Chapter 33 Practice?

Lin Changning gently patted the girl's back to soothe her emotions, and after she calmed down a bit, he slowly said:

“I know it’s not easy for Third Sister, but if I break off the engagement, how will she cope?”

Third Sister was also a woman, and should have known that survival was inherently difficult for women in this world. Although the customs at the border were relatively open, and Third Sister was loved by her father and brothers, it was precisely this love that forced her into this situation.

In my hometown, the social norms are even stronger; if an engagement is broken off without a valid reason, everyone will surely speculate about what's wrong with the young woman.

For me, it was merely a matter of incompatibility leading to the annulment of the engagement; for her, it might mean she'll never find a good husband because of gossip.

Wouldn't this just harm another innocent woman?

The young woman calmed herself and listened to Lin Changning's slow explanation. Her heart ached even more, filled with resentment that she hadn't met such a wonderful man sooner, yet she also felt that Lin Changning's words made sense.

She herself was trapped in gossip, yet she was willing to harm another woman because of her own selfish desires. This was truly wrong, but she really couldn't bear to do it.

Changping is truly a virtuous gentleman, both considerate and kind. He would surely be a good husband after marriage.

Ma San Niang let go of his hand and vigorously wiped away her tears with her sleeve: "Brother Changping, then, then tell me, what should we do?"

Lin Changning sighed: "Third Sister is very good. Her father and brothers are capable in the army, and her mother loves her dearly. There is still a long time ahead of her. I suppose if she carefully chooses, she will not be unable to find a husband who truly loves her."

Ma San Niang was stunned for a moment and slowly took a few steps back: "But everyone knows me, how can a good family come to marry me? Brother Changping, I have no way to live."

Lin Changning's gaze was gentle, and his eyes crinkled with a smile:

“Third Sister, but marriage is not the only way out in the world. If you can only survive by getting married, then how do these widowed women survive?”

Moreover, there are women who remarry in border areas; if Third Sister is more open-minded, she might not be without a way out.

Moreover, your father, mother, and brothers all dote on you exceptionally; you are already far better off than most women in the world.

Ma San Niang's eyes lit up, and she asked, "Then, Brother Changping, what do you think San Niang can do besides get married?"

Lin Changning pondered for a moment. Third Sister was excellent at cooking soups and stews, and the snacks she usually sent him were also very creative.

If we could find something for Third Sister to do, perhaps she wouldn't be so preoccupied with the past.

"Third Sister's soups and snacks are excellent. The men in the army have to go to drill before dawn, and there are basically no people making soups and snacks at the morning market."

Since everyone was either hungry or had eaten at home before going, Third Sister might as well make some snacks and soups, keeping them piping hot in a pot, and sell them around the garrison.

The money from selling the goods should be enough to supplement the family income. Even if it doesn't, Third Sister has a skill, so she won't starve even without a husband. She can support herself and won't rely on a husband to earn money, which will naturally give her more confidence.

Before she could finish speaking, the girl threw herself into Lin Changning's arms again.

"Thank you, Brother Changping, I understand."

This time, he didn't hug her for long; the girl just gave him a tight hug before letting go.

After taking a few steps back, she looked back at Lin Changning's face, feeling both regret and envy. Before she could say anything, tears streamed down her face again.

"Brother Changping, Yanyan truly loves you. Brother Changping is a very, very good person. Yanyan has remembered what you said, and I will live a good life."

Lin Changning waved his hand and nodded to the crying girl: "Third Sister, don't do anything to upset your family anymore. Go back now, your aunt and uncle are waiting for you."

Lin Changning stood quietly in place, watching the girl glance at him before running back to her own yard.

Lin Changning heard the sounds of Third Sister and Liu Shi laughing and talking inside before turning to leave.

A while after Lin Changning left, a figure suddenly emerged from the shadows.

It was Commander Qi who had been eavesdropping in the alley for a while. He saw Commander Qi, dressed in a red official robe, and Commander Ma standing quietly at the entrance of the alley on the other side.

Commander Ma's face turned red, then pale, then red again.

His face turned red because his family did indeed intend to arrange a marriage between their daughter and Lin Changping's daughter. He also turned pale because Commander Qi caught them in the act. The most crucial point was that Lin Changping was unwilling to accept his daughter.

It was quite embarrassing for my boss to see this.

The reasons behind this are not something outsiders can easily explain, but knowing that it was their immediate superior made things difficult.

Qi Rong pondered Lin Changning's words, rubbing the ring on his finger, lost in thought.

“A woman’s chastity is never hidden beneath her skirt. A woman’s life is already very difficult. She is a wise person.”

If his mother had known all this, she probably wouldn't have left him so early.

Commander Ma apologized as he pleaded guilty: "Commander, I'm sorry, it was a private family matter that I couldn't disclose."

Qi Rong shook his head, his handsome face filled with emotion: "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."

Commander Ma bowed and said, "Then I thank you for your service, Commander."

Qi Rong stared at the direction Lin Changning had walked away in for a while before looking away.

“Old Zheng is right. This person does seem like a good one. Keep a close eye on him. There’s an empty shop next to the garrison. Go find someone to rent it and open a shop for your daughter. I often don’t have a hot meal when I get up in the morning. From now on, I can have breakfast at your daughter’s place every day.”

Old Ma thanked him happily and then tried to lead the people inside.

Qi Rong waved his hand: "No need, I'm going out for a stroll."

With that, he walked out of the alley and headed in the direction Lin Changning had gone.

Actually, he didn't pay much attention to this skinny, big-headed soldier at first. Even after Old Liu told him that the kid had potential and was as strong as Xiang Yu, he didn't take it too seriously.

There are plenty of exaggerated claims, boasts, and attempts to steal credit on the battlefield.

