Dragon and Phoenix
Chapter 63: When Man Becomes Man

The afternoon sun was flushed. The sky is starting to blacken. The moon is starting to become clear. Suma Sun was still glued to sit staring at the skyline. Although the area is still crowded, at least it is not the center of attention anymore.

He sits under a tree. Luk Ping Hoo and Ang Lin Hua left him alone. The two of them returned to the shop and ordered wine.

Kao Ceng Lun said to Lie Sat, “Day is already dark, you want us to continue the journey or stay the night?”

Cio San glanced at Suma Sun for a bit, then said, “We stay the night, Siauya. It was dark. It is better to rest collecting power,” said Cio San aka Lie Sat.

“Good capsule,” Kao Ceng Lun said with a smile. He was almost always smiling. His smile was fun too. Like a child's smile.

After paying, they went out and headed for the tree beside the stall. Suma Sun sat not far away.

“Eh, Lie-ko. About what was in Suma-tayhiap's mind?” kao Ceng Lun said while whispering. He was afraid that his voice would sound to Suma Sun.

“Entahlah. Swordsman like him, may be creating new moves the result of his fight earlier.”

“Can be.”

They were lying under a tree. Enjoy a day that has slowly become night.

Suddenly Suma Sun got up and approached them, “Cayhe name Suma Sun. Who is the name of the honorable ji-wi (Two masters)?” tanyanya politely.

Oh wow..!!

Just this time Suma Sun was being friendly all her life!

They stood up and retorted.

“The name of boanpwe is Kao Ceng Lun, and this is boanpwe's best friend, Lie Sat-koko (brother),” replied Kao Ceng Lun.

“Lie Sat? Haha..., good name choice.” Suma Sun smiled. “It's nice to get acquainted with ji-wi.”

“Wah, we are truly honored. Suma-Tayhiap would like to greet us and get acquainted,” said Kao Cen Lung.

“Ah, dare not... Judging from Kao-enghiong's almost audible steps, cayhe made sure Kao-enghiong's science was very high. Does Enghiong have any connection with the esteemed Kao family of Hokkians?”

“Aih's.. Indeed Tayhiap's knowledge is vast and keen-minded. Indeed boanpwe is one of the sons of the Kao family,” he said smilingly.

Suma Sun did not ask about Lie Sat, she simply smiled and nodded.

“Eh, what if Tayhiap join us? There are some wine jars that boanpwe bring as stock,” bargain Kao Ceng Lun

“Thank you. Can I invite my two best friends too?”

“Of course, Tayhiap,” said the friendly young man.

Suma Sun then walked over to call Ang Lin Hua and Luk Ping Hoo. It does not use the science of sending out sounds as warriors commonly use to converse from a distance.

The five people then sat down to enjoy the wine and chatted. Kao Ceng Lun, whose character is fun, always tells funny and interesting stories.

Cio San astonished. Just this time he saw Suma Sun so happily in her life.

After a long conversation they went to sleep. What it is, grass and roof the sky. Only trees shade them. Fortunately, this group is not alone. There were several other groups who decided to sleep around there not far from them.

After all had fallen asleep, Suma Sun let out her khikang (sound science). The science of sending this voice can only be heard by the person in question by the sender of the voice. This science relies on very high khikang. In Kang Ouw's world, this science was quite common. Many high-class warriors were able to do so.

Of course Suma Sun sent a voice to Lie Sat aka Cio San.

“Let's come with me.”

Suma Sun then moved from there.

Shortly after, Cio San caught up with him.

Suma Sun's movements were very fast and without sound. In just a moment, he was far enough away. After feeling safe and no one, he just stopped.

Soon Cio San was there.

“You've arrived? Where's Cukat Tong?” asked Suma Sun with a smile.

“Haha.

“Again hear your voice, of course I know who you are. You're undercover huh?”

“Ya.”

“Befit, since then you did not greet us, and Kao Ceng Lun also called you Lie Sat.”

Cio San smiled. Suma Sun smiled as well.

The cold mountain air pierced the bones, feeling warm as Suma Sun smiled. His smile was born of the soul. Not a smile of pretence.

“You watched my fight, didn't you?” ask the Sword God.

“Hmm.”

“How do you think?” ask again.

“That fight changed your life.”

“True once.”

Of all the creatures that are under the sky, only to Cio San lah Suma Sun asked about silat. Not because Cio San is a great fighter, but because Cio San is his best friend.

Sometimes in this life, there are very few people who can actually penetrate the heart, heart, and mind. Against these people, you are even willing to entrust your life.

“How was the swordsmanship of the two young husbands?” ask Suma Sun.

“Perfect.”

“You're right again.”

“But you can beat them, right? That means your science is much more perfect than theirs,” says Cio San.

“What I beat is the person, not the knowledge. If any other swordsman had used that knowledge to the best of his ability, I would have died.”

“You're right, but you might as well be wrong. I know you were overwhelmed by their swordsmanship. Especially the swordsmanship of the young mistress. But you managed to beat him. By praising his knowledge and movements, you make his heart proud. That hint of pride made him slightly forget the land, and his swordsmanship instead loosened a little. Once that little gap is in place, your sword moves. But you're still wrong.”

