Narration System for the Journey of Martial Arts

"I received the letter from Clan Chief Song, and I understand its meaning, but we'll discuss it later." Su Yuchen put the letter away and placed it on the stone table beside him.

He then looked at Song Shidao, who sat upright like a straight sword, and nodded, saying, "It's been a few days, Shidao, your swordsmanship has improved greatly. Since you're here today, why not have a friendly spar? Don't worry, this is just a friendly exchange, nothing more. Just focus on it."

Song Shidao didn't stand on ceremony and stood up, saying, "Shidao also wants to see how skilled the three of my disciples are with their swordsmanship. Let's stop here."

Hearing this, Jiang Wenzheng and the other two looked at each other, feeling somewhat embarrassed. Jiang Wenzheng cupped his hands and said, "I'm afraid we'll disappoint Young Master Song. None of the three of us have learned swordsmanship."

Seeing Song Shidao's surprised look, Su Yuchen waved his hand and said, "The three of them are not suited for the sword, but I have taught them other martial arts. Today, I will let them see the Eight Secrets of the Heavenly Sword. Otherwise, they will be stuck in Yangzhou City with a limited perspective."

Song Shidao nodded and said, "Then I'll have to experience Brother Jiang's martial arts skills, please!"

………………

"Master Song, the Eight Techniques of the Heavenly Blade."

"Jiang Wenzheng, Dragon Subduing Palm."

As soon as he finished speaking, the two bowed to each other. Jiang Wenzheng struck out with his palm first. With a "roar," six illusory dragon-shaped energy emanated from the palm, which was fierce and domineering, bringing with it gusts of wind. The howling sound was even more unsettling.

The six dragon-shaped energies, though powerful, carried a swirling, pulling suction force, sweeping towards Song Shidao from all directions.

Song Shidao's eyes lit up, and he swung his sword with his right hand. Ten sword energies drifted like clouds, seemingly unaffected by force. They swirled and wrapped around the dragon shadow as the dragon-shaped energy returned. Then, the sword energies, like silk threads, cut the dragon shadow back and forth.

Before the force of the first palm strike was exhausted, Jiang Wenzheng unleashed his second palm strike. Six dragon-shaped energies surged forward fiercely. With a twist of his body, he drew back the remaining energy from the first palm strike, using even stronger palm force to overcome skill and disperse the silk-like blade energy, before crashing into Song Shidao's chest.

With a flick of his longsword, Song Shidao unleashed the second technique of the Heavenly Blade, his blade energy raining down, constantly eroding the palm's power. Then, with another flick of his blade, dragon-shaped energy clung to the blade, backfiring on its original owner. He then slashed down, creating a series of blade shadows, his blade energy as solid as a mountain, indestructible and crushing down.

Jiang Wenzheng's eyes lit up, and he immediately unleashed a move called "Riding the Six Dragons," with his left palm on top and his right palm below. Six dragon-shaped energy swirled in his left palm, seemingly about to be released, and struck Song Shidao's chest. With his right hand, six dragon shadows merged into one, rushing upwards against the mountain of knives.

With a "hum", the sword energy and the palm force collided, and the two were evenly matched. Jiang Wenzheng's left hand had a swirling suction force, which pulled Song Shidao's body unsteadily.

Jiang Wenzheng seized the opportunity and, with a stride, used the move "Treading on Frost, Ice Arrives," striking Song Shidao's chest and throat with both palms. At the same time, he kicked Song Shidao's lower body with a kick that came first from behind.

Song Shidao swayed as if he couldn't stand steadily, casually swinging his long sword, but intentionally or unintentionally avoiding Jiang Wenzheng's attacks from above and below. The long sword was like mist, lightly leaping and slashing towards his neck, forcing Jiang Wenzheng to leap backward in mid-air.

Song Shidao's sword energy was sometimes like clouds and mist, covering his entire body and protecting him; at other times it was like silk threads and sharp blades, wrapping, slashing, and cutting at will, with hidden killing intent.

Jiang Wenzheng's palm strikes were powerful yet had inexhaustible staying power. The palm strikes were continuous and also had a rotating and pulling force, making them complex and unpredictable.

For a moment, palm strikes flew and sword energy crisscrossed the arena, but it was difficult to determine a winner, which amazed the people watching from the sidelines.

Su Yuchen observed for a moment and realized that neither of them had gone all out; each had a hidden trump card. Fortunately, he had already seen what he wanted to see, and immediately separated the two with a flick of his finger.

