Jin Kaitai turned his wrist, drawing a flourish with the sword. "Zhanran, I will perform this twice more. Watch closely... Swordsmanship concerns life and death; there is no room for even the slightest error!"

"Yes," Li Muzhan nodded solemnly.

Jin Kaitai began his demonstration, his movements slow, even slower than before, like an old ox pulling a heavy cart, as if the long sword possessed the weight of a thousand catties.

Li Muzhan picked a willow branch, mimicking Jin Kaitai’s actions, slowly tracing each stance, striving for absolute precision.

But remembering was easy; executing was difficult. Every move demanded specific requirements for every part—the eyes, fingers, wrist, shoulder, waist, hip, knee, leg, and foot—all subtly intricate. No matter how clear his mind or agile his thoughts, he was utterly clumsy, losing track of one part while focusing on another, ending up a distorted mess.

After struggling through two laborious repetitions, he suddenly understood: his cerebellum was underdeveloped! In the language of later ages, he lacked 'sports cells.'

He smiled wryly. Nothing in the world was perfect; many brilliant geniuses were utterly hopeless at physical coordination. As for himself, his intellect wasn't genius-level, nor was he a total klutz with movement—just mediocre. Growing up, he had only focused on meditating with Master Faxing or practicing the Twelve Great Strengths, with simple actions like throwing knives or stabbing straight with an iron rod. He had never discovered this weakness before.

Jin Kaitai demonstrated twice more. Li Muzhan showed slight improvement, but remained awkward, the progress minimal.

Jin Kaitai stopped, turned, and chuckled.

Li Muzhan offered a bitter smile, embarrassed. "Commander, I seem to be rather dense."

Jin Kaitai waved his hand, smiling amiably. "I've seen plenty like you—clever minds that memorize stances after just one glance, but whose hands and feet aren't so nimble... It's nothing; just practice more."

He spoke lightly, as if it were no significant issue. Seeing Li Muzhan knit his brow, he encouraged him with a smile: "In terms of intelligence, no one surpasses you. Your coordination isn't too bad either, but compared to your sharp mind, the contrast makes you seem clumsy... Perhaps you monks sit too much and use your limbs too little. Practice more, and you’ll improve!"

Li Muzhan slowly nodded. Everything had its pros and cons; it was unavoidable. Cultivating Zen required mostly stillness. While this unblocked his vital energy and made his Tianyuan Breathing Technique twice as effective, his limbs lacked conditioning, causing him to fall behind in learning swordsmanship. He had naively assumed that having reached the First Stage of Meditation, his control over his body would far surpass his previous state, granting him outstanding martial talent where stances would be learned effortlessly. Now, he realized that was wishful thinking. He sighed inwardly; his foundation was too thin. Even at the First Stage of Meditation, his coordination wasn't quick enough; he needed to compensate with sheer hard work!

Jin Kaitai smiled. "You can't swallow a fat man in one bite. Come, we’ll take it one stance at a time. Learn one stance per day."

Saying that, he began guiding him hand-to-hand, first demonstrating, then correcting—every movement, from head to toe, one section at a time. Li Muzhan’s Zen mastery was profound, allowing him internal vision of his circulating vital energy, but while he could see inside his body, he couldn't see outside—which was useless for practicing swordsmanship. After Jin Kaitai corrected a movement, Li Muzhan could replicate it, but the next attempt would revert to the old form, requiring another correction.

Though Jin Kaitai appeared rugged and fierce, he possessed immense patience, tirelessly correcting him again and again without showing a hint of impatience. He had taught all the male disciples in the Seven Courtyards of the Mei Estate; they had varying aptitudes, and his temperament had been tempered by them. Moreover, Li Muzhan had cultivated the Tianyuan Breathing Technique.

An hour later, Jin Kaitai clapped his hands. "Good, that’s enough for today! Zhanran, go back and ask Nanshan and the others to help you practice... Practice diligently. If you master it tomorrow, we'll learn the next stance. If not, keep practicing the first one. This is laying the foundation; it’s better to be slow than rushed."

"Yes, thank you, Commander," Li Muzhan replied with a cupped-hand salute.

