Path to Dual Cultivation

Chapter 3: Basic Sword Techniques

"Huh? Did I hear you correctly? You want to learn how to handle a sword?" Su Qiao had a look of disbelief on his face. Su Yang has never shown interest in swords, much less wielding one, so it was shocking to hear that he wanted to learn how to use swords.

"Don't tell me that you're serious about chasing after the General? What about your desire to become a scholar? The next exam is only a month away!"

Su Yang glanced at his desk, adorned with towering stacks of books and scattered scrolls, and released a deep sigh. "Truth be told, I never aspired to be a scholar. It was more of a default choice since I had no clear direction. Becoming a scholar just seemed like the widely trodden path to take. I also wanted to support the family–support Su Jia, so I had to do something."

"Su Yang..." Su Lin covered her mouth from shock after hearing his reveal, and she asked, "Why didn't you tell us sooner? You were always very passionate in your studies, so we thought that you truly wanted to become a scholar..."

"I didn't want to worry you guys..."

"You silly son... Why would we be worried? While we may not live a luxurious life, we are not struggling either. There's no need to shoulder such responsibilities. As for Su Jia, we wouldn't have had her if we weren't confident in supporting her." Su Qiao shook his head.

A moment of silence filled the room before Su Qiao continued, "Let me ask you again. Are you serious about chasing after the General?"

Su Qiao had a conflicted look on his face as he asked the question. As a father, it was only natural for Su Qiao to be against Su Yang wasting his life away for a single woman. However, it was also a father's duty to respect and support his son's dreams, no matter how ridiculous they may sound.

Su Yang placed his hand on his chest and mumbled in a low voice, "I have never felt so restless before. For the first time in my life, I want to chase after something earnestly. If I don't follow my heart, I have a feeling that I will regret it for the rest of my life."

He got on his knees and kowtowed before Su Qiao, who had a stunned look on his face and continued, "Please, Father. I am aware that I am being very selfish right now, but I want to do this–even if I might regret it in the future."

Su Lin and Su Qiao exchanged gazes with each other. After a moment of silence, a defeated smile appeared on their faces.

Su Qiao turned to look at Su Yang and spoke, "I understand. If this is what you truly want to do, I won't stop you."

Su Yang lifted his head with a beaming smile on his face, "Thank you!"

"We'll begin your training tomorrow, okay?"

"Of course!"

Su Lin then spoke, "If you're truly serious about giving up on becoming a scholar, you might as well sell the books for some extra money."

"I will do that right away!"

After their conversation ended, Su Yang went to his desk and started cleaning up the place. He organized the books and scrolls and tied them in an orderly fashion.

Sometime later, Su Yang left the house with these books with the intention of selling them.

"I can't believe it... He's actually going to chase after someone like the General despite their differences. I don't know if I should be happy or worried for him." Su Qiao sighed after Su Yang left.

Su Lin smiled and said, "A real man should have big aspirations, wouldn't you agree?"

"Then what does that make me, a man with small aspirations?" Su Qiao chuckled in a bittersweet manner.

"Waaaaa!" The sound of a baby crying suddenly filled the room.

"Looks like our princess is awake." Su Qiao looked towards the bedroom.

"I'll take care of her." Su Lin said as she walked into the bedroom.

Meanwhile, Su Yang sold all of his books to the same bookstore that he'd purchased them from.

"What is the meaning of this, Su Yang?" The owner of the store inquired in a displeased tone.

"I have decided to give up on becoming a scholar, so I no longer need these books."

"You're giving up right before the next exam? Are you okay? Did something happen?" The store owner appeared worried.

Being a frequent visitor to the bookstore, Su Yang and the store owner shared a familiarity that transcended the typical customer-businessman dynamic. They were more like friends than anything.

"Yes, something did happen, but it's nothing bad. I finally found a goal that I want to chase seriously, so I am going to chase after it."

Even with his mask on, the store owner could see a bright smile on Su Yang's face.

"I see..."

