But ultimately, he was no match for Chen Xiao's strength. With his wrist numb, his power was finally slowed down. This time, when he went out, the sword's edge missed, and his heart sank! He could only watch helplessly as Chen Xiao twisted his body at an almost unbelievable angle, like an acrobat, and darted in from right next to his sword's edge.
Gently, a vine landed on his shoulder!
Feeling the vines fall on his shoulder, Nishihira Kojiro sighed inwardly, utterly despondent, and closed his eyes...
He had witnessed Chen Xiao's moves and knew that Chen Xiao's attacks were ruthless and powerful. Even though it was just a fragile vine, in the hands of a master, it was enough to shatter his shoulder bone when it struck him!
If the other party is ruthless, they could easily break your neck by lashing out with a rattan cane!
He simply closed his eyes and waited for a moment, but that instant felt incredibly long to Nishihira Kojiro. He was just waiting for the excruciating pain in his shoulder and for his bones to shatter. But after waiting for a long time, the pain never came. He opened his eyes in confusion and saw Chen Xiao standing close by, a faint smile on his face, looking at him.
Nishihira Kojiro turned his head and saw the rattan cane gently draped over his shoulder, without any strength. He then looked at Chen Xiao's face, whose eyes did not seem to be mocking him. He felt a sense of bewilderment.
Chen Xiao nodded to him, then quickly stepped back seven or eight paces, clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Nishihira Kojiro, I have already experienced your swordsmanship, and I admire you greatly!"
Nishihira Kojiro stood there, stunned, staring at Chen Xiao. After a long while, his face turned from pale to red, then from red to white. Finally, he sighed deeply, his eyes filled with despair. He slowly sheathed his sword, bowed solemnly to Chen Xiao, and said, "Chen Xiao-kun, I have witnessed your divine skill! I have lost!"
Seeing his opponent admit defeat, Chen Xiao felt a pang of pity, but immediately reminded himself: I only defeated him because of my superpower. In terms of true martial arts skills, I am still miles behind him! Using superpowers to bully ordinary people is like a strong man who doesn't know martial arts using brute force to bully a three-year-old child who is proficient in exquisite techniques—it's just using brute force to overcome skill.
If I were to encounter a true master, such as a grandmaster like Takeuchi Bunzan, even with my special abilities, I might not be able to win.
Chen Xiao had calmed down considerably and replied sincerely, "Mr. Nishihira Kojiro, you're too kind. I greatly admire your swordsmanship."
Although he spoke sincerely, Nishihira Kojiro felt even worse inside. He raised his head, bowed deeply to Prince Hirohito sitting in the main hall, then picked up the scabbard from the ground, sheathed the sword, turned around and strode out of the courtyard without even saying goodbye.
Prince Hirohito's face was ashen. Seeing Nishihira Kojiro's humiliating defeat and subsequent departure, he was filled with rage: "What kind of Hidden Moon Style is this! This Nishihira Kojiro always boasted about how amazing he was, and I genuinely respected him, but I never expected him to suffer such a crushing defeat! It seems I'll have to find a new kendo teacher! How can such a piece of trash continue to be my kendo teacher, Prince Hirohito!"
As Chen Xiao watched Nishihira Kojiro's departing figure, his impression of the short swordsman had changed drastically. Looking at his desolate back, a thought suddenly arose in his mind: This man is not simple! Perhaps in the future, his "Zanmei Maru" might truly become a famous blade of Japan!
Chapter 196 of the main text: [For your sake, I have hesitated until now]
Tang Xin's smile remained warm, though a hint of smugness flickered in her eyes. She maintained a polite demeanor and turned to Prince Boren: "Your Highness, the three sparring matches are complete..."
Bo Ren snorted and stood up. Although he was displeased, he was, after all, a member of the royal family and still had the composure to suppress his anger. He slowly said, "Today's competition was indeed wonderful. This Mr. Chen Xiao's skills are extraordinary and admirable. It's just a pity that I didn't get to witness the ultimate skills of the Shangchen family's swordsmen today."
He spoke lightly, but he had a hidden agenda, deliberately drawing a line between Chen Xiao and the Shangchen family. The implication was: the one who won was this Chinese kid, not your Shangchen family.
Tang Xin didn't take it to heart, simply smiling slightly without refuting. The rumor that the three swordsmen who came to challenge them arrived in high spirits only to slink away in disgrace was enough. The Shangchen family was already glorious enough; they didn't care about adding another victory. However, given their current position, they couldn't afford to lose. As long as they didn't lose today, that was sufficient.
As for Prince Boren trying to gain some verbal advantage, since he is a royal prince, we can let him be.
Bo Ren slowly walked down the inner hall. When he passed by Tang Xin, he paused slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but he held back. However, he seemed to glance at Tang Xin with a faint look before striding down the steps of the inner hall.
The swordsmen from the Shangchen family below immediately prostrated themselves in respect, but Chen Xiao remained standing.
"Mr. Chen Xiao." Prince Boren stopped beside Chen Xiao, looking at him with a kind smile. He knew the name "Nohara Shinnosuke." Chen Xiao was talking nonsense, and as a prince, he naturally wouldn't play along. He directly addressed Chen Xiao by his real name. His expression was very amiable. He even walked over and gently patted Chen Xiao's shoulder, smiling as he said, "Today, you have shown me the superb martial arts of the Central Plains, which is truly amazing. If there is an opportunity, I hope you will not hesitate to teach me."
May I offer my guidance?
