Chapter 87: Heartache
Editor: Atlas Studios
Since ancient times, there had been many combat techniques and they were not limited to just one type. However, there had never been a combat technique that specifically targeted the forest. This was because the forest had always been one of the country’s sources of wealth. Very few people would lure their enemies into the forest to avoid destroying the trees and beasts in the mountains.
Although Qi Xiuyuan was tempted by Qi Haoran’s suggestion, he did not agree immediately for he could not sacrifice the next generation’s interests for a temporary victory. If he won a battle in the forest by this method and the other soldiers followed suit, what would happen if the Hu people burned the forest in anger?
In Xingzhou Prefecture, many commoners relied on Chef Mountain and Mount Jiexi for a living. If they were really burned down, everyone would curse the Qi family’s ancestors to the 18th generation.
“Jungle warfare is not a bad idea, but it can’t be used on a large scale. However, if we encounter a small group of elite soldiers from the Jin soldiers, it may be feasible to lure them in.” As long as they controlled the degree well, the Hus would not dare to take the risk of burning the mountains. After all, they had to pay a huge price in doing so.
Qi Haoran’s eyes lit up. “Brother, don’t worry. Even if I don’t use the forest, I’d be able to defeat them all one day. Not only the Jin soldiers, but also West Xia and Tibet. I will definitely be able to take back our homeland.”
Qi Xiuyuan laughed loudly and patted his young brother. “How ambitious. Alright then. I’ll wait for you to succeed and bring honor to our ancestors.”
“Hmph, I’m not doing this to bring honor to our ancestors.” Qi Haoran said proudly, “When I become a first-grade general, I’ll request for my mother to be conferred a title so that her memorial tablet can be placed in the Qi family’s ancestral hall.”
Qi Xiuyuan’s gaze darkened. He smiled and said, “Alright, from tomorrow onwards, not only will you have to practice martial arts twice as hard, but you also can’t neglect the homework set by Teacher Fang. There’s no first-rank general who isn’t well-read.” Qi Xiuyuan continued with a smile, “I heard that General Yuan spends two hours a day studying. You can’t compare to General Yuan, but you have to learn from him in hopes of surpassing him one day.”
General Yuan was Qi Haoran’s second idol apart from his older brother. Although Qi Haoran did not like to study, he still nodded and agreed.
The smile on Qi Xiuyuan’s face widened. When he went back with his brother to visit his benefactor, Fan Zijin was already at home and had just finished showering. Seeing the two of them enter, he hurriedly stood up and greeted Qi Xiuyuan.
Qi Xiuyuan nodded slightly and asked, “Are you injured?”
“Brother, don’t worry. With me around, how would I possibly let him get hurt?” Qi Haoran rushed to say.
Fan Zijin also nodded. “Cousin, don’t worry. I’m not injured. On the other hand, a certain someone seemed to be a little blind and kept running into the sword in the other party’s hand.” As he spoke, he glanced at a certain someone standing at the side.
Qi Xiuyuan looked at Qi Haoran. He had long smelled the faint smell of blood on his brother’s body, but seeing that he was alive and kicking, he knew that his injuries weren’t serious. How could one come out of a battle completely unscathed? It was good to let him suffer a little. Hence, Qi Xiuyuan didn’t ask further. Instead, he said, “Okay, remember to stop in time next time. Just don’t run into the enemy’s sword.”
Qi Haoran puffed out his chest and promised, “Brother, don’t worry. I’ll definitely be careful next time.”
However, Fan Zijin was a little dissatisfied. Qi Haoran’s wound was not shallow, but he had only bandaged it briefly before running to look for Qi Xiuyuan. He worried that the wound had ruptured. It was fine if Qi Haoran was carefree and insensible, but why did Cousin let him be?
“Alright, let’s go and see your little benefactor.” Qi Xiuyuan said, “I’ve long wanted to thank them in person, but I haven’t been able to find the time. This time, since they came to the prefectural capital, I have to welcome them warmly.”
Qi Haoran followed excitedly as he praised Mu Yangling to Qi Xiuyuan. “… She’s so strong, I can’t compare to her even if I use my internal energy. I wonder what martial arts she’s learning.”
