Chapter 66: Spear Intent Like a Dragon, Carrying Thorns to Beg for Punishment
“Yue Family Spear Technique, every move targets the enemy, a single strike is fatal, integrating defense and offense, attacking within defense, defending within attack…”
Three days before the Lunar New Year, the plum blossoms were uniquely beautiful; after the new year, six petals still formed a cluster. Just as they settled, a sudden slant brought a thought; wanting to melt, yet still freezing, unable to bear the cold.
Snow began to fall again. Zhang Wangyue’s body was steaming; he held his great spear, employing the Yue Family Spear Technique, teaching by word and deed.
A runner in the distance stopped to watch, but Wang Kui, walking past, kicked him, “Still not sweeping the snow?”
“Yes, sir!” The runner smiled and ran off, thinking to himself that the Head Escort’s spear techniques were truly sharp. This runner, however, did not know that his Head Escort’s most proficient weapon was the spear.
It was just that Zhang Wangyue, to conceal his identity, was currently using a sword.
In fact, as the Head Escort of Fu’an, one of the Four Great Escort Bureaus in the land, it was expected that all escorts and runners in the bureau would have some proficiency in all eighteen types of weapons and possess strong foundational skills and hidden martial arts. Therefore, even though Zhang Wangyue was using the authentic Yue Family Spear Technique, to those who lacked true insight into spear techniques, it was merely one of the Head Escort’s many martial arts.
Only those with discerning eyes, like Huyan Lei, an expert in spear techniques, the sharp-eyed escort Wang Kui, and Zhou Yan, could truly appreciate it.
Due to his own level of attainment, Yang Tiexin could not yet grasp the essence of the Yue Family Spear Technique.
Zhou Yan could see it, not only because his martial arts realm had improved his eyesight but also because he had witnessed many people wielding spears.
Huyan Lei, Lu An of the Four Seas, the young Head Escort of Dragon Gate Escort Agency, Zhang Sanqiang, and others.
A spear thrusts in a straight line; in Zhou Yan’s view, with every thrust Zhang Wangyue made, the iron spear swung left and right like a mad dragon’s tail, and within the swing of the spear, there was already a fierce, killing aura from the battlefield.
This was Spear Intent.
Zhou Yan could comprehend Sword Intent from Wang Chongyang’s Quanzhen Swordplay atop the Taihang Mountains; now, he could also discern Zhang Wangyue’s Spear Intent.
It is said that Quanzhen Swordplay is profound and vast, but if one does not personally experience Wang Chongyang’s experiences resisting the Jin, how can they understand the Sword Intent of Quanzhen Swordplay techniques like “Singing Sadly with the Zither,” “Frost Waves Rolling Snow,” and “Grief and Hatred Following Each Other”? Without Sword Intent, how can Swordplay reach great mastery? This is likely one of the reasons why the disciples of the Quanzhen Sect are getting worse with each generation.
Similarly, if a person learns the Yue Family Spear Technique without understanding “My hair bristles with rage, leaning on the railing, the wind and rain cease. Looking up, I let out a long cry, my heart filled with passion,” how can they unleash the power of techniques in the Yue Family Spear Technique such as “Long River Setting Sun” and “Desert Solitude Smoke”?
Zhou Yan watched Zhang Wangyue, feeling his blood slowly boiling and burning.
Snowflakes danced wildly in the air. Zhang Wangyue’s great spear edge retracted like a phantom; he looked towards Huyan Lei, Yang Tiexin, Mu Nianci, and Zhou Yan.
Huyan Lei was also seeing the Head Escort use the Yue Family Spear Technique for the first time; only two words filled his mind: “Magnificent!”
Yang Tiexin was shocked; he realized that one’s spear technique attainment could reach such a level.
Mu Nianci’s breathing was rapid. She had a talent for martial arts and had already memorized most of the techniques and some of the internal force cultivation methods. At this moment, she felt a strong urge to try it herself.
Zhang Wangyue’s gaze swept over the three of them one by one, finally landing on Zhou Yan.
“Brother Zhou, you try it.”
“Alright!” Zhou Yan walked over and took the great spear. Mu Nianci immediately focused.
However, in the next moment, Mu Nianci did not see Zhou Yan open his spear stance and execute the spear technique with rigorous form. The tip of the great spear touched the ground, and Zhou Yan seemed to be recalling the moves.
He was actually circulating his internal energy. Pure inner qi circulated from his dantian, following the method of internal energy circulation for the spear technique that Zhang Wangyue had described. It traveled upwards, entering the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, and exited the elbow between the two bones on the outer side of the arm, like a dragon or snake entering the hand, wrist, and the three acupoints of “Yangchi,” “Yemeng,” and “Guangchong.” Among these, a wisp of inner qi at “Yangchi” lingered slightly in the acupoint, tracing back along the main meridian and injecting into a hidden vein in the center of the elbow.
Zhou Yan’s right elbow, holding the spear, moved for an instant. In just a moment, the internal force between the “Yemeng” and “Guangchong” acupoints surged out, injecting into the great spear.
Amidst the wind and snow, a low hum of the spear could be heard. The snowflakes that landed on the spear seemed to be struck by something, suddenly rolling away. The spear edge leaped up fiercely, and a move from the Yue Family Spear Technique, “Drinking Horse Crossing the River,” roared out, like an angry dragon whirling.
Mu Nianci felt her head buzz. Zhou Yan’s spear thrust seemed to pierce her heart.
Huyan Lei’s mouth opened slightly.
