The Price of Being Too Cunning / Supreme Detachment from Emotion

"Who gave you permission to interfere!"

The little girl flashed her fangs, showing no appreciation whatsoever for Kevin's unauthorized actions.

"Alright, how do you plan to handle this?"

Kevin rolled his eyes and asked casually.

"Kill them all!"

Without a second thought, the answer slipped out of Irene's mouth.

But then Kevin's smile froze, and he gave Irene a sharp rap on the head.

Why did you hit me!

Irene glared at Kevin angrily and wrung out the water from the bear.

"Idiot! I'm telling you to use your brain!"

"Go and cause trouble for whoever messed with you! What business is it of anyone else? Don't forget there are a few people inside who stood up for you. Are you going to kill them all too?"

"At this time, we must unite the majority and strike at a small minority! Isolate them, or seize the one who bullied you the most, relentlessly pursue them, and set an example!"

"Speaking of which, all you ever do is hoard prizes. You've won so many prizes from me, but you don't even share them with those kids to win them over. No wonder people are eyeing you..."

"Calling you stupid is an understatement!"

Kevin listed the girl's many misdeeds and, in a cunning manner, taught her some schemes and tricks for forming cliques.

Unable to argue with the guy, Irene, in a fit of anger, opened her mouth and bit his casually pointing right hand.

But the expected scolding didn't come. The scoundrel who always clamored for retribution for bullying her actually looked at her with a mixture of reproach and affection, and uttered a soft, gentle sentence.

"Do you really think Cecilia adopted you so casually? She doesn't care about your past, yet you're wallowing in self-pity. You're just too full of yourself..."

"No matter how others slander you, you must always remember that you are Cecilia's second daughter, even closer than her own!"

"Besides, don't you have your older brother backing you up?"

Irene released her teeth, leaving only a faint red mark on Kevin's skin. The little girl hugged the teddy bear tightly and warily distanced herself.

"Too full? You're clearly not happy about losing, you're eyeing my candy!"

"Don't speak such obvious truths! I'm just planning to keep it for you for now, and I'll definitely pay you back when you grow up!"

Kevin, employing the standard lie parents use to trick their children out of their New Year's money, approached Irene with a sly smile.

"You big liar! Bella! Let's run!"

Irene tucked the Little Lizard from her shoulder into her arms, then screamed and fled out of the dense forest. But as the breeze blew, a slight smile unconsciously appeared on the corner of the girl's mouth.

P. S.: I've already boosted the affection levels of two couples, and the romance scenes are pretty much done. Now it's time to get to the main topic.

Thank you to reader Yakumo Yukari for the 5-blade encouragement to update! The update will be released at 6 AM today.

Chapter 367, Section 384: The Mistake of Being Too Cunning

Siegfried, who had just woken up, rolled his eyes, turned his head to push away the spoon that was pressed against his nose, and called back the gritting-teeth Ouma Mana who was staring at the courtyard.

"Daughter-in-law, if you're going to eat porridge, let me do it myself..."

Once the medical staff came to their senses, they immediately stuffed the now-cold porridge into Siegfried's mouth, nearly pushing the spoon down his esophagus due to the force of their actions.

"Father, I will serve you with all my heart and soul, a thousand times, ten thousand times better than that other man!"

Ouma Mana was completely unaware that she had almost choked Siegfried to death just now. Her gaze was still turned towards the door, her profile was cold, and her tone was full of hostility.

Putting aside where you get your confidence, what kind of suffering have I endured?!

Siegfried pulled his neck to the left and bit the spoon that had been poking his right cheek into his mouth, but then his gums started to hurt.

You didn't put in much porridge, what are you doing stirring it around like that!

Siegfried, utterly dejected, squeezed the spoon out and frantically looked around for help.

"Or, we could find someone else to take care of me," the patient thought, casting a pitiful look at his nominal daughter Irene.

A little girl, who was jumping around like a puppy, catching candies in her mouth, felt a chill run down her spine.

When she turned her head and noticed Siegfried's eager gaze, she jumped away like a startled rabbit, clutching the candy in her arms tightly.

"No way! It's mine!"

The little girl was both wary and contemptuous of her father, who had once beaten her severely.

Who says daughters are their parents' warm and comforting coat? This is definitely a cheap, shoddy piece of cotton!

