Chapter 75: Boundless Horizons

Endless skies stretching for thousands of miles, green waves surging to the horizon.

Standing on the deck, gazing at that distant line where sea melds with sky, Ma Beifang and Huang Shan felt their hearts expand without limit. Their joy was irrepressible, and they could not help but give a long, exuberant shout.

Inside the cabin, Sha Tonghai heard their cries and laughed. “Those two have never seen the sea before—no wonder they’re so excited. We, who spend our lives drifting on these waters, see only emptiness in the vast ocean. When we reach land instead, we’re the ones who can’t help but roar a couple of times.”

After two days of drifting, the ship finally docked at an island covered everywhere with thick, vivid green nan bamboo. The interplay between the azure sea and the lush bamboo was enchanting. From afar, the island looked like a string of emerald pearls set into a blue satin cloth.

The people from the Eastern Isles had arrived half a month earlier. By now, the martial training camp’s rows of bamboo houses were built and inhabited, even a training ground had been cleared, the earth tamped firm with ash. Sha Tonghai had also brought a number of blacksmiths to erect a great furnace and forge weapons on-site. The long blades favored by the Easterners were inspired by the Tang dynasty’s common sabers but had evolved: because their people were shorter, their swords had narrow, slightly curved blades to increase reach; lacking strength, they lengthened the hilt for two-handed use. Such oddly-shaped swords couldn’t be bought at any weaponsmith’s, so they had to forge their own.

Ma Beifang’s role was to lead He Jiahui and the other martial instructors in teaching these Easterners martial arts.

At first, everyone assumed these men, having been warriors in their homeland, must know some martial skills. But as soon as a few were tested, it became clear they were completely ignorant. Fortunately, several among them spoke the local tongue. According to these interpreters, their land was small and sparsely populated, and at that time, the Warring States period was raging, with many feudal lords—though in reality, each lord might only command a few hundred men. Gathering a thousand for battle was already a grand affair. On the field, it was nothing but hacking wildly with swords or bamboo spears. Someone joked, “Then your feudal wars are no different from our village brawls!” The crowd burst into laughter.

Ma Beifang discussed with He Jiahui and the others how they might teach such men martial arts in a single year. Everyone looked glum, for even the simplest external styles required three years to master, while a single year wasn’t even enough to train a proper horse stance! Moreover, the long swords, with their extended hilts, made many intricate techniques impossible. If they shortened the hilt, the Easterners’ grip was too weak even for single-handed swings, let alone more complex maneuvers. The instructors were at a loss.

Back in the bamboo house, Huang Shan had already prepared their meal. Knowing Ma Beifang’s internal injuries were yet to heal, she refused to let him eat the communal fare, instead cooking with care so he could eat slowly and recover. She was Miao Wushuang’s prized disciple, skilled in her master’s culinary arts, transforming simple dishes into feasts of color, flavor, and aroma.

Ma Beifang, however, had little appetite. Huang Shan encouraged him, “You were given a year, and only a few days have passed. Why worry now? Perhaps you’ll think of something in a few days.” Ma Beifang sighed, “I’ve pondered every solution. Master Sha’s demand is not only for proficiency in swordsmanship but also skill in boxing and kicking. That’s hardly a simple matter.” Huang Shan brightened. “Your family runs an escort agency—did those guards have to train for years before being trusted with goods?”

Ma Beifang replied, “The guards were hired at great expense. As for the footmen, we trained them ourselves—usually half a year or so. Each escort house has its own basic style, but these are crude and produce no masters; they’re just enough to fend off local bandits.” Suddenly, Huang Shan burst into laughter. “Master Sha never said he wanted masters.” Ma Beifang slapped his forehead and chuckled, “How foolish of me! He only said they need to beat pirates and outlaws, not to become heroes of the martial world.”

Then he sighed again, “But I was so young then, I’ve forgotten all those basic techniques.” Huang Shan grinned, “If it’s only simple skills, can’t we create our own? Just pick a few practical moves from what we know and teach them.” Ma Beifang laughed, slapping his leg, “Agreed! Tonight, let’s lock ourselves away and invent peerless martial arts!”

The next morning, Ma Beifang gathered He Jiahui and the other instructors to demonstrate the results of last night’s efforts.

He began with swordsmanship, holding an Eastern blade in both hands. He alternated vertical chops, horizontal swings, diagonal slashes, and thrusts. Because the Easterners were short-legged, he incorporated leaping techniques—one jump carrying him over three yards—making the style vigorous and fierce. After watching several repetitions, He Jiahui teased, “Brother Ma, is this swordplay only five moves?”

Ma Beifang smiled wryly, “I reviewed everyone’s skills last night, and only this can be taught quickly.” The others agreed. Ma Beifang continued, “As for unarmed combat, since the Easterners are small, simple punches and kicks won’t suffice. So I’ve blended common wrestling and basic grappling techniques—if they can’t win with fists and feet, they rush in close and throw the opponent, playing to their strengths.” He demonstrated these as well.

