Chapter 16: Sparring Practice

Chapter 16: Sparring Practice

Evening, Dongning Grand Hotel.

This was considered the most expensive place in Dongning City. To celebrate Chen Xingyue passing the Martial Apprentice Examination, Chen Mu, who was usually frugal, had splurged this time.

Aside from Chen Dalong’s eldest daughter, who was currently in university, the entire family had come, making the atmosphere quite lively.

Chen Shouyi’s family had few relatives. He had never met his grandparents since birth, and on his father’s side, there was only his uncle, Chen Dalong. As for his mother’s side, though she had several siblings, due to some unspoken past events, they had almost ceased contact.

"Our Chen family finally has a Martial Apprentice. What an achievement!" Chen Dalong said as he arrived, presenting a high-end wooden box.

"Thank you, Uncle!" Chen Xingyue accepted the box gracefully, then gasped in delight upon opening it. "Ah! This is an alloy sword from Artifact Workshop!"

Chen Shouyi couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy. The prices of cold weapons varied drastically—cheap ones cost a thousand or two, while the expensive ones could reach hundreds of thousands, even millions. Artifact Workshop was a mid-to-high-end brand specializing in cold weapon craftsmanship.

Even their cheapest sword cost over ten thousand.

The Great Xia Kingdom had strict weapon control laws. Bladed weapons like swords were generally only allowed for collection—except for Martial Apprentices. Once registered, they were granted the privilege of carrying weapons.

"This is too extravagant!" Chen Dawei quickly interjected.

"Extravagant? Xingyue passing the Martial Apprentice Examination isn’t just your family’s affair," Chen Dalong’s wife, wearing light makeup, said affectionately as she hugged Chen Xingyue. Then, she turned her attention to Chen Shouyi. "Shouyi, you need to work hard too. Your college entrance exams are this year, right?"

Chen Shouyi, caught off guard, forced a dry laugh. "I’m doing my best."

……

Once again, Chen Shouyi watched as his sister became the center of attention at the banquet, radiant and admired, while he remained unnoticed. Yet this time, he felt no jealousy—only genuine happiness for her.

He felt he had truly matured and grown more confident.

……

Sunday, Youth Martial Arts Training Center, training hall.

A row of simple wooden stakes had been set up, and the students took turns weaving through them in an S-pattern using the "Basic Step."

"Next, Lin Feng!"

"Next, Chen Shouyi!"

When calling Chen Shouyi’s name, the female instructor paused slightly, glancing at him.

Chen Shouyi waited until Lin Feng, stumbling his way through, was nearly at the finish line before stepping forward. His movements were ghostly, his body shifting unpredictably—left, then right—without the slightest hesitation or pause. The entire sequence flowed naturally, smooth as a polished curve.

Upon returning, Chen Shouyi was immediately surrounded by his fellow students.

"Brother Chen, you’re amazing! I think you’re almost as good as the instructor," a pimple-faced youth said in admiration.

"Yeah, it was like watching a tutorial video!"

"Still far from it," Chen Shouyi replied with a smile, shaking his head.

This wasn’t modesty—he truly was far from matching her. Others might not see it, but as someone who mentally inhabited the female instructor’s body every day, he could clearly sense the gap between them.

His body still lacked refinement, missing that final touch of mastery. The movement of his muscles carried a slight stiffness as he walked, requiring repeated practice and conditioning to smooth out.

Nearby, Lin Feng watched Chen Shouyi from a distance, his fists tightening unconsciously.

This month, his girlfriend Guo Qianqian had grown increasingly enthusiastic toward Chen Shouyi. In the past, he hadn’t paid it much mind—his girlfriend had always been sociable, able to chat with anyone. Besides, the most crucial thing was that he was handsomer and cooler than Chen Shouyi.

Even Guo Qianqian herself had been the one to pursue him in the first place.

But gradually, he began to feel the pressure. No matter how much he despised Chen Shouyi, he couldn’t deny the terrifying talent the other possessed in martial arts.

