Spear Technique Initiation

Li Yi's expression did not change. Neither servile nor overbearing, he replied, "I heard it. At the time, I was on my way to the blacksmith's shop."

"Is that so?"

The Household Affairs Officer drew out his words, then abruptly changed the subject. "But you're only a hunter. How could you afford a spear worth several dozen strings of cash? And the bow on your back isn't cheap either.

Shouldn't you explain yourself?"

The moment those words fell, the air around them seemed to freeze.

Weapons for military service did indeed have to be prepared by the recruits themselves, but those selected were usually the ones who bought the cheapest options. Who had conditions like Li Yi's?

"My lord, I borrowed the money from my neighbor Li Erniu. I also traded some of my hunting catches for money. If you don't believe me, feel free to send someone to investigate..."

What Li Yi said was half true and half false. Even if the Household Affairs Officer truly sent someone to investigate, he was not worried. Li Erniu would definitely cooperate with him.

The Household Affairs Officer narrowed his eyes, seemingly pondering something. After a moment, he suddenly gave a chuckle.

"So that's how it is. That does sound reasonable. Let him pass!"

The yamen runners exchanged glances, then stepped aside to make room for Li Yi.

Li Yi clasped his hands toward the Household Affairs Officer before walking out.

Not long after leaving the city gate, Li Yi suddenly stopped, a slight frown appearing on his face.

His instincts told him that someone was following him.

It seemed that Household Affairs Officer still could not put his mind at ease and had arranged for someone to tail him.

However, Li Yi did not look back and continued forward as usual.

The two people trailing him were trusted yamen runners of the Household Affairs Officer. The instant Li Yi left, the officer had sent them after him with a single look.

Having served the Household Affairs Officer for years, they naturally understood what he meant.

They suspected that Wang Dagui's death had something to do with this man named Li Yi.

But the exact circumstances could only be known after investigating.

With the two of them following behind, Li Yi returned home as usual.

The moment he entered, Li Yi called into the house, "Xiaoyue, look what I brought back for you all!"

Li Yue's eyes curved into crescents with her smile.

"Brother, you're finally back! You were gone for so long. Sister Liu Ru and Sister Liu Fang were both worried about you!"

Li Yi rubbed her head and smiled. "Tell them I'm back and that they don't need to worry. But don't go out. Stay home properly and wait for me to return."

Li Yue frowned at that. "Brother, where are you going?"

Li Yi said with a smile, "I'm going up the mountain. While I still have time, I need to hunt more game. Otherwise, once I go to the military camp, I might not even come back once a month."

At that point, Li Yi paused before saying, "When I return, I'll teach you and Xiaoxin martial arts. In times like these, if you want to survive, you can only rely on yourselves."

Li Yue's expression turned serious as well. "Big Brother, I'll listen to you."

Li Yi smiled and reached out to ruffle his sister's hair. Whether it was Li Yue or Li Xin, both were especially sensible children.

He planned to first teach them some basics and see whether they had any talent for martial arts.

If they lacked the talent for martial arts, he would think of other paths for them.

After explaining everything, Li Yi went to check on Li Xin. Only after seeing that Li Xin was still resting safely in bed did he turn and leave.

Li Yi then headed straight for the mountain.

He had thought those two yamen runners would follow him, but after walking for quite some time, he did not notice anyone behind him.

Had they given up? Or had they gone to Li Erniu to verify his story?

As for whether they would go to his home and look for Li Yue and the others, Li Yi was not worried.

That was because he had already left behind measures to deal with it and had told his younger brother and sister what to do in an emergency.

If those two truly dared to lay hands on them, they would make sure they went and never returned.

After waiting for nearly a quarter of an hour and still finding no one following him, Li Yi continued up the mountain.

This mountain was called Hundred Trees Forest. Its trees were lush and dense, blotting out the sky and sun, and it was home to many wild beasts.

According to some old hunters, tigers had even been seen here.

