Mastery of the Martial Way

Qin Shuang seized the opportunity and surged forward with a single move, Tiger Wing Style. His saber swept out in a fierce arc, aiming straight for King of Samsara's throat.

King of Samsara reacted swiftly. He raised his long sword horizontally to block the fatal strike, while his soft sword stabbed backward toward Qin Shuang's chest.

Qin Shuang swiftly twisted aside, then followed through with a slash at the arm holding the soft sword.

King of Samsara grunted in pain, and the soft sword nearly slipped from his grasp. But he adjusted his stance in an instant and slammed the hilt of his long sword down at Qin Shuang's head.

Qin Shuang hurriedly raised his saber to block. The tremendous impact sent him staggering backward.

Preoccupied with one thing and neglecting another, King of Samsara was caught off guard. In that brief opening, Qin Hongmian and Guan Yumeng struck in succession. Three saber strikes and two palms left his already grievous injuries even worse.

King of Samsara struggled on both sides, the wounds across his body multiplying. Yet he gritted his teeth and held on. His heavy sword and soft sword worked together with increasing precision as he desperately endured in this desperate situation, searching for a chance to break out.

But how could Qin Shuang give him any chance to escape?

At this perilous moment, Qin Shuang channeled power through both feet. Wind God's Leg—Catching Wind and Shadow!

Catching Wind and Shadow focused on lightness and movement. It was the essence of the Wind God's Leg method for beginners. Driven by the Innate Formless Divine Art, Qin Shuang moved without a trace, as fast as a shooting star!

In the blink of an eye, Qin Shuang was right beside King of Samsara.

At close range, Qin Shuang crossed his twin sabers. Flickering Golden Qilin, Swan Goose Chaos, Suppressing Gluttony, Splitting Pu Lao, Jingwei Sweeping the Sea, Zhu Yin Shaking Mountains...

Six killing moves in succession, each aimed directly at King of Samsara's vitals!

In an instant, Qin Shuang's twin sabers mercilessly tore through King of Samsara's clothes, leaving wound after wound deep enough to expose bone.

The blood spraying in all directions bloomed like clusters of scarlet flowers, savage and terrifying.

"Ah!" King of Samsara cursed in pain as he retreated wildly. The defenses around his body had become utterly useless.

Mother and son were connected at heart. How could Qin Hongmian miss this opening?

Dream Slaying Saber Technique—Vermilion Bird Drinks the Sun!

The blade of Qin Hongmian's State Stabilizer saber suddenly glowed with a fiery red light. Countless saber flashes gathered in midair, taking the shape of a Vermilion Bird spreading its wings.

Every feather of this "saber-flash Vermilion Bird" shimmered with razor-sharp radiance. Even the air was sliced apart, producing sharp hissing sounds.

Suddenly, all the saber flashes contracted inward, leaving only a single condensed arc as red as a crimson luyện silk. Carrying the momentum to burn everything away, it descended toward King of Samsara.

King of Samsara felt as though all the qi and blood in his body had been locked down by that single slash. Even his breath froze in his throat.

He tried to raise his sword to block, only to discover that the red saber flash was nothing like a physical object. It resembled karma-fire gushing from the depths of hell, carrying a domineering saber intent capable of swallowing even the sun!

Wherever the blade passed, the air rippled with distorted heat. King of Samsara and his sword were sliced apart with ease, like melting snow. The blood droplets spraying out turned into wisps of blue smoke the instant they touched the red saber flash.

He vaguely seemed to hear a bird's shrill cry. Then the entire world before his eyes was swallowed by endless darkness.

King of Samsara was dead!

"Mother, your Vermilion Bird Drinks the Sun seems different from mine?"

Qin Shuang paid no attention to King of Samsara's death. Instead, he carefully savored Qin Hongmian's domineering slash, comparing it against his own Dream Slaying Saber Technique and using the two to confirm his insights.

"The same martial technique will naturally feel different when used by different martial artists."

