Chapter 72. Do you know how to do the Flying Sword Technique?

Bao Fengxian.

Wu Fengshan Cai.

The appearance of Yu Mingjiao turned the Qi Pai Men and the Five Great Families upside down, but there were places that remained unaffected, such as Wu Fengshan Cai. Wu Fengshan Cai was more peaceful than ever before.

Thanks to the formidable presence of Yu Mingjiao, the small mountain retreat in the forest was naturally forgotten. The bandits no longer worried about the revenge of the Luoyang martial families.

The scorching summer passed.

When autumn arrived, changes came to Wu Fengshan Cai.

The martial prowess of the Wu Feng Ten Heroes had already surpassed that of the lone wanderer Huang Yaoming. They had truly become first-rate experts. Knowing this, Huang Yaoming's attitude became even more humble.

For Lian Jieha, the sword had become as familiar as the broadsword.

In fact, it was a foregone conclusion that he would soon adapt to the sword. Moreover, the Nine Heavens Body Technique he had mastered was a martial art that focused on body control, which greatly helped in changing weapons.

Once the sword became familiar, Lian Jieha began to earnestly practice the Nine Heavens Sword Technique.

On the day of the first snow.

Jiu Mifu Jian Sim Yangge, the outcast of Wu Fengshan Cai, entered a meditative state while practicing the 300-character scripture. If he had only done this for a short while, it wouldn't have been a big deal.

However, he awoke from his meditation after four whole days.

Just before he awoke, three golden flowers [金花] bloomed above his head. This was the realm of San Hua Ju Ding (三花聚顶) spoken of in Daoism.

When the essence, energy, and spirit merge into one, a transformation akin to rebirth occurs within the body. At this time, golden flower-like fragments appear above the head, known as San Hua Ju Ding.

Sim Yangge not only entered the realm of San Hua Ju Ding but also regained his lost inner strength. The inner strength that had been tainted by malevolent energy was purified and transformed into pure and peaceful power through the 300-character scripture.

Sim Yangge, who was once a high-level expert, had now become strong enough to be called a peak expert. Even when he casually swung his leaf-shaped sword, the sword wind extended for about three meters.

With Sim Yangge regaining his power, Lian Jieha taught him up to the sixth form of the Nine Heavens Body Technique.

The revival of Sim Yangge, who was once a cripple, made Huang Yaoming fall into despair. For several days, he refused to eat and carefully observed Sim Yangge.

If it were the old Sim Yangge, he would have immediately cut off one of Huang Yaoming's arms.

However, for some reason, Sim Yangge did not touch Huang Yaoming. Instead, he only gave him a brief encouragement, saying, "Work hard."

Only then did Huang Yaoming resume his meals and diligently go on mountain trips.

The new year arrived.

The Wu Feng Ten Heroes, perhaps inspired by Sim Yangge, did not stop their training.

Sim Yangge, for his part, was deeply engrossed in the practice of the Nine Heavens Body Technique, living in the backyard even in the cold.

One late afternoon, as Lian Jieha was walking around the backyard, he suddenly stopped.

The old Sim Yangge was swinging his leaf-shaped sword, drenched in sweat.

Lian Jieha stood there, watching him.

The Six Forms of the Nine Heavens Body Technique flowed smoothly from the First Form to the Sixth Form.

Perhaps because he had used the broadsword until last summer, his movements were finely detailed.

Watching the bold yet graceful sword techniques of Sim Yangge, it was hard to believe that he was once a famous bandit leader.

"Master, what are you looking at so intently?"

Sim Yangge wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand and approached Lian Jieha.

"Just that the old man is really working hard."

Even after regaining his inner strength, Sim Yangge still called Lian Jieha "Master." Lian Jieha also didn't change the title "Old Sim" that had stuck in his mouth.

"Hehe, am I the only one? The Wu Feng Ten Heroes and Master also practice sword techniques until sunset, don't you?"

"We are young, with a long life ahead. Old Sim, you don't know when you'll be called, so why are you sweating so much?"

