Chapter 9: Reflections on the Sword Duel

Zhuang Yunzhen had been at the Su Yi Pavilion for three days now. Aside from yesterday, when the Pavilion Master herself had met with him once, his only task had been to eat—constantly, endlessly. No one had mentioned the matter of the Immovable Golden Body again. Mo Qing still visited every day, always bringing him an array of delicious foods. “What’s wrong? Don’t like these? Fine, tell me what you’d prefer, and I’ll make it for you. I know you have a lot of questions right now, but all this food is so you can better master the Immovable Golden Body.”

“You’ve fought fiercely several times in a row. You probably don’t even realize how serious your internal injuries are. It’s because you haven’t rested enough that your strength faltered at the end. The Immovable Golden Body is a defensive art, but it demands much from its practitioner. With your internal and external wounds, if you started training now, it would only hurt you.”

“Or perhaps you’re upset with me for not revealing my true identity sooner?” Zhuang Yunzhen could only offer a wry smile. “Miss Mo Qing, you misunderstand. I don’t care about such things as identity. It’s just that for three days I’ve done nothing but eat, with no time to digest. Perhaps we could take a walk outside?”

Whatever Mo Qing’s identity, from the day they met, they had been friends. “All right, let’s skip eating for today. A walk is good. I grew up here but never had friends. Uncle always told me that the feud between Su Yi Pavilion and Hanjiang Island is irreconcilable. He treats me very well, but he was strict about martial training. Before I met you, all I did was practice martial arts, day after day.”

“In that, we’re somewhat alike. I started training the Celestial Scroll of the Lingyun Atlas as a child. Imagine—a seven-year-old facing such monotonous routines every day. Of course, I hated it. But Master said the Celestial Scroll was a path of unyielding strength, and only the resolute could complete it. Back then, I had a junior brother who was always laughing and joking. Even if I complained to him, he never really understood.”

“But I never did complain. We were brothers. I could see his laughter, but his training was even more tedious than mine. Every day, he endured the chill of the moon, and when practicing the Falling Star Technique, he couldn’t even close his eyes, concentrating his inner power there. Yet he never once uttered a word of hardship. I was the senior brother—was I really inferior to my junior?”

“Forgive me, I’m rather dull, always talking about my junior brother. As for myself, there’s not much to say. I was raised by my master, Qi Ying, who gave me a brother and made me a martial artist. He meant everything to me, someone irreplaceable. Mo Qing, I imagine your uncle is just as important to you.”

“Of course. Everything I have is thanks to Uncle. My uncle and father were completely different in temperament. Uncle loved fun and excitement from a young age, and my father, as his elder brother, adored his only sibling. He always said that as long as he was around, Uncle could be carefree. But those happy days didn’t last. My father died at the hands of those from Hanjiang Island. I don’t know how Uncle felt when he heard, but from that day, he never smiled again. Su Yi Pavilion was my father’s life’s work. Uncle could not let it be destroyed!”

“Uncle never liked martial arts, but after my father died, he trained obsessively. He was gifted—within two years, he reached the fifth level of the Inextinguishable White Flame, shocking everyone. He had to avenge his brother, but first he had to steady the Pavilion. The elders never accepted him, so he challenged them to thirty duels over ten days: three matches a day. If he won all thirty, he’d become Pavilion Master; if not, he’d step aside. No questions asked.”

“The Ten Days’ Challenge is a legend now. In the end, Uncle barely defeated the Grand Elder, but from then on, everyone feared him. As Pavilion Master, by day he was decisive and ruthless. By night, he was just a younger brother mourning his sibling.”

“I was just a little girl then, oblivious to it all. Uncle told me everything and gave me a happy childhood. Over the years, I’ve forgotten what my father looked like. To me, Uncle is my father. Brother Zhuang, I’ve never told anyone these things. As a member of Su Yi Pavilion, I’ve always wanted to help Uncle.”

