Sword Saint?
Chen Xiao was taken aback.
Tang Xin sighed: "In the thousands of years of Japanese martial arts, there has only been one peerless master who can truly deserve the title of Sword Saint! When my grandfather said those words back then, I didn't understand. Later, I realized that my grandfather had such high expectations for me... I, I really hate it!"
As she spoke, the woman gently clenched her left hand, while her right hand, adorned with chrysanthemum leaf tattoos, gently planted the sword into the ground. Her body trembled slightly, and a hint of resentment appeared in her brows.
Japan...the only universally acknowledged sword saint in thousands of years?
Although Chen Xiao didn't know much about Japan, a familiar name popped into his mind at that moment!
Could it be... Miyamoto Musashi?!
Could it be that… in Takeuchi Fumio's judgment, this Tang Xin's talent is already comparable to that of the greatest martial artist in Japanese history?!
“Chen Xiaojun, I am unable to cultivate the true way of the sword. Over the years, I have devoted all my energy to the cultivation of the Heart Sword Technique. I am nineteen years old this year, and I have finally lived up to my grandfather’s expectations and have successfully cultivated the profound meaning of the Heart Sword Technique.”
Tang Xin stared into Chen Xiao's eyes, then slowly said, "I have a request for you. If you agree, I am willing to impart to you all the supreme heart sword techniques that I have deciphered in the Shangchen Itto-ryu style!"
"ah?"
Chen Xiao was startled!
Chen Xiao had just witnessed the power of Tang Xin's "Heart Sword Technique"!
Even teleportation cannot escape the calculations of this "Mind Sword Technique"!
Anticipating the enemy's moves—this is true anticipation! Before even making a move, you've already grasped the enemy's entire strategy! This principle seems simple, but its actual power is simply immeasurable!
If Tang Xin hadn't been limited by her frail physique, her achievements would have been truly immeasurable!
Moreover, such a unique skill would be passed on to me? Let alone the Japanese... even any Chinese martial arts school would not be willing to pass on its secret techniques to outsiders!
“You…” Chen Xiao looked at Tang Xin with a puzzled expression.
"Our Shangchen sect is facing a dead end, and our great edifice is on the verge of collapse!" Tang Xin said quickly. "As the successor of the clan, I deeply regret that I cannot live up to my grandfather's expectations! Since we lack internal support, we have no choice but to seek external assistance! Speaking of which, our Shangchen sect has quite a connection with General Tian. Since Chen Xiaojun is General Tian's disciple, then..."
Chen Xiao waved his hands repeatedly: "What exactly do you want me to do?"
"I request that you serve as a guest swordsman for my Kamishin Itto-ryu school! In the name of Kamishin Itto-ryu, participate in this Japanese Kendo Master Tournament! If you can win the championship, then you will be the successor to the next Imperial Kendo Master! If my Kamishin Itto-ryu can produce another Kendo Master of Japan, then at least for the next few decades, there will be some leeway!"
Japan...the Imperial Family...a master of swordsmanship?!
Chen Xiao's eyes widened: "Are you kidding me...? I, I'm Chinese..."
Tang Xin smiled slightly: "If you don't tell, and I don't tell, I'll change my identity and participate in this sword trial as a secret inner disciple of the Shangchen Yidao School. Who would know?"
Chapter 191 [Visiting the Mountain and Challenging the Martial Arts School]
The next morning, Chen Xiao got up. He had talked with Miss Tang Xin until late the night before she finally left. Although Chen Xiao had only slept for less than four hours, he was full of energy and felt refreshed after waking up.
There was a bathing area in another room of the courtyard, but the water was drawn from the lake at the foot of the mountain. Although it had been filtered, the lake water was still quite cold in the early morning. Chen Xiao took a cold shower, which refreshed him.
When he came out of the room and opened the door, he saw a neatly stacked pile of clean clothes by the door. Chen Xiao picked it up and looked at it; it was a moon-white Japanese kimono. He couldn't help but smile, but since he really didn't have any clean clothes to change into, he hesitated for a moment, then simply put it on.
After washing up, dressed in a moon-white Japanese kimono and wooden clogs, he stepped out of the courtyard. As soon as he reached the gate, he saw Ito Kyo standing there with a beaming smile, watching Chen Xiao emerge. Chen Xiao was already handsome and dashing, but now, in this simple robe, he appeared even more dashing. This Japanese kimono was originally modeled after the Han and Tang dynasty attire of ancient China. The men's kimono even had a thin sash tied around the waist, perfectly showcasing Chen Xiao's tall and straight figure. Upon seeing him, Ito Kyo couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "Chen Xiao-kun, dressed like this, I'm afraid within a day, all the female disciples in my Izumiryu Palace will be captivated by you."
Chen Xiao smiled faintly, but asked, "Are there female disciples in Quanliu Palace?"
