Chapter 172: Turns Out I'm Not the Only Actor?
In the martial arts hall, eight people stood in eight different directions outside the center, while two others moved in and out of the circle.
It was a very particular stance, each person standing in their designated position, much like the different positions on a basketball court.
Everyone present was renowned for their exceptional skill, but this was their first time joining forces against an enemy.
However, in the face of Hokusinn Kichyō at this moment, not a single trace of contempt arose.
No one said "begin," but when Hokusinn Kichyō took her stance, the nearest person had already launched an attack.
The person didn't employ the swordsmanship of Hokusinn Itto-ryu but rather Kashima Shin Tō-ryū, which emphasized a swift and lethal preemptive strike.
Hokusinn Kichyō counterattacked with equal speed, swinging her sword to block, intercept, and redirect the opponent's attack. With her other hand lightly swinging the wooden sword, a whistling gust of wind pushed back the two individuals who had silently encroached a half step.
In this brief exchange, it seemed like she had already taken control of the situation. Her sudden attack was interrupted, but her gaze intimidated the others, as she continued to search for the right opportunity to break through. Her gaze then focused on a specific direction, and she immediately stepped forward, charging to break free.
The position she chose was not any other corner but the corner where Bai Wei was.
Because Bai Wei seemed somewhat absent-minded, it was evident from his demeanor that he wasn't at all tense, and his movements were somewhat languid.
His relaxed posture became the opening that Hokusinn Kichyō targeted.
She charged directly, and the instructors at Bai Wei's left and right immediately moved to intercept, with Bai Wei also swinging his wooden sword in response to the situation.
However, Hokusinn Kichyō directly smashed her wooden sword toward him.
She had intentionally brought two wooden swords with her!
The wooden sword struck towards Bai Wei's face, but he turned his head to avoid this airborne object.
"?" Hokusinn Kichyō was taken aback, seemingly surprised that the wooden sword thrown at such a close distance could be dodged.
Bai Wei was also momentarily stunned. Just now, he had reacted instinctively, although he shouldn't have dodged. If he avoided it, how could she break free?
Therefore, he decisively changed his position, stepping forward proactively and adopting an attitude of seizing the opportunity after she lost one of her wooden swords. He made way in one corner.
This immediately provided an opportunity for Hokusinn Kichyō. She first took a step back and lowered her head, avoiding the strikes from the two people on her left and right. At the same time, she circled her hands around her back, transferring the wooden sword from her left hand to her right. With a "backswing" motion, she swung the wooden sword upward, aiming for Bai Wei's chin.
Bai Wei immediately halted his steps, tilting his head back to once again avoid the strike.
"??" Hokusinn Kichyō was surprised once again when she saw her attack miss.
Bai Wei, "..."
He was somewhat helpless and could only show a flaw, lifting his wooden sword to pursue once again.
The close collision unexpectedly provided an opportunity for Hokusinn Kichyō to make up for it. She stepped on Bai Wei's lowered knee and shoulder, using it as leverage to jump.
At the moment of her leap, Bai Wei also turned around and conveniently extended her wooden sword.
Immediately afterwards, a shocking scene unfolded. Hokusinn Kichyō did not touch the ground; instead, she stepped firmly on the wooden sword with one foot in front and the other behind.
She really appeared to be hovering on the wooden sword like a graceful butterfly.
That was an adult weighing 100 kilograms!
Could she really step on the wooden sword?
Bai Wei's arm holding the sword was strangely steady, as if it hadn't experienced any pressure, only slightly leaning forward.
Hokusinn Kichyō was slightly astonished herself, but quickly composed herself. Facing Bai Wei's inexplicable presence, she couldn't help but feel a sense of peculiarity. This person always caught her off guard repeatedly.
She didn't do as he expected, instead delivering a sweeping kick.
Bai Wei freed one hand to defend, protecting her side face, then silently exerted force with both legs and jumped forcefully.
Just like a ball unable to withstand the force, it spiraled in mid-air before crashing into the wall, accompanied by an exclaimed "Ouch" to show the authenticity.
In their exchange, they mixed nine true strikes with one false move, appearing flashy and captivating, but ultimately causing zero harm to the opponent.
Hokusinn Kichyō broke through the encirclement, standing firmly in a corner and simultaneously knocking down the first person.
The other nine individuals' expressions changed, having witnessed the previous skirmish, which caused them psychological pressure. The more impressive and flashy it appeared, the more it proved that Hokusinn Kichyō's strength had reached an unpredictable level.
Hokusinn Kichyō was also somewhat surprised by herself. She didn't expect to exert such a great force. Could it be that she had unknowingly become very strong?
No... I have indeed changed compared to before!
The me from the past had experienced failure, endured disappointment, and lost freedom. But now... I will take control myself.
This is the complete Hokusinn, the complete Kichyō, the complete... me!
