Nine Swords of Dugu? Not Learning Them

"Kid, I have a supreme sword art here. Today, I'll give it to you cheaply. I only hope you won't disappoint my expectations in the future."

Feng Qingyang's expression was complicated. He had never wanted to teach martial arts to someone from the Qi Faction.

"Senior, what supreme sword art is it?"

Though Ji Boying asked aloud, he already knew the answer.

"This sword art came from Senior Dugu, the man who sought defeat throughout the world yet could never find it. Learn this art, and you can break all techniques under heaven!"

Feng Qingyang spoke with his head held high, full of heroic spirit.

"Senior, what's so special about this sword art?"

"This sword art is called the Nine Swords of Dugu! It contains the 'General Formula Style,' 'Sword-Breaking Style,' 'Saber-Breaking Style,' 'Whip-Breaking Style,' 'Spear-Breaking Style,' 'Rope-Breaking Style,' 'Arrow-Breaking Style,' 'Palm-Breaking Style,' and 'Qi-Breaking Style.' These nine sword styles are infinitely unpredictable. They can break every technique under heaven, anticipate the enemy, and strike where they must defend. Master this sword art, and no matter what moves you face, all you'll see are flaws. Tell me, isn't that formidable?"

Feng Qingyang showed off proudly.

Ji Boying shook his head. "Not bad, but only average."

"What? You brat, do you know what you're saying?"

Feng Qingyang was so shocked that he could no longer maintain his air of a lofty master.

"This is the Nine Swords of Dugu, the sword art of the Sword Demon Dugu Qiubai! It exploits openings, anticipates the enemy, strikes later yet arrives first, and perfectly accords with the realm of No Sword is Better Than Having a Sword. It is all offense and no defense—the most tyrannical and exquisite art there is! Your so-called Mountain-Splitting Jade-Breaking Fist and Mount Hua Swordplay aren't even worth mentioning beside it! Those without sufficient comprehension can't even learn it!"

Ji Boying remained calm. "It's impressive. Not learning it."

Feng Qingyang was truly about to lose his mind. One hand shot out, spreading like a net over heaven and earth. Ji Boying could not evade it and was seized in his grasp.

His other hand clenched into a fist, the knuckle of his middle finger protruding as he pressed it against Ji Boying's temple and ground it back and forth.

"You brat, I'll knock some sense into you!"

"Hey, hey, hey! Senior, stop! Senior! That hurts!"

Ji Boying was thoroughly dealt with for a while.

"Tell me, why won't you learn it? You practiced that Mount Hua Swordplay with such enthusiasm. One look tells me you're a Martial Arts Fanatic, yet you refuse to learn such a miraculous art when it's placed right before you!"

Feng Qingyang roared. Inwardly, he was roaring as well. You brat, do you know how difficult it was for me to make up my mind to pass this martial art on to you?

Ji Boying helplessly broke free from Feng Qingyang's somewhat loosened grip.

"Senior, doesn't Dugu's sword art emphasize four realms of swordsmanship? No Sword is Better Than Having a Sword is what I seek. What would be the point of learning the Nine Swords of Dugu?"

Feng Qingyang was nearly talked into confusion. "Wouldn't learning the Nine Swords of Dugu lead to No Sword is Better Than Having a Sword? Practice this sword art, then cultivate your inner strength for a few more years, and there'll be few opponents in the martial world who can match you!"

But Ji Boying said, "According to Senior Dugu, the first realm is the Sharp Sword, relying on proficiency in swordsmanship. The second is the Soft Sword; its transformations are complex and still rely on sword moves. With the Heavy Sword, one must wield weight as though it were light; with the Wooden Sword, one must wield lightness as though it were weight. Only the latter two realms touch upon No Sword is Better Than Having a Sword."

"Senior says the Nine Swords of Dugu are immensely powerful, but their greatest feature is exploiting the enemy's flaws and anticipating their moves through endless transformations. No matter how you put it, this sword art is merely at the level of the Soft Sword. It cannot reach the realm of No Sword is Better Than Having a Sword at all."

