Once upon a time there was a greedy snake.

Chapter 458 Essays (Preview 2)
(As the title suggests, this is still an embarrassing sample of my writing. I'm so ashamed, I'll kowtow to everyone here.)
(But don't worry, there won't be a lot of this stuff. I've only written four chapters in total. I'm going to take my medicine and sleep for a while. I'll resume normal updates when I wake up.)

(Or is it just my imagination, or why do I always feel like people are reacting to this thing fairly well?)
Chapter 3

Sword blades crisscrossed in the courtyard.

As a descendant of the former imperial family, Chai Jin, the wealthy owner of the Chai Manor, naturally collected only the finest weapons. For example, the longsword in Gao Yi's hand was made by a master craftsman and is said to be a replica of the ancient famous sword Chixiao.

However, it is a fine sword.

As for sword techniques...

Wu Song's expression was somewhat subtle.

Beside Wu Song, Chai Jin and Song Qing both looked troubled, while Song Jiang, who was a master swordsman, had already closed his eyes.

"Stop already? Aren't you going to practice anymore?"

Gao Yi wasn't surprised by the crowd's reaction; after all, he knew his own limitations.

His sword-wielding technique couldn't even be called a sword move; it was more like raising the sword and then slashing or thrusting it out.

It has no structure whatsoever, and is even worse than a beginner's work.

This is Gao Yi's current level.

Having already vaguely sensed something during their previous conversation, Wu Song wasn't surprised by this kind of thing. On the contrary, Song Qing looked at Chai Jin with suspicion, while Chai Jin, the owner of the manor, began to doubt his life, wondering who had let such a scoundrel in.

Only Song Jiang, standing to the side, has not yet opened his eyes.

Not only did he not open his eyes, Song Jiang even had his brows furrowed.

I can't figure it out, I really can't figure it out.

Song Jiang had witnessed Wu Song's strength firsthand; his tall and imposing figure possessed immense power with just a few gestures.

The fact that Wu Song associated with Gao Yi means that Gao Yi must also be no ordinary person.

But these few sword moves right now...

"Can this really be considered a sword move?"

Song Jiang himself was a master swordsman, so he could naturally tell that this was less a sword technique and more simply a matter of swinging the sword.

Is this all there is to being able to associate with a fierce warrior like Wu Song?
Song Jiang did not believe it.

He couldn't believe that Gao Yi, as Wu Song's companion, was only at this level.

Regardless of the facts, the bizarre sword move was unleashed. No matter how high Gao Yi's true skill level was, now that the demonstration was over, he still had to say a few words.

Even if it's just for the sake of saving face for all the heroes, he has to smooth things over.

"Brother Gao's swordsmanship... is not bound by any particular moves, it is natural and spontaneous, and it shows that you have a pure and innocent heart."

After a moment's thought, Song Jiang finally gave a very fitting praise for the sword move.

This also made Chai Jin, the owner of Chai Manor, who was questioning his life, turn around.

"Brother Song, is it really true?"

"really."

Song Jiang nodded.

"I am skilled in swordsmanship myself, so I can naturally appreciate its essence."

"This……"

With Song Jiang, a master swordsman, as his endorsement, Chai Jin could only suppress his doubts. After all, he wasn't a swordsman himself, and perhaps these swordsmen had some other explanation.
Song Qing glanced at his elder brother, clearly realizing that his brother was just trying to smooth things over.

Wu Song breathed a sigh of relief, at least Gao Yi hadn't lost too much face.

As for Gao Yi himself.

As a novice, he took this as encouragement.

Just like a novice making many mistakes when doing something, an experienced person will say "Well done" when they see it. In Gao Yi's view, this was Song Jiang helping him build his self-confidence.

"I clearly remember Song Jiang not being a good person... It seems the Song Jiang of this world is a little different?"

But thinking about it, it makes sense. Wu Song was stronger than a bear, and Chai Jin could create whirlwinds with his bare hands. So it's not surprising that Song Jiang was different from what he remembered.

After all, this place is not the Northern Song Dynasty he remembers.

When a shooting star falls from the sky, the whole world becomes a completely different thing.

The level of military power in this world is unimaginable.

"In short, the training is complete!"

Taking advantage of the fact that he could still freeload at the manor, Gao Yi decisively threw himself into the intense practice of martial arts.

Thanks to Song Jiang's connections, Gao Yi and Wu Song were no longer in their previous sorry state. Wu Song's downfall was mainly due to drinking and getting into arguments with the villagers while drunk. As for Gao Yi's downfall, it was simply because he hadn't shown his skills, which made the villagers quite suspicious of him.

