Chapter 69

In medieval Europe, fencing, along with horseback riding, swimming, hunting, chess, poetry, and javelin throwing, was listed as one of the seven noble sports for knights. To study and promote the development of fencing techniques, various fencing guilds were established across Europe. Spain is considered the cradle of modern fencing, with the first fencing book written by two Spanish coaches. In the 14th century, a dazzling knight class emerged in Spain, France, and Italy, renowned for their exquisite swordsmanship and widespread admiration. Subsequently, the nobility of various countries followed suit, making it a fashion in high society, to the point where disputes among nobles often led to duels, deciding life and death with a single sword.

Therefore, fencing has a strong lethal power.

Western swords are much narrower than traditional Chinese swords, consisting of a blade and a guard. To avoid injuries, modern fencing swords have blunt tips. Due to the different shapes, Western sword techniques and traditional Chinese sword techniques have significant differences. Actions like slashing and chopping are abandoned, with thrusting and parrying being the main techniques.

Thrusting is fast and has a tricky angle, making it highly lethal.

After the era of cold weapons passed, the Olympics still retained fencing as a sport, demonstrating its influence in the West.

Although fencing is swift and direct, Wang Zhong felt it lacked some variation.

Although she knew Wang Zhong was a powerful martial arts master, Selena still felt a hint of dissatisfaction. She felt that Wang Zhong's attitude was a form of contempt for her decade of hard training.

Selena decided to make Wang Zhong suffer a bit and learn a lesson!

Selena's sword speed was very fast. The silver-white long sword, though not drawn, left a faint trail in the air.

Selena's arm flexed and extended, her leg forming a lunge, and the sword in her hand trembled, instantly attacking multiple effective points on Wang Zhong.

Thrust!

Thrust!

Thrust!

Wang Zhong's body swayed like a drunk, seemingly in danger, but always managed to narrowly avoid the attacks.

Thrust!

Thrust!

Thrust!

Selena looked at Wang Zhong with growing frustration. Wang Zhong's eyes were slightly narrowed, as if he were asleep, but no matter how she attacked, his body always made the most reasonable dodge.

This was a bodily instinct born from life-and-death training!

Thrust!

Thrust!

Thrust!

Selena's sword speed increased, and her movements became more complex, transitioning from simple attacks to intricate ones, with more flexible footwork.

Z-shaped attack!

Selena's sword drew a beautiful large Z in the air, with Wang Zhong's chest and abdomen under the sword's tip. However, Wang Zhong's seemingly simple dodges were surprisingly effective.

S-shaped attack!

Selena's sword trembled, and the flexible blade drew two beautiful arcs in the air.

Wang Zhong's eyes were closed, and he relied solely on his hearing and bodily senses to dodge.

He seemed like a bat, unable to see with his eyes, but could clearly sense each of Selena's attacks.

Selena admired Wang Zhong's combat awareness, but his apparent disregard for her made the 18-year-old girl feel indescribable frustration.

Selena suddenly remembered the killing move her coach had taught her!

Blinded by anger, Selena didn't care about anything else!

She pressed the thumb on the sword spring, and the sword hilt, driven by strong inertia, fiercely struck Wang Zhong's face. The silver-white blade drew a beautiful arc in the air, thrusting towards Wang Zhong's heart!

As the sword was thrust out, Selena's heart was filled with regret. This was a killing move, and the closed-eyed Wang Zhong couldn't possibly dodge it. If he were killed or injured, it wasn't her intention.

Selena wanted to stop the attack, but the muscle inertia of her body made the sword fiercely pierce Wang Zhong's chest.

Selena closed her eyes, unable to bear it, and tears instantly flowed down her cheeks.

Ding!

The Western sword didn't feel the sensation of piercing flesh, and Selena opened her eyes, feeling as if she had survived a disaster.

Wang Zhong's eyes were still closed, but his two fingers clamped the sword blade like a vise.

The sword hilt was firmly held by Wang Zhong's other hand.

The sharp tip of the sword was less than an inch from Wang Zhong's chest!

Selena couldn't help but take a deep breath, and her pale face regained some vitality.

Rulan and Mary, watching the dangerous scene, felt their hearts almost jump out. Wang Zhong's safety made them feel as if they had survived a disaster.

"The sword is a good sword, but what a pity!"

Wang Zhong sighed with regret and helplessness.

The two fingers that tightly clamped the sword blade slowly loosened!

Everyone was stunned by the dangerous scene!

Rulan ran over frantically, looking at Wang Zhong with tension. Finding no injuries on his body or hands, she finally relaxed, though tears almost overflowed.

Rulan wanted to scold Selena, but seeing Selena's dazed expression, she realized that the incident had also frightened her.

"God! It was too dangerous!"

"Thankfully!"

"This is the grace of the Lord!"

Several noble believers in the Lord immediately knelt on one knee, expressing sincere gratitude to the Lord.

Some even came over, making Wang Zhong kneel to thank the Lord's glory. If not for the Lord's grace, how could Wang Zhong be unharmed!

Wang Zhong touched his nose, though the situation was perilous, everything was under his control, right?

Besides, he believed in the Three Pure Ones, not Jesus!

If he had to thank anyone, it should be the Daoist Ancestor!

Ding!

The Western sword, with its long history and tempered steel, broke into two pieces!

