Chapter 60: Mandarin Duck Blades
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On the elevated platform by the training ground, He Yan was deep in thought.
She hadn’t used blades much in the past, finding them somewhat inconvenient. Most of the blades on the weapon rack were either willow-leaf blades or large ring blades, neither of which suited her. After careful consideration, she reached for a small blade from the bottom layer.
The new recruits who were watching her were taken aback by her choice.
Someone who didn’t understand asked, “Why is this blade so small? It’s not even as long as a person’s arm.”
Jiang Jiao, with his extensive knowledge, explained, “This is a Mandarin Duck Blade, and it’s not just one, but a pair.”
Indeed, the Mandarin Duck Blades were not large; they were just the length of a person’s forearm. Two blades were held together in a single sheath, allowing them to be concealed in a sleeve or boot. The blades had wide, thick edges, with only a few inches of sharpened edge near the tip, making them suitable for reverse strikes and blocking.
He Yan slowly withdrew the blades from their sheath, one slightly longer than the other. It seemed that very few people used Mandarin Duck Blades regularly, as they appeared to be in almost new condition.
Impressed, she silently praised the choice. She held the blades, giving them a spin in her hands, and found them quite suitable.
Wang Ba had also come closer, and he immediately noticed the Mandarin Duck Blades in He Yan’s hands. He stared in surprise and muttered, “He’s using Mandarin Duck Blades?”
Equally puzzled was Huang Xiong on the platform. Seeing He Yan carefully selecting and testing the blades, his gaze had changed as he asked, “Dual blades?”
He Yan nodded, “Dual blades.”
“I didn’t expect that at such a young age, you would also be proficient in dual blades,” Huang Xiong remarked, “You truly have an all-encompassing knowledge!”
He Yan humbly replied, “It’s all due to circumstances.”
Among the crowd below, the conversation didn’t sit well with some. Du Mao nudged Liang Ping and said, “What kind of family background does He Yan come from? How can he be proficient in every type of martial art due to circumstances? Was he abducted and forced to perform on the streets since childhood?”
“Who should I ask if you’re asking me?” Liang Ping retorted irritably. Even the Mandarin Ducks Blades could be wielded skillfully by her, which respectable individual would use Mandarin Ducks Knives? These were often used by the outlaws of the green woods!
Who exactly was this person?
Without further words, Huang Xiong slowly unsheathed his long blade and nodded slightly towards He Yan, saying, “Please, Little Brother He, enlighten me.”
He Yan thought to herself, why does he call me “little brother”? Even though she grew up to nineteen years old in her previous life, she should be calling Huang Xiong “uncle.” Now that Cheng Lisu calls herself “big brother,” if she follows Cheng Lisu’s lead, she should be addressing Xiao Jue as “uncle.” But now she’s calling Xiao Jue “uncle,” and addressing Huang Xiong as “big brother”?
Huang Xiong was old enough to be Xiao Jue’s father and still be a generation older than him!
Thinking about this, He Yan heard a cry of “Be careful, Brother Ah He!” from below, but by then, Huang Xiong was already charging towards her with his blade in hand.
He swung his heavy golden-backed blade with formidable force, his movements swift and powerful. He positioned the blade diagonally to the left, shifted his right foot slightly, turned, and lunged toward He Yan with a downward slash.
Startled, He Yan quickly crouched and lowered herself to evade the attack. She used the back of her blade to deflect Huang Xiong’s blade, and with the yuan blade leading and tHe Yang blade following, she closed in on Huang Xiong.
With tremendous strength, Huang Xiong deflected He Yan’s blade with a heavy swing. Meanwhile, He Yan had already aimed her blade at him and threw it. Huang Xiong tilted his head to avoid the flying blade, and He Yan quickly flipped and tilted her head back, catching the thrown blade in her hand. The two stepped back a few paces, each eyeing the other intensely.
Huang Xiong was no Jiang Jiao; after all, Jiang Jiao was still young. Huang Xiong had been wielding his blade for thirty years, forming an excellent understanding between him and his blade. Having fought against He Yan earlier, he knew that this young man was no ordinary opponent.
