A Weasel Offering New Year's Greetings

The crowd turned to look at the source of the voice, and upon seeing who it was, they exchanged glances.

It was Qin Wang leading his brother, Qin Lai, to pay a visit.

Qin Lai was carrying gifts in his hands: two packages of pastries and a jar of fine wine sealed with red cloth. A rather unnatural smile was plastered across his fleshy face.

Qin Wang stood at the courtyard entrance and cupped his hands toward the inside. "Brother, my good-for-nothing younger brother offended you a few days ago. As his older brother, I have brought him here today specifically to apologize. I hope you can be magnanimous."

As he spoke, he turned his head and glared at Qin Lai, his tone turning stern. "What did I tell you at home? Hurry up and apologize to brother Qin Meng!"

Qin Lai stepped forward, set the gifts aside, and bowed to Qin Meng. "Meng... ah, no, brother Meng. I was blinded by greed before and acted like a scoundrel. We're all fellow villagers, please don't hold it against me..."

Although he said this, Qin Lai's eyes were shifty, revealing his reluctance.

Qin Meng sneered inwardly. The acting skills of these two brothers were not particularly clever, especially Qin Lai's—his reluctance was practically written all over his face. He knew this was likely a stalling tactic by Qin Wang, intended to lower his guard.

He didn't expose them, however. Instead, he put on a genial smile and hurried forward to greet them.

"Oh my, brother Wang, brother Lai, what are you doing? You're being too formal!"

Qin Meng held Qin Lai's arm, preventing him from fully bowing, his voice hearty. "It was just a small misunderstanding; it's good that we've cleared it up.

I'm just a hot-headed youngster, it's inevitable that I'd be impulsive. What's past is past! Come, come in and sit. We're just eating; I'll add two pairs of chopsticks!"

As he spoke, he gestured unobtrusively toward old man Yang and the others, who were watching from the side. "Uncle Yang, Tiezhu, you all be my witnesses. For us folks in the fort, it's best to clear up any misunderstandings."

These words were meant for the Qin brothers as well as everyone present.

Qin Wang's eyes flickered, and he laughed. "Brother Qin Meng speaks the truth! You're a big man!"

He took the opportunity to pull Qin Lai up. "Since brother Qin Meng doesn't blame us, how about our brothers toast you, and we call this matter settled?"

"Good!" Qin Meng signaled for Qiu Yue to bring bowls and poured the wine that Qin Lai had brought.

The three of them clinked bowls and downed the contents in one gulp.

Qin Wang didn't stay long. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he took Qin Lai and departed.

After seeing the brothers off, old man Yang and the others finished their meal and left after expressing their profuse gratitude.

Only Qin Meng's family and Li Tiezhu remained in the courtyard.

Li Tiezhu leaned in close to Qin Meng and lowered his voice. "Meng, my old man said long ago that Qin Wang used to be a rogue.

He became a sly fox while hanging around the county magistrate's office. He's sweet-faced but bitter-hearted, definitely not a good person. Don't let his sweet talk and a bowl of wine fool you!"

Qin Meng patted his shoulder, his smile turning cold. "Don't worry, Tiezhu. When a weasel pays a New Year's call to a chicken, how could it have any good intentions? They are definitely plotting something in the shadows, but we'll just deal with whatever comes our way."

He began to clear the bowls and chopsticks.

Shen Qiuyue began her daily physical training in the room, sweating profusely.

Qin Meng and Li Tiezhu went to the open space in the courtyard to prepare for a sparring session.

Li Tiezhu naturally used his iron spear.

Qin Meng found a sturdy wooden pole of similar length, with the hoe head removed, to use as a makeshift spear.

"Mengzi, watch out! My spear has no eyes!"

Li Tiezhu gave a warning, then sank his breath and flicked his wrist. The spear shot out like a viper emerging from its hole, accompanied by a soft hum, thrusting straight at Qin Meng's chest. It was the opening move of the militia martial skill, Pear Blossom Spear.

Qin Meng focused his attention and blocked with the wooden pole.

"Clack!" The pole and the spear shaft collided. Qin Meng's arm vibrated slightly, and he took half a step back.

Li Tiezhu did not let up. He flicked the spear shaft, turning it into several cold stars that shrouded Qin Meng's upper body like falling pear blossoms. This was Pear Blossom Bloom.

At first, Qin Meng appeared clumsy and overwhelmed by the continuous offensive.

However, as the clash continued, the methods of using spears and lances buried deep in his memory began to awaken, surging into his mind like a tide.

The wooden pole in his hand was no longer just for blocking; he began to attempt counterattacks. Although still appearing rusty, his strikes were powerful and heavy, gradually turning the disadvantage around.

[Learned unranked martial skill: Berserker Spear Technique]

[Berserker Spear Technique - Novice (9/100)]

[Martial Skill Progress: 1%]

[Special Effect: None]

Several lines of golden text appeared, and Qin Meng felt a surge of energy, his insights deepening.

