Chapter 918 - 417: The Name of Broken Sword, the Lady Speaks Frankly—You Are Old, and Martial Arts Has No Peak!

Chapter 918: Chapter 417: The Name of Broken Sword, the Lady Speaks Frankly—You Are Old, and Martial Arts Has No Peak!

"After the elders left, thinking back on those words, even Ke Jianan was quite puzzled, as were the elders, unable to understand the specific situation. The woman’s attitude was strange, seemingly agreeing but not quite agreeing. She also deliberately held back during the sparring, not causing any injuries. Ke Jianan sighed, ’This woman is extraordinarily talented, truly not an easy character.’

Bai Caiwei said, ’The elders returned without success, having sheathed their swords. What happened afterward? What did the old swordsman say?’

Huang Axia said, ’The old swordsman has come down from the mountain! He is the cornerstone of the Sword Alliance, his position highly respected. This journey down the mountain is of great importance, and the elders wished to accompany him. But the old swordsman refused them all, determined to go alone.’

’However, his legs are frail, his body unwell, so in daily life, he always had someone to take care of him. That’s why my friend became "the sword boy," accompanying the old swordsman on his descent from the mountain. Only in this way could we learn what transpired later.’

Ding Heilang said, ’Miss Axia, your friend is destined for greatness. With such a wealth of experiences and remarkable encounters, it’s rare in the Jianghu.’

Yao Yin agreed, ’She was involved in all of these events.’ Huang Axia said, ’Indeed, she was trapped against the mountain wall, emerged from the tomb, and then became the sword boy, accompanying the old swordsman down the mountain. A series of fortuitous events that words cannot easily explain. If not for these many things pent up inside her, she would never have confided in me.’

Li Xian asked, ’What happened next?’

Huang Axia said, ’Afterward, the old swordsman and the sword boy went down the mountain to find the woman’s residence. But the home was empty, and the woman had vanished without a trace. My friend angrily said, ’Ah! Could that lady have purposefully deceived us?’ The old swordsman laughed, ’She did not deceive us, she wanted us to clarify the situation. We seek something from her, so it’s only right we actively go to her instead of waiting for her to come.’

’In this manner, they searched for nearly a month before finally meeting the lady. They sat down to discuss. The lady said, ’The old swordsman is the cornerstone of the Sword Alliance; my casual words surprisingly caused the old swordsman to come down the mountain, truly unexpected.’ The old swordsman said, ’I’m quite old, my life hangs by a thread, and I see no future ahead. So I especially value time, and I ask the lady to be straightforward.’ The lady laughed, ’Very well, the Five Mountains Sword Alliance... with swords we establish our foundation, with mountains our meaning. The old swordsman is indeed our example. But let me speak plainly, even if the old swordsman has come, that Jade Dragon... ultimately does not exist!’

’The old swordsman furrowed his brow and calmly said, ’Child, you’re telling me you see me old yet alive, sick but not collapsed, and sought me out for amusement?’ At this point, a concealed momentum was released. My friend suddenly felt extremely uncomfortable, finding it hard to breathe. But the lady was natural and unaffected, simply quietly sipping her tea. She then said, ’The Jade Dragon has already been used up by me, but since I asked the old swordsman to come, there is certainly something to discuss.’

’The old swordsman asked, ’Speak directly.’ The lady said, ’The Jade Dragon was devoured by my Ancestral Silkworm. Once my Ancestral Silkworm awakens, it can secrete jade liquid. Perhaps it might have the effect of the Jade Dragon, and I could give the jade liquid to the esteemed old swordsman.’ The old swordsman said, ’On what condition?’ The lady said, ’I want the old swordsman to give me the Sword Collection. The esteemed old swordsman is straightforward, so I won’t beat around the bush. I don’t know how bad the old swordsman’s condition is, and my jade liquid may not be useful. How to decide is entirely up to the old swordsman’s intention.’

’The old swordsman said, ’Sword Collection... why would you want such a thing?’ The lady replied with a peculiar expression, ’Its use may not be great, but obtaining it for a look is harmless, perhaps...’ The old swordsman said, ’The Sword Collection contains the insights of our Sword Sect, and although there are no descriptions of swordsmanship within, it is nonetheless significant. Please explain further.’

’The lady smiled, ’How old are you, senior?’ The old swordsman retorted, ’Humph!’ The lady said, ’Being of such an advanced age, senior’s level of understanding must be high. Do look at my swordsmanship, what level has it reached...’ Saying so, she gently turned the teacup, without any sword dancing. The old swordsman observed with concentration, revealing a look of praise, ’Young people can be formidable, such profound swordsmanship indeed reaching the Peak of Excellence! Remarkable, remarkable!’

’The lady laughed, ’No rush, senior, please continue watching.’ The turning of the teacup seemed to evolve into martial arts. The old swordsman frowned, ’This... this... between reaching the Peak, there are also differences. Why is it that in your Peak of Excellence, there seems to be some kind of hidden breakthrough? How... how could this be possible? Strange, wonderful!’ The lady said, ’Senior, even though you’ve practiced martial arts for a long time, have you ever thought that beyond reaching the Peak, there is still a new realm?’

’The old swordsman trembled and said, ’You... you... such ambition! Are you not afraid of being possessed, these delusions will ultimately become fantasies!’ The lady shook her head and sighed, ’Although I deeply respect you as a senior, you are already old. The scenery you have not seen, I have seen. The realm you have not reached, I have deeply experienced, and suffered great losses. But if it weren’t for meeting that enemy, I would inevitably end up like you. Without those losses, how could I have had profound experiences, how could I have found clues? Martial Arts are endless, and I must seek them. I now have even deeper understanding. Although the achievement seems distant, I will surely reach it, there’s no doubt about that, otherwise how could I handle that young one in the future. Martial Arts have no peak, how could I not explore them?’

’The old swordsman, intimidated by this momentum, later candidly admitted regretting being old and having an aged heart. In future encounters with the lady, he would retreat three steps, not daring to confront her vigor.’