After over an hour of practice, he remained spirited and calm as water, whereas Jin Kaitai was slightly sweating.

Jin Kaitai hefted the Fish Scale Sword and left with a powerful stride. Li Muzhan stood by the lake, clutching the bare willow branch, gazing out at the water, shaking his head with a wry smile. This was only the Plum Blossom Twelve Swords, the simplest set; the first stance had only six movements, and he had spent an hour just getting a rudimentary grasp of it. At this pace, who knew how long it would take to finish the whole set. It seemed he wasn't suited for flashy, intricate swordsmanship, but rather for something simple and unadorned, overcoming skill with simplicity; his great strength could be his reliance. Still, the Plum Blossom Twelve Swords was the foundation, the most basic, and it had to be mastered perfectly, no matter what.

Holding the willow branch, he walked slowly back to the Tianshu Courtyard, where he saw three figures practicing their swords nearby, each occupying their own space. He Nanshan was beneath the large pagoda tree, Cheng Xiaofeng was by the eastern eaves corridor, and Yu Chi Ming was by the western. He stopped to watch. He Nanshan’s swordsmanship was powerful and imposing; every strike contained surging momentum. Just watching him, Li Muzhan felt his own body turn to water, churning with the flow of the sword. He quickly averted his gaze and looked elsewhere. Cheng Xiaofeng’s style was elegant and light, beautiful to behold, making one feel refreshed, like gazing at white clouds. Looking at the last spot, Yu Chi Ming’s swordplay was sharp and fierce, like a raging gale, shaking the earth and mountains, making one instinctively want to hide behind a wall. He sighed inwardly. He hadn't expected their skills to be so formidable; he couldn't even block one move, despite being able to see every technique their hands and feet simply wouldn't obey.

"Fifth Junior Brother!" He Nanshan slowly concluded his form, his left hand forming a sword seal that drifted slowly from above his head down to his Dantian, pausing there before he slowly released the seal. He returned his sword to its scabbard with his right hand and smiled at Li Muzhan. "Have you learned the Plum Blossom Twelve Swords? Your sword has arrived."

Saying this, he went into the eastern room in the north and brought out a long sword, handing it to Li Muzhan, smiling. "Use this for now; you’ll have your dedicated blade in a couple of days."

Cheng Xiaofeng and Yu Chi Ming also ceased their practice. Just as Li Muzhan was about to take the sword, footsteps approached, and a middle-aged man hurried in. He stopped on the steps, covering his mouth to cough, his expression aloof. His gaze swept over the four men. "Who is Zhanran?"

Li Muzhan turned to look. This man was short, barely reaching his eyebrows, yet extremely sturdy, like a stone stump. His skin was ruddy, his knuckles thick, and his eyes were perpetually narrowed.

Li Muzhan offered a cupped-hand salute. "This humble monk is Zhanran." When referring to himself as a monk, his Dharma name was Zhanran; when referring to himself as xiazi (a term for a young man, often used by monks), it was Li Muzhan—two forms of address corresponding to two ways of self-identification, which he handled with ease.

"Hmph." The stout man strode swiftly up to Li Muzhan, sizing him up, his gaze lingering on Li Muzhan's arms, sweeping over them again and again.

"Master Cheng, pardon our not greeting you sooner! Please come inside for tea!" He Nanshan hurried forward, beaming with warmth. He turned to Li Muzhan. "Fifth Junior Brother, this is Master Cheng from the Sword Forging Hall. He is here to forge your sword."

"Greetings, Master Cheng," Li Muzhan smiled, offering a salute.

Master Cheng waved his hand impatiently. "Tea? I don't have time for such pleasantries!"

With that, he reached out and grasped Li Muzhan’s wrist. Li Muzhan flinched and instinctively rotated his wrist, slipping free from the man's rough grip—a basic grappling technique entirely common in his future era.

"Oh! Such strength!" Master Cheng paused, looking at Li Muzhan. His cold expression softened slightly, and he nodded. "Little monk, come to my Sword Forging Hall. How about it?"

Li Muzhan shook his head with a smile. "Thank you for the high regard, Master, but I should achieve something notable before seeking such an honor."

