Chapter 376: Lovesickness

"This……"

How many people in the martial arts world dream of being able to worship the Northern Sage King as a teacher? However, when such a good thing fell from the sky and hit Liu Xunyi on the head, he hesitated instead.

It's not that he looked down on Luo Tianjin, he was just worried that if he became his disciple, it would be difficult for him to extricate himself from the master-disciple relationship in the future.

At present, Liu Xunyi is just a disciple of the Xianwang Mansion and has nothing to do with Luo Tianjin. Even if one day, he betrays Luo Tianjin for the court, or even turns against Luo Tianjin, although he feels guilty, at least he can sacrifice his life for justice and destroy his conscience for the sake of the country.

However, the meaning of kowtow and apprenticeship is completely different. At that time, he will be betraying his own master, which is not only against his conscience, but also against ethics and morality.

As the saying goes, "once a teacher, always a father." Liu Xunyi thinks that he is a person who values ​​feelings very much. Once his true identity comes to light, how should he face Luo Tianjin? How should he deal with it? How should he face the world?
Luo Tianjin seemed to see the hesitation in Liu Xunyi's eyes. He frowned slightly, feeling a little angry. He said unhappily, "I never like to force others. If you don't want to be my disciple..."

"No!"

Luo Tianjin's tone was a little scary and cold, which made Liu Xunyi's heart tremble with fear. He quickly interrupted and said, "It would be a great honor for me to be the master of the house. But..."

"Just what?"

Liu Xunyi thought quickly in his mind, and suddenly came up with a solution, "But I once worshipped Zhao Tong as my master, how can I..."

"Zhao Tong is dead, why should he be mentioned?" Luo Tianjin said contemptuously, "What's more, what he taught you was just some mediocre punches and kicks, which are far inferior to your current martial arts. How can he be qualified to be your master? I can teach you much more than martial arts, but also the rules of the world and the way to behave in society. As the saying goes, 'there are differences in learning and specialization'. Zhao Tong and I cannot be compared, nor can we be bound by each other."

Liu Xunyi's heart was as clear as a mirror. It was extremely rare that Luo Tianjin was willing to condescend to find a way out for him. If he continued to be hesitant and hesitant, it would be a bit ungrateful. If he offended Luo Tianjin, the consequences would be even more disastrous.

With this in mind, Liu Xunyi simply made up his mind, knelt down on the ground with a plop, and said solemnly: "Master, please accept my disciple's three bows!"

After saying that, Liu Xunyi kowtowed three times to Luo Tianjin respectfully.

"it is good!"

Luo Tianjin was very satisfied and could not help but smile. He nodded and said, "Xun Yi, your teacher does not ask you to become famous and successful. I only hope that you can live up to your expectations and be worthy of respect. You should keep your word and not go beyond the rules. In the future, you should think more about making progress and never fall into the wrong path."

"Disciple, please remember this!"

Luo Tianjin helped Liu Xunyi up and reminded her, "Be careful not to be arrogant or impatient, and practice well. The Xianwang Mansion will be handed over to you and Hongxuan sooner or later."

Liu Xunyi's mind moved, and he suddenly realized. It turned out that Luo Tianjin had another intention in accepting him as his disciple, wanting him to assist Luo Hongxuan wholeheartedly in the future and protect the foundation of the Xianwang Mansion.

"A real man does not take trivial matters seriously. To avoid criticism, everything will continue as usual from now on. You and I do not need to address each other as master and disciple."

"I've got it!" After saying that, Liu Xunyi changed the subject and asked impatiently, "May I ask, Palace Master, what else is there above the top-notch experts?"

"Above the upper class are the top masters." Luo Tianjin replied, "I am not talented, but I can barely make it into this category."

Liu Xunyi had never heard of such remarks before, and could not help but sigh in amazement: "How many top masters are there in the world today?"

"They are rare, only one in a million." Luo Tianjin pondered, "As far as I know, Shaolin Abbot Xuanming and Wudang Taoist Qingfeng are top masters. The last time I fought with the leader of Chifengling, Yan Wuji, his martial arts skills are not inferior to mine, so he can also be ranked among them. As for the others... it's hard to say."

