Settling Unfinished Business (Part 2)
As leaves departed from home, a clear and gentle breeze swayed their clothing. The suave and free-spirited young man brandished his sword enhanced with blue energy. The aloof and proud youth clutched his black broad sword with a vice-like grip.
The two former dark horses and now greatest swordsman of Moyun Mountains young generation faced off at Universe Sect. The duel was organised to decide who the superior swordsman was as circumstances rigged the results in their previous clash.
Mu Yu’s wind-whistling slash was executed smoothly, while Gu Yitian’s was a straightforward strike but packed full of brutality. Their clash in the air resulted in flashing lights and qi sprayed ubiquitously. With every exchange, the air temperature would rise.
Mu Yu executed Dustfallen Swordplay’s fifth technique, Falling Dragon Howls the Sky Down, a strike concealed in a feint. Five flying swords elevated Mu Yu and drew in spiritual energy to form five fierce azure dragons around each sword. Gu Yitian brought down his sword, creating a vacuum around his sword.
Boom! The dragons disappeared, but their weapons were intact, and the two had exchanged positions. However, the landscape had been rearranged.
“Gu Yitian’s style is powerful, rigid and relies on brute strength. Body cultivation should never be underestimated,” commented Daoist Qing Song.
“Mu Yu’s strikes are coordinated and free flowing, adapting to cancel Tian’er’s might. I always said Dustfallen Swordplay’s intricacies were immeasurable,” complimented Daoist Bo Yang.
“I’m glad you haven’t let me down,” stated Gu Yitian, monitoring Mu Yu’s sword.
“Your swordsmanship reminds me of a swordsman. Like you, his techniques are simplistic, but his swordplay is to be feared.”
“Who might that be?”
“Nameless Swordsman.”
Gu Yitian reacted. “… He saved my life before and taught me swordplay. My swordplay is a product of his tuition.”
“Thought so. So… Nameless Swordsman is your shifu?”
“No. I don’t want to be his disciple. Likewise, he doesn’t want to take me as his disciple. It was merely a fateful encounter.”
Mu Yu gave a gesture of acknowledged and then refocused on himself. Ever since witnessing Nameless Swordsman and Gu Yitian’s swordplay, he always felt their single strike strongly resembled Dustfallen Swordplay. The difference was Dustfallen Swordplay, the swordplay deemed the best swordplay in the world of cultivation, demanded more in terms of technicality and had the potential for higher output.
“Since you and I both only use single strikes, how about we decide this in a single strike?”
“Fine by me.”
Mu Yu felt he wouldn’t do Dustfallen Swordplay justice if he couldn’t utilise Celestial Sword Nine Catalysts’ single strike. Therefore, he desired to use it. He refused to use Nameless Swordsman’s granted power as it wouldn’t legitimise his win or style. As for Gu Yitian, he saw a slim chance of winning against Mu Yu’s refined technique, but a single strike removed the technique complexity. Thus, Gu Yitian judged the proposal to be the fairest solution.
Gu Yitian aimed his sword at Mu Yu and powered it up. Mu Yu created five Shadow Splitter Swords to execute one technique on each sword. Mu Yu used his unique footwork to create five illusions who’d wield one sword each. Shadow Splitter’s sword qis were linked, yet not. The swords moved faster and faster until they appeared to be standing still.
Once the two built up their attacks, they uncoiled their straight thrusts. From the perspective of the audience, the two struck so sluggishly that they could come up with strategies to defuse the attacks. In reality, the two already altered their moves. Their one strike was capable of countless variations. The only real counter was a more overpowering strike.
The air trembled, and the wind vigorously blew in the opposite direction upon contact. The back and forth push created gorges around until both had to back off. Neither swordsman was done.
“You’re strong,” Mu Yu praised.
“Right back at you.”
Gu Yitian’s body was numb because Mu Yu injected sword qi into Gu Yitian’s sword during their trade.
Crack!
“You might not have lost if you had a good sword,” remarked Mu Yu.
“Victory and defeat are not a question of sword quality. If a man believes in his swordsmanship and sword, his sword is a good sword. I accept defeat.”
Nameless Swordsman held the same view. His sword was an ordinary iron sword, but he trusted his comrade wholeheartedly.
“Nameless Swordsman will kill anyone who damages his iron sword. I, too, will.” Gu Yitian racked his sword on his back and sauntered over to Daoist Bo Yang.
“I’ll be waiting for the next match.”
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