Chapter 31: I Have a Blade

"He Zhiling, Great Success in Six Harmonies Saber Technique. I await your instruction!"

He Zhiling gripped his long saber and clasped his fist in a salute from a distance.

He was around twenty years old, with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a stocky build. He possessed a mature and steady temperament that belied his age.

"Chen Cheng, Beginner Level in Wind Chasing Saber Technique."

Chen Cheng also clasped his fist in salute while carefully sizing up He Zhiling. His brow furrowed slightly on its own; he had a gut feeling that this man would be a formidable opponent.

It wasn’t just because He Zhiling had achieved Great Success in Saber Technique, but also because the aura he exuded was more than a notch above the other four disciples from the Martial Arts Halls.

Even Liao San and Zhou Biao of the Flying Eagle Gang, who were also at Great Success in Saber Technique, hadn’t given Chen Cheng such a powerful impression.

He Zhiling was also observing his opponent.

The young man before him had delicate features and a slender frame. He lacked the sharp aura a Martial Artist should have, looking completely unremarkable—the kind of person who wouldn’t stand out in a crowd at all.

And yet, he possessed Innate Divine Power, capable of injuring Li Lin—who had cultivated the Fierce Tiger Fist to near Great Success—with a single punch.

He Zhiling had a steady personality and didn’t look down on Chen Cheng just because his Saber Technique was only at the Beginner Level. However, he was also confident enough that he could defeat him.

Because in terms of strength, even if he couldn’t injure Li Lin with a single punch like Chen Cheng, he wasn’t far off.

"You are strong, but I am not weak either. Because... I have reached the Beginner Level of the Skin Grinding Realm! Since Lord Shen has given his instructions, I will go all out in this battle. You had better be careful!"

Who among those who cultivated the Martial Dao didn’t want to stand out from the rest?

He Zhiling had entered the City Guard Department with his level of skill, single-mindedly seeking fame and achievement. With Chief Constable Shen Qingshuang watching the battle, if he didn’t seize this opportunity to display his strength, gain her attention, and win her approval, when would he?

With that, he took a half step forward with his left foot, his right foot following. His center of gravity shifted forward as he gripped the saber’s hilt with both hands. He held the blade vertically in front of his chest, edge forward and level with his shoulder, his gaze locked firmly on Chen Cheng.

This was the opening stance of the Six Harmonies Saber Technique: "Embracing the Moon!"

He was naturally steady and confident his strength wasn’t much less than Chen Cheng’s. He resolved to fight cautiously and secure victory through his Saber Technique, which was the very essence of the Six Harmonies Saber Technique.

As the saying goes, you know an expert by their first move.

He Zhiling’s opening stance earned a round of cheers from the crowd in the training grounds. Even Shen Ruoshuang in the stands nodded in silent approval.

Yang Tai, the Instructor from Liuhe Martial Arts Hall, glanced at Liu Yunfeng. Seeing the other man’s expressionless face, he grew increasingly bitter. ’I’m afraid I’ve truly offended this Chief Constable during this assessment,’ he thought.

He Zhiling didn’t pause his move. He charged forward, his long saber aimed straight for Chen Cheng’s face.

This was the move, "Sweeping the Six Harmonies!"

Once the blade technique unfolded, it was both expansive and graceful, yet ferocious and sharp.

’This guy really is tough!’ Chen Cheng thought. He braced himself and also slashed forward with his saber.

’No matter what, I’ll clash head-on and test his Power Dao first.’

Unexpectedly, He Zhiling’s blade technique changed mid-way. With a tap of his toes, his body spun abruptly, and he slashed his saber up toward Chen Cheng’s waist.

The movement was clean and decisive. His technique was fluid and continuous, fast and tight, precise and ruthless.

Chen Cheng hastily sidestepped to dodge, barely avoiding the slash.

Having gained the upper hand, He Zhiling was relentless. His saber technique shifted, and with a Head Wrap move, he aimed straight for Chen Cheng’s neck with incredible momentum.

Not daring to be careless, Chen Cheng moved his feet quickly and retreated a good distance away.

He Zhiling’s saber followed his body as he attacked fiercely, each slash aimed at Chen Cheng’s vital points.

This guy was truly fighting with all his might.

His blade techniques were balanced in both offense and defense, attacking the front while covering the rear, leaving almost no openings.