Siegfried kept giving her meaningful glances, hoping his daughter Irene would understand and take over the responsibility of feeding Ouma Mana, instead of feeding her. However, she was met with a devastating blow.

Kevin had already secretly informed him about the speculation surrounding Irene's identity.

Now, any lingering hope in Siegfried's heart was immediately extinguished.

As for his son, Siegfried glanced at the scoundrel in the courtyard who was flirting with his wife's best friend, and had already given up hope; his eyes were slightly moist.

My dear Cecilia, please come back soon, I miss you...

In the courtyard, Kevin's purpose in bringing Fu Hua along was perfectly legitimate: he simply wanted to learn some fighting techniques from this martial arts patriarch. Otherwise, he wouldn't dare to wander around in front of the Ouma Mana.

After half an hour of casual conversation, Fu Hua's dormant consciousness finally roused, and a clear light appeared in her eyes. However, she was slightly surprised by Kevin's request. "You want to learn martial arts? You're looking for me?"

Kevin nodded solemnly, unable to contain his excitement. "Nine Heavens Xuannü! The God of War and Conquest in China, the ancestor of martial arts. Even just listening to bits and pieces of her experience and techniques has been incredibly beneficial."

"I vaguely remember that I am proficient in both fist and sword martial arts..."

"The first is [Inch Heart Fist], which emphasizes maintaining a focused mind, responding to all changes with unchanging principles, and using one method to overcome all others. It mostly follows the path of overwhelming force with sheer power. You might want to give this a try..."

After a moment's thought, Fu Hua suggested that Kevin learn boxing.

"Aren't you a master of both fist and sword? I'd like to try out [Tai Xu Sword Qi]!"

Kevin was not entirely satisfied with this; his desire to wield a three-foot-long sword and right the wrongs of the world was extremely strong.

Moreover, it was only a matter of time before he could master the Heavenly Fire Sacred Judgment, and he had also learned some supercomputer-generated sword techniques from Asuna and Kirito, so he had some foundation.

At this moment, Fu Hua looked slightly surprised, her strange scrutinizing gaze sweeping over Kevin.

"Captain, didn't you used to look down on these kinds of skill-based things, especially swordsmanship...?"

"Anyway, for you, there's no problem that can't be solved with a single sword strike. If there is, then just swing a few more swords..."

In those hazy memories, Kevin, the first-generation Fusion Warrior of the Previous Era, had an explosive output after obtaining the [Key of Destruction] Heavenly Fire Sacred Judgment.

When facing Herrscher, there's no need to consider any techniques; just slash and that's it. Half of the first thirteen Herrscher died under Kevin's chaotic punches.

Fu Hua, who later joined the [Fire Moth], also displayed her talent in martial arts skills, but she was completely unable to resist Kevin's overwhelming power.

After listening to Fu Hua's fragmented account, Kevin felt embarrassed and ashamed of his past embarrassing history.

"Actually, what you thought back then wasn't wrong..."

"Technique is a method developed to maximize power. Simply put, if you have 10 points of strength, proper technique can allow you to unleash 12 points of destructive power..."

"But at that time, you had already far surpassed the limits of humanity, and could even crush most Herrscher. Skill wasn't that important to you..."

"Now, times have changed, and we can't return to our peak, so learning new skills is a wise choice..."

Fu Hua's evaluation and insights are quite pertinent and insightful, and she also largely agrees with Kevin's current choice.

"So, I can learn your [Tai Xu Sword Qi] now? When will you teach me, Hua?"

Kevin, full of anticipation, began pressing his old friend about when he would officially begin teaching martial arts.

However, Fu Hua still shook her head slightly.

"Why? Do I need to become an apprentice? I don't mind that!"

Kevin was somewhat frustrated, but at the same time, he expressed his determination.

Fu Hua raised her eyes and focused intently, her expression serious.

"Captain, it's not that I'm unwilling to teach, it's just that you're simply not suited for [Tai Xu Sword Qi]..."

"To forge the Tai Xu Sword Heart, one must attain utmost emptiness, maintain steadfast stillness, return to simplicity and authenticity, and achieve harmony between humanity and nature..."

"As for you... you're too cunning... forcing yourself to cultivate will be pointless..."

Faced with this blunt advice, Kevin nearly coughed up blood. Was this some kind of retribution for his cunning?

But the commander was still unwilling to give up, so he asked in a low voice, sounding annoyed.

What if we insist?

