Chapter 18
Hiyoshiwaka was struggling to get up from the ground, his face showing a mixture of severe pain, humiliation and unwillingness.
Hearing his father's shout, he froze and looked with gritted teeth at the middle-aged man at the door who was wearing a dark Taoist robe and had a solemn and majestic face - the current head of the Hiyoshi family, Hiyoshi Tsuyoshi.
Hiyoshi Tsuyoshi's eyes were as sharp as an eagle's. He did not look at his embarrassed son first, but instead looked at me heavily, with too many complicated emotions surging in his eyes.
He strode into the dojo, each step making the wooden floor thud, carrying the heavy pressure of the head of the family.
"Father! I can still..." Hijiruo struggled to speak, his voice a little hoarse due to pain, and his eyes were full of fighting spirit that refused to admit defeat.
"Shut up!" Hiyoshi interrupted him harshly, his voice low but undeniable. He finally turned his gaze to his son, his eyes as stern as a knife. "Stand up! Look at you now!"
Hijiruo gritted his teeth, endured the severe pain in his lower back, and stood up shakily, but still held his neck straight and looked at me stubbornly.
Hiyoshi Tsuyoshi's gaze fell back on me, with a penetrating scrutiny. He spoke slowly, his voice echoing in the silent dojo, clearly reaching everyone's ears: "There's no need to fight anymore, Ruo. You can't beat her."
"Father!" Hijiruo suddenly looked up, his face showing extreme surprise and dissatisfaction.
Hiyoshi Tsuyoshi's gaze swept across the wooden short spear that had fallen in the distance, then back to the silver chain around my waist, which was still swaying slightly from the violent movement just now, reflecting a cold light. His tone was firm, with irrefutable insight: "She never used a real weapon from beginning to end. And you, have already fallen."
These words were like a heavy hammer, hitting Hijiruo's heart hard.
His body trembled violently, and he looked at the silver chain around my waist that looked like an ornament in disbelief, then looked at my calm face, and finally lowered his head dejectedly, his clenched fists so tightly that the knuckles turned white due to the force.
So that was her weapon?
His proud ancient martial arts were defeated by the opponent's bare hands?!
I slowly lowered my sideways, guarded posture and stood up straight.
He was still breathing a little hard, and sweat was dripping down his temples.
I looked at Hiyoshi Wakaba and spoke calmly, with a hint of respect for my opponent: "Hiyoshi-kun, I'm sorry. That kick just now was quite powerful, but it only temporarily knocked you off balance. It won't hurt your bones or internal organs. Bruising is inevitable, but rest for a night and it won't hurt tomorrow."
I can say this with certainty, this is the precise control accumulated through countless actual combat.
Hiyoshi's eyes flashed upon hearing this, and his sharp gaze focused on me once again, filled with even deeper surprise and inquiry. "How can you control your strength to such an exquisite degree?"
He asked in a deep voice, his tone filled with undisguised admiration, "Being able to knock down an opponent instantly while ensuring only the slightest, controlled flesh wounds... Little girl, who is your master?"
This question goes straight to the core. Obviously, my skills and control are not something that can be acquired through unskillful training.
I just slightly curled the corners of my mouth towards the majestic head of the Hiyoshi family, revealing a faint but distant smile, and did not answer.
Some things are not yet time to be said.
My silence, far from making Hiyoshi Tsuyoshi retreat, aroused a stronger interest in his eyes and a burning desire to fight as if he had met a worthy opponent. A rare smile of the heroism of a warrior appeared on his usually serious face.
"Good! That's a good point!" Hiyoshi Tsuyoshi said loudly, with a broad-minded and appreciative voice.
He looked at me with blazing eyes, the aura of a top-tier warrior slowly rising from him. "I've long been fascinated by the vast and profound Chinese martial arts, and today I've witnessed that they truly live up to their reputation! Little girl, would you be willing to exchange a few more moves with me?"
He paused, his eyes fixed on the silver chain around my waist, his gaze sharp as lightning: "I also want to see your real 'weapon'."
