A few hours passed before ng Bai felt like he had practiced enough with the bows. Though his accuracy had improved, he knew there was still a long way to go before he could rely on them in real combat.
"Let's move on to other weapons, shall we?" Lin Mu said, gesturing to another selection of weapons.
ng Bai's eyes scanned the collection, pausing on a group of small blades.
"Daggers?" he asked.
"Throwing daggers," Lin Mu corrected. "They're different from standard daggers. Their balance is designed specifically for throwing, and their sharp, aerodynamic shape allows them to travel farther and hit with more force. Using them is simple: just pick one up and throw it with the tip pointed at your target."
ng Bai picked up one of the daggers, which was about ten centiters long. It lacked a handle, its entire body ford from a single piece of tal. The back tapered to a fine point, clearly designed for stability in flight.
Taking a breath, he focused, then threw the dagger toward a nearby tree.
SHUA!
THUD!
The dagger embedded itself into the bark. It wasn't deep, but it was a hit.
"Not bad," Lin Mu remarked. "Throwing daggers are useful for close encounters and ambushes. However, unlike bows, you have a unique advantage—your spirit sense. By imprinting your daggers, you can control them midair, increasing your accuracy and even retrieving them after use."
ng Bai's eyes widened. "How do I do that?"
"Use your spirit sense to mark each dagger as yours. Then, when throwing, keep a sliver of your spirit sense attached to it. You can even guide its trajectory slightly."
Nodding, ng Bai closed his eyes and focused, channeling his spirit sense into the daggers. He could feel their shape, their weight, their very essence. It felt similar to how he controlled formations, but more fluid, more dynamic.
He picked up four daggers in one hand and a fifth in his other.
SHUA! SHUA! SHUA! SHUA!
One by one, he threw them in quick succession. This ti, every dagger struck the sa area around the previous bolt he had fired earlier.
"They're so easy to control!" ng Bai exclaid, exhilarated.
"Indeed," Lin Mu nodded. "And because they are connected to your spirit sense, you can call them back."
ng Bai concentrated, and the four daggers flew back into his open palm, hovering slightly before settling into his grasp.
"You're a natural," Lin Mu noted, impressed. "Much better than your bow skills, at least."
ng Bai chuckled sheepishly. "I think I'll keep them."
"They're a good secondary weapon," Lin Mu agreed. "But there are still more to try."
One by one, ng Bai tested the remaining ranged weapons: throwing axes, discs, needles, and even a slingshot.
He had moderate success with the axes, though he struggled with getting the right rotation—many tis, they struck the target handle-first. Discs, on the other hand, felt incredibly natural in his hands, spinning gracefully through the air and landing with solid impacts. Needles proved the most difficult; their small size made them hard to throw with enough force, even when using his spirit sense. The slingshot, while accurate, lacked power, and he quickly lost interest in it.
After testing them all, he concluded, "Throwing daggers and bows suit best. But I'll need more practice with the latter."
"That's a good choice," Lin Mu said. "However, ranged weapons alone won't be enough. Many fights will force you into close combat. You need to be ready for that too."
ng Bai took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright. I'll try."
With a wave of his hand, Lin Mu brought out an even larger collection of weapons. There were over thirty different kinds, from swords and spears to war hamrs and whips. ng Bai's eyes widened in amazent.
"Swords, axes, and spears are considered the holy trinity of lee weapons," Lin Mu explained. "They are the most commonly used and have the highest adaptability. Start with those."
Without hesitation, ng Bai picked up a long sword. Ever since he was a child, he had admired warriors who wielded swords, cutting down enemies with elegance and precision.
He gripped the hilt tightly and swung it experintally.
SHUA! SHUA! SHUA!
The sword felt natural in his hands, but the montum pulled at his balance. Lin Mu clicked his tongue.
"Your stance is too loose. A sword can control you if you don't control it first."
ng Bai adjusted his footing and tried again, swinging more carefully. This ti, he felt more grounded.
He practiced slashes, thrusts, and parries, mimicking movents he had seen from soldiers and guards. Though he was enthusiastic, Lin Mu could already see the flaws.
The boy lacked instinctual talent with the sword. His movents were stiff, lacking the natural flow that a true swordsman possessed.
Lin Mu sighed inwardly.
'If he keeps at it, he might barely develop sword intent in a few decades. But even then, he'd hit a wall he can't overco.'
After watching for a while, Lin Mu finally spoke. "Enough."
ng Bai wiped sweat from his brow. "Should I try sothing else?"
"Go ahead," Lin Mu said.
Next, ng Bai tried an axe, a saber, and a spear. The axe was powerful but heavy, requiring precise control that he hadn't yet mastered. The saber was easier, its curved blade allowing for fluid movents, though it still didn't feel quite right. Finally, he picked up a spear—and sothing clicked.
When he thrust forward, the weapon felt like an extension of his arm. He twirled it, feeling the perfect balance in his grip. He stabbed, swept, and blocked with it, a smile forming on his face.
Lin Mu's eyes glimred.
"Ah, so that's it."
ng Bai looked at him curiously. "What do you an?"
"The sword wasn't for you," Lin Mu explained. "But the spear—you moved naturally with it. You weren't thinking as much; your body simply followed."
ng Bai looked down at the spear. "I do feel more comfortable with it…"
"That's because this is the right weapon for you," Lin Mu confird. "It suits your instincts. You should focus on mastering it."
ng Bai grinned, gripping the spear tighter. "Then that's what I'll do!"
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