The Saber Inherited from His Ancestor, Deliberately Hiding His Talent

The next moment, he withdrew his finger and suppressed the excitement in his heart. Turning to look at his father, Liu Wangzhou, he found that Liu Wangzhou was looking at him as well.

Their eyes met. Liu Wangzhou raised a hand and gently patted his shoulder and back, a mild smile on his face.

"How was it? What did you feel when you touched the blade just now?"

Liu Yunche restrained the shock surging within him. A trace of barely perceptible excitement colored his voice as he deliberately slowed his speech.

"The instant my fingertips touched the blade, I seemed to see Grandfather wielding it in battle."

Hearing this, the smile in Liu Wangzhou's eyes deepened. His gaze fell upon the blade, and a trace of reminiscence passed through his eyes.

There was certainty in his voice.

"It seems Yunche wants to practice saber arts now."

"That is good as well. Our Household's saber arts have been passed down through a single lineage, so you will not need to worry about finding more saber techniques later."

As he spoke, Liu Wangzhou took out a yellowed saber manual from a hidden compartment and handed it to Liu Yunche.

"This is the Gale Swift Saber."

"Father is wise." Liu Yunche accepted the manual with both hands, the corners of his lips lifting.

Liu Wangzhou patted Liu Yunche's shoulder and said solemnly, "Read through it first and familiarize yourself with the saber art. Come find me tomorrow morning, and I will teach you."

Clutching the saber manual, Liu Yunche nodded heavily.

Just as Liu Wangzhou was about to leave, Liu Yunche suddenly spoke. "Father, I wish to enshrine Grandfather's Goose-Feather Saber in Cloud Perch Courtyard."

Liu Wangzhou turned back to glance at Liu Yunche without answering, signaling for him to continue.

"Today, when I touched the Goose-Feather Saber, I felt something. It seems to contain Grandfather's saber intent. If I can study it constantly, my saber arts will surely improve by leaps and bounds."

Liu Yunche's gaze was clear as he looked at Liu Wangzhou, making no attempt to conceal the longing in his heart.

Liu Wangzhou nodded, seemingly accepting the explanation. "There is indeed such a saying. Long-term exposure to the saber intent or sword intent of a High Person can aid cultivation."

"In that case, take it."

"Thank you, Father." Imitating a martial artist, Liu Yunche clasped his hands in salute. He then turned and headed toward the study.

Watching Liu Yunche's retreating back, Liu Wangzhou's lips curved faintly, amusement filling his eyes as he muttered, "This brat..."

Liu Wangzhou did not expose Liu Yunche's thoughts. Though he did not know the exact reason, he knew this was his son, and that was enough.

A moment later, Liu Yunche stepped out with the Goose-Feather Saber in his arms, a hint of excitement shining in his eyes.

"With this saber, I can activate my golden finger. This may be the key to growing stronger quickly."

Liu Wangzhou softly instructed, "Rest well today. Tomorrow, I will teach you saber arts."

With that, Liu Wangzhou said no more and left the courtyard with slow, heavy steps.

Watching his father's somewhat gloomy back, Liu Yunche parted his lips, nearly blurting out a question about the whereabouts of the poisoner.

But on second thought, if his father did not mention it, then either he had found nothing, or he did not want Liu Yunche to worry—either way, asking would be pointless.

If he had uncovered even the slightest clue, he would never have concealed it from him. Since he had remained utterly silent, he had likely spent a month investigating without gaining the slightest lead.

More than a month had passed since the poisoning, yet there was still no news... Thinking of this, Liu Yunche narrowed his eyes slightly and pondered in secret.

But he quickly calmed himself. So long as the culprit intended to strike again, he would eventually reveal a flaw. There was no need to press the matter now and invite needless worry.

He lowered his head and closed his eyes, his gaze falling upon the Goose-Feather Saber in his arms before he turned and left.

Within Cloud Perch Courtyard.

After dinner, Liu Yunche went to the second floor, tightly shut the window, gripped the Goose-Feather Saber, and sank his consciousness into his sea of consciousness.

