By the weapon rack near the martial arts arena’s platform, He Yan was deep in thought. She hadn’t used swords much in the past as they were somewhat inconvenient. Most of the blades on the weapon rack were willow-leaf sabers and ring swords, which didn’t suit her well. After careful consideration, she reached for a small sword on the bottom shelf.
The recruits watching her movements were bewildered. One confused soldier asked, “Why is this sword so small? It’s not even as long as an arm.”
Jiang Jiao, with his broader knowledge, explained, “These are Butterfly Swords. They’re not single but come in pairs.”
Indeed, the Butterfly Swords were small, only as long as a forearm. Both blades were housed in a single scabbard and could be concealed in sleeves or boots. The blades were thick with only the last few inches sharpened, ideal for backhand strikes and blocking.
He Yan slowly drew the swords from their scabbard – one slightly longer than the other. Given how rarely people used Butterfly Swords, these were still relatively new.
Not bad, she thought appreciatively while testing their feel in her hands.
Wang Ba had also approached the platform and noticed the Butterfly Swords in He Yan’s hands. He paused in astonishment, saying, “He’s using Butterfly Swords?”
Equally puzzled was Huang Xiong on the platform. After watching He Yan’s careful selection, his gaze changed as he asked, “Dual swords?”
He Yan nodded: “Dual swords.”
“I never expected someone so young to master dual swords as well,” Huang Xiong remarked. “Truly versatile indeed!”
He Yan humbly replied, “Necessity is the mother of invention.”
Below the platform, the observers felt uneasy. Du Mao nudged Liang Ping, “What exactly does He Yan’s family do? How can survival necessities lead to mastering eighteen forms of martial arts? Was he perhaps kidnapped as a child and forced to perform on the streets?”
“How should I know?” Liang Ping responded irritably. Who among respectable families would use Butterfly Swords? These were typically weapons of outlaws!
What kind of person was this?
Without further words, Huang Xiong slowly drew his long sword and nodded to He Yan, “Please enlighten me, Brother He.”
He Yan thought to herself, why “Brother”? Even in her past life when she reached nineteen, she should have called Huang Xiong “Uncle.” Now Cheng Lisu called her “Big Brother,” and following that logic, she should call Xiao Jue “Uncle,” but how could she call Huang Xiong “Brother” while calling Xiao Jue “Uncle”?
Huang Xiong was old enough to be Xiao Jue’s father and then some!
As she pondered this, Little Mai shouted from below, “Brother He, be careful!” as Huang Xiong charged forward with his sword.
The golden-backed sword danced powerfully in the big man’s hands. He angled the sword tip to the left, shifted his right foot slightly, and with a turn, advanced to strike at He Yan.
He Yan was startled, crouching low to avoid the strike while deflecting the sword tip with her blade’s back. With one Butterfly Sword forward and one behind, she pressed toward Huang Xiong.
Huang Xiong’s tremendous strength allowed him to deflect He Yan’s swords with a single heavy swing. He Yan immediately threw one sword at him. Huang Xiong dodged by tilting his head, and He Yan flipped backward to catch the thrown blade. They retreated several steps and held their ground, eyes locked on each other.
Huang Xiong wasn’t like Jiang Jiao – he was far more experienced. His sword had been his companion for thirty years, and man and blade moved in perfect harmony. During their exchange, He Yan realized this man’s skills surpassed her own.
She needed to end this quickly, or she’d lose face. He Yan calculated her strategy.
Huang Xiong’s mind was also racing. In all his years, he’d faced hundreds of opponents, both skilled and amateur. But this youth – how could someone so young execute that throw and catch so fluidly? How was this possible? Did he start training at age three?
He Yan assessed that while Huang Xiong was powerfully built with fierce but somewhat clumsy swordplay, he lacked agility. Her choice of Butterfly Swords seemed perfect – she could win through speed.
Her eyes flickered as she shouted, “Continue!” and charged forward.
Huang Xiong held his sword in his right hand, stepped diagonally forward with his left foot, and thrust straight at He Yan.
He Yan met his thrust head-on, their blades locked together. Though she appeared small, her strength wasn’t negligible. While one sword remained engaged, she flourished her other blade, using her elbow to raise the sword’s back over her head before slashing at Huang Xiong.
Huang Xiong couldn’t dodge in time, and a corner of his clothing was cut away. A gasp arose from the crowd below.
From this moment, everyone noticed He Yan’s movements becoming increasingly swift.
Her footwork was incredibly agile, using one sword to entangle Huang Xiong’s golden-backed sword while the other moved like a striking snake. Though Huang Xiong remained unscathed, he could no longer gain any advantage. Single sword versus dual swords, softness overcoming hardness, weakness prevailing over strength.
“You asked me to enlighten you earlier. I recall a verse about dual swords,” she had enough breath to speak. “Let me recite it for you.”
Huang Xiong was stunned as another of her sharp blades darted toward him.
“Northern winds in summer birth twin arms, left and right move as one in harmony,” she wielded a sword in each hand with striking grace.
“Before me, two arms interweave their dance, at Yuyang later found a lone blade.” The dancing swords made it difficult to see the youth’s expression, but his amused voice carried clearly.
“One hand strikes swift as lightning flash, mastery comes when positions shift.” She pressed forward steadily, yet maintained perfect control.
“Now knowing former blade techniques fall short, two hands together caused such trouble.” Her sword swept toward Huang Xiong’s neck, which he barely managed to avoid.
“Today sword methods guide the right blade, a position gained then left takes over.” She wielded left and right with natural expertise, her swords becoming extensions of her hands, hands becoming blade edges.
In the arena, she recited while dancing with her swords. In contrast to her measured voice, her movements flashed like lightning.
The clashing blades created a ringing melody that held everyone’s hearts in suspense.
When Cheng Lisu and his companions arrived, this was the scene they witnessed.
“Uncle, look! I told you my Big Brother would win!” he called out excitedly.
His shout drew attention from those nearby, and someone recognized Xiao Jue, immediately crying out: “It’s the Commander, Commander Xiao, General Feng Yun has come to the training grounds!”
General Feng Yun?
At these words, the recruits’ attention immediately shifted to Xiao Jue. The commotion reached the arena, and He Yan’s ears perked up – Xiao Jue?
She glanced over and indeed saw Xiao Jue standing beside Shen Han and Cheng Lisu near the arena. The young man wore a dark blue silk robe embroidered with cranes, his bearing refined and features picturesque, appearing completely different from the rough recruits filling the training grounds. While everything here was coarse and crude, he was like a bright moon in the fresh breeze. From this distance, He Yan couldn’t make out his expression but imagined it would be his usual aloof, flower-on-high manner.
She hadn’t expected Xiao Jue to personally come to watch her match. Did this mean her impromptu demonstration yesterday had reached the right ears? Had Xiao Jue finally noticed what an exceptional talent she was?
“Big Brother, watch out!” Cheng Lisu’s alarmed cry broke through her thoughts. She looked up to find the golden-backed sword right before her face.