Wen Yinyue replied coolly, "Junior Brother, what about your Broken Mountain Saber?"

Li Muzhan glanced at the Azure Water Saber. "It’s here."

"Why not use the Broken Mountain Saber?" Wen Yinyue inquired.

Li Muzhan looked up and smiled, "The Broken Mountain Saber is too conspicuous; it makes revealing my identity too easy, and having my identity exposed would be a huge problem."

Military martial arts were strictly forbidden from being disseminated to the civilian martial arts world—this was an absolute decree. Any violation would certainly invite ruthless retaliation from the military, without exception.

In the Great Yan Dynasty, spanning several centuries, no one who violated this military prohibition had ever escaped alive. Not only would the informant be executed, but everyone remotely involved would be rooted out entirely; they would rather kill the innocent than let a guilty party slip away.

"Hmm."

Wen Yinyue nodded.

The two exchanged a glance, yet nothing was said. An awkward silence settled, so profound that a needle dropping in the hall might have sounded loud, broken only by the distant sounds of inner sect disciples practicing their martial arts outside.

Li Muzhan examined the Azure Water Saber again, shaking it lightly. The blade vibrated with a low hum, as if concealing a coiling, stretching flood dragon, its tremors pregnant with an inexplicable power.

Li Muzhan’s perception was keen; he realized this blade was truly extraordinary, possessing what felt like its own soul.

"Senior Sister, who was the previous owner of this Azure Water Saber?" Li Muzhan asked.

Wen Yinyue answered, "Two centuries ago, a savage emerged in the martial world—a butcher who killed indiscriminately, good or bad, based only on preference. Grandmaster eliminated this menace and took this saber, along with, I believe, a saber technique."

"A saber technique?" Li Muzhan’s interest was piqued.

Although he had comprehended the Broken Mountain Saber Technique, it was self-realized; he had never systematically studied a proper saber art, so he lacked true mastery of the way of the saber.

He had long intended to find a superior saber technique to study, hoping it might deepen his comprehension of the Broken Mountain Saber Technique, but subsequent preoccupation with the affairs of Canghai Mountain had left him no time.

Wen Yinyue sighed, "That person's saber technique was superb, but unfortunately, disciples of our Canghai Sword Sect do not practice the saber, so it has been gathering dust."

As they spoke, Abbess Zhuzhao entered, pursing her lips in a slight smile. "How is this saber?"

Li Muzhan smiled back. "A fine blade! Like a hidden flood dragon, possessing immense power."

"It seems this blade has found its master," Abbess Zhuzhao said, smiling as she produced a thin silk booklet from her sleeve, perhaps a dozen pages, already yellowed, and handed it to him. "This Azure Water Saber Manual—take a look."

Li Muzhan accepted the booklet and flipped through it casually, his brow furrowing. He realized the technique was profoundly esoteric; he couldn't decipher it immediately.

Abbess Zhuzhao beamed. "The saber technique matches the Azure Water Saber perfectly. Perhaps you can restore the fame of the Azure Water Saber."

"Then I shall take Master’s auspicious words and forge a reputation for the Azure Water Saber," Li Muzhan replied, looking up with a smile.

"That would be best," Abbess Zhuzhao smiled happily.

The fact that the Canghai Sword Sect did not practice saber arts was known universally. If Li Muzhan could gain renown through saber skills, it would allow him to sever ties with the sect more cleanly, aiding his disguise—a more effective measure than mere costume changes.

...

Li Muzhan lowered his head to study the manual again, frowning deeply. Saber techniques differed from swordplay. The Broken Mountain Saber Technique he had grasped was merely the intention of the saber, not true codified stances.

Since grasping the Broken Mountain Saber Technique, he had not learned any advanced saber arts. Seeing the Azure Water Saber Technique now, he struggled to understand it; saber arts were indeed fundamentally different from sword arts.

