The Whispering Wind Sword
91. Chapter 91's
" Hehehehe, that means he wants to challenge you to fight", Wang Xiaho said with a laugh.
" Ding Tao, you'd better do it, otherwise this homeless priest won't be able to sleep well and eat well. The bones will be linu-linu otherwise you give a little chastisement." he added.
Hearing Wang Xiaho's joke, Liu Chuncao laughed and said to Ding Tao, "Right Ding Tao, don't you refuse my request. Count to add experience and relax muscles."
" Well if uncle thinks so, where will we do it?", replied Ding Tao smiling at the behavior of the two silat madmen, himself including the crazy silat, he was, so he could understand what Liu Chuncao was feeling.
" Hmmm.in the back court of this inn I don't think there's a problem. They are so lonely visitors today. After all, it is only a friendly match, so we can expect not to spoil their belongings", Liu Chuncao replied after thinking for a moment.
" Alright, are we going to do it now?", asked Ding Tao as he stood up.
While downing the remaining tea in his cup, Liu Chuncao stood up and replied,
" Yes, let's do it now, but the air's still cool."
With a weapon in hand, the three went to the back courtyard of the small inn. Arriving there, without much ado, Liu Chun Cao walked to the center of the courtyard and pulled the sword from its sheath.
Ding Tao had already thought about this fight on the way, he did not want to use the same style, which he wore to fight Wang Xiaho. In the first experiment, it gave satisfactory results. It represented what he wanted from a sword, victory without hurting the opponent, but it was far from perfect.
While using it against Wang Xiaho and Chen Wuxi, Ding Tao became aware of the weakness of the moves he created. The possibilities that occurred flashed in his mind. The only reason why that stance could succeed back then, was because the difference in the levels of Wang Xiaho and Chen Wuxi were far below the level he had reached at the moment.
Ding Tao moves spread like a net, trying to cover every hole. By itself the power of Ding Tao is divided, divided as much as the hole he wants to close. When the power is focused at a certain point, there will be points where the power becomes weak. When the power is divided at all points, the force at each point becomes weak. What he did not realize when creating the style, became clear to him when the opponent was in front of him. Even though his four opponents lost horribly and everyone praised him, behind what was seen by people, Ding Tao was dripping with cold sweat.
He imagined if he used that stance against a pair of jade face demon class opponents, let alone Ren Zuocan classmate. Or an opponent who uses an heirloom sword like the Whispering Wind Sword, his master will be torn2 like a sword easily tore through the cobwebs, which are tight but fragile.
Not to mention the feeling of weakness after exerting that stance.
Ding Tao realized, if the style wanted to be a useful move, there must be a change in that style. Another option is that Ding Tao must increase his set and pure air power.
The second way was hard to succeed, unless Ding Tao had the chance for years of gathering pure air. In reality time was not on Ding Tao's side.
Ding Tao's choice was one, he should be able to perfect that stance before dealing with Ren Zuocan.
It's just that Ding Tao has a dead end when trying to think of a way to cover the weaknesses of his artificial style, without sacrificing the nature of the style itself.Ding Tao wants to see more silat science that exists, and more, Ding Tao felt the need to add to the many treasuries of knowledge and experience he had. When Liu Chuncao challenged him to a fight, Ding Tao did not reject him, because he himself needed to fight with as many opponents as possible. And make Ding Tao nothing better than a friendly match.
With a steady spirit the young man advanced face to face with Liu Chuncao, after bowing respectfully, Ding Tao picked up the horses and waited.
Liu Chuncao did not wait for long, seeing that Ding Tao had no intention of attacking first, the wandering priest immediately attacked. Liu Chuncao's swordsmanship, originally from Wudang, had been a disciple of Wudang for about a year, Liu Chuncao decided to become a traveling priest and develop his own knowledge. His attacks prioritized speed and accuracy. In defense he prioritized, fighting the hard with the soft.Like water trying to find the gaps between the sturdy Ding Tao defense, the, liu Chuncao's sword threatened even the smallest crack in Ding Tao's defense.
Neither the sharp tip of the sword, nor the blunt base of the sword, punches and kicks. Liu Chuncao's attacks varied and did not emphasize the use of swords alone. But those attacks hit Ding Tao's sturdy defenses. Dozens of moves passed and Liu Chuncao had yet to break through Ding Tao's defenses.
Liu Chuncao grew curious and began to exert all the abilities he had. Wang Xiaho was paying attention from the side, so wondered, why Ding Tao did not immediately finish the fight. At the 35th step, suddenly the eyes of the two men were wide open. Ding Tao began to attack, but not with his own attack style, but using Liu Chuncao's attack style.
The attack shocked Liu Chincao, as Ding Tao used his own attack style, in addition to being surprised Liu Chuncao felt a little angry. After all, it had been his mainstay for many years, did Ding Tao think he could master it in just an instant? Moreover, the skill was used against the original owner of the skill.
