Urban Martial Saint

When Ye Qing just entered the courtyard, Fu Qingping had already seen him. However, he didn’t stop his actions, instead slowing them down, as if to allow Ye Qing to see clearly. Moreover, he performed the techniques from start to finish once more, even those he had already practiced.

Ye Qing noticed that Fu Qingping was intentionally teaching him. Grateful, he watched more carefully. Occasionally, he even mimicked with his hand, memorizing the characteristics of this swordsmanship.

After Fu Qingping completed the sword technique, he casually tossed the world-famous Qingping Sword to Ye Qing, saying, ”Practice it once for me to see.”

Ye Qing had an excellent memory, so by the time Fu Qingping finished the set of sword techniques, he had memorized them almost entirely. Upon receiving the Qingping Sword, he didn’t draw the longsword but kept it in its scabbard, imitating Fu Qingping’s previous movements to practice this swordsmanship.

Ye Qing remembered this set of swordsmanship very clearly. Yet, when he attempted the first move, things suddenly changed. The first move was simple — a straightforward thrust — but when Fu Qingping executed it, it seemed to have an indescribable flair. In contrast, when Ye Qing tried, it felt awkward; his thrust didn’t capture Fu Qingping’s ease, instead appearing clumsy, like a failed imitation.

Barely managing the first move, the second move entailed flicking the sword and forming a sword flower before retracting it. However, when Ye Qing attempted the flick, he realized he couldn’t produce a flower like Fu Qingping did. Without managing the flower, he didn’t know how to retract the longsword. Given that the third move depended on the second, he naturally couldn’t execute the third move either.

At this moment, Ye Qing’s mind went blank; though he remembered the swordsmanship clearly before, it seemed he had completely forgotten it. The longsword in his hand felt superfluous, with no place to rest it.

Feeling helpless, Ye Qing put down the longsword, murmuring, ”Master, I’m dull-witted; I truly cannot perform this swordsmanship!”

”Hahaha…” Fu Qingping laughed heartily, retrieving the Qingping Sword from Ye Qing, stating, ”If you could manage it after just watching once, how could I, Fu Qingping, traverse the world with this Qingping Sword?”

”But, I clearly memorized all the moves just now; why can’t I execute them?” Ye Qing asked, puzzled.

”Memorizing moves is one thing, executing them is another,” Fu Qingping said. ”This swordsmanship’s key lies in Sword Intent, not the techniques. In truth, the highest realm in swordsmanship centers around Sword Intent. Top-level swordsmen solely practice Sword Intent; lower-level swordsmen focus on techniques. Without understanding Sword Intent, practicing swordsmanship forcibly may seem plausible, but ultimately, one cannot form their own style nor master Sword Dao!”

Ye Qing nodded, half-understanding. In fact, Shen Tianjun had mentioned the same thing when teaching him before. However, Ye Qing’s current state was far below these people; he didn’t comprehend what Sword Intent meant, much less understand how to cultivate it.

”Well, discussing this with you won’t make sense now. Study more under me; over time, you’ll gradually understand my words,” Fu Qingping chuckled, walking over to the middle of three small trees. He grasped the Qingping Sword’s hilt and told Ye Qing, ”Watch closely.”

Ye Qing’s eyes widened, unsure of Fu Qingping’s intentions. At that moment, Fu Qingping suddenly drew the sword and spun, the Qingping Sword resembling a long dragon encircling him. Yet, the dragon enveloped the three small trees around it. Accompanied by resonating sword sings, Fu Qingping declared loudly, ”The Green Duckweed Emergence astounds the world!”

As his words fell, Fu Qingping returned the Qingping Sword to its scabbard, everything around appeared as usual, as if nothing happened.

Ye Qing stared in awe, noting the sword looked exceptionally splendid, but discerning nothing else. He wondered why his master showed this; was it merely to display its splendor?

Observing Ye Qing’s bewildered expression, Fu Qingping realized he hadn’t grasped the key point. He gently tapped the nearby small tree, causing all the tree’s leaves to fall off halfway, leaving behind half a leaf on the tree.

Ye Qing’s eyes widened in disbelief as he walked over, inspected the leaves on the ground, and the half-leaves on the tree. He was utterly dumbfounded, finally understanding what Fu Qingping accomplished with the sword just now. In that instant, Fu Qingping had split every leaf on the tree in half!

