Chapter Five

  The two men chatted as they competed in martial arts, both wanting to win. Song Zheyuan's fighting style was no different from before, but after Liang Zhongguo finished speaking his last sentence, he became exceptionally fierce and powerful, like a dragon breaking free from shallow water and diving into the depths of the ocean, moving freely and easily. He continuously used the "Mountain River Broken", "Wind Rain Sway" and "Loss of Power and Country" three moves of the Liang family knife method, with an aura that could defeat ten thousand men, leaving Song Zheyuan only able to block his moves.

  Liang Liangfeng watched from the side, nodding repeatedly. This son of his had not disgraced himself; the Liang family's knife techniques, which he had practiced for over a decade, had not been wasted. Today, in front of more than 300 people, he was indeed able to hold his own against Song Zheyuan. He could already see that Liang Zhongguo's knife techniques were superior to Song Zheyuan's; it was only a matter of time before he won.

  As expected, Song Zheyuan was unable to counterattack and was barely holding on, anyone could see that his defeat was already settled.

  Li Chongguang suddenly had an idea: This time I'm sure to win against Song Jun, with so many people here, I have to use a beautiful move to defeat Song Jun, that would be impressive. As soon as the thought occurred to him, Li Chongguang slowed down his fierce attack and didn't rush to win, giving Song Zheyuan a chance to catch his breath.

  Everyone was unable to guess Liang Zhongguo's mind, and just as Liang Zhongguo was about to win, why did he suddenly become like a withered flower, losing all vitality?

  Song Zheyuan found it even stranger to be facing an enemy like Liang Zhongguo, who was a young man full of energy and didn't seem to be lacking in strength. Could it be that Liang Zhongguo's skills were not up to par, or was he just pretending to be weak? Song Zheyuan's heart was filled with worry rather than joy. He had originally planned to let Liang Zhongguo take over the 29th Army and teach everyone his swordsmanship if he won, but now Liang Zhongguo's behavior made him wonder how he could possibly be up to the task. Forget it, since Liang Zhongguo was going to stop at nothing, Song Zheyuan might as well take advantage of the situation and defeat him.

  Song Zheyuan took advantage of Liang's weakness and launched a major counterattack. Song Zheyuan advanced step by step, while Liang retreated step by step. The soldiers of the 29th Army cheered and praised their commander, while Liang Liangfeng frowned slightly, worried that if his son lost to Song Zheyuan, it would be embarrassing for him to save face.

  Liáng Zhōngguó's heart was secretly delighted, as Sòng Zhéyuán's knife skills were originally not as good as his own. If Sòng Zhéyuán only defended and didn't attack, Liáng Zhōngguó might still need to expend some effort. Now that Sòng Zhéyuán had the intention of taking the initiative to win, he inadvertently revealed two openings. Liáng Zhōngguó caught sight of the two openings on Sòng Zhéyuán's body with one glance, but these two openings were not big enough, although they could be used to gain victory, his posture would not be elegant. Liáng Zhōngguó dispelled the idea of using these two openings to win and continued to retreat, almost becoming a defeated army in disarray.

  Song Zheyuan thought the timing was ripe, let out a loud cry, and with a slanting cut, sent Liang Yiqiang's big knife flying. The three hundred soldiers of the 29th Army saw this and all cheered, thinking that Song Zheyuan had already won. But Liang Guanglie and Cheng Changying were worried that their son would lose badly.

  Liáng Zhōngguó's eyes narrowed, a smile floated on his face. Song Zhèyuán's move was indeed good, but the flaw was too obvious. If Song Zhèyuán were to use this move against someone with lower martial arts skills than him, it would be effective. However, Liáng Zhōngguó's martial arts skills were higher than Song Zhèyuán's, making this move a huge mistake. Suddenly, Liáng Zhōngguó took a step forward, his hand turning the big knife to meet the blade of Song Zhèyuán's big knife.

