Chapter 90. A Man's Resolve is Five Senses.

To summarize:

The Sword Demon has yet to challenge the Leader.

After challenging the Leader, it seems he will receive an invitation to join the gang, but I don't know when that will happen.

Assuming the Sword Demon went to seek out another strong opponent after training following his battle with the Leader, it's reasonable to assume that's when news of him stopped.

After the Sword Demon, who strikes with a wooden sword, disappeared, his disciple, Zuo, went on a rampage and was branded a villain, and he joined the sect to kill the leader, which roughly clears up the situation.

In fact, the martial arts competition is over. However, when the Sword Demon said to ask any questions I had, I immediately asked:

"Junior, in the unique martial arts book you obtained, there is a level called 'Thunder Sword Style.' What do you think of it, Senior?"

The Sword Demon smiled slightly.

It seemed both amusing and surprising that I asked about martial arts without any pretense of modesty.

The Sword Demon replied:

"What is written about the Thunder Sword Style? There must be some explanation."

"Qi transforms into a thunderstorm."

"...Is that all?"

I nodded.

'So, I wasn't the only one who found it strange.'

The content was so brief that even the Sword Demon was slightly taken aback. Who could possibly learn the Wuji Sword Technique?

However, the Sword Demon asked me more about the process:

"If 'Thunder Sword Style' is the name of a level, what comes before and after it?"

I took a moment to gather my thoughts.

I hesitated for a moment about whether to explain, but since I was seeking his guidance, it was right to speak.

"There are stages. In order, they are Long Sword Style, Short Sword Style, Ten Thousand Sword Style, Flying Sword Style, followed by Thunder Sword Style."

"Next?"

"Wooden Sword Style, Qi Sword Style, Wuji Style."

The Sword Demon, who had been pondering, nodded.

"Systematic. It seems they named the levels one can reach while mastering the sword and did not think of the sword technique as a complex set of moves, which is quite unique. Wuji Style must be the most powerful move created by the person who invented this sword technique. However, I've never heard of a school that distinguishes core concepts so simply. It sounds like a master from at least a hundred years ago."

"That's right."

Zuo, who had been hit by the wooden sword and had a swollen forehead, sat back down on the bench.

The Sword Demon was deep in thought, so I crossed my arms and closed my eyes for a moment. The three of us were each contemplating the question posed by the martial artist.

The Sword Demon said:

"I'll give you my opinion."

I opened my eyes.

The Sword Demon continued:

"Take what I say as just a guess. There's no need to be fixated on the term 'Thunder Sword Style.' This senior probably cultivated extreme yang internal energy. Naturally, if his sword qi reached an extreme and exploded to attack the enemy, he would have given it a fitting name. Qi often resembles natural phenomena, so he called it Thunder Sword. However, it doesn't necessarily mean the sword qi has to look like thunder. Do you understand?"

"I understand."

"Explain the Wooden Sword Style."

I answered immediately:

"From Long Sword Style to Thunder Sword Style, the levels that can be achieved with a wooden sword."

The Sword Demon looked impressed.

"Ah... It's as if you're describing my state. If Qi Sword Style is next, does it mean using qi in the form of a sword without a wooden sword?"

I nodded at the perceptive man.

The Sword Demon frowned and muttered:

"Wooden Sword Style is not the end. Is this sword technique perhaps the martial arts of an ancient top expert?"

"I don't know. It's said to be the sword technique of Ouyang Wuji, a name I've never heard before."

The Sword Demon nodded.

"Sounds like a master from the White Path. I'll ask the Leader later and get appropriate information to share with you."

Hearing the Sword Demon's words, I nodded. The Leader would likely know, given the thorough records of the gang.

I realized that my level was not blocked at Thunder Sword Style.

It's just a matter of internal energy.

Since I was currently drawing on the power of the Heavenly Prison to cultivate my internal energy, it means I would naturally be able to use Thunder Sword Style as time passed.

Of course, since I had never deeply mastered the sword and rarely used qi with a sword, my sword qi would not resemble a thunderstorm.

The Sword Demon explained that this didn't matter.

Suddenly, I thought of the plum tree.

'If my sword qi were to scatter like plum blossoms...'

Comparing plum blossoms to thunder is not a matter of superiority but rather a reflection of one's nature.

If I interpret the Wuji Sword Technique's Thunder Sword Style in my own way, it would be something like Plum Blossom Sword Style. Combining this with the Flame Technique of the Golden Cage, it would become Plum Blossom Fragrance.

However, the power of the sword technique would need to be as intense as a lightning strike to be a meaningful move.

The conversation was mainly between the Sword Demon and me, but Zuo, who was sitting beside us, was also lost in thought. Since he doesn't use a sword, he was likely reinterpreting the master's and my words based on the Ice Technique.

The Sword Demon said at a particularly subtle moment:

"Junior, my real name has long lost its meaning and I no longer use it."

It seemed he was asking me to reveal my identity. I revealed the most important part of my identity to the Sword Demon:

"I am Li Zha, the leader of Haomen."

"Did you create Haomen?"

I nodded, and the Sword Demon said to his disciple:

"You must not provoke or insult the members of Haomen with your frivolous words. A conflict with the leader is inevitable. Be especially careful with women."

Zuo, who had been sizing me up, replied:

"Understood."

The Sword Demon, resting his chin, gave a frank dismissal:

"I won't be able to sleep tonight because of what the leader said. I'll enjoy pondering it, so give me some time alone, disciple and leader of Haomen."

The Sword Demon looked at me:

"Leader, will we meet again?"

I nodded and replied:

"Senior, I think we have a lot to talk about in the future."

