With each passing day of practice, his footwork grew ever nimbler.
His figure shifted and darted across the courtyard, his movements erratic and unpredictable, leaving anyone watching thoroughly baffled.
"That's the Golden Goose Skill, isn't it? Junior Brother Lin's comprehension is truly extraordinary. It makes a man envious."
Han Mo watched Lin Zheyu, his eyes filled with envy.
In the beginning, Liang Song had only taught him a third-rate saber technique. Later, after Han Mo had stayed by Liang Song's side for a long time and his master had taken the measure of his character, Liang Song had passed down the Golden Goose Skill to him as well.
Unfortunately, Han Mo's comprehension was mediocre; he simply could not grasp such an intricate, complex art. Several years of practice had brought him less progress than Lin Zheyu had achieved in a few days.
"There's no need to envy him. With your aptitude, thoroughly mastering the Six Harmonies Saber will serve you well for a lifetime."
Liang Song glanced at him. "You've been out fighting for over a month. Have you touched the threshold of the Qi and Blood Realm yet?"
"No."
"It's too difficult. In the heat of battle, I can feel the qi and blood boiling within me. But the moment the fighting stops and I try to contemplate it carefully, I can't sense its presence at all," Han Mo sighed, a look of gloom on his face.
"Not bad. At least you can sense your qi and blood while fighting."
"The Qi and Blood Realm is a major threshold. Most martial artists remain stuck without advancing an inch because they can never perceive or comprehend their qi and blood."
"Engage in more intense battles in the future. Once you become familiar with that sensation, breaking through to the Qi and Blood Realm will follow naturally," Liang Song said casually.
The two sat by the stone table, eating side dishes, chatting, and watching Lin Zheyu train.
Time slipped quietly by.
Lin Zheyu practiced for over an hour until the alcohol evaporated entirely with his sweat, leaving not the slightest trace of drunkenness.
"Go on,"
Liang Song said. "The two of you spar a bit."
"Yes, Master."
Han Mo took off his outer coat, wearing only a snug short-sleeved tunic that showed off his sturdy muscles.
Moonlight fell across him, illuminating a dozen scars of various sizes scattered across his bare arms.
Han Mo picked up a blunted saber used for sparring in the courtyard and gave it a few practice swings. It had a good, familiar weight.
"I practice the Six Harmonies Saber. All my martial skill lies in the weapon; without it, I lose more than half my strength."
Han Mo smiled and swung the blunted saber in his hand. "Blades have no eyes, Junior Brother Lin, so be careful."
"I've practiced martial arts for over a decade, yet I've remained stuck at the peak of viscera refining without advancing an inch. Master told me you broke through to Bone Tempering in less than two months. With such remarkable talent, I'm sure you'll surpass me before long."
"I've only just begun my training. Progress comes faster at the start, but it slows down later," Lin Zheyu replied modestly.
Standing about two meters away from Han Mo, he dropped into a stance of the Golden Goose Skill.
In the past, Lin Zheyu's sparring sessions with Master Liang had always been hand-to-hand combat; he had never tried facing an armed opponent with bare fists.
"As the saying goes, an inch longer, an inch stronger; an inch shorter, an inch deadlier,"
Master Liang said in a leisurely voice. "Length grants power and overt sharpness, while shortness offers deceit and hidden lethality. When fighting an armed martial artist, you must discern the strengths and weaknesses of their weapon, using the agile variety of unarmed combat to counter it. You may begin."
"Senior Brother Han, pardon my offense!"
Lin Zheyu cupped his fists, then assumed his fighting stance.
The Six Harmonies Saber was unpretentious, crisp, and direct. Every strike carried thick, forceful momentum and overwhelming presence.
It was an exceedingly practical blade art; once mastered, the blade moved with the body, weapon and wielder becoming one, adapting at will.
Yet no matter how crisp and direct it was, its agility could not compare to unarmed combat.
If Lin Zheyu wanted to defeat his senior brother, he needed to close the distance within one meter and force a close-quarters brawl.
Under the moonlit night, Lin Zheyu shot forward like an arrow, closing in on Han Mo in a flash.
Han Mo gripped the blunted saber. Under the moon's glow, the edge flashed cold as he swung a horizontal slash, driving Lin Zheyu back at once.
He stepped forward with his right foot, his blade sweeping down toward Lin Zheyu's head with biting ferocity.
Lin Zheyu bent sharply backward at the waist, shifting his body with fluid grace, and used the brief pause before Han Mo could recover his blade to press inside.
"Heh!"
Han Mo chuckled. He was intimately familiar with Lin Zheyu's methods.
Having sparred with Master Liang for over a decade, he had long since figured out the tricks to deal with this footwork.
Though he would lose to Master Liang within a few moves, Han Mo's saber skills were put on full, dazzling display against his unpolished junior brother.
*He's strong!*
Lin Zheyu pulled back some distance, panting slightly.
The fierce assault just now had taken quite a toll on him.
Han Mo's saber technique was formidable; he had already reached the level where the blade shifted with his body and adapted at will.
Under his guard, Lin Zheyu could not breach the defensive perimeter of the saber at all, leaving him no way to close in.
"The blade moves with the body. Only when the body moves does the blade follow."
"Keep your eyes glued to his body's movements. No matter how fast the blade is, it takes time for the hand's force to travel into the weapon."
"Seize that gap, see through the trajectory of his saber, and you will be able to anticipate his moves," Liang Song reminded him from the side.
Lin Zheyu carefully replayed his earlier offensive in his mind. Exhaling a long breath, he attacked once more.
In the courtyard, Han Mo wielded the blunted saber with roaring force, his momentum formidable.
Lin Zheyu, on the other hand, relied on his nimble footwork, constantly dodging Han Mo's strikes and seizing every opening to press his attack.
The two traded blows back and forth.
*Junior Brother Lin's combat talent is remarkably sharp too!* Han Mo marveled inwardly.
As the fight dragged on, Lin Zheyu managed to hold out under his blade for longer and longer, beginning to grasp the knack of countering him.
With one slight lapse, Lin Zheyu was struck by the flat of Han Mo's blade and knocked flying through the air.
"Again!"
Lin Zheyu rubbed his back. Fortunately, it hurt far less than Master Liang's strikes.
Beneath the moonlit sky, one figure stood firm, swinging the blunted saber into a seamless, roaring defense, while the other moved with exquisite agility, shifting and weaving beneath the blade, ever hunting for an opening to close in.
The battle continued for more than two hours, not coming to an end until Master Liang called a halt.
Panting slightly, Han Mo looked at Lin Zheyu with changed eyes.
*Is this kid a beast? Doesn't he ever get tired?*
Lin Zheyu was clearly pale with exhaustion, gasping heavily for breath, yet he had still managed to launch attack after attack. Such willpower was truly astonishing.
"No wonder Junior Brother Lin has achieved so much. This sheer perseverance alone is worthy of admiration!" Han Mo exclaimed in wonder.
Chapter 30