Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 177: Master...

As a so-called grandmaster, her understanding of martial arts had long surpassed the limitations of weapons.

While Tang Wanzhuang did use a sword, she probably had a better understanding of the saber than ninety-nine percent of all saber users in the world. Transforming sword arts into saber arts was as easy as eating and drinking for her.

Zhao Changhe even wondered whether the three that he had selected would appear no different from ordinary techniques in Tang Wanzhuang’s eyes.

“The techniques of the Sword Emperor are indeed vast and profound. His understanding of the sword encompasses everything. These three sword techniques can almost be regarded as belonging to different systems. It was as if they were taught to you by three different masters. It’s difficult to imagine that they came from a single inheritance,” Tang Wanzhuang exclaimed. “If I were to face such techniques, even I would find them quite troublesome.”

Zhao Changhe was very surprised. “But for you, these should only be considered low-level techniques. Why would they be troublesome?”

“That only goes to show your lack of understanding. For one, you should not underestimate your own technique Scattering the Gods and Buddhas,” Tang Wanzhuang said. “If an ultimate technique is only considered a good technique at the third layer of the Profound Gate and it becomes useless at higher levels of cultivation, then it does not deserve to be called an ultimate technique at all.”

Zhao Changhe humbly asked for advice. “Can you explain it in more detail?”

“The reason something can be regarded as an ultimate technique in the first place is that it has something that makes it fundamentally different from ordinary techniques. The true significance of Scattering the Gods and Buddhas lies in teaching you how to actively manifest your vicious qi to create a sense of suppression and fear, rather than merely what angle you should slash with your saber at or whether it must be executed while leaping in the air like a frog.”

Zhao Changhe was speechless.

“At the moment, jumping up in the air is indeed necessary for you because of your low cultivation. It’s only by doing so that you can maximize your utilization of power and facilitate visual and psychological suppression. But once you grasp the meaning it contains, then any strike you make in the future can be like Scattering the Gods and Buddhas. The only reason why it is regarded as an ultimate technique of the third layer is because that is the necessary cultivation for its effects to be achieved. It does not mean that its value is limited to that level of cultivation.”

Zhao Changhe had a sudden revelation. It was as if a lightning bolt had struck his mind.

So that’s how it is.

This was something that the Heavenly Tome’s dissections and slow-motion demonstrations could not provide—actual explanations from a true master.

“A saber art or sword art becomes a true system because it guides you in laying a foundation step by step from when your cultivation is still low, helping you understand its full significance until you can return to the basics and integrate everything you’ve learned into your saber intent. At that point, even a simple chop won’t be so simple anymore.”

This was how the Sword Emperor ultimately managed to produce such immense power with such simple horizontal and vertical slashes. In the end, he had already gone so far down his sword path that he was already at the point where countless sword paths converged.

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

Tang Wanzhuang’s beautiful eyes lingered on his face for a moment before she said leisurely, “You’re still addressing me as First Seat? Isn’t that too formal?”

“...Miss Tang.”

“Ha...” Tang Wanzhuang did not continue to dwell on how he addressed her. Instead, she drew her sword. “Now, let me show you how to modify the three moves... The difference between the sword and saber lies only in the way it manipulates or carries energy. While one is light and agile, the other is heavy and forceful. However, you should have known long ago that a saber can also move lightly, and a sword can also be forceful. Now, watch closely...”

Swish!

Sword qi shot up and pierced through the sky.

In Zhao Changhe’s eyes, it was as if the sword qi was the arrow that Hou Yi shot at the scorching sun, which then transformed into the battle axe in Xingtian’s hands. [1]

Meanwhile, the delicate fairy before him suddenly seemed to turn into Lady of the Nine Heavens[2], heroic and awe-inspiring, commanding tens of thousands of troops.

The sword light flowed continuously, spreading throughout the universe, while the saber descended like swarms of locusts, raining down.

The saber and sword could be interchanged.

*

The sword arts that should have taken a lot of effort to modify and understand were completed and thoroughly understood within an hour.

With the guidance of a master who was third on the Ranking of Earth, Zhao Changhe was saved from countless trials and errors.

Ever since coming into this world, he claimed to have relied on his own efforts, claiming to have never had a brilliant master or teacher, and simply using the Heavenly Tome as a substitute. But in fact, he had always had wonderful teachers.

Instructor Sun was an excellent teacher who helped him lay his foundations. Although his cultivation was not high, his foundation was extremely solid and he was also extremely responsible. Even though he could no longer beat Zhao Changhe now, Zhao Changhe still regarded him as his teacher in his heart.

Then, there was Yue Hongling. When she was in the mountain stronghold, she had also taught him a lot, mainly in terms of combat experience, various routines, and how to handle different situations. This greatly contributed to his combat abilities, marking the beginning of his leap in combat power. If it was not for her guidance, he would have just remained a rough and inexperienced figure in the mountain stronghold.

