The Broken Saber Enters His Dreams, the Golden Finger Awakens

With Chunyan supporting him, Liu Yunche followed Wan Shan slowly toward the weapon racks.

The morning sun slanted down, falling over rows of cold, hard weapons and making them gleam with a metallic sheen. The air still carried the faint smell of sweat and wood left behind after training.

As he looked at the neatly arranged weapons, Liu Yunche's face remained calm and expressionless. Only the fingers hidden within his sleeves curled almost imperceptibly, while his heart had long since begun to surge with excitement.

The first thing he saw was a standard ring-pommel saber, its blade plain and its iron guard unadorned.

Wan Shan's voice sounded beside him at just the right moment:

"Young Master, this is a green steel saber, the most common type of saber in Verdant Grain County. Most of the household guards carry one."

Liu Yunche nodded slightly and slowly reached out his hand.

He had only recently recovered from a long illness, and his fingertips still held a trace of chill as they lightly rested on the rough wooden hilt. His attention, however, was entirely focused on the light screen within his mind.

The next moment, the empty groove in the equipment panel actually lit up with a faint pale glow. Its patterns flowed gently like living water, as though sensing something, as though responding.

Liu Yunche's heart tightened as he focused, waiting expectantly for the next change.

Yet the faint glow suddenly dimmed, and the flowing patterns froze in an instant. No matter how hard he concentrated and urged it on, there was no further reaction.

The fingers resting on the hilt stiffened abruptly, and a nearly imperceptible trace of surprise flashed through his eyes. Clearly, this result had exceeded his expectations.

But having lived two lives, his state of mind had long since settled. In but an instant, he suppressed every trace of unusual emotion.

His face still wore that same sickly, peaceful expression. Neither Wan Shan nor Chunyan beside him noticed anything amiss.

He slowly withdrew his hand and walked step by step along the weapon rack.

Seeing his keen interest, Wan Shan softly pointed things out along the way. This was an iron-forged spear, that was a broad-backed hand axe, and there were also the eyebrow-height iron staffs commonly used by ordinary courtyard guards.

Liu Yunche reached out to touch them one by one: cold iron blades, rough spear shafts, solid staff bodies...

Every one of them possessed the weight and simplicity expected of ordinary weapons.

Yet the equipment panel within the light screen remained as silent as ever, never again showing even the slightest flicker of light.

Liu Yunche was not discouraged, though a hint of disappointment inevitably passed through his heart.

It seemed that the equipment panel could not be fitted with ordinary weapons. There had to be some restriction regarding rank or spirituality.

He stopped trying and gave Wan Shan a slight nod. "Thank you for your trouble, Instructor Wan. Today has truly been an eye-opener."

Wan Shan quickly cupped his hands. "You flatter me, Young Master."

Afterward, Liu Yunche turned and left under Chunyan's careful support.

The morning sun gradually warmed, spilling over his somewhat slender back.

Along the way, the household servants bowed and moved aside. His steps were light and unhurried, his expression calm, as though that string of disappointments had never crossed his mind.

One month later, within Cloud Perch Courtyard.

The first rays of sunlight had just risen. Liu Yunche stood beside an ancient tree, the breeze stirring his flowing sleeves.

Over the past month, he had taken his medicine on time every day, regulated his breathing, and practiced his fists. His internal organs had gradually stabilized, and his vitality was far stronger than before.

His figure was still somewhat slender. He raised his arms to gather the clouds, sank his waist and lowered his palms, each movement smooth and rounded as he slowly punched and stepped.

Half an incense stick later, he slowly withdrew his fists and exhaled a breath of stale air. With steady steps, he walked over and sat beside Liu Wangzhou.

Liu Wangzhou's gaze fell upon Liu Yunche's still-slender shoulders and back. There was relief in his eyes, but also a few traces of lingering concern.

Only after seeing that his breathing had remained steady throughout his practice did he finally speak.

"Not bad, not bad. It seems Physician Yun truly has some skill."

Liu Yunche drained the tonic beside him in one gulp, set down the cup, and praised him, "Father, the Nourishing Life Fist that Physician Yun taught me is quite good. After practicing it for some time, I feel clear-headed and much lighter."

"As long as it works."

Liu Wangzhou let out a soft breath, and the tension between his brows eased somewhat. "After all, he is a physician from the prefectural city. It is only natural for him to possess such medical skill."

