e-booksonline Chapter 9: The Art of Splashing Knives
Chapter 9: The Art of Splashing Knives
[Martial Arts Level Already Received: "Splashing Knife Technique" (Beginner)]
The swordplay was fierce and powerful, sweeping and powerful, like splashing water creating waves.
[Current progress: 0//100]
The strange visions were forcefully instilled in my mind and imprinted deep within my soul.
It is a knife.
The blade, swung out leaving large afterimages and a chilling glint, was like a basin of water being poured out—dense, swift, and terrifying.
hum!
In an instant, his mind snapped back to reality, and his eyes cleared.
"The 'Splashing Blade Technique,' also known as the 'Horse-Slaying Technique,' was created by Zhao Kuangyin, a master of the Imperial Guards, specifically for dealing with the fierce cavalry of the Khitan. It doesn't emphasize finesse, but rather speed and ferocity!"
Wu He understood, then stuffed the sword manual into his robes and went into the storeroom in a corner of the backyard.
The candlelight illuminated a space where the cluttered objects made it almost impossible to find a place to step.
However, the cold metallic gleam reflected in the candlelight led him to a worn-out, chipped longsword.
It is about three feet long, a very common large-headed style, with rust spots on the blade and hilt, leaving a rust stain when held in the hand.
This is already the most acceptable one.
The pimps at Yuxianlou usually use wooden sticks to keep order and settle disputes, and rarely use knives, since blood on the premises would spoil the guests' enjoyment.
"It can still be used after sharpening, which can save on the cost of purchasing a new knife."
Wu He squatted in the snowdrift by the door, first wiping himself with snow, then picked it up and began practicing his splashing knife technique.
In the dark, snowy night, he first warmed up by swinging the knife a few times with both hands, then held it with one hand.
Swish swish!
Having already mastered the basics of swordsmanship, Wu He was incredibly skilled even on his first practice session, showing no signs of awkwardness.
Sword stance, breathing, footwork.
The combination of these three elements allowed him to quickly grasp the knives-splashing technique, and he swung his sword faster and faster. Even a rusty and chipped blade could cut through the air with great speed, creating a fierce and chaotic gust of wind.
"...The knife strikes like a bucket of water, advancing relentlessly!"
With clear thoughts, the world seemed to slow down, everything slowed down, only the powerful pounding of the heartbeat remained, and the knife in the hand felt infinitely heavier!
It's like being stuck in a swamp, unable to move forward an inch.
His palms clenched so tightly they creaked, and beneath his tattered hempen clothes, his muscles were taut as iron.
泼！
A fierce glint flashed in Wu He's eyes.
Whoosh!
In an instant, the blade moved swiftly and fiercely, creating a chilling flash of light that covered a distance of three meters, with a sharp, gust of wind spreading outwards!
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"Whew, that feels great!"
After performing a set of sword techniques, Wu He felt his whole body burning hot and full of energy.
I could vaguely feel that the skin and flesh were more vibrant.
As he carefully sensed it, a smile crept onto his lips.
"Although the Splashing Blade Technique is not a martial art specifically designed for tempering the skin, practicing it will still have some effect on strengthening the skin and flesh."
"Martial arts are not clearly defined, but rather they are intertwined, with elements of each other."
Having gained such insights, Wu He finally felt more at ease.
With his current martial arts cultivation at the mid-stage of the Skin Tempering stage, and the addition of the Splashing Blade Technique, he can be considered to have a certain combat capability.
The next step is to continue practicing the Splashing Blade Technique and the Python Pattern Technique to build a solid foundation for my combat strength.
Especially the technique of splashing knives.
He took out the sword manual from his pocket, and after opening it, he discovered that the writing and illustrations were not from the first edition; there were annotations and improvements in many places.
The version recorded in his own "Book of Credits" was this improved version.
Wu He pondered for a moment: "This Splashing Blade Technique was practiced by the Xiongzhou Garrison. Master Li was also a member of the military camp before, and after years of immersion, it's normal for him to have his own insights."