That was why many hunters only dared to linger around the edges and did not dare venture deep inside.

Li Yi was now skilled and bold, so he was not worried about encountering wild beasts.

Besides, there were few people here. It was the perfect time to cultivate.

He took out the manual for Gale-Rending Formation-Breaking Spear and opened it to study.

Every page depicted vivid little figures. Their movements were graceful yet domineering, and beneath each stance was a corresponding breathing method.

Li Yi picked up the Plum Blossom Spear and followed the techniques in the book. Guiding his qi to his dantian, he began practicing.

Every move and stance required the utmost coordination of every muscle in his body. After a quarter of an hour, all his muscles ached to the extreme. Even with his enhanced physique, Li Yi found it somewhat strenuous.

But once he crossed that threshold, changes began taking place inside his body.

The aching throughout his body did not fade. Instead, it was joined by heat spreading from within to without, producing a strange sensation of comfort that made him hurt and rejoice at once.

After practicing for a full half hour, Li Yi was drenched in sweat. Completely exhausted, he collapsed onto the ground and panted heavily.

[Gale-Rending Formation-Breaking Spear] (Beginner): 0/200

[Effect: The spear shoots forth like a dragon; can thrust three times in an instant; arm strength increased]

Hard work did not fail those with resolve. Relying on his experience wielding the Eight Extremes Spear in his previous life, Li Yi successfully brought this spear technique to the beginner level.

At that moment, the moves within Gale-Rending Formation-Breaking Spear were directly branded into Li Yi's mind.

When he closed his eyes, those little figures began wielding their weapons in his mind.

Li Yi entered a mysterious state. When he opened his eyes again, he raised the Plum Blossom Spear and wielded it with flowing ease, like drifting clouds and running water.

"Gale-Rending Formation-Breaking... so that's how it is," Li Yi murmured.

Such a technique was domineering and fierce, and its demands on the practitioner's physique were extraordinarily high.

It was not inferior in the slightest even to the Eight Extremes Fist, which had been passed down for a thousand years.

Thinking of this, Li Yi became even more curious about exactly who Li Erniu's older brother was.

But Li Yi knew that curiosity killed the cat. He would not ask. When it was time for him to know, he would naturally know.

Once his strength had recovered, Li Yi got up and prepared to hunt some wild rabbits.

A huge wild boar like the one from last time was something that could only be encountered by chance. Hundred Trees Forest stretched endlessly and was simply too vast.

But this was one advantage of ancient times: wild rabbits and pheasants were fairly common. As long as one's archery was good enough, there was no need to worry about returning empty-handed.

Among the mountains and forests, tangled brush grew everywhere. Li Yi carried his spear and swept onward through the undergrowth.

He crouched down, pushed aside the loose soil, and found some black droppings beneath it. They were long and cylindrical, and without any disgust, he picked them up and rubbed them between his fingers.

He brought them close to his nose and sniffed hard.

Other than the stench, he could not make out anything else.

At that moment, the panel lit up again.

[Scouting and Concealment (Beginner): 20/200]

[Effect: Track trails and recognize paths; conceal one's presence]

This skill leveling up at this moment was like receiving a pillow just when sleep came calling.

Li Yi stood up and looked through the forest again. Countless details he had not noticed before now all entered his sight.

Though Li Yi did not know what animal the droppings had come from, faint footprints lay beside them—footprints that he felt only he could see.

Li Yi followed the footprints deeper into the forest. Before this, he would not have dared. Getting lost in the forest was no laughing matter.

But now, it was as though there were a map in his mind. Every path he saw could be remembered, so he did not fear forgetting the way there and back.

After walking an unknown distance, low "woo woo" growls sounded from nearby.

Looking closely, he saw that it was actually a red fox with a mouse still clamped in its mouth.

It raised its head and watched Li Yi warily.

Fox fur was a good thing. Its market price could fetch several taels of silver, and it was excellent for keeping warm.

