Chapter 8: The Long Sword Leaves No Trace

  The war is imminent, and the autumn trials have cancelled the military exercises in the form of hunting that are close to actual combat. The entire grand review focuses on examining the military skills of all soldiers and selecting outstanding soldiers.

  It was also because of the consideration that a big war is imminent, and fighting with Xiongnu cavalry, the opportunity for battle is fleeting, so General Li Guang's previous words can be considered as pre-war mobilization. When it comes to going to war, you can directly take the soldiers to the battlefield!

  At this time, the whole campus has begun a fiery military skills assessment and martial arts competition!

  The garrison troops in the entire Shanggu Prefecture are divided into three major divisions. The three major divisions, excluding the cavalry division, are further divided into several smaller branches of service, such as charioteers being divided into charioteers, chariot warriors, and chariot infantry, and infantry being divided into light infantry and heavy infantry. Each branch of service is different, so the main military skills to be examined are also different.

  Qin Cheng belongs to heavy infantry, wearing iron armor. This type of infantry does not use bows and arrows in battle, mainly using halberds, spears, axes, and pikes to fight enemies at close range, while also being equipped with long knives (or short knives). As for light infantry, one theory is that they are equipped with leather armor, another theory is that they have no armor, mainly using bows and arrows to kill enemies from a distance. Qin Cheng was previously not good at archery, so he ended up becoming a heavy infantryman.

  It can be said that the re-equipped infantry is the most unpromising branch of service, and during wartime it suffers the greatest casualties.

  For the heavily armored infantrymen of Qin City, what they mainly examined was the technique of using knives and halberds, as well as hand-to-hand combat skills. Of course, archery also had to be tested, because this is a basic subject in Han military skills, just like any soldier in later generations would have their military posture examined.

  "Wu Chang, Dong Wu Chang, where are you going?" When Dong Zhuo met Qin Ming at the examination office in Ben Tun, he shied away like a ghost, but was still spotted by the sharp-eyed Qin Ming.

  "Hmm...where are you going, haha, Qin Cheng, I heard that you've already defeated all the soldiers in the martial arts competition and will be representing our battalion in the departmental tournament, amazing skills! Haha!" Dong Zhuo scratched his head awkwardly, looking a bit silly. It was really pitiful to see this big and rough man acting like a child who's made a mistake.

  He should have already known about Jiang He's defeat.

  "There's more than just me representing this camp, no big deal." Qin Cheng said, putting a hand on Dong Zhuo's shoulder, "Sergeant, are you going to participate in the long blade competition?"

  "Hmm, indeed." Dong Chu glanced at the wooden long knife he had just received in his hand and nodded.

  "What a coincidence, I'm going too. Why don't we go together?" Qin Cheng then brought out his other hand and waved it in front of Dong Zhuo, revealing a specially made wooden long knife for martial arts.

  "You're also going to represent our village in the knife competition finals?" Dong Chu saw the specially-made long knife in Qin Cheng's hand and was shocked, realizing that Qin Cheng had already won first place in the knife technique category in their village. Because Dong Chu was last year's first-place winner in the knife category in their village, he didn't participate in this year's village-level competition and directly advanced to the next round. Understanding the situation, Dong Chu agreed without hesitation: "Alright, we'll go together!"

  "Go."

  Dong Chu was held by Qin Cheng, and he couldn't help but think: What's wrong with Qin Cheng? Since he returned home to visit his relatives, it seems like he has completely changed. He used to be just an ordinary martial arts soldier, but a few days ago, he not only won against himself in hand-to-hand combat, but also defeated his own ally Jiang He, and now his knife skills have reached the top of the camp, how is this possible?

  Could it be that he was really struck by lightning?

  And also showed off his skills?

  Dong Chou felt that his worldview was somewhat confused.

  But anyway, if this Sergeant can't even win in hand-to-hand combat, then it's all over. If his knife skills are also inferior to others, then he might as well step down and let someone else take the position!

  Thinking of this, Dong Chou secretly made up his mind. He must suppress Qin Cheng in the knife technique competition! For his own knife skills that he had practiced for many years, Dong Chou still had great confidence!

