Art of the Hundred Blades

The next morning dawned bright and beautiful. Chu Liang rose as usual, leisurely getting out of bed and washing up. He combed his hair into a dignified style and donned a handsome, fitted outfit.

He was preparing to meet Senior Sister Jiang for their midday appointment.

Making his way to the Pagoda Peak, Chu Liang followed the path from yesterday to the Water Curtain Cave. Curiously, the young Bai Ze was nowhere to be seen along the way, which puzzled him.

But as he approached the doorway of the cave, he heard Jiang Xiaobai’s stern voice from within.

“I just replaced the mattress yesterday, and you went and chewed it up! If you do it again, next time I’ll make sure you regret it!”

Accompanied by the soft, whimpering cries of the Bai Ze cub.

Chu Liang stealthily peered inside with his spiritual sense and found the cave, which had been in chaos yesterday, was now spotless and restored to its original state. Jiang Xiaobai sat cross-legged on the bed, her expression stormy.

The Bai Ze cub stood beside her on its hind legs, head tilted back, balancing a brick on its nose.

Fresh bite marks marred the newly replaced mattress.

So this divine beast Bai Ze was actually quite the little troublemaker.

Unable to suppress a smile, Chu Liang cleared his throat and called, “Senior Sister Jiang, I’m here.”

“Ah, come in,” Jiang Xiaobai replied.

When Chu Liang entered the cave, he saw her standing tall and graceful, her long gown adorned with tassels, her hair styled exquisitely. Bathed in the cool light, she seemed like a fairy who had dwelled in the mountains for a thousand years.

Yet, in the blink of an eye, her demeanor shifted so swiftly it was astonishing.

Chu Liang glanced at the Bai Ze cub, who immediately tossed away the brick and bounded toward him.

“Hmm?” Jiang Xiaobai frowned.

The Bai Ze cub halted abruptly, sidling over to the wall to stand as if being punished, then used its hooves to clamp the brick and place it back on its nose.

An epitome of obedient behavior.

Chu Liang smiled, “Is the matter so grave? It’s still just a child.”

“If you don’t take your lessons seriously later, you’ll get the same treatment,” Jiang Xiaobai said, giving him no leeway.

The Bai Ze cub’s large eyes swiveled, casting a sidelong hopeful glance at Chu Liang.

Well then.

You really want me to join you in being punished?

Chu Liang quickly changed the subject, “Why does the guardian beast of Shu Mountain obey you so well, Senior Sister?”

“Actually, I don’t really know…” Jiang Xiaobai replied. “When I was very young, the Bai Ze cub would often come play with me. It grew up alongside me. Just as you don’t know why it’s so fond of you.”

Chu Liang shook his head.

He truly had no idea.

If it was about exceptional talent, Jiang Xiaobai certainly qualified, but he himself was far from it. If it was kindness… surely there were many kind-hearted people.

“Maybe it only plays with those who look good,” Chu Liang finally said.

“Indeed,” Jiang Xiaobai affirmed without hesitation.

After a few pleasantries, Jiang Xiaobai went straight to the point. “Today I plan to teach you the Hundred Sword Technique. Are you familiar with it?”

The Hundred Sword Technique?

Chu Liang certainly was. It was one of the most fundamental sword arts of the Shu Mountain Sect—basic, yes, but by no means weak, and it offered enormous room for growth.

From a hundred to a thousand, and from a thousand to ten thousand—if one mastered the Ten Thousand Sword Technique, it would stand equal to the Heavenly Sword Technique, a pinnacle of divine arts.

“Thank you, Senior Sister Jiang.” He stood up solemnly before her, showing the respect he reserved for his master.

“The essence of the Hundred Sword Technique lies in transforming qi into swords, uniting sword and qi,” Jiang Xiaobai began, explaining the incantations and gestures that accompanied the technique.

All divine abilities, once mastered, could be invoked at will, the art following the mind. But for beginners, the initial steps must be taken methodically.

Combining words and gestures would yield twice the results with half the effort.

Chu Liang watched Jiang Xiaobai as she explained, her hair swaying lightly, her gaze bright, her skin glowing softly. He found himself momentarily distracted.

