Oh no! They all seem a bit off!

Chapter 83 Sword Duel!

A subdued atmosphere filled the Japanese-style room.

Apart from the two people who were facing off, everyone else dared not utter a sound.

Mrs. Jiye looked at Akizuki Makoto, opened her mouth, wanting to persuade him not to act rashly, but Jiye Ryushun only glanced at her, and she was so frightened that she fell silent.

Needless to say, Ji Yexue and Ji Ye's father were also involved.

It was as if his brain had completely shut down; his face was filled with bewilderment and fear.

"I have!"

Just as Ji Yexue questioned him in the bath, Qiuyue Cheng responded with an absolutely firm attitude.

"it is good!"

Ji Yelong nodded emphatically, then said with a mocking laugh, "I admire your magnanimity and courage. In that case, let's have a contest, shall we? If you win, I will let bygones be bygones, but if you lose... then don't interfere in our family's affairs and leave on your own."

This is also how he gave Akizuki Makoto a chance.

Otherwise, he could have simply punished Ji Yexue or Qiuyue Cheng without any regard for reason.

But he didn't want to do that because he was too satisfied with Akizuki's honesty.

He was so pleased that he even felt a deep appreciation and reluctance to see this disobedience.

What a wonderful son-in-law! It's just a pity that Ji Yexue is too foolish to grasp him.

Akizuki Makoto isn't stupid; he should know just how terrifying the Himeya family's foundation truly is in a class-stratified island nation like Japan.

As soon as Ji Yelongjun gives the order, servants will immediately come to deal with Qiuyue Cheng and silently erase him from this world.

Even so, Akizuki Makoto stood before him without fear, confronting him.

This fearless courage and calm demeanor make him worthy of giving Akizuki Makoto a chance.

"Just like you said, I'm a rigid old man who doesn't understand young people's ideas, so..."

Ji Yelongjun paused, his eyes narrowed sharply, and he exuded a terrifying aura as he said, word by word, "Let's have a contest between men, like samurai, a battle of swordsmanship!"

This competition is fair; both sides have their own advantages and disadvantages.

He was nearly seventy years old, and although he was old and frail, he possessed superb swordsmanship.

Akizuki Makoto had never studied swordsmanship, yet he was strong and powerful.

As the saying goes, even a novice can defeat a master with a flurry of punches; he might still have a chance of winning.

Moreover, he had no room to refuse. Himeya Ryushun was the one who set the rules, and he was the challenger, so he had no right to make demands.

"Kendo... I don't understand it, but I will do my best. Please teach me."

Qiu Yuecheng agreed, thinking to himself that he had sacrificed so much to sever ties with Ji Yexue.

He could have simply left, and Ji Yelongjun wouldn't have blamed him.

But he wanted to complete the task given to him by the system and eliminate Ji Yexue's jealousy and resentment towards him.

From the moment he entered the bathhouse, he realized that this was an opportunity.

He couldn't possibly help Ji Yexue, only for this guy to repay kindness with enmity and continue to harass him, could he?

He believed that Ji Yexue shouldn't be that kind of person. Like Shiina Maki, she became abnormal because of her family situation.

The one who tied the knot must untie it; Ji Yexue's abnormal characteristics can also be corrected.

"Then come on, let me give you a good workout. It's been a while since I've had any exercise."

Himeya Ryushun snorted coldly, put his hands behind his back, left the Japanese-style room, and headed to the private kendo dojo inside the mansion.

Akizuki Makoto followed closely behind, and Ji Yexue and her parents also went along.

"Akizuki-kun..."

Mrs. Hime looked at Akizuki Makoto, who was walking with a firm gait, and hesitated to speak.

She wanted to remind Qiuyue Cheng not to underestimate her father, even though he was already an old man in his seventies or eighties, he was still not to be underestimated.

In particular, Himeya Ryushun had already reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship in his youth, and was the strongest in the Shinkage-ryu school of swordsmanship.

If he hadn't been so indifferent to fame, he could have been crowned the "Sword Saint"!
"...Good luck, Akizuki-kun."

After hesitating for a long time, Mrs. Himeya finally said nothing, forcing a smile as she cheered for Akizuki Makoto.

Even if you tell Akizuki Makoto that Himeya Ryushun is very strong, it would be meaningless and might even backfire.

He is unlikely to back down because of this, so the best thing to say right now is encouragement.

"I'll try."

Akizuki Makoto nodded in response, his eyes fixed on Himeya Ryusuke, who was walking ahead with an upright posture and an invisible aura of power. His heart was filled with unease.

He knew, of course, that Ji Yelong was very strong, but he could not back down.

For him, a promise is the most important thing; he doesn't want to break his promise.

"..."

Ji Yexue looked at Qiuyue Cheng with a complicated expression. Her cherry lips moved several times as if she had something to say, but in the end she said nothing.

Whenever she tried to speak, it was as if there was an invisible resistance in her throat, and no matter how hard she tried, she could not make a sound.

Thus, they entered a spacious and bright kendo dojo, which resembled a gymnasium.

The kendo dojo was spacious, and the wooden structure was waxed and cleaned daily, leaving it spotless and gleaming. Unlike other venues, there weren't many motivational slogans hanging inside; the only decoration was a huge Himeya family crest hanging in the center of the dojo.

