Chapter 931: Discussion

Old Man Mu jumped down from the wall, hurtled to Wild Horse with several quick steps, and then patted him on his leg, which startled all the disciples of the Waning Moon Hall and Essence Pavilion who were present.

Like a frightened cat, Wild Horse arched his back and jumped up, but he did not draw his sword upon landing.

He couldn’t unsheathe his sword. The Dragon King had just shown him a new realm of the Ceasing and Arising Swordsmanship, and his confidence had plummeted to the bottom of the valley.

Old Man Mu pulled out his long sword and looked at it contemptuously. Then he suddenly threw it on the ground and loudly said, “I’m merely a frog living at the bottom of a well. What qualifications do I have to wear a sword?” Everyone here is better at sword techniques than I am.”

Shangguan Fei vaguely realized Old Man Mu’s intentions and chimed in to say, “I’m not good at… I don’t know how to use a sword at all.”

“Me too,” Han Fen added as if she were very proud of it.

As a talkative man, Old Man Mu hated it the most when others interrupted him, so he cast a stern glance at Shangguan Fei and snapped, “That’s because you are too stupid.”

Old Man Mu had more to say so he let go of Shangguan Fei. Standing between the Dragon King and Wild Horse, he said in a slow cadence, “I have a suggestion. Since everyone has learned the same martial arts skill, then why not call a ceasefire for the time being and peacefully discuss the profundity and subtleties of the swordsmanship? Heh heh, I don’t know any sword techniques, but I’m knowledgeable and I’ve seen a lot. I’ve found at least five different styles of swordsmanship ever since I’ve come to this underground palace, but the people of the same style have been fighting on their own and know nothing about their fellow practitioners’ progress. A real fight can help improve one’s swordsmanship but communication can often have the same effect. What do you all think?”

Everyone was silent. They had been fascinated by the swordsmanship so it was easy for them to follow Wild Horse’s suggestion and kill each other. Meanwhile, they thought that Old Man Mu’s suggestion was very reasonable but none of them immediately spoke out. They were waiting for Wild Horse to respond first.

Wild Horse looked past Old Man Mu and fixed his fierce eyes on the Dragon King.

“Since it’s a discussion, then is the Dragon King willing to show all of your skills and enlighten us?” Old Man Mu asked, speaking what was on Wild Horse’s mind.

“Of course.” Gu Shenwei put away his Five Peaks Saber, walked around the dirty corpses and blood on the ground, and moved towards Wild Horse. Everywhere he went, the crowd backed away, but they were not as afraid of him as they were of Wild Horse.

“I’ve figured out a few sword moves recently that might be helpful to all of you.” Gu Shenwei stopped about ten steps away from Wild Horse.

Gu Shenwei didn’t want to kill more people unless he was explicitly threatened. These practitioners were just beginners in the swordsmanship and were of no value to him. Wild Horse was worthy of being killed, but Gu Shenwei had found something that he could learn from this rapidly advancing latecomer.

So he showed the three sword moves, knowing that they would definitely help Wild Horse break free from the cycle of pure killing.

Old Man Mu was a wise man. Although he hadn’t practiced the Death Sutra Swordsmanship, he had learned a lot of relevant information about it when he had helped the Dragon King integrate his martial arts skills in the prairie. So, he had immediately realized the Dragon King’s intention and proposed a cessation of hostilities.

Old Man Mu cast a tacit glance at the Dragon King before turning to Wild Horse. “How about it? Little Wild Horse, you need this discussion the most. I think that you’ve travelled too far down the wrong road.”

No one knew Wild Horse better than Old Man Mu. The others were still in awe of Wild Horse, but his tone was as casual as if the other side was still his little footman.

But this trick actually worked well. Wild Horse stuck his sword into the corpse at his feet and made a few gestures.

“No problem.” Old Man Mu could understand him. “Everything is for the purpose of improving swordsmanship and we can start fighting again after the discussion. But I have to make it clear. You guys can help each other improve your sword techniques, but do not get those who haven’t learned the swordsmanship involved. We three will look on and do nothing. Do not practice your swordsmanship on us.”

