Chapter 79
Book 8 Chap 2 - Duel at the School
(From translation thread - Translated by slyphiad...)
Next was riding and archery performance, all were brilliant and pleasing to watch. It could be seen that Zhao Ba took painstaking care to train all of his swordsmen.
Xiang Shaolong thought that it’s a pity, if it wasn’t because Zhao had a muddleheaded king like Xiaocheng, it would have a bright prospect.
Ji Yanran leaned near his ear and said intimately, "I don’t care anymore, from today onwards, I will follow you."
Xiang Shaolong exclaimed in surprise, "Isn’t it too quick? Did you see that Lord Longyang is staring at us?"
Ji Yanran chuckled, "He’s not suspicious of us, but just jealous of Yanran, everyone knew that neither man nor woman fellow loves unrefined and straightforward men like Mister Dong. If you speak vulgarity with him, he’ll be really excited!"
Xiang Shaolong gave a wry smile, shook his head, "Let me chase after you for another two to three days! Otherwise if a beautiful woman like you can be subdued by a man with just two or three tricks, it could really damage your Learned Lady reputation."
Ji Yanran pouted, "Whatever suits you then! But I want you to accompany me every night."
Xiang Shaolong joyfully replied, "Of course, it’s all that I wish for!"
Suddenly, applause could be heard non-stop, the school’s swordsmen returned successively to the seats opposite the stand, leaving only Zhao Ba standing in the center of the field.
Everyone stopped talking and looked at the owner of the training school.
The applause swiftly stopped.
Zhao Ba raised his voice, "Our training school was able to invite the famous master swordsman, Mister Li Yuan, to give us instructions on our swordsmen’s performance, it is indeed our honor. We hope that Mister Li Yuan won’t be stingy in giving us his advice."
Guo Zhong chuckled and interrupted, "This time it’s all about exchanging pointers, everyone should control the force exerted, I don’t wish to watch any heart-stopping scenes like bones or flesh torn today."
He and Zhao Ba are close friends, naturally he could tell that Zhao Ba was really furious about Li Yuan’s arrogance, so he made use of his status to advice both parties.
Li Yuan smiled, "Mister Guo, you can relax, I only came here with the intention of having fun, besides, there are also four beauties here! Mister Guo, relax."
Once he said that, all of the school’s swordsmen were burning with anger. During this period, martial arts was blooming, everyone regarded martial arts and sword skills as a prestigious and important matter, but he instead said that he only considered it as a game, meaning that he holds no regards for his opponents.
Zhao Mu leaned his head toward Ji Yanran and enquired her intention, "Miss Ji, don’t you think that Mister Li Yuan’s words are a bit unwarranted?"
On the other side, Han Chuang snorted, "Mister Li is too arrogant."
Ji Yanran smiled, "But his abilities are truly extraordinary, he wasn’t lying."
Those two people didn’t expect that after she had publicly shown her liking towards the Horse Fanatic, she would still defend Li Yuan and were both momentarily rendered speechless.
Xiang Shaolong knew about Ji Yanran’s independent thinking, she wasn’t going to change her mind because of other people. Unless he could win Li Yuan publicly, otherwise in her heart, he, Xiang Shaolong, will never be on par with Li Yuan in this aspect.
Therefore, for this beauty that always had strict criteria for her husband, this will always be a form of regret.
While he’s pondering, that school’s first instructor had already entered the field and raising his hands in greeting towards Li Yuan, said, "I am Dai Feng, please grant me your instruction, Mister Li."
Li Yuan sized up Dai Feng and blandly replied, "Dong Luzi, come down and have some fun with Brother Dai Feng!"
The crowd’s uproar rose from all directions, no one could believe that Li Yuan only sent his man to accept his challenge, obviously showing that Dai Feng is not qualified to challenge him yet.
Everyone from the school, from Zhao Ba all the way down, were all indignant.
Zhao Mu whispered towards Xiang Shaolong, "Oh no! If Dai Feng lost, Zhao Ba probably wouldn’t be able to hold back his anger and will personally challenge Li Yuan."
