Chapter 8: Forging the Blade Within
A few days had passed since Ashen came out of seclusion.
His steps were steady, his eyes calm, and his presence carried quiet pressure — like that of a Martial Master. The Han family noticed the change immediately. Elder Rian didn't ask what realm he had reached, but he knew something was different about the boy.
Still, no one could sense Ashen's true power. His control over Qi was too precise to leave even a trace.
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Lina's Growth
That morning, as Ashen practiced near the Han courtyard, Lina ran up to him with her wooden sword.
"Brother Ashen! Teach me again!" she said with a bright smile.
Ashen looked at her for a moment. Her aura was faint but stable — already at the Martial Apprentice Realm even though she was only ten. It surprised him at first, but then he smiled softly.
"You've grown fast," he said. "Alright, let's see what you've got."
Lina took her stance, but her movement was slightly off. Ashen stepped closer and gently corrected her grip.
"Focus on your breathing. Don't just swing the sword — feel the flow inside you. Qi follows intent."
She tried again. This time, when her sword moved, a faint arc of light followed the edge, small but clear — an energy slash. Her eyes widened.
"I–I did that?"
Ashen nodded. "It's the start of channeling energy through your weapon. Don't rush it. If you force it, it'll break your flow."
Then he taught her a simple movement technique — a stepping form that made her light on her feet and harder to read. He showed her one clean slash form that emphasized timing and intent over raw force.
He then showed her a simple movement technique — one that helped her move lightly and quickly, as if her steps followed the wind.
"Speed isn't about being faster than others," Ashen told her. "It's about moving before your enemy even realizes it."
Lina grinned. "Then I'll move faster than you someday!"
Ashen chuckled. "We'll see about that."
He also told her, quietly, "Remember, a technique can be precious. It changes with the one who uses it. What I show you will not be the same when you make it yours."
Lina nodded seriously, gripping her sword tighter.
"I'll make it mine," she promised.
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A New Student
That afternoon, Elder Rian returned with a black-haired boy about Ashen's age. The boy's eyes were calm but carried a heavy look.
"This is Raizen," Elder Rian said. "He's an orphan I took in. He trains hard but needs guidance. I want you to guide him, Ashen. You don't have to hand over sacred techniques — just show him the way of a fighter and control."
Ashen studied the boy. "Raizen, right?"
Raizen nodded. "Yes."
Ashen folded his arms, thinking for a moment. "We're the same age. Do you really think you can learn something from me?"
Raizen met his gaze without flinching. "If I can grow stronger… I'll learn however I must."
Ashen's lips curved into a small smile. "Good answer. We start tomorrow."
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The Sword and the Blacksmith
That evening, Elder Rian came back and said, "There's an old blacksmith who works by the forest. He might help with your blade. Come with me."
The next morning, Elder Rian led Ashen to the blacksmith's small forge at the edge of the trees. The man was old, his arms thick and marked by years at the fire. When he took Ashen's sword in his hands, his brow tightened.
"This isn't special steel," the blacksmith muttered, "but there's Qi in it. Someone poured part of themselves into this blade long ago."
He tapped the flat of the sword, listening to its hum. "If you use a sword like this and bond with it, sometimes a spirit wakes inside the blade. Only a few people ever force that to happen — most never notice when it does."
Ashen listened quietly, holding the sword steady. "Then keep it safe," he said simply. "I'll use it."
The blacksmith nodded. "I'll sharpen it and mend the chips. Come back tomorrow."
As the forge glowed and the hammer rang, Ashen stood outside watching the sparks fly. The old sword had a past — and perhaps a future.
He thought to himself,
Maybe it's not the sword that changes… maybe it's the one who wields it.
For the first time in a long while, Ashen felt a quiet sense of purpose returning.