Chapter 121 Golden Crow Blade Technique

Two days after Zhang Yuanying parted ways in Wuchang.

The boat journey lasted two days, with favorable winds and currents. The river widened, and the green mountains on both banks were like dark eyebrows. Fishing boats and cargo ships could be seen coming and going from time to time.

Every day, Shi Potian absorbed the heat toxins from Longkui's wounds to heal her injuries. As their inner strengths merged, Longkui's complexion became rosier day by day, and Shi Potian's skills also improved more and more.

One afternoon, the river was calm and the sun was shining warmly. Shi Potian sat cross-legged at the bow of the boat, gazing at the surging river, and suddenly many things came to mind.

He thought of Xie Yanke on Motian Cliff, Bei Haishi, Dingdingdangdang and Shijian, and also Axiu, as well as his martial arts teacher—Axiu's grandmother Shi Xiaocui.

He and Ah Xiu met on the boat back then, and everything that happened seemed like it was happening right before his eyes. He also remembered the Golden Crow Saber Technique that his master had taught him, and although he hadn't used it for a long time, he had never forgotten it.

"Mother," Shi Potian suddenly spoke.

Madam Wang was tidying up her clothes at the stern when she heard this and looked up: "Ping'er, what's wrong?"

Shi Potian asked, "Mother, who taught you your swordsmanship?"

Madam Wang was taken aback, then smiled and said, "Your maternal grandfather taught you that, didn't I tell you? Your grandfather was a powerful figure in the martial arts world with his Golden Saber Technique, and the Golden Saber Sect of Luoyang was a renowned sect. Why are you suddenly asking about this?"

Shi Potian said earnestly, "I remember someone taught me a sword technique before, which is much more powerful than the Golden Saber Technique. I want to teach it to my mother."

Madam Wang was both surprised and delighted: "You know how to use a knife? That's great! Ping'er's knife skills are definitely better than your grandfather's."

Lin Zhennan, who had been listening nearby, also came over: "Knife skills? Ping'er, you know how to use a knife? I've never seen you use it before?"

Shi Potian nodded: "I know a little bit."

He took Lady Wang's golden knife from the cabin, held it in his hand, and said, "Mother, this sword technique is called the Golden Crow Sword Technique."

With a moment's concentration, he turned the blade and prepared to unleash his attack.

When Longkui, Yuanfei Riyue, Qu Feiyan and the others saw that Shi Potian wanted to teach Madam Wang swordsmanship, they went to stay in the cabin to avoid suspicion.

Shi Potian laughed and said, "Feifei, you can learn along with me."

Qu Feiyan asked excitedly, "Little brother, is it really possible?"

"Of course you can. You'll learn faster if you study with my mom."

Qu Feiyan watched with a delighted expression.

Shi Potian raised his knife, slowly assuming a stance, and said, "The first move is called 'Opening the Door to Let the Thieves In'."

He slowly extended the knife in his hand, making a gesture of bowing, then with a flick of his wrist, the blade suddenly turned and slashed down diagonally with lightning speed and ruthlessness, the wind whistling through the air. This strike, seemingly respectful, actually concealed deadly intent.

Lady Wang took the golden knife and imitated its moves. She had a solid foundation in knife skills, and her knife strikes were quite impressive.

Seeing that Madam Wang had mastered the first move, Shi Potian took the golden knife and continued to teach her: "The second move is called 'Plum Blossoms Meet Summer'."

He took a deep breath, and the knife in his hand suddenly moved faster.

In the blink of an eye, three slashes above, three slashes below, three slashes to the left, and three slashes to the right—a total of twelve slashes! The blades flashed, the wind howled, as if a ball of fire had exploded at the bow of the ship, and a wave of heat rushed towards us.

Lin Zhennan and his wife only saw a flash of light before their eyes, but they couldn't see where the blade was.

Madam Wang was mesmerized. This move was completely different from the Golden Knife Technique she usually learned. It was fierce, swift, and ever-changing. She couldn't understand it for a moment.

Shi Potian noticed her difficulty, so he slowed down his movements and demonstrated each move to her: "The first three strikes: the first strike is to chop his head, the second strike is to cut his left shoulder, and the third strike is to slice off his right arm. The next three strikes..."

