Chapter 26: The Secret Room in the Study

  These three swordsmanship were selected by Li Jiancheng from the many swordsmanship in "Changsheng Jue Ri Zhi Pian", just looking at the name, it is known that they are very sharp, although I don't know if there are more powerful swordsmanship in the secret book, but he must have ranked these three swordsmanship in front.

  As for the formation method, he has roughly learned two: one is the "Long Snake Formation" and the other is the "Dragon Out of Water Formation". These two are elementary formations that suit him as a beginner. As for more advanced formations like the "Eight Trigrams Golden Lock Formation" or the "99 Linked Ring Formation", he can't even understand them, so it's better to start with the basics first.

  The Long Snake Formation: The Long Snake Formation is derived from the habits of snakes, and it has three variations. First, strike the snake's head, move its tail, and coil; second, strike the snake's tail, move its head, and bite; third, the snake's body collides horizontally, its head and tail meet, and constrict! With these three variations, the Long Snake Formation operates like a giant python striking, with sharp attacks! The mobility of the two-winged cavalry (ancient mobile troops) is most important, so to break the Long Snake Formation, the best method is to restrict the mobility of the two wings, making it impossible for its head and tail to coordinate. Therefore, the best method is: grab its head, pinch its tail, and cut off its waist! The detailed method is to set up traps in our infantry phalanx group, with two infantry phalanxes cooperating to stop the enemy's two-winged cavalry from moving, making it impossible for them to exert their mobile agility. Then, use strong heavy cavalry as the main force to launch a fierce charge against its snake-belly infantry, causing their formation to become disordered and chaotic! One move can defeat the infantry phalanx, cutting the Long Snake Formation into three pieces. In this way, each part of the Long Snake Formation fights alone, unable to cooperate with the other two parts, and the formation collapses on its own!

  The Two Dragons Emerging from the Water Formation: The troops are divided into two routes, resembling two dragons, hence the name Two Dragons Emerging from the Water. In the Two Dragons Emerging from the Water Formation, hidden within the formation is a balance of yin and yang energies. The dragon is inherently strong and masculine, while water is inherently receptive and feminine. When the dragon is in the water, the yin and yang energies are balanced, and all things are at peace. However, once the dragons emerge from the water, their powerful momentum increases greatly, becoming unstoppable. Their strong and masculine energy is something that no one can withstand. This requires stabilizing the two dragons, preventing them from... If not, all previous efforts will be in vain. One must seek a highly skilled martial artist with a strong yin energy to stand between the two dragons, suppressing their yang energy and preventing them from merging.

  The above is about the use of array during marching and camping, of course, it can also be used in battle. The "One Character Long Snake Array" requires two people, both of whom must be proficient in array methods, taking care of each other's heads and tails, coordinating with precision; otherwise, if one person is broken, this array will be broken. The "Two Waters Emerging Dragon Array" also requires two people, a man and a woman, complementing each other with yin and yang, and similarly, as long as one person is broken, the array can be defeated. In situations where arrays are used, it's usually because one person cannot defeat the enemy, and two people are barely evenly matched; in such cases, arrays can be used to kill the enemy. However, if the opponent understands arrays, it's better to abandon the way of arrays; otherwise, when facing the enemy, you'll still be bound hand and foot. In fact, nothing is invincible; it all depends on how people use it. Even a single needle can be used to kill someone and win decisively - haven't you seen "The Chrysanthemum Treasure"?

  Now that he has learned the formation method, Li Jiancheng is amazed and also introduces some battles where fewer people win, which makes him look at it with great interest. Therefore, he can't understand how such a powerful formation method was lost? Now the formation method is not yet in time, so there's no need to rush, but when practicing swordsmanship, you must have a sword at least. It seems that we need to think of a way to get a sword for use.

  The next morning at breakfast time, he saw Li Yuan eating and went up to him directly saying: "Father, I want to practice martial arts and sword fighting to strengthen my body."

  "Oh! It's good that you have this idea." Li Yuan said without lifting his head.

  "But where am I supposed to find a sword?" Li Jiancheng said with a pretended look of difficulty.

  "Well, what do you two think?" Li Yuan didn't answer Li Jiancheng's words, but instead asked Li Shimin and Li Yuanji.

  "Father, I wish to focus on reading and studying, with martial arts and sword practice as secondary pursuits." Thus replied the second brother, Li Shimin.

  "Father, I want to practice shooting," shouted Li Yuánjí, the third brother.

  "Hurry up and eat, after finishing eating follow me." Li Yuan didn't say anything after hearing what the two of them said, he just gave some instructions and continued eating.

