"Giddy up!"
Dressed in black, Qin Yu galloped along the main road on a towering black horse, heading straight for Yan Capital City. Above Qin Yu soared a black hawk, his beloved pet 'Little Black'.
Feeling the breeze against his face, Qin Yu's expression was one of pure enjoyment.
"Haha, this feels incredible! Shedding that 200-pound weight, my body feels as light as a feather." Qin Yu, exhilarated, pushed himself up with both hands, performed a somersault in midair above the horse, stretched out his arms to feel the wind, and then landed precisely back on the saddle.
He had begun his training at the age of eight and underwent extreme training for five full years. He never wasted any time and, as his muscles continuously absorbed and transformed inner strength, Qin Yu's five years of training were worth at least ten years of extreme training for an average person. Qin Yu had truly become an outer strength expert.
His movement technique was graceful and light, and his speed was swift like a cunning hare. His explosive power and strength were beyond what ordinary masters could achieve.
"Giddy up, giddy up!" Qin Yu accelerated excitedly, and his horse sprinted even faster, leaving behind nothing but a trail of dust on the main road, his figure already vanishing at the end of the path.
As the horse dashed, the surrounding scenery rushed by in a blur, and Qin Yu suddenly slowed down and dismounted, running directly toward a village beside the road. Qin Yu visited the city once or twice a year, and during his first trip from Cloud Mist Villa to the city, he had stopped to drink water in this village and had befriended some of the local children.
"Da Shan, Little Lu." Qin Yu shouted as soon as he reached the entrance of the village.
"Little Yu." A robust young man holding a shovel ran out joyfully. His bare upper body showcased his muscular physique, each muscle brimming with explosive power. This was Qin Yu's good friend, Tie Shan, who had just turned sixteen this year.
"Brother Yu." A little girl with a ponytail also ran out and suddenly hugged Qin Yu tightly. This little girl was Tie Shan's younger sister, Tie Xiaolu, who was only eight years old.
"Little Yu's here." The other villagers also greeted him warmly. They were quite familiar with Qin Yu. After all, he'd visited several times before. Despite his distinct attire, Qin Yu was exceedingly affable, and that was why the villagers liked him.
"Little Lu, Da Shan, it's been half a year since I've been here. How are you guys?" Qin Yu asked affectionately, stroking Little Lu's head with a smile,
"We're doing well," Tie Shan replied with a smile. Beside him, Little Lu's bright round eyes suddenly lit up as she blurted out, "Brother Yu, you must be thirsty. I'll go get some water." Not waiting for Qin Yu to respond, she ran toward her house.
The first time Qin Yu visited this village, he had stopped to ask for water because he was thirsty.
"Da Shan, I am about to head to the city, do you want me to buy anything for you?" Qin Yu asked. Hearing this, Tie Shan hesitated, then, with a sheepish smile, said, "I want to buy a better war saber. I've almost saved enough money for one."
"Talking about saving money, what are you saying! Let me buy it for you as a gift," Qin Yu said, patting Tie Shan's shoulder and laughing. Tie Shan was momentarily taken aback before hurriedly responding, "How could that be! Good war sabers are very expensive, how could..."
"Brother Yu, here's your water." Little Lu ran over with a bowl of water.
Qin Yu took the water and, smiling warmly at Little Lu, said, "Offering favors unasked, there must be something you want. Out with it; what do you need your Brother Yu to do?" Qin Yu had immediately seen through this mischievous little girl's intentions.
"Err... caught red-handed!" Little Lu blinked her big eyes twice, her cheeks flushing as she shyly said, "Brother Yu, I want a cloth doll, the kind with a big red flower embroidered on the head!"
Qin Yu laughed and pinched Little Lu's nose, saying, "Got it, a cloth doll with a big red flower on the head. Don't worry, I'll definitely buy one for you." Qin Yu was very fond of Little Lu, recalling that when he first visited, she had been only four or five years old.
After drinking the water, Qin Yu gave the bowl back to Little Lu and said to both Tie Shan and Little Lu, "Da Shan, Little Lu, I'm heading to the city now. I'll bring back the things you want when I return."
"Little Yu, about the money..." Tie Shan, holding several copper coins in his hand, seemed unsure of what to say. Meanwhile, Qin Yu ran to his horse, leapt up, covering two to three meters in one jump, and landed squarely in the saddle. Following a joyful neigh from the horse, Qin Yu disappeared from their sight.
"Brother Yu, goodbye." Little Lu waved her little hand hurriedly.
...
Upon entering Yan Capital City, Qin Yu headed straight for the Prince Mansion.
"Uncle Li, take care of the horse!" Qin Yu pushed off from the horse and performed a somersault in the air to land, moving incredibly swiftly. The black hawk in the sky swooped down and landed precisely on Qin Yu's shoulder; it was Black Hawk.
The two muscular guards at Prince Zhen Dong Mansion immediately knelt on one knee and respectfully said, "Greetings, Third Prince."
Every time Qin Yu came to Yan Capital City, he would visit the Prince Mansion, and the people there knew him well. Perhaps Qin Yu wanted to check if his father was around.
Vice Housekeeper Ge Min immediately came over with a smile, "Little Yu, the Prince hasn't returned yet." Ge Min said it outright, knowing that whenever Qin Yu returned to the Prince Mansion, he would inquire about his father, so he preempted the question.
"Oh," Qin Yu said somewhat dejectedly before smiling, "Grandpa Ge, take me to the Hidden Weapons Storage."
