A Few Days Later.
Huacheng Baiyun Airport.
A passenger plane from Japan touched down smoothly. A middle-aged man with a striking appearance—short hair, dressed in a loose gray kimono—stepped out of the cabin. Escorted by what appeared to be bodyguards, he exited the airport through a special passage.
The man’s face was expressionless, neither joyful nor sorrowful, as if he had transcended worldly concerns—like an enlightened monk. But what stood out most was not just his kimono; on his left waist hung two slightly curved, ancient-styled Japanese swords.
Of the two swords, one was the infamous Muramasa, dubbed a “cursed blade” in Japanese swordsmanship circles, renowned for its exceptional cutting ability and measuring approximately 73 cm in length. The other was an Osafune Tachi, 78 cm long.
The two blades were crossed at his waist, complementing his kimono seamlessly, as if they were part of him.
Given the strict security checks nowadays, it was unclear how he had managed to bring these swords onto the plane and enter China from Japan.
Behind the middle-aged man was a woman in her early twenties. Though young and beautiful, her demeanor was as cold and expressionless as his.
These two were none other than Miyamoto Kazuma, who had come to China to fulfill a challenge, and Yamamoto Wakamizu, one of his two top disciples.
Under the escort of a group of Japanese special personnel, the master and disciple quickly left the airport through the special passage and boarded a Mercedes-Benz sedan.
In this day and age, even true martial arts masters needed high-end transportation—just as ancient warriors required prized steeds. It was a basic necessity.
The Swordsmanship Alliance, originally founded by a group of wealthy young enthusiasts, had its headquarters in Huacheng, one of China’s major first-tier cities.
Huacheng was not only prosperous but also held significant status in the martial arts world, serving as a hub for Southern-style masters. Even today, the city housed numerous martial arts schools and traditional fighting families, representing various lineages.
……
Inside the Car.
“Master,” Wakamizu asked hesitantly, “why didn’t you bring Senior Brother with us this time? Watching your ‘sword-tempering’ journey would have greatly benefited his swordsmanship, wouldn’t it?”
Miyamoto Kazuma closed his eyes habitually and replied, “Your senior brother was recently defeated. His mind is unsettled. Right now, the best training for him is seclusion and deep reflection—not long-distance travel. Moreover, my first opponent is Liu Yunduo, the very woman who defeated him. If he witnessed the fight, it would only disturb his mind further.”
Wakamizu nodded. After a long pause, she spoke again, “Master…”
“Speak your mind. No need to hesitate.”
“Yes!” Wakamizu stiffened slightly. “I wanted to ask—tomorrow, when you face Liu Yunduo in battle… will you take her life?”
Miyamoto Kazuma opened his eyes slightly. “What if I do? What if I don’t?”
Wakamizu’s gaze flickered, but she answered swiftly, “I hope you spare her. That way, Senior Brother can one day defeat her himself! If he doesn’t overcome her personally, this defeat might haunt him forever—”
Before she could finish, Miyamoto Kazuma raised a hand to silence her. “If your senior brother’s ambition is limited to Liu Yunduo, if her existence alone can torment him, then he is unworthy of being my chief disciple. Whether she lives or dies should mean nothing to him. And you know my principles. When I duel, whether my opponent is an ordinary swordsman or a master, I treat them the same way—as an enemy. This time, I’ve come to China to temper my sword. So regardless of Liu Yunduo’s skill, I will fight with full force. Whether she lives or dies depends on her own fate. I will not hold back.”
“……”
Wakamizu fell silent.
Her master’s style was indeed unwavering. Once a challenge was issued, he fought to the fullest, indifferent to life or death—his own or his opponent’s.
That was why he rarely fought, but when he did, casualties were inevitable.
Fourteen years ago, when Miyamoto Kazuma had traversed Japan’s four main islands, challenging seventeen masters from various schools, the results had been brutal. Of those he defeated, two died, four were severely injured, and the remaining eleven suffered wounds of varying degrees.
Now, as he set foot on Chinese soil, history was bound to repeat itself. The martial world would soon be swept into another storm of bloodshed.
