The Almighty Martial Arts System - Chapter 339

A white robe, as if it could shield from rain, block the sun, and ward off the cold. Liu Shengzongju stood there, not seeming like a man at all, but rather like a sharp sword!

Yes, he himself was like a sword!

So, when Jiang Fei decided to stop wasting words and simply face this man head-on to see just how powerful this so-called number one swordsman of the island nation truly was, he found himself at a loss.

Every movement, every part of this middle-aged man’s body was imbued with an inexplicable aura of perfection. There wasn’t the slightest flaw in any part of him!

This defensive posture was truly terrifying.

Think about it, if you face a person and don’t even know how to strike, how can you possibly win?

This reminded Jiang Fei of Liu Shengzongju’s school—Iaido, the art of the quick draw!

It was the most powerful school in the island nation’s swordsmanship world, far more formidable than Miyamoto Ichizen’s Two-Sword Style. Among their techniques was a crucial move called “Muto Toru” or “No-Sword Capture.”

When one cultivated to this stage, it was no longer simply about a first strike that shook heaven and earth. They no longer needed to rely on a surprising first move to defeat the enemy; they could render the enemy utterly unable to attack, directly confiscating their blade.

Muto Toru—capturing without a sword.

During his cultivation of the Two-Sword and Three-Sword Styles, Miyamoto Ichizen had once wanted to study the One-Sword Style’s Iaido, hoping to discern Liu Shengzongju’s weaknesses and defeat him. Unfortunately, even with his considerable swordsmanship talent, it was impossible for him to achieve Muto Toru without proper guidance.

That he had managed to gain some proficiency in Iaido, building a solid foundation and becoming a true expert, was already quite an achievement.

“Iaido, Muto Toru! It really is something extraordinary!” Jiang Fei thought with annoyance.

The Dugu Nine Swords he cultivated specialized in exploiting enemy weaknesses, targeting the most vulnerable points in an opponent’s techniques. Yet now, he felt the other man had no flaws at all. This was a first.

Of course, this also had to do with Jiang Fei not having fully mastered the Dugu Nine Swords yet. If he had reached the second, or even the third layer, then no matter how perfect Liu Shengzongju’s swordsmanship was, Jiang Fei believed he could still find a weak point.

“Why did this guy have to come so soon? Would waiting another month have killed him?!” Jiang Fei grumbled inwardly.

Honestly, now that he was face-to-face and felt Liu Shengzongju’s power, Jiang Fei somewhat understood the shock felt by Xiao Jiugui and Bai Kedì. Why they had seen such a master yet dared not fight him.

The truth was… they were simply outmatched!

“You are Liu Shengzongju, right?” Jiang Fei gave up on the idea of attacking immediately.

Liu Shengzongju smiled and nodded.

“You’re looking for me to avenge Miyamoto Ichizen?” Jiang Fei asked.

Jiang Fei had a pretty good understanding of these islanders’ mentality. They all seemed like lofty masters, profound and righteous, but deep down, they were petty and vindictive!

Wasn’t Miyamoto Ichizen exactly like that?

He had claimed to come to China for a swordsmanship exchange, but in his first match, he disfigured and crippled Liu Yunduo—all because Liu Yunduo had once defeated his disciple?

“No. Miyamoto Ichizen and I are not related. I will not avenge him. Even if he were my disciple or kin, his defeat and death in a duel were due to his own lack of skill. Why would I seek revenge?” Liu Shengzongju said with a warm smile.

“Spare me the grand talk! If you’re not here for revenge, then why are you bothering me?” Jiang Fei retorted angrily, trying to sound even more incensed. “Last time, Miyamoto Ichizen was just like you, saying he came to hone his swordsmanship, not to avenge his disciple. But what did he do? It was absolutely despicable! Do you think I killed Miyamoto Ichizen for no reason? If he hadn’t been so vile, so disgusting—crippling a young woman’s martial arts and then disfiguring her face on top of it—I would never have sought a duel with him! Even during the duel, I might have spared him, but his heart remained too vicious. Simply because I am Chinese, he wanted to eliminate me. I had no choice but to strike him down! Tell me, can someone so petty and narrow-minded still be considered a martial artist?”