Li Yi instantly decided to take down this fox and use its pelt to make winter clothes.

He drew his bow, nocked an arrow, and pulled the bowstring taut.

Whoosh!

A miserable cry rang out.

Li Yi ran over excitedly to inspect it. His arrow had shot straight through the fox.

He lifted it and weighed it in his hand. It was at least ten jin.

This trip had not been in vain. The fox pelt could be skinned for clothes, and the meat could be made into jerky. He could leave some for the family and bring the rest to the military camp.

Afterward, Li Yi lingered in the forest for a while longer.

Unfortunately, he did not encounter any more large prey this time and only caught two wild rabbits.

Together with the fox from before, the haul was still decent.

As evening approached, Li Yi carried his prey down the mountain and headed home.

Before he reached his home, he saw yamen runners standing outside his door.

Li Yi hurriedly quickened his pace, only to discover that the yamen runners had not entered. They simply turned and left.

Li Yi immediately stopped. Only after the yamen runners had gone far away did he quickly return home.

A pretty figure stood at the doorway, her eyes somewhat red and a trace of tears still clinging to her lashes.

Who else could it be but Liu Fang?

She had originally been waiting at home for Li Yi to return, but instead, yamen runners had arrived.

She had been so frightened that she thought something had happened to Li Yi. Fortunately, they had merely asked some basic questions about him.

"Liu Fang, are you all right?"

"Brother Yi."

When Liu Fang saw that it was Li Yi, she said in a tearful voice, "You're finally back! The yamen runners came just now. They scared me to death. I thought something had happened to you."

"I'm fine. Don't worry. What did those yamen runners ask you?"

"Nothing much, just some things about you. Eh? Why does it smell so gamey?"

Liu Fang suddenly covered her mouth and nose.

With a chuckle, Li Yi raised the fox in his hand for her to see.

Liu Fang's eyes widened at once. "A fox? Wow, its fur is so pretty."

There was no woman who did not love beauty. The moment Liu Fang saw the fox's fur, her eyes lit up.

Li Yi looked gently at the woman before him. "I hunted it to make clothes for you all. Take a look and see how it should be made."

At that moment, everyone in the house came out upon hearing the commotion.

Li Yi explained the situation to Li Yue and the others, then they all worked together to prepare the game.

Half an hour later, the family sat gathered around the crude dining table.

Besides smoked pork, there was also a plate of fox meat on the table.

Other than Liu Ru, everyone wore happy expressions.

Ever since Father Li passed away, the Li Family had not eaten meat. Yet in just these past few days, they were almost getting tired of it.

"Brother Yi, you're amazing! Today, I heard that Uncle Zhang next door and the others all came back empty-handed."

"I was just lucky. But we only need to live our own little lives well. Don't make a fuss about it."

Li Yi stuffed a large mouthful of fox meat into his mouth. After taking one bite, he frowned.

Because the meat truly tasted terrible.

But his body still needed a constant supply of nutrients. Vitality and blood would not appear out of thin air.

After eating their fill, while Liu Fang and the others were resting, Liu Ru pulled Li Yi to the doorway.

Lowering her voice, she asked, "Xiao Yi, did you... succeed?"

Liu Ru's gaze was extremely complicated. She wanted Wang Dagui dead, but she was also afraid Li Yi would get himself into trouble.

Especially when the yamen runners came to their door today, her heart had leapt into her throat.

"Yes. You can go home and sleep now. You don't have to worry about Wang Dagui and the others setting their sights on you anymore."

Li Yi's words put Liu Ru greatly at ease.

Under the moonlight, the outline of Li Yi's face looked so resolute and attractive.

For a moment, Liu Ru stared at him in a daze.

When she came back to herself, her face was already flushed red. Fortunately, it was dark enough that Li Yi could not see it. She huffed coquettishly, "Hmph, chasing me away so quickly. Are you afraid I'll keep getting in the way between you and Liu Fang?"

