Chapter 4 Born With Supernatural Powers (2)
After several fruitless attempts, Chen Zhou shook his head and stood up.
The old beggar, now certain that the young man wouldn't take back the silver, finally dared to smile and shouted:
"Ah... I am so grateful that I can't possibly repay you. I will kowtow to you here!"
"No need, don't trouble your old bones," Chen Zhou stopped the beggar from kneeling, then turned and left.
In this world, martial prowess was revered. Powerful martial artists could soar through the skies, traverse mountains, and even split the seas. Though Changqing County was a small town, it was deeply steeped in martial culture, making it easy to find a weapons shop.
"Soon, Chen Zhou entered a shop where Shopkeeper Qian dozed behind the counter. Upon seeing a handsome young man walk in, he immediately perked up and greeted him warmly:
"Sir, what would you like? We have all kinds of weapons!"
Scanning the dazzling array of weapons hanging on the wall, Chen Zhou pondered for a moment before asking, "Shopkeeper, are you familiar with every weapon here?"
"Of course! I've been in this business for over ten years. I can tell you the strengths and weaknesses of each weapon!" Shopkeeper Qian boasted proudly.
"Then tell me what weapon is best for taking on multiple opponents?" Chen Zhou inquired.
The Han family had an army of servants protecting them. If he wanted to take them on alone, he needed to be well-prepared.
"When fighting against many, I recommend a spear!" Shopkeeper Qian answered immediately. "The spear is the king of all weapons. As the saying goes, 'An inch longer, an inch stronger.' If you use shorter weapons, you ll be overwhelmed when surrounded. But with a spear, you ll have more room to maneuver.
"That said, a weapon is just an aid. To fight against many, you must rely on your own strength."
Shopkeeper Qian s explanation was thorough. Chen Zhou nodded. "Alright, pick one for me."
"You're still young likely a beginner so I d recommend this red-tassel spear. It s seven feet long and weighs twenty-five pounds."
Shopkeeper Qian placed a spear on the counter. "It'll cost you two taels of silver."
Chen Zhou picked up the spear with his right hand, weighed it, then shook his head. "Too light."
"Too light?" Shopkeeper Qian was startled, then fetched a heavy iron spear. "How about this one? It weighs sixty pounds."
This time, Chen Zhou didn't even bother testing it. "Still too light. Get me something heavier."
"Young man, don t be reckless. The key to using a spear isn t just picking it up you need to wield it properly!" Shopkeeper Qian cautioned, feeling a bit exasperated.
He had seen many brash young men act arrogantly when choosing weapons, only to embarrass themselves when trying to wield them.
Chen Zhou, unwilling to waste time arguing, took out a heavy pouch from his waist and tossed it onto the counter. "Here are eighty taels. Get me the best spear in your shop."
Shopkeeper Qian s eyes lit up at the sight of so much silver. He quickly waved to an assistant, "Bring out Ink Shadow!"
Soon, a muscular man emerged from the back, struggling to carry a dark green spear on his shoulder. Under its immense weight, his face was tense, and his steps were labored.
"This spear is made from refined iron and reinforced with Tianlin wood. It weighs three hundred pounds!" Shopkeeper Qian introduced proudly. Then, a realization struck him this young man probably couldn t even lift it! Would he have to refund the eighty taels?
He should be given a lighter one...
Just as Shopkeeper Qian was contemplating how to handle the situation, his pupils shrank in shock.
Chen Zhou approached the burly man, reached out, and effortlessly lifted the massive spear off his shoulder. Then, to everyone s astonishment, he casually tossed it into the air and caught it again, testing its balance.
"Not bad. This will do," Chen Zhou remarked calmly.
Both Shopkeeper Qian and the assistant were dumbfounded. Not only could he lift it, but he could wield it like a twig?!
"I was blind to your strength!" Shopkeeper Qian hurriedly bowed. "I didn t realize you possessed such profound martial skill!"
"I'm not a martial artist," Chen Zhou corrected, then asked, "How does one become one?"
Despite being born into this world, he had spent most of his life herding cattle or locked away in the Han family s compound. He knew nothing about martial arts.
"You must be joking!" Shopkeeper Qian looked incredulous. "If you re not a warrior, how are you holding Ink Shadow like that?"
Chen Zhou thought for a moment before replying, "I may have been born with supernatural strength."
Born with supernatural strength
Shopkeeper Qian was speechless.
Although Shopkeeper Qian didn't quite believe what Chen Zhou said about his innate supernatural powers, still, he enthusiastically explained,
"To become a warrior, one must first strengthen their body. This is the first realm of martial arts, known as the [Refining Strength Realm].
"Training involves refining one's physical form through constant practice, which enhances qi*, blood circulation, and raw power."
Patting his belly, he added, "Don t be fooled by my appearance. In my youth, I reached the ninth level of the [Refining Strength Realm]!"
"So I need a martial art technique... Do you sell any?" Chen Zhou asked.
Shopkeeper Qian shook his head. "No, but... wait a moment."
He bent down and retrieved an old, yellowed book from under the counter, placing it in front of Chen Zhou.
"This is Thirteen Deadly Strikes with the Spear. I trained with it when I was younger."
"So generous?" Chen Zhou raised an eyebrow.
"You're a big customer," Shopkeeper Qian chuckled. "Although the name sounds fierce, this is just a basic spear technique. If you want real martial prowess, you ll need to train at a proper martial school."
Chen Zhou, having no other resources, didn t mind. This spear technique is explained in great detail, with pictures in addition to text. He flipped through the pages and noticed something strange the Record of Merits in his mind automatically copied the entire book, as though taking a perfect snapshot of it.
Can this thing store knowledge too?
Excited by this revelation, Chen Zhou rapidly flipped through the book, absorbing every detail in mere seconds.
Shopkeeper Qian, watching from the side, was stunned. If he were from a modern world, he would have screamed, "Quantum reading?!"
What kind of way is this to read a book?!
"Alright, that should do it..." Within ten seconds, Chen Zhou had memorized Thirteen Deadly Strikes with the Spear completely.
Of course he won't learn slowly, now is the time to use the good deeds points,
It s just that it looks bit basic so he don t think there will be much improvement.
With a thought, he activated the Record of Merits.
As Chen Zhou thought about this, a line of words appeared on the Record of Merits:
[Consume four good deed points: Thirteen Deadly Strikes with the Spear has reached mastery.]
In an instant, an overwhelming sense of familiarity with the technique filled his mind, as if he had practiced it for years. His body, muscles, and blood circulation subtly strengthened.
As a result, the qi, blood, and muscles of the whole body were also improved.
"That was quick and cheap. No wonder it s just a basic skill," Chen Zhou mused, then turned to Shopkeeper Qian. "Is there a place I can practice?"
"Of course, please use the backyard!" Shopkeeper Qian quickly led him outside. As a weapons shop, there should naturally be a place for customers to try out weapons.
Chen Zhou stepped into the yard and gripped his spear. With a swift motion, he lashed out.
The seven-foot-long black spear moved like a serpent, cutting through the air with a terrifying whoosh. The sheer force created violent gusts of wind, causing Shopkeeper Qian to shield his face.
His heart pounded in shock.
This is supposed to be a basic technique?!
It was clearly a basic spear technique, but Chen Zhou trained it to look like an advanced shooting technique!
T.N. *Qi: The circulating life force whose existence and properties are the basis of much Chinese philosophy and medicine.