Chapter Sixteen: Unparalleled Humility, Showing Weakness Before Others

  "Lu Shidi, look, Ming'er and Xiao Rou have already exchanged over twenty moves. Who do you think will win in the end?" Seeing the sword lights flashing in the arena, with subtle techniques, everyone was delighted, and Tian looked at his sister and younger martial sister, feeling great, so he asked Lu Lun.

  Lü Rén was kind and gentle, with a good relationship with his second brother. He knew that his second brother was open-minded and treated his sister and Biàn ér (his junior sister) equally well. He also knew what he said and who he commented on would not be taken to heart by his second brother, and indeed this was truly what he thought in his heart.

  He said, "Although Junior Sister has just started using the true sword, she is already almost proficient in its manipulation. With her early mastery of the 'Guanyin Sword Method', if she uses the familiar 'Dusk Sword Method' from last time to counterattack, I think she won't lose. However, with this newly learned 'Walking Rain Sword Method', I think she will likely admit defeat within sixty moves!"

  "I think so too, you see, Lin Meng's current momentum is fierce, Xiao Rou used to have four points of attack, but now she only has two points of attack and eight points of defense! I also think that later on, Xiao Rou will admit defeat. With a sword in hand, Lin Meng is really like a fish in water!" Little Qi Zi said, having watched the two practice their swords many times before.

  Lu Zhi heard the comments of everyone, and also came to his senses. He saw that both men's swordsmanship was exquisite, but he couldn't tell who would win or lose. For a moment, he felt ashamed of himself.

  Actually, Luo Zhihan's inability to see through most of it was because he had never seen the two of them cross swords before. It wasn't that his martial arts skills were inferior to Xiao Qiuzi's; in fact, Luo Zhihan's skills far surpassed Xiao Qiuzi's.

  He smiled faintly and didn't give a definite answer, then turned his head to ask Chunjiu: "Little brother, what do you think?"

  Chiou smiled slightly, her dimples appeared on both cheeks, and her white teeth were faintly visible, just like the first sunlight in the sky.

  He saw Lian Tian ask him like that, so he slowly said: "Second Master's martial arts are strong and powerful, how wise, why do we need to comment on it? I think both Tang Er and Xiao Rou's swordsmanship are very fierce! Only afraid that either of them, I can't even withstand ten moves, how can I, this youngest brother with the worst martial arts, comment on it?"

  Lian Tian smiled slightly, full of concern, and said slowly: "Younger brother, I know you're physically weak. In the past few years, your martial arts training hasn't made much progress. Recently, I've been traveling with our senior and junior brothers, so I haven't seen you."

  "Brothers going down the mountain to uphold justice is a good thing for the Diancang Sect, and I, Chujiu, should be envious."

  Lian Tian nodded repeatedly and said, "Alright, next time I'll bring you down the mountain again. But this time when I returned to the mountain, I just discovered that your internal strength has already reached a high level, and your swordsmanship has made great progress, no longer like the little junior brother of before. Anyway, let's exchange sword moves, you can say something!"

  On the ninth day, Lian Tian saw that he was still insisting, and even if he refused again, it would be too embarrassing to continue. He could only laugh and say: "Second Shifu is really exaggerating my progress; then I'll just say something, and everyone can just take it as a joke!"

  Everyone knew that the martial arts of the ninth day were not among the top ten disciples of Dian Cang, although the second master thought so earlier, but everyone still naturally thought that the martial arts would be far inferior to those of Lian Tian and other great disciples.

  But such a sunny boy is rare...

  It is pleasant to talk about, and people also like to listen.

  Only Chu Jiu said, "Xiao Rou had already mastered the 'Rain Sword Technique' earlier, but since there was no one to spar with in the mountain villa, she seemed a bit rusty at first, and her offense turned from 40% attack to 90% defense."

  He saw Lian Tian nodding, and continued: "However, the less she attacks, the deeper her understanding of swordsmanship; while Little Shifu's first use of a real sword was vigorous and spirited, yet also so effortless and natural, truly rare."

  Everyone has seen this point.

