Chapter Five: Swordsmanship

“That kid really did run into the mountains!”

Upon seeing the traces left by Cui Xiu, Tiger Brother’s expression grew cold. He led Ah Tie into the forest in pursuit.

In no time, they had already found signs of Cui Xiu’s path.

Cui Xiu’s heart was restless. He could hear the faint sounds behind him; though he wanted to move quietly to avoid guiding his pursuers, instinctively he sped up his pace.

The soft rustling of his robes against the underbrush soon left large patches soaked by dew. He didn’t care about such things now—this body, lacking in training, was already breathless as he staggered rapidly through the leaf-strewn forest floor.

“Tiger Brother, that’s him!”

No respite was granted; the voices behind made his heart sink…

Even without turning back, he could picture the two pairs of vicious eyes fixed upon his retreating figure.

Impossible!

Cui Xiu knew well—now that both men had spotted him, there was no way he could outrun two villagers with his frail body.

At that thought, he gritted his teeth and focused on the small grey mist characters at the edge of his vision.

He had some understanding of this strange ability, thanks to games in his previous life, but its effect in reality was uncertain.

In the game, Source Power could elevate martial arts realms, but now, as a grey mist ability, he couldn’t grasp its true form.

If it worked as in the game—immediately increasing martial skill and combat strength—it would be good. If not, or if it couldn’t instantly enhance his power, it would be a dire predicament.

Cui Xiu regretted not studying it earlier, thinking he could wait until he returned to Anyuan County to make plans. Now, he was paying the price for that negligence.

But in truth, he could hardly be blamed. Who could have expected such trouble on a single day’s journey?

“No time to worry about that…”

Unable to help himself, Cui Xiu glanced back—the two villagers were already close behind. If he slowed for even a moment, within a dozen breaths he’d be forced to face their attacks.

Resolute, Cui Xiu focused entirely on the grey mist’s tiny characters, banishing thoughts of danger and channeling Source Power to enhance his martial arts.

His gaze fell upon the Thirteen Basic Sword Techniques!

Compared to the calisthenics, which were only good for physical conditioning, the sword was his sole option.

Buzz!

The moment Cui Xiu concentrated on elevating his mastery of the Thirteen Basic Sword Techniques, he saw with his own eyes the grey mist characters in the martial arts section flicker—first blurring, then sharpening again.

Cui Xiu—

Martial Arts: Thirteen Basic Sword Techniques (Proficient · 8%), Ninth Set of National Calisthenics (Beginner · 0.8%)

He barely had time to feel joy at the change when a faint, cool sensation surged into his mind, clearing his thoughts.

In an instant, that cool stream exploded, flooding his memory with countless swordsmanship experiences previously unknown.

Simultaneously, a warm rush swept through his body, prompting him to draw the long sword he had carried in his left hand without thinking.

Sword in hand, a sensation of utter familiarity—like he had wielded it thousands of times—spread from his right palm.

All these changes took place in a flash within Cui Xiu’s mind.

In reality, apart from the sudden sword-drawing motion, no one could have guessed that the scholar who had only a superficial grasp of swordsmanship was now a proficient swordsman.

His body had grown stronger!

Awakening from the trance, Cui Xiu received an unexpected piece of good news.

…

The two men chasing him, of course, were unaware of these changes. To their eyes, Cui Xiu was still fleeing, and to them, he was nothing more than meat on the chopping block.

Moreover, from his actions and speed, it was clear he was just a frail scholar.

They had no reason to expect any upset.

Hmm?

Soon enough, Cui Xiu’s actions puzzled them—he suddenly drew his sword and stopped running.

Was he out of breath and ready to fight?

It was natural for them to think so; Cui Xiu’s earlier performance hadn’t posed the slightest threat, so they never imagined he had the confidence to resist.

Besides, they’d caught scholars like him before—most would react in just such a way, desperately fighting for life in the face of despair.

And generally, when faced with such scholars, they would make the difference between fiction and reality very clear.

“Kid, you’re not running anymore?”

Tiger Brother watched as Cui Xiu turned to face them, speaking coldly. Ah Tie, at his side, remained silent, his gaze locked onto Cui Xiu.

Cui Xiu said nothing, set down his bundle, tossed it aside, and tightened his grip on the sword.

Tiger Brother saw this, his expression unchanged, though a hint of amusement curled his lips.

Ah Tie quietly raised his long knife.

“Ah Tie, take him alive.”

With that calm order, Tiger Brother sealed Cui Xiu’s fate.

As the words fell, Ah Tie brandished his knife and lunged for Cui Xiu!

The knife was an ordinary waist blade of this world. Even if Cui Xiu knew little about blades, he could tell this one wasn’t of high quality—only its owner’s care had kept it sharp and gleaming.

To Tiger Brother and Ah Tie, seeing Cui Xiu stand motionless before Ah Tie’s fierce charge, it seemed he was paralyzed by fear.

Tiger Brother relaxed his grip on his own knife; in his eyes, Cui Xiu was even more pitiful than expected.

He had thought a scholar bold enough to resist wouldn’t be so weak—now, it seemed…

What?!

But before Tiger Brother could finish the thought, the scene before him made his body tense involuntarily.

In the forest, using the trees for cover, the disheveled young scholar twisted his body in a way rarely seen among ordinary men, circling around a tree to narrowly evade the black-faced man’s attack.

Though the black-faced man hadn’t intended to kill with one blow—holding back some force—the scholar’s ability to dodge surprised him.

For a moment, he didn’t even react.

And in that instant, the tip of a sword, with a cunning angle, darted forward like a spirit snake toward the black-faced man’s throat.

All he could see before him was a flash of cold light.