I am a swordsman in a strange city

Chapter 89 Forging the Sword is Also Forging the Heart

Zhou He took out a cigarette, but didn't smoke it.

Because his youngest granddaughter forbade him from smoking, he immediately stopped after smoking for decades.

“I heard that Dong Qingcheng went overseas for a period of time and even founded a gang there. After he came back, the gang split up. I hope she can go there and unify the gang,” Zhou He said after thinking for a while.

"You want her to leave the Republic of Longxiang?" Master Yusheng's voice became serious. In his opinion, if this was the way to force his Daoist genius to leave his country, then the person in front of him either had a problem or was very hostile to the Daoist sect.

"No, I just feel that we should always have something out there. There are so many monsters and demons out there. If we don't take over, someone else will. Since he built a gang out there back then, it would be a waste to just abandon it."

"Is this consistent with the strategy above? We are currently in a phase of low-key development, so we mustn't give anyone an excuse to interfere with anything external," said Master Yusheng.

“So, we need to reclaim that position as ordinary citizens,” Zhou He said.

“That won’t do. Fellow Daoist Xiaoyu will become the leader of our Southern Daoist sect in the future. He cannot go on adventures overseas, nor can he be associated with any unclean identities.” Daoist Yusheng had already rejected Zhou He’s suggestion.

Zhou He sniffed the lamp in his hand and said, "If she can't go, then let that Pei family member go. His identity is just right; he's a grandson, so it's perfectly legitimate for him to take over as the gang leader."

Master Yusheng hesitated for a moment, because he knew that Pei Ju had spent five years at Xionglan Peak. They were fellow disciples, and he didn't want to speculate on their relationship or offer any help in answering.

However, some questions can also be raised: "In the South Seas, there are all sorts of monsters and demons. Although they are all low-level professions, their abilities are ruthless and insidious. He is just a swordsman. I'm afraid he won't be able to gain a foothold there."

"That's not necessarily true. Pei Ju returned to Xijiang five years later. He had no sword in his hand, but he had a sword in his heart. He even went into the Suspended Mirror Research Institute and escaped unscathed. When the Detective Department was ambushed, he was the first to break free from the Spirit Realm's devouring. I've also listened to his flute playing. The artistic conception is profound. He is a young man with depth."

Master Yusheng was actually unfamiliar with Pei Ju; he only knew that such a person existed, and he knew about him because of Fellow Daoist Xiaoyu.

He glanced at Chongshan, who had come with him, and Chongshan slowly said, "Should we ask Master Xiaoyu?"

That's where the conversation has to end.

Moreover, Pei Ju maintained a fixed lifestyle, teaching the twin siblings swordsmanship in the evenings.

This time, there weren't many people; it was just the two of them, brother and sister, and there were no bystanders.

And tea, pastries and fruit are placed on the side.

This shows that he respects his master.

The other party's parents still haven't shown up, but their actions have already made their stance clear.

"Coach, can you beat the Sword Master of our Hai City?" Gu Yunying asked with curiosity and excitement while Pei Ju was sitting there drinking tea.

"Who is the Sword Master?" Pei Ju knew the identity of the Sword Master, but he didn't know who it was.

There is a super kendo tournament in the whole world.

Within the Longxiang Kingdom, there is also a Kendo League, where each city holds selections, resulting in a Kendo champion emerging from each city.

The title of Sword Champion is not determined by a single competition. Instead, it involves four rounds of competition over four years, with the winner being the one with the most wins. The winner then participates in a national competition, and the one who wins first place is given the title of Dragon Soaring Great Swordsman.

This Ryujo Grand Swordsman will be the main force in the world's top kendo tournament. Of course, he won't be participating alone, but as a team of three.

Longxiang Kingdom has always ranked among the top in kendo competitions around the world. However, in the last two competitions, they seemed to have stumbled, failing to make it into the top three for two consecutive times, which has caused dissatisfaction among many people.

People believe that Kendo in Longxiang Kingdom has declined, attributing it to problems with the management of the Kendo Association, the prevalence of match-fixing within the organization which renders the selection process meaningless, and the prevalence of various commercial competitions where prizes are being divided among competitors.

“Mu Qingjian is the champion! President Wang’s senior brother.” Gu Yunying said, “He has been in first place in the three rounds of the round-robin tournament, so he will definitely be the champion of our Hai City this year.”

