20: Chapter 20 Tired and hungry, aren't you?

Instructor Liu Jun laughed in exasperation.

What a group of fickle students, without a single independent thought.

Instructor Liu Jun couldn't be bothered to say anything about it; once this group saw Qin Ding practicing the spear over there, they would realize the truth.

"Remember, the three months you spent practicing the long staff laid a solid foundation, but it isn't a seamless transition; the most important difference is the method of attack."

Having made up his mind, Instructor Liu Jun began to explain the tricks of spear practice to Qin Ding, "The staff focuses on striking, swinging, sweeping, and chopping or poking, but the spear is different—it is about thrusting."

"When you switch, you must pay attention to how the spear's power relies more on the coordination between your waist, stance, and arms. Since you have just started, first adapt to shaking the spear. Give it to me, and I'll demonstrate."

After speaking, Instructor Liu Jun took the spear from Qin Ding and demonstrated the shaking technique. This scene immediately attracted the attention of most of the students.

When Qin Ding took the spear and replicated Instructor Liu Jun's movements, everyone's attention was drawn over. Bai Muxue watched this side intently, a captivated look appearing in her eyes.

Because of the foundation he had built by mastering the long staff, it only took Qin Ding a few tries to learn and skillfully apply what Instructor Liu Jun had taught him, and he began to learn the subsequent techniques of circling, seizing, and blocking.

If it were any other normal student, they wouldn't even dream of mastering these basic spear techniques in less than a month.

At this moment, the students who had just flocked to learn the staff hesitated. They finally understood why Qin Ding had chosen the long staff in the beginning, and they began to switch back to their original cold weapons one after another.

"He learned the switch so quickly; it feels like Qin Ding could reach the advanced spear techniques today."

However, Bai Muxue had still underestimated Qin Ding. By the end of the morning, Qin Ding had already mastered the basics of the spear and started practicing advanced techniques. This sight left the other students who were also practicing cold weapons dumbfounded, to say the least.

Especially those who had chosen the spear; did they need to ask Instructor Liu Jun when they didn't understand something? No, because Instructor Liu Jun wouldn't demonstrate it over and over, but Qin Ding truly knew how.

However, Qin Ding didn't know that because of this, many students in the class had developed a favorable impression of him. Basically, everyone practicing the spear followed him closely, practicing not far behind.

Instructor Liu Jun was left speechless just watching.

If he could, he really wanted to ask, "Have you practiced this before, and are you just here pretending to be a novice to fool everyone?"

A slightly irritated Instructor Liu Jun let his frustration affect his tone, "Alright, alright, it's about time. Everyone go eat, we continue at two o'clock. If you don't understand something, remember to come ask me right away."

Except for those students practicing the spear who were still eager for more, the rest of the students immediately put away their training weapons and headed toward the cafeteria.

Only Qin Ding stood there, as if he had entered some strange state, still immersed in the process of practicing the spear.

Qin Ding's actions left Instructor Liu Jun speechless once again.

Fine, fine, fine. Entering a state of flow, the unity of man and spear—things that others might only achieve after years of practice, and you can do it now, right?

This brat must have secretly practiced before!

Instructor Liu Jun thought to himself, unwilling to accept it. However, just at that moment, he saw Bai Muxue walking toward Qin Ding after putting down her spear. His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly stepped forward to stop her.

"Hmm?"

Bai Muxue was stunned by being stopped by Instructor Liu Jun. Before she could ask, Instructor Liu Jun spoke first.

"Don't disturb him. He has entered the state of the unity of man and spear and is somewhat lost in it. You go eat and rest; I'll watch him here."

The unity of man and spear???

Without a doubt, this answer made the clever Bai Muxue's head spin. Immediately after, she heard Instructor Liu Jun's whispered inquiry.

"I know your relationship with Qin Ding. Tell me, has this brat Qin Ding really never practiced the spear in secret, and was choosing the long staff at the beginning not just to fool everyone?"

Bai Muxue: ...

Without a moment's hesitation, Bai Muxue shook her head decisively, "No, Instructor Liu Jun, I can be certain that Qin Ding has absolutely never practiced the spear before."

Upon receiving this answer, Instructor Liu Jun let out a long sigh, looked up at the sky, and his heart quietly shattered.

Bai Muxue understood something, but being clever, she didn't say it out loud. Instead, she whispered a goodbye, took one last look at Qin Ding, and turned to leave.

It was only after Bai Muxue left that Instructor Liu Jun murmured with deep emotion.

"Maybe, just maybe, Old Wang was right. Chang City might actually produce a Martial Champion."

Just when Instructor Liu Jun thought Bai Muxue had gone to eat, about ten minutes later, Bai Muxue returned to the martial arts field carrying lunch boxes, vegetable containers, and two bottles of water.

She didn't do anything else, just sat quietly on the side, her bright eyes fixed directly on Qin Ding, who was still practicing the spear.

Instructor Liu Jun: ...???

"Hehe... Hahaha..."

Letting out a self-deprecating laugh, Instructor Liu Jun shook his head and strode away from the martial arts field.

About half an hour later, the engrossed Qin Ding finally came to his senses. After retracting his spear, he subconsciously wiped the sweat from his face. A familiar, cool fragrance suddenly wafted over, and Qin Ding subconsciously turned his head to look.

He saw Bai Muxue holding tissues and mineral water, handing them over with a soft voice.

"It's been over four hours; you must be tired and hungry, right? I brought food over, too. Wipe your sweat, drink some water, and let's eat."

Qin Ding froze. It wasn't shyness, nor was it resistance, but a strange feeling—so strange that even having lived two lifetimes, he couldn't put it into words. It was as if something had squeezed his heart.

This feeling was similar to the way Aunt Zhao cared for him and doted on him, but in essence, it was completely different.

And how was it different? He didn't know, and he couldn't say; it was a very strange feeling.

His Adam's apple bobbed. Although Qin Ding couldn't articulate what this feeling was, his heart subconsciously and strongly told him: do not refuse, cannot refuse.

Only after taking the water and tissues did Qin Ding make a sound, though his voice was subconsciously a bit quiet.

"Thank you, Mu Xue."

Bai Muxue didn't reply, but the slightly upturned corners of her mouth already revealed her inner emotions, though Qin Ding, who was tilting his head back to drink water, didn't notice.