Chapter 6

Ma Chao thought to himself, it turns out Jia Xu has such a story.

To be honest, Ma Chao was a bit surprised. If he hadn't known Jia Xu, he might have been greatly surprised, but now it was just a small surprise.

As for why it was a small surprise, it was because Ma Chao felt that given Jia Xu's character, if a friend wanted to save someone, he should let him go and save. Why hold him back, fearing that his friend might get into trouble? That's why Jia Xu acted that way. From this, Ma Chao concluded that in critical moments, Jia Xu might still help his friends, of course, on the condition that it didn't threaten his own life and interests.

"Chao, what do you think of this matter?"

While Ma Chao was thinking about Jia Xu's problem, Yan Zhong asked him. Hearing this, Ma Chao steeled his heart, deciding to speak frankly, even if it meant death.

"Well, disciple thinks that in times of danger, if someone can help you, it's fortunate; but if no one helps, it's fate. No one owes you anything, because your life is your own, and you must take responsibility for it. So, what Jia Wenhe did, disciple thinks is... is..."

"What is it?" Yan Zhong asked sternly.

"It is... is..." Ma Chao was a bit afraid and didn't dare to say it.

"You mean to say that what Wenhe did is nothing out of the ordinary, right?"

"Exactly, that's what disciple means."

In fact, Ma Chao's true intention was to say that what Jia Xu did was his personal choice, and he didn't have the responsibility to save anyone. No matter how much he blamed him, it wouldn't change the outcome or Jia Xu's way of doing things.

He could only say that if he encountered such a situation, he would do his best to help. But Ma Chao didn't dare to say this, fearing that Yan Zhong would glare at him. Yan Zhong was already about to lose his temper, and if Ma Chao said anything else, he didn't dare to imagine the consequences.

Yan Zhong looked at Ma Chao and suppressed his anger, "Chao, you shouldn't speak like that, nor should you have such thoughts. In the same situation, Wenhe was indifferent and just wanted to leave, while his friend jumped into the water to save someone without hesitation. The moral character of the two is clear. In times of danger, you don't need to rush to the front, but when someone needs help, we should lend a hand and offer whatever assistance we can. Don't be like Wenhe, acting as if it's none of your business. That's not what we should do!"

"Understood, disciple will remember!" Ma Chao truly admired the ancients. If this happened in his previous life, many people would have acted like Jia Xu.

In ancient times, people like Jia Xu were the minority. In his previous life, helping an elderly person could lead to being extorted, but in ancient times, such things were almost unheard of. Of course, Ma Chao believed that in his previous life, there were still many good people who had the same thoughts as the ancients, but they didn't act on them. The ancients not only had the thoughts but also acted on them.

Hearing Ma Chao's response, Yan Zhong finally calmed down.

"Good, you are teachable!" He nodded slightly, indicating his satisfaction.

"Alright, today is your first day here. Rest for a day, and come to the study at the hour of Chen tomorrow to start your studies. Your room has already been arranged, and Yan Rang will show you to it."

"Understood, disciple will take my leave." Soon, the steward Yan Rang came and led Ma Chao to his room.

Ma Chao entered the room, and Yan Rang took his leave. Ma Chao saw that all his belongings had already been moved in.

He didn't bring much, just a box. Inside were his short spear, the two books given by Nan Hua, and about a dozen sets of clothes, all made by Lady Liu.

Ma Chao didn't know how long he would be away, so Lady Liu had prepared clothes for all four seasons. Originally, she wanted to bring a maid along, but Ma Chao refused. He wasn't used to being served, as he wasn't from ancient times.

At home, Lady Liu took care of him meticulously, and he couldn't refuse her love. Now that he was away from home, he didn't need to be so pampered.

Ma Chao insisted, and Lady Liu finally agreed, but she gave him a large bag of money, fearing he wouldn't have good food at Yan Zhong's and suggesting he eat out. Ma Chao didn't refuse this, as money was essential wherever he went.

Looking at the heavy box, Ma Chao smiled. The weight wasn't just from the contents but also from his mother's love. He smiled not because of the money but because he felt his mother's affection, truly understanding the love of parents.

The box contained his own things and those given by his mother, but nothing from his father, Ma Teng. However, the box itself was given by Ma Teng, who called it a "friendly aid." He specifically instructed Ma Chao to bring it back when he returned, not to forget, or he wouldn't be allowed to come back. Ma Chao didn't understand why a simple box was so important, as he had never seen Ma Teng be so frugal. This was because Ma Chao didn't know the box's origin, and once he found out, he wouldn't think this way.

Ma Chao took out his spear and the two books, first flipping through the books on astrology and medicine. After a quick look, he then picked up the book on spear techniques. The book wasn't just about spear techniques; two-thirds were about spear techniques and horseback skills, while the last third was about knife techniques.

Ma Chao knew this but felt that trying to learn too much at once would be counterproductive, so he focused on the spear techniques. He had been self-studying for over two years and had learned all the spear techniques.

He divided his understanding into three categories. The first category was what he didn't understand at all, about 20%. This meant he couldn't understand the text or practice the techniques.

The second category was what he understood partially, also about 20%. He could practice these techniques, but they were only at a half-baked level.

The third category was what he fully understood, about 60%. He could perform these techniques smoothly and seamlessly.

This was Ma Chao's current level of spear techniques. Although he only had 60% mastery, he felt he was at a second-tier upper level.

He divided the contemporary generals into four classes, with the first class having no sub-classes, while the others had upper and lower sub-classes. Generals like Lü Bu were super-class, at the highest level.

Generals like Dian Wei, Zhao Yun, and Zhang Fei were first-tier upper.

Generals like Xu Huang, Wei Yan, and Zhang He were first-tier lower.

