Zannamemaru?
What an overbearing name!
Tang Xin sat there, her brows furrowing slightly.
As Nishihira Kojiro spoke, a confident glint appeared in his eyes, as if his entire spirit and temperament had been unleashed once he held a sword in his hand!
"I hope to use this Zanmeimaru to cut down all the famous swords in the world! When I first named it, this sword was unknown! But over the years, I have used this sword in hundreds of battles, large and small, and it has cut down the weapons of no fewer than a dozen sword masters! Today, Zanmeimaru is known to all warriors in Kansai! Although it is still just an ordinary steel sword, neither forged by a master nor made of any precious materials, it is already a famous blade! I believe that in my lifetime, Zanmeimaru will also become a first-class famous blade in Japan!"
Despite being on opposing sides, Chen Xiao couldn't help but feel a deep respect for this unassuming, short Japanese swordsman upon hearing this.
Nishihira Kojiro's voice also became as resonant as metal. He gently tossed the scabbard to the ground, pointed the sword at Chen Xiao, and said, word by word, "Hidden Moon Style, Nishihira Kojiro, wielding the Name-Slaying Pill, humbly requesting your instruction!"
Chen Xiao stared at the other person, finally took a deep breath, and put away all the playful expressions on his face. He then solemnly cupped his hands in a fist and palm salute, saying, "Chen Xiao, I'd like to learn from your superior skills!"
Although his opponent was Japanese, Nishihira Kojiro's martial demeanor made Chen Xiao reluctant to tease him any further, and his words became more polite and serious. He also refrained from using nicknames like "Nohara Shinnosuke" and instead solemnly adopted his real name to show respect for his opponent.
However, Nishihira Kojiro remained somewhat dissatisfied. He frowned and said coldly, "You come from China and are carrying a rattan cane. Are you perhaps a disciple of General Tian from the past? If so, why don't you state your sect? Is my identity as the head of the Hidden Moon School unworthy of your self-introduction?"
Nishihira Kojiro was now convinced that Chen Xiao had absolutely no connection to the Kamishin family—when he fought the first two swordsmen, he used that strange movement technique. Whether attacking or dodging, there was not a trace of the Kamishin Ittō-ryū sword style. Therefore, in his words, he firmly attached the title of "descendant of General Tian of China" to Chen Xiao.
Nishihira Kojiro also harbored a selfish thought: if he were to lose, he could say that he lost to a descendant of General Tian, rather than to a young disciple of the Kamishin family.
General Tian's reputation is still widely known among the old masters of Japanese Kendo, and he is considered a god of war. Losing to a descendant of General Tian is not too shameful.
Chen Xiao was a smart man, and smiled faintly: "Then let's call it Tianmen."
Nishihira Kojiro immediately followed up with, "Then I'll experience the unique skills of the Chinese Tianmen school!!"
With his sword in hand, Nishihira Kojiro made a light, feinting slash from afar, then took two slow steps forward, flicking the blade. This "Zanmeimaru" was his personal sword, used for many years. Ever since he received the sword from his master at the age of twenty-five, it had been with him at all times, whether eating or sleeping. Over the years, the sword had almost become a part of his body; it had merged with his form. Holding it now felt like holding a limb. He knew the weight of the sword, the blade, by heart.
For a true swordsman, this is the proper path. A true swordsman only uses his own sword. Otherwise, if he were to use an unfamiliar sword, even if its weight were slightly different, the speed, accuracy, and power of his strikes would inevitably differ. Although these differences are extremely subtle, in the hands of a master, even the slightest difference can have a huge impact on the battle!
Without a doubt, this Nishihira Kojiro is already a true swordsman.
He seemed to make a casual feint, but his movements were fluid and natural. Although Chen Xiao's actual martial arts skills were only average, he could vaguely sense that his opponent was different from others.
Finally, Nishihira Kojiro took a deep breath. Then, he suddenly took a series of small steps and rushed to Chen Xiao. He raised his hand and thrust, but Chen Xiao obediently dodged. Naturally, he stepped out with the "short-range" footwork.
Nishihira Kojiro remained calm and composed. His sword missed its mark, but the momentum of his sword easily reversed, as if without the slightest hesitation. The sword's movement was smooth and effortless, naturally transforming from a thrust into a slash. Chen Xiao dodged again, and the sword changed from a slash to a flick...
Nishihira Kojiro's attack, while not appearing particularly fast or as ferocious as Takamoto's earlier onslaught, flowed with a smooth, unobstructed movement, demonstrating a mastery of swordsmanship ingrained in his very being. Whether exerting or withdrawing force, it was all effortless, each strike seemingly separate from the next. However, Chen Xiao, under the pressure of Kojiro's swordplay, felt as if the sword shadows were rapidly coalescing into a fine, flexible net, almost seamless and resilient. Like a pipa melody, each note fell like pearls onto a jade plate, scattered yet orderly.
The word is: gentle.
The word is: resilience.
Each sword strike, seemingly unassuming, had become an integrated whole. Although Chen Xiao had already unleashed his "short-range fighting" techniques, firstly, his true martial arts skill was only mediocre; his understanding of this technique hadn't truly reached a profound level. Secondly, Nishihira Kojiro's swordsmanship was indeed astonishing. Gradually, Chen Xiao was surprised to find his space of movement rapidly shrinking! He dared not reveal his identity as an ability user, only secretly using teleportation a couple of times within a short, intense range, occasionally dodging a few centimeters or tens of centimeters. But even with such clever maneuvering, Nishihira Kojiro's sword strikes were increasingly entangling him! The opponent's sword strikes seemed to have transformed into a stream, flowing seamlessly and imperceptibly!
