Chapter 8, Short Sword

Yue Chengwu curiously asked, "Stone, aren't you from the Southern Song Dynasty? How do you know about things like martial arts novels?"

Yuecheng Wu slightly nodded and replied: "I just happened to have good luck today. Is there something you need?"

The man handed over an ancient short sword with a green leather sheath, measuring two and a half feet in length and three fingers in width. Although Yue Chengwu was modest by nature, he noticed the man's expression was both sorrowful and joyful. Thus, he felt it inappropriate to decline further and accepted it, going along with the flow.

Wang Shi hesitantly replied: "During the Republic of China period... the works of Huan Zhu Lou Zhu were already circulating, and there were many readers in the underworld."

Last night, after a day of wandering on the Xici Grassland, he awoke to find that the mysterious power within him had circulated a few times in his chest and abdomen. Yue Chengwu felt all his fatigue dissipate, and his spirit was remarkably invigorated. In high spirits, he grabbed his long spear and began to practice his moves and techniques.

Thinking about the hunting expedition tomorrow and hearing about the tragic incident involving Uncle Li's family, Yue Chengwu had a long conversation with Wang Shi and went to bed early. When the sky was dimly lit, Yue Chengwu woke up and heard Wang Shi practicing shooting in front of the wooden cabin, so he put on his clothes and went out to join him. The thick iron spear in the hands of this mighty man was as light as a wick, sometimes flashing like thunder, and at other times striking fiercely like a powerful blow to Mount Hua, which made Yue Chengwu secretly admire him.

Yue Chengwu listened and felt slightly invigorated: "I hadn't thought of that point until you mentioned it. This short sword is indeed very sharp, but it is too short and not suitable for fighting fierce beasts. If we were to forge it into a spear, it would be just right for you to learn the Yue family spear technique. In the future, we brothers will be able to fight side by side against our enemies"

Yue Chengwu recalled the tragedy of the white-haired person sending off the black-haired person, and could not bear to listen any longer. He cupped his hands towards the elderly Ba Yang and said: "I am truly exhausted today. I had originally hoped to hear more of your esteemed teachings, but I am mentally fatigued and cannot hold on any longer. I hope you can forgive me."

The elderly Bayang, understanding and compassionate, immediately replied: "Go on, go on, you and the stone should return and have a good rest for the night. Tomorrow morning, you will both rise as two vigorous and spirited young men. Do not let too many sorrowful past events cloud your hearts; the sadness and troubles in this world always coexist with hope."

Wang Shi spent seven or eight years in the Yue Family Army, charging into battle countless times, mastering a set of marksmanship skills with great proficiency, and exuding a fierce aura from the battlefield. Although he was merely a foot soldier on the front lines, his martial arts were not inferior to those of the commanding generals, having faced hundreds of enemies and killed many Jin soldiers. He deliberately slowed his pace so that Yue Chengwu could see clearly, yet each move still stirred the air with a powerful force, allowing one to sense the astonishing strength of the spear even from several steps away.

The honest man clasped his hands, bowed respectfully to the old man Bayang, and then left. However, his back appeared lost in thought, and his steps were quite aimless

Wang Shi is very patient in teaching. This set of spear techniques consists of thirty-six forms, which were originally integrated by Yue Fei from dozens of spear styles specifically for battlefield combat. There is no empty posturing; every move is a fierce and unyielding killing strike. Yue Chengwu is naturally intelligent and learns quickly. After Wang Shi demonstrated it two or three times, he was able to perform the entire set of spear techniques flawlessly from beginning to end without making a single mistake.

Wang Shi was naturally simple-minded, being an ancient person from the Southern Song Dynasty. His thoughts were straightforward; he would say whatever came to his mind, which made Yue Chengwu feel somewhat embarrassed deep down. Although he regarded Wang Shi as a friend, being a modern person, he had a more indifferent view on relationships and had never considered how long he would live with this robust man. Upon returning to Wang Shi's home, Yue Chengwu searched for a familiar wooden stick and a thin rope, securely binding the short sword to it. After a slight swing, it indeed felt very comfortable to handle.

