He Mu, who could barely be considered literate, shook his head in confusion. “I don’t know.”
Meng Qi held the book in his left hand and picked up the wine pot with his right, pouring himself a cup. After taking a sip and swallowing slowly, he finally said, “This line has long been controversial. Some great scholars claim the ‘three harmonies’ refer to the yin essence, the yang essence, and the essence of heaven. Yin gives form to things, yang generates life, and heaven nurtures life; only when these three essences unite can all things come into being. Other scholars, after reviewing ancient texts, offer a different explanation: ‘three’ here means blending. When yin and yang intermingle, the universe is generated and all things evolve. Thus, the poem asks, which is the origin and which is the transformation?”
He Mu looked like a duck listening to thunder, completely baffled. He felt Master Su’s words were as incomprehensible as heavenly scripture, so he could only mumble, “Master Su, what do you think is the correct interpretation?”
“The Taiji represents the primordial unity before differentiation. Its movement is yang, its stillness is yin. Motion and stillness are rooted in each other, just like yang and yin. They generate and transform each other. Therefore, if one asks which is the origin and which is transformation, the answer depends on the context and changes accordingly!” Meng Qi did not directly interpret the poem but attempted to answer the question.
He Mu became even more confused, feeling his mind inadequate. He couldn’t understand a word Master Su was saying, so he could only respond with vague affirmations.
After answering, Meng Qi smiled leisurely and said, “This is the principle of the universe, which naturally can be reflected in martial arts techniques. After launching an attack, the moves should contain yin and yang, generating and transforming each other, changing according to the situation and adapting to the opponent. By the time of contact, it can manifest as yin or yang, making it difficult for the opponent to distinguish.”
This was a profound principle Meng Qi had gleaned from the “Heavenly Inquiry.” However, principles are inherently abstract and intangible. While many may grasp them intellectually, truly integrating them into martial techniques and subtle nuances is exceedingly challenging. One can only gradually internalize them through practice. Ideally, if there existed a martial art embodying this very principle for Meng Qi to study, it would allow him to swiftly master its essence and apply it to swordsmanship, blade techniques (daofa), or the fundamental tenets of any martial discipline.
(Note: “刀法” is transliterated as “daofa” with a parenthetical explanation since it’s a specialized term. The translation maintains the original structure while enhancing readability and natural flow in English.)
Thinking back now, Yao Xiaogui’s Yin-Yang Twin Swords bore a certain resemblance. If Meng Qi really pursued the path of dual mastery in sword and saber in the future, this would also become one of the guiding principles.
When it came to martial techniques, He Mu finally understood a bit and whispered, “Some techniques inherently encompass both yin and yang.”
“It’s not quite the same,” Meng Qi shook his head and smiled. “The key is to understand what is the origin and what is the transformation.”
“I don’t understand…” He Mu looked at Meng Qi with pleading eyes. “Master Su, is there an answer in the poem?”
Meng Qi smiled and said, “No. The entire piece consists only of questions, expressing living beings’ inquiries about the universe and nature. It may not seem profound by itself, but whoever can answer these questions one by one would truly grasp the principles of the universe. Moreover, the same question may have different answers from various masters, leading to different paths.”
“Oh.” Still not understanding… He Mu increasingly felt that Master Su was erudite and profound. Suddenly recalling his purpose for coming, he hurriedly said, “Master Su, today I…”
“Wait until I finish reciting.” Meng Qi pressed down with his right hand and continued reciting the “Heavenly Inquiry”:
“How many layers does the celestial sphere have? Who measured and constructed it?”
…
“Where do the nine heavens meet? On what are they situated?”
…
“How are the sun and moon secured? How are the stars arranged?”
…
In the vast and chilly courtyard, the clear and crisp sound of recitation entered the ears, as if questioning heaven and earth.
The plum branches twisted like old dragons, with specks of red fire. The stove fire flickered like seedlings, and the aroma of wine filled the air.
Although he couldn’t understand this poem with its archaic language, He Mu felt his mind gradually calming. His previous joy, anxiety, and unease seemed to slowly dissipate with the recitation, leaving his heart cleansed and refreshed.
His worries drifted away, and serenity filled his being. He Mu forgot his stress and sadness, feeling only peace and happiness.
“Did you win today?” Suddenly, he was startled awake by Master Su’s warm voice.
“Yes.” He Mu looked at Master Su’s face. Although Su might be only four or five years older, appearing like a brother, his demeanor was mature, and his words were meaningful. After spending time together, He naturally regarded him as a learned scholar.
“My first match…” He Mu detailed the entire fight process and finally said, “Thanks to Master Su’s guidance, the academy master has allowed me to participate in the martial arts academy competition.”
He eagerly awaited further instruction.
“The martial arts academy competition?” Meng Qi held the “Heavenly Inquiry” book but instead asked a question.
He Mu knew Master Su was a scholar devoted to study, so he explained, “Yedu is known for its strong martial culture, but the Wang Clan holds great power. Other sects and aristocratic families are relatively few. Many martial aspirants struggle to find opportunities for cultivation. Later, disciples of sects and branches of noble families established martial arts academies, charging only tuition fees without occupying farmland or mines, to teach ordinary people like us and give us a chance to advance.”
“With a solid foundation, whether one seeks to join a sect or participates in the martial examination to pursue fame and fortune, there is at least a possibility.”
“Martial arts academies have existed for over a century, and there are many in Yedu, inevitably leading to covert rivalries. Later, eight major academies, including the Chiyang Martial Academy, proposed holding a competition every three years, where outstanding disciples from various academies would participate to determine rankings. Due to its influence and wide reach, influential parties such as the Zhou Jun Wang Clan, Huanhua Sword Sect, Yedu Huang Clan, Chaosheng Sect, and Luoxia Sword Sect would send representatives to observe, selecting outstanding individuals either as sect disciples or aristocratic apprentices, who might later serve as honored guests.”