It was like modern academic disciplines: even if they appeared similar on the surface, delving into the research revealed they were fields apart, impossible to master with a mere glance. Every exquisite saber technique represented centuries of refinement by past masters; even the cleverest person could not expect instant mastery.

"What, you cannot comprehend it?" Abbess Zhuzhao asked with a smile.

Li Muzhan looked up, managing a wry smile. "The technique is so profound, Disciple doesn't quite grasp it!"

Abbess Zhuzhao chuckled. "Oh, I see. In that case, let Yinyue teach you. She is proficient in all eighteen types of weaponry..."

Li Muzhan forced a bitter smile. "Master, please instruct me personally."

"In my life, I have devoted myself to the sword and the palm; saber arts are not my specialty," Abbess Zhuzhao replied, pursing her lips.

Li Muzhan didn't believe her, shaking his head. "Then where did Senior Sister learn her saber techniques?"

"Ah, that was Yinyue's fortunate encounter," Abbess Zhuzhao chuckled, glancing at Wen Yinyue. "This little girl was lucky; on her journey down the mountain, she saved an elder and was taught a saber technique—a truly exquisite one, no less refined than our Canghai Nine Swords."

"Is that so..." Li Muzhan looked at Wen Yinyue in surprise.

Wen Yinyue stated calmly, "I haven't practiced it in years; I am nearly forgetting this set of techniques."

Abbess Zhuzhao smiled knowingly. "I saw you practicing just the other day... Yinyue, are you perhaps keeping secrets, unwilling to teach Zhanran?"

"Master!" Wen Yinyue gave Abbess Zhuzhao a sharp look.

Abbess Zhuzhao burst into giggles. "What is there to be shy about then!"

Li Muzhan shook his head. "Master, let us forget it for now. Senior Sister has not fully recovered; I will study this slowly on my own. If I fail, I will travel down the mountain and seek out a master saber expert for sparring."

"Yinyue, what do you think?" Abbess Zhuzhao asked Wen Yinyue, smiling slyly.

Wen Yinyue pondered for a moment, then nodded mildly. "Very well. I will teach Junior Brother."

"That is perfect!" Abbess Zhuzhao clapped her hands in delight.

Li Muzhan shook his head with a wry smile, wondering what game his Master was playing, insisting on teasing him and his Senior Sister. How could she not see the awkwardness between them?!

...

"Right then, I shall not disturb you further. You two stay here. The Azure Water Saber Technique is quite potent; don't you dare underestimate it, brat!" Abbess Zhuzhao said with a slight smile.

"Yes, Master," Li Muzhan responded listlessly.

"Don't act so listless!" Abbess Zhuzhao shot him a look and turned, exiting the grand hall.

Only the two remained, staring at each other, the air thick with lingering awkwardness. After a long silence, Li Muzhan managed a smile. "Senior Sister, I must trouble you again."

"Mmm," Wen Yinyue nodded faintly.

Li Muzhan continued, his voice even and composed, yet carrying a hint of familiarity mixed with distance—something an outsider wouldn't notice, but Wen Yinyue perceived. "I don't understand much about this technique; Senior Sister, could you look over it with me?"

She, too, pretended indifference and replied mildly, "Mmm, let me see."

She took the manual, flipped through it twice, and handed it back. She then extended her hand. "Give me the saber. I will demonstrate a set, and we can study it together."

Li Muzhan passed her the Azure Water Saber. Their fingers brushed as she took it; Wen Yinyue’s eyes flickered momentarily, though her expression remained placid.

When Li Muzhan’s hand touched her cool, slender fingers, a tingling sensation, like an electric current, shot up his arm, leaving half his body numb. He quickly withdrew his hand.

Wen Yinyue shook the saber as if nothing had happened. With a soft hum, a chilling aura immediately surged forth, and the temperature in the room dropped noticeably.

An ordinary person might not have noticed the anomaly, as it wasn't overt, but Li Muzhan, with his acute senses, perceived it clearly and inwardly praised the blade's sharpness.

