Swords emerge from the human world

Chapter 39: Mental Vision, Visualizing Lamps
While on the mountain, Chen Jin became accustomed to cooking. As his physical condition improved, his skills became increasingly proficient, wielding an iron wok and a shovel with unparalleled skill.

The dishes served were not only visually appealing and delicious, but also quite unique.

During the meal, Shi Qifeng was flattered and even wondered if the food had been prepared using some kind of magical technique to make it so nourishing.

I don't know if it was just psychological, but I felt energetic after eating.

He immediately seized the opportunity to ask Chen Jin for advice on weapon crafting techniques.

The introductory version of "The Theory of the Five Elements" that Chen Jin had previously handwritten for him was simple for Chen Jin, but when Shi Qifeng took it to study, it seemed full of difficulties and hard to understand.

We must humbly learn from others.

However, the more he asked for advice, the more profound it seemed. He quickly made up his mind to follow Chen Jin and serve as his coachman.

Only in this way can you learn more.

All the effort was worthwhile compared to what I learned.

Now that their identities have changed, Shi Qifeng wanted to give up the main room, but Chen Jin refused and continued to live in the side room.

Sword practice took place in the martial arts training ground in the courtyard.

This place was originally a martial arts school. Although it was poorly managed and its premises were dilapidated, it still had complete facilities and looked quite presentable.

Now, Shi Qifeng no longer takes on apprentices. He has rallied his spirits and, in addition to practicing martial arts, is focusing on learning weapon crafting.

Actually, he did have some savings, and most importantly, he owned the entire martial arts school property and didn't have to pay rent.

Wang Fu's statement, "I'd rather starve to death than become a guard," was nothing more than a harsh refusal.

The reason for his self-abandonment is attributed to his own experiences.

When you regain confidence and hope, your whole demeanor changes.

This also applies to Chen Jin.

Chen Jin chose to practice his swordplay in the training ground, not afraid of being spied on and having his techniques stolen. What kind of swordsmanship is the "Huang Ting Yang Wu Sword"? No matter how much outsiders look at it, they can only see some superficial moves, which are of little use.

Moreover, in such a large martial arts school, there were only him and Shi Qifeng.

Shi Qifeng may appear rugged, but he is actually quite meticulous and always tries to avoid suspicion, after all, he is a seasoned veteran.

Therefore, when Chen Jin told Wang Fu at that time, "Master Shi is a very easy person to get along with," he wasn't just making empty promises.

As he broke through to the next realm and his strength increased, the feeling of strain he had when practicing the Xuan Tie Heavy Sword again was completely gone.

Although he hadn't yet reached the point of "effortless mastery," he already seemed quite adept at handling the heavy sword, which weighed over ten kilograms. He wielded it with great force and power.

At this point, the inherent power and advantage of the greatsword become apparent.

"Ok?"

After a powerful and heavy "sword-splitting" move, he leaned on his sword and looked up towards the southeast corner.

Outside the courtyard wall, there grows an apricot tree with lush foliage, some of its branches covering this side of the wall.

Chen Jin sensed something was hidden among the branches and leaves, as if it were spying on him.

This feeling is generally accurate; it is "spiritual vision," a fundamental method derived from "visual perception."

Visualization and perception are complementary conditions, and can be divided into active and passive.

For example, when you are in a certain place and someone is watching you from behind, staring at you for a long time, you will feel a sensation.

The sensitivity varies in strength. When it is weak, it may be negligible, but when it is strong, it will feel like "thorns in one's back," making one feel restless.

Chen Jin has gained insight, and his related sensory abilities far surpass those of ordinary people. He can immediately detect the slightest abnormality.

So he stepped forward and walked over.

"Cuck!"

With a sudden screech, a large bird flew out from among the branches and leaves, soaring high into the sky.

Chen Jin stopped and recognized the red-eyed crow. He frowned. This feathered beast was likely kept by humans. It first appeared at the Wang family's house and now it had run into the martial arts school. It was obviously up to no good.

spy?

Or perhaps surveillance? But the other party has already flown away, making it impossible to track them down.

He had no choice but to give up, take his sword back to the house, put it back in its case, and wash his face and body.

After finishing some trivial matters, I sat down and took out a box of dried meat to have as a late-night snack.

After reaching the mid-stage of Refining Essence, one's appetite doubles, and one eats and drinks even more. Coupled with the energy expenditure from sword practice, one soon becomes extremely hungry.

How could a poor family possibly afford to eat like this?

Whether practicing martial arts or cultivating oneself, one can never do without a foundation of resources.

The Kui Xing kicking the Dipper lamp was lit as usual.

Under the lamp, Chen Jin wasn't reading or writing; instead, he was thinking.

He wasn't discouraged or annoyed that he couldn't borrow a book from Wang Fu, since the man didn't owe him anything.

What he was thinking about was whether there were any other channels in the city through which he could buy a complete set of commentaries on the Four Books.

As for the price, the gold ingot I still have is more than enough.

Chen Jin had high hopes for this book.

He was a gifted student from a young age, and at sixteen he passed the imperial examination for children, earning him the reputation of a "child prodigy" among the villagers.

However, looking back and taking a broader perspective, stepping outside the confines of the countryside and the county town, one can see that the so-called "child prodigies" are not worth mentioning.

What people fear most is comparison.

Compared to the country folk and the young children in his village, Chen Jin might stand out and that's why he got this title. But when he's outside the village, he's not good enough.

But at that time he did not realize this. Being called a "child prodigy" made him complacent and arrogant.

After repeatedly failing the exams, his mental state deteriorated, he lost confidence and hope, and ultimately gave up entirely.

Ultimately, it was because his foundation was too shallow and he hadn't really read many classic articles.

Now that we have the opportunity, it's not too late to mend our ways and catch up.

hum!
As he pondered, the flame of the Kui Xing kicking the Dipper lamp on the table flickered, mirroring the ebb and flow of Chen Jin's emotions.

He knew that this was not caused by his own actions, nor was there any wind; rather, there was some commotion outside.

That red-eyed crow has come again!

They might be outside the house, hiding under the eaves, standing on the roof, or somewhere else...

Chen Jin's cultivation was still shallow, so he could not accurately locate it, let alone drive it away.

It's no use chasing it away; it can leap and fly, and can return at any time.

The feeling of being spied on is quite uncomfortable and makes one irritable. One might think of rushing out to yell at them, or closing all the doors and windows tightly, leaving no cracks.

But Chen Jin did not do those things. Instead, he sat upright and began to grind ink and write.

It wasn't the character "静" (quiet), but rather a few lines of poetry:
"I built my hut in the midst of human habitation, yet there is no noise of carriages and horses. You ask me how this can be? When the heart is far away, the place naturally becomes secluded. I pick chrysanthemums by the eastern fence, and leisurely gaze at the Southern Mountains..."

Outside, the night was deep, with a bright moon and few stars.

A red-eyed crow perched on the apricot tree, neither daring to approach nor needing to get too close.

His eyesight is extraordinary, his gaze is sharp, and he can see the smallest detail.

Through the open window, it saw Chen Jin writing, and the simple, ancient-looking bronze lamp. It was quickly drawn to the warm light and stared at it intently.

Through visualization, I gradually felt myself bathed in light.

The light suddenly blazed brightly, emitting a blinding and intense light, like a raging fire threatening to burn it to ashes.

"Cuck!"

The red-eyed crow was terrified and hurriedly flapped its wings and flew away, never daring to look back.

　Thanks to "Xiao An Xie Xie", "m Long Ba Tian", "Ke Ming" and others for their monthly ticket support, which has given Nan Chao a boost of confidence!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)