Chapter Forty-Nine

Nian Yu said, “Wait a moment, Zhou Yu, what’s the story with this knife? How come I never knew you had it?”

Zhou Yu suddenly remembered—though he had told Nian Yu many things from his past, those were only the most basic details. Some things simply could not be spoken of.

First, it was to protect Nian Yu; after all, knowing too much brought no benefit. Second, that part of his past was best left untouched, and he had no desire to mention it again.

Zhou Yu could only chuckle sheepishly and remain silent.

At this moment, Xiao Jie spoke up. “Nian Yu, let it go. There are some things Zhou Yu doesn’t talk about, perhaps because he believes they have nothing to do with your relationship.”

Nian Yu shot Zhou Yu a glare, then turned to Xiao Jie and said, “You always indulge him, don’t you? Hmph.”

Zhou Yu thought to himself that Xiao Jie was indeed gentle and considerate. But aloud, he said, “Wang Kui, let’s begin.”

With that, Zhou Yu drew the dagger strapped to his leg.

Wang Kui handed the large knife to Zhao Yan, drew his own dagger from his leg, and said, “Although I know, when it comes to cold weapons, the longer the blade, the greater the advantage; the shorter, the riskier. But I don’t know how to use a large blade, so I’ll stick with daggers.”

Zhou Yu replied, “As you wish. You may start.”

Wang Kui said, “Wait, I use two daggers. Are you sure you want to use only one?”

“You wooden block, why are you talking so much at a time like this?” Zhou Yu retorted.

Then he turned to Zhao Yan. “Zhao Yan, give your dagger to Wang Kui as well.”

Zhao Yan, upon hearing this, handed his dagger to Wang Kui.

Wang Kui took the dagger and stepped to face Zhou Yu. “Alright, we can begin.”

Zhou Yu said, “Go ahead.”

Hearing this, Wang Kui said nothing more. Gripping a dagger in each hand, he thrust straight toward Zhou Yu’s face.

Zhou Yu dodged with a quick sidestep.

As if anticipating this, Wang Kui, in the midst of his forward thrust, swept both daggers outward in a wide arc.

But Zhou Yu knew Wang Kui’s style well. Reversing his grip on the dagger, he flicked his wrist in a diagonal slash, parrying Wang Kui’s attack.

After all, Zhou Yu had long since mastered the use of bayonets. A bayonet was not so different from a short sword, which itself was a kind of dagger; though not identical, the techniques were much the same.

Having his daggers deflected, Wang Kui used the momentum to spin, launching another sweeping attack with both blades.

Zhou Yu pressed his right elbow against Wang Kui’s lower forearm, just beneath the attacking dagger, and with a quick inward twist of his wrist, he hooked Wang Kui’s upper forearm, pulling counterclockwise and flipping Wang Kui to the ground.

At this, Zhou Yu said, “Alright, Wang Kui, I understand now why you said daggers won’t work.”

Wang Kui scrambled up and asked, “Why?”

“Because you simply don’t know how to use them,” Zhou Yu replied.

Seeing Wang Kui about to argue, Zhou Yu continued, “Don’t interrupt. If you can block just one of my attacks, I’ll admit everything I said before was wrong.”

Wang Kui stepped back twice. “Come on, then.”

Without further words, Zhou Yu advanced, his right hand gripping the dagger in reverse. The blade traced a figure-eight in the air, slashing diagonally toward Wang Kui.

Wang Kui’s face paled in shock. Zhou Yu’s diagonal slash covered a wide area and was incredibly fast.

Forced by Zhou Yu’s relentless assault, Wang Kui could only retreat step by step.

Suddenly, Zhou Yu swept his left foot up, striking Wang Kui squarely on the chin and sending him flying.

Zhou Yu followed up with a forward leap, tackling Wang Kui to the ground.

With the same motion, Zhou Yu drove his dagger into the earth by Wang Kui’s left ear.