The Sword Demon, who had maintained a calm expression, slightly smiled.

"See you again."

His tone was casual, but he wasn't one to adhere to formalities.

The Sword Demon got up, crossed his arms, and bid farewell to Zuo:

"You must have gained something today, so stay home and reflect. The enlightenment you seek will run away if it finds the smell of alcohol at your door."

It seemed he was a teacher who gave broad guidance, allowing Zuo to find his own enlightenment, which was possible because Zuo was already a master.

We parted without any warm words, being three stoic men.

However, as soon as Zuo and I stepped outside, we glared at each other as if it were natural.

Zuo said in a low tone:

"Country bumpkin, be grateful. To receive the master's guidance..."

I replied to Zuo:

"Shithead, let's see who's lucky."

At that moment, the Sword Demon's deep voice came from inside:

"Shithead, come back in. I have something to say."

Zuo, who had been about to stir up trouble, quickly went inside.

"Called, Master."

Losing my opponent, I swallowed my frustration and turned around. As I returned to my quarters, I immediately erased the thought of the shithead and reviewed the conversation with the Sword Demon.

Although I didn't immediately gain the Ice Technique, it felt like I had gained a sword.

In my previous life, I didn't often use a sword.

According to the Sword Demon's standards, it's probably true that I don't have any outstanding martial arts. If someone's criticism stings, it's best to accept it. The martial arts I'm most confident in are the mysterious staff given to me by Guangsheng, which I used with unbreakable determination. However, this was an advantage because the staff was incredibly sturdy.

It's also unpleasant that the Sword Demon's level seems slightly higher than mine.

However, since the time since my return has been extremely short, my overall martial arts development speed is abnormally fast.

Therefore, there's no need to rush or compare myself to others.

I deliberately didn't ask about the opinion on the wandering knight.

The Sword Demon is on a different path.

Perhaps he is on a path that doesn't fit a wandering knight at all, which is why I think he is one of the pillars of the demonic path.

A man who is less interested in chivalry and only pursues martial arts.

This might be a very old demonic path.

The concept of a path (道) cannot be definitively defined.

If a man like the Sword Demon calls himself a demonic path, then he is a demonic path.

However, I...

The idea that he fought the leader to determine who the true demonic path is resonated with me. Only after meeting the Sword Demon in person did I understand the meaning of those words.

A man should be at least that level...

This thought kept swirling in my heart.

***

The Sword Demon sighed on the bench.

"Disciple."

"Yes."

"Sending you both out at the same time was a mistake. I called you back because I thought you might start another fight."

Zuo nodded with a troubled expression.

"In fact, we probably would have fought."

"Rascal."

"Speak, Master."

"I am a selfish person. It's not easy for me to dedicate time to you. You, being sociable by nature, might find it hard to understand."

"No, I understand."

"Have you lost interest in your recent training?"

"It feels like I'm hitting a wall, so yes."

"Hitting a wall during training is a common experience for anyone learning martial arts."

"Yes, that's true."

"How you overcome it, how you view and solve the problem, is what the martial world calls insight (悟性). Many people mistake insight for simply learning martial arts quickly. Exceptional memory, analytical skills, learning ability, and understanding are not insight but just being smart, a gift from your parents. Like you..."

"..."

"Stop drinking, stay away from women, this is this, that is that. When I see the leader of Haomen, who is strengthening himself without a master, what do you think?"

"I don't know."

"Earlier, you heard him say he's going around to create new martial arts. I don't know what Haomen is, but his goal is martial arts. He will thoroughly prepare before going to kill the leader. But he knows it won't be easy. Do you remember what he said then?"

"Yes."

"What did he say?"

"He said the important thing is to harbor the intent to kill the enemy."

"You are practicing while harboring a woman, and he is practicing while harboring the intent to kill. A year, two years from now, when you argue and engage in a mental battle with him again at the gate. Will you be able to face the leader of Haomen as confidently as you do now?"

Zuo listened with a gloomy expression.

"..."

"Disciple, look at the long term. I'm not talking about wordplay; I'm talking about the future that awaits you. If the person who gave you laxatives becomes much stronger than you, how will you live with that shame? Can you bear the humiliation of being called a genius? The sudden appearance of this person is a blessing. The martial world has always been like this. You need a rival to become stronger."

"Yes."

"Insight is what makes you strong easily. That's you."

"Yes."

"But if Li Zha overcomes you, what good is that insight? I almost sighed several times seeing the young man carefully hiding his aura while talking to me. Who taught him such caution? Go home and think about it. What method will you use to overcome Li Zha in a year? In two or three years? What method will you use to surpass his aimless intent to kill? Ultimately, the mindset and a man's resolve are insight."

Zuo bowed to the Sword Demon from the bench.

"I will think deeply, Master."

"I will meditate for a few days to grasp the clues to enlightenment. Keep that in mind."

"Yes."

"Upon closer inspection, he is suppressing his madness. Don't fight him rashly. If you call him a country bumpkin, he will call you a shithead. If you call him a leader, he might just call you a senior. Don't provoke a mad dog. Consider him an ally and a competitor in a broader sense. How many people in the world can have a deep conversation with you and me? Don't treat him lightly."

"Yes, indeed, it's best not to provoke a mad dog."

"Right. If my disciple calls Li Zha a mad dog again, he will call you a horny dog. Go."

The disciple, who had been beaten by his master, bowed deeply with a pained expression.

"Master, I will leave now."

The Sword Demon nodded solemnly.

"Understood."

As soon as the disciple stood up, he staggered and walked towards the gate like a defeated soldier. The sigh from his master behind him stabbed his heart again.