Li Yi said helplessly, "No. I was just afraid you wouldn't be used to staying here."

Liu Ru rolled her eyes. She felt that Li Yi was truly slow-witted in certain matters.

After chatting for a while, Liu Ru went inside.

Li Yi's expression, however, became cold once more.

The Household Affairs Officer's men had actually waited outside his home for so long today. It seemed they had truly set their sights on him.

Given Wang Dagui's relationship with the Household Affairs Officer, that man would definitely avenge him.

The Household Affairs Officer was not Wang Dagui. If he wanted to deal with Li Yi, he had more methods than he could count.

No, that man could not be allowed to remain!

As his martial strength grew, Li Yi's heart had become increasingly ruthless as well.

But even if he were to act, now was not the time. He needed to wait a little longer.

When he returned to the room, Liu Fang had already lain down.

"Brother Yi, you're back?"

Liu Fang's voice was intensely seductive. Li Yi turned his head and saw that his younger brother and sister next door had already fallen asleep.

So he held Liu Fang in his arms and brought her before the window.

Under the moonlight, Liu Fang clenched her teeth tightly as she endured Li Yi's thrusting from behind.

After an unknown amount of time, Liu Fang finally could not endure any longer. Her body trembled a few times, and then she fell asleep.

Li Yi, after all his enhancements, still looked full of vigor.

After thinking about it, he simply carried his spear into the courtyard to practice.

Again and again.

He had to seize every opportunity to raise his strength.

After an uneventful night, Li Yi had worked hard all night and gained only twenty experience points.

[Gale-Rending Formation-Breaking Spear (Beginner): 20/200]

[Effect: The spear surged forth like a dragon, able to unleash three consecutive thrusts in an instant; arm strength increased]

At this rate, who knew when he would reach mastery?

After taking a cold bath by the well, Li Yi began preparing dried provisions.

Soldiers had to bring three days' worth of provisions themselves, or they would have nothing but hunger when they got there.

Liu Fang had just woken up and was about to prepare breakfast.

Her legs trembled as she limped over to the water vat to scoop some water.

When she saw Li Yi, she was too shy to look at him. What had happened last night was still vivid in her mind, and the sight of him made her legs go even weaker.

Li Yi shook his head, then stepped forward to help her prepare everything.

More than half an hour later, they finally finished making dinner.

After eating and drinking their fill, Li Yi fixed a solemn gaze on Li Yue, Li Xin, and Liu Fang.

"I'm about to leave for Military Service. Once I go, I don't know when I'll be able to return."

Liu Fang clasped her fingers together and lowered her head, an inexplicable ache rising in her heart.

Li Yue and Li Xin said nothing either, but everyone knew the reluctance in each other's hearts.

"Don't be so sad."

Li Yi said with a smile, "I can bring back wild boars weighing several hundred jin. Once I'm on the battlefield, I'll just deal with those people like they're wild boars."

Though Li Yi appeared very confident, the battlefield changed in the blink of an eye, and no one knew what might happen.

Li Yi turned to Li Xin. "While I'm gone, Xiaoxin, as the only man in the family, you must carry this place on your shoulders. Don't let anyone bully you."

After several days of care, Li Xin's body had nearly recovered. He nodded forcefully. "Brother, don't worry. I'll definitely protect Sister and Sister Fang."

Li Yi nodded and took a dagger from his clothes, handing it to Li Xin.

"This is for you to defend yourself."

Then he rose to his feet. "Before I leave, I'll teach you some things. Write them down carefully. These will be the skills that keep you alive from now on. Also, I'll teach you how to make traps."

Although Wang Dagui was dead, Li Yue and Liu Fang were both so strikingly beautiful that people like Hu Dagui and Master Wang would naturally set their sights on them.

So they had to be given ways to protect themselves.

Traps combined with martial training were the best means.

If traps were made well, even highly skilled martial artists could be injured.