Chapter 43
Chapter 43
The woman who had spoken behind Chen Shu was none other than Ying Wei’s “Senior Sister”!
Chen Shu turned, saw that familiar face, and said with sudden realization, “Oh! So you are Xu Qiong!”
The woman likewise had her hair tied back with a cloth strip and carried twin swords strapped to her back. She glanced at He Yu first, then clasped her hands together towards Chen Shu and responded, “Indeed. See you on the platform tomorrow.” Her words carried notable respect, treating Chen Shu as a legitimate equal opponent and observing proper decorum.
Chen Shu had inquired rather casually. Xu Qiong’s formal reply prompted her to mimic the gesture. She also clasped her hands together, about to utter some polite phrases, when suddenly she found herself colliding into someone emerging from the crowd. Unprepared for the impact, she stumbled sideways, managing to regain her balance after two steps. Ready to admonish the offender, she looked back and saw the person, clearly at fault, hadn’t uttered a single word of apology. He simply marched straight towards the Sword Discussion Platform.
Though she couldn’t recognize the figure by his back, his opulent clothing and billowing long robes instantly gave away his identity. “Li Chou!” Chen Shu called out, somewhat annoyed.
The figure paused momentarily, evidently hearing Chen Shu’s shout. Instead of responding, he strode onto the platform with even fiercer determination.
“What on earth is his problem?” Chen Shu said, noticing Xu Qiong trying to hide a smile behind her hand. Her own cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. “Why’s he taking it out on me again?”
“The two of you going back and forth like that basically decided the outcome of the next match before it began,” Yun Shen finally interjected, speaking with dry coolness. “You practically drew Young Valley Master Biyang Valley out for relegation. Is it any wonder he’s furious?”
He Yu was also stifling a laugh. Only after Yun Shen spoke did he burst into laughter. Being upright and gentle-natured, he didn’t chime in merely for amusement like Yun Shen. He simply patted Chen Shu on the shoulder and rubbed her back soothingly.
Chen Shu, after all, wasn’t genuinely incensed. Heated by He Yu’s comforting gesture, her anger had largely dissipated. Seeing Ying Wei and Li Chou ascend the Sword Discussion Platform, she slapped her forehead a moment later, startled: “Oh no! I forgot—I promised to give this kid some pointers!”
“Oh?” Xu Qiong asked, interest piqued, crossing her arms.
“You’re not really planning to teach him…” Yun Shen chuckled, shaking his head. As he spoke halfway, he likely deemed it unnecessary to burst Chen Shu’s blind trust in her own judgment and lowered his voice to explain to Xu Qiong, “On the Yushui River, we encountered Li Chou and were provoked by him. She took a few of Li Chou’s words to heart…”
Chen Shu only caught the first few words and didn’t hear the rest. Not waiting for Yun Shen to finish, she innocently defended herself, “I truly agreed to teach him! I even reminded him not to lose; otherwise, how would he find me? Look at him—”
She pointed to the stage, where the Sword Discussion Platform loomed high, and indeed, the two were deeply engaged in battle. Li Chou’s thrusts and slashes all missed their mark, clearly showing he was at a disadvantage.
Both had learned orthodox sword techniques. While their styles might have been diverse, they fundamentally resembled one another. Comparing their fight was reminiscent of Chen Shu competing with her senior brothers and sisters. Before each strike, one could predict the other’s response and devise a counter, creating a tacit understanding between swordsmen.
However, that same experience had led Li Chou to fall behind. He could predict Ying Wei’s moves and respond to them, but Ying Wei was no seasoned martial artist; he was merely a gifted young boy unafraid of danger. His strikes were much more dynamic. While Li Chou would counter to the east, Ying Wei would attack fiercely from the west. When Li Chou met his sword with force, Ying Wei would alter the angle, targeting the direction where Li Chou’s strength was lacking, causing Li Chou to struggle to maintain his grip on the sword, growing increasingly frustrated.
Li Chou was known for his lack of patience, and as he fell further behind, his growing agitation made his strikes even more rushed. Each of his attempts was completely thwarted by Ying Wei, revealing that Li Chou’s beautiful outer robe was nothing but a decorative façade. Unclear whether Ying Wei acted intentionally or not, it didn’t take long before Li Chou’s lavish robe was shredded, escalating his rage even further.
It’s worth noting that over the past few days, Li Chou had fought multiple matches at the Sword Discussion Platform for Biyang Valley, not to mention that he had just fought two hours earlier. Even knowing how to counter Ying Wei’s techniques, the sweat on Li Chou’s brow and his labored breathing, not to mention the trembling of his fingers around his sword, indicated that his energy was nearly depleted; he was at the end of his strength. There was no comparison to Ying Wei, who, at a young age, was full of energy and vigor. Even after several matches, it was unlikely Ying Wei would tire.
However, despite this, Ying Wei was still a novice; undeterred by danger, he had limited experience. As they exchanged dozens of blows, Li Chou seized an opportunity and managed to stab Ying Wei’s leg, soaking a good piece of cloth in blood. Yet, that was Li Chou’s only chance to injure Ying Wei. Moments later, Ying Wei feigned a similar weakness.
Li Chou, already at his wit’s end, felt a flash of joy and lunged forward to attack, but Ying Wei’s initial panic transformed into confidence. With a swift motion, the two swords clashed, and Ying Wei delivered a kick directly to Li Chou’s wounded abdomen!
