A youth charged onto the battlements with a steel saber clenched between his teeth. Snatching the saber into his hand, he promptly cut down two men. Though a dozen or so government soldiers rushed at him, two of his comrades also clambered onto the battlements, and together they held off the counterattack.
Sun Mingke watched the youth who had been first onto the walls and thought, This man has rendered considerable service under my command. He deserves a promotion.
He drew up his cavalry lance and, with a great shout, ordered his troops forward. Someone had already opened the city gates. Relying on his own martial prowess, Sun Mingke killed dozens in moments and scattered the defenders near the gates.
Horses neighed shrilly amid the fierce fighting. The battle lasted more than four hours and ended with Sun Mingke taking yet another city.
After clearing out resistance within the city, Sun Mingke entered the government offices. Remembering the youth who had first scaled the walls, he sent for him and asked, "I recall you came from a Turk tribe?"
The youth answered neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Yes! My father was a slave, and my mother was a Turk woman."
Sun Mingke smiled. "Our Prince of Yan cares nothing for a man's origins. You were first onto the walls today. Is there any reward you would like?"
The youth's eyes lit up. "I want to learn superior martial arts."
Sun Mingke replied, "The Eighteen Prairie-Fire Strikes: Tail-Fire Rabbit and the Eighteen Iron Horse and Ice River Strikes: Jade-Ice Earthworm are taught throughout our army. Once mastered, they have considerable power. Do you feel they aren't enough?"
The youth said, "I want to learn truly superior martial arts."
Sun Mingke smiled. "Very well!"
"I have a volume of the Vajra Prajna Palm.