The Almighty Martial Arts System - Chapter 251

When Jiang Fei faced the student’s question for the first time, he hesitated and waited instead of answering immediately. Though his smile remained, his eyes narrowed slightly as he studied the Japanese exchange student—a campus beauty at Beijing University.

He wanted to read the intentions behind the expression of this woman named Liu Sheng Qianxia.

Had it been before yesterday—before he’d met Liu Yunduo, the newly appointed leader of the Swordsmanship Alliance, and before he’d learned about her upcoming duel with a Japanese kendoka—Jiang Fei wouldn’t have been so cautious. Though he had a bit of a nationalist streak, he wasn’t outright xenophobic. He didn’t automatically assume the worst in others.

But now, knowing about the impending match and having a Japanese woman approach him for swordsmanship advice, he couldn’t help but be wary.

Unfortunately, this woman was like an ice-cold goddess—her aloof demeanor rivaled even Ye Yuanyuan’s. Her face betrayed no emotion, and her gaze met Jiang Fei’s without flinching, making it impossible for him to detect anything unusual.

“If Miss Liu Sheng is interested in swordsmanship, you’re welcome to discuss it with me privately,” Jiang Fei finally said with a smile.

Rejecting her outright in front of so many people would be impolite. But agreeing now didn’t mean he’d actually make time for her later—that would be his decision.

Liu Sheng Qianxia, however, didn’t seem to care about such subtleties. She nodded solemnly. “Then I will definitely seek you out, Mr. Jiang.”

With that, she returned to her seat.

Jiang Fei scanned the lecture hall and announced, “That’s all for today’s class. Goodbye, everyone.”

The hundreds of students in the auditorium were reluctant to leave, wishing he would continue his lecture or play another piece on the erhu. But Jiang Fei had already been speaking for two hours straight—asking for more would be pushing it.

As the crowd gradually dispersed, Liu Sheng Qianxia also stood and exited the hall.

Jiang Fei didn’t leave immediately. He still had the microphone clipped to his clothes—he needed to return it—and the erhu case he’d brought with him.

Zhang Liwei, acting like an adoring fangirl, hurried over to help him pack up. “Mr. Jiang, are you really a swordsmanship master? Like the heroes in wuxia novels?”

Jiang Fei chuckled, neither confirming nor denying. “Are you interested in martial arts?”

“Not really,” she admitted, then added with a grin, “But I think guys who know kung fu and swordsmanship are really cool!”

“…”

Just then, a group of female students clutching textbooks swarmed the podium, their faces flushed with excitement as they gazed at Jiang Fei with hopeful eyes.

The sudden attention made him tense up slightly. He subtly tightened his grip on his clothes. What do they want? Are they planning to gang up on me?

“Can I help you?” he asked cautiously.

A petite girl with a delicate face and black-framed glasses—the very picture of youthful charm—held out a brand-new notebook shyly. “Mr. Jiang, could you give me an autograph?”

Another asked, “Mr. Jiang, can I take a photo with you?”

Turns out, these college girls saw him as an idol.

After fulfilling their requests, Jiang Fei finally bid them farewell and left the lecture hall.

…..

Jiang Fei had driven to the university today, parking in a lot not far from the auditorium. As he walked toward it, carrying his erhu case, he suddenly frowned and stopped in his tracks. He turned around sharply.

Standing a few meters behind him was Liu Sheng Qianxia—her makeup flawless, her red high heels clicking against the pavement, every inch the untouchable goddess.

Jiang Fei wasn’t surprised. “Miss Liu Sheng, did you have another question?”

She stepped forward without hesitation. “I’d like your phone number.”

Jiang Fei blinked.

Being asked for his number on the street was usually a privilege reserved for beautiful women. Now, the roles were reversed—a stunning woman was asking him for his contact info. Logically, he should’ve been pleased, but caution won out.

“Why do you need it?”

“You said I could seek you out for private discussions,” she replied, a rare hint of slyness in her smile. “But you didn’t give me a way to contact you. How else was I supposed to arrange it?”

