Tang Xin's voice finally turned bitter.
"My grandfather was another grandmaster-level swordsmanship master to emerge from my Kamishin Itto-ryu school after Master Jingu Naoyu. In the past, my Kamishin family was almost in decline, but fortunately my grandfather appeared out of nowhere and turned the tide, which restored the reputation of my Kamishin family!"
However, at this moment, the entire prestige of the Shangchen family rests solely on him! He is Japan's undisputed number one martial artist of our time, a master of Imperial Swordsmanship. Yet, for decades since then, my Shangchen family has not had a successor who can compare to him! And my grandfather is already very old; if, after his passing, my Shangchen family has no pillar to support it, this edifice will naturally crumble!
Her face was full of worry: "My grandfather was not even forty years old when he was already recognized as the strongest in Japan! Unfortunately, now, looking around my Shangchen family, none of my father's generation can reach that level. Let alone compare with my grandfather, there is not even one who can come close."
Tang Xin looked into Chen Xiao's eyes: "The person you fought today was called Jingu Heihachiro, a descendant of Master Jingu Naoo. Uncle Jingu Heihachiro is currently the second strongest fighter in the Kamishin Itto-ryu school, second only to my grandfather. If things continue this way, then he will undoubtedly succeed my grandfather as the head of the main family after his death. Unfortunately, Jingu Heihachiro's strength, even in all of Japan, might not even rank in the top fifty!"
Imagine, once my grandfather is gone. The title of Japan's greatest kendo master will naturally change hands. The position of Imperial Swordsmanship Master will also naturally fall to someone else! At that time, my Kamishin Itto-ryu school won't even have a single worthy opponent to uphold its prestige; the edifice will crumble!
Chen Xiao frowned, looking at Tang Xin with a puzzled expression: "What about you? Didn't Takeuchi Bunzan have high hopes for you? You've been cultivating in this courtyard for a year... If you didn't have talent, he wouldn't have nurtured you like this, would he?"
Tang Xin's smile at this moment actually revealed a hint of sadness.
She looked intently at Chen Xiao, then sighed softly, "I... am ultimately not good enough."
"……Why?"
A sharp glint flashed in Tang Xin's eyes, then turned into a sorrowful look. Meeting Chen Xiao's gaze, she softly said, "From the moment I was born, my grandfather determined that I had exceptional potential and decided to nurture me. He kept me on the mountain, forbidding me from going down! He feared that the outside world would corrupt my wisdom."
When I was six years old, my grandfather thought highly of me, saying that my talent and comprehension were even far superior to his! That's why he kicked me into this courtyard to live alone when I was not even ten years old!
When I left this courtyard at the age of eleven, my grandfather passed on the chrysanthemum leaf tattoo to me, intending to make me the heir of the main family when I came of age!
Although it's against the rules to designate a successor across generations, my grandfather insisted that I was a kendo genius…
At this point, Tang Xin smiled proudly: "When I was ten years old, I lived in this courtyard for a year and figured out the sword-testing stone left by Master Shingu Naoyuki! But my grandfather lived here for two whole years when he was cultivating! And he was almost twenty years old at the time!"
Chen Xiao was deeply moved!
So, does that mean Tang Xin really is a genius?!
But……
"Unfortunately, I'm destined not to be one." Tang Xin's tone then turned somber.
She gently poked her left chest with one finger, her smile tinged with sadness: "After I left here when I was eleven, I fell seriously ill less than three months later and was diagnosed with a severe heart disease! The top doctors in all of Japan diagnosed me and concluded that this disease is incurable! Moreover, they told me that my heart rate should not exceed 120 on a daily basis, otherwise it would be dangerous."
The heart rate should not exceed 120.
Chen Xiao opened his mouth, completely stunned!
A genius who could comprehend the profound sword techniques of a senior sword master at the age of ten suffers from a serious heart disease, with a heart rate that cannot exceed 120.
Isn't this a case of heaven being jealous of talent?
You should know that when Chen Xiao used to go to the gym, even just riding a two-lap aerobic bike would make his heart rate jump to 140!