Inside the dojo, Atobe Keigo and Oshitari Yuushi held their breath almost at the same time.
Oshitari's eyes behind the lenses widened as he stared at the seemingly insignificant silver chain - it turned out to be a weapon?
Atobe's gaze slid from my calm face to the silver chain around my waist, and then to Hiyoshi Tsuyoshi, whose aura suddenly became as heavy as a mountain. An unprecedented emotion, a mixture of shock, curiosity and a hint of inexplicable tension, surged in his eyes.
Hiyoshi has just taken action himself! Do we still need to see Kiriyamagakure's weapons?
Hiyoshiwaka suddenly raised his head, looked at his father in shock, and then looked at me in disbelief.
Father...actually challenged her?
After a series of fierce battles, he had indeed consumed a lot of his physical strength, but the fire of a warrior in his chest was once again ignited by Hiyoshi Tsuyoshi's challenging words and his undisguised gaze that showed a desire for true strength!
It is a blessing for a warrior to meet a worthy opponent.
I took a deep breath, and the cool air from the mountain forest in the early morning rushed into my lungs, quickly smoothing out the slight disorder in my breathing.
Facing Hiyoshi Tsuyoshi's sharp eyes, filled with fighting spirit and inquiry, I clearly felt the dormant blood in my body awaken. My fingertips unconsciously brushed against the cool silver chain clasp at my waist, and the familiar touch brought a strange sense of security.
"It's my honor to spar with Senior Hiyoshi." My voice was clear and resonant in the dojo, carrying the solemnity and faint excitement of meeting a real opponent.
With a slight jerk of his wrist—
"jingle……"
A sound that was clearer and longer than any before, and seemed to carry the trembling of a metallic soul, suddenly rang out.
I saw that the thin silver chain that was originally hanging casually around my waist seemed to be given life.
One end of it had quietly slipped into my palm at some point, while the other end, like an awakened snake, drew a cold, smooth, and elastic silver arc in the air and fell steadily to the ground.
The finely woven links shone with a chilling luster in the morning light, and when stretched, the chain exuded an indescribable tenacity and sharpness. How could it be any decoration? It was clearly a unique weapon, possessing restrained murderous intent, soft yet strong.
An astonishing light burst out from Hiyoshi Tsuyoshi's eyes, which was the excitement of seeing his favorite prey. "Okay!" He shouted, his voice shaking the roof tiles, and his whole aura instantly rose, like a sword drawn from its sheath.
He did not reach for the bamboo sword or wooden knife on the weapon rack, but took a big step back with his left foot, his body center of gravity as steady as a mountain, raised his right arm, spread his five fingers, palm facing forward, and made an extremely simple and heavy starting posture that was both offensive and defensive.
A powerful aura as unshakable as a rock instantly enveloped the entire dojo.
Atobe had never seen the Hiyoshi family head in such a state before; his aura was so overwhelming that it was almost suffocating. The silver chain in Kiriyama's hand, which had suddenly "come alive," sent a huge shock through his heart. Its icy luster seemed to hold some kind of magic, captivating his gaze.
That chain! That stance! This is real combat!
Hijiruo's breathing stopped. He stared at his father's posture, which was as if he was facing a great enemy but full of excitement. Then he looked at the slender figure in the field holding a silver chain, whose aura became as calm as a deep pool but with turbulent undercurrents. The huge impact made his mind go blank.
"Please teach me!"
The moment Hiyoshi finished his shout, my wrist shook violently!
“Buzz!”
The thirteen-section silver chain in the palm of his hand seemed to come alive, emitting a clear and long metallic dragon roar that went straight through his eardrums!
The chain that was originally hanging down suddenly straightened up like a gun, and the thirteen-section fine steel rings burst out with a dazzling cold light in the morning light. The sharp conical tail spike at the end of the chain was like the fangs of a poisonous dragon, tearing through the air, carrying a little deadly silver star, and piercing Hiyoshi Tsuyoshi's throat without any fancy moves!
