Diamond Body

What is love in this world? The answers are as myriad as there are people, and yet, all such answers share a single fault—they obscure the eyes of those who love, veiling also the heart that might see through all things.

Zhang Ling spoke out plainly, “Elder Lin, think about it. Even if two people are equally matched in martial arts, there will always be moments of victory and defeat. Consider carefully: is it that you haven’t been giving your all, or is there something else?”

Having said this in one breath, Zhang Ling felt an inexplicable sense of relief, as though venting had cleared away a lingering gloom. Some people find solace in complaining when troubled, and now he understood why—it truly works, even if the matter is not one’s own.

After his words, Zhang Ling simply watched in silence, and soon heard Lin Rui press on with her questioning: “Why have you never fought with all your strength?”

At this, it was a rare sight to see Yang Xiao’s normally thick-skinned face flush with a touch of shyness. He stammered, “If you want to win, then win. I don’t really care about victory or defeat. But to deliberately lose—well, that would be rather…”

Before Yang Xiao could finish, Zhang Ling interjected briskly, “If you deliberately lost, it would be too obvious. So, each time, you simply force a draw. Matters of the heart are easy to feel, hard to explain. As long as you both understand, that’s enough.”

With that, Zhang Ling offered a knowing smile that left the rest up to them and fell silent.

Suddenly, Lin Rui understood. “Now I see.”

It seemed the two of them were truly in harmony. From the very beginning, one had pursued the martial path, quietly letting go of their feelings; the other had refused to speak, stubbornly holding out. But now, after a while, Lin Rui’s brows drew together, her gaze sharp as a drawn sword, her voice solemn: “We are husband and wife, yet we know not each other’s hearts. Since you only accommodate me, there’s no need to use this sword anymore. Come, let’s duel once more. This time, just win.”

Yang Xiao nodded gently, glancing at Zhang Ling. “Very well. Zhang Ling, watch carefully—this is what a true Grandmaster looks like.”

A flash of gold and silver sword-light swept through the air. Yang Xiao no longer held back as before; the golden sword struck first, and with that blow, Lin Rui nearly lost her footing, forced to rally her true energy. The few fragile saplings nearby were utterly shattered by the force.

It was only a probing strike, but Yang Xiao pressed his advantage, launching a palm attack while Lin Rui was still reeling, driving her back several steps. In the blink of an eye, he unleashed moves too swift for the eye to follow. As sword and palm met, Zhang Ling realized that even when unarmed, Yang Xiao had previously been holding back.

Yang Xiao pressed yet again, and within a few exchanges, Lin Rui was forced into a defensive stance. Still, she gripped her Silver Tree sword tightly. As Yang Xiao’s palm came at her once more, this time she did not evade. She met him with her own palm.

Yang Xiao stood rooted to the spot, utterly unmoved, while Lin Rui was sent flying over twenty feet away. Her inner energy surged chaotically; after the exchange, her sword hand trembled uncontrollably. She could scarcely believe it—she had always considered her swordsmanship to be on par with her companion’s, yet now the gap seemed insurmountable.

Steadying herself, Lin Rui summoned all her energy, her hair and robes billowing as she declared with resolve, “Let one sword decide the outcome.”

Yang Xiao stepped forward half an inch and replied softly, “As you wish.”

In that instant, a powerful aura rose between them. Sensing the deadly intent, Zhang Ling immediately retreated to a safe distance.

The next moment, the Silver Tree sword in Lin Rui’s hand flashed brilliantly, while Yang Xiao’s Golden Flower sword answered with an even more dazzling golden light, the air resonating with a clear hum.

Their energies at their peak, they leapt three feet off the ground, swords poised for collision.

But in the next instant, Yang Xiao’s sword swept forth—a massive surge of sword energy sliced past Lin Rui’s temple, instantly blasting several sturdy tea trees to splinters. At the same moment, a streak of silver light, not quite withdrawn in time, pierced Yang Xiao’s chest.

Zhang Ling, watching from the side, was momentarily stunned, though his expression betrayed little surprise.

Realizing her mistake, Lin Rui pulled out her Silver Tree sword in remorse, her usually composed face now stricken with fear and worry. Yet, as the blade came free, she saw there was little blood—only the very tip was stained, and the wound had not reached his lungs.

Yang Xiao gazed at her, expression unchanged, lost in a trance. Lin Rui said nothing for a long time, until finally she asked in a gentle voice, “Have you mastered the Diamond Body?”

Yang Xiao nodded easily, a foolish grin on his lips. “After so many beatings, it was about time I learned.”

She thought back to how, in the past, their martial skills had always been evenly matched, never imagining he would one day surpass her by so much. Perhaps he had already outstripped her long ago. She had believed that through relentless training, she would be the first to break through to the Dao-Condensing realm. Only now did she realize that, in terms of heart and mind, she had long since stopped progressing.

Lin Rui asked again, “Since when could you defeat me?”

Yang Xiao didn’t hesitate, answering simply and directly, “The day I left the Gate of Gold and Silver.”

Lin Rui asked no more. All the answers she needed were now clear within her heart. Zhang Ling, watching from the side, felt at a loss—should he stay or leave? He watched these two, an old couple shameless in their affection, yet their faces bore no trace of age, thanks to their accomplishments in martial arts.

After a long silence, Yang Xiao finally wiped the blood from his chest and said, “There’s been some trouble at the Gate of Gold and Silver. A few minor factions in the region have joined forces, trying to pressure the sect to give up the Golden Sands Residence. Though they’re a motley crew, with only Lü Ya left in charge, it’s become hard to manage everything alone.”

Lin Rui asked anxiously, “Why didn’t you tell me before?”

After dressing his wound, Yang Xiao smiled, “This Hundred Flowers Manor is like a paradise apart from the world. If you keep practicing your sword here, perhaps you truly will enter the Dao-Condensing realm as you wish. I was planning to return and handle it myself, but I’ve changed my mind. Let’s go back together, the two idle masters. What do you think?”

Lin Rui, always so firm and resolute, showed a softness she’d never revealed before, her words gentle as a young woman’s: “This time, I’ll listen to you.”

For a while, the two elders, in Zhang Ling’s eyes as shameless as can be, gazed at each other with the innocent affection of youth. Zhang Ling himself felt little emotion, merely spoiling the mood with, “Yang Xiao, your chest is bleeding again.”

This time, Zhang Ling called him by name—not out of disrespect, but because Yang Xiao truly bore none of the airs of a senior master, and instead inspired a peculiar sense of closeness. Yang Xiao ignored him, and the pair walked off together, leaving Zhang Ling alone.

He did not idle, but picked up his short sword and, using what strength and momentum remained, began to practice on his own, though his heart was not fully in it, his thoughts drifting to distant places and memories, weighed down by a sense of age beyond his years.

After some reflection, Zhang Ling tried to focus on his sword practice, but found his mind restless, unable to attain the clarity and insight he’d experienced the day before. He followed the simple, direct methods of those greater truths, gradually dispelling the distracting thoughts from his heart.

Suddenly, he leapt into the air, sword dancing with the wind like silk ribbons—strength within suppleness—yet after the flourish, he still felt unmoved. As he pondered, he pointed his sword at the door, and with that, it swung wide open.