Chapter Ninety-four: Not Someone to Offend

"Senior Xiao, teach me, teach me! I want to wield a sword like you!"

"Xiao Nan, will you teach me too?"

"Senior, me too, don’t forget me..."

Xiao Nan halted his sword practice, barely able to savor the exquisite sensation that lingered. Before he knew it, he was surrounded by a circle of female students, vying with one another, their voices overlapping in excitement.

A few of the more assertive ones were discreetly tugging at the clothes of the girls in the front row, pulling them aside and squeezing their way in.

Those whose clothes were being yanked were now exposing generous expanses of creamy white skin at their chests, yet seemed entirely unaware.

"Enough! Don’t distract Xiao Nan from his practice. He’s only just begun to learn himself. If you want guidance, why not ask the instructor?" Zhang Xiaorou snapped, her patience worn thin by these brazen girls. Did they have no shame? This was a sword hall, not their own home.

"All right, Sister Xiaorou, don’t be mad. I just want to look as cool as Senior Xiao when wielding a sword—he’s simply amazing!"

"Pfft... as if I’m competing with you. Why are you being so protective?" someone else grumbled.

Voices clashed from all sides.

Still, at Zhang Xiaorou’s rebuke, the crowd obediently dispersed.

For the first time, Xiao Nan realized that being surrounded by so many girls could be a rather terrifying experience. He suspected that if Zhang Xiaorou hadn’t intervened, the girls might well have come to blows, leading to injuries and chaos.

Several of them were already beginning to jostle and squabble.

He discreetly wiped a cold sweat from his brow and cast a look of approval at Zhang Xiaorou.

At critical moments, Classmate Xiaorou was truly reliable. Despite being only a first-year, she commanded real respect, so different from her gentle, delicate appearance.

...

"All right, everyone should be familiar with the sword forms now, yes? Next, let’s invite our sword hall’s top elite student, Jiang Lin, to demonstrate the techniques in person," Instructor Yang announced, clapping his hands to regain the students’ attention.

This was where martial halls outshone schools. At school, you learned only the basic sword forms, body-strengthening techniques, or mental visualization exercises. The teachers simply taught, without guiding you step by step, let alone providing one-on-one sparring.

Martial halls, however, eager to attract students, always presented their best side. Their motto was to improve combat ability, striving to ensure every student could put their learning to practical use.

Xiao Nan’s predecessor had been utterly hopeless at swordsmanship...

Any moves he managed to learn and teach his little sister were not the result of hidden talent, but due to the careful guidance of instructors and elite students.

The instructor would explain from the side, while the elite student would lead by example, guiding the novice to proficiency.

With such a comprehensive system, even the slowest learner could, after a few sessions, grasp the essentials.

Of course, actual combat ability was another matter.

But to master a few forms, execute the movements correctly, and feel they’d gotten their money’s worth for the twenty-thousand yuan entrance fee—that much was assured.

Such attentive service was beyond reproach.

...

Jiang Lin, a reserved smile on his face, stepped onto the platform only after Instructor Yang called upon him.

In the center of the hall, a raised platform covered in velvety carpet served for demonstrations and matches, three steps above the floor and without any protective ropes.

Jiang Lin drew his sword soundlessly, refrained from speaking, and with a flick of his wrist, spun the blade in several dazzling patterns before launching into a sudden thrust.

Sword light flickered around him, and five large blossoms seemed to appear and vanish in all directions.

The sword’s edge sliced through the air with such force that a thunderous rumble echoed in everyone’s ears.

Clearly, his swordplay was formidable—a union of strength and grace.

The bustling students below fell silent, turning to watch.

"My understanding of this ‘Withering Blossoms’ move is that it’s all about speed.

Move so swiftly your opponent cannot react, and you hold power over life and death, all in your own hands."

Jiang Lin cast a proud gaze around the room, lingering especially long on Xiao Nan in the corner, then continued with a smile, "People say the sword techniques of the Four Seasons Sword Hall are only beautiful, not practical in combat. I disagree.

Lack of combat ability is only because the practice isn’t deep enough.

If you pursue only beautiful forms, without speed or power, then your sword becomes nothing but a dance..."

"He’s talking about Xiao Nan," Zhang Xiaorou muttered, her expression clouded.

"Pfft, that ugly senior is just jealous of our senior’s style and grace. I don’t think much of this sword hall," another girl complained.

"Exactly, Xiao Nan’s swordplay is gorgeous! Even if he produced two fewer blossoms, he’s only just learned the move. For beauty alone, he’s a dozen streets ahead of that senior."

