Chapter 33: He Daqing's Precarious Situation

He Yuzhu shook his head, his gaze exceptionally firm: "Siqiang, do you think this little devil deserves to die?"

"Of course he deserves to die! But we must ensure we can survive ourselves! We cannot go and throw our lives away!" Chen Qingshan said with burning eyes.

"My movements are faster than yours; even if I can't kill this little devil, I can still run away, but you wouldn't make it," He Yuzhu said.

"But your strength is still insufficient; when he swings his blade, you won't be able to block it at all!" Chen Qingshan said.

"But I!" He Yuzhu could hardly tell his Siqiang that his system had already been upgraded! "How about this, let's find two blades and have a spar! Whoever wins, goes! How about that?" He Yuzhu said.

Chen Qingshan hesitated for a moment and said, "Alright!"

In a corner of the barracks, the kitchen was wreathed in smoke, and He Daqing was stir-frying Twice Cooked Pork.

Several handymen looked at the fatty slices of meat in the pot, their mouths nearly watering.

These few people were all skilled hands he had brought from Dongxing Lou.

The kitchen helper Xiao Wang drooled and said: "Master He is truly a fine cook; just looking at the meat in the pot makes one drool."

"Let's have a good meal; perhaps there won't be a next one!" He Daqing said.

The kitchen helper Xiao Wang leaned close to He Daqing and asked in a low voice: "Master He, do you think the little devils watching us outside will kill us?"

He Daqing shook his head, "I'm not too sure either; they would need a reason to kill us, right! I feel this little devil doesn't trust us at all; he probably fears we might poison the food!"

Xiao Li, standing nearby, interjected: "Master He, what should we do?"

He Daqing sighed, paused his knife on the chopping board, and said: "Take it one step at a time!"

Outside the kitchen, four devils patrolled back and forth with bayonets, their eyes vigilant.

In a desolate and dilapidated stable, weeds grew in profusion amidst broken walls and ruined pillars.

Chen Qingshan and He Yuzhu stood facing each other, gripping single-edged blades they had just bought at a high price from two martial arts masters; the blades glinted coldly in the faint winter light.

Chen Daya stood nervously to the side, urging: "Dad, little Yuzhu, it's agreed, stop at the point of contact! Don't end up getting yourselves wounded before even hitting a devil!"

He Yuzhu grinned and proposed: "Master Chen, shall I demonstrate my blade technique for you first? After I finish practicing, we can spar so you'll have an idea of what to expect."

"Good! That's a good idea!" Chen Daya immediately agreed.

Chen Qingshan also nodded steadily: "Fine, let me have a look."

He Yuzhu took a deep breath and set his stance.

In his past life, he was a native of Cangzhou and had practiced martial arts with his grandfather since childhood for ten years; what had been passed down in his family was precisely the Six Harmonies Blade Technique!

He Yuzhu flicked his wrist, the blade following his body, and in an instant, the blade light unfolded like a bolt of silk!

"Swish! Swish! Swish!"

His footwork was steady and his blade momentum fierce; although his movements were broad and sweeping, they were unpredictable, each strike carrying abundant power, the frozen earth beneath his feet kicked up into dust, and the withered grass was shredded by the wind of the blade!

After finishing the set of blade techniques, He Yuzhu stood with his blade sheathed, his breathing steady, his expression unchanged.

"Good! Good blade technique!" Chen Qingshan couldn't help but shout in applause, his eyes filled with astonishment.

"Zhuzi, this style of yours... could it be the Cangzhou Six Harmonies Blade?"

He Yuzhu nodded in admission: "Uncle Chen has a sharp eye! It is indeed the Six Harmonies Blade; the one who taught me was an old bodyguard, perhaps he had a master from Cangzhou."

"Then let's have a spar!" He Yuzhu said.

Chen Qingshan was also brimming with fighting spirit; he flicked his wrist, performed a sharp flourish with his single-edged blade, and instantly set his stance.

He Yuzhu launched the attack first!

Chen Qingshan's eyes suddenly became wild and focused; he was using the Mad Demon Blade Technique, known for its ferocity and deviousness among northern blade styles!