"Haha, good, good!" Master Cheng scrutinized him and suddenly burst into loud laughter. As he laughed, the large pagoda tree behind him rustled violently, showering leaves down.

Li Muzhan’s expression remained unchanged, a slight smile playing on his lips, his internal energy circulation quickening. He Nanshan and the other two subtly shifted, their bodies trembling slightly along with the leaves.

Master Cheng roared with laughter. "No wonder! With that sheer strength, Little Monk, you are more than qualified for the Tianshu Courtyard!" He then added, "Show me your hands."

Li Muzhan obeyed, extending his hands, palms open before Master Cheng. Master Cheng examined them closely, shook his head, and laughed. "Looking at these hands, you’re not cut out for swordsmanship!... Come to my Sword Forging Hall instead!"

Li Muzhan merely smiled, saying nothing.

Master Cheng sighed helplessly, waving his hand. "Fine, fine. Young people today only want to fight and kill; they lack patience. Alas..."

Li Muzhan offered an apologetic smile but didn't reply.

Master Cheng snorted. "Alright then! If you ever tire of martial arts, come find me. Forging swords is endlessly fascinating, a hundred times better than killing with a sword!"

"Thank you, Master," Li Muzhan said with a cupped-hand salute.

Master Cheng waved him off and left abruptly, ignoring the eager smiles of He Nanshan and the other two.

"Fifth Junior Brother, earning Master Cheng's regard is no small feat!" He Nanshan said with a smile.

Cheng Xiaofeng remarked coolly, "Master Cheng has a very strange temper; he doesn't mince words even with the Family Head!"

He Nanshan chuckled. "Fifth Junior Brother, Master Cheng not only has superb craftsmanship but also possesses profound internal energy—few in the Mei Estate can match him!"

Li Muzhan smiled and nodded, but his mind was on Master Cheng’s words: not cut out for swordsmanship. He raised his hand to examine it, then glanced at the hands of the three senior brothers. There was indeed a difference. Their hands were all slender; his own fingers were thick and short, seeming vastly inferior by comparison.

"Three Senior Brothers, I have only learned one stance of the sword form. I hope you can guide me." As he spoke, he took the sword from He Nanshan, drew it from its sheath, and casually tossed the empty scabbard aside, examining the long sword in his hand. The blade was bright, emitting a subtle chill. This sword was decent, but inferior to the Fish Scale Sword. He raised the sword vertically, adopting the posture of 'Plum Branch Sprouting,' and said, "I truly have no talent for swordsmanship. I've practiced for so long with little progress; please help me, Senior Brothers."

Saying this, he slowly executed the first stance’s six movements, finishing quickly, and stopped to look at the three of them.

He Nanshan exchanged glances with the others. He Nanshan offered a wry smile. "Fourth Junior Brother, you take the lead."

Yu Chi Ming scratched his head, glared briefly at He Nanshan and Cheng Xiaofeng, and huffed, "Me again! ...Alright! Fifth Junior Brother, your sword practice is incorrect!"

Saying this, he drew his own sword and slowly demonstrated the first form of the Plum Blossom Twelve Swords. Despite his stout build, his execution of the stance was graceful and flowing, elegant and composed, possessing an aesthetic beauty. Li Muzhan, lean in stature, performed the same move clumsily and awkwardly, looking undeniably unnatural.

After Yu Chi Ming finished, Li Muzhan practiced again, with little change from before. Yu Chi Ming shook his head and demonstrated once more; Li Muzhan followed, still seeing no real progress. He Nanshan and Cheng Xiaofeng exchanged looks and sighed wryly. Yu Chi Ming scratched his head, looking troubled at Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan smiled bitterly. "I was a monk from childhood, mostly still and little active. I truly have no innate talent for martial arts."

Yu Chi Ming scratched his head, thinking hard, trying to devise a method.

He Nanshan pondered for a moment. "Fourth Junior Brother, you practice slowly, and Fifth Junior Brother follows you. I'll offer reminders from the side."

"Good idea!" Yu Chi Ming clapped his hands and immediately began practicing. Li Muzhan followed behind him, while He Nanshan and Cheng Xiaofeng corrected and reminded him of details from the sidelines. Yu Chi Ming deliberately slowed down, and indeed, there was an effect. After several repetitions, Yu Chi Ming stopped, letting Li Muzhan practice alone. The moment he started, he immediately reverted to his old ways, becoming clumsy and awkward again.