Wen Yinyue lightly drew the blade in a gesture, and a pool of clear water seemed to manifest before her chest, a vibrant azure that made one long to scoop a handful to drink.

"Magnificent technique!" Li Muzhan praised.

Wen Yinyue spoke in a soft, melodious voice: "The Azure Water Saber Technique is one of ultimate softness and Yin, using force like water, following nature. When the opponent is strong, remain yielding; when they are fast, flow with them. Yield first, then suppress and overcome."

Li Muzhan slowly nodded, watching her stances, nodding again and again.

Wen Yinyue executed only eight moves before stopping, standing still. Her entire being seemed to radiate a faint luminescence, as if bathed in a gentle glow.

The eight forms were instantly imprinted in Li Muzhan's mind. He pondered them closely, finding deeper mysteries the more he analyzed. Having no prior foundation in formal saber training, he couldn't grasp it immediately. But Wen Yinyue had practiced saber arts, and her skill was deep; once one understood one profound technique, grasping others became easier.

Li Muzhan realized just by observing the posture that while the Azure Water Saber Technique was formidable, it was somewhat inferior to the saber art Wen Yinyue practiced, which explained why she had learned it so easily.

...

Wen Yinyue extended the Azure Water Saber back to him. "Junior Brother, a saber technique is easy to learn but difficult to master. The key lies in spirit and intent. The sword represents the gentleman—agile as a dragon, infinitely variable. The saber represents the hegemon—cleaving all things, possessing unmatched ferocity. Without the will to cut through everything, one can never truly wield a saber well."

Li Muzhan slowly nodded, a spark of realization dawning. "The hegemon, cleaving all things."

Wen Yinyue said, "You must have memorized my eight forms by now. Try practicing them."

Li Muzhan took the Azure Water Saber and swung it slowly. Clear light shimmered around him, appearing and disappearing like a cool spring—truly beautiful.

He executed the moves very slowly, like an old ox dragging a cart.

Wen Yinyue nodded repeatedly, secretly amazed. Her Junior Brother was indeed a transcendent genius. Merely seeing her demonstrate the moves once allowed him to grasp their essence; her comprehension was far superior to her own.

Li Muzhan performed the set once, then a second time, slowly, like Tai Chi practiced in later ages—flowing water, ceaseless, naturally smooth. Then, he performed a third time, each iteration an improvement upon the last.

Wen Yinyue nodded, then suddenly drew her Dragon's Roar Sword and attacked, her sword light flashing like lightning.

"Well met!" Li Muzhan laughed loudly, his demeanor suddenly bold and unrestrained, as if he were an entirely different person.

He swung his saber to meet the sword light—ding, ding, ding, ding—a continuous cascade of clashing metal rang out as the two exchanged over a dozen moves in an instant.

Wen Yinyue abruptly retreated, shaking her head. "The traces of your swordplay are still present; it won't do."

Li Muzhan nodded, then resumed practicing those eight forms of the Azure Water Saber Technique. This time, his movements were slow and labored, as if his blade were burdened by immense weight, struggling through mud.

Wen Yinyue nodded again. Her Junior Brother's insight was astonishing; he had grasped another layer of the Azure Water Saber Technique.

Li Muzhan practiced several more times. Wen Yinyue attacked with her sword again. After another flurry of ding, ding, ding, lasting over twenty exchanges, Wen Yinyue withdrew and pointed out a flaw.

Li Muzhan acknowledged it, then practiced the eight Azure Water Saber forms again. Now, the blade light flickered, heavy and solid, like a lake surface gently rippling under sunlight.

After practicing over ten times, Wen Yinyue attacked with her sword again.

They repeated this cycle: from morning till noon, from noon till evening. Wen Yinyue consistently found flaws in his saber work, and Li Muzhan would return to practicing the eight forms. Through this iterative method, Li Muzhan’s saber skills advanced by leaps and bounds, far surpassing what he could achieve through solitary practice. PS: Only one update today. (To be continued)