Chapter 424: Chapter 243: Avenge Senior Uncle Ling! (Part 2)
Although compared to the real "Taiheng Seven Swords," it is completely unrelated.
Yet some sword techniques are also present among them...
And once you truly step into Sword City, you’ll find that almost everyone in the city carries a sword.
Occasionally, you’ll see someone marking the ground as a prison cell, talking to another person inside, then drawing a long sword and slowly demonstrating.
Chu Qing initially didn’t pay much attention, but after a closer look, he realized these two were comparing sword techniques...
From Chu Qing’s perspective, their sword techniques were quite clumsy.
Yet there were occasional strokes of genius.
For a moment, Chu Qing was quite surprised... When he regained his senses, he found that he had been standing still for a while. He thought Shan Lan and the others would be impatient, but when he turned around, he saw Shan Lan sketching.
When Chu Qing looked over, she had just finished her drawing.
The drawing depicted precisely that one sword stroke from earlier...
"What are you doing?"
Chu Qing couldn’t help asking.
"Seeing a hunt makes my heart leap with joy, making the young master laugh,"
Shan Lan said with a smile:
"I thought that sword stroke was quite exquisite, so I’m sneaking a copy to study later."
"...This."
For a moment, Chu Qing didn’t know what to say. To openly steal techniques seemed to break a taboo of the Martial World, but perhaps it wasn’t that serious.
After all, those two had no Inner Power. It appeared to be a competition of sword techniques, but in reality, it was like solving a problem.
One person presented a difficult problem, and the other sought a solution.
Ultimately, they drew their swords, performed, and submitted their answers.
Shan Lan’s approach was akin to copying someone else’s hard-thought solutions.
But this is Sword City, not the Martial World. She was copying the answers of the Sword City’s residents, not those of other sects...
So it didn’t really count as breaking any Martial World taboo.
After watching the spectacle for a while, everyone continued forward. Shan Lan explained to Chu Qing:
"The forces in South Ridge are complex and ever-changing. Each mountain has a taller peak.
"Not to mention, ’Dragon Spear’ Fang Rui and his Righteous Alliance in Divine Blade City have been developing well recently. Once they completely devour Divine Blade City and hold the past power of Divine Blade Hall in their grasp, they may begin to expand outward.
"And such situations occur all the time in South Ridge.
"The two groups, three halls, five sects, and one manor sound formidable, but in reality...
"The five sects and one manor are relatively stable, but the two groups and three halls often change leadership.
"Iron Blood Hall and Blazing Hall have both risen in the past few decades, but they’re not invincible.
"The five sects can’t remain stable forever... They inevitably get battered by the storms of the Martial World.
"In chaotic times, one must have some means to survive and thrive.
"So two generations ago, Taiheng Sect started spreading some simple sword techniques within its sphere of influence.
"Firstly, it can strengthen the body, and in critical moments, picking up a weapon allows one to kill.
"Secondly, it allows us to find those with outstanding potential to recruit into the sect.
"Thirdly... Don’t underestimate the common folk. They lack the chance to practice Martial Arts, not intelligence. Even if some are genuinely foolish, out of a thousand considerations by a fool, there’s always something of worth... The disciples of Taiheng Sect gather such things, transforming them into our Secret Techniques."
Chu Qing was flabbergasted, truly feeling that Taiheng Sect’s method was indeed ingenious.
From Shan Lan’s earlier words about Taiheng Sect’s attitude towards him, to today’s act of spreading martial arts, everything highlighted the extraordinary nature of Taiheng Sect.
Neither Luochun Manor, Iron Blood Hall, nor Blazing Hall ever considered passing Martial Arts to the common people within their influence.
Not just because they hadn’t thought of it, but because it was difficult to implement.
Luochun Manor is a family lineage; their family Secret Techniques naturally can’t be passed down.
Iron Blood Hall and Blazing Hall are organizations... The people under them merely follow orders.
Tie Lingyun values the nineteen cities under him and the people because most Iron Blood Hall disciples came from among the common folk.
The same goes for Blazing Hall...