This time, Li Chou’s stubbornness could no longer hold against the searing pain. Unable to bear it any longer, he sprayed a mouthful of blood onto Ying Wei’s face!
He staggered backward several steps before coughing up more blood, using his sword for support as he took a moment to recover. He raised his head and said, “Let’s do this again.”
“Huh?” Ying Wei was taken aback, wiping the blood from his forehead. “Come again? Are you out of your mind?”
“It’s yet to be determined whether it’s me or you who is out of their mind,” Li Chou replied. Just as he was about to swing his sword again, a distant voice cried out in alarm, and in an instant, his movements halted as if he had lost half his spirit, his face drained of color.
“We admit defeat! Biyang Valley admits defeat!” A thin figure on the stand shouted loudly.
The officials below joyfully noted down the announcement. While a fierce match attracted viewers and heightened the Sword Discussion Tournament’s reputation, there was still a reminder of empathy among the crowd. If someone were to lose their life, especially the Young Valley Master of Biyang Valley, it would indeed create an irreparable situation.
Biyang Valley and Cold Pine Cottage were living examples of such outcomes.
The audience also offered encouraging and forgiving shouts, yet these voices seemed to have no impact on Li Chou. He stared intently at the disciple who had just called for surrender until the disciple timidly broke eye contact. Only then did Li Chou wipe the blood from his sword and silently exit the Sword Discussion Platform.
Their match was thrilling and left a lasting impression, even captivating Chen Shu, who had earlier been annoyed with Li Chou. She happened to wait at the entrance of the stage as he emerged, looking quite displeased, and even offered a kind consolation.
“It’s alright. If you want to improve, come find me; I’ll be sure to teach you.”
Li Chou glanced at her, his lips moving as if to respond, but then he became so infuriated that he coughed up another mouthful of blood.
—
The next day dawned clear and bright. The day before had already been warm and sunny, but today was perfectly radiant. Even the usual brisk winds that echoed through the streets softened, allowing the freshly scented air of the rain to invigorate the spirits.
On this final day, not only was the weather on their side, but also many high-ranking officials arrived in full appearance. Several major sects occupied the highest viewing platforms. Shen Jie sat at the front of one of the stands, behind her a row of officials in court robes and emissaries from the Martial World Alliance, along with a formidable-looking general resembling a majestic figure. Before entering, he had conversed with Chen Shu, and upon noticing she didn’t recognize him, he expressed surprise, saying,
“That’s General Liu, commander of the stationed troops at Cangguan,” Shen Jie remarked. “You really didn’t know?”
“How would I know!” Chen Shu replied confidently. “The only high officials I’ve seen are Lord Shen… and that big bug!”
Shen Jie couldn’t help but chuckle, choosing not to respond. She patted Chen Shu’s shoulder and gracefully ascended to the viewing platform.
The final match was indeed filled with elaborate and intricate rituals. Qin Xin Cliff sent out Xu Qiong, and the two stood on the stage waiting for the musicians to play several tunes. After listening to the final results of each sect, they exchanged courtesies, taking their time as if it were a grand ceremony.
Once the formalities were completed, they finally began to fight. At this moment, thousands, even tens of thousands of spectators below recognized Chen Shu’s name. Not only recognized, but as soon as the signal to start sounded, the crowd erupted into cheers that echoed so loudly it seemed to shake the cliffs from afar. Chen Shu stood on the stage, struggling to discern the noise, and after straining her ears to listen closely, she realized they were all calling her name.
She was the only person in hundreds of years to reach the final match of the martial world.
Even the birds that usually roosted near Cangguan dared not settle on the eaves anymore, hastening away across the sky. Chen Shu’s emotions surged within her as she looked at Xu Qiong, who had quietly awaited her to speak. With difficulty, she gathered her emotions and saw Xu Qiong draw her sword from behind.
Xu Qiong pulled out one sword, took two steps forward, and firmly extended it to Chen Shu.
“I’ve heard you’ve lost your sword,” she said, “So today, this sword is yours to use. Of course, I’m not seeking fairness or justice. I just want to see a good fight.”
The words were spoken softly. Chen Shu stared at her for a moment, hesitated briefly, then nodded. Perhaps infected by those surging cheers, she finally accepted it.
This was the first time she had wielded someone else’s sword since losing her own sword.
Xu Qiong’s sword techniques were exceptionally orthodox, and her sword itself was equally orthodox. When Chen Shu used it, she found it effortlessly familiar in no time. As soon as they engaged, their movements indeed mirrored the most proficient and precise sword forms from ancient texts, earning thunderous applause from the audience below. Chen Shu sliced through a corner of Xu Qiong’s robe, then Xu Qiong spun away in response, severing a small lock of Chen Shu’s hair.
The river wind grew stiller, amplifying the clamor within the Sword Debate Arena. After dueling briefly, both sensed they were evenly matched and backed off, each catching their breath.
Xu Qiong seemed about to speak, opening her mouth, but then Chen Shu surged forward, closing the distance in three quick strides, rushing right up to her.
Naturally, Xu Qiong was startled, but in the wake of that shock, other strange noises, previously masked by the cheers, finally pierced her awareness—Xu Qiong whirled around, eyes wide with horror at the colossal wave towering over half the sky, barreling down as if intending to sweep everything before it onto the Sword Discussion Platform!
At this critical moment, a sword swept unexpectedly from nowhere, blocking overhead her with a fierce whip, and astonishingly drove back that tide that seemed set to devour mountains and rivers, whipping away the fury of the rushing water!
It was Chen Shu.