Chapter Fifty-One

Zhou Yu paused for a moment and asked Wang Kui, “Did you understand?”

Wang Kui replied, “More or less, since all of these are just techniques.”

“Good,” Zhou Yu said. “Then I’ll continue demonstrating.”

“Slashing is also divided into two types: upward and downward.”

“For a downward slash, reverse your grip on the blade, step forward with your left or right foot, extend your right arm, and bring the blade down vertically from above. This technique is often used to target the enemy’s face or limbs.”

“The upward slash is similar, but the motion is from below upwards. In single-dagger techniques, the upward slash is also called an upward flick.”

Zhou Yu stopped demonstrating and continued, “Generally, those who use daggers, whether single or double, are also skilled in hand-to-hand combat. That’s because, during an attack, you might need to use punches or kicks as auxiliary moves, making the dagger techniques flow together seamlessly.”

“Moreover, a dagger, as a cold weapon, can be paired with any other cold weapon.”

Wang Kui nodded thoughtfully.

Zhou Yu said, “Zhao Yan, practice with Wang Kui for a bit, but be careful—he’s still not familiar with the moves.”

Zhao Yan pulled a long face and said, “Big brother, how am I supposed to be careful? I’m not that good with a dagger myself.”

Zhou Yu replied, “Then just break off two branches. The point is to get comfortable using the techniques, and to combine the dagger moves smoothly with punches and kicks.”

“Why is it always me who ends up getting hurt?” Zhao Yan complained.

Zhou Yu said, “Didn’t you see just now? Can’t you use what I taught you? And you call yourself a reconnaissance soldier—what’s going on in that head of yours?”

Zhao Yan, utterly exasperated, said, “It’s true, I’m a reconnaissance soldier, and I do know how to use a dagger. But I always use a single dagger, and only for sneak attacks, like slitting throats. I’ve never used it for straight-up fighting.”

Zhou Yu said, “Hurry up. When I have time, I’ll teach you how to use a bayonet.”

Zhao Yan, looking as if his scheme had succeeded, said, “Alright, I was just waiting for you to say that.”

Without even glancing at Zhou Yu’s expression, Zhao Yan ran over and started practicing with Wang Kui.

Zhou Yu could only shake his head in resignation, thinking, “This Zhao Yan really is a character.”

He walked over to Nian Yu and Xiao Jie.

When he reached them, he asked, “So, what do you think? Do you feel the dagger suits you?”

Nian Yu replied, “No, I don’t like this kind of thing. It’s too mentally exhausting, always having to calculate distances.”

Zhou Yu affectionately ruffled her hair and said, “Whether it’s hand-to-hand combat, cold weapons, or even firearms, you have to make calculations. But since you don’t like it, just tell me what you want to learn. If I know it, I’ll teach you. If I don’t, I’ll ask Long to teach you.”

Nian Yu grinned and said, “I want to learn swordsmanship. I want to be just like you.”

Zhou Yu was taken aback by her words and replied, “Forget it, my swordsmanship doesn’t suit you. Better to learn the techniques for the Tang sword.”

Nian Yu blinked in surprise. “What’s the Tang sword? How is it different from your broadsword?”

Zhou Yu explained wearily, “The Tang sword is lighter and more agile. It has a narrower blade, a sharp point, and is good for chopping, slashing, cutting, and thrusting.”

Nian Yu asked, “Is it like the swords used by Japanese pirates?”

Zhou Yu replied, “They’re very similar. In fact, the Japanese swords were originally modeled after the Tang sword.”

“Then teach me now,” Nian Yu said.

“We can’t right now,” Zhou Yu answered. “We don’t have a Tang sword. We’ll wait until we meet up with Long and the others—he has one.”

Nian Yu had no choice but to nod in resignation.

Then Zhou Yu turned to Xiao Jie and asked, “What about you? Do you want to learn dagger techniques or something else?”