Chapter 177: Master...

Chapter 177: Master...

What is called a grandmaster’s martial understanding has long surpassed the limitations of any weapon.

Tang Wanzhuang wielded a sword, but her grasp of how to use a blade was likely clearer than ninety-nine percent of the world’s saber masters. Transforming sword techniques into saber techniques was as simple for her as eating or drinking.

Zhao Changhe even began to wonder if the three moves he had painstakingly selected might appear to Tang Wanzhuang as nothing more than ordinary skills.

“The Sword Emperor’s arts are indeed vast and profound. His understanding of the sword encompasses everything. These three moves could almost be considered from different systems—it would be plausible to say they were taught by three different masters. It’s hard to imagine they come from a single lineage.” Tang Wanzhuang expressed some admiration. “If our cultivations were equal, I would find it quite troublesome to counter such techniques.”

Zhao Changhe was astonished. “Shouldn’t these be low-level moves to you? Why would they be troublesome?”

“That’s where your understanding falls short. For instance, do not underestimate your ‘Scattering of Gods and Buddhas.’” Tang Wanzhuang said, “If a technique is only a masterpiece at the third level of the Mystic Gate and ceases to be exceptional at higher cultivations, then it does not deserve to be called a masterpiece.”

Zhao Changhe humbly sought instruction. “Please explain in detail.”

“The reason it is a masterpiece lies in its essence, which ordinary techniques cannot match. The true meaning of ‘Scattering of Gods and Buddhas’ is to teach you how to actively summon killing intent to create suppression and terror, not merely about the angle of the slash or whether you must leap into the air like a toad.”

Zhao Changhe: “...”

“At this stage, leaping is necessary because, given your current cultivation, it is the only way to maximize the use of your power and to create visual and psychological pressure. That is all. If you fully grasp the meaning it contains, then in the future, any casual swing of your blade can be a ‘Scattering of Gods and Buddhas.’ What is called a masterpiece at the third level of the Mystic Gate is simply the level at which you can effectively use it, not that it is only valuable at that moment.”

Zhao Changhe’s heart stirred, as if a bolt of lightning had struck his mind.

So that was it.

This was something the slow-motion demonstrations of the Heavenly Book could not provide—a master’s explanation.

“A complete set of saber or sword techniques forms a system because, from the time your cultivation is still low, it gradually guides you to lay the relevant foundation, to understand and absorb all its meanings, until finally you can return to simplicity, embodying all the saber intent from before. At that point, a seemingly simple slash or chop is no longer just a slash or chop.”

This was the Sword Emperor’s ultimate horizontal and vertical—the saber and the sword, in the end, converged to the same path.

Zhao Changhe bowed sincerely. “Thank you, First Seat.”

Tang Wanzhuang’s beautiful eyes lingered on his face for a moment, then she said leisurely, “Still calling me First Seat? So distant?”

“...Miss Tang.”

“Heh...” Tang Wanzhuang did not dwell on the title. She drew her sword and said, “Now, let me tell you how these three moves should be modified... The saber and the sword differ only in the way force is applied—one favors lightness, the other momentum. But you should have known long ago that the saber can also be light, and the sword can also be heavy... Watch closely...”

“Shwoosh!” The sword aura soared like a rainbow, piercing the sky.

In Zhao Changhe’s eyes, it was like the arrow of Hou Yi shooting at the blazing sun, then transforming into the battle axe of Xing Tian.

And the delicate immortal suddenly turned into the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden, valiant and awe-inspiring, commanding a myriad of troops.

Then the sword light spread endlessly, scattering across the universe; the saber fell like locusts, raining down in torrents.

The saber and the sword could be interchanged.

...

What should have required immense effort to modify—the sword techniques into saber moves—was completed and fully understood within a single hour.

With the guidance of a grandmaster ranked third on the Earth List, countless hours of groping and exploration were indeed spared.

Since Zhao Changhe had stepped into the martial world, he had relied on his own struggles, without a brilliant master, using the Heavenly Book as a substitute. Yet, in truth, he had always had masters.

Instructor Sun was a good teacher for laying the foundation. Though not highly skilled, his basics were extremely solid, and he was very responsible. Even now that Zhao Changhe could easily defeat him, Zhao Changhe still regarded him as a teacher in his heart.

