Chapter 28

Disciple

After a long time, Yuxiang stood at the gate of Zhongjing, looking at the bustling streets, unable to suppress a smile that emerged from a sense of pride. He had just returned from the Qingcheng Sect, known for its swordsmanship, where he had trained and gained confidence. However, he was not a direct disciple, nor was he a disciple accepted by the sect leader's will; he was taken in due to the influence and pressure of a general's family, so the depth of the martial arts he learned could not be profound.

His father, Yuchingying, had a proud personality but shallow martial arts skills, which prevented him from joining the Black Wind Corps and instead led him to serve in ordinary military duties. Therefore, Yuxiang intended to join the Black Wind Corps through the martial arts he had learned during this training. The Black Wind Corps, which could not be joined without great martial arts skills, was an attractive existence for the young people of the government.

Yuxiang entered Zhuque Street, where the high officials of the government lived. He entered a house that, while not as large as the grand and imposing buildings lining the street, was still built with considerable dignity.

His grandfather, General Yuyingjin, welcomed him warmly. However, after settling him in, it became difficult to meet. When he asked the butler, he was told that Yuyingjin was extremely busy with the reconstruction of the Black Wind Corps. It was no wonder, as finding thousands of high-level experts suitable for the Black Wind Corps could not be done overnight, and training the newly accepted experts also took a lot of time.

The most annoying presence in his grandfather's house was a young man named Guoguang. Yuxiang had always received respectful treatment as the grandson of a general, but he only received cold glares from Guoguang, and when he asked questions, he only received cold laughter or dismissive answers. He wanted to lash out, but he held back because Guoguang was his grandfather's guest. Besides, Guoguang rarely left his quarters, so Yuxiang would not see him unless he went looking for him. Therefore, he firmly believed in the saying "avoiding dirt because it's dirty" and stayed away from Guoguang's quarters.

One day, Yuyingjin called his beloved grandson. Yuxiang bowed at the door and entered. The room was not very large but rather cozy. Various weapons were displayed on the walls, making it clear that this was a martial artist's room. This was Yuyingjin's study, with bookshelves filled with military books and other texts. On the other side of the room, two swords that Yuyingjin had used were neatly placed on a black stand carved with dragon shapes.

To the left of the stand were three sets of armor: one was a luxurious ceremonial light armor, another was a black combat heavy armor, and the third was a black light armor that he had started using recently. The armor and the four shields behind them were well-maintained, indicating that Yuyingjin took great care in their preservation.

The room had almost no furniture except for the weapons, but the items placed there, such as lamps and desks, were all high-quality antiques, revealing the long tradition of this martial family.

Yuyingjin was polishing his favorite sword on a tiger skin. In the past, like other government officers, he used a heavy sword weighing about 30 catties. However, due to his declining strength, he now used a treasured sword called "Qingying," which was about 3 feet long and weighed about 13 catties.

Unlike martial artists, government warriors prefer heavy weapons. This is because, although it requires more effort, they can penetrate thick armor and strike the opponent in one blow. Since most soldiers also use thick shields, few high-level experts would dare to fight the government's elite soldiers.

Officers, who are strong, wear thick armor and a round steel plate called "Yanxinjia" to protect their hearts, along with a protective vest made of multiple layers of leather that extends from the shoulders to the lower abdomen, and over that, they wear thick armor.

Armor is generally divided into two types: one is a scale armor made to resemble dragon scales. The better the condition of the person, the thicker the scale armor they prefer. The other type is scale armor on the shoulders, sides, and thighs, but the abdomen and back are protected by a single piece of steel. Some people remove the steel plate on the back and use scales instead. The steel plate on the back is engraved with various patterns to make it more attractive, and it is preferred by young people because it provides good protection. However, older warriors prefer the more flexible scale armor.

Such heavy armor and shields are difficult to penetrate with the thin swords and sabers used by martial artists. Moreover, unlike the protective qi that martial artists pride themselves on, which only lasts for a short time, armor and shields protect the user's body for a long time, so martial artists generally avoid conflicts with the government. Due to these advantages, the government favored heavy weapons, and to prevent the physical decline caused by using heavy weapons, the imperial martial arts developed in a sharp but monotonous direction.

Divine weapons and strange devices are light and can easily cut through metal, so wealthy older warriors often use them. They also prioritize controlling the army and executing operations efficiently, so they rarely engage in direct combat, preferring thin armor and light swords.

While Yuyang was peeking at his grandfather's black heavy armor, which was used in battle, Yuyingjin finally spoke.

"How long did you train at the Qingcheng Sect?"

"Five years."

"Five years... It's a long time if you think about it, but also a short time. Did you make any progress?"

"Yes."

"You sound confident."

"Yes, that's why I want to join the Black Wind Corps..."

"Think about the Black Wind Corps later. For now, focus on improving your sword skills."

"Should I go back to the Qingcheng Sect?"

"No, there's a better opponent. Have you met a man named Guoguang?"

