Capítulo 4: Brothers
Morning of the second day.
Dragon Mountain Manor, Water Rites City.
In this world, every city had a Dragon Mountain Manor! The Dragon Mountain Manor of Water Rites City was an ancient five-story stone building.
The entrance of the Dragon Mountain Manor was guarded by powerful-looking knights. Neither the civilians nor nobles dared to venture within ten metres of the main entrance. Trespassing beyond the boundaries would mean certain death, even for the nobles!
A white-robed old man dashed into Dragon Mountain Manor.
"Lord You Tu," greeted the two green-armoured knights at the entrance respectfully.
"Is the lord of the manor around?" asked the old man.
"Yes he is around. The lord has not seemed well since this morning," one of the tall, green-armoured knights replied.
The old man stepped into the interior of Dragon Mountain Manor, heading up to the third floor.
"Dong dong." The door was knocked.
"Come in," came a voice from inside.
A white haired elder pushed open the doors and entered. The doors closed behind him. In the room, there was a smooth, dark yellow, long table with piles of paper and books strewn across its surface. Behind the table sat a black, middle-aged man browsing through a book.
This man was the master of Water Rites City’s Dragon Mountain Manor - Lord Si An!
"You Tu, how was it?" inquired Lord Si An as he glanced up.
"The news is accurate. Last night, Baron Dong Bo of Xue Ying Territory and his wife were taken away," reported the old man. "The forces of Snowrock Castle tried to resist but were defeated in the blink of an eye."
"Heh, the Mo Yang clan is really overbearing!" frowned Lord Si An. "It was only yesterday that I received news from the prefecture, and already, they have captured their targets during the night."
The internal rules of Dragon Mountain Manor were also very strict.
The nineteen provinces of the empire.
Every provincial capital had a Dragon Mountain Manor, each Manor wielding secretive and tremendous power.
Province, Prefecture and County cities.
These three levels of administrative divisions ruled the world.
"They are the Mo Yang clan after all. The Mo Yang clan ranks among the top ten clans of the Eastern Province domain," said the white haired elder.
"Heh," sneered Lord Si An. "They ranked last among the top ten clans of the Eastern Province domain! Moreover, the rise of their clan into the top ten ranks was due to their ancestors! Otherwise, they would have never made it now."
"However, even a small portion of their power, if exposed, could crush our colossus," the old man sighed and shook his head. "Pity. Xue Ying Territory is now left with just the two children. I learnt from my investigations that the two year old son of the couple cried nonstop. Many soldiers and servants of Snowrock Castle are saddened by the whole incident too."
"The Dong Bo couple have treated their people really well and are well respected," nodded Lord Si An.
---
Xue Ying Territory. At the summit of the tallest mountain "Snowrock Mountain" laid the majestic Snowrock Castle.
Within the castle, some of the servants were sorrowfully gossiping in the dark. However, due to the presence of Lion-man Tong San and Six Armed Snake Demon Zong Ling, the daily life of the entire castle continued as per usual.
Although, it was already day.
Little brother Qing Shi had only just managed to calm down. Ever since his parents were taken away, he had been crying nonstop. No one could pacify him! In the past, it was his mother who attended to him personally. Since mother was a mage, she could easily add a hypnotic effect to her voice….thus putting a child to sleep was a very easy task, but now, with the trauma Qing Shi had gone through, it was a big headache to put the child to sleep.
Qing Shi had been terrified of Lion-man Tong San and Snake Demon Zong Ling from the start. Moreover, the maids had never accompanied the little brother to sleep, so it fell on Dong Bo Xue Ying to personally get his brother sleeping!
Although Xue Ying felt miserable, he endured the misery to coax his brother to fall asleep. At last, it was daylight. His little brother was dead tired, seemingly having forgotten the plight of their parents. He was, after all, still a two year old child...It could very well be that when he grew up, he would not even be able to recall last night’s incident.
"Be good, Pebble. Go to sleep."
"I want to sleep with you, elder brother."
"Ok. Am I not here with you?"
"Elder brother, I want to listen to you sing."
"..."
Gradually, a very tired Qing Shi fell asleep in the arms of Dong Bo Xue Ying. The latter did not dare to move in fear of waking up his little brother.
