Chapter 3, Nine Slashes of the Divine Demon

The old man said, "Alright, you may get up now." After saying this, he walked back to the edge of the pond, and Lin Jian followed him to the pond's edge. Lin Jian saw that the golden carp was still struggling for life on the ground, and feeling compassion, he secretly returned the fish to the pond. The old man pretended not to notice and sat cross-legged on the ground. Lin Jian also sat down beside him. The old man said, "What I am going to teach you is not a secret martial art, but a method commonly used by coastal fishermen for breathing underwater. However, they lack internal energy and cannot hold their breath for long. For martial artists like us, the deeper our skills, the longer we can stay underwater." Lin Jian asked, "Is that how you sleep at the bottom of the pond?" The old man nodded and said, "Indeed, let me briefly explain the principle of this skill. As martial artists, we first take a deep breath to fill our bodies with air. After staying underwater for a while, when our internal energy is exhausted, we must exhale the stale air..." Lin Jian interjected, "I know this, but after exhaling the stale air, there is no air left." The old man smiled gently and said, "The key lies here; there are three main secrets: the method for exhaling, the method for inhaling, and the method for expelling air."

This night passed without a word, swiftly gone. Before the morning sunlight had fully bathed the earth, Lin Jian was practicing his breathing techniques at the small stream in the forest. In just ten days, relying on the internal skills he had diligently cultivated through the North Dipper Divine Skill, Lin Jian had completely mastered the art of breathing. Seeing that the timing was ripe, he felt it was only a matter of the right opportunity. Standing by the stream, he silently prayed, "May the esteemed elder Wang Jian bless me, so that I, Lin Jian, can successfully enter the cave this time." After calming his mind for a moment and taking a deep breath, he submerged himself underwater, swimming straight to the cave entrance in one breath. Lin Jian pondered for a moment, and with a flash of inspiration, he bent down to pick up a large stone, swimming slowly along the bottom of the cave. Although the whirlpool was large, holding the stone increased his weight, and by swimming close to the cave wall, the whirlpool could not hinder him. The airflow at the whirlpool was even stronger, and Lin Jian carefully managed his breathing, taking in more air. He felt secretly pleased, realizing that the cave was only a few zhang deep. After swimming for the duration of a tea break, he had already exited the whirlpool and entered the water pool. Lin Jian then set down the stone and swam out of the pool.

Lin Jian got up with a sigh, glanced at the old man, and turned to walk away. The old man was momentarily taken aback, but his curiosity got the better of him, and he quickly caught up, blocking Lin Jian's path. He asked, "Little one, why do you leave after falling?" His tone carried a hint of mockery. Lin Jian raised his head and replied, "I cannot defeat you now; fighting would be futile. When my martial arts reach their peak in the future, I will come to challenge you again." His words were filled with a sense of pride. The old man laughed heartily, saying, "Very well, you indeed have spirit, but I fear I may not live to see that day." Lin Jian was taken aback; the old man was nearly eighty years old. Although he had taken good care of himself, a person does not live beyond a hundred years. Lin Jian thought, even if the old man were to die, it was uncertain when that would be. His own martial arts were still shallow, and after just having sparred with the old man, he realized the depth of the old man's skills, which he had never encountered before. Even when compared to Jiang Butong, he felt inferior. He had no idea how many years it would take for him to reach a level where he could avenge this "grudge." Lin Jian pondered this but did not know how to respond, so he could only say, "Then you should live a bit longer; I will be able to defeat you by the time I turn thirty." The old man chuckled, "By the time you turn thirty, I will surely be living on borrowed time. Life is but a hundred years; by the time you achieve your success, I will have long since become a part of history, just a pile of bones." Lin Jian fell silent. The old man continued, "You just saved my life; I never owe anyone anything. I will pass on a skill to you as a form of repayment." Lin Jian was overjoyed, realizing that this elder was favorably inclined towards him and intended to teach him. He bowed deeply and said, "Thank you, senior, for your kindness!"