"The prerequisite for entering the Innate Realm is for a martial artist to comprehend their own Martial Way."

"After entering the Innate Realm, a martial artist must further temper their Martial Way, integrate it into the techniques they have learned, give those techniques a soul, and stamp them with their own unique mark!"

"This is also the path you must take to become a grandmaster!"

Seeing that Qin Shuang had gained some insight, Qin Hongmian knew the opportunity was rare. She patiently guided him along the Martial Way, taking advantage of the momentum.

Qin Chao nodded repeatedly. By the end, he simply sat cross-legged on the ground and began meditating with his eyes closed.

Qin Hongmian had been through this herself, so she was not surprised. She did not disturb Qin Shuang either.

She turned and walked toward Lei Bin, speaking in a tone that allowed no refusal. "I'll arrange an identity for you in the Star Department of the Cosmos Unit camp. From now on, give us your full assistance in wiping out Black Stone's remnants. After three years, whether you stay or leave will be up to you."

"No problem!" Qin Shuang had already discussed his future with Lei Bin beforehand, so Lei Bin readily accepted Qin Hongmian's arrangement.

"This time, I intend to fight for the title of Military Marquis!" Qin Hongmian turned to Guan Yumeng and Hu Jinxiu, her eyes filled with fighting spirit.

Deep down, she silently added, Even if it isn't for myself, I must do it for Shuang'er!

Guan Yumeng and Hu Jinxiu were visibly delighted.

"It was long overdue. Little Green and the Great Red Robe have mentioned countless times that they want to return to your command!" Guan Yumeng clenched his fist and spoke with high spirits.

"And Old Qu and Old Du!" Hu Jinxiu blurted out.

Qin Hongmian said nothing. She raised her head and gazed at the waning moon in the night sky, her expression focused.

As if passing through that endless darkness, she could see the familiar faces of the old friends who had once fought shoulder to shoulder with her.

Soul-Shattering Little Green, Life-Taking Great Red Robe!

Wisdom-Fighting Qu Jinfa, Sword-Knowing Du Huangshan!

After waking from a deep sleep, the sun was already high in the sky.

Qin Shuang rolled over and jumped out of bed. Only afterward did he remember that he was still suspended from duty, and he gave an embarrassed smile.

He suddenly felt that his current state was rather nice. Without the pressure of missions, he could wander around whenever he had nothing to do. He could also practice martial arts when he had the time, and no one came to bother him. Life was exceedingly carefree.

The only thing he was concerned about was Shen Hu Chan's progress.

Still, given the strength of Shen Hu Chan, Miao Changfeng, and the others, he figured it should not be a problem.

He enjoyed three carefree days like this. Clearly, someone could not stand seeing Qin Shuang idle, because an unexpected guest arrived at his home.

Calling him an unexpected guest might be a slight exaggeration, but the person who came was indeed someone Qin Shuang had never expected.

Yang Yuncong, commander of the Divine Department of the Yu Unit camp—the Military Sima!

It had been a long time since Qin Shuang had seen Yang Yuncong wearing civilian clothes, so he hurriedly welcomed him into the sitting room.

"Are you bored out of your mind lately? I've found something for you to do."

Yang Yuncong did not even sit down before getting straight to the point.

"Uncle Yang, I'm quite comfortable. I don't feel bored at all!" Qin Shuang said with a completely serious expression.

"You don't have to be so formal with me. Just say what you really think!" Yang Yuncong put on a considerate expression.

"I really am..." Qin Shuang's voice dropped considerably.

"Ah, Xiao Shuang, you're always so considerate of your elders, reporting only good news and never bad!"

Yang Yuncong waved his hand and said, convinced of his own interpretation, "I know you must feel uneasy being left idle at home like this."

"Whatever you say goes." Qin Shuang gave up resisting.

"I found you a job. It'll loosen up those muscles and bones of yours!"

"Uncle Yang, go ahead." Qin Shuang looked as though he already understood.