Chapter 113: Practicing Swordsmanship, Breakthrough Imminent

Chapter 113: Practicing Swordsmanship, Breakthrough Imminent

The Seven Segment Sword Step originally consists of seven fixed sword techniques. However, when this sword art is practiced to its highest level, it does not end there; instead, it offers the possibility of open-ended variations.

Moreover, the lineage of this sword art does not teach these variations.

When Lu Heng was learning this sword art, his teacher had said:

"I will teach you the seven segments, but the variations you must discover on your own. If everyone's variations were the same, they wouldn't be called variations. The essence of variations lies in the word 'change' itself."

Therefore, when practicing this sword art to its highest level, one must think of their own variation techniques.

"Swallow Turn" is a variation that Lu Heng created in his previous life.

The variations of the Seven Segment Sword Step require a higher level of control than the Subtle Level to make subtle and intricate changes.

Thus, theoretically, the variations of the Seven Segment Sword Step require an Intention Level swordsmanship realm.

Of course, this does not mean that one must reach the Intention Level to practice variations.

One can practice variations at any time, but whether they can successfully execute them is another matter.

Typically, sword practitioners begin to attempt variations in the later stages of the Subtle Level, and mastering variations is a sign of entering the Intention Level.

Therefore, in the later stages of the Subtle Level, when one is about to reach the Near Intentional Level, they can practice variations, though not every strike will include a variation.

Lu Heng had long mastered his self-created "Swallow Turn" variation in his previous life. So, during his last confrontation with a katana-wielding samurai from Japan, a sudden flash of insight struck him, realizing that the opponent's defensive move could be perfectly countered by the "Swallow Turn."

Thus, when he struck, he executed the "Swallow Turn" with a stroke of inspiration. The sword light sliced through the katana, suddenly turning and slashing the opponent's carotid artery.

This move was executed too quickly and viciously, instantly taking down the opponent.

During the last successful use of "Swallow Turn," after returning, Lu Heng tried several times, but he could not always execute it.

Because his swordsmanship realm had not yet reached the Intention Level, whether he could use "Swallow Turn" depended on his state at the moment.

Lu Heng's current swordsmanship proficiency is (2750/3000). With a few more days of intensive practice, he has a good chance of breaking into the next realm.

So, while Lin Zeyu returned to prepare for the action plan,

Lu Heng was diligently practicing his swordsmanship in the training room at Jade Peak Lake, striving to enhance his swordsmanship realm.

Actually,

After reaching (2000/3000) in swordsmanship proficiency, the rate of improvement becomes very slow. Sometimes, practicing for a whole morning only increases proficiency by 1 or 2 points.

This is a normal situation; the higher the realm of any martial art, the more difficult it is to improve.

Sometimes, progress may even stall.

However, after successfully executing the "Swallow Turn" variation, the rate of improvement in swordsmanship proficiency began to accelerate.

Each successful execution of "Swallow Turn" would result in a proficiency increase.

Lu Heng leaped, rebounded off the wall, and thrust the Aurora Blade in the Piercing Cloud Style, visualizing the situation he encountered with the katana warrior. He imagined an opponent blocking the Piercing Cloud Style, then changed the sword's trajectory to execute the "Swallow Turn," slicing through the air.

Clang!

[You have gained insight in swordsmanship. Swordsmanship Proficiency +1]



Successfully executing "Swallow Turn" again, his proficiency increased by 1 point, reaching (2751/3000).

If each execution of "Swallow Turn" increases proficiency by 1 point, it would take only 249 more executions to reach the next realm.

Lu Heng gathered his strength and continued practicing.

Since executing the variation at the end of the sword move is still challenging, each use of the variation requires his full effort, consuming a lot of physical energy.

After two training sessions, he was already slightly out of breath.

The improvement in swordsmanship proficiency was also very rapid. By noon, his proficiency had increased to (2836/3000), getting closer to the next realm.

At noon,

Li Xiuyun had prepared the meal and called to remind them to come back for lunch.

The current training room was arranged by Lin Zeyu, spacious and located at Jade Peak Lake, in another building next to the new house.

When it was mealtime, they only needed to go downstairs and take the elevator back to eat.

When he returned home,

he found Su Muyu and her mother there. Lu Heng quickly greeted them: "Hello, Aunt Su."

"Hello, hello..."

The last time they moved, Su Mother had only met Lu Heng once, and there was no time to chat, just exchanging greetings before they went about their business.

Today, they were having lunch together, and Su Mother looked at Lu Heng, saying, "I often heard Muyu mention you."

Lu Heng laughed and said, "Really? Has Su Muyu been saying bad things about me behind my back?"

"Not at all!" Su Muyu quickly denied it and gave Lu Heng a playful glare.

Su Mother also quickly spoke up for her daughter: "Muyu has always praised you to me. I didn't believe it, thinking there couldn't be such a good person in the world, but now I see that it's true."

