188 The Solitary Ligh (2/2)

This time though, he would be disappointed.

While the tip of Gu's sword was still one foot away from its target, Chu Nanping had already turned around, and struck out with his own sword. Gu Shenwei was forced to retreat, and was left standing against the trunk of a tree, with the young child's sword held against his chest.

The Death Scripture taught to strike with only a blow, and if it failed, the opponent would have the upper hand.

”Rage is also an emotion, therefore to be emotionless you cannot be angry. What's the matter with you today?”

Gu Shenwei pushed Chu Nanping's sword away and walked out of the peach forest without saying a word. He needed time to think alone.

He had only begun to notice after so long that Secrets of Love and Death Scripture were two completely different types of kung fu. The former was grand and encompassed many variations, while the latter was subtle and taught to strike with only one blow. Without him noticing, his original kung fu had been weaker after he had begun to practice the Emotionless Swordsmanship.

Gu Shenwei was walking aimlessly towards the outskirts of Hope Alley, and started feeling frustrated after a short while. As he looked back, he saw a solitary light in the room on the third floor of Joy Pavilion. He felt a sudden impulse to look for Immortal Peng directly. He wanted to know why the immortal was interested in the Death Scripture when the scripture was obviously the direct opposite of Secrets of Love.

Gu Shenwei continued walking forward. Even though his sword craft had become weaker, his Lightness Skill had improved and his walking speed had greatly increased. Soon enough, he was already out of Hope Alley, and it was the first time he had entered a different region of South City after learning Secrets of Love.

There seemed to be no change to the streets, except that the snow had already melted off and they had become dirtier.

He met Maid Lotus in a room at the backyard of the Southwall Tavern. She had come to the peach forest with the Tenth Young Master to see him previously, but did not have a chance to speak to him then.

”What went wrong?”

Maid Lotus' tone was always calm as still water, but this time, a hint of concern came from her voice. Slave Huan was supposed to meet up with her once every three days, according to the original plan, but this was the first time they had met at the pre-determined location in two months. She had watched him from afar while silently in hiding many times, but had never shown herself before.

”I don't know.”

Gu Shenwei's restlessness was more evident the farther he was away from Joy Pavilion. It was as if there were a murder of crows nesting in his heart and were flying in all directions as they sensed impending doom. He wanted to return to his place of quiet and peace.

He slumped down, surprised at and despising his own weakness.

Maid Lotus came towards him and placed a palm on his shoulder. ”I'll help you,” she said gently.

Gu Shenwei lifted his head to look at the teenage woman whom he was most familiar with. He was surprised that her voice could sound so sweet. Even though he did not drink, he felt intoxicated by these four simple words she said.

Before being aware of his actions, he had already wrapped his arms around her waist and placed his face on her flat lower abdomen, keeping silent.

Maid Lotus was surprised and lifted her hand, seeming to want to push Gu Shenwei away. At last, however, she rested her hand on his head, lightly caressing it. After a while, she said to him, ”Tell me everything.”

Gu Shenwei felt much calmer when he made his return to Joy Pavilion. He had also felt a tinge of guilt, as he was never so intimate with a woman before. This made him question himself as to whether he was still a killer.

Maid Lotus had recorded with brush and paper as he dictated to her the detailed process of his training, and also what he remembered of Secrets of Love. However, he did not have complete memory of it, as out of all 64 different techniques, he had only scrutinised the Heartless Swords technique.

Gu Shenwei felt that he had gained a new form of strength, and that he could use it to counter Immortal Peng's sorcery, no matter whether it was called hypnosis or the Immortal's Rope.

He did not return to his room which was near Joy Pavilion to rest, but went to the empty Pavilion, walking up the stairs with big steps.

The solitary light on the third level was still burning brightly. He drew the screen closer to the light and read every word on it carefully.

There was no doubt about the fact that 64 different methods of practicing the Secrets of Love meant that it comprised of 64 different kung fu techniques. If Death Scripture was just different to practioners of different ways of interpretation and different skill levels, the Secrets of Love was like a huge melting pot comprising of everything.

Unknowingly, he was fascinated again with the Heartless Swords technique portion.

The technique consisted of seven different states: Becoming Lighter than the Sword, the Sword is Heavier than the Mountain, Becoming One with the Sword, Intention Follows the Movement of the Sword, Heart and Intent are One, Containing Emotion in the Heart and Not Allowing Emotions in the Heart. Each state dealt with a different type of kung fu, targeting the practioner's Lightness Skill, strength, speed, concentration, reaction, killing intent and determination. In the end, one would become an extension of one's sword when striking.

Gu Shenwei never considered the final stage of practising this sword craft technique. He was a 'heartless person', and had to be decisive and firm.

”Do not control your feelings, unleash them. Those are a redundant part of your heart, therefore expose it and then remove it. To be heartless you need to love first, by killing off the love in your heart, is to become heartless,” Gu Shenwei muttered to himself.

He was aware that he had said these words involuntarily without any thought.

Gu Shenwei had not noticed that the short Immortal was not more than 10 steps away from him, tall crutch in hand.

”How did Ye Silang leave Joy Pavilion?” croaked Gu Shenwei. It was as if he had lost control of his vocal chords and had to expend much effort to use them.

He then answered his own question in a voice that was slightly stiff. However, he spoke fluently, telling a story that he himself had never heard before.

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