In combat, you can judge your opponent’s moves by observing their physical movements.
During battle, you can also engage in mental warfare by using tactics like trading blows for blows, trading injuries for lives, and even trading lives for lives.
However, none of these strategies work against Lu Wen, who uses “Qi to control the sword.” It’s impossible to predict the trajectory of a freely moving, suspended sword, nor is it possible to engage in a mental duel with it.
The flying sword can directly engage in a “life for life” exchange with its opponent, but Lin Zhen Nan can only defend and parry.
However, a prolonged defense will inevitably lead to defeat. Lu Wen didn’t even exert much effort, but Lin Zhen Nan was already sweating profusely under the relentless onslaught of the flying sword.
Everyone was watching. They saw Lu Wen standing with his hands behind his back, his long sword flying in the air as it battled Lin Zhen Nan. In less than a dozen moves, Lin Zhen Nan was drenched in sweat, dodging and parrying clumsily under the sword’s relentless assault.
Even Wang Fu Ren, who had prepared herself, was shocked at this sight.
Seeing that Lin Zhen Nan was on the verge of exhaustion, Lu Wen mentally commanded the flying sword to accelerate and swiftly strike, knocking the long sword out of Lin Zhen Nan’s hand.
“Wow!” The onlookers exclaimed, shocked to see how quickly the esteemed head of the Fuyue镖局 had been defeated in just a dozen moves.
The sparring match lasted only a few breaths before ending.
Losing his weapon, Lin Zhen Nan felt a little dazed. Before the sparring match began, he had been somewhat confident.
While he didn’t dare compare himself to Yu Cang Hai, a renowned master and head of a prominent sect, Lin Zhen Nan still believed he was a skilled fighter, a second-rate master, at least.
However, he had been completely outmatched by Lu Wen’s flying sword, barely managing to survive a dozen moves before losing.
Now, reflecting on the fight, Lin Zhen Nan realized that Lu Wen could have ended the battle much earlier. He had intentionally spared him, letting him last a dozen rounds before finally making his move.
Lin Zhen Nan smiled wryly, realizing that his strength in the martial world was only at the third-rate level. He was only a king among the镖师 of the Fuyue镖局.
This humbling experience brought a sudden awakening to Lin Zhen Nan. Now, he firmly believed that Yu Cang Hai was indeed planning to attack the Fuyue镖局.
The Fuyue镖局 was so weak that Yu Cang Hai could easily defeat them with a little effort. Not only would he be able to avenge the death of Chang Qingzi, but he would also have the opportunity to obtain the Poxie Sword Manual.
Yu Cang Hai had every reason to attack.
After sheathing his sword, Lin Zhen Nan approached Lu Wen, bowing his head and saying, “Thank you for your mercy, young master Lu. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have lasted a single round.”
He invited Lu Wen and the women to the living room. On the way, Lin Zhen Nan instructed his men to bring Lin Ping Zhi back.
In the living room, the food was still being prepared because the sparring match ended so quickly.
Lin Zhen Nan stood up and bowed deeply to Lu Wen, saying, “I am like a frog at the bottom of a well, ignorant of the vast world. I have wasted your kind warning. Now, I am filled with regret. But I still have the audacity to ask for your help, young master Lu, to save our lives.”
“The Fuyue镖局 is weak, but our connections and wealth are considerable. Young master Lu, just give us your orders, and we will do our best to fulfill them.”
Lu Wen was a little surprised by Lin Zhen Nan’s sudden change in attitude. But this was the situation he had hoped for. He said, “I came here to fight Yu Cang Hai. After defeating him, he will have no face to stay here. That will solve the crisis for the Fuyue镖局.”
While the crisis wasn’t completely resolved, Lin Zhen Nan didn’t show any disappointment. Instead, he looked overjoyed, saying, “Thank you for your help, young master Lu. Yu Cang Hai has been scheming this for a long time, taking us completely by surprise. He won’t be able to attack the Fuyue镖局 so easily anymore.”
The Fuyue镖局 was a large organization. If they had been prepared, they wouldn’t have faced this crisis of near-annihilation.
Lin Zhen Nan continued, “Young master Lu, is there anything you need from us? The Fuyue镖局 will do whatever it takes to help.”
Lu Wen nodded. “I hope the Fuyue镖局 can help me purchase a batch of medicinal herbs. After I deal with Yu Cang Hai, I will leave. So, it will be fine to buy the herbs around Fuzhou city.”
He took out a handful of gold bars and silver ingots.
Lin Zhen Nan repeatedly declined, “There’s no need for you to spend so much, young master Lu. Buying medicinal herbs is a simple matter. Please allow me to offer some gold and silver as a token of our gratitude.”
Lu Wen didn’t stand on ceremony and accepted, giving Lin Zhen Nan the list of herbs.
These herbs were for Lu Wen’s alchemy practice. They included not only the successful 精血丹, but also other experimental formulas.
They chatted for a while, and Lin Zhen Nan asked curiously, “Young master Lu, how do you plan to challenge Yu Cang Hai to a sparring match?”
Lu Wen thought for a moment and said, “I will spread the news of this challenge far and wide. When Yu Cang Hai arrives in Fuzhou City, he will have no choice but to fight me for the sake of the reputation of the righteous practitioners.”
“Young master Lu, my Fuyue镖局 can also help in spreading the word faster,” Lin Zhen Nan requested.
Lu Wen agreed to the request.
It was now noon. Lin Zhen Nan invited Lu Wen and the women to lunch. A young man in fine clothes walked into the living room.
Lin Zhen Nan introduced, “Young master Lu, this is my son, Lin Ping Zhi. He went out hunting early this morning.”
They exchanged introductions and sat down to eat.
The dishes Lin Zhen Nan prepared were extremely extravagant, made by a master chef. The flavors were so good that Lu Wen was pleasantly surprised.
Although they lacked modern spices, the chef used other techniques to bring out the best flavors in the food.
This level of cuisine was only available to the elite few. It was painstakingly made, requiring not only skilled labor, but also very high-quality ingredients.
After lunch, they rested for a while. Wang Fu Ren said, “Young master Lu, Ping Zhi has loved to practice swordsmanship since childhood. He is also very skilled in our family’s martial arts, but even today, he is still no match for his father. Would you be willing to give him some pointers?”
Lu Wen looked at Lin Ping Zhi, who seemed nervous. He couldn’t sense any internal energy from him.
He said, “Generally speaking, disciples of martial arts sects in the world all master internal energy, weapons, martial arts, and light-footedness. If they have the energy, they will also practice long-range attacks. In short, they have no weaknesses.
“I see that young master Lin has no internal energy, his steps and movements are ordinary, and his physical fitness is also relatively average. Does he spend his days practicing only forms and routines?”
Hearing this, Lin Zhen Nan’s face became a little awkward, but his heart was filled with joy.
In this era of isolation and secrecy, Lu Wen’s casual remarks revealed the secrets that many major martial arts sects relied on for their survival.
Most of the third-rate martial artists in the world are only proficient in a simple martial art, whether it be unarmed or with a weapon.
Compared to the ordinary people in modern society, they are only equivalent to those who have practiced martial arts for ten years.
Being able to cultivate internal energy, or, like Lin Zhen Nan, practicing a sword technique for decades, is considered third-rate in the martial world.
They are more than a match for ordinary people, able to dispatch them with ease.
They don’t even have the concept of a martial arts training system.