Chapter 424: Dumdum’s Personal Teaching (2)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
What Sun Wuji said was a little obscure, so Dongfang Liren didn’t understand it at all. She only nodded as if she understood something.
Ye Jingtang thought for a moment and replied, “It’s probably because after mastering all kinds of techniques, you seek the deepest profundities in the simplest forms. With a sword in your heart, you can use a branch to perform the strongest sword move?”
Sun Wuji nodded. “The deepest profundities in the simplest forms. Different paths lead to the same destination. When a martial artist practices to the end, they all seek the same thing. This is also why the top three of the Eight Chiefs no longer choose weapons.
“But there’s no end to martial arts. After 1 reached this step, 1 realized that compared to the vast world, I had just looked up from the peak of the mountain.
“The sky is unfathomably high, and the mountain is only a few kilometers tall. Thousands of years ago, there must have been countless martial artists like me standing at the peak of the mountain and looking up. After they understood that the sky is high and the sea is vast, how could they tolerate continuing to stay in the fish pond-like Jianghu under the mountain? But I’m not sure how many of them could take another step forward and become people above the sky.”
Ye Jingtang looked up at the night sky. “It seems too far to say this. To reach your realm, one has to master all kinds of techniques and Return to Simplicity.
1 haven’t even reached the peak of the mountain. I’m still on the mountainside. I can only go up and take a look in the future.”
Dongfang Liren was still pondering the previous words. She thought for a moment and asked, “Senior Sun, have you already reached the realm of Returning to Simplicity?”
“I saw it too late. I’ve been in seclusion for thirty years, but I’ve only scratched the surface. That sword strike just now was the Sword of Heaven and Man, but my old and sick body couldn’t withstand it at all. If I had my understanding now at the age of thirty, 1 might have been able to change Sword Saint into ‘Sword Immortal’. 1 might have been truly able to travel three thousand kilometers a day on a sword, going from the Northern Sea to stay at the Southern Mountains.”
At this point, Sun Wuji sighed softly. “I’m digressing. Young Hero Ye, you still have to learn ‘All Schools of Thought’ first. There are no shortcuts in martial arts. If your foundation isn’t complete, you will never reach Unity of Heaven and Man. Without certain attainments, you will never reach Return to Simplicity. It’s impossible to rely on an expert’s guidance to have sudden enlightenment and increase your skills dramatically.”
Ye Jingtang naturally understood this logic and asked, “Does it mean that you have to master all the martial arts in the world?”
“No.” Sun Wuji shook his head. “All martial arts study qi circulation methods. The meridians that martial arts techniques use are called main meridians, and those that are not used are called secondary meridians. Qi circulation methods have never been the same throughout history, and every person is different. Your main meridians might only be my secondary meridians.
“As for All Schools of Thought, it means that all the meridians are stable, and there is no longer a distinction between main and secondary. This way, you will naturally no longer pay attention to ‘moves’. You can find a reasonable qi circulation method no matter what weapon you use.
“As for the training method, if you have the chance, learn everything you can. Your remaining meridians will slowly open up and stabilize. If 1 don’t have the chance to learn everything, just analyze everything you can and practice in seclusion. However, you have to be careful not to suffer from qi deviation.”
Ye Jingtang thought about it and nodded.
As they chatted and walked, they unknowingly arrived near Clear Water Villa. After looking at it, Sun Wuji said, “My sword strike just now wasn’t very powerful, but you can’t learn it because there is no move. I’ll teach you the Dragon Qi Sword first, and then I’ll stay in the capital for a period of time. If you have any questions, you can come to White Lion Bridge. I’ll answer them as long as I know. Find a sword, and I’ll guide you in swordsmanship. Then we’ll be even. I’m already old, and 1 only want to leave without any worries. 1 don’t want to bring my personal feelings to the grave.”
Ye Jingtang cupped his hands and said, “Senior Sun, not many people in the world will give this kind of guidance. If I ask for guidance in swordsmanship, it will be not knowing how to appreciate favors…”
“Alas.” Sun Wuji waved his hand. “It won’t take you long to understand these things. But if I don’t teach you swordsmanship, you won’t be able to grasp the essence even if you learn All Schools of Thought.
“Feng Guancheng is really not better at swordsmanship than me, but his martial arts attainments are higher than mine. He uses no moves to fight against moves to bully a Jianghu junior like me. If I had his martial arts attainments, 1 would be the Sword Immortal.”
After Sun Wuji finished speaking, he let go of the reins and used his finger as a sword to practice a sword technique on the spot. His movements were smooth and extremely fast. It only took a few seconds.
The constables of the Black Office and Dongfang Liren were watching from the side, but Sun Wuji didn’t avoid them at all because they couldn’t remember it even if they saw it.
And if Ye Jingtang couldn’t remember it, what he said just now would be a waste of effort.
After the demonstration, Sun Wuji held the reins again. “It’s getting late. Please forgive me for disturbing you, Prince of Jing. 1’11 take my leave now.”
Dongfang Liren said politely, “There’s a guest courtyard here to entertain people. Senior Sun, please stay here for now. You helped found the country and worked hard for the people of the world. If you come to the Imperial Court but don’t even have a cup of tea, won’t we disappoint the martial artists of the world?”
“I don’t dare to comment on whether 1 worked hard for the people, but it was certainly not for the Imperial Court. The founding emperor and I were strangers who only met by chance. Prince of Jing, there’s no need to be so polite. Goodbye.”
After Sun Wuji finished speaking, he didn’t stay any longer. He got on his old horse and headed for the capital.
Because the horse was indeed old, probably in its forties or fifties, it walked very slowly, almost wobbling.
Ye Jingtang felt a little guilty, but he had something to do and couldn’t run around.. It wasn’t good for the constables to follow Sun Wuji, so he could only watch the man and horse leave…
