Chapter 17: Practicing Swordsmanship, for the Sake of Killing

"You practiced for two and a half hours without moving." Meng Chaoran looked at his second disciple with a scrutinizing gaze and pondered, "It seems you're not just practicing swordsmanship?"

"Master's insight is clear." Chu Yang smiled, always respecting this master, both in his past and present life.

Meng Chaoran was always indifferent, yet no one dared to deceive him. He seemed to be detached from the world, indifferent to everything, but nothing in the world could escape his notice. He had his own sense of justice in his heart!

Weighing the world!

Such a person, wherever he was, was an extraordinary talent!

But he also had something he wanted to protect, his sect! The Sky Tower!

That's why he fought to the death when the Sky Tower was in crisis! Yet, amidst the blood and gore, he protected his disciples.

Perhaps there were other regrets in his heart, but Chu Yang didn't know. He only knew that his master often stood quietly in the wind at night, as if reminiscing, sighing, or missing something...

"You are practicing your mind, your intent, and the speed of your sword, as well as controlling the sound of the sword being drawn!" Meng Chaoran, hands behind his back, said calmly, "Who taught you these things?"

"No one taught me. I just felt that using the heart in swordsmanship is essential! Every sword must be used with heart to achieve results." Chu Yang said, "In the past, I practiced swordsmanship just for the sake of it, falling far behind..."

"Hmm, not bad." Meng Chaoran nodded lightly, then raised his hand. Chu Yang felt a weight in his hand and saw that he now held a water bottle.

"After practicing swordsmanship, you retracted your sword heart and intent, dispersed the sword qi in your heart, and then spoke to me. Your realm is now stable, so you can drink water." Meng Chaoran smiled.

After excessive exercise, one shouldn't drink water immediately. If you drink water right after stopping practice, the efforts of the morning will be in vain, and it will harm your body.

But now, after this period of rest, it was fine.

"Yes." Chu Yang raised the water bottle, took a few small sips, and then put it down. Although he was extremely thirsty, he couldn't drink too much.

Everyone knew this principle, but few had the self-control to follow it.

Meng Chaoran had been watching his face all along. Now, he slowly relaxed and smiled, saying, "Practicing swordsmanship with the heart is the way to form a sword heart. With a sword heart, you can have the courage to wield the sword. With the courage to wield the sword, you can dominate the world. Among your generation of disciples, everyone knows this principle, but few truly practice it. Now, you have勉强 understood this level, which is good. However, you still need to continue to work hard."

He paused and said, "I don't care how you practice swordsmanship. But why do you control the sound of the sword being drawn?"

Chu Yang chuckled and said, "Master, whether it's swordsmen or knife wielders on the entire Nine Heavens Continent, their sheaths are made of iron. Or, for some wealthy people, the sheaths might be made of gold, silver, or even mystic gold, and there are even more precious materials. But no matter what, they are all metal. Metal is durable, doesn't wear easily, and can be used for a long time. In emergencies, it can also be used as a weapon. These are all advantages, but when the weapon is drawn, it makes a clear sound."

"Correct." Meng Chaoran nodded.

"But the clear sound gives the enemy time to prepare. I believe this is a disadvantage of metal sheaths!" Chu Yang said confidently, "Master, why do we practice swordsmanship? To kill! If it's just for fitness, we don't need weapons. Since we are killing, why give the enemy time to prepare? A single sword to take a life, isn't that more straightforward?"

"I practice silent swordsmanship to catch the enemy off guard!" Chu Yang smiled, "The world is a ruthless place, and a man must kill. Blood will be shed for three thousand miles, and killing should be done without a trace! I always believe that killing without a trace is the highest realm."

"Killing without a trace? Like how you framed Shi Qianshan?" Meng Chaoran tilted his head, his eyes suddenly sharp.

Chu Yang was taken aback, not expecting Meng Chaoran to have noticed and seen through his plan.

"I can't deny that framing Shi Qianshan was the most satisfying thing I've done," Chu Yang smiled frankly, then said in a low voice, "If he hadn't been blinded by lust and greed, he wouldn't have been framed by me!"

Meng Chaoran looked at him deeply and sighed, then immediately changed the subject, hands behind his back, and walked forward, saying calmly, "You said you practice swordsmanship to kill... that's a bit biased. You must know that in this world, there are many things to love and many things to care about. Practicing swordsmanship isn't just for killing, but also for protecting."

"Using your sword to protect what you care about. People, or things." Meng Chaoran sighed, "Life is precious, and if you can avoid killing, you should. Even the most ruthless killers, when they kill one person, their hearts are also wounded. No matter how evil the person they kill, they are still someone's son, husband, brother, or father..."

"Master also mentioned protection, and I agree. But when others come to harm what we protect, to prevent our loved ones from being sad and crying..." Chu Yang followed Meng Chaoran's steps, walking slowly, and said firmly, "We must make the enemy's parents sad and cry. This person must be killed!"

Meng Chaoran said, "If you can forgive, do so."

"I forgive, but others don't forgive me!" Chu Yang said, "The path of life is like this. Dangers and enemies should be dealt with as soon as possible."

"You have too much blood on your hands!" Meng Chaoran said, "This is not good."

He shook his head with compassion, "You must know that endless revenge will never end?"

"Then cut the roots! That way, it will end immediately." Chu Yang said bluntly, "Master, you are too soft. You don't act like a person of the world."

"Practicing silent swordsmanship is like ambushing. This goes against the rules of the world. It might cause controversy, which is not good for your future."

Chu Yang chuckled, "Rules are rules, and I am me. Why should I follow those rules? The only rule I have is to protect my life, which is the greatest rule! Without life, even if you follow the rules, it's just nonsense!"

He paused and said sarcastically, "Moreover, how many people in the world still follow those rules? Those so-called rules have become the cause of death for honest people!"

Meng Chaoran was silent.

Neither of them could convince the other, but both felt a sense of novelty. In his past life, Chu Yang only respected his master and never argued. Now, as they walked and talked, even though they were discussing the grim topic of killing, they felt a warmth in their hearts.

Meng Chaoran felt the same.

He didn't agree with Chu Yang's words, but he couldn't deny that they made sense. He didn't say more because, even for his disciples, he never forced anyone. Everyone has their own path, and how they walk it is their choice.

"Master, there's something I've been puzzled about." Chu Yang said carefully.

"You're talking about... Shi Qianshan?" Meng Chaoran smiled, "I've always allowed Shi Qianshan to deceive you with false affection, letting him monopolize the sect's resources without interference, right?"

"Yes." Chu Yang raised his eyebrows and looked up.

This was his confusion. If Meng Chaoran understood, why didn't he stop it? Shi Qianshan was a disciple, but weren't they also disciples?

Chu Yang wasn't dissatisfied, but he knew Meng Chaoran must have a reason. He was asking to understand, because the next step was to kill Shi Qianshan. But what if it disrupted Meng Chaoran's plan?