This swordswoman, Liu Yunduo, was indeed the leader of the much-talked-about Sword Alliance.
Now that she was here, Jiang Fei could guess her purpose.
Back at the Central Martial Arts Hall, many had mentioned the Sword Alliance—how a mysterious swordmaster had recently emerged, revitalizing the organization and leading it to its first victory over Japanese kendo in years. Rumor had it that this new leader, intrigued by Jiang Fei’s rising fame in Beijing’s martial arts circles, had come to challenge him.
Liu Yunduo had arrived in Beijing just yesterday, yet she’d already tracked him down. Her eagerness spoke volumes.
She wanted a duel.
Her attire today was similar to yesterday’s—long, straight black hair parted down the middle, an elegant aura that turned sharp the moment her brows furrowed. Instead of modern heels, she wore delicate embroidered cloth shoes.
“I’ve heard you’re not just a miracle doctor, but also a sword prodigy,” she said bluntly, cutting to the chase. “They say you’ve defeated every challenger at the Central Martial Arts Hall. Is it true?”
“A prodigy?” Jiang Fei blinked.
He had no issue being called a master—after all, he was the only one who knew Dugu Nine Swords, a technique capable of dismantling any other sword style. But “prodigy”?
Liu Yunduo nodded. “That’s why I’ve come. I want to witness your skills firsthand.”
Jiang Fei smiled. “Sure. Anytime.”
Unlike ordinary martial arts, Dugu Nine Swords had no fixed forms—its essence lay in adaptability. True mastery required real combat, especially against worthy opponents. Weak challengers couldn’t push its limits; only a true master could draw out its brilliance.
So Jiang Fei welcomed her challenge.
But Liu Yunduo shook her head, her gentle demeanor hardening. “I’m not talking about a casual spar. I mean a formal duel.”
Jiang Fei frowned. “…What’s the difference?”
“A huge one!” She almost laughed, thinking he was joking—until she saw his genuine confusion. “You… really don’t know what a formal duel entails?”
Jiang Fei’s knowledge of martial arts customs was patchy at best. As a “fast-tracked” grandmaster, most of his understanding came from mingling with figures like Chen Zhoujian at the Central Martial Arts Hall. Terms like “formal duel” were lost on him.
Seeing his blank expression, Liu Yunduo sighed. “So it’s true. You’re entirely self-taught—no master, no formal training. Yet you’ve reached this level… Unprecedented.”
A fighter unaware of basic martial arts etiquette couldn’t hail from a prestigious school. This only reinforced the rumors: Jiang Fei’s swordsmanship was something entirely original, a style no existing school could claim.
A true genius.
Then again, it made sense. A world-class pianist, China’s top physician, and an undefeated swordsman? Ordinary people could spend a lifetime mastering just one of these. For Jiang Fei to excel in all three…
“Monstrous talent” was the only fitting description.
And this only stoked Liu Yunduo’s curiosity further. A style this unique might hold breakthroughs for her own swordsmanship.
After a pause, she explained: “A formal duel isn’t a friendly match. Both parties fight at full strength, staking their reputation—or even their lives. Injuries, even death, are considered acceptable outcomes.”
Just then, a red Ferrari pulled up outside. Out stepped a young man with fading bruises—Su Mengnan, the spoiled heir Jiang Fei had humiliated yesterday.
Apparently, this guy was the Sword Alliance’s previous leader.
Jiang Fei had to admit, Su Mengnan wasn’t completely useless. He had some skill—just nowhere near Liu Yunduo’s level, let alone Jiang Fei’s. No wonder he’d lost his title and now clung to her for protection.
Shooting Jiang Fei a glare that screamed “You’re done for!”, Su Mengnan handed Liu Yunduo what looked like an invitation.
She passed it to Jiang Fei. “Read this.”
It wasn’t an invitation.
At the top, bold characters declared: “CHALLENGE AGREEMENT.”
The contents were brief:
Both parties voluntarily engage in a sword duel, employing their full skills. Any mishaps—injury or death—are the sole responsibility of the participants…
Jiang Fei’s eye twitched. This was a damn death waiver!
Clearing his throat, he said dryly, “I’m no lawyer, but even I know these things aren’t legally binding anymore.”
Under normal circumstances, Liu Yunduo might’ve scoffed. But now, recognizing Jiang Fei’s ignorance of martial arts norms, she patiently clarified: “For ordinary people, yes, it’s void. But for us, it holds weight.”
Modern laws claimed equality for all, but certain circles operated by their own rules. In the martial world, such agreements were honored—whether legally valid or not.
Jiang Fei snapped the document shut. “Let me ask you something. Have I ever wronged you? Do we have some grudge I’m unaware of?”
“No. Why?”
“Then why the hell would I sign this?!” Jiang Fei tossed it back. “No feud, no stakes—just ‘Hey, let’s risk killing each other for fun’? Are you serious?”
Liu Yunduo looked puzzled. “To hone our skills, of course.”
“You hone skills by going all-out, not by signing suicide pacts!”
“True progress demands no restraint,” she countered. “And with live blades, accidents happen. This is just precaution.”
Jiang Fei shoved the waiver toward her. “If that’s your idea of training, count me out.”
Both Liu Yunduo and Su Mengnan stared, stunned by his refusal.
“Scared my queen will run you through?” Su Mengnan sneered.
Jiang Fei smirked. “No. I’m scared I’ll run her through. Even if the law doesn’t punish me, I’ve no interest in becoming a killer.”
