Chapter 89: Chapter 81: Ruan Shantao
Just like humans, swords and sabers also have their own lifespans.
Just like people who experience birth, aging, sickness, and death, swords and weapons also have their limits. Most of the time, these strong metals won’t show it, and they will continue to bravely kill enemies and drink blood as if nothing has happened.
"Until they can no longer hold on."
Liu Bolun carefully examined the Broken Horse Long Saber, checking every minute mark on the blade.
"Although this analogy isn’t quite perfect... it’s like asking, do you enjoy working overtime day and night?"
Du Chengfeng, of course, shook his head.
Working day and night means overtime, and of course, he doesn’t like it. In fact, no one likes overtime, as it implies an excessive workload, squeezing one’s rest time, and even disrupting one’s routine, leading to physical weakness.
Swords and weapons are somewhat similar.
Just like humans who live a long life by not working overtime and taking care of themselves, swords and weapons, when maintained properly, can also last a long time. On the other hand, just like humans who constantly work overtime and disrupt their day-night cycle, causing their bodies to deteriorate, these swords and weapons, when used excessively, are prone to chipping and dulling.
And when the body is too weak but continues to overwork, humans have sudden deaths.
In terms of swords and weapons, it means breaking on the spot.
"And there’s another thing, which is where the analogy falls short... and that’s the nature of the work. The work of swords and weapons is ultimately different from human work."
At this point, Liu Bolun couldn’t help but sigh.
Even though human work is diverse, the pressure faced is ultimately limited. As for swords and weapons... their work has only one function, to kill.
When it comes to killing, how can those who have been killed not harbor resentment?
Facing the weapon that took their life, they would wish nothing more than for the sword and its wielder to be dismembered and left without a burial place.
This is the most profound hatred and the deepest resentment. Even if a sword is incredibly strong and can withstand the resentment of several or even dozens of people, after killing hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of people, how can a mere sword endure such immense resentment and hatred?
"This is also why swords and weapons need to be sharpened and maintained, on one hand, to disperse the evil qi, and on the other hand, to eliminate resentment so that they can be free from the entanglement of hatred... After all, just like humans, swords also have moments when they cannot hold on."
While speaking, Liu Bolun tapped the blade in his hand.
"When it can’t hold on, the sword dies."
Shaking his head, Liu Bolun handed the saber back.
"People cannot be resurrected after death, and the same applies to swords and weapons. Since it once killed so many people for you, find a good place and give it a proper burial."
"Hmm..."
Du Chengfeng’s brow slightly furrowed.
People indeed cannot be resurrected, he knew that.
But when a sword dies, can it really not be resurrected?
"Please take another look."
Saying this, Du Chengfeng once again opened his saddlebag.
He took out his own broken Heavy Great Saber.
"Another broken saber... It seems your journey from Ji Bei hasn’t been peaceful either."
Seeing yet another broken blade brought out, Liu Bolun couldn’t help but sigh.
And when Du Chengfeng took out the other half of the broken blade, Liu Bolun simply took a sip from a wine gourd—clearly, as a Master Craftsman who has been with weapons for years, he was somewhat saddened by such scenes.
But suddenly, Du Chengfeng put the two pieces of the broken blade together, forming a complete saber.
Liu Bolun’s eyes widened in astonishment.
"Am I still not sober?"
He slapped his face twice, and Liu Bolun widened his eyes.
He could still feel the sting on his face, confirming he was indeed sober, but the sword before him... was this real?
It’s well known that people cannot be resurrected.
But how can this sword come back to life after breaking?
"Let me see..."
With a face full of confusion, Liu Bolun was eager to take the saber and observe it carefully.
But this time, Du Chengfeng didn’t hand it over.
"Next time, definitely next time."
Seeing Liu Bolun’s reaction, Du Chengfeng realized that his Heavy Great Saber was probably quite peculiar—standing by the roadside discussing it with a drunkard wasn’t really appropriate.
"So, is your academy head here? I remember the last long saber was sharpened there. If it’s him, perhaps he can find a solution..."
"The Head is out, but he should be back soon... Hey, hey, don’t rush off. Since you’re here, at least take a tour of the academy first."
Seeing Du Chengfeng was about to leave, Liu Bolun hurriedly grabbed his sleeve, persuading him not to go.
However, there wasn’t much to see in the mountain academy—just a cafeteria, a dormitory, and the Head’s quarters were off-limits, the only thing left to view was the classroom.
But the classroom was in session, and Liu Bolun couldn’t bring Du Chengfeng in, though hearing the reading voices from the classroom brought a familiar feeling to Du Chengfeng.
Indeed, he remembered, when studying the grinding method for the Broken Horse Long Saber, the reading he heard was exactly this.
At that time, he couldn’t make out what was being read.
This time, by the window of the classroom, he clearly heard it.
"Is this what your academy teaches? Teaching kindness and virtue?"
"Yes, if it’s about teaching people, this set is the most appropriate."
Through the window, watching the somewhat bewildered expressions on the students’ faces, Liu Bolun was lost in thought.
"Though I don’t know what good it does in today’s world... But I certainly can’t teach them to drink, right?"
"This is why I would rather let the students lead the reading than let you teach. Drinking to escape only solves temporary worries, but it doesn’t solve any problems."
As Du Chengfeng and Liu Bolun were chatting, an old man leading a donkey leisurely walked by.
This caused Du Chengfeng to turn his gaze slightly.
Among the old men who had impressed Du Chengfeng recently, besides Yang Xuan, was this old man in front of him. However, unlike Yang Xuan’s tenacious and unyielding aura, this white-haired old man stood straight like a green pine, exuding an unmovable presence.
"An expert!"
Almost instinctively, Du Chengfeng’s spine stiffened like a big cat, readying himself for combat.
His instincts sounded alarms, indicating that although this old man, with his white hair and seemingly aged form, if they were to fight, he might not lose to He Xiqing!
This was all judging solely by presence alone, not even accounting for the old man’s potential hidden skills.
Just like how He Xiqing could transform a few times after becoming a monster, if this old man went all out...
No wonder He Xiqing, even after turning into a strange bird, didn’t fly past Ji Prefecture to hunt in southern Yan Prefecture.
So it turns out, in Yan Prefecture, there was such a master hidden!
"Wait, warrior, I mean no harm."
Seeing Du Chengfeng’s exaggerated reaction, the old man leading the donkey couldn’t help but find it amusing.
"I’ve already heard from the gatekeeper at the foot of the mountain about your intentions. Aren’t you here to get a blade sharpened?"
The old man extended his hand toward Du Chengfeng.
"Hand over the blade, for I am the Ruan Shantao you are looking for."