"What about Jin Fuyu, the master of Jinjianwu?"

Luo Tianjin pondered and said, "Not long ago, in Xunyang Tower in Jiangzhou, Jin Fuyu defeated Deng Changchuan with one move. As I expected, he is also a top master."

"The martial arts world is vast, but it's hard to count the top masters." Liu Xunyi sighed, "They are really rare."

"The world is so vast, and the human world is so vast. What you and I have seen is but a drop in the ocean."

"Then..." Liu Xunyi hesitated again and again, but finally couldn't suppress the strong curiosity in his heart and asked, "Are there any other masters above the top masters?"

"The only one who is more unfathomable than the top masters must be the peerless masters." Luo Tianjin said with a faint smile, "But I have never seen a true peerless master. Therefore, the 'peerless masters' circulating in the martial arts world are mostly people who have gained their reputation in vain and seek fame for nothing."

Luo Tianjin's words made Liu Xunyi dumbfounded and shocked like a clay statue.

"Xunyi, what do you think of this 'expert's theory' from my teacher?"

"The Lord of the Mansion has profound insights and is well-versed in ancient and modern knowledge. I was so engrossed in listening that I don't know what to say."

"Haha..." Luo Tianjin laughed, "The world is unpredictable and ever-changing. This set of 'expert opinions' can only serve as a reference for you to navigate the martial arts world in the future. You must not stick to the old rules and be content with the old customs. As you know, the martial arts world is dangerous and people's hearts are unpredictable. Even the most powerful masters may die at the hands of villains, and even the most sophisticated people may capsize in the gutter. Therefore, you must assess the situation, follow the trend, and act according to local conditions and the times, so that you can remain invincible in troubled times."

"Been taught a lesson!"

Luo Tianjin glanced at the sword in Liu Xunyi's hand and asked, "How did you feel when you fought with me just now?"

"Catching shadows, chasing clouds and mist." Liu Xunyi sighed, "My swordsmanship is far from the palace master's body movement."

"Do you know where your shortcomings are?"

"Not fast enough..."

"Wrong!" Luo Tianjin corrected, "It's not 'slow', it's 'too fast'." Liu Xunyi was stunned and asked in surprise: "Too fast?"

"Exactly." Luo Tianjin explained, "You draw your sword too fast, so fast that your heart can't keep up. Your every move is as smooth as flowing water, so fast that even you can't react."

"This……"

"It is precisely because your sword is too fast that you cannot think calmly when fighting with the enemy." Luo Tianjin patiently taught, "Xunyi, you must understand one thing. Knives, spears, swords, and halberds are always just weapons. The power of weapons does not depend on the weapons themselves, but on the person who uses them. You must learn to control the sword with your heart, and not let the sword control your heart."

"Control the sword with your heart..." Liu Xunyi muttered thoughtfully, "Don't let the sword control my heart..."

"That's right!" Luo Tianjin nodded. "In terms of swordplay, you are already fast enough. But it is precisely because of your speed that you are always one step slower than me. Why? Because your moves are completely based on your body's instincts, not your heart. Therefore, I only need to think a little bit to see through your moves and easily avoid every one of your attacks."

"Think carefully..."

"As the saying goes, 'Practicing martial arts requires courage, strength and skill.' Now, you already have courage, strength and skill, the only thing you lack is your state of mind." Luo Tianjin's words were like pearls, which made Liu Xunyi fall into deep thought, unable to extricate himself. "After practicing martial arts for many years, you have memorized all the moves so well that you have gradually forgotten to think. Now, when you fight with others, every move is in your hands, feet, and sword, but not in your heart. Therefore, if you want to break through your bottleneck, you should not practice the moves you have memorized day after day, but forget them all. Start from the beginning, learn from the heart, and learn slowly."

"Forgive my stupidity, Lord, please explain..."

"Good luck!"

Before Liu Xunyi could finish his words, Luo Tianjin suddenly reached out and grabbed a branch from mid-air, then started waving it in the yard.

"Love at first sight, red leaves convey love, tenderness like water, looking at the shadow to guess the love, hearing the sound to surpass the love, the song is full of human feelings, the Supreme is ruthless!"

