While the people were talking, the two people were embroiled in competing. None of them was ready to give up an inch. Shi Lang lagged in the cultivation realm but made up for it with his sword skills.
Every stroke he made was elegant, but neither did it lack strength nor slow. Ling Tain was fighting with a fan, his forte, but he was still being pushed back. The sight was so surprising that many people stood up on their feet. Shi Ning and Shi Yua could not help but gasp when they realized that Shi Lang was hiding so much.
Elder Chen said, “This is the realm of a sword, grandmaster. Watch and learn all that you can.”
Xiang San said, “It is said that the sword of a master cuts the wind, but the sword of a grandmaster only cuts the target. Brother Shi’s sword is silent. The only sound you can hear is the clank on collision.”
Elder Chen nodded and said, “Indeed. However, I still feel that he is holding back.”
…
While the people were discussing, Shi Lang’s attack pushed back Ling Tian, and the latter said, “To think that Young Master Shi is so talented. A twenty year’s old sword grandmaster. I wonder how you would fare when competing with His Highness.”
The people were surprised, and Xiao Nan narrowed her gaze as she said, “This bastard.”
However, before they could intervene, Shi Lang replied, “Young Master Ling, you have indeed spoken what I have on my mind. The skills of His Highness are known to everyone, and if I have the honor to learn from him, it would be a pleasure. However, you are stronger than me, so shouldn’t His Highness compete with you?”
Shi Lang wouldn’t be beaten with such a pansy excuse of words. Ling Tian was surprised, and Shi Lang appeared next to him. Ling Tian wanted to move, but a cold sensation against his nape forced him to stand still.
Shi Lang smiled faintly and waited. He wanted Ling Tian to confess his defeat on his own accord. He did not care if the first son of the Ling Family was here. Given his deposition, he would not care who would be beating whom.
Ling Tian was a cunning snake himself. How could he not know what Shi Lang intended to do? However, he did not have any other way out. He clenched his fists and said, “I admit defeat.”
Shi Lang took his sword back and bowed slightly before turning around to return to his table. At this moment, the crowd was awed by his performance when the Fourth Prince said, “Since Young Master Shi Lang is a sword master, why not spar with me? It has been a few days since I have fought someone strong.”
Shi Lang stopped in his spot, and the people gasped. Fighting with the Prince may seem easy, but it wasn’t. The people were surprised because this seemed like a trap. A cold glint flashed in Ling Tian’s eyes as he said, “Great, Young Master Shi, did you not look forward to having the pleasure of sparring with His Highness? Fate is kind to you.”
Xiao Nan mumbled, “What a good ‘fate is kind to you.’. If Shi Lang injures the Prince by mistake, he will be charged with a capital crime regardless of anything, and the best outcome will be death. But if he played easy and lost, his image will be stained for losing to a younger practitioner.”
Xiang San nodded and added, “This fourth prince is a child. He does not understand that his martial fanatic behavior can cause serious trouble for other people.”
Elder Chen could not help but nod. However, he was helpless since the Prince had taken the initiative. Turning him down would be disrespectful.
…
Shi Lang looked at the Prince and replied faintly, “Your Highness is a genius, and it is my fortune to have an opportunity to spar with you. However, before we begin, pardon me for saying something ugly. My ability is poor, and thus I lack control. I apologize for any offense during the exchange.”
The people were surprised. They did not expect that Shi Lang would not only accept the sparring invitation but also warn the Prince that he might end up injuring him. Everyone turned their gazes to look at the Prince to see how he would respond.
Tian Longjian smiled and said while unsheathing his sword, “You do not have to worry about that. I have been injured many times when training. If I get injured, it would be my lack of skill.”
Shi Lang raised his brow, clasped his hands while bowing, and said, “Your Highness can have a mindset like this. Shi Lang is impressed.”
Tian Longjian smiled and said, “Come, Young Master Shi Lang.”
Holding a silver sword, the young Prince jumped and appeared in the pavilion’s center. He was not bothered by the gazes set on him. As a child of the royal family, he was used to being observed by many people.
Suddenly, Shi Lang said, “Your Highness, how about we spar with only our sword skills and physical presence? No spirit energy.”
The prince was surprised, but then he nodded forcefully. He said, “Indeed, the pressure from the absence of the spirit energy will make us grow stronger. Good idea.”
The two people assumed their stances, and Ling Tian volunteered to say, “Begin.”
Two people rushed at each other, and immediately, sparks erupted. None of them intended to hold back, and the pace of the battle escalated quickly. Shi Lang parried a few attacks before he exhaled heavily and initiated a sword dance. After the initial exchange, he could tell where the weakness of the Prince lay.
Tian Longjian also realized what was happening but had been drawn in Shi Lang’s pace. He could not go back. The only option left for him was to follow the pace. The cycle of attacks appeared to be different, but the motive of the attacks was the same.
Shi Lang would lure the Prince to expose his weakness and strike it down. The Prince achieved the level of a sword master at such a young age because he was talented and hardworking. He knew what was happening and learned his lesson.
Gradually, he stopped falling into the traps and began to observe Shi Lang’s sword more. The terran had good enough experience to deal with children and to lead them to rectify their weaknesses. The Prince was too easygoing and did not understand the responsibility of wielding a sword.
Shi Lang increased pressure. He began to aim at the vitals and said, “The sword is wielded for one reason and one reason only. To protect. Why do you hold the sword?”
Tian Longjian had no answer, and Shi Lang pushed him back. The terran had decided to gain the favor of a genius, and he knew how to do that. Even if this place was the immortal realm, the people had to cultivate it from the bottom. Their realm of cultivation was similar to the mortals, but the rules of this realm were different.
Shi Lang did not attack and waited for the Young Prince to think of an answer. However, someone did not have it. Ling Tian spoke up, “Can you stop wast…”
Shi Lang gazed at him from the corner of his eye, and an unbeatable wisp of sword intent brushed past Ling Tian’s throat. The wisp opened a thin cut through the skin, and the sudden cold made him touch his neck. Then he panicked, but a voice sounded in his ears before he could say anything in panic.
“If you disturbed the Prince by raising a ruckus, the next cut will take your head off.”
The voice belonged to Shi Lang. However, the Terran manipulated the spirit energy like a string to deliver the message to Ling Tian’s ears. This was fake spiritual communication.
The Prince raised his head and asked, “I wield the sword to become strong.”
Shi Lang nodded and asked, “What if the cost of your strength is the life of someone you love?”
The prince was shocked, and Shi Lang said, “Protecting your loved ones is where true strength lies. Don’t you think, Your Highness?”
The prince fell in thought again, and the air around him changed after a few minutes. He raised his head and charged forward. Shi Lang reciprocated and the two exchanged a dozen of moves. When suddenly, Elder Chen said, “The sound of whooshing from the Prince’s sword has vanished.”
The people all trained their ears to hear the sound but all they heard was a chain of clanks. The two swords were moving so fast that the wind was not disturbed and only metal clanks were left. Another couple of moves and the Young Prince stepped back. He clasped his hands to Shi Lang and gazed at his hands in surprise.
At this moment, a wisened voice sounded, “Your Highness, should you not show gratitude toward the tutor?” 𝞸𝗏𝐿xt.𝒸𝑂𝑀