I have sparred with Li Guang dozens of times, receiving intensive training from him. He would correct my stance and teach me techniques quickly, which is why we sparred. Of course, I was no match for Li Guang and always ended up getting beaten.
But now, such a record is not important. The killing intent around Li Guang was clearly genuine, and he was ready to cut me down at any moment. This was fundamentally different from sparring to teach a successor.
I swallowed hard and said,
"Wait a moment!"
"What is it?"
"Why do you hate Huashen Style (化神流)?"
"......"
The question seemed too unexpected, as Li Guang hesitated. His usually cold and ruthless expression changed, indicating that he was quite taken aback.
His spear tip moved slightly, and with a whoosh, a strand of my hair beside my ear was cut off. With my current skills, I couldn't even tell what he had done. His level was far beyond any discernible technique. As I stiffened, Li Guang said,
"I'll give you credit for your courage. To ask such a question in this situation, you're not just any ordinary guy."
Damn. I really might die.
Li Guang was holding back, but only minimally. This made the pain even more intense. If he had intended to kill me from the start, my head would have flown off in the first few seconds, and I wouldn't have felt this much pain. As I inwardly cursed, Li Guang continued,
"You're a strange one. You seem to use Leiyin Sword Technique (雷影劍法) properly, but why is your sword skill still at the beginner level? It's pitiful that you can only use Tianlei (天雷) with your overflowing inner strength."
This guy?
I felt a surge of anger. Since I had already resigned myself to dying here, I still had the spirit to argue with Li Guang. So I spat out a mouthful of blood and said,
"There is a next level to Leiyin Sword Technique... I know it exists."
The problem was that I had died before I could learn it, beaten to death by the Eight Gates of the Demon Path (魔道八門). Li Guang scolded me,
"If you knew, why didn't you learn it? Where is your master, and why didn't he teach you?"
"He died of illness. He couldn't achieve Leiling (雷靈)."
"......"
"I need to become stronger. I need to become stronger to defeat my enemy."
As I raised my fighting spirit, a glint appeared in Li Guang's eyes.
"You look young, yet you speak of an enemy. This enemy isn't the one who wronged your original master, is it?"
"No. But I must cut off his head."
"Why?"
I looked Li Guang straight in the eye and said,
"He killed my friend. I can't live until I avenge this."
I was surprised at how calmly I spoke. My tone was so tranquil that it felt strange, even to me. It was as if I were reading from a book, which would have been bizarre even to a child.
'Well, I guess I'll have to practice my acting for the tenth time.'
I had spoken with genuine emotion, but if it didn't come across that way, it was meaningless. As I inwardly smiled bitterly, Li Guang's killing move did not come.
......
....
What is it?
I stood there for a long time, but the silence continued.
Looking up at Li Guang, he said with a stern expression,
"Your mental strength is far beyond your age. Bai Xiong, you must have gone through some incredible battles."
"......?"
"Jin Suqing."
Whoosh
"Yes, Master."
Suddenly, Jin Suqing appeared in the courtyard. Li Guang handed him a pouch of silver and said,
"Take him to Doctor Jiang in the village. Once he's healed, bring him back."
"Understood."
Jin Suqing bowed and then took me somewhere.
'Am I still alive?'
But as Jin Suqing grabbed my collar and moved me, I had already lost consciousness. The short time had been too intense for me to maintain my awareness.
It didn't take long for Jin Suqing to take Bai Xiong to the Jiang family, where one of the best doctors in Guanzhong, Jiang Sunwu, examined him and said in amazement,
"He's barely alive."
"Will he be okay?"
Doctor Jiang Sunwu replied,
"Yes... It's unbelievable, but he's healing naturally."
"Really?"
"Look here."
Jiang Sunwu pointed to Bai Xiong's chest, where the skin had split open and the flesh was torn, revealing a bit of white bone. It was a severe injury, but the flesh was visibly twitching and slowly healing. Jiang Sunwu said in disbelief,
"I've heard that when inner strength reaches its peak, one can use qi to heal naturally... but I've never seen it before. Can a human possess such inner strength?"
"......"
