Chapter 60: Comprehending the Sword, Observing the Sword
The spring breeze stirred the grass and trees, creating a rustling sound, and the sunlight was warm.
Zhang Sanqiang paused for a moment and asked, “Why?”
Zhou Yan said, “Throughout history, those who achieve great things are not only those with extraordinary talent. Can your martial arts defeat the world-renowned Eastern Heretic, Western Venom, Southern Emperor, and Northern Beggar of today?”
Zhang Sanqiang stood up and drew his spear.
Heroes emerge from youth. In ancient times, Gan Luo became prime minister at twelve, and Huo Qubing was enfeoffed as a marquis at eighteen. He expected Zhou Yan to say something insightful, but instead, he spoke such words.
However, this was also in line with a young person’s mindset. After learning martial arts, who wouldn’t want to roam the Jianghu with a sword, enjoying a cup of wine under the peach and plum spring breeze, admiring those four individuals whose martial arts had reached the pinnacle of perfection? They enjoyed comparing themselves to others.
When he was young, had he not also dreamed of being a knight-errant who could “kill one in ten steps, and travel a thousand li without staying”? It was only as he grew older and saw the emperor’s tyranny, excessive taxation, and the suffering of the people that his mindset changed.
He said, “I thought you would say something refreshing, but it turns out you only discuss the Dao through martial arts. My ambition lies in the world, not in mere titles. However, if we were to truly compare, I might not be inferior.”
Zhou Yan said, “Is the Hong Bangzhu’s Subduing Dragon Eighteen Palms not hailed as the most powerful and fierce palm technique in the world?”
“The path of martial arts is vast and profound. You must know that there are always people better than you, and mountains beyond mountains. Very well, since you do not wish to follow me, I will not force you. Your youthful courage is something I greatly admire, but everyone has their own aspirations, and one cannot be forced. If you change your mind in the future, you may come to Jiangxi to join me. As for the bandit matter, I will investigate it myself to see if it is due to the Ming Cult’s disciples becoming too numerous and undisciplined, or if wicked individuals are gathering and falsely claiming fame.”
As Zhang Sanqiang finished speaking, he casually tossed a finely crafted iron spearhead. “This is my token. See you later.”
The burly strong man said no more and entered the mountains and fields with his spear. His movements were extremely fast, and with a few flashes, he disappeared into the vast sea of trees.
Zhou Yan examined the spearhead, which was as small and exquisite as a dart, in his hand. He had spoken provocatively to draw out the Northern Beggar, hoping to glean information and deduce from his words whether he was truly the Ming Cult Leader and practiced the Qiankun Great Shift. Although he had not fully achieved his goal, Zhang Sanqiang’s mention of “cult disciples” should be correct.
Zhang Sanqiang, Zhang the Cult Leader.
Zhou Yan let out a low chuckle, mounted his horse, and the yellow spotted horse galloped off on its four hooves, heading straight for the Xinye and Nanyang area.
…
The carved bow reflects the bright moon, and the fine horse seems to be lightning. Startled geese fall from the empty string, and crying apes mourn the swift arrow.
Traveling from Xiangyang, Zhou Yan rode his horse at full speed, not stopping at inns, but hunting and camping in the mountains and fields, cultivating his martial arts. Of course, if he encountered injustice along the way, he would punish evil and eliminate wicked people.
He had no intention of comparing himself to Hong Qigong; he killed all black-hearted villains and flower-picking bandits who committed evil deeds.
Ten days later, the yellow spotted horse appeared in Anyang.
Zhou Yan had already arrived ahead of the escort team. Anyang and Handan were necessary stops, so waiting at either point would allow him to rendezvous with the escort team.
The original owner’s martial arts primarily focused on external techniques, tempering muscles, bones, and skin, accumulating a hundred jin of strength. He never had the consciousness to integrate martial arts with the Dao. If Zhou Yan had not encountered Wang Chuyi and Sun Buer, he probably wouldn’t have thought of the Dao.
When skill approaches the Dao, art can reach the divine. In Zhou Yan’s eyes, this was the realm of individuals like the Eastern Heretic and Western Venom.
However, the true essence of the Quanzhen Sect’s cultivation techniques lies in the Dao being integrated from the very beginning. Perhaps this is also the foundation for why Sun Buer said Quanzhen martial arts were hailed as the orthodox martial arts of the world. Therefore, when Zhou Yan traveled north, he purchased Daoist classics such as Huainanzi and Benjing Yinfu Qishu to refine his skills and understand Quanzhen Sect martial arts in depth.
Passing through Anyang, he camped at the foot of the Taihang Mountains, watching the “galaxy turn with a thousand sails dancing” at night and seeing “the sky connect with clouds and waves, forming morning mist” in the morning.
Suddenly, he thought of some of the sword styles from the forty-nine forms of Quanzhen Swordplay taught by Sun Buer.
Such as “Plain Moon Dividing Radiance,” “Sparse Stars and Faint Moon,” “Galaxy Turning,” “Moon Brightness Congealing Frost,” “Galaxy Egrets Rising,” and “Bright River Sharing Shadows,” among others.
