Chapter 73: A Great Swordsman is But a Kid When Little

The two are drinking tea seated.

Standing by the the Ghost Valley Master’s side, Gai Nie exchanges a look with Wei Zhuang, and sees the astonishment in his eyes as well.

Only after witnessing the one exchange of blows that almost scared them off and made them flee do they understand what a sword truly is.

What they practiced was probably but a joke in comparison to what they just saw.

But it also set their mind firm at pursuing swordsmanship during the stay at the manor.

The Ghost Valley Master hangs the sword back to waist. “You have improved greatly this past year. Even I was surprised by the thirteen swords.”

With a gratifying look in his eyes, he frowns: “But I don’t know why I could not see anything related to the Five Sword in your sword.”

“And so, I do not know where you are in your progress.”

That last sword did not carry any aura with it but moved with quickness at its extreme, even too quick for the Ghost Valley Master to keep up.

Thirteen, Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang note down the number in their mind, feeling bitterness in their heart.

All they saw was but a blur. They knew it was fast but only recognized two swords from it.

Gu Nan fiddles with the Guardless which she finds satisfying and convenient to use, probably the best so far.

“The theory of Five Swords is hard to master even for me. Therefore, I go down a different path.”

A different path?

The two kids standing behind raises their spirit. In their opinion, the Five Swords should be the standard of all swords, and all different directions should eventually converge back to the Five Swords.  

And out of their expectation, there is a different path.

Even the Ghost Valley Master is surprised at hearing it. “A path that differs from this one?”

Mumbling and then laughing out, he adds: “Let me hear about it, and see to what extent have your insights in blade grown.”

“It is not necessarily an insight.” Gu Nan retracts the Guardless.

“They are just experiences obtained from battlefields.”

“To be swift and kill with one blow is the most useful in a battle.”

“Therefore, my sword only follows one principle: be quick.”

“Be Quick.” The Ghost Valley Master strokes his beard, seemingly in thought.

Throughout his life, he had seen quick swords that are hard to handle. However, is quickness alone enough to solidify one’s sword?

Gu Nan picks up the tea pot and slightly tilts it as water flows into in the tea cup and swirls.

“Indeed, in the world of martial arts, there is nothing invincible, but speed is the only exception.”

Wei Zhuang is lost in trail of thoughts, thinking that it might be the case.

Whoever your opponent is and whatever he practices, as long as you are faster than him to the extent that he could not possibly react to your move, then you are invincible.

Could it be that we were on the wrong path all along, and quickness should be the right one?

“Wake up!” The Ghost Valley Master lets out a shout.

Snapped out of their thoughts, the two finds the Ghost Valley Master staring at them.

The Ghost Valley Master has figured out Gu Nan’s intention behind her words.

“This path is pure but also different. You have already built foundation in your swordsmanship, so if you switch to quick sword midway, you would have only ruined what you have acquired so far.”

Hearing upon it, Wei Zhuang and Gai Nie grows sweat all over their forehead, turning their sight to Gu Nan frightened as if peeking at a blood thirsty beast.

Merely one comment almost shaded their determination.

Looking at the two rather disappointing disciples, the Ghost Valley Master signs and turns to Gu Nan: “Sorry that you have to see the unsightly side.”

“It is not a problem. The two disciples are still young and vulnerable to influences.” Gu Nan smiles saying so. “I should be the one to apologize for saying nonsense.”

“You were only illustrating the sword path that you go down.”

“Every path leads to one’s destination. Those whose determination is not firm naturally gets swayed by external influences. Swinging left and right can get them nowhere.”

“Sticking to one’s own path and mastering it to the utmost extreme is one great insight you come up with.”

Gu Nan’s quick sword is fundamentally different from every other he ever came across with. It is completely void of device and solely resides on quickness. By quickness it thrives and through quickness it proves her determination.

“But Ghosty geezer, to master quick sword, I have completely thrown your horizontal and vertical swordsmanship behind my mind. Only two from your teachings remain: thrust as the vertical and slash as the horizontal. Fortunately, you were not testing on sword devices, otherwise I would have made a fool of myself.”

“Hehe, lad, you have ruined the swordsmanship of my sect!”

Meanwhile, Wei Zhuang and Gai Nie keep their heads low, staring at their toes.

Gai Nie secretly makes up his mind to pursue his sword heart through the path of Five Swords.

Wei Zhuang half shuts his eyes. He is not going to follow the grand and righteous path that everyone seeks. He sets up his mind to go down the narrow path only available to the unique just like Gu Nan.

The morning shine rests gently and lazily on the roof. Faraway from the woods comes the birdsong, tones clipped but faint

Melodious sound of qin (musical instrument) jingles through a small yard in the Wu An manor, singing those in audience to sleep. They may just want to find a place to take a nap.

Just like Gu Nan does at the moment.

Painting Fairy is playing the qin under the tree with a shallow smile on her face. After being rootless for many years, she finds the now ordinary and peaceful life satisfying.