"Then follow me," Ge Min said with a smile.
Hidden Weapons Storage was not a place just anyone could enter. There were several secret areas within the Prince Mansion, such as the Hidden Weapons Storage and the Secret Scripture Pavilion. Yet, only a few people had unrestricted access. Prince Qin De, the three princes, Xu Yuan, Lian Yan, and the Chief Housekeeper could enter. Even the Vice Housekeeper didn't have the clearance.
Pavilions and kiosks, painted rafters and carved beams, winding corridors, layers of courtyards.
The Prince Mansion covered an extensive area. Qin Yu followed Ge Min for a long time before they finally entered an underground vault, which was the so-called Hidden Weapons Storage, where each weapon was considered exceptional.
"Little Yu, feel free to choose whichever weapon you like, I'll take my leave now," Ge Min said with a smile.
"Grandpa Ge, have someone prepare a war saber for me, a Xuantie Battle Saber! Also, a cloth doll, and remember, the doll's head must be embroidered with a big red flower," Qin Yu quickly instructed Ge Min. Yan Capital City was vast, and though Qin Yu knew where to buy a war saber, he didn't know where to buy a cloth doll. It was easiest to have someone from the mansion handle it.
Ge Min was stunned. "A cloth doll? And embroidered with a big red flower?" Ge Min looked carefully at Qin Yu a few times. However he looked at him, Ge Min could not imagine Qin Yu, who was about the same height as him, would like a cloth doll. But since it was Qin Yu's request, he wouldn't refuse.
"Alright, Little Yu, since you like cloth dolls, especially ones with big red flowers, I'll have someone buy one right away," said Ge Min with a laugh before he walked out of the weapons vault.
"This…" Qin Yu was stunned for a moment, "I like cloth dolls, especially with big red flowers?" It took him a while to come back to his senses and he immediately turned around and called out anxiously, "Grandpa Ge..." But by that moment, Ge Min had already left.
Qin Yu felt helpless. What a misunderstanding. He was mistakenly thought to like cloth dolls, especially ones with big red flowers.
"Never mind," Qin Yu said with a carefree smile, then started to carefully look for the 'Fish Intestine Sword.' The weapons in this secret vault totaled several dozen items, all categorized as 'Immortal Items.' Most were refined from superior minerals and such found in the Primordial Wilderness.
The weapons were broadly divided into Mortal Items and Immortal Items.
Mortal Items were made from minerals commonly found on the Hidden Dragon Continent. Immortal Items were extremely rare, made from materials found in the Primordial Wilderness or from Primordial Wilderness Demonic Beasts. Of course, both Mortal and Immortal Items had low, middle, and upper grades.
The Fish Intestine Sword was classified as a Lower Immortal Grade Short Sword. It was the only sword of its type in the entire armory.
"Fish Intestine Sword," Qin Yu looked at the short sword before him. The sword was an inch wide and just over seven inches long, appearing pitch-black and unremarkable. Such a dark sword was very rare. "It must be that special material from Outer Heaven Meteorite Iron," he guessed.
Qin Yu held the sword, the pitch-black Fish Intestine Sword not reflecting any light. In the darkness of night, it would be absolutely difficult for others to detect when murdering.
"Whoosh!"
With a flick of his hand, the Fish Intestine Sword completely vanished, disappeared within Qin Yu's palm.
'Yu Family's One Sword' talks about 'Hiding Sword, Draw Sword.' Qin Yu had practiced for nearly two years, and his 'Hiding Sword' technique had become flawlessly clear. Hidden away, it was impossible for outsiders to detect and the mere seven-inch length posed no hindrance to Qin Yu's close combat fights.
Suddenly, Qin Yu's right hand moved, and two sharp sounds rang through the air. His right hand appeared the same as before, holding nothing.
If there had been an expert present, they could clearly see that in that instant, the Fish Intestine Sword had appeared in Qin Yu's hand, then swiftly made two cuts before disappearing instantly from his hand at a very high speed. This showed the speed of 'Hiding Sword.'
"'Yu Family's One Sword' Hiding Sword technique is truly remarkable. But the 'Ancestor Dragon Technique' described in the scripture stated that mastering this level of Hiding Sword technique would take ten years, yet it took me only two. It seems the descriptions in the 'Ancestor Dragon Technique' aren't completely accurate," Qin Yu mused.
Qin Yu was wrong.
For an average expert it indeed would take ten years, but Qin Yu's muscles absorbed Inner Strength and were extremely flexible. Additionally, Qin Yu often exercised his fingers for sensitivity and speed, which enhanced his muscle control capabilities. With good flexibility and strong muscle control, Qin Yu could easily conceal the Fish Intestine Sword using his muscles, a feat not possible for just any expert.
His two years of 'Hiding Sword' practice were equivalent to a typical person's ten years, perfectly normal. This proved Zhao Yunxing's principle of 'first train a perfectly coordinated body, then train attack methods' to be correct.
Sharpening the axe will not delay the work of cutting firewood—that's the principle!
There were other weapons in the armory, such as swords, spears, clubs, and more, but Qin Yu paid them no mind.
"It would be nice if there were gauntlets to enhance the attack power of the knuckles," Qin Yu examined carefully. Although Qin Yu's knuckle attack strength was strong and very solid, he still couldn't fight barehanded against divine weapons. If he could get a good pair of gauntlets to protect his knuckles, that would be ideal.