The Whispering Wind Sword

20. Chapter 20's

Back then Gu Tong Dang looked much older and weaker than Gu Tong Dang two years ago. Both of them lived very simply in an atmosphere of concern. They know they have to be good at hiding themselves.

If previously they had been used to living in the Huang family, now they had to work hard as manual labor just for enough food. Sleep on hard ground with only a thin and rough sheet of cloth.

For Ding Tao who was young it did not interfere much with his health, even hard work and exercises that he lived, it made his body more healthy and strong.

But for the aged Gu Tong Dang, that life had slightly lowered his health. Although not to fall ill, but his physical strength is much decreased compared to two years ago. After all, the old teacher was earnestly paying attention to the progress and health of his students. Not infrequently this old teacher, reduced his own rations so that the growing Ding Tao could eat properly.

The young man actually tried to refuse, but Gu Tong Dang insisted, so he finally accepted it, even with a heart that felt guilty and deeply moved by the kindness of the old teacher.

And when he was about to leave this teacher, the young man inevitably returned touched by his feelings, seeing the condition of Gu Tong Dang which suddenly seemed to increase by 10 years of age.

Satisfied, the young man could only convey it with short words, though, when he tried to talk with Gu Tong Dang about his desire to look back at the Huang family and correct any misunderstandings that may have arisen 2 years ago.

The old teacher listened patiently to Ding Tao's explanation. Long time he did not reply, Ding Tao could only wait in silence.

When he finally answered, he first patted the young man's shoulder with affection,

―Ding Tao, my student. It looks like I won't be able to prevent you from leaving again. I saw enough of your provisions. Just before you go, listen to your teacher's explanation.‖ermark

―Ding Tao do you believe in the words of your teacher? Do you believe in the sincerity of your teacher? That any of my advice is for your own good?‖ermark

Ding Tao nodded firmly,

―Sure teacher, the teacher will never forget. The kindness of teachers will always be remembered.‖ermark

Gu Tong Dang chuckled at Ding Tao's reply,

―Stupid boy, that's not what I asked. About that I have no doubt. But what I'm asking, can you trust me and do every piece of advice I'm going to give you?‖ermark

With a raised eyebrow Ding Tao asked back, ―Of course teacher. What's the difference? Teacher as high as the sky, students will not forget. How could a student doubt a teacher's advice or violate a teacher's advice? If the teacher doubts my loyalty as a disciple, let the student swear."

Quickly Gu Tong Dang shook his hand, stopping Ding Tao who was about to take an oath at that moment,

― Don't, don't you swear whatever my son.‖ermark

―Already, if I have not said it, it may be difficult for you to understand this request of mine. Well let me just say, I don't want to tie you to any oath anyway, because I know your nature. I don't want you to be bound by one oath, until you do something you hate.‖ermark

―But listen to my words carefully. Keep it in your heart as a consideration in your decision making. Especially in the matter of your current standing in the martial world.‖ermark

Ding Tao heard his teacher's words, but he obediently nodded his head and waited for the teacher's advice. Gu Tong Dang who understood the true nature of his disciple was quite satisfied with the nod of his head.

Faced with an honest person, a single nod of the head or willingness is enough. But with a person who cheats his heart, the oath on behalf of the ancestors of up to seven descendants is not a guarantee.

―Nah listen to the history of the sword that now belongs to you.‖ermark

―As I have told you, the sword called Whispering Wind Sword, first appeared in the martial world, approximately 15 years ago. The owner was a famous swordsman from Emei. I think about this you already know enough, because the name of the swordsman and the story of his death is very well known to people.‖ermark

―But maybe what you haven't really realized is the meaning of the sword for people in the martial world.‖ermark

―Actually, before his mysterious death, many people put their hopes on Emei's Jin swordsman. For decades now, straight stream warriors in the martial world have lived on the grill of fire.‖ermark

―You must have heard also the name of Swordsman Ren Zuocan, from the cult of the Moon and the Sun, whose center of power is beyond the borders. The science is high and the organization is neatly organized. Its ambition exceeds the height of the Himalayan Mountains.

