Intent Realm: The Unity of Form, Spirit, Emotion, and Reason

Perhaps it was due to being utterly disheartened, or perhaps knowing he couldn't do anything to Lin Ping Zhi, or simply wanting to get everything off his chest, Yu Cang Hai turned to Lin Ping Zhi, the young boy he once considered "still wet behind the ears," and began to explain.
"Currently in the martial world, the sects and individuals cultivating sword arts are countless. The Five Great Sword Sects, Wudang Sword Art, Shaolin Sword Art, Emei Sword Art, Diancang Sword Art, and my Qingcheng Sword Art, plus some unqualified sword arts—a rough estimate would put them at several hundred types."
Yu Cang Hai narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of emotion on his face.
"Yet in this vast martial world, there is not a single person who has comprehended Sword Intent."
"If the Sword Saint Feng Qing Yang were still alive twenty years ago, perhaps he would have had the ability to comprehend Sword Intent. It's a pity the Hua Shan Sect suffered a great calamity; he is likely no longer in the mortal world."
Tai Yuan knew clearly that Feng Qing Yang was currently living a carefree secluded life in the back mountains of Hua Shan.
Yu Cang Hai continued, "For a swordsman, when he truly understands what a sword is, merges with the sword, and everything flows from his true heart, achieving 'no moves defeat all moves,' when he executes his understanding of the sword with utmost proficiency, then this sword will come alive. That, is Sword Intent."
Lin Ping Zhi listened, bewildered, nodding in confusion, clearly conveying a look of "What you're saying is amazing, but I don't understand it at all."
Tai Yuan saw this and couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Yu Cang Hai thought he had spoken incorrectly. "Daoist priest, did this humble one say something wrong?"
"That is not the case," Tai Yuan shook his head.
"It's just that Chief Yu's explanation this time cannot accurately convey the essence of Sword Intent. Look, young Lin still has a dazed expression. It's no wonder the skill levels of Chief Yu's disciples are uneven; it seems there's a problem with the teaching method."
"You..."
Talking is one thing, but to launch a personal attack?
Yu Cang Hai's face flushed red with indignation, truly feeling that Tai Yuan was being too presumptuous.
Damn it, if I couldn't beat you, I would have long since run you through with a sword!
Saying I can't teach disciples?
This Yu is a dignified Sect Master, with hundreds of disciples. The "Qingcheng Four Talents," whose reputation is rising in the martial world, were also taught by this old man.
Yu Cang Hai stiffened his neck and replied gruffly, "Then I wonder what profound insights the Daoist priest has?"
After this ordeal, Yu Cang Hai clearly understood that if Tai Yuan truly wanted to kill him, he would have absolutely no chance of escaping. Since Tai Yuan had promised not to kill him, he no longer needed to cringe, lest he be looked down upon for no reason.
Tai Yuan glanced at Yu Cang Hai, then withdrew his gaze.
"Sword Intent is the Intent Realm of the sword, and even more, the realm of the swordsman. Intent is the unity of form, spirit, emotion, and reason; it is the coordination of emptiness and fullness, existence and non-existence; it arises unexpectedly, yet is contained within, a kind of extremely high realm."
"Sword Intent is when a swordsman's comprehension of the sword reaches an unprecedented state of emptiness. This state is called Sword Intent. Sword Intent is the extension of an origin. This origin belongs only to the sword, possessing the nobility of the sword, the aloofness of the sword, the sharpness of the sword, and the true heart of the sword. This is tracing the origin of the sword."
"In fact, not only swords have Sword Intent, sabers also have Saber Intent, and fists also have Fist Intent. No matter what martial art one practices, cultivating it to the very end will inevitably touch upon the Intent Realm."
"Intent is the unity of emotion and reason, and Realm is the unity of form and spirit. In the process of these two unities, emotion and reason, form and spirit mutually permeate and constrain each other, thereby forming the Intent Realm."
"In fact, it's not just martial artists. For example, some grandmasters of calligraphy, or Grandmasters of painting, they demand to depict spirit through form, achieving a vivid charm. This is borrowing from heaven and earth and all creation to express the thoughts in their hearts, so that others can understand the emotions and hidden meanings contained within their works."