“……” Liu Shengzongju remained smiling, watching Jiang Fei calmly, silent.

He showed no displeasure or anger at Jiang Fei’s words, which carried insults towards the island nation’s swordsmanship world.

Jiang Fei spoke a long string of words and then waited, but the other man showed no reaction. He couldn’t help but feel deflated and said irritably, “Don’t you have anything to say? Do you think I should have killed him? Should you avenge him?”

Liu Shengzongju shook his head and said placidly, “You actually know in your heart that I am different from Miyamoto Ichizen. You also know my purpose in coming is not to seek revenge. Isn’t that right?”

“You…” Jiang Fei clenched his fists, glaring wide-eyed at this long-haired, middle-aged man with an open robe revealing chest hair. He very much wanted to angrily refute him but ultimately loosened his fists with a sigh.

He sighed silently in his heart.

Yes, this number one swordsman of the island nation was indeed completely different from Miyamoto Ichizen. This wasn’t just in terms of combat power and swordsmanship cultivation, but more importantly, in character and temperament.

That had been evident just moments ago.

After work today, when Jiang Fei, Su Nan, and Lin Moli left the Jiang Clinic to buy groceries at the market, Liu Shengzongju had already been following Jiang Fei. But seeing ordinary people with Jiang Fei, not wanting to disturb Su Nan and Lin Moli, he had remained inconspicuous, not intercepting Jiang Fei.

And seeing that the other man didn’t try to intercept him and seemed quite polite, Jiang Fei was naturally happy to avoid him.

You don’t look for me, I don’t look for you. Let’s stay like this forever, and it would be best if you get bored and leave on your own!

But who would have thought that while Liu Shengzongju didn’t disturb him, his patience was astonishingly good? He had actually followed Jiang Fei all the way to the foot of Su Nan’s building and waited for him there. Unobtrusive, unhurried, quiet as a shadow, yet exuding a tremendous force that made one feel his unyielding determination!

Because of this, while cooking today, Jiang Fei hadn’t even had the mind to do anything inappropriate with the beautiful young woman Su Nan. Most of his attention was focused on Liu Shengzongju downstairs, leaving no room for other thoughts.

And the fact that Liu Shengzongju could act this way proved he was truly different from Miyamoto Ichizen, at least not as vindictive.

“You… then why exactly are you looking for me?” Jiang Fei asked after a long pause, somewhat dispirited as he looked at Liu Shengzongju.

“Fifteen years ago, I defeated Miyamoto Ichizen. However, Miyamoto Ichizen also made a promise to duel me again after fifteen years. Now that you have slain Miyamoto Ichizen, this promise naturally transfers to you,” Liu Shengzongju said with utmost seriousness, not seeming like he was lying at all.

“What kind of logic is that? I’ve only heard of debts passing from father to son, or from master to disciple. What does a dead man’s debt have to do with me?!” Jiang Fei said angrily.

“Miyamoto Ichizen’s sons and disciples are too weak, completely unworthy of my attention. But you are a true master, worthy of being my opponent,” Liu Shengzongju stated.

“You’re mistaken. I am not a master,” Jiang Fei explained.

“No, you are a master.”

“No, I am not.”

“……”

Liu Shengzongju was not adept at Qiong Yao-style dialogue, so as Jiang Fei was about to enter an infinite loop of repetition, he decisively put on the brakes and said, “From the moment you came downstairs—whether walking calmly, moving swiftly just now, or when you thought about attacking me earlier—I could see you are a master. Every movement of yours is near-perfect, even your breathing is well-controlled. Not long ago, I encountered a man with a wine gourd at his waist and another with a braid. I thought they were the most remarkable figures among China’s younger generation, but now I see it is you.”

This old guy has sharp eyes!

Jiang Fei thought resentfully. He could see that the other’s defense was impenetrable, his entire body like a sharp sword leaving no opening to strike. And the other could also see the unusual aspects in him.

“Since you know I’m just a junior, isn’t it shameless for a senior like you to deal with me?” Jiang Fei said bitterly.

