If the wrist follows the blade's natural momentum, the last cut should be impossible unless a step is missing."
Gu Yangjin glanced at the diagram, and her interest became immediate. "That was my thought as well. But I think the missing step may not involve the wrist. Look at the small mark beside the second line. It may indicate that the cultivator changes the angle of the body instead. The sword turns inward because the shoulder moves back, not because the hand forces it around."
Qiao Zhi looked again. The observation was good, better than most readers would have made from the damaged page. She tilted her head, imagining the movement. "That would allow the blade to follow its existing path, but the final cut would still cross the opponent's guard too early. Unless the first movement is meant to invite the attack rather than redirect it immediately."