  Song Zheyuan saw a strange smile on Liang Zhongguo's face, and he secretly thought it was not good. He wanted to change his move, but it was too late. The blades of their knives came into close contact, with Liang Zhongguo using his knee to strike Song Zheyuan's calf from the side. Song Zheyuan's leg went numb, and he involuntarily bent down. At the same time, Liang Zhongguo used a clever force to spin Song Zheyuan's knife around, and of course, his own knife also spun around. Due to Song Zheyuan's knee being on the ground, it affected the overall force, causing Song Zheyuan's knife to fly into the air, spinning several times before falling to the ground. Liang Zhongguo took advantage of the opportunity to place his knife against Song Zheyuan's neck.

  Three hundred soldiers of the 29th Army were stunned. This was clearly a victory for General Liang, so how did it suddenly turn into a win for China?

  Liang Liangfeng and Cheng Changying were overjoyed at the same time, thinking that their son did not bring shame to themselves.

  Liáng Zhōngguó removed the knife from Sòng Zhéyuán's neck and said: "General Song, I apologize."

  Song Zheyuan burst out laughing and stood up, saying: "Liang Zhongguo, you're really something! I originally wanted to knock your sword flying, but didn't expect my own sword to be knocked flying by you instead."

  Li Chong said with humility: "It's just good luck."

  Li Liangfeng then stepped forward, handed the tea to Song Zheyuan and said: "General Song, you've had a battle with my son, your mouth must be dry, have a cup of tea to quench your thirst."

  Song Zheyuan took the teacup, holding the lid with his right hand, and slowly savored the tea as his lips touched the cup. Suddenly, a soldier from the 29th Army stood up and reported: "General Song, I'd like to have a competition with Liang Zhongguo, please allow it."

  Song Zheyuan swallowed his tea and said, "Alright, if any of you want to spar with Liang Zhongguo, you can go up."

  Liáng Zhōngguó jiào kǔ bù dié, dào: "Sòng jūn zhǎng, bú shì ba, nǐ zhè lǐ kě shì yǒu sān bǎi míng shì bīng, yàoshì rén rén dōu hé wǒ bǐ huà, wǒ qǐ bù lèi sǐ le."

  Song Zheyuan said: "Liang Zhongguo, don't worry, my soldiers have their own measure, they won't exhaust you."

  "Alright, brother, please go ahead and teach me."

  The 29th Army soldier then picked up the big knife that had been dropped on the ground, which was originally used by Song Zheyuan, and compared it with Liang Zhongguo.

  Song Zheyuan drank the tea in one gulp and said: "Mr. Liang, Mrs. Liang, this tea has a clear fragrance and a beautiful taste, it's really good tea."

  Liāng Liàngfēng said: "Since that's the case, my wife still has a cup in her hand, Song Jun Zhang you also drink."

  Song Zheyuan also did not decline, handing over the empty teacup in his hand to Liang Liangfeng, and receiving the teacup filled with tea from Changying's hand, sipping tea again.

  Changying sighed, "To be honest with General Song, actually the three of us at home don't understand tea, and we rarely drink tea. This tea is only used when entertaining guests. I'm not familiar with the art of tea, my technique for brewing tea is rough and unrefined, and I fundamentally can't bring out the true flavor of this tea."

  Song Zheyuan said: "This is enough for me."

  Liang Liangfeng apologized: "General Song, just now my dog offended you, please forgive him." Although Liang Liangfeng said so, he was still very pleased in his heart.

  Song Zheyuan shook his head and said, "Lianguan Master, you're being too serious. It's comforting to see that your son has such great skills. This is good, with your son's exceptional knife skills, I'm at ease letting him teach the 29th Army soldiers their knife skills."

  Liāng Liàngfēng asked: "Is what Commander Song said true?"

  Song Zheyuan said discontentedly: "Host Liang, are you saying that what I just said is nonsense?"