"Don't you know that it's even sadder to be belittled for being weak in old age? To be treated well by juniors until the end, you have to sweat a bit in your daily life."

"Ouch! Who dares to belittle Old Sim? Everyone just lives by watching his moods."

"Exactly. I'm strong, so they watch my moods. If I were weak, I would be pushed around like a pebble in a dung field."

"Unique mindset. I really envy you."

"Who can match Master's mindset? You take money from merchants and officials, and you teach valuable martial arts to thieves."

"Money is just for survival. Should I starve to death? They say that after four days of hunger, one will climb over someone else's wall. I'm no different."

"Then why do you teach valuable martial arts to thieves?"

"See what happens when my sworn brothers and Old Sim go out and get cut. I have to go around to take revenge, which is tiring. In the end, it's all for my own benefit."

"Hehe. As expected, you are truly unique. I respect you, Master."

"Respect? Don't laugh strangely. Your eyes look fresh, but your laughter is off."

"It's just a habit."

"Anyway, has Old Sim overcome the wall he wanted to? You suffered a lot from it, didn't you?"

"Wow! Overcome the wall? Do you know what my wish was before? To reach the realm of Wu Qi Chao Yuan (五氣朝元, where the five elements of the body, heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys, merge into one, a high-level stage of internal alchemy). I tried everything to achieve it. I ate everything that was good for my inner strength. In my youth, I even ate many poisonous herbs. As a result, I developed dark spots on my face from my thirties."

"You were quite precocious."

"Despite that, I achieved the higher realm of San Hua Ju Ding. Honestly, even if I died and came back to life a hundred times, I couldn't have achieved this. It's all thanks to Master. I will repay this favor for the rest of my life."

"How long do you think you'll live? That's just talk. I know."

"Ha ha ha."

Sim Yangge, chuckling, asked:

"By the way, has Master made any progress in sword techniques?"

"Just so-so. As Old Sim said, the broadsword and the sword are now similar."

"Congratulations on being able to display the divine might of the sword."

"Don't flatter me. You sound like you're honey-coated."

"That's why people say I have a honey-coated mouth."

In fact, the "Kou Mi" (口蜜) in Jiu Mifu Jian referred to Sim Yangge's smooth talk. Of course, "Fu Jian" (腹劍) meant "harboring a sword in the heart."

"Why did a man who can survive by talking become a thief?"

"Because taking things by force is easier. Making others feel good is incredibly tiring."

"Hey, you're quite a remarkable old man. Full of vigor."

"No, I'm not. All my vigor is gone."

A calm smile appeared on Sim Yangge's face.

That was partly true. Otherwise, Huang Yaoming's arm would have been cut off.

Suddenly, Lian Jieha asked curiously:

"But, how do you do the Flying Sword Technique, Old Sim?"

"Flying Sword Technique?"

Sim Yangge blinked at the unexpected question.

"You know, throwing the sword and making it move around. Last year, Grandmaster Yi Tianjian threw a sword at me, and I was really surprised."

"Wow! You faced Grandmaster Yi Tianjian's Flying Sword Technique?"

"Yeah, I was so surprised that I just ran away. Imagine a sword flying like a bee. It's scary."

"First, the Flying Sword Technique is not a special move."

"Not a move?"

"For example, Sword Qi is about drawing the energy inside your body out of the sword, right?"

"Right."

"But Sword Qi is not a move. The Flying Sword Technique is similar. It requires skill in manipulating energy. Have you ever heard of the realm of Xu Kong She Wu (虛空攝物, moving objects with energy in the air)?"

"No."

"It means moving objects with the energy inside your body. It's a technique of emitting inner strength to move objects. It's said to be impossible unless your inner strength reaches the level of Lu Huo Chun Qing (爐火純靑, the final stage of alchemy where the flame in the furnace turns blue, symbolizing perfection in martial arts, usually beyond the realm of Wu Qi Chao Yuan)."

"So, it's like Xu Kong She Wu?"