She wishes for nothing else but living out the rest of her life with this lazy girl by her side.

Gu Nan is lying on a mat, squinting and reading bamboo slips, Xiao Lu behind her massaging her shoulders.

Gai Nie sits by her side, and hands over the water whenever Gu Nan reaches out her hand.

As for Wei Zhuang, he is grooming Blackie’s fur.

Gloom over their expression. The two came over to study swordsmanship, but turn out to be more like servants of the house.

Xiao Lu helplessly looks at Gu Nan. She already grows used to her.

Like a disabled with broken limbs, if she can sit, she will not stand; if she can lie down, she will not sit.

Xiao Lu has no clue how she has been able to survive out there.

No longer able to stand it, Wei Zhuang lays down the tool in his hand, and turns to look at Gu Nan: “Gu Nan, when will you teach me of sword.”

He does not use “us”, meaning that it is none of his business for Gai Nie to learn as well.

He can hardly wait to bounce onto his own sword path.

Gai Nie also has his attention attracted this way. Even though he does not say anything, he is waiting eagerly.

“What did you call me?” Gu Nan’s voice is sluggish as she gives Wei Zhuang a stare.

Wei Zhuang shivers inexplicably: “Senior…senior sister.”

“Hmm.” Gu Nan nods with a smile. It feels great to be a senior; only one generation older is still counted as being old.

“Groom Blackie’s fur before we discuss anything further.”

Wei Zhuang says with a gloomy expression: “But you promised the same thing when you asked me to carry water.”

“Oh.”

“What do you mean by ‘oh’!”

It has been almost a half month of labor.

After all, he is but a six or seven-year-old kid who only acted like a young adult. When he feels wronged or humiliated, he talks in sobbing tone.

“Just tell me if you want to teach me or not!”

Maybe because he has suffered a lot previously, he did not let the cry out.

The Ghost Valley Master let Gu Nan discipline them for the period of time and thus will not interfere. If they complain to the Ghost Valley Master, they will only get a beating instead.

“Senior sister,” Gai Nie can no longer stay silent witnessing Wei Zhuang’s look, and speaks to Gu Nan: “I think Xiao Zhuang makes sense.”

Meanwhile he whispers in a muffled voice: “Xiao Zhuang has been prideful and can never take humiliation. Look, he is almost crying.”

Saying so he peeks at Wei Zhuang.

Wei Zhuang, however, clearly caught the loud “whisper”.

Gu Nan stares at Gai Nie eerily. This lad never talked much before, so I never knew that he is this wicked!

“I am not crying!”

Chapter 73: A Great Swordsman is But a Kid When Little

The two are drinking tea seated.

Standing by the the Ghost Valley Master’s side, Gai Nie exchanges a look with Wei Zhuang, and sees the astonishment in his eyes as well.

Only after witnessing the one exchange of blows that almost scared them off and made them flee do they understand what a sword truly is.

What they practiced was probably but a joke in comparison to what they just saw.

But it also set their mind firm at pursuing swordsmanship during the stay at the manor.

The Ghost Valley Master hangs the sword back to waist. “You have improved greatly this past year. Even I was surprised by the thirteen swords.”

With a gratifying look in his eyes, he frowns: “But I don’t know why I could not see anything related to the Five Sword in your sword.”

“And so, I do not know where you are in your progress.”

That last sword did not carry any aura with it but moved with quickness at its extreme, even too quick for the Ghost Valley Master to keep up.

Thirteen, Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang note down the number in their mind, feeling bitterness in their heart.

All they saw was but a blur. They knew it was fast but only recognized two swords from it.

Gu Nan fiddles with the Guardless which she finds satisfying and convenient to use, probably the best so far.

“The theory of Five Swords is hard to master even for me. Therefore, I go down a different path.”

A different path?

The two kids standing behind raises their spirit. In their opinion, the Five Swords should be the standard of all swords, and all different directions should eventually converge back to the Five Swords.  

And out of their expectation, there is a different path.

Even the Ghost Valley Master is surprised at hearing it. “A path that differs from this one?”

Mumbling and then laughing out, he adds: “Let me hear about it, and see to what extent have your insights in blade grown.”

“It is not necessarily an insight.” Gu Nan retracts the Guardless.

“They are just experiences obtained from battlefields.”

“To be swift and kill with one blow is the most useful in a battle.”

“Therefore, my sword only follows one principle: be quick.”

“Be Quick.” The Ghost Valley Master strokes his beard, seemingly in thought.

Throughout his life, he had seen quick swords that are hard to handle. However, is quickness alone enough to solidify one’s sword?

Gu Nan picks up the tea pot and slightly tilts it as water flows into in the tea cup and swirls.

“Indeed, in the world of martial arts, there is nothing invincible, but speed is the only exception.”

Wei Zhuang is lost in trail of thoughts, thinking that it might be the case.

Whoever your opponent is and whatever he practices, as long as you are faster than him to the extent that he could not possibly react to your move, then you are invincible.

Could it be that we were on the wrong path all along, and quickness should be the right one?

