Sword Art Orthodox Manual

Overview

The Sword Art Orthodox Manual (剑术正经) is a physical martial arts and sword cultivation manual that served as Chen Ping'an's earliest formal introduction to physical swordsmanship. Bridging the gap between the pure martial arts paths and the ethereal techniques of sword cultivators, the manual details specific combat stances alongside the internal circulation of true qi required to properly execute them. The manual was temporarily named by Zheng Dafeng, who heavily edited and annotated the physical copy to correct its internal mechanics.

Techniques and Mechanics

The Sword Art Orthodox Manual is structured around exactly six foundational sword moves, categorized into offensive, defensive, and internal refinement techniques:

• Offensive Stances: Snow Avalanche (雪崩式) and Zhen Shen Tou (镇神头). These moves focus on aggressive, overwhelming martial force. Chen Ping'an particularly favored the Snow Avalanche stance, which moves as fast as a flurry of chaotic snow to dazzle the opponent.
• Defensive Stances: Mountain Peak (山岳式) and Armor Clad (披甲式).
• Internal Refining: Lian Hua (炼化) and Ru Shen (入神). Rather than outward combat applications, these techniques focus on the internal consolidation and refinement of a cultivator's foundation, functioning similarly to the Six-Step Walking Stance (六步走桩) and the Sword Furnace Standing Stance (剑炉立桩).

To ensure the correct execution of these techniques, the manual contains highly specific illustrations on pale silver paper. Each illustrated figure features a golden thread (金色丝线) drawn across its body, explicitly charting the exact physiological path that true qi must continuously circulate through the practitioner's body to unleash the true power of the sword moves.

Legacy and Transmission

Recognizing the foundational value of the manual, Chen Ping'an created hand-copied replicas (摹本) of the Sword Art Orthodox Manual to pass down to younger generations. He gave one of the first replicas to his disciple Zhao Shuxia, alongside a replica sword named Quhuang, to serve as a self-defense foundation once his fist techniques achieved minor success. Later during his travels, Chen Ping'an gifted another hand-copied replica of the manual to the young sword cultivator He Xiangting.

References

• 剑来6：剑符在扁舟，第十章 — 群山之巅有武神: Confirms the manual was named by Zheng Dafeng, details the specific names of the six stances (Snow Avalanche, Zhen Shen Tou, Mountain Peak, Armor Clad, Lian Hua, Ru Shen), and describes the silver-paged illustrations featuring a golden thread that maps qi circulation.
• 剑来14：江清月近人，第四章 — 剑气如虹人在天: Supports Chen Ping'an giving a hand-copied replica of the manual to his disciple Zhao Shuxia.
• 剑来35：一笑抚青萍，第五章 — 何谓披星戴月: Supports Chen Ping'an gifting another hand-copied replica of the manual to the young sword cultivator He Xiangting.