Chapter 403 - 401 All martial arts under heaven, only speed is unbeatable.

Upon hearing Jiang Ruoqing’s words, Wu Xin’Er chuckled and then asked, "Sister Ruoqing, are you a Sword Cultivator?"

"Why do you ask?"

Wu Xin’Er continued, "What Swordsmanship are you practicing, Sister Ruoqing?

I was born into the Wu Family, and usually do nothing but read and learn in the library. The Wu Family nurtures many Jianghu experts, among them very few are Sword Cultivators. I’ve read thousands of Martial Arts texts, and through exposure, I’ve developed a Talent."

Jiang Ruoqing listened intently.

Chen Mo was also intrigued.

Wu Xin’Er calmly stated, "I can identify the strengths and weaknesses of various Martial Arts and correspondingly make improvements."

After saying this, Wu Xin’Er gave a faint smile.

Hearing this, both Chen Mo and Jiang Ruoqing were startled, the latter couldn’t help but exclaim, "A Martial Arts master."

Being able to discern the strengths and weaknesses of various Martial Arts and make corresponding improvements surely qualifies one as a Martial Arts master.

"If Sister Ruoqing tells me the Swordsmanship you’re practicing, maybe I could offer some suggestions," Wu Xin’Er gently coaxed.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ruoqing’s eyes narrowed, and she chose to remain silent.

The Swordsmanship she practiced was the Su Nv Pure Heart Swordsmanship, a secret not passed outside of the Su Nv Sect. Since the Su Nv Sect’s single-lineage tradition, it has never been leaked.

But there’s always the possibility that a sect leader in the past showed it while traveling, and someone with keen intentions remembered it, which might let Wu Xin’Er see through something.

Wouldn’t her identity be fully exposed then?

Seeing Jiang Ruoqing remain silent, Wu Xin’Er pursed her lips, unable to believe she was unmoved by such generous conditions.

This left Wu Xin’Er at a loss for how to proceed.

So she turned her gaze to Chen Mo, "What about you, General Chen Mo?"

"I can’t be your good sister." Chen Mo joked.

Wu Xin’Er smiled, "No need, just let me see General Chen Mo’s true strength."

"Then I’ll embarrass myself," he said.

With nothing better to do, Chen Mo took it as an opportunity to practice swordplay.

Wu Xin’Er didn’t blink.

Even the shabby-looking Old He, standing silently to the side, straightened his back, his murky old eyes flashing with a gleam, focusing on Chen Mo.

Naturally, Chen Mo wouldn’t reveal his true strength. The Swordsmanship he was about to perform was Sword One, taught by Lin Su Ya, curious to see if Wu Xin’Er could improve upon this move.

True Qi swirled around Chen Mo’s body, creating a whirlwind around him, converging towards his sword-wielding right hand.

Instantly, Chen Mo’s entire aura changed.

The invisible Sword Qi he emitted was so intense it hurt to look at.

"Such strong Sword Qi," Old He spoke, his voice deep and low.

Having cultivated for most of his life, it was the first time he felt such powerful Sword Qi.

Wu Xin’Er instinctively stepped back a few paces, yet her eyes remained fixed on Chen Mo’s movements.

"Swish!"

Chen Mo moved, and in an instant, a black gleam flashed across Tianwen, streaking out forcefully.

Whoosh!

The sound of the sword was like a dragon traversing the wild.

Boom!

Suddenly, a massive explosion occurred, transforming a stone pedestal not far behind Wu Xin’Er into powder.

And all of this happened in the blink of an eye.

After the sword light, silence reigned.

Wu Xin’Er didn’t even blink, nor did she dare to breathe, missing the chance to observe clearly.

Yet, she saw nothing.

Too fast.

Although this sword didn’t create a world-shaking spectacle, to someone who had studied thousands of Martial Arts, she understood the intimidating power of this one strike.

Old He was also full of disbelief. Having lived most of his life, he could assert that in a one-on-one situation, no one in this world could withstand this sword.

Jiang Ruoqing wore a look of surprise; she thought she had seen Chen Mo’s true strength on the battlefield, but she hadn’t expected he still held back.

And looking at his calm expression, it seemed this sword wasn’t even his strongest.

"How is it?"

Chen Mo sheathed Tianwen, quite satisfied with this display of "power before others."

"What’s this move called?" Wu Xin’Er asked.

"Sword One." Chen Mo replied.

"Sword One," Wu Xin’Er pondered: "To kill with just one sword, Sword One, what a fitting name."

Chen Mo: "..."

"It’s a pity you were so fast that I couldn’t see it clearly and can’t offer any suggestions. Could you slow down a bit?" Wu Xin’Er asked somewhat embarrassedly.

It wasn’t that her Talent was lacking, but rather her own power wasn’t up to par to clearly see that sword. If she were on the same Realm as Chen Mo, the result might be different.

Chen Mo shook his head, "The key to this sword is speed, slowing it down is impossible."

Wu Xin’Er nodded, "In Martial Arts, only speed is undefeatable. As long as it’s fast enough, then it has no flaws."

All of a sudden, Wu Xin’Er’s interest in Chen Mo surged.

In Jiang Ruoqing’s eyes, Wu Xin’Er was trying to fatten her pig for slaughter.

...

Once completely at leisure.

Chen Mo began simulations again.

To see if the enemy army just intended a simple siege, or if they had other tricks up their sleeves.

Without simulation, it didn’t matter, but once simulated, it was shocking.

The other side actually wanted to use flooding to attack the city.

The terrain of the Yao River is a bit higher than Qinyang County, but without human intervention, no matter how high the water of Yao River rises, it wouldn’t flood into Qinyang County.

But if someone intentionally blocked it, causing the river to change course, then it’s hard to say.

...

The eighty-fourth day of the Great Turmoil.

That night.

On the city wall, drums pounded, and torches lit up from the city walls, the flames shooting up into the sky, seemingly turning into thousands of troops and horses.

With such a commotion in Qinyang County, the allied forces stationed opposite naturally knew immediately.

Although Zhao Jiang didn’t quite believe the other side would dare to launch an attack in the middle of the night, Chen Mo’s bold actions weren’t just one or two instances.

Zhao Jiang dared not be careless, immediately ordering the entire army to assemble, forming ranks to guard against a sudden attack from the other side.

The various lords saw the flames rising from the city wall and thought for a moment that the other side knew about their plan to flood the city and intended to make a desperate fight, as this had happened before, so they all stayed alert.

Just when the enemy’s attention was drawn to the city wall’s defenders, a few Black Shadows stealthily slipped out from behind the city.

And on the city wall, the drum’s rhythm changed.

This was the signal for an assault.

The enemy army was stunned upon hearing this drumming; were they really going to charge?

"Boom!"

Suddenly, the drawbridge was lowered, letting out a loud sound.

The enemy saw the drawbridge lowered and immediately thought it was a sign that the defenders would sortie, each gripping their weapons, waiting for the city gates to open.

But after a quarter of an hour, apart from the drawbridge being down, there was no sign that the city gates would open.

"What is Chen Mo up to? Beating the war drums, yet remaining inactive." Zhao Bo frowned.

"That kid is full of deceit; who knows what tricky idea he’s brewing. Maybe they’re waiting for us to relax our guard before they charge out." Zhao Qi shrank his neck and said.