However, Yue Hongling did not have a deep understanding of saber arts. Although she wanted to teach Zhao Changhe more, her own abilities were limited. When it came to the application of more advanced saber arts, Zhao Changhe had indeed always relied on his own exploration after what Instructor Sun had taught him.

But now, there was Tang Wanzhuang.

When she was in Sword Lake City, Tang Wanzhuang actually intended to become his master, but she could not help but be wary and did not dare assume the role of an imperial tutor. Moreover, Zhao Changhe had been unwilling to accept her as his master.

But today, those disinclinations had been thrown out the window by both of them. What did it matter if one was a master or not? Couldn’t friends teach each other as well?

Even though Tang Wanzhuang inwardly still saw this as nurturing the prince... But if he wasn’t the prince, would I still be willing to teach him? Yes, I would. That settles it.

“It’s only halfway through the morning.” Zhao Changhe put away his saber and wiped his sweat. “I thought that this would take me many days to figure out. Thank you, master.”

Just a moment ago, he addressed her as “Miss Tang,” but now he referred to her as “master,” albeit in a joking tone.

Tang Wanzhuang chuckled, “Oh? Are you implying that you’ve finished your learning and it’s time to move on?”

“I actually thought about that last night. I’m not going to be leaving just yet,” Zhao Changhe said leisurely. “I’ll leave when I start feeling tired of hanging around here.”

“When do you think that will be?”

“I don’t know. But for now, I’m not bored of this place just yet. Unless the Tang Clan thinks that I eat too much and wants to kick me out, I’d at least like to learn how to play the guqin.”

Tang Wanzhuang was somewhat surprised. “You really intend to learn the guqin now? I recall you being quite reluctant about it before, considering it only as a way to calm yourself down.”

“Well, it’s because I suddenly thought that it would be quite fun to play the songs in my mind last night, hahaha.”

“You’ve got songs in your mind? Are they nursery rhymes?”

“I know plenty of songs! But to your ears, they might not be nursery rhymes, but rather folk songs. They aren’t worth mentioning.”

Tang Wanzhuang smiled and said, “Then go ahead and learn. I’d like to see how many songs you’ve got.”

Throwing the towel back into the basin, Zhao Changhe glanced at her for a moment before suddenly asking, “Why does it seem like you’re the one who’s always rushing around these days? You’ve been preaching to me about calming and slowing down, yet you always seem to feel the need to do something yourself.”

Tang Wanzhuang was startled. “Well, people always have goals in mind for their actions, don’t they? Otherwise, what would they do, just idle away their time?”

“Can’t we just do things purely for leisure or entertainment sometimes?” Zhao Changhe asked. “If you’re spending the day helping me, then does that even still count?”

“It does,” Tang Wanzhuang replied, a bit annoyed, thinking to herself that if he dared to tease or flirt with her, then she would splash ink on his face again.

But then Zhao Changhe continued, “I’ve been in Gusu for ten days now, and apart from initially going out to investigate for the vicious qi case, I haven’t really gotten to go around. As they say, the heavens above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below[3]. I’ve come to such a renowned tourist destination, but I’ve yet to see its many sights. Looking back now, it seems quite foolish. I want to stroll around Gusu or ride a boat on Taihu Lake. Master, what do you think of being my guide?”

Tang Wanzhuang’s expression turned somewhat strange. “Riding a boat on Taihu Lake...”

“Yeah,” Zhao Changhe said. “Riding a boat on Taihu Lake, playing the guqin in the cabin, the sunlight reflecting on the water, music drifting in the clear sky, the mind calm and expansive. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? First Seat Tang, it seems like it’s been a long time since you’ve experienced such a scene. But in my heart, that’s how I see you.”

Tang Wanzhuang stared at him blankly, her heart stirred by the scene he described, feeling a sense of longing.

Yes, it had indeed been at least ten years since she had experienced something like that.

It was a time when she had a carefree smile—a smile now lost in the storms of life, nowhere to be found.

Despite knowing that the storm of the Maitreya Cult was looming nearby, and it was particularly awkward to be leisurely boating during such times, especially with a man...

But... couldn’t she live just for herself for once in this lifetime?

Tang Wanzhuang could not bring herself to refuse. She was unable to utter the words of rejection. It was as if she had detached from her own body as she saw herself softly say, “Okay.”

1. Hou Yi is the archer that shot down eight of the nine original suns because they were scorching the earth. Xingtian is a kind of titan who fought against the Supreme Deity. When he was beheaded, he kept fighting using his nipples as eyes and his belly button as a mouth. Yes, you read that right. He has thus become a representation of indomitable spirit. ☜

2. Also known as Jiutian Xuannü. She is the goddess of war, sex, and longevity in Chinese mythology. ☜

3. Two major cities in China. Gusu is actually a part of Suzhou ☜