The speed and the angle were so sharp that it was far superior to the previous battle with Hiyoshi Ruka!
Hiyoshi's eyes flashed with brilliance. Facing this lightning-fast thrust, he neither retreated nor dodged. With a low roar, his feet stomped onto the ground like old, rooted pines, and a powerful, overwhelming aura erupted.
The muscles in his right arm bulged instantly, almost tearing the loose sleeves of his kendo uniform. A faint bronze sheen appeared on the surface of his skin, which was a manifestation of pushing his horizontal training skills to the extreme.
"clang!!"
There was a sharp sound of metal collision that made one's teeth ache!
He actually used the outer edge of his forearm, infused with powerful hard Qigong, to forcibly deflect the tip of my swiftly thrusting chain, sending sparks flying. A massive recoil traveled along the chain, numbing my wrist and sending the chain trembling violently with a mournful humming sound.
What a strong skill! It's like casting copper and iron!
"Horizontal Training Golden Bell Cover?!" Oshitari's glasses almost slipped off his nose. He held the frame tightly, his voice changing tone, "The head of the Hiyoshi family actually..."
When Atobe saw that thunderous thrust, his heart nearly leaped into his throat. Then came the terrifying sight of the metal colliding! The combined visual and auditory shock made his breathing pause for a moment. It was an almost brutal shock brought on by pure power.
The first stab failed, and Hiyoshi Tsuyoshi became even more powerful!
He was like a moving mountain, his waist lowered and his hips hunched. His fists were like hammers, and with a terrifying sound like splitting mountains and cracking rocks, he struck directly at the center of the palace. Wherever his fists reached, the air emitted a dull explosion.
His fighting style was vigorous and fierce. With every step he took, the wooden floor groaned under the heavy weight. He tried to crush the agility of this "silver dragon" of mine with his absolute strength and defense.
“Just in time!”
My eyes burned with fighting spirit. I tapped the ground with my toes, my body seemingly weightless, weaving and sliding through the gaps between the fierce blows. The thirteen-link silver chain in my hand came alive.
“Swish! Swish!”
Sometimes the silver chain is stretched straight like a spear, poking, stabbing, and piercing, tricky and ruthless, focusing on joints and acupoints; sometimes it is flexible like a vine, drawing a large arc, pulling, sweeping, and wrapping, with a whistling sound that tears the air, blocking Hiyoshi Tsuyoshi's space to move; sometimes it is like a wildly dancing snake, and the thirteen sections of the chain are swung at high speed to transform into silver shadows all over the sky, layered and difficult to distinguish between real and fake.
Silver arcs of light flashed and roared wildly in the dojo, like an enraged silver dragon, surrounding the Acala-like Hiyoshi Tsuyoshi and biting him madly.
Yuushi Oshitari could no longer keep up with the dazzling trajectory of the silver chain. He only saw silver light flashing in front of his eyes and the sound of breaking air in his ears. Every collision between the chain shadow and the fist wind made him tremble with fear.
"This... the trajectory of this chain! Thirteen sections! She controls it so perfectly." He muttered to himself, completely impressed by this extraordinary weapon control.
Atobe's eyes were fixed on the black figure that was dodging in the fierce wind of fists. Her movements were so fast that only afterimages were left. The tight black clothes around her waist were soaked with sweat, outlining the powerful lines of her waist and back. The dancing silver chain seemed to be integrated with her, with a thrilling, almost weird and violent beauty.
Every thrilling dodge made his palms sweat, and every fierce counterattack made his heart beat wildly. He had never realized so clearly that the "danger" of Kiriyama Hidden was far beyond his previous imagination.
The battle instantly became intense!
Hiyoshi Tsuyoshi's horizontal training hard skills are indeed overbearing. My silver chain whipping on his arms, shoulders and back which are infused with hard qigong often only leaves white marks and makes a dull impact sound, which is difficult to cause any real damage.
