commanders. However, under the shining light of the Mercenary King, the dual-handed sword became increasingly popular. More battlefield commanders and professional mercenaries began to use it, leading to the formal development of dual-handed swordsmen into a systematic unit, with four new types of soldiers emerging.
These include the greatsword troops, whose ability to break through on the plains rivals that of the axe warriors; the ambush and assault specialist troops, the ambush dual-handed swordsmen, effective in any combat environment; and the most feared and dreaded advanced dual-handed swordsman unit, known as the "Ghost of the Battlefield," the frenzied greatsword soldiers.
Of course, the special swordsmen unit directly inherited from the Mercenary King himself became the core of the long-range offensive units in various national armies, excelling in both offense and defense.
—Excerpt from the preface of the renowned modern military scholar Chi Yi Zi's book, *A Guide to Swordsmen*.
In the spring of the 195th year of the Red Moon Calendar, near the mouth of the Warm Water River on the Icebound Continent, there was a small natural village called Haike. To the south of the village, there was a dilapidated small courtyard. Although the yard was in poor condition, the wooden house made of logs appeared very new. The courtyard walls were piled high with primitive logs, resembling small mountains.
"Hi... chug... Hi... chug..."
In the midst of the logs, the rhythmic sound of a young boy's voice could be heard. If one were to enter the yard, they would see a boy chopping firewood.
Humans are indeed a peculiar species. Living in warm villages, eating the best nutritional food, they may not necessarily be healthy, nor can they cultivate a strong boy like a mountain. The boy in front of us is a perfect example. For three years, he has been tormented day and night by an uncle who claims to be a noble of the Empire but whose background is unclear. He has never had access to any nutritional food, yet with every rise and fall of his arms, the muscles symbolizing strength move like mercury, disappearing from his waist and reappearing in his arms, only to vanish again.
The early spring along the Warm Water River was extremely cold. In this region, green could only be seen during the height of summer. Generally, people wore thick snow beast fur coats in the spring, but this boy, who was just over ten years old, wore only a pair of leather shorts. Sweat dripped from his forehead and body, quickly turning into ice particles as they hit the ground, and white mist rose from his body.
He spat into his calloused palms, then picked up a medium-sized axe, swinging it in a wide arc downwards. The large log in front of him, 30 centimeters high and half a meter in diameter, was split cleanly in half. Then he picked up a knife and quickly chopped the wood into neat firewood.
He's... using... a... knife?
Even the strongest lumberjack would need an axe to chop wood on the Icebound Continent. Using a knife would cause the thin blade to get stuck in the wood after the first chop, making it impossible to continue without multiple attempts. The knife blade would also quickly become damaged.
How much strength would it take to use a knife like an axe?
"Son, come here for a moment." The person in the house continued to shamelessly take advantage.
"Okay, Uncle Chi, I'm coming," the boy called Aimi replied, stacking the firewood neatly before entering the small wooden house that had been built just last summer.
"Starting today, you need to learn how to use weapons. You don't have to chop so much wood in the afternoon anymore. The villagers can't use it all anyway. Spend half the afternoon each day learning to use weapons," said Chi Hanfeng, rarely so serious.
"What weapon do you like? Ah, how about I recommend a combination of a knight's lance and a longsword? I think it would suit you perfectly. You'll love it," Chi Hanfeng began forcefully recommending his favorite weapon, regardless of Aimi's opinion. "Look, you're tall for your age, but not as tall as a Highlander, so a two-handed battle axe wouldn't suit you. Based on what I know about you, you probably wouldn't enjoy being an archer, a profession that relies on sneak attacks. The combination of a single sword and shield lacks killing power, suitable for those without strength. Hammer-type weapons are becoming less popular and are destined to be phased out. Wow—you aren't telling me you want to learn the spear, are you? The spear is only used in the army and is effective only against cavalry. It's useless otherwise." As he spoke, Chi Hanfeng observed Aimi's expression, trying to find the best argument to persuade him.
"I want to learn the two-handed greatsword, just like my father," Aimi finally spoke. At only ten years old, Aimi was naturally reserved and didn't speak unless necessary, but once he made up his mind, his will was unshakable.