The slot in his equipment bar shimmered with flowing light, as though it had been waiting for a long time.

With a thought from Liu Yunche, the Goose-Feather Saber in his hand abruptly vanished. The next moment, that bloodstained broken saber was firmly embedded in the first slot.

In an instant, a clear, sharp aura spread from the depths of his sea of consciousness, and a vast torrent of memories flooded into his soul from nowhere.

It was the life of a figure who vaguely resembled him: wielding a saber from youth, practicing tirelessly day and night, donning armor for war, fighting through bloodshed, and finally returning to the fields after laying down his armor.

His grandfather's lifelong experience in the saber path, instincts honed through countless life-and-death battles, and the essence of innumerable evolving saber techniques were all branded into the depths of Liu Yunche's soul in an instant.

He sat quietly in his chair as a sharp glint gradually emerged in his eyes. An invisible edge seemed to flow around him, as though a keen blade were about to leave its sheath.

A stream of light exploded from the depths of his heart.

Ability acquired: Saber Grandmaster!

[Having immersed himself in the saber path for decades and mastered all manner of saber arts, he was already a Saber Grandmaster recognized by the world.]

Liu Yunche's eyes suddenly lit up.

The Saber Grandmaster ability did not directly grant him perfected saber techniques. Instead, it allowed his comprehension and rate of improvement in saber arts to far surpass those of ordinary people.

Liu Yunche's heart burned with excitement. He took out the Gale Swift Saber manual from his robes and began studying it page by page with full concentration.

The figures' movements, the angles of their strikes, and even the explanatory techniques written beside them entered his eyes in meticulous detail and imprinted themselves deep in Liu Yunche's mind.

The Saber Grandmaster ability abruptly activated, and Liu Yunche absorbed everything within the Gale Swift Saber like a sponge.

In the brief time it took for half an incense stick to burn, he had fully grasped the Gale Swift Saber. If he practiced with a saber now, he would surely leave others dumbfounded.

"This is the foundation that will let me survive in this world." Liu Yunche focused his mind on the Goose-Feather Saber in the slot and murmured to himself.

With that thought, Liu Yunche returned his awareness to the slot in his sea of consciousness. The vortex revolved, and the Goose-Feather Saber floated quietly within it.

At a thought, the Goose-Feather Saber in the slot suddenly appeared and returned to his hand.

The next instant, all his insights into the various saber arts abruptly faded from his mind, leaving only his understanding of the Gale Swift Saber from moments ago.

Liu Yunche murmured softly, "So that is how it is. Once I remove the Goose-Feather Saber, Saber Grandmaster disappears with it. Only my understanding of the Gale Swift Saber remains."

He placed the Goose-Feather Saber back into the slot, and a warm, grounded feeling arose within him. Even the arm holding the saber seemed a little lighter.

At the same time, another stream of light exploded in his heart. A piece of information naturally surfaced in his sea of consciousness, and Liu Yunche's eyes abruptly brightened.

"So that is how it is."

If the Goose-Feather Saber remained in the slot for three months without being casually removed, it could slowly be devoured and refined, permanently solidifying the Saber Grandmaster ability within him.

With this ability to devour and refine, the opportunities and abilities he could store in the future would no longer be limited to a mere three slots.

The path of martial arts stretched endlessly ahead.

If he could continuously find "equipment" and turn each piece to his own use, his foundation would grow ever more profound. The road ahead would naturally become broad and clear, while his progress could advance by leaps and bounds.

Filled with anticipation for tomorrow and longing for martial arts, Liu Yunche lay upon his bed and slowly fell asleep.

The next morning, the rising sun had just appeared.

Liu Yunche made his way to the rear courtyard of the manor. Far from the bustle of the city, the place was quiet and secluded.

Pushing open the courtyard gate, he saw an ancient tree standing by the eastern wall, its branches and leaves lush and full. Beneath its shade, Liu Wangzhou sat cross-legged with his eyes closed in quiet meditation.

It was spring. Liu Wangzhou stood beneath the ancient tree with a saber in one hand.