“We’ll look on with folded arms,” Shangguan Fei repeated loudly, indicating that he belonged to those who haven’t learned the swordsmanship.

The guard of the Heavenly Mountain Sect standing at the entrance of the corridor was the fourth irrelevant person. Due to his pride, he didn’t stand out and declare that he also didn’t learn the swordsmanship. Instead, he just took another step closer to the wall and watched everyone vigilantly.

Old Man Mu glanced at the Dragon King again and said, “Wild Horse, call Lotus out. She taught you the swordsmanship and is the source of all your sword techniques. She must be present for this discussion.”

Old Man Mu thought that his request would be flatly refused and even thought of other reasons to persuade the other side, but none of them needed to be used. Wild Horse didn’t answer, acting as if Old Man Mu’s request had nothing to do with him. Another voice rang out from the dark corridor. “I’ve been here the whole time.”

Lotus slowly walked into Mid-lake Hall from the corridor with a long sword hanging by her waist. She moved lightly and gracefully, as if she were floating in the air and not injured at all.

The guard of the Heavenly Mountain Sect was shocked. He had been standing at the entrance of the corridor with full attention, but still hadn’t noticed that someone else had been standing nearby.

The disciples of the Waning Moon Hall and Essence Pavilion all bowed to show their respect, as they still regarded Lotus as the Master Commander.

Han Fen cheered with joy and rushed from the corner to the entrance. Without caring about the dirty blood on the ground, she flopped onto her knees and cried out, “Master Commander…” With tears welling up in her eyes, she choked with sobs.

By contrast, Lotus appeared much colder. Although she was several years younger than Han Fen, she looked much more mature. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Han Fen and then slightly raised her finger to motion her to stand up. Without saying a word to Han Fen, she looked at the Dragon King and said, “Look, the core part of the Waning Moon Hall is here in these people. What does the Dragon King think of them?”

Gu Shenwei was a little surprised. Lotus didn’t seem to have been imprisoned, so why had she sent Shangguan Hong to look for him?

Standing beside Shangguan Fei, Shangguan Hong held the soft sword in his hand with his head lowered, not daring to look at the Dragon King.

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“Not bad. Hopefully, they can survive to the end.”

“Since they are the elite, there’s no need to worry about whether they’ll live or die. Even if they are ‘wrapped’ in layers of ‘leather bags,’ they’ll still stand out.”

Listening to Lotus’s tone, it seemed like the slaughter was her idea.

Before Gu Shenwei could speak, Han Fen, who had risen to her feet, excitedly asked, “Master Commander, it was all Wild Horse’s bad idea, wasn’t it? Did you hear what Han Yuan said? She called you by your name and said that it was all your fault. Now that the Dragon King is here…”

“The Dragon King is an honored guest of Waning Moon Hall. It’s a good thing if he can join in our discussion of the swordsmanship. But if he has any ulterior motives, then he’ll become the Waning Moon Hall’s archenemy.”

“I’m not interested in the affairs of Waning Moon Hall.” Gu Shenwei’s voice also grew cold. “I just want to see what the Death Sutra Swordsmanship can evolve into.”

Han Fen was blinking rapidly because she was puzzled by the Master Commander’s words. But she was always submissive to the Master Commander. So, after answering ‘yes’ in a muffled voice, she retreated to one side while her eyes continued to sweep over the Dragon King and the Master Commander, feeling that she had missed something.

Old Man Mu was very afraid of Lotus. He chuckled and said, “That’s the attitude that everybody wants to see. Do not kill if we can solve it through discussion. As for how we should discuss it, does the Master Commander have an idea?”

“You just said that you saw at least five styles?”

“At least five different forms. No matter how similar the initial training method is, as long as a divergence of opinion appears during the course of practice, the training method will grow more and more different.”