But his speed was ultimately restrained by my agility and the long-range restraint of the silver chain, and his powerful punches repeatedly missed. Sweat soaked his tunic, heat rose from his bronze skin, and his breathing became heavy.
After a long period of unsuccessful attacks, a fierce look flashed in Hiyoshi's eyes. When I swept my chain body across his lower body and he lowered his body to block, he caught a slight stagnation as my old strength had just faded and my new strength had not yet emerged.
Chance!
He roared, like a tiger descending from the mountain, resisting the impact of the chain. His huge palm brought with it a strong wind that tore through the air, breaking through the defense circle of the silver chain as fast as lightning, and with incredible precision, he grabbed my left ankle which had just touched the ground and had not yet been fully retracted.
A terrifying force like an iron clamp came instantly, and my ankle bone seemed to be crushed. The severe pain made me groan.
"It's over!" Hiyoshi Tsuyoshi shouted in a deep voice, his eyes gleaming with victory! He exerted force with his five fingers, ready to lift me up and subdue me!
"Oh no!" Oshitari cried out in shock, his heart sinking to the bottom.
Being caught by the ankle by a powerful master like the head of the Hiyoshi family is almost equivalent to being defeated.
Atobe's heart felt like it was being gripped by an ice-cold hand, almost bursting out of his chest.
He saw that Kiriyama Yin's ankle was tightly grasped by the big hand covered with calluses and terrifying strength. An unprecedented emotion called "panic" instantly gripped him, and he subconsciously took half a step forward.
In this crucial moment, victory or defeat will be decided.
Instead of panic, a hint of cold determination flashed across my eyes. I kicked my left foot, which was held by him, and instead of breaking free, I used the force to spin around! My body was like a leaf caught in a strong wind, spinning in the air along with the force of the grip!
And at this spinning moment——
"Entangle!"
I silently chanted in my mind, and my right wrist, which was filled with all my energy, shook and swung violently at an incredible angle.
The thirteen-link silver chain, which was originally out of control due to the grabbing of the ankle, seemed to have spirituality.
The chain, like the most cunning vine, or a snake returning to its nest, drew a strange silver arc through the air, using the centrifugal force of the rotation and the cleverness of my wrist. It instantly wrapped around the sturdy arm that had just grasped my ankle! The cold chain coiled layer by layer like a living thing, tightly encircling it!
Hiyoshi's expression changed slightly, clearly not expecting me to launch such a subtle counterattack in such a desperate situation! His arm muscles instinctively erupted with force, trying to break the seemingly delicate restraints!
However, just when his power was about to be unleashed—
"burst!"
I shouted and my wrist shook violently again!
Click! Click! Click!
In the middle section of the silver chain wrapped around Hiyoshi Tsuyoshi's arm, several seemingly integrated links suddenly popped apart!
Several extremely sharp, tiny barbs flashing with a cold blue light, hidden inside the chain links, popped out in an instant like the fangs of a poisonous snake. With a sharp sound of tearing cloth, they pierced through the sleeves of his tough kendo uniform and penetrated deeply into the flesh of his arm!
"Ugh!" The sharp pain and this sudden strange change made even the master of hard work, Hiyoshi Tsuyoshi, groan in pain! The fingers holding my ankle instinctively loosened!
Now is the time!
The moment the ankle restraints disappeared, the accumulated strength within me erupted like a volcano. My captured left foot suddenly tapped his arm, and my body, like a weightless feather, seemed to unleash the legendary "Tiyunzong" (Tiyunzong)!
The whole person took advantage of the force to rise into the air, incredibly lightly, and made an extremely nimble turn in the air, like a fox climbing a rock.
Amidst everyone's horrified gazes, I incredibly climbed onto Hiyoshi Tsuyoshi's broad, mountain-like shoulders in an instant!
His right foot was as strong as iron, carrying the force of his whole body falling down and the energy concentrated to the extreme, stepping heavily and steadily on the shoulder point of his right shoulder!
