Liu He Da Qiang

Hngh! Hngh! Hngh!

Hmmm...I heard "Divine Spear" Li Shuwen was training, so I dropped by to see what kind of rigorous regimen he was putting himself through...

To be honest, it's pretty plain.

Th-that's rude, Da Vinci!

Fou!

Kaka! You're right about it being plain.

You admit it?

My purpose is to hone each and every one of my skills.

The truth is, if you rip out someone's heart, they'll die every time.

...But it's not that simple now that I've become a Servant. Still, death is inevitable even for us if our Spirit Core is destroyed.

So, learning a new move as a Servant seems like a waste of time.

Honing skills I already have makes a lot more sense.

Rather than learning a hundred skills, choosing to refining one skill to perfection... I do notice that seems to be a common approach among Servants.

Although, there are also a lot of kings who are experts in all kinds of martial arts...

They have different roles to play after they become king, after all.

An expert begins their journey at a time and place of their choosing, but a king does not often have the ability to make those choices.

You're right. Rama often lamented that.

"I'm actually better versed in archery... But if Saber is the best, as king that is what I must choose."

...Is what he said.

I wonder why... There are kings who manifested as Archers and Riders here.

Ah, no, no. Gilgamesh is basically his own class. I wouldn't even call him an Archer.

And the King of Conquerors is a Rider mostly in the sense of standing astride his people.

And in that same sense, Queen Medb... Actually, let's not talk about that. It's probably not appropriate to talk about that in front of Mash!

?

By the way, did Rama choose to be a Saber class because it really is the best?

No, it's because he's a romantic at heart. Anyway, we digress.

Okay, Master. Thanks for waiting while I trained.

Want to head out to town for a breather?

Hm? What's all the commotion?

It seems like it's coming from the town square.

？！

You don't know? A renowned martial artist from the East is apparently here.

He's an amazing lancer, and he has tons of disciples. I'm heading over there to check them out!

Oh? A martial artist in this land is a rare sight indeed.

Hmmm...a renowned martial artist, huh? Master, want to check them out to kill some time?

Kaka! That's the spirit!

We're just gonna get a glimpse. A glimpse.

？！

Do you think it's all right?

Fooou...

HahaHA!!! Secret technique: Ultimate Muso Lance!!! This is unilateral, mind you!

See our master's lance technique!? These are numerous unilateral techniques that branch from an egocentric dance!!!

He's the greatest martial artist who's never lost after one hundred battles! Whoooo!!!

？！

Kyaaah! Amazing (somewhat).

Gufufufufu.

I wanted the North American ladies to go gaga over me as a martial artist brimming with oriental flavor! My plan worked flawlessly!

You think so? At least you haven't fumbled yet...

The longest journey begins with a single step!

Kyaaah! Amazing (use of a proverb)!

But I haven't come across a maiden who's totally my type.

Ah, is there no maiden out there who could see the true, real me?

You're way off from looking like someone from the East... Actually you totally look Western...

And you're not even a Lancer!

First and foremost, what is that idiot doing here?

For a special price, you can get a personal lesson from our great master!!! First come, first served!

Hey! I'd better get in on this!

...

？！

Oh, I'm not mad. This is in such poor taste, it's not worth watching.

What? I just heard something inexcusable! Are you nit-picking at this captain'sI mean the master Lancer's skills?

It's a cheap trick, no more than a show of brute strength. Everything about it is wrong. You need to start afresh by swinging a hoe around!

Please, go back to the sea.

What did you say!? Master, beat 'em up!

Eh? Wait. I know where this is going...

Aww, man! I'm about to get my ass kicked, aren't I? Ahhhh!!!

Hmnf!

Meooowww! (Chicken)

Oh, master's collapsed gushing blood from all his orifices! You bastards!!!

...That's all it took? What a waste of time.

That was a wonderful single shot.

？！

Hm. From the teachings of Bajiquan...actually, this is my thought...

"Fear not the one who knows a thousand skills, but rather the one who has obtained mastery of one."

You should be more fearful of those who have polished a single skill rather than those who possess one thousand skills.

I see. That's why you keep training and practice the same skills over and over.

This can be applied to Noble Phantasms, which are a manifestation of Heroic Spirits' legends.

Master, never forget that yourself. The truly terrifying adversaries, no matter which path they've taken, are those who have reached their peak.

？！

Hahaha... Now then. Shall we go out for some tea... No, in this land, it would be alcohol.

I don't often drink either, but let's get going.

Hey. You trying to pick a fight?

Sorry, I got too excited, but I don't feel bad.

？！

He's just knocked out, so I think he should be all right.

But please be careful. The people in that bar seem unusually worked up.

It's true! That huge and hugely famous martial artist is here!

...Hm?

He's skinny and glares like a wolf! And he acts all big!

That's a lie! Someone like that wouldn't come to some backward nowhere place like this!

It's true! Come on, I'll show you!

Fine!

A "huge" martial artist?

Hm. I can't allow the children to be exposed to bad influences.