Time and again, when learning the same new techniques, both of them would stumble through the initial practice. Yet by the next lesson, Chen Shouyi would have already mastered them, executing the moves as if he had drilled them countless times.

Facing someone like that left one feeling utterly powerless.

Clap clap clap!

The tutor clapped his hands and announced, "Everyone’s been practicing well, which means you’ve grasped the basics. Now, let’s try some sparring practice."

The students stirred with excitement.

Chen Shouyi was no exception. Learning swordsmanship was meant for combat, and today, he would finally get a taste of it.

"Alright, everyone, come and collect your protective gear and safety swords first!"

The protective gear included a face mask, a short jacket, a chest guard, arm guards, pants, and gloves—thick and cumbersome to put on.

But it was necessary. Actual combat was dangerous. Even if one wasn’t a martial artist apprentice, anyone who had learned even a little swordsmanship could unleash unimaginable force.

The refined power-generation methods of the martial system made the human body as fragile as tofu. A real sword wasn’t even needed—a chopstick, a wooden stick, or even a tree branch could easily kill an ordinary person.

It took Chen Shouyi quite some effort to finally suit up in the protective gear. He then picked up a safety sword—a slender, flexible plastic weapon with minimal lethality, even if thrust against bare skin.

Meanwhile, the female instructor had also changed into her protective gear and seemed ready to join the session. "Now, I’ll assign the pairs. Guo Wenlong versus Chen Hailiang."

"Wenya versus Cao Yunyun."

"Lin Feng versus Xie Xiangqing."

...

"As for Chen Shouyi, you’ll be practicing with me."

"Yes, instructor!" Chen Shouyi responded immediately, his heart pounding—not because of any improper thoughts about the female instructor.

In the Memory Space, he had already seen plenty. When it came to understanding her body, he wasn’t far behind her.

No, it was excitement—the thrill of actual combat—that set his blood boiling.

"Please guide me well!" he said, mimicking a line he’d heard on TV.

The next moment, through the instructor’s face mask, he thought he saw her lips curl into an enigmatic smile. Before he could react, his vision blurred as she slid forward in an instant, her sword flashing like lightning in a rapid series of thrusts.

Thud thud thud!

His heart, abdomen, and face mask shuddered as if struck by firecrackers, forcing him to take an involuntary step back.

"You talk too much. In a real fight, you’d already be dead," she said coolly, the corner of her mouth lifting slightly.

Sometimes, such exceptionally talented students aren't very likable—they can make one's teaching feel worthless, even make one question their life's purpose. It's better when all students are at a similar level.

Unaware of the female instructor's resentment, Chen Shouyi quickly straightened his posture and replied, "Yes, Instructor!"

This time, he tried his best to focus, his eyes burning with determination. Yet it was still useless. Whether he attempted to attack or dodge, the female instructor's strikes followed him like a shadow, as if she could predict his every move.

Chen Shouyi endured the brutal beating for over a minute, his body trembling and numb from the impacts. He was starting to wonder if he had somehow offended her when— She finally stopped, exhaling a long, white breath.

"Do you know why I could hit you so easily?"

"Because you're a Martial Artist Apprentice, with faster reflexes and greater strength," Chen Shouyi replied smoothly, subtly flattering her.

"That's only part of it. Do you know who the most popular person at a gambling table is?"

"A rich sucker!" Chen Shouyi thought for a moment before answering, suddenly wondering if the instructor had a fondness for gambling.

"Uh—no, it's the novice," the female instructor quickly corrected. "People like that wear their emotions on their sleeves. When they get good cards, they get excited; when they get bad ones, they slump in disappointment. They’re quickly figured out and lose every time."

Chen Shouyi realized, "You mean, I reveal my intentions before I even attack?"

"Your gaze is too fixed on the target you want to hit. Anyone with a bit of experience can easily read your thoughts and predict your movements, dodging in advance or even counterattacking."

So that was it. Chen Shouyi felt as if a veil had been lifted from his eyes.

"Then what’s the right way to do it?"

"For you, the simplest method is to keep your gaze level, use your peripheral vision, and conceal your intentions. Don’t give yourself away so easily."

"Now, let's go again!"