303: Chapter 146: I Have a Book_6 303: Chapter 146: I Have a Book_6 Now is the time for discussing military law, not the art of calligraphy and painting.
Although you excel in both, of what use is it to display them before Jiang Yan?
He is here to discuss the art of war with you.
Li, the Military God, was extremely anxious about what Cao Zhen was writing.
Lifting his head and craning his neck, he tried to see what Cao Zhen had written.
Due to the angle, however, he could only make out two characters.
[Military Law]
Military law?
Does Cao Zhen intend to write a treatise on military strategy?
Who is qualified to write such a treatise?
Even I would not dare to pen a work on military strategy, yet he wants to write one?
Although Jiang Yan found it odd, he stood by without taking action.
He had waited so long for the talisman, what harm would a little more waiting do?
Soon enough, Cao Zhen had finished writing a copy of “The Art of War by Sun Tzu.” With a flick of mana, he dried the ink and casually tossed the freshly written “The Art of War by Sun Tzu” over to Jiang Yan.
Jiang Yan reflexively caught it and looked down.
The art of war is a matter of vital importance to the state; it is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin.
Hence it is a subject of inquiry that can on no account be neglected…
In an instant, Jiang Yan’s entire body began to tremble involuntarily.
As he read each character, it felt as though he was seeing legions of brave soldiers…
A chilling aura of slaughter burst forth from within Jiang Yan, and for a moment, the air itself seemed filled with the sounds of clashing weaponry and charging warhorses…
“Enlightenment!”
“He’s had an enlightenment!”
“What did Peak Master Cao write that led to his enlightenment?!”
“This…”
All around, everyone was stunned, and Li, the Military God, was completely dumbfounded.
He had seen it clearly; what Cao Zhen had written was indeed about military law.
And it was military law that led to Jiang Yan’s enlightenment!
Cao Zhen really understands the art of war!
This is the art of war we’re talking about; many disciples in the Hundred Peaks Sect don’t even know what the art of war is.
How could Cao Zhen possibly comprehend the art of war!
And yet, he caused Jiang Yan to experience enlightenment.
What did his treatise contain?
Cao Zhen watched Jiang Yan, who was still in the throes of enlightenment, with no hint of surprise on his face.
What a joke, he had written “The Art of War by Sun Tzu,” the holy text of military strategists!
Even a thousand years later, it was still studied and learned by countless people and translated into various languages.
By revealing “The Art of War by Sun Tzu,” it was as if he had thrown down the ultimate trump card; it would be strange if they weren’t completely stunned!
Enlightenment often comes in an instant, but for Jiang Yan, it was not a momentary revelation.
Instead, he continued to flip through the pages of the military treatise, constantly immersed in enlightenment.
After a long while, having passed an hour, Jiang Yan finally turned over the last page and read the last word, emerging from his state of enlightenment.
He looked up at Cao Zhen, who was smiling across from him.
In front of numerous disciples of the War Edge Sect, and in front of each member of the debate team, he knelt down with a thud and kowtowed three times to Cao Zhen.
Three sounds, each one crisp and unparalleled, every strike leaving a round pit on the Dao discussion platform.
“Many thanks to Peak Master Cao for the guidance, Disciple, I have actually never before encountered such profound and extensive Military Law.
This military text encompasses all possible military strategies.
Disciple fears that a lifetime may not be enough to fully grasp its profound mysteries.”
Cao Zhen waved his hand nonchalantly and said, “Don’t worry, if you can’t understand it now, take it back and study it gradually, look over it slowly.” He was becoming more and more adept at playing the part of the lofty sage.
“What?
You say…” Jiang Yan’s eyes widened suddenly, and the next moment, he planted his hands on the ground, prostrating heavily, the force of his bow impressively creating a huge round pit in the front of the Podium of Succession.
“Many thanks for the benefaction, senior!
I will never forget this grace of senior…,” said Jiang Yan, the Disciple of War Edge Sect, vigorous and full of martial vigor, yet at this moment, his eyes shimmered faintly with tears.
This Military Law was truly profound, vast and deep.
As a disciple of the War Edge Sect, he had seen many military texts, but none he had read could compare to the one before him.
The “The Art of War by Sun Tzu” that Peak Master Cao had given, though not lengthy in words, was intricate and comprehensive, a veritable encyclopaedia of military strategy, the magnum opus of all military texts!
Now, Peak Master Cao had bestowed this precious text directly upon him!
“Peak Master…
Disciple already has a legacy from another Sect and cannot pledge apprenticeship to another, but, the kindness you have shown to Disciple is like being reborn.
I am willing to regard you as my Pathfinder.
Once I return to my own Sect, I will immediately report to my Master.”
Cao Zhen, listening to Jiang Yan’s words, was already used to it; this was the third disciple outside the Sect to accept him as a Pathfinder.
“Rise.
I know you have other Sects to visit for debate, so I won’t keep you here any longer.
Weren’t you looking for my disciple to craft Talismans?
Once you’re done debating outside, you can come to the Hundred Peaks Sect to find me.
Then I will introduce my disciple to you, and also arrange for your big sister to craft some Talismans for you.”
“Many thanks, senior!”
Jiang Yan bowed in thanks once again, then stood up, put away “The Art of War by Sun Tzu”, and headed towards the gate of the Sect.
He had always been curious about why this military text was called “The Art of War by Sun Tzu”, but since the senior did not explain it, he wouldn’t ask.
All around, the crowd was completely stunned as they watched Jiang Yan’s departing figure.
“Did we…
win?”
“Nonsense, of course, we won.
Seeing Peak Master Cao’s military text, Jiang Yan had an instant Enlightenment and knelt to acknowledge Peak Master Cao as his Pathfinder.
Naturally, we’ve won!”
“At the beginning, Jiang Yan didn’t think Military God Peak was worthy of discussing Military Law with him, but after Peak Master Cao intervened, there wasn’t even a need for discussion — he conceded on his own!
He thought he wasn’t worthy of discussing Military Law with Peak Master Cao!”
“Peak Master Cao, he also understands the way of Military Law?”
“Isn’t it said that the way of the Military is extremely profound?”
“This is the second time that Peak Master Cao has been recognized as a Pathfinder, right?
The Qing Mozi from the Pen and Ink Sect also accepted Peak Master Cao as his Pathfinder!”
“Swordsmanship, calligraphy and painting, military strategies, what is it that Peak Master Cao doesn’t understand?”
“Peak Master Cao is capable of such a myriad of skills!”
Around, exclamations of amazement rose continuously.
People truly could not comprehend how Cao Zhen knew so much!
In the midst of everyone’s astonished shouts, Cao Zhen slowly walked up to Li Military God, extending a hand and said, “Peak Master Li, now, isn’t it time you brought out the Millennium Twin Dragons Bamboo?”
Li Military God had been in a daze, only returning to his senses upon hearing Cao Zhen’s words.
Looking at Cao Zhen’s smiling face, although he was reluctant, he nodded heavily.
Cao Zhen, after all, had just helped maintain the dignity of Military God Peak!