Chapter 16

Then, Cheng Shaojiu engaged in a sparring match with him on the spot, and both began to understand how to increase their chances of winning under various circumstances.

When their own strength and speed are not much different from the enemy, the fastest method is to catch them off guard.

Using some methods that no one would expect, suddenly attacking the opponent.

This is what is known as a hidden move.

The two studied and found that without relying on any external objects, the best method was to mix up their moves, blending reality and deception.

By alternating between real and fake moves, the application of force can make it difficult for the opponent to discern the center of your attack.

Thus, Wei He felt as if he had opened the door to true practical combat.

In his mind, practical combat was no longer just about making moves, countering moves, and seeing who gives up first.

It was about catching the opponent off guard, ambushing, ambushing, and ambushing again!

Both of them opened their minds, no longer hiding, and exchanged the best methods for practical combat.

Cheng Shaojiu had stronger blood and qi, having reached the stone skin level, and with the frequent guidance from his elders, his perspective and experience were even stronger than those at the blood and qi level.

Their exchange greatly compensated for Wei He's shortcomings and imperfections in detail.

Wei He's modern thinking and logical approach also provided Cheng Shaojiu with many new and ingenious ideas.

The two could be said to have helped and achieved each other.

It wasn't until it was almost dark that Wei He reluctantly returned.

The next day, the two continued their exchange.

The third day, the fourth day.

As time passed, their experience and ideas in practical combat grew stronger.

During sparring, their performance when working with other fellow disciples became increasingly evident.

The most direct manifestation was that their rankings in practical combat gradually rose.

Wei He was still okay, as there were over a dozen disciples at the leather skin level, and there was also the genius Xiao Ran, so his performance wasn't particularly noticeable.

However, Cheng Shaojiu, at the stone skin level, stood out differently. Several times when sparring with the senior disciple Zhao Hong, who was also at the stone skin level, he almost won a few moves.

Although it was mostly due to some strange and unconventional moves, he still gained considerable attention.

As a result, Cheng Shaojiu's status in the courtyard subtly rose, and he received more attention.

And Wei He, who had always been close to Cheng Shaojiu, also benefited, drawing the envy of many.

Time flew by, and another month passed.

Wei He practiced and thought day and night, gradually forming his unique style of attack.

Although he couldn't say he had an advantage in practical combat, he definitely wouldn't be as helpless as before when facing opponents who were weaker or in a worse state.

Additionally, during exchanges with Cheng Shaojiu, Wei He had another thought, but he didn't voice it.

It was also hard to say.

That is...

Red Stone Town, Li Family Blacksmith Shop.

It was just dawn, and Li Shen, carrying a new basket of raw iron, opened the shop door.

He hadn't been inside long when he heard footsteps approaching from behind.

Someone had entered the shop.

"Everything on the wall is ready. Just look and pick what you want," he said as he turned around.

The early morning visitor was a tall, muscular young man, dressed in tight-fitting clothes, revealing a well-built upper body.

His upper body was well-developed, and his legs were solid, rooted to the ground. His muscle lines were not very prominent.

Clearly, he was someone who specialized in upper body training.

Li Shen didn't mind; his blacksmith shop had been operating in Red Stone Town for many years, and he had seen countless such customers.

"Guest, just look and pick what you want," he said, pointing to the various racks by the wall.

The racks were filled with various household and farming tools.

Hoes, kitchen knives, iron rods, and awls—everything was available.

The visitor was a young man not yet twenty, with a cold expression, neither handsome nor ugly, and it was Wei He, who had just left home and headed straight here.

"Boss, I want to forge something. A small thing."

"Forge something? What kind of thing? Let me know in advance, I don't do anything illegal," Li Shen clarified.

"It's not illegal, just a small handle," Wei He said, taking out a sketch he had drawn and handing it to Li Shen.

Li Shen took it and unfolded it.

It was a T-shaped handle, with a very sharp end.

"How big do you want it?"

"About the size of a child's palm," Wei He gave him a rough estimate of the size.

"About the size of a palm? Alright, do you provide the material yourself, or do you want to use what I have?"

"Use what you have."

"Three hundred taels. One month."

"....Alright."

When Wei He left the blacksmith shop, he felt his wallet was empty.

He didn't expect the silver to be so easily spent. Just forging such a small thing cost so much.

But this thing was something he had thought about for a long time and really wanted. Using the money he had earned from his previous escort job to forge it could also serve as a hidden weapon.

Originally, he had thought of gloves, but that wouldn't achieve the effect of a hidden attack. Moreover, to be a hidden weapon, it had to be very strong, which would be very expensive.

So, he had to settle for a second choice.

In the early morning, the streets of Red Stone Town were already bustling with many shops opening.

