Chapter 0091: Only by Fighting

The next day, a light rain fell from a gray sky, yet outside the city gymnasium there was already a sea of people. They had come early, all for the chance to watch the duel on the enormous screen set up outside the building.

At a glance, there were at least a thousand or two gathered in the square before the gymnasium.

Hundreds of police officers did their best to keep order. One banner after another was held aloft by the crowd, some bearing the words, “Zhang Xiaofan will prevail,” and others, “Down with Kimura Ichika.”

Those unable to secure a good spot had no choice but to buy binoculars from a distance and prepare to watch the duel that way. As for the inside of the gymnasium, access was tightly controlled; only people of sufficient influence were allowed in, all in the interest of safety and order.

By nine o’clock, the prominent figures of Jinghai City had arrived one after another. First came Han Ruming and his entourage of more than ten people, and then heavyweight figures such as Ye Zhantian.

Lin Haonan came today in full military dress, accompanied by a group of men.

With the help of the security detail, a path was finally cleared, and they made their way into the gymnasium.

Not long after, martial artists dressed in Japanese samurai attire arrived as well, accompanied by Japanese reporters. It was clear that Kimura Ichika had absolute confidence in this life-and-death duel; he also meant to wash away his humiliation and use the event to make a grand spectacle back in Japan.

But their arrival was immediately met with waves of jeers.

These were the people from the Beichen Martial Hall. As Kimura Ichika walked forward and saw the banners, he recognized what they said. His expression turned ugly at once, and he clenched his fists.

“When I’ve beaten him, let’s see what else you have to say,” he thought fiercely.

As they walked inward, every one of the Japanese swordsmen was seething with anger, yet even with a hundred times more courage, none of them dared act rashly.

They could only wait for the moment Kimura Ichika won before releasing the fury in their hearts.

After Kimura Ichika and the others entered, a Hummer pulled up. Zhang Xiaofan and Lin Siyu got out. Although it was Monday, Lin Siyu had not gone to work.

As soon as Zhang Xiaofan stepped down from the car, someone came to greet him. They knew what the participant in this life-and-death duel should look like, but even so, seeing him in person still surprised them: he was far younger than expected.

At that moment, a beautiful figure hurried over. It was Lin Sixue. She had also heard about Zhang Xiaofan’s life-and-death duel today, so she had rushed over as well.

“Pervert, take me in with you,” she said as soon as she reached Zhang Xiaofan.

“Speak properly. Call me brother-in-law,” Zhang Xiaofan replied.

“Brother-in-law? Dream on.” Lin Sixue rolled her eyes, but when she saw Lin Siyu’s blushing face, she immediately blurted out, “Wait... don’t tell me you two really...”

“Yes, we did. Hurry up and call me brother-in-law. From now on, stop being so rude,” Zhang Xiaofan said with a smile.

“Good heavens, Cousin, I was gone for only a few days and this guy already got his way with you...?” Lin Sixue cried out in shock.

“All right, hurry up and go in,” Zhang Xiaofan said, seeing that Lin Siyu was about to launch into a long explanation. He stopped her at once, then took her by the hand and headed for the gymnasium.

“Come on, let’s go.” Lin Siyu quickly pulled Lin Sixue along with her.

“Sis, did this guy really... do that to you?” Lin Sixue asked as they walked.

Lin Siyu, blushing deeply, gave the slightest nod.

“My God... am I really going to have to call him brother-in-law from now on?” Lin Sixue felt as though the world had gone mad. The dignified President Lin had actually ended up with a bodyguard... Was that really love? But I like him too. If I’d known, I should have made my move first. Now it’s not so easy to steal him away.

If Lin Siyu knew what Lin Sixue was thinking at that moment, who knew what expression she would have made...

At that moment, the giant screen outside the gymnasium was already showing the scene inside. A beautiful television host began explaining the upcoming challenge and introducing both sides.

At the same time, almost every television station in Jinghai City had begun broadcasting the event.

Inside the gymnasium, Zhang Xiaofan returned to his own side’s camp. There were still twenty minutes before the life-and-death duel began, so he waited calmly.

The host came over to Zhang Xiaofan and asked, “Mr. Zhang, what are your thoughts on this life-and-death duel?”

Zhang Xiaofan smiled faintly and said, “I am a man who loves peace. But when someone insults me and insults the martial arts of Huaxia, there is only one path left: to fight.”

His words drew an immediate roar of approval from the crowd. Those inside the gymnasium, those outside, and even those watching from home all shouted in response.

The host asked again, “This is a life-and-death duel. Do you not care at all about your own life, Mr. Zhang?”

Zhang Xiaofan still smiled. “A true man has his own course to follow, and his own limits. What does personal life or death amount to?”

Such fervent, uplifting, and confident words left the host momentarily stunned. Only after a pause did she say, “Very well, then we shall await Mr. Zhang’s triumphant victory.”

Zhang Xiaofan’s words had already stirred countless young women to fluttering hearts. This was what a real man looked like.

In particular, Lin Siyu and Chen Yuanyuan, who was watching television, both felt that the man in their hearts was so overwhelmingly imposing.

As for Zhang Xiaofan’s remarks, those on Kimura Ichika’s side, along with the people from the Beichen Martial Hall, all snorted with disdain. A grandmaster of the North Star One-Sword Style—how could he possibly be defeated by a young brat from Huaxia?

