Chapter 29: Chaos and Slaughter
As soon as Bai Wei entered the sword training facility, he was immediately detected by Yagyū Simozi's radar.
It is also unknown how she managed to accurately locate dozens of individuals from a distance of over a hundred meters.
A brother complex's sixth sense?
"How come you're here, brother?" The young woman's face was filled with unhappiness, her expression filled with doubt.
"Come and take a look, it's not like I'm specifically here for inspection, don't be so averse to it." Bai Wei shrugged his shoulders.
"It's not that I'm averse to it." Yagyū Simozi was simply curious as to why Bai Wei would know about the university being open to the public, but she didn't pursue the matter further.
She gradually got used to Bai Wei's elusive nature, especially in recent times. He often mysteriously appeared and disappeared, utilizing "blink and teleportation skills" without any cooldown.
Bai Wei's attention was focused on the spacious swordsmanship hall.
Unlike the Ming Country's publicly stated nine martial arts ranks, which include both martial arts and swordsmanship as a form of degree, any level of rank in Yingzhou has to be obtained through examinations held in martial arts training halls. This further amplifies the influence of martial arts schools and deepens class stratification.
Therefore, inside the spacious swordsmanship training halls of Far East University, the number of people is not significant, but those who can practice here are by no means ordinary individuals. They are the cream of the crop, with extraordinary Qi-holders abounding. However, these individuals are mostly affiliated with their respective schools of thought and styles, and rarely do they stand as unique entities; in fact, they are practically non-existent.
Yagyū Simozi is considered a rare practitioner of ancient swordsmanship, despite the fact that Mugen Shinmyō-ryū has only become out-of-fashioned for less than fifty years.
Looking around, more than one-third of the swordsmen with the name Hokusinn inscribed on their backs can be seen. There are also many practitioners of the Shindo-ryu and Risshin-ryu schools.
This monopoly situation is not any better than academic cliques.
"Only you?" Bai Wei noticed that everyone else was practicing in pairs.
"No, there are other people in the Kendo club, but I'm not practicing with them today," Yagyū Simozi glanced towards the changing room, displaying an expression of considerable disdain. "Today, my dear sister has come to practice with me."
"Do you not find it tiresome to speak through gritted teeth?"
"Because she takes too much time whenever she changes clothes," Yagyū Simozi huffed.
"Why?" Bai Wei wondered.
"…" His sister remained silent, only giving Bai Wei a gentle push on the back. "She's about to come out. You go and wait at the stage."
Bai Wei was pushed towards the audience seats, and as soon as he sat down, he saw a short-haired girl walking steadily towards him.
The first thing that caught his attention was the purple exclamation mark above her head… It was no surprise that she was the same girl he had seen near the school gate, but something felt off.
Bai Wei continued to squint his eyes, carefully recollecting, and then he noticed the obvious oppression on her chest. Suddenly, he understood why she took so much time every time she changed clothes… Binding one's chest was certainly not a "civilized choice".
…
"Apologies for the long wait." Saki Jingūji changed into her practice attire for swordsmanship, donning a white and gray outfit as she carried a wooden sword.
Yagyū Simozi rose from a kneeling position, glanced at her dear friend, and firmly gripped her sword in both hands, without wasting any words.
"Let's begin."
"Very spirited!" Saki Jingūji's lips curled upwards as she assumed a starting stance. "Then, bring it on! It's been half a month since we last met…"
As soon as the words fell, she suddenly witnessed Yagyū Simozi's wrist tremble, her toes touching the ground, and her speed skyrocketing.
Fang Thrust!
The wooden sword almost poked Jingūji's nasal bridge. The girl with an amazing figure tilted her head back, simultaneously raising her sword to strike the middle section of the opponent's wooden sword. This caused the Fang Thrust to deviate from its original position, piercing through just above her ear.
This move startled Saki Jingūji, causing her to break out in a cold sweat. Her eyes widened as she exclaimed, "This…this move, it's completely new!"
"Now I've got it!" Yagyū Simozi frowned, dissatisfied with the previous Fang Thrust. If it were that swordsman from her imagination, the strike would have been even swifter. It would have been impossible to dodge the attack, thus breaking Jingūji's nasal bridge.
"Truly cunning! You were secretly practicing new techniques!"
Jingūji stepped back, exhaled a breath, carefully creating distance between them.
"Trying to evade?!"
Yagyū Simozi caught up, having only learned a few techniques, namely Fang Thrust and Swallow's Flight, the latter being less proficient. So she decided to stick with Fang Thrust.
She, who had died dozens of times in a row from this move, knew that the flaw in Fang Thrust was not in the blade, but in the footwork. It was not so easily discernible.
Upon witnessing the scene, Saki Jingūji let out a cry of surprise, putting on an exaggerated display. However, her ability to instinctively dodge right away also demonstrated her commendable swordsmanship.
Her second Fang Thrust was once again evaded; she had anticipated the movement in advance.
She even had enough energy to counterattack.
… unable to create distance.
Saki Jingūji suppressed the thought of creating distance and reluctantly moved forward, opting to unleash a high-level attack, engaging in a clash with Yagyū Simozi.
