Guardian of the Heart

Chapter 3: Rules of Wudang Sect

Time flies, and half a year has passed since Zhu Yuandi joined the Wudang Sect. The scene on Wudang Mountain remains serene, with white clouds drifting by. It seems that with the passage of time, the rules and heritage of the Wudang Sect have become even more profound.

Zhu Yuandi is currently immersed in the radiance of his sword, silently listening to the teachings of Shi Yan.

Shi Yan gazes at Zhu Yuandi and softly says, "Ajiu, your execution of the 'Union of Heaven and Earth' move is still too soft. While your sword intent is there, your sword technique lacks the necessary strength. You should revisit the 'Sword Technique' section in the 'Two Principles Divine Sword' manual."

Zhu Yuandi bows respectfully and replies, "Yes, Master."

Shi Yan continues, "The Two Principles Divine Sword is the essence of our Wudang Sect. You must practice it diligently."

"Master, could you please explain the core of the Two Principles Divine Sword to me?" Zhu Yuandi respectfully inquires.

Shi Yan nods, his profound gaze reflecting the depth of martial arts. "The core of the Two Principles Divine Sword lies in the Dao of Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang are the mother of all things, interacting, complementing, and transforming into each other, forming the foundation of the world's operation. In swordsmanship, Yin and Yang manifest as the harmonious balance of firmness and flexibility, and knowing when to advance or retreat. The essence of the Two Principles Divine Sword lies in integrating the power of Yin and Yang into your sword technique. Only by merging these forces can you truly grasp the essence of this sword style."

Zhu Yuandi suddenly gains a bit of insight into his sword technique. She nods silently and recites, "Reversal is the movement of the Dao; weakness is the use of the Dao. All things in the world are born from existence, and existence is born from non-existence."

Satisfied, Shi Yan nods and says, "Correct. The essence of the Two Principles Divine Sword lies in using stillness to control movement and using weakness to overcome strength. Only by proficiently harnessing the power of Yin and Yang can you navigate any battlefield with ease, using softness to overcome hardness."

He continues, "In the Two Principles Divine Sword, you must not only understand the variations of sword moves but also reach a philosophical understanding. Yin and Yang interact and conflict, just like the myriad aspects of life, sometimes as vigorous as fire and other times as gentle as water, holding infinite possibilities."

Zhu Yuandi listens attentively, nodding her head as if grasping the concepts.

Shi Yan adds, "On the level of swordsmanship, you must also comprehend the subtleties of the transformations between Yin and Yang. Your sword technique should be able to switch seamlessly between the soft, intricate qualities of Yin and the strong, straightforward qualities of Yang, allowing your swordplay to adapt to any situation."

Zhu Yuandi understands and smiles gently. "Master, your swordsmanship is profound and incomprehensible. I am humbled by your teachings."

Shi Yan shakes his head and says, "The Wudang Sect has a long history, and each generation of disciples must make contributions. Do not be discouraged. With continuous effort, you can advance in the path of swordsmanship."

"Master, could you share some of your insights with me?" Zhu Yuandi respectfully asks.

A contemplative look passes through Shi Yan's eyes. After a moment of silence, he finally says, "During my own training, there was a period when I became too fixated on perfecting my sword techniques, neglecting the balance within myself. It was only when my heart became as calm as still water that I could truly understand the essence of the Two Principles Divine Sword."