The Man's Resolve is the Five Elements.
To summarize, this is the situation.
The Sword Demon has yet to compete with the leader.
It seems that after battling the leader, he will receive an invitation to join from him.
When that will be, I do not know.
If we assume that after the Sword Demon fought the leader, he trained and then sought out another strong opponent, it would be reasonable to conclude that his news has since ceased.
After the Sword Demon, who used a wooden sword to strike down opponents, vanished, his disciple, the one called Jwa-sa, went on a rampage and was labeled a lecher.
If he joined a sect to kill the leader, then the situation becomes clearer.
In truth, the question-and-answer sparring has come to an end.
However, I immediately posed a question in response to the Sword Demon’s words, which encouraged me to ask if I had any curiosities. “In the unique martial arts book my junior acquired, there is a realm called Thunder Sword Technique. What do you think of it, senior?”
The Sword Demon smiled slightly.
It seemed amusing and intriguing to him that I asked directly about martial arts without any pretense of humility.
He replied, “What is written about the Thunder Sword Technique? There should be an explanation.”
“The sword energy transforms into a thunderstorm.”
“... Is that all?”
I nodded. ‘So I’m not the only one who finds it strange.’ The content was so brief that even the Sword Demon seemed slightly taken aback.
Who could possibly learn the Ultimate Sword Technique?
Yet, the Sword Demon asked me for more details. “If Thunder Sword Technique is the name of a realm, what are the stages before or after it?”
I took a moment to catch my breath.
I hesitated for a moment on whether to speak, but since I was seeking guidance, it was only right to respond. “The stages are divided, and in order, they are Long Sword Technique, Short Sword Technique, All Sword Technique, Draw Sword Technique, and then Thunder Sword Technique.”
“What comes next?”
“Wooden Sword Technique, Qi Sword Technique, Ultimate Technique.”
After a moment of contemplation, the Sword Demon nodded. “Systematic. It seems that names were given to the realms one can reach while mastering the sword, and it’s also unique that they didn’t think of the sword techniques as overly complicated forms. The Ultimate Technique must be the strongest essence of the person who created that sword technique. However, I have never heard of a sect that simply distinguishes the core like this. It seems to be a master from at least a hundred years ago.”
“That would be so.”
After being struck by the wooden sword, Jwa-sa, whose forehead was swollen, sat quietly back on the bench.
Since the Sword Demon was lost in thought, I also closed my eyes for a moment with my arms crossed.
The three of us pondered the question posed by the established figure.
The Sword Demon spoke. “I will share my opinion.” I opened my eyes.
The Sword Demon continued, “This is merely my speculation, so take it as a reference. There’s no need to be bound by the term Thunder Sword Technique. This senior likely cultivated extreme Yang energy. Naturally, if the sword energy exploded in a form of extreme force to attack the enemy, it would have been given a fitting name. Qi often resembles the natural world, so it was called Thunder Sword. However, it doesn’t mean one must use sword energy that looks exactly like a thunderstorm. Do you understand?”
“I understand.”
“Explain the Wooden Sword Technique as well.”
I answered immediately. “From Long Sword Technique to Thunder Sword Technique, it is the realm that can be unfolded with a wooden sword.”
The Sword Demon showed a look of admiration. “Ah... It feels like you are describing my state. So, does Qi Sword Technique mean handling the form of Qi without a wooden sword?”
I nodded towards the clever man.
The Sword Demon furrowed his brow and muttered, “The wooden sword is not the end. Is this sword technique perhaps the martial art of the former number one in the world?”
“I wouldn’t know. They say it’s the sword technique of Gu Yang Wu Ji, but it’s a name I’ve never heard before.”
The Sword Demon nodded. “It seems to be a master of the White Path. After I ask the leader later and gather appropriate information, I will let you know as well.” Hearing the Sword Demon’s words, I nodded.
The leader would likely know, as the records of the Meng organization are quite thorough.
I realized that my realm was not blocked by the Thunder Sword Technique.
This was merely a matter of internal energy.
Currently, I was drawing upon the power of the Heavenly Jade to build my internal energy, which meant that over time, I would naturally be able to use the Thunder Sword Technique.
Of course, since I had never deeply mastered the sword and had little experience handling Qi with a sword, the form of that sword energy would not resemble a thunderstorm.
