Zongwu: Aspiring to be the mastermind behind the scenes

Chapter 391 Decisions and Abandonments, Ideals and Reality

Wei Zhuang resolutely refused, saying, "Shark Tooth is the most suitable sword for me, and for a swordsman, one sword like this is enough!"

Gai Nie remained silent, but shook his head.

His current level of swordsmanship has reached the point where he no longer pursues the weapon in his hand, but focuses on the person wielding the sword.

He didn't have much need or desire for the sword in his hand.

If he were still holding the Yuanhong sword, ranked second in the world, at this moment, he might be seen as someone who talks without understanding the situation.

But now that Yuanhong has broken, it proves that his mentality was indeed due to the attainment of a certain realm, and that he truly thought this way.

Aizen still smiled, but looked down at the blue sword and said, "It seems you've been underestimated. How about I demonstrate your power and show it to them?"

Then, with a forceful pull, he lifted the cyan sword.

Wei Zhuang and the others, unaware of the mystery, did not react at all, but the Mo family members all showed strange expressions.

The idea of ​​a sword spirit has now been indirectly confirmed.

Aizen held the Azure Light Sword and then slashed it, unleashing a burst of sword energy.

The next instant, the sword energy landed on the wall of the central hall, leaving a sword mark.

At that moment, everyone realized that something was wrong.

Because everyone could see that the sword energy that Aizen unleashed didn't fly to the wall; rather, it skipped the intermediate process and arrived at the wall the instant it was struck.

There was absolutely no difference in time between them.

It should be noted that sword energy, as a ranged attack method, needs to travel for a period of time before it reaches the target.

This period of time is very short, perhaps only a breath or two, but it still happens eventually.

Moreover, although the movement of sword energy is extremely fast, it can often be captured by martial artists with keen eyesight and hearing, not to mention that there are many innate and even grandmaster-level experts present.

With their eyesight, they were able to clearly capture the flight of the sword energy.

A skilled individual can even condense their own protective energy within a breath or two after the opponent unleashes their sword energy.

This is why many high-level martial artists are so difficult to kill.

That's because ambushes are often ineffective against skilled opponents.

Even if you are perfectly concealed before making a move, and the other party doesn't notice you, they can react immediately the moment you make a move.

A sneak attack is ineffective; the only option is a direct, head-on assault, which is naturally difficult to execute.

Now, Aizen unleashed this sword aura with extreme speed!

Almost at the same moment the sword energy was released, it had already reached the target location.

There was absolutely no time difference between them!
Anyone skilled in martial arts can understand how terrifying this ability is.

"It's because of that sword..." Gao Jianli said in a low voice, "A sword, could it do that?"

Master Xu was also completely bewildered: "There are actually swords in the world that can achieve such miraculous effects?"

Seemingly afraid that everyone would blame him for the effect of this sword strike, Aizen swung his sword again.

The sword energy had barely left its blade when it reached the wall, leaving another sword mark.

Extending two fingers to stroke the blade of the Azure Light Sword, Aizen said, "The Azure Light Sword represents the light of thunder, and the sword energy it unleashes also possesses the speed of light."

Explaining how fast the speed of light is to you would be too much trouble. You just need to know that any attack you make with the Azure Light Sword can hit your target directly at the same time the sword move is executed!

Of course, the exact distance over which this effect will take effect depends on the user's own abilities.

He looked at the two of them: "Now, do you still think you don't need this sword?"

Wei Zhuang gripped the Shark Tooth tightly in his hand.

To be honest, he was indeed somewhat tempted.

I just refused, so it would be a bit embarrassing to admit it now.

Therefore, they remained silent.

But Gai Nie remained calm throughout.

Aizen released his grip, and the Azure Light Sword fell to the ground, once again embedding itself in the floor of the central hall.

"The Azure Light Sword favors decisive and resolute masters. Gai Nie, your swordsmanship emphasizes simplicity, which perfectly aligns with the Azure Light Sword's style. Coincidentally, the Yuanhong Sword in your hand is currently broken. If you can gain the Azure Light Sword's approval, it will fill the void of having no weapon. And the power of this sword will undoubtedly be of great help to your current needs."

Aizen said, "And you, Wei Zhuang, although the horizontal sword technique you practice emphasizes skill, you yourself are a very decisive person, which just happens to suit the preferences of the Azure Light Sword."