With a need for swift resolution, He Yan calculated her next move.
Huang Xiong was equally overwhelmed, having encountered countless opponents over the years, both skilled and unskilled. However, this young man was so young; his fluid and seamless moves during the disarming and recapturing of the blades—how did he do that? Did he start training with blades when he was three?
He Yan wondered, since Huang Xiong was robust but lacking in dexterity, she could find an opportunity to defeat him by focusing on speed.
With a determined look in her eyes, He Yan shouted, “Continue!” and advanced towards Huang Xiong.
Huang Xiong held the blade in his right hand, stepped diagonally with his left foot, and thrust the single-edged blade straight towards He Yan.
He Yan’s mandarin duck blades clashed with Huang Xiong’s attack. Despite her seemingly petite figure, her strength was not to be underestimated. The two blades locked together, but He Yan had another trick up her sleeve. One blade traced an arc, while she bent her elbow and lifted the blade’s back over her head, slashing towards Huang Xiong.
Unable to dodge in time, Huang Xiong had a corner of his clothing cut off. A collective gasp erupted from the crowd in the training ground.
From that moment, everyone realized that He Yan’s movements had become swifter.
Her footwork was incredibly agile. One blade entangled with Huang Xiong’s heavy golden-backed blade, while the other moved like a snake, ready to strike. Although Huang Xiong hadn’t been struck by her attacks, he found himself unable to exploit any weaknesses. While his single blade was fierce, her dual blades showcased finesse, using softness to overcome his strength.
“You just asked me for instruction, and I remembered that we have a mnemonic verse for dual blades,” she unexpectedly took the time to speak, “Let me recite it for you.”
Huang Xiong momentarily froze, and she immediately took advantage of the opening to throw one of her blades.
“North wind born in June, twin arms born, yet left and right are as one.” She held a long blade in each hand, her posture confident.
“Both arms intertwining before my eyes, a lone sword found in Yu Yang region.” The long blades danced in intricate patterns, making it hard to discern the youth’s expression; only his amused laughter was audible.
“With a single hand, agility like lightning, only by breaking formations can you enter the gate.” Step by step, she pressed forward, remaining unfazed.
“Only then will you truly understand the complete blade method, by using both the left and the right.” She swept one blade towards Huang Xiong’s neck, narrowly missing him.
“Now using the right knife with sword technique, when one receives an attack, switch to the left.” One left, one right – she wielded them with skill and ease. She felt as though the knife was an extension of her hand, and her hand was like a blade’s edge.
In the training ground, she recited and danced, her swift movements contrasting with her measured voice.
The clash of blades resonated, producing a ringing sound that seemed to grip everyone’s hearts.
When Cheng Lisu and his companions approached, this was the scene they witnessed.
“Uncle, look, I told you, my big brother is bound to win!” he exclaimed excitedly.
His shout caught the attention of those nearby. Someone recognized Liang Ping and exclaimed with excitement, “It’s Commander Xiao, Commander Xiao, General Fengyun has come to the training ground!”
General Fengyun?
Upon hearing this, the new recruits’ attention was drawn to Cheng Lisu. The commotion reached the training ground, and He Yan’s ears perked up. Xiao Jue?
She turned her head and saw, not far from the training platform, standing beside Shen Han and Cheng Lisu, was indeed Xiao Jue.
The young man was dressed in a dark blue robe with crane patterns, exuding a refined air. His features were as exquisite as a painting, a stark contrast to the surrounding new recruits. While the training ground exuded ruggedness, he radiated an air of sophistication. Although he was far away, He Yan couldn’t discern his expression. He likely wore the calm and distant demeanor of a high mountain flower.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Jue had personally come to watch her competition. Did this imply that the spectacle of her challenging someone on the spot yesterday had finally reached the right ears? Had Xiao Jue realized that she was an extraordinary talent?
“Be careful, big brother!” Lost in thought, He Yan heard Cheng Lisu’s cry. She lifted her head, just in time to see Huang Xiong’s blade closing in.
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