Wakamizu felt no sympathy for the Chinese swordsmen her master would face. If anything, she hoped he would triumph effortlessly, his twin blades cutting down all opposition.
But Liu Yunduo was the exception.
She wished her master would show mercy.
Yet she knew it was impossible.
And if Miyamoto Kazuma fought without restraint, no matter how skilled Liu Yunduo was—even if she had recently defeated Wakamizu’s senior brother—she would likely perish beneath his sword.
After all, Miyamoto Kazuma was the man who had nearly dominated Japanese swordsmanship fourteen years ago.
Now, after a decade and a half of refinement, the depth of his skill was unimaginable.
Could Liu Yunduo even survive three moves against him?
…..
Meanwhile, in the Martial World.
News of the upcoming duel between Liu Yunduo, the newly appointed leader of the Swordsmanship Alliance, and Miyamoto Kazuma, the renowned head of the Miyamoto clan, had spread like wildfire.
Not only were martial artists in Huacheng abuzz, but masters from across the country had also traveled to witness the event.
Many privately mocked the Miyamoto clan’s actions.
A younger disciple loses, so the old patriarch steps in?
Wasn’t this just a case of “the beaten child crying for their parent”?
Regardless, with Miyamoto Kazuma’s arrival, the duel was inevitable.
Most believed Liu Yunduo stood no chance. No matter how skilled she was, she couldn’t possibly defeat Miyamoto Kazuma.
Only a handful who had witnessed her duel with Jiang Fei in Beijing held out hope.
And even their optimism stemmed largely from the fact that Jiang Fei had personally instructed Liu Yunduo afterward. They speculated her swordsmanship had improved dramatically in the past month.
…..
Daocun Village.
Jiang Fei, still residing in the countryside, learned of the duel from Ye Yuanyuan.
“You’re living quite the leisurely life,” Ye Yuanyuan remarked coldly, eyeing Xia Xiaozhi, Xu Jing, and the others as they set off to pick green apples and honey tangerines, dressed in floral skirts and straw hats. “So I take it you won’t be attending Liu Yunduo’s duel tomorrow?”
Late summer was harvest season, and Daocun’s orchards were ripe with winter dates, apples, pears, pomegranates, and tangerines. The girls had spent their days exploring, hunting with Jiang Fei, swimming in the streams, and indulging in the village’s bounty.
“Why would I watch them fight?” Jiang Fei replied, scrubbing his lion cub, Xinba, by the pond. “You know I’m a man of peace. Violence isn’t my thing.”
“Cut the act!” Ye Yuanyuan glared. “Liu Yunduo is your acquaintance, isn’t she? You even trained her in Beijing. If she loses—or worse, dies—wouldn’t you regret it?”
“Die?” Jiang Fei paused mid-scrub, frowning. But then he shook his head confidently. “Miyamoto Kazuma may be a Japanese swordsmaster, but Liu Yunduo is no pushover. Especially after my guidance—her skills must have improved significantly this past month. Even if she can’t win, she should at least survive. And even if the worst happens, my presence wouldn’t change anything.”
Ye Yuanyuan arched an eyebrow. “Why not? Don’t tell me you doubt you could defeat Miyamoto Kazuma yourself. The current rumor is that while Liu Yunduo might lose to him, he would certainly lose to you—the rising ‘Sword God’!”
Jiang Fei chuckled. Unbeknownst to him, his reputation as the “Sword God” had grown, and public confidence in his victory was absolute.
“It’s hard to explain,” he said. “But interfering in Liu Yunduo’s duel isn’t an option.”
And it was true.
For Liu Yunduo, this was more than a fight—it was vengeance. She had to face Miyamoto Kazuma herself. Even if Jiang Fei stepped in and won for her, it wouldn’t satisfy her mission to conquer Japanese swordsmanship.
In fact, she would never allow Jiang Fei to fight in her stead.
The best help he could offer was refining her techniques and sharpening her skills. Beyond that, his hands were tied.
“I hope Liu Yunduo wins this one,” Jiang Fei silently wished.