Some farmers carrying baskets of vegetables were setting up stalls.

Police officers in their uniforms were walking around the streets.

Some gang members with uniform markings were also parading around, collecting protection fees.

Wei He compared this place to where he lived, and the difference in prosperity was almost like they were in different cities.

Returning to the Stone Bridge Town where Huishan Quan was located, which was close to the inner city, it was also lively, but not as prosperous as Red Stone Town.

There were fewer shops and more quiet and desolate residences, making it more like an old commercial district and residential area.

After the morning practice, it was time to go back and rest, but Wei He was stopped by his second sister.

"Xiao He, do you have time? I want to talk to you about something."

Wei Ying, now under the care of Old Master Zheng of Huishan Quan, had much better health and appearance.

Living in the neighboring house, she felt much safer and more at ease, and her skin had improved a lot.

Standing at the entrance of the courtyard, even in simple gray and white clothes, she couldn't hide her well-proportioned figure.

"What is it, Sister?" Wei He hung his sweat towel back on the rack and walked over to ask.

Wei Ying looked around and then pulled Wei He to the wall, making sure no one was around before speaking softly.

"I've been doing some needlework at night and saved some money."

She quietly handed a small paper packet to Wei He.

"Take it. I rely on Old Master Zheng for food and lodging, so I don't need money. You need to train and spend money on food and drink. Don't be stingy. Only what you put in your stomach is truly yours."

Wei He took the packet and felt it; it contained at most twenty taels.

But needlework itself was very cheap, and he could earn at most half a tael per job, and not every day had work.

To save so much, it must have taken a lot of time.

"Xiao He, have you heard anything from Big Sister? Or from our parents..." Wei Ying asked softly, her eyes filled with a glimmer of hope.

"..." Wei He shook his head. He had visited the Black Water Gang several times, but the new members had replaced the old ones, and almost no one had even heard of his Big Sister Wei Chun's name.

And at Mingde Temple, he only learned that his parents had disappeared halfway, with no other information.

The hope in Wei Ying's eyes slowly faded, and she sighed, lowering her head.

"Whether they are alive or not, it's just the two of us now. We must both live well."

"Okay." Wei He nodded and didn't return the money, knowing his sister's character. If he didn't take the money, she wouldn't be at ease.

"Go back and give me the clothes that are torn. I'll mend them for you. I'll also make you a pair of shoes. Don't buy them outside; the shoes I make are better. The ones outside are not durable, and the layers can easily come apart..."

Wei Ying kept talking, all about taking care of him.

Wei He listened, occasionally responding.

After a while, the drumbeat outside indicated it was time to go.

Wei Ying reluctantly returned to the courtyard and went into the inner room.

She still had to boil water to cook towels for everyone.

As she walked to the door, she turned back to look at Wei He, who was still standing at the entrance, watching her. She felt much more at ease.

She smiled and waved at him, then gestured for him to go about his business.

Turning around, Wei Ying walked with a lighter step.

In this chaotic world, when working, knowing that there was a family member outside supporting you made you feel less alone and more secure.

She thought about starting to save money to buy cotton for a new quilt for her brother.

The weather was getting colder, and he shouldn't get sick.

Wei He stood at the door, watching his sister go all the way to the innermost part of the courtyard, where the sounds of her busy work began. Only then did he leave the courtyard and return to his residence.

He remembered his sister's biggest wish was to open a bun shop.

Perhaps he could earn money to fulfill this wish for her.

For him now, the cost of opening a bun shop was not much.

After all, in most parts of the city, the value of houses was decreasing...

After sleeping for about an hour, in the afternoon, Wei He returned to Huishan Quan.

To his surprise, he saw many fellow disciples gathered. Everyone, new and old, formed a circle, with Xiao Ran and Old Master Zheng in the center.

Even Old Master Zheng, who usually arrived late, was there early.

Wei He was surprised and, as soon as he entered, saw Third Brother Cheng Shaojiu waving at him.

He quickly walked over, stood next to Cheng Shaojiu, and looked inside.

"What's going on?" he asked softly.

Cheng Shaojiu had a complex expression, a mix of envy and other emotions.

He moved his lips, making a barely audible sound.

"Xiao Ran has broken through."

"!?" Wei He was startled.

"Didn't he break through a few months ago?!" he couldn't help but ask softly.

"Yes. That's why even Old Master Zheng was surprised," a fair-skinned fellow disciple said softly, his face full of envy.

He was Li Jue, who, according to rumors, came from a scholarly family, but his family was attacked by a gang, and most of his family members were killed, leaving only him.

He brought the remaining belongings, sold his house, and came here to learn martial arts, and has been here for five years.

He is still at the leather skin level.