novelraw Chapter 136: 《Swift Sword Art》
Chapter 136: 《Swift Sword Art》
Chen Ergou walked into the courtyard to report.
“Hall Master, they have left.”
“This subordinate does not understand… why do you seem to treat Fei Zai so well?”
There was confusion and puzzlement in Chen Ergou’s eyes. “Fei Zai is proficient in eating, drinking, gambling, and pleasure-seeking. Moreover, he is Hall Master He’s man.”
“When the nest is overturned, how can the eggs remain intact?”
Su Wangchuan lifted the teacup on the stone table and took a light sip.
“The Yulong Gang has already become a target of public criticism. Great upheaval will come soon. You and I are both pieces within the game—unable to act freely. Fei Zai is loyal, quick-witted, and stationed at the Water Stronghold, closer to the Gang Leader and to various streams of intelligence. If he can warn us in advance and give us time to prepare, perhaps our branch will not suffer excessive losses.”
“…”
Chen Ergou nodded, half understanding.
“Our gang… is truly in danger? Like when Qingyi Sect invaded?”“Far more dangerous than that.”
Su Wangchuan gave a bitter smile, drained the cup, and stood.
“Make the most of our time to cultivate. The time left for us may not be much.”
With that, he headed to the training room.
He decided to cultivate 《Swift Sword Art》 next.
The swordsmanship of the swift swordsman Zhao Changhong had left a deep impression on him. That sense of powerlessness against someone of the same rank—even after he had mastered 《Crocodile-Mouth Saber Art》—had been overwhelming.
If he could reach Zhao Changhong’s level, his close-combat ability should be sufficient to survive the coming turmoil.
Selecting a longsword, he began training seriously against the Iron Dummy Stake.
《Swift Sword Art》 differed from 《Wind-Splitting Sword Art》. Its attacks were fiercer and more purposeful.
If the sword was not drawn, so be it.
But once drawn, it must draw blood.
Close in!
Explode!
Strike!
Swift Sword Art: Entry Level
Charge: +3 Speed, +5 Attack. Launch rapid strikes against the enemy. If hitting the wrist, joints, or other critical areas, may cripple, dealing double Attack +10 damage. If striking the head, heart, throat, or internal organs, deal triple piercing damage +15 Attack.
Next Realm: Minor Mastery
Charge: +5 Speed, +10 Attack. Launch extremely swift attacks. If hitting the wrist, joints, or other critical areas, may cripple, dealing double Attack +20 damage. If striking the head, heart, throat, or internal organs, deal triple piercing damage +30 Attack.
With his foundation in 《Basic Sword Technique》 and 《Wind-Splitting Sword Art》, Su Wangchuan already handled sword techniques with ease. He quickly mastered the entry level and grasped the essence of 《Swift Sword Art》.
It was simple—
Thrust!
The thrusting formula of 《Swift Sword Art》 possessed tremendous explosive force.
At any moment, one could gather momentum and erupt, greatly increasing attack speed.
At close range, it unleashed lethal strikes upon the enemy’s vital joints and fatal points.
Its essence was surprise, seizing the unguarded moment, delivering a fatal and ruthless blow.
But closing distance also meant exposing oneself to the enemy’s blade.
If necessary, one could trade injury for injury.
Exchange a minor wound for crippling the opponent.
Exchange a light injury for a lethal blow.
That was the core of 《Swift Sword Art》.
Zhao Changhong had relied on his lightness technique and body-protection skill to carve out the title of “Swift Sword” among First-Rank martial artists.
At his level, a favorable battle became a crushing victory.
Even an unfavorable one still offered a chance to turn the tide.
Thrust!
Thrust, thrust!
Each time Su Wangchuan gathered momentum, a shallow mark appeared on the Iron Dummy Stake.
The thrusting formula of the sword was still not entirely smooth—he had not used it often—but he had trained with the spear. He knew that piercing strikes possessed the greatest destructive power. As long as the entire body’s strength converged at a single point and erupted in an instant, the resulting speed and force were terrifying.
Thrust!
He drilled the movement again and again, deepening his muscle memory.
When his right hand grew tired, he switched to his left.
When his left hand tired, his right had already mostly recovered.
Thrust!!
Thrust!!
The sword left increasingly deep holes in the Iron Dummy Stake, a sign that his attack power was gradually rising and the longsword’s destructive potential was being brought out.
Two days passed.
The Iron Dummy Stake was riddled with holes like a massive honeycomb.
He had already worn out two swords.
Near midnight—
“Ding.”
System notification:
“《Swift Sword Art》 has advanced to ‘Minor Mastery.’ Reward: +1 Agility.”
In a flash of insight, Su Wangchuan sheathed the sword momentarily, then gathered momentum and unleashed a faster, fiercer thrust.
The blade instantly punched a two-finger-deep hole into the Iron Dummy Stake.
His eyes lit up.
At Minor Mastery, 《Swift Sword Art》 granted +5 Speed and +10 Attack. The improvement in speed and destructive force was obvious.
Continue!
He pushed himself relentlessly until his last ounce of strength was spent. Only then did he eat meat buns to clear his Hunger and return to his room to log out.
The disciples of the inner hall had already begun patrolling in shifts on their own initiative.
Four-man teams crisscrossed in rotation.
In the shadows, Bai Yuhui led eight inner disciples as hidden sentries.
Hiss…
A venomous snake slithered from the shadowed corner of a wall, winding silently into the inner courtyard of the hall. Avoiding the patrols’ sightlines, it crept toward Su Wangchuan’s residence.
“Hm?”
An arrow shot out from the window, striking the snake’s body.
Hisss!
The snake writhed violently in agony, rolling out from the shadows of the courtyard. The severe pain caused its already dwindling HP to plummet.
Thud!
Another arrow flew from the window.
The snake was struck again. Its HP emptied. The struggling gradually ceased, and it lay limp.
Bai Yuhui stepped out of the room.
He glanced at the highly toxic venom pooling on the ground and frowned.
“People from the Five Poison Sect.”
“They have finally come knocking.”
Carrying the snake’s corpse, Bai Yuhui leapt to a higher point in the hall, immediately drawing the attention of all the inner disciples.
“Everyone, raise your vigilance!”
More inner disciples rushed out of their rooms.
“I will inform the Hall Master. From now on, double-post patrols!”
“Search the perimeter of the hall. Beware of venomous snakes!”
“Yes!”
Many inner disciples grabbed their weapons.
No one had forgotten the invasion by Qingyi Sect, when dozens had been attacked and killed.
No one dared take this lightly.
More and more people awakened.
In an instant, lights blazed throughout the hall.
Every corner of every courtyard was illuminated without the slightest concealment.
Those hiding in the shadows had long since withdrawn their gaze and slipped back into the city.
“Hmph.”
“Loose outside, tight inside. They were prepared.”
“No wonder Qingyi Sect stumbled here.”
“This young Hall Master named Wangchuan… has some substance.”
“…”
Bai Yuhui had initially intended to notify the Hall Master. But after discovering that one could log in and out freely, he immediately calmed down—this meant the situation was not yet critical.
The enemy had already retreated.
Thus Bai Yuhui refrained from disturbing Su Wangchuan, merely increasing patrol numbers while letting the rest return to rest.
Early the next morning, Su Wangchuan saw Bai Yuhui waiting in the courtyard—along with the long-dead venomous snake.
His pupils contracted slightly.
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