He Jiahui and the others quickly grasped the methods and set about dividing the trainees into squads for instruction. As they left, He Jiahui asked, “If the Easterners ask what these styles are called, how should we answer?”

Just then, Huang Shan walked by and answered with a laugh, “For the sword technique, since it has only five moves, let’s name them after the five elements—Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth—and call it the Five Rings Sword. As for the unarmed style, since it’s about using softness to overcome strength, let’s name it Jujutsu!” Huang Shan, lovely and cheerful by nature, was well liked by all, and her succinct naming won their approval.

The Easterners were slow to learn, and anything too intricate would elude them. But the Five Rings Sword and Jujutsu were extremely simple, and they took to practice eagerly. Though clumsy, they were diligent, rising early to drill without prompting: some wielded swords on the field, others paired off to grapple and throw, their shouts filling the training ground.

With He Jiahui and the others overseeing, Ma Beifang was left with little to do, allowing him to meditate daily and restore his health. Within a month, he had fully recovered.

One day, while Ma Beifang was practicing swordplay near the field, Huang Shan approached with two young girls in tow. She smiled, “Brother Beifang, I passed the laundry camp earlier and saw these two little ones, alone and friendless. I was worried they’d be bullied among the adults, so I brought them to be my attendants. That way, when you’re out, I have someone to talk to.”

She turned to the girls, “Come, greet your Brother Beifang!”

The two girls were identical twins, about twelve or thirteen, with delicate features and a shy manner. They bowed timidly, “Greetings, Brother Beifang!”

Ma Beifang drew Huang Shan aside and whispered, “These Easterners are a mixed lot. Did you ask about their backgrounds? If they turn out to be trouble, that would be unfortunate.” Huang Shan replied, “I questioned them thoroughly. Their names are Oda Midako and Oda Mizuko.” Ma Beifang blinked, “Coal Sack? Water Sack? What odd names!”

Huang Shan laughed, “You’re overthinking it! Eastern girls are all named Something-ko, just as our girls are named Flower or Ni. I asked the interpreter—only nobles there have family names, commoners have only given names. These two have a family name—Oda. The Oda clan is a great house in their land. Because of family feuds, their father and brothers were killed, and loyal retainers smuggled the girls onto a ship to escape to the Tang Empire. They’re too young to work, and the overseer is cruel—no work, no food. I took pity and asked to have them as my attendants.”

Ma Beifang thought back to his own childhood hardships—if not for the Tianshan Sect, he’d have starved or been killed long ago. He sighed, “So young and already so much misfortune. Take good care of them.”

When Midako and Mizuko realized they would no longer be beaten or starved in the laundry camp, tears of joy streamed down their faces. Huang Shan gently wiped their tears, “Come along, little sisters. I’ll teach you martial arts, and no one will ever bully you again.” As she spoke, she led them away.

Ma Beifang had not expected what came next. Huang Shan, once she started, could not stop herself. Among the Easterners were many orphaned boys and girls—too young, too frail for work or fighting. The overseers, all former pirates, had no inclination to care for them; in fact, they were quick to beat and scold. Even the martial instructors, fearing these children would drag down their own performance at the year-end assessment and cost them their bonuses, showed no kindness.

So Huang Shan decided to take in all the children herself. The others, eager to be rid of this burden, gladly sent them over. Counting carefully, Huang Shan found she now had over three hundred children in her care.

Most of these children came from the provinces of Koga and Iga, regions of the Eastern Isles known for their barren soil and scarce resources. Starved from birth, they were all skin and bones. The overseer reported the matter to Sha Tonghai, who had no use for children when what he needed was able-bodied men to work and fight, seeing them only as a burden. He quickly replied, handing all the children over to Huang Shan as maids and servants.

Now that they were in her charge, it was no longer appropriate for them to eat and sleep with the others. Huang Shan led them deep into the bamboo forests of Emerald Bamboo Island, cleared a secluded area, built bamboo huts, and set up her own kitchen. Whenever the supply ships came for water and provisions, she used her own silver to purchase whatever was needed, ensuring none lacked for food or clothing. Because the children lived and trained in the dense bamboo, rarely seen by outsiders, He Jiahui and the others began calling them “The Hermits” for their hidden lives.

Huang Shan found great joy in training her young charges. Beyond the Five Rings Sword and Jujutsu, she selected the simplest lessons from the Spirit Needle Pavilion—boxing, swordplay, lightness skills, hidden weapons, poisons, mechanisms, ambush tactics—and taught them diligently. The children, knowing how precious this opportunity was, practiced with focused determination. Their techniques, though basic, grew impressive. Watching them, Ma Beifang could only shake his head and smile at his junior’s childlike heart.

PS:
At last, the story is published! After all my hard work, what was I striving for if not this? Thank you to all readers and editors for your support. I will do my best!