The two of them entered into a close combat rhythm, which was not filled with the typical ping-pong sounds, but rather a series of clattering and cacophonic strikes.
They clashed with each other no less than thirty times, becoming familiar with each other's sword techniques, thus intentionally changing their moves to disrupt their opponent's swordplay.
Although it was a clash of swords, it was far from exhilarating, instead placing great demands on one's ability to react in the moment and physical endurance.
Jingūji secretly lamented, as she was never proficient in close combat with swords. This fighting style was not suitable for a sword witch like her, but rather suited for swordsmen and wanderers.
The swordsmanship of a sword witch demands a decisive strike, dealing with non-human entities where self-preservation is paramount. Therefore, it emphasizes both defense and offense.
Swordsmen, on the other hand, are different. They don't place much emphasis on defense, but rather focus on fierce attacks, among which the Shixian School stands out.
Mugen Shinmyō-ryū, on the other hand, is a sword technique that emerged from ancient schools, particularly excelling in close combat.
After mastering the new technique, it completely compensated for the previous lack of maneuverability.
Jinguji wondered who could have guided her dear friend so remarkably.
…I also desire it greatly!
If Jingūji continues to push so hard, she risks depleting her stamina before anyone else.
Thus, decisively, she…
…
"Getting angry so quickly?" Bai Wei on the stands leaned slightly forward.
Ignoring the gigantic purple exclamation mark hovering above Saki Jingūji's head, he noticed the words "Spiritual Power Enhancement" appear, accompanied by an additional countdown timer.
Unlike the explosive release of true qi by martial artists, spiritual power enhancement seems to have a slightly weaker effect, but it lasts for a longer duration, extending beyond twenty minutes.
This petite girl with an amazingly fit figure unexpectedly demonstrates remarkable endurance.
"Little sister, how will you respond to this now?"
…
Seemingly aware of the teasing gazes from the stands, Yagyū Simozi pursed her lips.
She certainly had noticed Bai Wei's arrival long ago, otherwise she wouldn't have continuously seized the initiative in order to win beautifully.
If I were to lose, it would be extremely embarrassing and disgraceful.
As she saw Jingūji become visibly angry, she had no intention of prolonging the battle either. Without a second thought, she unleashed her true energy.
The two of them seemed to ignite a real fire as they attacked each other. The wooden swords were enveloped in the true energy and spiritual energy resembling qigong techniques, causing an aura of energy to surge with each collision.
The practicing students nearby, as if in unison, ceased their movements and stepped back, making way.
Yagyū Simozi effortlessly switched her techniques, based on her extensive combat experience from numerous battles with Bai Wei. Unafraid of life and death, she gained even deeper insights and made far greater progress than in ordinary combat.
Her Flying Swallow, though not skillful, was even somewhat hesitating and fragmented. However, under the influence of the true energy eruption, it didn't affect the overall situation, because this move relied on overpowering the opponent with force, without requiring the skill of follow-through beyond the initial strike.
Snap! Jingūji's left forearm was struck, even though it was concealed beneath loose sleeves and despite the enhancement of her spiritual essence, it must have surely become swollen and even discolored, perhaps turning a shade of reddish-purple.
However, neither side stopped.
If it were merely a routine swordsmanship sparring, one would have to call it quits after a successful strike. However, in this world, such rules don't exist. Swordsmanship and martial arts serve as pathways for many individuals to seek social advancement, not mere acts of performance.
Jingūji's left hand was struck, yet she didn't simply yield it without reason. Seizing this opportunity, she opted to trade injury for injury.
Raising the sword and cleaving downward, this is the most straightforward slashing technique, yet also the most difficult to defend against.
Yagyū Simozi also received a blow to her shoulder.
Both sides took half a step back, immediately followed by a surge of unwavering determination in their eyes.
Once again closing in, like the point of a needle confronting a field of wheat, the wooden swords collided once more, fangs and tusks locked in a fierce struggle, edges of bamboo blades clashing.
Upon Yagyū Simozi's head, a new buff burst forth, inscribed with the words "My brother is watching over me!"
She drew upon a constant wellspring of renewed vigor, forcefully pressing down the wooden sword.
Saki Jingūji, devoid of a fresh life-imbued buff, saw her knees buckle, gradually unable to sustain herself.
Just as everyone eagerly awaited the outcome, Bai Wei shook his head and remarked, "Naive."
With a "crack" sound, the wooden swords in both parties' hands couldn't withstand the pressure and broke one after the other.
After losing their wrestling foothold, both of them failed to maintain their balance and landed on the dojo floor with a thud.
Two alluring beauties, their bodies drenched in fragrant perspiration, moved up and down, chests pressed against each other, gazing into each other's eyes in a captivating manner.
Saki Jingūji smiled thankfully, then mischievously averted her gaze, resembling a startled little white rabbit, "Please be gentle with me."
Yagyū Simozi's temples twitched with visible veins as she swiftly grasped the soft flesh around her waist and gave it a twist.
"Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah-!"