"Yes, it involves dividing your energy into two parts: the energy inside your body and the energy outside. The Flying Sword Technique is about loading the external energy into the sword and moving it by connecting it with the internal energy."

"Two types of energy, one inside and one outside?"

"Yes, actually, I only heard this from my late master. I don't know the details. My master was far from the realm of the Flying Sword Technique, so he didn't know more."

"No, but it's a good explanation. It makes sense. The two energies must be connected to move. I understand it's not a move."

"It's said that you need to reach the realm of Shen Jian He Yi (神劍合一, the sword and the mind as one) to perform the Flying Sword Technique. First, you must become one with the sword, and then you can divide it into two."

"Old Sim seems quite knowledgeable."

"Hehe, I've spent a long time in the martial world. Most of it is hearsay. Master will soon reach such a realm."

"Will I?"

"What do you mean, 'will I?' In martial arts, the mind is crucial. Without belief, you can't do anything. It may feel strange and unfamiliar now, but think of it as natural as a fish breathing in water."

Lian Jieha nodded at Sim Yangge's sincere advice.

Sim Yangge's words were a significant stimulus for Lian Jieha, who had learned everything on his own without a master.

"Got it. Belief."

"Exactly. A person can do what they imagine and believe in, no matter what it is."

"Imagine and believe, right?"

Lian Jieha accepted this as similar to "drawing a picture in the mind."

Imagine and believe?

Sure. I've seen myself alive in a mirror and even the Nine Heavens Fairy. This is nothing!

"Yes, since it's a path Master hasn't walked, you can only imagine it. After all, isn't Qi (氣) also something you imagine and bring into the real world? Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Believe that it will come true as you imagine it."

"Thanks for the good advice."

"You're welcome. First, practice Xu Kong She Wu. You need to be able to move objects by emitting inner strength outside your body to perform the Flying Sword Technique or anything else."

"Aha!"

It made sense.

Meanwhile, the Wu Feng Ten Heroes started to come out to the backyard one by one.

Lian Jieha exchanged glances with them and then headed to the highest peak of Wu Feng Mountain.

At the highest peak of Wu Feng Mountain.

Lian Jieha sat cross-legged on a large rock.

The wind blew fiercely, but he was already at the level of Han Xue Bu Qin (寒暑不侵, immune to cold and heat), so he didn't feel the cold.

'Xu Kong She Wu...'

Lian Jieha took out a dagger from his bosom.

It was the one thrown by the kidnapper at the Po family temple last year.

He threw the dagger a step in front of him and extended his sword finger.

As he set his intention, the inner strength from his dantian surged to his fingertips like a storm.

Thud.

'Huh?'

The dagger flew away when hit by the energy extending from his fingertips.

'Oh no!'

Lian Jieha realized his problem too late.

When emitting energy outside his body, he only knew how to release it strongly.

The Nine Heavens Body Technique mentioned that there were various types of energy. Just the energy of the five elements alone had the properties of fire, water, wood, metal, and earth.

Not to mention!

Yuan Qi (元氣, original energy), Zheng Qi (正氣, righteous energy), Zong Qi (宗氣, energy above the chest), Wei Qi (衛氣, energy outside the blood vessels), Ling Qi (靈氣, spiritual energy), Yang Qi (陽氣, energy of the organs), Jing Qi (經氣, energy of the meridians), Xie Qi (邪氣, evil energy), Yang Qi (陽氣, positive energy), Zhuo Qi (濁氣, turbid energy), Yin Qi (陰氣, negative energy)...

There was dry energy, sticky energy, repelling energy, and attracting energy.

Lian Jieha thought for a long time about what kind of energy was needed for Xu Kong She Wu.

It needed to attract.

He imagined and re-imagined this attracting energy and pushed it out with his sword finger.

Spider web-like energy flowed out from his sword finger.

Lian Jieha had also imagined a spider web.

Swoosh.

The dagger slowly moved toward Lian Jieha's hand.

Finally, when he successfully grabbed the dagger, a refreshing laugh burst from his lips.