He assumed this man was just seeking fame and fortune, perhaps some noble young master who had come to the border to find pleasure.

After all, there aren't many people on the border who look as refined and handsome as him, and who are also literate. Being literate isn't anything unusual.

However, the last time the Tartars raided the border, this young man fought alongside him, hacking and slashing at the Tartars. His ruthless appearance, with his blades chipped and broken, was truly unforgettable.

This young man's swordsmanship is clearly well-structured and quite effective on the battlefield.

He couldn't quite figure out the boy's methods, but figured he must have someone guiding him at home, so out of curiosity he followed him.

As soon as Lin Changning walked back into the courtyard, he suddenly felt like he was being watched.

He shivered and hurriedly turned around.

Qi Rong was taken aback when he saw Qi Rong wearing a bright red official robe.

Why is Commander Qi out so late?

But since I'd already seen it, there was no way to avoid it, so I simply bowed and greeted them.

"Command in unison."

Qi Rong waved his hand: "No need to be polite, I'm here to talk to you about something."

"Ah, yes, then I will definitely answer all your questions without reservation."

As Lin Changning said this, he opened the door and invited the person in.

It was probably time for Juro to rest, as only two people were sitting on stone benches in the courtyard.

After waiting for a while, Lin Changning became a little impatient and finally spoke.

"The piers you and your men built are quite good. Draw the blueprints for me another day."

"Yes, Commander."

"Don't you have anything to say to me?"

Lin Changning was completely baffled: "Commander, please enlighten me. I, um, what should I say next?"

Qi Rong gave Lin Changning a deep look, then suddenly unfastened his waist knife: "Spar with me."

Lin Changning looked at the waist knife with a tinge of longing; it had been a long time since she had touched such a fine knife.

Commander Qi's knife is made of high-quality materials. Judging from its shape, craftsmanship, and patterns, it must have been made by a master craftsman.

Every martial artist wants a good weapon, and she became addicted to this knife the first time she used it.

Now that I'm watching Commander Qi take off his uniform, it's time to get my hands dirty.

"Thank you for your guidance, Commander. How should we train?"

"Let's settle this with a knife fight, and stop when we've made our point."

Lin Changning grabbed the knife, and the cold light that flashed after she drew it almost blinded her.

I casually twirled the knife a couple of times and found it incredibly easy to do.

"Then I must offend you, Commander!"

Qi Rong on the other side also drew his sword: "No need to be polite, use your full strength!"

Before he finished speaking, Lin Changning launched the first attack.

Meanwhile, Qi Rong stood firmly on the ground, like a pine tree rooted to the ground. He gripped the hilt of his sword with both hands, slowly drew his long sword, and with a flash of cold light, blocked Lin Changning's downward slash.

Lin Changning turned around smoothly, his long sword dancing like a serpent, creating sharp blade flowers, and the wind whistled through the air.

Then, she leaned forward, her steps quickened, and her sword followed her movements, drawing powerful arcs. The sword flashed, displaying her boldness, and she attacked Qi Rong with another strike.

This time, Qi Rong seemed to be caught off guard and was forced back two steps by the immense force transmitted through the blade.

Despite missing his first strike, Lin Changning continued walking, spinning around and sweeping his longsword horizontally like a dragon's tail. Qi Rong, seeing this, leaped high into the air to avoid the fierce blade strike.

The moment he landed, he used the momentum of his fall to bring his long sword down hard, aiming straight for Lin Changning's head.

Lin Changning remained calm and composed, exerting a slight force in his arm to raise his longsword vertically, steadily blocking Qi Rong's fierce attack.

Lin Changning's clothes trembled slightly in the night breeze. Holding a long sword, she thrust her left hand forward and bent over in an instant, her movements as swift as lightning.

In an instant, he closed in on Qi Rong, and the tide of battle turned in a flash. A cold glint appeared, and the long sword was already firmly held beside Commander Qi's neck.

"Excuse me, Commander."

Lin Changning raised his eyebrows, exuding a flamboyant youthful aura.

Qi Rong loosened his grip on the sword and looked at Lin Changning's spirited face with a more inquisitive gaze: "I observe that your swordsmanship is not only quite skillful, but it also doesn't seem like something you've only practiced for a few days. You must have practiced swordsmanship before."

Lin Changning's swordsmanship is unlike that of military officers today, but if it were a swordsmanship passed down from an ordinary martial arts school or escort agency, it would not be unknown.

This sword technique is exquisite, but he doesn't remember having such a person among the younger generation of military officers in the capital.

Qi Rong coveted this potential general, but Lin Changning was shrouded in suspicion, and he feared that Lin Changning might be a spy sent by the enemy.

Kill them, it would be a pity if we killed the wrong ones...

Lin Changning sighed sincerely:

"My father passed down my swordsmanship to me. In my early years, my health was not very good, so I bought a book on health from a wandering Taoist priest. At first, I didn't use a sword, but a stick. I didn't know that it was a swordsmanship book. It was only after I joined the army that I learned that it was a swordsmanship book, and that it was very exquisite."

Qi Rong looked at Lin Changning inquisitively: "May I have a look? I will return it afterward."

Lin Changning had long anticipated that someone would ask where he learned his swordsmanship. His family's martial arts school had undergone so many changes over the years, so there must be a reasonable way to learn it.

So before he got here, he borrowed his brother's book and made a copy of it.

This is the day we've been waiting for.

Lin Changning pretended to hesitate and looked at Commander Qi: "It's not impossible, but I hope that after you've looked at it, you can return it directly."

Qi Rong nodded: "Of course."

As he spoke, Lin Changning returned to his room and rummaged through his luggage.

"The original was already worn out from being read so many times, this is a newly made copy, Commander, please make do with it..."

Thank you.