"As expected of your father's son, you've got spirit. I like that," Uncle Chi laughed, patting Aimi's cheek. Suddenly, he grabbed Aimi's face tightly and, with a fierce expression, said, "No, this time it's my decision. You must learn the knight's lance from me. I'm going to train you to be an Imperial Knight like me. What's so great about a two-handed greatsword? It's the lowest-ranking unit in the army. Look at proper knights. In general situations, they use a single-handed rapier, which can be paired with a shield. On the battlefield, they always use a knight's lance and shield. That's the backbone of warfare."
In the armies of both the Empire and the Federation, newly enlisted soldiers could only choose between spearmen, two-handed swordsmen, and archers. After a year of basic training, those with potential would be selected for higher-level units. Spearmen could become knight squires or battle axe warriors. From the archers' camp, those with magical potential might become magical archers or wolf-riding archers after a year of magical training. Only in the swordsmen's camp were recruits with poor physiques and no potential sent to the two-handed swordsmen's camp. Although outstanding two-handed swordsmen had a chance to become knight squires, they had to switch to other weapons, and such opportunities were rare. Moreover, very few two-handed swordsmen actually made it to the battlefield. If not for the fact that this unit required the least equipment and could be used as a law enforcement force, it would have long disappeared from the armies of various nations. If a country used swordsmen on the battlefield, it usually meant the outcome of the war was near.
No matter how much Chi Hanfeng tried to persuade or coerce, Aimi remained silent, which, of course, did not indicate agreement.
"Oh heavens, what have I done to deserve this? How could I, a dignified Imperial Knight, end up with such a disciple? Brother, I have failed you. And to my sister-in-law, whom I have yet to meet, I am truly sorry. I am so incompetent. I cannot properly teach your son; he wants to become a lowly two-handed swordsman," Chi Hanfeng lamented dramatically, covering his face as if in tears.
"Why are you crying? You're a grown man, and there's not even a tear. Stop peeking at me through your fingers. I'm used to it," Aimi said with a hint of dark humor.
"Looks like I have to reveal my true identity to get you interested," said the man, still covering his face, sitting like a stone statue on the bed, trying to look cool.
"Aimi, I'm not just an ordinary knight. I am the highest-ranking knight in the Empire—the Phantom Beast Knight! I summon you in my name—come forth, Phantom Beast Spirit Wolf!" Chi Hanfeng pressed his fingers tightly together.
A large pentagonal barrier appeared in the center of the room. After a blinding flash of white light, a snow wolf, twice the size of a regular one, appeared in the middle of the room. Its fur was as white as snow, smooth and flowing from head to tail, with a huge tail swaying lazily. Its head rested on its massive paws as it snored contentedly.
The man who had hoped to impress Aimi with this spectacle nearly dropped his jaw to the floor upon seeing the giant white wolf.
"Little White..." The nobleman crouched down to stroke the wolf's ears, speaking pitifully. "We haven't seen each other in three years. I hoped you'd recuperate in the Phantom Beast Sanctuary, but you've given me the biggest surprise—you've grown fat!" Chi Hanfeng cried out in despair, pulling hard on the wolf's ears.
"Arrooo!" The white wolf, suddenly awakened, turned its head and bared its huge fangs and blood-red tongue.
Seeing Chi Hanfeng, however, the wolf's fierce face softened into a grin, and its tail wagged from side to side as it playfully pounced on him, knocking him over.
During this whole process, Chi Hanfeng's true colors as a human were fully exposed.
Faced with the wolf's fiercer expression, Chi Hanfeng immediately changed his tone, soothingly petting its long fur. "No, no, I meant you've grown bigger and more handsome over the years." Once the wolf was deceived into smiling, Chi Hanfeng quickly flipped the situation, pinning the wolf beneath him. Grabbing the wolf's
neck with his left hand and punching its head with his right, he shouted, "Not only have you grown fatter, but you've gotten lazier, you wretched mutt! I am truly sorry for my sins—how could I let you fall so far?"
The wolf, upon realizing it had been tricked, glared at him fiercely and let out a long, pitiful howl, wriggling beneath him, refusing to give in.
Aimi, who had been watching the scene, stared at the man and beast, feeling both puzzled and intrigued. "Is this supposed to impress me?" he wondered, scratching his head.