The First Sage of Military Strategists

Chapter 39 He who conquers himself is strong
Whoohoo!
The cold wind howled, and it was another snowy day.

In the Zaoban compound, on the martial arts training ground.

Three figures stood in the cold wind. Yang Wu stood tall and straight, and Han Qing also stood straight, his body like a javelin rooted to the ground. Only Ma Ertian stood to the side, looking sleazy and trembling.

"Boss, are we sparring again today?" Ma Er asked.

"Practice! Why aren't you practicing? So what if it's snowing? With your physique, what's a little snow? Han Qing, make your move! Throw a punch at Ma Er, go all out, and let me see your progress over the past month!" Yang Wu shouted.

Ma Er gave an awkward smile and stood directly opposite Han Qing, about thirty paces away.

"Han Qing, go all out! I won't hold back either!"

Han Qing nodded slightly, and with a thought, a dark golden light appeared on his left arm, quickly enveloping the entire arm.

On the panel, the proficiency level of the Nine Yin Manual has reached perfection.

He reached the second stage of the Dao Body Realm in two months, even faster than before.

This was because of the strong support from Master Fang and Yang Wu, who allowed him to consume a considerable amount of Qi and Blood Treasure Pills.

Secondly, the Seven Killings Stele allows you to advance by selecting two martial arts techniques at once, resulting in rapid progress.

Third, after becoming an executioner, he could participate in the execution of some powerful prisoners.

These three points are indispensable.

However, he dared not reveal his true strength now. It was too exaggerated to say that he had mastered the Nine Yin Manual in two months. He only told Yang Wu that he was about to achieve great success.

Ma Er seemed to be at the same level, extending his left arm, which also shimmered with emerald green light.

He didn't know which two martial arts styles Ma Er used to combine to create this force, but after a month of sparring, he was extremely familiar with its characteristics. It had a very strong stickiness and corrosiveness. When you struck with your palm, the force would stick to your body and corrode your skin and flesh. It sounded pretty good, but in a real fight, it was far inferior to his own force.

However, both the Nine Yin Manual and the Nine Yang Manual have very high requirements for a martial artist's talent and physical constitution, so it is normal that they are more powerful.

After the two stood still and prepared, Han Qing made the first move. He used the Wild Goose Technique to move lightly and nimbly, and in a flash he rushed in front of Ma Er and punched him in the chest.

He didn't use the Great Vajra Fist, fearing that Ma Er wouldn't be able to react in time and would be killed with a single punch.

Even so, the fist was incredibly powerful, with a dark golden light flashing at the tip, sending chills down one's spine.

Ma Er dodged backward and stepped back, crossing his arms in defense.

So, the punch landed squarely on his arm, the force of the punch dissipating his energy and sending him flying.

Ma Er plopped down on the ground: "Ouch, Han Qing, your punch was terrifying, I can't feel my arm anymore."

Yang Wu nodded slightly, quite satisfied with Han Qing. The punch was clean, crisp, steady, accurate, and ruthless—truly a sight to behold.

As for Ma Er, Yang Wu said irritably, "Look at you, aren't you going to get up? You were knocked down by a teenager with one punch, and you still think you're right?"

Ma Er chuckled sheepishly, then couldn't help but retort, "Boss, with Han Qing's strength, how many of our Zao Ban could stop him? He's a real freak. He's achieved in a month what others have in three to five years. It's infuriating to compare people like that!"

Yang Wu ignored him and called out loudly into the distance, "Sun Xiao, come here!"

"it is good!"

Sun Xiao responded and, dressed in black, strode over into the wind and snow.

This taciturn man was a senior member of the bailiff squad, holding a high position and possessing considerable strength. Even when Yang Wu spoke to him, he did so in a tone of consultation.

Sun Xiaoping rarely executes death row inmates, but when he does, the targets are always extraordinary.

"Squad leader, how much force?" Sun Xiao asked.

"Don't kill him, don't cripple him, don't let it affect tomorrow's training," Yang Wu said.

"Alright, Brother Han, excuse me!" As soon as Sun Xiao finished speaking, a layer of floating azure light enveloped his body, making him look hazy and beautiful in the wind and snow.

At the third level of the Body Dao, one's strength can cover the entire body, making one impervious to blades and spears, and capable of defeating a hundred men.

Sun Xiao took a step forward, like a nimble cheetah, his legs slamming into the ground, and then he launched himself forward, charging straight at Han Qing. His attack was incredibly fierce, far surpassing Ma Er's power.

Han Qing didn't dare to be careless either. His whole body tensed up, and he silently channeled his martial arts skills, his fist glowing with a dark golden light as he met Sun Xiao's fist head-on.

Bang!
The two fists collided with a muffled thud, and a gust of wind rose around them.

Deng Deng Deng!
Han Qing retreated several steps, while Sun Xiao stepped forward, waving his fists and pressing forward step by step.

Han Qing concentrated intently, retreating while throwing punches to counterattack.

After retreating more than thirty steps, he finally revealed an opening. He was suddenly struck in the chest and blasted away, falling into the snow not far away and getting covered in snow mud.

"You flatter me." Sun Xiao bowed.

"Han Qing, can you stand up?" Yang Wu demanded.

Han Qing immediately stood up from the ground, his chest burning with pain, but his eyes gleamed with excitement.

This kind of sparring is what he wants. Ma Er is too smooth and doesn't put in his full effort when sparring with him, which is actually harmful.

Now that he has a master like Sun Xiao as his sparring partner, how could he let him go?

You should know that if you were to hire someone like that at a martial arts school, it would cost at least five taels of silver for an hour.

He suddenly rushed forward and pounced on Sun Xiao again, demonstrating his feelings with his actions.

As a result, after a dozen or so breaths, he was blasted away again.

But the next moment, he stood up again and pounced on her once more.

Time and again, a hint of admiration appeared in the eyes of Sun Xiao, this usually silent man.

By the eighth attempt, Han Qing was covered in snow and dirt, with some areas even torn and bleeding, but he still pressed on.

Yang Wu flashed and blocked his way.

"stop!"

"That's enough for today, Han Qing. You did very well. You have an indomitable spirit. As the saying goes, 'He who conquers himself is strong.' With this kind of mentality, how can you not become a top player?"

"However, your health is also very important. If you continue fighting, it may affect tomorrow's training. Come with me, I have prepared a medicinal bath for you in advance to help you recover faster," Yang Wu said in a deep voice.

Ma Er looked on with envy: "Boss, do I get this kind of treatment?"

"You've used your cunning in the wrong place, kid. You didn't even break the skin. Go away!" Yang Wu glared at him.

Ma Er smiled, turned and left.

Han Qing followed Yang Wu to a room next door, pondering something.

"If I use the 'Stopping War' technique, can I defeat Sun Xiao?"

He wasn't sure, but he had a feeling there was a chance. The murderous aura could disturb people's minds and had all sorts of mystical properties. If it hit a vital point, it would be only natural for Sun Xiao to die.

...

A moment.

Wow!
Yang Wu poured a large bucket of boiling water into the wooden tub, and steam immediately rose into the air.

Han Qing sat naked in the wooden tub, but he didn't feel any pain. Instead, he felt an indescribable sense of comfort.

The water temperature was very high, and ordinary people couldn't adapt to it, but it was just right for Han Qing.

As a martial artist's realm advances, their physique undergoes continuous transformation and regeneration, their skin becomes more resilient, and their tolerance to cold, heat, and extreme environments increases significantly.

(End of this chapter)