  As he thought about it, a smile involuntarily appeared on Dong Chou's face. He even wished in his heart that the army would arrange for him and Qin Cheng to engage in a martial contest, so that he could regain some dignity!

  Knife skills, that is the specialty of heavy infantry, historically the best knife skills in the army are always from the heavy infantry or cavalry, this time Qin Cheng and Dong Zhu suddenly appeared in the position of representative of the heavy infantry battalion, immediately attracting many soldiers' attention.

  Feeling the gaze of admiration or curiosity from the crowd, Dong Chu let out a proud hum and subconsciously raised his neck, quite enjoying this feeling.

  Qin Cheng saw it with his own eyes and sneered in his heart, but secretly remembered this characteristic of Dong Zhuo.

  "Dong Wuzhang!" At this time, a robust young man walked over and greeted Dong Chui.

  "Captain Liu!" Dong Zhu saw the newcomer and immediately gave a military salute.

  "It's been a long time since we last met, how's your swordsmanship now? Today the two of us must have another good fight!" Captain Liu said with a hearty laugh, and gave Dong Zhuo a slap on the shoulder, looking very familiar with him.

  Dong Chu revealed an unnatural smile and humbly said, "Captain Liu, my knife skills are not as good as yours, so please don't tease me."

  "What are you talking about? Last year was not good, and this year will definitely be worse? You scoundrel, how can you think like that? You really deserve a beating!" Captain Liu said with feigned anger.

  "Yes, Captain Liu's teachings are correct. I will definitely exert myself fully." Dong Chuo said with great reverence.

  "Haha!" Captain Liu laughed, "This is it! This is what a soldier looks like!" After that, he went to chat with others.

  Seeing Captain Liu leave, Dong Zhu let out a sigh of relief and turned his head to see Qin Cheng staring at Captain Liu. He explained with some embarrassment: "His name is Liu Shanhe, from the Second Garrison of the Cavalry, he was the top scorer in last year's knife technique competition, his knife skills are extraordinary!"

  Of course, Dong Chu still had one more thing to say, that was he himself was defeated by him at his first appearance on stage. This explanation of his was also a way for him to save face, after all, he had just let Qin Cheng know that he was defeated by the other party.

  Qin Cheng nodded slightly and didn't say much more, but in his heart he had already taken note of this Liu Shanhe.

  "It's just a bit too much." Dong Chu couldn't help but mutter.

  As it was a martial arts competition for all the troops, many soldiers participated, so only three temporary wooden platforms were set up to quickly determine the outcome.

  Soon after.

  "Number one stage, heavy infantry first camp Qin City, against the cavalry second camp Liu Shanhe River!" Along with a sentinel's loud announcement, the martial competition also officially kicked off.

  Upon hearing this announcement, Dong Zhu gave Qin Cheng a rather strange look, the implication of which was unmistakable: Sorry, you're done for!

  Qin Cheng lazily ignored Dong Zhuo's gaze and walked up onto the martial arena with his sword.

  On the other side, Liu Shanhe jumped onto the stage with a loud laugh, leaped onto the martial arts platform, and landed steadily in front of Qin Cheng, looking very excited.

  "Huh? You look familiar!" Liu Shanhe said suspiciously, then raised his voice, "Hey, little guy in front of me, Old Liu's moves are usually not light or heavy, if you can't hold on later, be sure to shout out loud, so I don't hurt you!"

  Liu Shanhe originally had good intentions, but once he said this, it became a blatant provocation.

  Qin Cheng's face was calm, his right hand holding a long knife slanted towards the table surface, a slight smile at the corner of his mouth, as he said proudly: "Come on!"

  "You're a new recruit, you go first. I'm Old Liu, and I don't bully people." Liu Shanhe said loudly, with great demeanor.

  For Liu Shanhe, who has been fighting on this martial arts stage for years, Qin Cheng, who had never shown his face before, is naturally the "new soldier".

  Upon hearing this, Qin Cheng's figure flashed and he rapidly charged out, his long knife still slanted to the right side of his body. For a moment, the guards below seemed to only see a fleeting shadow, and Qin Cheng was already in front of Liu Shanhe!