“In learning, there is no seniority; the accomplished is the teacher. That is an ancient saying from your country,” Liu Shengzongju replied.

“But I have not reached your level yet!” Jiang Fei said with a cold laugh. “If you want to find an opponent, it’s simple. I can point you to a few. For example, the masters of the wine gourd man and the braided man you met. They are the ‘Drunken Monk’ from the Western Plateau and ‘Lord Dong’ from the Northeast! Those two are true masters, your peers. If you feel lonely at the top and want to spar, you can go find them!”

“I met you first, so it is you. Cultivating martial arts is like seeking the Dao; it depends on fate,” Liu Shengzongju said.

“Nonsense!” Jiang Fei said, flustered and exasperated. “Stop spouting this useless talk. It’s clear now you just want to bully the weak with your strength, right? I will not duel you. Do whatever you want!”

You want to argue sophistry and act shamelessly? Jiang Fei had never been afraid of anyone in that regard!

Since you claim to be a chivalrous swordsman, claim to have the demeanor of a master, yet still insist on spewing nonsense and doing such underhanded things, then don’t blame me for having no scruples either.

“I was not mistaken. You really are a very interesting young man. No wonder you’ve reached such a level at such a young age. You are truly different from ordinary people. Even in joy, anger, and mockery, you are unique,” Liu Shengzongju remarked with some emotion.

“You think by praising me so highly and casually complimenting me, I’ll agree to a duel? Trying to morally blackmail me? I’m not as foolish as you imagine,” Jiang Fei said coldly. I am outstanding, I am different from ordinary people—that’s a recognized fact, I know it myself. I don’t need your evaluation.

Liu Shengzongju shook his head, the smile still on his face, but his gaze became more intense as he looked at Jiang Fei. He said very seriously, “You really don’t want to fight me?”

“No!” Jiang Fei answered without hesitation. His Dugu Nine Swords hadn’t reached the second layer yet, and he wasn’t even 100% sure that if they did, he could defeat this guy. Naturally, if possible, he didn’t want to fight.

If you have the ability, wait for me eight or ten years. Wait until I raise my character level to a dozen or twenty-something, learn dozens of divine skills, and max out all my martial arts manuals before coming to duel me.

See if I don’t beat you until your own mother doesn’t recognize you!

“Then… does that mean you admit defeat?” Liu Shengzongju’s voice suddenly rose a few notes. He said, “If you openly admit you have lost, that you are no match for me—without needing to kneel or perform any humiliating act—I can turn and leave, and never seek to cross swords with you again!”

A simple sentence, but Liu Shengzongju’s voice seemed to land with weight, each word striking Jiang Fei’s heart.

Hearing this, the angry, aggrieved expression on Jiang Fei’s face, as if he had suffered unfair treatment, gradually faded. His eyes narrowed slightly, unblinking as he stared intently at this number one swordsman of the island nation.

After a long pause, Liu Shengzongju spoke again, his voice still steady and powerful, asking with utmost seriousness, “You… do you admit defeat?!”

The corners of Jiang Fei’s mouth suddenly quirked upward.

Then, his slightly frozen face broke into a smile.

A bright, sunny, radiant smile.

“Admit defeat? When did I ever say I admit defeat? Do I look like someone who admits defeat?” Jiang Fei said with a laugh.

“Good. Very good.” Liu Shengzongju also smiled. A satisfied smile.

Such a master was truly worthy of being his challenger!

Jiang Fei, however, couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: This bastard really is a cunning old fox! He actually found a way to force me to accept the challenge.

As a man, a Chinese man, how could he possibly admit defeat to Liu Shengzongju?

Jiang Fei had once been an angry youth. Though he had matured since, that didn’t mean he had lost this bit of spirit!

He didn’t want to fight Liu Shengzongju, wasn’t confident, so he wanted him to go find the ‘Drunken Monk’ or ‘Lord Dong’. But Jiang Fei had never said he admitted defeat, that he was inferior to Liu Shengzongju!

“Then… let us begin!” Liu Shengzongju slowly extended a hand—empty, without sword or blade—and made an inviting gesture towards Jiang Fei.

Jiang Fei’s eyes narrowed slightly.