Chapter Forty-Six
Nian Yu saw Zhou Yu growing more and more agitated, and quickly soothed him in a low voice, “Darling, don’t be upset anymore. They’ve already received their retribution. Please don’t stay angry, be good.” As she spoke, she gently guided Zhou Yu’s head onto her shoulder, softly patting his back.
When Zhou Yu had calmed down again, he turned to Zhao Yan and said, “Brother, all I can tell you is that every time my targets died unnaturally on a mission, there was always a reason. I don’t consider myself a good man, but at least I know right from wrong. I understand loyalty and humanity. Perhaps it sounds formal to you, but I believe it’s necessary.”
“That’s all I have to say. Whether you stay or go, that’s your choice.”
At this moment, Wang Kui spoke up. “I want to know—since you’re with the God of Snipers, why didn’t you have him teach you marksmanship, and instead asked me?”
Zhou Yu covered his face in exasperation. “Damn it, it’s all because that guy was afraid if he taught me, I’d steal his title as the God of Snipers.”
Wang Kui asked, “Most people don’t know who founded Asura, but I once bought information that said it was someone named Asura. But after founding Asura, he disappeared. Do you know why?”
Zhou Yu replied, “Why ask me? Are you so sure I know?”
Wang Kui said, “Because I know Asura wields a broadsword, and you do as well. There’s also talk that you’re Asura’s disciple.”
Zhou Yu asked, “Why do you want to know about Asura? He’s long since become a thing of the past.”
Wang Kui replied, “Rumor has it Asura’s broadsword style is domineering, near impossible to approach. And as a sniper myself, I want to learn his swordsmanship. Before, it might not have been such a strong urge, but now it’s different.”
Zhou Yu answered calmly, “If I told you I’m not Asura’s disciple, would you be disappointed?”
Wang Kui replied, “I’d be disappointed, but not too much. After all, people say you wield a broadsword too, and I’ve seen your sword with my own eyes. I feel your swordsmanship is probably no weaker than your hand-to-hand skills.”
Zhou Yu smiled. “As expected of a sniper, your observation is sharp. But I should tell you, I’m not Asura’s disciple. However—”
Wang Kui hurriedly asked, “However what?”
Zhou Yu patted Nian Yu, who was still holding him, and said, “Come with me, and you’ll know.”
With that, Zhou Yu took Nian Yu by the left hand and Xiao Jie by the right, and walked outside. Wang Kui quickly followed, and Zhao Yan, having been lost in thought over Zhou Yu’s words, finally reacted and trailed after them as well. At that moment, Zhao Yan really couldn’t tell whether Zhou Yu was a good man or a villain.
Once outside, Zhou Yu instructed Xiao Jie and Nian Yu to stay inside and keep watch, then went to the car to retrieve his broadsword.
He turned to Wang Kui. “This isn’t the sword I used back then, but it was the first broadsword I ever wielded.”
With that, Zhou Yu spun the blade in his hand and said, “I’m about to begin. Watch closely.”
He began to move, the broadsword flashing through a series of movements—sweeping, cleaving, parrying, slicing, skimming, blocking, slashing, thrusting—demonstrating each technique in turn.
Then, he restarted the sequence, explaining as he moved, “My swordsmanship is adapted from the Eight Trigrams Broadsword, focusing on handwork and footwork. Every sword style has its own characteristics, but what stays the same is the power behind each strike, bold and open, with simple moves.”
“Although my swordsmanship doesn’t have many forms, there are many combinations and variations.”
As he spoke, Zhou Yu leapt into the air, executing a powerful ‘Splitting Mount Hua’—the tip of the blade striking the ground as he spun on his left foot, delivering a sweeping slash. On the second rotation, the sweep transformed into a downward chop, and with the momentum, he kicked out, landed, and slashed diagonally from behind.