Chapter 29: The Hero’s First Lesson

To become a ‘Hero’ means you will stand at the center of the storm.

You will face countless enemies, from the darkness, and perhaps even from the light.

You will witness the ugliness of humanity and the cruelty of the world.

The justice you uphold may be worthless in the eyes of others.

You may even discover that what you hated was not true evil, and what you relied upon was instead an even greater conspiracy.

Samuel’s voice carried a hint of weariness.

Before all this happens, tell me, what is your ‘Dao’?

“Dao?”

Luo Ling frowned slightly.

“Your conviction,”

Samuel explained.

Is it only vengeance that supports you to keep going?

Luo Ling fell silent.

Vengeance…

Yes, that was his strongest thought at this moment.

Vengeance for Eve, vengeance for those innocents who were caught up in the conflict.

But what if vengeance is achieved?

What if all the enemies are eliminated?

Then, where should he go?

He looked at his own hands—hands that once only farmed and repaired tools, but now longed to grip a weapon and be stained with blood.

What remained in his heart, aside from cold hatred?

Eve’s smile resurfaced in his mind, warm and pure, carrying beautiful hopes for the future.

“I…”

Luo Ling took a deep breath, his gaze gradually growing resolute.

I want to guard.

“Guard?”

“To guard those like Eve, who only wished for an ordinary life, but were mercilessly harmed.”

Luo Ling’s voice was not loud, but it was exceptionally clear.

I want to make this world a place where the weak are no longer trampled at will.

I want ‘ordinary’ to no longer be a luxury.

This time, his eyes held not only cold hatred, but also a complex emotion.

It was the inheritance of Eve’s last wish, compassion for the innocent, and a… heavier, more steadfast conviction.

Vengeance is the starting point, but never the end.

He wanted to build a world—a world where ordinary people could truly live in peace.

Even if this goal sounded distant, even laughable.

Samuel stared at him quietly for a long time.

A trace of approval seemed to flicker in those deep eyes.

“Good,”

Samuel nodded.

Guarding is more sustaining than simple vengeance on the long, dark road ahead.

Remember what you have said today.

When you lose your way in the future, it may be what brings you back.

Samuel walked to the massive black rock, reached out, and pressed his hand gently against its surface.

Vmmm——

A deep hum sounded, and light rippled across the black stone, revealing countless intricate runes.

The runes lit up, forming a strange Ritual Array.

“This is the ‘Trial Stone’.”

Samuel said.

It reflects your truest desires and fears.

Now, place your hand upon it.

Luo Ling walked to the rock, gazed at the swirling runes, and took a deep breath before pressing his hand against it.

A cold sensation spread, followed by a powerful pull from within the stone, as if it were trying to draw his very soul inside.

Darkness instantly swallowed his vision.

Chaotic images flashed in his mind: Eve’s falling figure, the sinister smile of a man in black, the fearful eyes of villagers, his own helpless cries…

These scenes surged forth like a tide, threatening to drown him.

“Ah——!”

Luo Ling let out a cry of agony, his body trembling violently.

Hatred, anger, sorrow, despair…

Countless negative emotions battered his mind.

“Hold on to your heart!”

Samuel’s voice thundered in his mind like a bell.

Remember your ‘Dao’!

Dao…

Guarding…

Eve’s smile…

The people who longed for peaceful lives…

Luo Ling gritted his teeth fiercely, using all his strength to resist the onslaught within.

He clung desperately to that faint light within him, the light named ‘guarding,’ as if protecting a flickering candle amidst a raging storm.

He didn’t know how long it lasted—a moment, or an eternity.

When Luo Ling opened his eyes again, the darkness had vanished.

The runes on the black stone had faded, returning to their original state.

Cold sweat covered his forehead, his body was still weak, but his eyes were clearer and more determined than before.

“You have passed the first trial.”

Samuel’s voice held a hint of relief.

Your heart may be scarred, but it has not been wholly consumed by hatred.

That is good.

Luo Ling panted heavily and nodded.

The experience had been like a nightmare, but it made him understand himself more clearly and strengthened his conviction.

“Now, we begin the first lesson.”

Samuel took something from behind him and handed it to Luo Ling.

It was a Wooden Sword.

The blade was simple and unadorned, polished smooth, its wooden grain visible.

“Grip it.”

Samuel said.

Luo Ling took the Wooden Sword.

It was cool to the touch, and heavy in his hands.

“The first lesson of a Hero is not slashing, not blocking, but… swinging the sword.”

Samuel’s voice was calm and steady.

From now until sunset, you only need to do one thing—swing this sword ten thousand times as quickly as possible.

Luo Ling froze.

Ten thousand times? Swing the sword? That simple?

Samuel seemed to see through his thoughts and spoke lightly.

Simple? Try it for a thousand times and tell me if it’s still simple.

Remember, with every swing, you must feel it with your heart.

Feel the strength of your arms, the coordination of your body, the path of the sword.

Only when you can swing the sword ten thousand times as naturally as breathing will you be qualified to learn real swordsmanship.

Luo Ling looked at the Wooden Sword in his hands, then at the setting sun in the distance.

Time was short.

He asked no more questions, only took a deep breath, gripped the hilt with both hands, and assumed the most basic stance.

“One.”

He muttered, swinging the Wooden Sword forward with a whoosh.

“Two.”

“Three.”

……

The evening sunlight spilled across the open ground, stretching Luo Ling’s shadow long and far.

He swung the Wooden Sword again and again, his movements awkward at first, but gradually growing more practiced.

Sweat quickly soaked his clothes, his arms ached, and his muscles screamed in protest.

Five hundred… One thousand… One thousand five hundred times…

His arms felt as heavy as lead, every swing bringing sharp pain.

Sweat dripped to the ground, spreading into damp spots.

His breathing grew ragged, his vision blurred.

The thought of giving up slithered in like a venomous snake.

“Ten thousand times… how is it possible…”

He gritted his teeth, almost losing his grip on the hilt.

At that moment, Eve’s smile, the villagers’ helpless eyes, and the cold faces of the men in black flashed once more through his mind.

“Ah——!”

He roared, pouring all his strength into another swing!

I can’t give up!

I must become stronger!

Eve… wait for me!

He bit down, letting sweat and tears—perhaps both—slide down his cheeks.

His eyes hardened with resolve.

Each swing now seemed to carry infinite strength and determination.

The sound of the Wooden Sword cutting the air echoed over and over in the quiet valley, unending.

This was Luo Ling’s first lesson as a Hero.

Tedious and exhausting, yet vital.

He was not only training his body, but forging his will.

Night quietly fell.