Soon, night fell.
Zong Ling and Tong San arrived outside the house.
"Let me see," Zong Ling said as he gently pushed the doors slightly and peeked through the slight opening. He caught sight of the chubby Qing Shi lying spread-eagled and drooling saliva on his elder brother’s chest. However, Dong Bo Xue Ying was also sound asleep. His clothing was a little dishevelled, and the blanket only covered half of his body.
Tong San also peeked through the door crack, feeling heartbroken as he gazed at the two brothers snuggled together.
"Ah Yu has always been the one taking care of Pebble and had never allowed the maids to look after him. The sight of us frightens Pebble...How will we manage in the future? Will Xue Ying have to put him to sleep every day?" Zong Ling was feeling a little worried.
"Uncle Zong, Uncle Tong," greeted Xue Ying as he gently left his brother on the bed while he got up.
"You should sleep more," said Zong Ling. He knew that Xue Ying had certainly not slept long.
Truth be told, Xue Ying had indeed not slept much. He was still reeling from shock, and, on top of that, he had to take care of his brother. It was only pure exhaustion that compelled him to fall asleep. Even then, his sleep was light; the presence of Zong Ling and Tong San had woken him up. Fortunately, his constitution was strong, and he could withstand the pressure.
"It’s ok. Uncle Zong and Uncle Tong, Pebble has always been taken care of by mother and no one else," said Dong Bo Xue Ying. "Now that my parents have been taken away, the news cannot be concealed. Even now, I cannot allow the servants to take care of my little brother. He is scared of them and the both of you. So only I can take care of him. After all, I just have to get him to sleep. During the day, we will only need to arrange for someone to keep watch."
"There are many people in the castle to keep watch during the day," said Tong San.
"Then we will have to depend on you. When your brother gets older, it should get better," said Zong Ling.
"En," Dong Bo Xue Ying did not say much else. Qing Shi was after all his one and only little brother. With their parents taken away, he would have to take good care of his brother.
"Uncle Zong and Uncle Tong, previously you mentioned that I will have to obtain the Black Iron Order of Dragon Mountain Manor before I can learn more on how to rescue mother and father. How do I get it?" asked Dong Bo Xue Ying.
Both Zong Ling and Tong San were secretly helpless.
It seemed that this child would always be committed to saving his parents.
"Once you have grown stronger, Dragon Mountain Manor will naturally send over the Black Iron Order," said Zong Ling.
"Stronger? How much stronger?" asked Dong Bo Xue Ying.
"Neither your father, Uncle Tong, nor I have the Black Iron Order," said Tong Ling. "The day that Dragon Mountain Manor acknowledges your strength will be the day the Black Iron Order will be sent over."
Dong Bo Xue Ying instantly understood.
To obtain the "Black Iron Order," he must first be more powerful than Uncle Zong and Uncle Tong!
"Now I understand," Dong Bo Xue Ying did not ask further.
"How long has Pebble been sleeping?" asked Zong Ling.
"Almost six hours," replied Dong Bo Xue Ying.
"Then let’s wake him up. It’s already evening and Pebble has been troubled for so long without eating anything yet. Let’s wake him up for dinner. Also, let those maids play with him so that he will be able to sleep during the night. If he continues sleeping now, he will make a big fuss in the middle of the night."
...
The sky was endlessly dark.
In the dining hall, Dong Bo Xue Ying sat at the head of the square table with Qing Shi beside him. The servants began serving the food.
For dinner, Dong Bo Xue Ying was having some fruit juice and a well-prepared portion of devil beast meat. His little brother was having some milk and cereals.
As Dong Bo Xue Ying watched his little brother eating happily with a smile, anguish filled his heart. There used to be their mother and father sitting at this table too, but now, it was just him and his brother.
"Are you full?" asked Dong Bo Xue Ying.
"En, I am full, very full," replied Qing Shi as he patted his little belly. With great curiosity, he asked, "Where are mother and father? Why are they not around? Are they still sleeping?"
"They went out. Pebble, shall we head to the back garden to play?" replied Dong Bo Xue Ying.
"Back garden. Let’s go to the back garden!" Qing Shi’s attention was instantly diverted. The back garden had a lot of fun places. It was specially built for the two brothers by their mother. They loved to play there. There were even some magical artifacts there.
