Becoming a Martial Master: Starting as a Swordsmith

The orange-red flames flickered, dispelling the evening chill.

Everyone sat down around the fire, took out dry food and water bottles, and ate, drank, chatted and laughed, creating a relaxed atmosphere.

Shen Chu sat alone in the corner, silently poking at the fire with a twig, his gaze fixed on the dancing flames, while his mind was repeatedly pondering the key points of the "Crushing Mountain Force".

After arranging the personnel for the night watch outside, Xu Zhibao returned to the room and sat down not far from Shen Chu.

Li Chengwen continued to linger around Madam Hu, offering her water and dry rations, as attentive as a wild beast in heat.

Hu Bai sat next to his mother. Although his complexion was relatively normal, his eyes were still fixed on Li Chengwen.

Soon, the sounds of fists and feet clashing came from outside, accompanied by cheers and applause.

Startled by the sound, Shen Chu looked up and head towards the doorway.

Upon hearing the voice, Xu Zhibao smiled and explained:

"Don't be nervous, the brothers are just itching for a spar. This is a tradition of our escort agency. Drinking and gambling are prohibited during escort missions. Long journeys can be tedious and stressful, so whenever the opportunity arises, we organize a martial arts competition. It can refresh our spirits and let everyone know each other's strengths, so that we know how to cooperate if anything happens."

As he spoke, he stood up and beckoned to Shen Chu: "Shall we go take a look?"

Shen Chu thought for a moment, then got up and followed him out.

He had been burying himself in his training these past few days, and he also wanted to see how skilled the bodyguards from the Xu Family Escort Agency were.

A crowd had already gathered in the open space near the entrance.

Torches were planted around the area, illuminating the scene. Two people were fighting in the center of the arena: one was a bodyguard wielding a long spear, and the other was a burly man who was unarmed.

Xu Zhibao stood beside Shen Chu and introduced her in a low voice:

"The one wielding the spear is Yang Gaoshan, his Pear Blossom Spear is one of the best in the escort agency. The one unarmed is Zhang San, he practices Continental Boxing, his style is wild, but very practical."

Shen Chu nodded, her gaze fixed on the scene.

Yang Gaoshan's marksmanship was indeed excellent; his spear moved like a dragon, creating countless spear flowers, and his attacks were fierce.

But Zhang San was more agile. After dodging a few times, he seized the opportunity when Yang Gaoshan put away his gun and went back to defend. He suddenly lunged in and delivered an elbow strike to Yang Gaoshan's chest, knocking him back several steps and almost causing him to drop his gun.

"good!"

The surrounding bodyguards cheered.

Zhang San did not pursue, but instead clasped his hands in a fist and smiled. After Yang Gaoshan regained his footing, the two bowed to each other, and Yang Gaoshan then withdrew from the arena.

Then another bodyguard stepped forward to challenge Zhang San. The two fought for more than ten rounds, and Zhang San won again.

Xu Zhibao nodded repeatedly, then turned to Shen Chu and said:

"That Zhang San kid has amazing stamina; he fought two matches without even breaking a sweat. His mainland boxing style is so strong that I have to take it seriously to beat him. So, Brother Shen, how about we go for a run?"

Shen Chu glanced at Zhang San, who was stretching in the center of the arena, nodded, took off his outer robe and handed it to Hu Bai beside him, and steadily walked into the center of the arena.

Seeing him leave the arena, Zhang San grinned, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said:

"Brother Shen, fists and feet have no eyes, so please don't be offended if you hurt yourself later!"

Shen Chu returned the greeting with a fist and palm salute: "Brother Zhang, please feel free to do as you please."

The two got into fighting stances.

Zhang San struck first, throwing a powerful straight punch straight at Shen Chu's face. The punch whistled through the air, carrying tremendous force.

Shen Chu did not dodge, but raised her right arm to block.

Their fists clashed, producing a dull thud.

Shen Chu felt a slight numbness in her arm, and thought to herself that Zhang San's punch was indeed powerful.

He should be considered top-tier in the Skin Polishing Realm, but unfortunately he hasn't yet reached the Bone Forging Realm.

He stopped probing and, before Zhang San could react, launched a counterattack with a straight punch.

Zhang San hurriedly tried to block, but Shen Chu's fist suddenly changed direction midway, bypassing Zhang San's defense at a tricky angle and accurately striking his shoulder.

Zhang San grunted, took two steps back, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

Undeterred, he launched another attack, unleashing a barrage of punches like a storm.

However, Shen Chu's cultivation had already broken through to the Great Perfection of the Bone Forging Realm. His reaction speed and eyesight far surpassed those of martial artists in the Skin Polishing Realm. Zhang San's fist movements were as clear as slow motion in his eyes.

He easily dodged the two punches, then delivered a powerful blow to Zhang San's abdomen.

Zhang San's offensive came to an abrupt halt. He clutched his stomach, bent over, and admitted defeat with a wry smile.

"Thank you for your concession."

Shen Chu clasped his hands in a fist salute.

The surrounding bodyguards let out a murmur of amazement.

They all knew Zhang San's strength. To be able to defeat Zhang San within ten moves, this young man who looked quite young was indeed a force to be reckoned with.

After that, two more bodyguards came up to challenge Shen Chu, one using a weapon and the other using fists and feet, but both were easily defeated by Shen Chu within a few moves.

Whether unarmed or armed, opponents appear slow and full of openings in the face of Shen Chu's overwhelming martial arts skills and reaction speed.

After a series of victories, Shen Chu did not leave the arena. Instead, she stood in the center, looking around with a hint of anticipation in her eyes.

He has just mastered the "Crushing Mountain Force" and "Nine Steps of Wind-Treading" techniques and needs more real-world combat experience to refine and test them.

Although these bodyguards were not as skilled as him, each of them had a different fighting style, which was perfect for honing his ability to adapt to changing situations.

Just then, a clear and sharp voice rang out from the crowd:

"Come on, let me have a go at you!"

The crowd parted, and a female bodyguard strode out.

She was about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, tall, dressed in a neat and tidy outfit, with a pair of short-handled hammers at her waist.

But what's most striking is the incredibly magnificent curve of her chest.

Her tight-fitting clothes were stretched high and bulged with her steps, trembling slightly as if two giant beasts hidden under her clothes were about to break free of their restraints.

Many of the bodyguards present unconsciously averted their gaze.

Xu Zhibao introduced in a low voice, "This is Xu Qingqing, my cousin. She's quite famous in the Qingyang County area. She's extremely skilled with double hammers and has fought against many skilled fighters in the surrounding area without ever losing. Everyone says that in the escort agency, her strength is second only to a few of the head escorts."

Xu Qingqing walked into the center of the arena, her sharp gaze scrutinizing Shen Chu, her tone laced with anger:

"You've won several matches in a row. Are you trying to use our Xu Family Escort Agency's name to become famous overnight? I see you as quiet and reserved on the surface, but you're actually quite ambitious."

Shen Chu was slightly taken aback, then shook his head and said, "Miss Xu, you misunderstand. I just wanted to take this opportunity to hone my martial arts skills, and I had no other intentions."

"To hone your martial arts skills?" Xu Qingqing sneered, throwing her hand hammer on the ground.

"Well, I happen to need an opponent. Come on, let me see what you're really made of."