You say the Shark Tooth sword in your hand is the most suitable sword for you? But you've never even held the Azure Light Sword, so what makes you so sure this sword wouldn't be more suitable for you?

He paused, then added, "I've said before that whoever can pull out this sword is my friend. Whichever of you pulls out this sword, I will help him defeat his opponent as my first gift to my friend."

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhuang, Gai Nie, and everyone else in the room had a slight change in expression.

A surge of anger rose in Wei Zhuang's heart.

He clearly had a huge advantage, and had even defeated Gai Nie, but then this guy suddenly appeared, interrupting his duel with his senior brother, and now he even wants to interfere.

However, this was not what truly angered him.

What truly angered him was that, at this moment, he felt a sense of fear.

He was afraid that if Aizen intervened, it would help Gai Nie and the others turn the tide of battle!
After all, the last time he appeared, he brought along a subordinate who was at the Grandmaster level!
Although this time, the subordinate was not seen, but given his power, the resources he controls are probably far beyond what most people can imagine.

It's hard to say how good he is.

In contrast, Gai Nie was overjoyed.

The current situation is naturally very unfavorable to the Mohists; if they are not careful, the entire Mohist school could be in danger of collapse.

Under these circumstances, if this mysterious expert were willing to assist, even if he couldn't destroy the Qin army, he could at least ensure the Mohists' safe retreat.

Of course, there is also the possibility that he could help Wei Zhuang.

But the Mohists have fallen to such a state, what difference would one more enemy make?
Wei Zhuang looked up and saw Gai Nie's eyes. Almost instantly, he understood what he meant. He couldn't help but snort coldly and said, "If I draw this sword, I don't need your help. Just having you by my side is enough."

Having said that, he reached out and grabbed the hilt of the Azure Light Sword.

Then he lifted it with force.

It wasn't mentioned.

"It's really true..."

Wei Zhuang was slightly startled. Although he had heard Aizen specifically say that this sword recognized its master, if it was not the master it recognized, it would be as heavy as Mount Tai and no one could lift it.

But in the end, it was just a sword.

Before this, Wei Zhuang had never seen such a magical treasure, so although he knew the details, he did not fully believe it.

Now, Aizen's words have been proven true.

He tried again, even using his inner energy, but he still couldn't lift it, so he simply gave up.

As a result, everyone's eyes were focused on Gai Nie.

Especially the Mohists.

At this moment, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Gai Nie was their hope. Even Gao Jianli, who had always had reservations about him, had to admit this at this moment.

Tianming clenched his fist and shouted, "Uncle, you can definitely do it!"

Few people care about what a child says.

Gai Nie stepped forward and reached out to grasp the hilt of the Qingguang Sword.

For some reason, Wei Zhuang suddenly had a bad feeling.

He asked, "You just said that this sword is more likely to recognize those who can make decisions, right?"

Aizen nodded: "That's right. Decisiveness is a rare quality, and it's also the quality that the Azure Light Sword values ​​most."

Wei Zhuang's lips curled slightly: "Then it seems that Senior Brother can't lift this sword."

In the past, when the two were studying under Guiguzi, Guiguzi put them to a test.

In a passageway, two people were tied up, while at each end of the passageway, a hungry black tiger was imprisoned.

Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang will be placed in the very middle of this passage by Guiguzi.

When the test begins, the two black tigers will be released.

The hungry black tiger would naturally pounce on the bound person immediately.

This Xuanhu is a ferocious beast with unusual blood, far surpassing ordinary tigers in speed, strength, and the toughness of its fur.

At that time, the two who were still studying under Guigu were only strong enough to deal with a single black tiger.

Guiguzi set up this trap precisely to test the two men's 'decisiveness'.

During this trial, Wei Zhuang made a swift decision, killing one of the black tigers and saving a person.

The other person was naturally killed by Xuanhu.

Wei Zhuang had no choice but to kill Xuan Hu to avenge him.

And this is exactly the result that Guiguzi wanted.

The strategists have always been like this: to achieve their goals, they bring all the countries in the world into their game, and each person is merely a pawn.

In the process of achieving their goals, chess players must inevitably sacrifice some pieces, which is why strategists must be absolutely rational.

