confidence in our sect's techniques, and might even fall into the path of evil. It's best to destroy this place."

He then said, "Xing'er, what you said makes some sense, but these moves, if used unexpectedly, can still have some effect."

Yue Fangxing smiled slightly and said, "There are no moves that cannot be broken. Every move has a flaw, and even the most ingenious moves can be broken eventually. Moreover, there might be more than one way to break them. If our Huashan Sword Technique were unbreakable, wouldn't we have already dominated the martial world? Even if these people's breaking techniques are correct, they are just another way to break our Huashan Sword Technique, and they are so nonsensical, they are not worth mentioning."

Yue Buqun had already regained his usual elegance and composure. He laughed and said, "There are no moves without flaws. Even the Taiji Sword Technique, which is said to be the best defensive technique, must have flaws. Otherwise, how would the demon sect dare to challenge Wudang and even attack Wudang Mountain? However, the flaws in techniques can be compensated for. For example, in our Huashan Sword Technique, some flaws are deliberately set as traps, followed by extremely powerful killing moves. If the enemy really thinks they are flaws, they are just asking for trouble. Moreover, our Huashan techniques are based on internal strength, and each move is refined by our ancestors with specific internal techniques. If not, wouldn't they have been stolen long ago? These people might break the external moves, but they can't break our internal techniques. Controlling the sword with internal strength is the true path of Huashan." His thoughts became clear, and he began to think about the internal techniques that accompany the sword techniques, which further strengthened his confidence in the internal strength school.

Yue Fangxing was greatly impressed. He had thought about the completeness of the techniques for a long time, but Yue Buqun had thought of much more in a moment. He then sighed, "These demon sect elders didn't help the senior who was trying to break through the mountain cave. Instead, they wasted their efforts here. Otherwise, they might have succeeded. Now, they have only left a laughing stock for future generations. Truly lamentable!"

Yue Buqun was startled, then smiled wryly. Indeed, that was the case. He didn't respond but turned to observe the sword techniques and breaking techniques again. After all, they were created by top-notch experts and still had some reference value. This time, he had escaped his previous confusion and gained new insights.

Yue Fangxing continued, "Father, some of the techniques on these cave walls are already lost in Huashan. Although they lack the internal techniques, I believe Father's wisdom can complete them. When the Huashan Sword Technique is supplemented and perfected, even the seventeen fast and slow sword techniques of Songshan's leader Zuo cannot compare."

Yue Buqun smiled and said, "Leader Zuo is extremely intelligent, and I admire him greatly. In recent years, he has gathered the remaining elders of Songshan, recorded all the sword techniques they remember, regardless of their quality, and then refined them, making the seventeen Songshan sword techniques almost perfect. Although he hasn't created new techniques, he has made significant contributions to organizing the Songshan sword techniques. Moreover, I heard that in recent years he has shifted from yang to yin, creating a set of ice true qi from the Songyang internal techniques. Although it is not yet complete, it is said to be extremely powerful and was created to counter Ren Lao Mo's Absorbing Star Technique. Unfortunately, they never had the chance to face each other."

Yue Fangxing secretly sneered. Few people in the demon sect knew about Ren Woxing being in the underground of West Lake Plum Manor, and the righteous path knew even less. However, with a loyal group of subordinates, the possibility of his escape was still high. Thinking of this, he was somewhat worried about the Huashan Sect's strength in future martial world turmoil and said, "Although our Huashan Sect has no remaining elders now, with the lost techniques Father has obtained, the Huashan Sword Technique can be completed. Based on the techniques and breaking methods of the other four mountains, creating a few world-renowned sword techniques is not difficult!"

Yue Buqun was greatly moved by this, but then sighed, "It's not that easy. Completing the Huashan Sword Technique would be a great achievement!" However, he also had a desire. Since his internal strength had broken through, he felt that his sword techniques still had many flaws. Even his former proud technique, "Three Green Peaks of Taishan," had many shortcomings and could not fully utilize his internal strength. Now that he had obtained some lost Huashan sword techniques, he could improve and perfect them, making his sword techniques stronger. If Huashan were to rise again, his contributions would be recorded, but such achievements would pale in comparison to creating a new sword technique that would be passed down through generations.

