"Stop!" Li Gang shouted in a deep voice, then turned around and walked to a stool to the side, where he sat down.
"Thank you for showing mercy, Junior Brother!" Li Shaozhi sheathed his sword, smiled, and cupped his hands in thanks.
"Senior brother, what are you saying? It is your skill that is superior, and I humbly admit defeat," Qin Mu replied.
"Come over here!" Li Gang called out before they could say anything more.
"Huai Dao, has this always been how you use your swordsmanship?" Li Gang asked Qin Mu, who had walked up to him.
"Yes, is there something wrong with it, teacher?" Qin Mu asked.
“It’s not just inappropriate, you’re learning Confucian swordsmanship! Why haven’t I seen you use your righteous energy?” Li Gang asked.
Li Gang's words were like a bolt of lightning, striking Qin Mu and bringing him sudden enlightenment. All along, he had been practicing swordsmanship according to the manual, subconsciously relying on his physical strength and circulating the spiritual energy of the Ghost Valley lineage. In his mind, Confucian cultivators were more like mages, not engaging in close combat, and therefore their close combat methods naturally wouldn't be those of the Confucian school.
But he forgot one thing! Guiguzi had already explained that the Xiyi Sword Technique was a Confucian sword technique, and how could a Confucian sword technique not use the righteous energy? It turned out that he had fundamentally misunderstood! Thinking of this, Qin Mu couldn't help but slap his forehead in frustration.
Seeing his apprentice's expression, Li Gang understood that he genuinely didn't know. Amused, he asked, "How could you not even know such a basic thing?"
"This is a sword technique left behind by the Guigu lineage. Although I know it is a Confucian sword technique, I was not told that it needs to be performed with righteous energy," Qin Mu explained embarrassedly.
"You didn't know? I thought you were going easy on your senior brother!" Li Shaozhi said in astonishment. He had been thanking his junior brother for showing mercy, but he hadn't expected the real reason to be like this. He couldn't help but find it somewhat ridiculous.
"This disciple does not know how to use righteous energy to perform sword techniques. Please instruct me, Master," Qin Mu said respectfully.
"A martial artist's qi and blood are in the blood, which is distributed throughout the body, making it the easiest for a martial artist to use. Martial artists also train their bodies and become the strongest. Taoist spiritual energy is in the dantian. By circulating different spiritual energy through different meridians, one can use secret techniques with various properties such as metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Righteous qi originates from the dantian and passes through the heart. It is also circulated through the blood, but why can't it be as powerful as a martial artist's?" Li Gang explained while also giving Qin Mu some pointers.
"Yes! Why?" Qin Mu pondered along with Li Gang's words. Blood Qi and Killing Qi, as well as Righteous Qi, both originated from blood... No!
Qin Mu quickly understood that the Qi and Blood Killing Qi were inherently contained within the blood, while the Righteous Qi merely utilized the blood vessels. Even if the blood contained Righteous Qi, it was impossible for a martial artist to unleash tremendous energy from a single drop of blood. That was a fundamental difference.
"It seems you understand! The Righteous Qi is immense and unyielding, and only blood can contain its outburst. Therefore, it can be used in martial arts just like a martial artist. Apart from strength, it is not inferior in other aspects!"
"Try it now! Use the Xi Yi Sword Technique with your righteous spirit!" Li Gang said, stroking his beard, seeing Qin Mu's enlightened expression.
Qin Mu drew his sword and, facing the open space, unleashed the Xi Yi Sword Technique.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!" The sound of air being cut rang out, and several sword energies ripped through the sky. A rockery twenty meters in front of them collapsed with a crash.
"I'm sorry, teacher, I didn't control my strength well!" Qin Mu said apologetically, but his expression was excited. He didn't expect that using the Righteous Qi would make the Xi Yi Sword Technique several times stronger.
"The greatest form is formless, the greatest sound is silent! This truly lives up to the name Xi Yi!" Li Gang waved his hand dismissively, then sighed.
"Teacher, what do you mean?" Qin Mu asked, puzzled.
"You didn't notice your sword technique just now, but it was a different story to onlookers. You saw and heard the sword energy and the sound of the sword, didn't you?"
"I heard you!"
"When you see the sword light, the sword energy has already pierced the target."
"Turning a blind eye and a deaf ear!" Qin Mu blurted out. Only then did he understand the meaning of the words. He could see and hear, but it was too late.
"The sword energy is like the sound of a sword; the sound is formless, the sword is shadowless. The sound is like a bell, the sword energy is indestructible; the sound is silent, the sword is like a mountain, unstoppable. What a fine set of Xi Yi sword techniques! Indeed, the speed is extremely fast!" Li Gang exclaimed in admiration.
Qin Mu twirled his sword, then happily sheathed it. He realized then that he had been unknowingly surrounded by a treasure trove. With this sword technique, he no longer needed to fear close combat. While the secret scrolls were good, they were insufficient against true masters, offering little more than a surprise attack. With this sword technique in hand, combined with the Fierce Bird Scattering Stance Technique, he was confident he could withstand a few moves from some experts.
"The law should not be passed on lightly. Whether it is the Song of Righteousness or the Xi Yi Sword Technique, do not pass it on to anyone other than those who are particularly close to you," Li Gang warned.
"This disciple has remembered."
"Hmm! The sword technique I use is the Yangwu Sword Technique, which emphasizes defense and is guided by righteous energy, making one invincible. It has a similar effect to the Mo Family Sword Technique. Once you learn it, the combination of offense and defense will complement each other perfectly! Start practicing with your senior brother recently."
"yes!"
"Yes! Your teacher is going to rest." Li Gang said, then left with his hands behind his back.
After Li Gang left, Li Shaozhi visibly relaxed. It seems that everyone, young and old, feels a lot of pressure in front of their father.
"Come, junior brother, let me teach you the Yangwu Sword Technique!" Li Shaozhi said with a smile.
"Thank you for your trouble, senior brother!"
"No problem, no problem. Look closely, the Yangwu Sword Technique is designed for defense, but a sword technique is still a sword technique, and its ultimate purpose is to kill! So the Yangwu Sword Technique is not just about simply defending without attacking."
The most important aspect of the Yangwu Sword Technique is the word "Yangwu" (meaning "cultivate oneself"). From the start of a battle, one cultivates one's own momentum until one's aura overwhelms mountains and rivers, then one sword strikes to break through them. My sword is my way, my sword is all laws!
"Practicing swordsmanship is about connecting with the heart. Beyond the sword moves and techniques, understanding the intent of the sword is the most important thing, and it's what allows you to bring the swordsmanship to its fullest potential! Junior brother, do you understand?" Li Shaozhi explained, brandishing his sword.
Under his explanation, Qin Mu discovered that the Yangwu Sword Technique truly possessed the immovable strength of a mountain, with a very small range of footwork. If the moves could strike first after being attacked later, then they would strike first; if not, then they would simply defend themselves.
As for the sword intent that Li Shaozhi explained, he understood it too. Every sword technique has its own corresponding sword intent, and once comprehended, its power is greatly enhanced. Just like the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, only Chief Qiao's personality resonated with this palm technique, allowing him to achieve near invincibility! He becomes stronger when facing stronger opponents.
At the same time, he also realized that no one would give their swordsmanship a random name; the Xi Yi Swordsmanship and Yang Wu Swordsmanship had already given hints.
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