Many people can kill a chicken, but fewer can slaughter a pig.
In slaughtering livestock, it's best to kill with a single blow. In folklore, having to use a second knife stroke when killing a pig is said to bring about misfortune.
Folk tales should not be taken at face value, as this is just a sign of respect for the animals, similar to how executioners strive to behead a convict with one clean sweep of the blade. If the blade gets caught in the neck, even a condemned criminal should not have to suffer such pain.
Killing pigs is a skill, but slaughtering cattle requires even more care. The common practice in rural areas is to tie up the four legs of the cow, make a cut in the throat, and then wait slowly for the blood to drain.
As for the legendary Butchering an Ox, if such a technique were to be available today, it could be considered a lost martial art.
Tang Xian furrowed his brow, hesitating for a moment.
Yi Niu was not easy to kill.
