Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 209 - 208: Testing the Blade

Over there, Lu Qing also noticed Zhu Cheng’s arrival, but since he was in the middle of exchanging moves with Fu Wen and Fu Lu, he couldn’t just stop, so he pretended not to see and focused on his training.

The three of them were still wearing Taoist robes at this time, so they weren’t using any weapons; they were just sparring with fist techniques.

Fu Wen and Fu Lu had significant differences in body shape, so naturally their techniques were also different.

Fu Wen, with his agile body, sneaked close to Lu Qing, suddenly lowered his stance, with his left palm reaching for the kneecap, while his right palm secretly contained power to strike upwards under the ribs.

Lu Qing lowered his elbow to fend off the strike, stepping aside with a mud-wading step.

At this moment, Fu Lu had quietly approached from behind. Though he was exceptionally tall and not as agile as Fu Wen, his movements were not the least bit slow. His fists swung powerfully, leaving afterimages, with the wind whistling around them.

Lu Qing’s footwork was solid, advancing and retreating with precision, his hand movements decisive, blocking each of Fu Lu’s fast and powerful punches, dispersing the force. In a few quick exchanges, the situation shifted—from the brothers ambushing Lu Qing at first, to Lu Qing steadily advancing, leaving Fu Wen and Fu Lu only able to passively defend.

Zhu Yu, not knowledgeable about martial arts, could still tell as an outsider that Lu Qing’s movements were clean and agile, with no unnecessary flair, precisely controlling his force without leaving any gaps in his techniques.

Zhu Cheng was clearly drawn to their sparring. He hadn’t expected his son-in-law, whom he initially found somewhat troublesome, to not only be far from useless but to possess such remarkable skills, leaving him increasingly astonished.

After the set of moves was finished, Fu Wen and Fu Lu were already somewhat out of breath, but Lu Qing’s breathing remained steady, with only a few beads of sweat on his forehead.

Only then did he turn his gaze to Zhu Cheng, approached him, cupped his hands in salute, and said with a smile, "What brings you here today, father-in-law?"

"Can you handle weapons?" Zhu Cheng’s eyes twinkled as if he had just picked up a seemingly worthless stone outside, only to find it was a gem, overcome with joyous surprise. He didn’t even bother with casual greetings and went straight to the point, "I see your skill and strength, you should be able to, right?"

Lu Qing didn’t hide anything, nodding, "I can handle knives, spears, swords, and halberds, but I have no particular interest in staff techniques and haven’t trained in them specifically."

"That’s good enough!" Zhu Cheng’s smile grew broader. He, being passionate about crafting weapons, didn’t care much for staff weapons, so Lu Qing’s skills were perfectly satisfactory to him. "I have some good things stored in my mansion. The knives and swords are excellent, but unfortunately, my sons aren’t great martial arts material.

The best weapons in their hands just don’t produce the effect I want.

I wonder if my worthy son-in-law is interested now; I can have someone bring them for you to try."

Hearing this, Lu Qing had little reaction, but Zhu Yu was somewhat surprised.

Zhu Cheng, throughout his life, had personally forged numerous weapons, most of which were standard-quality items, sent to Jin Country as gifts to the emperor and nobles.

But the true masterpieces, some were reserved as tributes for Emperor Jin, while others Zhu Cheng was unwilling to give to anyone, keeping them locked in the Prince Mansion, occasionally taking them out to admire and polish.

Even his sons were only allowed to try them briefly before he put them away again.

Zhu Yu originally thought he was too attached to good things to share, not expecting that he simply didn’t see his sons’ skills as worthy.

Lu Qing, while wiping sweat with his sleeve, glanced quietly at Zhu Yu. Seeing Zhu Yu nod slightly at him, he lowered his arm and said to Zhu Cheng, "Since father-in-law is interested, then I’ll humbly display my insignificant skills."

Zhu Cheng was overjoyed, quickly ordering the steward to bring all his treasured items immediately.

The steward, somewhat bewildered, didn’t understand martial arts, but didn’t expect that just days ago, the Second Miss and Prince Xiaoyao were seen as burdensome by the prince, but now seemed poised to become highly favored.

The prince, who wouldn’t even let his sons touch the treasured weapons, was now willingly offering them for Prince Xiaoyao to try!

He dared not delay, quickly leading some servants to bring a large wooden box.

It was evident that this box contained Zhu Cheng’s treasured weapons. While the box’s design was indeed simple, beyond being sturdy, it had no extraneous adornment.

But once the heavy box was placed in the courtyard of Li Garden and opened, Lu Qing could see Zhu Cheng’s deep affection for these weapons.

In this large wooden box, each knife and sword was housed in its own softwood case with silk lining. The weapons, clearly polished with clove oil many times, shone brightly.

Lu Qing picked up a sword, weighed it in his hand, finding its balance just right. As he swung it in a pattern, the gleaming silver seemed like a wandering dragon, the blade’s glide as smooth as silk when tilted, creating a low hum that reverberated in one’s chest upon a sudden thrust.

Zhu Cheng almost clapped his hands on the spot—this was exactly the effect he had aimed for when crafting this treasured sword! Yet, because those around him were either too brutish or too gentle, no one had ever made the sword "sing" in their hands like this.

Lu Qing casually swung the sword, as if it transformed into a silver snake moving around with his motions.

Then he switched to a saber handed over by Zhu Cheng.

This saber was quite hefty, swinging it with a fierce wind and imposing presence.

Lu Qing’s saber techniques weren’t flashy. Each move was solid and full of a murderous aura, leading Zhu Cheng to abandon his previous restraint, unable to resist clapping on the side, perhaps in admiration of Lu Qing’s outstanding skills, the beauty of his superior sword, or the perfect match between fine weaponry and a skilled user.

When Lu Qing finished and sheathed the saber, Zhu Cheng hurriedly approached: "Worthy son-in-law, you’ve tried each of these weapons.

Can you tell me candidly, are my swords and sabers truly unparalleled in the world, comparable to the legendary Ganjiang and Moye swords?"

"Father-in-law’s treasured swords and knives are indeed rare masterpieces, perfectly weighted and sized," Lu Qing replied with a light-hearted tone, "However, honestly speaking, they’re only top-grade, but not unparalleled worldwide."