Ke Xue: He mastered the steel-cutting divine skill at the start.

With a new Sword Saint in charge, the Sword Masters' Guild's position will once again be as stable as Mount Tai, without the slightest wavering.

Seeing the change in everyone's eyes, Miyazaki Yu smiled inwardly; only enough benefits can bring enough friends.

His experience in becoming a sword saint is indeed valuable, but there are prerequisites: one must have the same foundation of power as him, the same powerful body, a continuous flow of sword energy, and strong control over one's body.

It's like someone bringing you an original work by Wang Xizhi and telling you that as long as you copy it, you can learn the best calligraphy. That's nonsense.

Miyazaki Yu's method is the same; even if others take it for research, its effectiveness will be greatly diminished once many prerequisites are lost.

"Alright, it is indeed gratifying that Miyazaki Yu has achieved the Sword Saint realm. However, the most important thing today is to hold a Sword Master Trial for a young man. That is the most important thing right now. As for reporting the awarding of medals to the government, I will take care of that personally after the trial is over."

Miyazaki Yu nodded to the old chairman, then glanced back at Nishikawa Tetsumei. Nishikawa Tetsumei bowed and stepped forward.

"Nishikawa Tetsuaki, today I request the Swordsman Trial!"

The old president smiled and nodded: "Not bad, not bad. What I most hope to see is energetic young people coming to the Sword Master Association and challenging for the position of Sword Master."

It seems your teacher has a lot of confidence in you. He's only taught you for a few months, yet he wants you to aim for the title of Sword Master. Although it's a bit hasty, it shows how confident he is in you. That's good. Swordsmanship is like Go. If you can't make great progress when you're young, you're destined to be mediocre when you get older.

Since you were recommended by Miyazaki, the Sword Saint, there's no need to test your steel-cutting ability. You just need to gain the approval of the three great swordsmen to become a new member of the Sword Masters' Guild.

At this moment, Nishikawa Tetsuaki spoke up: "President, being recognized by three sword masters is indeed the way to become a sword master, but I hope to follow Miyazaki-sensei's path and defeat a sword master as my ceremony for joining the Sword Masters Association."

"Defeat a swordsman? He really dares to dream of that?"

"In the past few centuries, only Miyazaki Sword Saint has been able to defeat a swordsman in the trials. This Nishikawa is far too arrogant!"

However, the old chairman remained calm and continued to inquire in a composed manner:

"So, which swordsman do you want to challenge?"

Nishikawa Tetsumei's gaze suddenly shifted and landed on Makino Harukawa, who was bowing her head and remaining silent.

"The person I want to challenge is Makino Harukawa!"

Chapter 462 Battle to the Death

These words shocked everyone once again, and no one knew what to say.

His teacher was Makino Harukawa, which earned him everyone's approval and allowed him to successfully join the Sword Masters Association.

Now, his disciple is actually challenging Makino Harukawa!

It's important to know that Makino Harukawa's strength ranks first among swordsmen thanks to his signature move, the Flowing Firefly Slash. This is not an exaggeration, but a genuine testament to his skill.

Although Kawakami Gensai had given prior notice, making everyone aware of the situation, they only assumed that Miyazaki Yu would kill Makino Harukawa at some point in the future, rather than now.

Even more unexpectedly, he would use this method to have his disciple take action.

This was beyond all expectations, and everyone felt a tremor in their hearts, with the thought that this young man was finished.

Even if Makino Harukawa was stupid, he could sense something was wrong when the challenge was proposed. Since he couldn't fight against Miyazaki Yu, killing his disciple was the last way to vent his anger.

Moreover, this is a trial for sword masters, and it is perfectly reasonable for someone to die during the trial. They will not be blamed, since swords have no eyes.

Therefore, it was almost a foregone conclusion that this young man was going to die.

What Miyazaki Kensei wanted was revenge, so why would he send someone to their death? Did this disciple also have a grudge against him?

Everyone was puzzled, when suddenly one person stood up, his face showing unprecedented solemnity, but his eyes were filled with murderous intent, as if he had made up his mind. It was Makino Harukawa.

