39: Sword Master

Li Qi had mastered the ability of Sword Qi Manifestation a long time ago, but he had never truly understood the real meaning of this ability.

Previously, when he was in a fierce battle with Luo Yongnian's personal guards, they had mentioned "Sword Master," and today, Wang Huan also exclaimed "Sword Master" upon seeing it, which left Li Qi a bit bewildered.

The other party asked him to show off a bit, and Li Qi directly displayed the Major Achievement Realm of Cloud Crane Dance Sword; he didn't care about letting the other party know about this ability of his.

The Major Achievement of Cloud Crane Dance Sword was only a part of his strength; if they thought they had seen through Li Qi's strength by knowing this trump card and could control him... then it was wishful thinking.

While Li Qi was pondering over these various things, Wang Huan and Chu Han were still immersed in the shock of Li Qi's displayed technique, unable to recover for a long time.

"Sword Master... how is that possible?"

"He's only been practicing martial arts for three months, and not only has he reached the Peak True Qi Realm, but he has also become a Sword Master?"

"What kind of Aptitude is this? What kind of Prodigy is this?"

"Even if our Pine Crane Longevity Sect's Ancestral Master were alive... he would never have such Aptitude!"

"Is he really human?!"

Wang Huan felt as if his worldview had been completely overturned, and he had fallen into deep self-doubt.

He had also practiced the Crane Dance Sword, and he had practiced it for over a hundred years, but he had never comprehended the Realm of Sword Qi Manifestation.

This junior, who had just entered the Jianghu, actually reached this Realm in three months?

Distressed...

Doubt...

Bewilderment...

Shame...

Admiration...

A mix of emotions surged into his heart, a complicated blend of feelings.

"So... what is a Sword Master?"

"Someone else said that about me before, but I never quite understood."

Upon hearing this, Wang Huan almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

His eyes widened, and he pointed at Li Qi with a trembling finger, mumbling and unable to speak for a long time.

Heaven help him, Wang Huan had practiced swordsmanship his entire life, diligently studying day and night without the slightest slack, and even so... he had not reached the Realm of a Sword Master.

But now, someone who had already reached this Realm came over and asked him... what is a Sword Master?

Is this even allowing people to live?!

A young junior who knew nothing, just stumbled into this Realm so haphazardly?!

This was the most unbearable question Wang Huan had ever encountered in his life!

After forcefully suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Wang Huan patiently explained to Li Qi.

A so-called Sword Master... is an honorific title for someone who has comprehended Sword Qi Manifestation!

Sword Qi Manifestation?

What a beautiful phrase...

This is the lifelong pursuit of every sword practitioner!

This is an extremely extreme ability, representing absolute control over Sword Qi!

It also represents extraordinary swordsmanship talent!

Without astonishing swordsmanship talent... one can forget about comprehending Sword Qi Manifestation!

Wang Huan had practiced swordsmanship for many years, but he always felt that he was one step away from the Realm of Sword Qi Manifestation, but this small step... was like a chasm!

So close, yet so far!

Li Qi also understood the reason behind it and murmured, "Oh, so I'm that amazing?"

Wang Huan coughed for a while before finally catching his breath.

Now that things were clear, Li Qi's Cloud Crane Dance Sword came about by accident and was not stolen, and Li Qi was also an unimaginably talented Sword Master.

"We've been standing here for a long time, let's go back to the inn and sit down."

The few of them returned to the Taihe Inn, and Wang Huan and Chu Han each rented a room, temporarily staying at the inn.

Shu Zhiyou had already gone out to search for Xu Nianyun's tomb, which would likely take some time; this matter couldn't be rushed, so everyone could only wait there.

After checking into Taihe Inn, Wang Huan didn't let Li Qi leave, telling him to stay with him for now, as Li Qi had already learned the Pine Crane Longevity Sect's ultimate technique and couldn't be allowed to leave just yet.

Li Qi didn't object, as Wang Huan's strength far surpassed his own; Li Qi couldn't even hope to match his terrifying speed, and even if he tried to escape secretly, he would be caught.

Moreover, Li Qi noticed that Wang Huan's hostility towards him had disappeared, so he also stayed at Taihe Inn.

During this time, Wang Huan called Chu Han over, avoiding Li Qi, and said in a deep voice, "Chu Han, I have something to arrange for you, go do it immediately."

"Elder, please speak."

"Go investigate Li Qi's background, what he has done, how he conducts himself, clarify all of these things, and then come back and tell me."

Chu Han's eyes widened: "Elder... do you mean to say?"

Wang Huan nodded: "Yes, go quickly."

"Yes, Disciple will go immediately."

Chu Han acknowledged the order and used his lightness skill to hurry towards Chuan Prefecture.

At this point, only Wang Huan and Li Qi remained at Taihe Inn.

After interacting with Wang Huan for half a day, Li Qi found that Wang Huan was not difficult to get along with and gradually relaxed, speaking more casually with him.

"Senior, please, have a seat."

"I just ordered another table of food and drinks; you've traveled a long way, please sit down and eat something."

Wang Huan nodded and sat down gladly.

Li Qi looked around: "Where's young Chu Han? Why haven't I seen him, come eat with us."

"I sent him to do some things."

"Oh, well, no choice then, we'll eat first."

With everyone no longer shouting and fighting as they had initially, the atmosphere became much more harmonious, and after a few cups of wine, Li Qi tentatively asked.

"Senior, I have learned your School's swordsmanship... I wonder how you will deal with me?"

Wang Huan leisurely drank a cup of wine and glanced at Li Qi: "This matter is not urgent, we can discuss it another day."

"Oh."

Li Qi shrugged and drank a silent cup of wine.

The two sat by the railing on the second floor of Taihe Inn, where the view was excellent and extended far.

Although there were no rebellious troops or rampant Divine Might Army here, there were still many displaced people fleeing to this place. Li Qi saw a frail mother holding a young child begging along the street and couldn't help but sigh.

He picked up a sugar cake from the plate and gently tossed it downstairs, accurately landing it in the begging mother's arms.

The mother downstairs also saw Li Qi above and thanked him from afar, while Li Qi waved his hand, indicating no need for thanks.

Wang Huan, sitting opposite him, looked at Li Qi in surprise but didn't say much.

"In this chaotic world, all living beings suffer."

"Senior, do you know how this chaotic world came about?"

Li Qi asked while drinking wine.

Wang Huan looked at Li Qi in confusion: "You don't know?"

"I don't know," Li Qi shook his head.

Recalling that Li Qi was once just a scholar who stayed indoors all day reading, and later, after joining a Gang, was merely a low-ranking member with limited horizons, Wang Huan felt relieved and explained.

"It's nothing more than turmoil in the Great Han imperial court, a power struggle."

"Years ago, General Tan Ding repelled foreign enemies and quelled internal rebellions, establishing a vast era of peace for Great Han. However, the Emperor feared that Tan Ding's achievements overshadowed his own, so he found an excuse to dismiss this great general, even imprisoning him, and his family was also implicated."

"Such treatment caused dissatisfaction among Tan Ding's former subordinates, leading to rebellions rising in various places, vowing to march on the imperial capital to rescue the great general."

Li Qi nodded: "So that's how it is."

He had also heard some rumors in the marketplace, but they were merely unsubstantiated gossip, not to be taken seriously; only today did he learn the true reason for this chaotic world.

Li Qi drained a cup of sake and sighed leisurely: "The peace was set by the General, but the General is not allowed to see the peace!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Huan looked at Li Qi in shock: "Good! Well said!"

"What a phrase... The peace was set by the General, but the General is not allowed to see the peace!"