Three days had gone by in a flash.
During these three days, Zhao Changhe and Han Wubing stayed indoors to recover from their injuries. Apart from Han Wubing casually purchasing a new sword from a blacksmith’s shop, everything else, including their meals, was served in their room to avoid any trouble.
The Blood God Sect seemed to have taken Zhao Changhe’s final words seriously, or perhaps Xia Chichi’s declaration that no one should steal his "dog’s head" had its effect—regardless, despite knowing his whereabouts, not a soul from Sword Lake City came looking for trouble. Nor did any enemies, either from the Cui Family or the Listening Snow Pavilion, show their faces; the three days passed peacefully.
Interestingly, these two men hadn’t exchanged a single word in the entire three days. Han Wubing was not fond of talking, and Zhao Changhe would just scowl at the sight of him, yet their acquaintance seemed to have improved.
This was because every day Zhao Changhe practiced his saber technique in the courtyard, and every time he stepped out of his room, he’d see Han Wubing also coming out to practice his swordsmanship.
The feeling was quite interesting. It’s said that gaining a man’s friendship is simple; just seeing someone engage in the same game or follow the same series is enough.
The two divided their territory and practiced their saber and sword techniques separately, careful not to reveal any ultimate skills. Yet, with sharp eyes, they could still glean insights from each other’s methods.
In terms of basic skills, Zhao Changhe had to admit, Han Wubing was more solid than himself.
Basic skills didn’t require cleverness or exceptional physical constitution; they demanded years of persistent refinement and accumulation. If they both continued to practice daily, how could his mere half a year of dedication compare to someone’s decade? His past superiority over others was simply because most people neglected persistent hard work and had long since let their skills deteriorate.
Why was Han Wubing’s sword draw faster than others?
Because just the act of drawing a sword from its sheath at the greatest possible speed and forming an immediate attack at various angles was something Han Wubing practiced hundreds of times every day; he had been doing it for ten years.
And Han Wubing’s cultivation level was higher than his own. In terms of understanding and insight into swordsmanship, aptitude, and combat experience, Han was certainly not inferior to him, although he probably didn’t have any particularly excellent sword technique. But then Zhao’s Blood Evil Saber Technique was no top-tier skill either...
This showed that compared to the outstanding peers on the Hidden Dragon List, he actually had no advantage at all.
Zhao Changhe realized he had mostly been preying on weaklings all along. Excluding his sparring with Yue Hongling, this seemed to be the first time he was about to duel someone from the Hidden Dragon List... and he might very well lose.
He had been practicing martial arts for too short a time... Even if he could find treasures to undergo the Washing Marrow process later on, he would still be unable to make up for the time others had accumulated.
If he wanted to win, he might have to rely on the Dragon Sparrow’s Power of Great Xia. Accustomed to being the sixth-best, Zhao Changhe couldn’t help but feel his face turn red with the prospect; after all, this was a duel, and relying on the advantage of a weapon seemed to lack honor.
What he didn’t know was that Han Wubing admired him for practicing the saber. Such a level within half a year was simply unbelievable.
They hadn’t even begun fighting, and already they found mutual esteem.
A saber and a sword were sheathed nearly simultaneously. The two men exchanged glances and smiled.
Zhao Changhe said, "Your injuries are completely healed now?"
"Mm," Han Wubing replied, still a man of few words.
"Then how about going out for a stroll today? They say Sword Lake City has some interesting things to see, but we’ve just been cooped up inside this whole time, and it would be a shame to have come here for nothing."
"You go ahead," said Han Wubing.
"You bought that sword casually before, just so you wouldn’t be without a weapon. Surely you don’t actually plan to use that blade you picked up for a couple of silver from the blacksmith to fight me?" Zhao Changhe dragged him outside without waiting for an answer, "Come on, let’s get a proper sword first. It looks like you’re not short on money." ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel⟡fire.net
Han Wubing said, "...It’s been a long time since I’ve had business, so I really don’t have much money."
"I do, let’s go," Zhao Changhe insisted.
Han Wubing asked in surprise, "How do you have so much money without a proper job?"
Zhao Changhe replied, "Previously, I... well, as a token of gratitude for saving Yuan Yang, the Cui Family generously rewarded me. I found the gifts too heavy, so I only took some convertible silver notes."
Han Wubing glanced at the horse in the courtyard, then at the saber on Zhao’s back, and finally at the silver note he seemed to conceal in his arms, all without a trace of expression.
