Chapter 5: Swordsmanship

Chu Li stood at a high vantage point, nodding condescendingly: "Zhuo Feiyang, you still have a bit of courage! ... ... Sister Zhao, welcome!"

"You have quite the audacity, Mr. Chu!" Zhuo Feiyang scoffed repeatedly, "Without any internal strength, what do you intend to use to fight?"

Zhuo Feiyang changed his moves again, decisively switching to a different set of palm techniques. The sword's momentum was soft and weak, yet it aimed directly at the vital points. The person with the surname Chu must be well-acquainted with this set of palm techniques

Zhuo Feiyang smiled proudly, stepped forward to him, and assumed the stance of his palm technique: "I don't even need a sword to deal with you"

Zhuo Feiyang snorted: "I just can't stand his arrogant demeanor!"

Senior Brother Chu took the initiative to challenge, but was injured by Senior Brother Zhuo, and the Duke's residence will not intervene

Of course! Zhuo Feiyang snorted, "If he wants to seek death, I am the kind of person who enjoys helping others, letting him become completely useless!"

Chu Li drew his sword from its sheath: "Zhuo Feiyang, draw your sword!"

Zhao Ying hurriedly took out a porcelain bottle, sprinkled the medicinal powder to stop the bleeding, and looked at him with concern

Zhao Ying shook her head and smiled wryly, for proud people can hardly tolerate the pride of others

Come again!" Zhuo Feiyang gritted his teeth and snorted

"Young master, be careful!" Bai Zhijie said, "After all, this is their territory!"

The moment he thought of this, anger surged to his head; 11,000 taels were just swindled away like that

The small boat carried three people, with Bai Zhijie at the helm, while Zhuo Feiyang and Zhao Ying stood at the bow. A gentle breeze blew, causing their garments to flutter lightly.

Zhuo Feiyang's handsome face darkened, feeling quite displeased under his condescending gaze, and he coldly laughed, "What is there to be afraid of from a useless person like you!"

Zhuo Feiyang's old strength has been exhausted, and new strength has yet to be born, as he watches helplessly as the sword pierces his right wrist

Sigh... Zhao Ying sighed helplessly, determined to intervene at a critical moment.

Of course not

You have no deep-seated grievances against each other, so why act this way

"Stop with this nonsense!" Zhuo Feiyang shouted, "If you, surnamed Chu, are going to make a move, do it quickly. If not, then admit defeat and obediently become my guard!"

"He must be furious!" Zhuo Feiyang said with a smug tone, "This arrogant fellow absolutely cannot stand being my guard!"

Zhuo Feiyang said: "Zhi Jie, wait for me on the ship"

Zhuo Feiyang stared wide-eyed in anger, fixing his gaze firmly on Chu Li.

Zhuo Feiyang snorted: "Sister Zhao, the compassion of a woman is not to be desired"

Zhao Ying said: "Brother Chu, aren't you unable to practice martial arts?"

Three individuals beheld a small island floating on the lake, seemingly swaying with the wind. The island was surrounded by willow trees, their branches drooping down to the surface of the lake, dancing gracefully, resembling mist and smoke

Chu Li and Li Yue appeared, with Chu Li wearing a sword at his waist, exuding an extraordinary heroism

Chu Li said: "If you want to take action, it must come with some incentive. Zhuo Feiyang, if I win, you will be my bodyguard"

It is settled then, Sister Zhao will be the witness

"Sister Zhao, you do not understand," Zhuo Feiyang interrupted her with a wave of his hand. "When it is necessary to be ruthless, one must be ruthless. This guy... when the opportunity arises, he must be dealt with decisively!"

Ah! Zhuo Feiyang cried out in pain, his right palm pierced by a sword

Chu Li's face was pale, propping himself up with his sword to prevent himself from falling. This sword gathered all his strength, leaving him feeling hollow and uncomfortable as if his energy had been completely drained.

Yes. Bai Zhijie nodded respectfully

Chu Li patted his chest and said: "Ten thousand taels of silver notes are yours, I will leave the Duke's residence!"

Zhuo Feiyang's left palm pressed against the sword as he cut in, directly breaching the central palace, with utmost disdain

Zhuo Feiyang frowned and thought: "I found him unpleasant the first time I saw him... He has no real ability, yet he acts so arrogantly. Just seeing him makes me feel disgusted; I wish I could slap him to death!"

Zhao Ying shook her head and smiled. Both of them were quite proud. Brother Zhuo indeed had the capital to be arrogant, while Brother Chu, unable to practice martial arts, seemed to have some backing and did not regard Brother Zhuo highly. This was something Brother Zhuo found most intolerable

"We were once classmates..." Zhao Ying sighed

Then why are you hesitant to agree? Is it due to a lack of confidence

"It is not shameful to be a guard for Brother Zhuo," Zhao Ying urged.