  After dinner, the three brothers followed Li Yuan to the study. Is there a weapon in the study? But he had never seen it before! After entering the study, Father walked towards a corner, where there was a bookshelf. Was there a secret room or something? As expected, Li Yuan pushed the bookshelf aside, and a hidden door appeared behind it. Li Shimin and Li Yuanji were shocked, probably seeing a secret room for the first time. Li Jiancheng didn't see it with his own eyes, but in his previous life, he had seen introductions on TV and whatnot, not to mention that there was a secret room in the courtyard next to the wine tower that he had experienced before, so he wasn't surprised either. After entering the hidden door, he felt like they were heading downwards, walking about 2 zhang (about 6 meters) or so. Li Yuan lit up the torches, and as they looked around, there were many weapons and armor, while in another direction, military books and martial arts secret manuals were piled up like mountains. Who would have thought that the Li family had such a place?

  Li Yuan pointed to one of the swords and said, "This sword is said to be the sword worn by the Yellow Emperor, Xuanyuan. The Yellow Emperor wore this sword to unify the Central Plains, which can be seen from its great reputation. I happened to obtain it as a father, what do you think, Cheng?" Li Yuan asked, pointing at the sword. Li Jiancheng looked at his second brother, Li Shimin, whose eyes were shining brightly at that moment. He wondered if he was excited because of Xuanyuan's unification of the Central Plains or if he liked the sword? Anyway, he didn't care about any of this in the future, so it didn't matter.

  "Jiemin, what do you think of this sword?" Li Jiancheng turned his head and asked Li Shimin.

  "Big brother, I like this sword!" Li Shimin excitedly replied when he heard Li Jiancheng ask him.

  "Father, as much as Shi Min likes it, why don't you just give it to him?" Li Jiancheng said to Li Yuan.

  Li Yuan glanced at Li Shimin, then turned his head and said to him: "Mín'ér, since you like it, I'll give it to you. I hope you won't humiliate this sword."

  "Yes, Father." Shi Min said and excitedly stepped forward, taking the sword in his hand and stroking it continuously.

  "This silver spear was used by Zhao Yun, the famous general of Shu State during the Three Kingdoms period. Since you're the only one who's been practicing with it, I'll give it to you." Li Yuan said to Li Yuanji, who had already started moving forward and took down the spear. With his current height, holding such a long spear looked somewhat awkward on him.

  "Which one do you like, Cheng Er?" Li Yu asked, seeing Li Jiancheng searching around.

  He took a look and didn't see anything he liked. Suddenly his eyes lit up, in a corner lay a sword, the reason this sword caught my eye was that it had two blades. Li Yuan looked in the direction he was looking, also saw the sword, then walked over to pick it up.

  "This sword is called Mu Jian, Mu Jian was forged from fine steel and is extremely hard, nothing can withstand it, it can cut through hair. The son sword is also forged from fine steel, but with the addition of special materials, making it as soft as a whip, so it can be tied to the waist, it's indeed a treasure for assassination. Everyone doesn't know that the son sword is actually the deadly sword. This Mu Jian was given by a Taoist nun who travels around." When Li Jiancheng heard this, he had an evil guess in his heart: "Is my father having an affair with someone? Otherwise, why would she give such a good thing to my father?"

  "There are also swordsmanship manuals and spear techniques manuals over there, take a look and pick the ones you want." Li Yuan said, pointing to the pile of manuals.

  Li Jiancheng walked over, pretending to be serious and took a few glances, then casually picked up a few swordsmanship manuals and left. Li Yuanji was relatively easy to find, seeing that he had some connection with Zhao Yun's spear technique, he quickly solved it. Only Li Shimin found a few swordsmanship manuals, and then also found "The Art of War" and other books from military strategy, no wonder he would become the future emperor, having such ambitions since childhood.

  "Remember, never tell this to anyone else." After Li Yuan's stern warning, he led the three of them out. As soon as they walked out, they heard someone knocking on the door.

  "Come in." Li Yuan shouted towards the outside, and then saw a guard push the door open. "What's the matter?"

  "Reporting to General, there is someone outside who wants to see Young Master." The guard said.

  "Looking for me? Who is it?" Li Jiancheng asked strangely.

  "That man claims to be Dugu Feng." The guard replied.

  "Alright, I understand." Li Jiancheng replied, and then the guard left.

  "Hehe, big brother, the future sister-in-law has arrived." Li Shimin smiled at Li Jiancheng, who also looked at him with a curious expression.

  "Since it's Feng'er who has come, you can go and take a look." Li Yuan said.

  "Yes, Father." He said and then walked out of the study room.