"Clang—!"

The two single-edged blades collided violently for the first time! A piercing sound of metal clashing exploded, and sparks flew in all directions!

The battle erupted instantly!

He Yuzhu's blade was heavy and powerful, his movements broad and sweeping, the blade light pouring down like mercury, focusing on the vital points of Chen Qingshan's upper body!

Relying on the enhancement of his system, his speed and strength were three times that of an ordinary person, and he was practically tireless.

Chen Qingshan, meanwhile, transformed into a mad demon, his figure flitting and wandering like a ghost! His footwork was tricky and strange, and his blade light was even more elusive!

He danced wildly around He Yuzhu, specifically seeking the tiny openings during He Yuzhu's transitions!

"Ding-ding-dang-dang! Ch-ch-ch—!"

The dense sound of clashing blades and the sharp whistling of air being torn apart were incessant! Sparks continuously burst between the two blades!

The two figures moved with agility amidst the broken walls and ruins, the blade light weaving a web of death.

Chen Daya, standing to the side, felt her heart rise to her throat, her nails digging deep into her palms, not daring to let out a breath!

He Yuzhu's strength and speed held an absolute advantage; every hard collision shook Chen Qingshan's arm until it went numb, forcing him to retreat involuntarily.

Chen Qingshan's Mad Demon Blade Technique was exceptionally fierce, and he could always avoid He Yuzhu's lethal strikes at the most critical moment.

Fast! Too fast!

The two fought with speed against speed, blade light and shadows flickering; in the blink of an eye, they had fought dozens of rounds!

He Yuzhu gradually grasped the rhythm of Chen Qingshan's strange blade technique, and his use of his own strength became increasingly fluid.

He keenly seized a tiny opening left by Chen Qingshan after a fierce sweeping slash, lunged forward with a sudden step, and his single-edged blade shot out like a poisonous dragon, stabbing lightning-fast toward Chen Qingshan's heart!

This strike was fast! Fierce! Ruthless!

Chen Qingshan was too late to bring his blade back to block, and could only tap his feet rapidly, his figure retreating violently!

"Thump! Thump! Thump!" Chen Qingshan retreated three large steps, his back slamming heavily against a section of a ruined wall before he could stabilize himself.

He Yuzhu withdrew his blade at the right moment.

The two stood holding their blades, wisps of white steam rising from their bodies, appearing particularly conspicuous in the cold air.

"I lost!" Chen Qingshan admitted candidly, though his eyes held wonder and a hint of complexity.

He Yuzhu sheathed his blade and said sincerely: "It was Uncle Chen who held back."

Chen Daya finally let out a long sigh of relief, patted her chest, and said: "Zhuzi! You... you are too amazing!"

This young master, who was still grinning yesterday, displayed a sword technique and inhuman strength today that could actually defeat his father, who was in his prime and rich in experience!

"Ahem! Is it because Dad has been eating too poorly lately and lacks stamina?" Daya sighed.

Chen Qingshan's heart was surging with waves.

Having exchanged blows personally, he was the one who knew best that He Yuzhu's speed and ferocity of strength simply exceeded the limits of his age, and even exceeded common sense!

What shocked him even more was the faint feeling that throughout the entire duel, He Yuzhu seemed... to still be holding back his strength and speed! Just how many more skills was this kid hiding?

The three of them returned to the arena area, only to find that there was no martial arts competition on the stage; instead, magic tricks were being performed.

The voices were noisy, and the atmosphere was lax.

He Yuzhu grabbed a middle-aged man watching the excitement nearby: "Uncle, why aren't they competing anymore?"

The uncle raised his finger and pointed at the sky: "It's noon, do you think the Japanese devils don't eat! They won't continue fighting until two in the afternoon!"

He Yuzhu understood and took Chen Qingshan and his daughter to find a corner sheltered from the wind.

He pulled cold steamed buns and three jin of glistening braised pig trotters out of a large bag: "Let's make do with this, it's all cold."

Chen Daya rubbed her hands: "Let's find some dry firewood to start a fire, and eat after we've warmed it up!"