The Innocent Heart - Chapter 20

Because children in the modern era receive rich nutritional supplements, Guan Yueyao, though only 14, was already nearly 170 cm tall. Holding a Han Dynasty ring-pommeled long saber, he still looked quite composed.

Wei Qing observed coolly. Guan Yueyao held the saber in his right hand and lightly wiped the unsharpened hilt between his bent left elbow and forearm. His movements were natural and practiced, clearly indicating he was a martial arts student.

Wei Qing dismissed his casual attitude and picked up a long saber from the weapon rack himself. In truth, he had only started practicing the saber after gaining the Emperor’s attention. Speaking realistically, he might not be as proficient as Guan Yueyao.

But at this moment, both were focused on the sparring match. Even Huo Qubing, standing on the side, held his breath, afraid of missing any of their movements.

The competitive spirit deep within Guan Yueyao was now fully ignited by Wei Qing. Seeing the opponent take his stance, he didn’t hesitate. Holding the saber vertically in front of him, he charged toward Wei Qing.

Soon, the two blades met with a crisp clang of metal striking metal.

Although Wei Qing instinctively blocked, relying on his years of experience, he managed to deflect Guan Yueyao’s attack and push him back a few steps. However, he felt a sting in the web of his hand between his thumb and forefinger. He was surprised by the sheer strength of the young man before him and looked at him in shock.

Seeing his first strike fail, Guan Yueyao swung the long blade again and charged Wei Qing. Miaodao techniques are known for their broad, sweeping movements. As Guan Yueyao wielded the long saber, Wei Qing saw what looked like a dense net of blades woven in the air. Wei Qing frowned. He had never seen such a saber technique before and for a moment couldn’t find a way to counter it. He was forced to retreat step by step by Guan Yueyao’s offense, almost defenseless.

Huo Qubing, standing on the sidelines, was also captivated by the exquisite saber skill Guan Yueyao displayed. His mouth slightly agape, he was on the verge of forgetting to breathe.

Fortunately, because this was his first time using a ring-pommeled long saber, Guan Yueyao was not perfectly accustomed to it. Its weight and length were not what he usually used, restricting his movements. Wei Qing finally gained a moment to catch his breath and found an opening. He flashed aside, avoiding the edge of Guan Yueyao’s saber. Shifting his feet, he was already behind Guan Yueyao.

Guan Yueyao quickly sensed trouble. He instantly switched to a defensive posture, spinning around and holding the saber horizontally in front of him, blocking Wei Qing’s downward chop.

Clearly, both had gradually forgotten that this was merely a friendly spar and were now fully committed.

A flash of excitement crossed Guan Yueyao’s eyes. He roared, gathering strength, and pushed forward, forcing Wei Qing back several steps. Immediately following were several straightforward, direct cleaving attacks.

At this point, however, Wei Qing seemed to have gradually grasped some of the technique, and the two began to trade blows evenly.

Guan Yueyao first feigned a forward horizontal slash. Wei Qing fell for the trick, bending slightly and swinging his saber upwards. Guan Yueyao seized the moment, spun around, raised the saber high with both hands, gripped the hilt a few inches above the guard with his left hand, reversed his right hand grip on the hilt, and brought it down in a cleave.

This strike was tremendously powerful. Furthermore, the two were too close, giving Wei Qing no way to evade. He had no choice but to raise his saber and barely manage to withstand Guan Yueyao’s strike.

Nevertheless, Wei Qing was still a strong, vigorous adult male. Although the web of his hand stung severely from the shock, he gritted his teeth, struggled to maintain his footing, and forcefully pushed away Guan Yueyao, who was pressing down on him.

But just as he caught his breath and raised his saber to launch a counterattack, it was too late. Guan Yueyao’s offense came too quickly. He abandoned his previous single-handed grip, switched to a two-handed grip on the hilt, and rapidly sank his body. Before Wei Qing could comprehend his intention, he heard a sharp clang. When he collected himself, the long saber in Wei Qing’s hand had already fallen to the ground.

If the saber in Guan Yueyao’s hand had been sharpened, it would have surely been severed into two pieces by now.

“Uncle! Are you alright!” Huo Qubing was the first to snap out of his daze. He rushed onto the field toward Wei Qing, anxiously checking his hand.

Wei Qing’s hands, callused from years of riding and archery practice, were slightly red. His nephew’s voice also brought him back from his profound shock.

He ignored Huo Qubing’s inquiry and instead reached out, grabbing Guan Yueyao’s shoulders with his hands, his expression one of extreme excitement.

“What saber technique are you using! It’s so formidable! Who taught you!” Because he was so agitated, Guan Yueyao felt his head swim from being shaken.

“It was my… my coach who taught me,” she tried to say her father, but felt that man didn’t deserve to be called her father, so she simply referred to him as her coach.

But Wei Qing had no mind for Guan Yueyao’s inner turmoil. He asked anxiously, “Where is he now!”

“He’s dead.” Bringing up that man ruined Guan Yueyao’s victorious joy, and she answered curtly without thinking.

