Chapter 72: Born to Force Yourself

Gai Nie lays the box on the short-legged table, at which Gu Nan stares curiously. The box is about one meter in length, no more than ten centimeters in width, slender, and its content unknown from its appearance.

The ghost valley signs, looking at Gu Nan helplessly.

“Open it and take a look.”

With a puzzling look, Gu Nan places her hand on the lid and flips it open. In the box lies a pitch black sword.

The sword is in a plain scabbard without any decorative patterns. Its style is odd too, somewhat like a fire iron, as it does not have a handguard, making it hard to distinguish its blade from the handle.

The only place where one can tell that it is a sword is the slit that separates the almost integrated scabbard and handle.

With an odd feeling, Gu Nan picks up the sword and draws it from its scabbard.

Unlike the blackness of the scabbard, its blade shines of a snowy bright light, illuminating Gu Nan’s eyes.

Slowly pulling it out, Gu Nan feels that the blade is firm despite its thin appearance. When drawn, the sword no longer looks like a fire iron.

Its sharpness and deadliness are at full display.

Returning the blade back to its scabbard, sealing its chilling light, Gu Nan nods: “Good sword.”

“It is good indeed.” The Ghost Valley Master says. “I received the sword from an old friend of mine. The sword was of no important use in his hand, and so he gave it to me.”

“It is a guardless sword, its age or materials unknown. I have tested it. It is unnaturally sharp and firm.”

He then turns to look at Gu Nan upon saying so: “Your sword aims to kill with one strike. It is fast, fierce, accurate but lacks defense.”

Then, as if crossing his mind his last time crossing blade with Gu Nan, he smiles and shakes his head: “You can even toss your sword at opponent to attack them. Only attack but no defense, this guardless sword should be a good fit to you.”

“Since you do not have a proper weapon, think of this sword as a gift from me.”

…

Gu Nan is silent for a while, looking at the sword on the table.

Feeling touched by the old man constantly caring for her, Gu Nan picks up the sword in the shape of an fire iron poker, a smile on her face. “Then, I will spare the courtesy here.”

After that, she adds: “Thanks.”

The Ghost Valley master smilingly strokes his beard: “It is hard to hear appreciation from you.”
 

“Take a name for the sword. It will be following you into deadly battles; it deserves a name.”

Gu Nan stares at the sword in a daze.

After a while, she speaks firmly. “I will call it the Fire Poker!”

“BANG.” Wei Zhuang and Gai Nie on knees tremble.

The sound though is made by the Ghost Valley Master striking the table hard.

“NO WAY!”

“But why…” Gu Nan feels depressed. She could not name Blackie her way, and now she cannot even decide her own sword’s name. Unwilling to give up, Gu Nan gestures with her arms. “That is a vivid description.”

Why not?

The Ghost Valley Master twitches his brows: “When I say no, it is a no!”

“Ugh…” Since he objects to it badly, Gu Nan has no choice but to come up with another name.

Siting in lotus, grabbing her knees, Gu Nan frowns.

“Just call it the Guardless, since it does not have a handguard anyway.”

The Guardless…

Although still not perfect, the name is at least much better than the Fire Poker. Whatever, since it is already hers, just let it be.

He waves his hand. “Then it is decided.”

However, he does not know that in the future, the renowned legend of the guardless black sword that only attacks in place of defense just had its title decided a moment ago.

Well, that sure sounds better than the Fire Poker that attacks in place of defends…

Just when Gu Nan is about to say something else, the Ghost Valley Master thrusts his sword covered in scabbard straight toward Gu Nan.

The sword is not quick but carries a majestic force, as if the world is bounded within the scabbard swung down upon Gu Nan.

One strike, as if tearing something apart, carries roaring sound with it.

In a sudden, Gu Nan feels that she has been shrouded in frigid air, amid which the falling sword is the only object in the world, leaving no room for her to dodge.

Xiao Zhuang and Gai Nie stumbles backward. The aura from the strike is almost unbearable to them. Its internal strength and sword intent are too powerful for them to peek at.

They are frightened. They have never seen their master get serious and deliver a real blow. But this time just witnessing it draws away their courage to resist.

“Hum!”

Following the slight hum, a lightning cold gleam lights up Wei Zhuang and Gai Nie’s eyes.

A sword too fast to be seen draws a luminous arc through the air.

Gu Nan could not bear the aura as well, and therefore, even though she knows that the Ghost Valley Master will not truly harm her, she still launches an attack subconsciously.

And it is an attack on full strength.

Wei Zhuang and Gai Nie stands together in a daze. In a flash, a dozen strikes have been thrusted, all by that guardless sword.

