Chapter 22: Mastery of the Saber Technique
Chen Ming spent over two hundred points in one go to raise the “Eight Trigrams Saber Technique” to “Proficient.”
Instantly, countless insights about this saber technique flooded his mind, as if he had painstakingly trained it for ten years.
【Level: 10】
【Current Points: 714】
【Martial Arts: Iron Horse Stance (Fifth Level Perfection), Three Suns Body Tempering (First Level 2/1000)】
【Combat Techniques: Three Talents Fist (Proficient 27/500+), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Proficient 5/500+)】
To be safe, Deng Ziyang had someone bring over a wooden saber.
With the saber in hand, Chen Ming naturally felt a surge of confidence.
In the Huo Residence, one was not even allowed to touch weapons until they had trained in martial arts for at least three years.
For low-grade martial artists, mastering a weapon could make it possible to defeat stronger opponents. After all, everyone was made of flesh and blood; if struck at a vital point by a blade, they would still be injured, or even killed.
Of course, to achieve such a feat, one’s weapon mastery had to far surpass the opponent’s.
In reality, gaining real combat experience was no easy task for an average martial artist. If you practiced with someone you trusted, you’d subconsciously hold back, and the training wouldn’t be realistic. If you sparred with someone you didn’t trust, the risk of injury to either party was too high—blades had no eyes.
Generally speaking, only when one had trained to the point where they had fully mastered a weapon and could no longer make further progress through mere practice, would they venture out into the world.
This was commonly known as “completing one’s apprenticeship.”
Qi Jun was from a gang and had already slashed people and seen blood several years ago. That was his trump card.
Today, emboldened by alcohol, he sought to reclaim his dignity from Chen Ming.
I can’t beat you in fists—can’t I best you in saber techniques?
“Please.”
When Chen Ming made a gesture of invitation, Qi Jun did not hesitate. He raised his wooden saber high and slashed down at Chen Ming.
Thud—
Chen Ming deflected the strike with precision.
Qi Jun immediately changed his move. The two clashed with speed.
Thud, thud, thud...
Wooden sabers collided rapidly.
Onlookers felt their blood boil, shouting with excitement.
Even though they were wooden sabers, with the strength both fighters possessed, a real hit would certainly cause injury—far more dangerous than barehanded combat.
At the banquet, Guan Peng had originally not paid much attention, but after watching for a while, he suddenly exclaimed, “This Brother Chen’s saber technique flows so smoothly—it’s truly exceptional.”
This was also Deng Ziyang’s first time seeing Chen Ming use a saber. His mastery was in no way inferior to his fist techniques. Deng was secretly amazed.
This Senior Brother Chen had such outstanding talent in both fist and saber techniques.
Zhuang Xiaotian sighed, “What a pity. If he never becomes a martial artist, it will all be for nothing.”
For martial artists, cultivation level was the foundation. Once one attained a ranking, they could easily overpower ordinary people. No matter how refined your techniques were, I could knock your weapon out of your hand with a single strike—what could you do then?
Smack!
At that moment, the wooden saber in Qi Jun’s hand was sent flying.
He stood there in a daze for a moment, then said bitterly, “I lost.”
【You have once again defeated an LV7 enemy. Gained 2 experience points.】
Chen Ming asked, “Is there anyone else who would like to try?”
“I will.”
Someone immediately responded. It was Peng Ruizhao.
…
Thus, what began as a fist sparring session turned into a saber technique contest.
Most of these people hadn’t studied the “Eight Trigrams Saber Technique,” so Chen Ming didn’t dare to be careless. He treated each match seriously, first observing and understanding the opponent’s saber style before launching counterattacks.
After eight bouts, the experience points for his “Eight Trigrams Saber Technique” had unexpectedly increased by two—a pleasant surprise.
He was about to return to his seat when he suddenly saw Guan Peng stand up, looking slightly drunk as he said, “Your saber technique is not bad. Do you still have the stamina? Spar with me for a few moves.”
Before Chen Ming could speak, Deng Ziyang quickly interjected, “Second Brother, how could Senior Brother Chen be your match? If you want to spar, I’ll do it with you.”
Guan Peng burst out laughing. “Big Brother, don’t worry. I just got excited watching the action and had an itch to fight. I won’t hurt him. Brother Chen, do you dare exchange a few moves with me?”
Chen Ming smiled. “If Brother Guan is willing to give me some guidance, that couldn’t be better.”
He had just been fretting over not being able to find a Ninth Grade opponent. This was the perfect opportunity to test his own strength.
However, it probably wouldn’t be enough like this.
He opened his panel and once again maxed out the proficiency of the “Eight Trigrams Saber Technique.”
【Level: 10】
【Current Points: 231】
【Martial Arts: Iron Horse Stance (Fifth Level Perfection), Three Suns Body Tempering (First Level 2/1000)】
【Combat Techniques: Three Talents Fist (Proficient 27/500+), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Mastery)】
Saber Technique Mastery!
