Chapter 82. The Reason Why a Swordsman is Strong

"There's nothing wrong with you, yet you keep coming and troubling the teacher."

For some reason, every time I see Murong Bai, I feel as if I haven't seen him in a very long time. I don't know why.

Murong Bai observed my expression and said,

"You can come anytime. Did you wait long?"

In fact, I had waited for half an hour, but I answered casually,

"I waited for about half an hour."

Murong Bai, as if following a routine, felt my pulse and continued,

"...By the way, Sect Leader, you seem to be getting stronger every time I see you."

It was a compliment that wasn't often heard, so I smiled.

"I try to live that way."

Murong Bai removed his hand and said,

"There's nothing special. However, I'm more curious about your mind than your body."

Murong Bai gazed steadily at my expression and eyes. I mentioned the incident with the flames in a disorganized manner.

"While fighting, when I see the flames surrounding me, I feel as if I lose my senses for a moment. I almost burned to death once."

Murong Bai replied with a faint smile,

"Why is that? I'm not a fortune-teller. I think you know the cause to some extent."

I tried to find the cause and rambled,

"I had an inn named after me, and it was completely burned down. I felt lost? At the time, I didn't realize it, but I guess I didn't expect a smooth life after my home was gone."

"Why?"

"Because I knew my personality even before it burned down."

Murong Bai replied calmly,

"Does that kind of personality hinder your martial arts practice?"

"Not really."

The contemplative Murong Bai asked me,

"By the way, how would you feel if you met someone much stronger than you? I don't know if you've ever met such a person."

I knew exactly what Murong Bai was asking.

"I feel like I'm going to go crazy."

"Why?"

I looked at Murong Bai seriously.

"Because I have to go crazy to win. If my skills are inferior to my opponent, I have to rely on madness to win."

"You mentioned enduring. Could you explain that part more?"

"Everyone feels pain when fighting. To win, you have to endure that pain. There are moments when you feel like you've crossed a line. You should faint but don't, you should fall but don't. Somewhere near that point, madness (狂氣) is waiting to burst out."

"Aren't you afraid of defeat or death?"

"I'm not afraid of defeat. I've lost many times since I was young, which is why I've continued to get stronger."

"What about death?"

I recalled being trapped in the Heavenly Net. I also remembered being mercilessly beaten by Guang Sheng. Despite countless defeats and failures, I never felt fear of death. Perhaps I had already accepted death since the first time Zhahe Inn burned down.

"I don't think about it when I fight."

Murong Bai replied with a troubled expression,

"Then, losing your senses while looking at the flames might not be out of fear but rather a recognition or contemplation of madness (狂氣)."

"Recognition?"

"To defeat the world's strongest, you must go mad according to your way of thinking, right?"

"That's right."

"Perhaps, when you looked at the flames surrounding the inn, you felt regret. Is it the right choice to live like a madman, prepared to die, or should you have a different mindset? Perhaps the life question you carry comes to mind every time you look at the flames."

"What if I decide?"

"Would it be easy to decide? I don't know how strong you want to become."

"I want to be the strongest in the world."

Suddenly, Murong Bai tapped the table.

"When do you think that will happen?"

"I don't know."

"That's right. You know it well. If it happens in ten years, it might be better to do nothing and spend nine years in seclusion, cultivating your inner strength. Isn't that scary?"

"I don't plan to do that."

"Why not?"

"Wouldn't it be too meaningless? I need to drink, sing, dance, and fight with others. I have a lot to do."

"Then, you can only live each day to the fullest. Someone will become the strongest in the world, but only if they survive. Everyone has a deceitful side. To be precise, your dream might not be to become the strongest in the world."

"Then what?"

"Drinking, singing, and dancing until you become the strongest in the world might be a dream that better suits you."

I laughed out loud at Murong Bai's words.

"Oh, is that how it is?"

I reflected on my feelings and replied,

"I feel like something is half-resolved."

Murong Bai said,

"It's just my personal opinion. How about trying to induce madness (狂氣) only when you meet a strong opponent? It might not be bad to practice calming your mind in daily life. Separating your mindset during fights from your daily life."

Murong Bai understood my psychological state even though we hadn't known each other for long. Perhaps because Murong Bai was once a completely mad person during his Poison Demon days. If I were to draw Murong Bai's heart, the character for madness (狂) would be crouching in a corner.

I asked Murong Bai,

"Have you ever felt like you were going to go crazy?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

Murong Bai replied with a complicated expression,

"Sometimes, when I see someone I saved change their attitude after recovering from an illness, I feel like my stomach is being turned inside out. I get a fever and have to lie down for a few days."

I nodded.

"I understand."

Murong Bai understands me, and I understand the Poison Demon Murong Bai.

Indeed, this man went mad because of that.

We laughed together after sharing the weaknesses in our hearts.

"Teacher Murong, I have a question. It might sound like a light question, but I'm asking it seriously."

"Sure, I'll think about it and answer."

"What do you think of swordsmen?"