I was there too at the time, why didn’t they offer me a share?
However, he didn’t refuse Zhao Changhe’s suggestion to buy him a sword, and together they headed out into the bustling streets.
Sword Lake City attracted all sorts, a mix of good and bad, and naturally, there were many weapon shops around, with no shortage of fine blades. Han Wubing browsed through various weapon shops for half a day, frowning.
Previously, he wasn’t particularly demanding about his swords, but having his previous one broken by a superior blade served as a stark wake-up call. And since Zhao Changhe’s saber was so outrageously strong, using an ordinary sword would indeed be a disadvantage. He knew that Zhao Changhe was helping him buy a sword to ensure they fought on even footing, weapon-wise.
Zhao Changhe was indeed a real man, and Han Wubing greatly appreciated it. He didn’t plan to quibble over money with him; the guy had practically saved his life, what’s a little debt between men? The problem was, however, that finding a sword to match his saber was quite the challenge, even if they lowered the standards a bit. Most people relied on maneuvering and only needed a sword that wouldn’t break after a few parries when absolutely necessary, but even those seemed hard to come by.
Zhao Changhe also asked the shopkeeper, "Is this it? Don’t you have anything better?"
The shopkeeper glanced at the saber on his back and said, "Though I don’t know the material of your saber, just by the size of it... if you two are looking for something to match this saber, I’d suggest looking for a Mystic Iron Heavy Sword. What’s the use of all these longswords?"
Han Wubing said, "I can’t handle a heavy sword..."
"You’re actually trying to match this saber?" the shopkeeper asked in disbelief. "You’re going to fight, and he’s buying you a sword?"
Han Wubing nodded, "Yes."
The shopkeeper glanced at Zhao Changhe and muttered, "Bird-brained."
Zhao Changhe retorted, "What do you know... Forget it, let’s split up and look around. The city’s big, there can’t be just these few shops."
Han Wubing nodded, and they went their separate ways.
Zhao Changhe wanted to wander the streets himself, having heard they were quite fun... but just as he turned the corner, he ran straight into a familiar face, Wu Weiyang from the Demon Suppression Department.
"Judging by Young Master Zhao’s appearance, are you looking for a good sword?"
Zhao Changhe sighed, "Don’t tell me you’ve been following me? Or have you been camped out in front of my inn for three days?"
Wu Weiyang smiled and said, "Not to deceive Young Master Zhao... Although it wasn’t me personally, indeed, my subordinates have been keeping an eye out. Hearing you two had left, I came right over."
Zhao Changhe replied, "Although we do want a good sword, we really don’t want to ask the Demon Suppression Department. Let’s just forget it."
Wu Weiyang laughed, "Is Young Master Zhao afraid of owing the Demon Suppression Department a favor?"
"It’s just bothering with official matters is always troublesome, and I hate headaches."
"And yet, you publicly declared that Chairperson Tang should come see you in person?"
"Since she’s not likely to come, I can talk big, haha..."
"What?" Zhao Changhe’s laughter got caught in his throat, and his eyes widened. "Doesn’t she have anything better to do? Do you know how far it is from the Capital to here?"
"To be honest, I don’t understand it either," Wu Weiyang sighed. "But since she’s here, and it was Young Master Zhao who invited her, shouldn’t you meet her?"
Zhao Changhe fell silent for a moment and finally nodded, "Let’s go."
"Young Master Zhao, please," Wu Weiyang said, making a gesture to lead the way, and Zhao Changhe followed silently behind, nursing a budding headache.
The affairs of the Royal Family, which he had always avoided... No matter how the old fox of the Cui Family hinted, he never responded. The trouble with getting involved was that it would completely spoil his carefree life in the Worldly Society.
But one can’t keep running away forever... Since Chairperson Tang would go out of her way to visit, her sincerity was apparent, and it was time to face the music.
As he thought this, Wu Weiyang stopped, "Here we are."
Zhao Changhe looked up and was stupefied.
This was the same brothel where he had asked sarcastically if "Chairperson Tang was a master of the four arts!" Are you telling me this is the Demon Suppression Department!
Considering all that he had brazenly claimed about Chairperson Tang...
"’The man Tang Wanju can’t have.’"
"I’m not only an outlaw; next time, I might set my sights on Tang Wanju! She better wash up and wait for me!"
Not to mention comparing her to a brothel woman.
This meeting... is it going to be ugly or what...