Li Xiuyun also laughed heartily: "Aunt Su, you really know how to speak. My son is good in every way, except for his stubbornness. When he decides something, even we as parents can't persuade him."

Su Mother continued to praise, "This shows that Lu Heng has his own opinions, and it's good for boys to have their own minds."

Lu Heng was praised so much that he began to doubt himself.

The two families sat together and had a meal, and the conversation became more and more familiar.

Li Xiuyun was a social butterfly, and she quickly became like sisters with Su Mother. They even planned to learn Latin dancing together in their free time.

Su Mother was still a bit worried about her daughter. After dinner, she pulled Lu Heng to the balcony and asked, "Lu Heng, Muyu said that the house next door was bought by her, but such a nice house, how can she afford it? I'm really worried, you're close to Muyu, you know how this house came about, right?"

Lu Heng gave a reassuring smile and replied, "Aunt Su, don't worry. It was indeed bought by Muyu, with an interest-free mortgage. The monthly loan payments are deducted from her salary."

Su Mother was still concerned and asked further, "But such a nice house, and it's a duplex, how can it be affordable with just a salary?"

According to her simple thinking, her salary was only two to three thousand yuan a month, and with overtime, it could reach over three thousand.

So, after paying the rent, she was left with only half of her salary, and that half was for the living expenses of the mother and daughter, leaving no savings.

She never dared to imagine that one day she would be able to live in such a big house.

Lu Heng spoke with certainty, "Auntie, don't worry. I remember, wasn't there someone who came to your house to deliver a gift?"

"Yes, Muyu said she returned all the gifts." Su Mother nodded.

"Those people sent gifts, hoping that you would persuade Muyu to join their company, right?" Lu Heng guided her thinking.

"That's right, that person did say that as long as Muyu joins their company, they'll give her a million a year, and she won't even have to go to work. She just needs to complete tasks when there's work. I think they're definitely scammers." Su Mother remembered this clearly.

"That person isn't a scammer, it's a real offer. But that company isn't good, so Muyu signed with Universe Security Company. The salary is only a little higher than the one that tried to poach her, so you can rest assured now, right?" Lu Heng spoke in a very convincing tone.

After listening, Su Mother finally breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good, Auntie knows you're amazing, and if you say it's true, then it must be true. In the future, you must take care of Muyu. She's been bullied since she was young, and she doesn't dare to tell me when she gets home. Every time I think about this, I feel like I owe her so much."

Lu Heng quickly comforted her, "Auntie, don't worry. Muyu has grown up, and now she can not only protect herself but also protect you."

Su Mother was pleased to hear her daughter being praised, and she nodded, saying, "Yes, Muyu has always been filial and a good child. You should believe in her too."

When speaking about her daughter, Su Mother, like all other mothers in the world, sincerely hoped for her daughter's well-being.

Lu Heng nodded and said, "I will always believe in her."

While the two were talking.

Su Muyu saw them and, worried that her mother would say something strange, pursed her lips and came out, saying, "Mom, what were you talking about with Lu Heng? Don't say anything strange again."

Lu Heng smiled and said, "Aunt Su was praising you, she was saying good things about you."

Su Muyu hooked her mother's arm and said, "The Kyoho grapes are ready, let's go back and eat some grapes."

When the parents of both sides gathered to chat, Su Muyu ran to the second floor, pursed her lips, and quietly asked Lu Heng, "What did my mom just say to you?"

Lu Heng chuckled and said, "Guess."

"Ugh, just tell me!" Su Muyu's expression was awkward, fearing that her mother would say something odd.

Lu Heng understood her mindset; the more sensitive the child, the more they worry about such things.

Seeing her genuine anxiety, Lu Heng whispered to her, "Don't worry. Your mom asked me to take care of you, and she said you're filial... and also that..."

"And what?" Su Muyu became tense.

"She said that you've been bullied since you were young, and you don't dare to tell her when you get home." Lu Heng revealed the words.

Su Muyu froze.

In truth, she was aware of these matters, but her mother had never spoken of them to her.

The strange thing was that even if Su Mother didn't say anything, Lu Heng knew, and he had always known, ever since his past life.

Therefore, Lu Heng had always been cautious in protecting her, hoping to give her a sense of security.

Su Mother's request today was something Lu Heng had been doing for a long time.

Sometimes, the twists and turns of time are just so mysterious.

...

In the following days, Lu Heng continued to practice the variable techniques of the Seven-Segment Sword Step.

The success rate of using 'Swallow Turn' increased as his sword skill proficiency improved.

He could now successfully execute it three to four times before failing once.

After three days of practice, on the evening of the third day, his sword skill proficiency finally reached (2999/3000).

His mother sent several messages urging him to come for dinner, but Lu Heng didn't stop his practice, determined to cross this threshold of the Intentional Level sword skill before returning home.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end