A Little Something of His Own

Duanmu Ren received a call from Li Jiabao and rushed from the provincial capital to Supreme Mystery Sub-Courtyard to see Hu Yueqiu.

Two weeks ago, Duanmu Ren would never have gone through such a grueling period of travel.

Hu Yueqiu, a public institution employee, was no different from a security guard at the company gate in Duanmu Ren's eyes, so it was not worth wasting time and energy on her.

But things are different now.

Hu Yueqiu actually comprehended the sword intent and gained the favor of the sect leader.

Once the probationary period ends, I'll officially join the civil service and become your colleague.

Duanmu Ren also studied the unparalleled Sword Dao, but found it was not suitable for him, so he could only sigh and give up helplessly.

Sword Dao has a high barrier to entry, but also a high skill ceiling.

The practice of Sword Dao, as described in the Daoist scriptures, is about "residing in one's heart."

Duanmu Ren interpreted it as [the Way of the Mind].

To put it more simply, it means [being unreasonable].

Most importantly, practicing [the Sword Dao] does not hinder the practice of other schools of thought, and may even be beneficial.

This is equivalent to Hu Yueqiu being a civil servant while also being able to make money through business; it's simply outrageous.

Duanmu Ren found Hu Yueqiu and told her about the invitation to the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala in the capital, adding that this trip would greatly help in building up his Manifestation as a sword immortal.

Hu Yueqiu remained composed after hearing this, shaking her head in refusal, "Senior Brother Duanmu, please decline for me. The most important thing right now is to collect [Autumn Phenological Periods] to replenish the Manifestation."

"Moreover, [the Sword Dao] is all about the mind; no matter how many external Manifestation one has, their use is limited, and they may even become tainted by worldly defilements, hindering one's cultivation."

Duanmu Ren nodded upon hearing this and couldn't help but smile, "It seems that Senior Sister Hua told you about the Mortal World Tribulation she encountered when she was gathering [Spring Phenological Periods]."

"Yes." Hu Yueqiu nodded, then added, "Yesterday, the sect leader also gave me a lot of pointers, telling me to prioritize and focus on achieving Qi Ingestion as soon as possible."

"The sect leader actually came?!" Duanmu Ren was somewhat surprised, elevating Hu Yueqiu's importance to an even higher level in his mind. He solemnly asked, "Does the sect leader have any instructions?"

Hu Yueqiu hesitated for a moment before replying, "The sect leader has explained the Daoist doctrines to me and said that Duanmu is exceptionally wise and well-versed in Daoist scriptures, and that I should seek his guidance frequently."

"We are fellow disciples, so this is only natural." Duanmu Ren said with a smile and a gentle tone, "Now that I have some free time, please first explain the Daoist theories that the sect leader has explained to you, then tell me your doubts and questions, and then we can discuss them together."

Duanmu Ren is still attending training courses in the province.

It's important, but it's not that important either.

I missed a lot of work before, and I'm trying to make up for it when I get back.

Hu Yueqiu readily agreed, "Then I'll have to trouble Senior Brother Duanmu."

Then, he repeated Li Chengxuan's doctrines.

"[Mystic Marsh Submerged Thunder Qi]... Nine Marquises... Mystic Thunder... Sword Dao..." Duanmu Ren instinctively extracted the keywords, surprised, and asked, "Does the Sect Leader really want you to consult me?!"

Hu Yueqiu nodded solemnly. "It's absolutely true. If Senior Brother Duanmu doesn't believe me, he can ask the sect leader to confirm."

"That won't be necessary." Duanmu Ren smiled and shook his head, but a sense of unease arose in his heart.

When he went down the mountain to kill Xue Changfeng, he not only gained benefits Manifestation greatly increased, but he also heard the secret of the Child of Fate carried the destiny of Southern Reach.

Duanmu Ren was naturally moved.

Senior Brother Liu Zhijian, with his unwavering Daoist heart and being the sect leader's first disciple, has clearly shown the Manifestation of a righteous Child of Fate.

He himself practiced the [High Shaman] lineage, which was inherently a path of evil.

Wouldn't it be perfect to fight for the Child of Fate the wicked and evil?!

Although the sect leader saw through his thoughts and issued a warning.

However, Duanmu Ren was exceptionally intelligent and experienced in officialdom, so he naturally understood the importance of having the support of heaven and earth when the time was right, and in the end, he still did not completely extinguish the idea.

Now, the sect leader has actually asked me to guide a [Mystic Thunder Sword Immortal] who will one day slay demons and evil spirits!

How could Duanmu Ren not have mixed feelings?

Hu Yueqiu was still somewhat naive, lacking Duanmu Ren's complicated thoughts, and cautiously asked, "Senior Brother Duanmu, is there a problem?!"

