Chapter 10

6. Sword and Fist (2)

"Sparring? I'm fine with that. I was actually curious about you lately."

At Xiao Zhongtian's request, Zhang Zijun readily agreed as if he had been waiting for it.

"I've never faced an opponent with a sword... I want to get a feel for it, so please go easy on me."

"Hey, I heard you defeated the Fourth Squad Leader."

"That was just the price of carelessness, not skill."

"Haha! You're modest."

Despite Xiaoming's earnest attempts to explain, Zhang Zijun didn't seem to believe him.

'Ugh! What does it matter. Once we start, he'll quickly see my level.'

The two moved to a corner of the training ground and faced each other.

"Zhang Zijun of the Dianzhang Sect. I specialize in the Fen Guang Sword Technique."

"Xiao Zhongtian. I learned the Chuying Fist, a family martial art."

"Shall we start then?"

Zhang Zijun took a stance, pointing his sword.

A blunt iron sword used for training, not properly sharpened.

Zhang Zijun naturally has his own sword, but to prevent any accidents, they agreed to use the training swords provided in the training ground.

'This is still a sword, so it should be fine. It can't be that only a perfectly sharp weapon can complete the task, right?'

He believed the mission system would be flexible enough.

"Wait a moment."

Xiao Zhongtian put on the hand guards provided in the training ground and moved his arms lightly.

Hand guards are leather protectors with metal plates embedded, covering from the hand to the elbow.

Even with training weapons, it's absurd to clash bare skin with metal to gain the upper hand.

Some martial artists can break swords or iron armor with their fists, but that level of skill is only found in top-notch martial artists who have trained their bodies and skills to the extreme.

'Would it be possible for a coach like Zhuo Ming?'

In any case, for a mere student like Xiao Zhongtian, it's still an unattainable level.

Experienced martial artists skilled in hand guards can use the metal parts to deflect sword strikes like a shield.

'This is pretty good. I should get one of these for myself.'

Though they are common supplies, the quality isn't bad, and his arms and wrists moved smoothly without much discomfort.

After preparing, Xiao Zhongtian took the initial stance of the Chuying Fist and spoke.

"Alright. Please go easy on me, as I said."

"Enough talk. Here I come!"

Zhang Zijun's sword, like an arrow, aimed for Xiao Zhongtian's shoulder at a considerable speed.

"Whoa!"

Xiao Zhongtian calmly stepped back to create distance and struck the sword with the back of his hand.

As the sword lost momentum, Xiao Zhongtian firmly planted his foot and tried to counterattack.

However, the sword, which seemed to have been deflected lightly, changed into a different move as Zhang Zijun twisted his wrist, aiming for Xiao Zhongtian's waist.

"Ouch!"

Startled, Xiao Zhongtian lowered his arm to block, and the dull sound of the sword and hand guard clashing echoed.

A tingling pain spread through his entire arm.

Even with the hand guard, the impact couldn't be completely absorbed, so it's best to minimize contact and succeed in the attack.

'Damn! It's easy to say you win by not getting hit, but it's not that simple!'

Xiao Zhongtian cursed inwardly, focusing on the sword's movements.

Fen Guang Sword Technique.

A famous sword technique of the Dianzhang Sect, emphasizing speed, as its name suggests.

Xiao Zhongtian had heard of it from martial arts novels.

'It's fast, but it doesn't seem faster than Murong Xueluo's punches.'

Murong Xueluo probably has a higher level of internal energy, and the weight of the sword makes it impossible for it to move as fast as bare hands, even with its speed.

The problem is the range of attack.

Although the movement starts a bit later than bare hands, the added length of the arm and the sword makes the closing distance faster.

'Fists and weapons... it's a battle of distance. If I can get into close combat, I might have an advantage.'

It's not easy.

Diving into the range of a sword filled with killing intent is not something just anyone can do.

This is a friendly sparring match with a training sword, so it's only to this extent, but in a real fight, he would have frozen in fear at the thought of getting close.

'Now that I've faced this, I understand how insane it is to defeat a weapon with a fist. Maybe I should wait until I get a sword technique or something before attempting the mission?'

Fist techniques are one of the most basic martial arts in the history of martial arts, and this is a world of martial arts where internal energy exists, but there's a reason why few high-level martial artists use fists as their main skill.

Xiao Zhongtian defended against the continuous attacks with a defensive attitude and tried to attack a few times, but he couldn't break through the sword's wide range of attack and couldn't launch a proper offensive.

"Hmm... Are you doing it right?"

Zhang Zijun paused his attack and spoke.

Xiao Zhongtian, slightly embarrassed, blushed and replied.

"Yeah. Though it's embarrassing, this is my level."