”Master, how… how is this done?” Ye Qing exclaimed in astonishment.

Fu Qingping chuckled lightly, ”In the realm of swordsmanship, this should be the norm. Where the longsword points, none can resist; this is the highest level in swordsmanship. If you can train a longsword to perfection, you’ll achieve the same!”

Ye Qing was astounded; he had already been impressed by Fu Qingping’s capabilities before, but this time he truly witnessed Fu Qingping’s prowess. Ye Qing was certain, Fu Qingping’s strength surpassed the Five Unmatches of the World. If he drew the Qingping Sword, the Five Unmatches stood no chance!

”For swordsmanship to possess such power!” Ye Qing murmured, enviously. But he knew his current condition: veins nonexistent, Inner Strength gone; he couldn’t train in anything, merely observing.

”If you commit to learning, you could achieve this in the future,” Fu Qingping said.

”Alas!” Ye Qing sighed, ”Master, after the battle with the Corpse Ghost Dragon, my meridians were destroyed, Inner Strength depleted. Now, I have no meridians present, almost making me a cripple. In this life, I fear I can never practice martial arts again!”

”What?” Fu Qingping stared at Ye Qing in shock, ”How could meridians disappear? At most, they’re severed; how could they vanish entirely?”

”It’s true,” Ye Qing replied softly, ”Ning Qianshu and Bai Li Xi examined me; even they couldn’t find my meridians.”

”How is this possible?” Fu Qingping expressed confusion, holding Ye Qing’s wrist, pressing several pressure points, ultimately admitting he couldn’t detect Ye Qing’s meridians.

”Never imagined such a thing could happen!” Fu Qingping frowned deeply, saying, ”Meridians are part of the body; how could they cease to exist? Truly, living long enough lets you encounter all manner of bizarre occurrences. Ye Qing, your situation is undoubtedly unprecedented through history. What’s the cause? Is it the Buddha’s Relic’s power that erased your meridians?”

Ye Qing himself didn’t know what happened. After awakening from coma, he could no longer sense his meridians. Initially, Ye Qing thought his meridians were severed, leading to the inability. Later, upon meeting Bai Li Xi and Ning Qianshu, he learned his meridians were completely nonexistent; even he struggled to believe it then. Yet now, he must concede, his meridians indeed no longer existed.

Ye Qing replied, ”Even I don’t understand the situation. After using the Buddha’s Relic’s power, my meridians ceased to exist.”

”Is that so?” Fu Qingping said, ”Could you elaborate? Also, describe the Buddha’s Relic’s power for me to see what might have happened.”

Ye Qing came this time specifically to discuss the Buddha’s Relic’s power with Fu Qingping. Therefore, without hesitation, he recounted the events thoroughly. However, he omitted the part about the Buddha’s Relic within his body, as few knew of it; Ye Qing dared not reveal it, fearing endless trouble otherwise.

After hearing Ye Qing’s story, Fu Qingping furrowed his brow tightly, pondering the Buddha’s Relic’s power situation. Ye Qing was the only one who had utilized that power, making him very knowledgeable of it.

Though Fu Qingping was powerful, he remained a Peak Master, unable to transcend that level. Moreover, he couldn’t fathom what exceeded Peak Master status since, for years, everyone considered the peak as the Martial Path’s summit; no one discussed beyond Peak Master.

Extending life and enhancing power requires surpassing his current level, reaching beyond Peak Master. But he couldn’t discern what lay beyond. Hence, his inquiry to Ye Qing about the Buddha’s Relic power aimed to glimpse what transcendent force might be, hoping to gain insight and elevate his strength.

Sitting nearby, as Fu Qingping contemplated, Ye Qing did not disturb him. Fu Qingping remained meditative for three hours. When he roused, it was nearly lunch time.

”Master, have you discovered anything?” Ye Qing asked.

”Alas!” Fu Qingping sighed, ”Your explanation was impressive. The Buddha’s Relic possesses a transcendent force, a realm neither attained nor imagined previously. Your insights afforded me a new perspective on power. I’ve faintly glimpsed beyond Peak Master—the only pity is, I’m a bit short, just a slight margin, unable to see clearly. Otherwise, my strength would undoubtedly elevate a notch higher!”