Chapter Thirty-Three: Borrowing Strength, Using Strength, Countering Strength with Strength

As Pei Min’s words fell, his swordplay underwent an immediate transformation. His mixed-style technique had previously relied on basic sword forms—simple and unremarkable in themselves, yet, through his ingenious execution, were rendered sublime and extraordinary. Now, as he shifted to the Sword of the Yue Maiden, the entire nature of his swordplay changed—each move was sharp and merciless. The Autumn Water Sword, with its exquisite techniques, thrust at Li Wuyi from every direction. Blue light flashed, and the hidden force within, driven by speed, gave rise to a sizzling hiss as the blade swept through the air, ripples of blue radiating outward, filling the space with the energy of his sword.

The onlookers sensed that the previously balanced fight had suddenly tilted dramatically, as if Pei Min’s sword had completely enveloped Li Wuyi beneath its edge.

Had Gongsun Xi been present to witness Pei Min’s execution of the Sword of the Yue Maiden, she would have been astonished. The techniques he now displayed were nearly identical to hers, but rather than merely pursuing speed, he alternated between swift and slow, weaving intricacy into his assault—speed within slowness, slowness within speed. This made his swordplay endlessly varied and unpredictably fantastic, its power more than doubled.

Li Wuyi grew ever more alarmed as the duel continued. At first, he had found Pei Min’s moves ordinary, yet his swordsmanship was truly remarkable—he could make commonplace techniques flow with natural grace and subtlety. In all his life, Li Wuyi had never seen anyone wield such foundational forms with such mastery. He had thought Pei Min was merely gifted but lacked lethal technique, and that victory was only a matter of time. Who would have expected Pei Min to shift tactics, unveiling move after move of stunning brilliance, each one capturing the soul? It was as if Pei Min’s sword had cast a vast net around him, leaving him gasping for breath. Unless he could break free, defeat was only a matter of time.

Enraged that Pei Min, even now, did not miss a chance to mock his homeland, Li Wuyi let out a loud roar, his beard and brows bristling. He channeled all his strength into his arms, the tip of his sword trembling as he pressed forward, abandoning defense altogether. This was no longer a mere clash of blades; it was a desperate fight to the death, a brutal exchange where he staked his life for his enemy’s.

No one could have anticipated Li Wuyi’s ferocity at this final moment, not even Pei Min. Amid the gasps of the crowd, Pei Min executed a seamless transition between attack and defense in an instant. The Autumn Water Sword, not yet fully withdrawn, slanted downward, intercepting the attack. It adhered to the two-handed sword, guiding Li Wuyi’s arms in a sweeping arc—using force against force, borrowing strength to overcome strength!

“Let go!” Pei Min shouted with authority. Li Wuyi found his hands uncontrollably releasing the sword, which flew from his grasp.

With a sharp “whoosh,” the two-handed sword shot out, striking the trunk of a tree in the right front courtyard. The tip embedded itself deep into the wood, the hilt still trembling violently—a clear sign of its deadly power. Had it struck a man, survival would have been impossible.

Having succeeded, Pei Min himself broke out in a cold sweat. With a flick of his wrist, he restrained his blade, leaving sword wounds on Li Wuyi’s Jianjing, Quze, Jiquan, and Shoulder Lift points. These vital points, when pierced, would render his arm useless for at least half a year.

Li Wuyi’s savage tactics had genuinely surprised Pei Min. But in that moment between life and death, Pei Min’s quick thinking and instinctive mastery of advanced techniques—using minimal force to overcome great strength—had turned the tide. Otherwise, injury would have been inevitable.

“Take him!” Xue Na’s voice boomed as he saw Li Wuyi subdued. The surrounding soldiers, coming to their senses, surged forward and seized Li Wuyi.

For all his battlefield experience, Xue Na was still shaken. He turned to Pei Min and said, “Today I’ve truly witnessed the ferocity of a martial duel—it’s no less intense than war. I broke out in a cold sweat just watching…”

Pei Min replied sincerely, “So did I. Li Wuyi’s reputation is well deserved.” Had he not transmigrated, bringing with him advanced martial knowledge that had greatly enhanced his swordsmanship, Pei Min would never have dared face such a seasoned master alone today. After a pause, he asked, “How did the investigation go?”

At this, Xue Na’s eyes flashed with anger. “Li Wuyi is not just a traitor passing information to our enemies—he’s been secretly stealing our state’s technological secrets. It’s despicable. Who knows how much he’s pilfered over the years?”

“Better to mend the pen than lament the lost sheep.” While Pei Min despised Silla’s thieving ways, he did not see Silla as a true threat. In his eyes, they were mere opportunists compared to that island nation he found far more detestable. The islanders, for all their faults, had genuine ability—they could assimilate what they learned and transform it, making real progress. Silla, by contrast, merely stole others’ achievements, shamelessly rebranding them as their own, never rising above mediocrity.

“In any case, you’ve done a great service!” Xue Na looked at Pei Min with growing admiration and asked once more, “Won’t you consider joining my command?”

Pei Min found it hard to refuse Xue Na’s earnestness. After a moment’s hesitation, he said, “Here is my thought. I’m still young. Would the Grand Commander allow me a year or two? I don’t wish to be confined to Youzhou so early—I want to see Luoyang, to visit Chang’an, to experience the world. Regardless of how I fare, I’ll eventually return home. If, when that time comes, you still wish to have me, would you accept me then?”

Convinced, Xue Na nodded. “You’re a fine lad. Better to travel a thousand miles than read ten thousand books. Chang’an and Luoyang are truly the heart of our Tang Empire—they’re well worth seeing.” He had been born in the era of Emperor Taizong and grown up under Emperor Gaozong, when the Tang Dynasty was at its zenith, dominating all nations. Back then, Chang’an and Luoyang were the grandest, most advanced cities in the world. Even now, though the empire was no longer at its peak, their splendor endured.

Pei Min nodded solemnly. “I must go.” As someone from the future, how could he not yearn for the glory of Han and Tang? To have traveled through time to the Tang Dynasty and not set foot in Chang’an or Luoyang—he would die with regrets. After a pause, he smiled and said, “If you really wish to reward me, then grant me something practical—some money or goods. Life here is costly, and travel to Chang’an and Luoyang will be expensive. You have no shortage of such worldly possessions. A generous reward would make life easier for me, relieve my mother’s burdens, and let her live more comfortably.”

Xue Na was momentarily taken aback, then laughed. “You’re refreshingly straightforward. Very well—I’ll see to it you’re handsomely rewarded, lest you accuse your elder of stinginess.”

“Thank you for your generosity!” Pei Min grinned, not out of greed but from a clear understanding that money opens all doors, while its absence closes them.

As the soldiers led Li Wuyi out of the Li residence, Xue Na and Pei Min followed behind.

The commotion at the Li residence had already set the whole South Street abuzz, but Xue Na’s thorough preparations had seen patrols stationed in advance, keeping order and preventing any incidents.

Most of the townsfolk stood outside the cordon formed by the soldiers, peering in and gossiping animatedly, especially as Li Wuyi was led out.

Amidst the crowd, Pei Min suddenly caught sight of Li Yide.

The honest northern man wore an expression of utter disbelief as he gazed at Li Wuyi.