Chapter 5

"Always hitting people's heads, sigh..."

The weather in September was still hot, especially in the afternoon, when people felt listless and lacked energy. Li Chun lay on his desk, idly playing with the golden bead given to him by Old Man Fei, recalling the strange behavior of the old man earlier, he couldn't help but shake his head.

But he was now worried about the sword competition in seven days, and he couldn't afford to worry about the old man.

On the podium, a white-haired old scholar, well past his eighties, was explaining the classics in a monotonous tone. This class was the least liked by all the students, and most of them used it to nap or do their own things.

Smack!

A paper ball was thrown from behind, hitting Li Chun's shoulder. Li Chun sighed, didn't turn around, and reached out to pick it up, unfolding it gently.

"Big Brother, cheer up! Ke Xin will always support you!"

Below was a small smiley face.

Without looking, he knew it must be from his little junior sister. Since half a month ago, when Lu Manniang confirmed that Li Chun would represent the Qingling Pavilion in the sword competition, the little junior sister would throw such a paper ball every day to show her support for her big brother.

A young girl's affection, though innocent, was understandable.

But...

"Little junior sister, you're a bit too young!"

In Li Chun's mind, the image of his little junior sister with two braids and a runny nose appeared, and he sighed, shaking his head. Heaven help him, Little Junior Sister Ming Ke Xin was only nine years old this year!

He crumpled the paper ball and stuffed it into his drawer, but then heard someone calling him softly. Turning his head, he saw Xiao Hu winking and making gestures at him.

"Huh?"

In just one afternoon, Xiao Hu had managed to get it done?

During the break between classes, the two of them sneaked to the back of the toilet.

"Big Brother, I didn't let you down!"

Xiao Hu proudly raised his head, looking like the most reliable person in the world.

"Our Qingling Pavilion's basic sword technique is the Willow Fluff Sword Technique. The sword move you want to create must have some connection with this sword intent to avoid suspicion. I asked all my friends this afternoon and finally found a suitable one. He guarantees that his sword move is based on the willow fluff, soft yet strong, and is definitely a seventh-grade move!"

"Good job!"

Li Chun was overjoyed and patted Xiao Hu's head in praise.

Cheating is hard because it has to be appropriate. Normally, what martial arts you learn and what foundation you have, others can see at a glance. With Li Chun's foundation in the Qingling Pavilion's Willow Fluff Sword Technique, if he suddenly created a fierce and powerful Demon Subduing Sword Technique, no one would believe it.

So, asking Xiao Hu for help was a last-ditch effort, and he didn't expect him to really find a suitable seventh-grade sword move!

Heaven is not against me!

"I am destined to become a Sword Saint, and I absolutely cannot lose easily!"

If his first battle was a crushing defeat, although there are inspiring stories of rising from the ashes, it's more satisfying to win consistently.

"But..."

Xiao Hu's face showed a hint of embarrassment, "Big Brother, the price he wants is not cheap..."

"No problem!"

Li Chun patted his chest, "Whatever the price, I'll pay it!"

A seventh-grade sword move can't be cheap. If someone is willing to transfer it, it's also a stroke of luck.

"He wants one hundred taels..."

Xiao Hu's voice grew lower, somewhat timid.

"What?"

Li Chun, who had just been indifferent to money, suddenly flew into a rage, gritting his teeth, "He might as well rob! One hundred taels of silver, you can buy a whole set of seventh-grade sword techniques, and he wants that much for just one move?"

Low-grade sword techniques are sold in the market, and popular seventh-grade sword techniques cost around one hundred taels of silver.

This person asking for one hundred taels is really greedy!

Li Chun roared for a while but then fell silent, knowing he had no choice. Clearly, he had to take this hit; otherwise, how else could he beat Lie Ba?

"Manniang, I have sacrificed a lot for you!"

In the past three years, he had been frugal, and the private savings he had hidden away were only about one hundred taels of silver. Losing more than half of it at once, how could he not be heartbroken?

But for the honor of the Qingling Pavilion, for Manniang, and for the undefeated record of a Sword Saint, he had to go all out!

