Clang! Jiang Chen successfully denied Huang Yuzao. Jiang Chen revealed a short hook weapon similar to a scorpion’s tail the same colour as Punished that he kept hidden all this time. At the same time the weapon emerged, the hilt of Punished went missing.
Due to the change in forces resulting from their clash, the qi wall lost its shape, affording Jiang Chen the opportunity to pull Punished out of the qi mire.
Hiding his exasperation, Huang Yuzao coldly questioned, “When did you learn Gu Wuzhu’s ‘Ultimate Counter Token’?”
Punished was perfectly compatible with Gu Wuzhu’s omnipotent counter discipline because the weapon itself could be transformed into different forms, allowing the wielder to switch forms for counters easily. For this reason, Gu Wuzhu was credited as the best wielder of Punished in history. His victims went down thinking they were in control, unaware of how they were countered.
Jiang Chen pressed his hands together, transforming Punished into an executioner’s broadsword. “Out of pity for this old man who still can’t retire at this old age, King Gu bequeathed a few techniques to him. If you’re interested, I’ll make some time to impart them to you.”
As he spoke, Jiang Chen performed hand motions without needing to look at what he was doing. In correspondence with his hand motions, Punished transformed into a long and narrow blade in addition to a short and wide blade.
Wielding dual broadswords wasn’t just doubling on what one did with single wielding. The movements available, the intention, the stances, the centre of gravity and method of exerting force changed; it was the same as allowing kicks and punches versus only punches in a fight. Tackling the different animal was literally learning a new discipline altogether.
“I refuse to believe this can’t counter your swordplay.”
Contrary to his previous big swing, Jiang Chen made his subsequent attacks light. Huang Yuzao, on the other hand, stuck with the foundations of Principle of Six Swordplay, successfully repelling all incoming attacks.
In the dozens of subsequent exchanges, Jiang Chen transformed Punished into a single broadsword, a long cudgel, Emei piercers, a short axe and a long hook sword. He never learnt all of Ultimate Counter Token’s mental cultivation, and he hadn’t mastered the eighteen arms, but he was able to wield multiple weapons thanks to his vast knowledge. Compared to Gu Wuzhu, nonetheless, he was only 20% of Gu Wuzhu’s level, at best. Nevertheless, Huang Yuzao had an answer for everything Jiang Chen threw at him.
Principle of Six Swordplay was the bane of Jiang Chen’s style that constantly varied because the practitioner could figure out how the variations worked. Using that knowledge, they could nullify any tactics. Jiang Chen, as a result, eventually started repeating techniques once he ran out of variations.
“’Ultimate Counter Token’ is designed to be the counter. How can you be countering anything when everything you try is countered? Had you taught it to me, I’d make you pay for every attack!”
Huang Yuzao launched a thirteen-technique combo, slipping past Jiang Chen’s blade each time even though none of his strikes were anything special. He demonstrated speed without compromising power whatsoever. To put it into perspective, it was akin to building a sand dune out of grains of sand. Suffice to say, Jiang Chen gradually struggled more and more under the pressure. Like a refined gentleman, there was no rush to break down an opponent, and there was no need to be flashy. There didn’t need to be eye-catching delivery. There didn’t need to be special techniques. Every motion was measured. Every motion was purposeful. Every motion was polished. Eventually, though, there would be nothing you could do to stop him.
Cornered, Jiang Chen inhaled and then pressed his palms together, transforming Punished back into a large broadsword. No more utilising someone else’s technique. No more fun and games. Jiang Chen’s every next technique was delivered with ruthless aggression. Fighting this way against someone with less experience than him might not have been the most brag-worthy, but he was fed up with being pushed around. Alas, not even this modification could overcome Principle of Six Swordplay.
Huang Yuzao didn’t drill the skills he learnt from Yu Sihe into his body. After all, he barely had any time for himself once his duties as Daren Academy’s principal were accounted for. Additionally, he didn’t feel Principle of Six Swordplay was very compatible with his personality. It wasn’t the only swordplay in the Confucian library. It might’ve been a sophisticated discipline, but Huang Yuzao saw no reason to insist on learning it. Hence, he only started learning it after his mentor passed away.
Through learning Principle of Six Swordplay, Huang Yuzao began to understand his teacher’s character, teachings and feelings better. As such, he devoted himself to studying it, turning it into his most polished swordplay over the next two decades.
Despite Jiang Chen discarding his gentleman façade for a full-on vicious style of fighting, it just didn’t yield results. All the power behind his attacks would dissipate each time they were supposed to deal damage.
