📖 Sword Worldlash

"On the night of Jingjiang's eve, Venus entered his mother's dream. Thus, he was born and named Bai, with the courtesy name Taibai." Li Bai, the wild scholar of the Shu Road. Renowned from a young age, praised as "a genius comparable to Sima Xiangru." Who was Sima Xiangru? A man of immense talent, whose compositions were worth a thousand gold, his fame echoing through ages. Yet, he was not of the same path as Li Bai. Li Bai's way is "Autumn frost gleams on the jade blade;" it is "crossing the sea to slay the great whale." In his youth, Li Bai practiced swordsmanship. As he grew older, he composed poetry with his left hand and roamed as a knight-errant with his right. The world opened up before him, his youthful aspiration unstoppable. For years, he lived as a knight-errant, wielding a wild sword, indulging in wine, risking his life in deadly combat, cutting down the vanities of the mortal world. The Shu Road is difficult, treacherous villains lurk in the mountains. Li Bai, carrying his sword, sang as he traveled, reciting poetry in his drunkenness. His sword flashed like drifting snow. Amidst the soul of poetry and the spirit of wine, he looked back - the clamor had subsided, the path to heaven was clear. Within half a year, his fame resounded throughout Shu. He traveled and sang, unmatched in elegance. His sword was like a meteor, sharp as frost and snow. He wielded it with righteousness, cutting down injustice. Among ancient knights-errant, he was free and unfettered, benevolent, and charming - the unparalleled leader. With widespread fame in swordsmanship and chivalry, what more could he seek? When the long sword is unsheathed, it means life for some, death for others. But to support the weak and uphold justice for millions, one must command the chessboard, bringing salvation to the masses. This is "At fifteen, mastering swordsmanship, challenging the lords; at thirty, achieving literary greatness, reaching the ranks of ministers." Li Bai was born with pride, naturally charming. He spent his years immersed in poetry and wine, spending a thousand gold pieces without a second thought. With his transcendence beyond worldly matters, unbound in freedom, he roamed as a knight-errant for decades, generously wielding his sword, never needing to look back at his homeland. In the thirteenth year of Kaiyuan, Li Bai left Shu. Sword in hand, he departed his country, bidding farewell to his family for distant travels, a free spirit unleashed, scattering all his wealth.

At thirty, Li Bai arrived in Chang'an. Riches piled like mountains and the city dazzled the eyes. In Pingkang, music and dance enchanted the night; in Liquan, wine flowed thick and sweet. One drunken dream and he forgot who he was, forgot time even existed. He wandered taverns and street stalls, made friends of commoners the nobles scorned but what did their scorn matter to Li Bai? At the height of drunkenness, he raised his sword and looked to the world: where is justice to be found? The answer nowhere, not in Chang'an. The rich trampled the poor, the powerful mocked the merchants. Behind all the unfairness loomed imperial might, cold and immovable. And you, Li Bai, how would your sword cut through that? Like thunder on bare earth, the drink wore off and the chill of clarity returned. He stepped back into the world, not as an immortal cast down from the heavens, but as a fool chasing truth in dust and noise. He saw life's struggles up close, learned that no poem could fight fate. Drunk and slumped in an alley, he could only laugh at himself this sword was no match for injustice. The first time he saw Gongsun's sword dance, the dancer stood high on stage, silk sleeves whispering through the air, while the poet was lost in the crowd, cup in hand, quietly humming along. Flowers swirled, perfume drifted, and her sword moved with grace but beneath its softness, a hidden edge. It lacked Pei Min's raw force, but the Opera held its own kind of strength. Through the wine haze, Li Bai's sword spirit stirred. He had been a wandering swordsman for thirty years, his edge never dulled yet here in Chang'an, he had let the dust settle on his blade, let his fire fade, lost his defiance and drifted into mediocrity. If even this opera girl held such fierce resolve, how could Li Bai, born to greatness, let his light fade? If he had no choice in rags, then he would climb the stage in silk. If the sword failed to cut injustice, then his pen would speak across centuries. And if the world was built unfair, then Li Bai would fight it still. The sword hummed in its sheath. Li Bai laid his hand on the hilt, laughed out loud, and walked away. If the chains in his heart could be broken, then leaving the capital, he could ask his sword to cut through the dust of the world.