  "Look, it seems that Lian Bo indeed took into account each person's martial arts progress when forging the sword. It really makes one admire him! I believe this sword would be more suitable for us to use than for Little Sister, and that Lian Bo's martial arts skills are truly impressive!"

  Lian Tian smiled and said, "I asked you to judge the outcome of the duel between the two men, but instead you're boasting about your sword?"

  On the ninth day, he smiled and sighed: "However, I think it's different from Sixth Brother. The final result of Ming'er and Xiaorou is just the opposite!"

  He paused for a moment, looked at everyone, and Tian Yi still smiled, but didn't speak. Lu Lun and Xiao Qi Zi, Luo Zhi Han all had expressions of surprise, disbelief, and anticipation. He continued: "Because later on, after Shizhi loses in 50 moves, she will gradually become anxious, and that's when Xiaorou's opportunity will come. She will regain her composure and switch to a four-part attack. The 'Rain Sword Technique' must have a clever follow-up move. Shizhi will become even more suspicious of her own technique and strength, and Xiaorou's momentum will grow stronger, advancing to a six-part attack. Around the 100th move, Shizhi will admit defeat herself."

  Although many people think that his words are reasonable, they also dare not affirm, and don't know who is right between Lu Lun and Chu Jiu. They all look at Lian Tian.

  "Well, I think so too." Lian Tian patted Chu Jiu's shoulder and looked at his little junior brother with great pleasure, showing his approval.

  "He continued: 'In fact, martial arts competitions and even life-and-death duels are not always decided by strength alone. A person's willpower and mental state are also very important. For example, if Little Sister had maintained her usual calmness or determination, her kung fu would not have been inferior to my sister's, and she wouldn't have lost. Therefore, we should follow the teachings of our Master, Master Aunt, and Master Uncle, cultivate ourselves, quiet our minds, not be swayed by external things, nor be confused by our own thoughts, in order to further elevate our kung fu skills!'"

  Lian Tian had always thought that Chu Jiu was the worst among all of his fellow disciples in terms of progress with the sword techniques, and even their master and grandmaster had said so. Lian Tian had sparred with Chu Jiu several years ago and was indeed very disappointed.

  But in recent months, I have clearly found that the ninth is becoming more and more elegant and calm. A pair of bright black eyes are slowly deepening, and it's hard to see the bottom. It seems like there's a hint of spirituality leaking out. That's why I asked him just now, but I didn't expect his vision to be so accurate.

  Lian Tian believed that among the many masters and brothers, only two senior masters and himself could see through this layer. The two third-ranked junior masters probably couldn't see through it either. Therefore, although he was very happy in his heart, he never easily showed joy or anger on his face, and his mouth still slowly said in a light tone.

  "Second Master taught that, ……

  "We must follow closely!" Lu Lun and Xiao Qi's backs turned cold, they really benefited a lot, both bowed their heads in half.

  At the beginning of the ninth watch, he also bowed and went down. Luo Zhihan suddenly understood and was about to bow, but was immediately held back by Lian Tian, who said: "Luo Xiongdi, no need to be polite!"

  After all, Luo Zhi was Han's fellow disciple, so how could Tian dare accept?

  At this time, the two people in the field had already exchanged more than sixty moves. As expected, Lian Wanrou had indeed recovered to a state of equal offense and defense. The power of "Rain Swordsmanship" was slowly unfolding, and Lian Wanrou's face was flushed with excitement. In "Divine Halo Mountain Villa", no one could exchange blows with her so freely.

  Lian Tian and Chu Jiu just smiled faintly, without any joy of being right, but Lu Lun, Xiao Qi Zi, and Luo Zhi Han admired them even more.

  "Ah...... you...... ah......" Suddenly, from the direction of the stable, the sound of four legs echoed far away, with a mournful tone.

  Everyone was shocked, Tian turned around and said: "Let's go take a look!"

  He rushed out first, and the crowd followed. Lin Meng'er and Lian Wanrou were in high spirits and didn't hear the distant sound, but seeing their senior brothers turn around and rush away, they quickly stopped and no longer competed. Lin Meng'er said: "Xiao Rou, let's go take a look too, what's going on?"

