Hong Jiu

After fighting three consecutive matches, Wu Ming felt somewhat fatigued.

He temporarily stepped aside to rest. As he rested, he recalled the previous battles and summarized the experience he had gained from actual combat. He gradually gained some understanding of spear technique, no longer remaining in the primitive state of only knowing how to exert strength.

Seeing Wu Ming step aside to rest, the others did not remain idle. Before long, more people stepped forward to spar and hone themselves. Those in this courtyard had basically reached the level of Scattered Hand, all tempering their skills through actual combat as they strove toward the realm of mastery.

After resting for a while and watching several more sparring matches, Wu Ming soon picked up his spear and entered the field again.

This time,

His opponent was someone who had trained for only two months and had merely taken his first steps into the Scattered Hand realm. His strength was far inferior to Chen Gui and the others, and he was also considerably weaker than Li Cui.

After the two exchanged blows for a while, Wu Ming finally swept his spear into his opponent's left chest after more than ten moves, jolting him back several steps. It counted as Wu Ming's first victory after trying actual combat.

After that, Wu Ming mingled among the others and trained for half a day, becoming increasingly proficient in actual combat.

And just as everyone was sparring and tempering themselves,

An old man in a black mandarin jacket walked through the front courtyard with his hands behind his back, as leisurely as if taking a stroll. His gaze casually swept over the many martial artists in the yard practicing their power exertion. Some of those nearby noticed the old man's arrival and hurriedly bowed respectfully.

"Old Hong."

As the manager of the martial academy, Hong Jiu was advanced in years, and neither his Blood Qi nor his physique remained at the peak of his youth. But he had once been an expert of Third Blood Forging, so his prestige was naturally not low.

Seeing several Martial Masters from the inner courtyard gather around him, Hong Jiu lazily waved a hand. "I'm just here for a look around. No need to follow me. Go attend to your work."

Having said that,

He strolled through the courtyard on his own. Though he appeared relaxed and absent-minded, his continually flickering gaze took in every movement practiced by the people in the yard.

As the martial academy's manager, he basically never personally instructed others in martial arts. However, if someone offered him thirty or fifty taels of silver, it was not as though he could not personally offer a bit of guidance. Thus, every so often, he would still come stroll around the martial academy.

After making a round through the South Courtyard, he entered the North Courtyard, where actual combat was honed.

After giving it a casual glance, Hong Jiu's gaze suddenly stirred. He looked toward the west side, his eyes settling on someone currently sparring in the field. That person held a long spear—it was Wu Ming.

"Hmm?"

As an expert of Third Blood Forging, even though he was old, Hong Jiu's memory still far surpassed that of ordinary people. He vaguely recalled that Wu Ming had entered the inner courtyard with a martial token not long ago, then chosen spear technique to train in. By calculation, it had been no more than ten days.

In only ten days, he had not only mastered the force exertion of spear technique and entered the Scattered Hand level, but had become so skilled in actual combat as well?

Hong Jiu was somewhat astonished.

After turning the thought over slightly, he beckoned to an attendant following nearby and asked, "That lad with the spear—what is his name, and what is his aptitude?"

"Reporting to Old Hong, his name is Wu Ming. His aptitude is below average. He entered the Outer Hall on the fourth."

The attendant immediately replied respectfully.

The Martial Masters teaching at the academy might not all know Wu Ming. After all, new martial artists entered the academy almost every day, and martial artists also left every day. But the attendants recognized everyone clearly, since they were responsible for handling the martial artists' various trivial matters—carrying and delivering water, moving sandbags, wooden stakes, equipment, and so on.

"Mm, below average. Not bad."

After hearing the attendant's words, Hong Jiu revealed a thoughtful expression.

After observing for a little longer, he turned and leisurely walked away with his hands behind his back. At the same time, he instructed the attendant beside him, "In a quarter of an hour, invite him to the rear courtyard to see me."

"Yes."

The attendant responded respectfully. After watching Hong Jiu depart, he looked at Wu Ming with a trace of envy in his eyes.

As the martial academy's manager and the senior-most expert of Third Blood Forging, Hong Jiu rarely summoned martial artists from the Outer Hall. Summoning Wu Ming alone like this most likely meant that he thought Wu Ming's talent and aptitude were decent. Though Wu Ming was not qualified to enter the Inner Hall, he was still worth giving a little guidance.

"Old Hong wants to see me?"

Wu Ming held his ox-tendon spear and looked at the attendant who had come to summon him, a trace of surprise appearing on his face.

He had been at the martial academy for nearly ten days. He had only seen the old manager, Hong Jiu, a few times and had never spoken with him, so he did not know why the old manager had suddenly summoned him.

"Since Old Hong has summoned you, hurry over."

Chen Gui stood to one side and gave Wu Ming a slight nod. In a low voice, he said, "Old Hong is no ordinary person. In his youth, he was a major figure at Third Blood Forging. Even his realm of skill reached the Unity Realm!"

"Old Hong summoning you now may be because he has heard of your talent in the arts and intends to give you some pointers. This is a good thing. Ordinarily, anyone in this courtyard who wants Old Hong's personal guidance must offer at least several dozen taels of silver."

After hearing Chen Gui's words, Wu Ming understood. He immediately removed his leather armor, took up his ox-tendon spear, and followed the attendant who had come to summon him. Leaving the front courtyard, he soon arrived at the rear courtyard where various manuals and books were kept.

In the courtyard,

Hong Jiu stood there in a black cloth mandarin jacket, his hands behind his back.

Wu Ming entered carrying his spear. When he came within roughly one zhang of Hong Jiu, he respectfully bowed.

"This junior, Wu Ming, pays respects to Old Hong."

Hong Jiu had his back to Wu Ming. Hearing Wu Ming's words, he leisurely turned around and looked Wu Ming up and down before suddenly saying, "The Outer Hall contains seven recorded spear techniques: Chasing Wind, Falling Leaf, Bagua, Liuhe, Formation Breaker, Twin Serpent, and Antelope Horn... Of these, Twin Serpent and Chasing Wind use two-handed dual short spears, while the other five all use a two-handed long spear."

"The Falling Leaf Spear Technique you practice emphasizes precise strikes and breaking attacks. When wind blows fallen leaves, raise your spear and thrust; in an instant, you can pierce every fallen leaf and gather them all upon a single point of the spearhead. With such precision, when facing an enemy in battle, every move can naturally strike at vital weak points."

Having said that,

Hong Jiu slightly raised his chin at Wu Ming. "Come attack me."

"This..."

Wu Ming hesitated slightly.

Hong Jiu said leisurely, "There is no need to hesitate. Attack with all your strength. Though this old man is unarmed, you still cannot hurt me."

"Yes. Then this junior will excuse his discourtesy."

Since Hong Jiu had said so, Wu Ming respectfully acknowledged it. After saluting with his spear, he immediately gripped it with both hands and fiercely thrust forward. As the spear shaft trembled, it transformed into three cold flashes that struck separately toward Hong Jiu's throat and eyes.

It was the first form among the sixteen forms of the Falling Leaf Spear Technique.

Facing Wu Ming's attack, Hong Jiu still kept his hands behind his back. His feet merely swayed slightly, and he drifted one step to the side. His movement appeared slow, but was actually extremely fast. Within a hair's breadth, he nimbly evaded Wu Ming's spear thrust.

Though missing with one strike was within his expectations, Wu Ming was still slightly shocked. If not for his perception at the meticulous level, he likely would not even have been able to see Hong Jiu's movements. And even if he could see them, his body could not keep up at all.

Between the two of them, their speed alone was as far apart as heaven and earth.