Yang Qiong

After a brief moment of intimacy, a servant reported that everything was ready. Cui Yi released Cheng Ying and prepared to drink with Yang Qiong.

"Aren't you coming?" Cui Yi asked.

Cheng Ying looked at him innocently. "What would I do among a group of men drinking? If I sit there, they'd feel restrained. I'd better not go."

Cui Yi snatched the book from her hand and tossed it aside. "Come. Yang Qiong wants to thank you personally for your financial help."

Unable to refuse, Cheng Ying nodded and suggested, "Should we invite Mr. Xie too?"

Cui Yi's face darkened. "Why invite him? He does nothing all day. Just eats and idles around. Annoying."

Cheng Ying sighed. "He came seeking refuge with you. You didn't give him anything to do. Besides, Mr. Baili does nothing either, and you don't complain about feeding him."

Cui Yi looked at her expressionlessly. "Are you hinting I should kick Baili Zan out?"

Before Cheng Ying could respond, Cui Yi raised his hand. "Fine. Send someone to invite Mr. Xie." A maid immediately left to carry out the order.

Cheng Ying couldn't help smiling. Since her pregnancy, Cui Yi had become increasingly compliant, seemingly afraid she'd be upset and something might happen. She wondered how the soldiers who were used to being ordered around by him would react if they knew.

After changing into different clothes, Cheng Ying accompanied Cui Yi to Rongjin Garden. Four guest seats and one host seat were arranged in the hall. Cao Qian and the others were waiting outside. As soon as they entered the courtyard, everyone bowed respectfully.

"No need for formalities. Sit down," Cui Yi said, leading Cheng Ying to sit beside him before taking his seat.

Cao Qian and Baili Zan sat on the upper seats, while Yang Qiong and Xie Yong sat closer to the door.

Once the food was served, Cheng Ying filled Cui Yi's cup. He raised it and said, "Today, I sparred with Brother Yang, and I lost. Lost fair and square. Let's drink!"

Yang Qiong humbly declined the praise, and Baili Zan smiled, raising his hands in congratulations. "Your Highness wins without arrogance and loses gracefully. True heroes appreciate each other. Yang Brother will surely become a trusted aide like General Cao. Congratulations, Your Highness."

Cui Yi smiled. "Well said. Drink!"

After another round, Cheng Ying served Cui Yi food and suggested, "Your Highness is a war hero, and Mr. Yang comes from a renowned general's lineage. One is battle-hardened, and the other surpasses slightly. Such a match must have been spectacular. Too bad I missed it. Why don't you tell us about it?"

Cui Yi, in high spirits, wasn't bothered about embarrassing himself in front of Baili Zan and Xie Yong. "Zhongxing, you tell the story. I'm not good at narrating."

Cao Qian, familiar with Cui Yi's character, knew he was genuinely pleased to find a worthy opponent. Without hesitation, he cleared his throat and began, "This story is long. After lunch today, General Dai assigned me to organize training for new recruits in Huozi Camp. There were over a thousand new recruits standing in the training field. Among them, I noticed Brother Yang, whose posture indicated he had some skills. He stood quietly, so I paid extra attention."

Under the noon sun, over a thousand new recruits of various ages filled the training ground. Cao Qian divided them into teams and appointed strong-looking young men as team leaders. Yang Qiong was also chosen as a leader and led his team to practice with wooden spears.

While organizing the teams, Cao Qian noticed Yang Qiong's unusual stance. Others practiced with both feet moving together, but Yang Qiong moved oppositely. Others held their spears with palms facing each other, but Yang Qiong held his with palms facing inward, and he didn't rotate the spearhead, striking directly with the tail.

"What a mess," Cao Qian thought. He dismounted and corrected Yang Qiong's stance, satisfied, and continued checking the other teams.

Returning later, he found Yang Qiong practicing in the same incorrect manner. Patiently, Cao Qian corrected him again.

Embarrassed, Cao Qian coughed and explained, "Later, I realized he was practicing the orthodox Yang Family Spear technique. I was ignorant and presumptuous. Embarrassing."

Yang Qiong quickly responded, "General, please don't say that. Martial arts have no hierarchy or tradition. Different styles complement each other."

Cheng Ying smiled. "True. Your Highness must have learned a lot from Brother Yang."

Cui Yi nodded happily. "Indeed. Meeting Yang Hai's descendant and sparring with him is one of life's greatest pleasures."

