The Redford Order pursues the Dao through martial arts. Every disciple who enters the gates of The Redford Order must first spend several years learning martial arts; only when their skills in both hard and soft techniques reach their peak will they be taught the basics of the sword immortal’s mental cultivation. Brian White had previously been just an ordinary person—at most, he occasionally did some aerobic or anaerobic exercise, like running or, well, other activities—but when it came to martial arts, he was prone to making mistakes. With nothing else to do, it was the perfect time to make up for this shortcoming.

David Stone, unable to break through the sense stage for a long time and thus unable to learn The Redford Order’s advanced sword techniques, had put in a great deal of effort into worldly martial arts. Moreover, he came from a military family and had been influenced since childhood. In terms of pure martial arts, he could be considered the top disciple under John Brooks.

But among sword immortals, who still cares about martial arts? Martial arts are only meant to lay a solid foundation for learning advanced sword techniques.

When John Brooks was young, he studied a wide variety of arts, so the entry-level martial arts for his disciples numbered more than a dozen. Each one, in the mortal world, would be considered a supreme, long-lost technique. Brian White casually practiced and performed the set of “Thirty-Six Hands of Primordial Unity” that David Stone was most familiar with, from start to finish. Brian White had great insight into swordsmanship, but not much talent for martial arts. After all, in Shushan 2, he relied on sword light and rarely fought hand-to-hand. The game didn’t provide relevant experience, and although he had crossed over into David Stone’s body and gained David Stone’s memories, he still felt awkward and clumsy as he went through the moves, always feeling that something was off with every technique.

After finishing the set, Brian White felt a bit embarrassed and realized he needed to pay more attention to this weakness. He started again from the first move, practicing the “Thirty-Six Hands of Primordial Unity” once more.

This martial art was created solely by Mr. RedfordJohn Brooks to help his disciples lay a foundation for learning the entry-level mental cultivation of Redford, so the “Thirty-Six Hands of Primordial Unity” and the Redford Doctrine are closely related. Brian White was not skilled in martial arts, but he was clever. By the third time he practiced the set, he secretly noticed that every move of the “Thirty-Six Hands of Primordial Unity” could be coordinated with the Redford Doctrine, so he gradually integrated the Redford Doctrine into the martial art.

Suddenly, Brian White leapt high into the air, pressed one hand to the ground, and a wave of heat surged from his dantian, coursed through his meridians, and finally burst from his palm. A blast of energy shot out, instantly sending dust flying from the ground. After unleashing this “Primordial Unity Air Blast,” Brian White was struck by inspiration. On his fourth run-through of the “Thirty-Six Hands of Primordial Unity,” he moved as if he had practiced for years—every move was smooth and seamless, with no trace of a beginner’s awkwardness. He had digested sixty to seventy percent of David Stone’s lifetime of martial arts experience. Although he still couldn’t match the seasoned skill of David Stone’s decades of practice, he had finally grasped some of the essence of martial arts.

Chapter Fourteen: The Protagonist’s Character in a Third-Rate Wuxia

After being brought back to Jietian Peak’s Wuxin Temple by his ninth senior brother Samuel Smith, Brian White shut himself away, focusing on practicing martial arts and studying swordsmanship. He also repeatedly recalled David Stone’s memories to avoid giving himself away. His honest behavior matched David Stone’s usual character, and since he didn’t have many close relationships among his fellow disciples, no one came to bother him. Thus, a month or so passed, and Brian White found his days quite enjoyable, even developing the air of a classic xianxia homebody.

One day, while he was practicing martial arts, someone suddenly called from outside the courtyard gate: “Junior brother David Stone, I have something to discuss with you. Are you in your room?”

Brian White listened carefully and recognized the voice as Redford’s sixth disciple, William Johnson. He immediately replied, “Sixth senior brother, please come in. I am currently practicing behind closed doors and have nothing else going on.”

William Johnson chuckled and pushed the door open, followed by a boy of about thirteen or fourteen.

Brian White found it a bit odd, but, having fully adopted David Stone’s reserved nature, he didn’t ask any questions. Instead, following his usual habits, he invited William Johnson inside for tea. After a few casual exchanges, William Johnson got straight to the point: “This is my nephew from my secular family. He wants to join our sect and learn the arts, and after much hardship, he finally made it to Redford Mountain. But as you know, after our master accepted the twenty-fourth junior brother, he refused to take on any more disciples. We’re not yet allowed to accept disciples ourselves, nor can we pass on the sect’s mental cultivation techniques. So I thought I’d teach him a set of martial arts. But I’m currently at a critical stage in my sword training and can’t spare the time, so I brought him here to ask you for a favor—teach him our sect’s Great Collapsing Cloud Hand. That way, I’ll fulfill the boy’s wish and solve a problem for myself.”

Brian White showed a hint of hesitation, then agreed readily, acting just as David Stone would have in his memory. William Johnson, seeing him agree, laughed, gave his nephew a few instructions, and left, dumping the problem on Brian White.

Only after William Johnson left did Brian White breathe a slight sigh of relief, thinking to himself, “It seems this short-lived fellow doesn’t have much status among his senior brothers, and no one really pays him any mind. My previous worries were unnecessary—whether he changes or not, no one cares. But this boy…”

Brian White glanced at the sullen-faced youth and suddenly had a thought. He asked slowly, “What is your name?”

The boy, hearing Brian White ask, tilted his chin up and replied disdainfully, “You’re not worthy of knowing my name, and I don’t need you to teach me any mortal martial arts. I came here to learn the ways of the immortals, not to practice martial arts. You can’t persuade me otherwise.”