Lin Tian moved the moment Han Wei's balance shifted.
He stepped forward and closed the gap, shoulder driving into Han Wei's chest as their blades tangled at tight angles.
"Too close for long swings now," Lin Tian muttered under his breath, pushing forward with his weight.
Han Wei's eyes sharpened, breath brushing cold against Lin Tian's face.
"You're forcing inside range," Han Wei talked, jaw tight while he adjusted his wrist, "You think crowding me breaks my rhythm."
Lin Tian twisted his hips and pulled at Han Wei's sword arm just enough to throw the angle off.
"I think any rhythm cracks if someone refuses to dance to it," Lin Tian answered, sliding on the ice to turn the bind sideways.
Steel scraped.
They were separated by a narrow step.
Han Wei recovered almost instantly, elbow snapping forward and striking Lin Tian's ribs.
Pain hit hard.
Lin Tian sucked in a breath.
The trace surged.
Cold rushed through his wrist and sharpened his focus for a split second.
