sinovels Chapter 128 Dugu Sword Intent
Chapter 128 Dugu Sword Intent
Yue Feng chatted with Yue Buqun and the others for a while before taking his leave. Knowing he must be tired from his long journey, Yue Buqun and the others urged him to rest. Yue Feng returned to his room, washed his face, changed into clean clothes, and then went to the Sword Pavilion to find Feng Qingyang as promised.
Feng Qingyang had been waiting for him for a long time. When he saw him approach, his gaze lingered on the sword: "What a fine sword! Where did you get it?"
Yue Feng briefly explained the origin of the Qingfeng Sword, then unfastened the sword and handed it to Feng Qingyang for examination. Feng Qingyang examined it for a while, praising it repeatedly, before returning it to Yue Feng, but then asked, "Do you know of the Sword Demon, Dugu Qiubai?"
Yue Feng's heart stirred, and he said, "I've heard a little about it."
Feng Qingyang was quite surprised: "Oh? Tell me about it."
Yue Feng recounted what he knew about the Sword Demon's life to Feng Qingyang, who became even more astonished: "There are many things I don't know either. Where did you get this information from?"
Yue Feng laughed and said, "Most of it is hearsay, and I can't remember where it came from."
Feng Qingyang said, "The reason I mentioned Senior Dugu to you today is that I wanted to pass on to you a sword technique called 'Dugu Nine Swords.' Since you know so much about Senior Dugu, there's no need for further explanation. Alright, now let me see your new sword technique!"
Two wooden swords leaned against a tree in the courtyard, looking brand new, as if Feng Qingyang had just carved them. Feng Qingyang picked up one of them and tossed the other to Yue Feng: "We're just practicing swordsmanship, so let's use these wooden swords to spar."
Yue Feng accepted the sword and bowed, saying, "Yes, please instruct me, Grandmaster Uncle."
Feng Qingyang said, "Sure, let's make our move!"
Yue Feng bowed to Feng Qingyang again, slowly raised his sword, and suddenly thrust it towards Feng Qingyang's chest. His internal strength was profound, and although he was only using a wooden sword, the tip of the sword still emitted a piercing hissing sound.
Seeing that Yue Feng's swordsmanship had transformed from extreme stillness to extreme movement without the slightest hesitation, and that the sword moves seemed simple yet contained endless follow-up moves, Feng Qingyang knew that Yue Feng's swordsmanship had indeed reached a new level.
He spotted several openings in Yue Feng's left shoulder and thrust his sword forward, simultaneously shifting his body slightly to dodge Yue Feng's attack. Although the Dugu Nine Swords technique is all about advancing without retreating, against a master like Yue Feng, one has to adapt.
As expected, Feng Qingyang's worries were not unfounded. As soon as he thrust out his longsword, Yue Feng's weaknesses disappeared—or rather, they were transferred elsewhere.
Feng Qingyang knew perfectly well that Yue Feng must have been constantly adjusting his posture and movements while drawing his sword to achieve this effect. Yue Feng did this precisely to counter the "attack where the enemy must defend" technique of the Dugu Nine Swords.
Fortunately, Feng Qingyang's sword strike was both offensive and defensive, and Yue Feng's shift in focus didn't affect him too much. Feng Qingyang only slightly moved the tip of his sword before spotting Yue Feng's next weakness.
Before Yue Feng could finish his swordplay, he used his lightness skill to circle around Feng Qingyang. Although his Cloud Platform Flying Crossing technique was only at the first stage and hadn't broken through for a long time, driven by his Taihua Immortal Body, he moved like lightning. As he ran, he unleashed a continuous stream of wondrous sword techniques at Feng Qingyang.
Feng Qingyang had to deal with both Yue Feng's swordsmanship and his agility, and he immediately found it very difficult.
Although he possessed exceptional internal strength, he was, after all, of advanced age, unlike Yue Feng, who was in his prime and full of energy. After struggling for a while, feeling that he had grasped Yue Feng's swordsmanship sufficiently, he lowered the tip of his sword.
Upon seeing Feng Qingyang lower his sword, Yue Feng immediately stopped and withdrew his attack, then turned and bowed to Feng Qingyang, saying, "This disciple was very rude just now, please forgive me, Grandmaster Uncle."
