Sword or Dagger?

Since joining the Tailung clan and moving into their mansion, I have trained in combat daily. In addition to morning and evening sword training sessions with Master Liang outside the Training Grounds, I sneak out to the courtyard every midnight and practice shadowboxing and sword fighting with my imaginary foes.

Proper eating and daily training have noticeably improved my body. My once skinny and soft stomach and limbs have become firm and toned. The fresh air and sunlight have also made my skin healthier and no longer pale.

This morning, I was at the training grounds before dawn, even before Master Liang arrived. With a surge of confidence, I believed I would impress my master today.

"Let's begin!"

Master Liang and I faced each other, swords drawn. I saw the eagle-like eyes of my master locked onto my blade.

This time, I took the initiative and lunged forward. I wanted to try a new stance that I had used in my solo training. However, as expected, Master Liang quickly countered that position and defeated me.

I tried again with a different stance. I kept the center of my body slightly low and lunged, intentionally exposing a vulnerability for Master Liang to see.

As predicted, he redirected my sword and left a gap between his sword and me. I released my weapon before Master Liang's surprised eyes, then quickly maneuvered into that small gap.

With my hand clenched into a fist, I struck his chest.

"I win!"

Master Liang's expression remained unchanged.

"What does this fist mean?"

"Now, it's a fist because I'm not allowed to wield any other weapon, but imagine I had a small dagger in this fight, then you would have been stabbed. We don't have rules restricting the use of only swords in combat."

"You're right. But a dagger is reserved for assassins, stealthy and unchivalrous. The way of the sword is the most honorable path."

His words surprised me a bit. Master Liang stepped back, turning away from me.

"Furthermore, in practical terms, carrying multiple weapons, especially when you use a sword, not only doesn't help you but also slows down your movements because they are cumbersome."

I pondered for a moment, then replied.

"But, Master, the other day before the mission, I defeated the Nure-onna with a small copper dagger. I think that..."

The atmosphere suddenly tensed. I could sense that Master Liang was not pleased with my recent performance.

"...I think that using a dagger may be more suitable for my fighting style. You know, sword techniques have a wide variety of skills and high damage, so I think it's great. But I've realized I may do better in close combat, and I can use the dagger considering it as an extension of my arm."

Master Liang still turned away from me, and remained silent.

"Or if there's a way I could incorporate sword and dagger fighting in my combat, that might be more suitable for me."

Finally, Master Liang spoke up.

"I can only teach you swordsmanship. If you wish to explore other combat methods, I'm afraid I can't assist you with that."

With that, he walked away.

"Master Liang...?" I called after his gradually fading figure, but he didn't turn back and walked straight out of the Training Grounds.

But why did he react like that? Did I anger him in some way? Questions kept popping up in my mind, mixed with a worry that I had upset my master and he would stop teaching me swordsmanship. That way, I wouldn't be able to grow stronger.

I went to the dining hall with a sense of unease. Yang, when he saw me not saying anything, just continuously stuffing poached fish into my mouth, spoke up.

"Did Master give you such a hard time that your tongue's now stuck in your throat?"

"Yang," I continued to munch on the fish, "does Master Liang have a grudge against daggers? Or like, any kind of knives in general?"

"Why? What happened?"

I glanced at Yang's curious expression, unsure if I should tell him.

"Well... I always feel like I'm better with short weapons than swords, but I didn't tell him because I didn't know how to. I feel like if I speak out, it might upset him."

"So today, you decided to speak up?"

"Yeah, because I think it would be better if I train according to my strengths. And he seemed angry. He said daggers were unchivalrous."

Yang chuckled, pushing a bunch of boiled bok choy into his mouth.

"You hit his sore spot. Master Liang doesn't hate daggers, but he despises a master using daggers within the Tailung clan."

"There's a master who uses daggers here?"

"Yeah, but she's not around. She often disappears suddenly, then reappears days later in some bizarre place on the news, next to a defeated demon. It could expose the clan, but luckily, the public always thinks it's a comedy show. She gets the jobs done, so we figure it's best to leave it be."

"Why doesn't Master Liang like her? Is there some kind of conflict going on between them?"

Yang, with a mouthful of food, gazed up at the ceiling.

"I'm not entirely sure either, because Master Liang never talks about this. I only overheard the household staff whispering to each other that in the past, Master Liang's son lost in a hand-to-hand combat duel with the master who uses daggers. Master Liang witnessed this fight and believed she cheated, hence he felt dissatisfied with the result and became angry."

"I see. What kind of person is this master then?"

"Her name is Zhu Mei. She doesn't disclose her surname and insists that everyone address her by her name."

I pondered for a moment, then decided to propose.

"Can I request guidance from her? Since she uses daggers, she might teach me many useful things."

Yang tilted his head, twirling his chopsticks.

"I can help you ask her, but I can't guarantee she will agree. Firstly, because she's not part of the Tailung master lineup. Secondly, because she's extremely unpredictable. She only likes to do things that interest her."

I nodded, "Okay, then please ask her for me."

That evening, after finishing my solo training, I climbed into bed to sleep. Just as I closed my eyes, I jolted awake at the sound of a "thud" outside the door. I cautiously opened my eyes, and before me stood a woman in a short violet Qipao. The hem of the Qipao was slit at the thigh and chest. She looked extremely alluring.

"Hello, young boy! I heard you want to learn my skills, huh?"