Spear Technique Novice, Finally Meeting the Pharmacist! (Seeking Follow-up Reads!)

As the young man turned back, he cast a distant glance at Qingshui Town, his footsteps never faltering. He arrived at Qingyun City by evening.

Back in Qingyun City, the youthful innocence on the young man's face had vanished in just over ten days. The last rays of the setting sun fell upon his face, revealing a resolute and calm expression.

"I'll check the pharmacy first."

Su Mu arrived at Jiuchen Alley and his heart tightened when he saw the tightly shut bamboo door. As he turned to leave, his steps suddenly paused. After turning back again, his heart rejoiced – the cloud-wandering wooden plaque hanging on the bamboo door had been taken down.

At this, the young man quickened his pace towards the entrance of the serene medical hall and peered inside. An old man walking towards him spoke up, reminding him.

"Kid, Pharmacist Lin was invited to the County Magistrate's residence today. You should come back tomorrow."

Hearing this, Su Mu was not worried but delighted. This was good news to his ears – Pharmacist Lin had returned.

"Old sir, do you know when Pharmacist Lin returned to the city?"

"I don't remember clearly, maybe five or six days ago?"

"Thank you for the information, old sir."

Five or six days.

Counting back five or six days, that was precisely when he was busy with revenge. Although he couldn't help much with the Young Physician's request this time, this trip to Qingshui Town was of extraordinary significance to Su Mu.

With that, Su Mu bowed his thanks and quickly left Jiuchen Alley, heading towards the marketplace.

He remembered the Young Physician mentioning that Pharmacist Lin enjoyed eating Osmanthus Cake. Su Mu was lucky when he arrived at the pastry shop; there was just one box of Osmanthus Cake left.

"Young man, we also have some Date Paste Crisps today. These Date Paste Crisps are soft and sweet, and they are most loved by the young masters and ladies from wealthy families in the city. A box usually sells for one tael of silver, but you've come at a good time; this box is only half a tael."

As she spoke, a young girl from the pastry shop opened the wooden box. Su Mu looked and saw that it was made with flaky pastry, shaped like golden peach blossoms, looking delicate and exquisite.

"Alright, wrap them both up for me."

One box of Osmanthus Cake for Pharmacist Lin, and one box of Date Paste Crisps for the Young Physician – it was just right.

After buying the pastries, Su Mu returned to his residence and first brewed the Three-Complete Body Strengthening Soup. He then immediately began to study the Torrential Rain Spear Technique he had obtained, starting with a thorough reading.

Rustle.

The sound of turning pages was calming.

After reading it thoroughly once, Su Mu had basically memorized the entire secret manual. He then read it through several more times to find any omissions. At this point, with his powerful comprehension, he was beginning to understand it.

His long spear had not yet been forged, so Su Mu picked up a bamboo broom from the courtyard, recalling the club of the burly man in black armor. Practicing spear techniques required proper stance first, otherwise, it would just be a show.

Su Mu first warmed up with a set of the Five Animal Frolics, then gripped the broomstick with both hands, his front hand controlling direction and his back hand controlling explosive power, integrating his waist and legs to practice the Four Directions Stance.

"The basic spear techniques are divided into Block, Grasp, Pierce, along with the five forms of Lift and Sweep."

"Torrential Rain Spear Technique has four forms: Surging Clouds, Torrential Rain Pear Blossom, Thunderclap Break, and Hundred Cascades Fall, which correspond to the four realms of this spear technique."

Su Mu had never practiced any weapons before. In his past life, there was a saying: "A month for the staff, a year for the saber, a lifetime for the spear, and a sword carried always."

This saying emphasized the time required to master different weapons. Staff techniques required a month to get started, saber techniques a year to become proficient, spear techniques a lifetime of study, and sword techniques required constant carrying to maintain a feel for it.

This illustrated the difficulty of spear techniques. However, there was also another saying: "Weapons are an extension of fists and feet."

Fist techniques are the ancestor of all martial arts!

Su Mu had cultivated the Five Animal Frolics and the Tiger Subduing Fist to perfection. His mastery of fist techniques reached a level unattainable by ordinary people. Even though he was encountering the spear for the first time, he quickly gained some insight.