Lin Jian was momentarily taken aback, but ultimately decided to start from the beginning. He returned home happily with the sword manual, where Lin Qiu had already finished dinner and was waiting for him. It turned out that he had been so focused that the sun had quietly set without him noticing, leaving only a faint afterglow lingering in the world. Lin Jian shared the matter of the sword manual with Lin Qiu, who simply advised him: "Do your best, but do not force it." This is because the study of martial arts relies on one's comprehension; those with high comprehension naturally achieve greater martial prowess, while those with low comprehension may struggle for a lifetime without making significant progress. If one were to force it, it would be easy to fall into a state of obsession, leading to severe consequences. Lin Jian practiced the Kunlun Sect's North Star Divine Skill, which was precisely the antidote to such obsession. Lin Jian's temperament was easygoing, and he never placed excessive demands on himself, thus he would not fall into obsession. As the stars shone low and the candlelight flickered, Lin Jian was still engrossed in the sword manual, memorizing the sword techniques within. This way, he would not need to refer back to the manual during practice, saving him trouble. The sword manual contained a total of thirty-six illustrations corresponding to thirty-six techniques, and there were six additional illustrations depicting footwork. It turned out that this sword technique was swift and required coordination with lightness skills. The six illustrations represented a set of lightness skills. The inscription on the illustrations read "Fei Xue Ling Bo Bu," which was likely named after Miss Han. This set of footwork was light and agile, with rapid changes, complementing the sword technique well. However, the name seemed somewhat incongruous. Yet, given Jian Gongcheng's personality, as long as he liked it, he was indifferent to others' opinions.

Lin Jian practiced this sword technique for two years, and also learned the "Non-Snow Lingbo Step." He originally had a foundation in lightness skills, and since his footwork was in harmony with his swordplay, it was not difficult for him to learn. Jian Gongcheng stated that the first level required five years, but due to Lin Jian's intelligence and his prior training in the Golden Shuttle Snake Hand, he was able to learn this sword technique with half the effort and twice the result, completing it in just two short years. However, he could not master the final move no matter what, so he could only force himself to memorize it, waiting for a day when inspiration would strike for further comprehension. Lin Jian's study of the Xiao Yan Sword Technique was not without its benefits; after practicing this sword technique, he found it much easier to hunt in the woods. When capturing birds, he employed the ultimate skill "Falling Star from the Sky," and when hunting larger prey such as wild boars and deer, he utilized the Xiao Yan Sword Technique. He used a modified machete, which, although vastly different from a sword in handling, was still effective enough to deal with these animals.

Qian Si Niang laughed and said, "Indeed, Old Man Lin is quite something; he looks so handsome yet never brings us to see him." Lin Jian, surprised, asked, "Aunt, do you recognize me?" Ye Er Niang glared and said, "What? Didn't Old Man Lin tell you? Alas, he is really narrow-minded; having raised you this big, does he still fear you might run away?" Lin Jian felt increasingly uneasy, as if a heavy stone weighed on his heart, and he trembled as he asked, "What, what did you say?" Ye Er Niang replied, "She said you are not his biological child." Lin Jian felt as if struck by lightning, and with a bitter smile said, "Aunt, you must be joking." Ye Er Niang laughed and said, "Everyone in the village knows that Lin Qiu has no children; how could he have given birth to a grandson like you? Let me tell you, you were picked up by me and Si Niang from the creek at the village head, and I carried you to be raised by Lin Qiu. At that time, you were just over a year old, placed in a wooden basin. If I had known you would grow up so handsome, I might as well have raised you myself!" After saying this, she laughed heartily. In an instant, Lin Jian's mind went blank, as if all sensation had vanished; black and white images floated before his eyes. He saw people whispering but could not hear them at all. He stood there dazed, then walked away in confusion, forgetting to buy candy or liquor. Lin Jian reached the edge of the village, where a small creek continued to flow through the years. The creek had slowed considerably at this section, with a few wooden stakes in the water; the creek was not wide, and a few women were washing clothes by the bank.