  Liang Liangfeng smiled and said: "That's truly an honor, a great honor."

  Song Zheyuan said: "Mr. Liang, let's continue to see how your son can show his divine power and defeat the 29th Army."

  Liang Liangfeng nodded and said, "Then let's appreciate it together."

  Then Song Zheyuan, Liang Liangfeng and Cheng Changying carefully watched the martial arts competition. An hour later, Liang Zhongyu successively defeated eight soldiers of the 29th Army, until no one came out to compete with Liang Zhongyu, and the martial arts competition ended.

  Song Zheyuan patted Liang Zhongguo's shoulder and said, "Liang Zhongguo, you passed the test. When do you have time to come to my 29th Army barracks to teach me swordsmanship?"

  Liáng Zhōngguó thought for a moment and said: "Sòng Jūnzhǎng, I think on the first day after the holiday, when I don't have anything to do, I can go to your army's barracks."

  "So it's settled then," said Song Zheyuan. "By the way, do you know the way?"

  Liáng Zhōngguó shook his head and said, "I don't recognize him."

  Song Zheyuan said: "Alright, I'll come pick you up three days later."

  Liáng Zhōngguó was unexpectedly greeted personally by the commander of the 29th Army, Sòng Zhéyuán. He felt deeply honored and happily said: "Thank you, Commander Song."

  Song Zheyuan said: "Mr. and Mrs. Liang, China, I'll take my leave now that everything has been settled."

  Liang Liangfeng said: "General Song, we'll see you off."

  Song Zheyuan shook his head and said, "No need, you all go about your business, no need to be so polite."

  Liang Liangfeng was not a hypocrite either, and said: "Alright, General Song, I won't see you off far. Have a good trip." After finishing speaking, Song Zheyuan also bid farewell to Liang Liangfeng's family of three and led 300 soldiers from the 29th Army away.

  Li Chongyuan exclaimed with joy: "Father, am I dreaming? I can actually teach the 29th Army knife skills."

  Chang Ying smiled and said: "Zhong Er, you are certainly not dreaming, three days later is the day when you will spread your wings."

  Liang Liangfeng hummed: "Don't be too happy too early, I'm asking you, can you perform the 'Zhong Er' knife method?"

  Li Chonghua was taken aback, coming back to his senses from his joyful state, and stupidly said: "It won't work."

  Liang Liangfeng said coldly: "This is over, you won't teach people how to be happy, what's the point?"

  Li Chongzhong smiled and said: "No problem, I won't teach people knife skills, but Dad you will, you can teach me, that's all."

  "You say it so easily, but can you actually do it?"

  Li Chong said lightly: "I've mastered knife skills, and I don't know how to teach others."

  Liang Liangfeng sneered: "Arrogant."

  Li Chongzhao corrected him: "It's self-confidence."

  "Alright then, I'll teach you and see how much you can learn."

  Changying argued: "I said that kid's father, Zhong'er hasn't even finished his meal yet, you should let him finish eating first before talking."

  "Right, Zhong Er, hurry up and eat, your mother and I still need to clean the bowls and chopsticks."

  Liáng Zhōngguó nodded and returned to the dining hall for dinner. Chéng Chángyīng whispered in Liáng Liàngfēng's ear, "Old man, although you scolded your son, do you know that he can actually teach the soldiers of the 29th Army knife skills? You're secretly delighted, aren't you?"

  Liang Liangfeng glanced at his wife Cheng Changying and didn't say a word.

  Changying continued: "Or why are you so eager to teach Zhong'er as his master?"

  Liang Liangfeng silently returned to the dining hall, walking while saying: "Zhong Er, you have to remember that tomorrow you need to invite Teacher Huang to our home for dinner, and casually accompany Xiangsu."

  Li Chongguo was eating his meal and said: "Dad, I remember."

  Changlang gazed at Liang Liangfeng's back for a while and said, "Still the old problem." After speaking, he also entered the house.