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Join the ServerThe following day, although Lin Yang had spent an entire day researching the principles behind the Qi Gathering Pill without making any real progress, his confidence remained unshaken.
Replicating the pill’s effects was never going to be something he could accomplish overnight.
So when morning came, he obediently reported to the courtyard and began his swordsmanship training.
“Since you’re here, let’s begin.”
Yu Daiyan was already reclining in his usual chair when Lin Yang arrived.
Without wasting any words, he turned toward his eldest disciple.
“Qingyuan.”
“You’re the senior brother.”
“Today, teach Qingyang how to hold a sword.”
“Yes, Master.”
Already prepared, Qingyuan walked over carrying two swords.
He handed one of them to Lin Yang.
Lin Yang glanced at Yu Daiyan.
He had originally assumed that his first lesson would involve basic sword techniques or introductory sword forms.
To his surprise, Yu Daiyan’s curriculum started from something even more fundamental.
“Junior Brother.”
“Watch carefully.”
Qingyuan slowly drew his sword.
“A sword consists of the blade, the guard, and the hilt.”
“Some sects also attach a tassel to the sword.”
“But Wudang doesn’t place any importance on that.”
“The blade itself can be divided into the spine, the edge, and the tip.”
“The tip and edge are used to wound your opponent.”
“The spine is used for defense.”
“The guard protects your hand.”
“And the hilt is where you grip the weapon.”
“That’s the basic structure of a sword.”
He held the sword horizontally before him.
“Today’s lesson is learning how to grip it.”
“It sounds simple.”
“But it’s the most important foundation in all of swordsmanship.”
“If your grip isn’t stable, you can never unleash the true power of your sword.”
“The key isn’t how you hold it.”
“It’s understanding the sword’s balance.”
“You must first find its center of balance.”
“Only by gripping it according to that balance can the sword truly move as your intentions dictate.”
“Only then will you know how to block, redirect force, or strike your enemy during battle.”
He looked directly at Lin Yang.
“So if you want to learn how to hold a sword…”
“You must first learn to sense its balance.”
Lin Yang nodded slowly.
Qingyuan’s explanation was surprisingly insightful.
At least…
It wasn’t something he had ever heard in his previous life.
“The sword’s balance…”
A faint realization surfaced in his mind.
If one mastered the weapon’s center of gravity, it would naturally remain balanced during combat.
That meant it would be far less likely to be knocked from one’s hand.
Viewed from that perspective…
Balance truly was the foundation of swordsmanship.
Thinking this through, Lin Yang slowly unsheathed his sword.
The weapon hadn’t been specially made for someone of his height.
It was a standard longsword, making it somewhat difficult for him to draw.
With a quick flick of his wrist, however, the scabbard slipped free and fell aside.
Holding the sword upright, he wrapped his right hand around the hilt and quietly began feeling for its balance.
At that moment, Yu Daiyan spoke again from his lounge chair.
“Generally speaking, the balance point of a sword lies slightly behind the guard.”
“That’s why people naturally grip it around that area.”
“But every swordsmith works differently.”
“The blade’s length and weight vary.”
“The hilt’s dimensions also differ.”
“So while the balance point is usually near the guard…”
“It is never exactly the same.”
“Your very first lesson is learning to locate that balance point as accurately as possible.”
“Only by thoroughly understanding your own sword can you truly bring out its full potential.”
“Yes, Master.”
Lin Yang answered respectfully.
He adjusted his grip closer to the guard and released his left hand.
Then he quietly focused on sensing the sword’s center of balance.
Over the next several days, he practiced nothing else.
Every day, he simply held the sword and familiarized himself with its balance.
Three days later…
A spark of understanding finally arrived.
With a smooth motion, he drew the sword.
His right hand rotated toward the balance point near the guard.
Raising a single finger slightly beneath the hilt, he balanced the entire sword upon it.
The blade wobbled gently.
But as he made minute adjustments…
The movement gradually disappeared.
Eventually, the sword rested perfectly still.
A faint smile appeared on Lin Yang’s face.
Applause suddenly came from nearby.
“Excellent!”
“Very good!”
Qingyuan and Qingliang looked at him with admiration.
“Junior Brother really does have talent.”
“You mastered the sword’s balance in only three days.”
“You don’t need to praise him so much.”
Yu Daiyan’s calm voice interrupted from the side.
“Otherwise, he’ll become so proud that his tail will reach the heavens.”
“Compared to his talent for cultivating inner energy…”
“His aptitude for the sword isn’t anything particularly extraordinary.”
“Yes, Master.”
The two senior brothers hurriedly responded.
“Master.”
“I won’t become arrogant.”
Lin Yang quickly added as well.
“Continue.”
“Now that you’ve learned the sword’s balance…”
“It’s time to practice holding the sword.”
Hearing the instruction, Qingyuan immediately stepped forward again.
He unsheathed his sword and called to Lin Yang.
“Junior Brother.”
“Our next lesson is sword posture.”
“So-called sword posture means maintaining a proper sword stance without moving.”
“Watch carefully.”
As he spoke, Qingyuan lowered his body slightly.
His weight shifted onto his right leg.
His left foot stepped forward about half a pace, the tip lightly touching the ground.
His left hand formed a sword finger, extending only the index and middle fingers together.
Those fingers rested gently near the sword’s guard.
His right hand gripped the hilt.
The sword angled upward from near his abdomen, poised to thrust forward at any moment.
“This stance is called the Sword Stance.”
He maintained the posture while explaining.
“It’s similar to the basic horse stance practiced by martial artists.”
“But its purpose is different.”
“It develops bodily stability.”
“It strengthens the arms.”
“And while maintaining the posture…”
“You continue refining your awareness of the sword’s balance.”
“Remain like this until the sword no longer trembles.”
“Once your body fully adapts to the balance, switch your footing.”
“Stand on the left leg.”
“Touch the ground with the right foot instead.”
“When you’ve become equally comfortable on both sides…”
“You’ll have completed the foundation of sword posture.”
After finishing his explanation, Qingyuan straightened up and sheathed his sword.
He gestured for Lin Yang to begin.
Lin Yang nodded.
He planted his feet.
His weight settled onto his right leg.
His left foot stepped forward half a pace, barely touching the ground with the toes.
His body leaned forward slightly.
His right wrist adjusted itself around the sword’s balance point, allowing the blade to angle naturally forward.
His left hand formed a sword finger and rested lightly beside the guard.
Then…
He slowly exhaled.
And remained perfectly still.
At first…
The posture felt manageable.
But after several minutes passed…
The tip of the sword began trembling.
The vibration spread into his hand.
Soon afterward, his entire arm started shaking.
His right leg gradually went numb.
His muscles stiffened.
An intense soreness erupted throughout every part of his body.
The longer he maintained the stance…
The more violently he trembled.
Qingyuan and Qingliang exchanged amused glances.
Smiles crept across their faces.
They had both endured this exact trial themselves.
They knew perfectly well how miserable this stage of training was.
Watching their little junior brother suffer through the same ordeal brought them no small amount of satisfaction.
Behind them, Yu Daiyan slowly turned his head.
Looking at Lin Yang’s continuously trembling figure…
A faint smile also appeared in his eyes.
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