Even a True Man Can Use a Playbook

Er Biao showed no shame or anger; he accepted defeat. Upon hearing Shen Hong Yue speak, he obediently retreated. It was uncertain whether his attitude towards Mu Xiang Li would change after today.

Shen Hong Yue walked to the center of the arena, not rushing to make a move: "Among all the members of my Yuehong Stronghold, from top to bottom, I've observed everyone. Only you seem to have been guided by a renowned master. This makes me a little worried; keeping you here, I don't know if it's a blessing or a curse."

Mu Xiang Li sighed inwardly, it was indeed as the Great Chieftain had said. This woman was not only vicious in heart, but her discernment was also malicious. Moreover, her expression changed so quickly; she no longer had any intention of making him the Young Master of the Stronghold.

"Misfortune is what fortune leans on; fortune is what misfortune hides beneath." Mu Xiang Li didn't know how to respond, so he casually uttered a proverb.

"Fortune and misfortune are intertwined, a valid point." As soon as the words left her lips, Shen Hong Yue arrogantly drew her sword.

Her Spirit Snake Sword Dance, several streaks of red light, spread towards him, forming a fan-shaped attack with no blind spots.

Mu Xiang Li couldn't see through this move, nor could he withstand it. He hurriedly dodged and retreated, narrowly leaping out of the fan-shaped attack. He felt as if a snake's tongue had licked the tip of his nose, a fleeting chill, and cold sweat immediately broke out on his temples. This woman's attack was neither light nor heavy; did she intend to disfigure him?!

Before he could catch his breath, the soft sword struck again, its body trembling and emitting a "whooshing" sound that not only doubled the pressure but also disturbed one's mind.

Shen Hong Yue's sword techniques and Shi Bei Xing's Qi Rushing Dou Niu Saber Art were completely different martial paths. Mu Xiang Li's combat experience was still too little, clearly revealing his struggles. Carelessly, his saber-wielding wrist was cut with a large gash.

As if suddenly bitten by a snake, Mu Xiang Li felt pain, and his saber slipped from his hand, falling to the ground. The wound was not deep; it was clear that Shen Hong Yue had held back.

Mu Xiang Li picked up his saber. Before he could speak, Shen Hong Yue opened her mouth first: "Such a small wound made your saber slip? Which master taught you?"

Mu Xiang Li was unwilling: "A mistake, again!"

"A mistake?" "Are you afraid?"

"Ah." Shen Hong Yue hadn't expected him to still be so bold, a prisoner yet daring to speak to her like that. But she also wanted to test Mu Xiang Li's capabilities again, so she readily agreed: "Very well, again."

Mu Xiang Li didn't know Shen Hong Yue's thoughts; he regarded her as an opponent to hone himself.

Even if the opponent was increasingly agile and unpredictable, everyone would have habits, and familiar moves would sometimes reveal endless flaws. This meant that, to a certain extent, one could "use a playbook" (memorize counter-strategies)!

Mu Xiang Li saw the opponent agree and immediately seized the initiative, wanting to gain an advantage. But the disparity in strength was objective. As soon as he charged forward, the soft sword in Shen Hong Yue's hand, like a small snake, coiled around his saber hilt, aiming to stab his wrist.

Having just suffered a loss, Mu Xiang Li recognized this technique and had already thought of a countermeasure. He angled his saber, actively engaging with Shen Hong Yue's soft sword, rubbing against it and creating a spark.

Though the soft sword was flexible, dancing like a spirit snake, it was ultimately a sword, not a real snake. With this collision, the sword tip found it difficult to strike Mu Xiang Li. But Shen Hong Yue had a follow-up move, and sword light flared up again.

Mu Xiang Li only felt several streaks of red light strike him directly. He hurriedly dodged. At this moment, the sword light avoided a direct stab and instead came at him. Despite his efforts to dodge, his shoulder was still struck by a sword.

"Ow!" Mu Xiang Li cried out. Seeing Shen Hong Yue retract her sword, seemingly wanting to end the spar, he hurriedly stopped her: "What are you doing? Continue, I'm not convinced!"

Shen Hong Yue was stunned: "You're still not convinced?"

In Mu Xiang Li's eyes, Shen Hong Yue had become a valuable experience target, not to be let go right before his mouth: "Yes, not convinced. If you don't beat me until I'm convinced today, you're not allowed to leave!"

