Chapter 15

Kneeling on the ground, Qin Fengming listened quietly to his master’s words, his heart already in turmoil. Being able to become a disciple of Master Zhang, his future achievements would undoubtedly be much greater than those of his fellow companions who came with him.

"Your master also has a daughter, who is fifteen years old. After a while of martial arts practice, I will introduce her to you. Now, I will formally teach you the sword technique. This set of sword techniques is divided into thirteen forms. Today, I will teach you the first form. Watch carefully."

After Master Zhang finished speaking, he brandished his sword and began to slowly demonstrate the sword techniques. This time, it was as if he were performing Tai Chi sword, with every subtle movement clearly displayed.

Qin Fengming watched carefully from the side, his eyes not blinking, afraid of missing even the slightest detail. At the same time, as his master slowly moved, Qin Fengming’s hands and feet began to move as well.

When Master Zhang finished demonstrating the first form, Qin Fengming closed his eyes, silently pondering every move his master had made during the practice, and before he knew it, he had entered a state of clarity.

Although this set of sword techniques only had thirteen forms, each form was divided into eight moves, and each move had eight variations. Thus, this set of sword techniques was extremely complex.

Qin Fengming silently pondered, and his hands and feet moved for nearly half an hour without him realizing it. During this time, Master Zhang stood to the side, a smile on his face, watching Qin Fengming without interrupting him.

After nearly an hour, Qin Fengming opened his eyes, a thoughtful look on his face. He bowed and said, "Master, this set of sword techniques is quite complex. Could you please demonstrate it once more?"

Hearing Qin Fengming’s words, Master Zhang did not speak but instead began to slowly demonstrate the first form of the Willow Drift Thirteen Forms again.

Qin Fengming watched carefully, then closed his eyes again, falling into deep thought.

This time, it did not take long. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Qin Fengming’s eyes suddenly opened, and he picked up a branch from the ground, practicing the moves just as his master had.

Watching the young man practice move by move, Master Zhang’s face showed even more surprise and joy.

"Ai Wei, have you ever seen such a genius? I only demonstrated the first form of the Willow Drift Thirteen Forms twice, and he can already perform it perfectly."

Just as Qin Fengming finished practicing the first form of the Willow Drift Thirteen Forms, he suddenly heard his master say this, and he was startled, immediately turning around.

He did not know when, but two beautiful women were standing about ten meters away, smiling at him.

One of the women was around thirty years old but was incredibly beautiful, and the other was the beautiful young girl he had seen a few months ago in a small valley.

Seeing these two, Qin Fengming was at a loss for what to do.

"Hehe, when my master taught me the first form, I practiced for five days before I could do it perfectly. When I taught Xiaotong, it took four days to teach her perfectly. I didn’t expect that you, this young disciple, could learn the first form so quickly. It’s truly surprising."

The beautiful young woman said this and walked towards Qin Fengming with the girl.

At this point, Master Zhang remembered that he had not yet introduced his newly admitted disciple. He laughed and said, "Fengming, come over. These two are my wife, Liu Wei, and my daughter, Zhang Ruotong. Come and meet them."

Hearing this, Qin Fengming understood and quickly approached the young woman, kneeling and bowing, "Disciple Qin Fengming greets Mother, I bow to you."

The beautiful woman looked at Qin Fengming with joy, extended her hands, and helped him up.

Qin Fengming then walked to the girl and bowed, saying, "Little junior brother greets Senior Sister."

"We’ve met before. You’re the new disciple who peeked at me practicing sword techniques that day. I didn’t expect you to become my junior brother."

Hearing the girl’s words, Master Zhang and his wife, Liu Wei, were both surprised and asked for the details.

The girl laughed and narrated the story of her first meeting with Qin Fengming.

After hearing his daughter’s words, Master Zhang finally understood and smiled, "Fengming, did you want to learn sword techniques because you saw your senior sister practicing that day?"

Qin Fengming’s face turned red, and he did not hide it, saying, "Master, when I saw Senior Sister practicing sword techniques that day, it was very beautiful. I was so happy that I went back and told you I wanted to learn sword techniques."

Nodding, Master Zhang looked at Qin Fengming and handed him the long sword.

"Fengming, use this sword and practice the first form again."

Hearing his master’s words, Qin Fengming did not dare to disobey. He performed the sword techniques move by move. At first, because the sword was too long and he had never used a sword before, his movements were quite stiff, but later, they gradually became graceful.

After practicing the first form, Qin Fengming’s face was flushed, and he was panting, looking at his master for guidance.

Just as Master Zhang was about to speak, the young woman standing beside him suddenly stepped forward, a few meters away from Qin Fengming, and said, "Your master has demonstrated it once. I will demonstrate it again for you to see the difference."

Without waiting for Master Zhang to speak, the young woman drew a sharp sword from her waist, and with a gesture, a graceful figure appeared on the scene.

She moved with incredible lightness, her sword technique unfolding like a fairy dancing among flowers. Although she practiced slowly, the elegance of willows swaying in the wind was perfectly displayed.

Only then did Qin Fengming truly understand why this set of sword techniques was called the Willow Drift Thirteen Forms.

Even after his master’s wife finished practicing the first form, Qin Fengming remained immersed in the graceful and ethereal atmosphere, unable to pull himself away.

It was only when the girl lightly patted his shoulder that he came to his senses.

"Your master’s wife has practiced this set of sword techniques for over twenty years and understands its essence very well. I, who started learning later, cannot compare. You should carefully appreciate the essence of your master’s wife’s sword technique; it will greatly benefit your future practice."

Hearing his master’s words, Qin Fengming immediately replied respectfully, "The essence of your technique is very profound. Even if I could reach the level of my master, I don’t know when that would be."

"Practicing martial arts cannot be achieved overnight. It requires decades of persistent effort without pride or slackness. Consistency is the key, and you must remember this."

Seeing his master’s displeased expression, Qin Fengming was greatly alarmed and quickly bowed, saying, "Disciple has learned. I will practice diligently and not辜负 your expectations."

Seeing Qin Fengming’s high level of understanding, Master Zhang pondered for a moment and then said,

"This sword, though not a world-class blade, is extremely sharp. It was a gift from an old friend and has been with me for a long time. Today, I will give it to you. I hope you will treat this sword well in the future."