The sound of the sword hitting the ground also woke up the dazed Selena.

Selena looked at the Western sword in her hand, now missing its tip, with tears welling in her eyes, unsure if it was from the pain of losing the sword or the fear of almost killing Wang Zhong.

Everyone looked at the broken sword on the ground in disbelief.

William Brown looked at Wang Zhong's two fingers, as smooth as a young woman's, which had broken the tempered steel!

What kind of explosive power was needed!

If there were martial arts experts present, they would say "grip iron into mud"!

Wang Zhong breaking the sword with his fingers was somewhat similar to "grip iron into mud," but not exactly the same.

The old saying "tempered steel fears the softness of a finger" originally described the relationship between men and women.

Wudang even had a "softness of a finger" sword technique.

But Wang Zhong had practiced it to the point where he could use it on his hands, and Selena's sword was broken by his soft force!

"Selena, you have disappointed me greatly! You almost harmed Mr. Wang, quickly apologize to Mr. Wang!"

Sir Jude scolded without caring about the broken sword.

"Sir, my behavior was inappropriate, but just now, I had a new insight into martial arts. Perhaps my actions made Miss Selena feel humiliated."

Wang Zhong humbly apologized to Selena.

"Due to my martial arts breakthrough, I didn't control my strength, breaking this sword with a long history. I am truly sorry!"

"Your meaning is that you closed your eyes as a breakthrough, not out of disrespect?"

Selena blinked her beautiful blue eyes, unsure.

"Of course, I must thank Miss Selena. Without your attack, I wouldn't have entered a rare state of enlightenment."

Wang Zhong smiled and thanked her.

"I also apologize to you. I was blinded by anger just now, and using the sword to attack you was not my intention."

Selena looked at Wang Zhong and sincerely apologized.

"I am truly sorry for my irrational behavior just now. If needed, I will compensate!"

"Mr. Wang, I am deeply sorry for Selena's behavior. As a father, I am very distressed and feel very apologetic."

Sir Jude also looked apologetic, standing in front of Wang Zhong and deeply apologizing.

"It's fine, Sir Jude. This was just a misunderstanding, and I have no losses."

Wang Zhong smiled, waving his hand, showing no concern.

Selena's fatal attack had actually triggered Wang Zhong's killing intent. If not for the lack of murderous aura and Selena's tears, she would have been killed by his punch.

Martial artists value clear intentions. Anyone who harbors murderous thoughts against Wang Zhong will be killed without hesitation, regardless of their status or position!

During the Republic of China era, a famous martial arts expert, Li Shuwen, known for his "unmatched hard fist and divine spear," was second only to Sun Lutang and Li Jinglin. He was also a close friend of the Bagua master Yin Fu and the half-step collapsing fist master Guo Yunshen. This martial arts master had a peculiar habit: he did not allow anyone to stand behind him, whether it was his children, family, or disciples.

Anyone who tried to stand behind him would be turned around and killed!

This was a well-known taboo in the martial arts world of the Republic of China!

Li Shuwen did not allow others to stand behind him partly due to suspicion and partly for self-preservation. Without eyes in the back, he feared being attacked from behind. Hence, he had this peculiar habit, similar to Cao Cao's "I like to kill in my dreams."

Wang Zhong did not have such heavy suspicion or peculiar habits. However, for his safety, he did not mind killing!

Heroes use martial arts to defy prohibitions, while scholars use literature to disrupt laws!

This old saying has some truth to it!

Although it is now a peaceful era and martial arts have declined, martial arts masters are still a headache for countries.

"Mr. Wang, you are too amazing!"

Selena, with a childlike nature, seeing that Wang Zhong was unharmed and not angry, quickly returned to her lively self. Looking at Wang Zhong's fingers, she said enviously.

"Isn't practicing martial arts supposed to make the skin rough? How can your fingers be even smoother than mine?"

"When you reach a certain level in martial arts, you naturally transform, and smooth skin is nothing unusual."

Wang Zhong looked at Selena, somewhat amused, but he also planned to use this opportunity to let foreigners know and understand Chinese martial arts.

"Transform?"

Selena found it hard to understand the Chinese four-character idiom.

Wang Zhong had to explain it to her in English.

"Really? Practicing martial arts can make your skin as good as yours and even keep you young forever?"

Selena's eyes widened in shock and excitement. Regardless of age or nationality, women are generally concerned about their appearance.

"Of course!"

Wang Zhong nodded seriously.

"I am a good example!"

In the general perception, martial artists usually have large bones, rough hands, and bulging muscles. However, Wang Zhong wanted to say that these are signs of incomplete practice. Some might argue that these are characteristics of external martial arts.

Iron palm is a famous and powerful external martial art. Practitioners usually wash their hands with special medicine daily, and as their skills improve, their hands become stiff and large. A strike can cause bruising or even broken bones and torn tendons.

However, the Republic of China's iron palm master, Gu Ruzhang, had very smooth and delicate hands, like a woman's. His hands were not only delicate but also transformed from external to internal. He practiced the powerful iron palm to be as soft as Wudang's cotton palm, achieving the ability to strike internally from the outside. Of course, internal martial arts can also be transformed to external when practiced to a high level.

"Mr. Wang, I want to learn martial arts from you!"

Selena casually threw the broken sword aside and said with anticipation.

Page AD starts

Page AD ends