"Bring me a bamboo knife."

Himeya Ryushun gave instructions to the servants, then, remembering something, added, "Then bring one of each size for the guests to choose from."

"Yes."

The servant bowed in response and went to the inner utensil room, bringing back five bamboo knives of different sizes and weights, which he then presented to Akizuki Makoto.

Akizuki weighed each sword in his hand. He didn't understand swordsmanship, but he knew the principle that an inch longer means an inch stronger, so he chose the longest one.

It's a standard 120cm, 520g size, suitable for adults in kendo competitions.

Himeya Ryushun's bamboo sword was a size shorter, after all, he was old and much thinner, almost a head shorter than Akizuki Makoto!

"There is only one rule in this competition: no hitting the head, but you can hit anywhere else."

Ji Yelong Falcon gripped his bamboo sword tightly in one hand, pointed it at Qiu Yuecheng, and said in a deep voice, "The condition for victory is to continue until one side can no longer hold on and falls down, or surrenders!"

"it is good!"

Akizuki Makoto nodded emphatically, gripped the bamboo sword with both hands, walked up to Himeya Ryushun, crossed the bamboo swords with Himeya Ryushun, and bowed: "Please guide me, Grandpa."

The rules set by Himeya Ryushun were practically tailor-made for Akizuki Makoto.

It can no longer be said to be advantageous; it's completely biased towards him!

Although the bamboo swords were hollow and covered with a layer of soft cloth, they were not wearing any protective gear at the moment, and Ji Yelongjun did not seem to intend to wear any either.

Therefore, if the head is hit, there is no guarantee that an accident will not occur.

At least he wouldn't dare to hit Ji Yelongjun on the head; after all, he couldn't resort to any means to win.

As for the conditions for winning, needless to say, although his body looks thin, he is very strong. After all, he has helped his family with farm work since he was a child, and he also exercises regularly.

In terms of resilience, perseverance, and physical strength, he is far superior to the elderly Ji Yelongjun.

To put it simply, he can make many mistakes, but if Ji Yelongshun makes just one mistake, it will be fatal.

Therefore, not wearing protective gear and using a points system is the biggest favoritism shown to him.

It's not just about releasing water; it's like releasing an entire ocean!

At this moment, Mrs. Himeya, who was sitting on the ground outside the dojo, saw the two bowing to each other, preparing to fight, and couldn't help but ask, "Father, don't you need... protective gear?"

Ji Yelong snorted coldly and said, "Hmph, why would a true samurai need such a thing? Akizuki-san and I will have a fair and square duel!"

"..."

At this point, Mrs. Himeya had nothing more to say, and could only look with concern at the two people in the arena who were facing off with their bamboo swords crossed.

Because it was a contest without protective gear or rules, neither of them rushed to make a move. Instead, they held their breath and stood facing each other in silence.

If either party shows weakness or their breathing becomes disordered, it's tantamount to revealing a weakness.

A tense and chilling atmosphere permeated the arena. The three spectators clenched their hands involuntarily, their hearts pounding in their chests.

"drink!"

Suddenly, Himeya Ryusuke moved!

He shouted and twisted his wrist sharply, the bamboo knife slashing upwards towards Akizuki Makoto's leg!
With his mind highly focused, Akizuki Makoto reacted quickly, slashing down with his own blade without even trying to defend himself.

The two were facing each other, and it was a pipe dream to try to defend against Ji Ye Longjun's attack.

Therefore, his brain instantly assessed the situation and issued commands to his body, forcing his hands to move.

Neither of them missed their target; both blows landed squarely on each other, causing a burning, stinging pain.

To show his respect for Himeya Ryushun, Akizuki Makoto did not hold back and used all his strength.

After landing a successful blow, neither of them continued their attack. Instead, they pressed their bamboo swords together again and crossed them.

This most primitive form of kendo duel is all about who can react faster and make fewer mistakes.

If Akizuki Makoto makes the right judgment each time Himeya Ryushun attacks and fights back, he can win easily.

"That's right, a very accurate judgment."

Ji Yelong felt the stinging pain in his left shoulder, nodded in satisfaction, and approved of him.

When people realize they are about to be hit, they will instinctively try to dodge or defend themselves.

But this is precisely the wrong decision, because the opponent has already made the first move, and the distance between them is so close, how could they possibly defend against it?
Even if you manage to dodge it, the act of retreating will throw you off balance and leave you wide open.

Especially for a novice like Akizuki Makoto who has no swordsmanship experience, his entire body is full of openings.

Thank you for your guidance.

Akizuki Makoto nodded slightly, continuing to hold his breath and concentrate, facing off against Himeya Ryusuke.

This time, their standoff lasted for a relatively long time, about half a minute.

Neither dared to make a move, and both were waiting for the other to make the first move, but neither of them got the chance.

This is also part of the battle; concentrating one's mind at a high level is very physically demanding.

Akizuki Makoto can endure it, but it's uncertain whether Himeya Ryūshun can.

However, judging from Ji Yelong's composed posture, his hands that did not tremble at all, and his steady breathing, his physical strength was still very abundant.

(End of this chapter)