Chapter 102

Translator: 549690339

“It wouldn’t have been the same without your company for practice. I would not have had a sudden realization, not have understood that my master’s words and actions have all laid the groundwork for me to comprehend Sword Intent.”

Xu Yan shook his head, speaking truthfully.

Without Xie Lingfeng’s questions and company, he would not have had his awakening, so Xie Lingfeng indeed deserves some credit for his rapid comprehension of the Mountain and River Sword Intent.

“Brother Xu, may I meet your master?”

Xie Lingfeng asked, a look of reverence on his face.

“I have to ask my master first.”

Xu Yan considered, then replied.

“Thank you, Brother Xu.”

Xie Lingfeng expressed his gratitude.

He paused, then sighed, “As Xie Lingfeng, I thought I was gifted in Sword Dao. But it turned out that 1 haven’t even stepped through the door of Sword Dao. “Brother Xu, how can one attain clarity of the sword’s intentions?”

The basis of entering Sword Dao is achieving clarity of the sword’s intentions.

Xie Lingfeng also wanted to comprehend clarity of the sword’s intentions. As for the state beyond it, it was too distant for him right now.

In this life, it would be an honor to achieve clarity of the sword’s intentions and step into the gate of Sword Dao.

How can one achieve clarity of the sword’s intentions?

Xu Yan was stumped. He didn’t know how to guide Xie Lingfeng since the methods they cultivated were different.

After some thinking, Xu Yan believed that before one can achieve clarity of the sword’s intentions, it was most important to improve one’s state of mind to a clear and bright state.

“My master once said ‘Without women in mind, cultivating is like the presence of God.’ This deep state of mind breaks the shackles of one’s own self, allowing for a solid foundation to then build on for the basis of a clear mind in swordsman.

“So to achieve clarity of the sword’s intentions, you must first reach the state of ‘having no women in your mind,’ undisturbed by external things, and purify yourself to step into the realm of mind clarity in swordsman.”

Thinking about this lead Xu Yan to ask: “Brother Xie, do you think about women?”

Although Xie Lingfeng was older, he was still in the boisterous stage of adolescence, the time when one is most easily attracted to women’s charms. If he can resist the temptation of lust, and act as his heart desires, then he would have laid the groundwork for clarity of the sword’s intentions.

However, Xie Lingfeng was left dumbfounded.

I asked about Sword Dao, and you mention women?

Your leaps in logic are too drastic.

“Maybe… I do think… I think about it?”

For a moment, Xie Lingfeng didn’t quite know how to respond.

“Brother Xie, to achieve clarity in swordsmanship, you must have a clear state of mind where you can control yourself and not be disturbed by external factors.

“To enter Sword Dao, one prerequisite is ‘having no women in your mind’. Only then can you have hope.”

Xu Yan spoke with great gravity.

Continuing to be confused, Xie Lingfeng looked vacantly at Xu Yan and asked, “Having women out of my mind? Does that mean I have to…”

He glanced down at his lower abdomen.

“Brother Xie, you’ve misunderstood. ‘Having no women in your mind’ is not to abandon women; it’s a state of mind… In simpler terms, if I am not moved, even the charm of a woman is not enough to make me moved…”

“It’s a state of self-control and self-purification.”

Xu Yan quickly clarified.

He didn’t want Xie Lingfeng to misunderstand and make a hasty decision that would harm himself.

Xie Lingfeng continued to look lost, wondering what the heck this mindset was and how to comprehend it.

It’s so freaking bizarre.

‘No women in your mind’ yet not abandoning women, controlling myself…

“Perhaps I’m not suited for cultivating Sword Dao?”

Xie Lingfeng started to question himself.

After a moment, he took a deep breath and said, “Brother Xu, how can one attain the state of ‘having no women in your mind’ like you mentioned?”

Xu Yan thought for a moment. Initially, he had improved his state of mind greatly after going to Emperor Qi’s harem to watch his beautiful concubines dance and carry themselves elegantly.

So he replied frankly, “In the beginning, I went to old Emperor Qi’s harem to watch his beautiful concubines. Both their dance and their graceful demeanor helped me cultivate my state of mind, and eventually I found success.”

“Thank you, Brother Xu, for your guidance!”

Xie Lingfeng’s eyes brightened and he sincerely expressed his gratitude.

“It’s nothing, Brother Xie.”

Xu Yan felt that it was only right for him to point out how to cultivate and improve since Xie Lingfeng had helped him comprehend Sword Intent ahead of time.

That day, for Xie Lingfeng, seemed to open up a skylight, allowing him to truly witness the world.

The mysteries of Sword Dao, he could now see some of, although not enough to attain complete mastery.

It turns out the Sword Intent is so profound.

If you do not comprehend Sword Intent, how can you claim to have stepped through the door of Sword Dao?

After leaving Xu Yan’s place and returning to his palace, Xie Lingfeng saw Hu Shan, still looking a bit dejected. He said, “Hu Shan, you should be happy. Knowing the truth about Martial Arts, you should pursue the true Martial Arts!”

Hu Shan sighed bitterly, “Young Master, it’s easy for you to say, but it’s hard for me to accept!”

“There’s nothing unacceptable.”

Xie Lingfeng said firmly, “I want to cultivate the true Martial Arts. I want to truly enter the realm of Sword Dao.”

This seemed to stun Hu Shan, as if he was witnessing his young master in pursuit of the Sword Dao once again.

“Young Master, what happened to you?”

“Hu Shan, do you know Sword Intent? Today, I finally understood what true Sword Dao is.”

Xie Lingfeng exhaled deeply.

“Sword Intent?”

Hu Shan muttered to himself.

Xie Lingfeng recounted today’s events, speaking about how Xu Yan had comprehended Sword Intent. Finally, he said, “Sword Intent of mountains and rivers, truly powerful indeed!”

Hu Shan was stunned for a long time, unable to calm his emotions.

Now that Xu Yan had finally comprehended Sword Intent, he decided to return to Yun Shan County to breakthrough to the Innate Realm.

Before leaving, he provided some guidance for Guo Rongshan and the others on cultivation..