He demonstrated and explained as he went, and Madam Wang practiced each move one by one. When Shi Potian saw that she was making a mistake, he immediately corrected her, without any hesitation.

Lin Zhennan was also engrossed in watching. Although he didn't practice swordsmanship, he had seen many of Madam Wang's sword techniques, and compared to this Golden Crow sword technique, it was really inferior.

These twelve strikes were executed in one fluid motion, each one sealing off all of the opponent's escape routes, leaving them with no choice but to take the blows head-on. But how many people could withstand such a barrage of strikes?

Qu Feiyan clapped her hands and laughed, "Little brother, this swordsmanship is amazing! It's even more amazing than that of the West Sea Sword King."

Shi Potian laughed and asked, "Have you learned it yet?"

Qu Feiyan said, "You've taught me so carefully, you'll definitely learn it."

After saying that, Qu Feiyan borrowed Sarutobi Higetsu's Japanese sword.

She was already intelligent and quick-witted, with an excellent foundation in martial arts. Shi Potian had also broken down the move "Plum Blossoms Meet Summer" in great detail, so she had already memorized the technique.

With a flick of her small hand, she drew her Japanese sword, its cold light flashing. Following Shi Potian's previous stance, she unleashed a series of twelve consecutive slashes: three upward, three downward, three leftward, and three rightward.

The blade flashed and flew, as fast as a streak of light. Although it lacked the powerful and domineering inner strength of Shi Potian, it was more agile and cunning, and its technique was perfectly orderly.

Madam Wang's eyes lit up: "This child's talent is so high! Ping'er taught me step by step, and I still didn't understand, but she can do it perfectly after watching it only once."

Qu Feiyan sheathed her sword, her small face full of pride, and looked up at Shi Potian: "Big brother, do you think I did it right?"

Shi Potian nodded and smiled, "Exactly, exactly. I was so clumsy when I first learned it."

She was even more skilled than the young man! Qu Feiyan laughed even harder. Little did she know that Shi Potian had learned dozens of moves in one go the first time he learned it.

Lin Zhennan sighed from the side, "Ping'er, your swordsmanship is truly extraordinary. Not to mention your maternal grandfather, even in the entire Central Plains martial arts world, there are probably few swordsmanships that can rival it."

"If everyone at the Fuwei Escort Agency had learned a few moves, these tragedies wouldn't have happened at the various branches."

"Father is right. I was just thinking of teaching this sword technique to Chief Escort Zheng and the others."

Madam Wang said, "The镖局 (bodyguard agency) guards generally have average aptitude and comprehension, so I'm afraid they won't be able to learn this profound swordsmanship. Even I have a hard time learning it."

That is indeed a problem. Shi Potian thought the Golden Crow Saber Technique was easy to learn, but Madam Wang had been trying for a long time and hadn't even mastered two moves. Zheng, the镖头 (bodyguard), and the others would probably find it even more difficult.

Qu Feiyan's eyes darted around, and she said, "Little brother, you can simplify this sword technique a bit. For example, the second move, which involves twelve slashes in one go, can be changed to six slashes. That would make it easier for the bodyguards to learn."

Shi Potian said happily, "Feifei, you're so smart, let's do it this way."

With his current level of martial arts proficiency in the Tai Xuan Scripture, modifying a sword technique would be a piece of cake for him.

Lin Zhennan, watching from the side, felt a pang of envy and couldn't help but ask, "Ping'er, you only teach your mother swordsmanship, but haven't you taught your father anything?"

Shi Potian laughed and said, "Father, don't worry. I have another sword technique called Snow Mountain Sword Technique. However, every move of the Golden Crow Saber Technique is designed to counter the Snow Mountain Sword Technique."

My master said that the Golden Crow is the sun, and when the sun rises, the snow melts. If you learn this, your mother will control you completely. Do you still want to learn it?

Hearing Shi Potian say this, Lin Zhennan didn't take it seriously: "Learn it? Of course I'll learn it! The Golden Crow Saber Technique is so powerful that it can be countered by it, so the Snow Mountain Sword Technique won't be bad either."