Since he was already very familiar with that style, Liu Chuncao easily avoided it. Following the three moves Ding Tao released, all of them were attack moves by Liu Chuncao, but in the third, Liu Chuncao was surprised by the unexpected developments.
Liu Chuncao, heartbroken, never thought that her nurse could be used in such a way. Trapped by his own knowledge Liu Chuncao had to throw himself rolling around to escape Ding Tao's attack. At that moment Liu Chuncao was already about to admit defeat and end the fight, when suddenly Wang Xiaho jumped in and attacked Ding Tao with his typical attack, a very low body position, and a very low position, sometimes it rolls with an attack leading to the body from a low angle or leading to the opponent's knees and legs.
" Friend Liu, let's try to shake him!", he shouted while attacking Ding Tao.
Wang Xiaho who was outside could observe the fight with a more objective view. He saw Ding Tao's attack despite having similarities with Liu Chuncao's attack style was actually not exactly the same. Ding Tao style has its own characteristics, Wang Xiaho who has felt the greatness of Ding Tao's creation style, can feel the same spirit coloring the style launched by Ding Tao.
For a moment the old whiz wondered what Ding Tao was doing right now. Why was it so different from when Ding Tao fought the four of him with Chen Wuxi and Chen Wuxi's disciples?
Although Wang Xiaho could not find any weaknesses in the style of Ding Tao's creation, but he could feel that at this time Ding Tao was adding knowledge and trying to develop his own creation. Basically Wang Xiaho was very sympathetic to this young man, seeing the spirit and talent of the young man, his spirit was awakened. By advancing in the match, Wang Xiaho hoped that he could help, donating a little knowledge that was on him to perfect the science of Ding Tao's creation.
Without hesitation, the old man exerted all the skills he had, one by one he used them to attack and defend against Ding Tao. Liu Chuncao, who had been about to admit defeat, was forced to go back to attack Ding Tao. There was actually a feeling of unwillingness in the heart of this wandering priest, because he realized Ding Tao was indirectly tapping into his knowledge.
But at the same time, he was also interested to see how Ding Tao developed the knowledge that was tapped from him. In his heart he confessed, this fight, gave him input and lessons that were very meaningful.
During this time his knowledge has stagnated and has not progressed. The practice is just repetition and repetition. Trying to improve accuracy, speed, endurance and strength, while from the engineering side there is no significant progress.
The battle with Ding Tao has opened up new avenues for the development of his knowledge. Therefore, initially hesitating, long ago carried away by the spirit of Wang Xiaho and Ding Tao, Liu Chuncao finally did not hesitate to bring out all his savings.
Dozens of moves had passed, until finally Wang Xiaho jumped back and shouted while panting, gasping,
" Of course, already, heh, all my knowledge has been exhausted. I thought Friend Liu was like that."
" Yes, my knowledge has been exhausted" Liu Chuncao said with a small smile as he wiped the sweat that soaked his forehead.
Liu Chuncao, who was slightly younger than Wang Xiaho and had a better set of pure air, was still able to breathe regularly, even though sweat had already drenched his entire body. Ding Tao who felt that he had learned a lot from their fight, sincerely bowed in respect to the two people.
" Hehehe, just remember Ding Tao, what you absorbed today, I hope you use for the good of many people" Wang Xiaho said.
Hearing Wang Xiaho's answer, Liu Chuncao realized that the old man had indeed deliberately opened himself, showing all the knowledge he had for the sake of the development of youth science that had nothing to do with him.
Liu Chuncao was secretly embarrassed, feeling inferior in terms of personality when compared to Wang Xiaho. Seeing Wang Xiaho's attitude, Liu Chuncao's mind became more open.
Before leaving for Wuling, Liu Chuncao, Fu Tong and
Chen Wuxi has also discussed rumors of the election of Wulin Mengzhi. Now after meeting Ding Tao and seeing his talent as well as personality. The same thought as Wang Xiaho and Chen Wuxi, appeared in his mind.
" Come on we go inside, our clothes are all soaked with sweat" he said lightly, while his brain was still thinking about Ding Tao and the selection of Wulin Mengzhu.
The three of them re-entered the inn, Liu Chuncao proposed that they should change their clothes before sitting on the front porch. The three of them rented one room only, by adding a couch, the three of them were used to living without being too fussy with comfort.
Not long after, the three were already sitting on the terrace of the inn. Liu Chuncao who had been thinking since they had finished the match, opened up a conversation,
" Sister Wang, did you have time to talk to Master Chen about the selection of Wuling Mengzhu?"
Ding Tao heard Liu Chuncao's words feeling unwell, remembering Wang Xiaho's request of him, so that he could run as Wulin Mengzhu, to participate in the elections to be held. Wang Xiaho was instead excited to hear Liu Chuncao's words, he was determined to support Ding Tao running for Wulin Mengzhu, every chance to talk about the election was certainly welcomed by him.
" Of course, of course, even we have talked about a good candidate for the position" Wang Xiaho replied.