“But I’m too weak, unable to do anything. It makes me very sad. Brother Zhuang, I have a request—though it may be unreasonable, I hope you’ll stay and help me. Don’t feel pressured to answer immediately. I have a habit of putting people on the spot.”

Zhuang Yunzhen fell silent. He truly didn’t know how to respond. “Miss Mo Qing, I don’t know what the future holds, but I won’t be leaving any time soon. I’ve never heard a young woman speak so openly, nor do I know how best to help, but you saved my life. I dare not forget that debt. Whatever I can do, no matter how difficult, I’ll do it for you.”

“I know. Didn’t you say we’re friends? Friends don’t need to talk of debts—that’s too formal. I saved you partly out of chance, and partly for my own considerations. Su Yi Pavilion has few experts left; counting Uncle and me, just a handful. After the Ten Days’ Challenge, Uncle became Pavilion Master, but at great cost—he suffered terrible injuries.”

“The Inextinguishable White Flame and Immovable Golden Body are both powerful, but extremely difficult to master. Over the years, Su Yi Pavilion hasn’t recruited any disciples. Uncle is saddened by this; he feels he’s to blame for the decline. If the Pavilion were destroyed in his hands, he’d have no face to meet his brother in the afterlife.”

Zhuang Yunzhen realized that beneath Mo Qing’s calm exterior was a heart weighed down by sorrow. As a man, if he continued to refuse, what would that make him? He spoke up, “Miss Mo Qing, I’ll stay and help until Su Yi Pavilion is restored to its former glory.”

Mo Qing was deeply grateful. She knew her words had been somewhat manipulative, but for the Pavilion’s sake, she’d do anything. If no one inherited the Immovable Golden Body, it would be lost forever. “Good. Since you’ve agreed, come with me.”

For some time now, Zhuang Yunzhen had not left Vermilion Bird Peak. In its rear hills was a natural cave called Returning Swallow Cave, said to be the ancestral place of seclusion for the Pavilion’s founders. It wasn’t forbidden, just desolate from neglect. Mo Qing entered without hesitation. Within, aside from twelve stone statues, there was nothing. The statues, weathered by time, bore marks of erosion. “These twelve statues represent the stages of the Immovable Golden Body left by our ancestors. Today, you’ll learn the first two.”

“Although you’re learning, from now on, you’ll have to rely on your own understanding. The ancestors said the Immovable Golden Body is passed down through insight alone, with no written records.” Mo Qing seemed helpless, having given Zhuang Yunzhen a formidable challenge. “Don’t worry, Miss Mo Qing, leave the rest to me.”

Mo Qing felt herself the world’s most shameless person—first, she had secretly coerced Zhuang Yunzhen into staying; now that he had agreed, she only felt guilt and sorrow. The Immovable Golden Body was notoriously difficult to master, and he had been dragged into all this for her sake, despite having no prior connection to the Pavilion.

“Miss Mo Qing, don’t be upset. Even if not for you, I would have eventually come to Su Yi Pavilion. Hanjiang Island’s techniques don’t suit me. If I truly master the Immovable Golden Body, it’ll only benefit me, not harm me. So, you really needn’t blame yourself. Here, I can gaze upon the Cloud River day and night. Honestly, I’ve never truly appreciated its beauty before.”

Zhuang Yunzhen felt that staying was the right thing to do. Mo Qing opened her mouth as if to say more, but held back. “If that’s how you feel, then devote yourself to your training. If you need anything, just ask.” With that, she turned and left. For the first time, she had manipulated someone, and her conscience deeply troubled her. “Uncle, I feel so guilty. The less Zhuang Yunzhen cares, the more I despise myself.”

Li Feichen looked at his niece with tender affection. In his heart, he thought, “It’s hard on this child. She was once pure-hearted, but for the Pavilion’s sake, she’s forced herself to change.”

