The past four days had seen Zheng Jun barely set foot outside his home. Other than heading to the market to buy meat and cook his meals, every waking moment had been consumed by rigorous, tireless practice of the 披挂刀 technique.
As for why he hadn’t shown up for duty?
Well, the office had granted him medical leave for his injury. Going in to “prove himself” during sick leave would have been outright foolish—was he trying to win Employee of the Month in feudal China? Burnout wasn’t worth it.
That very afternoon, Zheng Jun—sweating profusely and dizzy from exhaustion—was hacking away with his broken saber once again. Then, a flash of inspiration struck him like lightning, blooming in his mind like an explosion.
In that instant, his body and mind snapped into clarity.
At the edge of his vision, lines of ink-like script from the Daoist Martial Tome manifested once again:
【Through persistent practice of the “披挂刀” routine, you’ve triggered a moment of insight. A new Trait is forming.】 【Current repayment progress: 2945 / 5000】
Zheng Jun froze in place.
Wait… I just jumped forward by five hundred progress points in one go?!
His breathing quickened. Lips dry, heart pounding, Zheng Jun recalled that epiphany-like moment—a state of awareness so sharp it had sliced through the fog of his thoughts like the blade in his hand.
Over the past four days, he had practiced 披挂刀 to the point of muscle memory. The eight techniques—sweeping, hacking, deflecting, slashing, grazing, locking, cleaving, thrusting—were now etched into his very soul.
Now, the ink-scroll interface of the Daoist Martial Tome began to shimmer again, and a new line of golden script emerged on the bottom corner of the page.
【披挂刀法（Mastered）】 【A blade art created by an enigmatic swordsman. It balances inner and outer movement: “strike, slash, cleave” as outer techniques; “leap, twist, turn” as inner transitions. Combined, the eight forms flow from ‘drape’ to ‘lash’—forming one fluid, perfected cycle.】 【Derived Trait Unlocked: Blade Mastery – Foundation Solidified】
The golden glow around the text caused Zheng Jun to pause.
Blade Mastery… Foundation Solidified?
He gripped the broken blade tightly and tested it with a few flourishes. Though the movements were no longer strictly by-the-book, he could feel it: a kind of weight, not just in the blade but in himself.
He felt stable. Anchored. Every move flowed naturally. Every swing echoed with confidence.
I never imagined the Daoist Martial Tome could refine martial arts this deeply...
He couldn’t help but grin as he swung the blade again—only this time, something had changed.
His form was transformed. Chest out. Core tight. Each muscle fired in harmony. One slash of the blade stirred the air into a sharp hiss—it felt like it could split the wind itself.
This wasn’t just muscle memory anymore.
The Blade Mastery – Foundation Solidified trait had elevated his entire body’s coordination. Every fiber of his being now understood how to swing a blade, not just through rote repetition, but as an integrated, instinctive act.
Before, he had achieved technical mastery of the style.
But now?
Now the technique had become a part of him.
Just then, the golden script began to ripple like ink dropped in water. When it stilled again, new words had formed.
【披挂刀（Mastered） → 披挂刀（Perfected）】 【Requirements to progress: Reach “Blood-Forged” martial level, and obtain Traits: “Blade Mastery – Foundation Solidified” & “Momentum Unleashed”】
“Perfected?!”
Zheng Jun blinked in surprise. He hadn’t expected there to be yet another realm beyond “Mastery.”
Still, the excitement was quickly reined in.
The phrase ‘Blood-Forged’ martial level referred to a deeper tier of body refinement—one in which blood surged like mercury, allowing physical transformation of tendons, bones, and muscle. It was no easy feat.
Still, the path was now laid before him. A visible horizon.
He looked up, and for the first time noticed the setting sun creeping behind the rooftops. In his trance-like training, he hadn’t even noticed how late it had gotten.
No more drills tonight. Best get a fire started and cook some food. Tomorrow, I report for duty—my first shift back since my leave. Best be sharp.
With that, he lowered his saber, exhaled deeply, and headed inside.
Tomorrow, everything would change.
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