Chapter 108: Balanced Strength and Gentleness, Exquisite Precision, Dao Art Zong Shi

The Leather Armor Youth was no man of broad mind. On the contrary, his heart was narrow and deeply envious. In the past, within the sect, he had secretly plotted and murdered a younger brother—someone whose talent surpassed his own and who had long admired him. The reason? He saw in that disciple a threat. His master’s favor toward the younger man was obvious, and if left unchecked, that disciple might one day claim the resources meant for him. So, he decided to strike first. During a mission outside the sect, when the younger man was off guard, he killed him in silence.

The murder was executed with meticulous care, complete with an alibi. Though the master mourned deeply, he never suspected the Leather Armor Youth. In fact, the master’s sympathy only deepened, showering him with even more cultivation resources.

From that moment on, something inside the youth snapped. Every time he saw someone more talented than himself, a murderous impulse flared in his chest—prompting him to destroy them.

Now, seeing Lu Qing—just a boy—already at a level nearly equal to his own Jin Gu Jing martial prowess, and having nearly been killed by him, he could no longer contain the seething rage.

"You’re a martial genius, boy," the Leather Armor Youth sneered, voice cold. "But you’re destined to die by my hand."

Lu Qing remained calm. He quietly reflected on their previous clash and came to one conclusion:

The Xian Tian-level direct disciple? That’s it.

Though the Leather Armor Youth stood a level above him in cultivation, his combat ability fell short. He knew a variety of techniques—claw arts, swordplay, even archery, judging by the quiver on his back. Yet, no bow was visible. Perhaps it was because he spread himself too thin across too many disciplines that none were perfected.

In contrast, Lu Qing’s Four Directions Sword Art was already masterfully refined.

Seeing Lu Qing ignore him again, the Leather Armor Youth’s eyes turned icy.

"Lu Qing, brother! Let’s fight side by side!" Ma Gu stepped beside Lu Qing, holding his sword in one hand, voice low and firm.

"No need. I can handle him alone." Lu Qing declined.

His gaze on the Leather Armor Youth carried a strange glint.

Ever since entering Jin Gu Jing, Lu Qing had noticed something peculiar during his cultivation. His progress was unnaturally fast. Each session of Nourish Body Fist brought a noticeable strengthening of his bones and sinews. In just a few days, his physical strength had surged dramatically. He was now close to the initial stage of mastery.

That was why he’d managed to send the Leather Armor Youth flying with a single strike—his raw body strength was nearly on par with the other’s.

But despite the rapid progress, Lu Qing had remained uncertain about his true strength. The arrival of this opponent was the perfect test: slightly higher in cultivation, yet weakened from using a secret technique.

Was there a better anvil for sharpening his blade?

Lu Qing’s eyes held a quiet, knowing look.

Again, that look!

The Leather Armor Youth’s blood boiled. His strength was superior, yet this boy looked at him with such contempt—as if he were nothing.

How could he endure such humiliation?

"You want to die!" The Leather Armor Youth drew his short blade and kicked a stone toward Lu Qing at lightning speed. Then, with a burst of qi, he darted after it, weaving through the air like a serpent.

"Ma Ye, cover my flank!" Lu Qing laughed, sidestepping the stone and charging forward.

Ma Gu nodded and stayed put. As a martial artist himself, he understood the pride of warriors. To step in now would be an insult to Lu Qing’s dignity.

Two martial prodigies collided.

Length is strength—Lu Qing, wielding his long blade, struck first.

At a distance of several steps, a flash of white light cut through the air. A single, slashing strike aimed straight at the Leather Armor Youth’s face.

The youth sneered. Earlier, I was caught off guard. Now, I’m ready. This clumsy, brute-force technique won’t touch me.

He twisted aside effortlessly, then closed in with a sudden lunge—his short blade ideal for close-quarters combat.

Once within a step, Lu Qing’s long blade would be useless. But his short blade? It would be lethal.

Once I’m in, he’s dead.

The Leather Armor Youth’s plan was flawless—until the moment he dodged.

A chill shot down his neck. His skin prickled.

He glanced sideways—and saw Lu Qing’s War Blade tracing a strange, fluid arc, following his movement like a serpent, slicing toward his throat.

How?!

He hadn’t seen that coming. The blade’s motion was too precise, too fluid. It was supposed to be a straight, powerful slash—yet it had changed mid-motion, flowing like water.

Panic surged. He rolled aside at the last moment.

Swish!

The blade grazed his neck by a hair’s breadth. It missed—just barely.

He tumbled backward, putting distance between them. Then he touched his face. Blood.

He’d been cut.

Cold sweat poured down his back.

"Too bad," Ma Gu muttered, watching from the side. "That was a masterpiece of a strike—yet he still escaped."

