Chapter 110
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Chapter 110: Sword Techniques
Zhang Xiaohua, filled with joy, walked towards the dining hall. This morning’s achievements were immense, marking the most fulfilling and significant morning since he began his martial arts practice.
Everything seemed to herald a bright future, with only the final piece of the puzzle missing.
Suddenly, a figure appeared before Zhang Xiaohua, startling him. He quickly stopped in his tracks, and after recognizing the figure, he patted his chest with lingering fear and said: “Elder Yu, your lightness skill is impressive, but you don’t need to flaunt it like this. As the saying goes, ‘People frighten people, and some even scare themselves to death’. With your ghostly appearance, I’m just glad my heart is strong enough.”
Elder Yu, with a stern expression, asked: “How’s that haphazard martial arts practice of yours coming along?”
Zhang Xiaohua was taken aback and shouted: “Elder Yu, that’s my personal matter. How can you spy on me like this? If you wanted to see, you could have just asked. How would I know you wanted to watch if you didn’t say anything? Sneaking a peek like this is quite hurtful. I might have to report you to the villa owner!”
Elder Yu snorted: “With your moves that are full of mistakes, I wouldn’t even bother looking if they are in from of me. Peeking? I don’t have that much spare time.”
Zhang Xiaohua grinned and said: “If you didn’t look, how would you know I was practicing martial arts? How could you know it’s all a mess?”
Elder Yu replied: “With you hiding under that tree every day to practice martial arts, who couldn’t see it? Everyone knows you can’t remember an entire set of techniques. I’m just too polite to say it directly. Do you think I don’t have ears?”
Zhang Xiaohua blushed a little, he initially wanted to share his progress with Elder Yu. However, since he wasn’t sure if his efforts were correct or if he would remember this martial technique the next day, therefore he told himself in his heart: “I’ll endure. Is that so hard?”
Then, he looked up and asked Elder Yu: “Just treat it as me stretching my muscles. You could at least encourage me, why destroy my enthusiasm for no reason? Anyway, if you don’t have anything else, I’m afraid the meal in the dining hall will be eaten by Nie Xiao’er and the rest by the time I get there.”
Elder Yu rolled his eyes at Zhang Xiaohua and said: “It’s nothing important. I just wanted to let you know to wait for me under the tree where you practice martial arts tonight. I need to discuss something with you.”
Zhang Xiaohua drooped his head and said: “Elder Yu, even if you hadn’t told me, wouldn’t I have gone tonight anyway? Did you really need to make a special announcement?”
As if his cunning plan had succeded, Elder Yu replied: “I mentioned it specifically to make sure you take it seriously and prepare yourself mentally. Also, there’s a dish of pork belly this morning that’s said to be very delicious. Nie Xiao’er said you always fight him for it. When he saw me just now, he asked me to let you know that you should come a bit later and wait until after he’s finished eating. The timing should be about right now, so go on.”
Zhang Xiaohua glared at Elder Yu’s disregard for his age and said angrily: “Elder Yu, you’re ruthless.”
Having said that, he dashed towards the dining hall like a dog was chasing him.
In the evening, Zhang Xiaohua waited under the tree as instructed. Since Elder Yu hadn’t specified when he would arrive, Zhang Xiaohua practiced his martial technique in a leisurely manner. He performed his routine meticulously and, after a while, heard someone applauding nearby. Looking up, he saw that it was Elder Yu.
Elder Yu said approvingly: “Zhang Xiaohua, it seems you have some cleverness after all. You actually practiced these messy moves in a decent way. They almost look quite like a real martial technique. I must view you in a new light.”
Zhang Xiaohua said a bit sheepishly: “Elder Yu, there’s nothing I can do. As you mentioned in the morning, I really can’t remember a complete set of a martial technique, so I have to improvise. It’s better than having no martial technique to practice.”
Elder Yu nodded and said: “Your dedication to martial arts is truly commendable. There are countless paths to success in this world. As long as you find the right one and persist, even if there are no results, you won’t regret it. One day, when you look back, you can proudly comfort yourself that you have made an effort.”
Zhang Xiaohua thanked him: “Thank you for the guidance, Elder Yu. I will continue to work hard.”
Elder Yu then asked: “Zhang Xiaohua, your martial technique seems to be fragmented and can’t be performed seamlessly, as if you’re pausing in the middle of a sentence. Although competitions don’t strictly require a fixed pattern, a fragmented martial technique can prevent you from practicing the moves to their full effect.”