Fan Zijin followed behind them with a dark expression. After holding it in for a while, he waved his hand and called his servant, Yanmo, over. “Go to the front yard and find the doctor. Fourth Young Master is injured.”
Qi Xiuyuan, who was walking in front, smiled when he heard that. He shook his head and laughed. The two kids quarreled every day, but their relationship had always been superb. Standing next to them, he looked less like the biological brother.
Qi Xiuyuan glanced at his brother, who was still dancing with excitement. He sighed slightly, thinking it might be a good thing. How could he have the time to look after this kid when he had to be on the battlefield all year round? With Zijin around, he could at least restrain him a little. Based on how protective Zijin was of him, he would not let him suffer.
This being the first time Mu Shi and the others had seen an important figure like the general, they stood up nervously and bowed. On the other hand, Shu Wanniang was calm and quiet. After bowing, she simply took half a step back and stood behind Mu Shi. With her head lowered slightly, she looked extremely prim and proper.
However, Qi Xiuyuan couldn’t help but take a few more glances at her. When she bowed just now, it was as natural as flowing water. Her mannerisms were clearly different from the simple and rough ways of Mu Shi and the rest.
However, Qi Xiuyuan then quickly turned to look at Mu Yangling, who was on the bed, and asked gently, “How’s Miss Mu’s injury?”
Leaning against the bed, Mu Yangling replied, “Thank you, General Qi. I’m much better now. I’ll be fine after resting for two more days.”
“Since you’re already in the prefectural capital, just focus on recuperating. You can count on Haoran and Zijin to deal with the other matters. If you have any requests, just ask. To be honest, if you hadn’t helped these two silly boys back then, it’s still not certain if they would have been able to walk out of the mountain forest.”
“General Qi, you must be joking. At that time, they were not far from the exit. Even without my guidance, they would have been able to see the exit after taking a few more steps. Once they left the mountain and met the villagers, everyone would be willing to help. I didn’t do much, really.”
“I’m afraid they wouldn’t have had the strength to walk out even if they knew the way. Although it’s a piece of cake to you, it’s a life-saving grace to them. Miss Mu, just stay here in peace and let them repay you.”
Mu Yangling was silent for a moment before nodding slightly. Changing the topic, she said, “General Qi, I wonder how things are outside? I’ve lost contact with many of my relatives and friends.”
Mu Yangling was not lying. Although her grandfather was an outsider, her grandmother was a native. Not to mention anything else, her father’s cousins had all married into neighboring villages, which meant they had relatives all around.
Qi Xiuyuan was silent for a moment before saying in a deep voice, “We suffered heavy losses. Only two villages in Seven Mile Village survived. The other villages were razed to the ground. Only three to four out of ten people survived.”
Mu Yangling’s expression changed, and the atmosphere in the room instantly became heavy. Unaccustomed to it, Qi Haoran pushed his eldest brother away and went in front of Mu Yangling to ask, “Miss Mu, you haven’t answered me when I asked you what martial arts you learned last time. I’ve checked the wounds of those Hus. Seeing as many of their swords were chipped, one can see just how strong you are. Tell me, I’ll learn from you. I’ll teach you the martial arts I’ve mastered so you won’t lose out.”
Qi Haoran bragged, “The martial arts I learned are from my uncle’s family. What’s most impressive is the internal cultivation technique. You can practice this internal cultivation technique continuously to endlessly generate internal energy. When you attain a high level of mastery, you can circulate your internal energy without stopping. You have to know that if your internal energy circulates with every move you make, it means that you have a set of armor protecting you at all times. Moreover, it’s extremely powerful. With a light squeeze, you can crush a stone…”
Qi Xiuyuan shook his head, smiling but not stopping him. Although this internal cultivation technique was taught to him by his uncle, it was actually not from the Zhu family. It looked powerful, but to be able to cultivate it to the level Qi Haoran described was like reaching the heavens. At least, no one in the martial arts world had ever mastered it. In fact, very few people could even attain the fifth level.
That was why Qi Xiuyuan had objected when Qi Haoran chose this book among the many internal cultivation techniques.