The chapter opens with a description of the "mortal realm" , which is the realm of swordsmanship. The narrator explains that sword intent is extremely difficult, as it is very difficult to gain insights into the "tao through sword" . In order to gain insight, one must be ruthless and remain true to one's self. The "non-self" of the great Dao, the "all emotion and desire" of a disciple, are also part of the cultivation path. The oldest disciple of the sect, the yunhua, comes on, and the narrator tells him to help him catch the ferret that is trying to steal the master's "ice coral soup." The old man tells the narrator that he will not be able to repair the hall of the tao in the next year because of the high cost of the soup. He also tells him that the master has become infatuated with money, and that he was once a great swordsman, but that he has become "more and more infatuated" with money