Chapter 147: Don’t Just Look at the Sword, Look at the Person Too!
In the backyard of Gu Yingmian’s palace.
Once again here, Gu Yingmian stood firm with her sword, her beautiful eyes focused.
Across from her, Young Master Sang was once again silently striking a peculiar stance.
This time, Gu Yingmian was unprecedentedly serious.
She dared not underestimate him any longer; from the very start, she strove to elevate her state to the utmost.
Her beautiful eyes were locked on Young Master Sang’s sword.
She could not believe it.
All her lifetime of hard training, her proudest swordsmanship, would one day leave her unable to see the opponent’s blade at all.
Gu Yingmian was also not going to sit back and wait like last time.
This time, she had to take the initiative.
As Young Master Sang prepared, Gu Yingmian took a deep breath, her eyes icy.
The next moment, her sword released a lonely, cold intent, shimmering like silver, shooting straight toward him.
This strike, Gu Yingmian held nothing back.
It was entirely her peak sword intent.
At the moment of striking, she likewise did not let her guard down.
All her attention was focused on Young Master Sang’s sword.
As long as the opponent moved his sword, she could instantly counter with countless techniques, there was no way she would allow herself to be caught off guard like last time.
Yet, Young Master Sang surprisingly remained still.
Allowing her to stare intently at his sword, he moved slowly, waiting for her blade to approach, then raised his hand.
In the next instant, Gu Yingmian’s sword thrust into empty air.
Young Master Sang’s sword was already poised at her throat.
…Eh?
Gu Yingmian froze for a moment, then looked down in disbelief.
Staring at the sword across her throat.
And Young Master Sang, who had somehow stood next to her.
“It seems, Master Gu is still not ready,” Young Master Sang said once again with a pretentiously deep and suave line.
But Gu Yingmian couldn’t comprehend.
This time, she clearly saw how Young Master Sang’s sword moved.
It was utterly unremarkable.
He just lifted the sword, then slowly, even somewhat awkwardly, placed the sword against his own throat.
Yet none of the countless countermeasures she’d concocted in her mind could apply.
It was as if her body was simply allowing herself to be taken hostage by him.
And she didn’t even attempt to resist.
Gu Yingmian couldn’t understand why, feeling as if her body didn’t belong to her.
What sword intent could possibly control the opponent as well?
Gu Yingmian was baffled, but Young Master Sang was already ready to take his leave.
“Wait!”
Gu Yingmian exclaimed eagerly, “Again, let’s do it one more time!”
Young Master Sang didn’t refuse.
Just the second time.
The third time.
The fifth time.
The tenth time.
The entire day, from dawn to dusk, Young Master Sang and Gu Yingmian sparred over ten times.
Gu Yingmian’s sword never once touched Young Master Sang.
But his sword effortlessly stopped at her vital points every time.
At first, Gu Yingmian was just frustrated.
Gritting her teeth, she thought she’d only been careless or not focused enough.
But after this happening once or twice, her resolve began to waver.
After ten times, she increasingly felt growth in her frustration.
After over a dozen bouts, her panting grew clearer, and her eyes even showed a hint of bloodshot.
Her appearance was haggard, hair a mess, with even a bit of ferocity.
“…Master Gu.”
Seeing her state, Young Master Sang grew worried that continuing would drive her mad, and couldn’t help but suggest, “Shall we wrap things up for today?”
“Let tomorrow be a time to rest and then we can continue?”
Gu Yingmian initially wanted to shake her head and carry on.
But she suddenly found she couldn’t even think of how to start the next bout.
A whole day of intense sword training had left her mentally drained.
After a lengthy silence, she finally nodded bitterly.
“It seems I’m still not prepared.”
“I’ve wasted Young Master Sang’s time.”
“You flatter yourself, Master,” Young Master Sang said politely, cupping his fist. “Your sword intent is truly rare and powerful.”
“Simply in terms of sword intent, I must humbly admit defeat.”
Gu Yingmian frowned.
What does this mean?
After beating me, you’re saying your swordsmanship isn’t as good as mine?
Are you mocking me?
But in the next moment, Young Master Sang hurriedly explained, “Ah, I didn’t mean to mock.”
“Do you remember the theory I mentioned last time?”
“The essence of swordsmanship isn’t just the sword.”
“But also the person wielding it.”
“My victory over Master Gu wasn’t due to my swordsmanship being strong.”
“But because you focused only on the sword.”
“…and didn’t look up to see the person using it.”
Gu Yingmian’s eyes sparkled lightly.
It seemed Young Master Sang’s words gave her some inspiration.
“Ah, I see, I’ve learned.”
Gu Yingmian nodded humbly, “Since that’s the case, let’s end for today. I’ll go back and ponder, and we will spar again tomorrow.”
Young Master Sang hurriedly bowed, “I’m at your service anytime.”
Once Gu Yingmian left the courtyard deep in thought, Young Master Sang wiped the sweat from his brow, humming a little tune as he prepared to leave.
Suddenly, he heard Nian Nian’s voice:
“What you just said… is that your own insight into swordsmanship, Host?”
