It takes ten years of grueling practice to become a great swordsman, then another ten years of testing your skills against other great swordsmen, followed by conquering the final trial, to earn the title of 'Swordmaster'. The trial entailed four phases: Overcoming objects, overcoming others, overcoming own earthly desires, overcoming own doubt.
Lan kept failing the last phase. Depressed, he shut himself in, drowned his sorrow in drinks and neglected his sword training. He was from a family of swordsman, but they never minded he was Gyee, though he himself could never truly accept the fact.