  Then the two of them also followed and ran after her.

  The brothers of Lian Tian heard the sound of fighting coming from the stable from a distance, and there were no more cries of four legs. It seemed that some brothers had arrived, but they didn't dare to slow down or stay, and soon they arrived at the thatched cottage in front of the stable.

  Only to see two people fighting in front of the thatched cottage, one is the fifth junior brother Sun Hui Guang and another unfamiliar tall youth wearing a gray Taoist robe. The third junior brother Luo Tian under Shibo's gate and four or five younger junior brothers watched nervously on one side, seeing Lian Tian and his group coming over, they all cheered.

  "Brother Lian Er, you've arrived! That's great!" Luo Tian exclaimed as he hurried forward.

  Sun Hui Guang and his opponent were fighting intensely, when they heard cheers from behind. He thought to himself that Shen Que, the senior brother, was not on the mountain, and Lu, the senior brother, usually only practiced swordplay in the trial hall. It must be Lian Tian, the second senior brother, who had arrived. He thought: "Second senior brother's martial arts skills are far superior to mine, and Master has always praised him. If anything happens, there is Second Senior Brother to rely on. What is there to fear today?"

  He involuntarily invigorated his energy, the wonderful move "Rising Sun" in the "Yangnan Swordsmanship" doubled its power, and he loudly shouted: "Hit!" The sword tip had already left a scar on the opponent's wrist, victory and defeat were decided.

  Sun Hui Guang did not want to fight anymore, so he took a step back and said, "I admit it!"

  Dian Cang's disciple had not yet been taught the sword, and the wooden sword in his hand was made of black willow wood. Although it was hard and solid, it had no edge or sharpness and would not hurt anyone or draw blood. However, Sun Hui Guang's internal energy was also quite strong, so the young man in the long Taoist robe was also in pain, and the sword in his hand was almost slipping out of his grasp, nearly falling to the ground.

  There were three people on the other side, all wearing long Taoist robes. The one with a sword at his wrist lowered his head and retreated to the right, his face without any radiance.

  The man in the middle had a sallow face, expressionless, with a pair of white eyes staring upwards, scolding his defeated junior brother: "Punish you for not eating dinner tonight!"

  Recognizing the man with a dark and yellow complexion, he said to Chu Jiu on the ninth day: "The person in the middle is the third disciple of Huang Langzi, 'Leng Yin Jian' Heng Fan, under the gate of Lie Chi Yan, the leader of the Kongtong School. In the Jianghu, there are also...

  "His name is famous, but he's not very good."

  "Of course," said Chu Jiu with a smile. "Master Bo has always said that our generation should have a reputation as good as Second Master's, and I'm afraid there are only a few people in the Seven Great Sects who can match up to him."

  Lin Tian laughed and said: "Little Shidi, you're teasing Second Shixiong again!"

  Chu Jiu hastily lowered his head and said, "I don't dare to, I don't dare to!" Lin Ming'er and Lian Wanrou happened to arrive just in time and heard this. Lin Ming'er smiled and said, "Is there anything that Little Brother Chu can't do on Diancang Mountain?"

  She turned her head and asked Lian Ruo Yu: "Little Ruo sister, what do you think?"

  Lian Wanrou looked at her big brother, then at Chu Jiu and Lin Meng'er, and smiled: "You three people, every time you say something, you always drag me in. I don't know what's going on! You see that I'm the youngest, so you bully me!" Chu Jiu and Lin Meng'er couldn't help but laugh.

  Lian Tian was just about to call out to Huang Langzi, when suddenly, Huang Langzi drew his sword and stabbed it into the back of Sun Hui Guang, who had turned around and started walking away. The speed at which he drew his sword and charged forward was incredibly fast, a signature move of the Cangyan Sect known as "One Peak West Insertion".

  Among the many peaks of Conghua, Bao Ta Xie Peak points directly west and has not fallen for thousands of years. The predecessors of Conghua created this move, which is indeed unique and also catches people off guard with great power. However, he actually launched a sneak attack from behind, making others feel nauseous.

