Adventure of Yi Zaifu 1

The third drum rolls across the provincial stone court before Yi Zaifu has fully reset beside the entering champion. Burning Blade’s forward fighter changes rhythm, and two challengers angle toward the gaps between Nine Peaks positions.

The seasoned disciple withdraws exactly to the line as another Nine Peaks champion steps across the opening. Yi Zaifu’s position remains protected, while the formation bends without surrendering ground.

The two angled challengers advance together, their blades held low and ready. The witnesses lean forward, watching for a foot beyond the boundary or a gap wide enough to exploit.

Steel begins to move on both sides of the court. Yi Zaifu stands within the tightened formation, jian poised, while Elder Chu’s command leaves the next response to him and the champions beside him.

Yi Zaifu holds the center as both Burning Blade challengers cross inward. His jian rises in a controlled sweep, meeting the first blade while turning the second away from the formation.

Steel rings across the stone court. Yi Zaifu’s feet remain inside the witness line, his shoulders steady as the crossing blades slide harmlessly past his guarded center.

The neighboring Nine Peaks champions enter on the opening. Yi Zaifu turns with them, keeping one Burning Blade weapon outside his guard while the other is forced wide.

The Burning Blade challengers withdraw to reset, conceding the crossing attack. The witnesses mark the formation intact, while Nine Peaks retains the center and lawful ground.

The Burning Blade challengers reset, then surge together toward the center. Yi Zaifu lowers his stance and holds the marked ground, letting their momentum come to him.

One blade drives high while the other cuts toward his flank. Yi Zaifu turns through the narrow space, catching the first strike and guiding the second past his shoulder.

His feet remain planted within the witness line. With a compact pivot, he restores the center before either challenger can claim it, keeping the formation unbroken.

The neighboring Nine Peaks champions advance on the drum, their points sealing both approaches. Yi Zaifu stays at the heart of the formation as the challengers are forced outward.

The witnesses mark the exchange. Nine Peaks retains the center and lawful ground, while Burning Blade withdraws beyond striking distance to prepare its next response.

Yi Zaifu matches the neighboring champions’ retreat and advance, shifting only within the marked ground. His jian settles across the nearest lane, sealing it without crossing the witness line.

The Burning Blade challenger tests that lane with a sharp feint. Yi Zaifu’s point remains aligned, denying the approach while preserving space for the adjacent Nine Peaks fighter.

The nearest Burning Blade challenger checks his step and redirects outward. Yi Zaifu follows the formation’s movement, keeping the lane closed as the stone boundary remains clear beneath his feet.

Two Nine Peaks points close beside Yi Zaifu. The line becomes a disciplined wall, forcing Burning Blade to widen its attack and surrender the direct route to the center.

Yi Zaifu leaves the nearest lane fractionally open, then closes every other approach. His point stays calm, inviting the Burning Blade challenger to seize the apparent gap.

The challenger commits, stepping hard across the marked boundary to pursue Yi Zaifu’s retreating measure. The painted line passes beneath his forward foot.

Yi Zaifu pivots back inside the lawful ground, leaving the overextended challenger isolated beyond the line. Two Nine Peaks points close the lane behind him.

The provincial clerk raises the witness seal and records the breach. Burning Blade’s formation falters, while Yi Zaifu remains centered, untouched, and within the lawful boundary.

Yi Zaifu advances along the lawful edge, keeping the isolated challenger between the crossed points. His jian presses with compact, measured cuts, denying every route back.

The Burning Blade fighter parries once, twice, then yields ground beneath the witness seal. Yi Zaifu’s pressure forces him beyond the exchange mark without crossing it himself.

The provincial clerk strikes the seal against the protocol board. The separated challenger lowers his weapon, and the surrounding Burning Blade fighters halt rather than violate the marked court.

A sharp sting travels through Yi Zaifu’s injured wrist as he lowers the jian. The binding has loosened and a thin line of sweat darkens the linen, but the joint remains usable.