“That makes sense. The Dragon King is the forerunner of the swordsmanship and the moves that you just showed are quite novel. It seems that you’ve gained some new insights these days. I’m really impressed. It would be best if the Dragon King could point out everyone’s style and classify the various forms of the swordsmanship.”

The three moves of Gu Shenwei had not only shocked Wild Horse but also impressed Lotus.

Shangguan Fei, who was standing by the wall, opened his mouth. His most urgent wish was to leave the grave-like underground hall as soon as possible. The smell of charred bodies and burnt blood made him want to throw up. But Old Man Mu had already set an example and he also wanted to show that he was useful in front of the Dragon King. So, he ventured to ask, “Lotus… Master Commander, you learned the Death Sutra together with the Dragon King so you are also a forerunner. Why don’t you stand out and also determine the style of everyone’s swordsmanship?”

Even Shangguan Fei, who knew very little about the Death Sutra, knew that the so-called method to determine a style would be to fight everyone here, which was obviously a tactic to tire the Dragon King out.

“That’s one way to do it.” Lotus was still looking at the Dragon King. “The Dragon King is the guest, so I’ll leave it to you to decide.”

“Good.”

The Dragon King had actually agreed. As confused as Han Fen, Shangguan Fei cowered in a corner, not daring to speak again.

Old Man Mu clapped his hands and said, “There’s no need for everyone to show their swordsmanship. The Dragon King can introduce the distinct features of each style, and those who fit the descriptions can separate into the corresponding groups on their own. It will save a lot of time.”

“Let’s go to another place.” As she looked at the ground full of corpses, Lotus frowned slightly and made a suggestion. “The Waning Moon Hall can’t receive our guests in such a place.”

Lotus took the lead and walked around the corridor, followed by Han Fen, who wanted to ask about the whereabouts of her good friend, but knew that it was not the time to open her mouth.

And a dozen or so paces further behind was Wild Horse. Like a weakening flame, he was no longer aggressive but no less dangerous than before either.

Behind him were Gu Shenwei, Old Man Mu, and the others. The guard of the Heavenly Mountain Sect also joined them.

The hundred or so disciples of the Waning Moon Hall and Essence Pavilion filed into the corridor, maintaining a steady distance from one another. Although the slaughter had been temporarily paused, their alertness hadn’t disappeared. Maybe it would never disappear.

They shortly arrived at another hall that was relatively small but still large enough to hold hundreds of people. It was furnished with tables, chairs, and arms racks. Since all of its torches were lit, the hall was as bright as an open field in daytime.

Lotus sat in the seat of honor and rested her right arm on the table. With blank eyes, she revealed a look of weariness for the first time and seemed to have no interest in the coming discussion.

Han Fen stood beside the seat of honor with her lips sealed and her eyes bright and shining. She didn’t know about the Master Commander’s real intentions, but her instincts told her that the danger was right there and that it had never disappeared.

Standing in the front and slightly to the left of Lotus was Wild Horse, whose eyes swept across the crowd in a host’s manner.

More disciples emerged from their hidden places. A hundred and fifty or so people soon gathered in the hall. It was impossible to keep a safe distance at this point, so everyone lowered their swords as well as their eyes. The surging killing aura in the air was on the verge of breaking out.

Shangguan Fei wished that he could dig a hole and crawl into it. Everybody around him seemed to be harboring evil intentions towards him. Only the guard of the Heavenly Mountain Sect who had a familiar look seemed to be a normal person, so he cast a look of goodwill, trying to win the other side over.

Gripping onto his saber, the guard also took a step closer to Shangguan Fei.

Gu Shenwei stood in the middle of the hall and unsheathed his Five Peaks Saber again.

Old Man Mu was the only excited one in the room. He twirled on the spot and said, “This is a great event of the martial arts world in the Western Regions. Everyone who can step out of here—of course excluding the few of us who haven’t learned the swordsmanship— will be a one in a thousand practitioner. Of course, some people, like the Dragon King who is already one in a thousand, will be able to fly higher into the sky. Haha, come on, you mortal creatures, reveal the true essence of the Death Sutra together.”