"No problem. The sect leader's cultivation far surpasses mine, and his theories are clear and accurate. You can rest assured about Autumn Phenological Periods." Duanmu Ren suppressed the complicated thoughts in his mind and habitually issued a disclaimer to absolve himself of responsibility. "[Sword Dao] is profound and subtle, and I know little about it, so I will not mislead others."

"However, since this concerns [Greater Yin], [Fu Water], and [Mystic Thunder], I have some thoughts. Don't take them entirely at face value; just use them as a reference."

Hu Yueqiu nodded solemnly, "I understand. Please explain, senior brother."

Duanmu Ren naturally could not disobey the sect leader's order, and also wanted to seize this opportunity to offer timely help to his future sword immortal junior sister, so he said in a deep voice, "First of all, [Greater Yin] is extremely pure and noble, and it lies in concealment and hiding."

"Although you are now famous, no one knows your identity or background, which is just as Manifestation."

"Just be careful in the future, apart from those in your sect, don't reveal your name, and don't get involved in any worldly disputes."

"I'll send more people to keep you quiet."

"Remember, unless it goes against your true nature and hinders your spiritual practice, no matter what happens, do not interfere."

"I understand." Hu Yueqiu nodded thoughtfully and said, "Senior brother wants me to avoid doing anything unnecessary."

"That's right." Duanmu Ren nodded with a smile, somewhat surprised. This Xiao Hu with the hunchback didn't seem as dull as he appeared; he was quite intelligent. He continued, "And then there's [Fu Water]."

"[The Fu Water] has its fullness and its dryness."

"[Greater Yin] has its phases of waxing and waning."

"Since you intend to use [Mystic Marsh Submerged Thunder Qi] to Qi Ingestion and enter the Dao, you are using the imagery of [Fu Water] drying up."

"Therefore, you should avoid practicing swordsmanship on days with a full moon in the future."

Hu Yueqiu suddenly realized that she had never thought of such a simple principle, and said with heartfelt admiration, "Senior Brother is indeed exceptionally wise. Is there anything else?!"

"Finally, there's [Mystic Thunder], the one I've read the least about in Daoist scriptures." Duanmu Ren frowned as he recalled, after all, the scriptures on thunder were already considered unorthodox, only slightly better than [Sword Dao]: "Mysterious in the Dao is Yin. Therefore, [Mystic Thunder] is Yin Thunder, Dark Thunder, and Submerged Thunder."

"The Autumn Phenological Periods you are looking for [the Thunder Withdraws Its Sound] is precisely the meaning of [the Mystic Thunder sinking into the marsh, gathering its power and holding back its force].

"Magnificent and domineering, acting as the executor of divine punishment—that is [Firmament Thunder]."

"Concealing one's voice and waiting for the right opportunity is the true essence of [Mystic Thunder]."

"Therefore, as long as one does not go against one's true nature, even if one does not kill demons or evil spirits, it does not count as going against the [Mystic Thunder] concept."

Hu Yueqiu frowned in thought, seemingly understanding but not quite.

"Just like the mortal constables in this Grotto-Heaven, in order to catch the real ringleader, they often deliberately let those who have committed minor crimes go free, just to lure the snake out of its hole." Duanmu Ren, seeing Hu Yueqiu's expression, explained carefully, "Or, when you finally attain Qi Ingestion Refining and become Qi Refining Cultivator, and encounter Foundation Establishment Devil Cultivator causing trouble, knowing you are no match, would you still want to fight a losing battle and needlessly throw your life away?!"

Hu Yueqiu nodded in understanding, saying, "Senior brother is absolutely right, I understand now."

Duanmu Ren smiled and nodded, secretly relieved.

This discourse on the Dao of [Mystic Thunder] is, of course, true.

However, Duanmu Ren didn't mention that being decisive and ruthless, even risking one's life to slay demons with a sword, actually fits the image of [Mystic Thunder] better.

Duanmu Ren himself was a follower of the [High Shaman] lineage, and could be described as extremely vicious.

Although there is a great difference between ferocity and evil.

But the fear is that Hu Yueqiu will follow the path of the Thunder Palace in the past, where no matter if you are vicious or evil, you will be wiped out as soon as the [Mystic Thunder] falls.

Therefore, Duanmu Ren simply mixed in his own ideas and slightly deviated from the [Mystic Thunder] Dao theory.

If Hu Yueqiu really becomes the [Mystic Thunder Sword Immortal] in the future, when she encounters her mentor, she won't immediately start shouting for him to kill her, not even giving him a chance to explain or escape.

Hu Yueqiu fell into deep thought, clearly having gained some insights, and then looked up solemnly and asked, "But senior brother, how can I distinguish who is a demon and who is not?!"