He looked intently at Nishikawa Tetsuaki:

"Young man, do you really want to challenge me?"

His heart trembled as he asked the question; his state of mind was extremely complex.

Fear and horror were mixed with relief, yet also tinged with madness and bloodlust.

The fear stemmed from the fact that Nishikawa Tetsumei's actions must have been tacitly approved by Miyazaki Hajime, meaning that the other party already knew about his actions and the fact that he had colluded with high-ranking government officials to try to eliminate him.

But in my heart, it felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and I felt relieved, just like when a fugitive is caught by the police, he also breathes a sigh of relief.

Then comes the most important question: how to survive when you're already hated by a sword saint.

The challenge facing this young man now is simply the possibility of his own survival.

If I kill this young man in the fight, I can legitimately give him the motive to kill me!

With this motive in mind, he wouldn't do anything to avoid being accused of murder.

Otherwise, if he were to die, he would be the first suspect!

Conversely, if I kill this kid during the trial, I can not only vent my anger openly, but also make the other party think twice, and give myself a layer of protection, after all, this is a society ruled by law.

That's why he's trembling and bloodthirsty right now!

Upon hearing his question, Tetsuaki Nishikawa reaffirmed his commitment to the challenge.

This made Makino Harukawa chuckle: "In that case, I accept your challenge. Let's get started!"

On the empty plaza, Nishikawa Tetsumei and Makino Harukawa stood facing each other. Although they remained motionless, their auras were already building up like a mountain boulder ready to be unleashed, and their sharp energy was already surging in the air.

"Miyazaki, is this your decision? Why did you do this?" Takizaki Kengo, standing to Miyazaki Hajime's left rear, couldn't help but ask.

He didn't believe it was Miyazaki Yu's oversight; the young man was meticulous and would never make such a mistake.

Miyazaki Yu smiled calmly: "Of course it's for killing. In today's battle, Makino Harukawa must die!"

His tone remained unchanged, as if killing a great swordsman was no different from killing a chicken or a dog in his eyes.

However, the coldness reflected in it made Inosuke Takizaki feel a bone-chilling cold all over his body.

"Is it really necessary to go this far? Can't we let him off this time? He is, after all, a member of the Sword Masters. If you kill him, it will cause dissatisfaction among the others."

He turned his head slightly, looked at the conflicted expression on Takizaki Kengo's face, and gave a bright smile.

"Dissatisfaction? No way. All my dissatisfaction vanished after I became a Sword Saint. Besides, you're wrong about one thing. I didn't do it. Makino Sword Master died unexpectedly during the Sword Saint Trial, facing a challenge from a young man. Isn't that the most perfect ending?"

Takizaki Kengo felt a chill run down his spine and sighed silently. From this moment on, the Kengo Association was about to undergo a complete transformation.

At that moment, the two people on the field suddenly moved.

The two men's hands flashed with cold light as their swords suddenly appeared. They each swung their swords and unleashed a fierce slash, and the three crescent-shaped sword beams collided together!

"Boom—Sizzle—"

Sharp blades clashed, their sounds cacophony and mockery!

The two swords clashed for a moment before exploding, an invisible shockwave spreading outwards from their bodies. Both men used the shockwave to gracefully move away from the circle, creating distance between them before finally standing still.

This clash finally made both of them realize each other's true strength.

Both of their faces were extremely solemn.

"As expected of a veteran swordsman, Makino Harukawa. I used all my strength in that last attack, but I still couldn't gain the slightest advantage. If my teacher hadn't taught me the secret techniques of the Golden Bell Iron Shirt and used secret medicine to temper my body, I wouldn't have been able to withstand that attack."

On the other side, Makino Harukawa's face also looked tense.

"Damn it, just like the first time I faced that little thief Miyazaki Yu! Of course, his swordsmanship is still inferior to Miyazaki Yu's back then, and his strength is also somewhat lacking. However, he is a dual-wielder, and once he launches an attack, his attack range is extremely large. If I don't use the Firefly Slash, it won't be such a simple matter to kill him."

The opponent has clearly reached the strength of an ordinary swordsman. To kill such an opponent, it will be necessary to pay a price.