Amidst laughter and conversation, Cao Qian continued the story.

After correcting Yang Qiong twice, Cao Qian asked, "Have you trained before?"

Yang Qiong, sweating, nodded. "I've trained with my father and brothers since childhood."

Cao Qian frowned. Changing ingrained habits was difficult. "What style do you practice? Show me a few moves."

Yang Qiong wiped his sweat, saluted, and the other soldiers gave him space. Curious, they watched the newcomer challenge the general.

Yang Qiong grasped the wooden spear, assumed a horse stance, gathered his breath, and shouted, leaping into the air. His spear movements stirred up dust, causing the surrounding soldiers to cheer and step back.

He demonstrated a complete set of Yang Family Spear techniques, each move strange yet effective, leaving no openings within a three-foot radius. Each thrust ended with an unexpected arc, followed by a strike with the spear's tail.

Cao Qian imagined himself defending and attacking. To his shock, he realized he couldn't break through Yang Qiong's defense or stop his offense. What kind of bizarre spear technique was this?

After finishing, the other soldiers applauded, unaware of the skill involved.

Yang Qiong saluted Cao Qian. "Thank you for watching."

Cao Qian, amazed, asked, "May I know your surname?"

Yang Qiong introduced himself. Cao Qian, unfamiliar with the name, recognized Yang Qiong's exceptional abilities and sent someone to inform Cui Yi.

Cui Yi recounted, "I was discussing with General Dai when Zhongxing reported a skilled new recruit. I rushed over immediately."

Cao Qian added, "Before Your Highness arrived, I sparred with Brother Yang. I barely managed to defend, but any offensive attempt was futile."

Upon receiving the report, Cui Yi mounted Jinwu and rushed to Huozi Camp. The sight of the Prince drew all the new recruits' attention.

Jinwu, annoyed by the crowd, threatened to trample anyone who dared touch him.

Cheng Ying: "..."

Cui Yi cleared his throat. "Jinwu is very proud. Only I can ride him. Strangers are met with hooves."

Cheng Ying laughed. "Strange. When I passed by the stable, he greeted me affectionately."

Cui Yi laughed, his eyes full of fondness. "That's you. Don't interrupt. Zhongxing, continue."

At Huozi Camp, Cui Yi handed the reins to Cao Qian and scrutinized Yang Qiong.

Yang Qiong was nearly as tall as Cui Yi but slimmer. Despite his worn-out clothes, he exuded determination and strength.

Cui Yi, a martial arts prodigy, knew physical attributes were crucial. Though Yang Qiong appeared thin, he wasn't weak.

Cui Yi had heard about Yang Hai's descendant from Cheng Ying but hadn't known his name. Cheng Ying had forgotten to mention it, assuming Yang Qiong would visit the mansion first. Similarly, Yang Qiong knew of the Wu Wang but wouldn't introduce himself to a superior.

They stared at each other, and Cui Yi broke the silence. "I heard you're skilled with the spear. Let's test it."

Yang Qiong recognized the uniform and knelt respectfully. "I only know basic techniques. I dare not show off before a general."

Cui Yi, indifferent, accepted a halberd and gestured for Yang Qiong to choose a weapon.

Yang Qiong hesitated but requested permission to retrieve his personal weapon. Cui Yi agreed, and Yang Qiong returned with a nine-foot silver spear with double heads.

Cao Qian suddenly understood why Yang Qiong never rotated the spearhead and why his movements seemed peculiar. The Double-Headed Silver Moon Spear, once wielded by Yang Hai, legendary in history.

Cui Yi realized who the formidable recruit was and felt his blood boil with excitement. "You're surnamed Yang?"

Yang Qiong confirmed, and Cui Yi's eyes gleamed with anticipation.

The man stated his name, nodding: "My name is Yang Qiong, styled Gongqi."

Great! Cui Yi was excited and waved his hand: "Bring two horses."

Cao Qian was startled and about to bring over Jinwu, but Cui Yi shook his head: "Bring two ordinary military horses."

Yang Qiong did not mention whether he could ride a horse, but Cui Yi didn't even ask for his opinion. He couldn't very well say that he "couldn't ride a horse," so when the horses were brought, both men mounted their steeds and stood at opposite ends. Someone enthusiastic grabbed a drumstick and began pounding wildly, heating up the atmosphere on the field.