On the Xinqingnian, Liu Shan was placed seventh in terms of swordsmanship. The sword was the weapon of the scholars, and immensely popular among the Southerns, who like to view themselves with a learned attitude. For an individual to be recognised among the top ten among hundreds of thousands is a remarkable feat, much less when Liu Shan spends most of his time philandering than refining his skills.


    It is said that genius is one per cent talent, ninety-nine per cent hard work, yet Liu Shan is the sort of genius that makes up for hard work with sheer talent alone. This sort of genius is something that can make others speechless merely by existence.


    In fact, Jing Wen views that Liu Shan is undeserving of placing seventh on the Xinqingnian. By skill alone, Liu Shan deserves at least the fourth spot on the Xinqingnian in regards to swordsmanship.


    And since Jing Wen excels at the bow, and not the sword, one could easily conclude that he would lose against Liu Shan in a competition of swordsmanship.


    Jing Wen caught the sword by its hilt, letting the scabbard effortlessly slide off from the body, revealing its lustrous and sharp form.


    Liu Shan looked at Jing Wen and said emotionlessly, “Out of courtesy, I will not use any Qi.”


    In the Great Zhu, duels became increasingly popular among the youth, yet one could always refuse it outright. Though men would frequently become idiots when others encroached upon certain subjects such as women, love, dignity or some other trifles matters, they would still know the massive gap between cultivation stages and refuse out of self-perseverance.


    What Liu Shan was doing is to block off Jing Wen’s road of retreat. Regardless of Jing Wen’s present cultivation, his skills remain. Since he and Liu Shan are competing through mastery alone, Jing Wen cannot decline with any excuse other than cowardness.


    “Sure,” Jing Wen looked at him and replied without any fluctuations in his voice.


    As Liu Fenfang had said, Jing Wen had once been a very prideful person. Though it has been significantly subdued, Jing Wen was still proud. While it may not have reached the degree of pursuing the impossible, he would not refuse a challenge from Liu Shan.


    Liu Shan was the sort of person Jing Wen truly disliked. Both he and Liu Shan are born with a silver spoon, yet Liu Shan makes nothing of his situation, wasting his life away toying with girls, possessing no ambitions nor aspiration. Even Mo Xi spent some of his time forming connections and aligning himself with the Seventh Prince.


    “Sir Jing, I have always believed that when two genius meets, only one will come out. So far, I am still a genius,” Liu Shan said with a graceful smile.


    If Liu Shan is still a genius by his standards, naturally, he has never lost once fighting against someone of his calibre.


    Jing Wen did not reply. Walking to an opened space within the garden, he gripped the sword with his right hand. His left hand was slightly extended before him as he gave a slight bow towards Liu Shan.


    “Ready?”


    Jing Wen’s words were straightforward and direct. It was completely unlike how he had spoken to Liu Fenfang.


    Liu Shan raised his cuffs, giving a similar bow to Jing Wen as he said, “Please.”


    Thus, the match began in an ordinary fashion.


    As soon as the word ‘please’ left Liu Shan’s mouth, he took a step forward and his sword stung in a seemingly free manner.


    Though it seemed like a casual swing, it was all but casual. In truth, the technique was extremely focused. As it sliced through the air, it left only a line that was as straight as a pen, flawlessly parallel to the ground.


    To create a line straight to this degree was near humanly impossible. Thus, the technique and the person must be near inhuman.


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    Liu Shan’s sword cut reflected the sunlight, forming an arc of brilliance directly before Jing Wen.


    The strip of cloth covering Jing Wen’s eyes remained still before the sword strike.


    This stillness was because the cut was too quick, too straight. The wind that it sliced through did not have time to part to and form any current before the sword arrived before Jing Wen.


    Since the sword could surpass the speed of wind, then it would naturally be impossible for a normal person to have any reaction to it. They would have no choice but to see their head detach from their body like an overly ripe fruit.


    Of course, Liu Shan was not a fool. He only sought to humiliate Jing Wen, not to kill him. No matter how powerful the Liu family was, murdering a close member of the royal family would cause them to be exterminated to the ninth generation.


    As such, from the beginning, Liu Shan had used the Liu family’s most powerful technique inherited from the Han dynasty, the Hongmen (鴻門 - Swan Goose) Cut. He had planned for the blade to stop a hair’s length away from Jing Wen’s neck, say, “Thank you for letting me win”, and avenge his sister’s humiliation.


    Aside from the use of Hongmen Cut, the whole duel would be ordinary.


    However, what Liu Shan had expected did not happen.


    A‘clink’ resounded from the garden, slowly rippling out.


    The sound was soft and crisp, like the noise made when two pieces of bronze coin collided.


    The brilliant line stopped suddenly.


