Chapter 352: 女子刹那

The abode of a genius is truly splendid.

Today, the world only knows of the Plum Wine Spear, but not the Instantaneous Spear.

Xu Fengnian sat on a large boulder by the stream, took off his shoes and socks, and dipped his feet into the cool, flowing water. On his lap rested a spear, a relic of Wang Xiu, the Spear Immortal. Although Wang Xiu’s name contained a delicate character, most of the spear techniques he used throughout his life followed the purest, most vigorous Yang path. Wang Xiu possessed astonishing strength from a young age and was guided into the path of spear arts by a master. After achieving fame, he honed his skills through battle, even performing the heroic feat of venturing deep into Northern Mang alone with his spear to temper his martial arts. He virtually decimated that generation’s Northern Mang martial arts world, leaving a massive void. Among the four grandmasters who dominated the martial world in the previous generation, Wang Xiu was also known as the Arm Saint. He subdued the weak with brute force, and his spear strikes were as swift as thunder. The tip of the Instantaneous Spear was round and blunt, for due to Wang Xiu’s arm strength and unparalleled striking speed, the sharpness of the spear tip was utterly irrelevant. Wang Xiu’s martial prowess was unmatched in the Central Plains and the north. However, his reputation was mixed. This was because the Spear Immortal was prejudiced in character, always killed his opponents, and consequently incurred countless enmities. As a result, many martial artists viewed Wang Xiu as lacking in martial virtue, possessing the strength of a grandmaster but not the corresponding demeanor. As one of the few external martial arts masters, after the age of sixty, Wang Xiu’s martial arts realm did not decline but advanced, his spear techniques returning to their fundamental essence, truly becoming transcendent and sacred. His lifelong learning was summarized by four secret characters. The Liyang Dynasty initially didn’t believe that Chen Zhipao could surpass Wang Xiu and openly defeat him at just twenty-something years old. But with his consecutive battles against Hong Jingyan and the Bronze Man Patriarch, in neither of which he was at a disadvantage, both Liyang and Northern Mang began to implicitly acknowledge the White-Clad Little Butcher as the undisputed foremost spear master. And that Plum Wine Spear, which the world had never seen, also began to spread its fame across the land.

Qing Niao stood beside Xu Fengnian, finding a moment to briefly recount her journey to the north. "I first went to a major sect in Gusei Prefecture called the Sun Family Spear Forest," she said. "Its sect leader, Sun Baiyuan, is a long-renowned spear master from the Southern Dynasty."

Xu Fengnian chuckled, "That sect's name must be a knock-off of the Wu Family Sword Mound. However, I’ve seen this old fellow Sun Baiyuan mentioned in the secret archives of the Tide-Listening Tower. He's not simple. While not a true first-grade master, like many martial arts prodigies who forge their own paths, he skipped the Vajra realm and deeply studied Taoist arts, thus touching the threshold of the Finger-Maneuvering realm. He can be considered a top master of the pseudo-Finger-Maneuvering realm. How did you defeat him? A sneak attack or assassination?"

Qing Niao shook her head. "Before going to the Spear Forest, I comprehended the 'Collapse' character of the Four-Character Secret Arts in the desert. When I arrived at the Sun Family Spear Forest, Sun Baiyuan's spear techniques might have been stagnant and rusty from not having personally sparred for a long time. I shattered his head with a single spear thrust."

Xu Fengnian was instantly speechless, then chuckled, "Then how did you escape?"

Qing Niao calmly replied, "I fought as I fled. I'm originally an assassin, skilled in disguise and stealth. I killed over seventy of the Sun family disciples and incidentally grasped the 'Drag' character art, also known as the 'Horseback Thrust.' When being pursued and trapped in a desperate situation, counter-killing is most effective."

Xu Fengnian lightly flicked the ancient, dust-free long spear and nodded.

Qing Niao continued, "In Arid Lance Military Town in Gusei Prefecture, there was a young colonel with a strange compound surname whose name I can't recall. All I know is that he was said to be among the top three spear masters in the Northern Mang army, and everyone said his biggest regret was never having sparred with Chen Zhipao. I infiltrated the military town, and this person happened to be practicing his spear at midnight on the training grounds. His technique was extremely subtle and feminine, and my 'Collapse' spear couldn't gain an advantage. After dozens of rounds, I used a 'Drag' spear thrust to disembowel him."

At this point, Qing Niao smiled faintly. "In any case, it wasn't his turn to kill Chen Zhipao. The pursuit this time was quite tricky. Arid Lance Military Town deployed hundreds of Horse Fence cavalrymen, and I fled for a full month. During that time, several Spiderweb assassins joined the pursuit. They only gave up once I infiltrated Dragon Waist Prefecture."

