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Chapter 229 - 206: An Inch Longer, An Inch Stronger

Chapter 229: Chapter 206: An Inch Longer, An Inch Stronger

Iaijutsu, commonly referred to as the practice of responding to enemy attacks at any moment in daily life.

In all kinds of environments, no matter what posture one is in, one can smoothly counter attacks when faced with them, and this is the essence of Iaido.

The so-called Sword Drawing Skill utilizes the unique curve of the katana, allowing the sword to be drawn from its sheath with an effect similar to a bowstring launching an arrow, accumulating energy and then bursting forth.

However, it is definitely slower to draw the sword from its sheath and then slash compared to slashing with the sword already unsheathed. Hence, the greatest significance of Iaido Sword Drawing lies not in a head-on duel, but in situations where one party, while sitting opposite the other, suddenly draws their sword to attack, or when facing a surprise assault, they can draw the sword at the fastest speed to respond.

During regular Iaido practice, there is no sparring—it relies on imagination and movement practice. Therefore, Iaido is more about cultivating a tranquil mindset and an intimidating presence.

"Posture as majestic as Mount Fuji by the Eastern Sea, sword drawing as fierce as raging waves breaking against rocks.

Thrust as swift as gales felling large trees, the sheathing of the sword as quiet as a volcano ceasing its roar."

This is the presence and Sword Intent that Iaido seeks to harness!

At this moment, facing Wu, the Sword Master chose to use the Yonghusan Style’s Iaido Sword Drawing as the opening move. This cut might not be his quickest, but it certainly possessed the most powerful presence!

To Wu, the man wearing the Evil Spirit mask seemed like a demon that had emerged from Hell itself, with a sea of blood reaching to the skies.

The sudden flash of the sword was like the demon’s long tongue, with unbridled ferocity and burning deadly flames, seeking to lick his body.

Such a cut was startling, seizing the mind and spirit of the onlooker!

Had Wu not previously exchanged for a Master-level Experience Card to hone his Fist Intent and willpower, he might not have been able to react in time against this unexpected cut.

As the glint of the sword approached, Wu stepped backward.

He suddenly ducked his head and bent over, resembling a large shrimp.

Just as the blade grazed the front of Wu’s clothing, he kicked back his legs, retreating with forceful energy from his spine, leaning back, as his shoulder blades protruded high, swaying left and right like a White Crane flapping its wings. A succession of explosive sounds emerged from his back as he rapidly slid backward.

Shrimp Bow Retreat!

This was the life-saving ultimate skill once used by Hu Shan. The other party had incorporated the White Crane Sect’s back power technique into the Shaolin Fist, making this movement technique even more swift.

Wu had sparred with Hu Shan multiple times in the Virtual Reality and had learned this move from him.

Rip! The sound of fabric tearing.

Despite Wu’s quick retreat, the Sword Intent from earlier still caused a slight delay in his actions, and it was this instant that allowed the blade to slice through his clothing.

A line of blood spread from his lower abdomen to his chest as blood seeped out.

A single cut left Wu with a superficial wound.

Golden Bell Shield, Iron Cloth Shirt—no flesh and blood could ever withstand the cutting of steel.

Watanabe Ryosuke raised his head, looking at Wu in surprise. He hadn’t expected his profoundly spirited cut to be avoided.

Tonight’s assassination plot against Li San began with twelve gunmen serving as just an appetizer. Killing Li San would be best, but wounding him would also suffice. The real trump card was in fact the Sword Master, Watanabe Ryosuke.

In Guandong Association’s initial estimations, Li San, facing the sniper attacks of twelve gunmen, would likely be either dead or severely drained and possibly injured. In such a state, with Watanabe Ryosuke making a move at the end, there was a high chance of killing Li San.

But unexpectedly, there were several unforeseen incidents this evening. First, a man from the African-American strongman’s group suddenly drove into the scene, giving Li San an opportunity, followed by the appearance of Wu, who was exceptionally skilled and instantly killed two gunmen.

Therefore, Li San’s condition was actually much better than what the Guandong Association had anticipated—uninjured and not having expended much energy.

Nevertheless, Watanabe Ryosuke still chose to make his move. He couldn’t bear to simply withdraw; he wanted to test his blade, to kill Wu first, and then, slay Li San!

Having observed Wu’s skills from the shadows, if it came to unarmed combat, Watanabe Ryosuke felt that not even two of himself could beat Wu. But with a blade in hand against an unarmed Wu, he believed one cut would be sufficient!

However, for the Guandong Association, tonight was fated to be a night full of surprises.

Wu dodged Watanabe Ryosuke’s first cut.

Watanabe Ryosuke quickly steadied his mind, stepping forward. His left hand, holding the sword sheath, thrust forward with a shrill whistling sound, aiming at Wu’s lower abdomen.

Facing the incoming sword sheath, Wu pressed down with both hands, resisting the attack and using the force to retreat backward.

He had never found himself retreating so continuously in a confrontation like he was doing now.

But there was no choice, for the opponent held a blade.

An inch longer, an inch stronger!

Had Wu held a weapon at this moment—not even a Big Spear, but a mere Xingyi Saber—he would have been confident in clashing head-on without giving ground. However, it was regrettable that he had nothing in his hands, so retreat was his only option.

