The Great Hero, Part Two

2024-07-31

The Great Hero, Part Two

The saber gleamed with a biting chill. After practicing for who knew how long, Song Changming finally stopped to rest.

Only then did he notice that Liu Xiangnan had been watching him practice his saber in the prison cell for quite some time.

"A saber art at the Major Accomplishment stage, and Ghost Blade Faction martial arts at that. Where did you get it?" Liu Xiangnan finally asked when Song Changming stopped.

"I happened upon it by chance." Seeing that Liu Xiangnan seemed to know the Soul Severing Saber, Song Changming moved closer again.

Though he did not say much outright, Liu Xiangnan had traveled far and wide for many years and could more or less guess what had happened.

"You are not an orthodox inheritor of the Ghost Blade Faction. You probably only happened to acquire one or two of its moves. Yet at such a young age, you have practiced it to Major Accomplishment. Your talent for Practicing Martial Arts is indeed remarkable." Liu Xiangnan acknowledged Song Changming's attainments in saber arts.

In truth, he did not dislike Patrol Guard Team members like Song Changming. Back when Song Changming had stopped the prison van from being hijacked, he had merely been carrying out his orders and fulfilling his duty.

What he truly hated were the corrupt officials who bent the law for personal gain, not every official in the Imperial Court being beaten to death with the same stick.

Naturally, there were also upright and incorruptible officials among them, men who worried for their country and its people. They too deserved respect.

After thinking it over, Song Changming still asked, "Senior, this saber art is too Yin Gui. Are there any taboos against using it?"

This had always worried him. He knew nothing about the Ghost Blade Faction. If, when he used his saber in the future, someone who recognized it branded it as a crooked and evil path, that would be truly troublesome.

Liu Xiangnan spoke frankly. "In the past, several great villains did indeed emerge among the inheritors and disciples of the Ghost Blade Faction, making the Ghost Blade Sect a target of universal condemnation.

"Later, the Ghost Blade Faction declined, and its saber art inheritance splintered into fragments that scattered across the land. Many people who were not from the Ghost Blade Sect learned its saber arts as well. It is no longer considered taboo martial arts.

"In my view, saber arts themselves have no distinction between righteousness and evil. What truly separates righteous factions from evil ones is the person wielding the saber."

Song Changming understood. From Liu Xiangnan's words, he learned that the Ghost Blade Faction had likely once flourished spectacularly, only to vanish like smoke and clouds today. The Soul Severing Saber he possessed was not much of a problem.

Nor was it part of the Ghost Blade Faction's core inheritance.

Learning this put him somewhat at ease. As long as the saber art he relied upon would not drag him into a mess of inexplicable trouble, that was enough.

"Thank you for telling me." Song Changming cupped his hands toward Liu Xiangnan in the cell.

"It is only a small matter." Liu Xiangnan spoke, then stared at Song Changming for a long while before suddenly saying something.

"I have a set of Swallow Skill. I do not wish for its inheritance to end with me. If you are interested, you may as well learn it."

"This..." Song Changming froze for a moment. He had not expected Liu Xiangnan to want to pass his martial arts inheritance on to him before his death.

In truth, Liu Xiangnan had no other choice.

Not to mention that he already harbored the will to die—even if he could cling to life, both his arms had been ruined and all his abilities scattered. He would never again have the chance to lift a sword.

If he wanted his martial arts to continue, he could only teach them to Song Changming.

Even if he chose another patrol guard, without sufficient talent, that person would not be able to learn the martial arts he carried within him in a short time, no matter how willing they were.

"If you wish to learn, I will teach you. If you do not, I will not force you." Liu Xiangnan said slowly.

"I'll learn." Song Changming had nothing to hesitate over.

Though he had mastered the Soul Severing Saber, that did not prevent him from learning other martial arts. It could only bring benefits, never harm.

What was more, these were the martial arts insights of a Great Hero as renowned as Liu Xiangnan. Saying they were worth ten thousand taels of silver would not be an exaggeration!

