Volume One: First Emergence of Talent Chapter 118: The Latter Half of the Heaven-Slaying Secret Technique

At that moment, listening to the murmurs of the crowd, Wang Bin narrowed his eyes, withdrawing his gaze from behind Wang Jue and turning it toward Chen You on one side, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes.

Chen You, however, frowned slightly, as if displeased by the swarm of buzzing flies around him or resentful of the teacher’s favoritism.

Lin Wei, a sycophant trailing beside him, immediately scolded the surrounding trainees, “Quiet down! Everyone, go back to your training!”

Once the crowd dispersed, Lin Wei approached Chen You obsequiously. “Senior Brother, this Wang Jue, who knows what he’s up to…”

Chen You’s mood was already sour, and hearing this only deepened his displeasure. He shot Lin Wei a cold look. “Get lost.”

Hearing this, Lin Wei swallowed the rest of his words, his expression flickering repeatedly. Ultimately, he forced a dry laugh, gripped his wooden sword, and left.

A few sycophants nearby saw this and also dispersed.

...

In a secluded corner of the square, Lin Wei’s face darkened.

The trainees who had left with him gathered around, complaining, “Senior Brother Lin, don’t you think the teacher is too biased? We’ve been here for years, yet he’s never summoned us inside, but that brat Wang Jue, who’s only been here a short time, gets called in.”

“I heard the teacher’s room holds many martial techniques. Not sure if it’s true.”

“Of course it is. Probably all very powerful techniques.”

“I wonder when we’ll get summoned by the teacher…”

Lin Wei scowled but remained silent.

First, he saw Wang Jue go to Zhao Qingming’s room; then he was rudely dismissed by Chen You.

A nameless fury blazed in his heart.

“Mark my words. When I grow stronger, I’ll make you all pay!”

...

Inside the room, Zhao Qingming gestured casually. “There are chairs over there; find a seat and wait for me.”

Wang Jue had no idea what tricks Zhao Qingming was up to.

Resigned to his fate, he sat down and began to survey this so-called ‘forbidden place’—a place no one was ever supposed to enter.

To his surprise, it was nothing peculiar.

There were just tables and chairs, no sofa, no appliances—giving a somewhat austere impression.

However, the room was filled with potted plants, lush and varied.

What truly amazed Wang Jue was that Zhao Qingming’s instruction to wait wasn’t to conceal some secret, but because he was moving the plants around and watering them.

This scene struck Wang Jue unexpectedly.

He had initially hoped to receive some ‘world-shaking secret technique,’ but now that illusion was completely shattered.

A small notebook suddenly fell onto the table beside him with a soft thud.

Wang Jue froze upon seeing it.

Could this be...

The next moment, Zhao Qingming confirmed his suspicion.

“This is the latter half of the secret technique ‘Heaven Cutter,’ a method I acquired in my youth. It carries a fierce lethality, and most people cannot control it. That is why I split it, not teaching it all at once.”

“But…”

“To be honest, I’ve never fully understood you since you first came to the martial arts hall. Even now, you’re still something of an enigma.”

Wang Jue lowered his gaze, adopting a calm demeanor, sitting quietly as if harmless.

Zhao Qingming paused watering and turned to Wang Jue with a gentle smile. “Rest assured, everyone has their own destiny. If you don’t speak of yours, I won’t pry. You need not doubt that.”

“Instead of worrying, it’s better to focus on training. Maybe one day I, Old Zhao, can brag to others that I nurtured a true martial arts master!”

The two exchanged smiles.

“The teacher flatters me,” Wang Jue said awkwardly, scratching his nose.

Though endowed with a ‘golden finger’ advantage, he was aware that he was only a novice beginning the path of martial arts, far from a master.

If he were like other protagonists in novels who immediately grew arrogant with their ‘cheats’ and provoked trouble, his fate would be grim when facing those he couldn’t handle.

“I’m not joking,” Zhao Qingming waved his hand. “In fact, I have high hopes for you. From the moment you mastered the basic sword technique on your first day here, I knew I’d found a treasure.”

Wang Jue caressed the cover of the second half of Heaven Cutter, suppressing the restless thoughts within and feigning innocence. “Teacher, aren’t you afraid I might misuse this technique once I learn it?”

“I entrusted you with this because your nature is good, and you have your own principles.”

Zhao Qingming grinned. “I believe only someone like you can wield such a powerful secret technique. If you turn rogue, then I must admit I was blind—but should I live with guilt for that?”

Wang Jue chuckled quietly, stood, and formally expressed his gratitude. “Thank you very much, Teacher.”

“Remember, martial techniques are neither inherently good nor evil; it depends on the person using them.”