His expression was calm. Dressed in fitted martial attire, he carried the steady bearing of a martial artist tempered by years.

A faint voice came from beneath the tree. "Since you are here, let us get straight to the point."

Liu Yunche walked beneath the tree and stood quietly, his gaze resting on his father while everything about the Gale Swift Saber echoed through his mind.

No one knew that after only one night, he had already mastered the Gale Swift Saber. All he lacked now was actual practice.

"The Gale Swift Saber lives up to its name. Its essence lies in one word—speed!"

"Watch closely!"

Liu Wangzhou gave a low shout. One hand tightly gripped the hilt, while the other held the scabbard, his body poised to strike.

Liu Yunche focused completely, his eyes fixed upon Liu Wangzhou.

The next moment, Liu Yunche saw a streak of white light flash through the air. Liu Wangzhou still stood in the same saber-drawing posture, yet the fallen leaves around him, each severed into two, could not lie.

"Did you see it clearly?" Liu Wangzhou smiled, somewhat pleased with himself. Being able to show his skills before his son made him feel exceptionally satisfied.

Liu Yunche shook his head, his gaze falling upon the leaves split in two around them. His heart was filled with shock.

"So this is a martial artist... Gathering all one's strength into a single body truly is... intoxicating."

Liu Yunche stepped forward two paces, unable to conceal the excitement in his voice.

"Please teach me, Father. I want to learn."

"Haha... Good! Since my son has such determination, I will certainly teach you with all my heart." Liu Wangzhou laughed calmly.

Liu Wangzhou handed the long saber in his hand to Liu Yunche. "The Gale Swift Saber cannot be practiced with a heavy saber or a broad saber. The best choice is the long saber in your hands."

"Do you know why?" Liu Wangzhou tested him.

"Because a long saber is light enough that it will not burden a martial artist when drawing it," Liu Yunche replied without hesitation.

"Well said. That is exactly right." Liu Wangzhou clapped his hands in praise.

"Feel the weight of the long saber in your hand. Try drawing it and give it a swing."

Liu Yunche did as instructed. Imitating Liu Wangzhou's stance, he held the scabbard in one hand and gripped the hilt with the other as countless saber techniques flowed through his mind.

His entire bearing abruptly changed, only to be quickly restrained again.

Holding the long saber, he found its center of balance in an instant, and the techniques of the Gale Swift Saber echoed through his mind.

Liu Yunche had a feeling that with the slightest movement, the long saber could leave its sheath cleanly and lightly. Yet he did not do so.

Everything had to proceed step by step. If he appeared too monstrous, not only would it conflict with his steady temperament, but it might also bring unnecessary trouble.

Liu Wangzhou's eyes brightened slightly at the side. Though Liu Yunche's earlier change had been brief, it had not escaped his notice. His heart stirred. Could it be... Yunche is a saber arts genius?

Liu Yunche suddenly drew his saber. Deliberately, his motion was not smooth. His movements were too large as he drew, and the blade struck the scabbard. Before it even left the sheath, the impact had already greatly slowed it.

Liu Wangzhou comforted him. "This is your first time handling one. Such performance is perfectly normal, so do not be discouraged."

Though he spoke thus, more thoughts arose in his heart. That momentary change earlier had made Liu Wangzhou suspicious.

Could it be...

Liu Wangzhou suppressed his doubts and spoke gently.

"Give me the saber. Come closer and watch carefully how I exert my strength."

"Yes, Father. I am not discouraged. I merely have many thoughts in my heart."

Liu Yunche stepped forward half a pace and respectfully offered the saber to Liu Wangzhou with both hands.

He held his breath, his eyes fixed firmly upon Liu Wangzhou's hand gripping the saber. He did not dare shift his gaze even slightly, afraid of missing the slightest technique of exertion.

Holding the saber as he stood, Liu Wangzhou did not rush to demonstrate. Instead, he first slowed his speech and carefully instructed him.

"When we practice martial arts, especially swift saber techniques, the greatest taboo is impatience and relying on brute strength."