We never discussed swordsmen during our Mad Demon and Poison Demon days. Therefore, what Murong Bai says now is a new opinion to me.

Murong Bai thought for a moment and replied,

"Aren't swordsmen fools?"

"Fools?"

"If we consider those who can't take care of their own share as fools, then in a broad sense, swordsmen can be called fools."

"I'll keep listening."

"Usually, people who risk their lives for the right cause are called swordsmen, but there's nothing more precious than one's life in this world. A person who establishes their purpose by giving up the most precious thing can be called the greatest fool."

"Then, are they strong?"

It was a silly question, but Murong Bai answered wisely.

"Considering them as people rather than martial artists, is there anyone stronger than them? Swordsmen are rare. Even those who fight criminals are noble, but true swordsmen are not strong because of their martial arts but because of their character."

This opinion from the former Poison Demon about swordsmen was impressive.

"A senior I know said that swordsmen are stronger than any martial artist, but I don't understand that."

"If it's not about individual fighting skills but about influence, then swordsmen are naturally stronger than martial artists. Do you suspect that this is a method of martial arts cultivation?"

"That's all I can think of."

Murong Bai unexpectedly said,

"Try it yourself."

"Try what?"

"Swordsmen. It doesn't have to be risking your life, but anyone with power can do something worthy of being called a swordsman. Especially you, the strongest person I know, why can't you do it?"

I laughed self-deprecatingly and replied,

"Me, a swordsman?"

"Did the swordsmen of the past consider their status, background, or wealth before becoming swordsmen? They were men who didn't consider anything, which is why they were swordsmen."

"Can you be a swordsman, Teacher?"

"I've already chosen the path of a doctor. Looking back, many famous sect founders were called swordsmen in their youth. Isn't that right? In their biographies, they were often called swordsmen in their youth, then retreated to the mountains in old age, and raised successors to become sect founders. It's a common story. Now that I think about it, the statement that swordsmen are strong feels different."

I nodded and felt a sense of relief.

Murong Bai, who had been observing my expression, asked curiously,

"Have you made a decision?"

"I have."

"Can you tell me?"

I crossed my arms and said,

"I don't plan to be a swordsman. It doesn't suit my nature."

Murong Bai laughed, seemingly surprised by the unexpected answer. I explained my intention to Murong Bai.

"However, if I find someone with the right intentions and a straight heart, I will support them. I can teach them martial arts and provide full material support."

I'm taking money from the black path bit by bit, so it's entirely possible.

"If I support them in every way and they become an excellent swordsman, it will resolve my curiosity."

"Will you not do it yourself?"

I smiled.

"I'm a much worse person than you think, so the role of a villain suits me. There are still too many people I need to kill. I need to eliminate the monstrous leaders (大魔頭) in advance so that my foolish disciple won't be killed by someone when he becomes a swordsman. That will make it easier for him to do his job as a swordsman."

Murong Bai burst into laughter.

"Ha ha ha ha..."

I laughed with Murong Bai. Murong Bai took a deep breath and nodded,

"I also feel a bit relieved. I will support Sect Leader and your future disciple in my own way. That way, I can contribute, even if only a little, to bringing a foolish swordsman into this harsh world."

"Will you do that?"

"I will gladly."

I looked into Murong Bai's eyes and nodded.

"Let's try it. I will always look for upright people. To make a swordsman strong, I need to become stronger myself. I will prepare every day through martial arts, and you will prepare through medicine. Let's create the strongest fool in the world."

Murong Bai laughed and replied,

"Sect Leader, it's a swordsman, not a fool."

"Thinking about it, it's hard for a smart person who calculates everything to become a swordsman."

"Fools and swordsmen are connected in that way."

Murong Bai asked cautiously,

"What about the flames you mentioned? Are they still burning in your heart, precariously?"

"They are burning, but not precariously. They will drive my enemies mad."

I stood up to return to the Black Cat Hall.

"Teacher, do you need any more medical attendants?"

"The skills of the medical attendants vary widely, which can be disappointing in a different way."

"There are women called Heibai Xiaoxiao staying at the Black Cat Hall. They only know how to seduce men, but my subordinates are already enchanted by them without any special actions. If you're willing to teach them medical skills, I can arrange an interview. They are also skilled in martial arts and can serve as guards."

Murong Bai replied honestly,

"If they do well, I'll keep them. If I can't handle them, I'll send them back to the Black Cat Hall. If Sect Leader is willing to take them back, I'll meet them."

"Let's do that."

"Take care, Sect Leader."

After exchanging farewells, I left Murong's residence and headed back to the Black Cat Hall. As I walked, the conversation with the former Poison Demon Murong Bai gradually became blurry, and the memory was replaced by the conversation with the current Doctor Murong Bai.

What is this feeling?

As one memory faded, another was being formed.

I resolved my curiosity about the theory of swordsmen in the book of the established person with my own way of thinking.

I need to make a swordsman strong.

The man who will make his disciple the strongest swordsman in the martial world is Haowen Sect Leader, Li Zha.

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I am.