Pei Ju didn't know about the Sword Master Competition before. He only knew about it from newspapers or local news reports. But now that there's the internet, there are all sorts of videos of the Sword Master Competition.

"I heard that this time the selection of the Sword Master will be conducted via live broadcast, with the entire fourth round of the selection process being broadcast live."

Pei Ju knew that the reason why there were so few videos in the past was because the participants in the selection were not willing to let everyone see their embarrassing defeat. Another concern was that their swordsmanship style might be recorded and then transmitted outside, studied by enemies, and ultimately used against them in the world competition.

However, no good results were achieved in the two sessions, and it seems that the selection process is undergoing some reforms. Of course, Pei Ju also realized that the entire city had undergone tremendous changes in the five years since he left Hai City.

Everything is changing rapidly and is full of vitality.

“I have never seen his swordsmanship, so I don’t know,” Pei Ju said directly.

"I've seen it, I've seen it." Gu Yunying raised her hand and spoke in a loud voice, as if she wanted to show off.

"I've heard that Mu Qingjian's swordsmanship is concise and swift, and his movements are extremely fast. In the darkness, it's like silver coins flying through the air—extremely simple and beautiful," Gu Yunying said quickly.

“For such a sight to appear, it must be very powerful,” Pei Ju said.

"But I think your swordsmanship is also very impressive, Coach. In the next four years, why don't you participate in the Sword Master Selection Battle? Select first, then compete."

Pei Ju remained noncommittal; he had no intention of participating in the competition.

"Practice your swordsmanship. Don't envy other people's swordsmanship. Just practice diligently. With every bit of practice, your swordsmanship will improve," Pei Ju said.

Although he said that, he knew that the two siblings might not necessarily become professional swordsmen. The reason they asked him to be their swordsmanship instructor was simply because practicing swordsmanship could be considered a very good way to exercise.

Moreover, swordsmanship can alleviate one's fear of cold weapons and also help one understand them.

Of course, a large number of people simply enjoy swordsmanship, sword fighting, or the spectacular display of various dazzling moves with cold weapons, the thrill of winning by the hair's breadth.

This is why, despite the swordsmanship being rendered ineffective by the unpredictable and strange techniques, the competition remains incredibly popular.

Pei Ju knew very well that he and his sister came from a well-off family, and if they embarked on an extraordinary career path, their family would definitely be able to help them find a suitable career path.

"Coach, can you tell me what your most powerful sword technique is?" Gu Chaoxi suddenly asked from the side.

Pei Ju paid no attention to that, simply leaning back and saying, "Let's practice swordsmanship."

So the brother and sister went to practice swordsmanship with some reluctance.

Liking swords is one thing, but the hardship of practicing swordsmanship is something not everyone is willing to endure.

Practicing swordsmanship means continuing to practice even when you're tired, maintaining proper form, and ensuring that your intention and the sword move in unison.

Some people might think that 'meaning' is too elusive and not so easy to see.

However, to give an example, some people sing with excellent technique, singing with great skill and emotion, but experts can tell at a glance that this person only has technique and no emotion.

For a sword to kill a ghost, the first requirement is to have sword intent accompanying it, the second is still to have sword intent, and the third is still to have sword intent.

A sword without intention is just an ordinary sword; it cannot kill ghosts or monsters. Pei Ju sat there watching, saying that, of the brother and sister, the brother's talent was better.

Because he was quicker to learn, he practiced a few times and became fluent, while his younger sister Gu Yunying was slightly less talented, but she would often practice a couple more times before resting.

Perhaps it's because she studied dance from a young age that she has such good flexibility and stamina.

Every time they practiced, Pei Ju would point out the shortcomings in their movements and correct them for them.

Sometimes, if a sword move doesn't feel right and he can't quite explain it, he'll step forward and demonstrate it.

"The key to this sword strike that pierces through the forest is not the thrust itself, but the way it penetrates the forest."

"You must have the will to pierce through an endless forest with this sword. Don't think about piercing a thin piece of paper. Think about the endless darkness behind you, and in the darkness is a forest. In the forest, there are ghosts and monsters. You don't know what these ghosts and monsters are, but you feel that they are there. So, stab them with your sword. Once you stab them, you must pierce through them and kill them with one strike."