  For over a decade, I, Qin Cheng, have wielded the Tang sword and shed blood. How many times have I clashed with others? Yet no one has dared to tell me to make the first move! Liu Shanhe, you're courting death!

  The pride in Qin Cheng's heart was ignited by Liu Shanhe's careless words! As his arm moved suddenly, the long knife had already reached Liu Shanhe's chest!

  Liu Shanhe had completely put aside the contempt in his heart from the moment he set out from Qin City, and was now fully on guard! Even so, when Qin City's long knife quickly approached his chest, Liu Shanhe could only hastily retreat and swing his knife to block it.

  Too fast!

  Liu Shanhe had never seen such fast knife work!

  But when Liu Shanhe's long knife collided with Qin Cheng's long knife, a huge numbness spread through the tiger's mouth, and his right hand shook. The long knife almost fell out of his hand. At this time, Liu Shanhe helplessly discovered that Qin Cheng's knife was not only fast, but also incredibly powerful!

  Originally, Liu Shanhe was as strong as an ox and only a few people in the army could match him, but now facing Qin Cheng, Liu Shanhe discovered for the first time that he was at a disadvantage in terms of strength!

  The soldiers under the stage watched as the two on the stage fought in an instant, unable to distinguish between them. The knives were so fast that they couldn't see the shadows, and their hearts were all shocked.

  Qin Cheng's knife technique was deadly and efficient, without any unnecessary moves. The long knife in his hand seemed to come alive, able to attack from unexpected angles, especially those that were hard to anticipate. In Qin Cheng's hands, the long knife could execute a variety of techniques such as chopping, slashing, hooking, thrusting, stabbing, spinning, and drawing, all perfectly coordinated with his agile footwork, leaving Liu Shanhe completely defenseless!

  Liu Shanhe had never seen such a strange knife technique, which completely exceeded his cognitive range. He didn't know that a knife could be used in this way!

  For the first time, Liu Shanhe believed in the unity of man and sword.

  Because Qin Chen has vividly unfolded this boundary before him!

  In just a few rounds, Liu Shanhe was already drenched in sweat, barely holding on. Qin Cheng, on the other hand, was swift and fierce in his attack, yet calm and composed, with each move faster and more powerful than the last!

  "Bang!"

  With a soft sound, Liu Shanhe's long knife fell on the martial arts platform. And Qin Cheng's knife was already placed horizontally across his neck. It was placed horizontally across his neck, rather than being placed on his shoulder, Qin Cheng's knife did not touch any part of his body!

  Breathtaking!

  The whole audience is silent!

  In just three or four breaths' time, the champion of last year's cavalry division was already at a loss and after stumbling for a few moments, his neck was pinned down by someone with a long knife!

  A drop of sweat fell from Liu Shanhe's chin, and in a short time, he was already drenched in sweat!

  A bright red scar was visible on Liu Shanhe's right wrist, which was the direct cause of his long knife falling from his hand.

  Qin Cheng, at this moment, is majestic and awe-inspiring, with an air of invincibility that touches the sky, a true king's demeanor!

  "Good!"

  The guards under the stage finally reacted and burst into thunderous applause!

  Dong Chu finally reacted, swallowing hard with difficulty. He looked at his hand holding the knife and found that his palm was already covered in sweat.

  Grandma, what's going on?

  Is this Qin City? Is this really Qin City? Is this still Qin City?

  Dong Chou couldn't help but ask himself in his heart, feeling that this world was truly beyond salvation.

  On the other side of the martial arena, a handsome young man holding a specially crafted wooden long sword gazed at Qin Cheng's eyes with an unending stream of colorful lights.

  Qin Cheng picked up the knife, bent down, retrieved Liu Shanhe's dropped long knife and handed it to him, saying lightly: "You lost."

  Liu Shanhe took the long knife, looked at it in his hand, then looked at Qin Cheng and suddenly burst out laughing loudly, saying: "Refreshing! It's really refreshing! I lost with a willing heart, damn it, this battle was worth losing! Brother's knife skills are truly admirable!"

  Having said that, he burst out laughing again and jumped off the stage.

  "This time, Qin City wins!"

  Qin Cheng sheathed his long sword and walked down from the martial arena. Accompanying him as he stepped down were the fervent gazes of the soldiers.