Chapter 9: The Clash of Two Masters (18+)
Heroic Chivalry: The Green Legend – Chapter Nine: Return (2)
Standing in the familiar center of the training ground, my feelings were complicated. Just over a month ago, this was a place I dared not even step into, afraid others would discover I’d lost my martial power. Every time I passed by, I would only glance at it. But now, I stood here, and opposite me was a man whose name I once envied Li Hanbing, the undisputed number one swordsman. The reason he stood before me was simple: a duel of swords. I had imagined many scenarios for my return, but never thought my first act would be to face such an opponent.
Before entering the manor, I had already sensed two overwhelming auras one blade, one sword both from the top masters of the age. Confronted by such power, I did not shrink back, but strode into the manor with my own sharp aura fully unleashed. Ignoring the servants who tried to warn me, I walked directly to the training ground. When I arrived, Li Hanbing, dressed in white, handsome and cold, was already waiting. I took the long sword from my back and faced him.
"Lü Hao?" Li Hanbing asked.
"Li Hanbing?" I replied.
"It’s a pity we haven’t met before," Li Hanbing said with a sigh.
"Well, now we have. Let’s resolve that regret," I replied with a smile.
"Exactly what I want!" As soon as he finished, Li Hanbing drew his sword a cold, ancient, and imposing blade.
"This sword is called Xueying. It’s been with me for over thirty years, and I’ve only ever lost once with the sword, to a blade. I hope today I can lose to a sword," he said, his eyes burning as he looked at me.
"Great sword and an even greater man!" I praised, then slowly drew my own slightly green-tinted, beautifully shaped sword. "Bilu, my master’s gift. Today is my first true battle with it!"
As our words fell, sword energy rose. The intent soared from both of us, and a fierce wind swept out from the center where we stood, making the crowd around the training ground widen their eyes, afraid to miss a moment. Many of the onlookers were first-rate masters, some even superlative. They could feel the immense power from both of us and knew this might be the greatest duel they would ever witness. Among the spectators were Sister Yuyan and others, all watching anxiously. But I paid them no mind my full attention was on my opponent. This was my first true battle since coming to this world, and the one that would establish my place in the martial world.