The scholar waved his hand and called out, "Wait a moment!" Lin Jian frowned slightly and turned to ask, "What is it? Do you have something to say?" This scholar had experienced many storms in life, but he had never encountered someone so inexperienced in the ways of the world, making it difficult for him to find the right words. He casually said, "Young brother, your skills are quite impressive. May I ask which esteemed master you are a disciple of?" Lin Jian replied, "Why do you ask that? I have no master; if I did, it would be someone you wouldn't recognize." The scholar chuckled and, with a hint of arrogance in his laughter, said, "I dare not claim to be knowledgeable about the world, but I have yet to meet a renowned hero in the martial world that I, Li, do not know." Lin Jian smiled and said, "Since you are so well-versed, why not guess for yourself? I need to go get some wine for my grandfather and don't have time to waste with you." With that, he turned his head and walked away, ignoring the scholar. The scholar gritted his teeth in anger; if it weren't for his pressing matters, he would have taught this arrogant young man a lesson. He coldly snorted and said, "Good lad, just you wait. Don't let me see you again, or I will make sure you regret it!" He flicked his whip and rode away. Lin Jian had lived here for seventeen years and rarely went to the village, so he knew very few people there. He had a purpose for entering the village this time, which was to visit the teacher, Lin Qingde, who had once imparted knowledge to him.

Lin Jianqi said, "Aren't you living here?" The old man shook his head and replied, "I am a wanderer of the four seas. Today, I have come to seek someone. Alas! Across the vast expanse, I have searched for fifteen years, yet still no news. Today, I mourn in remembrance; I have failed a heavy trust!" His words were filled with deep sorrow. Lin Jian asked, "Who is the person you are looking for? Perhaps I can help you find them." The old man shook his head, sighed, and walked away. Suddenly, he turned around, extended his finger, and shot forth a beam of white light, which made a 'bang' as it pierced a hole in the tree. Lin Jian was astonished, staring in disbelief. The old man murmured, "I fear this unique skill of mine will be lost from now on." By the time his voice faded, he had already disappeared into the forest. This man was He Xianweng, who could never have imagined that the Yun Jian he had been searching for so desperately for fifteen years was the very youth before him. After He Xianweng had gone far away, Lin Jian felt an inexplicable sorrow in his heart. He returned home, enveloped in a melancholy that was rich with the hues of twilight. Lin Jian made up his mind that once he had mastered the skill of breathing underwater, he would visit the cave of the Sword Palace again. In his heart, he still remembered the "Xiao Yan Sword Technique," for he believed that becoming the successor of the Sword Palace was indeed an honor.

Lin Jian was confused and asked, "What does this mean?" The old man replied, "When we exhale in the water, we usually create some bubbles, and these bubbles contain the air we need to breathe." Lin Jian began to understand and said, "So you mean we should inhale the air from these bubbles?" The old man nodded and said, "Exactly, you are very clever, you grasp it quickly. The key lies in how to inhale this air." Lin Jian was quite curious and couldn't help but ask, "How should we inhale it?" The old man said, "The trick is that you must not exhale completely, and while exhaling, you must also circulate your true energy, quickly expelling the waste air, and then quickly inhale it back. During this process, the flow of true energy must not be interrupted; otherwise, you will not succeed. Then, you should exhale slightly through your nose to eliminate any waste air and water droplets that you might have accidentally inhaled. One more thing to remember is that you must never inhale through your nose as well; otherwise, you will eventually drown in the water." Lin Jian nodded and said, "I understand." The old man said, "Now, try going into the water."

Lin Jianyue increasingly felt that this sword technique was truly profound and extensive. He became so absorbed in his reading that he could not help but pick up a branch and began to wield it. With a thrust of one move, he immediately reversed his hand for a slicing action. As the branch danced in the air, it shot out from his waist and with a "pop," it lodged into a tree. This move, "Phoenix Dancing in Yin and Yang," was thus perfected. Lin Jian observed that the names of the moves annotated in the sword manual were all exceedingly strange and difficult to comprehend. Fortunately, each move in the manual had annotations, and after practicing them personally, they were not hard to understand. For instance, the term "Phoenix" referred to the need for the move to be graceful like a phoenix, executing with gentleness while secretly harboring power. The word "Dance" suggested that the moves appeared chaotic and reversed the principles of Yin and Yang, yet every variation was a lethal strike. "Yin and Yang" referred to the concepts of reality and illusion in the moves, where "Yin" represented the feint and "Yang" the solid strike. This move, "Phoenix Dancing in Yin and Yang," was difficult to define in terms of reality and illusion, and its techniques were unpredictable, being a decisive move that could turn the tide and bring the enemy to their demise. However, this was not the most formidable technique in the Xiao Yan swordplay; the most powerful move was the final one, "Nine Dragons Returning to the Ancestry." This move encompassed nine variations, each a killer strike, and if executed, the enemy would find it nearly impossible to escape. Yet, despite its power, this move was even more challenging to learn, as it required the simultaneous execution of nine variations, which was beyond human capability. What was even more perplexing was that the sword manual provided no annotations for this move, leaving only a single phrase: "This move requires insight."

