He was defeated.
When he stiffly lifted his head, he saw Huai Shi’s slashed hand—and the broken blade in his hand.
"The match is decided."
Huai Shi smiled, softly declared: "I won."
Xiangqu Yilang fell into a daze.
His lips moved.
In disbelief.
Unable to trust what he saw in that instant...
Just now, the sound of steel resonance wasn’t once, but... twice!
Only the intervals between the two times were so narrow, causing many unable to separate them. Between them, the second was the sound of his draw sword slice being blocked.
The first sound... was the mournful sound of Huai Shi’s blade breaking in his hand.
When Xiangqu rushed past the ten centimeters’ domain of victory, Huai Shi drew his sword back for defense, as if he had already anticipated it. Right in front of Xiangqu Yilang’s eyes, he lifted his hand and pressed on the blade—
Then, broke his sword into two pieces!
Decisively and cleanly.
That movement, skillful as if it had been repeatedly exercised in the mind countless times.
In a flash, the katana in his hand became dual knives!
When Xiangqu Yilang reacted, the piece held in hand blocked the Draw Sword Slice ahead, taking the strike head-on, and the other fragment settled in front of his eyes.
Heralding victory’s arrival.
Thus, the dust settled, the match decided.
In the after-deathly silence following the uproarious cries, Huai Shi raised his hand holding the sword blade, pushed Xiangqu Yilang’s sword aside, stepped back one step, released his palm, letting the sword blade soaked in his blood clang to the ground.
While the other hilted broken blade, still pressed against his face.
Xiangqu Yilang stared blankly at the sword blade in front of him for a long time, finally raised his head, and looked at Huai Shi.
"Did you plan this from the start?"
He asked hoarsely, "Did you plan this from the very beginning?"
"It’s quite sneaky, isn’t it? But there’s no choice; I’m no match for you in swordsmanship." Huai Shi shrugged and responded helplessly, "Of course, you have to have a sincere heart while preparing for both possibilities."
From the start, he never dared to underestimate Xiangqu Yilang.
Indeed, without using the Stigma and Source Substance, there were limits to swordsmanship.
Indeed, his arm span and height were longer than Xiangqu Yilang’s, an advantage for him... but what use was that?
Isn’t the so-called technique, the so-called moves, meant to allow one to break through limits, compensate for shortcomings, and turn the tide of battle?
If Xiangqu Yilang’s swordsmanship could bridge that mere ten centimeters gap and close the distance, what would he do then?
Therefore, better to use the tactic against itself... provoke him, guide him, tempt him to consciously close the distance.
Close it to within the 75-centimeter length of a sword—
Then, two swords against one!
From the beginning, Xiangqu Yilang had already stepped into Huai Shi’s plan.
This was not a lack of combat experience, but rather the absence of deceptive Domain—in a case where everyone’s mind is clear, who would suddenly think the opponent would break off his sword to play with him?
"You probably haven’t fought life-and-death battles often, have you?"
Huai Shi looked down, examining his astonished face, unable to help but shake his head, "Once you encounter those who can sneak explosives between their teeth, breaking a sword won’t seem that big of a deal."
This goes against the rules!
This violates regulations!
Xiangqu Yilang really wanted to say that, but in the silence, he eventually closed his eyes.
A silent sigh.
He released the sword in his hand.
"I have lost." He bowed respectfully, "Thank you for your instruction."
"No need to thank me, no need to thank me."
Huai Shi happily raised his hand, patted his shoulder, "This young Xiang, it’s normal for young people to be proud when they’ve accomplished something. Remember to practice more after returning, improve day by day, and don’t slack off if you want to become the pillar of Current Circumstances!"
Saying this, he raised his head and gave a sidelong glance at the referee.
"Gone mute? Speak up."
The referee froze for a moment, his stiff expression convulsing, finally making a sound, "The decision is made!"
Winner, Huai Zhisu People!
And so, Huai Shi turned back, looked around at those stiff faces outside the field, raised his eyebrows, and smiled.