The limit is 120, which means Tang Xin absolutely cannot engage in any strenuous exercise! In this way, despite possessing unparalleled comprehension and spirituality, she is limited by a frail body!
Chapter 189 of the main text: [Tang Xin's Heart Sword]
Such a talented girl, whose talent even surpassed that of Takeuchi Fumio, was burdened by illness and was unable to achieve what she deserved in her lifetime. In this situation, even though Chen Xiao did not have much affection for this Kamishin Ittō-ryū, he could not help but sigh with regret.
The most helpless one is probably Takeuchi Bunzan. His family has finally produced a rare genius, and he has high hopes for Tang Xin. He originally planned to carefully cultivate her, but all his efforts and hard work have gone to waste.
Looking at the woman before him, whose beauty was as radiant as the moon, Chen Xiao couldn't help but feel pity and compassion. However, Tang Xin caught his gaze and he frowned slightly.
Chen Xiao looked at Tang Xin, a girl in the prime of her life, yet suffering from such a serious heart disease.
A heart rate that cannot exceed 120 is not just a matter of whether or not one can engage in strenuous exercise. It triggers a chain reaction in the body; for example, if one cannot exercise from a young age, over time, the body will naturally become weaker and weaker. In such a situation, it's unlikely she will live a long life!
No wonder Takeuchi Fumio ordered that she not be allowed to go down the mountain! With such a frail body, even without strenuous exercise, she could be in danger of dying at any moment if she were to experience any emotional distress.
"Are you pitying me?" Tang Xin's lips twitched slightly, her smile somewhat strange.
Chen Xiao opened his mouth, feeling genuine pity, but he couldn't bring himself to say it. He murmured something, but didn't know what to say.
Tang Xin's smile showed no displeasure, and her tone was even more indifferent: "You Chinese have a saying, 'Life and death are determined by fate. Wealth and honor are bestowed by heaven.' My fate is just like this, and I don't need anyone else's pity."
As she spoke, she slowly walked to a few meters in front of Chen Xiao, looked into his eyes, and suddenly bowed gracefully, displaying remarkable elegance. However, when she straightened up, what she said stunned Chen Xiao.
"Chen Xiaojun, I've come to visit late at night, not for idle chatter. I'm disturbing you this night because I witnessed your remarkable skills during the day. I'm eager to test your abilities!"
These words were spoken lightly, yet their relaxed tone carried an undeniable certainty.
Chen Xiao was stunned.
Huh? A challenge to war?!
This girl is incredibly delicate and has a serious heart condition. She could probably be blown away by a gust of wind just standing here; how could she possibly compete?
Besides, isn't she risking her life? When a fight breaks out, the intense physical activity and emotional turmoil could cause her heart to race...
Then Tang Xin continued, "I have been practicing swordsmanship since I was a child. Before the age of twelve, I focused on the Heart Sword and comprehended the profound meaning of swordsmanship. Unfortunately, I later fell ill and could no longer practice in actual combat. This body is no longer suitable. In the years since, I have lived in seclusion on the mountaintop and have gained some understanding of the true meaning of swordsmanship. I just want to spar with Chen Xiaojun to verify what I have learned."
Chen Xiao hesitated for a moment: "You..."
"Don't worry, it's fine. We'll just spar, not really fight. We'll only compare swordsmanship, not strength." Tang Xin smiled easily, which gradually dispelled Chen Xiao's doubts. He nodded and said, "Alright."
Since Chen Xiao had agreed to the sparring, he slowly took a few steps back, his feet moving apart. At this moment, Tang Xin gently waved her hand: "Please wait a moment."
She flicked her sleeve, revealing a white ribbon, which she gently covered her eyes, tied behind her head, and then smiled: "Alright, let's begin. Please, Chen Xiaojun, show mercy and don't use excessive force, lest this humble woman cannot withstand it."
Although the last sentence was a polite remark, Chen Xiao had already made up his mind not to use excessive force—what a joke, facing a girl with a serious heart condition who cannot get excited or engage in strenuous exercise, how could he possibly use excessive force against her?
However, Tang Xin actually covered her eyes, a move that made Chen Xiao's heart skip a beat!