"I'm not an expert in fist techniques, but I think the movements of martial artists should be more bold and fast."

He's right.

To overcome the disadvantage in attack range, one must move faster than the opponent and dive into their attack with a fierce determination.

"It's just that, as I said, this is my first time sparring with a swordsman... I feel a bit intimidated."

"Hmm. I can see that. You need to get used to the sword. I'll move a bit slower, so let's try again."

If it were another student, they might have mocked Xiao Zhongtian or left after a fruitless sparring session.

But Zhang Zijun, like an older brother teaching a younger one, kindly advised and devoted his time.

'Damn! You're a good guy! I'll definitely repay you when I become a high-level martial artist!'

After about half an hour, the sparring session ended as Zhang Zijun sheathed his sword.

"It's getting dark. Let's stop here. You've improved a lot since the beginning, though."

"Huff, huff! Thanks."

Fighting a swordsman is a very difficult task.

Thanks to Zhang Zijun's leniency, he managed to get a few counterattack opportunities, but the Chuhun Kick, which won him the sparring with Murong Xueluo, didn't have much impact this time.

Unlike a fist-to-fist fight, where the range is limited, the wider attack range of a sword gave the opponent time to react to his counterattacks.

'As Zijun said, if I can't dive in more boldly, even if I get an opportunity, the opponent can easily escape.'

During the sparring, he didn't land any proper attacks on Zhang Zijun, but he got a feel for how to fight a swordsman.

'I've also gotten used to using the hand guard. If I practice more, I might be able to seize a proper opportunity.'

Strictly speaking, Zhang Zijun's skills weren't overwhelmingly superior.

It was just that Xiao Zhongtian's mindset hadn't fully overcome his fear of weapons.

'If I can deal with it more calmly and skillfully, that would be great.'

After a moment of thought, Xiao Zhongtian tentatively asked Zhang Zijun, who was shaking off his body.

"Zijun... I'm sorry to ask, but can you spare some time next time? I don't have much to offer now, but I'll definitely repay you."

It was a request without much hope.

Today, he might have reluctantly joined the sparring since he had already agreed, but there was no reason for Zhang Zijun to continue such a fruitless training session.

"For a while in the evening, say... half an hour or so, I can manage."

But Zhang Zijun nodded without showing any dislike.

"Really? Thanks!"

"It's nothing. Besides, it's boring to just do personal training after class. It's a good change of pace. It reminds me of home."

"Huh? Home?"

"When I stayed at the sect, I often looked after the cute junior disciples. I tend to meddle a lot, you know. Hahaha!"

"Ah... I see."

Xiao Zhongtian awkwardly laughed at Zhang Zijun's answer.

Being treated like a younger brother by a 15-year-old is a bit embarrassing.

'Anyway, it's helpful for me. I should ask for sparring sessions from time to time.'

Even aside from the mission, it's a valuable time to gain experience in fighting swordsmen.

A new item was added to Xiao Zhongtian's daily routine.

On days with mandatory lectures, he attends classes and then memorizes the incantations of the Banya Divine Skill, struggling with them.

And in the evening, he has a sparring session with Zhang Zijun.

This went on for a week.

"Ha!"

"Ouch!"

After daily sparring sessions, he finally landed a proper blow on Zhang Zijun for the first time.

Using the hand guard to deflect the thrust, he aimed for the gap in Zhang Zijun's waist and lunged.

Zhang Zijun tried to dodge and slash back, but Xiao Zhongtian calmly blocked and pressed forward, twisting his body and swinging his arm.

An elbow strike stopped just in front of Zhang Zijun's forehead.

"Wow! That was very clean. This time, I lose. You've improved a lot."

"Hehe, thanks."

Xiao Zhongtian caught the opportunity well, and Zhang Zijun didn't use his full strength, so he acknowledged the defeat without much emotion.

However, for Xiao Zhongtian, this statement had a significant meaning.

'Hehe! So this level of sparring is also recognized within the mission scope.'

He wanted to open the treasure box immediately but first bowed to Zhang Zijun in gratitude.

Thanks to his continued participation in the fruitless sparring sessions, he became more familiar with fighting swordsmen and completed the mission.

"Thanks. I've gained a lot from this."

"Among comrades, it's nothing. I'm glad I could help."

With a sincere farewell, Zhang Zijun straightened his posture, nodded, and smiled.

"I think we can end the sparring here. Thanks again for everything. I have some things to sort out, so I'll go in first."

"Hmm, did you gain some insight?"

"Haha! Not that grand, but something like that."

"Congratulations, friend! I hope you achieve the results you want. Next time, you'll have a good experience facing a real martial artist."

Xiao Zhongtian awkwardly laughed at Zhang Zijun's words.

'I only know fist techniques for now