He also recalled Sun Buer’s words: “A swordsman perceives nature and expresses it through contemplation, which is to comprehend the sword. When the true meaning is comprehended, the sword style comes alive; otherwise, it dies.”
This statement by Sun Buer to Zhou Yan actually originated from Qiu Chuji. Wang Chongyang had personally imparted this to Qiu Chuji, but due to differences in talent, Qiu Chuji, Wang Chuyi, and others understood this statement to varying degrees. As for Qingjing Sanren, she could not even be considered a beginner; she merely recited the statement to Zhou Yan verbatim.
However, Zhou Yan had an epiphany at the foot of the Taihang Mountains near Anyang.
Quanzhen Swordplay’s sword momentum is vast and magnificent. When executed, it is like ink splashed across a great river. Its meaning is as described in Huainanzi: “Therefore, planting it fills the heavens and earth; stretching it pervades the four seas; applying it is endless and has no morning or evening; unfolding it covers the six directions; rolling it up does not fill a single grasp.”
And many of the sword styles in Quanzhen Swordplay secretly align with the principles of nature.
If Zhou Yan had not experienced the crashing waves of the river, he might not have had such a profound understanding. However, he had experienced the true essence and subtlety of “Kanglong Regret” in the Yangtze River in Jingzhou.
One only truly understands when immersed within; from the outside, one only grasps the superficial.
Thinking this, Zhou Yan let his yellow spotted horse graze in the mountain forest and ascended an unnamed peak of the Taihang Mountains alone, sitting on the summit to observe the sea of clouds and comprehend the sword through nature.
If not at the peak of the mountain, how could one comprehend the sword intent of Quanzhen Swordplay styles such as “Frost Waves Rolling Snow,” “Frost for a Thousand Li,” “Ten Thousand Li Throat Seal,” and “Pass and River Dream Broken”? Sword moves without sword intent are rigid.
Morning sun and setting sun, mountain mist and clouds.
While cultivating the internal energy of the Quanzhen Sect, Zhou Yan integrated the qi circulation method with his sword moves, causing the sword moves and sword intent to resonate.
He was completely lost in his practice, only instinctively seeking mountain springs to drink when hunger struck, and using the preserved meat he carried to satisfy his hunger.
The Milky Way is brilliant, as if emerging from within.
After five days of practicing and comprehending the sword, Zhou Yan opened his eyes. His gaze held less sharpness and more composure.
He took a Qinggang Sword obtained from killing flower-picking bandits on his journey, silently circulated the Cloud Walking Qi method, and his inner qi rose to his dantian. As it circulated, it entered the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian, running along the inner anterior edge of the upper arm at the “Tianfu” and “Xiabai” acupoints to the “Chize” acupoint at the elbow, then along the radial edge of the inner forearm, finally reaching the “Yuji” acupoint at the anterior edge of the thenar eminence of the palm.
Zhou Yan had not yet cleared the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian, but after consuming snake gallbladder, the strong and vigorous internal force circulated through the meridians, equivalent to tempering. Moreover, Jade Guanyin also had the effect of unblocking and invigorating the meridians. Therefore, the meridians that had not yet been tempered and opened were extremely tough and could carry a profound inner qi.
A powerful inner qi originating from the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian instantly surged from the “Yuji” acupoint in Zhou Yan’s palm and injected into the longsword in his hand.
A clear sword cry of “hum” pierced the clouds. He raised and lowered his wrist, and the longsword thrust downwards in an arc and then upward, executing the “Ten Thousand Li Throat Seal” of Quanzhen Swordplay. The sword light rose like a rainbow, the moves advanced, and the suddenly brilliant sword light surged like starlight, like the Milky Way gathering snow.
…
At dawn, in the camp of the escort team, which had set up camp the previous night after arriving from the direction of Hebi, the runners began their busy work preparing breakfast.
Huyan Lei, Wang Kui, and Shi Baichuan, as usual, rose with the rooster and practiced their martial arts near the foot of the mountain.
Traveling south on escort duty, the three of them had seen Zhou Yan practicing diligently and had taken the initiative to increase their own training. Now, it had become a habit.
Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, Huyan Lei was about to set up his spear rack when he suddenly heard a clear sword cry from the void. He looked up and saw a sword light rising from the mountaintop, like a rainbow piercing the sun, brilliant as lightning, as if thousands of snake lightning were moving, or like a meteor streaking across the sky, indescribably fast.
Wang Kui and Shi Baichuan also saw this scene. The escort Wang Kui said, “Did we come to the wrong place? Are we disturbing the swordsman’s practice?”
Huyan Lei nodded, “A bit. Let’s find another place.”
The three turned and walked away, their voices still echoing in the cold morning north wind.
“The most exquisite swordplay I have ever seen is that of True Person Sun of the Quanzhen Sect. I think this person’s swordplay is above that of True Person Sun,” Shi Baichuan said.
Wang Kui agreed, “I think so too.”
“There is always someone better. It’s a pity Brother Zhou is not here; we have no chance to witness it. Even a glimpse would be beneficial,” said the escort Huyan Lei regretfully.
“Yes, if Brother Zhou saw it, he probably wouldn’t be able to move his feet,” Wang Kui and Shi Baichuan said in unison.