A knight-errant roamed the Nine Provinces, renown borne by sword and verse. Seen as no earthly being, hailed as Banished Immortal thus summoned by the Emperor himself to Hanlin Academy. "In Tianbao years, the Imperial Ancestor decreed: summoned to Golden Horse Gate, descending palanquin to greet as meeting Qi Hao. Feasted upon seven-treasure couch, fed by imperial hands." Repeatedly dreamwalking celestial palaces, his mortal frame ascended Nine Heavens honor's zenith, akin to Chang'an's drunken dream. When next witnessing Gongsun Sword Dance, he sat as Emperor's honored guest. Once destitute and unenlightened, now atop golden dais amidst revelry observing torrential bladeplay: radiance swirling heaven and earth bowing. This pinnacle of High Tang splendor pearl among scenes, poetry incarnate. Post-Jade Terrace banquet, Li Bai sought her Madam Gongsun stood beyond palace walls, jade beauty in brocade, Dual Swords like polished jade, long awaiting. She had studied Li's writings now majestic, now ethereal. Dancers seek inspiration from beauty's myriad forms, yet even the palace's deepest gardens and Opera paled before Banished Immortal's brushstrokes that split celestial veils. When the Immortal finally arrived, the dancer smiled, bending willow-waist in salute. Claiming lineage from Pei Min's sword dances, hailed as "Madam" by court performers. Madam Gongsun's fame resounded through the age, her artistry peerless. Poet and dancer kindred through phoenix-flight artistry; sword-wielders naturally cherish fellow blades. From distant glance to soul kinship fate's turbulence mirrors celestial realms shifting.

The common folk, once they taste success, indulge in luxury and call it "refined taste" or "high spirit" hardly worth a sneer. But Li Bai's true vigor? The imperial concubine handed him ink, the eunuch took off his boots, the Emperor summoned him and he refused. He raised his sword to sweep across the world, then returned to sing wildly in the wind. He served at the Hanlin Academy, composing poems by imperial command. Majestic Chang'an a golden gate, a jade cage kept the Fallen Deity close at hand. Yet even the Fallen Deity, gilded and honored on high, had unfinished business. Once the unrivaled master of poetry and wine, he crossed swords with Madam Gongsun beneath the moonlight. He carried two blades Moon Embrace and Vast Sea. He roamed famed mountains, drank worldly wine, and struck down petty villains but he never swept away the world's turmoil, never cut through its injustice. That year, he drowned in Chang'an's decadent dream. In a fleeting crack of light, he glimpsed a spark why drift between drunkenness and clarity, with such talent left to waste? But the dream was thin, and the spark too brief. Gongsun spoke little, but her sword knew feeling and thought it spoke in her place. Petals flew from the clouds, moonlight caught in her sleeves. Her blade flowed smooth, then struck with sudden force. Dance and song may charm the senses, but beneath that rainbow robe, her sword will was sharp and cold. With just one dance, the heavens swayed and the soul awakened. Li Bai broke free from his silken cage. In the moonlight, he sang with his sword; Madam Gongsun danced in reply. The moon poured down, washing the blossoms clean. Song met kindred soul, sword met kindred spirit it was harmony like rivers and mountains, and farewell across seas and sky. Gold in hand and exile granted is that truly worth celebrating?

