Chapter 17: Etiquette Requires Reciprocity

  In the spacious room, Liu Xuan sat cross-legged in the corner of the house, his entire strength accumulated in his right arm. With a swift swing of his sword, he immediately withdrew his power and shook his head, this sword was not ideal.

  He has been sitting in the room for two whole days. For two days, he has been studying the Luofeng method taught by Zhao Yun, forgetting to eat and sleep.

  He has gradually realized the profundity of this kung fu, which actually has two functions: one is to gather power and the other is to apply power.

  What is meant by gathering strength is learning to use the power of the dan tian to exert force, transferring the whole body's strength to the arm.

  Every part of the body has strength, for example, the arm can't move objects that are too heavy, but the shoulder can carry them. Standing and exerting force is different from sitting and exerting force.

  Zhao Yun's secret is a trick that can concentrate the power of the whole body, mainly the power of Dantian, and gather the power of Dantian in the arm.

  Gathering strength is not difficult to learn, it's even simple, he learned it in just one afternoon and can smoothly cut off large tree branches.

  But the difficulty lies in the application of strength, that is, to be able to use strength at will, such as being heavy as Mount Tai and splitting out, but also being light as a swan feather and withdrawing, or for example, three points of force are split out, and suddenly seven points can be added in the middle of the way. This is the subtlety of controlling strength.

  On the battlefield, two generals are engaged in a fierce fight. Outsiders may think it's just a heated battle, but only the two fighting generals understand the subtle intricacies of their clash.

  Liu Xuan never believed that winning a fight relied on techniques, nor did he believe in the mysterious internal energy of martial arts. However, he did believe that true ancient martial arts emphasized strength and combat skills, which was a lost art of using power.

  The two men were truly engaged in a fierce battle, relying on the ferocity of their strength, the speed of their movements, and the control of their power. Zhao Yun's final blow was a simple horizontal slash that came from nowhere, an ordinary technique that anyone who wields a sword would know, but he himself had no way to dodge it. Why?

  Is Lü Bu's invincibility across the land really just because he can wield a set of halberd techniques that others don't know?

  Lü Bu's halberd, the "Sky Piercer", was said to weigh over 120 catties and be two zhang long. He could wield it with such ferocity that ordinary generals couldn't withstand a single blow from him, yet he could also use it with such finesse that one swing of it severed the wrist of Wu An Guo.

  This martial art he couldn't understand before, but now he has figured it out. The key lies in the application of strength. Lü Bu's arms have a thousand jin of force, yet he can also use that same force to embroider flowers. With this ability, how could he not conquer the world?

  Guan Zhang and Zhao Yun's martial arts are actually the same. Especially that day when Zhao Yun counterattacked Gao Lan, striking his back with a spear, he used this secret technique.

  Liu Xuan's heart became excited, he began to realize the importance of the kung fu that Zhao Yun had given him. It could be said that it was the foundation of Zhao Yun's martial arts. If he could master it to the deepest level, then even if he couldn't match Zhao Yun, he would still be able to exchange dozens of moves with him.

  However, he also knew in his heart that to reach the level of competing with Zhao Yun, it would take at least a few years.

  At this moment, he was filled with gratitude towards Zhao Yun in his heart. He had actually taught him such an important secret, and the sentiment weighed heavily on his mind.

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  A month has passed in the dull and tedious yet fulfilling martial arts training.

  This month, Liu Biao and Cai Mao led the army south to fight against Zhang Jin, the governor of Jiaozhou. Meanwhile, Liu Qi stayed in Xiangyang to guard it for his father, going out early and returning late every day, having no time to pay attention to Liu Xun.

  Liu Xuan did not leave the small courtyard for a month, practicing swordplay in his room during the day and contemplating the subtleties of power.

  At night, in the small courtyard, he wielded his sword and chopped, applying the insights of the day to actual combat. In just a short month's time, he felt as if he had undergone a metamorphosis, his martial arts having made a qualitative leap forward.