She had just captured many Escort Masters into the stronghold, and these people all had their own agendas. Although Mu Xiang Li's strength was unclear before, probing him now revealed that he was considered an expert among these Escort Masters, and he wasn't someone without a master. Using him to establish authority and subdue the others was Shen Hong Yue's original plan. Seeing that he was still not convinced, she might as well continue sparring.

Shen Hong Yue drew her sword again. Before three moves, Mu Xiang Li was struck again.

"Not convinced, again!"

Shen Hong Yue indulged him, continuing to draw her sword.

"I got sand in my eye, it doesn't count, again!"

Shen Hong Yue wondered if she was infected by his stubbornness. Looking at his posture, she seemed determined to hear the word "convinced" from his mouth today. Before Mu Xiang Li finished speaking, the sword in her hand had already thrust out.

In the next few moves, Mu Xiang Li's body accumulated more bloodstains.

"What's your excuse this time?" Shen Hong Yue asked.

The surrounding crowd was about to advise him not to persist, wondering why he would inflict so many injuries upon himself, when they heard Mu Xiang Li's shocking words: "You are too beautiful; you distract me."

The onlookers were all startled. Well, well, was he flirting with the Stronghold Master?

Shen Hong Yue hadn't expected him to find such an excuse; it was a bit unexpected.

Mu Xiang Li saw her distracted and thought, "Good opportunity!" He raised his saber and chopped down, showing no hint of cherishing beauty or being flustered by a beautiful woman.

Shen Hong Yue naturally wouldn't retreat because of this and immediately counterattacked. But her unconscious sword move was one she had just used before.

"I've seen this move, and there's an opportunity to break it!" Mu Xiang Li's heart was excited, thinking that "using a playbook" was indeed effective. He held his saber and charged into the sword light, intending to subdue Shen Hong Yue.

But at this very moment, a red light suddenly appeared, forming a 360-degree circle. Mu Xiang Li was stunned; it was too late to retreat.

Sword qi suddenly erupted around Shen Hong Yue, blowing Mu Xiang Li away, and simultaneously leaving several sword marks on his body.

"You cheated!" Mu Xiang Li, ignoring the pain, angrily cursed.

"Huh?" Shen Hong Yue looked at him with cold eyes, then let out a soft laugh: "It seems your master hasn't taught you Qi Condensation yet. If your Qi Mansion isn't opened, even if you fight ten thousand more times, you won't be my opponent. At your age, if your Qi Mansion is still unopened, could it be that your skills are lacking, and you were expelled from your sect? What a pity. Are you convinced this time?"

Her words were somewhat mocking, but inwardly, she was actually a little surprised. After only a few exchanges, he had already seen through her sword moves, even if it was just one move, it was enough to prove this fellow's extraordinary discernment. But with such discerning talent, why was his Qi Mansion still unopened at over twenty years old? It was truly puzzling.

Living in a foreign land, Mu Xiang Li dared not boast that he had only learned saber arts for less than a month. If someone envious and jealous were to harm him before he could grow, it would be a great loss. It was better to lie low for now.

Moreover, he had a premonition that if he still refused to be convinced, this woman would strike hard. A wise man does not suffer immediate losses, so he reluctantly said, "Temporarily convinced."

"Ah, suit yourself." Shen Hong Yue didn't bother with him and left after speaking.

This spar, besides making the new recruits in the stronghold realize that this Stronghold Master was indeed not to be trifled with, also made many people look at Mu Xiang Li with new eyes.

"Brother Mu, your skills are not bad. Before, seeing your scholarly figure, I underestimated you."

"Do you really have a master's guidance? Can you give me a few pointers?"

"How are your injuries? Are they serious?"

A crowd gathered around, noisy and lively, giving Mu Xiang Li a headache. He hurriedly excused himself, citing "injuries needing bandaging," and left.

Although his injuries were numerous, they were not severe, but after bandaging, they looked quite gruesome. As Mu Xiang Li bandaged himself, he pondered. Shen Hong Yue could tell he had a master's guidance and that his Qi Mansion was already opened. With such vision and strength, where couldn't she go? Yet she chose to be a mountain bandit leader; there must be a problem, absolutely a problem!