"Good. My Swallow Skill is centered on the Flying Swallow Style and the Flying Swallow Light Body Technique. It emphasizes the unity of body and form—"

Liu Xiangnan did not waste words. Having received Song Changming's answer, he immediately began teaching him.

Song Changming listened attentively and simply sat cross-legged as well, an iron railing separating the two.

One taught from within; the other learned from outside.

They did not stop throughout the night.

It had to be said that having a living master to guide him, teaching through words and example, was far more efficient and useful than blindly puzzling over diagrams and text on sheepskin parchment as he had before. Coupled with the cultivation-state bonus of 'Heaven Rewards Diligence,' Song Changming obtained what he wanted in just two nights.

[Flying Swallow Style: Not Initiated (0/200)]

[Flying Swallow Light Body Technique: Not Initiated (0/200)]

Two new martial arts entries had appeared on the panel.

One was a high-tier sword art, while the other was a high-tier Light Body Technique.

These were the two core martial arts Liu Xiangnan relied on most.

Compared with low-tier martial arts, high-tier martial arts were more profound and precious. They were also harder to practice and demanded greater talent from their practitioners.

This was reflected in the fact that, from the moment one began, they required more experience points than low-tier martial arts.

"Thank you!" As dawn began to break beyond the iron window, Song Changming rose to end that night's instruction.

"Though I use a sword and you use a saber, my Flying Swallow Style is rather special. It is not confined to any category of weapon. Used with a sword, it is a sword art; used with a saber, it is a saber art. Either will do.

"You already possess Ghost Blade Faction saber arts at the Major Accomplishment stage as a foundation, so entering the gate of the Flying Swallow Style will not be difficult for you. My Light Body Technique, however, is your first exposure to such arts. You may need to spend more time feeling your way through it before you can grasp it."

Drawing on his own experience in Practicing Martial Arts, Liu Xiangnan gave Song Changming as much useful advice and guidance as possible in the shortest time.

Song Changming committed every word to memory.

Before leaving, his feelings grew more complicated.

He had not spent long with Liu Xiangnan, yet he felt increasingly regretful over this man's fate.

He had not wanted to say much, but before leaving the prison cell, he could not help opening his mouth. "Once a person dies, everything ends. For you, that is merely a form of escape. Only by living can you have a chance to make up for regrets and dissolve your pain.

"If you once had aspirations, you should think of them."

With that, Song Changming turned and left.

He had no way to stop Liu Xiangnan from being beheaded. He merely wanted this Great Hero not to be so bent on seeking death.

If that one-in-ten-thousand chance of surviving from a desperate situation truly appeared, he hoped Liu Xiangnan would not give up so easily then.

Liu Xiangnan leaned against the wall with his eyes closed, seemingly lost in thought. He gave no response to Song Changming's words.

Over the next few days, the Patrol Guard Team assigned to watch the prison cells changed shifts. Song Changming could no longer visit the prison and returned to his usual duty routine.

At night, he began studying the two high-tier martial arts he had obtained.

Just as Liu Xiangnan had said, with his solid foundation in saber arts, the Flying Swallow Style's experience points rose rapidly. He gained more than ten points in a single night.

The Light Body Technique's experience grew far more slowly. It only increased by two or three points each night, and that was with the boost from 'Heaven Rewards Diligence.'

As more and more serious criminals were beheaded over the following days, Liu Xiangnan's turn finally came five days later.

Song Changming was still responsible for escorting him all the way to the execution ground.

"It is a pity that I never got to sit at the same table and drink a few cups with you." Liu Xiangnan suddenly murmured from the prison van, as though speaking to himself.

Song Changming was walking beside him and knew those words were meant for him. He could not help turning his head to look at Liu Xiangnan.

After several days apart, Liu Xiangnan looked even weaker. His increasingly gaunt figure was steeped in the air of death.

Song Changming sighed inwardly and said nothing.

(End of Chapter)