When she finished, she noticed his absent-mindedness. Her brows furrowed, “Hey?”

“I’m listening,” Chu Liang quickly snapped back to attention.

“Then tell me what I just said. Repeat it,” Jiang Xiaobai demanded, her gaze sharp.

Chu Liang faithfully recited everything she had just taught, including the detailed explanations, without missing a single word.

Jiang Xiaobai listened, a hint of surprise in her eyes. “Your memory is remarkable… Hmph, multitasking suits you well—very fitting for the Hundred Sword Technique.”

“Thank you for the compliment, Senior Sister Jiang.” Chu Liang replied calmly, as if nothing had happened.

“In summary, you’ve grasped the essentials. One important thing: don’t blindly pursue quantity. Best to precisely control each sword shadow before increasing their number. The Hundred Sword Technique, wielded with the heart, is far superior than a chaotic Ten Thousand Sword Technique,” Jiang Xiaobai added.

“I’ll remember that,” Chu Liang nodded.

“Most disciples take about seven days to master the Hundred Sword Technique. Since I’m teaching you personally, my standards are higher—I’ll give you three days,” Jiang Xiaobai continued. “If you master it in three days, I’ll teach you another divine art next time. If you fail, there won’t be a next time.”

“That’s excellent,” Chu Liang replied with delight.

He’d expected this to be a one-off lesson, but now he had a chance for ongoing instruction—he was certainly pleased.

Following Jiang Xiaobai’s guidance, he began to practice, activating his flying sword bracelet, forming the hand seal, and channeling his true qi.

“Splinter the light, shadows follow the heart! Swift!”

Shhhhhh—

In a flash, the flying sword split into a hundred sword shadows, dazzling the eyes. Chu Liang closed his eyes, mind focused.

Clatter…

The swords dropped from the air, their shadows dissipating into nothing.

“Not right.” Before Jiang Xiaobai could comment, Chu Liang sensed the flaw himself. “I can’t possibly split my consciousness among a hundred swords—a person can’t possess a hundred wills. Instead… each sword should have its own will, and I only need to command them.”

“They are not dead swords, but a living army.”

“Splinter the light, shadows follow the heart! Swift!”

Shhhh—

Once more, a hundred sword lights formed around Chu Liang, orderly and arrayed like troops.

“Go!” Chu Liang flicked his hand, and the swords soared, whistling through the air.

With a slight movement of his fingers, they formed lines, then V-shapes, shifting formations as he willed.

Jiang Xiaobai observed Chu Liang’s now mature Hundred Sword Technique, her pupils widening with surprise.

Ordinary Shu Mountain disciples would start with one sword splitting into two, then ten, then a hundred—a steady process, with gradual insights gained through repeated failures. She had intended to let Chu Liang stumble a few times before offering guidance, maximizing efficiency. Yet, unexpectedly, he was nearly successful from the outset, failing only once before fully grasping the technique.

She had thought the three-day limit she set was already quite strict.

Though she herself had mastered the Hundred Sword Technique in just one day—being the legendary Celestial Spirit Body, her talent was incomparable.

Her reasoning was, if Chu Liang succeeded within three days, it meant he was promising, and she ought to help a talented fellow disciple, despite his unfortunate choice of master. If he failed, Shu Mountain wouldn’t miss another mediocrity, and she need not waste her time.

But what was this?

If ordinary disciples took seven days, core disciples three, and geniuses one…

How long did Chu Liang take?

Twice!

It was almost unbelievable. Had his demeanor not been so genuine, Jiang Xiaobai would have suspected he already knew the technique and was deceiving her.

Chu Liang practiced with the sword shadows for a while, excitement evident as he finally recalled the flying sword and opened his eyes. “Senior Sister Jiang, I think I’m beginning to understand.”

Ha.

Beginning?

Jiang Xiaobai smiled, “You’re… quite clever.”

“If I’ve made any progress, it’s thanks to your excellent teaching,” Chu Liang replied with a smile.

Was he clever?

He had pondered this question seriously. When he was younger, he thought himself exceptionally bright, but…

He later realized he was just average.

After all, only third in the whole province.