As Luo Tianjin's sword flew up and down, he explained to Liu Xunyi, "Remember these seven moves carefully. This is the 'Lovesickness and Soul-Breaking Sword'. This sword technique has only seven moves. It looks simple, but it is actually very versatile and contains a lot of hidden secrets. You can't just watch it with your eyes, you have to remember it with your heart. This sword technique was created by me. It follows the essence of Wudang sword technique of 'using softness to overcome hardness, and using slowness to overcome speed'. It will be of great help to you in overcoming your own shortcomings. From today on, you have to practice diligently and strive to comprehend it as soon as possible."

"Yes."

Liu Xunyi drew his sword following the sound, and followed Luo Tianjin's movements, learning every move.

Strangely enough, every move and every form of this "Lovesickness and Soul-Breaking Sword" was one movement and one stillness, and very precise. I don't know if Luo Tianjin deliberately slowed down, or if the sword technique itself was like that, anyway, it was so slow that Liu Xunyi was furious and felt very aggrieved.

“Palace Master, I think this set of swordsmanship is good for self-cultivation and strengthening the body, but if it is used against the enemy in battle, I’m afraid…” Liu Xunyi hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but didn’t dare to.

"What are you afraid of?" Luo Tianjin put away his "sword" and retreated, looking at Liu Xunyi who was imitating him with interest.

"I'm afraid... it's too slow." Liu Xunyi replied hesitantly.

"Slow?" Luo Tianjin chuckled, "Why don't you give it a try? You can use any moves you want. If you can break my Acacia Soul-Breaking Sword, I will take you as my master."

"Although I dare not overstep my authority, I really want to try out the power of this sword technique. Master, I'm sorry!"

Liu Xunyi was indignant. He turned the sword in his hand and stabbed Luo Tianjin with lightning speed.

Just when Liu Xunyi saw the flaw and was about to attack Huanglong, the slowly moving branch pierced his armpit without him noticing.

Liu Xunyi was secretly surprised, and quickly changed his tactics. When he saw the right moment, he suddenly drew his sword and stabbed it diagonally towards Luo Tianjin's jaw.

However, Luo Tianjin's branch still got there first and swept across his chest.

If Luo Tianjin had held a sword instead of a branch, Liu Xunyi would have become a corpse by now.

"hiss!"

Faced with such a strange sword technique, Liu Xunyi could not help but be stunned and pale.

"How is it?" Luo Tianjin stood with his "sword" on his back and asked with a smile, "Do you still dare to say that this set of swordsmanship can't be used against the enemy in battle?"

"I was clearly on the top lane just now...how come I suddenly ran to the bottom lane..." Liu Xunyi was surprised, "Could it be that the Palace Master is too fast?"

"You are too obsessed!" Luo Tianjin's face darkened and he scolded, "My speed has never changed at all, it's just that this set of 'Lovesickness and Soul-Breaking Sword' itself is exquisite and unparalleled, making you invulnerable. Remember, fast and slow are not contradictory in themselves, what is contradictory is fast without rules, slow without order. There is a saying: 'Knowing the limit will lead to determination, determination will lead to tranquility, tranquility will lead to peace, peace will lead to consideration, consideration will lead to success. Everything has its roots and ends, and everything has its beginning and end. Knowing what comes first and what comes later will lead to the right path.' If you don't distinguish between priorities and blindly seek speed and rush for success, you will not only lose your footing, but also be confused and even go astray. Remember, when practicing this sword technique, you should not seek speed but stability."

Amidst the constant teachings, Liu Xunyi and Luo Tianjin repeatedly used this "Lovesickness and Soul-Breaking Sword" to fight in the courtyard.

Every time, Liu Xunyi changed his moves hastily and became anxious, causing his sword skills to go haywire. Being methodical and following the rules, he was able to withstand Luo Tianjin's attacks. If he got impatient, whether he was fast or slow, all his previous efforts would be wasted, and he would quickly fall into a disadvantage, and this had been proven time and again.

Before we knew it, dawn was approaching and the east was already bright.

After a night of discussion, the relationship between the two masters and apprentices became more real and profound.

……

　The most unforgettable thing is lovesickness

　　
　
(End of this chapter)