Unfortunately, the twelve thrusts are all destroyed by the mighty sword of the Ghost Valley Master, thus retrieved before contact.

However, by the thirteenth thrust when the heavy blow from the Ghost Valley is at her nose tip, Gu Nan floats back whilst her sword journeys forward.

Her internal breathing surges as Gu Nan drives her sword on full force. That thirteenth thrust is like a bright light beam, or an aurora amid the world of Ghost Valley’s mighty sword intent.

The thirteen strikes delivered in a breath of time send chills down Wei Zhuang and Gai Nie’s spine. Should they be facing them, they would be dead countless times before they even realize what actually happened.

“Clang!”

The blades are crossed.

The tip of the sword is against the head of the scabbard, and the two restrain their forces, making only a slight noise, as if they were sparring for leisure.

The Ghost Valley Master puts away his sword with a smile, nodding his head seeming satisfied at Gu Nan’s performance, or just relaxed after venting out his frustration.

“Hoo.” Gu Nan breathes a sign of relief and wipes the sweat off her forehead. She just managed to stop that one blow.

She turns a complaining look at the Ghost Valley Master. “Ghostly old man, don’t you just get started without saying a word; you want to dismantle me?”

Then she sits down while saying so. Thinking of the sword, she is slightly lost in her mind.

Then as if remembering something, she smiles: “Did you accomplish a breakthrough in your sword intent?”
 

“Not yet.” The Ghost Valley Master seems a little complacent. After all, he is at the peak of art of sword in this era. “The realm of No Sword is too profound. I have studied it for over a year but only awakened that one move. I am still half a step away from crossing the threshold into that realm.”

Then he continues in a voice full of pity: “But I do not know if I can make that half a step within my remaining lifetime.”

“That is not something you can ask for.” Feeling happy for the Ghost Valley Master, Gu Nan pours him a cup of tea. “I do not force myself to pursue such matters.”

“You do not force yourself.” The Ghost Valley Master rolls his eyes at Gu Nan. “If you do not force yourself, how can you fight your way through between the heaven and earth for a righteous cause? I fight for the length and breath in realm of sword, your master for a prosperous world. Every accomplished are forcing themselves forward. If you stay idle unmotivated, then what is the point of being born as a human in the first place?”

“You are just being lazy. Otherwise, you will not be like this.”

“Well, that cannot be helped.” Gu Nan lifts her brows. “I am born this way. Too late to change it.”

Chapter 72: Born to Force Yourself

Gai Nie lays the box on the short-legged table, at which Gu Nan stares curiously. The box is about one meter in length, no more than ten centimeters in width, slender, and its content unknown from its appearance.

The ghost valley signs, looking at Gu Nan helplessly.

“Open it and take a look.”

With a puzzling look, Gu Nan places her hand on the lid and flips it open. In the box lies a pitch black sword.

The sword is in a plain scabbard without any decorative patterns. Its style is odd too, somewhat like a fire iron, as it does not have a handguard, making it hard to distinguish its blade from the handle.

The only place where one can tell that it is a sword is the slit that separates the almost integrated scabbard and handle.

With an odd feeling, Gu Nan picks up the sword and draws it from its scabbard.

Unlike the blackness of the scabbard, its blade shines of a snowy bright light, illuminating Gu Nan’s eyes.

Slowly pulling it out, Gu Nan feels that the blade is firm despite its thin appearance. When drawn, the sword no longer looks like a fire iron.

Its sharpness and deadliness are at full display.

Returning the blade back to its scabbard, sealing its chilling light, Gu Nan nods: “Good sword.”

“It is good indeed.” The Ghost Valley Master says. “I received the sword from an old friend of mine. The sword was of no important use in his hand, and so he gave it to me.”

“It is a guardless sword, its age or materials unknown. I have tested it. It is unnaturally sharp and firm.”

He then turns to look at Gu Nan upon saying so: “Your sword aims to kill with one strike. It is fast, fierce, accurate but lacks defense.”

Then, as if crossing his mind his last time crossing blade with Gu Nan, he smiles and shakes his head: “You can even toss your sword at opponent to attack them. Only attack but no defense, this guardless sword should be a good fit to you.”

“Since you do not have a proper weapon, think of this sword as a gift from me.”

…

Gu Nan is silent for a while, looking at the sword on the table.

Feeling touched by the old man constantly caring for her, Gu Nan picks up the sword in the shape of an fire iron poker, a smile on her face. “Then, I will spare the courtesy here.”

After that, she adds: “Thanks.”

The Ghost Valley master smilingly strokes his beard: “It is hard to hear appreciation from you.” 

“Take a name for the sword. It will be following you into deadly battles; it deserves a name.”

Gu Nan stares at the sword in a daze.

