12dz Chapter 17 Would you like to learn swordsmanship?
Chapter 17 Would you like to learn swordsmanship?
Feng Qingyang glanced at him sideways, "You cunning brat, putting on airs! What, you only figured out it was Huashan swordsmanship after nearly a hundred moves?"
Get up and get moving!
Li Che chuckled, his expression changing as quickly as his previous tactical maneuver, "Disciple Li Che, may I ask how I should address you, sir?"
"What's wrong? You're not calling me 'old man' anymore?"
"This disciple dares not!"
"The old man's surname is Feng, and you've already seen his given name."
Li Che feigned surprise, "Could it be Grandmaster Feng in person?"
Seeing him nod, Li Che immediately bowed again, "Disciple Li Che greets Grand Uncle Feng! A few days ago, Master said that among the disciples of the 'Qing' generation of Huashan, Grand Uncle Feng has the strongest martial arts and the highest talent."
The disciple is filled with longing and yearns to see the grandmaster's demeanor.
I never imagined you would live in seclusion on Mount Hua. If my master knew, he would surely be overjoyed!
"Alright, this old man is nearing the end of his life and doesn't like being disturbed. Besides, the battle of sword energy... your master might not be happy to know I'm still alive."
"Ah, what your master said that day wasn't wrong. Internal strife nearly led to the extinction of the Huashan lineage. The Sword Sect and the Qi Sect, in the end, were nothing more than fighting over a patriarch's tablet."
Li Che remained silent. In this world, life is nothing more than power, money, and lust. As for the sword energy, whether it is primary or secondary, it is just a pretext.
"Che'er, your words about 'spirit precedes sword' were powerful and resounding that day. Just now, when we sparred, this old man only compared sword techniques. How do you feel now?"
Li Che pondered for a moment before replying, "But if I were given ten years, even if my Grandmaster Uncle went all out, I think... the outcome would be hard to predict."
But if I, your disciple, am fortunate enough to defeat my Grandmaster Uncle, I will never lose again!
Feng Qingyang was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, then burst into laughter, "You slippery brat, it's uncertain whether this old man can live another ten years. Do you think I can just sit back and wait to have a match with you?"
He paused for a few breaths, then said, "When others say that, I just think they're talking nonsense, but you're quite modest, kid."
Your master said five years, you said ten years, but the old man doesn't have the reputation of a gentleman swordsman, and he doesn't care about such superficial things.
Then his expression hardened, and he said, "If you have changed your story just now, then our fate is over. For those who practice martial arts, the most important thing is to have a strong sense of the Dao."
Those whose minds are not firm and whose resolve is wavering will find it difficult to reach the pinnacle of martial arts, even if presented with unparalleled divine skills.
Li Che secretly wondered, "What about the Evil-Repelling Sword Technique? It says, 'Give up two ounces of flesh and quickly become a world-renowned master.'"
Old Yue, you'd better stay calm!
Should we tell him about Feng Qingyang's presence at Mount Hua? With this powerful figure backing him up, Old Yue shouldn't have his composure shattered by the slightest provocation.
"Che'er, would you like to learn swordsmanship?"
"Please teach me, Grandmaster Uncle!" Li Che said sincerely.
"You think you deserve such a quick and easy victory? Do you even know I am a member of the Sword Sect?"
"I believe that martial arts are neither right nor wrong, but rather depend on how people use them. Now that Mount Hua is in decline and is beset by internal and external troubles, I must strengthen myself to repay my master's kindness and adapt to this calamity."
Moreover, the grand-disciple is confident that his internal energy cultivation will not lag behind!
Feng Qingyang gave him a deep look, but a mix of emotions rose in his heart—a sense of relief, admiration, and hesitation.
Since Li Che went up to the Cliff of Repentance, he has been observing this boy for over a month.
At first, I was delighted to see him practice the Five Sacred Mountains sword moves and be able to apply them to other situations. Later, I saw him instructing the boy named Ying Bailuo and the girl in sword practice in an unconventional way, which showed that he was already interested in passing on his sword skills.
However, when he was about to show himself to Yue Buqun, his words about swordsmanship and the fact that Yue Buqun had taught him the Zixia Divine Skill made him hesitate again.
Feng Qingyang knew that the Zixia Divine Skill was difficult to master. If he were to pass on the Dugu Nine Swords to this boy, but the boy was obsessed with internal energy and not swordsmanship, it would be a waste of his talent.
