Chapter 7

5. Sparring

Though they are only the age of middle school students on Earth, perhaps because they are martial artists, the exchange of blows is as sophisticated as that of professional fighters in a TV martial arts competition.

Xiaozhongqian glanced sideways at Muyong Xuehu.

'This guy is stronger than those fighting over there? Ugh... I might end up getting beaten to a pulp.'

He felt a bit disheartened at the thought of having to engage in such intense fighting.

Though he has learned martial arts, it's not as if he has the experience to back it up.

Even though he shares the memories, he isn't sure if he can use them as skillfully as if he had learned them himself.

'Ah, there's no point in complaining now.'

Xiaozhongqian hesitated for a moment before opening his inventory and pressing the appraisal form.

He didn't want to waste the appraisal form on just anyone, but he was curious about his sparring partner's information.

After designating the target, the information window for his opponent immediately appeared before his eyes.

'These martial arts names sound familiar. The Muyong Family has indeed been mentioned a few times in the martial arts novels I've read. The stats are definitely higher than mine, similar to Hansahui’s.'

Xiaozhongqian clicked his tongue after confirming Muyong Xuehu's information.

'Hansahui and the top students of his age have stats like that. My stats are probably in the lower range. Although my perception stat is higher than his and Hansahui’s, I don’t really know what it means.'

There are too few samples.

To properly understand the stats, he would have to use the appraisal form on other people as well.

'The problem is still the money. If the appraisal form only cost 10, I would use it without hesitation, but at 100 each... I hope more missions that offer rewards appear, but I don’t even know how missions are generated. Sigh.'

While checking the information window, the first group finished, and the second group's sparring began.

During the subsequent sparring matches, Xiaozhongqian tried to extract useful information from Muyong Xuehu's information window.

'The appraisal fee isn’t cheap, but knowing the martial arts the opponent has learned will be helpful.'

He can't see all the achievements, but at least up to 5 stars are displayed.

A question mark indicates at least 6 stars.

Among Muyong Xuehu's martial arts, the only one that looks like a fist technique is the 5-star Bipa Quan.

'This guy's fist technique is 5 stars, while my Chuying Quan is 8 stars. I might have an edge in fist technique? Maybe I have a chance?'

Of course, it's hard to compare the fist technique of the prestigious Muyong Family with the unknown family's traditional martial arts, but there's a glimmer of hope that he won't lose easily.

While he was thinking this, a notification appeared.

"Huh?"

He was surprised by the sudden completion of a mission but quickly regained his composure.

'The condition was to attend the class. Even though it's not my turn yet, it seems my attendance is recognized after the class has been in session for a while.'

Since there's a reward, there's no reason to refuse.

300 more points were added, bringing his total to 1100.

Xiaozhongqian immediately used the treasure draw.

'Of course. Spin! Spin the wheel!'

A circular wheel appeared, visible only to him.

Silver, a small amount of bronze, and large areas of colorless sections.

'Silver is out of reach, but at least try to land on bronze!'

Did his prayers work?

The arrow stopped at a bronze section, which seemed to take up about 10% of the wheel.

'Oh!'

'Wait, this time it's not a medicinal herb but a martial art?'

He confirmed the notification and immediately opened his inventory to press the appraisal form.

A bronze sphere with a question mark turned into a book.

'Hmm...'

He was already racking his brain to learn the Banya Xin Gong, so he felt a bit resistant to the book.

But this is a game item that doesn't require study or effort.

It's clear that he can learn the martial art just by using it, like a medicinal herb.

'Chuhun Tui, a kicking technique. This should be used right away.'

Although the class focuses on fist techniques, using the feet is not prohibited.

There are various techniques like finger techniques, palm techniques, elbow techniques, and knee techniques.

Since the class teaches combat using the body without weapons, having an additional technique to use alongside Chuying Quan is beneficial.

Given that he has a sparring match coming up, it will definitely be helpful.

He accepted it without hesitation.

Then another notification appeared.

"Oh."

He had forgotten about using the result of the draw, but the notification reminded him.

'Can I use the secret manual separately from the mission?'

Upon checking, he found that it was not only possible to complete the mission and receive the reward, but also to use the secret manual to learn the martial art without reflecting it in the mission.

The confirmation notification and the unexpected consideration were quite considerate, unlike what he expected from a "crap game."

Of course, there's no harm in completing the mission and receiving the reward.

However, the reward varies depending on the martial art learned.

'This is a bronze-level martial art. Ugh... I don't know what color the Banya Xin Gong would be if it were graded, but the reward for a bronze-level martial art is probably smaller.'

After some deliberation, Xiaozhongqian decided to defer the mission.

Although the progress is slow, he doesn't want to give up on the Banya Xin Gong just yet, so he plans to wait and see.

After deferring the mission and using the secret manual, the knowledge of Chuhun Tui flowed into his mind.

A much stranger feeling than when using a medicinal herb.

After a moment, a notification appeared.

"3 stars?"

He expected to start at 1 star, so this was a surprise.