After a while, she speaks firmly. “I will call it the Fire Poker!”

“BANG.” Wei Zhuang and Gai Nie on knees tremble.

The sound though is made by the Ghost Valley Master striking the table hard.

“NO WAY!”

“But why…” Gu Nan feels depressed. She could not name Blackie her way, and now she cannot even decide her own sword’s name. Unwilling to give up, Gu Nan gestures with her arms. “That is a vivid description.”

Why not?

The Ghost Valley Master twitches his brows: “When I say no, it is a no!”

“Ugh…” Since he objects to it badly, Gu Nan has no choice but to come up with another name.

Siting in lotus, grabbing her knees, Gu Nan frowns.

“Just call it the Guardless, since it does not have a handguard anyway.”

The Guardless…

Although still not perfect, the name is at least much better than the Fire Poker. Whatever, since it is already hers, just let it be.

He waves his hand. “Then it is decided.”

However, he does not know that in the future, the renowned legend of the guardless black sword that only attacks in place of defense just had its title decided a moment ago.

Well, that sure sounds better than the Fire Poker that attacks in place of defends…

Just when Gu Nan is about to say something else, the Ghost Valley Master thrusts his sword covered in scabbard straight toward Gu Nan.

The sword is not quick but carries a majestic force, as if the world is bounded within the scabbard swung down upon Gu Nan.

One strike, as if tearing something apart, carries roaring sound with it.

In a sudden, Gu Nan feels that she has been shrouded in frigid air, amid which the falling sword is the only object in the world, leaving no room for her to dodge.

Xiao Zhuang and Gai Nie stumbles backward. The aura from the strike is almost unbearable to them. Its internal strength and sword intent are too powerful for them to peek at.

They are frightened. They have never seen their master get serious and deliver a real blow. But this time just witnessing it draws away their courage to resist.

“Hum!”

Following the slight hum, a lightning cold gleam lights up Wei Zhuang and Gai Nie’s eyes.

A sword too fast to be seen draws a luminous arc through the air.

Gu Nan could not bear the aura as well, and therefore, even though she knows that the Ghost Valley Master will not truly harm her, she still launches an attack subconsciously.

And it is an attack on full strength.

Wei Zhuang and Gai Nie stands together in a daze. In a flash, a dozen strikes have been thrusted, all by that guardless sword.

Unfortunately, the twelve thrusts are all destroyed by the mighty sword of the Ghost Valley Master, thus retrieved before contact.

However, by the thirteenth thrust when the heavy blow from the Ghost Valley is at her nose tip, Gu Nan floats back whilst her sword journeys forward.

Her internal breathing surges as Gu Nan drives her sword on full force. That thirteenth thrust is like a bright light beam, or an aurora amid the world of Ghost Valley’s mighty sword intent.

The thirteen strikes delivered in a breath of time send chills down Wei Zhuang and Gai Nie’s spine. Should they be facing them, they would be dead countless times before they even realize what actually happened.

“Clang!”

The blades are crossed.

The tip of the sword is against the head of the scabbard, and the two restrain their forces, making only a slight noise, as if they were sparring for leisure.

The Ghost Valley Master puts away his sword with a smile, nodding his head seeming satisfied at Gu Nan’s performance, or just relaxed after venting out his frustration.

“Hoo.” Gu Nan breathes a sign of relief and wipes the sweat off her forehead. She just managed to stop that one blow.

She turns a complaining look at the Ghost Valley Master. “Ghostly old man, don’t you just get started without saying a word; you want to dismantle me?”

Then she sits down while saying so. Thinking of the sword, she is slightly lost in her mind.

Then as if remembering something, she smiles: “Did you accomplish a breakthrough in your sword intent?” 

“Not yet.” The Ghost Valley Master seems a little complacent. After all, he is at the peak of art of sword in this era. “The realm of No Sword is too profound. I have studied it for over a year but only awakened that one move. I am still half a step away from crossing the threshold into that realm.”

Then he continues in a voice full of pity: “But I do not know if I can make that half a step within my remaining lifetime.”

“That is not something you can ask for.” Feeling happy for the Ghost Valley Master, Gu Nan pours him a cup of tea. “I do not force myself to pursue such matters.”

“You do not force yourself.” The Ghost Valley Master rolls his eyes at Gu Nan. “If you do not force yourself, how can you fight your way through between the heaven and earth for a righteous cause? I fight for the length and breath in realm of sword, your master for a prosperous world. Every accomplished are forcing themselves forward. If you stay idle unmotivated, then what is the point of being born as a human in the first place?”

“You are just being lazy. Otherwise, you will not be like this.”

“Well, that cannot be helped.” Gu Nan lifts her brows. “I am born this way. Too late to change it.”