Her confidence surged at all times. Gripping the wooden sword, she gazed at the people in front of her with an involuntarily upturned corner of her mouth.
It was a smile of invincibility.
Bai Wei sat in a corner and adjusted her mask. She had no intention of standing up again and pretended to be injured with a concussion.
In his own perception, he acted it out well.
He even deceived Hokusinn.
Look at how happy she appears when she laughs.
Bai Wei contemplated that if he endured such a hard hit, he could deceive... and potentially receive a considerable medical fee.
In any case, the Hokusinn family is wealthy, so she could just take advantage of it.
Being the first one to be eliminated, he pretended to be injured and started observing the battle.
Hokusinn Kichyō is undergoing transformation and enhancement, her talent is on par with Yagyū Simozi, no... even surpassing Simozi, because her foundation is stronger, and she has the support of Kamitsumiwoikirihime's divine aura.
Compared to other licensed practitioners, she is on a completely different level. Even if she holds a real sword, she wouldn't hesitate to strike, let alone with a wooden sword. The strikes on armor seem to produce the sound of bones cracking. What a ruthless woman.
After the first gap appears, it becomes a battle of agility, because the formation has been torn apart. In the endgame, it all depends on whose sword is faster.
The players are confused.
At first, Bai Wei didn't pay much attention to the outcome of this competition. He just wanted it to end quickly so that he could grab the money and leave.
However, as an observer, he quickly noticed the disharmony in this competition.
Just like himself, absent-minded.
Bai Wei focused his attention on a person in the corner, realizing that he seemed to be constantly getting beaten up, but apart from that, he hadn't launched many attacks. He spent more time wandering aimlessly in the jungle, gathering Lingzhi mushrooms.
He seemed like an outsider.
Putting aside the fact that Bai Wei was instantly killed at the start of this team battle, he had no presence on the field.
It seems like there is more than one actor?
In general trials, it is not impossible to have unqualified participants to reduce the difficulty, but it is not suitable for this occasion.
Bai Wei couldn't believe that Hokusinn Itto-ryu couldn't produce ten licensed practitioners. It is a top-notch swordsmanship school, with even direct cooperation with the Police Department. If necessary, they could borrow a few licensed practitioners from other martial arts schools.
How did such a troublemaker slip out?
It's strange that there is no exclamation mark hovering above his head.
Since the Black Cat incident, Bai Wei's trust in exclamation marks has dropped a notch.
That black cat obviously had a problem, but there was no exclamation mark indicating it. This proves that exclamation marks can be concealed. Perhaps when the level of mystery reaches a certain degree, they become imperceptible. Ultimately, the mechanism behind exclamation marks has always been flawed, as there is no reasonable triggering system for what can be seen and what cannot be seen.
Bai Wei's attention was focused on the outsider in the corner.
In this stumbling manner, until everyone else was defeated, only the last person remaining as a spectator.
At this point, even a newbie watching the match could tell that this person had been observing from start to finish, hardly making any moves.
Hokusinn Kichyō raised her wooden sword. "You are the last one."
The outsider silently held onto the wooden sword, seemingly intending to put up one final struggle.
Hokusinn Kichyō exhaled a breath, heavily stomped her right foot, utilizing the power of her waist to drive the sword technique, executing a beautiful Kesagiri, with a spectacular momentum.
This strike was supposed to easily determine the outcome, but Hokusinn Kichyō's pupils dramatically contracted. She forcefully interrupted the Kesagiri, changed her sword path, and took a step back.
A wooden sword suddenly grazed past her waist. If her reaction had been a bit slower, she would have been hit just now.
The opponent didn't swing the wooden sword with both hands but kicked the fallen wooden sword with their right foot!
This move is a standard technique of Hokusinn Itto-ryu because this style is known for its adaptive and improvisational fighting methods.
In the next moment, Hokusinn Kichyō's expression changed even more. This person actually gripped the handle of the wooden sword directly and pulled out a real sword. The gleaming blade reflected in the room, with no visible patterns, seemingly cast from molten steel.
Hokusinn Kichyō's expression turned ugly. Was this still a trial? She had never heard of a real sword being used to determine the outcome of a trial. Even if there was, she should have been given a real sword as well.
She was about to ask a question, but before she could, she saw the opponent swinging down their sword, and a sharp blade light flashed across.
The razor-sharp blade grazed the side of Hokusinn Kichyō's face, leaving a shallow scar.
She was certain she had avoided it, but she still got hurt... it was the aura of the sword.
Hokusinn Kichyō's expression turned grim. She realized clearly that this shouldn't be a part of the trial. She held the sword and kept her distance, discreetly glancing around with her peripheral vision. The training hall was completely sealed, with only two doors for entry and exit. The two of them were so close, and she might not be able to escape.
Why would an assassin sneak into the trial of Hokusinn Itto-ryu?
