Chapter 55: The Player Struck Down by the Great Blade

Ever since Tang Shen mastered the basic sword technique, the pressure of practicing swordplay in the sea had diminished considerably. When the waves rushed in, a shadow would flash by—swift, decisive, leaving no trace—cutting directly through the water, splitting it cleanly in two.

In general, at the very least, he now saved a third of his effort compared to before. To recapture the original sense of challenge, Tang Shen increased the weight of the iron bamboo sword by another ten pounds, and added forty more pounds to his own burden, restoring the familiar feeling.

Each time the pressure faded, Tang Shen would raise the weights, seeking out new resistance, until Kuina too advanced her basic sword technique to mastery.

On the second day, after their usual morning training, Tang Shen’s leg weights had accumulated over time to more than two hundred pounds. The strength in his legs grew at a frightening rate, reaching a state of terrifying power. As for how much impact this strength could produce, no one yet knew; no one had tested it.

After breakfast at the dojo, Tang Shen altered the route he took with Kuina; no longer toward the seashore, but deep into the forest.

At this point, the beasts within the forest posed no threat to Tang Shen. On such a remote island in the Eastern Sea, the fiercest beasts were but level ten—boar and wild dogs of that rank—and their numbers were scarce. Tang Shen had searched for days, encountering only two.

The rest he had slain were low-level, serving as fodder for experience points, slowly accrued, and also as a source of meat for himself and Kuina.

Noticing this, Kuina’s youthful face lit up with excitement.

Yesterday, her understanding of the basic sword technique reached mastery. The sensation was clear to her; the waves that had once battered her relentlessly now exerted much less pressure, and everything felt incredibly light.

A figure furtively trailing behind the two wore an expression of curiosity.

He had witnessed Kuina’s breakthrough the day before, sighing with admiration. Mastery of the basic sword technique was not merely a matter of talent—it could not be achieved quickly, no matter how gifted one was.

This technique was the result of centuries of refinement by sword masters across the world; though simple, it was the crystallization of their collective wisdom.

The simpler the technique, the harder it was to master. For those with a strong affinity for swordsmanship, entry was easy, but to progress beyond the basics required not just talent, but years of diligent practice and contemplation before that step could be taken.

After all, that leap was not the understanding of a single move, but the mastery of all.

Most people, once they reached proficiency in the basic sword technique, would switch to other styles or take only one or two moves from it.

Because achieving mastery in the basic sword technique was immensely difficult—far too difficult.

Some people, even after becoming sword masters and rising to the top ranks, remained at the elementary level in their comprehension of the basic sword technique.

Previously, Kuina, through her hard work and sweat, reached proficiency, after which Koshiro had her switch to the One Heart Sword. He knew well the challenge.

But practicing swordplay in the sea made Kuina revert to the basic sword technique, mainly because she saw Tang Shen using it consistently, and subconsciously refrained from employing the One Heart Sword.

She hadn’t expected, in such a short time, to bring the basic sword technique to mastery.

Of course, this was closely tied to the foundation Tang Shen had laid for her before.

For this reason, Koshiro was even more impressed, finding it unbelievable.

How did he know this so clearly?

Because, in his own experience, he achieved mastery of the basic sword technique only at the peak of his sword master days, when a sudden insight prompted him to revisit the basics, after which he broke through to the realm of the great sword master.

As for Tang Shen’s talent in swordsmanship, Koshiro had become numb to it. Tang Shen’s breakthroughs frequently escaped his notice; it was only later, by chance, that he realized Tang Shen had already mastered the basic sword technique, leaving him feeling as if ten thousand alpacas were stampeding through his mind.

Though he had no idea what an alpaca was, that was precisely how he felt.

Moreover, he vaguely guessed Tang Shen was adding weight.

After all, it was unlikely that, having broken through so early, Tang Shen could still maintain the same pressure and training time as Kuina, and his state seemed unchanged.

Most tellingly, Koshiro had privately examined Tang Shen’s iron bamboo sword, confirming Tang Shen was indeed continually increasing his own challenge.

Yes, just as he suspected—or rather, as his keen insight revealed, even the slightest difference was perceptible to him; he was just that sharp.

He had dispelled the notion that all Chosen Ones possessed such talent.

While Tang Shen and Kuina trained desperately, Koshiro discovered some Chosen Ones—players—in the village.

Some players had even found their way to the remote dojo; after all, anyone could ask for directions and learn of its existence, coming to study swordsmanship.

Some players directly sought assistance, hoping to join the dojo.

Koshiro then decided to test their talent, since Tang Shen’s abilities had shocked him many times and left a poor impression.

If every Chosen One were as monstrous as Tang Shen, it would be a tremendous problem—bringing about a revolutionary change in the world.

So he called the dojo instructors, and before the players, demonstrated the basic sword technique.

The result was utterly useless!

Their swordplay was like a pile of dog excrement—newcomers, as green as could be, not even able to hold a bamboo sword properly.

The players were still excited, trying to perform the basic sword technique from memory, thinking they’d found a place to grow stronger.

They believed this would lead them to the pinnacle of life, to become CEOs and marry rich, beautiful women, since training here seemed far superior to menial work at the Navy branch base.

That was indeed a path, but many had already reported that most Navy bases didn’t treat them as soldiers, but subjected them to constant scolding and abuse; senior soldiers bullying new recruits was normal, since the new ones were weak.

Still, Koshiro didn’t give up. With lingering doubts, he tried discussing swordsmanship with the players.

None of the players possessed Tang Shen’s wealth of wisdom from a previous life, nor his breadth of knowledge; each struggled to answer, and the clever ones tried to bluff their way through.

The outcome was predictable.

All these players were thrown out, their so-called talent dismissed as nonsense.

His dojo wasn’t a place that accepted disciples at will; tuition was required—his main source of income.

The poor players couldn’t even kill beasts, their food earned through odd jobs; where could they find tuition?

No talent, no money.

The One Heart Dojo was not a charity. Some players tried to linger, hoping sincerity would move Koshiro.

After all, Koshiro’s presence exuded the aura of a master—imposing and dignified.

But they had chosen the wrong person.