As the past Venerable General leading 140,000 soldiers of the Eight Armies of the East, or more commonly called as the The Eight Yin Infantry, garrison to protect the eastern walls of the Zhou Empire in case of an uprising from the rebel barbarians that lives within the covers of timbers in of the East Mount, Lu Yan is said to be well-versed in the Art of War.
But despite this vast knowledge and wisdom, the arrogance in Lu Yan's heart remained nonexistent up until today. He always prided himself for his conduct of humility, for he always believes that learning is as high as the mountains and as deep as the seas, never can one truly reach its peak nor dives its depth.
That being said, he quite enjoyed his time for his afternoon lessons with his sword instructor Rafer Collins, because in the past due to his muscled body he was given a broadsword to practice by his master, but alas seeing this thin and short body of Raghnall he can only grimace the nonexistent muscles of this child, thus the style he mastered in the past is not appropriate for reference, as the wushu style of martial arts uses a single edged blade as a weapon.
Thus, after finishing two hours of basic exercises, Rafer finally halted his exercise earning a confused look from Lu Yan, as for the past week since he stayed in the world, these exercises always lasted for five hours each day for 7 days in a week.
"Raghnall, as you are in the right age of 7 and your obvious proficiency of the basic daily exercises I deemed that its the right time to start wielding the sword. As your instructor, I hereby gift you your very first sword, please treat it with care and wield it with honor as this will accompany you as you take your step through the arduous journey of the way of the sword. May your heart be always be brave as your body gets stronger, never to cower from fear and smear dishonor to your blade, young warrior."
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After Rafer's long heartfelt speech, he handed over a rapier to Raghnall, a type of slender, sharply pointed sword, optimized to be a thrusting weapon, but cutting or slashing attacks were also possible but the wounds resulted from the attack are shallow compared to that of an arming sword wielded by the Fitzgeralds and a glaring difference from his broadsword.
Just a change in weapon made Lu Yan adapt and learn a new set of sword style as he was not versed to simultaneous multiple thrusting tactics, cause broadsword techniques though are also quick, straight and rude albeit graceful, the style centered in a fluid movement of the sword around the upper body only exposing the edged side to parry, lance and slicing the opponent in one swift motion.
After giving his thanks and swearing his oath of promise, Rafer guided Lu Yan to the correct stance of fencing, wherein his front foot positioned forward, with the back foot perpendicular to it, with atleast 3ft of the distance in between, going up his legs are bent enabling a speedy attack or defence and finally a rapier at 45 degree in front with his other arm folded behind his back. Rafer also added that in making a forward action, his front foot moves first followed by the other, and making a backward action, his back foot moves first and then followed by the other.
> The Eight Armies of the East (殷八師 / 成周八師), a.k.a the Eight Armies of Yin: An infantry of the Zhou Dynasty.
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> Learning is as high as the mountains and as wide as the seas: 道山学海。- Dào shān xué hǎi. Literally this means “Mountain of Dao, sea of learning”.
> Rafer: means 'wolf counselor' in irish names
> Collins: means 'young warrior' in irish surnames
> Rapier or espada ropera: is a loose term for a type of slender, sharply pointed sword, weapon used in fencing.