“I was wrong in which part?” suma Sun asked not to understand.

“Your new science is arguably perfect, if the person using it, can use it as well as possible.”

Suma Sun nodded.

“I have been thinking about it since.”

Long time he was silent, then continued, “That swordsmanship is not everything in this world.”

If those words were born from someone else's lips, Cio San wouldn't be this surprised. Although he had expected Suma Sun would definitely come to this understanding, inevitably, he was still shocked.

A Sword God said, that the sword is not everything in this world?

“If the sword is not everything, then what?”

“Man,” the answer is short.

“When I saw the young mistress attacking me with all her body soul, I just understood, it turns out that in this world there is something more beautiful than a sword.”

“You're sure it wasn't for revenge?” ask Cio San.

“That revenge wasn't born of love too?”

They both looked far away.

If love breeds vengeance, then what is love itself? Can revenge give birth to love?

Here's Yin-Yang.

Two different sides are tied together. Mutually affect. Different but need each other.

“For the first time in my life, I felt love,” he smiled.

“You fell in love with that young mistress?”

Suma Sun smiled wider.

“You think I'm that low? I just felt, so deeply in the young mistress' love for her husband. All this time, I killed people just because they deserved to be killed. Death is a punishment for them. But I never thought that these people I killed could have a wife, a child, or a friend who loved them. People who lost someone they loved because of the sharpness of my sword.”

Cio San smiled. Maybe in his heart he said, “Why are you only aware now?”

“Do you, I came to this understanding because of you and Cukat Tong.”

“We?” Cio San was confused.

“Yes. All this time, I had no one. There is no father or mother. My only friend is my sword. After getting to know you two, seeing how familiar you are, seeing how you treat me, I just felt, it turns out there is something beautiful in this world that I did not realize before.”

“During this time, ‘kan me continue that troubles you and Cukat Tong. All this time, I have never done anything for you guys,” refuted Cio San.

“Even if you don't trouble me, then I won't consider you a friend,” he smiled.

Which friendship is deeper than this? When you're happy to help your best friend, when you're happy he asks for a little sacrifice from you.

A friend like this will still be happy for you, even if you don't invite him to your party. But he'll be sad if you don't give him back when you're sick or in trouble.

“I did it for you because I know, you would do it for me anyway if I asked,” Suma Sun said.

Cio San was silent. Suma Sun was silent.

Because sometimes, the deepest friendships, are impossible to express in words.

Sometimes, your most sincere friend is the one who rarely speaks to you.

Because you understand his heart and he understands yours.

They both remained silent for a long time.

“One day, I will definitely face Kam-tayhiap. You think, judging from his daughter's swordplay, can I beat him?”

“No.”

Suma Sun smiled. He likes honest answers. Especially from his best friend.

“Am I going to get killed?”

“Ya.”

He smiled and asked, “Why?”

“Because you have lost your sword soul. A swordsman should be heartless. All that was in his soul was a sword. His best friend is only a sword. If in your heart the sword has been replaced by Cio San, Cukat Tong, or Ang Lin Hua, then you will lose.”

Connect Cio San, please,

“During this time, you have reached the peak stage of a swordsman. You have united with the sword. You have even turned into a sword. That's because you managed to fill your soul with a sword, and nothing else. But now? You have returned to being human. Ordinary man who plays the sword. You are no longer the Sword God.”

Suma Sun was even more radiant on her face.

“If that's the price I have to pay for being friendly with you guys, I would.”

Tears dripped down Cio San's cheeks.

He regretted being too honest with his friend. He should strengthen the heart of his friend. But he spoke words that lowered his spirit.

But he knew, Suma Sun valued honesty more than sweet words.

“This time you are wrong in one thing,” said Suma Sun.

“What?”

“Highest peak of swordsmanship, not located on ‘man to sword’.”

“Then?”

“Located on ‘human to human’.”

Cio San. Only enlightened people are able to come to this understanding.

Didn't this go back to their conversation earlier? That the perfection of a science lies in its people, and not in its knowledge.

That is why man became a powerful being on earth. When they use their minds. That is what makes humans superior to other creatures.

When humans become human.

Because the highest peak of humanity, does not lie in the high rank, the number of treasures, or the depth of science. But it lies in its humanity. His weakness. In nature. On his mind.

So simple!

But it's also so elusive.

Cio San was speechless.

He can only be stuck.

Then his lips said, “Tayhiap.”

Suma Sun shed tears. If the word ‘Big Swordsman’ was spoken from the lips of Cio San to him, as if complete all his affairs on the face of this earth. As if, complete the meaning of his life under this sky.

Two best friends. Four teardrops, from two pairs of sincere eyes.

The night is getting darker, and the air is getting colder. But if you have a best friend, it's enough to keep you warm for the rest of your life.

“Let's go back.”

They walked casually and with a smile.When they got back to where their group slept, it turned out that the situation was crowded. Of course everyone has woken up.

“What's up?” ask Suma Sun.

“Kam-tayhiap sends an open letter to Suma-tayhiap,” says Ang Lin Hua.

“What is it?” ask the Sword God again.

“He challenged Tayhiap to a life-and-death duel, the night before the capture of Bu Lim Bengcu.”

Other than smiling, what could Suma Sun do?