"Even if I don't do anything, he will heal. But I'll help him recover faster. He should be back to normal in three to four days."
"Thank you."
"But who could have inflicted such injuries on someone with this level of inner strength?"
Jin Suqing didn't answer the question and left the room. After a moment, he returned to the Qinglong Martial Hall.
Whoosh
His figure quickly flew to the Walong Hall and stopped in front of Li Guang, who was sipping warm tea.
Li Guang's side held the Longyan Sword (龍淵劍) that Bai Xiong had possessed. Jin Suqing glanced at it and said,
"Master, don't you often say that other Leishen Style (雷神流) disciples are like our brothers?"
Li Guang took a sip of tea and replied,
"Yes."
"I think this was too much. If Bai Xiong's inner strength hadn't been so high, he would have died."
"If he had died, it would have been for the best."
"Excuse me?!"
Jin Suqing was shocked. The Li Guang he knew would never say such a thing. Ignoring Jin Suqing's surprise, Li Guang picked up the Longyan Sword and said,
"Isn't this a famous sword? It's probably the renowned Longyan among the best swords in the world."
Li Guang had a great interest in supreme weapons and was very knowledgeable. Based on his knowledge, there was no doubt that this sword was Longyan. Curiosity flickered in Jin Suqing's eyes.
"That is..."
"At such a young age, with inner strength just a step away from Tianling Pill (天靈丹), and being noticed by the White Lotus Sect's Law Guardian, even receiving a bloodline proposal, he refused it and came to me with this sword. His martial arts are already at the initial stage of a peak master."
Li Guang, who had been muttering, looked Jin Suqing straight in the eye and said,
"Do you think there's a boy in all of Guanzhong who can keep up with Bai Xiong's pace?"
Jin Suqing shook his head.
"I don't think so. Unless it's the White Lotus Sect's young leader (小教主)."
"Exactly. This boy is too outstanding. But what's even more frightening is what's hidden inside. I just realized this."
"What do you mean?"
"Steel-like willpower."
"Willpower?"
"The way he spoke of his master seemed dubious. I couldn't verify it, but it was likely a lie. But when I was about to cut him down, he calmly spoke of avenging his friend. There was the spirit of a warrior who has fought through decades of battles in his words."
"......!!"
"Honestly, I was surprised. This boy already possesses the spirit of a seasoned warrior."
Li Guang's expression was unusually solemn. It was a rare sight for him, who usually remained calm no matter what happened. He put the Longyan Sword back and looked out the window.
"Bai Xiong is indeed the successor of Leishen Style. It's true that I need to train him. But I'm not sure if I can control him when he grows stronger."
"Do you really think he should die even if he wants to?"
Jin Suqing's question was sharp. Li Guang, who had been looking at his disciple, laughed.
"Haha... I don't know. This is the first time in my life. I want to train him, but I also think I should kill him for your sake. I'm so confused. Suqing... what do you think?"
Li Guang often had a preconceived answer when he asked questions. That was his style. But Jin Suqing realized that this question was genuine, and Li Guang truly wanted his opinion.
After a long moment of thought, Jin Suqing said,
"I want to accept Bai Xiong as a junior brother."
"Even if he might become your enemy in the future?"
"My thoughts are different. Haven't you harbored a grudge for a long time, Master? If Bai Xiong is indeed the great vessel you think he is, he might create a huge wave in the world and give you a chance to settle your grudge."
"......!!"
Li Guang was startled. Jin Suqing's insight had surpassed his own. Li Guang had indeed harbored a grudge that he had never shared with anyone. But it was practically impossible to resolve, so he had been living quietly. Unexpectedly, Jin Suqing had brought up this point.
After a moment of contemplation, Li Guang said,
"Fine. I think it's possible."
A small flame flickered in Li Guang's eyes. It was the resentment he had condensed over decades.
"Let's see if we can train him to the best of our abilities."
In his mind, there was a giant.
He was guarded by three superhuman beings, making it impossible to even consider revenge. His power was godlike, and even the emperor of the Great Ming feared his strength, the absolute ruler of the martial world! Li Guang had been sharpening his blade against this existence but had given up due to the impossibility. Now, he had gained a new hope.