’The power of a Great Success Level Saber Technique is truly impressive, but his Body Technique speed seems a bit slow!’

With his own strength at Small Success in the Skin Grinding Realm, Chen Cheng could see the situation at a glance. Even though He Zhiling had reached the Beginner Level of the Skin Grinding Realm and was quite strong, his Body Technique was nowhere near as fast as Chen Cheng’s had been when he first reached that same level.

Even while carrying a fifty-jin weight, Chen Cheng could still leisurely dodge He Zhiling’s blade techniques.

Since he had a clear advantage in Body Technique speed, Chen Cheng didn’t clash with his Saber Technique head-on. Instead, he chose to avoid the brunt of the attacks, using his movement to constantly weave and circle.

He Zhiling’s Saber Technique was masterful, but his Body Technique speed was clearly much slower than Chen Cheng’s, so he couldn’t land a hit.

The duel between them gradually turned into a one-sided assault from He Zhiling, with Chen Cheng circling and dodging around him, occasionally striking out with his saber before rapidly retreating.

After dozens of rounds, He Zhiling found he still couldn’t do anything to Chen Cheng. But it also seemed impossible for Chen Cheng to defeat him. The two were locked in a difficult stalemate.

In the stands, Yang Tai of Liuhe Martial Arts Hall, who had been tense, slowly began to relax. He could already see that He Zhiling’s Body Technique speed was significantly slower than Chen Cheng’s, making it impossible for him to injure his opponent.

Liu Yunfeng also wore a relaxed expression.

Shen Ruoshuang, however, kept her eyes fixed on Chen Cheng, lost in thought.

Zhao Yongfeng, on the other hand, was losing his patience.

"This Chen Cheng! He’s not trying to attack, just blindly dodging. He’s clearly just messing around! At this rate, when will this match ever end?"

Liu Yunfeng shot him a glance and retorted, "Chief Zhao, what’s your hurry? Don’t tell me you don’t dodge when you’re in a Saber Technique duel?"

Zhao Yongfeng snorted coldly and said no more.

On the field, after dozens of rounds, Chen Cheng had gained a preliminary understanding of a Great Success Blade Master.

With the Great Success Saber Technique that He Zhiling displayed, he could probably, by himself, easily slay a dozen strong men who only knew basic slashing and chopping Scattering Hand Techniques.

But that was about it.

Because Chen Cheng had also gained a new understanding of his own strength at Small Success in Skin Grinding Realm.

All this time, it seemed he’d been caught in a misconception about real combat, always thinking that no matter how high your skill, you still had to fear a kitchen knife.

But in a true life-or-death battle, one’s own strength was the key to victory.

’He Zhiling’s techniques are certainly exquisite, but what’s the use if they can’t hit anyone?’

After a flurry of aggressive attacks, He Zhiling had expended a great deal of energy. His stamina seemed to be fading; his movement and slashing speed grew slower and slower. Chen Cheng, however, was largely unaffected and was gradually finding it easier and easier.

It appeared the scales of victory were slowly tipping in Chen Cheng’s favor.

In the stands, however, Liu Yunfeng thought, ’This is bad!’ He Zhiling wasn’t showing any signs of decline; he was secretly accumulating power for a final, devastating blow.

’If Chen Cheng doesn’t see through his opponent’s feint, he’ll probably let his guard down and attack recklessly. If that happens, it’ll be a disaster! He could be seriously injured, or even killed on the spot!’

Just as he was about to shout a warning, Shen Qingshuang’s slightly chilly voice drifted over.

"Chief Liu, be patient."

She had already seen that Chen Cheng’s strength was far superior to He Zhiling’s. Even if He Zhiling resorted to trickery, he had absolutely no chance of defeating Chen Cheng.

Liu Yunfeng said anxiously, "He Zhiling’s Saber Technique is masterful, and he has rich combat experience—"

"Enough!" Shen Qingshuang cut him off with a wave of her hand. "Just watch for now."

As they spoke, Chen Cheng’s figure flickered and moved, constantly changing his position as he circled He Zhiling. From time to time, he would thrust his long saber out in a probing manner, showing faint signs of going on the offensive.

Ignoring Shen Qingshuang’s words, Liu Yunfeng was about to shout a reminder, but he was a step too late. Chen Cheng’s figure shot forward, his body following his saber. The long saber in his hand moved like a shadow as he slashed straight for He Zhiling’s right arm.