### Chapter 53: The Flower Blade Dance, Under the Moonlight (Part Two)
The night sky was serene.
Moonlight flowed like water, trickling over the flower leaves in the courtyard, as if it were a dream wrapped in thin gauze.
In the fragrance-filled garden of the mansion, enveloped by the misty moonlight, dew-kissed petals swayed gently with the breeze, harmonizing with the rising and falling sound of insects—like the most enchanting summer serenade.
Dressed in a cotton nightgown, the young woman, sweating profusely, stood among the blooms, gripping a wooden sword, eyes closed, letting the gentle wind play with her hair. With a sudden burst, she thrust forward, sword piercing the air.
“Hey!”
Her enchanting yelp echoed, and the wind roared.
The sword shot out, emitting a sharp „whoosh“ sound, the force strong enough to sweep a few flower petals into the air, making them dance upward.
However, suspended midair, the golden-haired queen, delicately fluttering like a butterfly, narrowed her brow at the young woman’s actions.
“Not quite right.”
She said, darting forward. Her clothing swayed with the wind, the wine in her cup barely trembling, drawing a graceful half-circle above the young woman’s head before drifting by her side.
“Your wrist needs to be precise, the rhythm must flow naturally, hard and soft must be balanced, your body must assist the sword, and you must understand the principles of the sword—technique arises from understanding.”
The golden-haired queen floated beside the young woman, fingertips gently grazing her cheek, lightly tapping the back of her sword-wielding hand.
“It’s all about playing to your strengths and avoiding your weaknesses. At any moment, whatever sword technique you execute must use your full strength, while still conserving energy. Pepé, you must really get what I wrote in my notes; otherwise, you’re just boxing yourself in.”
As she imparted her wisdom, her white clothing glimmered like a fish frolicking in the sea, spiraling flowers around the young woman, swimming freely.
“Hey! Hey! Ha! Yah!”
The young woman advanced, her wooden sword slashing or stabbing, the whooshing sound akin to a fierce gale, her calls echoing like birds singing amidst a rain of petals fluttering down. With each step, beads of sweat flew from her forehead.
“Pay attention to the force from your elbows and waist, keep your wrist movements smaller and lighter… Your sword has speed and power, but it lacks adaptability, not fluid enough, like a sword just for slicing. In other words, it resembles street brawls, or third-rate fighters consumed by rage, throwing their sword only to cut down opponents without considering defenses or possible reprisals, relying solely on bravery to win.”
The golden-haired queen hovered beside the young woman, gliding along with her movements, scrutinizing every detail while sipping a small amount of wine.
“With this brute-force style of yours, if you face an opponent who is weaker in power, speed, and reflexes, they can only parry or simply dodge your strike. But if you come across someone equal or superior in that one aspect, and you thrust that sword, it’s you who will take the hit.”
“Hey! Yah! Yah!”
The duo, two figures dancing like snowy orchids at the valley’s bottom, whirled amidst the flurry of petals.
“Hey—”
Suddenly, the young woman turned, thrusting her sword toward midair, aiming at the golden-haired queen’s chest, her sweat-drenched face breaking into a radiant smile.
Thunk!
That sword was casually slapped down.
“Whoo— whoo— whoo—”
The young woman gasped for breath, feeling somewhat fatigued, wiping sweat from her face and letting her wooden sword droop as she stood still, watching the queen alight gracefully before her.
“Your little thoughts…”
Thunk.
The young woman felt a light tap on her head.
“Ow!”
She instantly cupped her forehead, tilting her neck, glaring with a sulky look.
The queen, unfazed, took another sip of wine, her movements graceful, her face rosy.
“The cicada senses the wind before it moves. If you encounter a truly masterful body-refining teacher like me, that last sword strike wouldn’t even get out in time. No matter how fast or strong you are, they’ll sense you the moment you attack. The instant your shoulder twitches, I’ll counter all your movements, and you’ll realize your strike is futile and your stance must change…”
As she spoke, she gently touched the young woman’s forehead, as if to soothe the earlier tap.
The young woman pouted, not flinching.
“Teacher’s sword style pursues a lethal strike—eyes fast, hands faster—accurately predicting enemy movements during combat, not considering evasion or defense when they launch any attack but instead seizing the moment to strike first or counterattack, inflicting the most devastating damage. The point of every sword is always the head, throat, heart, kidneys… those vital spots. This is why even those who can easily battle with strong foes for long often can’t last three moves against me.”
“Your senses and reflexes are sharp, especially in combat; your talent is exceptional. Unfortunately, you’ve never encountered a good teacher before, always relying solely on speed and strength. When facing a real powerhouse, there are bound to be risks.”
As she articulated this, the young woman’s pout grew even more pronounced.
