Chapter 44 Assassination Techniques

Late at night.

Li Chen continued working in the workshop, making the items he had in mind. Hou Xiaobai remained beside him, still crafting that crossbow. From time to time he asked Li Chen questions, and Li Chen gave detailed explanations.

Outside the main hall, Liu Chenxu was teaching Zhao Dashan how to read. Liu Chenyi sat in as well, yet she was studying even more seriously than Zhao Dashan.

“Pull yourself together. Brother Chen said if you can’t remember the characters we’re learning tonight, you won’t be allowed to join training tomorrow. You can only return once you’ve learned them.”

Liu Chenxu was teaching enthusiastically. When he looked up, he discovered Zhao Dashan clutching his book and nodding off.

He tapped Zhao Dashan on the head with the book.

“Ow! That won’t do. I’ll study, I’ll study.”

The moment Zhao Dashan heard that, he jolted awake, forcing his heavy eyelids open and struggling to continue learning.

Brother Chen had insisted on his studying, and he truly had no choice. To be honest, training was what he loved most. But Brother Chen used it as leverage to force him to study. He felt utterly miserable, yet he had to endure it.

Liu Chenyi covered her face with her book and giggled uncontrollably. Yu Qingwan, who was spinning thread nearby, could not help but smile as well.

She had made a small sling pouch and carried the tiger cub against her chest wherever she went. Though the little tiger had not yet opened its eyes, it already treated her as its mother. Whenever it was hungry, it cried out in a sound that truly seemed to resemble “Mother.”

“Brother Chen, what do you think this time?”

Under Li Chen’s guidance, Hou Xiaobai had finally polished all the components to what he believed was their optimal state.

After assembling the crossbow in his hands, he presented it to Li Chen like an offering.

Li Chen took the crossbow, examined it, attached the semi-automatic arrow magazine, nocked an arrow, and casually aimed at a small target the size of a coin ten meters away in front of the workshop.

Thud!

The arrow struck dead center.

“Very good.”

Li Chen weighed the crossbow in his hand and nodded in satisfaction.

Hou Xiaobai’s dexterity and talent were indeed exceptional. With Li Chen’s guidance added in, the crossbow he had crafted was nearly identical to Li Chen’s own.

If this continued, the two of them could cooperate in the future, each producing components separately. Hou Xiaobai would handle the assembly, greatly increasing production speed.

If they coordinated well, they could produce one pulley-compound crossbow in a single day.

“When one possesses a sharp weapon, the urge to kill inevitably rises. So I’ll keep this crossbow for now. From now on, come here to make crossbows. When you can control your temperament and won’t use it recklessly to cause trouble, then I’ll give one to you.”

Li Chen smiled faintly as he saw Hou Xiaobai reluctant to let it go, and he put the crossbow away.

“Alright, Brother Chen.”

Hou Xiaobai had no objections, though he looked somewhat wistful.

He stood up and stretched, glancing curiously at the pile of components Li Chen was making. “Brother Chen, what are you building?”

“You’ll know once it’s finished.”

Li Chen left it at that.

Hou Xiaobai’s curiosity burned. He truly wanted to see what the assembled result would look like.

“By the way, how many people in our village are skilled at carpentry? I mean work that meets your standards and are reliable people.”

Li Chen asked.

Hou Xiaobai thought for a moment. “Probably twelve or thirteen. If we lower the standard, then it’s many more. Almost everyone knows some basic tool work, even the children. If we count that way, around seventy or eighty people.

After all, most of our ancestors were carpenters from the artisan battalion. Later, when war broke out, they fled here together. Though they were never officially registered as artisans, the craftsmanship has been passed down.”

“Good. Make a list. But categorize them by skill level.”

Li Chen nodded.

“No problem.” Hou Xiaobai agreed.

“You go out and continue studying as well. Only by cultivating both literary and martial abilities can you achieve great things in the future.”

Li Chen said.

After that, some went back to studying, others returned to their tasks.

By midnight, the three finally dispersed.

They extinguished the lamps and slept.

At dawn the next day, training resumed.

After the usual physical conditioning, Li Chen began teaching the three close-quarters combat techniques. This time he added short-blade combat and short-spear assassination techniques.

The short-spear techniques especially fascinated them, for they had never seen anything like it before.

The short spear Li Chen had fashioned from a wooden stick was peculiar. It was shorter than a long spear yet much longer than a blade. Holding it, they did not even know how to wield it properly.

“A short spear is still longer than a blade. In cold weapon combat, an extra inch means extra advantage. But if it’s too long, it’s hard to carry. If it’s too short, it loses effectiveness. So this 1.6-meter short spear is most suitable for battle.”

Li Chen said.

As he finished speaking, he suddenly swept the spear in a feint, shifting left and right before thrusting forward. The wooden shaft seemed to leave afterimages in the air.

With a thud, the spear pierced the straw dummy opposite. With a sharp flick, the straw target flew upward. Killing intent filled the air instantly, leaving the three of them dazzled.

“My heavens, that’s even faster than a blade!” Liu Chenxu exclaimed in shock.

“Next, I’ll teach you the eight basic assassination thrusts. First form, stationary thrust. Second form, advancing thrust. Third form, spinning thrust…”

Li Chen demonstrated each move in succession. The spear techniques were utterly unadorned, stripped of all flourish. Every movement focused on direct linear thrusts, supplemented with strikes from the butt of the spear.

The three memorized them carefully, then began relentless practice.

Under Li Chen’s urging, Yu Qingwan also diligently practiced with her Hand Crossbow, shooting repeatedly at the target on the wall. Though her accuracy was average, consistent training would surely bring improvement.

It was a day without labor work, yet they still collected firewood.

After eating, Li Chen let the boys continue practicing and gathering firewood. He led out two horses and hitched them to a cart.

He told the three that they could ride the remaining horses for practice whenever they had free time, treating it as riding training. But they must be cautious and avoid injury.

The boys were overjoyed, especially Zhao Dashan, who howled excitedly. He immediately grabbed a horse, took a long spear, and rode off at full speed.

Liu Chenxu shouted angrily after him, calling him a blockhead.

Li Chen only smiled and did not interfere.

He loaded the game animals onto the cart, especially the 100 kilograms of refined salt intended for sale.

After bidding farewell to Yu Qingwan, he cracked the whip. The carriage rolled smoothly forward.

He was heading to Pingyang County City to sell salt.

This time he had produced 120.5 kilograms of salt in total. He set aside 20.5 kilograms, treated it carefully against moisture, and kept it for personal use or future needs.

The remaining 100 kilograms were for delivery.

Without cunning, there is no merchant. It is an eternal truth.

Moreover, in his previous life, he had been a great tycoon.

However, just as he left Muer Village, he instantly sensed that someone seemed to be watching him.