The Eternal Way-Chapter 96: Techniques and the Dao

Within the Jing Family Trading House's caravan encampment, a rumor spread quickly.

"What? That tiger woman is betting with someone? Is it that new young hero?"

"Ah? Did someone actually dare to argue with her? Oh, another high-level martial practitioner, right? This should be interesting."

"Did you hear? It seems her sword was broken, and she was told her cherished swordsmanship is just a minor technique. She was furious!"

Contrary to Li Qi's expectations of being isolated by the caravan for offending the original guard, everyone in the Jing Family seemed to be enjoying the spectacle. Some even came over to cheer him on.

He went from being an unknown hired guard to becoming everyone's hero almost instantly.

He even thought he heard someone shout, "Don't lose! Big brother with the long saber!"

Damn, how bad was Jing Yan's reputation?

But judging by her stubborn attitude towards swordsmanship, she likely appeared arrogant most of the time. Even Manager Jing described her as: "Her mother died early, and her father was strict, making her reclusive, with no interests other than martial arts."

Fortunately, though reclusive, she wasn't unreasonable. To prove her beloved swordsmanship, she agreed to Li Qi's bet.

What was the bet about?

Here's how it went down:

"A bet? On what?" Jing Yan withdrew her hand, eyeing Li Qi suspiciously.

"I've said it before, my little sister isn't without cultivation; she simply isn't good at combat. However, her path excels in identifying weaknesses and flaws. If you switch to another sword and demonstrate your swordsmanship... your sword Dao to my little sister, I'll take one night to study and break it tomorrow. This will verify if my little sister was speaking out of turn. What do you think, Sister Jing?"

"If I lose, she will certainly apologize and make amends. You can consider it a lesson for her not to speak rashly again."

"If I win, it proves my little sister's words were true. I won't ask for an apology but will offer the identified weaknesses to help improve your martial skills. How does that sound?"

Li Qi spoke clearly and confidently, earning Jing Yan's respect.

So, she didn't refuse but asked, "Will you use your saber or fists?"

"Flesh can't withstand weapons; naturally, I'll use the saber," Li Qi replied.

"Your saber skills are far inferior to your unarmed techniques," Jing Yan said with a hint of mockery.

Li Qi smiled helplessly.

There was no way around it; he didn't know saber techniques. Even Carp Flow Intent was only practiced, not fought with. He lacked the corresponding weapon cultivation methods.

It wasn't Shen Shuibei holding back; she simply didn't know either.

For something as trivial as this in Luofu Mountain, understanding the practice method was already quite indulgent. Fighting methods? Were they necessary?

A Fifth Rank cultivator like her needed Eighth Rank fighting techniques?

Therefore, Li Qi relied on Wave Pushing Strength techniques, using the progress bar and instantaneous bursts of Carp Flow Intent to disrupt opponents' actions, earning praise for his "decent unarmed techniques."

As for saber techniques...

To put it bluntly, when Li Qi used the saber, even seeing others' progress bars, he couldn't break their moves.

The long saber was akin to a sharp-enchantment-enhanced firewood knife for him, adding some attack power in critical moments, otherwise serving as a walking stick.

Why did he always carry it?

Of course, to look cool.

And to mislead others into thinking he used a saber, then suddenly whip them with a willow branch at crucial moments for maximum effect.

Despite his helplessness, Li Qi bowed and responded, "Using the saber would be better. If my crude saber skills can break your sword Dao, wouldn't it more convincingly prove my little sister's words?"

"Fine! I'll show you my swordsmanship! Make sure your little sister watches closely! If you lose, I want her to kneel and apologize!" Jing Yan declared arrogantly, then had someone bring a regular long sword and demonstrated her swordsmanship.

Shen Shuibei listened to the entire conversation and knew her role. Given that the incident started because of her, she watched very attentively.

Honestly, Li Qi had never seen the rabbit so serious.

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

That was the situation; the bet was set, and the caravan couldn't delay because of it, so they departed that night.

Li Qi took some time to check on Lao Ma, finding him well-fed and comfortable, eating fruits in the morning, grains at noon, hay and beans in the afternoon, and different snacks at night.

Li Qi added another thousand coins since Lao Ma ate a lot, and the prepaid amount wasn't enough.

Well, fattening him up was the goal, so this was fine.

After taking care of that, he hurried back to join the caravan, discussing with Shen Shuibei on the ox cart.

Being ninth-rank martial practitioners, they were given a separate ox cart.

Not entirely dedicated, there were still goods on the cart, but compared to sharing space with others, theirs was much roomier.

"Tomorrow, I'll definitely let you defeat that braggart!" Shen Shuibei's face was full of indignation, waving her small fists fiercely.

Though she looked fierce, she still appeared adorable, lacking any real malice or hatred, more like a child sulking.

"Alright, alright, I'll make her apologize! But today, what did you observe?" Li Qi asked.

"All weaknesses, all flaws! There's nothing commendable, yet she dares call it swordsmanship... how can a mere sword claim to be Dao?" Shen Shuibei grew angrier.

"Just a man-made tool. Just because many people use swords, they dare call it Dao? A minor technique!" Shen Shuibei said unhappily, "Dao must have representative concepts, a complete system of thought, methods to achieve its goals, unique theories about heaven, earth, all things, and beings. Only then can it be called Dao!"

"How dare anyone claim anything as Dao! It's infuriating!" Shen Shuibei even jumped, the angriest Li Qi had ever seen her.

More upset than when he touched her ears.

Clearly, belittling the concept of "Dao" deeply troubled her.

But... she had a point.

In Li Qi's understanding, "Dao" referred to rules, the laws governing the universe.

A sword was merely a human-made weapon. Sword skills, at best, could be called sword techniques. Claiming it as sword Dao was an insult to the word "Dao."