Martial Arts Livestreaming
Chapter 358 - 328: Swords Pointed At The Heart, Hidden Intentions

Chapter 358: Chapter 328: Swords Pointed At The Heart, Hidden Intentions

(Note: Since the text discusses martial arts and mentions specific weapons like swords and spears, I’m assuming that "枪" refers to "spear" rather than "gun" for the purpose of this translation.)

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(PS: I’ve seen friends asking why Wu Li didn’t fight with a spear against his opponent. Battling with a spear against a sword is like fighting with a sword against an unarmed opponent—it’s a huge gap. If the skill levels are similar, there’s no real fight. Fujiwara is no fool; he came here to challenge Wu Li’s swordsmanship, not his spear technique. If Wu Li wanted to use a spear, Fujiwara would not agree, and both sides would have to continue to argue about it. Wu Li is confident that he can win with a sword, so rather than argue, it is more straightforward. Moreover, if Wu Li used a spear against a sword in a public duel, even if he won, there would still be those who say his victory was dishonorable. Besides, he has already killed Fujiwara’s senior disciple with a spear, and now fighting Fujiwara with a spear again, it would inevitably lead to a lot of negative talk. So it’s better to fight sword against sword, to win cleanly and leave no room for discussion.

Public duels have rules; you don’t just fight however you want, both sides must agree. Think of the movie "Huo Yuanjia," with those three matches—sword against sword, spear against spear, hand-to-hand. It’s the same here. There are rules for cold weapons duels, but I won’t go into that here.)

"You’ve injured your arm, you’re as good as dead in the upcoming duel!"

Fujiwara Naoto, his face devoid of color, said to Wu Li with a grim smile.

He spoke in Japanese, which Wu Li didn’t understand, but he could generally infer the meaning from Fujiwara Naoto’s demeanor and tone—Fujiwara Naoto was prepared to risk his life to inflict injury on Wu Li.

"Master Fujiwara!"

"Mr. Fujiwara!"

Members of the Island Country Martial Arts World looked at Fujiwara Naoto on the stage with expressions of deep sorrow, yet they were also surprised.

After all, this duel didn’t necessarily have to end in life or death. If one couldn’t win, conceding was also an option. Even though that might ruin one’s reputation, it would at least save their life. Fujiwara Naoto was not a martial artist who lived off his reputation. He had just practiced with his teacher without running his own dojo and teaching disciples. Even if his reputation was destroyed, he could retire to the countryside.

And now, not only could Fujiwara Naoto not preserve his reputation, but he had also lost his life—a choice that was utterly not worth it. Even the people from the Island Country Martial Arts World were taken aback, unable to understand why Fujiwara Naoto would make such a decision. Was it just to increase Xiaoze Wutian’s chances in the subsequent duel? Even for one’s own son, this seemed too extreme a step.

Wu Li felt equally surprised and helpless. In that split second, in order to regain his sword without exposing any weakness, he had used two killing moves in succession, and then lunged forward to evade Fujiwara Naoto’s counterattack, almost exhausting his breath. The final turn and sideways slash to block his opponent’s movement were meant as a brief reprieve, but Fujiwara Naoto seized the opportunity decisively, opting for a suicidal attack.

If Wu Li hadn’t trained specifically in the Secret Hand techniques for when a weapon is lost in virtual reality, he would have already been defeated by Fujiwara Naoto, whose swordsmanship was no less than his own. For a high-level master like this, if they were determined to trade their life for injury, it was very difficult for Wu Li to achieve a complete victory without any harm.

"Wu Li, wins!"

The official announced the result of the duel, and then medical personnel from both sides entered the field.

Fujiwara Naoto’s injuries were too severe for immediate aid, so he stopped the medics from treating him and instead asked to exchange a few words with Xiaoze Wutian and Koda Shinmei.

Xiaoze Wutian approached Fujiwara Naoto with a solemn face and knelt down, "Senior Fujiwara."