  Now if he were to meet those two Cao soldiers again, he would be able to take them down with ease.

  Early in the morning, Liu Xuan was practicing swordplay in his room as usual. He had been practicing for half an hour and a thin layer of sweat appeared on his forehead. With a swift motion, he slashed out with his sword, but suddenly, as if sensing something, he stopped mid-slash and turned around to see Meng Shu standing at the door, he didn't know when he appeared there.

  "Meng Shu, is there something?" Liu Xuan asked with a smile.

  Meng Shu was a man of few words, but he took care of Liu Xuan with meticulous attention to detail. Liu Xuan also showed great respect for him, calling him Meng Shu and never treating him as an inferior. The two had gotten along extremely well over the past month or so.

  People's feelings are mutual, Liu Xuan's respect also earned Meng Shu's gratitude, and his heartfelt love for Liu Xuan, although he also felt that Liu Xuan was not very clear about past events, but he never doubted Liu Xuan's identity.

  In his opinion, a good master should be tolerant and open-minded, treating people with kindness.

  Meng Shu sighed inwardly, this child has been obsessed with martial arts for a month now, how can he endure it?

  "Master, Second Master is looking for you at the door and says he has something to discuss."

  "Liu Cong?" Liu Xuan was taken aback in his heart, what did he come to him for? Liu Xuan stood up and walked out.

  In the courtyard, Liu Zhuang stood with his hands behind him, staring at a bare old pear tree in front of him. He remembered that it was originally lush and leafy, but now it had become just a tree trunk?

  "Brother Cong, how come you're free today?" Liu Xuan smiled and walked out of the room.

  Liu Zhuang turned around with a smile and said, "I heard you're learning martial arts. I have a few good swords that I'd like to ask you to appraise. Do you have time, Brother Jing?"

  Liu Xuan now yearns most for a sharp and good knife, although Meng Shu got him an ordinary long knife, but it's just an ordinary one and the weight is not suitable for his hand.

  Liu Zhuang asked him to appreciate a good sword, which sparked his interest, and he readily agreed, "Then I'll trouble Brother Zhuang."

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  Liu Cong's courtyard was very close to Liu Xuan's, and the living conditions were much better than Liu Xuan's. Liu Cong's study had a wooden floor, in addition to a bed and a desk, there was also a wall shelf for placing valuable instruments, and on the wall hung two large cabinets made of precious huanghuali wood.

  There were also chests for storing clothes and several bamboo cabinets for collecting bamboo books, a pair of half-human-high bronze white crane phoenix wing lamps placed on the left and right sides of the desk, all kinds of things were available, and two famous swords inlaid with gold and jade hung on the wall.

  At this time, Liu Zhuang's attitude towards Liu Xuan was like a 180-degree turn, completely gone was the arrogance and coldness of a month ago, replaced with a smiling face and extraordinary enthusiasm.

  "This is my study, sit anywhere!"

  Liu Jiong was very calm, he knew that Liu Zuan would not change his attitude towards himself without reason, there must be a reason.

  He sat down, looked around the room and smiled: "Brother Cong's study is not bad! Spacious and bright, the layout is also very careful, unlike my humble abode, with bare walls, making me envious!"

  "These are all accumulated slowly, and when you live for a long time, you will be like me too."

  Liu Zhuang opened the trunk, took out three knives and placed them on a small table, smiling: "These three knives are my recent collection, Brother Jing, take a look at these knives."

  Liu Jiong picked out a long knife with a shark skin scabbard, which was a ring-headed knife. The top of the handle had an iron ring, a typical style of Han dynasty knives. The blade was straight and sharp, suitable for stabbing, and inherited from the Tang dynasty knives. It weighed about 15 jin (7.5 kg) and felt very comfortable in hand.

  Liu Jiong slowly drew out his sword, sunlight streaming in through the window, casting a faint glow on the blade, revealing a cold glint that flashed with exceptional sharpness.