After a moment of silence, Liu Wangzhou's fingertips paused before he slowly spoke. His tone carried a hint of probing and concern.

"Some time ago, I heard from Wan Shan that you have taken quite an interest in martial arts. What, your body has only just recovered, and you are already thinking of training?"

Having lived again, and possessing a golden finger like the equipment panel that was so suited to martial training, how could Liu Yunche waste such a gift by refusing to enter the martial path?

Moreover, the person who had poisoned him remained hidden and had yet to reveal themselves. Even for the sake of protecting himself, he needed to train in martial arts.

"Yes, Father. After experiencing this ordeal, my thoughts have changed. I no longer wish to continue drifting through life like this."

"I have heard that martial arts can strengthen the body and, at higher levels, even extend one's lifespan. I deeply yearn for it. If I possess martial skill, I can also protect our family."

Liu Yunche spoke earnestly. As he looked at his father, his eyes were filled with determination.

For a time, father and son looked at each other. After a long while, Liu Wangzhou seemed to sense Liu Yunche's resolve and let out a soft sigh.

"Very well."

"Since you have such intentions, how could I, as your father, refuse to support you?"

Liu Wangzhou praised him. "You have borrowed and studied all sorts of martial manuals these past days. I suppose that was all preparation for learning martial arts?"

"It seems you have truly made up your mind. That is good. It is not a passing whim, but something you have prepared and thought through."

Liu Yunche smiled steadily. "Father sees clearly."

Liu Wangzhou looked at Liu Yunche and sighed softly. "You... have always had a mild temperament since childhood. But no one knows a son better than his father. I have long known about that stubbornness in your bones."

As he spoke, Liu Wangzhou gazed into the distance, as though he had fallen into memories of the past and recalled the days when he had first begun training in martial arts.

Back then, when he had first learned martial arts, he trained through the coldest days of winter and the hottest days of summer. He had no idea how many times his skin and flesh had been worn raw, and being kept awake by pain at night was commonplace.

Just standing in a horse stance alone had left him standing under the blazing sun for months on end, his legs swollen until he could barely walk steadily.

Remembering this, Liu Wangzhou smiled.

"When I first entered the martial path, I suffered greatly. Telling you now, you still may not truly understand."

Liu Wangzhou pointed at Liu Yunche and laughed as he scolded him teasingly. "You brat, you have plenty of suffering ahead of you."

With longing for the martial path in his voice, Liu Yunche said firmly, "Father, rest assured. I am already prepared."

As Liu Wangzhou looked at the passion in his son's eyes, an unreadable emotion flashed through his own. He sighed inwardly, and his tone softened in a way that was difficult to notice.

"As expected of my son. You are exactly like I was when I was young."

"Yunche, what do you wish to learn?"

Liu Yunche did not answer immediately. Instead, he brought up something else. "Father, I heard that Grandfather left behind his saber, and that we have kept it enshrined."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "I want to see Grandfather's saber."

Over the past month, Liu Yunche had touched every weapon in the Liu Household estate, yet not a single one had caused the equipment panel to react.

Upon further thought, the only weapon he had not touched was his grandfather's saber, which was kept enshrined.

Liu Wangzhou pondered for a moment. Seeing the hope in his son's eyes, he finally nodded in agreement.

"Come. Since you have the intention, you may as well accompany me to pay respects to your grandfather."

The two walked one before the other, talking as they headed deeper into the Liu Household estate.

"I once heard Instructor Wan mention that our household is famous throughout Verdant Grain County for its saber arts?" Liu Yunche raised his eyes slightly, his tone carrying a hint of curiosity.

Hearing this, Liu Wangzhou fell silent. A trace of complicated emotion flashed deep within his eyes.

Only then did he slowly say, "The Liu Household is indeed famous throughout Verdant Grain County for its saber arts."

A hint of confusion flashed through Liu Yunche's eyes. He could clearly sense that Liu Wangzhou's words held another meaning. He had keenly noticed that his father had said "the Liu Household," rather than "our household."

Liu Yunche lowered his eyes in thought. His gaze paused slightly, and that single difference in wording set his mind racing.

Yet he did not ask further. Instead, he quietly waited for what came next.

After a brief pause, Liu Wangzhou furrowed his brow, suppressed the complicated emotions in his heart, and continued.

