After much haggling, the boss finally relented, agreeing to sharpen the blade for Lu Zheng.
“Ten years ago, sharpening swords wasn’t so strict. Buyers were adults, and a weapon felt right only when sharpened.
But then the internet age arrived, information spread easily, and news of accidental injuries, especially to kids, piled up. So, replica blades were banned from being sharpened.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be careful,” Lu Zheng said. “And I’ll probably visit your shop often, always needing them sharpened.”
The boss blinked, wondering what Lu Zheng did for a living.
Unable to figure it out, he let it go and, at Lu Zheng’s insistence, they exchanged contact details.
Du Lin.
Named as if he’s lacking wood in his fate…
“Give the commission to that young lady.” Lu Zheng waved at the pretty staff member.
Staff member: (｀Δ´)!
My commission’s gone, and you’re still teasing me?
“Fine.”
Du Lin didn’t care about the commission. Truth be told, he didn’t rely on Ancient Sword Hall for income; he had other businesses.
“Come, let’s go to my office. I’ll show you the blades we can sharpen.”
Du Lin led Lu Zheng to the back office area, waving to the staff member. “Xiao Tang, go to the warehouse and fetch a few blades for my office.”
…
In the end, Lu Zheng chose a Xiuchun blade forged from folded pattern steel, with pure copper fittings and a rosewood scabbard.
The blade was 105 cm long, with a 72 cm cutting edge, one inch wide, and two-tenths thick, weighty in hand, slicing the air with force.
“Good blade!”
“It’s a fine blade indeed,” Du Lin said. “I’ll sharpen it tonight. Come back tomorrow to collect it.”
“Alright.” Lu Zheng nodded, then added, “Get me an unsharpened one too. I’ll take it home tonight to get a feel for it.”
Lu Zheng suddenly realised that to enhance skills with fortune light, he needed to learn the basics first. Starting with a sharpened blade might end with him hurting himself.
Hearing this, Du Lin nodded. Though affordable in modern times, Lu Zheng’s buying style marked him as someone with money.
…
Half an hour later, carrying a rectangular box, Lu Zheng took a taxi home.
He immediately began watching online videos explaining sabre techniques.
There were countless such videos!
Basic moves of various sabre styles, broken down step-by-step with demonstrations.
Honestly, in the modern era, common knowledge was cheap. Want to learn something? It’s all online.
With discipline, you could teach yourself. Classes were mostly for the atmosphere.
Few teachers could explain concepts clearly and engagingly.
Besides, Lu Zheng only needed a foundation.
…
After an afternoon of videos, Lu Zheng grasped the essentials of basic sabre techniques, managing to stumble through a beginner’s routine.
Of course, his moves were awkward, lacking grace.
But that was enough…
Fortune light, activate!
*Hum!*
The jade seal in his mind trembled faintly, consuming one strand of fortune light.
Instantly, the essentials of basic sabre techniques flooded his mind and muscle memory.
Performing the beginner’s routine now flowed like water, smooth as clouds.
Lu Zheng darted through his living room, weaving high and low, left and right, the blade flashing like a silver ribbon.
Finishing the routine, Lu Zheng was thrilled. One word: splendid!
Five minutes ago, he was a clumsy novice, mimicking moves. Now, he was like someone who’d trained for a year or two.
Of course, he’d only mastered the basic forms and could perform the routine. Adapting in combat was still far off.
No matter, he had more fortune light.
Wait, he could enhance further?
Activate!
*Hum!*
Every move was second nature, ready to adapt and counter in combat.
Lu Zheng’s practical combat ability had grown significantly.
“With a fine blade, this level’s enough for now. Physique, enhance!”
*Hum!*
Enhancing physique involved every organ, a comprehensive process, so the effect wasn’t as immediate as sabre skills, nor as striking as the first boost.
Clearly, improving physical condition was a long-term project, and Lu Zheng had no idea how far it could go.
But growing stronger without exercise? That felt great.
“Nice! Time to sleep!”
…
The next morning, Lu Zheng changed into a tunic, crossed to the Great Jing Dynasty, and began practising sabre techniques in the courtyard.
Unlike yesterday’s routine-bound practice at home, today he moved freely, guided by instinct.
Left slash, right flick!
Step on the stone, pivot and strike!
Feint step, night battle cloaked sabre, whirlwind flurry!
Silver light gleamed, the blade’s hum filled the air!
Lu Zheng danced through the courtyard, exhilarated, only to notice Li Bo and Aunt Liu peeking from the doorway.
“Good morning, Young Master!”
“Fine sabre skills, Young Master!”
*Clap clap clap!*
“Got breakfast ready?” Lu Zheng sheathed the blade, catching his breath.
“It’s ready, it’s ready!”
Aunt Liu nodded eagerly. “Will you eat at home this morning, Young Master? I’ll bring it to the hall.”
“Good.”
Lu Zheng nodded. He’d been excited this morning, crossing over right after waking, and now his stomach was rumbling.
…
After breakfast, Lu Zheng stashed the blade in the modern world, dressed neatly, and headed out again.
He skipped Qingsheng Tower.
He’d asked Daoist Mingzhang at Baiyun Temple, who said the storytellers’ tales were half-true, half-exaggerated, leading you astray. Why bother with that?
He’d rather read web novels at home.
Instead of Qingsheng Tower, Tonglin County had plenty of entertainment.
Gambling dens in the north and west, the south’s Chunfeng Tower loved by scholars, and Cong’an Ward’s street performers and merchants, as lively as any modern city.
Speaking of scholars…
Lu Zheng strolled down a northern street, hearing the clear recitation of texts from a nearby courtyard.
This was Tonglin County’s academy, home to the county’s promising young scholars.
When Lu Zheng first arrived, he’d naively crafted a scholar’s identity, even buying Confucian classics from a bookstore for authenticity.
Then…
He promptly abandoned the scholar persona.
Passing the academy exam meant attending school, and passing the metropolitan exam meant becoming an official. Lu Zheng had no time for that.