While Ji Yanran whispered in Xiang Shaolong’s ear, "This Dong Luzi and Lou Wuxin are Li Yuan’s most reputable and great swordsmen. They are very famous in Chu."
Le Cheng who was sitting behind leaned forward and said, "I also heard about this Dong Luzi, allegedly he’s from the Chu Mohist and had travelled to Lie looking for teachers and visiting friends, can’t believe that he’s become Li Yuan’s man."
At this time, 20 odd year old man who is tall and thin like a pole, with a pale face and no moustache, walked down the stand from the seats on Li Yuan’s side towards Dai Feng and said gently and politely, "Brother Dai, please give direction!"
After Dai Feng returned the greeting, the youngsters brought out the wooden swords and helped both swordsmen wear the armors that protected their head, chest and vital spot at the lower body, as swords are merciless and may cause accidental injury. But this is only effective if the fighters control their force. To an expert swordsman, even if it’s only a wooden sword, it still has the capability to kill and no armor can stand against it.
Two swords met in the air, testing the opponent’s arm strength, then retreating back, demonstrating the sect’s stance.
Applauses were suddenly heard, then stopped.
The crowd all held their breath in silence, looking on in concentration.
Dai Feng stepped in his battle stance, probing and moving towards the opponent, waving the wooden sword energetically, displaying impressive strength.
In contrast, Dong Luzi held his sword and stood erect, immovable like a mountain, only staring coldly at Dai Feng.
Dai Feng retreated two steps back and suddenly roared as he moved forward as quickly as lightning, the sword blade slashed swiftly up into the air, emitting a whistling noise as it sliced thru the air with an unbelievable strength.
Han Chuang and the rest started cheering him on. The warrior school’s swordsmen were even more excited, giving out thunderous support. On the contrary, on Li Yuan’s side, everyone sneered, showing extreme confidence.
This time, Zhao Zhi, who was sitting on the other side of Li Yuan, started to feel regretful. She was purposely being affectionate with Li Yuan, partly because she was indeed charmed by Li Yuan, but mainly because she was trying to anger Xiang Shaolong. But ultimately, she still belongs to the school and naturally she won’t want her own side to lose, but because she was sitting beside Li Yuan, she’s too embarra.s.sed to cheer loudly and is now in a dilemma.
Li Yuan clearly understood her troubles so while everyone’s attention was still on the field, he quietly stretched his hand over and held her slender fingers which she had placed on her thigh, leaning near her ear and spoke softly, "On Miss’s account, Li Yuan definitely won’t hurt anyone from your school."
Zhao Zhi’s tender body trembled and in her confused state of mind she actually allowed him to freely hold her hand.
Zhao Ya noticed their odd behavior and got closer to them, saying with a slight pout, "Mister Li, you are so caring!"
Li Yuan who has often frequented brothels, was secretly happy as he said with a smile, "Didn’t Lady like my playboy style?"
Zhao Ya shot him a condescending look and sat straight; her heart was again filled with Dong Kuang’s unparalleled heroic spirit and couldn’t help but sigh. She secretly pondered why when she saw Li Yuan fooling around with other women, she didn’t care much about it, but when she saw Ji Yanran only sitting beside Dong Kuang, her heart felt very uncomfortable.
There was a sound "Dong!", Dong Luzi lifted his sword to parry, at the same time moved diagonally, avoiding Dai Feng’s second attack which came one after another.
Zhao Mu, Han Chuang, Le Cheng and the others are all expert swordsmen. With one look, it was easy to know that not only was Dong Luzi’s arm strength not inferior to Dai Feng’s, he’s also a very good strategist, deliberately not fighting head on so that he can erode Dai Feng’s strength.
As expected, Dong Luzi followed by putting a defensive stance, under his opponent’s chain of relentless attacks, repeatedly dodged. On the surface, it seemed like Dai Feng has the upper hand but in reality, Dong Luzi was in no danger at all, only waiting for the opportunity to counterattack.
A round of supports could be heard from all corners, cheering for Dai Feng.
Zhao Zhi suddenly came out her daze and wanted to pull her hand back