The Almighty Martial Arts System - Chapter 244

But what astonished him even more was the sheer ambition behind this young woman’s declaration—to crush all of Japanese swordsmanship!

That was no small goal.

While Chinese martial arts boasted millennia of history, far predating Japan’s kendō, no one could deny that Japan currently dominated the world of swordplay. Even with China’s hidden masters and reclusive experts, none dared underestimate Japanese swordsmanship—let alone claim they could utterly defeat it.

A nation’s sword arts, refined over centuries into countless schools and lineages, inevitably produced warriors who demanded respect.

Jiang Fei didn’t know what drove Liu Yunduo to this vow, but hearing her steel-clad resolve stirred something unexpected in him—a flicker of burning passion.

“This must be what they mean by ‘a woman surpassing men in valor,’” he mused.

…..

Having researched Japanese kendō recently, Jiang Fei knew its two major branches:

1. Ittō-ryū (Single Sword Style)

   • The mainstream, with countless substyles and practitioners.

   • Emphasized power and precision through two-handed strikes.

2. Nitō-ryū (Dual Sword Style)

   • Wielded two blades, initially scorned as “heretical.”

   • Sacrificed raw strength for deceptive techniques.

Dual-wielding required ambidexterity few possessed. Unlike Zhou Botong’s Left-Right  (Dual Hands Combat), most swordsmen couldn’t split focus without weakening their art.

Yet Nitō-ryū had legends like Miyamoto Musashi —its mythical founder—and Sasaki Kojirō, the one-eyed prodigy. The Miyamoto clan, Musashi’s descendants, remained a powerhouse.

Liu Yunduo had beaten their young champion. Now, the clan’s patriarch—Miyamoto Ichizen—was coming for revenge.

Jiang Fei studied Liu Yunduo. “This duel with Miyamoto Ichizen—is it also a life-or-death contract?”

“Signed and sealed,” she confirmed.

“And you think you’ll lose?”

Her brow furrowed at his bluntness. “No one knows until the day comes. But currently… my odds are 30-40%.”

“Thirty percent?!” Jiang Fei gaped. “Why accept at all? Just refuse!”

Was she suicidal? Even the dimmest child knew to flee a losing fight.

Su Mengnan facepalmed. Liu Yunduo shot Jiang Fei a look of disbelief. How did this man become a swordsman?

“Refuse? Hide like a coward?” she retorted.

“It’s called tactical retreat!” Jiang Fei argued. “Even Confucius said revenge waits ten years! And you’re a woman—since when do you need ‘honor or death’?”

Men might duel for pride, but this? Madness.

Liu Yunduo’s gaze sharpened. “If I back down from Miyamoto, how will I ever ‘crush Japanese swordsmanship’?” She leaned in. “Tell me, ‘genius’—what future does a swordsman have if they fear death?”

Jiang Fei rubbed his nose. Was that a dig at me?

“Why this vendetta?” he pressed. “What did Japan do to you?”

She hesitated. “Call me a patriot, like Su Mengnan. I want glory for China.”

Su Mengnan beamed. Jiang Fei wasn’t fooled.

Patriots rant online; they don’t stake their lives. Something darker fueled her.

“So you’re fighting Miyamoto, no matter what?” Jiang Fei sighed.

“And you first,” Liu Yunduo said. “Name your terms—I’ll agree to anything.”

Her demeanor had shifted entirely from their airport encounter. Now, she was a blade unsheathed—unyielding, brittle, ready to snap before bending.

Jiang Fei exhaled. “…Fine. Let’s duel.”

Liu Yunduo blinked. “Why the change?”

“Let’s say you moved me.” He shrugged.

“How?” She frowned. Nothing I said was touching.

Jiang Fei chuckled wistfully. “Once upon a time… I was a patriot too.”

His eyes lingered on them. “I outgrew that phase. But seeing your… fervor… it’s nostalgic. I don’t know your real motives, but ‘crushing Japanese swordsmanship’? Damn if that isn’t a rallying cry. If sparring me helps you—consider it fuel for your dream.”

Liu Yunduo and Su Mengnan exchanged glances.

Since when did he sound like a sage lecturing disciples?

But Liu Yunduo didn’t care.

He’d agreed.

That was enough.