“My child, Uncle owes you so much. All these years, I forced you to study martial arts and change your temperament. You used to be so happy, but now everything you do is for the Pavilion. But you must understand, the Pavilion’s centuries-old legacy cannot end with me. Whether you wish to be Pavilion Master in the future is up to you—I won’t force you anymore.”

Mo Qing composed herself and replied, “No, Uncle, I still wish to be Pavilion Master. From the day I joined the Pavilion, I lost the right to act willfully. I was protected too well before, but I always wanted to do something for you and Father. Back then, I was too weak, but now, I’m willing to do whatever it takes for the Pavilion.”

She had lived here all her life. If Su Yi Pavilion disappeared one day, that would be the most painful thing imaginable. To prevent that day, she had to give up some things—even her budding feelings for Zhuang Yunzhen. But could she really do it? After three days of conversation, Mo Qing felt Zhuang Yunzhen was her only soulmate in the world; she understood his thoughts, and he hers.

Zhuang Yunzhen felt clear-minded. The stone statues seemed to possess a mysterious power, stirring his blood and energy. He finally understood—the Immovable Golden Body could only be mastered by those with steady minds, immune to outside distraction. If his junior brother were here, he’d surely find it unbearably dull. “Future generations must understand: to learn my divine art, one must have a clear mind; when the art is perfected, the world shall be at your feet, and no one shall stand against you!” These thirty-six characters on the stone stele beside the statue, written in a powerful, flowing hand, had clearly been carved with a finger. The words resonated with his own temperament.

The Immovable Golden Body was the world’s supreme defensive art. If one could master it completely, none could stand in their way. Yet the founder could hardly have foreseen that, a century later, no one in Su Yi Pavilion could fully master it. How sorrowful would the ancestor be, if he knew?

Each of the twelve statues had a unique defensive posture, all exuding the aura of standing alone against a thousand. They were arranged from left to right. The first stage: Impenetrable Wall, the foundation of the Immovable Golden Body. Once mastered, no matter how powerful your opponent, they could do nothing before this stage but admit defeat.

Zhuang Yunzhen knew that to master such an art, one must proceed step by step, never rushing. He had gone through countless such trainings since childhood, and understood this well. As he examined the statues, he found the Immovable Golden Body truly marvelous. The second stage, High Ramparts and Deep Trenches, appeared defensive but was actually about dissolving the enemy’s force, with a matching technique called Awaiting the Challenger. The name was amusing—perhaps meaning “I fear not your arrival, only that you won’t come.” The third stage, Stone Sinks into the Sea, was about absorbing the foe’s power, with the technique Abyss.

The fourth stage, Lone Warrior, was about fighting back from desperate straits, using the enemy’s own moves against them, with the matching technique Jade Bow Strength. Unfortunately, from the fifth statue onward, there were no further explanations. Although the art claimed twelve stages, perhaps the founder himself never reached the final stage—perhaps the later stages were left for future generations to comprehend. Alas, he himself was not as clever as his junior brother; creating new techniques was no easy matter.

So, the Immovable Golden Body had long since been lost in large part. Mo Qing brought him here not so much to learn the art as to complete it for them. The realization struck Zhuang Yunzhen like a heavy blow—so this was what it felt like to be deceived. If so, he resolved to master the Immovable Golden Body and, when finished, destroy each of these statues!

He had once gleaned the power of Profound Steel from the Celestial Scroll’s external techniques, a testament to his formidable intellect. Now Zhuang Yunzhen wondered: what if he combined his Profound Steel power with the four stages of the Immovable Golden Body? The Celestial Scroll was the epitome of forceful martial arts—no other technique could surpass it. Profound Steel originated from the Celestial Scroll, and though the Immovable Golden Body was wondrous, before Profound Steel, it would be as rivers flowing into the sea.

With this understood, his training proceeded smoothly. He realized the essence of the Immovable Golden Body was to leave half and discard half, allowing each generation to continue its evolution and create their own unique version. The Pavilion’s disciples were not lacking in intelligence—had none of them ever considered this? Perhaps, but they likely dismissed the idea as too reckless, unable to bring themselves to abandon the ancestors’ teachings.

