Gentleman Discusses Swordsmanship
Written by Mr. Zeng Wen, Scholar Hero of his generation. Drawing together the Four Books, the Five Classics, and the Thirteen Classics, it discusses how a Gentleman is cautious when alone: from the heart it shows in the body, from knowledge it takes form in propriety, neither arrogant nor servile, words and deeds as one. Let the moon turn and the stars shift as they will; let the rivers and mountains change masters as they please—I keep to my own heart and cultivate myself.
However good the world may be, I am still no more than myself; however bad the ways of the world may be, I am still no more than myself. Cast off this mortal body, and it is still so.
All of us who practice the sword and study martial arts should hold fast to our true hearts, and take the two edges of the blade as our mirror: not ashamed to ask, yet also seeking within ourselves; humble, yet ceaselessly striving; unshaken in hardship; watchful in feasting and wandering; fearless before the powerful. This is the Gentleman Sword.
Effects
Requirement: Confucianism LV3
| Level | Effect | Martial Points |
| LV1 | Scholarship 1, Worldliness Toward the Mean | 10 |
| LV2 | Scholarship 2, Blade and Sword 1, Worldliness Toward the Mean | 2 |
| LV3 | Scholarship 2, Blade and Sword 2, Worldliness Toward the Mean | 4 |
| LV4 | Scholarship 3, Blade and Sword 2, Worldliness Toward the Mean | 6 |
| LV5 | Scholarship 4, Blade and Sword 2, Worldliness Toward the Mean | 8 |
| LV6 | Scholarship 5, Blade and Sword 3, Worldliness Toward the Mean | 10 |
| LV7 | Scholarship 6, Blade and Sword 4, Worldliness Toward the Mean | 10 |
| LV8 | Scholarship 6, Blade and Sword 4, Worldliness Toward the Mean | 10 |
| LV9 | Scholarship 7, Blade and Sword 4, Worldliness Toward the Mean | 10 |
| LV10 | Scholarship 8, Blade and Sword 5, Worldliness Toward the Mean, Gentleman's Style, Confucianism LV1 | 10 (80) |
- Worldliness Toward the Mean: if Worldliness <= 50, +1; if > 50, −1
- Gentleman's Style: when Temperament, Worldliness, and Cultivation are all Moderate, increase damage dealt and damage reduction by 20% each
Acquisition
- Early Apr Year 3 — Fourth Senior Brother's purchase ($2500)