Chapter 230: Chapter 195: Where Does the Road Lead? (Part 4)

"So, please guide me!"

Holding an iron ruler, Jiang Wenyuan bowed to Cui Yuan.

This was the most skilled person he could find at the moment.

"Guide... you?"

While still swinging his sword, Cui Yuan’s mind began to wander.

After all, he had always been the one learning from others, from his master, from Mr. Du, and even from all his opponents and enemies. He wasn’t strong enough, so he needed to learn; he wasn’t strong enough, so he needed to practice.

But now, had he really reached the point where he could teach others?

"I..."

Cui Yuan wanted to refuse, but looking into Jiang Wenyuan’s eyes, he found it impossible to say the words of rejection.

He inexplicably thought of his own master.

Back then, he had wanted to follow his master and continue learning, but the master refused him and only allowed him to refer to him as "teacher". If it was for his safety that he was not allowed to continue following, then this change of title was already an obvious rejection.

He understood many things but couldn’t bear to think too much, considering that the master was the one who had raised him.

And now, facing the diligent and eager Jiang Wenyuan, should he really say those words of refusal?

"I... Very well."

Cui Yuan sighed.

"Then I shall boldly give some guidance to Commander Jiang, but do not call it a master-disciple relationship."

As soon as he said this, Cui Yuan himself froze.

It was this momentary pause that caused his sword swing to slow slightly, and as a result, the angle naturally skewed — thus the sword qi tore through the courtyard wall, splitting two wine jars as well.

This startled Liu Bolun and Carpenter Li, who were sleeping by the wine jars, awake.

"Can’t you just go back and practice elsewhere?"

Even with considerable restraint, Liu Bolun was already furious and started cursing.

"Don’t you know this is dangerous? Don’t you know you almost killed me just now?"

"I... sincerely apologize."

Cui Yuan acknowledged his mistake and couldn’t argue.

"It’s just that recently I’ve been practicing to wield my sword anytime, anywhere, so..."

"All day having only this in your head, doomed to be a tool your whole life."

The furious Liu Bolun spat on the ground.

"Practice and train, for what purpose? Let me tell you, long ago, there was a story of a big tree..."

"I’ve heard that one."

Cui Yuan sighed.

He’s not just heard it; he’s listened to it countless times. After all, the proverb "useless usefulness" is quite widespread, and he’s read books, so how could he not know it.

But in his view, that story has nothing to do with his sword practice.

If he practices swordsmanship, must he use it? There’s no such reasoning. Perhaps in the past, when he practiced swordsmanship, he indeed had the intention to serve his master, but that was over a decade ago, and swordsmanship has long integrated into his life.

Practicing the sword — that’s his life. Why should he care whether it is useful or not?

But if he must talk about usefulness, perhaps there is one.

"Is there any news from Mr. Du?"

After the last sword was swung, Cui Yuan sheathed his sword.

"I’ve realized a new technique and intend to seek advice from Mr. Du."

"Brother Du..."

Carpenter Li, who was originally drinking with Liu Bolun, finally spoke.

"I don’t know, his last message was from Jiankang City, and there’s been no news since then..."

At this turn, Carpenter Li couldn’t help but glance at the sharp sword in Cui Yuan’s hands, quite envious.

Rather than envying the sword itself, he envied the feeling of having power, because once you have power, you can go anywhere in the world, unlike now, where lacking power means that leaving the city can easily lead to a violent death, so you can only watch as good brothers are stuck outside while you remain helpless.

"I must become stronger, I want to become stronger."

Thinking this, Carpenter Li clenched his fists.

He also needed strength, the kind that could protect loved ones from harm, so he must become stronger, at least strong enough to be helpful.

Instead of being so weak that he can only drag everyone down.

"If Brother Li wants to become stronger, you shouldn’t seek me."

Upon hearing that Carpenter Li wanted to practice martial arts too, Cui Yuan couldn’t help but shake his head.

"I am only familiar with swordsmanship, at most some things related to swords. As for you, Brother Li, you’re not the type suited for sword practice... Moreover, Mr. Du knows so much, why not directly seek him instead of looking afar?"

"I want to find him too..."

Carpenter Li sighed.

He indeed wanted to find him; he wanted to find him more than anyone else, considering that while Du Chengfeng and he are not blood-related, they have long become as close as brothers — which is precisely why Carpenter Li is more worried, fearing that Du Chengfeng could encounter trouble outside.

After all, Du Chengfeng was born a wanderer, having no place to belong, truly being rootless. Being alone out in the world, should something happen, he wouldn’t even have anyone to lend a hand.

Moreover, it’s an enormous task to travel alone to the capital.

Can Du Chengfeng truly return alive?