The art was about breaking and rebuilding, which explained why it remained a supreme technique. Yet the Pavilion’s disciples revered their ancestors so much that they only sought what was lost, forgetting that such obsession could drive them to madness—and once one’s heart was lost to madness, mastering the Immovable Golden Body would be impossible!

Indeed, the twelve statues shattered in an explosion. “The divine art has found its heir—my heart is content! Hahaha!” Laughter echoed through Returning Swallow Cave. In just half a day, Zhuang Yunzhen had mastered the Immovable Golden Body. Mo Qing, sensing the disturbance in the hills, wondered if he had truly succeeded.

When Mo Qing arrived, Zhuang Yunzhen was striding out. Though only half a day had passed, his aura had changed, grown more restrained. “Brother Zhuang, did you really master the art?”

“Indeed. Pure luck, really. I think I can finally help you now.” In completing the divine art, Zhuang Yunzhen realized that if Mo Qing had truly deceived him, she would have admitted it. She only knew the name, not the art’s true nature. With this understanding, his earlier disappointment faded—if he were in her place, would he not have done the same for the sake of his family? He certainly would.

He said, “Come, let’s go see your uncle. You’ve all been practicing the Immovable Golden Body incorrectly.”

“Brother Zhuang, you are truly gifted—to master Su Yi Pavilion’s supreme art in half a day is extraordinary.” Li Feichen had hoped for this outcome; with this, they had a better chance against Hanjiang Island.

“Pavilion Master, you’re mistaken. My success is half thanks to your ancestor, half to myself.” Li Feichen was surprised. “What do you mean by that, Brother Zhuang?”

Zhuang Yunzhen explained everything in Returning Swallow Cave. Li Feichen fell silent; he had never realized that the art was meant to be incomplete, to spur descendants to further insight. He and his brother had been trapped by the idea of twelve stages, never considering that the number might be symbolic. “Ha! All these years wasted, and it was for this reason. Brother Zhuang, you saw through the mystery with your pure heart—it seems our ancestor intended you to inherit this art.”

“Pavilion Master, if you wish to learn, I can teach you.” Having mastered the Pavilion’s divine art, Zhuang Yunzhen felt somewhat uneasy. Since it was revived through him, he felt obliged to share it with everyone.

“No need. Once the Immovable Golden Body recognizes its master, it can’t be transferred. Each generation passes it down, valuing purity above all. Even without it, I have the Inextinguishable White Flame—already at the seventh level out of ten. In Xuanzhou, I have no equal. It seems Heaven favors Su Yi Pavilion at last. Now, I can finally settle matters with Jiang Xuehan!”

Meanwhile, Liang Xi was pondering his swordsmanship and sought out Cheng Zhumeng. “Second Sister, I’d like to spar with you again. After our duel yesterday, I feel I’ve gained new insight. Master always said that only when you truly comprehend a technique does it become your own. I never understood before, but now I think I do.”

“So soon? You recover faster than I thought. I expected you’d need a few days’ rest, but in just one day you’ve already reached new heights. That’s excellent—I, too, want to see this peerless swordplay of Shang Ruyi’s. Pick a day.”

“If possible, I’d like to spar now. Frankly, I’m impatient. If I don’t test my swordsmanship now, I’m afraid I’ll forget it by tomorrow.”

“You’re just like me—impatient. Swordsmanship is about cultivating the heart, but that only matters if you have enough strength. Without that, nothing else matters. I know that Sword Qi As One emphasizes sword energy. Shang Ruyi must have had you start from the state of No Sword. But when I spar, I have a rule: I never exchange moves with someone unarmed!”

“Since I inherited Sword Qi As One, I won’t use a weapon. Master Shang Ruyi said, ‘I am the sword, the sword is me.’ I want to see how far I’ve come. Sister, when we spar, don’t hold back. Only by fighting all out can I reach my full potential.”