Feng Qingyang froze. He had not expected Ji Boying, who had practiced martial arts for barely over a month, to possess such insight.

"But no matter what, this sword art is among the finest sword arts under heaven, far stronger than Mount Hua Swordplay. You treat Mount Hua Swordplay like a treasure, so why do you dismiss the Nine Swords of Dugu with such contempt?"

Ji Boying gently shook his head. "Senior just said that the Nine Swords of Dugu place the greatest emphasis on comprehension. In other words, one must be clever. But such a sword art does not value foundations. If I learned it, I could soon fight first-rate experts of the martial world, just like Lin Yuantu, who once shook both the righteous and criminal paths."

"After making up for it with a few years of inner strength, I might even contend for the title of number one under heaven. But is that what I want?"

"I do seek to become number one under heaven, but that isn't all! My opponent in the future will only be myself! Just like True Man Zhang! Even a vast mansion must rise from level ground. Mount Hua Swordplay may indeed be quite ordinary compared to the Nine Swords of Dugu, but it can nourish the foundation I need. I will shed sweat, forge my own style and foundation, and achieve my own Sharp Sword realm before pursuing the day when grass and trees can all become swords."

"The Nine Swords of Dugu are indeed formidable. Their true strength lies in allowing those with high comprehension to skip the Sharp Sword and directly glimpse the ever-changing scenery of the Soft Sword."

Ji Boying sighed again. "People of the present are far inferior to those of ancient times in strength, aren't they? The Condor Hero mastered the Heavy Sword and then created the Melancholy Palms of Despair. That counts as having glimpsed the Wooden Sword realm. Yet in today's world, Senior is likely the most accomplished swordsman. But what realm has Senior reached? I see that Senior's sword moves flow and shift with perfect ease, your sword intent is singular and lofty, and your blade is fierce. You must certainly have reached the Sharp Sword realm, and the Soft Sword should naturally be no challenge either. But I have yet to see you wield weight as though it were light..."

Feng Qingyang felt somewhat defeated, but he admired Ji Boying's lofty spirit even more.

He truly felt something like the complicated satisfaction those elders of old had felt as they watched the newer generation surpass the old.

He said, "You overestimate me. At most, I have mastered the Sharp Sword. The Nine Swords of Dugu did indeed allow me to glimpse the splendor of the Soft Sword ahead of time, but Senior Dugu had already exhausted every transformation of the Soft Sword. It has become difficult for me to forge my own Soft Sword. I am old now. I fear I will never see the Heavy Sword in this lifetime..."

Feng Qingyang sighed deeply. "People of the present truly lack the grace of the ancients. I only thought that if you practiced this sword art and leaped into the Soft Sword realm, it would be enough for you to contend for number one under heaven. I never imagined your ambitions would be even greater! Such a single step to the heavens would indeed become shackles for you. The Nine Swords of Dugu—better not to learn them..."

After saying that, Feng Qingyang pulled up the longsword embedded in the ground.

"Draw your sword!"

Ji Boying was delighted. Was Feng Qingyang going to help him solidify his foundation? Feng Qingyang was truly a good man. His experience grew quickly when practicing swords with him!

"Yes, Grand Martial Uncle!"

"What did you call me?"

Feng Qingyang was greatly shocked.

Holding his sword, Ji Boying grinned slyly. "Grand Martial Uncle, of course. Aren't you Feng Qingyang, Grand Martial Uncle Feng?"

Feng Qingyang hurriedly asked, "How do you know my identity?"

Ji Boying smiled. "When I was little, I heard my parents say that there was a Feng Qingyang on Mount Hua who was tricked into going back to his hometown to get married..."

"Shut up!"

Feng Qingyang loudly cut off Ji Boying's account. His face, pale as gold paper, had turned red as well!

"Draw your sword!"

Ji Boying cried out inwardly. Oh no! It's over, it's over—old Feng is angry from embarrassment!