Zhao Qingming raised an eyebrow, growing serious as he cautioned, “If the user is a good person, then the technique is good. But if the user is a villain, the technique becomes unwelcome.”

“That’s why some powerful techniques are stigmatized because of the deeds of their users, and as a result, many techniques are overlooked.”

“To be honest, the stronger the technique, the harder it is to master. If your mindset cannot keep up, the technique can influence you down a dark path. I hope you won’t go that way.”

“I will remember your words well,” Wang Jue said sincerely, bowing deeply.

He was no naive novice.

In his previous life, he’d risen from a lowly clerk to a supervisor, able to discern sincerity from deceit.

“Enough with the formalities—I’m not used to all this,” Zhao Qingming said, putting down the watering can.

“Everyone has their own path. Right and wrong are hard to define. As long as you have a clear conscience, be bold and pursue your martial way.”

“Thank you, Teacher,” Wang Jue replied once more.

Zhao Qingming fetched some scissors and crouched near the plants, pruning them as he emphasized again, “About this secret technique, I can only help you so much. You’ll have to comprehend it yourself. Only what you understand truly belongs to you.”

“Teacher, you never learned it yourself?” Wang Jue was surprised.

Zhao Qingming didn’t answer, continuing to tend the plants. “I’m old now, too lazy to fight anymore. Peace and quiet suit me best.”

Wang Jue laughed softly, his eyes burning with warmth as he glanced at Heaven Cutter in his hand. After a moment, he took his leave.

Just before departing, Zhao Qingming’s voice called from behind, “Be careful lately. If anything comes up, come to the martial arts hall. If necessary, call me.”

“Thank you, Teacher.”

Wang Jue paused before asking, “By the way, Teacher, do you know the woman from earlier?”

“You don’t even know your enemy’s identity?” Zhao Qingming was surprised. “Then how did you get into trouble?”

“I really don’t know who she is or why she’s after me.”

Wang Jue shook his head, frowning thoughtfully. “I’ve never seen her before. Today was the first time.”

“That makes things strange...” Zhao Qingming frowned.

“That woman has the cultivation of the Fifth Red Star. If she were hired to kill, it would usually be by a great family—and that comes at a high cost during peacetime.”

“I doubt that’s the case.”

Wang Jue shook his head, offering his opinion. “If someone wanted me dead, they wouldn’t need to hire a strong fighter like that. They’d deal with me themselves.”

“Then it must be a personal grudge,” Zhao Qingming’s expression grew serious.

He understood well that if no one hired her, for Red Star Mirror to stoop to such bullying tactics was rare.

Likely, as he said, the woman and Wang Jue had some private enmity.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have attacked so brazenly.

If Zhao Qingming hadn’t sensed it in time and intervened, he might never have seen his disciple again.

“Personal grudge?”

Wang Jue fell into deep thought.

Could a personal feud involve such a powerful Red Star Mirror warrior?

He couldn’t recall when he might have offended such a foe. Most of those who held grudges against him had long since met their end.

Could the woman have been sent by Niu Zhen to capture him?

No, that couldn’t be.

He quickly dismissed that thought.

Although he’d only met Niu Zhen fewer than three times, he sensed that Niu Zhen was no schemer but straightforward, matching his rugged demeanor.

When Niu Zhen invited him before, he hadn’t used his status to pressure him but spoke kindly.

Even after Wang Jue declined, Niu Zhen showed no displeasure.

If not Niu Zhen, then who?

Ning Chuan?

No, that didn’t fit either.

He had no reason to do such a thing.

Wang Jue recalled the woman’s appearance and searched his memory for anyone resembling her.

Suddenly, his eyes narrowed as he thought of the martial artist he had killed earlier in Blood Wolf Valley.

Comparing the two, they bore some resemblance.

Could it be...

While Wang Jue was still uncertain, Zhao Qingming spoke again.

“Leave this matter to me. I’ll have someone investigate tomorrow. Don’t worry. She’s probably in no shape to show her face again anytime soon.”

Wang Jue was taken aback, recalling how Zhao Qingming had scared the woman off before.

His eyes flickered as he cautiously asked, “Teacher, what is your cultivation level now?”

“My cultivation? You’ll find out in time,” Zhao Qingming said, clearly unwilling to discuss it.

As Wang Jue turned to leave, remembering the reason for his visit, he asked, “By the way, Teacher, is Senior Brother Hou at the martial arts hall? I didn’t see him.”

“That brat? No idea where he’s been messing around. He hasn’t come in days.”

Zhao Qingming shook his head helplessly. “Don’t worry about him. He’s smart and won’t get into trouble easily.”