After half an hour, he switched stances, practicing basic footwork like lunges, horse stance, and empty stance. Su Mu then began to practice the basic techniques.

When holding the spear, the chest faces the inner gate, and the shoulder and back face the outer gate.

Block and Grasp are divided accordingly. When facing a pierce attack from the outer gate, use Block to defend. When facing a pierce attack from the inner gate, use Grasp to defend. This is the Block and Grasp in spear techniques.

Hoo!

Su Mu flipped his wrist upwards and rotated his grip halfway around the shaft, executing a Block. The bamboo broom spun as he thrust it out, a gust of wind whistling.

This thrust did not use any internal force; it was purely the result of Su Mu's physique, which far surpassed that of ordinary people, relying solely on his physical strength.

After ten Blocks and ten Grasps, Su Mu's eyes lit up slightly.

After a hundred Blocks and a hundred Grasps, he gradually gained understanding. With his high comprehension of 17 points, Su Mu was able to quickly improve even when encountering spear techniques for the first time.

The sounds of the long spear continued throughout the night.

As the sun rose, casting its first rays upon the earth.

Hoo!

Suddenly, a swift spear thrust shot out in the courtyard. The "long spear" without a tip produced a gust of wind, scattering fallen leaves in the yard.

Thwack!

Then, with a crisp sound, the long spear penetrated the wood three inches deep, piercing an old locust tree.

The locust tree swayed, and yellowed old leaves rained down.

If an outsider were present, they would be stunned, because the "long spear" embedded in the locust tree was a bamboo broom.

Torrential Rain Spear Technique (Beginner 1%)

The young man wiped the sweat, the size of soybeans, from his forehead, a look of satisfaction on his face. After a night of arduous practice, the Torrential Rain Spear Technique officially appeared on his status panel.

"Spear techniques indeed share many commonalities with fist techniques."

Su Mu looked up at the rising sun. Overnight, his clothes had been soaked in sweat, then dried by his internal force. This process repeated countless times, leaving a layer of salt stains on his clothes that looked like frost from a distance.

"It's still early... I'll take a bath, eat something, and then head to the medical hall."

After bathing, Su Mu felt ravenously hungry. He ate three catties of braised meat and several large bowls of rice in one go before letting out a sigh. Then, he picked up a few boxes of pastries from his room and headed to the medical hall.

He was slightly delayed. Su Mu had underestimated Pharmacist Lin's reputation in Qingyun County. It had only just begun to get light, and when Su Mu arrived, he saw several figures already standing outside the medical hall.

Su Mu silently walked to the back of the line. At that moment, a surprised voice called out from within the courtyard.

"Little brother, come in quickly!"

The Young Physician spotted Su Mu and waved vigorously, his small arm like a tender lotus root.

Hearing this, Su Mu passed through the crowd, carrying two boxes of pastries, and stepped into the serene little courtyard.

"Little brother, did you bring this for me?"

"Yes, one box for you, and one for Pharmacist Lin."

Su Mu followed the Young Physician to a side room. The Young Physician brought him a cup of tea. "This is the camellia tea that Master just brought from the south. Master is currently fast asleep, so I'll go wake him. Little brother, you can sit here for a while, or you can wander around the back garden at your leisure."

Hearing that the Pharmacist was asleep, Su Mu decided to wait. Just as he was about to speak, the Young Physician, without waiting for a reply, dashed out of the room.

"Then... I'll trouble you, Young Physician."

Su Mu lifted the teacup. As wisps of steam rose, the aroma of tea filled the room. He took a sip of the camellia tea, its fragrance rich and mellow.

"Good tea."

After finishing the cup of tea, Su Mu pushed the door open and walked into the medicinal garden. At that moment, he heard footsteps behind him. The footsteps were steady, unlike the Young Physician's light tread.

If it wasn't the Young Physician, then it must be Pharmacist Lin!

An old man with white hair and a youthful complexion appeared behind him. He paused slightly after Su Mu turned around, then smiled and spoke.

"It's been a few days since we last met, young friend. I trust you are well."

The young man's pupils constricted, his face filled with surprise.

"Are you... Pharmacist Lin?"