"Judging from this, this sword manual is probably worth at least a hundred gold pieces!"
In the martial arts world, the transmission and secrecy of skills are highly valued. It is extremely fortunate that I was able to obtain Master Li's improved version of the Splashing Blade Technique.
This favor was well worth it!
Wu He then tucked the sword manual under his mattress, intending to return it three days later.
Next comes sharpening the knife!
"If only this knife were just rusty, it would be perfect. It would be an enchanted tetanus blade, and I could just grab it and use it."
His mind was wandering...
The next day, early in the morning.
The door to a small, dark room opened.
Having been starving for several days, the woman, pale and emaciated with disheveled hair, walked out shakily, a stark contrast to her vibrant appearance when she first arrived.
"Good child, you should have realized this sooner!"
With a beaming smile, Xu Niang stepped forward and firmly grasped her cold hand, saying gently, "Don't worry, I won't mistreat you. Our Delightful Immortal Pavilion is full of charming gentlemen and distinguished guests!"
The woman looked at her timidly, and even though the old woman was all smiles, she only felt that the weather was colder.
"...Mom...Mom..."
"Why!"
Xu Niang raised her voice in response, her gaze intentionally or unintentionally glancing towards Wen Qiaoniang's room, her mockery evident.
"Come on, let me take you for a nice bath and let you enjoy a good life!"
As she spoke, she took the woman's hand and walked towards the main building, and the pimps and servants quickly made way for her.
"Tsk tsk, oh dear~ the shopkeeper is absolutely right, there's no such thing as being upset about going hungry for a few meals." Wang Er said with a snotty nose, his hands in his sleeves.
They seem quite pleased to see such a respectable woman fall from grace.
Wu He's face remained expressionless, but as he looked at the glistening tear tracks on the woman's face, his heart felt heavy.
Actually, last night, when I was sharpening my knife, this woman begged me to let her escape.
But Wu He refused.
It wasn't that he was heartless or aided and abetted evil, but rather that once this woman escaped, she was destined not to see the sun rise today.
When the city's defenses were in dire need of attention, ordinary people who went out during the curfew were considered traitors if they were seen by patrolling soldiers.
A few arrows and he would surely die.
Even if you're lucky enough to survive, you still can't escape the capture of the Desire Immortal Pavilion.
The Seven Killings Society has been entrenched in the Southern Border for many years; finding someone would be a piece of cake for them.
Therefore, from the moment she stepped into the Delightful Pavilion, she was destined to never recover unless her family paid a ransom.
But if they really had money, why would they sell her to a gang?
Even if we take a step back, Wu He doesn't want to take any risks at this time, lest he get implicated.
The world is full of hardships, and all living beings suffer; this is not selfishness.
Perhaps it was precisely because she saw no hope that she completely gave up the struggle and turned to prostitution.
"Let's get to work!"
As Xu Niang was leaving, she called out once, and only then did the crowd disperse, preparing to open the door to welcome guests.
Just as Wu He was about to set off, he suddenly heard a soft call.
Following the direction of the gaze, it was the room where Wen Qiaoniang was.
In the pitch-black hole, her haggard face was clearly visible, her eyebrows furrowed, and she looked worried; she looked pitiful.
It was as if he had been stimulated by what had just happened.
"you say."
Wu He stepped forward.
Wen Qiaoniang's bright eyes were fixed on him, her nose, red from the cold, twitched, whether from crying or nervousness.
"Can I trust you?"
Wu He met her gaze and said calmly, "It depends on how you interpret 'belief.' I don't want to be a good person, but I won't harm anyone either."
Wen Qiaoniang gritted her teeth and hesitated for a moment, then, as if she had made a huge decision, she grabbed a wad of white cloth and handed it out through the hole.
"Please help me, send this letter written in blood to a clinic in the city. I've forgotten the name, but I know the owner is called Wen Xin, and he's my uncle."
"Please, help me!!"