“Wake up!” The Ghost Valley Master lets out a shout.

Snapped out of their thoughts, the two finds the Ghost Valley Master staring at them.

The Ghost Valley Master has figured out Gu Nan’s intention behind her words.

“This path is pure but also different. You have already built foundation in your swordsmanship, so if you switch to quick sword midway, you would have only ruined what you have acquired so far.”

Hearing upon it, Wei Zhuang and Gai Nie grows sweat all over their forehead, turning their sight to Gu Nan frightened as if peeking at a blood thirsty beast.

Merely one comment almost shaded their determination.

Looking at the two rather disappointing disciples, the Ghost Valley Master signs and turns to Gu Nan: “Sorry that you have to see the unsightly side.”

“It is not a problem. The two disciples are still young and vulnerable to influences.” Gu Nan smiles saying so. “I should be the one to apologize for saying nonsense.”

“You were only illustrating the sword path that you go down.”

“Every path leads to one’s destination. Those whose determination is not firm naturally gets swayed by external influences. Swinging left and right can get them nowhere.”

“Sticking to one’s own path and mastering it to the utmost extreme is one great insight you come up with.”

Gu Nan’s quick sword is fundamentally different from every other he ever came across with. It is completely void of device and solely resides on quickness. By quickness it thrives and through quickness it proves her determination.

“But Ghosty geezer, to master quick sword, I have completely thrown your horizontal and vertical swordsmanship behind my mind. Only two from your teachings remain: thrust as the vertical and slash as the horizontal. Fortunately, you were not testing on sword devices, otherwise I would have made a fool of myself.”

“Hehe, lad, you have ruined the swordsmanship of my sect!”

Meanwhile, Wei Zhuang and Gai Nie keep their heads low, staring at their toes.

Gai Nie secretly makes up his mind to pursue his sword heart through the path of Five Swords.

Wei Zhuang half shuts his eyes. He is not going to follow the grand and righteous path that everyone seeks. He sets up his mind to go down the narrow path only available to the unique just like Gu Nan.

The morning shine rests gently and lazily on the roof. Faraway from the woods comes the birdsong, tones clipped but faint

Melodious sound of qin (musical instrument) jingles through a small yard in the Wu An manor, singing those in audience to sleep. They may just want to find a place to take a nap.

Just like Gu Nan does at the moment.

Painting Fairy is playing the qin under the tree with a shallow smile on her face. After being rootless for many years, she finds the now ordinary and peaceful life satisfying.

She wishes for nothing else but living out the rest of her life with this lazy girl by her side.

Gu Nan is lying on a mat, squinting and reading bamboo slips, Xiao Lu behind her massaging her shoulders.

Gai Nie sits by her side, and hands over the water whenever Gu Nan reaches out her hand.

As for Wei Zhuang, he is grooming Blackie’s fur.

Gloom over their expression. The two came over to study swordsmanship, but turn out to be more like servants of the house.

Xiao Lu helplessly looks at Gu Nan. She already grows used to her.

Like a disabled with broken limbs, if she can sit, she will not stand; if she can lie down, she will not sit.

Xiao Lu has no clue how she has been able to survive out there.

No longer able to stand it, Wei Zhuang lays down the tool in his hand, and turns to look at Gu Nan: “Gu Nan, when will you teach me of sword.”

He does not use “us”, meaning that it is none of his business for Gai Nie to learn as well.

He can hardly wait to bounce onto his own sword path.

Gai Nie also has his attention attracted this way. Even though he does not say anything, he is waiting eagerly.

“What did you call me?” Gu Nan’s voice is sluggish as she gives Wei Zhuang a stare.

Wei Zhuang shivers inexplicably: “Senior…senior sister.”

“Hmm.” Gu Nan nods with a smile. It feels great to be a senior; only one generation older is still counted as being old.

“Groom Blackie’s fur before we discuss anything further.”

Wei Zhuang says with a gloomy expression: “But you promised the same thing when you asked me to carry water.”

“Oh.”

“What do you mean by ‘oh’!”

It has been almost a half month of labor.

After all, he is but a six or seven-year-old kid who only acted like a young adult. When he feels wronged or humiliated, he talks in sobbing tone.

“Just tell me if you want to teach me or not!”

Maybe because he has suffered a lot previously, he did not let the cry out.

The Ghost Valley Master let Gu Nan discipline them for the period of time and thus will not interfere. If they complain to the Ghost Valley Master, they will only get a beating instead.

“Senior sister,” Gai Nie can no longer stay silent witnessing Wei Zhuang’s look, and speaks to Gu Nan: “I think Xiao Zhuang makes sense.”

Meanwhile he whispers in a muffled voice: “Xiao Zhuang has been prideful and can never take humiliation. Look, he is almost crying.”

Saying so he peeks at Wei Zhuang.

Wei Zhuang, however, clearly caught the loud “whisper”.

Gu Nan stares at Gai Nie eerily. This lad never talked much before, so I never knew that he is this wicked!

“I am not crying!”