Zhang Xiaohua smiled bitterly and said: “Elder Yu, they say the highest realm of martial arts is achieving victory without relying on specific techniques. Perhaps my disjointed technique is just evolving towards this ‘formless realm’.’”
Elder Yu laughed and said: “I don’t know about the ‘formless realm’, that’s a legendary state. Maybe only a few top experts in this martial world have achieved it, or perhaps it’s just a legend.”
Taking the opportunity, Zhang Xiaohua asked: “Elder Yu, do you have any martial arts manuals? I’d like to take a look. Can you lend them to me?”
Elder Yu was taken aback and replied: “Martial arts manuals? Yes, I do. But how could you read them? Isn’t it true that you don’t know how to read?”
Zhang Xiaohua said: “Elder Yu, you underestimate me. I didn’t know how to read before, but that doesn’t mean I can’t learn now or in the future.”
Elder Yu thought for a moment and said: “Oh, right. The last time I visited your room, you were reading a book. Did you manage to learn how to read while you were recovering?”
Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said: “Elder Yu, you’re perceptive.”
Elder Yu laughed and said: “However, reading manuals is different from just knowing how to read. Knowing how to read doesn’t necessarily mean you can understand a martial arts manual.”
Zhang Xiaohua replied: “Don’t worry, Elder Yu. I’ve seen and read the martial arts manuals in the Lotus Escort Agency before. I should be able to understand them.”
Elder Yu said: “Alright then. When you have time, come to my room, and I’ll find some martial arts manuals for you to look at.”
Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said: “Thank you very much, Elder Yu.”
Then he asked: “By the way, Elder Yu, is there something you wanted to discuss with me tonight?”
Elder Yu glanced at the full moon in the sky and, with a tone of nostalgia, said: “Being outside the Jianghu, you can imagine its splendor, but once you’re deeply involved in it, the years will make you age quickly. You know, Zhang Xiaohua, there’s a saying: ‘In the Jianghu, one is not in control of oneself’. Once you step into this world, whether you want it or not, the winds and waves of the martial world will sweep you along, making you flow with the current.”
Zhang Xiaohua asked in confusion: “Elder Yu, why are you telling me this? I haven’t even considered entering the Jianghu yet.”
Elder Yu looked at Zhang Xiaohua seriously and said: “Zhang Xiaohua, as long you wish to practice martial arts and learn martial techniques, you will inevitably become involved in the Jianghu. You can’t avoid it. Even though you are still young, it seems you have already chosen this path. Unless you give up practicing martial arts now and focus entirely on farming here at the villa.”
Zhang Xiaohua shook his head and said: “I practice martial arts just to protect my family. Although I admire the passion of the Jianghu, with my current skills, I’m still far from it. By the way, you’re not going to lecture me about the Jianghu today, are you?”
Elder Yu said: “Don’t be in a hurry, Zhang Xiaohua. I’m telling you about the dangers of the martial world to make you aware that if you insist on practicing martial arts, you must be prepared to enter the martial world. To survive in this world, the most important thing is to have a means to protect your life.”
Zhang Xiaohua still didn’t understand.
Elder Yu sighed and said: “Actually, there’s another reason I’m saying all this. I want you to understand the harsh reality of the Jianghu and possibly reconsider your decision to practice martial arts. Your right hand injury is more severe than you might realize.”
Zhang Xiaohua asked anxiously: “How serious is it, Elder Yu? Didn’t the doctor say I could still practice martial arts?”
Elder Yu said: “The doctor didn’t lie to you. You can practice martial, but the truth is, your right hand is effectively useless. It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to compete with others properly.”
Zhang Xiaohua was shocked and said_ “What do you mean? Elder Yu, you must explain this to me clearly.”
So, Elder Yu explained Zhang Xiaohua’s injury in detail.
Zhang Xiaohua’s face turned pale. He hadn’t considered the severity of his injury, thinking that once the bones healed, everything would be the same as before. But now, hearing Elder Yu’s explanation made him realize that things were far from simple. If his fist couldn’t effectively hit others, it was essentially useless. What good would practicing martial arts do then?
Seeing Zhang Xiaohua’s distressed expression, Elder Yu remained silent and waited quietly.
After Zhang Xiaohua’s emotions settled somewhat, Elder Yu asked: “So, do you still want to practice martial arts?”
Zhang Xiaohua nodded firmly and said: “Why not? You just said that once you find your path, you should stick to it until the end, even if there’s no result, you won’t regret it. My right hand may be useless, but I still have my left hand. Even if I have to use my left hand, I can still practice martial arts and protect my family.”