Fujiwara Naoto, with a weak breath, said to Xiaoze Wutian, "He will surely choose to continue fighting next—it’s a good opportunity. Take my place and kill him!"

The people gathered around were taken aback by his words, somewhat surprised.

Logically, since Wu Li was already injured in this duel, he could completely opt out of the next fight without affecting his reputation, and Hongmen would certainly not blame him for it. Thus, people thought it was unworthy of Fujiwara Naoto to risk his life when, at most, Wu Li would abstain from continuing the duel, allowing Guandong Association to win over Hongmen. What good would that do for himself?

Yet now, Fujiwara Naoto was definitely saying that Wu Li would continue to fight?

"Senior?" Xiaoze Wutian looked at Fujiwara Naoto in confusion.

Fujiwara Naoto, pale as can be, smiled weakly: "I’ve felt his spirit through his sword intent. He won’t give up so easily."

It was for this reason!

Others might not quite understand, but someone like Xiaoze Wutian, who had reached the Emptiness Realm in Spiritual Cultivation, knew that a martial artist’s ’intent’ represents the most genuine side of a person’s heart. Fujiwara Naoto, through the brief exchange, had understood Wu Li through his ’intent,’ leading to such a judgment: the opponent would not give up.

The ideal state of Natural Reasoning Heart Flow is to forget oneself and the material world during combat, enabling one to keenly sense the opponent’s intent and respond most naturally. Being a master of Natural Reasoning Heart Flow, Fujiwara Naoto staked his life on a thrust that aimed not just at the body but at the heart!

They understood—now, the several martial artists present who possessed sufficient spiritual cultivation all grasped Fujiwara Naoto’s intentions. They had initially thought his choice was not worth it, but now they revered him. They admired a martial artist who believed in his own way and was willing to give his life for it.

"Master Fujiwara," Xiaoze Wutian nodded gravely, "rest assured, as long as Wu Li dares to step up next, I will personally kill him and avenge you and Senior Watanabe!"

A trace of a smile crossed Fujiwara Naoto’s face, "Good..."

He finally let out a breath of relief and looked up at the sky.

The azure sky, with white clouds drifting lazily.

Back in the day, he and Watanabe Ryosuke had studied swordsmanship together under Teacher Nakagiya in the countryside, under such a sky.

On the hot summer days, when the two boys grew tired of sword practice, they would go to the ridge together, sitting down and watching the distant sunset slowly sink.

They had promised each other that in the future they would both become renowned masters of the sword, and then, on a summer day with the setting sun bleeding red, they would have an epic duel that would capture the attention of the world.

Unfortunately, life’s tides shift constantly, and nothing remained as it was.

Fujiwara Naoto slowly closed his eyes, and the faint strains of a familiar folk song seemed to reach his ears:

"A gentle breeze passes, summer has gone by

Who longs, who wanders,

Beneath the fading sun in summer’s blue sky, the summers of my heart

Awake at night from dreams..."

"Teacher, I’m sorry..."

"Watanabe, we meet again at last..."

On April 23, 2021, Master of Natural Reasoning Heart Flow and Japan’s ’Little Sword Saint,’ Fujiwara Naoto, engaged in a sword versus saber duel with Hua Country’s Xingyi Master Wu Li on the high seas.

Fujiwara Naoto, perished.

...

On the other side, medical personnel were wrapping up Wu Li’s wounds.

Fujiwara Naoto’s thrust had penetrated over two inches into Wu Li’s left arm, nearly reaching the bone. Fortunately, Wu Li withdrew his saber in time, but the injury would still affect the power of his left arm.

"Wu Li, we should forfeit the next match."

Zheng Yingrong approached Wu Li and took the initiative to speak.

Wu Li was somewhat surprised; the next duel was the decisive battle between the Guandong Association and Hongmen over their grudges and interests. Forfeiting would mean significant losses for Zhiyuan Hall.