Lin Jian emerged from the cave, climbed onto the shore, and basked in the sunlight, his thoughts surging and difficult to suppress. He took a few deep breaths, retrieved an oilcloth, and took out the sword manual. The manual was wrapped in oilcloth and had not been soaked by the water. Lin Jian opened the first page and saw that the preface read: "This sword technique is divided into two levels. The first level can be mastered in five years by those with a foundation, while the second level can be mastered by those without a foundation." Lin Jian pondered: "What does this mean? Is the second level of this sword technique difficult to learn?" He continued to read, and the manual proceeded to describe the practice methods for the first level, which detailed the sword techniques. Lin Jian had no foundation in swordsmanship; he merely practiced according to the similar patterns of the Golden Shuttle Snake Hand and the illustrations attached in the book. The sword technique comprised thirty-six moves, each with nine variations in hand gestures. Each variation was extremely abrupt, and each could address the weaknesses in his own techniques. These nine variations were interconnected, allowing him to easily block any attack from his opponent, regardless of the direction. Thus, this sword technique consisted entirely of offensive moves; in the face of danger, he could employ these nine variations to turn peril into safety. The sword technique comprised thirty-six moves, each with nine variations in hand gestures. Each variation was extremely abrupt, and each could address the weaknesses in his own techniques. These nine variations were interconnected, allowing him to easily block any attack from his opponent, regardless of the direction. Thus, this sword technique consisted entirely of offensive moves; in the face of danger, he could employ these nine variations to turn peril into safety.

The two of them harbored their own thoughts, exchanging glances without uttering a word. The scholar broke the silence first, clasping his fists and saying: "Young brother, I was riding too fast just now and nearly collided with you. Fortunately, your martial skills are exceptional, which helped avert this disaster. I apologize for my recklessness." As he spoke, he gave a slight bow from his horse, acknowledging his mistake. This initial approach served as a soothing balm for Lin Jian, as the saying goes, 'A thousand arrows may pierce, but flattery does not.' Lin Jian's anger dissipated somewhat. He clasped his fists and replied: "It's nothing serious. My skills are somewhat lacking, but I hope you will be more careful next time you ride. Even if you are in a hurry, you should check for pedestrians. If you were to collide with women, children, or the elderly, that would be a grave sin." He was not familiar with the ways of the martial world and spoke without considering that they lived on the edge of danger, where such matters were often overlooked. The scholar felt a surge of anger within, thinking: "What kind of reputation do I have, that I must be lectured by this inexperienced youth?" However, he wanted to probe into Lin Jian's background, so he swallowed his anger and replied: "What you say is true, I will remember it!" The last three words were spoken with great emphasis, indicating that he would not forget the grudge of the day, as people in the martial world often formed enmities over just a few words. Lin Jian, unaware of the underlying meaning, assumed he had been misunderstood and said: "If that is the case, I shall take my leave. You have urgent matters to attend to, so please go ahead." After finishing, he cupped his hands in farewell and turned to leave.