In martial arts, if one wants to supplement a few missing moves in a broken sword technique, as long as one has sufficient strength, many people can do it. After all, there are precedents to follow, though the power of the supplemented moves varies. However, creating a new set of fist or sword techniques and passing them down is extremely difficult. Otherwise, the Huashan Sect, which has existed for hundreds of years, would not have only a dozen or so techniques passed down. Although some have been lost, the total number is not many. Even Shaolin only claims to have seventy-two supreme techniques. Without extremely high martial arts and outstanding intelligence, it is impossible to create new supreme techniques.

Yue Buqun's current motivation was also due to his breakthrough in internal strength, which greatly deepened his understanding of martial arts. Moreover, today he had obtained some lost sword techniques from the Five Mountains Sword Sect. These techniques, which the demon sect elders specifically broke, were clearly the best of the Five Mountains Sword Sect. The breaking methods of the demon sect elders, although not systematic, were also quite ingenious. If these moves were integrated, they would be no less than any supreme technique.

Yue Fangxing had also thought of this, which was why he was determined to reveal this cave. His goal was to guide his father toward creating new sword techniques. If he succeeded, the chances of coveting the辟邪剑谱 (Evil-Dispelling Sword Manual) would be greatly reduced. Even if he obtained it, whether to practice it would be uncertain.

However, this was not enough. Yue Fangxing needed to add more fuel to the fire. He knew that his father's talent was not particularly high, and his current martial arts were entirely due to his determination and hard work. While he could exceed ordinary people in internal strength, creating sword techniques was somewhat lacking. The "Three Green Peaks of Taishan" he created was considered a second-rate technique by others, far from being a top-tier one. Therefore, Yue Fangxing suggested, "Our Huashan techniques are based on internal strength. Although sword techniques are important, they are just external methods and might even make disciples neglect their internal strength practice. It would be better to create a technique like the Mixed Yuan Technique, which can be used for both combat and practice. I call this a sword technique."

Yue Buqun was somewhat surprised. He had seen sword techniques before, which were just hand gestures, and although they had some effect, they were mainly auxiliary to sword techniques. He was puzzled, "Is there any difference in the sword technique you mentioned?"

Yue Fangxing replied, "Of course, the sword technique I mentioned includes both sword techniques and internal techniques, which complement each other, greatly increasing their power. In my view, only the Taiji Sword Technique and Taiji Internal Technique combined can be called a sword technique. As for other so-called sword techniques in the martial world, most are not worth mentioning."

Yue Buqun, although finding this very different from his previous understanding, felt it was very consistent with the internal strength school, so he didn't find it strange but instead began to ponder.

Yue Fangxing continued, "Over the years, I have read many martial arts notes from predecessors. Based on my understanding, sword techniques can be divided into five levels: basic, introductory, small success, great success, and supreme. Like me now, I have only learned the basics of sword techniques, can control them freely without accidentally hurting myself, but cannot use a long sword to defeat an enemy, which is the basic level; if one can skillfully use a set of sword techniques, break down moves, and use them to defeat enemies, but still lacks the ability to adapt and counter moves in combat, it is the introductory level; small success means being able to skillfully use several sets of sword techniques and apply different techniques to different opponents, which can be considered a step into the inner sanctum of sword techniques, and most swordsmen in the martial world are at this level; great success means understanding the inner essence of the learned sword techniques, fully utilizing their power, and even creating one's own sword techniques, which can be used freely in combat, and only a few people in the martial world can reach this level; supreme is a legendary level, where one's sword techniques are so refined that they can be used to defeat enemies effortlessly, with perfect and subtle control, and as long as the enemy is within the range of the sword, they are not a concern. The ancient saying 'kill one person in ten steps, leave no trace in a thousand miles' probably refers to this level."

This theory had been pondered by Yue Fangxing for a long time, based on his martial arts knowledge and past life experiences, and he felt it was quite complete. Today, after encountering so many things, especially being stimulated by Feng Qingyang, he couldn't help but loudly expound it. Of course, he still held back and did not mention the supreme level of sword and person becoming one, as he didn't know if it existed and could only explore it after reaching the supreme level, not knowing if he could achieve it in this life.

Yue Buqun nodded in approval at the beginning of his words but felt that the later part was more like the sword school, which made him angry. He sternly asked, "Xing'er, where did you get this theory?"