But things are different now. With Song Jiang by his side, Wu Song is no longer likely to get into arguments with anyone. As for Gao Yi's identity as a swordsman, he has Song Jiang, a master swordsman, to vouch for him.

It was precisely because of Song Jiang's words that when Gao Yi was practicing his swordsmanship, some villagers even started to come and watch, clearly wanting to learn a move or two.

After all, Song Jiang's swordsmanship is clearly not something that ordinary people can learn. On the contrary, Gao Yi's swordsmanship looks very down-to-earth and seems like something that ordinary people can learn.

Only Gao Yi himself knew that it was all a misunderstanding. He had wanted to seek guidance and had no skills to show off.

However, even if the swordsman's identity is fake, as long as he learns swordsmanship, wouldn't it be real?
It was precisely for this reason that Gao Yi practiced swordsmanship even more diligently.

"Brother Gao, if you ask me, you should probably stop practicing swordsmanship."

When Wu Song returned, reeking of alcohol, he saw Gao Yi still gesturing with a wooden stick and finally couldn't help but speak up.

“Brother Song was just saying those polite words the other day. There’s no need for such formalities between us… Brother Gao, I knew it when you asked me those questions the other day. You really have never practiced martial arts.”

"You've just recovered from malaria, so drink less."

Seeing Wu Song's drowsy appearance, Gao Yi couldn't help but shake his head repeatedly. He simply put down his wooden sword, went inside, and poured Wu Song a cup of hot tea.

"Sword Master still needs to practice. Even if you can't reach your level of skill, you still need to have some ability to protect yourself. Otherwise, what kind of person would you be if you had no martial arts skills at all?"

"So what if I don't have martial arts skills?"

After drinking a cup of hot tea, Wu Song actually raised his head.

"Can't you be a hero if you don't have martial arts skills?"

"Is not it?"

Gao Yi thought Wu Song was just drunk.

After all, looking at the entire Chai Family Village, everyone who could be called a hero had some martial arts skills. Even the villagers knew a few farming tricks.

Only those with exceptional martial arts skills can be considered heroes; this is an objective fact, and it applies to everyone.

But Wu Song shook his head.

"For some people, it may be true that only those with high martial arts skills can be considered heroes, but for me, a true hero does not necessarily need to have any martial arts skills."

"Because my elder brother doesn't know any martial arts at all."

"Your elder brother?"

Gao Yi was stunned for a moment, then immediately realized that this was not referring to Song Jiang.

"My elder brother?"

"Yes, dear brother."

Wu Song nodded, his gaze wandering.

It was as if she had remembered something, something from afar.

“My older brother doesn’t know any martial arts at all, and he doesn’t even have the potential to practice martial arts.”

"But in my eyes, he is the toughest hero in the world." Chapter 4

Wu Song's elder brother, also known as Wu Dalang.

Gao Yi knew the story of Wu Dalang, after all, the story of Dalang drinking medicine was widely known.

However, Gao Yi heard another story from Wu Song.

The Wu family had two brothers: the eldest son, Wu Zhi, and the second son, Wu Song. Both of them lost their parents at a young age, so the burden of the family fell entirely on the shoulders of Wu Zhi, the eldest son.

Even though Wu Zhi was only about ten years old back then.

To make a living and to keep his two brothers alive, Wu Zhi did almost everything: odd jobs, handicrafts, mending clothes, gathering firewood... Even now, Wu Song still remembers that the happiest time of his childhood was when his older brother went to work at the restaurant.

Because every time my older brother went to work at the restaurant, he would bring back some meat for him, maybe a chicken leg, or a duck neck. If he was lucky, the restaurant was kind and might even bring back half a pork hock.

"Actually, I've always regretted it. If I had eaten one less bite back then and let my older brother eat one more bite, would he have grown taller?"

Perhaps he had drunk too much, because Wu Song's voice sounded a bit nasal.

Unlike Wu Song, who was tall and strong like a descendant of the Tai Sui, Wu Zhi was unusually short, just as Gao Yi remembered.

Even according to Wu Song's description, Wu Zhi was probably shorter than Gao Yi remembered.

The nickname "Three-inch Ding Gu Shupi" refers to Wu Zhi, a short and ugly man, who was known as such in the streets.

But only Wu Song himself knew what had bent his elder brother's back.

Even with such heavy pressure in life, Wu Zhi never uttered a single word about giving up. He even saved up enough capital to start his own business selling steamed buns.

"This must have been tough."

Hearing this, Gao Yi sighed.

