My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 356 - 139: [Momentum] Collision – A Brand-New Realm!

"My strength and speed have never changed from start to finish, but it was because I showed my true skills and released my ’momentum,’ creating a certain mental pressure on you, which led you to mistakenly believe that my moves had become more powerful."

"The stronger your ’momentum,’ the more you can intimidate your opponent."

"As for the strength of ’momentum,’ this is tied to a person’s ability and strong will."

"Martial artists who first touch the realm of ’momentum’ mostly cannot freely control their own ’momentum.’"

"Only after long and arduous practice can one reach my realm of freely releasing and gathering ’momentum.’"

"Of course—there are some special individuals who have a unique talent in refining ’momentum,’ who can release their own ’momentum’ freely even when their capability isn’t sufficiently strong."

After speaking, Zhouzhu’s voice paused for a moment, then switched to a half-joking tone.

"It is said that some powerful individuals who have reached the ’Ultimate Martial Arts,’ their ’momentum’ is so powerful that upon release, a mere glare can make a person’s mind chaotic to the extent they lose their rhythm of breathing, or even directly faint—of course, this is just legend, I have never seen anyone whose ’momentum’ is as powerful as this level, not Chiba Shusaku, nor Chiba Dingji have reached this realm."

Zhouzhu leaned his body to the side and changed to a more comfortable sitting position.

"It’s not necessary for everyone to refine ’momentum.’"

"Firstly, one must have sufficiently strong capability."

"Secondly, one must have a ’strong will.’"

"I have practiced swords my whole life and observed countless people. According to my observations—those martial artists without a ’strong will,’ regardless of how strong their abilities are, do not possess ’momentum.’"

"The term ’strong will’ is something I summarized myself, and it means various things... simply put, it is having a certain ambition in martial arts, not being frightened by strong enemies, nor discouraged by defeat."

"Only those who possess such a will can refine a ’momentum’ that intimidates others."

"Saito Kanosuke, the second son of ’Powerful Saito’ Saito Yajiro, known as ’Ghost Joy,’ is a typical example of someone without a strong will."

"Years ago, after suffering a humiliating defeat without resistance against the equally aged ’Skill of Chiba’ Chiba Eijiro, he has been melancholy and lost the edge he once had."

"If Saito Kanosuke cannot emerge from the shadow of losing to ’Skill of Chiba,’ his lifetime achievements in martial arts should be considered done."

"A martial artist who loses their edge cannot even contemplate refining their ’momentum’, it’s questionable if they can further enhance their own capability."

"Thus, from this, our Natural Reasoning Heart Stream secret teaching can be derived as a fundamental truth and extremely significant maxim."

"Mr. Tachibana, refining ’momentum’ is a bit premature for you right now."

As Zhouzhu continued speaking, he grinned.

"With your current abilities... you should continue practicing hard for another year or two before reaching the level of Yong and Toshisuke, and then you will have the opportunity to touch the realm of ’momentum.’"

"Right now, you should focus on upholding our Natural Reasoning Heart Stream secret doctrine."

"From today onwards, during battles, always maintain the strong will of ’no matter what, I must win.’"

"As long as you possess such a will and learn to be humble in victory and resilient in defeat, you’ll have the key to unlocking the realm of ’momentum.’"

"..." Aoto’s face had been full of spirited contemplation since just now.

Zhouzhu kept introducing one new martial arts concept after another that Aoto had never heard before.

After carefully listening to every word Zhouzhu said, Aoto felt that a new world was opening its doors to him.

Aoto pondered for quite a while before finally digesting Zhouzhu’s teachings.

Breathing out a long sigh, Aoto curiously asked Zhouzhu:

"’Momentum’... Master, who is the martial artist with the strongest ’momentum’ you’ve seen so far?"

"That would certainly be Chiba Shusaku." Zhouzhu replied without hesitation, "Chiba Shusaku is the strongest Sword Master I’ve ever seen in terms of ability and ’momentum.’"

A few signs of remembrance slowly appeared on Zhouzhu’s face.

"A long time ago, I had the fortune to witness the duel between Chiba Shusaku and Chiba Dingji, these two brothers."

"No wonder these brothers were unmatched Great Sword Heroes, both carrying the momentum of billowing sails and rushing horses, like the tide and thunder."

"Before the battle even began, their ’momentum’ had already engaged in a clash!"

"The scene at the time, I still vividly remember to this day."

"The ’momentum’ of their collision seemed to stop the surrounding winds and clouds in the sky!"

"Ah, ah, ah, in the words of novelists, this might be what is meant by ’the sword hasn’t left the sheath, the sword Qi has already spread everywhere, causing those who see it to surrender, those who hear it to tremble.’"

"Regrettably..."

A profound sadness slowly emerged on Zhouzhu’s cheeks.

"Chiba Shusaku has passed away."

"Chiba Dingji is now plagued with illnesses and injuries, his strength greatly diminished..."

"Now, his strength is roughly less than two or three-tenths of his peak period, and he probably can’t release the kind of ’momentum’ that could stop winds and clouds back when he dueled his brother."

"In the remainder of my life, I suppose there won’t be another chance to witness such a level of ’Great Sword Hero Duel.’"