"Take Master Qing Shi to the back garden and look after him well." Dong Bo Xue Ying instructed the three maids standing at the side.
"Yes."
The three maids replied respectfully. They all knew that from this very day, this young man was the lord of the entire Xue Ying Territory.
As he watched the maids bring his little brother down the stairs, Dong Bo Xue Ying placed his hands on the railings and looked at the back garden. There were over twenty fire crystal lamps illuminating every part of the back garden. At the back garden, there were over ten servants to play with his little brother. Every servant playing with his brother had been carefully chosen for their loyalty.
Dong Bo Xue Ying went back to his study room.
The study room was large at six metres high, fifteen metres long and ten metres wide. Considering that Snowrock Castle covered over one kilometre of ground, this study room seemed very ordinary.
Inside the study room was a table. The shelves were filled with a large number of books, many of which were biographical novels. In the past, Dong Bo Xue Ying had enjoyed reading them, and his mother had also accumulated many of them.
Sitting at the front of the study table, he waved his hands, the golden leaf manual appearing in his hands instantaneously.
"The secret spear-fighting manual of the Transcendent knights?" Dong Bo Xue Ying immediately started to read.
Capítulo 5: Spearmanship
"I, the Xia Dynasty’s ‘Dark Ice Knight’, Yu Yuan Han, have left this spear technique here."
Crammed on one of the pages of the golden leaf book, several small drawings depicted an individual practicing a spear technique.
"Weng-"
A mysterious and mighty power made the air in the room vibrate.
"Hm?" Shocked, Dong Bo Xue Ying raised his head to look at the scene in front of him. A dazzling silvery white light materialized from the opened pages of the golden leaf book. The mystical light slowly condensed into the shape of an old man holding a spear, dressed like a beggar. This silver figure was extremely tiny, barely taller than the book.
Suddenly, an ice-cold aura enveloped Dong Bo Xue Ying, who couldn’t help but shudder.
"Hua!" The image of the old beggar started to practice technique after technique, all of which used the spear in his hand. The spear was like a dragon; raging, thrusting, lashing, and blocking....
This was too familiar; this was the spear method that Dong Bo Xue Ying had been practicing since he was six years old. In the Dragon Mountain Empire, this very common spear technique was called "Soul Spear Technique".
"Soul Spear Technique"was taught around the world. It was the simplest and most basic technique, often referred to as the origin of all spear techniques. There was no particularly amazing killing technique, only basic techniques. Many spear experts started from learning the "Soul Spear Technique"when they first started learning to use a spear.
"I have practiced the Soul Spear Technique for almost three years now; why haven't I realised that this spear technique was actually so impressive?" Dong Bo Xue Ying stared at the spiritualized practicing warrior with widened eyes. A simple thrust of the spear by this old beggar could make the body of spear shoot out spiraling like a water snake. Dong Bo Xue Ying couldn't help but feel excited by the powerful thrust because when the spear was retrieved, it was spiraling like before but in the opposite direction.
He started practicing at six years old, and now he was eight years old. It was now winter, he had indeed practiced his spear for nearly three years.
"The spear technique father has passed down to me is very standard. He also taught me according to this set of spear methods, but why do I still feel that my spear technique is different from his?" Dong Bo Xue Ying carefully observed the misty figure.
They were the same basic spear techniques.
However, when a master practiced them, it was indeed different from the technique of a newbie.
"There's an inner strength. Every movement has a surge of strength, as if the entire strength of the body was perfectly used in harmony with the spear." Dong Bo Xue Ying faintly judged to an extent..
The book was still opened, and this set of "Soul Spear Technique"was continuously repeated.
Only after an hour and countless rereadings did he finally flip to the next page.
This page was full of cramped words.
"The basics are important in spear techniques. The first set of spear technique I will teach is the origin of all techniques "Soul Spear Technique". Only when you practice this to perfection, is there hope of learning my spear technique."
"There's a set of Qi circulation methods below."
"My spear technique is known for it's speed! Using this Dou Qi method, you’ll be able to wield the spear even more quickly!"
All of the other densely packed characters were all about the Dou Qi method.