"Alright, that's enough for today! Everyone else can leave. Shidao, come with me." Su Yuchen beckoned to Song Shidao and led him towards the study.

Chapter 352 Using Sound to Approach the Dao: Shi Qingxuan

In the study room.

Su Yuchen placed Song Que's letter on the table and looked at Song Shidao opposite him, asking, "Have you ever heard your father comment on our swordsmanship?"

Song Shidao was puzzled, but he still nodded and replied, "When I saw your swordsmanship, my father said that your sword was the sword of heaven, but your sword was the sword of man."

"Do you understand what this means?" Su Yuchen asked.

Song Shidao shook his head, which didn't surprise Su Yuchen. He then asked, "Do you know your father's intentions?"

Song Shidao replied, "My father has always been committed to overthrowing the Sui Dynasty, restoring the Han Dynasty, and bringing Han blood back to the Central Plains."

Su Yuchen nodded and said...

"Since the Five Barbarian Invasions, the northern regions have been inhabited by both Han and non-Han peoples. Whether it was Yang Jian, who founded the Sui Dynasty, or the other three powerful clans, the Li, Yuwen, and Gudu clans, they were all of non-Han descent, only later adopting Han surnames."

"Your father's ambition was to restore the Han dynasty. However, the trend of the times and the integration of the Han and non-Han peoples were already a foregone conclusion, like the will of Heaven. Therefore, the Song family had no choice but to retreat to Lingnan. Thus, his Nine Questions of the Heavenly Blade were both questions to Heaven and questions to the human heart."

"Your father's ambitions and swordsmanship were in harmony. He questioned the heavens nine times, hoping to overcome the will of heaven with human will. Therefore, your father's sword was also a sword of man. He was confident that he could overcome heaven with human will and make the world a unified one from the south to the north."

“The letter your father wrote to me was actually a demonstration of his philosophy. He wanted to know if I was someone who shared his ideals.”

"So, Shidao, do you intend to become emperor? This is the real reason your father sent you to see me."

Song Shidao was speechless for a moment. He hesitated and said, "I have never thought about this question. Moreover, I don't know if I can be a good emperor."

Su Yuchen pointed to his knife and said...

“If it were before, I wouldn’t be sure if you could be a good emperor. But your sword tells me that you are qualified to be an emperor.”

"Your swordsmanship is both gentle and firm, with hidden killing intent, like a dragon rising from the abyss. The so-called swordsmanship is the essence of the human heart. As an emperor, you will be a good ruler who is both virtuous and benevolent. You will not let your people suffer."

"So, please deliver my answer to your father. If you have decided to be a good emperor, then please tell me."

"Furthermore, I suggest you set aside your noble family background and humble yourself to visit Lingnan, which is under the jurisdiction of the Song family, and see for yourself the lives of ordinary people. Perhaps then you will find the answer."

Su Yuchen picked up the pen and wrote in one stroke on the paper...

He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world!

The people are like water, and the ruler is like a boat. Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it!

"By holding imperial examinations to recruit talented individuals from across the land, we can put them to use and counterbalance powerful clans!"

Su Yuchen handed the scroll to Song Shidao and said calmly, "Take this to your father. I hope you can understand the meaning behind it when we meet next time. If so, what does it matter if I let the Song clan rule the world?"

After seeing off Song Shidao, who looked somewhat bewildered, Su Yuchen decided to venture into the martial world. Having been here for so long and staying in Yangzhou, it was time to let his mind be at peace.

[Song Shidao heeded your words and went deep into Lingnan to experience the hardships of the people.]

Three months later, Song Shidao felt deeply helpless. Even in Lingnan, where there was no war, the people were still suffering. And what could be done when the Central Plains were constantly embroiled in conflict? He had a different understanding of your words of advice.

Song Shidao returned to the mountain city, determined to conquer the world and end the chaos. With the support of Song Que, he held the imperial examinations, and the dynasty lasted for 603 years.

You can go to Dongping County; you might find something unexpected there.

Upon hearing the narration, Su Yuchen decided to set off for Dongping. He then summoned his three disciples, gave them instructions, and left Yangzhou alone, stepping into the world of martial arts.

………………

Gunzhou, Dongping County.

This place is near Wagang, and due to years of war between the rebel army and the Sui army, the people have long been living in misery.

When Su Yuchen stepped into the city, the streets were quiet. An autumn wind blew, stirring up a few fallen leaves. If it weren't for the occasional pedestrian hurrying by, one would really think that this was a desolate and ruined ghost realm.

As soon as he stepped into the city, Su Yuchen's primordial spirit spontaneously signaled.