"Yunche, if you wish to learn saber arts, I have the Gale Swift Saber for building your foundation, the Thunderclap Saber Art for advancement, and more besides."

"These saber arts all come from the same lineage. You need not worry about any missing portions. They can save you from taking many unnecessary detours."

Afterward, Liu Wangzhou spoke at length about the essentials of saber training and his own insights and experiences.

The two chatted as they walked. Before long, a secluded courtyard came into view.

The furnishings inside were ancient and simple.

An altar table stood in the main hall, with an incense burner placed upon it. Yet what was enshrined was not the memorial tablet of an ancestor, but a Goose-Feather Saber stained with black blood, its blade somewhat damaged.

Liu Yunche's gaze was involuntarily drawn to the bloodstained Goose-Feather Saber.

"This is the saber your grandfather left behind. This Goose-Feather Saber accompanied him through a lifetime of battle and drank the blood of countless enemies," Liu Wangzhou said slowly.

After speaking, Liu Wangzhou casually placed three sticks of incense into the burner. "Your grandfather once said that this Goose-Feather Saber was like his brother, and that his descendants should keep it enshrined."

Liu Yunche followed his father's example. With a respectful expression, he also offered three sticks of incense.

A trace of hesitation flashed through Liu Yunche's heart. After hesitating for a moment, he still asked, "Father, may I touch this saber?"

"Oh?" Liu Wangzhou looked at Liu Yunche in surprise. Seeing that his eyes were full of anticipation, he pondered briefly before nodding. "Go on."

As he watched Liu Yunche's back, Liu Wangzhou could not help thinking of how he had gone around handling weapons everywhere over the past month. Though he did not understand it, he had not interfered too much.

Liu Yunche stared intently at the damaged Goose-Feather Saber, his expression calm as a still lake.

His steps were even and unhurried, one after another, without the slightest trace of impatience. The countless disappointments of the past month had already accustomed him to this.

Yet becoming accustomed did not mean giving up. On the contrary, it made him even more composed. If this Goose-Feather Saber could not activate it either, then he would simply keep searching.

When Liu Yunche approached, his fingertips had barely touched the hilt before he felt a bone-chilling aura seep into his body through the gaps between his fingers. It was as though an immense force, carrying the smoke of battle, had crashed directly into his mind.

In an instant, heaven and earth turned upside down, and the scene before him suddenly shattered and reformed.

"Kill!!!"

A deafening roar of slaughter exploded by his ears. Blinding saber light and sword shadows crisscrossed the sky, while arrows tore through the air like dense rain, piercing layer upon layer of armor before falling into pools of blood.

This was a brutal battlefield. The setting sun was red as blood, staining the endless corpses and scorched earth.

Soldiers in cloth armor held long spears, their momentum surging like a rainbow. Cavalry in dark armor galloped past on warhorses, dust flying beneath their hooves.

Countless figures surged and slaughtered one another. Shouts of killing, the clash of weapons, and agonized screams intertwined into a tragic battle hymn.

And this Goose-Feather Saber left behind by his grandfather had, under the activation of the equipment panel, brought him into the deepest memories held within its blade.

Liu Yunche's gaze fell upon a figure at the edge of the battlefield, and a bloodstained Goose-Feather Saber entered his sight.

Although that blade was still bright and gleaming, Liu Yunche recognized it at once as his grandfather's saber.

Then the person wielding it was self-evidently his grandfather himself.

His grandfather's saber art was fierce and peerless. Slashes, chops, thrusts, and lifts followed one another without the slightest wasted motion, saber winds carrying the ferocious aura of the battlefield.

Wherever he passed, enemy soldiers were beheaded before they could even scream. Light and shadow continued to surge, and the Goose-Feather Saber moved in broad, forceful arcs. Though it held no elaborate techniques, every strike was deadly.

Truly worthy of a saber art forged upon the battlefield!

When the light and shadow suddenly vanished, Liu Yunche abruptly returned to his senses. His fingertips were still resting on the hilt, and only a single breath had passed.

Without drawing attention to it, he glanced at the lower left. The groove was already blazing with flowing light, spinning continuously as though yearning for something.

A gleam appeared in Liu Yunche's eyes as he thought, So that is how it is. The equipment panel does not accept ordinary items.