Then Li He held the sword and looked at him. "Stand up."
Pei Ye rose from the folding stool.
"Turn around."
Pei Ye turned around.
Li He sheathed the sword, then placed it behind him. After adjusting its angle, he let go, and the sword hung suspended behind the boy's waist without a breath of wind.
Then Li He withdrew his hand and nodded in satisfaction.
Pei Ye stood there for a while, then turned his head in bewilderment. "And then?"
"There is no 'then.' It's done."
"What's done?"
"This is all it takes." Li He raised a hand and lightly nudged the scabbard. The sword rocked twice like a roly-poly toy. "This is the little trick I'm teaching you, the True Qi Art [Sword Tassel]. It ties itself to you like a floating ribbon. It can suspend your sword beside you without requiring any attention or control on your part."
Pei Ye looked at the man in silence. "And its purpose is...?"
"It serves a stylistic purpose," Li He said seriously. "It makes you look very graceful."
Pei Ye was silent for a long time. "I don't want something so flashy and impractical."
"Really? I thought you'd like it very much."
"I don't."
Li He thought for a moment. "Actually, it isn't entirely useless. Essentially, your connection with your sword has deepened. You remain joined as one at all times, and no one can tamper with your sword... besides, you can draw it faster. With just a thought, your sword can leave its sheath."
"Is the East Sea Sword Forge's Sword Breath Secret Art just for showing off?"
"No, it isn't. Sensing the sword's breath is an important foundation. The Sword-Controlling Art, Sword-Unbinding Art, and so on all develop from it."
"Then I want to learn the Sword-Controlling Art