Invincibility Begins with Mastery of Fist Techniques-Chapter 54: Kin and Foe

When the old man finished speaking, he glanced up at Zhou Yuanjue. He saw the young man’s silent face, his gaze fixed on the wick of the red candle on the stand. Something seemed to be churning and coalescing within his spirit and will. The old man knew that under his guidance, Zhou Yuanjue had truly grasped the essence of the Lamp Burning Technique and found his way.

’As expected of the man who broke through his limits and forged a new path with a mere Second-class Fist Technique.’

The old man marveled silently.

’A teacher can open the door, but you must enter by yourself. How far he can go from here is up to him.’

Without disturbing Zhou Yuanjue’s thoughts, the old man clasped his hands behind his back, gently pushed the door open, and left the room.

"Xiaoluo, let’s go. I’m a little tired. I need to rest."

The old man smiled as he walked toward the burly man and Li Qingxuan, his aged, cloudy eyes revealing a hint of fatigue.

At his age, and not being a Martial Artist, using the Lamp Burning Technique was inevitably taxing on his mind and spirit.

Seeing the old man’s condition, the burly man and Li Qingxuan immediately rushed to his side, supporting him as he walked.

"Sir, are you all right?" Li Qingxuan asked, her face full of concern.

"I’m doing great. I’ve still got another three to five years in me, no problem."

The old man smiled. He took Li Qingxuan’s hand, patted it gently, and said, "Alright, young lady of the Li Family, just wait here for that young man. Don’t you worry about me. When he comes out, you two can head straight back. I’ve already taught him what I can. Tell him he doesn’t need to thank me, either."

"Oh, by the way, I hear the Southern Boxing Three Capitals are quite lively recently. All the masters of the Southern Martial Arts Realm are gathering there. I think he’ll like it."

With that, the old man released Li Qingxuan’s hand. Supported by the burly man, he slowly walked out of the rear courtyard.

The old man returned to his room and sat wearily on the bed. The burly man hurried to a corner of the room, took out a thermos, and poured him a cup of warm water.

"I don’t understand," the burly man asked, a look of confusion on his face. "Weren’t you originally in favor of the Tianji Sword Sect? You even tacitly approved of their actions. This Zhou Yuanjue killed Zhao Zhengxuan and Huang Shuwen, nearly destroying the Tianji Sword Sect. Why would you still teach him everything you know?"

Neither Zhou Yuanjue nor Li Qingxuan knew that this kindly old man was "the one" that Zhao Zhengxuan and Luo Yongli of the Tianji Sword Sect had spoken of.

"Your thinking is too narrow. It’s true that I have a history with the Tianji Sword Sect. Decades ago, one of their Sect Leaders shared our ideals. If he hadn’t covered my retreat back then, I likely wouldn’t be alive today. That is a personal debt, which is why I’m partial to the Tianji Sword Sect and grant them certain advantages where the rules permit."

"But when it comes to matters of great importance, personal feelings cannot sway my judgment. The other reason I chose the Tianji Sword Sect was because Huang Shuwen was truly extraordinary. He had the potential to achieve Saint Awakening. That’s why I set a condition: if he could become number one in Tianlu, I would truly choose him. At that point, I would have taught him everything I know."

"In truth, however, I would have taught everything I know to anyone who could become number one in Tianlu and showed potential for Saint Awakening. Because that is for the greater good."

"Public matters are public, and private matters are private. The two must be kept clearly separate and not be confused. Otherwise, the world would descend into chaos. How could one even speak of achieving great things?"

The old man took a sip of the warm water. His weary spirit seemed to be soothed. He took off his shoes and leaned back against the headboard.

"As for my supposed tacit approval of the Tianji Sword Sect’s assassination attempt, that’s not quite right. ’Matters of the martial world are settled by the martial world.’ That is indeed the will of the higher-ups. Even if I hadn’t approved, and the Tianji Sword Sect hadn’t acted, do you think that young man wouldn’t have run into this sort of trouble eventually?"

"No! The path he walks is one destined for solitude and calamity. He might escape this time, but he won’t escape the next. Often, natural disasters aren’t what’s terrifying; man-made calamities are. As the saying goes, when men harbor killing intent, heaven and earth are overturned. Since he walks this path, he must have the fortitude to match it."

"The Tianji Sword Sect’s plot was a trivial matter. If he couldn’t even withstand that, then even if he became number one in Tianlu and left, how far could he possibly go? Who could protect him at every moment? Me? Or that young lady from the Li Family? And why would I waste my time and energy teaching everything I know to someone destined to fall?"

"This is his tribulation, and it’s trouble he brought upon himself. He must be the one to bear it. I was merely being impartial," the old man said coolly.

"Aren’t you afraid he’ll find out later and come to resent you?" After a moment of silence, the burly man asked, still puzzled.

"Ah, Xiaoluo, you still can’t see past personal gain and loss. Perhaps that’s why you’ve been unable to take that final step."

Hearing the burly man’s words, the old man couldn’t help but chuckle. Then his expression turned serious, and he spoke to him in a solemn tone.

"Xiaoluo, you must remember this. The sages and great ministers of old would ’recommend talent without avoiding their enemies or favoring their family.’ This was because, for the sake of their cause and ideals, they had long since abandoned all personal attachments, all feelings of love and hate, all thought of gain and loss. To see their beliefs and their cause come to fruition, they would not hesitate even if it meant being shattered to pieces and their reputations ruined in the very next moment."

"’There are things men desire more than life, and things they loathe more than death.’ This is true not only for Martial Artists, but for everyone. Saint Awakening is, in fact, within every person’s heart. If you cannot see past success and failure, cannot comprehend what your heart truly desires, and cannot let go of your attachment to life and fear of death, then you will never be able to take that final step."

"Do you understand now?"

The old man’s calm words struck the burly man’s heart like a sharp blow.

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「Meanwhile」

In the rear courtyard of the residence, Li Qingxuan waited for about half an hour before she finally saw Zhou Yuanjue walk out of the small hut.

Li Qingxuan saw that his eyes were shining with an unnerving brightness, as if he had found what he was looking for.

"Where is the elder?" Zhou Yuanjue asked, looking around the now-empty courtyard where only Li Qingxuan remained.

"The elder said he was a bit tired and went to rest. He told us to see ourselves out, and... he said you don’t need to thank him," Li Qingxuan said.

"Is that so? I understand."

Zhou Yuanjue’s expression was calm. He knew exactly what the old man wanted by saying such a thing.

’What he’s after is the same as Zhang Ling Heng. It’s not about personal grudges or benefits.’

"Oh, right. The elder also said that the Southern Boxing Three Capitals are very lively these days. All the masters of the Southern Martial Arts Realm are gathering there. He said you’d like it," Li Qingxuan relayed.

"The Southern Boxing Three Capitals..." Zhou Yuanjue murmured to himself and nodded slightly.

"Let’s go. I need a training room when we get back," Zhou Yuanjue said.

Li Qingxuan nodded and followed Zhou Yuanjue toward the main gate of the residence.

As they reached the gate, Zhou Yuanjue suddenly stopped and turned to look back at the residence.

"What’s his name?" Zhou Yuanjue asked suddenly.

Li Qingxuan was taken aback for a moment before she remembered that Zhou Yuanjue still didn’t know the man’s true identity or name. She smiled and said, "The elder’s surname is Wei. His full name is Wei Fengyi."