Taiheng Sect, perhaps because it’s primarily a sect, accustomed to passing down knowledge, thus can simplify its sword techniques and teach them to everyone within its sphere of influence.
Expand Taiheng Mountain into every corner within its influence.
Make them all Taiheng Sect’s reserve forces...
This method is ingenious!
Though it might lead to the leaking of Taiheng Sect’s martial arts secrets.
So to use this method requires both determination and resolve.
It’s hard to imagine that Taiheng Sect has been doing this for two generations. It’s no wonder Taiheng Sect could produce a Ling Beichen first, and then a Chen Zhengnan.
It’s impossible to guess how many geniuses have gathered and how deep the foundation is... Chu Qing couldn’t easily fathom.
"Young master, please."
Shan Lan introduced Chu Qing, then gestured to lead the way.
Everyone delved deeper into Sword City until they reached the foot of Taiheng Mountain at the city’s northern most point.
At the mountain’s foot, still within the city, was a continuous staircase that led upwards, and halfway up, they saw the mountain gate of Taiheng Sect.
Disciples guarded both sides. Seeing Shan Lan and the others, they all saluted, but when they looked at Chu Qing and his party, they appeared slightly puzzled.
Shan Lan softly instructed:
"Have someone quickly ascend the mountain and report to the Sect Leader that Mad Saber young master has arrived as a guest!"
"Young master!?"
A few disciples were startled. Though outsiders might not know Chu Qing, they had to understand who he was.
This was the person who killed the former Taiheng’s number one sword, Ling Beichen!
The disciples within the sect had different views on Chu Qing, but none dared to underestimate him. Immediately, a few disciples skilled in the Lightweight Technique bowed to Chu Qing, then hurried back up the mountain.
Shan Lan continued to lead the way.
The road up Taiheng Mountain was not difficult to traverse, the path was lined with steps, just that the lookout gradually rose.
When they reached halfway up the mountain, they saw the Taiheng Sect gate, guarded both above and below by Taiheng Sect disciples.
The mountain gate was for lookout, while the tower gate was the true checkpoint.
The tower gate spanned over three zhang, and beyond it were steps leading upwards. Further on was the plaza in front of the main hall.
At present, countless disciples were practicing martial arts here.
Some were within the ranks, practicing the Taiheng Seven Swords with other disciples, while others gathered in small groups, discussing the intricacies of sword techniques.
Chu Qing was amazed, unable to resist asking Gentle:
"Is Taiyi Sect as harmonious as this?"
Gentle thought for a moment, then shook her head:
"Not quite the same... The senior elders of Taiyi Sect each have their own domain and teach their own disciples.
"I grew up in Taiyi Sect, but apart from the disciple competitions before the end of the year, I rarely saw other martial uncle’s disciples.
"The senior brother and second senior brother are often not in the sect, so it’s usually just me and the third senior brother practicing martial arts."
Chu Qing nodded. Indeed, every sect had its own way.
But he had to admit, he quite liked Taiheng Sect’s atmosphere.
While contemplating this, he suddenly heard a stern shout:
"Line up to welcome the guest!"
This voice was grand and solemn, enveloping the entirety of Taiheng Sect, showcasing profound Inner Power.
As these words were spoken, all the disciples practicing or discussing immediately moved, splitting up yet regrouping.
In moments, the formations were established, forming a vaguely protective stance.
Even Shan Lan’s senior brothers and sisters left to return to their designated places, leaving just Shan Lan leading Chu Qing and the others up to the main hall, ’Sword Pavilion.’
Just then, a few figures emerged from within the Sword Pavilion.
The person at the forefront had a handsome face, black hair, and appeared young, around thirty years old.
But his eyes were filled with an old, profound quality.
Shan Lan had introduced him earlier, so Chu Qing knew this was the current sect leader of Taiheng Sect, the former junior brother of Taiheng’s first sword, Ling Beichen—Li Junmo!
For an instant, as their eyes met, Chu Qing looked around, about to speak.
Suddenly, several figures simultaneously leapt into the air, swords flaring straight for Chu Qing!
"Avenge Elder Uncle!"
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