In contrast, during this trial, Gai Nie hesitated because he wanted to save the two people, missed the best opportunity, and ended up killing both of them.

This naturally does not meet the requirements of the strategists.

It can be said that although Wei Zhuang was far inferior to all the strategists of the past in terms of ability, he was indeed a qualified strategist in terms of personality.

Gai Nie, on the other hand, was clearly more idealistic, and his ideology leaned more towards the Mohist school.

However, Gai Nie also realized a truth.

That is, if you are powerful enough, you can realize your ideals.

Just like in that trial, if he had the same strength as his master Guiguzi, then let alone two black tigers, even if there were more, he could still kill them with a single sword and save everyone.

So after completing his training, he chose the most powerful state, Qin.

Ultimately, Qin unified the six kingdoms, ending this war that had lasted for hundreds of years.

Wei Zhuang had thought that Gai Nie would have changed over the years.

However, judging from the fact that Gai Nie has been seriously injured several times in recent days in order to protect Tianming, and that in the recent battle he had the opportunity to kill himself but still couldn't bring himself to do it, Gai Nie is still the same Gai Nie as before.

Too idealistic.

So how could such a person be the master that the Azure Light Sword could recognize?
Aizen remained silent.

Tianming was furious: "You big bad guy, what are you saying! Uncle can definitely pull out this divine sword that you can't possibly pull out!"

Wei Zhuang's face darkened, but he ignored him.

He just stared at the blue-green sword and the hand gripping the hilt.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Gai Nie remained calm, then exerted a slight force.

bass!
The sound of swords clashing echoed throughout the central hall.

The Azure Light Sword was easily pulled out by Gai Nie with a movement that clearly didn't require much effort.

Starlight surged across the blade, accompanied by bursts of sword chimes, as if telling everyone the joy of this sword!
"Sure enough."

Aizen smiled.

"I knew it! Uncle would definitely be able to pull out this sword!" Tianming cheered.

The Mo family members also had smiles on their faces.

"impossible!"

Only Wei Zhuang seemed to lose his composure, glaring angrily at Aizen: "You tricked me!"

"What am I playing a trick on you for?"

“Decision... If this sword truly recognizes the quality of being decisive and capable of breaking, how could Senior Brother possibly have been able to pull it out?”

"Ha ha……"

Aizen sneered, closed his folding fan, and asked, "Wei Zhuang, do you still remember your original dream?"

"What?" Wei Zhuang was taken aback.

"What were your goals when you first started your apprenticeship?"

Aizen said, "I know without you saying it, it's South Korea, right? Which country do you want to support to complete the great cause that currently belongs to Qin? But unfortunately, South Korea is not only the weakest in terms of national strength, but also has deep-seated problems that are difficult to reverse, and ultimately became the first country to be destroyed by Qin."

So, what are you doing?

Wei Zhuang's face darkened completely, and he gripped the hilt of Shark Tooth sword tightly with one hand.

"You gave up everything and turned yourself into an assassin, killing for money and profit... Hah, is your so-called decisiveness to abandon what you originally insisted on without hesitation in the face of reality?"

Honestly, Wei Zhuang, even Yan Dan is better than you in this aspect!

Aizen's gaze pierced Wei Zhuang like a sharp sword: "So-called decisiveness is not only the ability to make a choice when faced with a choice, but also the ability to persevere after making a choice!"

Mr. Gai, from the very beginning, chose his ideal over reality, and has walked that path ever since, never giving up.

"Hahaha……"

Wei Zhuang completely broke down and burst into laughter: "How ridiculous! This person you speak of who has never given up betrayed the Qin state, which he had served for more than ten years, just a few months ago. He went from being a sword saint respected by the whole country to a wanted criminal with a hefty reward."

What did he insist on? Didn't he also give up everything he had?

"Your vision is too narrow. You've been mistaken from the beginning. Gai Nie chose his ideals, not the Qin state. It's just that the Qin state could help him realize his ideals."

Aizen said, "Just as you wished, Gai Nie is a sword saint respected by the entire Qin state and the most trusted bodyguard of the First Emperor. All the glory and wealth are within his grasp."

However, he still chose to betray the First Emperor and became a wanted criminal who is now hiding in the shadows.

But this is precisely the irrefutable proof that he still chose his ideals over reality and persisted on that path!

(End of this chapter)