Bend your left knee and raise it high, toes pointed, like a goddess holding a sharp axe high! Your back is straight as a javelin, arms extended, one hand pressed forward, the other stretched behind you, the whole person presents a killing posture that towers over the mountains, with supreme majesty and judgment - splitting Mount Hua with force!
"Bang!"
An overwhelming and heavy force penetrated through my heels and pierced into Hiyoshi Tsuyoshi's shoulders like a mountain collapsing!
Hiyoshi Tsuyoshi's massive, mountain-like frame suddenly sank, and the solid wooden floor beneath his feet cracked with a "crack" sound as he couldn't bear the weight. A flush instantly flooded his bronze face, and his eyes were filled with shock and disbelief.
The powerful momentum of the horizontal training, which was as strong as a mountain, suddenly collapsed with this step!
There was dead silence in the dojo.
Yuushi Oshizuka's mouth was open so wide that an egg could fit in it, and he was completely petrified.
Atobe remained frozen in place, half a step forward. A huge wave of shock, horror, disbelief, and an unprecedented throbbing that shook even his soul surged through his chest.
He looked at the girl who was standing with one foot on the mountain-like shoulder of the head of the Hiyoshi family, posing in a stunning posture like a goddess. The morning light outlined her sweaty profile and tightly pursed lips. The drooping centipede braid had spread out a little during the leap just now, and the flying hair was full of thrilling wildness.
The one under her feet is a true master of ancient martial arts!
And she actually... won? !
The recoil from my heel was still slightly numb. I used the force of stepping down to twist my waist nimbly in the air, flipping over like a light feather and landing steadily a few steps in front of Hiyoshi Tsuyoshi.
It landed silently, with only the silver chain making a few crisp sounds as it moved.
After I stood still, I immediately restrained my fighting edge and saluted solemnly with my fists clasped, my tone filled with sincere apology, facing the Grandmaster in front of me, whose breath was still a little unstable, whose arm sleeve was cut and oozing with blood.
"Hiyoshi-senpai, I apologize for my rudeness. The hidden hook on the chain was for self-protection, and it popped out in a hurry just now, scratching you. I'm truly sorry. Fortunately, it's only a superficial wound, and no bones were broken."
I glanced at the small wounds on his arm, confirming they were nothing serious. Precise control of force also applies to assessing the severity of injuries.
Hiyoshi stood still, his massive frame as steady as a mountain, though his breathing was a little heavy. He glanced down at his torn sleeve and the few drops of blood on his arm, but instead of feeling the slightest bit of anger, he threw his head back and let out a resounding, hearty laugh!
"Hahaha! Good! Good! Good!" He chuckled three times, his laughter shaking the dust off the beams of the dojo. His eyes were filled with pure, unfeigned admiration and amazement. "It's exhilarating! It's truly exhilarating! I haven't had such a satisfying fight in ages!"
He looked at me with a burning gaze, as if he were looking at a rare piece of unpolished jade. "What's a little skin injury? Who doesn't have a few scars on their body as a martial artist? But you, girl... the young are truly formidable! The young truly are formidable!"
"To be able to master this unique weapon to such a state of mind, combining strength and flexibility, requires such skill, such courage, and such strategic planning when facing the enemy. These days, it's rare to find a young person like you who has mastered our ancestors' teachings to such an exceptional degree!"
His generous praise was like a warm current, dispelling the intensity and tension of the previous battle.
To receive the approval of such a true master, the exhilaration of meeting a worthy opponent surged through my chest like warm wine, invigorating both my body and my soul. The way Jiruo looked at me had completely changed. The previous humiliation and resentment had been replaced by a mixture of shock, awe, and a complex, inexplicable emotion.
Hiyoshi Tsuyoshi waved his hand with a heroic gesture, "Don't just stand there! You must be hungry after fighting for so long. It's almost time for dinner, so stay and try the cooking of our dojo cook!"
His eyes swept over Atobe Keigo and Oshitari Yuushi, obviously inviting them as well.
Tsuchiya's reaction was extremely fast.
