Chapter 24

"Boldly moving forward..."

Qin Yuyan muttered, the confusion in her eyes gradually turning into clarity.

She took a deep breath and put down the crystal琉璃 (Note: "幻琉璃" is a proper noun, which can be translated as "crystal" or left as "Huàn Liúlí" depending on context).

"Mr. Ye, thank you. I have my answer."

Ye Xiao nodded and continued reading his book, while Qin Yuyan turned and left.

The next two days passed in a flash.

In just two days, the hottest topic in the entire Jianghai City was the challenge issued by the swordsmanship prodigy from Hanzhou, Park Jian Sheng, to Qin Yuyan, the daughter of the Qin family in Jianghai City.

Everyone was well aware of Park Jian Sheng's prowess. Although they detested people from Hanzhou, they had to admit that Park Jian Sheng, with his own strength, had defeated many of the capital's swordsmanship prodigies, proving his exceptional skills.

However, it was difficult to evaluate Qin Yuyan's strength.

As the most powerful martial arts family in Jianghai City, the Qin family, with the endorsement of the contemporary grandmaster Qin Shenglong, had a swordsmanship level that was undoubtedly excellent.

However, compared to the entire capital, Jianghai City was definitely not on the same level.

If the capital's prodigies had all been defeated, could Qin Yuyan succeed?

Finally, on the third day, when the topic was still hot, the highly anticipated battle took place in the martial arts hall of the Jianghai City Martial Arts Academy.

In the rest room outside the martial arts hall, Qin Shenglong closely watched his most proud granddaughter.

"Yuyan, keep a calm mind and do your best. Every move you hold off is a victory!"

Qin Shenglong was not a fool; he naturally knew that his granddaughter could not be Park Jian Sheng's match.

Just like the Qin family's sword techniques could not surpass those of the capital's noble families!

However, the longer she held out, the more it would highlight the level of the Qin family's sword techniques and Qin Yuyan's talent!

Qin Yuyan took a deep breath, her eyes filled with determination.

"Grandpa, I have been under your guidance for twenty-one years! For these twenty-one years, I have always followed your words and never disobeyed the family's ancestral teachings.

But today's battle concerns the honor of the Nine Provinces and my future martial arts path.

This time, no matter what I do, I hope you will understand and support me!"

Qin Shenglong was taken aback, looking at Qin Yuyan with confusion and incomprehension.

"Yuyan, what do you mean...?"

Qin Yuyan walked past her grandfather and headed towards the martial arts hall.

"I want to win this battle."

Qin Shenglong's body suddenly trembled, and his brows furrowed into a '川' (Note: '川' is a Chinese character that looks like the letter 'M').

"Is this girl running a fever?"

Shaking his head, he followed her.

In the martial arts hall, Park Jian Sheng was already standing on the stage.

Many girls in the audience were shouting "I love you, Park Jian Sheng," which made many boys turn green with envy.

The outsider was good at reciting scriptures, and with Park Jian Sheng's good looks, he had attracted many brainless girls.

However, Park Jian Sheng always kept his hands behind his back, his eyes closed, as if the surrounding noise had nothing to do with him.

Until a voice appeared, he suddenly opened his eyes.

"Senior Qin has arrived!"

Seemingly to counter the brainless girls, some boys also started to cheer.

"I love you, Senior Qin!"

"Senior Qin, defeat that show-off Korean!"

Park Jian Sheng opened his eyes, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but he quickly returned to his calm state.

True martial artists are never overly interested in those outside the martial arts.

Even if Qin Yuyan was indeed beautiful and pure, it was far less meaningful than improving his own strength.

Qin Shenglong also walked to the audience stand and sat next to Professor Du Changfeng.

"How is she? Is Yuyan's mindset okay?"

Du Changfeng asked.

Qin Shenglong raised an eyebrow.

"Not sure. I feel she's acting strange today."

"Strange?"

Du Changfeng looked at Qin Yuyan on the stage, feeling a bit puzzled.

"This child's eyes are so determined!"

"I'm not sure either. She said she wants to win Park Jian Sheng. Do you think she's been affected by something?"

Du Changfeng's pupils narrowed.

"This child has some ideas."

The battle on the stage soon began. The head of the Hanzhou delegation, Mr. Jin, spoke in fluent Chinese:

"In this match, both parties must suppress their cultivation to the level of a Fifth-Rank Martial Artist.

The weapons will be unopened iron swords.

Any violation will result in an automatic loss.

If there are no objections, the match will begin!"

Park Jian Sheng's hands, which were behind his back, slowly dropped. The academy staff presented two iron swords to each of them.

Just as Park Jian Sheng was about to take the sword, Qin Yuyan suddenly spoke:

"Wait!"

The audience frowned, not understanding why.

Park Jian Sheng also stopped.

A moment later, Qin Yuyan spoke again:

"In a sword duel, I am not your match. This match is meaningless, so I concede!"

This statement caused a stir in the audience, especially for Qin Shenglong.

"Has she gone mad? What is she doing?"

Du Changfeng sensed something unusual and held him back.

"Old Qin, don't be impulsive. Let's see what happens."

Then, amidst the audience's discussion, Qin Yuyan said firmly:

"But! I want to challenge you with another form of martial arts!"

Park Jian Sheng's eyes flickered.

"What martial arts?"

"Knife!"

The simple word "knife" caused another stir.

"Isn't the Qin family known for swords? Why is she using a knife?"

"What is she up to?"

Qin Shenglong immediately stood up, more agitated than when Qin Yuyan conceded.

"This brat, is she trying to disgrace the Qin family? She actually practiced knife techniques!"

But Du Changfeng still held him back.

"Old Qin, let's see what happens."

His eyes showed a hint of excitement, as if he had already thought of something.

On the stage, Mr. Jin immediately objected.

"No, we came to challenge the swordsmanship of the Nine Provinces. We won't accept a knife duel!"

They were not fools. The Nine Provinces were vast and had many talented people.

A sword duel could reduce the number of prodigies from the Nine Provinces.

Otherwise, if those who practiced knives, guns, or fists all came, wouldn't it greatly increase Park Jian Sheng's chances of losing?

But Park Jian Sheng looked at Qin Yuyan with interest.

"The Qin family is known for sword techniques. Did you learn the knife techniques secretly?"

Qin Yuyan nodded.

"Then... how long have you been practicing?"

"Less than two months!"

The audience was stunned again.

"This girl is really crazy!"

"What is Senior Qin up to? Is she crazy? She has practiced sword techniques for over twenty years but is now using knife techniques she learned in just two months!"

Amidst the audience's questions, Park Jian Sheng stared at Qin Yuyan, seeing her determined gaze, and finally nodded.

"Alright!"