The store owner did not want to dive too deeply into Su Yang's business and refrained from inquiring for more information. However, if Su Yang were to tell the store owner that his goal was to chase after a woman after seeing her for a brief moment, who knows how the store owner would react?

Upon tallying the expenses, the store owner handed Su Yang a gold coin, a sum significantly exceeding the initial purchase cost.

"Huh? Owner... this is..." Su Yang stared at the gold coin with wide eyes.

"Consider it a token of appreciation for your years of loyalty," the store owner grinned, revealing two rows of yellowed teeth.

"T-Thank you!" Su Yang quickly bowed to him.

A single gold coin equated to an entire month's income for his father after the promotion, providing enough sustenance to feed his entire family for an entire year if they ate humbly.

Su Yang quickly shoved the gold coin into his pocket and rushed home while holding onto the coin the entire time.

His family was greatly shocked when they learned of the store owner's generosity and went to thank him in person at a later date.

The following day, Su Yang left home with Su Qiao, following him to an open area near the Mayor's Estate.

"This is... a training ground?" Su Yang recognized the place.

"Correct. This is where we train our body and sword techniques while we wait for our shift." Su Qiao gave a brief introduction to the place.

"Hey, Su Qiao! You're early today!"

"Su Yang is here as well? What's the occasion?"

Su Qiao's fellow workers stopped their training to start a conversation.

"My son wanted to learn how to wield a sword, so I'm here to train him." Su Qiao said.

"What?" The guards were dumbfounded.

"Why are you learning how to wield a sword? Aren't you going to become a scholar? I don't know any scholars that wield swords..."

Su Qiao laughed, "He's given up on becoming a scholar."

"Eh? Then what are you going to do now, Su Yang?"

"Don't tell me you're going to follow your father's footsteps as a guard? That'd be a waste of your handsome looks!"

"Are you saying that only ugly people are allowed to work as guards?!" Su Qiao snapped back.

After messing around for a bit, Su Qiao started Su Yang's training.

"Before you even swing a sword for the first time, you should know what you're getting into. I am going to perform a series of basic sword techniques. Make sure you keep your eyes wide open or you'll miss it."

Starting with a poised and focused stance, Su Qiao's body seemed to become an extension of the sword itself. In a swift motion, he executed a precise upward cut, the blade slicing through the air with a whispering sound.

The gleaming steel of his weapon caught the sunlight as he effortlessly transitioned from one stance to another, the fluidity of his movements reflecting years of dedicated practice.

The dance of the blade continued as Su Qiao effortlessly shifted between swift and delayed strikes. His movements were minimal yet powerful, a testament to the efficiency of his techniques. With a controlled and concentrated expression, he engaged in a series of quick thrusts, the tip of the sword darting forward like a striking serpent.

The rhythm of his techniques created a mesmerizing display, each motion calculated and deliberate. Su Qiao's focus was unwavering, his eyes tracking an invisible opponent as he seamlessly connected one movement to the next.

As he concluded the sequence, Su Qiao brought the blade to a rest. Yet, the air around him continued to be charged with energy, and in the aftermath of his display, the essence of a seasoned swordswoman lingered, leaving the spectators in awe.

"What do you think?" Su Qiao looked at Su Yang, his body soaked in sweat after performing the sword techniques.

However, Su Yang did not respond, his gaze fixated on the space before him, almost as though he was still watching the performance.

"Su Yang?" Su Qiao raised his eyebrows.

Suddenly, Su Yang started moving his body.

"T-This is..." Su Qiao's eyes widened with shock and disbelief as he watched Su Yang perfectly replicate his performance of sword techniques from the very beginning.

Su Yang's body flowed with surprising fluidity and an air of tranquility as if he had honed these movements for decades. Yet, Su Yang had never handled a sword before and had witnessed Su Qiao performing these movements for the first time just moments ago.

"What am I witnessing...? How is he pulling this off...?" Su Qiao muttered, his voice tinged with bewilderment. Despite the perplexity, a realization dawned deep within Su Qiao–that he was beholding the birth of a sword prodigy!