Then there was Yue Hongling. She had taught him much during their time in the stronghold, mainly combat experience and various tactics—how to handle different situations. This had greatly contributed to Zhao Changhe’s practical combat ability. It could be said that his leap in combat power began there; otherwise, he would have remained merely a bandit from the mountains.

But Yue Hongling did not have a deep understanding of saber techniques. She wanted to teach Zhao Changhe more but lacked the ability. In terms of saber application, Zhao Changhe had truly always relied on his own exploration.

Now he had Tang Wanzhuang.

Back in Jianhu City, Tang Wanzhuang had already intended to become Zhao Changhe’s master, but she had reservations, afraid to act as an “imperial tutor,” and Zhao Changhe was unwilling to take her as his master.

But by now, this minor hesitation had long been cast aside by both of them. What master? Couldn’t friends teach each other?

Even if Tang Wanzhuang still harbored thoughts of nurturing a prince... if he were not a prince, would she still be willing to teach a few words? Yes.

That settled it.

“Only half a morning.” Zhao Changhe sheathed his saber and wiped his sweat. “I thought this would take me many days. Thank you, Master.”

Just now it was “Miss Tang,” and half a morning later it was “Master,” though spoken in a joking tone.

Tang Wanzhuang chuckled. “What, are you trying to say that since you’ve finished learning, the deadline you set for yourself has arrived, and you can leave?”

“I happened to think about that last night. I’m not leaving.” Zhao Changhe said leisurely, “I’ll stay here until I feel bored and want to go.”

“When will that be?”

“I don’t know. For now, I’m not bored. Unless the Tang family gets tired of me eating too much and kicks me out, at least I still want to learn the qin.”

Tang Wanzhuang was somewhat surprised. “You actually want to learn the qin? I thought you were quite reluctant before, only considering it as a way to calm your mind.”

“Because last night I suddenly realized that being able to play the songs in my heart on the qin would be quite fun, hahaha.”

“You have songs in your heart? Nursery rhymes?”

“I have plenty of songs! But in your ears, they might be nursery rhymes or vulgar tunes, nothing worth mentioning.”

Tang Wanzhuang smiled. “Then go learn. I’d like to see how many songs you have.”

Zhao Changhe tossed the towel back into the basin, glanced at her sideways, and suddenly said, “Now it’s you who always feels the need to do something in a hurry. You’ve been telling me to calm down, to slow down, but why do you always have to do something, always have to make progress?”

Tang Wanzhuang was taken aback. “People always have a goal in their actions, or else they’d just be idling?”

“Can’t it be pure leisure, pure entertainment?” Zhao Changhe said. “You said today would be for me, remember? Does that still count?”

“It counts.” Tang Wanzhuang replied with a hint of exasperation, thinking to herself that if he dared to say anything flirtatious, she would splash ink on his face again.

But Zhao Changhe said, “I’ve been in Suzhou for ten days now. Except for the first few days when I went out to investigate the killing aura incident, I haven’t left since. To have come to the earthly paradise of Suzhou and Hangzhou and missed so many sights—how foolish. Looking back, I feel stupid. I want to stroll around Suzhou, or maybe go boating on Taihu Lake. Master, would you be my tour guide?”

Tang Wanzhuang’s expression turned strange. “Boating on Taihu Lake...”

“Yes.” Zhao Changhe said, “Boating on Taihu Lake, playing the qin in the cabin, sunlight reflecting on the water, music drifting in the clear sky—a tranquil and expansive heart, isn’t that wonderful? First Seat Tang, you’ve been busy with military affairs. Has it been a long time since you’ve experienced such a scene? But in my mind, that is the real you.”

Tang Wanzhuang stared at him blankly, the scene he described stirring a distant longing in her heart.

Yes, such a scene—it had been at least ten years.

It belonged only to the carefree smiles of her maiden days, now lost in the mud of storms, never to be found again.

She knew clearly that outside, the Maitreya Sect was brewing a storm. To go boating leisurely at such a time felt like singing merrily on a leaky boat. It seemed awkward, especially with a man...

But... could she not live just one day for herself in this lifetime?

Tang Wanzhuang could not bring herself to refuse. As if detached, she heard herself softly say, “Alright.”