Watanabe Ryosuke seemed to anticipate Wu’s backward movement. Following the thrust, he continued to step forward, raising his right arm, elbow bent forward, his arm sweeping across, swinging the long blade horizontally.

Foot, knee, waist, shoulder, elbow, wrist... The power cascaded through each part, eventually concentrating on the blade’s edge.

A streak of white light flashed, and the air was rapidly sliced open by the blade, emitting a piercing screech.

This cut was even faster than the previous Iaido Sword Drawing!

Watanabe Ryosuke had once used this move to sever a cherry blossom tree as thick as a small arm, so he named this strike:

Cherry Blossom Fall!

Both sides advanced and retreated. As Wu Li fell back, he was naturally at a speed disadvantage. Faced with this slashing move, he could only shrink his neck and lean back, barely dodging the attack.

Watanabe Ryosuke’s slash cleaved through the air, and halfway through, his wrist suddenly twisted outward, changing the direction of the blade, which now slightly tilted.

He pressed down with his arm, dragging the long sword through the air to draw a beautiful arc, transitioning from a horizontal cut to a downward chop aimed at Wu Li’s waist.

Cherry Blossom Fall!

This change was abrupt yet seamless, without any hesitation, much like a race car speeding straight suddenly entering a curve and pulling off a perfect drift!

Watanabe Ryosuke had killed countless enemies with this move, so he was extremely confident in its effectiveness.

As the long sword came slashing down, Wu Li’s mind was clear and calm; he had faced such life-and-death challenges more than once.

His body continued to lean back, increasing the distance from the blade and buying himself some time; it seemed as though he was about to topple backward onto the ground, but just as he was about to completely lose his balance, Wu Li lifted his spine, his center of gravity shifted abruptly, and he stepped aside with his left foot, propelling his body swiftly out of harm’s way.

Mercury-like Center of Gravity!

Swish! The blade almost grazed Wu Li’s body.

Watanabe Ryosuke’s second slash also missed.

Wu Li quickly regained his balance, slightly bending his legs and using the Horse Jumping Creek movement to dash away.

Had he not previously broken through to the realm of Mercury-like Center of Gravity, he might have met his end here tonight!

Even so, he was still in danger, walking a tightrope where any small mistake could cost him his life.

Barehanded against a weapon was indeed perilous!

Luckily, Wu Li was not facing the enemy alone; he had Li San behind him.

From the moment Watanabe Ryosuke charged forward to unleashing two successive strokes, the entire encounter took but a few seconds. Most people wouldn’t even have had time to react, let alone intervene, but Li San could.

The moment Li San saw Watanabe Ryosuke, he knew the man was coming for him, as he wore an Evil Spirit mask on his face.

In the New York underworld, Li San was known by a resonant nickname, the "Evil Spirit."

Every time Li San carried out an assassination, he would don an Evil Spirit mask, and every operation would inevitably result in death. Like a demon emerging from hell to claim souls, he was called the ’Evil Spirit.’

The name Evil Spirit Li San held a great deterrent force to everyone in New York’s underworld. Any gang, syndicate, or similar organization that considered targeting Hongmen had to weigh whether they could survive an encounter with the Evil Spirit Li San.

Tonight, Guandong Association set a trap to kill Li San, and Watanabe Ryosuke, making the final move, wore Li San’s signature Evil Spirit mask. This was a silent provocation; if Li San were to actually die at his hands, it would be a great irony.

Li San understood the intention behind the mask the moment he saw it. His lips curled upward, and his desire to kill nearly boiled over!

The two slashes that Watanabe Ryosuke delivered were so impressive they should have been directed at him, but Wu Li had taken them in his place.

Though Li San didn’t know who Wu Li was, the man had just helped him, and now took the slashes meant for him. Li San was not about to stand by and watch Wu Li get chopped down by Watanabe Ryosuke, so even though the chances weren’t great, he charged in resolutely.

Swish!

Li San’s figure flashed as he rushed toward Watanabe Ryosuke.

Facing the oncoming Li San, Watanabe Ryosuke didn’t bother with him but continued to pursue Wu Li.

He was closer to Wu Li and still had time for two more strikes!

Watanabe Ryosuke’s footsteps moved in rapid succession, his long sword thrusting toward Wu Li’s abdomen.

His movement was not slower than Wu Li’s, and having a sword in hand, he had a longer attack range, which meant Wu Li couldn’t escape his attack radius for the moment.

Facing the sword thrust that seemed to tear through the sky, Wu Li had no choice but to sidestep, yet Watanabe Ryosuke’s thrust, halfway through, changed again, drawing the same arc as before, shifting from a thrust to a slash!

Another drift, the speed, power, and change were all in a near-perfect slash.

This time the long sword came horizontally at his waist, and Wu Li had no room to dodge.

A vicious glint flashed in his eyes as his left hand dropped. He was about to sacrifice his hand to force his way into close quarters!

"Here!"

A voice called out in English. Wu Li instantly understood, for Li San had suddenly thrown a dagger his way.

Clang!

The dagger collided with the sword blade. The dagger’s force was insufficient to alter the trajectory of the long sword, but it caused the strike to hesitate for a moment, and that was enough for Wu Li.

He reached out and grasped the dagger sent flying toward him.

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