  "Fifth Brother, be careful..." No one had expected Huang Langzi to be so despicable and move so quickly. Everyone was shocked and angrily shouted in unison, even Tian He and Chu Jiu were caught off guard.

  Sun Hui Guang's heart was greatly shocked, the sound of a sharp sword breaking through the air had already come over, no time to turn his head, he countered with a single sword, it was the "White Stone Sword Method"'s move "Sword Goes, Knife Comes", directly pointing at Huang Lang Zi's chest which was wide open.

  Huang Langzi had no choice but to pause for a moment. If he stabbed Sun Hui Guang's back, his own chest would likely be injured as well. Therefore, he deflected the sword with a slanted blow. The two swords met, and all that could be heard was a "chi" sound. The black willow wood sword was instantly chopped off by a large block, but in this instant, Sun Hui Guang had escaped from the "One Peak West Insert". However, he was still afraid afterwards, and cold sweat dripped directly down his forehead.

  Huang Langzi thrust his sword again, but had already been shouted at by Lu Lun: "Despicable scoundrel, look at the sword!"

  He had already rushed forward, entwining himself around the other. Rulun was normally on good terms with his fellow disciples, and seeing Sun Hui Guang's black willow wood sword being cut down, he deeply understood that before they received their master's gift of a sword, they all had over ten years of affection for the black willow wood sword. The black willow wood sword in Sun Hui Guang's hand was still one that he and his fellow disciples, including Tian Er, Chu Jiu, Lin Man Er, etc., had personally carved into shape during their youth. The pain of having his beloved sword cut down was unbearable!

  He drew his sword and began fighting with Huang Langzi.

  Lin Meng'er said from the side: "Second Shixiong, Fifth Shixiong, it seems that tomorrow we will have to whittle a wooden sword for Fifth Shixiong again!"

  Chu Jiu was often in the back mountain, and many of his fellow disciples' black willow wooden swords were found by him. Chu Jiu also frowned and said: "Although in a few days, Fifth Brother will be granted a long sword, but this black willong wooden sword is also a treasured item. These Kongtong Sect disciples are really arrogant and unreasonable!"

  Huang Langzi came to pay his respects after receiving the invitation at the behest of Lie Chiyan, the leader of the Fenglin Pavilion. At noon, he handed over the invitation letter to "Cloud Sword" Liu Chenfei. The letter naturally contained some polite congratulatory words, followed by a statement that on August 19th, Lie Chiyan would send two junior brothers from the sect, "Cold Sword" Heng Fan and "Red Practice Palm" Cheng Man, to...

  The disciples went up the mountain to congratulate. "Cloud Sword" Liu Chenfei ordered the disciples to entertain Huang Langzi well, then took the letter of introduction and returned to the secret room to see his senior brother.

  Huang Langzi took his two younger brothers to the observatory for a visit, and soon they went out of the back door of the courtyard and wandered around. The Cuiyun Sect is located in the northwest, where good horses are often seen. When they arrived at the stable, they saw the famous horse "Black Cloud". He naturally recognized the goods and stepped forward to mount the horse. Black Cloud did not follow him and kicked its hooves in resistance.

  As soon as the four legs heard the movement, they came forward to persuade, but were slapped in the face by two small disciples of the two factions. They couldn't help but shout loudly, fortunately, Luo Tian and Sun Hui Guang and a group of young masters happened to be near the back door, rushed over in time, and started fighting.

  Huang Langzi knew that Dian Cang's disciples all used wooden swords before he arrived, and he himself held a sharp sword in his hand, indulging his fellow disciple to challenge. Now his fellow disciple had unexpectedly been defeated by Sun Hui Guang, and he was furious in his heart. He attempted a sneak attack but failed and was instead entangled by the other party. His heart full of resentment, he viciously unleashed all his moves without any restraint, completely lacking the demeanor of a reputable school. Every move was treacherous, every move intended to use his sharp sword to collide with Lu Lun's wooden sword and snap it in two.