After much hesitation and agonizing, he was suddenly startled when he saw a purple aura appear on Li Che's face while he was hiding in the mountains a few days ago.
With such talent, one might even be able to excel in both swordsmanship and internal energy!
"Fine! I can teach you, but you must never reveal the sword technique I'm imparting to anyone else, especially not your master. Can you manage that?!"
"cannot!"
"Okay, huh? What did you say?"
Li Che raised his head and said loudly, "It is my great fortune to receive the sword from my Grandmaster Uncle, but since my Grandmaster Uncle was originally a disciple of Mount Hua, he should know that the first of the Seven Commandments of Mount Hua is 'to deceive one's master and ancestors and to disrespect one's elders'!"
If a disciple learns the swordsmanship of his grandmaster, and his master and mistress ask about it in the future, he should not say that he is deceiving his master, but to say so would be disrespectful to his elders.
"In that case, my disciple should not learn it."
Upon hearing this, Feng Qingyang's wrinkles deepened further, and he said angrily, "Do you even know what sword technique I'm going to teach you? I thought you were a flexible and adaptable person, but it seems you truly are like your master—stubborn and inflexible!"
"Grandmaster Uncle's teachings are correct, but I believe that while everything in the world can be changed, principles and bottom lines cannot be compromised in the slightest."
If it weren't for my master and mistress taking me in, I would have died three years ago, and I would never have had the chance to meet my grandmaster uncle.
"When you drink water, remember its source; this is the first of the Seven Commandments of Mount Hua, which I, your grand-disciple, would never dare to disobey!"
Li Che spoke sincerely, his words matching his heart.
Then he thought, if one day Lao Yue really turns evil, then it is he who has broken the rules, and he, Li Che, will be the one to clean house!
"Grandmaster, your grand-disciple has something else to say!"
Before Feng Qingyang could respond, Li Che continued, "My grandmaster lives in seclusion in the mountains. Perhaps he is unaware of the treacherous nature of the martial world today. The Huashan Sect may seem to be one of the Five Sacred Mountains Sword Sects and is very famous in the martial world, but in reality, it is surrounded by wolves and tigers and is in grave danger."
If the Huashan Sect disappears, what meaning will the struggle between sword energies have?
"What? You want to persuade me to come down from the mountain and become your master's henchman?"
"Your grand-disciple wouldn't dare! Your great master's reputation is enough to deter villains, why would you need to take action yourself!"
Whether Grandmaster Feng Qingyang chooses to cultivate in seclusion on the back mountain or moves to Jade Maiden Peak, the mere mention of his name should give figures like the Demonic Sect and Zuo Lengchan pause.
The Huashan Sect is currently facing a shortage of capable successors. With you in charge, within ten years at most, our sect may very well flourish!
Feng Qingyang snorted lightly, but showed little anger. "You cunning brat, are you going to have a match with this old man to prove that the Qi Sect is the true lineage of Mount Hua?"
Li Che lowered his head and did not respond. After a while, Feng Qingyang sighed and said, "Well, it's rare to find someone with such a sincere heart. Yue Buqun has indeed taken on a good disciple."
Whether you say it or not is up to you; whether I see it or not is up to me.
Ten years? I hope I can still see the day when Mount Hua is revitalized!
Li Che immediately felt relieved.
Normally, it would be common for a martial arts master like Feng Qingyang to be over a hundred years old, but his heart disease was incurable, and his face was ashen. Finding a successor for the Dugu Nine Swords was the only thing he couldn't let go of.
He has been living in seclusion here, which clearly shows his deep affection for the Huashan Sect.
Now that they've loosened their grip, they can proceed slowly, clarifying the dangers of Mount Hua and planting a seed of doubt. As long as they can't let go of that, they won't go far.
"Get up! Are you going to kneel and practice swordsmanship?!"
"yes!"
"Listen carefully, kid, I'll only say this once!"
Li Che secretly pursed his lips; the stubborn old man was quite vengeful.
"This sword technique is called the Dugu Nine Swords, which was created by the legendary Dugu Qiubai..."
This sword technique outline contains over three thousand characters and nine forms, each with three hundred and sixty variations.
"Heh~ You can recite the Purple Cloud Divine Skill backwards after just one reading, so you must be good at memorizing sword techniques too!"
Li Che: "..."