Beichen Ichi-ryu

"Master Chen, do you have any plans to return home soon?"

"According to my original plan, I'll return after I've visited the last dojo worth visiting," the old man said, frowning in distress. "It's the most famous swordsmanship school in this country, an ancient martial art I specifically intended to save for last. However, the head of this school got involved in some dispute a few days ago, and their sole successor is still too young. They're likely not in the mood for sparring right now, which is a shame."

"You're not talking about Beichen Ichi-ryu, are you?"

On November 16, 2013, at 6:34 PM, Raiden Ryoma, the president of the world-renowned multinational electronics manufacturer me Inc., was arrested by the police for economic fraud.

Raiden Ryoma was the current head of Beichen Ichi-ryu and one of its two inheritors.

"That's right, it's Beichen Ichi-ryu. Unlike most schools that have been adapted for sport, Beichen Ichi-ryu remains a true killing art," the old man admitted with a nod.

The legendary Beichen Mei, a famous Japanese swordsman, passed down the far-eastern ancient martial art, Beichen Ichi-ryu. It was no wonder Chen Junxuan had specifically saved it for last.

Of course, aside from the martial art's fame, Raiden Ryoma's focus on business rather than the martial arts community also played a significant role. If they had both been part of the martial arts world, the old man would likely have challenged Beichen Ichi-ryu first upon arriving in Japan three years ago. However, barging in unannounced when they weren't in the same circles would have been impolite.

Now, the only person left to challenge was Raiden Ryoma's daughter, Raiden Mei.

However, setting aside whether Raiden Mei had learned the true essence of Beichen Ichi-ryu, the current situation she faced alone was enough for Chen Junxuan to maintain a wait-and-see attitude.

Raiden Mei, who had lived a life of luxury and whose character had not been tempered, was suddenly facing her father's imprisonment, frozen assets, covetous relatives, and distant friends. Even if her mastery of Beichen Ichi-ryu was no less than Raiden Ryoma's, how much of her strength could she truly display against a martial arts grandmaster like Chen Junxuan?

For a martial artist, a swordsman, what's more important than skill is a steadfast heart that remains unshaken in the face of anything.

But demanding this from Raiden Mei, who was only 16 years old, was too harsh.

If Su Qing'an hadn't arrived, this old man, who had dedicated his life to tempering himself through martial arts, might have faced the outbreak of the Honkai while waiting.

The result would have been transformation into a Mortal by the violent Honkai Energy, with no other possibility.

Martial arts. Martial arts. Even an astonishing technique like Void Sword Qi, passed down by Shenzhou immortals, couldn't break through the limitations of being male. For those who practiced normal internal energy cultivation, the limit of a lifetime of diligent effort was likely just to avoid being turned into a Mortal by Honkai Energy.

Chen Junxuan, belonging to no school and not cultivating internal energy, had forged his own Taixuan Style through sheer talent, connecting various martial arts. In terms of combat power alone, he was superior to the leaders of famous schools with internal energy traditions.

But under the Honkai Energy, he could only wait for death.

This tragedy was something Su Qing'an understood more deeply than Chen Junxuan himself. He had experienced the despair of becoming a Mortal twice. The terror, unwillingness, and burning rage in his soul had not yet extinguished.

Absolutely not. Absolutely not. He would absolutely not die powerlessly like that again. After reviving, Su Qing'an reminded himself constantly, cautioned himself. Every night, he recalled the feelings before his death, every day, every single day. All for the sake of not forgetting that profound pain, that powerlessness.

To everyone else, Su Qing'an appeared gentle and calm. Both Kiana and Chen Junxuan thought the young man was perfectly normal. He could playfully spar with Kiana, listen attentively to Chen Junxuan's teachings, and even after challenging a dojo, the aftermath would leave the challenged party thinking Su Qing'an was quite likable.

But a part of him had broken after experiencing death once. A mind like still water was no longer just a state of Void Sword Qi, but a trait truly integrated into his Soul Essence. Yet, even so, the demon hidden within his Mind Lake roared and raged incessantly, an endless flame burning within.

Extreme calm contained inexhaustible rage.

The young man was like a flame burning in water, serene yet violent, gentle yet fierce.

"Master Chen, you should return to China first. I'll find an opportunity to challenge Beichen Ichi-ryu. Although you don't care about worldly opinions, it would tarnish the reputation of a martial arts grandmaster to spar with a 15-year-old girl, so leave it to me." To make the stubborn old man return home obediently, Su Qing'an voluntarily took over the unfinished task of Chen Junxuan's journey to learn the essence of Japanese martial arts.

"Hahahaha, good, good, good! Qing'an, you will complete the final step of integrating the essence of this country's martial arts into the Taixuan Style for your teacher!" Chen Junxuan laughed heartily. He patted the young man's shoulder. At this moment, the old man seemed to see the rising of a new sun.

It was only natural for the setting, twilight sun to fall and make way for it.

On November 23, 2013, at 2:32 PM, Su Qing'an watched Chen Junxuan board a flight to Shenzhou.

As he was about to turn off his phone, Chen Junxuan received an unknown file sent by Su Qing'an. The old man opened it in confusion and saw the clear image with the words "Void Sword Qi" written on it.