After Kaigaku left, the air on Peach Mountain seemed to clear considerably.
The constant, uncomfortable tension and malice that had always lingered dissipated with him.
The biggest change was evident in Zenitsu.
Although he was still the same coward who would cry out "I can't do it!" and "I'm going to die!" at the slightest provocation, it was clear that with the immense pressure of "Senior Brother Kaigaku" removed from him, his taut nerves had relaxed significantly.
During training, he could occasionally focus for a short while, and his sword swings were no longer always limp; sometimes, they even produced a faint but correct whooshing sound.
When Kuwajima Jigorō yelled at him, he was still afraid, but he showed less of the desperate, startled-bird panic he had before, and occasionally he could even stumble through one or two decent movements.
"The influence of environment on mindset is indeed significant," Cheng Mo thought, taking in all these subtle changes.
A relatively safe, less stressful environment was more conducive to the slow growth of this "crooked sapling."
He, himself, was completely immersed in his training.
His mind was free of distractions, and his goal was clear.
Under Kuwajima Jigorō's more focused and dedicated guidance, Cheng Mo began to systematically deepen his mastery of the various sword forms of Thunder Breathing.
He was no longer satisfied with merely "learning" them, but pursued "mastery," and even "optimization."
For First Form: Thunderclap and Flash, he repeatedly refined its activation speed and stability at extreme distances, aiming for absolute precision in that thunderous strike.
For Second Form: Rice Spirit, he studied the angles and force distribution of the five consecutive slashes, striving to block all evasion space, and even attempting to incorporate a hint of distant thunder's thrusting technique to increase its suddenness.
For Third Form: Thunder Swarm, with his formidable physique, he continuously expanded its effective striking range and tried to control the landing points of the chaotic strikes, so they were not entirely random... The Myriad Realms Physique once again demonstrated its terrifying power.
He could perform an unimaginable amount of repetitive practice far beyond ordinary people, and after each practice, his body would quickly provide optimization feedback, his brain rapidly calculating and adjusting, making his techniques visibly smoother, more seasoned, and more efficient at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Kuwajima Jigorō often watched him in a daze, as if he wasn't seeing a young man who had been training for a few months, but a master swordsman who had been immersed in this path for decades.
During breaks in training, Cheng Mo would sometimes walk over to Zenitsu, who was collapsed on the ground.
He wouldn't say words of encouragement; he would simply observe Zenitsu's previous movements and point out the most core problems in his usual calm tone.
"That last slash, your breathing broke during the inhale-exhale transition, and your power leaked out."
"Focus your attention on your lower abdomen, feel the energy explode like 'thunder,' pushing your arm, instead of shouting it out from your throat."
His guidance was precise and practical, devoid of any unnecessary emotion.
Gradually, a hint of reliance and gratitude began to mix into Zenitsu's perception of Cheng Mo.
"Tha... thank you, Senior Brother..." he would sometimes mumble softly, then immediately grab his wooden sword and run off to continue practicing.
Cheng Mo remained noncommittal about this.
Guiding Zenitsu, for him, was more like a review and validation of his own learning, and incidentally... perhaps it could make this future combat force useful sooner, or at least prevent him from dying too quickly.
His communication with Kuwajima Jigorō, however, entered a deeper level.
His respect for this upright, strict, yet genuinely devoted old man grew daily.
During their conversations, he would also more frankly share some of his own thoughts.
Once, while discussing the demands of Thunder Breathing on one's character, Cheng Mo looked at the wooden sword in his hand and slowly said, "Teacher, power is like the sharpest blade; it is inherently neither good nor evil. But if the hand holding the blade is crooked in character, the sharp edge will harm the innocent, and even backfire on oneself."
He looked up at Kuwajima Jigorō: "Therefore, this student believes that when refining the Breathing Technique, one must also refine the heart that wields the blade. If the heart is righteous, then the power is righteous."
Kuwajima Jigorō's eyes flickered slightly; he slowly nodded, deeply agreeing: "It is excellent that you can see this layer. Many people only see the power brought by the Breathing Technique, but overlook the heart that controls that power. Character is the foundation."
As the sun set, the old man and the young man sat resting by the dojo.
Cheng Mo gazed at the distant undulating mountains, as if remembering something casually, and in the tone of a traveling merchant sharing his experiences, he spoke extremely vaguely:
"Teacher, when this student traveled north and south in the past, he heard some vague rumors... saying that a very small number of ill-intentioned individuals, either due to insufficient power or inflated desires, could not resist temptation and fell into the demonic path, willingly transforming into non-human beings..."
"And even, there were those ungrateful wretches who, in turn, aided demons in their atrocities, turning against their former masters and sects..."
His tone was calm, as if he were merely recounting a strange tale utterly unrelated to himself.
Kuwajima Jigorō's body stiffened slightly.
Cheng Mo turned his head to look at Kuwajima Jigorō, his eyes calm but with a hint of subtle solemnity.
"These are all mere hearsay, absurd and unfounded; Teacher, just listen and dismiss them. It's just... I thought that if one day such an unnatural and immoral event truly occurred, please make sure to take care of yourself."
"While slaying demons and eradicating evil is important, as long as you live, the righteous path you uphold can continue to shine. Do not, for a moment's anger or attachment to old affections, put yourself in danger."
His words were vague and implicit, not specifically referring to anyone or anything.
Kuwajima Jigorō remained silent for a long time, only looking at the distant undulating mountains.
His gaze was deep, as if it pierced through time and space, seeing a future he did not wish to see.
The old man's hand gently caressed his cane, finally culminating in an incredibly heavy sigh.
After a long while, he slowly let out a breath, his voice somewhat hoarse: "...Your intentions, this old man understands."
He did not ask further questions, nor did he delve into why Cheng Mo suddenly said these things.
But the implied concern and warning, he had received.