Luting County, Gong and Drum Lane.
Fine snow drifted down like grains of salt over the courtyard that had been converted into a training ground.
Dressed in thin training clothes, Yang Ge stood surrounded by six of his guards, holding a wooden staff half a man's height and as thick as an arm.
He turned slowly, keeping his guard up.
The six Embroidered Uniform Guard troopers, armed with blades, shields, and crossbows, circled him in small, shuffling steps.
"Right, just like that. Hold steady, look for an opening, don't rush..."
Yang Ge sharpened his awareness and regulated his breathing as he spoke slowly. Before he finished, he suddenly tilted his head and swung his staff, knocking aside a crossbow bolt with its head removed.
At that instant, two broad-shouldered, thick-waisted troopers carrying cast-iron shields half a man's height lunged forward together, moving to trap Yang Ge between them.
Just before the two troopers crashed into him, Yang Ge calmly stepped out to the right and swung his staff one-handed in a sweeping arc.
Clang! Clang!
Two dull metallic crashes rang out in succession. One cast-iron shield flew away, while the other trooper planted himself in a horse stance and braced his whole body behind his shield. He slid backward three or four steps before finally absorbing the force of Yang Ge's blow.
The next second, a faint whistle suddenly sounded right in front of Yang Ge's face.
With not a moment to spare, he raised his hand, caught the bolt in front of his face, and casually hurled it back. He even had time to comment, "You mistimed the second shot. Too early!"
Before he finished speaking, two troopers armed with a wooden saber and sword had already lowered themselves and charged in. The shield bearer who had just retreated