Lin Ping Zhi was young and lacked experience. Although he could generally understand Tai Yuan's meaning, it was difficult for him to gain a profound realization.
But for Yu Cang Hai, Tai Yuan's words were like a divine bell ringing through, each word awakening him.
He had always only wanted to scheme to seize the {Bi Xie Jian Pu}, believing that practicing the Bi Xie Jian Fa would allow his martial arts to advance rapidly. But even if his martial arts improved greatly, could they compare to the sword art displayed by Daoist Tai Yuan?
And Tai Yuan was performing the authentic Qingcheng Sword Art, yet displaying super powerful might.
It turned out that he himself had not yet comprehended the essence, had not yet comprehended the Intent Realm within the sword art.
With a direction now, Yu Cang Hai suddenly saw the path ahead become bright. But how was one to comprehend the Intent Realm?
He thought in his heart, and at the same time, he asked.
"I humbly request the Daoist priest to instruct this Cang Hai on how to comprehend the Intent Realm? This Yu will surely be immensely grateful, and is willing to go through fire and water for the Daoist priest!"
With that, he bent his knees, about to kneel to perform a respectful bow.
Whether one called him a wise man who adapted to circumstances, or one who could bend and stretch, this action by Yu Cang Hai truly made people look at him differently.
"Daoist priest, you cannot!" Lin Ping Zhi, seeing Yu Cang Hai like this, hastily said, "Yu Cang Hai is wolf-hearted and cruel. If he learns such a mystical method, even more people will surely suffer calamity!"
Facing Lin Ping Zhi's accusation, Yu Cang Hai said nothing.
He knew who the true master was. He believed that if Daoist Tai Yuan had truly made a decision, whatever anyone else said would be useless.
"It's alright, Chief Yu, please stand up," Tai Yuan said with a mysterious smile. "In fact, the ancient sages already had teachings."
"It is simply sincerity of will and rectitude of mind."
"Sincerity of will and rectitude of mind? Didn't Confucian scholars say this?" Lin Ping Zhi had heard his tutor mention this when he studied at the private school.
"Confucian school? Scholars?" Yu Cang Hai stood up, utterly bewildered. How was this related to literati?
"To comprehend the Intent Realm, one must make one's actions, moral cultivation standards, and the profound meaning of martial arts align. For example, Shaolin martial arts, to reach a profound realm, one must naturally be proficient in Buddhist teachings, and from Buddhist teachings comprehend the corresponding Intent Realm. Otherwise, the martial arts will be half-baked, or one might even directly suffer Qi Deviation."
"Another example is the Hua Shan Sect's {Yang Wu Jian Fa}, taken from Mencius's saying: 'I am good at nourishing my vast and righteous qi.' Vast and righteous qi, utterly grand and unyielding."
"Therefore, to cultivate this sword art and comprehend its Sword Intent, one must demand of oneself according to Confucian moral standards. The will must be sincere, the mind pure. Rectitude of mind means the mind must be upright without evil thoughts; sincerity of will means the will must be sincere without self-deception. Have you understood, Chief Yu?"
Yu Cang Hai said nothing, merely cupping his hands and bowing solemnly.
"Daoist priest's morality is profound. This Yu accepts your instruction."
Lin Ping Zhi, however, was somewhat disapproving, muttering in his heart, "It sounds easy, but how can it be that simple?"
In his view, Yu Cang Hai was wolf-hearted and cruel, vicious and despicable; he could never possess such a mindset.
Yu Cang Hai, however, took a deep breath, as if having made some determination, and said solemnly, "Daoist priest's guidance today, this Cang Hai will engrave in my heart. If I achieve anything in the future, I will surely not forget the Daoist priest's kindness."
Tai Yuan waved his sleeve and said indifferently, "Chief Yu need not be like this. There are myriad paths, but ultimately, one must walk them oneself. Whether one can succeed or not, in the end, depends on each person's karmic affinity."