Zhao Letian spent a sleepless night, his thoughts running wild.
Frustrated, he decided to cultivate his inner energy instead. As he focused his mind, dawn quietly arrived.
Feeling rejuvenated and alert despite the lack of sleep, Zhao Letian stretched lazily before stepping into the courtyard. There, he found Cao Jinyan waiting for him.
Before Zhao Letian could speak, Cao Jinyan explained, "The cultivation method I taught you is called the Heavenly Dragon Technique. It is reserved exclusively for members of the royal family and must never be shared."
The Heavenly Dragon Technique? It must be a top-tier inner cultivation art. But wait, only royal descendants can practice it—so how did this elderly eunuch learn it?
Though a suspicion arose in his heart, Zhao Letian kept his thoughts to himself.
The elderly eunuch continued, "Since you've now grasped the basics of inner cultivation, it's time to learn martial arts. Do you want to study the sword or the blade?"
"Which is stronger?"
Cao Jinyan shot him a disdainful look but said nothing.
Realizing he'd asked a foolish question, Zhao Letian rephrased, "Which is easier to learn?"
Cao Jinyan frowned, his usually impassive face showing faint irritation.
Unfazed, Zhao Letian pressed on shamelessly, "Esteemed Sir, could you explain the differences? What are the benefits of learning the sword versus the blade?"
The elderly eunuch sighed. "The sword embodies the righteous path, the way of kings. To master the sword is to align oneself with heaven, to uphold justice and righteousness. While swordsmanship itself is ruthless, a swordsman must have compassion."
"And the blade?"
"The blade is domineering. It carves its own path through mountains, embodying the willful nature of its wielder. To master the blade is to seek one's true self, to reign supreme with none daring to oppose. It is fierce and merciless, with the wielder even more so toward themselves."
Cao Jinyan paused. "Swordsmanship is refined and calculated, excelling in flowing with the current. Blade techniques are bold and decisive, thriving on all-or-nothing risks. Both paths can lead to the pinnacle of martial prowess."
Zhao Letian hesitated. He yearned for freedom but couldn't commit entirely to reckless abandon. While he was a man of emotions, he disliked being bound by righteousness.
After much deliberation, he asked, "Is it possible to master both sword and blade?"
Cao Jinyan sneered coldly. "Do you think you're that talented?"
Zhao Letian chuckled awkwardly. "Just a thought. After all, techniques are static, but people are dynamic. Rules may be fixed, but their application isn't. Who knows? I might be a martial arts prodigy!"
Cao Jinyan was momentarily taken aback before saying, "Then you'll study the sword."
"I have a talent for the sword?"
"No. This old servant is simply better at swordsmanship."
...
"Come with me. The emperor has left a decree for you to train at the Bureau of Judicial Review. First, I'll take you to settle in, present you with a sword, and teach you swordsmanship."
They arrived at Cao Jinyan's residence, a tidy courtyard just behind the imperial palace. From a storage room, the eunuch dragged out a wooden chest covered in years of dust.
When the chest was opened, it revealed a longsword lying within.
At first glance, the sword appeared ordinary, even slightly rusted. But as Zhao Letian studied it closely, his expression turned astonished. A faint crimson aura seemed to pulse along the blade, like flowing blood. In a moment of illusion, he felt the sword was alive.
"This sword is called Grudge. It once belonged to the Sword Demon, Du Guchou. While named swords lack souls, they possess spirit. If you resonate with its will, it will stay by your side, inseparable for a lifetime."
Grudge? Sword Demon?
The eunuch seemed increasingly mysterious—a perfect "golden thigh" to cling to!
Seizing the opportunity, Zhao Letian knelt respectfully. "Master, please accept this disciple's bow!"
With a flick of his hand, Cao Jinyan prevented him from kneeling. "No need to call me Master. I am merely passing on the Sword Demon's teachings. His path is unconventional—perhaps it suits you."
"But the Sword Demon is my Master, and so are you!"