Chu Li sheathed his sword, smiling and asked, "Do you want to continue fighting?"

Zhao Ying frowned, her temper flaring as she struck hard, going too far: "Why does Senior Brother Chu dare to challenge?"

Chu Li snorted and said, "Zhuo Feiyang, first tell me whether you agree or not"

Zhao Ying smiled apologetically; his pride and arrogance made it truly difficult for him to serve as Zhuo Shixiong's guard, and Zhuo Shixiong had indeed gone too far

Chu Li clasped his fists and smiled, saying: "Then I thank you very much, Junior Sister Zhao!"

I just want to see what tricks he has up his sleeve!" Zhuo Feiyang waved his hand and said, "All tricks are powerless in the face of powerful martial arts!

Chu Li stepped back to evade, thrusting out a sword.

Chu Li thrusts out another sword strike

Chu Li turned his head and said, "Sister Zhao, come in and have a cup of tea."

Zhao Ying furrowed her brows and said, "Senior Brother Chu, why must you escalate matters to this extent?"

Chu Li said: "I have practiced the Breaking Illusion Sword Technique, and it is sufficient to deal with you!"

What if you lose?" Zhuo Feiyang's smile faded: "You can't take all the benefits for yourself, can you?

Chuli strikes again with another sword.

This is not a time for politeness, the relationship with the Moonlight Orchid is too significant, it changes one's destiny

Sigh... Zhao Ying shook her head and said, "Brother Zhuo, in fact, you have no great enmity, so why must it be like this?"

Brother Zhuo, are you really going to be ruthless

Oh? Zhuo Feiyang had no choice but to change his tactics, his sword-like brows furrowing

"The Broken Illusion Sword Technique? Haha!" Zhuo Feiyang laughed heartily: "With a useless person like you, what good is it to wield a sword that can cut through iron like mud?"

Chu Li raised the tip of the sword.

The government prohibits private duels. In the event of casualties, the penalties are severe: the lighter punishment is the revocation of martial arts skills and expulsion from the government, while the heavier punishment is death. Challenges are permitted, and the other party has the right to refuse. If they agree, as long as there are no fatalities or severe injuries, no further action will be taken.

Zhao Ying smiled and said, "Brother Chu, if you win, the Moonlight Orchid will be yours!"

"Dream on!" Zhuo Feiyang immediately laughed, "I said, Mr. Chu, you can't be serious, asking me to be your bodyguard?"

She secretly complained about Chu Li, acknowledging that circumstances were stronger than individuals; when one must bow down, one should bow down, and yielding would resolve the matter. Why must she insist on competing with Senior Brother Zhuo?

What a big appetite!" Zhuo Feiyang said with a sarcastic cold smile, gritting his teeth: "That is eleven thousand taels!

Issue a challenge post, this is no joke

Who do you think you are to say such a thing?" Zhuo Feiyang scoffed with a sneer.

"One cannot practice internal martial arts techniques." Chu Li shook his head and said, "But the swordsmanship can still be practiced."

The tip of the sword pierced through Zhuo Feiyang's palm

You, reckless and impulsive!" Chu Li shook his head: "It is difficult to achieve great things!

Zhao Ying, dressed in a lake green silk robe, with a jade-like fair face, softly asked: "Brother Zhuo, what is the reason for your enmity with Brother Chu?"

There is no other way; Zhuo Feiyang is petty and constantly seeks trouble with me. I can only give him a taste of his own medicine to make him quiet down

What does it mean to be afraid!

Bai Zhijie said: "Young Master, Miss Zhao, we have arrived!"

Chu Li cast a sidelong glance at Zhuo Feiyang and said, "There is no need for internal power to deal with a fool like him"

Zhuo Feiyang transformed his palm into a fist, delivering a powerful blow, while Chu Li thrust his sword forward.

On the vast and misty lake, a small boat is sailing towards the eastern garden

"Look at the sword!" Chu Li thrust out his sword.

How do you think you will fail

Zhao Ying believes that although Zhuo Feiyang's words are harsh, they are not without merit; without internal strength, one cannot unleash the full power of swordsmanship

I have silver notes, not lacking even ten thousand taels!" Zhuo Feiyang snorted, saying: "All you need to do is roll out of the National Public Office, and as long as you don't obstruct my view, that's enough!

Not in a hurry

Zhuo Feiyang snorted, "What tea to drink? Who knows if you will poison it? Aren't you here to challenge me? Stop talking nonsense and get on with it!"

Zhao Ying looked at him with a sense of responsibility and said, "What is there to show off about!"

Chu Li stared at her for a few moments and said helplessly: "You are a naive and kind-hearted good girl"

There is still moonlight orchid, if you lose, return it to me!

A small boat gently approached the shore, beneath the willow tree hung a jade chime, with a drumstick attached. Zhao Ying struck the jade chime, and the clear sound resonated throughout the Eastern Garden