"Yes."

Yuxiang quickly averted his eyes to hide his embarrassed face, suppressing the urge to call Guoguang "very arrogant."

"Learn more sword skills from him."

"From him? He doesn't look very strong..."

"Martial arts are not about physical strength. No matter how weak he may appear, he is a great expert."

Yuxiang couldn't believe it. The first time he met him, his arrogant attitude... He had thought Guoguang was just a strategist who had some faith in him. Yuyingjin looked at Yuxiang's face and said,

"You don't believe your grandfather, do you?"

"How could I not believe you?"

"Do you have your sword with you?"

"Yes, I brought the one I used at the Qingcheng Sect."

"A heavy sword?"

"No, a light one used by martial artists."

"Then take it to Guoguang's quarters. I'll be there, so come quickly."

"Yes."

When Yuyingjin arrived at Guoguang's quarters, Guoguang was reading a book and greeted him.

"Welcome."

"Are you well? I have a favor to ask."

"A favor?"

"Can you teach my grandson some sword skills?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Why should I teach a child sword skills?"

"He's not a child. He's twenty-one this year. He trained in sword techniques at the Qingcheng Sect for five years, so a little effort from you will help him."

"I don't know much about sword techniques. Even if I did, I can't remember them, and the techniques I learned and practiced are deeply ingrained in my body, but I can't pass them on to others."

"Ha ha ha, if you choose someone to teach, it might stimulate your memory and bring back your past."

"Maybe... That could be true."

"Even if you lose, you won't lose much. Try teaching him. If it's not interesting, you can stop."

"Alright. I'll teach him for about an hour a day. Where is the grandson?"

"He went to get his sword and will be here soon."

"Understood."

Guoguang rummaged around and brought out a wooden staff about 2.5 feet long.

"What are you going to use that for?"

"To teach sword techniques."

"Not a real sword?"

"This is enough."

At this moment, Yuxiang entered. A 2.8-foot-long saber, commonly used by martial artists, was hanging from his waist. Guoguang glanced at Yuxiang's scabbard and said,

"Let me see your sword."

"Here..."

Guoguang examined the sword Yuxiang handed him.

"How long have you used this sword?"

'He keeps talking to me informally.'

But since his grandfather allowed it, Yuxiang had to suppress his irritation and not object.

"About ten years."

"Hmm, ten years... You've been using this sword all along?"

After a moment of thought, Guoguang returned the sword to its owner.

"Now, attack me once."

Guoguang stood still, holding the wooden staff. If he had taken a defensive stance, Yuxiang wouldn't have been so irritated. But holding the staff and not even thinking about defending made Yuxiang feel belittled. He bowed formally and immediately launched a series of thrusts in different directions. When Guoguang retreated, Yuxiang followed and tried to slash him. However, Guoguang simply twisted his body to avoid the thrusts and struck Yuxiang's hand with the staff. Surprised, Yuxiang stepped back and tried to strike Guoguang's staff with his sword. But Guoguang twisted the staff to deflect the sword and, with incredible speed, closed the distance and aimed to slash Yuxiang's neck. Even though it was just a staff, Yuxiang felt that if it hit him, his neck bones would break. He stepped back to avoid the staff's range and slashed horizontally with his sword.

'Even though I stepped back, I can't avoid his staff. But my sword is about 10 centimeters longer, so I have a chance. Besides, his is wood and mine is metal, so the impact will be greater on his side.'

Yuxiang thought he had a clever move, but Guoguang suddenly kicked Yuxiang's hand with his left foot and simultaneously kicked his abdomen with his right foot. Struck in a vital point, Yuxiang's body went limp, and he couldn't even stand up. As he lay on the ground groaning, he heard Guoguang's mocking voice from above.

"You didn't consider the distance. The distance between us is enough for me to use foot techniques. If you had any sense, you should have used foot techniques too."

"But... This isn't a sword practice?"

"Oh, didn't I tell you? When you face an opponent with a sword, you must use any means to survive."

"That's cheating."

"Cheating... A dead person doesn't care about cheating."

Frustrated, Yuxiang continued to attack Guoguang but couldn't even touch his clothes. Guoguang used all sorts of underhanded methods, even throwing dirt into Yuxiang's eyes. After an hour of being beaten by the staff and hands, Yuxiang, despite his well-trained body, was in pain everywhere. Exhausted, he lay on the ground, and Guoguang left with a mocking laugh, "See you tomorrow. Heh heh..."

Over time, Yuxiang realized that Guoguang did not use orthodox sword techniques. He rarely used the same moves in succession. He always aimed for a one-hit kill, exploiting the opponent's weaknesses, or used feints to distract the opponent and then attacked with his empty left hand or foot. His attack methods changed constantly depending on the situation. However, he had a few favorite moves that, when combined, produced incredible power.