Elder Yu, with an ‘as expected’ expression, said: “You really are someone who will stick to one path no matter what. I came today with two purposes. I’ve already mentioned one. Since you don’t want to give up practicing martial arts, I have a second suggestion. Are you willing to listen?”
Zhang Xiaohua bit his lip and said: “Of course I’m willing, Elder Yu. I know you’re looking out for me.”
Elder Yu said with satisfaction: “It’s good that you understand. I don’t know what it is about you that makes me feel so favorable towards you, but somehow, I find everything about you agreeable.”
He continued: “Actually, in the martial world, having strong fists isn’t the only way to save your life. Many people use weapons, like swords, spears, sabers, and halberds, and other eighteen types of weapons. Now that your fists are rendered useless, you could still practice with weapons.”
Zhang Xiaohua’s eyes lit up and he said: “Yes, Elder Yu, you’re really impressive to have thought of this.”
Elder Yu smiled wryly and said: “This is just common knowledge in the martial world. It’s only someone like you who hasn’t seen much of the world who doesn’t understand this. Don’t admire me so much, it’s making me feel embarrassed.”
Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said: “I can’t help but look up to you. However, what kind of weapon do you think I should practice?”
Elder Yu said: “In fact, any weapon can be practiced as long as you can master it. Although there are legendary sayings in the martial world like ‘the spear is the king of all weapons’, and ‘a hundred practices with the staff, a thousand with the saber, and ten thousand with the sword’, each person’s aptitude and opportunities are different. It’s not always necessary to stick to one type of weapon. Given your situation with your right hand, practicing staff techniques might be the best option.”
Zhang Xiaohua frowned and said: “The staff technique? I haven’t seen anyone practice that. Elder Yu, where can I find someone to teach me?”
Elder Yu laughed and said: “With your aptitude and your injured right hand, who would teach you a staff technique? Don’t even think about it.”
Zhang Xiaohua became worried and said: “If no one’s willing to teach me something as simple as the staff technique, then what’s the point of telling me all this?”
Elder Yu waited a moment before saying: “I don’t know how to use the staff.”
Zhang Xiaohua pouted: “If you don’t know how to use a staff, how can you teach me?”
Elder Yu continued: “The martial arts of my sect aren’t taught to outsiders unless we formally take a disciple.”
Zhang Xiaohua was overjoyed and exclaimed: “Master, please accept this disciple’s bow!”
After saying that, he was about to kneel and kowtow.
But Elder Yu stopped him with one arm, saying: “Knock it off. With your talent, if I were to teach you, it’d only aggravate me to death. Let’s spare me a few more years of life, okay?”
After Zhang Xiaohua steadied himself, Elder Yu added: “Though I can’t take you as a disciple, it just so happens that I know a sword technique, something I picked up by chance, that I might consider teaching you.”
Zhang Xiaohua was ecstatic and said: “Really, Elder Yu? You’re willing to teach me a sword technique?”
Elder Yu smiled and said: “This sword technique isn’t a secret from my sect, so I naturally have the authority to decide and teach you.”
Zhang Xiaohua asked: “Well, thank you so much, Elder Yu! Hey~ Why is it only one sword technique? Can’t you teach me a few more? Don’t be too stingy with me.”
Elder Yu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, saying: “Zhang Xiaohua, you really lack basic knowledge of the Jianghu. I should give you a proper introduction someday. Swordsmanship is different from fist techniques. Fist techniques are often complete sets that include offensive and defensive moves, allowing you to perform a series of continuous actions to strengthen your body. Some fist techniques even serve as auxiliary methods for internal energy training. However, while many sword techniques do come as full sets, which can be performed from start to finish like fist techniques, there are also single-move sword techniques.”
Zhang Xiaohua was puzzled and asked: “One move? How can you practice just one move? I can’t just strike a stance like I do with my fist techniques, right?”
Elder Yu explained: “When it comes to weapon combat, it’s about defeating your opponent with a single move. If you have to cross swords for a long time to determine a winner, you’ve already fallen behind. For experts, when they clash with swords, they either remain motionless or decide victory and defeat with one strike.”
Zhang Xiaohua stuck out his tongue and asked: “So is this one sword move Elder Yu is teaching me a high-level technique?”
Elder Yu smiled and said: “Whether it’s high-level or not depends on the person wielding the sword. If I use it, it’s a deadly sword technique and if you use it, it might just be something for others to watch.”