"So, is it someone you know? Or is it an opponent I should take seriously?"

In the blink of an eye, Su Yuchen's figure vanished, and when he reappeared, he was already on the tower of the city wall. Purple and blue lotus shadows appeared in his eyes, surrounded by seven-colored light, and all kinds of energy in the city appeared in his eyes.

"Huh? It's those two kids? And who's the other one? His aura is like a wolf or a tiger, so aggressive."

Su Yuchen glanced around and noticed three unusual auras in the outer city. The two auras that were gathered together belonged to Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, and they were even brighter than before, indicating that the two would have a great harvest. As for the other aura, it was almost as strong as the two of them, and it was obviously also a martial arts master.

After a quick glance, Su Yuchen paid no attention. Although these three were good, they were not enough to arouse his primordial spirit. He turned to look at the inner city. The three auras among them were slightly different, but compared to Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, they were like the embers of a dying tree, and would not arouse his mind at all.

Turning my gaze again, I noticed a different aura not far from the inner city. It wasn't particularly bright, but it carried a unique, refreshing charm, like a gentle breeze and a bright moon.

"You are the one."

In the night breeze, a soft whisper drifted by. Su Yuchen's figure on the city wall had vanished; empowered by the energy of heaven and earth, even a thought could disappear. From beginning to end, the soldiers on guard on the city wall had not noticed that an extra person had ever appeared there.

………………

A gentle breeze blew under the eaves, and the candlelight, like flowing water, rippled silently. Before anyone could hear it, Su Yuchen was already standing opposite a woman.

He arrived silently and appeared naturally, as if he were meant to be there. The woman opposite him, her face veiled, felt not a trace of annoyance, but rather an unusual sense of shame, as if she had disturbed the place.

You met Shi Qingxuan.

[Shi Qingxuan: Daughter of Shi Zhixuan and Bi Xiuxin, skilled in medicine, mechanisms, and light-body techniques, especially proficient in the art of playing the xiao (a type of Chinese flute), almost reaching the Dao through sound. However, without guidance, she will eventually become just another ordinary person.]

"It turns out to be you."

Looking at the woman who could evoke a reaction in his primordial spirit, Su Yuchen couldn't help but exclaim that she was exceptionally beautiful and refined, like the bright moon in the mountains, possessing a truly exceptional talent.

"Senior recognizes Qingxuan, but Qingxuan doesn't know how to address you, Senior?" Shi Qingxuan's words carried an air of serene indifference.

Upon hearing this, Shi Qingxuan paused slightly, suddenly realizing how similar the person before her was to herself. The only difference was that she was still a human being with flesh and blood, while the person before her was almost a perfect immortal.

Su Yuchen turned away without answering, looking at the brightly lit and bustling lobby not far away: "Whose residence is this? Are these people waiting for you?"

"This is the residence of the great Confucian scholar Wang Tong." Shi Qingxuan was surprised as soon as she spoke, not expecting that the person in front of her did not know where she was. "Qingxuan came here to perform a song at the invitation of Uncle Wang, and also at the last wish of my mother."

“Wang Tong? I don’t remember him.” Su Yuchen said indifferently. Perhaps Shi Long still remembered him, but he was too lazy to look.

Shi Qingxuan felt that it was perfectly natural for him to say it, and the thought that "dragons do not dwell with snakes, and immortals do not walk with humans" arose in her mind. She couldn't help but nod in agreement.

Just then, Su Yuchen turned his head to look at the roof on one side, and Shi Qingxuan also looked over curiously. The next second, two figures swept across the roof in the night and disappeared under the eaves.

"Senior, do you recognize these two people?!" Shi Qingxuan asked, though she was quite certain.

Su Yuchen nodded, no longer paying attention: "Two very interesting lads, two future grandmasters. But that's about it."

"A future Grandmaster?" Shi Qingxuan looked again curiously. The two seemed to sense something. Their eyes, like four shining pearls in the night, looked over here, but it seemed they didn't see anything. She could vaguely see the two arguing for a moment before quietly landing and walking towards the main hall.

Shi Qingxuan's heart stirred, and she vaguely realized that the two people had not noticed her and were related to the person beside her.

Chapter 353 Shi Qingxuan's Guess, the Trio Gathered

“Since I entered the Dao, apart from Zhang Sanfeng, the founder of Wudang, you are the person I have met who is closest to the Dao.” Shi Qingxuan was still thinking when she heard the person beside her say.

