Chapter 31: Exploration: Part 1

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

“Look at the prize! I think we can do it!” Russell suggested.

“With your strength, even the strongest Chen Huan is no match for you. You’re gonna make it. However, there were ten teams in Huaisha the last time, and I don’t know how many people are taking part this time,” Shayeen explained.

“Ten teams?” Lin Sheng was surprised. “Isn’t there only three clubs?”

“It’s based on individual participation. Anyone with a bit of confidence can take part in it, provided that they have their own equipment to protect themselves. So, we’re not the only three clubs taking part in it,” Shayeen explained.

“Got it.” Lin Sheng nodded.

“So, master, you wanna join?” Russell asked, anticipating an answer. “If you do, you can help us get some trophies or something for the club. It’ll be much easier for us to recruit members in the future!”

Lin Sheng thought about it in silence, then nodded. “Yes.”

“I knew it! Now they’re going to lose!” Russell burst into laughter.

“Each county can qualify for two places. Chen Huan should be able to take second place. Of course, the premise isn’t to clash with our instructor,” Shayeen said calmly.

Lin Sheng looked at the information in his hand. His eyes fell on the date of the competition: April 13th.

“What’s the date today?” he asked casually.

“The 27th of March. There’s more than ten days before the game. It’s still early,” replied Shayeen.

“Well, there can only be one participant. You’ll be the reserves, then. Well, that’s all. Let’s start today’s class,” Lin Sheng said, returning the leaflet to Shayeen.

The other three quickly put down their things and got up to stand in line before him. Although they slacked a little, Lin Sheng could see that they were serious.

Lin Sheng’s position in their hearts had been completely different ever since he defeated Russell. He was no longer just an ordinary paid coach, and they took him seriously.

Lin Sheng scanned the three of them carefully from left to right.

The first was Russell.

The guy was 1.8 meters tall and strong. He had deep blond hair, some freckles on his face, and his eyes were a common pale blue. He looked like a regular white guy.

He was not handsome. He looked cheeky, but he could be tough when he was serious.

Lin Sheng made a little analysis, quickly positioning Russell. He knew what style to direct him in.

Then he looked at Madillan.

Madillan was a little taller than Russell, almost 1.9 meters tall. He was a little thinner with longer hands and legs, as well as a plain face.

He always completed his training honestly and earnestly. He was the most solid of the three, having the strongest endurance and strength.

Next was Shayeen.

She was a typical rich lady who had a high IQ, arrogance, and perseverance. Although she was not as good as Madillan, she was of the same level as Russell.

She was beautiful but not delicate.

After he analyzed the three of them, Lin Sheng sorted out his ideas and slowly gave them an explanation.

“You’ve been practicing the basics for a while. Basic moves are the foundation of all styles and techniques. All sword styles are evolved from these basic moves.”

He paused for a moment and continued.

“Naxi swordsmanship doesn’t refer to the traditional swordsmanship in the Naxi area, but it’s a general term for many types of swordsmanship based on it, which have evolved in various regions.”

“And in this swordsmanship, I need to determine your mastery of the moves.”

He swung his long sword before he held it tightly with both hands and swished it. The tip of the sword almost touched the ground.

“What is this move?”

“Umm… it’s an upward thrust. Its main purpose is to strike between the legs!” Russell answered decisively.

“Master, we haven’t learned this before. Also, isn’t this too obscene…”

Lin Sheng glanced at Madillan and Shayeen. Both of them looked puzzled.

He knew at once that there seemed to be a great deal of difference between Naxi swordsmanship and the swordsmanship he obtained from his dream.

He paused again, then explained.

“In Naxi swordsmanship, most moves are mainly aimed to combat a bayonet charge, so our protective suits are used to protect against stabbing and cutting. However, my swordsmanship is different. I pay attention not only to stabbing, but also splitting, cutting and other basic moves.”

“That means you’ve created your own swordsmanship?” Shayeen asked immediately.

“No.” Lin Sheng shook his head. “I inherited my swordsmanship from an ancient school. I name it…” For a moment, a great number of names flashed through his mind.

But after a brief hesitation, he chose the simplest one.

“I name it… Blackfeather swordsmanship.”

He had fused with and absorbed the swordplay of the warriors as well as swordsmen from Blackfeather City. Hence, it was not a problem to name the swordsmanship as Blackfeather.

“Blackfeather? Why is it called Blackfeather?” Shayeen was curious.

“We’ll talk about that later. Now, let me explain the principle of this move.”

Lin Sheng began to elaborate.

“This is called the Irongate style. There are many variations of the Irongate style, but the most commonly used one is placing the sword in the middle, which is called the Central Irongate.

“This move can connect with many subsequent sword skills, and it’s also the most defensive move. It looks like you’re leaving your unguarded head open, but it’s just a trick.”

He then began to show them how the pose or move changed.

Although the three had already mastered some of the moves in Naxi swordsmanship, it was the first time they had heard of Irongate, therefore they studied it very carefully.

Lin Sheng also sorted out the memories of the corrupted swordsman in his mind while he instructed them.

From the swordsman’s memory, he not only acquired a comprehensive basis of Blackfeather swordsmanship, but he also obtained a real, orthodox one.

Before that, he had received the sword skill, Furious Blow from Ravel’s letter as well, though he did not practice it hard.

He did try to practice Ravel’s Furious Blow, but unfortunately, his progress was too slow.

In comparison with hunting rotten swordsmen and getting their memories right away, he estimated that it would take him at least half a year to master the Furious Blow.

And it would take even longer to fully integrate it into his own swordsmanship system.

The reason was that Ravel’s Furious Blow, which he had developed for himself, was the best sword skill for him.

“I can study and absorb the essence of it, but it’s not advisable to copy it completely.” Lin Sheng had recently spent his spare time thinking about what he translated on the Furious Blow.

He was trying to incorporate the power skills into other similar moves, but the process was slow.

Time went by quickly while they trained, and soon, forty minutes passed without them realizing.

Lin Sheng left some homework for them and left the club after he said his goodbyes.

After he obtained the memory of the corrupted swordsman, his strength had increased greatly. Although he did not completely digest it, the next time he entered his dream, he would no longer be the ordinary rookie he once was.

At least I’m a formal soldier, a Level 1 warrior, right ? he thought.

With such an idea in mind, Lin Sheng went home and continued to practice hard.