“Kid, you know that means I’ll be dueling you with the intent to kill. If I really do, Little Sister Anran will be heartbroken!”

“Sister, if I were facing that villain Wan Ruyu, do you think he’d show mercy? Certainly not. I want to bring out all my strength in desperate battle. This is my opportunity—and yours. Don’t you want to know how far your swordsmanship has come? As for Anran, don’t worry, I’ll explain it to her. I just want to fight a true master. Master said only by experiencing life and death can your skills truly grow. In ten years, I’ve never truly fought anyone. I know my killing intent is lacking, and I may never master higher sword arts—but I want to try!”

“Well said. To do the impossible even knowing you’ll fail—that’s the spirit a young man should have. Without that, how can you ever achieve greatness in the sword? Before we duel, let me tell you: the four main techniques of Sword Qi As One have reached their limit in terms of spiritual cultivation, but as sword techniques, there’s still room to improve.”

“You may not know this, but Shang Ruyi was a perfectionist. Though I’m decades younger, my master knew him well. In his eyes, Shang Ruyi always pursued the ultimate. The four sword techniques he passed to you must be the peak of swordcraft. But you’re clever—surely you can invent further moves?”

“I suspect Shang Ruyi was gravely injured and unable to teach you more. For you, that’s a good thing. If you inherited all his moves, would you really want that? Swordsmanship values talent above all. You should have realized by now that learning half and creating half is the true path. Think about what I’ve said. I’ll wait for you in the plum grove in half an hour.”

Cheng Zhumeng’s words echoed Liang Xi’s own thoughts. The final move of Sword Qi As One, Ten Years One Sword, was a move of accumulated energy, with the power to break all techniques. But what came after? Was there truly nothing more? Cheng Zhumeng was delighted—Liang Xi was a natural swordsman. If he put his mind to it, his future would be limitless.

Liang Xi formed a sword with his fingers and unleashed a brilliant arc of sword energy—unstoppable. His movements quickened, his sword aura grew swifter and stronger, and he let out a long howl, truly exuding the courage to stand alone against thousands! These three sword strokes encapsulated all offensive swordplay; the last, Ten Years One Sword, was the pinnacle of defensive techniques. Yet the way of the sword was meant for attack—if you only defended, how could you defeat your enemy?

Jiang Xuehan once said his Water Mastery was “the softest overcoming the hardest.” Wait—his senior brother trained the external forms of the Celestial Scroll since childhood, which is how he comprehended Profound Steel power. Such might arose from defense—if you perfected defense, why attack? If attack was hardness, defense was softness. That was it—the ultimate attack was defense, and the ultimate defense was attack!

Liang Xi’s aura subtly changed, no longer as sharp as before. Cheng Zhumeng was startled—had he grasped the essence of offense and defense so quickly? She herself had needed ten years to understand this supreme principle, but Liang Xi had done so in moments. Extraordinary!

Liang Xi’s mind was clear. He felt on the verge of something entirely new. If Ten Years One Sword was the perfect harmony of attack and defense, how to blend the two?

“Brat, are you here to challenge my Second Sister again? Didn’t you learn your lesson from yesterday’s bout?” Ji Anran and her master Hua Lian often strolled in the plum grove. Seeing Liang Xi, she assumed he was looking for trouble again and scolded him.

But Liang Xi heard nothing. In his mind, the surging and calm of the Cloud River appeared. Jiang Xuehan had said he derived his Water Mastery from the river’s movements. The first two realms, Going with the Flow, was offense; sword momentum and water momentum were akin. Swimming Upstream was the strongest defense. The most perfect defensive sword energy must be body-guarding sword aura; as for Supreme Goodness Like Water, it unified attack and defense!

