Chapter 530 Three Questions about the Martial World
Zhao Yan took a deep breath and asked the final, and most crucial, question. "Young hero, you possess unparalleled martial arts, defeated the Emperor of Japan, and earned the title of 'Sword God'! I wish to know, what exactly is the 'Dao' you sought in your life? Is it to become the greatest in the world? Or to rule the martial arts world and command all under heaven? Or perhaps… merely to protect that small corner of peace?"
This question directly addresses the ultimate meaning of martial arts, and also touches upon Shen Mo's heart. Zhao Yan wanted to know where the boundaries of the ambition of this "Sword God," who was capable of overthrowing dynasties, truly lay.
Shen Mo's gaze passed over the many palace walls of the Imperial Garden, looking towards the distant sky that belonged to the martial arts world.
He thought of the Demon Refining Mountain of the Heavenly Demon God Sect, the murals in the Tomb of the Martial God, and the people in the far west who struggled for a single grain of food.
He suddenly smiled, but there was no arrogant disdain for the world in his smile; only a calm and compassionate understanding of the ways of the world.
"Your Majesty," Shen Mo's voice was soft, yet it seemed to contain immense power, "The 'Way' that this commoner seeks is neither high above the heavens nor buried deep in the netherworld. It is right beneath our feet, in every reason for drawing our swords, in every act of restraint when we sheathe them. The end of the martial path is not invincibility, but non-contention. It is not about conquering anything, but about protecting everything worth protecting. If one day there is no longer any reason to draw our swords, and no longer any injustice in the martial world that requires chivalry, then that will be the true fulfillment of this commoner's Way."
After speaking, Shen Mo withdrew his gaze and looked at Zhao Yan again. Their eyes met once more, and this time, the scrutiny and wariness in their eyes seemed to have faded somewhat, replaced by a shared reverence for the "Dao" that transcended their positions.
Zhao Yan remained silent for a long time, then picked up his teacup and drank the already cooled tea in one gulp.
He knew that the three questions and answers in the Imperial Garden today would be passed down to future generations, becoming the "Three Questions of the Martial World" for all martial arts practitioners to examine their own hearts.
The white-haired old man finally slowly opened his eyes.
For the first time, his gaze truly fell upon Shen Mo, and it was no longer a simple scrutiny.
This child...
A silent storm surged within the depths of the old man's heart. He had seen countless people and boasted that he could see through the very bones and destiny of heroes across the land at a glance.
He had seen those geniuses in the Southern Region who were hailed as "once in a century." They were either like oil boiling over a raging fire or like still water in a cold pool, but without exception, they all had a clear trajectory and upper limit in his deductions.
But the young man before him was like a primordial universe, containing endless possibilities, which made even this old monster who had lived for nearly a hundred years feel a sense of indescribable confusion.
Shen Mo stood there, dressed in simple black robes, his posture upright like a pine tree. He had no trace of the fierce aura of a martial artist, and seemed to be just a scholar who was powerless to kill a chicken.
However, it is precisely this state of returning to simplicity that is most astonishing.
The old man used his internal energy cultivation technique, which was enough to see through meridians, to try to see the flow of true energy in Shen Mo's body, but he only saw nothingness.
That is not emptiness, but a higher level of "fullness"—a perfect integration of oneself with the laws of heaven and earth.
His aura was extremely restrained, like a volcano buried deep underground, calm on the surface but containing world-destroying energy within.
If this child were born in the Southern Region, the Southern Region would surely prosper!
A single thought, like a thunderclap from the heavens, exploded in the old man's mind.
He seemed to see a magnificent picture: Shen Mo stood at the top of the Southern Region, admired by all the people behind him, and the world was at peace.
He single-handedly suppressed villains from all directions, integrated scattered sects, and restored the Southern Region, which had been declining due to internal strife, to its former glory and dominance.
Under his guidance, the martial arts of the Southern Region will reach unprecedented heights, and may even surpass the Central Plains!
Thinking of this, a sincere expression of approval and expectation unconsciously appeared on the old man's withered face.
That is an appreciation of unparalleled gems, and an aspiration for a prosperous future.
However, this praise lasted only a moment, vanishing without a trace like morning dew.
wrong!
The old man's eyes suddenly sharpened, and alarm bells rang in his mind.
He suddenly realized that he had made a fatal mistake.
He was too engrossed in the beautiful fantasy of "possibilities" and ignored the most fundamental reality—Shen Mo was not from the Southern Region! He was the "Sword God" of the Central Plains, the strongest being born from this land! All his glory and achievements belonged to the Central Plains, not the Southern Region!
In that instant, the old man's admiration turned into icy vigilance and a chilling aura.
He looked at Shen Mo as if he were looking at a black hole that was about to devour all hope in the Southern Region.
If this young man is allowed to continue developing, with the talent and potential he has shown so far, the martial arts world of the Central Plains will surely reach an unprecedented golden age under his leadership.
By then, the gap between the Southern Regions and the Central Plains will no longer be a trickle, but an insurmountable chasm!
Those so-called prodigies of the Southern Region are probably not even worthy of carrying Shen Mo's shoes!
This child must not be allowed to live!
A murderous intent, like a poisonous vine, grew wildly in the old man's heart.
He dedicated his life to planning for the southern region, and had long since bound his fate to that land.
He can appreciate genius, but he will never allow a genius who is not his to become a weapon threatening his homeland.
Even a potential threat must be nipped in the bud!
Then, the old man spoke slowly, his voice hoarse yet carrying an undeniable authority: "Your Majesty, I have long admired the name of the 'Sword God,' and seeing you today, I can see it is indeed well-deserved. I wonder... if you would allow me to witness just how formidable this martial prowess, capable of repelling the Emperor of Japan, truly is?"
These words were spoken politely, but the murderous intent within them was as piercing as an ice pick.
The old man's purpose in proposing the sparring was crystal clear—he did not expect to kill Shen Mo completely here, at this moment.
After all, this is the Forbidden City, right under the emperor's nose, and Shen Mo is a hero renowned throughout the land. If he dies here, it will surely cause a huge upheaval and even shake the foundations of the nation.
Although the new emperor Zhao Yan wanted to weaken the Martial Alliance, he would never allow things to get so out of control.
Therefore, the old man's true purpose was to cripple him!
He intended to use the guise of "sparring" to deal a devastating blow to Shen Mo's foundation.
He was confident that, with his centuries-old secret martial arts from the Southern Region and his "Shattering Star Finger" technique, powerful enough to shatter mountains and clear paths, he could break through Shen Mo's defenses, sever his meridians, and destroy his dantian in the blink of an eye.
Even if we can't kill him on the spot, we must make him a cripple from now on, so that he can never wield a sword again and never pose any threat to the Southern Region!
A crippled "Sword God" is more effective than a dead "Sword God" in making the world see the majesty of imperial power and in fundamentally dismantling the myth of Shen Mo.
The old man sneered inwardly. He could almost see Shen Mo kneeling on the ground, spitting blood, his eyes filled with despair and resentment.