Chapter 48: The City Lord

A few days later, after thoroughly confirming the four’s aptitude and determination through various basic training sessions, Liu Tian abandoned the idea of cultivating them into talents through secret martial arts, and instead chose another path.

“Effort is an important part of growth, but direction matters as well.”

“These past days, I’ve seen your willpower and self-control, and I’ve learned about your potential. By now, it should be time to formally teach you the secret arts…”

Liu Tian paused as he spoke, seriously considering how to tactfully convey that they were not suited for martial arts.

Although the tuition he’d charged was quite modest—merely the right to admire a thousand different relics of the Lost Empire per person—since he’d agreed to the task, Liu Tian was determined to do it well and earnestly. But if a hundred marked perfect martial potential, then Liu Wenqian, Bai He, Li Hua, and Chen Qichao each averaged around forty, with the highest just barely reaching fifty.

Not a single one passed!

They didn’t even measure up to Liu Tian himself before his own talent had improved.

With such poor aptitude, it could only be said that their families’ previous decisions to have them give up on martial arts were entirely justified.

“To be honest, you’re not suited to practice the secret arts,” Liu Tian finally decided after much thought. “Your talent is about average, and a few of you don’t even reach that.”

“Among you, Li Hua has the best aptitude, but because he completely gave up training before, his foundation is terribly weak. Wenqian, on the other hand, has worked hard, but his level is mediocre at best. Taken together, your overall ability is about the same—roughly equivalent to a country goose.”

“In my opinion, barring any miracles, you shouldn’t count on martial arts to find your place or security in this life.”

Unbothered by their sinking expressions, Liu Tian shrugged and changed tack. “But look at the era we’re in. To grow stronger, you don’t have to be obsessed with secret arts. Your second uncle is an excellent example.”

“His aptitude was only a bit better than yours, but now, his strength is nothing to scoff at.” As he spoke, Liu Tian drew out several books from his breast, and with a flick of his hand, sent them flying neatly into the hands of the four, two each, left and right. “So, if you want to become stronger, you can’t rely on secret martial arts alone.”

These days, the four had long been used to not pausing their stances unless Liu Tian permitted it, so now, they could only look at the covers.

The book in their left hand was titled “Dragon’s Glide Step,” while the one in the right read “Firearms Mastery.” The handwriting was different for each: the left wild and flowing, the right proper and neat, clearly by two different authors.

“The one in your left hand is a simple secret art I created for you over the past few days.”

Dragon’s Glide Step was a martial technique Liu Tian had crafted in his spare moments, streamlined from Shadow-Seeking Dragon Step, with key principles borrowed from Thunderbolt Hand, specializing in evasive maneuvers within close quarters.

Through his own diligent effort, Liu Tian had already surpassed the creator of Shadow-Seeking Dragon Step; simplifying a new technique from it was a simple matter for him. With the reference of Heavenly Martial Killing Path—a discipline born of countless merged secret arts—crafting this new method was effortless.

Though described as simple, that was only from Liu Tian’s perspective; for others, it would be considered a rather effective specialized secret art.

“Dragon’s Glide Step boosts your agility, making you move faster, react quicker, and especially excel at dodging in confined spaces. It’s easy to start, easy to train, and progress comes readily—just a matter of time and resources. It’s perfectly suited for you.” Before anyone could ask, Liu Tian explained, “It has nine stances and sixty-three moves, flexible for use on flat ground, among debris, in forests, grasslands, and more. If you master it, you won’t have to worry about being shot unless three or five gunners surround you.”

“As for Firearms Mastery, that was written by your second uncle. It sums up his years of research into firearms and various training methods. Frankly, you’re not suited to rely on martial arts to grow strong, so you might as well focus on shooting.”

“Normally, beyond seven paces the gun is faster; within seven paces it’s both fast and accurate—much better than sweating over martial arts.”

“From today, you’ll practice secret arts in the morning and firearms in the afternoon. I’ll be here for another month and a half. In that first month, you must build a solid foundation. After that, I’ll take you into the forest to hunt, so you can temper your skills.”

“And a month from now, what you eat will depend on what you manage to hunt. If you get nothing, you’ll chew on black bread—the kind that’s hard enough to kill a man. So, don’t even think about slacking off.”

“Tian!”

Just then, as Liu Tian was instructing them, Liu Yun walked in, excitement and trepidation mixed on his face, along with a hint of confusion. Behind him, Liu Zhengde—whose leave had not yet ended—followed, looking thoroughly pleased.

The two strode up to Liu Tian, their voices eager: “Still teaching martial arts? There’s something going on, and your father said we should consult you first.”

“Alright,” Liu Tian replied, raising an eyebrow at their expressions. He turned to the four, instructing, “Read the books and get familiar with their contents. Don’t practice yet—wait for me to return, and then we’ll train properly.”

…

“Son! You’re here!”

The three quickly made their way to a nearby guest room, which was empty. The matter was important enough that even his mother, Sophie—who disliked moving around after childbirth—was there with his baby sister in her arms, waiting. When the three entered, Sophie beckoned, her face alight with joy. Sensing her mother’s delight, little Hua, growing plumper by the day, giggled happily in her arms.

“Mom! Hey, did Hua miss me?”

With long strides, Liu Tian quickly reached his mother, instinctively taking little Hua into his arms and teasing her gently with his fingers—so long as he didn’t have to raise them himself, he rather liked newborns, especially those related by blood.

Bringing up the rear, Liu Zhengde turned and gave a signal, and a guard stood watch outside the door, which he then closed.

“So formal? What’s this about?” Liu Tian blinked. “I’ve never seen you look like this, Dad. Go on, what do you need my opinion on?”

“A decree has come from the Imperial Palace,” Liu Yun took a deep breath. “They want your second uncle to become the Lord of Pei County, and they want to appoint me as a naval instructor as well.”

“What? Are you kidding? It’s one thing for Second Uncle to be made a lord, but you as a naval instructor? To teach what—whale hunting?” Liu Tian laughed, extending a hand. “Alright, I get it. This is about my senior brother Bai Ci’nan, isn’t it? If you can’t beat him, recruit him; if you can’t recruit him, join him. The old trick. Where’s the decree? Let me see it.”