“Anran, don’t disturb Brother Liang. See how your Second Sister’s eyes shine—have you ever seen such brilliance in all her years of training? Just now, Liang Xi must have been sparring with her and gained insight. The sword aura swirling around them is formidable. If you’d rushed in, you’d have been gravely injured!”

Ji Anran always trusted her master, but she hadn’t expected Liang Xi’s skill to improve so quickly. “Brother Liang is truly outstanding. After today, he’s finally entered the path of swordsmanship. The more he experiences, the stronger he’ll become—he may one day attain the pinnacle of martial arts. His current aura comes from Sword Qi As One, resonating with Shang Ruyi’s spirit.” Laughter echoed in the Illusory Realm. “Liang Xi, I always knew you’d resonate with my sword aura!”

“Now that you’ve entered the path of swordsmanship, the mission of Sword Qi As One is fulfilled. My sword intent is now yours. As your skill grows, so will your swordsmanship. In time, you’ll truly reach the state of No Sword!” Shang Ruyi’s voice echoed in the Illusory Realm. “My sword art has found its heir—my heart is at peace! Hahaha!” Plum blossoms danced, sword aura raged, laughter filled the air, and then all was calm.

The sword auras around Cheng Zhumeng and Liang Xi gradually dissipated. They opened their eyes. Liang Xi found he could no longer sense the sword aura of Sword Qi As One, but that wasn’t quite right—he had already absorbed its sword intent. More importantly, a faint layer of sword energy now guarded his body.

“Second Sister, I owe you my progress in swordsmanship. I see now that the four moves Shang Ruyi left me are really sword intents, meant to protect me in danger. The more I use them, the deeper my understanding. He had me start from the state of No Sword so I would forge my own unique path.”

Indeed, the four moves were mere keys. Today, sparring with Cheng Zhumeng had opened the door to swordsmanship for Liang Xi. What fortune awaited him henceforth depended on himself.

“No need for thanks, Brother Liang. You’ve helped me too—I’ve gained new insights as well. Now we’ve completed the first step. How about testing your new swordsmanship?”

“I’d be honored!” With that, the two began to spar. Cheng Zhumeng leapt into action, unleashing a move called Severed Intestines, her sword aura fierce as ever. In an instant, the plum grove became a sea of blossoms.

“Master, it seems Second Sister’s sword has changed since before,” Ji Anran observed. She admired her second sister and thought that if she possessed such skill, no one on Hanjiang Island would dare challenge her.

Hua Lian doted on her young disciple, stroking her hair with a smile. “Your Second Sister’s Six Dream-Soul Swords were always filled with killing intent. I tried many ways to temper it, but never succeeded. She’s determined to defeat Linglong, and that resolve became killing intent in her swordplay.”

“But now, that intent has softened, turned more ethereal. That’s thanks to Brother Liang!” Ji Anran laughed. “If that brat knew you praised him so, he’d be insufferably smug. Hmph, it’s just a fluke. Does he really think he can beat Second Sister?”

Hua Lian tapped her disciple’s forehead and laughed. “You’re all talk, but you’re secretly delighted. Fine—if you want Brother Liang to lose, I’ll tell your Second Sister.”

At this, Ji Anran stamped her foot, half angry, half embarrassed. “Master, are you teasing me too?” Hua Lian was genuinely pleased. Her disciple had trained hard for three years, always cool and distant, even among her sisters. But now, she was showing the playfulness of a young girl. It was wonderful. “Now, watch this duel closely.”

Liang Xi saw how formidable Severed Intestines was and countered with Draw Sword for Merit, a move designed to disrupt the opponent’s rhythm—speed against speed. In moments, they had exchanged dozens of blows. “What a move! Draw Sword for Merit is even sharper than yesterday. Try my Heaven and Earth Concealed! This move uses illusions to attack. Can you handle it?”

“Second Sister, your move is truly powerful. I can only defend. Watch my Thousand Pounds from Ten Years One Sword! I just grasped this move—let’s see how it fares!”