I Have a Friend

How could Du Ruo not have guarded against that move? As soon as Wang Lang freed one hand from his double-handed sword, Du Ruo abandoned his grip around the man's neck, raised his left arm to shield his eyes, and intercepted the incoming hook strike with his arm.

Taking advantage of the moment, Du Ruo’s arm coiled upward, his left hand twisting as his right hand joined in. Before Wang Lang could withdraw his hand, a fine steel wire was already looped around his wrist, and with a deft pull, his arm and neck were ensnared together.

By now, Du Ruo had shifted behind Wang Lang, and with a forceful tug, the wire tightened. Wang Lang’s arm, bound by the steel wire, dared not exert any strength, and he could only be dragged helplessly as the wire closed around his throat.

Though Wang Lang gripped his double-handed sword in his left hand, using the hilt to wedge the steel wire against his neck to prevent it from slicing in, it didn’t change the outcome—he had lost. If Du Ruo pulled any tighter, Wang Lang would not escape death.

“I yield! I yield, Boss Du, I admit defeat!” Wang Lang hurriedly pleaded for mercy.

“You still lack a bit of combat experience—you really need to get to know more about different weapons. You even dared to block a flexible weapon with your sword?” Du Ruo laughed as he released the dragon clasp with his right hand, freeing Wang Lang from the entangling wire, and added, “It’s normal to suffer a loss the first time you encounter a weapon like this. By the way, what do you call this weapon, Boss Du? It’s incredible.”

“It’s called the Coiling Dragon Thread—a weapon of the esoteric schools, often used as a hidden implement,” Du Ruo explained with a smile.

...

“Is it over already?” On the balcony, the three spectators stared at each other in astonishment. The contest had lasted less than three seconds from start to finish, without the clanging exchange of blows or the three-hundred-round duel they had imagined.

All they saw was Wang Lang’s sword flashing like lightning, then heard a single metallic clang, and in a blur, the fight was over. Only Li Qiyao and Xiang Yuanyuan vaguely realized that Du Ruo must have won using the Coiling Dragon Thread, but the details were lost to them. Now they regretted not getting closer—they had only caught a glint of silver in the night.

The three had just been watching for entertainment; only Wang Lang, who had faced Du Ruo directly, understood how dangerous it had truly been.

The Coiling Dragon Thread is a weapon of the strange and hidden schools—there’s a saying, “an inch longer, an inch stronger; an inch shorter, an inch deadlier.” As a flexible weapon, the Coiling Dragon Thread is not particularly strong, especially since sacrificing its sharpness for flexibility makes it even more perilous. It’s good for assassination or restraining opponents, but in a high-intensity fight—especially against an evenly matched foe—it’s better left aside. Du Ruo silently assessed the weapon’s strengths; no wonder it’s said the stranger the weapon, the quicker its wielder’s demise. This Coiling Dragon Thread, if not used as a hidden weapon or flexible whip, could be even riskier than a dagger.

“Impressive. It’s a pity I only got to show one sword technique,” Wang Lang admitted, eyeing the now-unremarkable bracelet as Du Ruo wound the Coiling Dragon Thread back up, unable to hide his envy. It had nothing to do with fighting ability—men always want to try things they’ve never played with.

He didn’t regret the brevity of the fight. Epic three-hundred-round duels are for television. In reality, as the saying goes, “a staff does not ring twice”—weapon clashes seldom last more than a single blow. It sounds exaggerated, but victory or defeat is truly decided in an instant.

He had learned a few things: firstly, that his knowledge of other weapons was lacking. The moment his sword was entangled by the Coiling Dragon Thread, his defeat was sealed. Secondly, his sword wasn’t fast or strong enough. The sword is an extension of the arm; his lunging thrust was akin to the mantis hook of Mantis Boxing—the key is even greater speed, to strike before the opponent can react. In that case, no further attack would be necessary.

“One move was enough. You just lack battle experience. That thrust was already astonishing,” Du Ruo said sincerely, not as flattery. Wang Lang’s double-handed sword technique was already formidable—his speed nearly lightning-fast. Only because Du Ruo was supremely skilled and bold enough to parry the blade with his bracelet did he escape harm. Taken by surprise, Wang Lang’s move could have felled the vast majority of trained fighters.

“Does your swordsmanship include a complete set of forms?” The two sat down over tea and began to discuss martial arts.

“There used to be, but much was lost over time. All that remains are some basic sword moves. The only complete set now is the double-handed sword technique developed by Master Yu, building on our Mantis Sword. I practiced it for a while, though secretly. Still, I’d like your guidance, Boss Du. This was my first time sparring with weapons, and I’m not sure where I went wrong.”

“Your sword technique already has speed and power, but it lacks fluidity. Actually, Mantis Boxing and Xingyi Boxing, which I practice, have much in common—they’re both imitation fist forms, with corresponding weapon techniques. Let me share my thoughts: Weapons are extensions of the arm. Since you practice an imitation style, don’t restrict the weapon to being just a weapon. Why not consider it part of your boxing? Many schools incorporate weapons into their forms.”

Du Ruo didn’t offer specific instructions on weapon use, instead sharing his insights.

Xingyi spear technique has a unique trait: using the spear as if it were your fist, and the fist as if it were a spear—the transformation between the two yields astonishing power. Similarly, Bagua Palm is famed for its grace, but put a pair of sabers in hand and its danger multiplies.

During the Tang and Song dynasties, weapons dominated, but with the Ming and Qing, unarmed combat began to surpass weapon techniques in development.

Boxing is broader, more adaptable, and has better training effects. Mastering the fists naturally leads to proficiency with weapons. Thus, Du Ruo was reminding his opponent not to separate double-handed swordsmanship from Mantis Boxing—practicing the sword in isolation would only lead to stiffness.

“So that’s how it is…” Wang Lang bowed his head, suddenly understanding why his granduncle insisted he focus on boxing as the foundation rather than swordsmanship.

They talked for a while. As it grew late, Wang Lang took his double-handed sword and departed, needing time to absorb what he had learned.

“Du Ruo, teach me a few moves!” As soon as Wang Lang left, Yang Chenguang came into the courtyard grinning, unabashedly asking Du Ruo to teach him.

“What do you want to learn? Are you planning to take up martial arts too? Do you even have the time?” Du Ruo glanced at him, unconvinced by his sincerity.

“Ahem, well, it’s actually for a friend. His wife wants a third child—a daughter, but you know, once a man’s past thirty, he’s not exactly in his prime. What sort of training could help with that?” Yang Chenguang rubbed his hands together, his tone mischievous, making it clear he was inventing this “friend.”

“Tsk, you know, there actually is something…”