Although Guoguang controlled his strength so that Yuxiang wouldn't be completely knocked out, the continuous beatings left Yuxiang's body swollen and in need of medicine and compresses. When Yuxiang tried to attack, Guoguang's movements were as fast as an eel, making it impossible to keep up. Yuxiang could only admire his agility and footwork.

After three months, Yuxiang managed to barely avoid one of Guoguang's kicks. Seeing this, Guoguang smiled and said,

"Wow, you avoided it? How about this?"

He increased the speed of his attacks and pummeled Yuxiang even more. Yuxiang had thought Guoguang's methods were just cheap tricks, but he realized that to face Guoguang, he had to use similar unorthodox methods. However, he soon realized that to perform these unique attacks naturally, a level of proficiency far beyond the ordinary was required.

One day, as Yuxiang used his hands and feet to counterattack, Guoguang beat him up and then threw him three books.

"All the martial arts I've used so far are derived from these."

"What are these, Master? I'm from a righteous sect, so I don't learn evil sect martial arts."

After a few months, Yuxiang began to show respect to Guoguang, acknowledging his superior skills and the respect due to a teacher. Guoguang's martial arts were indeed excellent, and Yuxiang was willing to learn a bit, but his shallow pride in the martial arts of a prestigious sect prevented him from learning evil sect martial arts, no matter how powerful they were.

"What are these? They are three imperial martial arts books. They cover fist techniques, sword techniques, and foot techniques. The moves are quite interesting, so try to learn them. When you're done, return them to Lord Yu."

"So, everything you've shown me so far is imperial martial arts?"

"Yes, they are combinations of these three."

'How can simple, attack-focused imperial martial arts be combined into such underhanded attack methods?'

After the practice, as he read the manuals with his aching body, Yuxiang was surprised to find that all the moves Guoguang had used were indeed in the books. The three manuals given by Guoguang were well-known and powerful martial arts practiced by many military officials in the imperial palace. However, these martial arts were designed to overpower the enemy with brute force in a straightforward manner, not to combine them to attack the opponent's weaknesses.

But what surprised Yuxiang the most was something else. He was amazed that Guoguang could connect four moves from the aggressive Jinlin Sword Technique, three moves from the Qishi Lianquan Fist Technique, and four moves from the Qianying Bahuang Foot Technique. Despite being beaten up, he couldn't connect these moves just by reading the three manuals. No matter how he tried, the movements interfered with each other.

After a sleepless night, Yuxiang ran to Guoguang's quarters with the manuals the next morning.

"I thought about it all night, but the moves in the manuals can't be connected like the ones you used."

"Tsk, you fool. Why can't they be connected? Use your left foot to perform Bitian Jiaoli, and from that position, use your right hand or foot to attack. When you collide with the opponent, your center of balance will naturally stabilize. If your foot goes out, why go back to the original position? Use the momentum to perform Yunqian Zhiquan, and it will be easier to return to your original position.

When you look at the moves, connecting three of them might seem forced. But when you use them against an opponent, the opponent will try to block or be hit, and the reaction will naturally connect the moves."

"Ah... The moves can only be connected with an opponent."

"But if the opponent dodges, you need to use a different method."

"But how long do you plan to continue this practice? These days, I don't have a single spot that doesn't hurt when I lie down at night."

"Well... It will end eventually. The important thing to remember is not to be too rigid with forms and preconceived notions when using a sword. Just let your body follow your mind, and let your mind follow your body. Imperial martial arts, when mastered, can reach a very high level, far beyond the superficial techniques you've learned so far.

We're not formal master-disciple, so if you don't like my methods, you can stop now. I'll also stop teaching if I get tired of it. Don't worry about other things and focus on your practice. We've been together for five months... Your body has become more flexible, and your judgment has improved. When I think you've reached a certain level, I'll end the practice and seriously train you."

"But the training methods I'm doing now are very different from what I learned at the Qingcheng Sect."

"Am I being too harsh?"

"A bit... I've never seen anyone teach martial arts like this, and I've never seen a master beat up their disciples like this."

"Then how do you want me to teach you?"

"Teach me powerful martial arts. That way, I can become stronger, right?"

"Stronger... What do you think I've learned from reading countless manuals in the imperial martial arts library?"

"I don't know."

"There is no absolute divine skill. Every martial art has its weaknesses. All martial arts are in a cycle of checks and balances. If martial art A can defeat martial art B, then B can be defeated by C, and C can be defeated by A. This is true when martial artists of the same level face each other.

For example, there's a huge difference in martial arts level between you and me. You've felt it, haven't you? I can defeat the first-rate martial arts of the Qingcheng Sect with second-rate martial arts. The important thing is not how powerful the martial art is, but the quality of the person using it."

"So, there's no need to learn powerful martial arts?"

"No, it's not that there's no need to learn powerful martial arts, but understanding the deeper meaning of the martial art is more important."

"Deeper meaning?"

"For example, the Qingcheng Sect's Zhuiyi Huanying Sword Technique has a move called Huanshe Yingzou. It goes like this, right?"

"Yes."

"But if you thrust like this