The host then went over to Kimura Ichika and asked perfunctorily, “Mr. Kimura Ichika, are you confident in this life-and-death duel?”

“Of course I am. My blade will certainly pierce his heart!” Kimura Ichika said, pointing straight at Zhang Xiaofan with blatant arrogance.

The host seemed somewhat displeased and asked, “At your age, challenging someone so young—what exactly is your reasoning?”

Kimura Ichika froze. It seemed he had never really considered that question before. The host’s meaning was obvious: did he feel no shame?

After a moment, Kimura Ichika said calmly, “The martial path has no end, nor is it divided by age. The accomplished may serve as teachers. I believe everyone understands this principle.”

The host smiled, then walked away.

“Today’s duel is a life-and-death match. Life or death will not be held to account. Both sides have already signed their names, so whichever side falls, the winner bears no responsibility.”

“Now, I declare the life-and-death duel begun. Both sides, please take the stage!”

At ten o’clock, the match was officially announced.

Kimura Ichika wore a dark expression. With a few flashes of movement, he leapt onto the arena. Zhang Xiaofan smiled faintly, then also stepped up.

Looking at Zhang Xiaofan, Kimura Ichika said in a low, heavy voice, “Ignorant brat, you actually dared humiliate my people from the Beichen Martial Hall. Today I will tear you to pieces!”

“What, really?” Zhang Xiaofan curved his lips slightly and gave a cool little laugh. “Then prove it with your strength.”

With that, Kimura Ichika’s face turned even darker. He stepped forward in a single stride, his body shooting out like an arrow. His fist crashed forward with a deep booming force, hurtling fiercely toward Zhang Xiaofan.

The surrounding crowd all tensed at the sight of such ferocity.

Yet Zhang Xiaofan showed no sign of dodging. He clenched his fist and met the blow head-on in a straight contest of strength.

He wanted to test exactly how strong Kimura Ichika truly was.

For this first strike, he held his power to the level of the early Spirit Awakening realm.

Kimura Ichika specialized in blade techniques, and this attack was only a probe. Zhang Xiaofan therefore restrained his strength as well.

Seeing that Zhang Xiaofan would neither evade nor retreat, but intended to meet him head-on, Kimura Ichika’s face was filled with cold contempt.

Bang.

A low, heavy sound rang out as the two fists collided with tremendous force, as though layer upon layer of fist-generated shockwaves had erupted into the air.

Under the violent surge of force, both figures trembled. Zhang Xiaofan was driven straight back five steps, his blood and qi churning violently within him.

Kimura Ichika, however, only retreated half a step.

Clearly, in this direct exchange, Kimura Ichika had the upper hand.

Steadying himself, Kimura Ichika’s pupils contracted slightly. This brat was not weak. Though a young man’s fists may be feared, in the world of martial cultivation, what truly mattered was depth and foundation.

Compared with that old fox Kimura Ichika, Zhang Xiaofan’s foundation was still insufficient.

“At your age, you are indeed impressive,” Kimura Ichika said, his gaze icy. “You have talent, but you do not know how to restrain yourself. To humiliate the warriors of my Beichen Martial Hall leaves you only one path: death.”

Zhang Xiaofan merely laughed softly at that. “You really do talk too much. Let’s see who kills whom today.”

“Heh... is that so? Then I’ll show you just how vast the gulf between us really is.”

A ruthless look flashed in Kimura Ichika’s eyes. At the sound of a blade leaving its sheath, the samurai sword at his waist was drawn in a single motion, gleaming with a chilling light.

This was no ordinary sword. Even at a glance, one could feel the terrifying sharpness emanating from it.

“Shameless. He’s actually using a weapon.”

“Yes, he’s so old already, and he still uses a weapon against a young man. Unfair!”

Voices rose one after another inside the gymnasium. No one knew who shouted first, but in an instant the jeering became continuous. Kimura Ichika’s face turned red from the abuse.

The truth was that his real skill lay in swordsmanship; without a blade, he knew he could not deal with the young man before him.

“I’ll give you time to fetch a weapon. Don’t say I bullied you. I want your death to leave you convinced,” Kimura Ichika said, halting his attack and looking at Zhang Xiaofan.

Zhang Xiaofan had not expected Kimura Ichika to actually allow him to retrieve a weapon before continuing the life-and-death duel. He still had a bit of a warrior’s pride, after all.

He did, in fact, need a weapon. Without one, fighting would be somewhat restrictive, after all that icy blade was a considerable threat to him.

“Elder Feng, lend me your sword!”

Feng Qingyang was seated not far away in the audience. Given Feng Qingyang’s status, it was only natural that he carried a sword with him.

“Catch!”

At the sound of Zhang Xiaofan’s voice, Feng Qingyang immediately hurled the long sword, scabbard and all, toward him.

Zhang Xiaofan caught it with one hand. The scabbard felt excellent in the hand, carved with dragon patterns and stars. It was an antique sword, seven feet long, with a hilt designed with exquisite craftsmanship and remarkably comfortable to hold.

Its name was Clear Moon.

With a hum, the blade slid free of its sheath, emitting a faint vibrating ring.

“A fine sword,” Zhang Xiaofan thought silently. Then he suddenly exerted force, driving the scabbard straight and true into the floor of the arena, where it trembled without cease.