The Sword Demon explained to me that it didn’t matter.
Suddenly, I thought of the plum blossom tree. ‘If the sword energy scatters like plum blossoms…’ Plum blossoms and thunderstorms cannot be compared in terms of superiority.
It would merely be a characteristic based on a person's disposition.
Ultimately, if I were to interpret the Thunder Sword Technique of the Ultimate Sword Technique in my own way, it would be something like the Plum Blossom Sword Technique, and if I combined this with the Flame Technique of the Golden Valley, it would become Plum Blossom Fragrance.
However, the power of that sword technique must be as intense as a lightning strike for it to be a meaningful form.
The conversation was mainly between the Sword Demon and me, but Jwa-sa beside us was also lost in thought.
Since he did not use a sword, he must have been reinterpreting my words and those of my master based on his own experiences with ice techniques.
The Sword Demon spoke at a truly profound moment. “Junior, my real name has long since lost its meaning, so I do not use it.”
I was taken aback, realizing he was asking me to reveal my identity.
I disclosed the most important aspect of my identity to the Sword Demon. “I am the leader of the Hao Sect, Lee Jaha.”
“Did you create the Hao Sect?”
I nodded, and the Sword Demon turned to his disciple. “From now on, do not provoke those belonging to the Hao Sect or insult them with your careless words and actions. There will be disputes with the leader. Be especially cautious around women.”
Jwa-sa, sensing the atmosphere, replied, “Understood.”
The Sword Demon rested his chin on his hand and expressed his thoughts frankly. “Because of what the leader said today, I couldn’t sleep all night. I will enjoy pondering this, so give me some time alone, disciple and leader of the Hao Sect.”
The Sword Demon looked at me. “Leader, will we meet again?”
I nodded and replied, “It seems we will have much to discuss in the future, senior.”
The Sword Demon, who had maintained a calm expression throughout, slightly raised the corners of his mouth. “Until we meet again.” His tone was youthful, yet he was not one to adhere strictly to formalities.
The Sword Demon stood up, clasping his hands behind his back, and bid farewell to Jwa-sa as well. “You must have gained something today, so stay quietly at home. The smell of alcohol you carry will scare away any enlightenment that comes to your door.”
It seemed that he appeared like a master and disciple who provided guidance from a broader perspective, with Jwa-sa already being a master himself.
Since all three of us were rather stoic men, we parted ways without warm words.
However, as soon as I stepped outside with Jwa-sa, we exchanged glances, glaring at each other as if it were a matter of course.
Jwa-sa spoke to me in a subdued tone. “Country bumpkin, know that you are lucky. To receive the teachings of our master.”
I retorted to Jwa-sa, “You fool, shall we see who is truly lucky?”
At that moment, a heavy voice from inside called out. “I have something to say, so fool, come back in.”
Jwa-sa, who had been trying to stir up the atmosphere, hurriedly went back inside. “Did you call, Master?”
Having lost my opponent to spar with, I licked my lips a few times and turned back helplessly.
As I returned to my lodging, I soon cleared my mind of the fool and reflected on the conversation I had with the Sword Demon.
While I had not gained ice techniques immediately, I felt as if I had gained a sword.
In my past life, I had not often handled swords.
According to the Sword Demon’s standards, it was probably correct that I did not possess any outstanding martial arts.
If someone else’s criticism stung, it would be right to accept it.
In fact, if I were to name my most confident martial arts, it would be the mysterious staff techniques handed to me by Kwangseung, wielded with an unbreakable conviction.
But that was likely due to the staff being incredibly sturdy, providing me with that advantage.
It was somewhat displeasing that the Sword Demon appeared to be slightly above me in realm.
However, since the time after my return was extremely short, in terms of overall martial arts development speed, it was indeed correct that I had grown abnormally quickly.
Therefore, there was no need to rush or compare myself to others.
Among the opinions of the established figures, I intentionally did not ask about the wandering heroes.
The Sword Demon walks a different path.
Perhaps he is a man who walks a path that has nothing to do with wandering heroes, which made me think he might be one of the pillars of demonic paths.
A man with little interest in chivalry, solely pursuing martial prowess.
Perhaps this is a very ancient form of demonic path.
The Dao cannot be definitively defined in terms of where it begins and ends.