Li Chun gritted his teeth, "Fine, one hundred taels it is! Set up the time for the transaction!"

***

Three days later.

In a small forest outside Qingfeng City, Xiao Hu led Li Chun to a secluded clearing.

Autumn had just begun, and the leaves on the trees were gradually turning yellow. Under the evening sunset, they looked dazzling and brilliant. A cool night breeze blew gently, rustling the leaves.

"Here it is, let's wait for him here!"

Xiao Hu looked around and nodded.

Li Chun couldn't say he wasn't nervous. Although he had cheated on exams in his previous life, this was the first time in this world.

This was for the honor of the school, for Manniang's face, and for the undefeated record of a Sword Saint—he kept encouraging himself and tried to maintain a calm and composed appearance in front of Xiao Hu.

I wonder if this sword move that will cost me one hundred taels of silver is any good? And can it guarantee a win over Lie Ba?

As the moment approached, he couldn't help but think wildly, his heart racing, pacing back and forth in the clearing.

"Here he comes! Here he comes!"

Xiao Hu had been watching outside and, seeing a dark figure approaching, shouted and pulled Li Chun.

"Here?"

Li Chun looked up and saw a fat man with a long sword at his waist, walking with a confident gait, his face stern, about thirty years old, with a mustache. Ignoring his prominent double chin, he looked somewhat imposing.

"That's him. According to my friend, he has been practicing swordsmanship since childhood, though he has never achieved any official rank, he is a talented and unrecognized genius. He often creates new and surprising moves. He's very proud, and it was quite difficult to get him to come..." Xiao Hu whispered in Li Chun's ear.

"Who wants to buy my sword move?"

The fat man stopped in front of Li Chun and Xiao Hu, speaking in a loud and clear voice.

Xiao Hu nudged Li Chun, who smiled and bowed.

"Senior, I want to buy your sword move."

"Good!"

The fat man slapped his thigh, "Show me your skills first. I want to see if you are worthy of my Heaven-Piercing Sword!"

"Ah?" Li Chun was taken aback. He had to show his skills to buy a sword move?

Xiao Hu quickly tugged at his sleeve, "Big Brother, just demonstrate the Willow Fluff Sword Technique for him, and see if his move matches your sword intent..."

Li Chun thought it made sense and nodded, drawing his long sword.

Today, he had borrowed a green steel sword from the Qingling Pavilion. Due to its age, the blade was covered with rust.

The fat man glanced at it and sneered, clearly looking down on it.

Li Chun ignored him, "Please, Senior, guide me!"

He took a deep breath, spread his legs, and slowly raised the long sword, drawing a graceful arc, the starting move of the Willow Fluff Sword Technique.

Although Li Chun was lazy by nature, he was dedicated to the sword and knew that even with the heritage of the Sword Sect, the foundation was crucial for anyone aspiring to be a Sword Saint.

He practiced this Willow Fluff Sword Technique every day without fail. Although it was just a basic technique, he had imbued it with some intent and atmosphere.

The sword tip trembled, and the sword light shone, just like willow fluff floating in the wind, unpredictable and flexible, yet strong. He performed the technique fluidly and with strict discipline.

"Big Brother, great sword technique!"

Xiao Hu naturally cheered from the side.

"Good!"

The fat man nodded seriously, "Your foundation is decent. The softness of willow fluff is well portrayed, but unfortunately, you haven't broken free from the mold. You lack sudden and unexpected moves. After learning my move, it will be the finishing touch for this technique!"

He stepped forward, drew his sword, and gently shook it.

"Everyone knows that willow fluff is light, but it's not without change. If you only focus on its lightness, you'll lose the true essence of the sword path..."

Li Chun was impressed by his insightful words, "Senior's words are very wise. May I ask, what move did you create?"

"Ha ha!"

The fat man laughed, the sword light flickering, and he stood proudly.

"Willow fluff, though light, can rise to the heavens with the wind!"

"My move is called 'Rising to the Heavens'!"

"Good wind to rely on, sending me to the heavens!"