Generals like Liu Bei, Dong Zhuo, and Ma Teng were second-tier upper.

Generals like Yue Jin, Li Dian, and Yu Jin were second-tier lower.

The rest were third-tier, with no need to distinguish between upper and lower.

This was just his personal opinion, based on individual martial prowess, not other factors.

He felt he was at a second-tier upper level, similar to his father, Ma Teng. Although he hadn't sparred with his father, he knew he would lose in a real battle.

First, he wasn't as strong as Ma Teng. Although Ma Chao had innate strength, he was still too young. Second, Ma Teng had far more experience. Despite this, Ma Chao was confident that in a few years, after growing up and mastering the remaining techniques, he could reach a first-tier level.

However, what Ma Chao most wanted to do now was to start practicing knife techniques. But the Han dynasty's knives were ring-pommel knives, which he didn't like. Thinking of knives from movies and TV, he had an idea.

Taking out paper and a pen, Ma Chao began to draw. He remembered the Snow Drinking Saber used by Nie Feng, which left the deepest impression on him and was his favorite.

It wasn't too difficult to draw, and he finished quickly. Looking at his work, Ma Chao smiled proudly, but something seemed missing. Oh, right, he should engrave "Snow Drinking" on the hilt. He decided to talk to the blacksmith about this and left with the money and the drawing.

Before leaving, he told the steward Yan Rang that he was going for a walk and asked him to inform his teacher, Yan Zhong. He then left and asked a passerby for directions to the blacksmith's shop, arriving at the door.

Entering, the blacksmith asked, "Sir, what do you need?"

Ma Chao handed over the drawing, "Can this be made?"

The blacksmith looked at the drawing and said, "Yes, but how heavy do you want it?"

"Forty pounds. Also, engrave 'Snow Drinking' on the hilt. Use the best materials, money is no object!"

"No problem, come back at this time tomorrow to pick it up!"

"Alright." Ma Chao paid the deposit and left.

Why did he want a forty-pound Snow Drinking Saber? Ma Chao had his reasons. He heard that Guan Yu's Green Dragon Crescent Blade weighed eighty-two pounds, which was normal for a large blade.

His single-edged saber would naturally be lighter. Although he didn't know how heavy the Han dynasty's ring-pommel knives were, half the weight of a large blade seemed about right. The Snow Drinking Saber would not only be for practice but also for carrying if it was well-made.

Although people in the Han dynasty carried swords, there was no rule against carrying a saber. Ma Chao planned to carry a forty-pound saber.

Leaving the blacksmith's shop, Ma Chao looked up at the sky. It was noon, and the weather was beautiful, clear and cloudless. Thinking he should eat, he looked for a place and found a noodle shop nearby, entering it.

People in the Han dynasty usually ate two meals a day, but Ma Chao ate at least three. He was a food lover and ate whenever he was hungry.

Entering the noodle shop, he saw a few people eating, so he wasn't the only one hungry. The shop wasn't small, and it was the largest he had seen in this era. Suddenly, he noticed a large man at a table by the window, eating voraciously, almost filling the entire table with food.

For some reason, Ma Chao was drawn to the man. Walking over, he bowed and said, "Excuse me..." Before he could finish, the man spoke without looking up, "Please," and continued eating.

"Thank you." Ma Chao sat opposite the man.

Looking at the man, he was amazed. The man was eating a bowl of noodles, with two more bowls on the left and three empty bowls on the right. It seemed he had ordered six bowls of noodles, and he wasn't done yet. In front of the noodles were six large bowls, not noodles but lamb legs, with bones scattered around.

In front of him was a medium-sized wine jar, opened, and it seemed he had already drunk some, but it was unclear how much was left.

The waiter came, and Ma Chao ordered a bowl of the shop's signature noodles, the same as the man's. The table could have fit another bowl, but Ma Chao didn't want to eat too much. He was more interested in the man than the food.

The noodles arrived, and the man had already finished his fourth bowl and started on the fifth, occasionally eating lamb legs. His mouth and beard were covered in oil, but he didn't care, just enjoying his meal without lifting his head.

Seeing his noodles, Ma Chao stopped paying attention to the man and started eating. He finished half a bowl quickly. Looking up, he saw the man eating even faster, already on his last bowl of noodles and having finished three bowls of lamb legs, now on the fourth.

Ma Chao found the man interesting, eating without lifting his head, focused only on the food. He wondered if the noodles and lamb legs were that delicious or if there was another reason.

Ma Chao continued eating, and the man kept eating. After a few bites, the man spoke, "Little brother, eating noodles alone is no fun. I have wine and meat, why don't you join me?"

Ma Chao looked up and saw the man looking at him. The man was about thirty, with a beard, dark skin, and a large build, at least three hundred pounds. His mouth was full of yellow teeth, and the smell of lamb was strong.

The man pushed the last bowl of lamb legs and the wine jar to Ma Chao, saying, "Little brother, please, don't be shy!"

Ma Chao didn't hesitate, picked up the wine jar, and drank directly. Although there wasn't much left, it was still more than half a pound. He finished it in one go, placed the jar on the table, and looked at the man.

In his previous life, Ma Chao could drink a liter of liquor without a problem. The man's wine was nothing compared to that, so it was no big deal.

The man clapped his hands and laughed, "Good, very good! I like straightforward people. Little brother, please!" He pointed to the lamb legs, and Ma Chao started eating, while the man began on his fifth bowl of lamb legs.

The man ate quickly, finishing a bowl of lamb legs in a few bites. He threw the bones on the table and said, "It seems you're interested in me. I'm done eating and will go wash up. By the time I return, you should be finished too. We can talk then! Ha ha ha!" He then went to wash up, leaving Ma Chao to continue eating.

Thank you for your recommendations. Who is the man? You probably have an idea.