Only wishing to succeed and bid farewell to the mortal world. Li Bai had always admired Xie An's integrity and aspired to "use the Dao to aid the ruler." After drifting through the mortal realm for years, he finally entered the Hanlin Academy and got close to the Emperor, but it wasn't what he had hoped for. Unwilling to be trapped in the illusion of wealth and luxury, dulling his sword's edge, he returned to the natural world, yet still felt lost and directionless. This moment, that moment why marvel at the grand flow of time? Later, he sought immortals and the Dao, journeying to the Eastern Sea. The vast sea met the sky at the horizon, with only a lone island standing tall against the rolling waves. Upon arrival, his sword sang. Li Bai clapped and laughed loudly, proudly climbing the mountain. The sound of the rolling waves roared, faint traces of sword might lingering. It is said that the Yue Maiden Sword, Ah-Qing, once practiced her sword here, but in this immense world, past and future visitors are no more than specks of dust. Vast sea, celestial heights, where sword might is formed. The Fallen Deity, rejected by Heaven, cast into the mortal world, yet revered by the mortal realm. Those who praise and adore him are but guests of humanity. What is swordlash through the mortal world? Without entering the mortal world, how can one lash at it? This body has endured many struggles, witnessed all the fleeting prosperity, became a hero of the age, and left a name to be remembered for a thousand years. The ordinary speak of earth-shattering feats, but only those who have seen through the world can truly achieve greatness. Li Bai once enjoyed the peak of earthly prosperity, and then the transient world passed like smoke, with one sword causing Heaven and Earth to lose their brilliance. Riding the sword might, he plunged into the sea, cleansing his heart and seeking the sword for twelve years. One day, his sword shattered the heavens.

Beneath Vast Sea, twelve years in seclusion culminate in sudden enlightenment. All mountains stand imprisoned in gloom, clouds tear sunlight apart, tidal waves shake abysses, wild winds roar thunderously, and torrential rain cascades like overturned vessels. Li Bai emerges from waters, serenely listening to tides. Twin swords Moon Embrace and Vast Sea leap forth, transforming the tempest into countless blades within moments. Sword Might and poetry-essence surge mightily, parting turbid currents. The sky dims, furious waves churn snow-white foam, silver crests surge a thousand feet, piercing the firmament. This primordial energy forms a whirling vortex Eye of the Azure Dragon. Its shape resembles a cobalt dragon wrestling tides; its roar echoes like submerged leviathan song. To quell this celestial phenomenon, divine sword must anchor it. Li Bai flicks his sleeves. Twin swords blaze forth Moon Embrace sunders storms, Vast Sea splits tidal mountains plunging into Eye of the Azure Dragon. Dragon-song reverberates across Azure Sea, dispelling darkness, parting waves. Daylight returns. Forged Sword Spirit turns petals into blades, commands all steel unchained. Li Bai stands against winds, drinks murky wine, exhales tempests, leaves Sword Might in azure depths. Henceforth named Isle of Fallen Deities. Multitudes pilgrimage here seeking transcendence. Storytellers whisper: When moon rises over Eastern Dipper, behold the Azure Dragon colossal waves dwarf Penglai, Li Bai the Banished Immortal floats on raft. Storms mirror his spirit, cosmos bend to his will. With rainbow threads and moonhook, he angles sea colossi. Then treading emptiness he rides swords above maelstroms, vanishing like fleeting vision! Truth or illusion? Reality or dream? None can ascertain.

Returning to the Central Plains, I realized ten years had passed in the blink of an eye. The world was overturned, and everywhere I went, I saw the land soaked in blood, with mountains and rivers swaying, leaving an indelible mark on my heart. On my journey, I encountered disciples of Yearning Sect, helping the weak and lonely. Their swordplay had the essence of old friends. When I asked about their master, they answered, "Our master is Madam Gongsun. Moved by the fate of old friends, she sighed, 'Enter my Yearning Sect, understand my sorrow,' and thus founded the Yearning Sect." Li Bai silently stroked his sword, sighing deeply, without speaking. In the midst of a crumbling world, old friends met again. Li Bai and Madam Gongsun gazed at each other, but words failed them. Having reached the ultimate truth, Grandmaster Li Bai's heart was clear as a mirror. He was ready to dive into the storm, cleansing the land of barbarian sands. The opera faded, and Madam Gongsun became the leader of Yearning Sect, protecting a refuge in the chaotic world. The Xihe Sword Dance, originally created for sword dancing, was modified by Madam Gongsun into a martial skill, but it lacked power. Li Bai taught her sword techniques, refining her style with swift agility to make up for what was missing. Afterward, the two exchanged a smile and a bow, turning their backs and walking away. The swordsman stepped into the storm, while the dancer guarded the mountains and rivers. The passionate wanderer returned to the mortal world, as he always would.