Lin Jian let out a long sigh. Over the years, he had lived a carefree life, never experiencing such troubles, and for a moment, he did not know what to do. He stood dazed by the stream, reminiscing about how he had been picked up, how Ye Erniang had given him to Lin Qiu to raise, and how Lin Qiu had gently stroked his tender white face. Just thinking about it brought tears to his eyes. Seventeen springs and autumns had passed in the blink of an eye, and he suddenly felt a wave of fear in his heart; how terrifying time was! It always took away youth unknowingly when people were carefree. Lin Jian stood there for a long time before finally moving his feet and walking home. As he passed through the village, he saw a study next to a ancestral hall, with a plaque inscribed with the words "Qingfeng Study" in elegant calligraphy. Lin Jian thought to himself, "The teacher must be teaching here." He walked over quietly, and a clear voice of reading reached his ears: "If a father does not teach, it is the father's fault. If a teacher is not strict, it is the teacher's laziness." Others still had strict fathers to teach them, but he did not even know who his biological parents were. Lin Jian felt a pang of sorrow in his heart. He secretly looked in through the window and saw an elderly teacher, Lin Qingde, shaking his head as he taught the students. Time had clearly shown no mercy; he looked much older than when Lin Jian had first met him. Lin Jian glanced at him a few times and silently walked away. He walked along the path, it was early spring in March, and along the way, the birds sang, flowers bloomed, butterflies danced, and bees buzzed, all vying to leave their mark in this beautiful season. And what about Lin Jian? What kind of brilliance should he leave in this world?

A gentle breeze brushed against his face, bringing the scent of spring and carrying away the fragrance of flowers. Lin Jian's mood improved significantly, gradually becoming captivated by the beautiful scenery. He casually broke off a branch and began to idly strike it in the air. Suddenly, he heard a rustling sound from the nearby bushes, piquing his curiosity. He cautiously peered into the thicket and saw a rabbit, whiter than snow, crouched in the grass nibbling on tender shoots. Its long ears occasionally perked up, listening for sounds. The rabbit's large red eyes were wide open, looking extremely adorable. Lin Jian felt a strong fondness for it and decided to catch it to raise as a pet. After all, being young, he quickly forgot all his troubles. Lin Jian quietly approached, having often hunted in the woods, he was quite experienced in this regard. He moved silently, fully focused, gripping the branch tightly. In his excitement, he even forgot to drop the branch. The rabbit, completely unaware of the danger, continued to munch on the grass leisurely. Lin Jian suddenly leaped up, reaching out to grab the rabbit, but to his surprise, it remained completely still. He was taken aback and thought, "Could it be that this rabbit is injured?" He immediately halted his hand, but as soon as he lowered it, the rabbit darted away like a ghost, disappearing into the grass. Lin Jian felt both amused and exasperated, thinking how a grown person had been outsmarted by a mere rabbit. It was hardly injured, moving even more nimbly than an ordinary rabbit. With a sense of resignation, he could only shake his head, conceding victory to the rabbit.

Lin Jian shouted, "Who are you? How dare you harm my grandfather!" As he spoke, he helped Lin Qiu up and examined his injuries. The man who had been knocked down seized the opportunity to leap up and, supporting another companion, fled in disgrace. Lin Jian, concerned about Lin Qiu's condition, chose not to pursue them. He saw that Lin Qiu was not seriously hurt, just some superficial wounds and excessive bleeding. Lin Jian helped Lin Qiu into the house, washed his wounds with hot water, applied some medicine to bandage him, and after tidying up the room, he finally asked Lin Qiu about the situation. Lin Qiu took a breath and said, "These people are bandits from the mountains. They hadn't dared to come out and harm others for quite a long time, but for some unknown reason, they have become rampant again recently. Just now, while I was planting vegetables in the field, they suddenly barged in, claiming that their leader was coming out of the mountains again and demanding that we farmers each pay a protection fee to honor their leader. This money was saved for you to marry a wife; how could I possibly give it to them? When they couldn't intimidate us, they resorted to violence. Alas, unfortunately, the silver was ultimately taken by them. After robbing the silver, they even wanted to set fire to the house. Fortunately, Jian'er, you arrived in time; otherwise, we would have had no place to live. " After saying this, tears streamed down his face. He seemed to lament the loss of money, but in reality, it was a deep love for his grandson. Lin Jian angrily said, "These thieves will eventually pay for their crimes!" Lin Qiu exclaimed, "Jian'er, this is absolutely not acceptable! The government will take care of the bandits; we common folk cannot provoke these beasts!"