You haven’t even seen me go all out yet…
Recently, I’m beginning to realize there’s no human… who can keep up with my full-speed strength…
Of course, I wouldn’t say that in front of Victoria; I’ll act all obedient and seriously listen to her teachings… after all, I’m here to learn, not to debate.
The wind in the garden came to a standstill.
The petals swirling around gradually fell, and one floated onto my forehead. Victoria plucked it between her fingers, took a sip from her nearly empty wine glass, and casually tossed the glass aside, the sound of it clattering through the flowers, miraculously not shattering.
The queen licked her lips, a barely noticeable smirk appearing for just a moment before her expression returned to its calm demeanor. She stepped back, softly saying, “Do that slash again for me to see.”
“Oh.”
I nodded and raised the wooden sword again, doing as she instructed, unable to resist reminding her, “You promised, only one glass tonight, no more.”
But inwardly, I grew cautious.
Was it just my imagination? She seemed to smile a bit ago…
What kind of nonsense am I thinking…
Victoria ignored my comment.
“It’s still a matter of technique.”
Watching my moves, she shook her head gently, moving behind me.
“You’re used to using brute force; one pull draws upon your whole power, making your slash appear powerful, but it’s actually easy to dodge and can be read easily.”
She moved to my back, extending her fair arm, gently taking hold of my right wrist that was wielding the sword, then her warm body pressed against mine, Victoria leaned closer, whispering in my ear, “Let me teach you…”
“Huh…?”
I shivered, sensing the plush warmth against my back, my cheeks involuntarily flushed.
“It smells like wine…”
Saying that was just a cover for my inner turmoil.
Then she smacked my behind.
Smack!
“Ah!”
Victoria’s touch was so delicate; calling it a slap was more like flirting. Startled, I couldn’t help but exclaim, scrambling to protect myself.
She was teasing me…
Feeling my cheeks growing ever hotter, my heart racing uncontrollably, I felt a rush of anger but, upon turning to glare at her, I found her stern expression.
“Come on, focus. Start by raising your hand… don’t move other parts… initiate power from your waist… feel my strength…”
With her body pressed firmly against my back, it began to swirl gently.
“First, your waist activates the force, then transfer it to your shoulders…”
Victoria’s breath was right next to me.
Through two layers of thin fabric, I could distinctly feel her warm skin and her softness, sensing every bit of tension and relaxation. Those subtle movements gradually became clear in my mind…
She seemed…
To be seriously teaching me…
With that thought, I held back my shyness, desperately controlling my trembling body, narrowed my eyes, and began to move in sync with her guidance…
“Just like that… good… now send the power to your shoulders, then up your arms, driving the sword outward, relax other parts… relax…”
Smack!
“Oww!”
My behind got smacked again.
“I told you to relax! Why are you tensing up?”
“But…”
I turned around again, my face burning, my expression pitiful as I looked at the queen’s stern face, parting my lips but finding no words.
How can I relax with you acting like this…
I’m nearly dying from anxiety; it’s just not happening…
“Let’s do it again.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t…”
Mumbling a refusal, but Victoria paid me no mind.
“Close your eyes and follow my hand…”
She released my wrist, her palm sliding to the right side of my lower back.
“First here, start focusing your power from this point, then transfer the force up to your shoulders…”
Her hand slowly, slowly, glided up from my waist, wrapping around my right…
“Giggle!”
I couldn’t help but laugh and squirm a bit.
That tickles!
Aside from the unbearable itch, the odd feelings bubbling up from within made my emotions fluctuate wildly, drowning me in embarrassment and discomfort. I hastily twisted away from her hand and immediately shielded my behind, glancing back with pitiful eyes into Victoria’s bright gaze.
“Are you not wearing a bra?” she asked.
“Umm…”
I instinctively crossed my arms over my chest, feeling like my face was a total disaster, breathing heavily, stepping back several paces, staring at my feet, no longer daring to look her in the eye.
“Viki…”
“What’s wrong?”
“I… I don’t want to practice anymore…”
If I continued, I’d surely turn weird…
“Well then, let’s take a break.”
Oh, thank goodness…
After receiving her permission, I finally exhaled in relief.
“Mm…”
My hands were still trembling…
How pathetic…
…………
The night deepened.
Putting the wooden sword down, we settled onto the reclining chair in the new pavilion.
Victoria was right across from me, but I still found it hard to meet her gaze. Instead, I looked up at the two faint crescent moons in the sky, wanting to say something but realized I couldn’t say a word…
I stayed silent, and so did Victoria, both of us lost in our thoughts… Was she mad about earlier…? But I really couldn’t help it…
My mind was a jumbled mess; the atmosphere was oddly heavy with silence.
It took a long while for my complex emotions to gradually calm down.
I exhaled softly and gently patted my chest.
Now…
I felt ready to talk to her properly…
I was about to turn to look at Victoria when I suddenly heard her say calmly, “Come over here; let me hug you.”
That single sentence made my heart, just settled, leap back into my throat.