“You’ve really thought this through,” Jiang Fei sighed. “Fine, but first, answer a few questions for me.”

She nodded. “Go ahead.”

“How did you know I’m a swordsmanship expert?”

“I know people from the Central Martial Arts Association. They spoke highly of your skills. I’d been planning to visit you, but then you came to the university.”

“So you must be skilled as well. Did you train in Japan? Which school—Ittō-ryū or Nitō-ryū?”

“I suppose… Ittō-ryū.”

“‘Suppose’? What does that mean? Which specific style?”

She hesitated. “Is that important?”

“Very.”

Her delicate brows furrowed briefly before she answered, “Iaido. Battōjutsu.”

Anyone familiar with the swordsmanship world—whether Japanese or Chinese—would tense up at the words “Iaido Battōjutsu.” And if they also knew her surname was Liu Sheng, their expressions would outright change.

The Liu Sheng family’s Iaido Battōjutsu held far greater prestige in Japanese swordsmanship than even the Miyamoto family’s Nitō-ryū.

Those with even passing knowledge of Japanese kendo knew of the Liu Sheng clan—masters of the quick-draw technique. In Japan’s swordsmanship history, only twelve individuals had ever been honored as “Kengō” (Sword Saints). Of those, four were from the Liu Sheng family.

Over a decade ago, when Miyamoto Ichizen wreaked havoc across Japan’s islands with his dual-blade style, it was the legendary Liu Sheng Munenori—already revered by many as the era’s sole Kengō—who defeated him.

Thus, the Liu Sheng family stood as the unshakable pillars of Japanese swordsmanship, akin to Shaolin or Wudang in Chinese martial arts.

Given this, Liu Sheng Qianxia expected Jiang Fei’s expression to shift upon hearing her lineage.

Yet his face remained unchanged.

“Alright, I’ve asked enough,” he said. “If you truly want to discuss swordsmanship, come find me at the Central Martial Arts Association. Since you know people there, you’ll have no trouble getting in.”

With that, he gave her his number.

This Japanese woman wasn’t from the Miyamoto family, nor did she practice Nitō-ryū. That meant she posed no threat to Liu Yunduo’s upcoming duel.

Besides, Jiang Fei was curious about Japanese swordsmanship. He wanted to see what made it so renowned—what secrets it held.

Perhaps he could learn something from Liu Sheng Qianxia.

His instincts told him she was no ordinary fighter.

…..

The Central Martial Arts Association’s grounds were vast, but typically as quiet as an abandoned temple. Today, however, the place buzzed with rare energy.

At the center of the compound lay a broad, stone-paved courtyard—roughly 500 square meters, unobstructed. Ancient trees surrounded the perimeter, their shade sheltering an array of traditional weapons, evoking an ancient training ground.

Dozens of spectators—members like Wu Ke and Chen Zhoujian—stood beneath those trees, their eyes locked on the courtyard’s center.

The reason for their focus?

A duel between Jiang Fei, the rising swordsmanship prodigy, and Liu Yunduo, the newly appointed leader of the Swordsmanship Alliance.

“Who do you think will win?”

“Jiang Fei has the edge. Liu Yunduo’s skilled, but I’ve never seen her fight. Jiang Fei’s techniques are unpredictable—his strikes are too fast. No fancy swordplay stands a chance against him.”

“I disagree! Liu Yunduo’s no pushover. The Miyamoto family’s Nitō-ryū is formidable, yet their top young disciple lost to her—she even scarred his face!”

“Enough arguing. They’re about to begin!”

Rain had fallen the night before, leaving the morning air fresh, the trees still glistening. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, warm but not harsh.

In the courtyard’s center, Jiang Fei and Liu Yunduo stood motionless, swords in hand, eyes locked.

Neither spoke.

Then—

A breeze stirred.

A rain-loosened leaf drifted down between them.

And Liu Yunduo moved.