Chapter 150: A Clash of Intentional Levels

Chapter 150: A Clash of Intentional Levels

Behind the Kendo Dojo.

Lu Heng began his pre-match preparations, and even in the backstage lounge, he could still hear the commotion outside the dojo.

Lin Zeyu rubbed his fists together, looking as if he had everything planned out, and leaned close to Lu Heng's ear, saying, "Go all out. If things don't go as planned, just give me a signal. I've arranged for two hundred men in the neighboring hotel. At your command, we'll take care of them!"

Lu Heng glanced at him, thinking to himself that he didn't know how to describe this guy.

He had quietly arranged for so many people.

In reality, arranging for so many people was unlikely to be necessary, but several hundred people had come from Japan for this match, even if they were just there to cheer. Still, there was a real concern that things could escalate and a fight might break out.

If a fight did occur, without two hundred men, it would be difficult to control the situation.

Su Muyu stood to the side, twirling her hair with her fingers.

She really wanted to help but couldn't.

If they were on the Abyssal Battlefield, they could fight side by side.

But this match was a single combat competition, and even teammates couldn't assist.

Just as Lu Heng was preparing, someone knocked on the lounge door.

Knock, knock, knock...

Jian Qing knocked on the door and then pushed it open, walking up to Lu Heng, hands in her pockets, and said, "I'm here representing the military. If you don't want to fight, I can report it and help you resolve this issue."

Lu Heng had just led a team to resolve the Misty Valley crisis in the Sulfur River region, earning him a medal that was about to be awarded. If he were to be bullied by the Japanese at this time, his fellow comrades who had entered the mist with him would be the first to object.

"No need," Lu Heng waved his hand. "If I do that, they'll just say I'm using official power to expel him, and it'll be a nuisance."

Flies weren't scary, but their constant buzzing was annoying.

That's what the large group of Japanese outside felt like.

"Fine, then. I'll watch your performance from below. I'm leaving," Jian Qing waved her hand and left the lounge, heading to the audience seats in the Kendo Dojo to find a comfortable spot.

...

The Coastal International Kendo Dojo was rented out by the Haruka Corporation.

The security guards at the entrance were preventing the crowd from getting too close, but anyone with Japanese nationality was allowed inside.

As a result, the audience seats were filled with Japanese people.

There were even some eccentric individuals dressed in kimonos, pretending to be Japanese to sneak in.

The proverb 'In a big forest, all kinds of birds can be found' seemed fitting.

On the other side of the audience seats, there were only Jian Qing and Chen Zihan, with the rest of the seats empty, creating a stark contrast with the dense crowd on the opposite side.

Jian Qing stretched out her arms and placed them on the back of her chair, crossing her legs in a confident pose.

Chen Zihan was a bit worried and asked, "Lieutenant Jian, what if they start a fight with so many people on their side?"

Jian Qing replied nonchalantly, "Our country specializes in self-defense and counterattacks. Let's see if they dare to make a move."

For some reason, Chen Zihan sensed a hint of bloodshed in her response.

...

At 10 o'clock, Saito Makoto turned to a disciple below the stage and spoke a few words in Japanese.

This disciple of the Kyushu Shinryu School immediately stepped forward, arrogantly shouting at Jian Qing and Chen Zihan, "Hey! Where are the people competing? It's time; hurry up and come out to your deaths!"

Jian Qing looked around and confirmed that the Japanese were indeed talking to her.

Since the Kendo Dojo didn't allow Daxia citizens inside, there were only Jian Qing and Chen Zihan on their side of the audience seats.

Therefore, the Japanese disciple could only address the two of them.

And at that moment.

Lu Heng stepped out of the lounge and slowly ascended the stage.

Right after that.

A Kendo Dojo manager walked onto the stage, holding a tray with an agreement on it.

"Please sign this disclaimer first."

Lu Heng glanced at the agreement, which was titled 'Kendo Disclaimer,' but in reality, it was a Life and Death Contract.

In other words, by signing this agreement, any injuries or deaths that occurred during the match would not be the responsibility of the Kendo Dojo or the opponent; the signer would be solely responsible.

Actually.

Even in intense sports, there was a possibility of injuries or deaths.

There had been cases of casualties in boxing, fencing, and even ball sports.

Such disclaimers did have a certain degree of validity.

Lu Heng signed the disclaimer without changing his expression.

The manager turned and walked down the stage.

Lu Heng frowned and called out to him, "Did you forget something?"

The manager turned back, puzzled, and asked, "What?"

"Do I need to sign this?" Lu Heng looked at him, finding his confusion amusing.

The manager almost blurted out, "What else?"

But he held back and took the tray to Saito Makoto for his signature.

Since Lu Heng had already signed, Saito Makoto had to sign as well to save face.

After signing, the manager went to the edge of the stage and said, "After I leave the stage, you two can begin. This match has no rules and doesn't require scoring. It ends when one side admits defeat or loses the ability to fight."

Saito Makoto wasn't in a hurry to start. He crossed his arms, holding a katana, and spoke in a cold voice, which a disciple translated, "Did you kill Tsukakawa Shugaku?"

Lu Heng didn't deny it, "He initiated the match."

Saito Makoto coldly snorted, "Is Fusonokami Kageuchi, Tsukakawa's katana, in your possession?"