Zhang Wangyue took a shallow breath. He did not look at Zhou Yan, his gaze leaped over the flying snow towards the sky, thinking to himself:
“The Yue Family Spear Technique has a successor.”
…
Fierce verbal arguments spread from the meeting hall of the Four Seas Escort Agency, forming a loud and chaotic wave of sound.
The Boss of Four Seas walked through the corridor courtyard and reached the eaves. He paused for a moment, and the sounds of argument drifted out.
Inside the hall were the Head Escorts under Lei Luo and several trusted escorts. The Four Seas Escort Agency had hired assassins, and these core members of the escort bureau were all aware of this.
The argument stemmed from the series of events caused by the hired assassins.
“I told you Escort Lu’s suggestion was not feasible, and now look, he was killed at Escort Su’s home, Escort Su and Escort Lu are missing. This is definitely retaliation from Fu’an, and this is just the beginning.”
“Don’t just talk after the fact; you didn’t object back then either,” an escort retorted.
“Watch your mouth.”
“I just look down on your timid demeanor.”
“Let’s duel and see who always just talks.”
“Who’s afraid of whom?”
“Bang!” The sound of a table being slammed echoed. The Head Escort of Four Seas said angrily, “At this point, can’t you distinguish between what’s important and what’s not?”
The hall fell silent.
Lei Luo felt an unbearable tightness in his chest. Not long ago, he had received a message from a runner who had rushed over in a panic, saying that Escort Lu and others were missing that morning. The Head Escort had sent people to search, and they found Escort Lu’s corpse in Escort Su’s home, with signs of a struggle. Escort Su and Escort Lu were missing.
At that moment, he felt as if struck by lightning.
The Fu’an escort team had entered the city. Yesterday, he and three others had discussed the developing situation. Such a thing happened last night; Fu’an must have known the inside story, and this was retaliation.
He took a breath and strode into the meeting hall.
“The Boss is here.”
The Head Escorts and escorts all stood up. He said with a somber expression, “Sit down, everyone.”
Lei Luo sat down and said, “I already know about the situation. Everyone state your opinions.”
“Boss, let’s fight Fu’an,” said the escort who had been very arrogant earlier.
Lei Luo snorted, “Fight? If we could fight, would we have lost the escort? During the escort competition, Fu’an only fielded escorts who were seventeen or eighteen years old, and we were utterly defeated. Even the Yellow River Gang couldn’t defeat Fu’an; what do we have to fight with now? Should I go and grab my spear?”
With just a few words from Lei Luo, the escorts in the hall who had been clamoring to fight fell silent, unable to speak.
He picked up his teacup and drank several gulps, as if trying to suppress the anger in his heart with tea. After finishing the cup, he asked the Head Escort, “What is your opinion?”
The Head Escort of Four Seas said, “After Zhang Wangyue returned, Escort Lu and the others met with misfortune. This must have been done by Zhang Wangyue. If nothing unexpected happens, Escort Su and Escort Lu must have been captured for interrogation and verification.”
Lei Luo said, “In other words, Duan Huai’an and Zhang Wangyue now know the entire inside story of the incident and are waiting for my decision.”
The Head Escort nodded, “Yes!”
The Boss of Four Seas continued, “If Escort Su revealed that Four Seas had the intention of provoking internal strife within Fu’an and annexing them, what would Duan Huai’an do?”
The Head Escort cautiously replied, “He would use our own methods against us.”
An escort in the hall couldn’t help but say, “This is outrageous, Boss. We should report this to the authorities.”
Lei Luo could no longer tolerate it and grabbed his teacup, throwing it.
The escort dared not dodge. With a bang, the teacup shattered, and tea flowed down his face. Tea leaves stuck to his forehead, making him look like he had pockmarks.
“All of you, get out!”
Several escorts scrambled to their feet and exited the meeting hall.
“Boss, please calm your anger!” the Head Escort said quickly.
Lei Luo tried his best to calm his emotions and said, “Fu’an knows the inside story, yet they haven’t come with great fanfare. Is Duan Huai’an waiting for me to come to him?”
“Yes!”
“And they want me to withdraw from Zhongdu?”
The Head Escort opened his mouth and said in a low voice, “That is likely the case.”
Lei Luo said nothing more, his fingers tapping on the table. After a full hundred breaths, he said word by word, “I will go to Duan Huai’an to beg for forgiveness first. You prepare a backup plan according to my instructions.”
The Head Escort quickly said, “Boss, you mustn’t. I’ll go.”
“You are not important enough.”
Lei Luo’s voice sounded as if it were squeezed from his throat.
…
Fu’an Escort Agency’s martial field.
“Whoosh!” With a sound, the great spear flew from Mu Nianci’s hand. Huyan Lei flicked his wrist, and the Gold-Inlaid Tiger Head Spear blocked the wooden-shafted great spear.
The escort, Huyan, sparred with her. Mu Nianci used the Yue Family Spear Technique, but due to her lack of proficiency in the moves and insufficient strength compared to her opponent, her great spear was knocked away within a few exchanges.
“Again.”
Mu Nianci was also a resilient person. She quickly walked a few steps to pick up the great spear, but the moment she lowered her head to pick it up, her teeth were almost biting into her lips.
Zhou Yan watched from the side while resting. He moved his bench a little further away from Mu Nianci, so as to avoid being hit by the great spear.
Escort Wang Kui hurried over at this moment:
“Brother Huyan, Brother Zhou, the Boss of Four Seas has arrived, seeking forgiveness with thorns and a hurdle.”