Wang Shi chuckled and said, "I originally planned to wait a few days until you had mastered the basic footwork before teaching you the lethal techniques of marksmanship. However, it is very dangerous on this Wind Continent. Having an additional means of defense provides more hope in times of peril. Since you are eager to learn, I will begin teaching you today. But remember, do not be overly ambitious. After learning marksmanship, you must still put in hard work on the basic footwork; do not neglect the foundational skills."

The honest man clasped his hands, his eyes slightly reddening, and said in a low voice: "Thank you, sir, for avenging my son. I, Li, have no other way to express my gratitude, except for this short sword as a token of appreciation. I hope you do not find it unworthy"

Wang Shi practiced his marksmanship once, reached out to wipe the sweat from his brow. He had long seen Yue Chengwu come out and said with a hearty laugh: "The Yue Family's marksmanship and the *Tu* *Shu* were personally taught by the Marshal. My skills are lacking, and I have yet to master them fully, so my brothers should not mock me!"

Wang Shi was very pleased to see the rapid progress in the martial arts of Yuecheng, but he still advised: "A thousand techniques are not as good as mastering one! Practicing martial arts requires every move and stance to be honed through countless repetitions, with years of diligent effort. No matter how talented one is, there is no shortcut to success. Learning a few magical sword techniques and immediately becoming a peerless master is merely a fantasy found in martial arts novels. Choose the techniques that suit you best, focus on mastering one or two moves, and once you have practiced them to perfection, then you can start learning other techniques. If you merely perform this set of spear techniques every day, it will only serve to strengthen your body." Learning a few magical sword techniques and immediately becoming a peerless master is merely a fantasy found in martial arts novels. Choose the techniques that suit you best, focus on mastering one or two moves, and once you have practiced them to perfection, then you can start learning other techniques. If you merely perform this set of spear techniques every day, it will only serve to strengthen your body.

Yuecheng Wuye also laughed and said: "Shitou, your marksmanship is so sharp that it must be unmatched on the battlefield. How can you say you haven't mastered it? Seeing you practice like this, I can't wait to learn it myself. In the future, I won't fear the ferocity of the demon beasts."

Unfortunately, the couple had only one son, whom they cherished like a treasure. When they first went hunting at Xici Grassland, they encountered that yellow demon rabbit... After the couple carried their son back, they cried the entire night.

Yue Chengwu bid farewell to the old man with Wang Shi, feeling quite troubled in heart and mind. Along the way, he fiddled with the short sword given to him by Uncle Li, drawing it out and putting it back repeatedly. Wang Shi interjected, saying: "You should find a sturdy stick and a thin rope, bind the short sword together, and it would count as a long spear. It would be much easier to hunt monsters with it."

Upon hearing the phrase "fighting side by side against the enemy," Wang Shi felt a surge of warmth in his chest. He patted Yue Chengwu on the shoulder and said, "As brothers, we advance and retreat together. Surely we can join the Six Sects and learn powerful spells, allowing our lives to improve progressively"

Thank you for your wise words; I will keep this saying close to my heart

Yuecheng Wu responded loudly, stating that Wang Shi is a good friend and would not hide anything when teaching marksmanship. His expression turned serious, and with a swing of his arms, the large iron spear rose from the ground like a poisonous dragon. He casually flicked out a spear flower the size of a bowl and began to teach Yuecheng Wu the techniques of spear fighting

Yue Chengwu expressed his gratitude to the elderly Bayang for his guidance. After having a meal at the elder's home, feeling somewhat fatigued, he was about to take his leave with Wang Shi when someone barged in from outside. A simple and honest man approached Elder Bayang, cupping his hands in salute, but his gaze was directed at Yue Chengwu as he asked: "Are you the one who killed that Rabbit King?"