In the blink of an eye, a new round of attacks unfolded!

The blades of both sides transformed into streaks of slashing light, surging forth in layers, especially the two famous swords in Nishikawa Tetsumei's hands, Moon Silver Frost and Azure Snow, which shone with dazzling colors!

Although Miyazaki Hayao's swordsmanship has been incorporated into the sword techniques, the characteristics of the dual-sword style are also brought to the fullest.

The area within several feet was enveloped by the sword's edge, and the sound of the swords clashing seemed endless. The two swords worked together seamlessly, maximizing their offensive power and frequency!

At this moment, Nishikawa Tetsumei felt extremely relaxed. His eyes were empty except for his opponent. His twin swords were like two dragons wrapped around his wrists, circling around his opponent's body.

With just the slightest opening, it can transform into a viper full of razor-sharp teeth, tearing open even the smallest gash and turning its opponent into dust!

Makino Harukawa's sword tip pierced through the opponent's interwoven sword curtain, as if it had grazed a withered branch on the water's surface, but it left behind a ripple.

Fresh blood spread out!

The battle finally revealed its crimson hue, signifying that this life-or-death struggle had officially begun!

Chapter 463 The Defeat and Death of Muye (3rd Update!)

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines; blood had finally been drawn!

The rapid offense and defense between the two is like two chess players playing a fast game, quickly setting up their moves.

Once the fighting stops, it will be a bloody battle with bayonets drawn!

At this moment, although Nishikawa Tetsumei's offensive seemed swift and massive, his attacks could not break through the opponent's defense. The frequency of the opponent's defense was far lower than the frequency of the opponent's attack, but the opponent's attack power was more concentrated!

By concentrating the attack on a single point, the opponent's attack gains a terrifying thrusting ability. This is similar to how a suit of armor that can withstand sword and axe blows may not be able to withstand a sudden attack of flying needles. This is the reason why!

"This is my peak combat power. What an exhilarating feeling! I feel like a bird flying in the air, my whole body is light and airy, and I can't even feel the pain anymore."

The opponent's sword had struck his body several times.

Below his left rib, above his right shoulder, and on the side of his left arm, he had already sustained several cuts. These cuts were not deep, and he had reacted in the blink of an eye, but he was still cut.

At this moment, his adrenaline surged, and his entire body was in a state of extreme excitement, like a berserker. He felt no pain, no fear, only the desire to fight!

Sparks flew, and weapons clashed!

The people around were also somewhat shocked and puzzled.

Based on the situation just now, Nishikawa Tetsumei is already at a disadvantage. The clash of swords and the duel between sword masters are always extremely dangerous things. Moreover, compared to fighting with bare hands, the outcome will be decided in a shorter time, or even life and death!

However, at this point, no matter how swift Makino Harukawa's attacks were, they repeatedly broke through Nishikawa Tetsumei's defenses. Logically, the battle should have ended long ago, and the result should have been Nishikawa Tetsumei's death.

The current situation is that despite Makino Harukawa's repeated breakthroughs, he has been unable to deliver a decisive blow, and the two sides have fallen into a stalemate. Although Makino Harukawa has the upper hand, he can only suppress his opponent and cannot defeat him. Moreover, as time goes by, the battle situation has also undergone subtle changes.

Only Nishikawa Tetsuaki knew the reason behind it.

This was one of Miyazaki Yu's training methods for him. He was blindfolded in a room and practiced sword fighting continuously according to the methods taught by Miyazaki Yu, while Miyazaki Yu imitated Makino Harukawa's sword moves to fight him.

Therefore, for Nishikawa Tetsumei, Makino Harukawa was a very familiar opponent, but Makino Harukawa was a complete stranger to him.

At this moment, the battle between the two seems to be one-sided, but in reality, the information asymmetry between the two sides makes the situation completely opposite!

This is Nishikawa Tetsuaki's only chance.

As time went by, although Nishikawa Tetsuaki suffered several more wounds, Makino Harukawa's offensive gradually slowed down.

At that very moment, Nishikawa Tetsuaki launched a counterattack.