Chapter 232: Imperial Remnants
Cerys and Cedran asked the master how one could cut through steel.
The master only told them that they had to learn to sense the breath of all things.
Only after sensing the breath of all things could a blade cut through steel.
As for how to sense that breath, the master could not teach it through words or demonstration.
One had to comprehend it personally, or touch that Realm while standing on the edge of death.
Rigid training alone was unlikely to bring someone to such a Realm.
Only through constant battle could a swordsman break through again and again between life and death.
Cerys recalled one of her earlier matches with Caelum.
She had indeed once felt something similar.
In that state, it was as if time had slowed.
She had seemed able to feel not only her own heartbeat and breathing, but also the breathing of others.
Thought entered her eyes as she tried her best to return to that state.
Her eyes brightened.
"If I can sense the breath of all things whenever I want, would that not mean I have entered the Steel Cutting Realm?"
Cerys eagerly wanted to spar with Caelum and use the match to return to that wondrous state.
To her surprise, Caelum had not come to the rear courtyard to practice today.
By the river in Hartstead, Caelum lay comfortably on the grass.
He had done nothing today.
He had not practiced sword swings.
He had not meditated.
He simply let himself relax completely, showing a rare lazy side.
One had to relax when it was time to relax.
One had to enjoy life when it was time to enjoy it.
He was not rushing off to reincarnate.
There was no need to keep such a tense pace.
The flowing river, the wind, and the clear blue sky formed a peaceful picture together.
Cedran sat down beside him.
The fighting spirit in his heart slowly faded.
"I originally wanted to spar with you, but it seems you have no interest in fighting today."
"Yes. Another day."
Caelum fell silent for a moment before asking Cedran, "What is the world outside Hartstead like?"
Cedran thought for a while.
"What else could it be like? The Empire is rotten beyond saving. The emperor indulges in wine and women. The minister controls the court. Nobles tyrannize their territories. Human lives are worth less than livestock. Commoners live without dignity."
"I heard taxes have been raised again recently. If this continues, ordinary people will not even be able to survive."
"I heard there is a war in the north?"
"Yes."
Cedran picked up a stone and threw it into the river.
With a splash, it sent up a burst of water.
"This year’s harvest was poor. Add the Empire’s years of exploitation and oppression, and the northern vassal kingdom could no longer provide tribute. Of course the Empire would send troops against them."
"Actually, it is not only the north. The other kingdoms are probably in similar condition."
Caelum looked surprised.
"If people cannot even survive, is no one resisting?"
"The rebels?"
Cedran laughed with disdain.
"There is indeed such a force inside the Empire. They claim to be fighting to overthrow the Empire, but in truth, the ones secretly supporting the rebels are nobles."
"If someone truly believes their slogan about fighting to overthrow the corrupt Empire, then they are still far too naive."
Once the Empire offered a high enough price, those nobles would sell out the rebels without the slightest hesitation.
Even if the rebels truly overthrew the Empire, the ones ruling the Empire afterward would still be those nobles.
They might even become worse than before.
Cedran was highly experienced.
He had served as a guard for many nobles and had seen too much darkness.
No matter how bright, noble, or kind those people appeared on the surface, they were ugly enough behind the scenes to make one sick.
This information was almost the same as what Caelum had learned from the game forum.
The only difference was that war had already begun in the north.
This year’s military expenses would make life even harder for the Empire’s commoners.
The nobles were unlikely to pay the cost themselves.
They would only continue raising taxes to cover the military expenditure.
As long as commoners were not dead yet, the nobles would squeeze them to the edge of death.
That was the Empire.
That was the nobility.
The Empire had rotted to such a dark and corrupt state, yet its combat power and control remained extremely powerful.
Martial arts, Haki, and Imperial Relics.
The Empire controlled far too many powerful forces.
Ordinary people had no strength to resist.
"I think you should go out and see the world. With your talent, staying in this small town is far too much of a waste. There is a broader sky outside, and it suits you better."
"We will see."
Caelum had no intention of leaving for the time being.
This kind of relaxed, carefree life was wonderfully easy.
Whether it was the Empire or the rebels, neither interested him much.
"I hope you change your mind one day."
Cedran truly did not want to see Caelum waste his talent in Hartstead.
Caelum had shown him that the world was still vast.
If a small town could have an expert like Caelum, then how powerful were the Empire’s true masters?
He could hardly imagine it.
Quietly, Cedran set a goal for himself.
First, he would defeat Caelum.
After that, he would go to the imperial capital and challenge the Empire’s experts.
The dream of becoming the greatest swordsman in the world was too far away.
But becoming a Sword Master should at least be possible.
With nothing else to do, Caelum checked his panel.
Player: Caelum
Interference Value: 0
Combat Techniques: Swordsmanship, Grand Sword Master. Observation Haki, Highest Level. Armament Haki, Highest Level. Conqueror Haki, Highest Level.
Equipment: Famed Blade, Cloudrend
It seemed that Grand Sword Master was already the highest title for a swordsman.
Caelum’s Realm had long since advanced, but the title on the panel had not changed.
From this, it was clear that even among Grand Sword Masters, there could be an enormous difference in strength.
One who could split a mountain with one slash was a Grand Sword Master.
One who could cleave open an island with one slash was also a Grand Sword Master.
One who could cut apart the sky with one slash was still a Grand Sword Master.
Caelum estimated that if his swordsmanship proficiency broke through ten million, his swordsmanship might truly be able to cut open the sky.
And that would be without using Conqueror Haki coating.
Suddenly, Caelum frowned.
"Trouble is coming."
Cedran looked surprised.
"Trouble?"
Soon, a group of battered defeated soldiers appeared outside Hartstead.
They wore standard Imperial military armor and had fled all the way here.
The moment they saw Hartstead, their spirits surged, and joy spread across their faces.
"There is a town ahead!"
"Hurry and find food!"
Several hundred defeated soldiers were like wolves that had gone hungry for three days and nights.
The moment they saw a flock of sheep, green light seemed to shine in their eyes.
Drooling, they charged toward Hartstead.
The Empire was rotten and dark.
An army led by such leaders was naturally no better.
To ordinary people, the Imperial army was more terrifying than jackals, wolves, tigers, or leopards.
They might be useless in battle, but when it came to oppressing and harming commoners, their crimes were countless.
Remnant troops like these were especially lawless.
They burned, killed, looted, and committed every evil.
Once an unlucky town became their target, it usually meant a terrible disaster was about to descend.
The defeated soldiers laughed loudly.
"Hahahaha, looks like our luck is good. I thought we were going to starve to death this time."
"Find food first, then see if there is anything valuable. The rebels are about to reach this place anyway. Rather than hand over a town to them for free, we might as well take everything ourselves!"
Comments