After sharpening for half a day, the owner finally relented, agreeing to give Lu Zheng a sharp edge.
"Actually, ten years ago, knife and sword sharpening wasn't so strict, because adults were the ones buying blades, and weapons needed a sharp edge to feel right.
But later, with the advent of the internet era, information became increasingly accessible, and news of accidental injuries, including incidents involving children, spread more widely. Eventually, sharpening decorative knives and swords was no longer allowed."
"Don't worry, I'll be careful," Lu Zheng said, "Moreover, I expect I'll frequently visit here, and I'll need blades sharpened each time."
The owner blinked and wondered what on earth Lu Zheng did.
After pondering for a while without any answer, he decided not to think further and exchanged contact details with Lu Zheng.
Du Lin.
This is someone who needs wood in their fate...
"Give the commission to that young lady." Lu Zheng waved at the pretty young lady.
Young lady: (｀Δ´)!
I've lost my commission, and you are flirting with me!
"Alright."
Du Lin didn't mind the small commission—he didn't rely on Ancient Sword Hall for income; he had other businesses.
"Come, let's head to my office, I'll take you to pick those blades that can be sharpened."
Du Lin led Lu Zheng to the rear office area and waved to the young lady, "Xiaotang, come on, go to the back warehouse and fetch a few blades to my office."
...
Finally, Lu Zheng selected a Brocade Spring Saber made from folded patterned steel, with solid copper fittings and rosewood scabbard material.
The saber was 105 centimeters long, with a blade length of 72, and one inch wide, with a spine thickness of two-tenths of an inch—its weight and momentum when swung were quite impressive.
"Good saber!"
"Certainly a fine saber," Du Lin said, "I'll give it a sharp edge tonight, come pick it up tomorrow."
"Alright." Lu Zheng nodded, then added, "Also give me an unsharpened one, so I can have some fun tonight."
Lu Zheng suddenly recalled that to enhance skills with the Light of Fortune, he'd need to at least learn the basics first. Going straight for the sharp-edged saber might send him to the emergency room?
Upon hearing Lu Zheng's request, Du Lin nodded as well. Although, in modern times, such a blade wasn't expensive, Lu Zheng buying in this manner suggested he wasn't short on cash.
...
Half an hour later, carrying a rectangular box, Lu Zheng caught a taxi back home once more.
Immediately, he started browsing through online videos explaining blade techniques.
There's no shortage of such videos!
Basic moves of various sword techniques are broken down, demonstrated, and explained step by step.
To be honest, modern times are an era where average knowledge isn't worth much; if you want to learn something, it's all online.
As long as you're diligent, it's possible to self-improve; enrolling in classes mostly provides a sense of atmosphere.
After all, teachers who can explain concepts both profoundly and simply, adding depth to their lectures, aren't common.
Moreover, all Lu Zheng needed was just to lay a foundation.
...
After watching videos for the entire afternoon, Lu Zheng finally understood the fundamental movements of blade techniques, albeit shakily able to execute an entire Basic Knife Skill.
Of course, while performing the moves, they morphed into various deformities, lacking any visual appeal.
Still, it was adequate...
Light of Fortune, consume!
"Buzz!"
The Jade Seal in his mind trembled slightly, consuming a wisp of Light of Fortune.
The next moment, Lu Zheng's mind and muscle memory were instantly clear on all the essentials of basic blade techniques.
Performing the Basic Knife Skill was truly like flowing clouds, akin to water.
Lu Zheng's form darted throughout the living room, moving swiftly from high to low, left to right, the saber's light gleaming like a silver streak.
After finishing the routine, Lu Zheng felt incredibly pleased—only one word: beautiful!
Had it been five minutes earlier, Lu Zheng would have been merely a beginner copying moves indiscriminately, but now, he was like someone who had trained for a year or more.
Of course, he had only mastered the basic forms, enough to complete the routine, but still lacked real-time adaptability.
But no problem, there's still some Light of Fortune left, isn't there?
Eh, can I improve further?
Consume!
"Buzz!"
Mastery over each move, quick response to challenges, adapting on the fly.
In terms of practical combat, Lu Zheng had made significant gains.
"With the Treasure Saber in hand, this level is sufficient, constitution, boost!"
"Buzz!"
Enhancing constitution required improvements across all organ systems, comprehensive and expansive—hence, the effects weren't as immediate as with blade techniques and weren't as apparent as the initial advancement.
It was clear that improving physical fitness would be a long-term venture, and Lu Zheng had no idea what level he'd reach.
Nonetheless, the feeling of getting stronger without exercise was quite exhilarating.
"Comfortable! Time for sleep!"
...
Early morning the next day, Lu Zheng changed into his inner garments, directly crossed into Great Jing Dynasty, and began practicing sword techniques in the backyard.
Compared to the hints of routine when practicing at home yesterday, Lu Zheng's movements today were spontaneous and free.
Left cleaving, right sweeping upward!
Treading stone slab, turning back to slash!
Phantom step night battle hiding saber style, wrapping the head with a chaotic cloak!
Silver light flickered, blade sounds whistling!
Lu Zheng enthusiastically performed a set of blade techniques in the courtyard, noticing Uncle Li and Aunt Liu peeking towards him from the doorway.
"Good morning, young master!"
"Young master, excellent saber skills!"
"Clap clap clap!"
"Is there breakfast today?" Lu Zheng sheathed his long saber, catching his breath.
"It's prepared, it's prepared!"
Aunt Liu quickly nodded, "Young master, are you having breakfast at home today? I'll bring it to the hall for you."
"Alright."
Lu Zheng nodded, feeling quite excited this morning since he got up immediately to practice, and now his stomach was quite empty.
...
After having breakfast, Lu Zheng returned the long saber to the modern era, dressed properly, and headed out again.
He did not return to Qingsheng Building.
Lu Zheng had asked Daoist Mingzhang at White Cloud Temple and was told that the stories told by the storytellers there were heavily mixed with fiction, exaggerated beyond the truth, and listening to them would lead him astray.
Given the time, wouldn't it be better to go home and read online novels?
Even without Qingsheng Building, Tonglin County still had many places for leisure.
There are gambling stalls in the north and west of the city, favorite places for scholars in the south, like the Chunfeng Building, and in Cong'an Square, there are various street performers—Truly, it's as lively as modern times.
Speaking of scholars...
Lu Zheng was walking along a street in the north of the city when he heard voices of young scholars reciting from within a nearby yard.
This was the County School of Tonglin, filled with the county's promising young scholars.
When Lu Zheng first arrived, he naively created the identity of a scholar, and to maintain authenticity, even bought a few Confucian classics from Great Jing at a bookstore.
Then...
Lu Zheng quickly abandoned his scholar identity.
Mainly because passing the local exams still required attending school, and passing the higher exams meant becoming an official; Lu Zheng simply didn't have such leisure time.