If that’s really the case, then why, even while feeling so guilty towards Mistress, would he still leave her alone in the deep mountains for years just to go out?
There must be another reason.
As if he could see through my doubts, Old Man took a deep breath and said, “Of course, there are other reasons as well.”
Other reasons?
I looked at Old Man in confusion. What reason could possibly be more important than keeping Mistress company, when she’s all alone without any children?
“That was a Promise I made to a friend,” Old Man lifted his head, his pupils unfocused as he gazed at the blue sky, as if remembering something from the past. “I must find a Mother and Daughter who have been scattered among the common people.”
“An illegitimate daughter?”
My first thought was that Old Man had cheated, and my second thought was that I was about to get beaten up again.
Before I could even finish my thought or start running, I was already knocked to the ground with a stick.
“They are the wife and daughter of a friend who has already passed away! It’s something I swore to do, even more important than my own life.” Perhaps feeling helpless at my filthy imagination, Old Man couldn’t even be bothered to scold me further, and just continued explaining, “Once I finish teaching you all to become accomplished, I’ll set out again to search for them.”
That was a Promise that had to be fulfilled, even if it meant leaving Mistress here alone. I understood that very clearly. So, I also understood that Old Man must be in pain, unable to stay by the side of the lonely Mistress.
On one side is Mistress, with no one to keep her company; on the other is a Promise to a deceased friend.
Old Man, caught in the middle and unable to satisfy both, must be suffering deeply.
So, for Old Man, and for the beloved Mistress, I spoke up.
“Well, um, about that. When the time comes… I’ll protect Mistress.”
“…” Old Man looked at me in surprise, and I met his gaze with determination, letting him know I was serious about at least this sentence. He then showed a gratified smile, “Hmph, overestimating yourself. At least as you are now, I couldn’t possibly entrust Mistress to you.”
I was just about to say something, when suddenly I felt a presence approach from behind. Before I could react, I was already pulled into a warm embrace.
“What are you two men whispering about here? Ah, don’t tell me your master scolded you again?”
This floral fragrance, this soothing voice—there was no mistaking it, it was Mistress.
I glanced up at Tong Yuan, curled my lips in a mischievous grin, and then instantly put on a pitiful face: “That’s right, Mistress, listen to me, Master said I can’t eat, and wants me to keep training later.”
Serves you right for hitting me so hard just now.
“You brat, when did I ever say that!!”
Tong Yuan anxiously tried to explain, but how could my protective Mistress possibly listen?
“My husband really is too much. Come, Qing Er, let’s go eat. There won’t be as much food since your master isn’t joining us.”
“Yes, Mistress.”
Saying this, Mistress took my hand and led me toward the wooden house behind us.
Only Tong Yuan was left standing there, watching me walk away with a mischievous grin. He could only show a helpless, bitter smile: “This child really isn’t like a child at all.”
After lunch, we rested for a while, and then we were called out again.
Just as I was about to complain about the endless monotony of this daily life, Old Man suddenly tossed something over.
“Catch.”
“Ouch!” I was lucky, my reflexes were just quick enough to catch it. But Zhao Yun wasn’t so fortunate, and was hit squarely on the head by whatever Old Man had thrown.
Rubbing her sore head, Zhao Yun looked down with teary eyes at the culprit that hit her.
“Eh? This is…”
“It’s a Spear…” What I was gripping in my hand was, unmistakably, a long Spear. Even though it was made of wood, both Zhao Yun and I couldn’t help but get excited.
The days of hardship were finally over, huh? We could finally start handling weapons…
Seeing how happy we were, Old Man actually showed a rare smile: “After half a year, your bodies have grown much stronger. It’s about time you started practicing Spear Technique.”
After saying this, Old Man turned to the Bing Qiao sisters beside him and said, “You two—Yu’er is fine, but for Qiao’er, it’s still a bit early. Qiao’er will continue training as usual, but as for Yu’er…”
“I’ll train with my sister,” Leng Yu spoke up without a moment’s hesitation, even before Old Man finished.
“Sister…” Bing Qiao called softly, wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes, “It’s my fault for holding you back.”
“What are you saying, Sister.” Leng Yu walked up to Bing Qiao and hugged her. “We’re sisters, after all.”
Looking at this warm scene, I couldn’t help but smile to myself.
Once everything was decided, Old Man had the sisters continue their training, but didn’t let them go too far. After all, without him by their side, he really couldn’t rest easy letting children go deep into the mountains.
“Ahem, I’ve already given you a general introduction to the Spear before. Today, I’ll let you witness the Spear Technique I’m about to teach you.”
Eh, another spear performance?
At that moment, I really wanted to grab a small stool, buy some popcorn, and sit back to watch a monkey show… cough, I mean, a Martial Grandmaster, a Martial Grandmaster performing with the spear.
Old Man displayed a set of Spear Technique, just as marvelous, fantastical, and mesmerizing as the time he performed at my house.
I was fine, since I’d seen it once before. Although the impact was still great, I was somewhat mentally prepared, so I didn’t lose my composure too much. But Zhao Yun was different. That set of Spear Technique was so wondrous that even long after Old Man put away his spear, she still couldn’t close her gaping mouth.
If before, Zhao Yun wanted to practice Spear Technique to fulfill her mother’s wish, then after seeing Tong Yuan’s powerful and beautiful Spear Technique, she became completely captivated by it.
Zhao Yun’s eyes were full of longing and fascination, as if she was already among the hundred birds conjured by Old Man’s spear, unable to resist flying toward the radiant Phoenix.
Seeing her like that, I could only sigh inwardly, thinking, “The awakening of the Spear God, huh…” and give a wry smile. With such a genius little junior sister, the days ahead won’t be easy.
Of course, Old Man didn’t realize that what he’d just done had lit the path of the Spear God for a monstrous genius. At this moment, he was thoroughly enjoying the look of worship Zhao Yun was giving him.
That foolish boy, ever since the day he became my disciple, has never once called me Master, let alone shown any respect. It’s laughable—I’ve taught many disciples over the years, but never met someone quite so… so peculiar.
“Ahem.” After letting these thoughts pass, Old Man cleared his throat and pulled Zhao Yun back to reality from her dream world. “This is the Hundred Birds Facing Phoenix Spear. Of course, what I just showed you was only the tip of the iceberg. If you want to grasp its essence, it’s not so simple or easy.”
“Generally speaking, Spear Technique includes thrusting, stabbing, coiling, circling, blocking, grappling, tapping, flicking, and flourishing, with thrusting, grappling, and blocking as the main techniques. These are the basics of Spear Technique, with thrusting for offense and grappling and blocking for defense.”
“My Hundred Birds Facing Phoenix Spear is no exception, but the difference is that, apart from the basics, it also places great emphasis on ‘coiling’ and ‘tapping.’ Your movements must be flexible and ever-changing, your footwork light, quick, and steady, aiming for the greatest effect with the smallest motion.”
“Ohhh—!!” Zhao Yun and I exclaimed at the same time, our heads full of question marks, looking like we had no idea what was going on but still felt it was amazing.
“Sigh… It really is too soon for you two.” Seeing our clueless faces, Old Man could only sigh helplessly.
“Well, you’ll just have to slowly grasp it through training.”