“If a fiend is to hit my sword himself, I am obligated to fulfil his wish.” Huang Yuzao pressured Jiang Chen once again, forcing the latter into a desperate blocking spree. “Teacher once said that you are a prodigy among prodigies of Confucianism. Even if you couldn’t master Principle of Six Swordplay, why can’t you understand the principle of six? Your attacks are not attacks but insults! It is humiliating for my teacher to have died to y-”
Huang Yuzao witnessed a dark purple qi stroke shoot up from the bottom – fast. He didn’t even have time to think about how Jiang Chen broke out of his control, yet his left shoulder had been tagged. He ignored the pain to retreat; however, Jiang Chen gave him no time to regain his base, aiming another attack at Huang Yuzao’s belly.
Huang Yuzao twisted out of the way whilst using his sword to block, his technique resembling steam pervading the atmosphere. At the same time, Jiang Chen countered with the same type of technique. To answer, Huang Yuzao switched to a swift strike, dispersing his confusion with speed. Once the mist was cleared, Huang Yuzao saw a dark-purple sword in Jiang Chen’s hand. What really surprised him was the swordplay pitted against him.
As Huang Yuzao started a quick combo, so did Jiang Chen, mirroring Huang Yuzao’s every motion. Their blades didn’t clash, but even the ignorant could recognise that the two men were utilising the exact same discipline. The swordplay Jiang Chen employed was none other than the very swordplay Huang Yuzao had spent the last twenty years studying – Principle of Six Swordplay.
Jiang Chen didn’t imitate Huang Yuzao’s movements. Jiang Chen’s Principle of Six Swordplay was delivered with textbook precision and sound understanding of each motion. Jiang Chen’s Principle of Six Swordplay wasn’t a bootleg version. It was the authentic Principle of Six Swordplay.
“You have some nerve!”
Never did Huang Yuzao imagine Jiang Chen was so familiar with Principle of Six Swordplay, let alone execute it at such a high level.
Jiang Chen hid the fact that he was an elite user of Principle of Six Swordplay until now so that he could mentally break Huang Yuzao. He didn’t need to break Huang Yuzao down for good; all he needed was for Huang Yuzao to doubt, to question if he still had more skills he had yet to show. One moment of distraction was plenty.
As aforementioned, Principle of Six Swordplay worked on a system of layering a cake. Accordingly, the more chances the wielder had, the bigger the advantage they could gain. When their proficiency with the swordplay was so close, it would be difficult to win on even grounds. Thus, one had to somehow gain the upper hand over his opponent.
Given Principle of Six Swordplay was the swordplay Huang Yuzao was the best with, even if he changed swordplay disciplines, there was no guarantee Jiang Chen could switch to another swordplay he was equally proficient at. That aside, how could it be considered revenge if he didn’t win using Principle of Six Swordplay?
Huang Yuzao disengaged, then started up from the beginning again, ending the cycle of mirroring each other. Abandoning everything he was doing to restart helped to clear his mind. Once he erased his irritation, he realised that Jiang Chen’s plans couldn’t have been perfect. Principle of Six Swordplay wasn’t primarily about how to kill someone efficiently and effectively. Every technique left room to show mercy. If one was to gain the upper hand, as long as the opponent was willing to disengage, then there was room to pull back before it was too late. Understanding that it offered one the chance to live and fight another day, Huang Yuzao didn’t need to retreat helter skelter.
The two were back to a tit-for-tat match once they restarted, restoring Huang Yuzao’s confidence and reminding him he had to avenge his mentor using Principle of Six Swordplay.
“You’ve finally become overconfident.”
Huang Yuzao suddenly felt his body go cold.
Jiang Chen reversed his grip on his sword when it should’ve been impossible to from his stance and arms’ position, then thrust, knocking aside Huang Yuzao’s sword to clear the way to Huang Yuzao’s heart. The red fruits of Jiang Chen’s magnificent reversal technique spilled out of Huang Yuzao’s back.
Yu Sihe never mentioned anything about such a reversal technique, and Huang Yuzao never realised the grip switch was possible despite all his research into the swordplay. The reversal made it seem as though everything Huang Yuzao ever knew was wrong. That being said, Huang Yuzao should’ve been able to avoid severe damage had he been vigilant, especially since he had regained his composure. Alas, Jiang Chen knew what emotional proceedings would occur in response to his words and actions, so he led Huang Yuzao into the real trap he had in mind from the beginning.
“There’s no need to think so hard. My swordplay is superior to yours. That’s all there is to it.”
Jiang Chen prepared to pull out his sword, only to see Huang Yuzao glow golden. A large golden python opened its eyes and bit Jiang Chen, sending him straight to the ground so hard that half of his body was buried underground.
Huang Yuzao looked down at Jiang Chen and, in a low voice, asked, “Huh? What were you saying?”
Glossary
Emei piercers – https://www.totalmartialartsupplies.com/en/kung-fu-emei-piercers
… technique resembling steam pervading the atmosphere – To make it less abstract, it’s pointing out that the delivery is difficult to read. Through a quick attack, such as a check hook, one can hope to regain some semblance of control. If you were to just stand there puzzled, it’s called freezing up.
