Chapter 76: The Beichen Itto-ryu

As one of the four great Sword Saints of Japan, Yagyu Enzai was the youngest. Although his swordsmanship was not as good as the other three, he was far more learned in sword-related knowledge than his three seniors, earning him the nickname "Doctor of Kendo."

It was precisely because of this extremely profound reserve of kendo knowledge that when Yagyu Enzai heard the name "North Star One-Sword Style," he reacted almost instantly.

In this space-time, the Beichen Itto-ryu was a mysterious school of swordsmanship that had been lost for over a hundred years. Even in the oldest Japanese kendo classics, it was difficult to find detailed information about this school, with only sporadic records remaining.

Aside from these sparse records, the rest consisted of folk legends that were difficult to distinguish as true or false. Legend had it that the Beichen Itto-ryu was incomparably exquisite; rather than calling it swordsmanship, it was more like an art form.

In the era before it was lost, it was the most powerful form of swordsmanship, but it eventually disappeared into the long river of history for unknown reasons.

This had always been a great regret in Japanese swordsmanship, and Yagyu Enzai, who loved researching ancient Japanese sword manuals, would always feel troubled whenever he read about it.

Now that a young girl had suddenly asked him if he knew about the North Star One-Sword Style, Yagyu Enzai felt great doubt amidst his excitement.

This girl was clearly Chinese and had lived in Japan for less than four years. Why would she know about the Beichen Itto-ryu? One had to know that this secret was unknown to many Japanese swordsmen!

Yagyu Enzai frowned and glanced at Miss Luo Quan. Seeing her looking so confident, he hesitated for a moment before asking, "Where did you learn this information?"

"I looked it up on Wikipedia. You can find it just by searching online," Miss Luo Quan said, lifting her phone, her expression appearing somewhat puzzled.

Before coming, she had specifically searched for information regarding the North Star One-Sword Style and discovered that it was actually a long-lost school of swordsmanship. She thought that if she brought out this lost art, it might serve as a good bargaining chip for Yagyu Enzai.

However, she hadn't expected Yagyu Enzai to question the source of her information. Wasn't this something that could be easily found out?

"Let me see!" Yagyu Enzai took the phone from Luo Quan with a solemn expression, flipping through the Wikipedia entry on the North Star One-Sword Style on the screen.

The result shocked him: the records on Wikipedia regarding the Beichen Itto-ryu were exactly the same as the descriptions in the sword manuals he had read before!

Yagyu Enzai laughed at himself, "To think I treated these materials like treasures, never expecting that one could find them just by searching on this Wikipedia."

Returning the phone to Miss Luo Quan, Yagyu Enzai asked in a deep voice, "So, what do you mean by suddenly bringing this up?"

"I know the Beichen Itto-ryu. As long as you agree to let Junko become an idol, I can provide it for free..."

Before Miss Luo Quan could finish, Yagyu Enzai waved his hand with a smile, interrupting her: "This swordsmanship has been lost for over a hundred years; even the founder's name is unknown. How could you possibly have mastered it? I know you want to help Junko, but you shouldn't talk nonsense about such things."

"If you don't believe me, let's spar. I will demonstrate the Beichen Itto-ryu in its entirety."

"Spar with me?" Yagyu Enzai acted as if he had heard a massive joke. "Has Junko mentioned to you who I am?"

Miss Luo Quan nodded: "She mentioned it. One of the four great Sword Saints of Japan."

"Then how dare you say such arrogant words about wanting to spar with me?"

"I am certainly no match for you, but I definitely won't lose too miserably." Miss Luo Quan's expression was full of confidence.

Yagyu Enzai stared at Miss Luo Quan, as if wanting to see through this mysterious little girl. After a long while, he laughed: "Then I'll give you a chance. It's been quite a while since I've sparred with anyone. I hope you won't disappoint me."

Seeing that the two were actually going to fight, Yagyu Junko walked over anxiously: "Quan-chan! You only know karate, when did you learn swordsmanship! My grandfather is very strong; even with a bamboo sword, you could get hurt if you're not careful!"

"Junko, when have you ever seen me do something I wasn't sure about?" Miss Luo Quan gave Junko a reassuring smile, then followed Yagyu Enzai to the spacious training room next door.

This was another relatively smaller training room, without any disciples; it was likely reserved only for the Yagyu family.

"Those are the protective gears," Yagyu Enzai pointed to the kendo gear neatly stacked against the wall. Kendo hall disciples usually wore them when sparring.

Although Yagyu Enzai's swordsmanship had long reached the point of perfect control, swords had no eyes, and if something really went wrong, it would be too late for regrets.

Therefore, he suggested that Miss Luo Quan put on the protective gear before sparring. As for himself, he didn't need to wear such cumbersome items; Yagyu Enzai didn't believe Miss Luo Quan's sword could touch him.

"These gears will obstruct my vision; I won't wear them." Miss Luo Quan shook her head, refusing Yagyu Enzai's kindness.

The latter didn't say any more nonsense, simply taking two bamboo swords from the rack and throwing one to Miss Luo Quan.

The Japanese sword actually refers to the katana, and the bamboo sword is a bamboo katana. However, the blade of a bamboo katana is cylindrical, unsharpened, and made of lighter material, lacking significant lethality.

Of course, that is for ordinary swordsmen. A truly formidable swordsman can take a life even with a bamboo stick!

Yagyu Enzai held the bamboo sword in a reverse grip at his waist and said seriously: "Although you are young, you were the one who initiated this spar, so don't expect me to let you have three moves."

Miss Luo Quan laughed: "As you wish, just don't hit my face, Master."

"For such a beautiful girl, if your face were to be scratched, it would indeed be a troublesome matter... well, I will try my best to be careful."

"With those words from you, I can rest easy." Miss Luo Quan took a few steps back, gripped the hilt of the katana with both hands, and pointed the tip directly at Yagyu Enzai.

"Then let's begin." After Yagyu Enzai said this, his entire spirit and energy changed instantly.

Previously, he was just a gaunt old man with a fierce appearance, wearing a loose black kimono, looking completely ordinary.

But as soon as the spar began, an incomparably sharp aura permeated his body, sweeping toward Miss Luo Quan unreservedly along with his gaze.

The hairs on Miss Luo Quan's body stood on end at this moment. She felt that standing before her was not a person, but a lion ready to pounce and hurt someone at any moment!

"Is this the aura of a Sword Saint!" Miss Luo Quan felt a shock in her heart. Fine beads of sweat appeared on her pert nose, and her hands gripping the hilt tightened even more.

After adjusting her breathing, Yagyu Enzai exhaled a breath of turbid air and bowed his body forward: "Let's go!" ===== CHAPTER 77 =====