Future Pet Shop

This move looked seriously powerful. Even from a distance, Shen Yibin could feel the killing intent radiating from Mr. Liu Sheng. This was nothing like the probing attacks from before; its power was leagues beyond moves like the Tang Bamboo, Kasaya Slash, Left Slash, and Right Cut Up.

’This move, Celestial Net, is the culmination of my thirty-plus years of practicing the Sword Way. In all of Japan, fewer than ten people can block it, and every one of them is the strongest master of their respective schools. It’ll be more than enough to deal with this young man. The only problem is, if I injure him, I’m afraid it will be difficult to explain myself to Miss Sakai!’

Mr. Liu Sheng hesitated for only a moment before his resolve returned. ’Worst case, I’ll apologize to him and take care of him in the hospital until he fully recovers. Even if it means facing Miss Sakai’s disapproval, I must defend the honor of the Yagyu Shinkage-ryu!’ At this thought, Mr. Liu Sheng put more force into his strike. The bamboo sword whistled through the air, enveloping Shen Yibin’s upper body. His head, shoulders, and chest—all of his major vital points were within the attack range of Mr. Liu Sheng’s Celestial Net.

’This move is tough. My ordinary techniques like Cutting Apples, Splitting Oranges, Piercing Pear, Cutting Bananas, and Chop Durian probably won’t be enough to block it!’ Shen Yibin’s eyes narrowed. ’Looks like I have no choice but to use my ultimate move. You’re forcing my hand, so don’t blame me if something happens!’

"Celestial Net!" In an instant, Mr. Liu Sheng crossed the several meters between them and was right in front of Shen Yibin, his bamboo sword whistling as it slashed toward Shen Yibin’s vital points.

"Poke Grapes!" Shen Yibin shouted in return. With a flurry of shakes, his bamboo sword blocked all of Mr. Liu Sheng’s attacks—CLACK CLACK CLACK CLACK! He even had enough energy left to tap Mr. Liu Sheng twice on the shoulder. A numbing sensation shot through Mr. Liu Sheng’s shoulder, and the bamboo sword in his hand fell to the ground with a CLATTER. Just like that, the ultimate move he had been so confident in was effortlessly neutralized by Shen Yibin.

’All that hard work wasn’t for nothing, after all!’ Shen Yibin sighed softly, his mind drifting back to the times he was tormented by Hah’Er, Cheeky, and Xiaoliu by the pond at the pet store. When he first started practicing, it was easier. He only had to deal with single apples, pears, and the like. But later, when they ran out of those larger fruits, that little rascal Cheeky set its sights on grapes.

Cheeky would grab a whole bunch of grapes, fly up into the sky, and then dive-bomb Shen Yibin at top speed. Right at the peak of its acceleration, Cheeky would violently tear the bunch apart. As the stems ripped, countless individual grapes would rain down on Shen Yibin. Even trying his absolute best, he could only bat away a few of them, and the rest would pelt his body.

Xiaoliu didn’t care about any of that. Any grape he failed to hit meant a whack from the stick. One missed fruit, one strike. And just think, how many grapes are in a bunch? Because of this, Shen Yibin took quite a beating!

Seeing that this trick was surprisingly effective, Cheeky got even more into it. Even if Shen Yibin didn’t buy grapes, it would ask Sun Qian for money and fly to the fruit and vegetable store to buy them itself, all for the sake of tormenting him! After a long and arduous ordeal, Shen Yibin finally learned how to counter this move.

By the time Cheeky left with Sun Qian to record the theme song, Shen Yibin could already effortlessly knock away more than half of the grapes. That was why he was able to decipher Mr. Liu Sheng’s ultimate move, Celestial Net, today! As powerful as Celestial Net was, at most it attacked five vital points on the upper body simultaneously. Compared to a sky full of flying grapes, it was a far cry.

Therefore, Shen Yibin had easily blocked Mr. Liu Sheng’s attack without much effort and even managed to counter with two strikes of his own. And that was with him holding back. If he had gone all out, Mr. Liu Sheng would probably be covered in lumps and sent to meet his maker.

Celestial Net was actually defeated! Mr. Liu Sheng, Sakai Kaori, and all the disciples in the dojo couldn’t believe their eyes. The dojo instantly fell dead silent, with everyone at a loss for words.

"Ooh! Ooh!" Hah’Er didn’t care what they were thinking. As long as Shen Yibin won, it was happy. The little guy started hooting and hollering to cheer Shen Yibin on. Egg and Maphario immediately followed suit, finally breaking the silence in the dojo.

Shen Yibin lowered his bamboo sword and walked over to Mr. Liu Sheng. "Mr. Liu Sheng, are you all right?"

"Today, I have finally understood the true meaning of the phrase ’There is always a heaven beyond the heavens, and always someone better.’ Chinese Swordsmanship is truly profound. I have lost." Mr. Liu Sheng recovered from his shock, stood up straight, and gave Shen Yibin a deep bow. "To have received Master Shen’s guidance today has been greatly beneficial. I am deeply honored."

Just like that, Shen Yibin was promoted from "Mr. Bin" to "Master Shen"! Seeing that Mr. Liu Sheng hadn’t flown into a rage over his defeat, everyone present breathed a sigh of relief. Sakai Kaori quickly stepped forward. "The swordsmanship of you both was truly a breathtaking sight. Since the match is over, why don’t we all go to the backyard to drink and discuss swordsmanship? There’s still half a bottle of the wine Mr. Shen brought over last time!" Sakai Kaori wanted to use the fine wine to soothe Mr. Liu Sheng’s wounded pride.

"Haha, that sounds wonderful!" Mr. Liu Sheng laughed freely, then led Shen Yibin and his group to the backyard. Sakai Kaori also quickly sent someone to fetch the Monkey Wine.

After the wine arrived, Mr. Liu Sheng began to ask Shen Yibin about the swordsmanship techniques from earlier while savoring the Monkey Wine. Shen Yibin was fine when it came to fighting, but explaining things was a different story. Xiaoliu couldn’t talk, so how could he clearly explain the principles behind the moves? He stammered and stuttered, unable to give a clear explanation.

Mr. Liu Sheng frowned and listened to Shen Yibin for quite a while before he was finally convinced that he genuinely didn’t understand any of it, and wasn’t just trying to guard his swordsmanship secrets. This frustrated him even more. ’This kid doesn’t understand a single principle of the Sword Way, so why the hell is his swordsmanship ridiculously good?’

Since it was impossible to obtain the secrets of the Fruit Swordsmanship through verbal communication—yes, Mr. Liu Sheng was now taking the name Shen Yibin had mentioned seriously—it seemed the only option left was to continue sparring.

"Master Shen, I have an impertinent request that I hope you will grant." Mr. Liu Sheng suddenly prostrated himself on the ground, bowing deeply to Shen Yibin. "Please, I beg you to continue instructing me in swordsmanship!"

’Huh? Instruct him in swordsmanship? I don’t know how to do that!’ Shen Yibin was at a loss. Mr. Liu Sheng quickly proposed his own idea: for the next few days, Shen Yibin could come to the dojo a few times a day to practice with him in between his sightseeing activities. He hoped to use this method to glimpse the essence of Shen Yibin’s swordsmanship.

"Alright, I agree!" Seeing Mr. Liu Sheng’s posture, which clearly said, ’I’m not getting up until you agree,’ Shen Yibin had no choice but to accept. He agreed to cross swords with Mr. Liu Sheng every day—or, er, perhaps it was more like giving him a one-sided beating?

And so, for the next few days, Shen Yibin’s life at Sakai Kaori’s place settled into a routine of eating, sleeping, and beating up Mr. Liu Sheng.