Published: March 9, 2025
Duan Tiansong's voice unexpectedly became calm and peaceful, no longer carrying the previous harshness, and the madness of being possessed was nowhere to be seen.
"Your sword intent is truly strange; it makes me feel desolate, lonely, and melancholic..." Duan Tiansong smiled as he looked at Gu Duxing. "Especially after being struck by your sword, I feel even more the bitterness of life, loneliness like snow."
He sighed sincerely, "What a great sword technique! The nine calamity legend is truly well-deserved; the nine calamity brothers are unparalleled in the world, and today I have finally experienced it firsthand."
He praised openly, filled not with anger or resentment, but rather a sense of comfort.
Gu Duxing remained silent for a moment and said, "You did not use your true full strength, especially in that final struggle."
Duan Tiansong shook his head, "It's not that I didn't want to, but I truly could not. The heavenly demon qi can enhance martial skills, but I have had too little contact with it; I have not fully integrated it into my habits developed over ten thousand years... So, what just happened was not me holding back; in fact, even if I wanted to hold back, I could not have done so."
He forced a bitter smile, "Because at that moment... I was still not in control of myself!"
"And why is that now?" Gu Duxing asked in surprise, astonished by the enemy's transformation, as if he had completely broken free from the demonic possession.
"Because I have already died," Duan Tiansong smiled calmly. "In life, there is nothing more significant than death! Today, I finally understand the true meaning of this phrase... Having broken through life and death, what is there to fear from heavenly demons? So now he can no longer control me; I am finally myself again, no longer a puppet of the heavenly demon."
He gazed absently at Dong Wushang and Zu Helian fighting in the distance, and self-mockingly said, "I always used to say that death is not scary, but in reality, no one who is truly alive can see through the concept of death. It has always been difficult to face, and in the end, death is indeed so hard to accept."
He fixed his gaze on Gu Duxing and said, "Gu Duxing, your sword path has already entered a realm of mastery, approaching the pinnacle... you have walked further than I have. As I depart, there is not much to tell you, for you have already surpassed me... However, I still want to tell you something, a phrase about martial arts. It is the only insight I have after my death." Gu Duxing said seriously, "Please instruct me."
After a moment of silence, Duan Tiansong finally spoke slowly, word by word: "Life... and... death!"
"The battlefield of life and death... is your best place to be. Once you see through 'death,' your sword path should be able to achieve minor success; then, when you see through 'life,' you will be able to achieve great success... Everyone can speak of the principles, but it is truly difficult to enact them. I have never been able to see through it, until now, I have not seen through 'death,' not even at the moment of death... because death is, after all, something imposed from the outside, not something that comes from one's own state of mind."
"Remember, life and death are a kind of realm. It does not simply refer to being alive or dead!" Duan Tiansong said softly.
Gu Duxing murmured, "Life and death are a kind of realm, not simply being alive or dead." After pondering for a long time, he said, "I remember this. I may not truly understand it now, but I will try and explore it. Thank you for your guidance!"
"You're welcome." Duan Tiansong sighed deeply, "In the future, when you see people like us, I ask you to do one thing for them."
Gu Duxing replied respectfully, "Please say it."
"Kill them as quickly as possible!" Duan Tiansong smiled gently. "Only by dying quickly can the glory of our bygone lives or talents be preserved... You understand."
Gu Duxing slowly nodded, "I remember. If possible, I will do my best."
Duan Tiansong nodded with a smile, standing in the air with his hands behind his back, gazing at the battle between Dong Wushang and Zu Helian, saying lightly, "I will wait for my brother. In the Yellow Springs, I will not be alone."