“Your older brother has had a tough time all these years.”

"yes……"

Wu Song nodded.

"Ever since my brother started selling steamed buns, he's been working from dawn till dusk, so I haven't seen him as often... But it's alright, at least the business is doing well. It was because my brother started selling steamed buns that my brother and I were able to get a house in Qinghe County..."

"...Wait a minute?"

Gao Yi suddenly felt that something was not quite right.

In his memory, selling steamed buns was indeed a hard job. After all, he also remembered the story of Wu Dalang selling steamed buns. However, by carrying a load on his shoulders and hawking his wares along the street, he could only earn a pittance at most throughout the year.

But according to Wu Song, Wu Zhi earned more than just those copper coins.

According to Wu Song, Wu Zhi supported him by selling steamed buns, enabling him to purchase property in Qinghe County and even find a wife for him after Wu Song grew up.

"Is this really a place that sells steamed buns?"

"They really are selling steamed buns."

Wu Song nodded.

"Brother Gao, do you think my elder brother qualifies as a hero?"

"..."

Gao Yi was speechless.

He's more than just a hero; he's frighteningly tough. Gao Yi himself couldn't figure out how someone could earn such an income just by selling steamed buns.

But in Wu Song's eyes, all of this was perfectly natural.

In Wu Song's eyes, his elder brother might not be good at fighting, but he was omnipotent when it came to managing the family business.

"So later I thought, when I was little, my older brother gave me all the meat, so when I grow up, I will become my older brother's fist, and see who dares to bully my older brother."

At this point, Wu Song sighed.

Gao Yi patted Wu Song on the shoulder.

Gao Yi had already guessed the reason for Wu Song's sigh. If nothing unexpected happened, it was because the other party had insulted Wu Zhi with his words, which was why Wu Song punched him.

Just like when Wu Song fought with those farmhands, it was because during a verbal argument, the farmhands started cursing and brought up his deceased parents.

Family was always the place Wu Song couldn't bear to touch.

But it was precisely because of that punch that Wu Song fled all the way from Qinghe County to Cangzhou to seek refuge with Chai Jin.

Wu Song knew very well that he absolutely could not die. If he were captured and sentenced to death, all the suffering his elder brother had endured for half his life would have been in vain.

Even if he escapes now, he'll only be alive. Without his fist, will his older brother be bullied?
"In the end, I've still caused trouble for my elder brother..."

Wu Song spoke lightly, but tears were already streaming down his face.

Clearly, Wu Song's time at Chai Jin's manor wasn't exactly carefree.

He was tormented by worry and guilt towards his brother every moment.

Drinking, getting drunk, became Wu Song's only way to relax.

"Actually, you can still go back."

Gao Yi thought for a moment and then added a sentence.

Although he couldn't remember the specific reason, Gao Yi was certain that Wu Song would be able to return.

"Is it true?"

Wu Song subconsciously raised his hand, and his large, fan-like hand landed directly on Gao Yi's shoulder.

"Can I really go back?"

"Definitely."

Gao Yi tried to put Wu Song's hand down; the kid's arm was really too strong.

This time, however, Wu Song didn't react much; judging from his dazed appearance, he had clearly fallen asleep.

This made Gao Yi shake his head, and he simply found another quilt for Wu Song to cover himself with.

He had malaria and had been drinking heavily. Only someone with Wu Song's physique, stronger than a bear, would have made Gao Yi wonder if anyone else would have died in bed.

So covering him with a blanket wasn't the end of it. Gao Yi then forcefully turned Wu Song over, from lying flat to lying on his side, to ensure that Wu Song wouldn't choke on his own vomit.

Only after confirming that everything was tidied up did Gao Yi pick up his wooden sword and prepare to continue practicing his swordsmanship.

However, just as Gao Yi was about to leave.

Lying on the bed, Wu Song began to mutter to himself.

"Brother Gao, do you know why I call you Brother Gao even though we're about the same age?"

"Because, in you, I see the image of my elder brother..."

"So whether it's swordsmanship, martial arts, or whether you have martial arts skills or not, it's not important, it really isn't important..."

"Even without martial arts skills, my elder brother is still a true hero..."

I could only make out these few sentences; the rest was just a bunch of incoherent drunken ramblings.

However, Gao Yi, who was listening, had a somewhat subtle expression.

What do you mean by saying that you see Wu Dalang in him? That sounds so awkward.

However, Gao Yi quickly lost interest in these trivial matters.

Just as he was about to go out to practice his sword again, Wu Song, who was completely drunk, actually vomited.

(End of this chapter)