He was stunned. He knew swordplay well. That final motion—where a brutal, thunderous slash instantly transformed into a whisper-soft, seamless glide—was beyond rare. It was perfect.

It sent shivers down his spine.

Now he understood why so many had died in Kuai Hua Village. Why even the infamous Zhai Xin Lang hadn’t managed to wound Lu Qing.

This was the level of mastery.

With such precision, even ten Zhai Xin Langs wouldn’t be a threat.

But then a strange thought struck him.

Lu Qing… he loves taking heads.

Every single strike had aimed for the neck or the head. Was it his sword art? Or a personal preference?

Ma Gu’s mind flashed back to the scene in Kuai Hua Village—bodies piled high, heads rolling like stones.

"Nice footwork," Lu Qing said, standing still after forcing the Leather Armor Youth back.

This time, the youth didn’t rage. He stared, eyes wide with disbelief.

"Balanced Strength and Gentleness, Exquisite Precision… Your sword art has reached this level?"

"Merely a trifle. Nothing to boast about," Lu Qing replied, calm as ever.

The confirmation struck like lightning.

The Leather Armor Youth’s breath caught.

Master Swordsmanship?

Yes. That was the name given to this level.

Zong Shi-level technique.

Any swordsman who reached this stage could be called a Zong Shi.

Because this was the peak of Hou Tian cultivation.

Beyond this, even a Zong Shi at Nei Fu Jing’s peak could not surpass it.

And Lu Qing—just a Jin Gu Jing martial artist—had already achieved this.

The realization shattered him.

Yet Lu Qing remained unfazed.

To him, this was no surprise.

Every time he trained, he did so under the aid of Abilities. With the learning mode activated, he existed in a state near breakthrough—learning, adapting, grasping concepts instantly.

And within his mind, he carried ancient, forbidden heritages—secrets so powerful they could drive outsiders mad.

They broadened his vision, letting him see beyond the limits of ordinary cultivation.

If he hadn’t become a master of the blade under such conditions, he truly would have been a fool.

In fact, he believed his understanding of the Four Directions Sword Art surpassed even the original Jin Gu Jing swordsman who created it.

His art had broken free from its roots—becoming something uniquely his.

The Leather Armor Youth stared at Lu Qing’s calm face and felt a chill crawl up his spine.

He never imagined he’d meet such a monster in this remote valley.

A Jin Gu Jing cultivator—yet already wielding Zong Shi-level mastery.

If their strength had been equal, the first strike would have ended him.

Now, his will to fight was gone.

Facing a man who could fight like a Zong Shi? No chance.

Even if Lu Qing was weaker in strength, he dared not risk it.

That one near-fatal strike had already shattered his courage.

And Ma Gu was watching—waiting.

Retreat.

The Leather Armor Youth made his decision instantly.

He surged forward, qi flaring, aiming for the trees behind.

"Think you can run?"

Lu Qing had already read his intent the moment his eyes flickered.

In the instant the youth moved, Lu Qing stepped forward and slashed—his blade blocking the escape route.

"Kid, don’t push me too far!"

Cornered, the youth’s fear turned to fury. He knew this was his last chance.

He activated a forbidden technique. Qi surged through his body in strange patterns.

A white mist rose from his skin—sign of qi pushed to its absolute limit.

"Die!"

His speed and strength exploded.

With a snarl, he charged, short blade aimed straight for Lu Qing’s neck—ready to die in a final, suicidal strike.

Lu Qing didn’t flinch.

His War Blade suddenly became light, agile—like silk.

A flick, a glide—his blade touched the other’s short blade, then slid along it, cutting toward the youth’s arm.

Shink!

The blade bit deep.

But Lu Qing’s brow twitched.

Damn this armor.

The leather was impossibly tough. Even his Hundred-Forged War Blade—enhanced by Jin Gu Jing strength—required full power to cut through.

A simple wrist cut wouldn’t work.

He’d have to go for the head.

Lu Qing’s eyes scanned the youth’s body.

Only the neck and head were exposed. The rest was armored.

So, to kill him—only one path remained.

He sidestepped the charge, then swung his blade in a fluid arc, redirecting it toward the youth’s throat.

Damn it!

The youth felt the chill again. He didn’t hesitate—thrust his blade upward, trying to block.

With the secret technique, his strength far exceeded Lu Qing’s. If he could knock the blade away, the rest would be meaningless.

But Lu Qing saw it coming.

As the short blade neared, he twisted his wrist—dodging the block—and the War Blade continued its path, slicing through the air.

This time, the youth couldn’t avoid it.

His eyes widened in terror.

He watched, frozen, as the blade descended.

Thud.

A massive head flew into the air.

The Leather Armor Youth was dead.

"Brother!!!"

A roar of grief echoed from above the valley.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end