Xu Fengnian glanced at her faint smile and remarked softly, "That Northern Mang general's surname is Hulü. He was the 'cut-sleeve' paramour of an influential imperial relative in the north. A good kill; it avenges the time when Northern Mang martial artists, at the Empress's behest, infiltrated Beiliang in droves to carry out assassinations. It also teaches them the principle of 'it's rude not to reciprocate.' You, with your actions, bear a striking resemblance to the White-Robed Monk's 'Reciprocation Morality Sect'."

She shook her head. "I only know some crude killing methods. How can I be compared to the White-Robed Monk, who is almost a saint?"

Xu Beizhi, having nothing else to do, listened in with pricked ears. This scholar, who originally disdained martial artists from the bottom of his heart, had long been deeply awed by Qing Niao's series of understated, blunt accounts. Upon hearing her last remark, he spoke softly, "Only by killing can one save. Young lady, there's no need to belittle yourself."

Qing Niao had no patience for casual praise. She cast a cold glance at Xu Beizhi, which made his scalp tingle. He quickly lowered his gaze and turned to look at the stream.

Indeed, every force has its counter, which made Xu Fengnian unable to suppress a chuckle. He introduced with a smile, "This is Xu Beizhi. His grandfather was once the Northern Court Grand King of Northern Mang. Young Master Xu is also extremely learned, filled with brilliant talent for governing the world and aiding the people. This trip, he's returning to Beiliang with us, though it's uncertain whether he'll be willing to offer me advice."

Qing Niao turned her head and gave a slight nod, considering it a greeting. "Greetings, Young Master Xu."

Xu Beizhi waved his hand.

Qing Niao hesitated for a moment. "Does Young Master know that ten thousand Dragon Elephant troops assaulted Junzi Hall and Wazhu first, with the Great Snow Dragon Riders crushing Ligu Maolong from behind?"

Xu Fengnian calmly replied, "I heard. Not many of Huang Man'er's ten thousand Dragon Elephant troops are left. They had bad luck at Gourd Pass, encountering Dong Zhuo's personal army. Four thousand Dragon Elephant troops were almost wiped out, and he was even stabbed by a Spiderweb assassin nicknamed 'Willow Stump'."

Qing Niao bit her lip, remaining silent.

Xu Fengnian changed the subject, chuckling, "Although Sun Baiyuan and the one surnamed Hulü are both first-rate masters and fierce generals, they still can't compare to Fifth Ho from Tibing Mountain."

Qing Niao said, "The third character of the Four-Character Secret Arts is 'Arc'."

Xu Fengnian immediately understood.

The pinnacle battle that established Wang Xiu's status as a Grandmaster was precisely the three-day and three-night struggle between the Arm Saint and the Talisman General Red Armor. Wang Xiu, using his 'Arc' character spear, created a torrent-like momentum, relentlessly preventing the then-rising Talisman General Red Armor from having a single chance to retaliate. Three arcs formed a stance, nine arcs formed a small circle, eighty-one arcs formed a large circle, and so on, truly breathtaking. However, the 'Arc' character spear only truly reached perfection when Wang Xiu fought against Li Chungang, who was also a Grandmaster. At that time, Sword God Li truly had no match, able to draw his sword and look around without finding a worthy opponent. He was in the period between the 'Green Snake in a Sleeve' and 'Opening the Heavenly Gate with a Sheathed Sword'. At that time, Li Chungang's spirit was soaring, and his sword intent was so mighty that it was universally acknowledged as unparalleled. Wang Xianzhi had not yet gained fame through a single battle. With a gentle flick of his finger, Li Chungang forced a barefoot female sword immortal from the Southern Sea, who roamed the martial world, to retreat back to her sect. Only Wang Xiu managed to make Li Chungang truly exert himself in combat. He even praised Wang Xiu's 'Arc' character spear. After the battle, the two drank together, and Li Chungang even offered some guidance.

The 'Arc' character art is characterized by grand, sweeping movements. Only when facing an unmatched opponent can it be fully unleashed. Hence the heroic saying, "If my arc spear cannot arc, I shall die."

Xu Fengnian didn't offer words of comfort. He simply shifted, patting the stone beside him. Qing Niao hesitated for a moment, then sat down beside him, shoulder to shoulder.

Xu Beizhi watched the pair, who appeared to be master and servant, recalling the scene in the pavilion where Xu Fengnian had helped her put on her shoes.

Xu Fengnian said softly, "When Fifth Ho arrives later, I'll deal with him."

Qing Niao gripped the Instantaneous Spear tightly and nodded gravely.