Chapter Sixty-Five: Isn't This a Bit Too Much of a Show?

“You’re absolutely right—a sword is a sword, whether it’s made of wood or iron, it makes no difference! As long as you keep the sword in your heart, anything and everything can become a sword…” Ye Qiu declared, bluffing with such conviction that even he couldn’t help but admire himself. He was so good at spinning tales that he nearly believed them himself.

Damn it, I’ve never even wielded a sword before. I can barely kill a chicken, and here I am teaching swordsmanship with all this bravado. I, Ye Qiu, am truly a genius, known as the most cunning man in all the Wilderness.

Yes, indeed—a handsome face, a silver tongue, and a talent for putting on airs. I’m even more impressive than the protagonist himself.

At the pinnacle of immortality, standing proud above the world, as long as I, Ye Qiu, exist, so does the sky. Perhaps…I should study Master An’s style: dominating the world with nothing but clever words.

Wait…no, I mustn’t become that king of witty remarks. If I run into a protagonist with cheats, I’ll be finished.

Ye Qiu’s words left Liu Jianchen utterly stunned. “What…? So as long as the sword is in your heart, anything can be a sword? My god, so this is the true supreme sword path.

Senior’s realm is truly unfathomable. This one insight alone surpasses anything I’ve ever learned by hundreds or thousands of times. I’m utterly in awe.”

Liu Jianchen was deeply shaken. Ye Qiu’s statement impacted him profoundly.

Ye Qiu cast him a sidelong glance, inwardly puzzled. Hm? What’s this guy thinking about now? Well, let him think. I’ll keep boasting—you keep trying to comprehend the Way. What you gain from it is up to fate.

Ye Qiu didn’t care what Liu Jianchen could comprehend. He was only responsible for spouting nonsense; the rest was out of his hands.

You want me to teach you swordsmanship? What are you thinking? Alright, you’re done for—carry him out, next one please.

Ye Qiu’s mischievous side surfaced as he continued, “Let me ask you a question: What do you think is the ultimate truth of swordsmanship?”

“The ultimate truth of swordsmanship?”

Liu Jianchen shuddered inwardly. He knew full well that Ye Qiu’s questions were never as simple as they seemed.

But what deeper meaning could these words hold?

After pondering, Liu Jianchen shook his head and replied, “I’m too dull-witted. Please enlighten me, Senior…”

Ye Qiu simply smiled, maintaining a calm and serene demeanor, though inside he was nearly bursting with laughter.

Enlighten you?

Very well, since you asked for it, let’s see how I can hoodwink you.

With a flourish, Ye Qiu picked up his brush and casually drew a stroke on a piece of paper. Then he said, “The ultimate truth of the sword is this: when you hold the brush in your hand, you grasp the essence of the sword. When your sword path reaches its peak, even a single blade of grass can cleave through the sun, moon, and stars…”

What!!!

A gasp escaped Liu Jianchen. “How could this be? Even a blade of grass can cleave the sun, moon, and stars?” he exclaimed in disbelief.

“My goodness, what kind of realm is this? A blade of grass capable of splitting the celestial bodies? This is just too much—utterly impossible…”

Liu Jianchen could no longer keep his composure. With just a few words, Ye Qiu had completely ignited his longing for the sword.

Who would have thought that the ultimate realm of the sword could reach such heights? How terrifying must that be?

If anyone else had said this, Liu Jianchen would have dismissed it as empty boasting.

But coming from Ye Qiu, the meaning was different. Others might be incapable of such a feat, but Ye Qiu…he might truly be able to do it.

“Incredible—a single blade of grass could split the stars. This must be the real pinnacle of the sword. Has Senior already reached this realm?” Liu Jianchen wondered, his respect for Ye Qiu growing with every thought. Just these few words had deepened his understanding of the sword immeasurably.

He had gained so much.

Little did he know, Ye Qiu was inwardly rejoicing, barely able to suppress his laughter.

Ha! This kid is just too gullible. He actually believes this? As if cleaving the sun, moon, and stars is possible—it’s nothing but a fantasy.

Still, is it wrong for me to mislead him? On second thought, not my problem! He contemplates his path; I spin my tales. We’ll stay out of each other’s way. If he overthinks it, that’s on him…nothing to do with me.

Ye Qiu wasn’t concerned in the slightest. He didn’t believe that a little exaggeration could do any harm.

“Tsk tsk…this is some world-class boasting,” came a voice from the counter—Cao He couldn’t help but click his tongue in disappointment.

“Sigh…yet another naïve youth about to be led astray. In this day and age, you can’t trust anyone, least of all this master of tall tales. What a pity—truly pitiful! If I hadn’t followed him for all these years, even I might have been taken in by his nonsense. A guy who’s afraid to kill a chicken is teaching others swordsmanship? The last place swordsman teaching the world’s greatest sword? And the student listens so attentively? My god, it’s like a dream…”

This world is insane, Cao He thought, utterly bewildered, and growing more and more impressed by Ye Qiu’s talent for bluffing. Just by talking big, he pulls off such an act—what a character.

Both Ye Qiu and Cao He were in full agreement: Ye Qiu was just making things up. Only Liu Jianchen remained entranced, savoring every word.

It wasn’t that he was foolish—Ye Qiu’s words truly carried a lofty air, and he had no choice but to reflect deeply.

Gazing at the stroke Ye Qiu had just drawn, Liu Jianchen suddenly felt as if he’d attained enlightenment, his heart thundering, “What a fierce sword intent—just a casual brushstroke, yet it contains infinite sword energy.

It seems everything Senior said is true. The ultimate sword realm: anything can become a sword, even a blade of grass, even a brush…”

Liu Jianchen was utterly amazed, staring unblinkingly at the stroke on the table, as if intoxicated by fine wine.

What seemed a simple stroke, in fact, concealed boundless sword intent. Liu Jianchen was certain that if all the sword energy within were released, he wouldn’t last a moment.

At this moment, his admiration for Ye Qiu grew even deeper. This was a true peerless expert—a real master of the sword.

“Remarkable, truly remarkable—Senior’s mastery of the sword leaves me far behind. If I possessed even a ten-thousandth of his skill, I could ascend to immortality and break my shackles.”

This was Liu Jianchen’s final assessment of Ye Qiu, as he finally understood his own path.

He bowed respectfully and said, “Senior, I understand now! You wish to tell me to lay aside the sword in my hand and devote myself to cultivating the sword within, is that right?”

“Ah?”

Ye Qiu was startled. Is that what I meant?

“Hmm, you’re quite perceptive. Since you already understand, there’s no need for me to say any more…”

Fine, interpret it however you like.

Ye Qiu couldn’t be bothered to argue. Do whatever you want—I’ll just keep talking big, and the rest is up to you.

“But, Senior, how should one cultivate the sword within?” Liu Jianchen suddenly asked. This question stumped Ye Qiu.

Crap, don’t ask me! You, a dignified Sword Immortal, don’t know how to cultivate it yourself?

If I knew, would I be here bluffing away? I’m talking big precisely because I don’t know!

Ye Qiu was now getting frustrated—he’d talked himself into a corner and didn’t know how to get out of it.