The "Four Great Weapons" were the saber, spear, sword, and staff, with the spear ranked first among them and hailed as the "King of All Weapons." It was one of the most commonly used weapons on the battlefield in the age of cold steel. Those who trained in spear techniques were taught that the spear should shoot forth like an arrow—straight, swift, precise, and deadly—thrusting along a direct line at the enemy before being withdrawn just as swiftly.
Generals favored the spear, but although it was a formidable weapon, spear techniques were notoriously difficult to master. In the midst of this fierce clash, Chiduo Qinbu, a fierce Tibetan general of extraordinary strength, brought his great spear into play. Its power was not to be underestimated.
A flash of blue-green steel flickered before him. In the very next instant, the spear gave a sharp hiss as it shot straight toward Xiang Qiang's centerline.
Xiang Qiang wielded his long spear with tremendous force, the weapon sweeping through the air with a deep, resonant whoosh. He thrust forward to meet the attack.
Clang!
The two spears collided.
Though Chiduo Qinbu possessed overwhelming physical strength, the Fenyang Spear Technique was renowned throughout the realm not for brute force, but for its mastery of subtlety and skill. Its essence lay in the perfect union of spear and strength—the spear moving as naturally as an extension of the warrior's own body.
Chiduo Qinbu's spear was forged from solid refined iron. From his hands came countless flashes of silver, each thrust leaving a streak of cold light in the air. His spearhead twisted and turned as he launched four successive attacks at the vital points around Xiang Qiang's body, each strike descending like a violent storm.
The ferocity of his attacks and the speed of his movements were truly astonishing.
Yet Xiang Qiang kept rolling and twisting through the onslaught, his own spear tracing unpredictable arcs of cold light.
Those who practiced spear fighting placed great emphasis on five essential skills: hand, eye, body, technique, and footwork. Xiang Qiang, a Cavalry General, had trained relentlessly in the art of the spear for many years. His mastery of the Fenyang Spear Technique had gone far beyond mere familiarity; he had reached a level of extraordinary perfection.
The flower spear in his hands seemed to appear and disappear like a ghost, elusive and unpredictable.
Thirty exchanges passed.
Gradually, Chiduo Qinbu found himself being driven onto the defensive.
Suddenly, Xiang Qiang raised his spear until it was level with his shoulder and made a slight circular flourish with the shaft.
It was a feint.
Its true brilliance lay in the subtle manipulation of the spear. Chiduo Qinbu, however, failed to recognize the deception.
Xiang Qiang immediately pressed his advantage.
The secret of this spear technique lay in knowing precisely when to hold back and when to strike. The instant an enemy weapon moved, a weakness was revealed. One must avoid the enemy's strength and strike directly at the opening.
With a sudden sidestep, Xiang Qiang closed the distance. He swept his spear around in a circle, then flipped his right hand and thrust forward.
A streak of icy light flashed from the spearhead.
Chiduo Qinbu was horrified.
He twisted his body to evade the blow, but—
Pfft!
The spearhead drove deep into his left shoulder.
Even his armor could no longer withstand the razor-sharp point.
"Ah!"
Chiduo Qinbu let out a terrible cry.
Xiang Qiang ripped the spear free. The blow had pierced deeply into his left shoulder, and blood sprayed into the air. Chiduo Qinbu immediately staggered backward several yards, his left shoulder rapidly soaked red with blood.
The Tibetan soldiers were instantly thrown into confusion. The soldiers behind him rushed forward almost instinctively to protect their commander.
Seeing their general wounded, the Tang soldiers erupted in a thunderous cheer.
Then, as one, they raised their voices and chanted:
"The Lazy Dragon stretches its back and rises from the sea,
Raising its head, the returning spear stands unrivaled beneath Heaven;
Fenyang rolls the banner, dancing before the wind,
Striking high, sweeping low, and crushing the enemy's guard;
The Jade Maiden casts her shuttle, storming the Gate of Hongmen,
Body following spear, the short weapon conquering the long;
Twelve straight and decisive paths advance without pause,
Bringing peace to the Four Seas and shaking the barbarian realms!"
It was said:
Suddenly, a flash of cold steel appears,
Green light flickers, striking terror into the heart;
The wondrous Fenyang Spear Technique breaks the enemy's defense,
Leaving the foe trembling with fear.
The morale of the Tang army surged. Their cheers shook the mountains, and the Tibetan soldiers could not help but feel a chill run through their hearts.
Yet at that very moment, Cavalry General Xiang Qiang ceased his attack.
He turned his spear in his hand, then cupped his fist toward Chiduo Qinbu.
"Forgive me for the offense. I have benefited greatly from today's exchange. I am truly grateful for the instruction."
The two armies stood facing one another without advancing.
The two commanders had fought a personal duel rather than allowing their soldiers to engage in a pointless slaughter. After all, when all was said and done, remaining alive was the wisest choice.
Chiduo Qinbu was proud and arrogant by nature. To suffer such humiliation before the eyes of both armies was, to him, almost worse than death itself.
Though he was a man of extraordinary strength, Tibetan warriors were more skilled in horsemanship and archery. When it came to the finer arts of sword and spear combat, they were indeed inferior to the Tang warriors.
Today, he had finally recognized the limits of his own martial ability.
His shoulder throbbed with pain, and he gritted his teeth until his face twisted in agony. Nevertheless, he forced himself to remain composed.
"The Fenyang Spear has shaken the realm," he said. "I admit my defeat wholeheartedly. Another day, we shall meet again on the battlefield."
With that, he waved his hand.
The great body of Tibetan troops immediately began descending the mountain.
At the same time, the Tibetan and Western Regions allied forces under King Marpa had no choice but to withdraw as well.
Before long, the entire host had vanished from sight.
The heroes of the Central Plains erupted into cheers when they saw the Tibetan soldiers and King Marpa depart.
King Marpa had come this time with the Sacred Fire Hall of the Fire-Worshiping Cult as his target, yet in the end, he had accomplished nothing and was forced to retreat.
Xiang Qiang then walked toward the main hall.
The leader of the Fire-Worshiping Cult and the various Dharma Kings also rose and came forward to greet him.
Xiang Qiang hurriedly stepped forward and bowed.
"This subordinate, Xiang Qiang, arrived too late. I beg Your Excellency's forgiveness!"
The others immediately cupped their fists in greeting.
Xiang Qiang then turned toward Fei Jin, the leader of the Beggar's Sect.
"Master Fei, do you still remember me?"
In those days, the Beggar's Sect Leader Fei Jin had served as deputy commander of the rebel alliance and had repeatedly provided the Tang army with reinforcements and supplies. Many Tang officers had fought alongside him and had grown so familiar with him that they were like old friends of many years.
Fei Jin burst into hearty laughter.
"I was wondering which great general had come! Why, it is none other than Xiang Qiang! You personally rode into the battlefield and crossed spears with the Tibetan commander, defeating him with a single thrust and utterly shattering the enemy's morale. Truly, your courage is unmatched beneath Heaven! A general who stands above three armies—such a man is rarely seen in this world. My admiration, my admiration!"
Fei Jin was not deliberately showing off his extensive learning. Ever since he had begun reading the classics, words and quotations from ancient texts simply slipped from his lips without his realizing it. Anyone who did not know him well might even have thought that the old beggar had developed a habit of flaunting his scholarship.
Hearing this, Cavalry General Xiang Qiang gave an embarrassed smile.
"I am but an insignificant man, hardly worthy of mention."
Yet in his heart, he thought:
How could my martial skills possibly compare with those of the Beggar's Sect Leader and the other great heroes of the martial world?