The words of this Transcendent Knight were very casual, but in fact, this technique was a priceless treasure! If there were two equally ranked knights, the knight with this unique Dou Qi technique would be able to make four to five moves while the opponent would be only be able to make two to three moves. The victor would be decided in moments.
"My spear technique is called the"Dark Ice Spear Technique" which has three realms."
"The first realm is Drifting Snow. If you learned this technique, you have crossed the threshold and are now considered a master of spear."
"The second realm is Blood Rain. If you have learn this technique, you have surpassed the Legend rank and have hopes of stepping into the Transcendent realm!"
"The third realm is Dark Ice. Every Transcendent has their own path, and this technique represents my Transcendent path This is why I am called the Dark Ice Knight! My path may not necessarily suit you if you can reach this level... Or you can just borrow some Dou Qi circulation techniques."
Dong Bo Xue Ying became more excited as he continued reading.
It was indeed the spear techniques left by a Transcendent Knight; it can lead you all the way to Transcendence!
He continued to flip through the book, the page after was Dark Ice Spear Technique's densely packed explanations along with some unique methods of Qi circulation..... These explanations were written on more than twenty pages. They were very direct, even Dong Bo Xue Ying could understand what this elder was talking about, but Xue Ying's spear fighting skills were currently too shallow. There was no possibility of him learning this set of spear techniques at this moment.
He flipped to the last page.
There were some cramped pictures that immediately guided the light to project a materialization of the old beggar as he began to perform the Dark Ice Spear Techniques.
The old beggar first practiced the usual Drifting Snow of Dark Ice Spear Technique, embodying one word, fast! Just one strike manifested the strength of hundreds and thousands of spears, like numerous falling snowflakes... To say the least, Dong Bo Xue Ying's naked eyes could not clearly see them. Then, he began practicing slowly, and as if in slow motion, Dong Bo Xue Ying could see all of them clearly.
Afterwards he practiced the Blood Rain of Dark Ice Spear Technique and at the very end, the Dark Ice of Dark Ice Spear Technique!
This set of spear techniques can only be described with one word- Fast!
It was extraordinarily fast.
...
Naturally, he continued practicing the "Soul Spear Technique". Only when he had mastered this technique would he be able to begin practicing the most basic technique of the "Dark Ice Spear Technique", Drifting Snow.
Younger brother Qing Shi really clung onto Xue Ying even after he coaxed him into bed that night. He noisily pestered Xue Ying on his bed for nearly an hour before finally going to sleep.
The next day, after eating breakfast.
The martial practice grounds.
"This is the martial practice grounds." Dong Bo Xue Ying said as he swept his eyes over it. In the past, his father practiced here everyday.
"Let’s begin then."
Dong Bo Xue Ying put on some weights and began running around the whole circumference of the inner castle. The inner castle took up half of a kilometre. He had already established a daily routine of running several kilometers everyday.
After he finished running, Xue Ying returned to the martial practice grounds and removed his weights. Sweating all over, he leisurely walked to an area with many short spears. Every single short spear was roughly 2.5 kg. They were all specially made for Xue Ying.
"All right!" said Xue Ying as he picked up a short spear and casually threw it 80 meters, hitting a thick target. This target had long since been scarred with various cuts.
"Go, go, go."
Dong Bo Xue Ying started to run while throwing another short spear.
He continually threw spears as he moved!
He hit the target while in motion…..
"Throw it for me!" Xue Ying yelled.
"Yes master." The servant on the side obeyed and began throwing some small targets into the sky. Xue Ying began running from 80 meters away, throwing spears at the targets. Sometimes he hit the target, and sometimes he missed by a bit. Clearly his throwing movements were still lacking.
Father had said——‘Short spears are merely an aid. It’s possible to hit everything while running and throwing. In the future, you must practice everyday and throw 200 times to warm up so you can maintain this feeling.’
...
After throwing one thousand short spears, Xue Ying felt both of his arms aching. His whole body was dripping with sweat. He had long since gotten used to this feeling.
After finishing his short spear practice.
Xue Ying began practicing a set of fist techniques that strengthened the muscles and bones throughout the body. It was a Dou Qi technique called the "Three Stage Flame Technique". Father had spent a large amount of money to obtain this technique. Originally the technique father had learnt while he was in the army was only a lower grade one.