He's likely a fake like the one we saw earlier. Let's go, Master.

Oh? It does seem so.

...No. I started to like children after I reached old age.

...

Well, perhaps a bit.

？！

As I am now, though, I am more a hungry wolf than an aged tiger.

I'm not up to teaching kids martial arts right now.

At any rate, let's go see this fake martial artist...

That would be me.

？！

...Hm. Truthfully, I myself do not know why I am here.

I am beginning to suspect the horrid possibility that I was summoned here as a one-off joke.

Hey it's him! Hey! Show us your martial arts!

...So there you have it, Li Shuwen. If possible, I would appreciate it if you would demonstrate your martial skills.

My falling rocks and flaming fans would be a poor example of martial arts to the children.

...This will make you the heel in their eyes. Do you mind?

Better that than for them to mistake me for a martial artist.

You're right. Then let's do this!

I. Have. Been. Defeated. (Monotone)

He's STRONG!!!

That single spear broke through those weird beams and rocks! Whoa!!!

Hey, mister! Do you think we can do that too?

Hm, who knows? Maybe you can...

But in order to do so, it's important to live your life with sincerity every day. There's also a saying: "with persistence a drop of water hollows out the stone."

I get it. My mommy tells me not to be lazy too!

But we came over to watch this while we were on an errand for mommy.

Oh...

Hahaha. That is fine.

Of course, if you continue to act idly...like that man, such things will come back to bite you later.

(Sigh) I truly got the short end of the stick here.

？！

That aside. Shuwen, I sense a Servant nearby.

Oh, you're right. That's amazing.

Hm. Has someone connected to me been summoned?

That may be why I was pulled into this.

Children. Remember to train in your art every day.

Okay!

...This is...

What happenstance. What luck.

I cannot hold myself back!

Hahaha!

I see now. My manifestation here seems to have affected things... Guess I caused a bit of trouble, huh?

Either way. Here I am, and here we meet.

So, we've got no choice, do we, true martial artist?

Indeed. An opportunity like thisno...there will never be an opportunity like this ever again.

I never imagined I would come face to face with something out of legend!

Those glaring eyes like a tiger-wolf. You are, without question, THE Li Shuwen!

It's a good thing the children are gone...

Kaka. Yes, my fists are deadly.

People said what they wanted about me while I lived, but they were all correct.

How could I call myself a martial artist if battle didn't get my blood pumping?

Ah...this is why battle freaks are a pain. I suppose I must admit that I'm no different.

Take my fierce, swift shadow fist as your parting gift to return you to the afterlife!

Fist of Yan Qing...take it if you can!

Haa! With my spear or with my bare hands, I am not wanting for weapons! The skill I worked to achieve for my entire life shall be unleashed!

Brace yourself!!!

Surging! Surging!!! More! Show me more!!! Truly a violent fist!!! Can art reach the true pinnacle!?

Hahahaha! You're too slow, brute of a Lancer!

Nothing wrong with saving it all for one strike, but your emotions have gotten the better of you. I see through you!

Hmmm. I'm getting dizzy just watching this! I can't tell who's got the upper hand!

Hot-blooded...not a problem! To be called a divine spear and keep cool... I am not there yet!

But it's still not enough! Not enough! A true violent spear is one that would crush a swift fist!

If not, I would be embarrassed to even use my second name of "Divine Spear"!

There!

That's nothing!

Hm... This is the end. Even with the benefit of my spear...I stand here at a disadvantage.

Perhaps I need to abandon my second name of "Divine Spear"...

Sheesh. My other name is the Skillful Star.

With that flimsy spear against my fists, you managed to dodge, parry, and attack...

Just when I thought your attacks were almost too direct, you start throwing in whimsical twists... Let me guess: you've got a bad personality, right?

Of course. Same goes with you.

I can see your wicked personality through your fists and footwork, Skillful Star, Yan Qing.

...

...

Wahahahahahah!!!

Neither of them were holding back...

Ah, that was great training.

...

...Training?

Indeed. Training. Although, it would have been a fight to the death if we had kept going. There are so many things that I still lack.

I will polish my spear skills by fighting in the coming battles.

Skillful Star, Yan Qing, I'd like a rematch one of these days.

Hahaha! Nice! That's why I love martial artists!

Fine, fine! I swear by Tianqiao, I'll sweep your spear AND your fists aside!

Okay. Now to deepen our friendship, let's go out drinking!

No, not at a drinking hole. Shall we go out to play a round of Go in the bamboo forest?

...You've got the taste of an old man.

I just don't like to drink...and not only alcohol. Tea especially.

Sheesh. Guess I have no choice! I'll go along with what you want today.

But in exchange, next time you're gonna have to do what I want! We're gonna drink, eat, sing, and dance!

Hm. In that, I too will have no choice. Well, pardon me on the singing and dancing part, okay?

...Did they just become friends?

？！

That's good, Senpai. Since they're both martial artists, I'm sure they have lots in common.

Once their game of Go is done, let's all Rayshift home.

Good work!