However, Zhang Xiaohua was confused and asked: “But I still don’t understand. How can you train with just one sword move?”
Elder Yu said: “I’m not sure if this sword technique is part of a full set or if there are other moves to accompany it. I only learned nineteen variations of this one move.”
Zhang Xiaohua was stunned and said: “One move? Nineteen variations?”
Elder Yu smiled and said: “Yes, this single move has nineteen different variations, all offensive. There might be other defensive variations or techniques, but I don’t know them.”
Zhang Xiaohua then asked: “Well, Elder Yu, does this mean that sword techniques are different from fist techniques in that a single sword move often contains multiple variations?”
Elder Yu nodded and said: “You’re correct. That’s generally how sword techniques work.”
Zhang Xiaohua finally understood why he could understand martial arts manuals but struggled with the sword manual. There were so many intricacies in swordplay that he had yet to grasp.
Excited about learning a more advanced sword technique, Zhang Xiaohua eagerly said: “Elder Yu, then you can teach me now.”
Elder Yu replied: “Tonight, I only wanted to give you a brief explanation. The actual teaching will have to wait until the daytime. At night, you won’t be able to see the subtle differences in the sword’s movements, making it difficult to learn.”
Zhang Xiaohua then asked: “Well, Elder Yu, could you at least show me the power of this sword move?”
After a moment of contemplation, Elder Yu swiftly drew his long sword from its sheath. In one fluid motion, he thrust it toward Zhang Xiaohua’s throat from a mysterious angle. Although Zhang Xiaohua sensed the sword’s trajectory, his body wasn’t quick enough to react. Before he could move, the sword’s tip was already pressed against his chin. Unfazed, Zhang Xiaohua threw a punch at the sword, but the blade merely retracted slightly and, with lightning speed, shifted to a different angle, stopping right in front of his eyes.
Staring at the sword tip hovering before him, Zhang Xiaohua felt a deep sense of helplessness. This mysterious sword technique was overwhelmingly powerful.
Seeing that Zhang Xiaohua was frozen in place, Elder Yu sheathed his sword
He asked: “So, what do you think, Zhang Xiaohua? Is this move effective?”
Zhang Xiaohua, slightly annoyed, replied: “It works well against a rookie like me, but how would it fare against someone like Captain He?”
Elder Yu confidently said: “In the face of this sword move, you and He Tianshu are no different.”
Zhang Xiaohua’s eyes sparkled with even more admiration, eager to master such a powerful technique. However, Elder Yu remained patient and said: “Since I’ve promised to teach you, I’ll naturally follow through and teach you this sword technique. But first, you must agree to two conditions.”
Zhang Xiaohua responded: “Please tell me, even if it means washing your socks for ten years, I’m willing to do it.”
Elder Yu said: “The first condition is that you must not tell anyone that I taught you this sword technique. Even if others find out that you know it, you mustn’t mention that it was me who taught you.”
Zhang Xiaohua was puzzled but didn’t ask further. He simply replied: “So, that means I can’t even tell Captain He or my second brother?”
Elder Yu nodded.
Zhang Xiaohua then asked: “Can I teach this sword move to my second brother?”
Elder Yu thought for a moment and said: “This sword technique is too sharp. If it spreads widely, it could cause upheaval in the martial world. It’s better not to spread it.”
Zhang Xiaohua agreed.
Elder Yu continued: “The second condition is that once you use this sword move, there’s no turning back, it will inevitably draw blood and is against the natural order. I hope you won’t use it lightly. Don’t resort to it unless your life is in grave danger. Do you understand?”
Zhang Xiaohua pondered this. Seeing that he understood, Elder Yu said: “I trust that by now you’ve realized how formidable this sword technique is. I’m teaching it to you today purely for self-defense, not to make you famous. I hope you will honor my intentions and refrain from staining this sword with too much innocent blood.”
Zhang Xiaohua sincerely bowed and said: “Elder Yu, I understand your intentions. I promise to remember your words and not harm the innocent.”
Elder Yu smiled and said: “With your character, I’m not too worried. I’ve seen you work tirelessly from dawn to dusk, and despite your lack of talent, you’ve persevered in your training. I’m confident you’ll achieve something in the future. Teaching you this sword move means it won’t go to waste. But when you’re out in the Jianghu, remember to stay vigilant and not act too impulsively, because what you see may not always be the truth.”
Zhang Xiaohua was puzzled, what you see may not always be the truth?
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