Ito Kyo smiled. "Of course there are. My Kamishin family is the most prestigious martial arts family in Japan. Young masters from those families all send their children here to train in kendo. As a true scion of a traditional Japanese family, kendo, tea ceremony, and flower arrangement are all compulsory subjects. It's summer now, and many young masters from these families have left Izumiryu-gu to escape the heat at Mount Fuji. Normally, there would be quite a few young masters from families around our age at the martial arts school at the foot of the mountain—including quite a few young ladies. However, those young ladies are always accompanied by family attendants, making them difficult to approach. If you're interested, I can introduce you to a few."
Chen Xiao nodded, understanding immediately. The Kamishin Ittō-ryū was the premier martial arts school in Japan, so naturally they would cultivate relationships with many scions of powerful families. With second and even third-generation members of numerous aristocratic families under their wing, it formed a vast and influential network.
After only two sentences, Ito Kyo took out another folding fan and waved it around. He had changed his folding fan again today. The fan surface was made of black quartz crystal with gold embroidery, and it looked very exquisite. However, waving it around like this seemed a bit pretentious.
"Where are we going?" Chen Xiao glanced at Ito Kyo. "I'm just following the host's lead. Since your Daizong family has invited me to stay for two days, I'll do as you arrange for me."
Chen Xiao didn't immediately agree to the condition Tang Xin mentioned last night. Tang Xin knew that Chen Xiao couldn't give an immediate answer, so she didn't press him. She probably didn't expect an immediate reply either, and took her leave after speaking, seemingly wanting to give Chen Xiao ample time to consider it carefully.
Ito Kyo led Chen Xiao to the pavilion in the cherry blossom grove on the hillside, where they had breakfast. The lake, lawn, and cherry blossom grove below were all within sight, and the scenery was extremely beautiful.
"If the Daizong family finds out we're having breakfast in her Star-Gazing Pavilion, I'm afraid they'll punish me by confining me to my room to reflect on my actions. Heh, this place. She never allows anyone else to come here easily." Ito Kyo chuckled.
These past two days, he's been deliberately trying to get closer to Chen Xiao. Although Chen Xiao clearly knows his intentions, he can't refuse someone who's all smiles. It's really hard to feel any ill will towards someone who's genuinely being polite; in fact, he's finding this guy increasingly agreeable.
"The Daizong family should have gotten up by now. She invites Chen Xiaojun to meet within the Heart Sword!"
Ito Kyo's expression turned serious, and when he mentioned "Heart Sword," his expression became even more solemn.
The Heart Sword is the core of the Spring Flow Palace and the inner sanctuary of the Upper Hour One-Sword Style, located on this mountain. It's not too far from the courtyard where Chen Xiao stayed last night, but it's separated by a small grove of trees.
The Heart Sword is surrounded by a stone wall covered in moss, which looks quite old, but for some reason, it has not been repaired, as if it has been deliberately preserved in its original ancient appearance.
Once inside the courtyard, the grounds were quite spacious, with two corner towers on the left and right. The courtyard was paved with large, neatly arranged blue stone slabs, and several prayer cushions were laid out on either side.
As for the inner hall of the sword shop, it was not as spacious as Chen Xiao had imagined. It was only about seventy or eighty square meters, which looked rather stingy. It must have been an ancient building. When it was founded, no one expected that the Shangchen Itto-ryu would have such a grand scale today.
The inner hall was too cramped to accommodate enough people, so they simply opened up the walls on both sides of the inner hall, making it semi-open. It was almost integrated with the outer courtyard.
When there is a gathering, the host sits in the middle of the inner hall, while the others may sit on cushions in the courtyard.
These were introduced by Ito Kyo. As Chen Xiao and he entered, several warriors dressed in black samurai robes immediately came forward and led them inside. Upon entering, Chen Xiao saw seven or eight people, all middle-aged or older, already seated on the prayer mats on either side of the courtyard. The youngest appeared to be at least thirty or forty years old. They were all dressed in kimonos, meticulously styled, clearly formal attire worn only on important occasions. Each person had a solemn expression, kneeling on the prayer mats with ramrod straight backs.
Jingu Heihachiro, who had lost to him yesterday, was also present, seated first on the right. However, Jingu Heihachiro's face was pale, as if his injuries from yesterday had not yet healed. His face lacked color, and he seemed somewhat listless—in fact, his injuries were not that serious. It was just that the sense of defeat he felt after losing to Chen Xiao far outweighed his physical injuries.
Chen Xiao was taken aback when he saw the scene: it seemed something was going on today? If it was just to welcome him, it didn't seem like they would make such a big fuss.
Inside the inner hall, in the center were three four-panel soft seats, presumably for the head of the household. The seat in the very center was empty, probably for the head of the main family.