Chen Ming felt countless insights on saber techniques flood his mind.
When he grasped the wooden saber again, it felt completely different.
This wooden saber felt incredibly familiar, as if it had become an extension of his own body.
Guan Peng vaguely sensed something different about him, but didn’t take it too seriously and asked, “Do you need to rest?”
“No need.”
Chen Ming smiled. “Oh, by the way, there’s something I need to tell you. I’m also a Ninth Grade martial artist.”
“Huh?”
Guan Peng was slightly taken aback.
The scene suddenly fell silent.
Everyone stared at him in astonishment.
Pfft—
Deng Ziyang, who had been drinking, spat out his wine and nearly choked. He asked in shock, “You… what did you say? When did you become Ninth Grade?”
Chen Ming didn’t explain much. He simply stretched his body slightly, and immediately, crackling sounds echoed from his joints.
Tendons and Bones Resounded in Harmony!
The surroundings erupted in an uproar.
Senior Brother Chen had actually become a Ranked Martial Artist?
He had become ranked, yet still practiced with them every day as a sparring partner?
My goodness, I’ve been sparring every day with a Ninth Grade martial artist?
So righteous!
Truly too righteous.
Qi Jun and Peng Ruizhao were both overwhelmed with excitement.
...
“He really is Ninth Grade.”
Guan Peng’s gaze sharpened.
The alcohol had completely left him, and his expression turned serious.
The fighting spirit in his eyes grew stronger. He tossed aside the wooden saber. “This thing doesn’t feel right. Why don’t we use our own weapons?”
“Alright.”
Chen Ming agreed and borrowed a longsaber from Deng Ziyang.
Guan Peng used a broadsaber with an especially long hilt—over fifty centimeters—suitable for two-handed use. The blade was also thicker and wider than usual.
Just looking at the saber, one could tell it was immensely powerful.
Its drawback was its lack of agility.
Before they began, Deng Ziyang stood up and said, “Let me say a word before you two start. One of you is my sworn brother, and the other is my senior brother. You can spar, but keep it measured. I don’t want to see either of you get hurt.”
Chen Ming and Guan Peng both agreed without hesitation.
“Please.”
Guan Peng was quite gracious. Since he had issued the challenge, etiquette dictated that he allow the opponent to make the first move.
Chen Ming lightly ran his fingers along the blade, feeling its curvature and balance. Then he performed the move “Hidden Edge of the Thick Earth,” signaling courtesy and that he would not take advantage.
“Well done!”
Guan Peng swept his broadsaber with a motion that belied its size, moving with astonishing speed.
Daring to wield such a unique weapon—he clearly had real skill.
Chen Ming responded with a move called “Cloud Dragon Reveals Its Scales,” barely managing to block the strike.
Clang!
A resonant clash rang out.
His tiger’s mouth went numb, and a notch had already formed on his blade.
The opponent had the advantage in both strength and weapon—this wasn’t a situation to brute force through.
Swish, swish, swish...
He followed up with “Three Slashes of Primordial Heaven,” each slash targeting Guan Peng’s weakest points, forcing him to retreat three steps.
In just a few brief exchanges, blades flashed rapidly.
The onlookers were dazzled and mesmerized.
Duels between ranked martial artists like this were not something they had many chances to witness.
Unfortunately, the two were moving so fast that most couldn’t clearly see what was happening.
The only ones who could follow the fight were Deng Ziyang and Zhuang Xiaotian. Their eyes were fixed intently on the match, and suddenly, they both clapped and shouted, “Good!”
In the blink of an eye, the two in the arena had exchanged more than ten moves.
The fight looked evenly matched, blow for blow.
But Deng Ziyang noticed that Chen Ming still seemed at ease, while Guan Peng had already resorted to his trump techniques.
He felt even more shocked.
This kid had really hidden his strength well—silently breaking through to the Ninth Grade without anyone knowing. And now, showcasing such exquisite saber techniques?
At the same time, a deep question welled up in his heart.
With Chen Ming’s talent, why had Huo Chengkun not noticed? Why had he let someone like that leave?
Chen Ming was nothing like him—his background was clean, and his temperament was steady. He was the perfect disciple. There was no reason Huo Chengkun would have let him go...
As his thoughts churned, the two figures in the arena had already reached a boiling point in the battle.
After over fifty exchanges, the two suddenly separated, standing four to five meters apart, and neither made another move.
“Why aren’t they fighting anymore?”
That was what the eight subordinates were thinking.
“Has the match been decided?”
That was the question in Deng Ziyang and Zhuang Xiaotian’s minds.
Just then, Chen Ming cupped his fist and said, “Thanks for letting me win.”
He had actually won?