"When you drew the saber just now, you relied entirely on brute force, pulling and yanking with all your might. Your shoulders and back were tense, while your wrist lacked strength. The force throughout your body was scattered, so naturally the blade struck the scabbard with a dull clang and came out sluggishly."

Before he had finished speaking, Liu Yunche saw Liu Wangzhou spread his feet slightly and naturally straighten his waist and spine. There was not the slightest sign of tension anywhere on his body.

One hand steadily supported the scabbard, while the other lightly clasped the hilt. He gathered force only slightly through his waist and abdomen, then lifted and pushed with his wrist in an extremely subtle manner.

This was exactly the movement Liu Wangzhou had described. As Liu Yunche learned, he compared every detail against the techniques in his mind.

There was no piercing collision and no exaggerated movement. Only a crisp, pleasant ring of steel sounded.

The narrow blade slid smoothly from its sheath, its surface gleaming with a faint chill. The entire movement was steady without being hurried, clean and decisive to the extreme.

"Watch closely. Drawing a saber relies on guiding force through the waist and abdomen and controlling strength through the wrist, not yanking with the arm. Your breathing must align with your movements. Only with a settled mind and stable strength can the saber move smoothly."

Liu Wangzhou deliberately slowed the entire sequence and demonstrated it once more. Every subtle movement of his turning wrist and the force exerted through his fingertips was revealed before Liu Yunche's eyes.

Liu Yunche did not blink, etching every detail into his heart as he quietly pondered the secret of how force flowed.

The steady temperament he had developed over two lifetimes left him without the slightest impatience. Although these techniques had already been imprinted in his mind yesterday, he still listened intently to his father's teachings.

Only after Liu Yunche had remembered everything did Liu Wangzhou hand the long saber back to him. "Try once more. Do not seek speed. First, make the flow of force smooth."

"Yes." Liu Yunche accepted the saber and lowered his shoulders and elbows as instructed, first slowly regulating his breathing and deliberately relaxing his tense shoulders and back.

He tried sinking his strength into his waist and abdomen, steadily clasping the hilt with his fingertips. Rather than hastily drawing the saber, he followed the subtle method his father had taught him and slowly raised the blade.

He slowly raised the saber several times. Each time, he did not draw the blade from its sheath, but the sound between blade and scabbard grew quieter and quieter throughout the process.

At last, Liu Yunche closed his eyes, clasped the hilt with his fingertips, and drew the saber.

The sound of the blade gliding past the scabbard echoed by his ears, so soft that it seemed like a breeze brushing past.

Though his movement was already identical to the one in his mind, it lacked the ease and tension of his father's draw.

"This must be the difference between ordinary people and martial artists."

The techniques might be the same, but their physical qualities were far too different. Naturally, he could not reach the same standard. Liu Yunche was not discouraged; instead, he became even more invested in his future martial cultivation.

While Liu Yunche practiced drawing the saber, Liu Wangzhou did not offer corrections. As the saying went, a master could lead one through the door, but cultivation depended on the individual.

He had already taught every technique one by one. What remained depended on Liu Yunche himself.

Fortunately, Liu Yunche was steady by nature and quick-witted. After drawing the saber several times, he had already grasped the key.

Liu Wangzhou nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad, not bad. Today, I will teach you the Gale Swift Saber in its entirety."

As he spoke, he reached out and took the long saber from Liu Yunche's hand.

Move by move, he slowly demonstrated the form, interspersing it with his own unique insights.

Time flew by. The setting sun was red as blood, illuminating the whole sky. After an afternoon of practice, Liu Yunche had already gained an initial grasp of the Gale Swift Saber techniques.

By any standard, he had already entered the beginner stage. Of course, this was all deliberate on Liu Yunche's part. Had he used his full strength, he would likely have reached minor accomplishment already.

"To enter the beginner stage in a single day... It seems my son has outstanding talent for saber arts." Liu Wangzhou's eyes were filled with delight as he looked at Liu Yunche.

"We will stop here for today. Tomorrow, I will teach you stance training."

"Stance training is the foundation of martial arts. You must be prepared."

"Yes, Father!"