Evil Venerable of the Sword Dao Chapter 4 - 4 004 Bishui Swordsmanship Great Perfection

“Affectionate Sword Dao, Lifeless Sword Dao, why can they not be chosen simultaneously?”

Zhou Yan’s brow furrowed.

He held the statue, observing it for a moment, then abruptly looked up at his father.

“Choose both? Would you have me tread the same path I once did?

Remember, extensive knowledge is inferior to specialized mastery!”

Zhou Wangchen’s gaze was tranquil, like a stagnant pool, devoid of any ripples.

His unfocused eyes seemed to pass casually over Zhou Yan’s countenance before silently settling upon a new black iron block that had inexplicably appeared in his hand.

His words were low and resonant.

Zhou Yan found himself momentarily silenced by his father’s proclamation.

Observing his father’s quiescent desolation and profound loneliness, Zhou Yan felt a disquietude stir within him.

This man, who once loomed so large and proud in his memories, was now so utterly defeated.

Zhou Yan could not fathom the events that had led his father to this withered state.

Once a luminary, a genius of unparalleled talent and renown, a cultivator at the ‘True Man Level’ whose martial prowess could shatter worldly limitations, he was now a figure of mockery throughout Canglan City.

Zhou Yan remained stationary, his gaze fixed upon his father’s series of actions, a maelstrom of emotions churning within him.

In his perception, the intricate movements appeared to simplify.

He harbored a distinct feeling that he, too, could achieve such feats!

Perhaps, he could even excel beyond those attempts!

These thoughts remained unspoken, merely observed from the sidelines.

Suddenly, he perceived a subtle impediment amidst the fluid motion, a hint of disruption.

His father’s movements lacked proper synchronicity, resulting in a conflict between the two Sword Intents, teetering on the brink of dissolution.

It was at this juncture that his father ceased his actions and spoke.

“To select a single path and follow it with unwavering resolve is the righteous course.

Hmm…

You have finally shattered your own limitations.”

The half-formed statue, as Zhou Yan had anticipated, disintegrated into fine dust with a soft puff.

This attempt, Zhou Wangchen had failed once more to meld the Affectionate Sword Dao with the Lifeless Sword Dao.

The endeavor ended as swiftly as it began, squandering a valuable piece of quality iron.

This outcome was precisely within Zhou Yan’s expectations.

A jolt coursed through Zhou Yan, sparking surprise, yet he remained reticent, contemplating silently: “Father, the Secret Techniques of the Affectionate Sword Dao and the Lifeless Sword Dao represent the culmination of your life’s work.

As your son, should I fail to inherit them, it would be a disgrace to you and a testament to my own inadequacy!

Thus, my resolve is firm: to embrace both the Affectionate Sword Dao and the Lifeless Sword Dao, and your counsel to dissuade me is unnecessary.”

“Your insistence is misguided, leading you down a path of confusion.

Without achieving true mastery, you risk a fate akin to mine – accomplishments, yes, but ultimately a bleak and unfulfilling end.

First, seek power, and only then shall you pursue and forge your own path in the Sword Dao; do not place the cart before the horse.”

Zhou Wangchen emitted a sigh, retrieved a wine jug, and took another draught.

His visage, flushed from the exertion of carving, grew increasingly pallid with each sip, the stark contrast of red and white hues resembling flesh and spirit on the verge of incineration.

“There exist three thousand myriad paths of the Tao, and all converge towards the same destination. Whether it be the Affectionate Sword Dao, the Lifeless Sword Dao, or the Bloodthirsty Sword Dao, the Life-taking Sword Dao, the Venomous Sword Dao, the Geng Metal Sword Dao, the Soft Water Sword Dao, the Nihility Sword Dao, and so forth, they are all merely facets of the Sword Dao.

I cultivate the Great Path of the Sword Dao, unconcerned with the inherent characteristics of any specific Sword Dao.”

Zhou Yan articulated these words, drawing upon the accumulated knowledge from a Grandmaster’s memories.

These pronouncements struck Zhou Wangchen with profound resonance!

In that instant, the jug he held slipped from his grasp, shattering upon the floor with a resounding crash.

A pungent aroma of wine permeated Zhou Yan, causing his blood to surge as if his entire being was igniting uncontrollably.

Yet, his mind remained astonishingly lucid and frigid!

It was an exceptionally peculiar state; Zhou Yan surmised that his own face must have become exceedingly pale.

A sense of alarm washed over him, pondering the nature of the concoction within the wine his father drank so freely. He was certain, however, that it was a potent medicinal wine designed to suppress a specific, powerful ability residing within the mind.

Experiencing dizziness and nausea, he swiftly gathered his focus, held his breath, and circulated his nascent Sword Qi through his body’s meridians, counteracting the subtle disturbances introduced by the liquor.

Unbeknownst to him, Zhou Wangchen had at this moment fallen into an inexplicable state of ‘Sudden Enlightenment.’

Zhou Yan understood inwardly that his father had attained a profound level of insight and comprehension.

Perhaps his words served as a prompt, for his preceding statement stemmed from the actual martial arts experiences of a warrior who had shattered the void from a mysterious 'Earth,' not merely a jest.

He paused briefly, contemplating the concepts of the Affectionate Sword Dao and the Lifeless Sword Dao. He felt that his Bishui Swordsmanship was nearing completion, with the Eighth Form now finished. These two Sword Daos didn't seem exceedingly difficult.

As for grasping the associated Sword Intent, it was beyond his current cultivation realm.

Without fully developed Sword Qi, Sword Intent would only remain an illusion.

Therefore, he didn't push himself.

Approximately ten minutes later, Zhou Wangchen emerged from his meditative state, appearing visibly refreshed.

