Studying Medicine Cannot Save the People of Li State / The Eight Principles of the Mohist School
He Qichang suddenly asked, "What is your relationship with Marshal Mu Wu?"
Only after being reminded did Si Ming realize that the boy did indeed resemble Mu Wu somewhat, especially in his eyes. However, their temperaments were quite different; the boy lacked the fierce and valiant air of a soldier and appeared too gentle, which was why he hadn't made the connection before.
The boy nodded and said, "Mu Wu is my father, and my name is Mu Qingfeng."
Before he could finish speaking, He Qichang drew his sword!
Chapter 181 Studying Medicine Can't Save the Li State
He Qichang wanted to capture Mu Qingfeng as a hostage to force his father to release him so he could go home for the New Year. He had no intention of following this army whose fate was uncertain.
Because it was about capturing rather than killing, He Qichang the back of the blade instead of the blade, which gave Mu Qingfeng an opportunity. He reached out, rubbed his palm together, and pressed forward. The moment he touched the back of the blade, he immediately used the force to leap backward, avoiding the impact and trying to create distance.
"Demon Blade: Torrent!"
He Qichang would not give his opponent a chance to escape. He immediately unleashed a flurry of sword shadows, layer upon layer, like surging waves. This move was hastily executed, and he did not have time to unleash his full power, so it was not very effective and was only intended to trap the enemy.
Unable to escape, Mu Qingfeng immediately activated his family's palm technique, meticulously protecting all vital points on his body to block the layers of sword shadows.
His Green Pine Palm Art technique was entirely defensive, with incredibly short strikes; his arms and legs never went more than half a foot away. Yet, the moves were incredibly dense and precise. Under the attack of the Demon Blade Art, he never revealed the slightest weakness, and even had the energy to speak.
"Why did you ambush me?" Mu Qingfeng asked, his face full of confusion.
He Qichang, however, was too lazy to answer. Seeing that his continuous attacks were not enough to defeat his opponent, he immediately changed his sword technique.
"Demon Blade - Red Lotus!"
With a change in technique and a surge in power, Mu Qingfeng still managed to block every strike, but he was using his bare hands to meet the weapons, and given his limited cultivation, he felt a sharp pain in his wrist with each strike.
After receiving sixteen cuts, Mu Qingfeng felt as if his arm was broken and he could no longer lift it. He immediately switched to dodging with his Movement Method. He moved his feet according to the four symbols of the Azure Dragon in the East, White Tiger in the West, Black Tortoise in the North, and Vermilion Bird in the South. Each symbol has seven variations, which are based on the shapes of the Twenty-Eight Mansions.
The Demon Blade: Red Lotus Style has a powerful and heavy attack, which means that it is difficult to change the attack after it is launched. He Qichang uses his internal energy to launch his ultimate move, a huge flaming lotus flower can be generated after the attack. Even without the change, there is no need to worry about the opponent dodging it. However, he is now pursuing an offensive and has no time to unleash his ultimate move. He only uses ordinary sword moves to fight the enemy, which exposes the weakness of his moves.
Mu Qingfeng's footwork was astounding; he often dodged the blade at the last second, sometimes by only a few inches. Yet, by those mere inches, he was unharmed and narrowly escaped.
Si Ming and Murong Qing exchanged glances, already guessing He Qichang's plan, but neither of them offered any help.
"Why did you resort to violence? Did I say something to upset you? If so, I apologize. Can we sit down and talk this out?"
Despite the pain in his arm, Mu Qingfeng gritted his teeth and asked, but the only response he received was the Demon Blade that had transformed once more.
"Demon Blade - Gale!"
The blade's speed increased instantly, becoming extremely sharp. Mu Qingfeng could no longer dodge with his Starry Steps and was immediately struck in the side. His strength waned, and he crashed into the wall.
Just He Qichang was about to capture the man, Si Ming was about to intervene when a flash of cold light Blink outside the room. A golden spear pierced through the air, its tassel swung in a wide arc, its tip spitting out a sharp point. It was as dazzling as the sun rising into the sky, as powerful as an angry dragon raising its head, with immense momentum.