The thought made Zhao Letian inwardly thrilled. Imagine bragging: Do you know who my master is? The Sword Demon!
And if trouble arose, who better to back him up than a powerful mentor?
Cao Jinyan shook his head helplessly. This 19th prince, who was supposed to be refined and scholarly, was surprisingly shameless. Could bone-cleansing and marrow-washing change a person's personality?
Without confirming or denying, the eunuch began explaining swordsmanship: "The Sword Demon's techniques have no fixed forms. They are to be understood, not explained. He divided swordsmanship into five realms: Sword Force, Sword Qi, Sword Intent, Sword Domain, and Unity of Man and Sword."
"Huh?" Zhao Letian was dumbfounded. "No forms? Then how do I learn?"
Cao Jinyan continued, "Once your foundation is solid and your swordsmanship matures, you'll naturally comprehend. For now, I'll teach you the entry-level Tianshan Sect's Rain Sword Technique. It has four stages: Drizzle, Torrent, Tempest, and Ocean. Starting with softness, it transitions to hardness, and ultimately blends the two seamlessly."
"The sword mantra goes:
'Gentle rain drizzles, fine as silk, misty as clouds.
Storm rain pours, stirring wind and waves, overturning rivers and seas.
Rain has no force; the environment does.
Harmony breeds momentum; rain dances in chaos.'
"The essence of the Rain Sword Technique lies in flowing with the current. If you align with its rhythm, the sword will follow your will, moving as naturally as rain with the wind."
"Don't underestimate this foundational technique. The Sword Demon himself said that mastering just the first stage, Sword Force, could allow a cultivator at the third level to challenge one at the fifth."
Zhao Letian abandoned his usual lazy demeanor, attentively absorbing every word.
Cao Jinyan demonstrated the Rain Sword Technique, starting slowly before gradually increasing speed. His movements were light, precise, and flowing, like raindrops carried by the wind. His swordsmanship, paired with his serene demeanor, was both elegant and meticulous, forming an unbroken, harmonious sequence.
Zhao Letian watched, mesmerized.
...
Meanwhile, at the Bureau of Judicial Review.
Minister Zhou Zheng handed the emperor's decree to Lou Tingyu, the Chief of the Blue Robe Division.
Lou Tingyu glanced over it and frowned. "A falling star heralds the arrival of a Child of Destiny. The emperor decrees the 19th prince is to train at the Bureau. That's it? Just twenty-one words with no specifics?"
Zhou Zheng gazed out the window thoughtfully. After a long silence, he replied, "Do you recall how you topped the imperial examinations? By pondering the meaning of such words? The emperor has been unwell for days, and the Grand Secretariat is in chaos, unable to meet him. Yet this decree is delivered here. That's the key!"
Lou Tingyu, enlightened by Zhou Zheng's words, exclaimed, "The Bureau of Judicial Review has always been a quiet department. Why would His Majesty bypass the cabinet and send a prince here at this time? Could it mean... promotion for you, Minister?"
Zhou Zheng gave him a stern look. "Think! The emperor's illness, a prince, the Child of Destiny!" He emphasized each word heavily.
Lou Tingyu finally understood. "The emperor's silence is itself a message. He wants to see what the prince is capable of. We let him act freely, intervening only if necessary."
Zhou Zheng nodded. "Exactly. The 19th prince is in your care now."
"Not me, Minister! Assign him to the White Horse Division—it's quiet and suits his scholarly talents."
"No. Place him in the Blue Robe Division, Third Team. He'll take over the vacant captain's position. Assign a reliable person to shadow him discreetly. Any mishap will be on you!"
"Minister, reconsider!"
"Enough! If you're unwilling, you can transfer to the White Horse Division yourself."
"Zhou Zheng, you shameless old fox!" Lou Tingyu stormed out in frustration.
Watching him leave, Zhou Zheng muttered, "Let's see if you can keep pretending to be clueless!"