The effect of Qi cultivation was the best when the body was exhausted!
This fist technique combined both strength and gentleness. While matching his breathing to the technique, his training made his whole body feel comfortable while a faint mysterious power drilled into his body, numbing it. This caused his physical strength to quickly recover.
After practicing the "Three Stage Flame Technique" twice, both his arms had recovered.
"Good. Time to begin practicing the spear technique."
Xue Ying picked up a spear at his side. In accordance with his height, the spear was also 1.8 meters long and weighed 5 kg.
"Hè!" Xue Ying began practicing the "Soul Spear Technique".
He had already practiced this spear technique for nearly three years. He was already very skilled in it. However, today he felt completely different.
"Right, using force this way is the most comfortable." Xue Ying had watched the Transcendent Knight practice spearmanship yesterday. He couldn’t help but begin imitating the knight while he was practicing. Immediately, he had harvested quite the reward.
"Whoosh"
His left hand lightly gripped the spear near the head while his right hand held the butt of the spear. Abruptly, he began exerting force.
With a turn of his right wrist...
The spear shot out like a big snake, rotating rapidly. If an enemy encountered this attack, it would look like the spear was aimed at his face, but as the spear spun closer, it would tilt down and bury itself into his throat! There were two purposes for using this attack: the first would be to confuse the enemy, while the second would be to efficiently penetrate the enemy’s defenses.
"Pa!" The spearhead was thrusted into the body of a practice dummy. This dummy was fixed in the ground and was made out of two types of metal. The inside of the dummy was made out of cast metal. While the surface of the dummy was coated with alchemized gold, which made it very durable and self-repairing. These dummies were so durable that it was impossible for knights under the star tier to destroy them, but in the entire field, there were only five of these dummies because each dummy costed 500 gold coins!
In addition to the dummies on the field, there was one alchemized gold dummy in his mother’s laboratory in order for her to conduct her experiments.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh." Dong Bo Xue Ying repeatedly thrusted with his full strength.
He thrust from the middle, from below, and from above.
From the Left, and from the right.
This simple thrust was the foundation upon which every spear technique was based upon. With every thrust, Dong Bo Xue Ying tried to remember the feeling of when he trained with the Transcendent Knight’s spear technique.
After thrusting a thousand times, Dong Bo Xue Ying’s right arm ached, and he was bathed in his own sweat. In the past, he would only thrust five hundred times before he ended his training, but now he pushed himself even further.
"Pa." Finally, after thrusting the dummy with full force once more, the spear was repelled. His arm became numb, and he lost his grip on the spear. "Bang." The spear fell to the ground
Dong Bo Xue Ying knelt, gasping for air. Sweat dripped from his whole body as he gazed at the spear lying on the ground.
Even though he was determined to go on, he was exhausted, and he was tempted to give up.
Dong Bo Xue Ying looked up, in the past his father would stand above him, angrily scolding Xue Ying.
"Coward!"
"You are already tired? You only thrusted 300 times! With your body, you could strike 500 times without feeling tired, and you should only feel tired after thrusting 1000 times. Your limit should be five times what you have done, 1500 thrusts! Even the damage caused by reaching your limit... ... it will be healed by the medicinal bath that is awaiting you this evening! This medicinal bath, it will be as if you hadn’t been injured at all because any fractures and wounds would be healed...The medicinal bath will invigorate you and restore your condition to full health by the next day! What did I have when I was training as a child? Was I as fortunate as you? You can’t even thrust 500 times! Get up!"
"Get up! If you don’t stand up then you are a coward!"
"Only 500 times. Why can you, a noble young master, not do it?"
"Get up! The son of Dong Bo Lie is no coward"
"Stand up!"
Father's roar dimly sounded in his ear.
"Stand up! Get up!" Dong Bo Xue Ying grabbed the spear and stood up.
"Whoosh"
Dong Bo Xue Ying thrust with full force again.
Dong Bo Xue Ying’s eyes were red as he thrust again and again as if he was mad. "Father, I really want you to scold me… I wouldn’t mind if you called me a coward… I would still be happy."
One only knew how valuable something was after losing it.
Regalos
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