" Hmmm.., I think I know who Brother Wang has in mind. But what I want to talk about is whether or not this Wulin Mengzhu election is necessary" Liu Chuncao said carefully.
" Hee.., the stinking priestess, what do you mean by that word?", Wang Xiaho asked curiously.
" Yes, I see you're just like Master Chen and the Iron Wand. You guys are so excited about a Wuling Mengzhu. Do you not remember, the reason that the position was vacant for quite a long time?", asked Liu Chuncao.
" Hmmm.. Don't you think I'm senile, I was very young then, but I still clearly remember Tsao Yun who lost his mind and wanted to become emperor. He, you've seen this young man, do you think he has such a cut?", asked Wang Xiaho with furrowed brows.
Liu Chuncao looked towards Ding Tao who chose to pay attention to the small garden in the courtyard of the inn rather than join in the conversation.
" No, of course Ding Tao doesn't seem to be that kind of person, but there's no guarantee that he won't turn out that way. Tsao Yun was originally a person who was known to be humble and open to all parties. That's why he was elected. It is power that makes him forget himself" Liu Chuncao said while taking a good look at Wang Xiaho's face, he knew Wang Xiaho liked Ding Tao.
Sure enough, Wang Xiaho's face became a little reddish to hold back the anger, "Hmm. And who do you think deserves that position? Are you a stinking priest?"
Liu Chuncao was not offended by Wang Xiaho's scathing reply, he replied with a smile, saying,
" Of course it's not me, Brother Wang you missed something from what I said. Not that I disagree with Ding Tao running as a candidate, what I'm saying is that this Wuling Mengzhu election should be canceled."
Wang Xiaho furrowed his brows and tried to calm himself down before replying, "I don't understand, with the threat from Ren Zuocan, isn't the existence of Wulin Mengzhu making us stronger?"
" This is the difference of opinion between you and me. I think the position of Wulin Mengzhu that binds everyone in the martial world gives too much power to the holder. Moreover, that position was of his lifetime. That much power, entrusted to someone, I think invites greater danger than the existence of Ren Zuocan" Liu Chuncao replied with a sigh.
" Hmm.., the fact that Ren Zuocan's power has begun to infiltrate the border, if we do not rally the force, uniting it under the leadership of one man will be difficult to dampen his ambitions."
" In fact, to raise power does not have to be by re-establishing the position of Wulin Mengzhu, we can try to organize a temporary alliance, led by a council filled by the heads of the major universities."
" Hehehe, and what do you expect from such a council? Each carries its own ego, each carrying its own golongan interests. I guarantee that in a matter of months they will fight among themselves, without producing anything for us" Wang Xiaho said cynically.
" Hahh... in fact I am not not not blind to the possibility, but if the danger is in sight, their cooking is still firmly in the interests of the group itself?", sadness seemed to loom over Liu Chuncao's face.
Seeing Liu Chuncao's sad face, Wang Xiaho could not bear to press further, comfort him, comfort him,
" I don't think everyone is like that, which we can be sure of for sure is that the Shaolin Monastery Chief, Monk Khongzhe and Reverend Chongxan from Wudang will be willing to work together, they've both been friends for a long time. Then the new Chairman of the Hoasan, the,
Pan Jun, I see also the person who is open minded just love his disposition a little weak and less authoritative. But the rest…"
" The rest were the ruthless Kongtong chief Chong Weixia and the ambitious Kunlun new chairman Wu Liang. Chairman of the Hoasan, Pan Jun, can be sure it will be like a tree swaying in the wind, it cannot determine the attitude between supporting the Chongxan Priest and the Khongzhe Monk or Chong Weixia who will certainly work with Wu Liang to compensate the other side" Liu Chuncao continued.
" Don't forget there is still a beggar party leader, Bai Chungho, although the strength of the beggar party is declining a lot, but their names and roles in the past cannot be underestimated" Wang Xiaho said, if he had opposed Liu Chuncao's thinking just now he seemed to be trying to support Liu Chuncao's thinking.
Wang Xiaho's help was responded to with a bitter smile by Liu Chuncao, "He, I know what's in your brain, if we ask Bai Chungho to be included in the council then the Tong family will ask for a representative to enter. If the representative of the Tong Family entered the council, then the Deng Family who became the rival of the hereditary Tong Family would also demand a position in the council. If Huang's family still exists, they will also demand admission to the council."
" And the more it contains, the more interests there are in the race for profit. Things will be much worse than before" Wang Xiaho concluded Liu Chuncao's description with a conclusion.
Liu Chuncao looked towards Ding Tao, looking at the back of the young man, who was playing with a pet puppy of the innkeeper.
" Are we that thick? Sometimes I think it's good for Ren Zuocan to come and bang those stone heads with his fist. I will go on a journey to high mountains and remote forests" Liu Chuncao said sadly.
" But you won't run away from your friends. So you had to wait with us and complain of life together" Wang Xiaho said as he patted the shoulder of his younger friend.
