chapter 3 Teaching the Sword (Part 1)

When the first ray of morning light appeared, Sonny rolled out of bed. The calming effect of reciting the Frozen Heart Technique yesterday had finally settled his emotions.
Sonny now harbored boundless aspirations for the future.
After a brief tidying up, Sonny set off for the library, faintly, there was an anticipation growing in his heart.
At the entrance of the library, the old man sat in meditation, a chessboard before him. The black and white pieces sharply contrasted as the old man played against himself.
"You've arrived!"
The old man uttered, a black piece making its move. The chessboard transformed dramatically; the white pieces resembled a flying dragon in the sky, while the black pieces were like a sharp axe, descending to cleave the dragon.
Sonny bowed in salute to the old man.
With the game's outcome decided between the left and right hands, a smile appeared on the old man's face. His dull eyes turned towards Sonny as he got straight to the point, "Today, I will impart a sword technique to you, the Heart Sword."
"Heart Sword?"
Sonny's mind raced to recall the martial arts techniques he had seen, but he couldn't find a clue.
"Don't bother thinking, this is my own creation." The old man continued, "The Heart Sword is the culmination of my many years of effort, if it weren't for your unwavering determination, I might have taken it with me into the loess."
Sonny listened in silence.
The old man extended his right hand and uttered, "Sword!"
A buzzing sound resonated from afar as an ancient long sword descended into the old man's hand.
"Sword, the Sovereign of a Hundred Armies."
"There are eighteen basic sword styles—thrust, chop, hang, tease, cloud, wipe, twist, frame, point, collapse, cut, hold, bring, pierce, lift, sever, sweep, and shear. Countless sword techniques exist in the world, but they all trace back to these most basic eighteen moves. For example, the current imperial son, Victor, known as the Sword Saint, can decapitate someone thousands of miles away with just a simple sever."
The old man waved the sword, practicing the eighteen basic sword moves sequentially.
Sonny observed the moves carefully. They were simple and ordinary, yet they exuded a different feeling, becoming increasingly profound.
The old man exclaimed, "Use your strongest move to attack me."
Sonny's figure moved, and his sword suddenly struck out. He thrust the sword towards the old man.
The old man's body remained motionless. When the sword was an inch away, he lightly tapped the sword, causing Sonny's sword to deflect.
With a step, the sword was withdrawn, then in an instant, it was slashed towards the old man.
The old man effortlessly blocked Sonny's offensive with the simple sword.
Before the sword was fully withdrawn, the sword moves changed suddenly. Sonny used all his strength to press the sword down, but the old man's sword didn't budge.
The long sword moved like thunder. Sonny retracted his sword, and the old man effortlessly slashed it down again.
The ancient sword extended forward, lightly tapping Sonny's hilt, rendering the sword move ineffective.
…
…
Sonny displayed nearly all the sword moves learned in the library. Unfortunately, his long sword couldn't touch the old man's clothes, not even grazing them.
"Simplify and eliminate complexity. Let your heart guide your sword, and let your intention drive your kill." The old man threw out twelve simple words.
Sonny's eyes suddenly brightened.
"After I lost my sight, I've been pondering how to face the enemy without eyes. After eight years, I finally grasped the Heart Sword." The old man added softly, "When facing an enemy, your body should be like an empty void, and your mind should be like eyes, feeling all the changes around you, the wind, the sound of swords, the murderous aura, feeling everything... Remember, the sword in your hand should strike at the moment your heart moves. Even when you hear the enemy draw their sword, you should already be thinking about how your sword should respond... Wherever your mind goes, your sword will follow. This is the highest realm of the Heart Sword, and it is the most profound pursuit in swordsmanship. Once mastered, you will be invincible in the world."
Sonny's eyes became even brighter, and the old man's words completely dispelled his doubts.
The reason that Ricardo was able to defeat him despite drawing his sword slower, was because Ricardo had already thought of a way to deal with it when he saw the sword move, even if his sword draw was a little slower, he could still break Sonny's offensive and even counterattack.
"Start by practicing these basic moves. When you've mastered them to the point of ease, come find me. By then, you'll naturally be pleasantly surprised." The old man spoke again.
"Thank you, senior... I've truly had a sudden enlightenment. I will definitely live up to senior's teachings and strive to master the Heart Sword as soon as possible."
Sonny said sincerely.
The old man nodded slowly, "Remember, don't rush the practice of the Heart Sword, proceed step by step and steadily."
"I will remember."
Sonny expressed his gratitude.
The old man grabbed the chess pieces with both hands again, preparing for a new battle. "One last thing, being focused is the best state of mind for practicing the Heart Sword. Go ahead!"
Sonny nodded, respectfully saluted the old man, then turned and left.
Walking on the tree-lined path, Sonny continued to mull over the old man's words in his mind.
Sonny walked very slowly because he was lost in thought.
Suddenly, an exclamation reached his ears, pulling him out of his contemplation.
"Young Master Sonny... Great waste Sonny, what happened today? Did your legs get crippled too? You walk slower than a turtle."
The sharp voice was long and grating.
Sonny looked at Owen, who was making mocking remarks, but there was no anger in his expression.
“A good dog stays out of the way.”
With a calm gaze fixed on Owen, the words slowly flowed from Sonny's mouth.
Owen's expression suddenly became somewhat amusing. He never expected that a notorious waste would dare to speak against him.
Taking a step forward, Owen's body was less than an inch away from Sonny.
"Step aside, I want to pass."
Owen was arrogant, but there was a smile on his face.
Sonny smiled and his eyes became brighter.
Whoosh!
In an instant, the cold sword rested on Owen's neck, the blade touched the skin, and a chilling sensation spread.
Owen's body couldn't help but tremble.
"You dare to take action against me, waste, do you understand?"
Owen spoke out.
The long sword moved slightly, cutting through fair skin, and blood immediately seeped out.
"You..."
Looking into Sonny's eyes, Owen felt a little frightened because he couldn't discern any emotion in them.
"Step aside!"
Sonny calmly uttered two words.
Owens feet moved slightly, he gritted his teeth and took a step to the side.
Retracting the sword, Sonny left without stopping at all.
Watching the retreating figure, Owen touched his neck. If he had persisted for a moment longer, the arteries in his neck would have spattered blood everywhere.
Taking a deep breath, Owen's expression revealed unspeakable anger. He wanted to follow up and confront Sonny to the end, but Owen felt a little frightened in his heart. The chill of the cold sword's edge had left a deep impression on him. That calm and bright gaze had left an indelible shadow.
"Waste... you're finished!"
Clenching his fists, Owen roared angrily in his heart.
"I need an environment without distractions."
Sonny silently spoke in his heart.
Changing direction, Sonny walked towards White Cloud Peak.