Chapter 34: Yan Zhen vs. Kenzaburo Ranzaki
Kenzaburo’s line was identical to the script, even his tone unchanged, his voice righteous, as if this were his life’s motto.
And in the script, Yan Zhen had only been a Ninth Star Mystic Adept, far weaker than Kenzaburo’s Six Star Mystic Scholar cultivation. An ordinary cultivator would have been killed instantly.
Fortunately, despite his low cultivation, Yan Zhen had possessed decent Spiritual Power and Flowing Spring Boots, barely managing to dodge Kenzaburo’s Iaijutsu, avoiding a swift death.
Despite his eloquent words, Kenzaburo’s true intention had been to kill Yan Zhen, eliminating his rival.
With his status, even if he was investigated afterwards, the punishment wouldn’t be severe.
— He’s such a hypocrite.
“I accept your challenge, but… my conditions aren’t so simple.”
Kenzaburo’s eyes gleamed. “Please speak, Master Yan Zhen.”
Yan Zhen’s voice was cold. “If I win, you leave your sword.”
“What?!” Sayoko exclaimed before Kenzaburo could respond. “You dare covet my brother’s sword? You’re delusional!”
“Sayoko, step back.” Kenzaburo pulled his sister away. “You have a keen eye, Master Yan Zhen. My sword is classified as a ‘O Wazamono’ (Great Sharpness). Its sharpness is sufficient to cut through a Mystic Master’s Mystic Power armor.”
Tachi were categorized into five grades: Wazamono (Sharpness), Ryo Wazamono (Superior Sharpness), O Wazamono (Great Sharpness), Saijo O Wazamono (Supreme Great Sharpness), and “Meito” (Famous Sword). The classification was based on the blade’s sharpness. A Meito, the highest grade, could easily slice through a Mystic King’s defenses. They were incredibly powerful.
“As you wish, Master Yan Zhen. If I lose, you may have my sword.”
He didn’t mention what Yan Zhen would have to offer if he lost. He seemed agreeable.
However, beneath his polite demeanor lay a cold and ruthless heart.
He didn’t need anything from Yan Zhen, because he planned to take his life.
“Then let’s choose a location and begin. We still have shopping to do afterwards.”
His words played right into Kenzaburo’s hands.
“You’re a man of action, Master Yan Zhen. Lead the way.”
…
They arrived at the Gold and Jade Chamber of Commerce’s performance arena, the same one where Yan Zhen had severed Han Feng’s hand.
The arena was surrounded by spectators, as if they had known about the upcoming duel. It was the Second and Third Shopkeepers’ arrangement. They were watching from a window in the Chamber’s main building, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Yan Zhen’s success in treating Ji Ya’s illness had put them in a difficult position. They hated him.
“Master Yan Zhen, there are no referees here. Let’s keep the rules simple. Whoever falls or steps out of the arena loses. Agreed?”
“Agreed.”
“I’ll be using my sword. You may use whatever weapon you’re comfortable with.”
“Okay.”
…
They stepped onto the arena, facing each other from a distance of ten meters.
Below the arena, Yi Xian’er frowned. Kenzaburo possessed a sword comparable to a Tier 3 Mystic Tool, he was a Six Star Mystic Scholar on the verge of breaking through to the Seventh Star, and he wielded a lightning-fast Iaijutsu. Yan Zhen’s chances of winning were slim.
However, she noticed Ji Ya seemed unconcerned. She whispered, “Did they also duel in your previous life?”
Ji Ya nodded.
“Yes, in my previous life, Little Brother Yan Zhen, for my sake, challenged him despite being only a Ninth Star Mystic Adept. He barely won.”
He won even as a Ninth Star Mystic Adept? And now he’s a Three Star Mystic Scholar…
She relaxed, silently awaiting her beloved’s moment of glory.
Sayoko, nearby, scoffed. “A mere Three Star Mystic Scholar, daring to challenge my brother? He’s courting death!”
She turned to the two women. “Just watch. My brother will chop off his head the moment the duel begins.”
They both looked at her as if she were an idiot, then whispered to each other, making arrangements for her.
…
On the arena.
“Are you ready, Master Yan Zhen?”
“I’m ready whenever you are.”
“Then…”
Kenzaburo’s aura shifted, his eyes slowly closing as his right hand gripped the hilt of his tachi, his left hand positioned below the tsuba, his thumb pushing the blade slightly out of its sheath, the sunlight reflecting off its polished surface.
His entire being, his essence, energy, and spirit, focused on the sword. He abruptly opened his eyes, a flash of lightning seeming to shoot from them.
— Dream God Style, Iaijutsu!
A clear, ringing sound echoed through the arena as he drew his sword, a translucent wave of energy shooting towards Yan Zhen, aiming for his neck.
Any other Three Star Mystic Scholar would have been dead.
However, in the instant Kenzaburo drew and sheathed his sword, Yan Zhen had already activated his Spiritual Perception and his Flowing Spring Boots, utilizing Shadowstep. With his enhanced cultivation, his movements were incredibly agile. He effortlessly dodged the otherwise fatal attack.
“What?!”
Kenzaburo was surprised. He had charged that attack for a long time. It could kill even a Seven Star Mystic Scholar, yet Yan Zhen had dodged it? Was it because of his boot-shaped Mystic Tool? He was lucky.
However, Dream God Iaijutsu consisted of three consecutive strikes, each stronger than the last. If one failed, he would simply strike again!
Hum~
A sharp buzzing sound filled the arena, the sound of the blade leaving its sheath.
The second strike, even more powerful than the first, shot towards Yan Zhen, also aiming for his neck.
He dodged again.
Then came the third, and strongest, strike. The energy wave was twice the size of the previous two, more than enough to decapitate, even bisect, him.
Its range was too wide to dodge. The only option was to block it head-on.
He channeled the Gold and Silver Fire into the Mystic Tool Embryo in his hand, condensing it into an Extreme Flame Sword, then swung it, meeting the incoming energy wave.
According to the script, his sword wouldn’t be able to fully negate the attack. He would be forced backwards, nearly falling off the arena.
However, in reality, his sword sliced through the energy wave as easily as a hot knife through butter.
At this rate, he wouldn’t even need to use Starry Sky Dance to fly into the air, as described in the script. He could easily defeat Kenzaburo.
He blinked, feeling a bit troubled.
Following the script was too risky. One mistake, and he could lose his head.
That was terrifying.
Forget it, I’ll just finish him off quickly.
…
“He blocked my third strike?”
Kenzaburo couldn’t believe it. With his cultivation, his three-strike Iaijutsu was deadly to all Mystic Scholars. Even a Tier 2 Mystic Beast would have been sliced to pieces by now. Yet Yan Zhen remained unharmed!
“Is that… your Extreme Flame, Master Yan Zhen? Truly remarkable.”
Below the arena, Sayoko’s smug expression vanished, replaced by a look of concern.
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