Fu Hua was in a state of confusion and emotion, with a trace of inexplicable sadness appearing in the girl's eyes.

"When the mind is at peace, it becomes still water; when the mind's lake freezes, it becomes spotless; when the mind's ice is clear, it becomes a bright mirror; when the mind's energy is formless, it becomes the vast emptiness..."

"Still water, dustless, clear mirror, and the vast emptiness... these are the four realms of [Tai Xu Sword Qi]..."

"With each level of advancement, the mind becomes purer and more untainted, untouched by worldly ties..."

"Therefore, adolescence is the best time to temper one's sword heart; the earlier, the purer it will be. For an adult to cultivate a sword heart is like trying to grasp the wind with one's palm—it's all in vain."

"Otherwise, even if one achieves mastery of the sword heart, one will need to temper it throughout one's life; the slightest wavering will shatter the sword heart..."

"That's why, when I take on disciples, I bring them to Mount Tai Xu from a young age and teach them from childhood. They are generally not allowed to leave the mountain without permission until they reach the third level of the Clear Mirror Sword Heart..."

"In this world of sensual pleasures and Tai Xu Sword Heart, those who mistakenly enter into the chaos of the mortal realm are prone to breaking through their cultivation levels if their will is not firm..."

"Once the spirit has turned to the demonic path, there's no turning back..."

Kevin seemed to understand something, and he probably guessed the fatal flaw of [Tai Xu Sword Heart], as well as part of the reason why the first generation of disciples of Fu Hua, the Tai Xu Seven Swords of Tai Xu, collectively betrayed her.

Chapter 368, Section 385 Supreme Forgetfulness

Supreme Forgetfulness!

Regarding the term "[Tai Xu Sword Heart]", Kevin immediately thought of it.

The Tao Te Ching states. "The five colors blind the eye; the five sounds deafen the ear; the five flavors dull the palate; galloping and hunting drive the mind mad; rare goods lead one astray..."

The world is in turmoil, and the deeper one gets involved, the more insatiable one's desires often become.

[Tai Xu Sword Heart] is probably inspired by Xiao Yun, the founder of Taoism. It goes against the grain, allowing people to stay away from desires and not be burdened by external things, so that they can treat martial arts and sword heart purely.

However, back then, Immortal Vermillion Bird Fu Hua of the Crimson Kite underestimated people's true nature, believing that as long as she went to Mount Tai Xu and stayed away from the strife of the mortal world, she could achieve inner peace.

However, when Fu Hua took on disciples, many of the "Tai Xu Seven Swords" were already adults, or even had been introduced to her by name.

As a result, the higher the Tai Xu Sword Heart advanced, the more suppressed desires accumulated. Coupled with Fu Hua's serious and rigid personality, it was difficult for them to find a way to release these desires.

And so, this group of proud young men, who should have been full of vigor and adventuring in the world, could only hide on Mount Tai Xu, eating coarse food and wild vegetables all day long.

Whether it's the pursuit of fame and fortune or romantic love, these normal human desires ultimately rebound and gradually become distorted and corrupted as suppressed by the Tai Xu Sword Heart.

And so, Fu Hua, who had raised them with kindness, became a mountain weighing down on these wicked creatures (I like this word), until they developed an obsession in their hearts, fell into the demonic path, and decided to join forces to kill their master!

Even now, this inheritor of the mythology of Mount Tai Xu has only taken Cheng Lixue as his disciple, teaching her since she was a child.

As a result, she is still obsessed with seeing you again and has been unable to break through this barrier.

You, having experienced too much life and death, have seen too much of the world, and your heart is now like a dry well, difficult to be swayed.

How can ordinary people be the same...?

But isn't it exhausting to live like this, just to keep a promise?

Kevin sighed and immediately gave up the idea of learning the [Tai Xu Sword Heart], as this thing was really only suitable for a few people.

At this moment, perhaps out of affection, the commander habitually reached out and stroked Fu Hua's long hair, as if comforting an injured child.

Suddenly, Fu Hua's gloomy and sorrowful expression vanished, and she looked up with bright, piercing eyes.

"Although the Tai Xu Sword Qi is not suitable for you, I can create a new martial art tailored to your needs!"

"Great idea!"

Kevin withdrew his stiff hand without a trace and nodded with interest.

Just as the two were preparing to explore further, cheers erupted from the residents of the street.