Lu Heng drew the Aurora Blade from thin air and replied, "I suppose it is.

That Fusonokami Kageuchi had already been used as fertilizer for the Aurora Blade.

From this perspective, it could indeed be said that the sword was in Lu Heng's hands.

Saito Makoto gave a cold snort, "Do you know what kind of katana I hold in my hand?"

"I'm not interested," Lu Heng truly wasn't interested, but the other party kept talking, interrupting others, and suddenly drawing his sword would be like an ambush, so he could only let him finish his speech.

Saito Makoto drew his katana ten centimeters out of its sheath, revealing the gleaming blade within.

The cold light reflected off the blade was enough to tell that it was a fine sword, even without a close inspection.

Saito Makoto slowly explained, "This sword of mine is named Fuchi Sohshou, and it's a father-son pair with Fusonokami Kageuchi. So, you must pay the price for what you've done."

"Are you done?" Lu Heng interrupted his lengthy story again, urging him to take action.

"Hmph!"

Saito Makoto let out a cold snort, drew out Fuchi Sohshou, discarded the sheath, and held the sword in both hands before him, shouting, "Make your move! You wretched swordsman of Daxia."

Lu Heng raised his sword to the side, his eyes gleaming with concentration.

Without drawing his sword, the essence of kendo had already enveloped the surroundings.

As the essence of kendo emerged, both sides confirmed one thing: they had both reached the Intentional Level.

When masters of such caliber faced off, a single glance could be a sweeping attack.

If the Subtle Level of swordsmanship focused on the minutiae, showcasing exquisite techniques, and each move was a delicate gamble and contest, then the Intentional Level of swordsmanship emphasized the pressure and momentum of kendo.

If opponents were at a difference of a major realm, the Subtle Level would have no chance against the Intentional Level, losing at the stage of essence confrontation.

If a Subtle Level practitioner forced an attack, at the moment of engagement, the Intentional Level practitioner could use their realm-like superiority to achieve victory in a single strike.

Both sides being at the Intentional Level, their momentum clashed with equal force.

On the audience side from Japan, many were from the Japanese swordsmanship circle, not necessarily strong in skill but deep in theory.

Hence, many realized that although the two hadn't made a move, they had already begun a confrontation of essences.

This surprised many in the audience.

Because, to many, this wasn't a fair contest but a crushing display of the Japanese Sword Saint against an unknown opponent.

However, when the two stood on the kendo stage, radiating their momentum, the situation became peculiar.

Both had reached the Intentional Level.

An unknown minor character possessing the Intentional Level of swordsmanship? This was beyond everyone's expectations.

Jian Qing didn't understand kendo, but she could sense that although neither had made a move, they were already engaged.

She turned to Su Muyu beside her and asked, "Intentional Level?"

"Um..."

Su Muyu had been watching the match on stage and, hearing Jian Qing's question, replied, "Yes, it's the Intentional Level, but I'm not sure what level it is."

A smile appeared on Jian Qing's lips as she said, "This is beyond my expectations. Lu Heng's foundation is so strong, no wonder he faced the Flame Demon with such composure last time."

...

On stage.

The standoff of essences continued.

Neither had moved their swords, but their gazes had clashed numerous times.

After such a prolonged essence confrontation, both confirmed one thing: it was impossible to determine a victor solely through essence confrontation.

Now, it was a matter of who broke the stalemate and took the initiative to attack.

However, at the Intentional Level, many times, victory could be seized by remaining still and waiting for the right moment.

Therefore, when Intentional Level kendo masters competed, they might not make a move for a long time, but when they did, they could potentially determine the victor with just one strike.

Moreover, the Kiushu Shinryu School was indeed renowned for its 'One-Blow Kill' in the world of kendo.

Saito Makoto's specialty was the Retreat Strike, defeating opponents with a single strike while evading.

In fact, Tsukakawa Shugaku was also skilled in the Retreat Strike, as he was Saito Makoto's disciple, inheriting his master's expertise in this technique.

However, Tsukakawa Shugaku, being younger, sometimes took the initiative to attack and didn't solely rely on the Retreat Strike to engage.

The Retreat Strike was a defensive counterattack executed while simultaneously retreating and attacking.

Saito Makoto excelled in the Retreat Strike, so as soon as his opponent made a move, he would counter with thunderous force, defeating them in a single strike.

In his life, he had participated in 39 official matches without a single defeat.

This was why he was hailed as the Sword Saint.

Before Lu Heng's arrival, he had already learned about Saito Makoto's life and understood his style.

This old turtle had great patience, and his sword didn't waver during the standoff.

Lu Heng hadn't specifically trained in the Retreat Strike, so he could both attack and defend.

Since his opponent was so patient, Lu Heng chose to take the offensive.

At the climax of the essence confrontation, Lu Heng suddenly made his move, dashing forward and executing a Mountain-Subdue Slash.

The powerful downward slash caused Saito Makoto's eyes to flash with brilliance, and even a cold smile appeared on his lips. This was because Lu Heng's move exposed vulnerabilities in front of and on both sides of his body.

Saito Makoto immediately retreated, employing his thirty years of expertise in the Retreat Strike. In that moment of retreat, he drew his sword and slashed, aiming for Lu Heng's right shoulder.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end