    The sword that was moments ago as straight as a pen appeared sticking out of a pile of snow.


    The entire rear garden was deathly still at this moment.


    The servants’ gazes were lowered to the floor, not daring to see their young mater’s humiliation; the Liu family and Zhou Aimin meanwhile, were gazing at Jing Wen with surprise.


    Perhaps Zhou Aimin did not know, but the Liu family were aware of the origins of the Hongmen Cut. It was an ancient technique long before martial arts had become mainstream, yet it was among the most powerful in the world during the Han Dynasty. Even now, it could be considered a supreme technique.


    Yet Jing Wen had blocked it without moving a single step. Only the sword in his hand had changed positions.


    As Liu Shan’s sword was reaching his body, Jing Wen simplified used the blade like a staff, hacking it downwards.


    Jing Wen’s sword hit Liu Shan’s sword akin to how the pen in a scholar’s hand would be smacked out out his hand by the scholar’s wife. It flew out of his hand, landing into the snow without a sound.


    It was quiet to the point that Liu Shan could even hear the blood flowing within his veins.


    Perhaps he was confused at first, but when he saw that sword in the pile of snow, his face immediately became hot, and a deep flame began to burn within his pupils.


    “Ah!”


    Suddenly, Liu Shan lifted his head, staring at Jing Wen his a gaze full of anger and shock. ‘


    In the next instant, he reached for the sword within the snow pile, and swung at Jing Wen once more.


    This time, the sword was soaring at a far faster speed, its power far more astonishing.


    Yet far more shocking was that the snow that had remained on the sword had turned into steam. One could imagine how hot the blade was at this moment.


    At it reached halfway toward Jing Wen, the sword suddenly erupted into flames.


    ---


    “His actually using Qi!” Zhou Aimin cried out with shock. Even though he did not know the Hongmen Cut technique, it was impossible for a sword to suddenly became ablaze through normal means. The only possible explanation was through the use of Qi.


    By his side, Liu Yu showed an uncomfortable expression. At the table, Liu Shan had clearly stated that he would not use Qi when duelling with Jing Wen. Aside from the risk associated with a lethal blow used at full strength, it also meant that Liu Shan would have essentially forfeited the match.


    Of course, Liu Yu was aware of his son’s temperament. Liu Shan was incredibly quick to anger, so he wanted to use the most straightforward, and even cruellest method to deal with Jing Wen.


    In a previous bout, he had been seriously humiliated. Aside from the anger stemming from underestimating Jing Wen, to watch the sword in his hand being knocked out of his very hands in such a repulsive and rude manner… how can the proud Liu Shan that has never lost stand that?


    The Hongmen Cut technique was seized from an enemy general of the state of Chu (楚) in the confrontation would that ultimately determine the fate of the Central Plains. When used to its fullest, the technique was extremely taxing on Qi to the degree that even a Heart Purification stage cultivator would find it difficult to bear.


    While Liu Shan was immensely talented to the degree that he had enough Qi to accommodate the technique, he certainly would not do it under normal conditions. The blade was swung with his determination to punish Jing Wen severely.


    The burning sword approached Jing Wen like a hideous flame serpent.


    Jing Wen frowned, the edge of the strip of cloth slightly charring as he observed the arch of flames.


    Clang!


    Jing Wen hacked his sword downwards, precisely hitting the arch at its front end.


    Yet the flames did not disappear. The remaining parts of the arch rapidly converged, seeking to become a complete circle, enveloping Jing Wen within.


    Yet just as the licks of flames was about to touch him, Jing Wen suddenly disappeared from sight, leaving behind only a faint imprint on the snow.


    The vestige left behind in his disappearance took in Liu Shan’s strike. With a shrieking sound, the flames previously contained within Liu Shan’s sword burst forth. The snow that bore Jing Wen’s imprints either dissolved or dispelled under the strike.


    The particles of snow that were expelled now bore the power previously concealed within that deadly cut. Scattering, it landed against the wall behind where Jing Wen previous stood, creating cracks on its surface.


    At this point, Jing Wen reappeared. He left no tracks behind him, leaving it impossible to discern how he had arrived at such a location. “Sir Liu, you have lost.”


    Liu Shan stood on the now charred pavements, the steam emitted from the now melted snow surrounding his body. Looking at Jing Wen, who right shoulder was slightly burnt, he said, “Not done yet.”


    Gripping on his sword hilt, Liu Shan took another step forward, holding out his sword horizontally, his manner was akin to a tiger approaching its prey.


    Abruptly, the fingers on Liu Shan’s right hands rapidly tightened against the sword’s hilt, the nails turning pale as Liu Shan swung once more. As the blade silently passed through the air, yet the flames gave off an eerily howl that could shake the heart.