He no longer clung to the fragments of memory, but instead combined the newly realized spear technique with his own strength and the skills to mobilize his blood and qi.

Gradually, he went from being evenly matched to handling the situation with ease. The special effect of Black Dragon Eighteen Hands, Weakness Detection, also allowed him to quickly find his opponent's flaws.

Often, Qin Meng's wooden pole did not meet the spear head-on. Instead, by knocking, guiding, or flicking, he always managed to strike the weak points in Li Tiezhu's spear momentum, faintly taking the initiative and even guiding his opponent.

Li Tiezhu was becoming increasingly shocked and excited as they fought. He could feel that Qin Meng's spear technique was transitioning from rusty to proficient at an astonishing speed.

Moreover, that bold, unrestrained style of breaking finesse with sheer force, combined with the way Qin Meng quickly found his flaws, brought him a new kind of pressure and inspiration.

Sparring with his childhood friend, he had to give his all, constantly adjusting and perfecting his weaknesses, which invisibly deepened his own understanding of the Pear Blossom Spear.

The night deepened, and the stars began to twinkle.

After awakening his innate talent, Qin Meng possessed astonishing stamina and felt no fatigue at all.

"No... no more, let's take a break!"

After over an hour of high-intensity sparring, Li Tiezhu finally ran out of steam. He jumped out of the circle, leaned on his spear, and gasped for air.

"That was satisfying." Qin Meng wiped the fine beads of sweat from his forehead. The moment he sheathed his spear, the blood and qi that had been surging from the intense combat suddenly condensed. A more powerful force erupted from deep within his bone marrow, rapidly scouring and strengthening his body, especially his legs, waist, and hips.

Before his eyes, a few lines of small text reappeared:

[Berserker Spear Technique - Dengtang (13/200)]

[Special Effect: Berserker Stomp]

Berserker Stomp: Slightly increases body agility and lower-body stability.

Qin Meng could clearly feel that the muscles in his legs had become tighter, his grip on the ground had doubled, and his waist and hips moved with greater fluidity and ease.

When standing still, his lower body felt as stable as the roots of an ancient tree. When moving, he felt light as a swallow, his footwork shifting rapidly without the slightest hesitation.

This special effect perfectly compensated for the minor deficiencies in his current movement technique.

Sweat dripped from Li Tiezhu's forehead, but his face wore a joyful smile. "That was a blast, truly a blast! Mengzi, where did you learn this spear technique?"

"Just messing around on my own, plus sparring with you, I suddenly got a feel for it," Qin Meng said to Li Tiezhu with a smile. This wasn't entirely a lie.

"Your 'messing around' is terrifying." Li Tiezhu shook his head in amazement. After resting for a moment, he got up to leave. "Mengzi, I'm heading back. There's training in the squad tomorrow."

"I'll see you out." Qin Meng walked Li Tiezhu to the end of the alley, agreed to spar again tomorrow night if they were free, and then returned to his small courtyard.

Inside the house, Xiao Xue, who had an injured hind leg, was sleepy and had already drifted off to dreamland. Shen Qiuyue had finished washing up and changed into clean sleepwear.

Qin Meng blew out the oil lamp and lay down beside the woman.

Shen Qiuyue was not yet asleep; she turned over naturally and snuggled into his embrace.

"Mengzi, that gift..." Shen Qiuyue asked with concern.

"It has been delivered. I'll host Old Man Yang tomorrow," Qin Meng held her tightly.

"So, is this matter settled?"

"No." A cold glint flashed in Qin Meng's eyes. "Once the New Year greetings are over, it will be time to make a move."

He felt the woman's delicate body tremble slightly, pressing even closer against his solid, burning chest. A faint, unique fragrance drifted from her hair and neck.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here." Qin Meng's breathing grew heavy.

Between the martial arts training during the day and consuming two deer hearts, the vigorous blood and qi accumulated from the sparring were stirred up by the warmth and softness in his arms, suddenly beginning to surge.

His large hand involuntarily slid into her sleepwear, stroking her smooth, delicate waist and back.

"Mengzi... don't," Shen Qiuyue's body trembled slightly, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum, tinged with a hint of shyness and concern. "You've been practicing martial arts all day, you must be tired..."

"I'm not tired." Qin Meng let out a low chuckle, his breath scorching. With a few quick movements, he removed the barriers between them and pulled her tightly into his arms, kissing her.

"For a martial artist, the blood and qi are vigorous; they are in need of the harmony of yin and yang..."

A short while later, heavy gasps and suppressed, delicate moans intertwined, causing even the heated kang to creak slightly—another round of intense "combat."

As the passion subsided, the two lay embraced.

Shen Qiuyue's cheeks were flushed crimson. Nestled in Qin Meng's arms, she soon drifted into a deep sleep. Feeling the soft, fragrant warmth in his embrace, Qin Meng also closed his eyes.