Seeing that Yue Feng's forehead wasn't even damp with sweat, Feng Qingyang felt both impressed and gratified. He helped Yue Feng up and said with a smile, "Your grand-uncle is old and useless. Feng'er, you're doing very well. Does your sword technique have a name?"
Yue Feng said, "I'd like to inform Grandmaster Uncle that it's called the 'Azure Cloud Divine Sword'."
Feng Qingyang said, "Its transformations are divine, truly deserving of the name 'Divine Sword.' But what is the meaning of 'Azure Cloud'?"
Yue Feng recounted his experience of perusing the *Cangyun Sword Manual* at the Tianjian Sect in Huazhou to Feng Qingyang, explaining some of the sword techniques and principles contained within the manual for them to study together. The old man and the young man chatted for a long time. Feng Qingyang then said:
"I've heard of Fairy Cangyun in my younger days, but I've never met her. Listening to your sermon just now, you are truly a person of extraordinary talent. Feng'er, I wish to pass on the sword intent of the Dugu Nine Swords to you. Are you willing to learn?"
Yue Feng had long coveted Feng Qingyang's Dugu Nine Swords, but he lacked both the opportunity and the time. As its name suggests, the Dugu Nine Swords consisted of nine forms, profound and all-encompassing. Even a genius couldn't learn them all in half a day.
However, for Yue Feng at the moment, the sword technique of the Dugu Nine Swords is not that important; what is more important is the sword intent.
The difference between swordsmanship and sword intent is like the answer and the thought process behind solving a problem. Yue Feng himself can find the answer—the flaw in the opponent's moves—it's just that he might not be as quick or as cunning as he could with the Dugu Nine Swords.
"This disciple is willing! Please pass on the sword, Grandmaster Uncle." Yue Feng bowed respectfully to Feng Qingyang, his voice trembling with excitement.
Feng Qingyang was initially a little worried that Yue Feng, at such a young age, possessed extraordinary skills and might look down on Senior Dugu's swordsmanship. Seeing this, his last bit of doubt was dispelled, and he passed on the general formula of the Dugu Nine Swords to Yue Feng.
The essence of the Dugu Nine Swords is contained in this general formula, the two most important ones being: one is "no moves are better than moves", and the other is "anticipate the enemy's moves and attack where the enemy must defend".
Feng Qingyang explained the underlying principles to Yue Feng in detail, making sure he remembered and understood them, and then said:
"When Senior Dugu spoke of 'no moves,' he was probably referring to the moves of a sword technique. But does sword intent count as a move? Or rather, does the Dugu Nine Swords technique itself count as a move? Broadly speaking, it does."
"Therefore, whether one has a move or not depends on one's mind. It is not that having no move necessarily leads to victory over having a move; the specific outcome depends on the circumstances at the time."
"In short: when engaging in martial arts duels, one should move with the fluidity of clouds and water, going wherever one pleases, without the slightest restraint. Only in this way can one glimpse the realm of the master Dugu in his prime."
The eight-character motto that Feng Qingyang spoke of, "Flowing like clouds and water, going wherever one pleases," was not Dugu Qiubai's philosophy, but rather a summary that Feng Qingyang himself had made based on his life experiences and martial arts skills. Yue Feng found it extremely helpful and felt as if he had suddenly gained a clear understanding.
After the transfer of skills was finished, Yue Feng chatted with Feng Qingyang for a while. Feng Qingyang was getting old, and this kind of family happiness was exactly what he needed most.
Although there are many juniors on Mount Hua, few are as skilled in martial arts and understanding as Yue Feng. Therefore, Yue Feng's willingness to chat with Feng Qingyang, though Feng Qingyang did not say it aloud, made him very happy.
When Yue Feng inquired about the progress of Feng Buping's reopening of the Sword Sect, Feng Qingyang snorted:
"That Bu Ping kid is diligent, but he's too rigid. You'll be the sect leader someday, and you'll have to take care of the Sword Sect's affairs. This old man is a bit tired and needs to go back to sleep. Why don't you go check on him?"