Chapter 9, Hard Skills

Wu Junhou had been observing Liu Xiu's gaze, taking in Liu Xiu's somewhat simple demeanor without detecting any flaws. Although Liu Xiu's explanation was somewhat unexpected, it was not astonishing, as Wu Junhou had a keen eye himself and could naturally believe Liu Xiu's statement. While his own vision was honed through hard work, Liu Xiu seemed to possess it innately. He had heard of such occurrences before and did not think Liu Xiu was lying. Moreover, from the reverent look in Liu Xiu's eyes, it was evident that Liu Xiu held a certain admiration for him, making it unlikely that he would deceive him.

"How did you see through my actions?" Wu Junhou slowly released his fingers, and the crushed stones fell one by one. Although there was a smile on his face, his gaze was extremely sharp, like a knife, piercing directly into the heart and lungs.

However, he can basically lift his suspicions about Liu Xiu now. He believes that in front of him, if a young man like Liu Xiu truly had any issues, he would not be able to deceive his eyes, unless Liu Xiu is a natural-born liar. Given the current situation, this possibility is indeed very small.

"Well, you go ahead and be busy; we can talk again when you have time." Wu Junhou nodded, slowly walking away with his hands behind his back. Liu Xiu watched him disappear into the peach grove, finally letting out a sigh of relief. Although he could not understand why Wu Junhou asked those questions, he sensed a kind of danger. When mentioning his strength, he consciously stated a conservative figure; in reality, he could lift one hundred in one breath, but he deliberately downplayed it to avoid frightening Wu Junhou. Liu Xiu continued to watch him disappear into the peach grove, finally letting out a sigh of relief. Although he could not understand why Wu Junhou asked those questions, he sensed a kind of danger. When mentioning his strength, he consciously stated a conservative figure; in reality, he could lift one hundred in one breath, but he deliberately downplayed it to avoid frightening Wu Junhou.

"It's okay," Liu Xiu replied honestly

Wu Junhou stopped in his tracks, raised his head, and stared directly into Liu Xiu's eyes, his gaze sharp, causing Liu Xiu to involuntarily narrow his eyes. After a considerable time, he finally relaxed his expression and a smile returned to his face: "Alright, even if it was just a coincidence, I have another question I would like to ask for your guidance on." He lifted his head, squinting slightly: "I have no other talents in my life, but I enjoy martial arts. After reaching adulthood, I volunteered to serve in the border army, having fought in no fewer than one hundred battles, first following Duke Duan to fight the Qiang people, then later against the Wuhuan, and I have also fought the Xiongnu. I have killed no fewer than a hundred Xianbei people with my own hands. Do you know what my nickname is in the army?"

Gongsun Zan looked at Liu Xiu in astonishment, partly because Liu Xiu was carrying such a large water jug yet appeared completely unfazed, not even swaying as he poured water into the inkstone, with not a drop more or less. On the other hand, he was also surprised that the military general who had just defeated him would engage in conversation with someone like Liu Xiu, who seemed to lack full mental acuity, for such a long time

How many stone crossbows can be opened

"Please speak, Commander." Liu Xiu's voice was somewhat dry

I haven't tried it yet said Liu Xiu, shaking his head, but at home, I can lift thirty stone locks weighing thirty jin all at once

Liu Xiu originally intended to bring over what he had written for review, but seeing his demeanor, it seemed he had no such intention, so he had to give up. It is likely similar to filling out a student registration card in the past; after all, he is a beginner and, in their eyes, a rough person. Even if he made mistakes, it was not a big deal. If you do not want me to see it, I do not wish to let you see it either

"Is that so?" Wu Junhou truly smiled this time. He looked Liu Xiu up and down with great interest and then asked, "How is your strength?"

Liu Xiu was not concerned; while laughing, he refilled the water and gradually found his rhythm. He ground the ink until it was thick, then picked up a new brush, dipped it in the ink, and licked it on the inkstone. After hesitating for a moment, he shyly asked Liu Bei, "Xuande, how should this... petition be written?"

Liu Bei looked at him in surprise, his smile froze on his face. His hand trembled, and a large ink blot fell onto the document along with the book. He glanced at it with some irritation, helplessly set down his pen, and took out a book knife, vigorously sharpening it. However, Gongsun Zan merely cast a glance at them and continued to write leisurely.