Although Shi Qingxuan did not know who the founder of Wudang was, she could tell from his words that he recognized her and disdained the others, clearly placing himself in a special position.

"I don't understand what you're saying, senior."

"Although this is the first time I've met you, you've achieved a level of skill that's almost like the Dao, something even Ning Daoqi can't match... Huh?" Su Yuchen looked towards the main hall, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

As Shi Qingxuan listened intently to his mention of Ning Daoqi, a grandmaster of Taoism, she couldn't help but look up when he suddenly stopped. She saw a man and a woman at the entrance of the hall. The man was dressed in Turkic attire, while the woman was dressed in white and holding a strange longsword.

The male greeter at the entrance reached out to stop the two, but the man kicked each of them into the lobby, causing gasps of surprise.

"Is this someone the senior knows?"

You encountered Ba Feng Han and Fu Junyu.

"Ha ha……"

Su Yuchen smiled and said, "Although I don't know her, her sect has a grudge against me. Hmm, she's probably here to seek revenge."

Shi Qingxuan said thoughtfully, "I can't guess who the man is, but I'm quite sure who the woman is."

"Oh? Tell me."

Su Yuchen raised his right hand and drew a circle in the air. Instantly, the mist in the corridor condensed and slowly solidified into a thin ice mirror in the air. Then, an image gradually appeared in the mirror, becoming clearer and clearer, showing the scene inside the hall not far away.

"I'm still not strong enough, and this is all I can do. If it were any further, I'm afraid it wouldn't be possible," Su Yuchen sighed inwardly.

[You used water as a mirror, the energy of all things as a guide, and your primordial spirit to capture and reflect the outward manifestation of that energy; you achieved a weakened version of the Radiant Light Technique.]

[Your strength is insufficient; you can only reflect the scene within a one-mile radius. As your strength increases, the distance will increase.]

"Senior, is this the legendary Daoist secret technique, the Round Light Technique? It allows one to see everything they wish to see from a thousand miles away," Shi Qingxuan exclaimed, looking at the ice mirror with curiosity.

“You haven’t shared your thoughts yet,” Su Yuchen said.

Shi Qingxuan revealed a mischievous glint in her eyes and said playfully, "I not only have a guess about that woman's identity, but also about your identity, senior. I'll try to explain it. Whether it's right or wrong, I'll leave it all to your guidance, senior."

Seeing Su Yuchen's noncommittal attitude, Shi Qingxuan said...

"As far as Qingxuan knows, the tyrannical Emperor Yang Guang was once assassinated in Jiangnan. The assassin was a woman dressed in white, and the long sword she carried was also of the same style. Later, news came from the Yuwen clan that the woman was Fu Junzhuo, a disciple of Grandmaster Fu Cailin."

"But that woman disappeared without a trace after her brief appearance in Yangzhou. Some say she failed in her assassination attempt on Yang Guang and has returned to Goryeo."

“If it were before, Qingxuan wouldn’t be sure, but since the Lingnan Sharpening Hall was rebuilt, everyone in the martial arts world knows that there is a Grandmaster-level expert in Yangzhou.”

"There are even rumors that the man's martial arts are above the three grandmasters, forcing the Song Clan leader to make him his only goal in this life."

"The senior said that the woman's sect had a grudge against the senior. The woman was dressed in Korean attire, and the senior did not recognize her, so it can only mean that Fu Junzhuo was likely killed by the senior. Then this woman should be another disciple of Fu Cailin."

"Senior's 'Circle Light Technique' is something even the 'Sanren' Ning Daoqi wouldn't be able to do. As for Senior's identity, Qingxuan knows without asking. I never expected that Qingxuan would be so fortunate as to meet Senior Shi here."

Su Yuchen revealed a smile, and for a moment it seemed as if the moonlight in the sky had become a little brighter, like white sand covering the ground and the shadows of trees swaying, as if it were the moon palace on earth.

"Truly intelligent and insightful, able to guess my identity from just a few clues. That's rare."

"The show is about to begin. Let's watch it first, and if you'd like, you can come with me for a walk afterwards."

………………

Shi Qingxuan followed his gaze to the round mirror in mid-air.

In the round mirror, the Turkic-dressed man wore a cold smile, his tiger-like eyes gleaming with bloodlust and ferocity. He spoke with disdain for the Han Chinese around him: "My name is Ba Feng Han. I've come here with this young lady because..."

"Huh? This mirror can actually hear sounds." Shi Qingxuan exclaimed in surprise, but seeing that Su Yuchen didn't seem inclined to explain, she could only suppress her doubts and look into the mirror.