Yue Fangxing was not nervous but smiled, "Father, don't worry. These are all my own thoughts over the years. What I said earlier is based on sword techniques alone, but the path of sword techniques requires extremely high talent, and probably only a few people in the entire martial world can reach the supreme level. Moreover, even if one's sword techniques are strong, they cannot extend life, and they might not defeat internal strength experts. Therefore, most people in the martial world now practice both internal strength and sword techniques. However, the combination of the two is not good. Most people just become stronger and more skillful in sword techniques after practicing internal strength, far from fully utilizing the true power of internal strength. Our Huashan Sect, based on internal strength, must be different. Over the years, I have thought hard and summarized a method from the predecessors, which is to take internal strength as the foundation, momentum as the priority, and techniques as the application. This way, internal strength can be used to enhance the momentum of the sword. Once the momentum is formed, the sword techniques can also reach great success. If various momentums are harmonious and natural, it is also the supreme level."

This was based on Yue Fangxing's knowledge from his past life. Over the years, he had been with Linghu Chong and knew his own talent. If he only practiced sword techniques, he might not reach the supreme level in his lifetime. Therefore, he thought hard and, based on Yang Guo's heavy sword theory, found a seemingly feasible path.

Yue Buqun pondered for a long time and then asked, "What is this sword momentum, and how is it different from ordinary momentum?"

Yue Fangxing replied, "Of course, it is different. The sword momentum I mentioned is the momentum contained in the sword, which can be used to defeat enemies. The Dao De Jing says, 'Man follows the earth, the earth follows the sky, the sky follows the Dao, and the Dao follows nature.' Therefore, learning from man is not as good as learning from nature, and sword techniques should also follow nature, especially the momentum of nature. About two hundred years ago, there was a top expert known as the Divine Condor Hero. It is said that when he thrust his sword, it was like a rolling sea, making it impossible to resist, and he subdued countless heroes. I speculate that this senior must have understood the momentum of the sea and used his powerful internal strength to create it, with each wave higher than the last, making it impossible for ordinary people to resist. Of course, sword momentum is not limited to this. Other momentums like water, wind, fire, and mountain are also possible. Although this path does not require as high a talent as the pure sword technique path, it still requires great determination and opportunity. However, since Father can understand the key to breaking through the Purple Mist Technique from the sunrise, it is highly likely that you can also understand the momentum of the sunrise."

Seeing Yue Buqun pacing and pondering, Yue Fangxing added, "In fact, our Five Mountains Sword Sect's techniques also contain sword momentum. Our Huashan Sword Technique is known for its uniqueness and danger, making it unpredictable and easy to fall into traps, just like the terrain of Huashan. The Taishan Sword Technique is ancient and heavy, the Hengshan Sword Technique is unpredictable, the Hengshan Sword Technique is subtle, and the Songshan Sword Technique is powerful, all reflecting the terrain of their respective mountains. This shows that our predecessors understood sword momentum and integrated it into their techniques, though they did not explicitly mention it or emphasize it. I have been studying this for years and have speculated on the essence of our Five Mountains Sword Techniques, which is truly admirable."

Yue Fangxing took a breath and continued, "As for the sword technique I mentioned earlier, it combines internal strength with sword techniques, with the internal technique as the main focus and the moves mainly for building momentum. The ultimate goal is to use the momentum to defeat enemies, maximizing the use of internal strength. For example, the Thunderbolt Sword Technique, although simple, can be extremely powerful when mastered, and if further developed with internal techniques, it can be considered a sword technique. I believe this sword technique should be like the Mixed Yuan Technique I practice, based on internal strength, but practicing the sword can also promote the circulation of internal strength, making it possible to practice both the sword and internal strength simultaneously, enhancing both, and making combat more enduring. However, creating such a sword technique is a long-term goal."

Yue Fangxing looked at Yue Buqun, full of expectation. He had said so much today, hoping that his father would gain some insights and find his own path in martial arts, reducing the likelihood of coveting other techniques in the future.

Yue Buqun was deep in thought, his expression changing, and it was unclear what he was thinking. After a long time, he came to his senses and said, "Xing'er, let's first copy these techniques. I will organize them and supplement the Huashan introductory sword techniques before passing them on to you. As for the concepts of sword momentum and sword techniques, we will verify them after you have mastered the sword techniques. Remember, never be overly ambitious!"

Yue Fangxing naturally understood this and nodded in agreement.