  "Good sword!"

  Liu Xuan spoke out, he had a liking for swords in his past life, and his understanding of them was very deep. This sword was forged from high-carbon steel, tempered a hundred times, with a broad back and a sturdy, sharp blade. It was an excellent cavalry battle sword, a battlefield sword, and not an ornament.

  At this time, Liu Xuan's eyes suddenly lit up, and he saw four small characters engraved on the hilt of the knife, 'Gifted by the Imperial Censor'.

  Could it be... Dian Wei's sword? Liu Jue knew that four years ago, Cao Cao failed to conquer Zhang Yang and Dian Wei died in the battle of Nan Yang Wan Cheng.

  Nanyang is very close to Xiangyang, and Liu Biao later also sent troops to assist Zhang Liao. It's normal for Dian Wei's sword to fall into Xiangyang. More importantly, the captain with the surname Dian, in his memory, seems to be only Dian Wei, and using the word 'bestowed', who else could it be besides Cao Cao?

  Liu Xuan gently stroked the knife, feeling a mix of emotions in his heart. This was indeed Tian Wei's knife!

  On the side, Liu Cong carefully observed Liu Xuan's expression. He saw that Liu Xuan was extremely fond of the sword in his hand and secretly rejoiced. Without revealing his emotions, he said: "I heard that Brother Xuan obtained my father's Xuanyin Sword. May I borrow it to take a look?"

  The Xuanlin Sword was at Liu Xuan's waist, he took off the sword and placed it on the table, Liu Zhuang slowly picked up the sword, his eyes lit up, this sword his father had worn for ten years, once became a symbol of power in Jingzhou, until later his father got the famous sword Chengying, this Xuanlin Sword gradually lost its former glory.

  But two years ago at a banquet, Cai Mao and his father made a joke, willing to exchange their daughter Shaoyu for this sword, which was actually borrowing the sword to express the intention of marrying Liu's family.

  His father smiled and replied that this sword would be the betrothal gift for marrying a daughter of the Cai family, with half-joking and half-serious meaning.

  In this way, the sword has a new meaning, it is the sword of alliance between the two families of Liu and Cai. It is precisely because of this that Liu Qi and Liu Zhuang, the two brothers, yearn for this sword endlessly.

  But Liu Zhuang never expected that his father would give this sword to Liu Xuan, which made Liu Zhuang both envious and resentful, not even giving it to his own son, but instead giving it to his nephew. Was his father thinking of letting Liu Xuan marry Shaoyou?

  Liu Cong's eyes revealed an uncontrollable longing, and he sighed inwardly. After all, it was his father who had given the sword to Liu Xuan, so he didn't dare take it by force.

  The best way is to get the sword in hand first, and then let mother take the sword to Cai's family for marriage proposal, so that uncooked rice becomes cooked rice, and father has no choice but to agree.

  He put down his sword, his eyes fell on the knife in Liu Xuan's hand, and saw that Liu Xuan still held the knife with affection. He hypocritically smiled at Liu Xuan: "If you don't despise it, I'll give this knife to you."

  Liu Jiong was overjoyed, "Really? Then thank you, Brother Cong."

  "Don't be polite, it's just a courtesy!" Liu Zhuang's eyes narrowed into a slit as he smiled.

  The four words "courtesy demands reciprocity" lightly knocked in Liu Xuan's heart, and he finally understood what Liu Zhuang meant. It turned out that this knife wasn't taken for nothing!

  Liu Xuan hesitated for a moment. If he were to return the courtesy, it would be difficult to manage. He could say that he had nothing to offer in return, so what could he exchange with him?

  At this time, he suddenly found that Liu Zhuang's hand was tightly grasped on the scabbard of his own sword, his eyes staring tightly at the Xuanlin Sword, and a greedy color appeared in his eyes. Liu Zhuang thought for a moment, and only then did he wake up like a dream, and it turned out to be such a courtesy.

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