“Of course not.”
Young Master Sang replied leisurely, “I was just rambling.”
Nian Nian: “?”
“Think about it, who is Gu Yingmian?”
Young Master Sang spoke confidently, “She’s a once-in-a-lifetime sword immortal, a prodigy in swordsmanship at the Great Ascension level.”
“In terms of natural talent, I’d need a hundred of me just to fill a gap in her teeth.”
“In this case, even though I have an external advantage like the ‘Clear Peace Floating Life Sword’, it’s still an external force.”
“What if she’s truly talented enough to figure out how to counter the ‘Clear Peace Floating Life Sword’ during battle?”
“That would be a wasted effort.”
“So, well,” Young Master Sang wore a smug expression, “if I can create distractions, then I will create distractions.”
“Right now, she’s just lost to me, while she hasn’t yet figured out how I’m superior with the sword.”
“I’ll take this opportunity to throw in some unrelated nonsense, luring her into thinking along a different path.”
“This way, even if I can’t completely mislead her, I might waste some of her time, right?”
Finishing up, Young Master Sang wore a smug face, as if to say, “What do you think? Isn’t my Host super smart?”
After hesitating for a long time, Nian Nian finally whispered:
“Uh, Host. Is there a possibility…”
“Hmm?”
“…forget it.”
Seeing Young Master Sang’s smug demeanor, Nian Nian ultimately held back from speaking her mind.
Forget it.
After all, with something like the ‘Clear Peace Floating Life Sword’, even if the opponent is exceptionally talented, they likely can’t figure it out.
Let this narcissistic Host enjoy this moment of smugness a while longer.
——
——
When Gu Yingmian returned, she earnestly reflected on what Young Master Sang said.
She thought all night, even browsing countless swordsmanship texts.
The next day, when she was fully prepared, she once again challenged Young Master Sang.
This time, she no longer just stared at Young Master Sang’s sword.
Instead, she lifted her gaze to see Young Master Sang himself.
But to Gu Yingmian’s surprise.
This time, she actually discovered the problem.
When Young Master Sang once more unleashed that strange sword intent, Gu Yingmian stared laser-focused at him.
And this gaze.
Finally helped her break free from that previously inescapable feeling.
At the moment Young Master Sang initiated his attack.
Gu Yingmian felt an overwhelming pressure comparable to a mountain sweep over her.
Not emanating from the sword.
But from Young Master Sang himself.
After so many encounters where she’d only focused on his sword technique and lost inexplicably, this time, by looking at Young Master Sang, she realized the true fear lay not in the blade.
But in the person.
This time, it was the first time since sparring that Gu Yingmian felt she could consciously resist Young Master Sang’s sword.
But only just barely.
When Young Master Sang’s sword approached, Gu Yingmian became acutely aware that this sword intent was more than surface level.
Even disregarding the terrifying pressure Yong Master Sang emitted.
The ‘Clear Peace Floating Life Sword’ technique alone was still one of the most exquisite sword techniques she’d ever seen.
This time, Gu Yingmian only managed to barely block one strike.
But the second strike, she ultimately couldn’t fend off.
She could only let Young Master Sang’s sword hover at her chest again.
“Master Gu truly is talented.”
Young Master Sang smiled and praised, “Just a day later, you can already deflect my strike.”
“It seems soon enough, my swordsmanship will have no merit before you.”
Gu Yingmian forced out a strained smile, her beautiful eyes filled with gloom.
“I still… lost.”
“Don’t worry, I can practice with you more times.”
Gu Yingmian sent Young Master Sang a grateful glance, her voice unusually soft:
“Young Master Sang, with such kindness toward me, truly makes me feel honored.”
“I’m honored.” Young Master Sang bowed slowly.
Previously, Gu Yingmian’s eyes were only on the sword, so she only cared about Young Master Sang’s techniques and intent.
Now, prompted by Young Master Sang, Gu Yingmian not only observed the sword but also took a closer look at Young Master Sang as a person.
Upon doing so, she realized.
This Young Master Sang is quite likable.
His swordsmanship is superb, and his patient guidance is secondary.
He is also kind and polite, with a lot of patience. No matter what requests she made, he always smiled and accommodated her.
Even yesterday, after such a long time of sparring, he hadn’t complained once, instead, putting in effort to help her find her issues and overcome her training difficulties.
Prolonged training can be exhausting.
Though he might have been accommodating out of respect for his senior, he tolerated her unreasonable behavior without a hint of complaint.
But for Gu Yingmian herself.
She first began to notice this feeling of being cared for and indulged.
That feeling…
Is not bad.
This thought inexplicably surfaced in Gu Yingmian’s mind.
“Should we continue today?”
“…No.”
Gu Yingmian thought for a moment and smiled gently, shaking her head.
“Rushing things will only backfire. I shouldn’t be in such a hurry.”
“Young Master Sang, you should also rest well. We’ll do this again tomorrow.”
Seeing Gu Yingmian’s suddenly warm demeanor, Young Master Sang was a bit perplexed and scratched his head.
“Oh…”
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