True Solution of the Sword Dao

Chapter 38: Chapter 34

Chapter 38 -34

“How did you know, Master Kang?” Lin Fei asked curiously. “Is there something wrong with the way I hold the sword? I’m certain I followed your method.”

“Your posture is too stiff,” Kang Ziliang shook his head. “Moreover, a qualified Sword Bearer needs to consider many factors for their Longsword and maintain it with various other items, such as protective oils and cleaning cloths. There are also many requirements for the storage environment of the Longsword, and certain improper uses can damage the weapon.”

“I appreciate the lesson,” Lin Fei sincerely said, gently placing the Longsword back into its original rack.

“How about it? What do you think of this sword?” Fei Fei asked with a smile.

Lin Fei nodded. “It’s good, but it would be even better if I could compare it with other types,” he concluded, then awkwardly smiled and said, “Though I know I shouldn’t be so picky, sorry about that, Elder Fei.”

“It’s nothing,” Elder Fei patted Lin Fei on the back solidly, producing a loud thud. “There are plenty more here; you can take your time to choose.”

Even though Lin Fei had greatly strengthened his body recently, the pat still made him cough.

The old man then leaned over with a sly grin and whispered in Lin Fei’s ear, “Let me tell you a secret, the weapons you pick from here are just ordinary top-quality items. My real collection isn’t here.”

After that, he winked at Lin Fei and said loudly, “Let’s go, Master Kang Ziliang, I’ll take you somewhere else. Let’s leave Lin Fei here to choose on his own.”

Lin Fei looked dumbfounded. He hadn’t expected the old man to treat him so well. He glanced at Lu Jun, who seemed to take it all for granted, clearly in the know about something.

Once the master spoke, everyone naturally agreed. The group chatted about recent events as they left, leaving Lin Fei alone in the room.

Lu Jun, walking last, whispered, “The weapons here are rare finds that you couldn’t buy even if you wanted to. Seize the opportunity!”

Lin Fei shyly smiled, nodded, and replaced the white Longsword into its rack. He suddenly realized that he had grown increasingly fond of shyly smiling lately. It was a demeanor fit for many different situations.

As the group walked out, Kang Ziliang and Elder Fei chatted and smiled while the girl following behind them curiously turned back for one last look at Lin Fei in the room.

Through the nearly closed door, she saw Lin Fei calmly standing beside the rack, his right hand gently resting on a Black Longsword sheath, lost in thought. Suddenly, a monstrous shadow emerged behind him, like a totem.

The girl was startled and instinctively rubbed her eyes. When she looked again, she saw nothing.

“What’s wrong, Jing?” Kang Ziliang noticed his disciple’s unusual behavior. This girl named Gongcheng Jing, a pretty girl from Japan, came from a well-off family and loved Sword Dao, so she was sent to Hua Nation by a Japanese friend of his to learn real combat Sword Dao. She was usually very stable and obedient.

“Nothing, Master,” Gongcheng Jing hesitated, then bowed her head respectfully. She guessed her master wouldn’t believe what she had seen, and even she thought she might have been seeing things.

Suddenly, she realized her master hadn’t responded. Puzzled, she looked up and saw Kang Ziliang staring blankly into the room, shock written all over his face.

Gongcheng Jing looked again through the same narrow door gap, but only managed a glimpse of the scene.

The young man in the room lifted the Black Longsword high, slightly pulling out a sliver, the bright shine instantly stinging her eyes.

“Roar!” A sudden, inexplicable roar echoed in their hearts.

“Clang!”

The Longsword fell from Kang Ziliang’s hand.

“What… what is that!!!” Gongcheng Jing gasped, her hand covering her mouth, her eyes fixated on the room.

Their gaze fell upon a gigantic monster shadow that filled the room, enveloping the young man entirely, with gently unfolding bat wings, standing majestically like a dragon.

*********

In a pitch-black space, Lin Fei stood quietly. In front of him, a huge pale blue creature calmly stared at him, with a serpent head, bat wings, and spiked crest.

“Are you… Ming?” Lin Fei asked, uncertain, unconsciously stepping back.