He Nanshan and the others exchanged bitter smiles, shaking their heads repeatedly. Li Muzhan also chuckled, his expression placid, unmoved by praise or failure. Seeing his composure, the three felt a bit embarrassed to mock him, though inwardly they found it quite amusing. Given his aptitude, they figured he must possess astonishing divine strength to have entered the Tianshu Courtyard in the first place. The Tianshu Courtyard had held only four members for years, so his arrival was rare, and they welcomed him. Furthermore, Li Muzhan's extreme clumsiness evoked sympathy, making them feel closer to him.

Cheng Xiaofeng suggested, "How about this: let’s break down the form. One movement at a time."

"Excellent idea!" Yu Chi Ming immediately agreed. Among the three, he was the most enthusiastic. His gratitude toward Master Faxing had completely transferred to Li Muzhan, and he treated him like a younger brother, looking out for him.

Without further ado, he struck one posture, letting Li Muzhan follow. Li Muzhan said nothing, matching the move, focusing intently. He performed this one very well, matching Yu Chi Ming exactly. Then, Yu Chi Ming moved slowly, pausing between each small motion—a move, a pause, another move, another pause—like a robot from a later age. Turning dynamic motion into static postures helped Li Muzhan significantly; he managed quite well, much to the relief of He Nanshan and Cheng Xiaofeng.

He Nanshan laughed. "It seems this method works!"

Thereafter, the three slowly instructed Li Muzhan, repeating the movements again and again. Li Muzhan was extremely earnest, focusing all his attention on every single motion. He practiced like this for another hour. At this point, his Zen cultivation showed: he remained spirited and showed no sign of fatigue.

"Fifth Junior Brother’s energy is truly admirable!" He Nanshan commented.

Li Muzhan looked at the three of them, sheathed his sword, and smiled. "Second, Third, and Fourth Senior Brothers, let's stop for today. I will practice by myself now."

"Yes, let's stop here!" Yu Chi Ming nodded quickly, giving a thumbs-up while shaking his head repeatedly. "I say, Fifth Junior Brother, it's rare to meet someone as clever as you!" Although Yu Chi Ming treated Li Muzhan very well, his temper was fiery. Correcting Li Muzhan over and over for movements that seemed simple to him inevitably caused his temper to flare up. If it weren't for Master Faxing, he would have already cursed him out.

Li Muzhan smiled bitterly and shook his head, continuing his practice. He needed to strike while the iron was hot, lest he forget everything once he stopped. Although he sighed inwardly, he wasn't overly distressed. Being clumsy didn't matter; continuous practice was the key. Coming from a later era, he knew the human body possessed memory, capable of turning a movement into instinct. The secret was simple: repetition. Practice a movement ten thousand times, and it becomes instinct. His task was to practice it well, then simply invest the time in rigorous effort. It was similar to Buddhist mantra recitation, which required tens of thousands of repetitions to gain merit.

He Nanshan and the other two sat in the corridor, resting in the lake breeze, while Li Muzhan practiced beneath the pagoda tree, meticulous and completely focused. He Nanshan watched him and smiled faintly. "Just looking at Fifth Junior Brother's sheer dedication, even if he learns slowly, he will eventually master it."

"Mmm," Cheng Xiaofeng nodded lightly.

Yu Chi Ming puffed out his cheeks with a grunt, as if angry at someone.

They soon left to eat, asking Li Muzhan to have them bring food back for him, after which he resumed practicing. He practiced from noon until night, pausing twice for seated meditation breaks lasting fifteen minutes. After each break, he resumed practice invigorated, concentrating intensely on every repetition. Most people’s focus couldn't sustain such prolonged concentration. His profound Zen mastery prevented distracting thoughts, and maintaining a continuous focus wasn't difficult. His Tianyuan Breathing Technique was nascent, his Dantian full of energy, suffusing his body, so his spirit felt no fatigue. Yet, after a full day, by evening, his body felt weak and sore, as if it might dissolve into pieces.