Pei Ju taught more than just swordsmanship; he taught the spirit of using a sword to slay ghosts. Sword intent is formed through practicing this spirit of each move, and it gradually becomes profound and refined.

After listening to Pei Ju's explanation, the two of them were both surprised, but Pei Ju didn't say much to them, he just told them to practice.

Three hours later, today's lesson came to an end.

A nanny came out of the house and said that the lady wanted to invite him in for a late-night snack, but Pei Ju refused.

I came here to teach these two siblings swordsmanship. I've never been to this house before, I don't know who the owner is, and I don't want to know.

Even when the two siblings called him in, he didn't go in; he waved his hand and left.

After he left, the nanny returned to the house and said to a well-maintained, beautiful woman, "Madam, he didn't come in; he left on his own."

"Oh, a pure swordsman." The beautiful woman could see Pei Ju leaving through the French windows.

"Mommy, the coach actually taught us how to kill monsters in the swordplay he taught us today!" Gu Yunying said loudly as soon as she entered the door.

"It seems that this is a swordsman who can truly kill ghosts." The beautiful lady sighed, not paying too much attention. Her children liked swordsmanship, so she would just hire a coach for them to practice. As for their future career paths, she had already made plans and was just waiting for the right age to go and take up her spiritual duties.

……

It was only ten o'clock at the time.

Pei Ju walked towards his residential area, having already taken off the Thunderfire Demon-Slaying Sword Token that had been hanging around his neck. He held it in his hand and walked down the street, constantly waving the sword token in the night wind.

His slashing motion wasn't large; he only gestured in front of himself. But just as he taught others, and as Sister Yu taught him, the slash shouldn't be rushed. It should be full of spirit and concentrated energy before making the move.

As I walked, I felt the wind whistling through the streets.

This is what is cut off from the winds of the mortal world.

As I walked, I cut through the darkness of the alleyways.

This is what is being eradicated from the world, the breeding ground for impurity.

He walked along the riverbanks, his sword cutting through the sounds of laughter and joy.

This cuts off the distracting thoughts in one's mind.

One day, two days, three days passed.

The Thunderfire Demon-Slaying Sword in his hand swept through streets and alleys, across rivers and streams, cutting away the negative emotions that kept growing in his heart.

The Yin energy that had been accumulating on the Thunderfire Demon-Slaying Sword in his hand slowly dissipated.

The sword token slowly returned to its original form.

In Pei Ju's perception, there was a hint of restlessness.

Pei Ju himself also realized something: when Senior Sister Yu gave him the Thunderfire Ghost-Slaying Sword Token, and he was refining it, the process of refining the gloom that clung to the sword token was actually also refining the gloomy energy within himself.

The Sword Refinement Token is also a way to refine one's own sword heart.

Or rather, nurturing one's own sword heart.

Of course, this is only the beginning.

However, his state of mind, like the sword token, was no longer gloomy and depressed.

On this day, Liu Yijia told him that she was going to officially start filming the variety show "Psychic Game".

Moreover, the filming location was in the middle of the city. She told Pei Ju that one of the instructors was a professor from the Rakshasa Spiritual Retreat Center who was also a support staff member.

At the same time, some more active spirit hunters were also invited.

She appeared somewhat scared and worried because the previous artist on set had suddenly foamed at the mouth during a psychic session. Although he was fine in the end, she didn't want to be filmed like that.

Pei Ju understood her fear.

Psychic communication is not a simple matter.

However, after sensing Liu Yijia's fear, he couldn't help but say that he would go to the filming location on the day she started shooting.

Liu Yijia was delighted to hear this and immediately said that other artists had invited some friends from the spiritual community to visit the set.

Pei Ju then realized that she also wanted to go by herself, but she hadn't said anything.

"It's alright, don't be afraid."

"Mmm, I'm not scared anymore!"

Liu Yijia hung up the phone with a smug look on her face and rolled around on the bed seven times.

However, no sooner had I hung up than another call came in.
The caller was Chongshan from the Taoist Association, who asked if Pei Ju was home.

Pei Ju still doesn't know what position he holds in the Taoist Association of Haishi.

Not long after, Daoist Chongshan arrived, and his first words were: "We have already helped you get the Sword Hall back."

(End of this chapter)