The shock that hadn't completely faded from his face quickly faded, and he put on his mask of dignity and elegance again. He took a step forward, nodded slightly, and his posture was impeccable. "Then I will obey your command, Uncle Hiyoshi. As it happens, I have something I'd like to ask you for advice on."
"Oh? Something?" Hiyoshi raised an eyebrow, seeming to be quite interested in what Atobe wanted to talk about. "Okay! Let's talk while we eat!"
After two consecutive intense battles, I hadn't felt the fatigue while I was concentrating, but now, as soon as I relaxed, exhaustion washed over me like a tide, and the sweat on my forehead and back was sticky and uncomfortable. I subconsciously raised my hand to wipe the sweat from my forehead.
At this moment, a neatly folded snow-white towel with a faint and refreshing pine scent was silently handed to me.
I was startled and looked up.
I didn't know when Atobe Keigo had walked to within half a step of me. He looked calmly ahead, his expression normal, as if he was just casually handing me something that was nothing special.
Only the slightly pursed lips and the imperceptible pause of her fingertips when handing out the towel revealed a mood that was not entirely calm.
Had he been watching just now?
"Thanks." I suppressed the subtle unease in my heart and accepted the towel without hesitation. The soft cotton fabric was highly absorbent, and it wiped across my sweaty forehead, neck, and cheeks, bringing a refreshing feeling.
The crisp scent of pine wood lingers at the tip of the nose, inexplicably making people feel a little more peaceful.
After wiping off the sweat, I felt much refreshed.
The blood boiling in his body from meeting a true opponent hadn't yet completely subsided, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously lifted, and even his voice was filled with a hint of laughter. "Senior Hiyoshi's ancient martial arts are indeed well-deserved. They are fierce and domineering, with great opening and closing. I have benefited a lot from today's battle."
This joy comes from the heart and is pure appreciation between warriors.
"Ah~" A voice full of curiosity and exploration interrupted.
I don't know when Oshitari came closer, his blue eyes behind the lenses flashing with a fox-like light, staring closely at the silver chain I had just wiped the sweat off my face and was about to put back around my waist. "Kiriyama-san, that chain just now was really amazing! That barb that suddenly popped out..."
As he spoke, he subconsciously stretched out his fingers, as if wanting to touch and study the magical structure up close.
I flicked and twisted my wrist deftly, and the silver chain, like a snake returning to its nest, instantly coiled around my waist several times, turning back into the seemingly ordinary waist ornament dotted with cold light.
The chain buckle made a soft "click" sound and was fastened firmly.
"Oshitari-kun," I raised my head and gave him a mischievous smile, my eyes bright, and my voice was filled with a bit of relief and teasing after the battle, "It's not polite to keep staring at a girl's waist~"
"Uh!" Oshitari's outstretched fingers froze in mid-air, the expression on his face froze instantly, and then turned into a hint of embarrassment and helplessness.
He pushed up his glasses, the lenses reflecting a white light just right, concealing the fleeting embarrassment. He coughed dryly, "Ahem... Excuse me. I'm just... too curious."
Atobe stood aside, his eyes seemingly sweeping over the silver chain around my waist that had become "quiet" again, and then glanced at Inuzuka who was rarely humiliated, and the corners of his mouth curved up in a tiny arc with subtle pleasure, almost imperceptibly.
The morning light filtered through the latticework, elongating the figures of the several people. The solemn atmosphere within the dojo completely dissipated, replaced by a relaxed, even warm, atmosphere. The cook's voice, calling for dinner, echoed from the backyard at just the right moment.
"Let's go eat! You must be starving!" Hiji Gang called out cheerfully, turning first and heading towards the backyard. Hiji Ruo followed silently, giving me another complicated look.
I put the towel away and handed it to Tezuka: "Thanks, towel." He took it naturally, and his fingertips inadvertently brushed against my fingers, bringing a slight coolness.
"Let's go." Atobe's voice was low and gorgeous, without much emotion.
Oshitari shrugged, resumed his lazy attitude of watching the show, and followed us.
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