This time, Du Chengfeng finally gained a general understanding of his current abilities.
Perhaps he wasn't as weak as he imagined. Despite being a peaceful person from Taiping who always considered himself a non-violent scholar, judging by the outcome, he had defeated a swordsman who practiced swordsmanship for fifteen years and killed many.
In other words, roughly speaking, he had practiced swordsmanship for fifteen years and killed many as well.
"Maybe I'm not as weak as I thought?"
Thinking of this, Du Chengfeng couldn't help but look down at the saber in his hand.
Although he said so, Du Chengfeng knew deep down that the saber played a major role in his ability to cut the sword in half.
To put it bluntly, it was the saber that was strong, not him.
"Still too weak, I'm still too weak."
Whenever he thought of He Xiqing's demonic and otherworldly figure, Du Chengfeng always felt a heavy weight in his heart. Could he truly survive against such a terrifying creature?
Perhaps this wasn't something that needed special contemplation; survival was imperative.
Because if he died, then he really died.
"So, do you want to live or die?"
With the saber resting on his shoulder, Du Chengfeng turned back to look at Cui Yuan in front of him.
"Since you've attacked me twice, I guess you must have prepared yourself, right?"
"Ah, ah ah ah..."
To Du Chengfeng's surprise, at this moment, Cui Yuan had lost interest in responding to him.
Instead, he just looked at the broken sword in his hand, unable to utter a complete sentence for a long time.
"I, ah, Master, ah, this, Wind-Riding, why did you..."
"..."
Du Chengfeng suddenly had a bad feeling.
If he remembered correctly, he had witnessed a similar situation not long ago, on a dark and stormy night, with a javelin...
"Du Chengfeng! Give me back the saber!"
While Du Chengfeng was reminiscing, a hoarse shout suddenly came from outside.
"Du Chengfeng! Just kill me! Du Chengfeng... don't stop me! None of you stop me! I'm not going back! I'm not sick! I'm perfectly healthy!"
After two hoarse cries, a commotion erupted outside the courtyard, and after some scuffling, the courtyard fell silent again.
Having listened to the entire process, Du Chengfeng couldn't help but sigh.
He was sure that he hadn't done anything. How Yang Sanlang had become like this was beyond his understanding.
And now, Cui Yuan in front of him seemed to be approaching the same state.
"First of all, stop for a moment."
Du Chengfeng pondered and decided to advise Cui Yuan's behavior.
There was no other reason; it was mainly due to the stupid name of the sword. Whenever 'Wind-Riding' was mentioned, he kept feeling as if he was being called.
"Furthermore, the sword has already been honed, we've fought, and it's getting late, shouldn't you be..."
"Kill me."
Before Du Chengfeng could finish his sentence, the despondent Cui Yuan plopped down on the ground.
"I've lost, kill me."
"You..."
Du Chengfeng slapped his forehead.
He knew it; he sensed something was amiss earlier, and sure enough, it had led to such a statement.
Killing him wasn't entirely unreasonable, given that Cui Yuan attacked him twice. Killing him was an option, especially if there were no other excuses. Cui Yuan wasn't wearing a hat today, which was also a good excuse for an attack.
However, when he considered the trouble of cleaning the ground, especially clearing blood stains and dealing with the corpse, Du Chengfeng abandoned the thought.
To kill a lunatic, and then clean up for a whole morning, was far too much trouble.
Not to mention, he had just learned an entire set of sword techniques from this madman.
"So, why don't you leave quickly? Aren't you supposed to duel someone?"
Du Chengfeng thought for a moment and finally found a reason to send him away.
"Go quickly; that swift blade is waiting for you."
"Duel? Haha, duel..."
Hearing Du Chengfeng's words, the seated Cui Yuan shook his head with a bitter smile.
A duel, yes, he indeed had a duel to fight, but did he still qualify for it?
He lost, for the first time he lost so thoroughly. Despite his desire to see the blade, to see its power, who would've thought that with a single stroke, just one stroke, everything he had disappeared completely.
Whether it was his efforts, his sweat, or his painstakingly honed sword moves over more than ten years. Even the sword gifted by his mentor, one that hadn't chipped or dulled in fifteen years, had now...
"Wind-Riding, Wind-Riding!"
Holding the broken sword, Cui Yuan wailed.
The heartrending sound made Du Chengfeng's scalp crawl.
Clenching his fist, Du Chengfeng ultimately kicked him. He couldn't bear to hear anyone mourning in front of him, especially when they were calling his name.
"Pull yourself together! You must pull yourself together!"
With two slaps on Cui Yuan's face, Du Chengfeng's eyes were wide with anger.
"It's just a broken sword, can't you just replace it?"
"Haha, hahaha..."
Cui Yuan only giggled crazily, holding the broken sword with tear-stained cheeks, appearing deranged.
"The sword broke; the sword has already broken. How can it be replaced, with what..."
"Snap out of it!"
Two more slaps landed on Cui Yuan's face, and Du Chengfeng was momentarily at a loss for words.
If he were merely an outsider, naturally, he could utter comforting platitudes. But, having honed the Wind-Riding Sword himself, he understood the profound significance of this sword to Cui Yuan.
With both parents deceased, and his mentor who taught him also left after gifting this sword. For fifteen years, only the sword accompanied Cui Yuan, sharing meals and living space, practicing together. Such deep emotions, calling the sword Cui Yuan's biological father wouldn't be excessive.
And now, this sword representing everything was cleaved in half.
No matter how accomplished Cui Yuan might be with swordsmanship, faced with such a colossal blow, ultimately he...
"Exactly!"
Du Chengfeng suddenly had a moment of inspiration.
"Have you ever thought, this might be part of your training?"
"...Ah?"
Cui Yuan, whose face was streaked with tears, was suddenly stunned.
"What did you say?"
"I said this might be part of your training."
Du Chengfeng gripped Cui Yuan's shoulder firmly.
"The sword broke, but does it cease to be a sword?"
"The sword broke, it's still a sword?"
Cui Yuan was rendered confused by the question.
"The sword broke, is it still a sword?"
"Don't ask me; go back and ponder it yourself."
Patting Cui Yuan's shoulder, Du Chengfeng helped him up from the ground.
Then, he assisted the swordsman out of the courtyard.
Next came a thud as the courtyard door closed.
Leaning his back against the door, Du Chengfeng exhaled deeply, thankful that after much persuasion, he finally sent the lunatic away and could now enjoy a proper sleep.
After all, once he woke up, he had more important matters to attend to.
Cui Yuan's sword had brought him crucial inspiration, prompting him to explore paths he hadn't previously considered.