Fortune Across the World

Chapter 81: Sword Practice Awakens Old Memories

The next day, since Lu Weixi wanted to accompany Ding Qiyu, they both went to the agreed location with the old man. It was a secluded clearing in the mountains, discovered by the old man, where they were unlikely to be disturbed.

Ding Qiyu had previously explained her wooden armor framework in detail to the old man, hoping it could be integrated into the Unpredictable Sword technique. However, the old man, concerned that a complete beginner like Ding Qiyu might struggle with such a complex setup, decided it was best for her to first master the sword technique without the added complication of the armor. Thus, Ding Qiyu arrived without it, dressed in simple, comfortable training clothes.

When they arrived, the old man was leaning against a tree, lost in thought. Upon seeing them, Lu Weixi quickly withdrew her hand from Qiyu's grasp.

The old man straightened and gave Qiyu a disdainful look, "Tsk, needing a girl to accompany you for a bit of training. Aren't you ashamed?"

Ding Qiyu pouted, but Lu Weixi immediately defended her, "Master, it was my idea to come with Qiyu, don't blame him..."

The old man, for some reason fond of Weixi, instantly softened, "Haha, you do care for her. We're going to train for quite some time; can you handle it?"

Weixi smiled gently at the old man and nodded, "I'm just watching. It's you and Qiyu who will be working hard."

"Haha, alright then." Her smile warmed the old man's heart as he instructed Qiyu, "What are you standing around for? Find a place for the young lady to rest!" He even affectionately referred to Weixi as "young lady," clearly fond of her. If his own child had survived back then, she might have been as lovely and obedient as Weixi...

"Oh! Sure, Xi'er, this way." Qiyu realized and led Weixi to a shaded spot under a tree to rest. Then, she approached the old man, Unpredictable Sword in hand, ready to start, "Master, I'm ready."

"Mm." The old man snapped out of his reverie, pulling a wooden sword from the ground, explaining, "The Unpredictable Sword technique is simple in concept yet complex in execution. It's about spontaneity and intuition. You're inexperienced, lacking in martial instinct. Once you've grasped the basics and the technique's flow, we'll spar to hone your instincts." At this moment, the old man shed his usual drunken demeanor, embodying the essence of a true warrior, his posture and expression commanding respect from Qiyu.

Since Qiyu was entirely new to martial arts, the old man began with basic sword movements like thrusting, slashing, sweeping, parrying, and more. Qiyu listened and practiced diligently, but as a complete novice, she struggled to meet his standards, quickly breaking into a sweat. Her imperfections riled the old man's temper, his wooden sword correcting her with a smack, causing Qiyu to wince before obediently trying again.

Her comical expressions and earnest attempts drew mixed feelings of amusement and sympathy from Weixi. But, recalling how her elder brother trained under their father's strictness, she knew she couldn't intervene.

"Tsk, I thought you were clever, but you're quite dull!" the old man critiqued, tapping Qiyu's leg with his sword, "Alright, take a break before you drive me mad."

Relieved, Qiyu flopped to the ground, lying back and gasping, "Ah... I'm exhausted..."

Weixi quickly helped her up, "Qiyu, get up, the ground's cold!" She led Qiyu to sit nearby, gently wiping her brow with a handkerchief, concerned, "Are you very tired?"