He let out a soft breath, then seemed to detect the lingering scent of alcohol on the ground, his brow furrowing as the fine lines at the corners of his eyes deepened.

With a casual gesture, an unseen force radiated outward, purging the air of nearly all alcohol fumes. The environment, previously heavy with the odor of liquor, was now entirely free of it.

Having accomplished this, he turned his gaze intently upon Zhou Yan, his focus sharpening slightly, and declared, "It appears your innate talent surpasses mine; in that case, I can be at ease.

"What you conveyed this time holds profound significance, regardless of whether it originated from your own insight or from external sources.

Regardless, I have gained understanding and have devised my own path forward, so I shall depart for a period."

Zhou Wangchen's voice was calm.

This marked the first instance his eyes conveyed genuine warmth when addressing Zhou Yan.

"Father, how are your injuries?"

Zhou Yan, witnessing his father's proficiency, recognized that the label of 'useless' applied to him was untrue.

Yet, his crippled status had been acknowledged even by his grandfather, the Family Head; he wondered why.

"Occasionally utilizing a modicum of power is permissible.

Now that you have awakened your potential, Canglan City can no longer contain you.

If circumstances allow, proceed to the Zhou Family in Cangxiao City, cultivate diligently, and, if possible, assist me in reclaiming the 'Heavenly Evil Sword,' a lifelong ambition of mine."

Zhou Wangchen stated, turning and walking towards the exit.

"Father, I shall fulfill all of that; rest assured!

Furthermore, Father, might you disclose my Mother's whereabouts?"

Zhou Yan couldn't help but inquire.

He could discern the depth of his father's affection for his mother; it was profound.

"When you achieve comprehension of the Sword Heart, you may then inquire about this matter."

His father moved with swiftness, departing without a backward glance, his form gradually receding from view.

Zhou Yan remained stationary, aware that any action on his part could not alter the established circumstances.

Had he grasped the 'Sword Heart' already, the situation might not have deteriorated to this point.

All of it was due to his insufficient strength!

…

The statue in his grip had grown warm from prolonged contact. Zhou Yan had nearly committed the Sword Dao Secret Techniques and the flowing swordsmanship aura inscribed upon it to memory.

A single perusal was sufficient for him to understand and retain the information.

After mentally simulating it several times, even the subtle unfamiliar sensation within him seemed to significantly diminish.

"Affectionate Sword Dao, Lifeless Sword Dao – these represent the concepts of Life Sword and Death Sword.

All existence embodies yin and embraces yang; their energies unite in perfect harmony, forming a fundamental Dao.

These two distinct swordsmanships mutually complement and amplify each other, constituting an invaluable and flawlessly integrated martial art.

"When any state reaches its apex, it invariably inverts; and upon the cessation of denial, prosperity emerges.

The ultimate point of life signifies death, while the extreme of death constitutes life… Ironically, this principle forms the basis of a deceptively simple swordsmanship..."

Zhou Yan mused aloud, his gaze fixed upon the statue in his hand.

…

For an extended period, Zhou Yan stood absorbed, delving into the Sword Force and Secret Techniques of both the Affectionate Sword Dao and the Lifeless Sword Dao. He grasped their essence completely, with only the practical application remaining to be mastered.

This was tantamount to achieving mastery of the fundamental principles of these two Sword Daos.

In Sword Dao cultivation, the method precedes the technique; the moves follow.

Much like the foundational Bishui Swordsmanship, one must first comprehend the Sword Force before embarking on the cultivation of its associated Sword Dao Secret Techniques; the specific movements merely serve as aids to comprehension.

With this mastery attained, and integrated with the basic maneuvers of Bishui Swordsmanship, Zhou Yan could significantly enhance its overall power.

The ease with which these insights came ignited an even greater eagerness within Zhou Yan for the Xingyi Dragon Form Swordsmanship.

Unconsciously, he returned to studying this particular swordsmanship, only to find it once again exceedingly challenging.

After less than an hour of focused effort, Zhou Yan felt profoundly drained. Instinctively, he reverted to comprehending the Bishui Swordsmanship.

Indeed, upon switching back to his previous practice, Zhou Yan experienced a profound sense of relief, despite his lingering fatigue.

Amidst such circumstances, he gripped the fractured blade and resumed his practice without any reservation.

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—”

Nine consecutive Sword Forces, each slicing through the air, converged as one!

Bishui Swordsmanship, Ninth Form!

Nine nascent Sword Qi coalesced into a mass within the void, manifesting an ethereal sword's shadow that abruptly pierced the nearby wall like a streak of lightning.

A sword-shaped aperture materialized upon the surface!

Reclaiming the sword he held, despite the lingering traces of youth on his visage, Zhou Yan could not conceal his profound astonishment!

His Bishui Swordsmanship had, inexplicably, reached Great Perfection!

It seemed that by diligently contemplating the Xingyi Dragon Form Swordsmanship, other facets of his swordsmanship experienced a surge of progress as if revitalized!

This was becoming an extraordinarily peculiar, yet undeniably true, phenomenon!

After a considerable pause, he drew a deep breath, endeavoring to compose himself.

Just then, a figure cloaked in grey rapidly approached.

“Zhou Yan, you are indeed here! Quickly, something dreadful has transpired!”

“Zhou Cheng, what is amiss?”

Zhou Yan's brow arched, a flicker of unease betraying his eyes.

“Your father met with a mishap. By the time our Family Head Grandpa arrived, he was beyond saving. The Family Head Grandpa himself sustained severe injuries from an unidentified assailant! Now, your father wishes to see you one final time!”

Zhou Cheng recounted the events breathlessly.

Upon concluding, he gasped for air, his face a mask of distress, confusion, and pallor.

“What!”

Zhou Yan was utterly devastated, frozen in place as if struck by lightning.