Martial King's Retired Life

Volume 11 Chapter 70 Swordsman Luo and Wuzheng. Precious Yujing. (Part 4)

“The two of them were friends who’d risk their necks for each other; it’s only predictable for His Majesty to avenge Shen Wuzheng at all costs. Not long subsequent to Shen Wuzheng’s passing, Demon Sect was wiped out as a result. Question is, has Shen Wuzheng’s case been solved? Do you know who killed your father? Has the culprit been brought to justice? The network of gains and people involved goes far too deep for anyone to trace back to the root. With that said, there is no doubt about one thing. Given Shen Wuzheng’s martial prowess, the only way he could’ve been assassinated in the capital without alerting anyone is if there was a spy in the capital.”

For years, Shen Yiren suspected unorthodox sects; never did it occur to her that the possibility of an insider conspirator. Luo Ming was right: how could someone take out Liu Shan Men’s vice-captain without leaving a trace?

“Thank you for enlightening me. I have learnt a lot from this conversation.”

“You can’t trust anyone… except Ming Feizhen.”

“Pardon?”

“He won’t deceive you. When you’re fed lies from everywhere, you need someone to bounce ideas off in order to separate fact from fiction.”

Shen Yiren solemnly nodded. “The story and advice you shared has lit up a lot of lights for me. I would argue I have profited more from this exchange.”

An upward curve formed on Luo Ming’s lips. “I only shared a story. We are not done yet. Now we have arrived at the main topic. I owe the years of bliss I had with Yujing to your father.”

Luo Ming gradually increased the force exerted through Yujing as he raised it parallel to the ground, manifesting his qi on it once it arrived at its destination. “After Yujing left me, I spent ten days in the smithing workshop. By the time I came out, my mind was still muddled; I only remember I was holding a sword and reminiscing my memories with her. When I regained self-awareness, I noticed all our advanced disciples gathered behind me, swords raised in praise. Only then did it occur to me that the sword qi around me was more potent than any sword qi I’d seen in decades.

“I spent the night swinging the sword around by the lake, but I didn’t know what I was doing, to be honest. When I looked at the scars on the ground the next day, I noticed the absence of a pattern, meaning my mind and thoughts aligned. Try as I may later, I was only able to recreate twelve techniques from memories and the marks. I named the set Black-White Hair.

“I never utilised the swordplay in the last fifteen years. I’ve only reflected on the profoundness within since I have had a breakthrough.”

That explained to Shen Yiren why there was a still, deep and melancholic vibe to the techniques.

“Watch the twelve techniques closely.” Luo Ming commenced the sword taolu. “’Dawn Breeze on the Other Side of the Curtain’, ‘Erasing Dreams’, ‘Who Does the One Atop the Tower Resemble’?”

The leaves sung as though they were static, while Yujing and Luo Ming became the only dangers. From “Dawn Breeze on the Other Side of the Curtain” to the final technique - You Broke My Heart - Luo Ming executed six hundred and nine consecutive strikes worthy of being called poetry in motion. Whether that was twelve techniques or not would be only something those who understood Black-White Hair could answer.

“Understand now?”

Given Luo Ming didn’t understand it years ago, expecting Shen Yiren to grasp it within one recital was beyond a daunting task. Eyes on the sword, she requested, “Please perform it one more time, Patriarch Luo.”

“All right.” Luo Ming assumed a different starting posture and focused his spirit into his movements again. “’Forever Separated from the Oil-painted Sedan’, ‘Gone Like the Clouds Above the Valley…” The names of the techniques suddenly had a different ring to them compared to the first time Luo Ming went through the taolu. “… ‘Once a Swan Goose that Cast a Shadow’.” Forget the different naming vibe; even the 1114 techniques weren’t remotely similar to the first time he went through them, yet he was pleased with her ruminating reaction.