Chapter 60: Self-Defense Techniques

Then, over the next few days, Jiang Xiaomu began teaching Jiang Xiaoyu some simple fist and foot techniques.

Although Jiang Xiaomu was no martial arts expert before his transmigration, he had been hanging around the streets for years and could easily handle a few gangster thugs.

"Xiao Yu, punch fast, strike hard!"

Jiang Xiaomu demonstrated while explaining.

"Remember, attack the enemy's weak points—eyes, nose, throat, groin..."

"The purpose of martial arts is to hit the opponent; as long as you can protect yourself, any means are justified."

Jiang Xiaoyu studied earnestly, striving to get every move right.

Although her movements were still a bit immature, that earnest attitude made Jiang Xiaomu very relieved.

"Brother, am I doing this right?"

Jiang Xiaoyu swung her small fists at a small tree.

"Not bad, but your punches need power—focus your whole body's strength into the fist!"

"Gather the strength to a point, then burst it out!"

Jiang Xiaomu corrected, "Like this!"

He threw a fierce punch at the tree trunk—"crack!"—and the trunk actually snapped.

Jiang Xiaoyu stared, mouth agape:

"Brother, you're amazing!"

Jiang Xiaomu smiled, ruffled her hair, and said:

"Xiao Yu, as long as you practice seriously, you'll become as strong as your brother."

Thus, she practiced with Jiang Xiaomu every day; he even had someone forge a pair of daggers for her, and her progress was swift.

"Xiao Yu, remember, keep your wrists flexible, like a snake flicking its tongue!"

Jiang Xiaomu grasped Jiang Xiaoyu's slender wrist, guiding her to make the correct dagger thrust.

"Brother, is this right?"

Jiang Xiaoyu flicked her wrist, the dagger traced a silver arc, and stabbed the straw dummy before her.

"Your power is still lacking; imagine your enemy right before you, trying to take everything from you!"

Jiang Xiaomu's voice was low, his eyes fierce.

Jiang Xiaoyu gritted her teeth and swung the dagger again; this time her strength increased markedly, and the blade sank deep into the straw dummy's chest.

"Excellent!" Jiang Xiaomu nodded in approval.

"Remember this feeling; in a life‑or‑death moment it can save your life."

Just then, a system voice suddenly sounded in Jiang Xiaomu's mind:

【Ding! System notification: While guiding Jiang Xiaoyu in martial arts, the host received an invitation from the Lord of Yun Cheng.】

【The Lord invited Jiang Xiaomu to the city for a meeting; the host's repeated refusals angered the Lord.】

【In his rage, the Lord ordered an attack on Wangjiang Cheng; the army was defeated, the city fell, the host died in battle, and Jiang Xiaoyu was beheaded.】

Jiang Xiaomu frowned slightly; this damned system always pops up so abruptly.

"Brother, what's wrong? Is it because I'm practicing poorly?"

Jiang Xiaoyu sensed Jiang Xiaomu's oddness and asked anxiously.

"No, you're doing great; keep it up."

Jiang Xiaomu quickly adjusted his mood, a smile tugging at his lips as he said, "Just suddenly thinking of something."

No sooner had he spoken than a soldier in leather armor came running, dropped to one knee, and cupped his fists:

"Sir, an envoy from Yun Cheng requests an audience!"

Jiang Xiaomu's heart stirred: it seemed the system wasn't lying—Yun Cheng is the biggest city around.

The Lord holds sway over the region, his strength not to be underestimated; why would he want to see me?

He had no time to think further and ordered:

"Let the envoy in."

The soldier obeyed and left; shortly after, a middle‑aged man in a brocade robe entered.

"I am the Yun Cheng envoy, Yunhai; I pay my respects, Lord Jiang."

The middle‑aged man bowed with clasped hands.

"No need for formalities," Jiang Xiaomu said, wiping his sweat lightly.

"I don't know what the Lord wants with me."

"The Lord has heard that Lord Jiang's martial prowess is outstanding, his righteousness reaches the clouds, and his troops are strong and well‑mounted."

"Feeling admiration, he specially invites you to Yun Cheng for a conference to discuss important matters."

Yunhai's tone was respectful, but his face showed contempt.

Jiang Xiaomu snorted inwardly: "What 'discuss important matters'? That greedy, lecherous old coot surely has no good intentions."

"Go tell the Lord that I, Jiang Mou, am busy lately and cannot come."

"Another day, I will personally pay a visit."

Jiang Xiaomu politely refused.

The envoy's face changed slightly; he clearly hadn't expected Jiang Xiaomu to refuse so bluntly.

He gave a dry cough and said:

"Lord Jiang, the Lord is sincere; please do not decline."

"My mind is made up; no need for more words."

Jiang Xiaomu's face began to darken.

Seeing Jiang Xiaomu's firm tone, Yunhai didn't want to press further and reluctantly left.

"Brother, why does the City Lord of Yun Cheng want to see you? Does he know us?"

Jiang Xiaoyu asked curiously.

"Who knows," Jiang Xiaomu shrugged.

"Maybe he thinks I'm handsome."

Jiang Xiaoyu puffed out a laugh and said, "Brother, you're boasting again."

Jiang Xiaomu rubbed Jiang Xiaoyu's head and said, "Alright, let's keep practicing."

While teaching Jiang Xiaoyu martial arts, he pondered the purpose behind the Yun Cheng City Lord's move.

He always felt things weren't that simple; there seemed to be some conspiracy hidden within.

"Xiao Yu, take a break."

Jiang Xiaomu walked over to her and gently wiped the sweat from her forehead.

"Brother, I can still train!"

Jiang Xiaoyu said stubbornly.

"Alright, then practice a little longer. But pay attention to your method; don't just brute force it."

Jiang Xiaomu said softly.

Just then, a scout from Tieniu Stronghold came to report:

"Master Jiang, something serious has happened!"

Jiang Xiaomu frowned: "What's got you so panicked?"

"The Lord of Qingzhoucheng, Lixiongtu, is winning over nearby big and small forces, preparing to attack Yun Cheng!"

The scout's tone was grave.

"Is the news reliable?" Jiang Xiaomu asked in a low voice.

"Absolutely certain! I heard it myself—several leaders of the minor forces were discussing this."

"They have already pledged allegiance to Lixiongtu and will jointly send troops to attack Yun Cheng!"

The scout said firmly.

Jiang Xiaomu thought: "The Yun Cheng City Lord invited me at this critical juncture—could it be to jointly resist Qingzhou's invasion?"

But why didn't he just state his purpose outright, instead beating around the bush and putting on an act?

"Brother, what's the Yun Cheng City Lord up to?"

Jiang Xiaoyu also understood the situation, looking puzzled.

Jiang Xiaomu shook his head and said:

"I can't figure it out either. But there's definitely something fishy going on."

"That old fox, the Yun Cheng City Lord, is no pushover."

"So what should we do?" Jiang Xiaoyu asked.

Jiang Xiaomu wiped his face:

"Let's wait and see—in this chaotic world, nobody's a fool."

"The Yun Cheng City Lord wants to use me, Lixiongtu wants to swallow Yun Cheng—I want to see who ends up laughing last!"

He already had a preliminary plan in mind; rather than passively wait, it's better to take the initiative.

"Xiao Yu, keep training; I'll be right back."

Jiang Xiaomu said to Jiang Xiaoyu.