"Don’t be so starstruck. Senior Jiang isn’t wrong—swordsmanship should pursue combat, with perfect unity of power and speed. That’s the right path," interrupted Dong Cheng, unable to hold back any longer.

"Go away!"

He was promptly drowned out by a chorus of indignant girls and slunk off in defeat.

Best not to provoke them.

...

When Jiang Lin finished his ‘Withering Blossoms’ routine, the five great blossoms gleamed, accompanied by rumbling thunder...

He thought to himself, I’ve already displayed the ‘Thunder Sword of Summer’ to its fullest—how could anyone not be impressed?

But things didn’t unfold as he expected.

Eavesdropping on the students’ murmurs, he felt a wave of awkwardness—and then of anger.

Was it fair that good looks let one get away with anything?

Were people really calling black white these days... what a world.

He kept a stiff smile on his face, determined not to lose his composure. "You all picked up the form quickly—most of you should have learned this sword technique by now.

Next, I’ll invite a student to spar with me, so everyone can better understand real combat.

Xiao Nan, that’s you, isn’t it? Please come forward. Practicing alone, it’s hard to spot flaws in your sword technique—why not spar on stage?"

"Go for it! Senior, defeat him!" cheered one girl, her face flushed with excitement.

"Don’t go! That ugly senior is up to no good. Practice a few more days before you spar with him, Senior Xiao Nan," another girl objected.

...

"I knew he wouldn’t be able to resist," Jiang Yu, observing from the second-floor railing, suddenly laughed.

As the hall master, she knew well the temperaments of the Four Seasons Sword Hall’s elite students.

Jiang Lin was always eager to show off, never willing to concede, his nature a touch arrogant.

Wu Yuanshan’s face was grim. "What is Jiang Lin up to, Hall Master? Should we stop him?"

"No need. I actually think it’s a good thing—this is a fine opportunity to see the truth. Besides, that young man may not be at a disadvantage."

"He’s only just finished learning the ‘Three Spring Swords.’ I just hope he doesn’t end up making a fool of himself. If a student suffers too much of a setback here, it could damage our sword hall’s reputation."

"Uncle Wu, don’t you find his swordplay pleasing to the eye?" Jiang Yu smiled.

"That’s true," Wu agreed. There was no denying it—‘Withering Blossoms’ had been a feast for the eyes.

But wasn’t that simply because the young man was handsome? With such presence, every movement exuded a unique charm.

Women, especially, were powerless to resist beauty; it was in their nature.

A rare smile lit up Jiang Yu’s face. "Later, check his registration—see if we can promote him to elite student.

Last time, from the Lijiang Four Seasons branch, they sent only a new recruit, Cao Cheng, and we, the Yuanjiang branch, were utterly defeated, left with no chance to fight back.

If we don’t restore our honor, I won’t be at peace.

And if we lose again at this year’s summit, I’ll have no further chances. We can’t let such a promising talent slip away."

"You value that young man so highly?" Wu shook his head, unconvinced.

He thought, Miss Yu must be grasping at straws. The boy hadn’t even broken through to the first martial rank.

He had only learned the ‘Three Spring Swords’—how could he possibly rival those from the Lijiang branch, who had mastered ‘Autumn Frost’ and ‘Winter Snow’ down to their very bones?

Jiang Lao’er’s character was indeed extreme and ruthless, hounding his own sister mercilessly, and not a man of good repute.

Yet, when it came to teaching swordsmanship, he was remarkably skilled.

The Lijiang branch students had drilled the autumn and winter sword forms so thoroughly, their techniques radiated a chilling intent to kill, embodying the essence of icy destruction. By comparison, the Yuanjiang branch simply couldn’t keep up.

To be honest, as the nominal chief instructor, he felt a pang of guilt.

"In my view, Jiang Lin, Deng Sifang, and Tong Xinjie possess fine talent. With more effort, they could take up the mantle.

Especially Jiang Lin—he’s a master of the Thunder Sword of Summer, and is now studying the Three Autumn Swords. Once he completes the Three Winter Swords, it’s possible he’ll comprehend the full cycle of the Four Seasons.

To compete with Jiang Yu’s Lijiang branch, we’ll need to rely on this generation of veteran students."

The Four Seasons Cycle?

Jiang Yu shook her head—she had little hope for those few.

"Let’s just wait and see, Uncle Wu. I have a feeling that young man may well give Jiang Lin an unexpected lesson."

For some reason, Jiang Yu was brimming with optimism, her face alight with a radiant smile.

Though Wu remained skeptical, he did not argue. "If that’s how it plays out, I’ll personally invite him to join the Four Seasons Sword Hall."