He Qichang dared not be careless. He swiftly raised his single blade, the spine of which struck the spear tip. With a resounding hum, he was jolted back several steps. Before he could catch his breath, he saw the spear's light, swift as the wind, attack again. Each strike was imposing. He mustered his strength to barely defend, but felt the heavy force transmitted from the spear, making it difficult to resist. His wrist went numb from the impact.
He Qichang wanted to avoid the enemy's sharp edge, but the Demon Blade Art only had offensive moves and no defensive moves, so he had to switch to other sword techniques. He immediately held the sword horizontally to his chest, his feet seemingly merging with the earth, solid as a mountain and sinking as the sea.
In an instant, swords and spears clashed, light scattered and shadows blurred, and fifty or sixty exchanges were exchanged in just a few breaths.
Finally, with a flick of the spear, He Qichang's tiger's mouth split open, making it impossible for him to hold the knife anymore. As a result, the knife flew out of his hand, and the golden spear stopped two inches in front of his throat.
The newcomer turned out to be Liu Yongzhan, whose marksmanship was far superior to his swordsmanship.
"Forcing you to stay was wrong, but you shouldn't have targeted Marshal Mu's only son. He meant you no harm. Apologize to him immediately!"
Liu Yongzhan advanced an inch with his gun raised, his threat obvious.
But given He Qichang's personality, how could he back down at this moment? He snorted and turned his head away, showing an attitude of disregarding life and death.
"Fine, fine, you want to play the hero, huh? But being a hero isn't so easy. Your two companions have Spirit Transformation stage experts as their masters, while you don't seem to have one..."
"Uncle Liu, stop! Don't hurt anyone. I'm fine." It was actually Mu Qingfeng who spoke up to stop them.
Liu Yongzhan turned his head helplessly and said, "Young Marshal, did you see that? Offense is the best defense. Don't just learn defensive martial arts; learn the General's marksmanship too."
"I don't like fighting and killing. Learning some self-defense martial arts is enough. Even in the Su State, only ordinary people are allowed to practice defensive martial arts."
"Different national circumstances, how can we generalize? Our Su State has enjoyed peace for a long time, and many people have never experienced war in their lives, so there is naturally no need for them to learn offensive martial arts. But you are now in the army, and you may fight the enemy at any time. On the battlefield, swords have no eyes. The best way to protect yourself is not to block the enemy's attack, but to kill the enemy first."
Liu Yongzhan sheathed his golden spear and warned He Qichang, "I didn't take your weapons to show you the respect our army has for you. But if you betray that respect, then I'll have no choice but to be ruthless. I hope there won't be a next time, otherwise I can't guarantee I'll be able to keep my distance for that last shot."
He Qichang still had a sour face and an uncooperative expression.
Si Ming hurriedly advised, "Forget it, forget it. What good will it do to take hostages? We're surrounded by sea, and the only way out is by boat. They can easily catch up with us. That's why Murong Qing and I didn't make a move earlier—we should at least wait until we're ashore before we try to escape."
Liu Yongzhan was exasperated. "You've put me in a difficult position by saying this so openly. Next time, could you please discuss this kind of thing when I'm not around?"
Si Ming asked Mu Qingfeng curiously, "You don't even know martial arts to kill, so why are you participating in this operation?"
"But I know medicine and can save lives. I'm not bragging, but out of these three thousand people, my medical skills are the best."
Mu Qingfeng said with a hint of pride, but then sighed, "It's a pity that studying medicine can't save the Li State. I've gradually come to understand this lately... Can you tell me more about Su State?"
Liu Yongzhan asked worriedly, "Young Marshal, are you going to stay here and chat with them?"
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. It was just an accident. We became friends after a little misunderstanding," Mu Qingfeng reassured him.
Si Ming, however, felt that Mu Qingfeng's presence in the army wasn't due to his medical skills, but rather because his father intentionally used it to encourage his subordinates—"I've even brought my own son along, so this mission isn't very dangerous."
For some reason, Si Ming felt a pang of sympathy for Mu Qingfeng, and said, "Ask me anything you want to know, and I'll answer you to the best of my ability."
Mu Qingfeng exclaimed happily, "That's great! I still have so many questions I want to know. Now I won't be bored on the way."
Chapter 182 The Eight Major Ideas of the Mohist School