"Your injury... forced participation is too much of a strain," Zheng Yingrong said seriously.

Wu Li smiled, "Sixth Master, I’ve bet quite a bit on this match. If I forfeit, I’ll be ruined."

"Ha." Li San, standing nearby, couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

He understood Wu Li well and knew for sure that Wu Li would never forfeit, so he didn’t even try to persuade him otherwise.

Zheng Yingrong’s expression was conflicted. Deep down, he actually hoped Wu Li would fight and win, but morally, he didn’t want to force Wu Li to take the risk.

"Don’t worry, I know my limits," Wu Li assured Zheng Yingrong.

Zheng Yingrong fell silent for a moment, then nodded, "If you feel overwhelmed, forfeit immediately. Don’t push yourself too hard."

Wu Li nodded. After his wound was wrapped, he moved his left arm, getting accustomed to it, and then he headed straight to the platform.

He was actually going to fight a second match!

Everyone present was shocked to see Wu Li stepping back into the arena.

Sofia watched Wu Li climb onto the stage, her eyes flickering. When Fujiwara Naoto had attempted to kill Wu Li, a sense of regret emerged in her heart: Wu Li was going to lose today’s bet.

Fujiwara Naoto’s death had shown her the brutality of these matches—it was truly a matter of life and death in an instant. Therefore, with Wu Li injured, she thought he would not joke with his life and forfeiting seemed the logical choice.

Yet, just when she thought Wu Li would forfeit, he returned to the ring.

He hadn’t given up!

Sofia’s eyes were fixed intently on Wu Li on the stage. The white Martial Arts Uniform he wore over his left shoulder was stained red, spattered with blood, giving him a martial and iron-blooded appearance rather than his usual free and easy demeanor.

She couldn’t see a trace of hesitation or worry on Wu Li’s face, just an intense confidence: No matter what happens, I will accomplish what needs to be done!

Such a man!

Such a man!

Sofia’s heartbeat strangely quickened; Wu Li’s strength and confidence triggered feelings of attraction long absent in her.

From his second-floor window-side position, Roger sneered at the scene: Strutting about with an injury—it’s a death wish!

On the other side, as soon as it was confirmed that Wu Li would fight the second match, the Guandong Association members were all exhilarated.

Xiaoze Wutian remembered the words Fujiwara Naoto had said at his end, his resolve firm as he slowly moved towards the stage.

Master Fujiwara had guessed right. The final thrust delivered with his life had to be honored!

On the platform, the two contestants faced each other.

Although a simple cleaning had been done, between the two fighters, one could still make out the large, dark red patch of blood on the floor, and the pungent smell of blood mixed with the sea breeze, adding a somber air to the duel.

Wu Li carefully looked over Xiaoze Wutian, who stood opposite him, and let out a light exclamation.

The last time he had seen Xiaoze Wutian, the man hadn’t made his breakthrough and had not achieved clarity in Fist Intent. Now, encountering each other again, Wu Li could faintly sense an aura emanating from Xiaoze Wutian.

Clearly, the man had made his breakthrough.

However, this was not unexpected to Wu Li. Before stepping onto the platform, Li San had already reminded him that Xiaoze Wutian might have had his breakthrough. What truly puzzled Wu Li was, considering that Xiaoze Wutian had just broken through recently, his Spirit, Power, and Essence should be quite visibly externalized. Even if not intentionally displayed, an ordinary person with no knowledge of Martial Arts would feel pressured upon encountering him.

Wu Li himself had gone through this; when he just had his breakthrough, his Fist Intent was visible to all, the energy around him palpable. This situation persisted until Wu Li broke through from Kongming to the Spirit realm, improving his Control Power over heart intent by a notch, and was gradually able to fully conceal his Fist Intent, making him appear unassuming and unremarkable.

Wu Li did not believe that Xiaoze Wutian could achieve two successive breakthroughs within just a few months. Therefore, Xiaoze Wutian’s current state appeared quite odd.