Chapter 145: The Sneak Attack

What terrified Watanabe Ye even more was the realization that Qin Xuan had not used any internal energy at all during their fight. Previously, when Kato Shinji had told him about a Chinese swordsman arriving at Jinling University, he mentioned that Qin Xuan was capable of using internal energy, and that he himself had been injured by its shockwave.

Yet now, Qin Xuan had not used it at all! This left a bitter taste in Watanabe’s mouth. What did this mean? Was he looking down on him? In truth, Qin Xuan simply wasn't in a condition to use internal energy at the moment. However, after this bout with Watanabe, a sudden realization dawned on him.

Fighting was not about unleashing everything one had learned all at once; control was far more important. If an enemy could be defeated with one tenth of one's power, using full strength was a massive waste. He recalled his battle with the ninja Mei Chuan Yi Ku, and the thought solidified. If he had possessed better control, he would not have been so severely injured.

"Leaving the protection of my master... I am truly growing," Qin Xuan sighed.

"I concede. Chinese swordsmanship is indeed well-deserved of its reputation." Watanabe Ye stepped back rapidly, sheathed his bamboo sword, and spoke with unconcealed frustration. There was no helping it; his attacks were completely ineffective against Qin Xuan, while Qin Xuan’s strikes were precise and lethal. They were simply not on the same level. To continue would only be an invitation to further humiliation.

"Watanabe!" Kato Shinji, who had followed him, was stunned and scrambled over. He could never have imagined that the man he had just pledged loyalty to as his "big brother" would be so easily defeated by Qin Xuan.

"Let’s go. This loss does not mean our Sun Nation’s Kendo is inferior to China’s. Remember this, Qin Xuan, one day I will come back to settle this." With that, Watanabe turned and left.

Nearby, Luo Yinghua and the other girls were frozen in shock, the remains of the "Watanabe Must Win" banner slipping from their hands to the ground without them even noticing.

"Everyone, listen to me for a moment," Qin Xuan said, finally speaking up as he watched Watanabe and Kato depart. The previously chaotic scene instantly fell silent, a testament to how Qin Xuan’s status in the hearts of the onlookers had soared.

"What I just used was the most fundamental Taiji sword technique of our nation, so basic that everyone here could learn it if they wanted to," Qin Xuan said, looking around with a smile. "If you can master it, even you would have a fighting chance to defeat Watanabe Ye!"

The area went deathly quiet. No one had expected Qin Xuan to say such a thing. The crowd had gathered out of curiosity or a sense of patriotism, but they had no further expectations. To hear him suggest that they, too, could learn the swordsmanship he had just displayed was staggering.

Some of the boys grew immediately excited. What did this mean? It meant they could show off just like Watanabe, and perhaps even gain practical combat skills to defend themselves against thugs. Someone immediately asked, "Brother Sword! Is it hard to learn the swordsmanship you just used? How long does it take?"

Seeing their interest, Qin Xuan smiled. "Taiji sword is something many elderly people practice until it's second nature. You tell me, is it hard? As for how long it takes, that depends on you. With effort, you can see small results in three months, and at most a year to achieve mastery."

By "small results," Qin Xuan meant being able to use it effectively in a fight. If one only wanted to mimic the postures, a few days would suffice.

"Then, Brother Sword, are you willing to teach us this sword style?" someone asked.

"Of course," Qin Xuan replied firmly. At that moment, he thought of Zhou Xiaoyu. This idea was one she had proposed earlier: to establish a Chinese martial arts club. Qin Xuan thought it was a fine suggestion. It was a disgrace that a prestigious institution like Jinling University was dominated by a Sun Nation Kendo club. If he started a rival club, especially after his decisive victory over Watanabe, he could suppress the Kendo club's influence and ensure Chinese swordsmanship was spread more widely.

"I will establish a sword club. When the time comes, anyone who wishes to learn may sign up; I will announce the details later. I only want everyone to know that in our great China, whether it is swordsmanship or anything else, our heritage is peerless!"

Qin Xuan’s voice was full of spirit and echoed clearly to everyone present. The final word, "heritage," stirred everyone’s hearts. The boys erupted in cheers! They had seen the power of the technique used to defeat Watanabe, and the prospect of learning such skills was exhilarating. Even many of the girls in the crowd were moved.

"Qin Xuan!" A crisp voice called out from behind. Qin Xuan turned to see Shen Yina waving and running toward him with a smile.

"Uh." Qin Xuan quickly turned his head, hoping to avoid too much entanglement. The two girls back at the villa were already enough to worry about, and with Su Muqing and Shui Xian in the mix, adding another to the fray would be a disaster.

He was ready to bolt the moment he saw her, but his expression suddenly hardened. His ears caught the sound of something tearing through the air, closing in rapidly from a distance! In a fraction of a second, he pinpointed the origin. He spun around, sensing something flying toward the back of the approaching Shen Yina. It sounded like a sharp, metal hidden weapon!

"Watch out!" Qin Xuan did not think the weapon was aimed at Shen Yina. Someone must have been targeting him, and Shen Yina had simply stepped into the line of fire.

"Huh?" Shen Yina looked puzzled. Hearing his warning, she reflexively turned around to see what was behind her.

*Thwack!*

"Ah..." Shen Yina let out a pained cry, her lithe body collapsing backward. Qin Xuan lunged forward in a panic, but he was a split second too late.

"Damn it!" Qin Xuan roared, catching Shen Yina before drawing the Taiqing Sword and slashing forward!

There was more than one projectile; three were flying in rapid succession. The first had already struck Shen Yina, but Qin Xuan’s sword deflected the second one.

*Clang!*

A crisp metallic ring echoed. Qin Xuan’s expression shifted from panic and fury to shock and grim seriousness. As his sword met the second projectile, he felt a heart-stopping surge of power travel from the weapon, passing through his blade and striking his arm with jarring force.

Instantly, a numbing, tingling sensation erupted from his arm, spreading through every limb and bone. The internal energy meridians throughout his entire body began to tremble!