Wu Junhou was taken aback for a moment, his eyes twitching slightly, but he quickly regained his composure: "You need not be so polite; I am merely here to earn a meal." He paused and continued: "I have a nickname in the army, known as 'Ghost Hand,' because these hands are not only ruthless but also swift. The enemy cannot even see my hands before I take their lives." He reached out and took a stone from Liu Xiu's hand, examined it closely, and suddenly exerted force with two fingers. With a 'crack,' the stone shattered into several pieces. He added: "I have a nickname in the army, known as 'Ghost Hand,' because these hands are not only ruthless but also swift. The enemy cannot even see my hands before I take their lives." He reached out and took a stone from Liu Xiu's hand, examined it closely, and suddenly exerted force with two fingers. With a 'crack,' the stone shattered into several pieces.

I just ran into Wu Junhao," Liu Xiu said casually while pouring water into the inkstone, "I chatted with him for a while. You weren't waiting too long, were you?

Liu Xiu instinctively opened his mouth wide; this guy is surprisingly formidable. Could it be that he has practiced some form of hard qigong? After a long while, he finally came to his senses. When he thought of Wu Junhou's question, he shook his head repeatedly and said with a wry smile, "It might be because I haven't read much, so my eyesight is relatively good, and also..." He scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed, and added, "I seem to be quite sensitive to fast-moving things. When you are sparring, I can vaguely see your movements."

Seeing you like this, you probably haven't served in the military with the books. I am curious, how could you know my actions in advance?" Wu Junhou slowly walked over and casually said, "This is a martial skill from the border troops of the Western Regions, and not many people from the Northern Frontier are aware of it.

Thank you, military advisor. Liu Xiu quickly bowed in gratitude, saying: "I hope you will provide much guidance at that time"

It seems that this naturally gifted talent should not be too ostentatious, as heaven is jealous of exceptional abilities; humility is the true path. However, this Wu Junhou is so impressive that if I could learn a few techniques from him, it might increase my chances of survival in the future

Upon realizing this, Wu Junhou finally eased his mind. As the head assigned by the Mao family to oversee the safety of the academy, he could not afford to be careless. Not only must Lu Zhi remain unharmed, but among the students seeking knowledge, there were also many prominent individuals. If any suspicious characters were to infiltrate, he naturally had to investigate.

Liu Bei smiled slightly and said without raising his head: "Didn’t that person just say, it doesn’t need to be too complicated, just write your name, your hometown, and the books you have read."

Liu Xiu shook his head, took a step back, and bowed respectfully: "So it turns out that the military officer is a brave warrior who slays the Hu people, my apologies for the disrespect."

Is that so? Wu Junhou widened his eyes in surprise, his interest piqued even more: "You have good eyesight and great strength; you possess the qualities to become a skilled archer. If you are interested in the illustrations, come and try it out when the guards practice."

Upon this thought, he picked up his brush and wrote in his proficient regular script: "Liu Xiu, courtesy name Deran, from Zhuo County, Zhuo..." After quickly finishing, he set down the brush, picked up a wooden tablet, blew on it lightly, and calmly placed it on the table, looking composedly at Gongsun Zan and Liu Bei, who were still writing.

Liu Xiu, lost in thought, returned to the dormitory while carrying a water kettle. Gongsun Zan and Liu Bei had already set up the writing tools, waiting for him. As soon as Liu Bei saw him enter, a look of displeasure crossed his face. Just as he was about to speak, Liu Xiu's words cut off his voice before it could escape his throat

He exchanged a glance with Liu Bei, said nothing, lowered his head to pick up a piece of ink block and placed it in the inkstone, then grasped the inkstone, thinking while grinding the ink. Liu Xiu poured himself some water and stole a glance at Liu Bei and their actions, imitating them. However, he was accustomed to using ink sticks in his previous life, so he was not very familiar with this method of grinding ink by pressing the ink block with the inkstone. Moreover, his fingers, which could skillfully manipulate stone locks, seemed ill-suited for such a delicate task as grinding ink. After just a couple of strokes, his hand slipped, and he overturned the inkstone, causing both Gongsun Zan and Liu Bei to burst into laughter.

Liu Xiu furrowed his brow and said, "I have not practiced martial arts, nor do I know that this is a military technique; I merely spoke casually and happened to hit the mark. The military should not take this to heart."