Smooth!
This is the biggest impression that Nishihira Kojiro's move left on Chen Xiao!
The opponent didn't seem to be using their full strength. Whether attacking or retreating, they always seemed to be holding back, never letting their moves become overused or their strength exhausted. They certainly wouldn't run out of steam. They were giving Chen Xiao an opportunity to exploit the situation before he could unleash his full power.
In this way, unless Chen Xiao openly uses his supernatural abilities, the situation is gradually tilting in Nishihira Kojiro's favor.
Nishihira Kojiro launched dozens of consecutive sword attacks, yet his breathing remained deep and even, his face neither flushed nor rapid, and not even a bead of sweat could be seen on his forehead. Even when his attacks failed to penetrate, his eyes remained calm and focused, showing no sign of confusion. Clearly, both his swordsmanship and his mental state had reached a certain level through his daily rigorous training!
Chen Xiao gradually sensed that something was wrong. His "short-range fighting" technique seemed to be gradually being restrained by his opponent. This was not because the "short-range fighting" technique was no longer effective, but because Chen Xiao's own cultivation level of this technique was insufficient, and he dared not openly use his superpower.
Finally, left with no other choice, he suddenly took several large steps and quickly retreated. After taking a dozen or so steps, he had already jumped out of Nishihira Kojiro's sword shadow, but retreating in such a disheveled manner, he lost some of his momentum.
Everyone watching was deeply moved!
The swordsmen of the Kamishin family were all astonished that Nishihira Kojiro could execute such fluid and graceful swordplay! Jingu Heihachiro, in particular, was deeply shaken! He had privately sparred with Nishihira Kojiro over a year ago, and in that encounter, Kojiro had only managed a slight advantage.
But today, it seems that Nishihira Kojiro's strength is already a whole realm above his own! Either he didn't conceal his true power back then, or his strength has improved by leaps and bounds recently! Looking at Nishihira Kojiro's fluid, effortless swordplay, Jingu Heihachiro's face turned ashen, his mind filled with only one thought: If I were this kid, how long could I withstand such swordplay?!
Although Chen Xiao had withdrawn from his opponent's swordplay, he felt a growing regret for his overconfidence. Now, calmer, he felt a pang of shame, thinking: "My true martial arts skills are only average; I only gained the upper hand thanks to my special ability. To uphold the reputation of 'Chinese martial artists,' I couldn't openly use my ability, yet I was constrained at every turn. I was too arrogant and underestimated Japanese martial artists! Those who achieve great renown naturally possess extraordinary abilities. This Nishihira Kojiro is clearly a martial artist with genuine skill!"
What's even more frustrating is that, in his attempt to appear arrogant, he deliberately avoided using a weapon, instead merely holding a vine in his hand. If he had a real sword, he could have easily parried Nishihira Kojiro's swordplay, using his formidable strength to brute force his way through the opponent's fluid, surging sword strikes. Chen Xiao was very confident in his strength; ordinary people, even top-tier martial artists, couldn't withstand his brute force, which was like a pile driver.
Unfortunately, he used a fragile vine that couldn't be used to block; otherwise, the vine would shatter when the sword struck—and he would lose face terribly.
Thinking of this, I couldn't help but frown slightly.
Seeing Chen Xiao jump out, Nishihira Kojiro didn't rush to chase after him. He paused for a moment, steadied his breathing, flicked the "Name-Slaying Pill" in his hand, pointed the sword at the ground, and calmly looked at Chen Xiao.
A thought suddenly flashed through Chen Xiao's mind: If I can't attack him in close combat, can't I attack him from a distance?
With a loud crash, the stone slab was split in two! Chen Xiao moved with lightning speed, kicking several more slabs into the ground, sending seven or eight other stone slabs flying and raining down on Nishihira Kojiro like a storm!
Poor Xinjianzhai of the Shangchen family. This courtyard has been around for quite a few years. If we're talking about its age, it can be considered a historical and cultural heritage site. These stone slabs are all original pieces from when it was first built. The people in Quanliu Palace used to build this place with great care, for fear of creating even a crack.
At this moment, Chen Xiao started causing chaos, kicking all the surrounding floorboards away in one go, and stone chips flew everywhere, with dust covering the ground!
However, at this moment, no one in the Shangchen family was concerned about the damaged courtyard floor. Everyone's eyes widened: This Chinese kid has incredible footwork!
Nishihira Kojiro unleashed seven or eight consecutive horizontal and vertical slashes, cleaving all the flying stone slabs away. His movements remained swift and agile; none of the many slabs touched his body. However, Chen Xiao's strength was ultimately too overwhelming. The stone slabs were practically like cannonballs.
After barely managing to cleave the flying stone slabs, Nishihira Kojiro's expression remained calm, but his hand gripping the sword hilt was numb from the impact, his tiger's mouth was slightly painful, his wrist was trembling slightly, and his knuckles were turning slightly white.
Chen Xiao had already calculated everything. He kicked the last stone slab, then suddenly slammed his fist into the ground and lunged forward! His steps, seemingly chaotic and unsteady, were actually the movements of a "short-range fighter"!
Nishihira Kojiro gritted his teeth and cleaved the last stone slab in two with a loud crash. As the slab split in two, he saw Chen Xiao's shadow rushing towards him from behind it!
Nishihira Kojiro's pupils suddenly contracted, he gritted his teeth, shouted, and thrust his sword forward...