It has been three weeks since I taught Shun Jin the basic way of sword slash. It has been one month and three weeks since we both left the Bloody Valley and met the spirit king.
Next week, we will arrive at the Jin kingdom, the place where King Fong lives and where I will find Rastella.
The girl has been quite diligent in her training. She never separates from her sword for a moment. Even when sleeping, Shun Jin hugs her sword tightly while muttering about it in her sleep.
Slowly but surely, she is approaching the basic slash of the Way of Sword that I taught her. This morning I saw her wake up early and practice even earlier, she tried to carve a slash on a tree from a distance of three steps.
And the result? Half of the tree trunk was slashed, and Shun Jin's slender sword did not even touch the tree when the slash line was created. That will be a very useful ace in the hole when fighting against King Fong.
In the remaining week, I want her to get to know her opponent first.
In the forest, near a small river.
Shun Jin danced with the slender sword in her hand. After finishing, she sat beside me, who was sipping poisonous orchid tea.
Her face was glistening with sweat. Her breath was ragged after two hours of non-stop basic slashes and dancing, basic slashes and dancing, basic slashes and dancing. Dancing with a sword is one way to get closer to the sword, that's how I taught Shun Jin.
"If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.
"If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.
"If you not know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle."
Shun Jin turned to me, who was busy sipping tea.
"What is that?"
"Advice from a general of war. He was known as the best strategist of his time. Or perhaps even now. Every word he spoke was as precious as pearls in the deepest ocean trenches. Because every piece of his advice contained victory for those who understood it."
I calmly sipped my tea. Shun Jin nodded slightly.
"Where did you learn that?"
"My master."
"You have a master too?" Shun jin asked in disbelief.
I nodded and sipping my tea. "He always read books to me and Ye Jing. Whether it was fairy tales, strategy books, history books, bibles from various places, as long as it was a book and contained wisdom, he would read it to us."
Shun Jin let out a long "oh". She opened her outer robe and washed her face and wiped her neck with a towel near the river. She also wiped her shoulders and armpits, which were sticky with sweat.
"So? Why are you giving me that advice, crazy man?"
After finishing, she stood facing me with her hands on her hips. I was still calmly enjoying the warm tea that I couldn't taste. I only felt plain water entering my mouth.
"First, to win against a strong enemy is to reflect on yourself. Second, to win against a strong enemy is to look at your opponent's painting. Third, to win against a strong enemy is to know your enemy as you know yourself. The person who understands themselves the most is the strongest person."
Shun Jin thought. She touched her own chin.
"I have reached the intermediate stage of Mortal Realm cultivation and am learning the basic slash sword technique. That is my only weapon. As for my enemy, King Fong..."
Shun Jin thought hard but she didn't know her opponent at all, nor his strengths other than super strong punches that could destroy rocks and a large army of royal soldiers. Is that all?
I ran out of tea. Then I threw away the empty bamboo cup.
I stood before Shun Jin.
"In the past, Ye Jing and I always fought against stronger opponents, no matter how strong they were. Several times we almost died because it turned out our opponents had greater strength and ability than us. A wise person would find out about their opponent from external information. A brave person would find out about their opponent directly when fighting.
"Now I want to ask you, Shun Jin. What kind of person are you?"
Shun Jin looked confused. She was completely new to the world of human killing. Of course, I'm sure she's a careless type of person, knowing that basic trait from Shun Jin.
"I'll know directly when I fight him. I won't back down like a coward."
See? I told you she's a careless type. But never mind, I'm sure she can do it.
"Next week we will arrive at the Jin kingdom. There, your father's killer and my former friend are waiting. Just focus on your one-on-one duel with him. I will take care of the rest."
Shun Jin nodded.
"But what if he refuses and instead surrounds us with hundreds of his soldiers inside the palace?" She asked hesitantly. Shun Jin seemed worried about that.
I shook my head. "That man has an arrogant and conceited nature. He will surely gladly accept your duel challenge. Because if he refuses, it will only hurt his pride."
"In that case." Shun Jin extended her hand. "Please help me, master. I will definitely defeat my father's killer and after that..." She paused.
"What?" I accepted her outstretched hand.
"I will say it before the fight. Until then, you must stay with me and train me to become stronger."
Shun Jin said enthusiastically. She smiled broadly at me. I sighed.
"Isn't this what I do for you every day?"
"I mean, keep getting stronger so I can stand by your side one day, you insensitive crazy man."
I ruffled Shun Jin's pouting hair.
"Let's go."
We both continued our journey towards the Jin kingdom.
***