If it were not for the existence of the Kongzhen Monk of Shaolin who controlled the Buddha's Palm and the Taoist Priest Chongxan of Wudang with his Taiji swordsmanship, it might have been a long time since he had slumped into the border.‖ermark

―But even the two figures were unable to defeat Ren Zuocan, Ren Zuocan had one strange invulnerability, perhaps the same level as the Shaolin chairman's armor science in the previous generation, or even more. In addition, Shaolin and Wudang, based on religion, did not want to take action to attack, because Ren Zuocan was still holding back and did not openly show his ambition.‖ermark

―Thus, the people on the mainland feel alive on the fire grill. All could sense there was a menacing danger, but there was no strength to resist.‖ermark

―The other colleges besides Shaolin and Wudang are dimming their stars, while the two colleges that can be expected, actually choose the attitude of defense. Anxiously they could only see the Moon and Sun Sect growing stronger and stronger, some rumors say that in the land itself there are already several universities that pledge allegiance to the Sun and Moon sect secretly.‖ermark

―You must have heard that once every 5 years, Ren Zuocan held a friendship meeting between martial arts warriors. Outside he gave a reason, the meeting was held to know each other and conduct a friendly match for the advancement of martial arts. In fact, it is only a way to explore the level of strength of martial artists on the mainland.‖ermark

―5 times have the meeting done, until the last time the Kongzhen Monk and the Chongxan Reverend are still able to show that their strength is not under Ren Zuocan and thus indirectly already

stemming Ren Zuocan's overflowing ambition like a flood.‖ermark

―But everyone is aware, the age of the Kongzhen Monk and the Chongxan Priest is almost into old age. Their knowledge is already difficult to improve, while physical

they just started to decline. Ren Zuocan on the other hand, was still at his peak age and he patiently waited for the time to come. Many people think, at the next five-year meeting, the two elders will already be under the Ren Zuocan level.‖ermark

―This assessment is not unreasonable, at the last 5 annual meeting, which was 3 years ago. Individually, the strength of the two elders was already well below the strength of Ren Zuocan. It's just that if the two advanced together of course Ren Zuocan was still no match for the two of them.‖ermark

Ding Tao who was drifting in his teacher's explanation without feeling whispered,

―But if next year they meet again…‖

Gu Tong Dang nodded in agreement, though,

―Ya, right. At next year's meeting, perhaps even simultaneously the two elders were no longer a match for Ren Zuocan.‖ermark

―Teacher, does the entire land depend only on those two elders? Are there no substitutes for them from the younger generation?‖ermark

―That's why in the hundreds of years of Wudang sect history, there was only one Zhang Sanfeng.‖ermark

―I personally disagree with the opinion of many, that a disciple will not be more advanced than his teacher. Martial arts, like all other sciences and skills, come from an original source, which is substantially greater than any human being. And those who are talented and attain enlightenment actually learn through this one source. Thus they will be able to surpass their teachers, because their teachers are truly this unlimited source.‖ermark

―Every few times always appear figures who are able to dig deeper into the existing knowledge and reach a much higher level than the figures who lived before him. They are the inspiration for the next generation.‖ermark

―But like everything else in this world, martial arts has its ups and downs. There was a time when talented figures emerged, but there was also a time when the level of students was always under his teacher and martial arts was compounded from year to year deteriorating in value.‖ermark

―And now the martial arts on the mainland are experiencing its ebb.‖ermark

Ding Tao with furrowed brows asked Gu Tong Dang,

―Teacher, actually what is the problem if Ren Zuocan is stronger than martial figures from the mainland, what is the problem if the martial world is controlled? Not that I do not mean love for the country, but as long as the affairs of the martial world do not widen to the problems of government, not the people can still live quietly. At most different, if you used to pay the security tax in the black world to your own people, now pay the security tax to an outsider.‖ermark

Gu Tong Dang shook his head patiently, ―A few actually your question itself already contains an answer. First of all, this is a matter of national self-esteem, if people from outside the border touch us, is a disloyalty if we keep silent.‖ermark

―But more important is, a country being strong is from the strength of every one of its people. As a class of people who attach importance to martial arts in his life, it can be said, our class-we play an important role in the defense of the nation. If Ren Zuocan succeeds in our control, it is not impossible that it is a stepping stone for tribes beyond the borders to attack our government.‖ermark

The atmosphere inside the room became so quiet, as the two people of different ages were contemplating a bleak-looking future.

