“Basic principles start with the right attitude.”

Cheong elaborated further.

“The sword is the king of all weapons, a tool for self-cultivation, and the medium through which a swordsman communicates with the world. How can disciples who practice such an art display the reckless behavior of street thugs?”

“No, Instructor!” “Absolutely not!” “No way!”

She wasn’t here to enforce military discipline down to the exact phrasing; after all, rigid formality wasn’t essential to discipline, nor did it make enemies decrease or allies multiply. Such rigidity was merely a way to press authority on subordinates through sheer intimidation.

“As representatives of …