932 Discussion (1/2)

Old Man Mu jumped down from the wall, hurtled to Wild Horse with several quick steps, and then patted him on his leg, which startled all the disciples of the Waning Moon Hall and Essence Pavilion who were present.

Like a frightened cat, Wild Horse arched his back and jumped up, but he did not draw his sword upon landing.

He couldn't unsheathe his sword. The Dragon King had just shown him a new realm of the Ceasing and Arising Swordsmanship, and his confidence had plummeted to the bottom of the valley.

Old Man Mu pulled out his long sword and looked at it contemptuously. Then he suddenly threw it on the ground and loudly said, ”I'm merely a frog living at the bottom of a well. What qualifications do I have to wear a sword?” Everyone here is better at sword techniques than I am.”

Shangguan Fei vaguely realized Old Man Mu's intentions and chimed in to say, ”I'm not good at… I don't know how to use a sword at all.”

”Me too,” Han Fen added as if she were very proud of it.

As a talkative man, Old Man Mu hated it the most when others interrupted him, so he cast a stern glance at Shangguan Fei and snapped, ”That's because you are too stupid.”

Old Man Mu had more to say so he let go of Shangguan Fei. Standing between the Dragon King and Wild Horse, he said in a slow cadence, ”I have a suggestion. Since everyone has learned the same martial arts skill, then why not call a ceasefire for the time being and peacefully discuss the profundity and subtleties of the swordsmanship? Heh heh, I don't know any sword techniques, but I'm knowledgeable and I've seen a lot. I've found at least five different styles of swordsmanship ever since I've come to this underground palace, but the people of the same style have been fighting on their own and know nothing about their fellow practitioners' progress. A real fight can help improve one's swordsmanship but communication can often have the same effect. What do you all think?”

Everyone was silent. They had been fascinated by the swordsmanship so it was easy for them to follow Wild Horse's suggestion and kill each other. Meanwhile, they thought that Old Man Mu's suggestion was very reasonable but none of them immediately spoke out. They were waiting for Wild Horse to respond first.

Wild Horse looked past Old Man Mu and fixed his fierce eyes on the Dragon King.

”Since it's a discussion, then is the Dragon King willing to show all of your skills and enlighten us?” Old Man Mu asked, speaking what was on Wild Horse's mind.

”Of course.” Gu Shenwei put away his Five Peaks Saber, walked around the dirty corpses and blood on the ground, and moved towards Wild Horse. Everywhere he went, the crowd backed away, but they were not as afraid of him as they were of Wild Horse.

”I've figured out a few sword moves recently that might be helpful to all of you.” Gu Shenwei stopped about ten steps away from Wild Horse.

Gu Shenwei didn't want to kill more people unless he was explicitly threatened. These practitioners were just beginners in the swordsmanship and were of no value to him. Wild Horse was worthy of being killed, but Gu Shenwei had found something that he could learn from this rapidly advancing latecomer.

So he showed the three sword moves, knowing that they would definitely help Wild Horse break free from the cycle of pure killing.

Old Man Mu was a wise man. Although he hadn't practiced the Death Sutra Swordsmanship, he had learned a lot of relevant information about it when he had helped the Dragon King integrate his martial arts skills in the prairie. So, he had immediately realized the Dragon King's intention and proposed a cessation of hostilities.

Old Man Mu cast a tacit glance at the Dragon King before turning to Wild Horse. ”How about it? Little Wild Horse, you need this discussion the most. I think that you've travelled too far down the wrong road.”

No one knew Wild Horse better than Old Man Mu. The others were still in awe of Wild Horse, but his tone was as casual as if the other side was still his little footman.

But this trick actually worked well. Wild Horse stuck his sword into the corpse at his feet and made a few gestures.

”No problem.” Old Man Mu could understand him. ”Everything is for the purpose of improving swordsmanship and we can start fighting again after the discussion. But I have to make it clear. You guys can help each other improve your sword techniques, but do not get those who haven't learned the swordsmanship involved. We three will look on and do nothing. Do not practice your swordsmanship on us.”

”We'll look on with folded arms,” Shangguan Fei repeated loudly, indicating that he belonged to those who haven't learned the swordsmanship.

The guard of the Heavenly Mountain Sect standing at the entrance of the corridor was the fourth irrelevant person. Due to his pride, he didn't stand out and declare that he also didn't learn the swordsmanship. Instead, he just took another step closer to the wall and watched everyone vigilantly.

Old Man Mu glanced at the Dragon King again and said, ”Wild Horse, call Lotus out. She taught you the swordsmanship and is the source of all your sword techniques. She must be present for this discussion.”

Old Man Mu thought that his request would be flatly refused and even thought of other reasons to persuade the other side, but none of them needed to be used. Wild Horse didn't answer, acting as if Old Man Mu's request had nothing to do with him. Another voice rang out from the dark corridor. ”I've been here the whole time.”

Lotus slowly walked into Mid-lake Hall from the corridor with a long sword hanging by her waist. She moved lightly and gracefully, as if she were floating in the air and not injured at all.

The guard of the Heavenly Mountain Sect was shocked. He had been standing at the entrance of the corridor with full attention, but still hadn't noticed that someone else had been standing nearby.

The disciples of the Waning Moon Hall and Essence Pavilion all bowed to show their respect, as they still regarded Lotus as the Master Commander.

Han Fen cheered with joy and rushed from the corner to the entrance. Without caring about the dirty blood on the ground, she flopped onto her knees and cried out, ”Master Commander…” With tears welling up in her eyes, she choked with sobs.

By contrast, Lotus appeared much colder. Although she was several years younger than Han Fen, she looked much more mature. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Han Fen and then slightly raised her finger to motion her to stand up. Without saying a word to Han Fen, she looked at the Dragon King and said, ”Look, the core part of the Waning Moon Hall is here in these people. What does the Dragon King think of them?”

Gu Shenwei was a little surprised. Lotus didn't seem to have been imprisoned, so why had she sent Shangguan Hong to look for him?

Standing beside Shangguan Fei, Shangguan Hong held the soft sword in his hand with his head lowered, not daring to look at the Dragon King.

”Not bad. Hopefully, they can survive to the end.”