Just a moment ago, he had clearly been in the room choosing Longswords. The next, he found himself instantly transported to this dark space.

The ground he stood on rippled like water, and as Lin Fei backed away, ripples naturally spread out.

“Crack!” Suddenly, a thin crack opened up right before Lin Fei’s eyes.

In an instant, countless spider-web-like cracks spread along this small fissure. The scene before his eyes completely shattered.

Darkness enveloped his vision, and Lin Fei found himself back in the room he had been in before.

“This is…!!” He stared blankly at the back of his hands. There, numerous fine blue scales were faintly emerging. His hands were raised high, holding a Black Longsword that was only half drawn. The bright, mirror-like blade clearly reflected his current appearance.

It was a face with eyes glowing with a blue luminescence.

In the blink of an eye, the scales disappeared, and the light in his eyes quickly receded.

All of a sudden, he felt an inexplicable sense of loss. The last trace of cool aura inside him had, at that moment, abruptly dissipated!

A strange message entered his mind. The first four characters were:

“Sword Heart Chain.”

**********

“Old man, why didn’t you bring Lin Fei along? He helped you avenge your disciple’s murder,” Lu Jun asked, puzzled.

The two of them were walking at the very front of a group.

Old Master Fei smiled and spoke softly, “Actually, I placed my most precious sword in that room. If he truly recognizes its value, I have nothing to say if he takes it. But if he doesn’t recognize it, then I consider my debt of gratitude repaid, hehe.”

Lu Jun was speechless. How cunning the old man was, expecting someone who knew nothing of Sword Dao to differentiate and identify a Longsword. Anyone would likely overlook the unremarkable sword.

Walking behind the two was Kang Ziliang and his disciple. Kang Ziliang, head lowered, clutched the sword handle tightly, a complex expression on his face. The black Longsword at his waist was a fine selection he had just made. Behind him, Gongcheng Jing also wore a distracted expression.

“Master, did… did I see things just now?” Gongcheng Jing asked in a trembling voice.

Kang Ziliang clenched his teeth: “You didn’t see things. That was an aura, possessed only by Top Level Sword Dao masters. They utilize their Cultivation Level and Martial Power to exert pressure on an opponent’s eyes with air, creating special illusions.”

He recalled the scene he had just witnessed. Then spoke in a low voice: “Perhaps in this world, there truly are geniuses… Jingzi.” Suddenly, he stopped walking and called his disciple by her name. Jingjing was looking ahead at the figures of Fei Fei and Lu Jun.

“Master?” Gongcheng Jing responded, bowing respectfully.

“If I die, go to this Lin Fei.”

“Master…” Gongcheng Jing could not hold back her tears. She knew very well what her teacher, who was both a friend and mentor to her, meant with those words.

The enemy they were about to face was not as simple as just Hong Wen, the Northern Swordsmanship Master.

“If Master dies, I will follow you, shattering into pieces,” Gongcheng Jing’s eyes reddened, “Jingzi has no family in the world, only Master.”

“What foolishness are you speaking,” Kang Ziliang smiled gently, lifting his head and gently ruffling Gongcheng Jing’s hair. “Only by surviving can we have hope.”

“Go to that young man. The aura he carries is the strongest I have ever seen in my life! Perhaps…” He looked up, watching a bird suddenly fly across the sky, “he will be the most powerful swordsman in history!”

Gongcheng Jing’s expression drastically changed.

*****************

Old Master Fei returned to the room where Lin Fei was, chuckling to himself.

“How about it? Young friend, did you pick a sword to your liking?” His voice was loud and resonant, with a hint of pride. He probably thought that a novice to Sword Dao could never correctly pick out his most prized Longsword.

“He certainly would not know that the least conspicuous, the ugliest Longsword tucked away in the corner is the most precious.”

Regrettably for him, his hopes were dashed.

Lin Fei quietly opened the room door, holding a Black Longsword in his hand, its blade slightly curved.

The youth smiled, “I’ve chosen this one,” as he gently patted the Sword Sheath in his hand.

Old Master’s smile immediately froze. Behind him, Lu Jun couldn’t help but burst out laughing loudly.