Wei Qing, hearing this, looked regretful: “Such great talent, what a pity.” But his gaze quickly returned to Guan Yueyao: “Guan Yueyao, right? To think you are so skilled with the saber at such a young age! Truly inspiring!”

“Qubing, you’ve recruited a fine retainer!” Finally, Wei Qing patted Huo Qubing’s shoulder, his face full of admiration.

Huo Qubing was delighted by his uncle’s praise. With Wei Qing’s approval, Guan Yueyao’s status in the Wei manor became even more valued.

Wei Qing was not an overbearing person, nor did he like to bully others with his power. His previous caution towards Guan Yueyao was purely due to his unknown origins, worrying that Huo Qubing was too young and had been deceived.

However, like Liu Che, his sole focus was on dealing with the great threat from the northern grasslands. The Miaodao technique Guan Yueyao practiced, which incorporated the strengths of both Chinese and Japanese saber techniques, was far more advanced than the weapons and tactics currently prevalent in the Han Dynasty, both in the weapon itself and the technique used.

In Wei Qing’s eyes, Guan Yueyao was no longer an unknown little beggar but a unique, extraordinary person who could help him and the Emperor achieve unparalleled glory. The reason was simple: the martial skill Guan Yueyao had just displayed had undoubtedly become the final, long-awaited piece in his strategic puzzle.

“Yueyao, why did you hold the blade with your hand just now? If the blade hadn’t been unsharpened, you would have seriously injured your hands.” By dinnertime, Wei Qing’s attitude toward Guan Yueyao had become much more intimate.

He had many questions he needed to ask her, so much so that Huo Qubing, sitting on the side, couldn’t get a word in and could only sit obediently and listen.

“The saber I usually use is a Miaodao. The blade is longer and has a blood groove. The tail of the blade is also unsharpened to make it easier to grip. This way, it can be used as a spear when long, or for close-quarters combat when short. It is convenient to wield with one hand or two, good for both offense and defense, making it extremely lethal in real combat.”

Guan Yueyao had to admit that although the person who taught him martial arts was loathsome, he genuinely loved the Miaodao itself. When speaking about the Miaodao, he spoke logically and passionately.

Listening to Guan Yueyao’s description, both Wei Qing and Huo Qubing looked captivated. As people determined to make a mark on the battlefield, Wei Qing and Huo Qubing quickly grasped the value of this type of Miaodao in war.

“Can you draw the design of this saber!” Wei Qing’s expression was excited. He ignored his meal and stood up, wanting to find a piece of silk fabric for Guan Yueyao to draw the Miaodao’s design on.

It was the first time Huo Qubing had seen his stable, mature uncle so excited. He and Guan Yueyao exchanged glances.

“A’Yao, I can’t believe how amazing you are! The originator of that saber technique is truly remarkable,” Huo Qubing whispered, seizing the moment while his uncle turned to instruct a servant. His face wore a look of shared pride.

“But this is the saber technique that people in the future practice, right?” he whispered close to Guan Yueyao’s ear.

Guan Yueyao nodded. He was merely benefiting from the wisdom of others and was too ashamed to claim the valuable experience summarized by his predecessors through real combat as his own to raise his own value.

While the two children were talking, maidservants brought in silk fabric, brushes, and ink. Wei Qing looked at Guan Yueyao with eager anticipation, but this put Guan Yueyao in a difficult position. He was certainly capable of wielding a saber, but asking him to draw was a tall order. He scratched his head, reluctantly picked up the brush, and scribbled crooked lines on the fabric.

The result was predictable. Wei Qing sighed, looking quite disappointed at the distorted lines on the fabric.

“Forget it. Tomorrow, I will find a professional artist. You just need to describe the appearance of the Miaodao to him in detail,” Wei Qing’s attitude remained gentle. He did not speak harshly to her because his expectations hadn’t been met.

“Yueyao, if possible, I hope you can teach your saber technique to me and Qubing,” Wei Qing’s tone suddenly changed, and he spoke seriously.

That strange feeling surged in Guan Yueyao’s heart again. His face flushed, and he dared not look at Wei Qing’s face. He merely lowered his head and nodded.

In reality, as Guan Yueyao’s patron, Wei Qing and Huo Qubing did not have to ask for his opinion. But Wei Qing cherished Guan Yueyao’s talent and therefore was unwilling to force him. However, the skill Guan Yueyao possessed, and the Miaodao he described, were truly the key to the Han army’s future victory in his estimation. Therefore, Wei Qing was willing to humble himself and, regardless of the difference in their status, sincerely sought instruction from Guan Yueyao.

It was a precious night, and the three forgot about rest, talking deep into the night by candlelight. It wasn’t until the watchman’s bell rang out the hour of Hai (亥時, 9-11 PM) from outside the courtyard that Wei Qing finally realized the time.

“You two should also go to sleep. Prepare well for tomorrow morning. I imagine the Emperor will summon both of you.”

Wei Qing paused, looking at Guan Yueyao. Considering that this might be her first time meeting the Emperor, he couldn’t help but advise, “Yueyao, don’t be nervous when you meet His Majesty tomorrow. You just need to tell him everything you told me today. I believe great success is just around the corner.”