In the martial arts world, when someone casually asks for "guidance," it usually means they're issuing a challenge. But Prince Boren certainly didn't mean that. Chen Xiao was slightly taken aback, but the other party continued with a smile: "I have a great interest in Chinese studies. I've been familiar with many Chinese classics since childhood, and I've also read a few Buddhist scriptures. I'm also very interested in Chinese martial arts. When I say I'm willing to offer guidance, I'm not just being polite. If there's an opportunity, I would appreciate it if Mr. Chen Xiao could teach me. Although I'm not very bright, I'm confident I'm no worse than Chiyoko. Chiyoko has found such an excellent swordsmanship teacher as you. I'd also like to share my knowledge. Please don't refuse!"
After saying that, he even nodded to Chen Xiao, openly trying to poach his partner right in front of him—it was incredibly arrogant. But he was, after all, a prince of the royal family, and he had the right to be so arrogant.
His original kendo teacher was Nishihira Kojiro. Today, Nishihira Kojiro lost. This immediately diminished his standing in Hiroto's eyes. Looking around Japan, there weren't many top-tier kendo masters who could surpass Nishihira Kojiro, and those true grandmasters, like Takeuchi Bunzan, looked down on Hiroto. Hiroto was determined to overshadow the Kamishin family, and seeing Chen Xiao display such amazing skills, he set his sights on Chen Xiao.
As for Chen Xiao being Chinese, Bo Ren had no concerns. The Japanese Imperial Family has always studied Chinese classics. Hiring a few private Chinese tutors is common practice. Besides, even Chiyoko has already officially started studying kendo with Chen Xiao. So, what he's doing isn't considered out of line.
This is also why he insists on Chen Xiao being a "master of China" while never mentioning him as a "disciple of the Shangchen family's inner hall."
Chen Xiao smiled faintly, without answering. Bo Ren wasn't annoyed. In this setting, under the watchful eyes of everyone, his status was above the rest. Openly recruiting Chen Xiao meant no one could criticize him. However, he understood Chen Xiao's reluctance to answer, assuming it was simply inconvenient for Chen Xiao to speak. He'd left his stance clear and would send someone to contact him privately later.
After saying that, he left the courtyard without saying goodbye.
Upon exiting the courtyard, along the mountain path outside the Heart Sword Pavilion, many of his attendants and close servants were already waiting. One of them, seeing his master emerge, immediately approached respectfully: "Your Highness, Master Gao Ben and Master Miyazawa have already been sent down the mountain to heal their injuries..."
Although Bo Ren was annoyed by the two useless men, he knew they had been injured during the competition. If he didn't help them, he would inevitably be seen as ungrateful. So he nodded, suppressing his impatience, and said gently, "You two swordsmen have worked hard. Send someone to accompany them to the hospital and ask them to take good care of you."
The attendant, however, seemed a bit confused and blurted out, "And... Master Nishihira Kojiro, he's already led his men down the mountain..."
Bo Ren had already started walking down the mountain path when he heard this. His face immediately turned frosty, and he said coldly, "What kind of master is he! Hmph, does that kind of trash deserve to be the royal family's master?"
Originally, the teachers hired by members of the royal family were divided into principal teachers and guest teachers. To show respect for the teachers, those who served as "principals" instructing the royal children were respectfully addressed as "Master Teacher." This "Master Teacher" was not a formal title, but rather an informal honorific.
However, Takeuchi Bunzan's "Master of Swordsmanship" was a "Master" with an official title conferred by the Imperial Family.
Seeing the prince's anger, the attendant quickly shut his mouth, but thought to himself: Before coming here, His Highness treated Nishihira Kojiro with utmost respect, constantly referring to him as "Master Nishihira" and even personally performing the disciple's ceremony. Now that Nishihira has lost, in His Highness's words he has become "useless."
Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger; this principle holds true throughout history and across cultures, including Japan.
The attendant dared not utter another word and obediently followed, but dared not say another word about Nishihira Kojiro.
Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, Prince Boren stopped and glanced back at the summit. Beyond the cherry blossom grove, the Heart Sword could be faintly seen. He pondered for a moment, then instructed, "Tonight, take one of my calling cards and pay a visit to Chen Xiao. Be very polite. I remember your Chinese is quite good, so I'm entrusting this matter to you. Make sure it's done properly!"
Then, a thought struck him, and worried that the weight might not be enough, so he reached into his pocket and pulled out a folding fan. This folding fan was a royal tribute, of exquisite quality, and truly a work of art, with ivory ribs and exquisite carvings.
He thought for a moment, then blurted out, "A pen!"
As a prince and a highly likely heir to the throne, he was always accompanied by a large retinue wherever he went, his entourage far surpassing that of Prince Sato. Among his entourage, various items were always prepared. As soon as Hirohito spoke, someone immediately presented him with a wolf-hair brush dipped in thick ink.
Boren opened his folding fan, hesitated for a moment, and the attendant beside him immediately understood, quickly stepping forward and bending down to present his back as a table for the prince.
Bo Ren's knowledge of Chinese classics was indeed quite profound. After a moment's thought, he picked up his brush and wrote two lines of classical Chinese poetry on the fan:
But for your sake, I have been pondering this until now.
This poem was written by Cao Cao at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty. Originally, the poem mainly expressed his admiration for virtuous and talented individuals, implicitly conveying the idea of respecting and valuing the worthy. However, over the centuries in China, with the changes and differences in culture, these two lines of poetry have gradually evolved to carry a hint of romantic feelings between men and women.
However, Bo Ren used these two lines of poetry here to express the idea of respecting and valuing talent.