Though he was young and had limited literacy, such a complex matter should have been difficult for him to articulate clearly. However, since Master He often spoke about the significance of the martial arts academy competition, He Mu explained fluently without any hesitation.
“The Zhou Jun Wang Clan, the Huanhua Sword Sect…” Meng Qi repeated softly. In the past six months, aside from Qi Zhengyan occasionally coming over to spar and occasionally checking the martial arts rankings and the Zhou Jun outstanding talents list, he had almost become detached from the martial world. Hearing these familiar names again, he felt a wave of nostalgia.
After taking a sip of wine, Meng Qi smiled at He Mu and said, “So you’re worried that your ‘story’ will be too simplistic during the martial arts academy competition?”
“Yes.” He Mu replied somewhat bashfully. This was exactly why he had come.
Meng Qi stood up and paced leisurely in the courtyard, smiling as he said, “Indeed, your current story is too simple, with only a beginning and an end. Your opponents won’t be from your own academy, so it’s not easy for them to be affected by such a simple story. However, your response during the second match was actually quite good—you used your head. You’re teachable!”
Pleased by Master Su’s praise, He Mu couldn’t help but smile proudly—this was his proudest moment.
Meng Qi turned and looked at him. “Therefore, you need to prepare more complex and refined stories that will captivate them and make them willingly fall into your traps.”
“Master Su, how should I prepare?” He Mu instinctively held his breath, eagerly awaiting guidance.
Meng Qi thought for a moment and said, “Storytelling through sword techniques is highly interactive. After you narrate a segment, you must anticipate your opponent’s reaction, or in other words, pre-determine the several possible responses they might make. Then, prepare different scenarios accordingly, making your opponent unknowingly fall into your prearranged story trap.”
“For example, after using ‘A Thousand Sails Across the Sea,’ your opponent might directly target your lower abdomen, or strike downward from above, or perhaps… To respond promptly, your previous moves must reserve some strength…”
“Of course, the correct approach is actually to force your opponent to follow your story, leaving them with only a few choices. However, you certainly can’t do that now…”
Meng Qi used the “Tide Listening Sword Technique” to “weave” a story that wasn’t too short but also wasn’t overly long. Each interaction corresponded to a specific scenario. Though complex, it was still within He Mu’s comprehension since it was based on sword techniques he had learned daily, although he couldn’t remember all the details.
He clenched his teeth, swallowed the information whole, and forced himself to memorize it, planning to repeatedly practice each segment of the story after returning home.
“Got it?” After finishing, Meng Qi smiled at He Mu.
He Mu nodded vigorously. “Got it!”
Afterward, he asked in confusion, “Why should the story be crafted this way? Why will the opponent necessarily respond like that?”
“Good question! You’re teachable!” Meng Qi laughed heartily. This was indeed the core essence. “However, knowing it now won’t benefit you.”
He Mu didn’t press further. Compared to earlier, he now had a bit more confidence and said, “Master Su, I’ll take my leave now.”
“Go back. Don’t be nervous,” Meng Qi patted his shoulder and smiled. “Use your sword to tell them a good story.”
After He Mu left and the courtyard gate closed, Qi Zhengyan emerged from the room, deep in thought. “Why did you guide him in the principles of sword techniques?”
Even he, after listening to Meng Qi’s explanation, gained many new insights into past sword techniques.
Meng Qi smiled and said, “One is a superficial reason, and the other is the real reason. Brother Qi, which one do you want to hear?”
“The superficial reason…” Qi Zhengyan, who had been tricked many times before, decided to take the opposite approach.
“I’m pondering and practicing the art of setting up sword strategies, attempting to progress from simplicity to complexity. Thus, I used Xiao He Mu’s hands to create various stories, sharing them with opponents I’ve never met and whose moves I’ve never seen, to test the effectiveness. It’s like setting up a chessboard in advance and inviting people to join the game at will.” Meng Qi said solemnly.
Qi Zhengyan nodded slightly. This reason was reasonable. If he himself weren’t more inclined toward the Hun Tianbao Jian, he might also try it.
He took a deep breath. “This is the superficial reason?”
This should be the real reason!
Meng Qi chuckled and said, “The real reason is only four words.”
“Hmm?” Qi Zhengyan was slightly intrigued.
Meng Qi turned his back to him and clasped his hands behind him. “I have free time, and I’m being whimsical.”
A cold wind blew through. A plum blossom fell to the ground, forming into an ice crystal. Qi Zhengyan’s face twitched twice before he slowly relaxed his clenched fist. “I’ve converted all your gems into silver notes.”
Considering his own channels and the need to focus on cultivation, Meng Qi had asked Qi Zhengyan to exchange the gems obtained from the bandits for silver notes, so he could discreetly purchase sharp weapons and long swords without drawing attention.
Qi Zhengyan had many “superiors” in Yedu and dared not make too much noise. It took him half a year to slowly convert all the gems into silver notes, totaling twelve thousand seven hundred taels.
“Langya Money House, heh… the snack lover’s family…” Meng Qi muttered with a smile upon seeing the silver notes.
Thinking for a moment, Qi Zhengyan reminded him, “The martial arts academy competition is highly valued. If you wish to continue concealing your identity and avoid attention from the martial world, it’s best to know when to stop.”
“Mm, I know my limits,” Meng Qi nodded seriously, beginning to ponder his upcoming purchase of sharp weapons and long swords.
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