Chapter 141: Do You Know Miyamoto Musashi and Sasaki Kojiro?

The Haidu Center Tower is the tallest building in Haidu. At its summit, some six hundred and thirty meters high, standing there feels like standing among the clouds.

The temperature here is near freezing, and the wind speed reaches ten meters per second. To put it in extreme terms, if you were to set a cup of water down, it would freeze before long.

In this season, the rooftop is almost entirely deserted; the temperature and wind are more than an average person can endure. Yet, even in such harsh conditions, two figures stood facing the wind.

In front stood an elderly man with white hair and a white beard. He wore a traditional white Tang suit, black trousers, and black cloth shoes. With his hands clasped behind his back, he stood at the very edge of the roof, motionless amidst the biting gale.

This man was Xie Yuan, a Grandmaster of the Yinshan martial arts lineage, known as the "Martial Fanatic." He had been hired by the Yinshan Martial Arts Bureau to assess the cultivation level of Xiao Kaitian.

Not far behind him, a young man in a down jacket, his lips pale and his body shivering, stood as the contact person—Zhuang Dongze, Xie Yuan’s direct disciple.

Zhuang Dongze was only at the middle stage of the Earth Realm; the internal energy within him was not yet sufficient to resist such fierce winds. As he gazed at the sturdy, imposing back of his master, a sense of deep admiration welled up within him.

"Dongze," Xie Yuan said, his hands still behind his back, looking down upon Haidu as if it were his domain. "You must listen well and learn."

"For those of us in the martial arts, integrity is what we value most. Meeting friends through martial arts and becoming acquainted with heroes across the world—this is the highest realm we pursue."

"This Xiao Kaitian, based on what you have told me, must also be a man of character. I have arranged to decide the victor with him here today. Perhaps, in the future, he too will make a name for himself in the martial arts world, leaving behind a fine tale."

Zhuang Dongze, rubbing his hands together to stay warm, hurriedly replied, "Yes, Master."

"Dongze, you see, your cultivation is still lacking. After this battle, you must return and work diligently, striving to step into the Grandmaster realm before you reach the age of fifty."

"Yes, Master."

"At the summit of Haidu, a sword comes from the east—hahaha, how exhilarating! Xiao Kaitian, I believe you can grasp such an artistic conception. Together, we shall write a chapter of legendary grace for the martial arts world."

"Achoo!" Zhuang Dongze exhaled, rubbing his hands again. "But Master, you have been waiting since five-thirty this morning, and it is now afternoon. Xiao Kaitian has not shown up."

"Hmph! Dongze, your Daoist heart is still not steady enough." A satisfied smile curled the corners of Xie Yuan’s lips. In the freezing wind, his clothes clung to his body, outlining his powerful muscles. "Do you know of Miyamoto Musashi and Sasaki Kojiro?"

"Master, your disciple is ignorant; I do not know who those predecessors are," Zhuang Dongze replied truthfully.

"You see, for us in the martial arts, besides practicing martial arts, studying literature is also crucial. One must be well-read in both ancient and modern, domestic and foreign history. However, you are still young; it is normal that you do not know."

"Miyamoto Musashi and Sasaki Kojiro were both top-tier swordsmen of the island nation in their day. They agreed to a duel on Ganryu Island."

"Sasaki Kojiro was young and impetuous. He arrived at Ganryu Island early to wait for the battle, but who could have known that after waiting and waiting, Miyamoto Musashi simply did not appear. Dongze, do you know why?"

"Your disciple is dull; please enlighten me, Master," Zhuang Dongze said, sniffing.

"Hmm," Xie Yuan nodded with satisfaction. "This was Miyamoto Musashi’s psychological tactic. He deliberately delayed his arrival to cause Sasaki Kojiro to become anxious."

"As expected, when he fought the late-arriving Miyamoto Musashi, the flustered and impatient Sasaki Kojiro was defeated in a single move and ultimately died under Miyamoto Musashi’s blade."

"Therefore, Dongze, for us in the martial arts, no matter the situation, we must remain calm and composed, keeping our energy centered in the dantian. One must never be restless or agitated; this is a major taboo when masters cross swords."

Zhuang Dongze suddenly realized, "Master, I understand now. This must be Xiao Kaitian setting a trap, delaying his arrival to disturb your peace of mind. But Master, knowing this, why did you wait here so early?"

"Hahaha," Xie Yuan smiled, educating his disciple with absolute confidence. "Xiao Kaitian used this tactic hoping to disturb my focus, but he does not know that I saw through it long ago."

"As for why I waited here early, Dongze, do you know the reason I chose this location?"

"Your disciple is dull; please enlighten me, Master."

"Part of the reason, of course, is that this is the tallest building in Haidu. A battle here is enough to make us famous throughout the world. For a young man like him, there are benefits as well. Since he is to be introduced into the martial arts world, I, as the guide, might as well give the young man a push."

Zhuang Dongze was filled with admiration. His master truly had the heart of a benevolent person; this was something he must remember and learn.

"Secondly, the temperature and wind speed here are different from elsewhere. It is a place that tests a martial artist’s ability to adapt. You only think I am waiting here in vain, but little do you know that after these few hours, I have completely adapted to the surrounding environment."

"Among martial artists, even though I am now a Grandmaster, I dare not be arrogant. Dongze, remember: no matter the time, no matter the level of the opponent, we must always strive to do our best and leave nothing to chance."

"Xiao Kaitian deliberately delayed, wanting me to be impatient, not knowing that by waiting here early, I have become familiar with every detail of the battlefield environment. I can say that even if Xiao Kaitian were a top-tier Grandmaster, I, Xie Yuan, would still have the certainty of victory."

"He wants to seize the advantage of human harmony, but he has ignored the advantage of the terrain. As for the timing, it is even more firmly in my grasp."

By this point, Zhuang Dongze had achieved a complete awakening. His master was truly extraordinary. Even for such a match he was certain to win, he considered and analyzed it repeatedly. He looked at his master, who stood only 1.63 meters tall, and suddenly, the image in his heart grew, as if he were watching the Incredible Hulk transform, becoming towering and vast.

"Xiao Kaitian," Xie Yuan’s lips curled into a smile. "Young man, I hope you can understand my painstaking efforts. Jade cannot be polished without effort. Being clever is fine, but extremes meet. For us in the martial arts, it is ultimately victory or defeat that determines one’s standing."

"This is the first lesson I am teaching you for free. Reflect on it well; it will not have been a waste of my efforts."

The wind blew even more violently. Zhuang Dongze took out his phone and saw a weather forecast for thunderstorms in the evening. He hesitated, preparing to speak, but after carefully pondering his master’s profound intentions, he put the phone away with a smile.

This was the martial way; this was the Daoist heart. Zhuang Dongze straightened his back. He had grasped it!

Xiao Kaitian was wearing a thin shirt, his suit jacket draped over the back of his office chair. He sat in his office, which was as warm as spring thanks to the central air conditioning.

In front of him sat a steaming cup of coffee, brewed from fresh beans flown in from South America, possessing a unique and exquisite flavor.

He was very busy. Several projects had already begun, and the documents he needed to process daily were piling up. His entire focus was placed here.

It was not until a "pitter-patter" sound came from outside the window that he looked up. Raindrops the size of beans were violently lashing against the glass curtain wall. He shook his head and sighed; the weather in Haidu truly changed too often.

"It’s raining," he murmured, rubbing his chin. It felt as if he had forgotten something.