It was Ding Tao who first broke the atmosphere,

―Teacher, the teacher was about to explain the relationship of this sword with the fate of the martial world.‖ermark

Gu Tong Dang was stunned back from his daydream, his eyes were shining mischievously, too,

―Heheheh, yes, yes, talk to me here and there, my senile brain forgets an important problem.‖ermark

―Well, you were asking about the new generation that was able to replace those two elders. The figure actually appeared. About 15 years later.‖ermark

Stopping at the statement, Gu Tong Dang looked at Ding Tao, waiting for the young man to arrive at the conclusion he wanted. Ding Tao's brain rotated quickly, from the view of his teacher he could catch that in fact every information had been given and he had to be able to draw his conclusions.

It is not like children who must always be fed rice, but Ding Tao must be able to analyze the information himself.

It didn't take long for Ding Tao to come to a conclusion, carefully in his senses, though,

―Teacher, what teacher meant was Swordsman Jin Yong of the stream

The smeezers?‖ermark

―Hmm. Almost everyone is looking forward to the five-year meeting that will be held at that time. No less the Kongzhen Monk and the Chongxan Reverend himself gave the judgment. His age is still far adrift with the two elders and also with Ren Zuocan, by itself in terms of internal energy and maturity of science there is still a considerable difference.‖ermark

―But swordsman Jin Yong has good talent and deep understanding and a watered-down brain. More importantly, he fared so well that this Whispering Wind Sword fell into his hands.‖ermark

―Ding Tao, now let me ask you, in fighting with a sword, which is more important, between strength or tenacity, understanding of martial will and speed or agility?‖ermark

Ding Tao rubbed his chin with a finger, then replied,

―Hmm... with bare hands the strength and endurance of the body will affect a lot. But by using a sharp weapon, any contiguous body would be able to be injured with a sharp iron tip. Of the three, the understanding of martial arts and agility was more influential. And of the two, agility, both in reaction and in action will be more decisive.‖ermark

Gu Tong Dang nodded,

―Yes, right what you said. With age, the energy set in a person can become more established, insight and experience will be deeper. But when the fight is done using a sharp weapon, the two things lose their effect with speed. Maybe with mature experience one can take advantage, but as I said earlier Swordsman

Jin, is someone who is talented and thin-brained.‖ermark

―And more importantly, he had the Whispering Wind Sword, a sword that was extremely sharp and tenacious. Ren Zuocan could boast of his wisdom when facing other weapons, but in the presence of the Whispering Wind Sword, his science could be said to be flea dead.‖ermark

For a moment Ding Tao's face brightened, but soon his face returned dark,

―Ah... dear, a thousand dear. Teacher who is that person who is so cynical that he poisoned Swordsman Jin? Does this man not understand how the fate of the whole nation hangs upon him?‖ermark

Gu Tong Dang shook his head miserably, ―Once, who knows. There have always been people with greedy hearts and traitors. For his own profit, he was willing to sell his brothers.‖ermark

Ding Tao suddenly seemed to recall something, ―Teacher, but now that this sword is in our hands, why don't we give this sword to the Kongzhen Monk or the Chongxan Priest?‖ermark

―My disciple, did you forget what I said earlier, these two elders devoted themselves to living a religious life.

Although the sword was in their hands, not later would they use it to take lives or injure Ren Zuocan. It would not, as long as Ren Zuocan was still acting as cleverly as he was today. Then after the two elders had further decreased in ability, with or without swords, they were no match for Ren Zuocan. Your plan will only lengthen your breath for a few years. Swordsman as great as anything, must finally submit to age.‖ermark

―Celaka, wretched, what use does this sword have, if there is no right owner. Even the disaster that arises for discourse, fellow countrymen kill each other for a sword.‖ermark

, without feeling Ding Tao complains heartbreakingly.

Furious he looked at the sword that was now in his hand, imagined how because of the sword the great swordsman Jin Yong died poisoned, then not a few figures of the world who died fighting over the sword.

And because of the sword, his life became strayed and separated from the beloved, with a furious heart he spoke,

―Teacher! I'd better drown this sword in the vast ocean or better yet I splash it in the crater of a volcano, let it crumble to nothing.‖ermark

Gu Tong Dang who was shocked widened his eyes, ―My son, my son.