However, human greed knows no bounds. Knowing that it doesn't start at 1 star, 3 stars seemed a bit disappointing.

'If you're going to give it, why not just give 10 stars?'

If someone heard this, they would probably scold him for being greedy.

Xiaozhongqian refreshed his memory of the knowledge of Chuhun Tui, which is now his.

Chuhun Tui is a single move, a counterattack technique, very simple but with considerable power.

'Just one move, so it must be a last resort technique.'

The martial art obtained through the draw felt quite unique.

He understands the concept of 10 stars, but can only perform up to 3 stars as indicated by the notification.

'The difference in power between 10 stars and 3 stars is huge, but it will still be very helpful for now. At least I know the right path, so it will be easier to improve through practice.'

Compared to the Banya Xin Gong, which he can't even grasp, it seems much easier to improve the achievement of a martial art obtained through the draw.

Since he has a sparring match coming up, it's great to have a martial art he can use right away.

After all the previous groups finished, it was finally Xiaozhongqian and Muyong Xuehu's turn.

They faced each other and performed the martial arts salute.

"Muyong Xuehu of the Muyong Family. I will use Bipa Quan."

"Xiaozhongqian. I have learned Chuying Quan."

He didn't have to mention all the martial arts he knew, so he didn't mention Chuhun Tui.

After the greetings, they moved apart and took their stances.

'Phew, now that I'm standing here, I'm quite nervous.'

Having lived in a peaceful world as an ordinary citizen, he felt his shoulders tense up with the sudden tension.

Although it's not a life-or-death battle, there is a risk of injury, so it's natural for someone not used to violence to feel this way.

"Phew, phew..."

"Phew?"

While Xiaozhongqian was trying to steady his breathing, a new notification appeared.

'At such a moment?'

'You get a reward just for participating in the sparring? Thanks.'

A mission that rewards him regardless of the outcome.

However, the reward varies depending on the result, so naturally, winning will result in a larger reward than losing or drawing.

The level of focus is bound to be different when there's a reward at stake.

'I might not win, but I'll do my best not to lose easily!'

Thanks to the mission, he was able to steady his mind and shake off the excessive tension.

A voice reached Xiaozhongqian's ears.

"Start when you're ready."

Chu Ouming's command.

The sparring began.

"Come on."

Muyong Xuehu, with a haughty expression, flicked his palm.

As the saying goes, the one who moves first has the advantage.

Since Muyong Xuehu is completely ignoring Xiaozhongqian, he is offering the first move as a gesture of superiority.

'This guy... He looks like he's absolutely sure he won't lose.'

Although he confirmed through the information window that the other side has higher talent and martial arts, being ignored like this made him a bit angry.

'I can't just endure. I want to give him a proper blow.'

Xiaozhongqian made up his mind and moved first.

"Ha!"

He pushed off the ground, shouting and delivering a straight punch.

A familiar form from years of consistent practice.

Although the gap between his mind and body still feels awkward, his execution of the martial art is quite natural, having absorbed the experience.

"Huh."

Muyong Xuehu sneered and moved half a step to the side, dodging the punch.

To prevent the opponent from counterattacking, Xiaozhongqian continued with a series of rapid attacks.

Renzhong, Lianquan, Shuiyue.

Attacks aimed at vital points along the body's centerline.

However, none of them hit, missing by a hair's breadth.

'No, it's not just a hair's breadth. This guy is dodging with minimal movement, with ease. Damn... It means my attacks are all being read.'

The Chuying Quan, a basic martial art designed for practice, consists of straightforward moves.

If the user were an experienced martial artist, they could add variations and feints, but Xiaozhongqian has only practiced alone, lacking practical experience.

Thus, it's no surprise that Muyong Xuehu, who has received proper training from a prestigious family, wouldn't fall for such simple attacks.

"Too predictable, it's surprising."

After dodging a few attacks with light footwork, Muyong Xuehu began his counterattack.

As a hand blade approached his face, Xiaozhongqian instinctively raised his arm to block.

"Simple and—"

Muyong Xuehu changed his movement and struck Xiaozhongqian's side with his other fist.

Thud!

"Ugh!"

As he tried to step back from the throbbing pain, Muyong Xuehu's attack continued.

"Slow and—"

Pain.

He felt a sharp pain near his right pectoral muscle.

Muyong Xuehu, with a loosely clenched fist, had used the fastest technique from Bipa Quan, the Lightning Bipa.

If he hadn't seen it, he might have thought he was stabbed by a spear.

"Ugh!"

Feeling a momentary paralysis in his right arm, as if he had hit a vital point, Xiaozhongqian gritted his teeth and swung his left fist with all his might.

An attempt to break the opponent's offensive.

As he poured his maximum internal energy into his fist, he felt a burning sensation in his dantian.

"Pathetic."

However, despite Xiaozhongqian's all-out attack, Muyong Xuehu slowly and contemptuously met it with a punch.

Fist against fist.

Bang!

The collision of two punches, both filled with internal energy, produced a sound that didn't seem like two cloth-covered fists colliding.

Chapter 8 of the Strongest Martial Arts World