If a man of the Sword Demon’s caliber calls himself a practitioner of the demonic path, then he is indeed one.
However, I… I was pleased to hear that he had fought the leader to discern who the true practitioner of the demonic path was.
Only after meeting the Sword Demon did I come to understand the meaning of that statement.
A man should be at least at that level…
Such thoughts swirled in my heart.
The Sword Demon sighed on the bench. “Disciple.”
“Yes.”
“It was my mistake to send both of you out at the same time. I felt there would be another commotion, so I called you back.”
Jwa-sa nodded with a troubled expression. “In fact, it seems there was quite a commotion.”
“Montang.”
“Speak, Master.”
“I am a personal and selfish person. Spending time with you is not an easy task for me. You, who are naturally sociable, may find it hard to understand.”
“No, I understand.”
“Have you lost interest in training lately?”
“To be honest, it feels like facing a wall.”
“Encountering a wall while training is something anyone cultivating martial arts experiences.”
“That would be so.”
“How will you overcome that? How will you view and solve the problem? In truth, that is what the people of the martial world refer to as enlightenment. Many misunderstand that having great enlightenment simply means acquiring martial arts quickly, but that is not the case. Genius memory, analytical skills, learning ability, and comprehension are not enlightenment; they are simply intelligence. They are gifts given by parents. Like you…”
“…”
“Don’t drink, keep your distance from women, this is this and that is that. When I see your peers from the Hao Sect growing stronger without a master, what do you think?”
You have been called a genius since you were young, but are you truly more enlightened than that guy, Lee Jaha?”
“I’m not sure about enlightenment.”
“You must have heard what I said earlier.
That guy is currently wandering around trying to create a new martial art.
I don’t know what the Hao Sect does, but his goal is martial arts, first and foremost.
He will go to kill the leader when he is thoroughly prepared.
But he also knows it won’t be easy.
Do you remember what he said then?”
“Yes.”
“What was it?”
“He said the important thing is to harbor the intent to kill the one who must be killed.”
“You train while embracing women, and that guy trains while harboring the intent to kill.
A year passes, two years pass, and when you argue with him again at the main gate, will you be able to face the leader of the Hao Sect as confidently as you do now?” Jwa-sa merely listened with a gloomy expression. “…”“Disciple, think long-term.
I’m not joking; I want you to consider the future that awaits you.
If the one who gave you laxatives becomes much stronger than you, how will you live with that shame? Will the genius they called you be able to bear that humiliation? It is a blessing that he suddenly appeared before you.
The martial world has always been like that.
You must have a rival to grow stronger.”
“Yes.”
“A person who becomes strong easily due to great enlightenment.
That is you.”
“Yes.”
“But if Lee Jaha defeats you, what good is that enlightenment? Seeing that young man cautiously conversing with me, trying to hide his intentions, I almost sighed several times.
Who taught him such caution? When you return, think about it too.
How will you defeat Lee Jaha in a year? How will you defeat him in two or three years? What methods can surpass that reckless intent to kill?
Ultimately, that mindset and the man’s resolve itself is enlightenment.” Jwa-sa stepped down from the bench and bowed to the Sword Demon.
“I will think deeply about it, Master.”
“I will also meditate for a few days to grasp the clues of enlightenment, so keep that in mind.”
“Yes.”
“Upon closer inspection, he is someone suppressing madness, so do not engage in a fight recklessly.
If you call him a country bumpkin, you will hear the term fool.
Only if you call him leader will he consider you a senior.
He is a foul-tempered man.
A mad dog should not be provoked.
He seeks to kill the leader, so consider him both an ally and a rival in a broad sense.
And how many people in the world can we have deep conversations with? Do not treat him carelessly.”
“Yes.
Indeed, it is best not to provoke a mad dog.”
“Correct.
If our disciple calls Lee Jaha a mad dog again, he will call you a rabid dog.
Now, leave.”
In the end, the disciple, who had been scolded by his master, left with a sullen expression, deeply bowing his head to the master.
“Master, I will take my leave, a foolish disciple.”
The Sword Demon nodded with a serious expression.
“That is all you need to know.”
As soon as the disciple stood up, he staggered slightly, then headed back to the main gate like a defeated soldier.
The sigh of the master that echoed from behind pierced the disciple's heart like a sword.