Tokyo Knights: The Odd Jobs X Files

She thought for a moment and said to Li Xin, "Why don't you go ask Teacher Xiao Ai how to do the questions? I always ask Teacher Xiao Ai when I can't solve a problem."

Even if you can't answer my question sometimes, there's no harm in asking.

Ayane's words stirred Li Xin's heart. He couldn't help but hug Ayane and rub her head vigorously: "Ayane, you are so cute!"

Hearing Li Xin's praise, Ayane was overjoyed.

Ashin said I'm cute, Ashin likes me!

Chapter 739 Three Months

With the challenge looming, Li Xin went to Athena Asamiya's house that very night to seek advice from Chin Gentsai.

"'Second Heavenly Yama King'... This old ghost is so shameless, daring to challenge a junior!"

Zhen Yuanzhai was so angry that his beard stood on end.

For those in the martial arts world, challenges are the main theme. Who doesn't rise to the top by stepping on others? That's not surprising.

Generally speaking, it is the upstarts in the martial arts world who challenge the veterans. If the older ones challenge the younger ones, they will be ridiculed for bullying the younger ones.

Shiki Kōnosuke is about the same age as Chin Gentsai, and like Chin Gentsai, he is a renowned martial arts master. What qualifications does he have? What qualifications does Li Xin have? He went and challenged Li Xin, and issued such a formal challenge, even threatening Li Xin's relatives and friends. This is not just shameless, it's downright...shameless!

But despite the insults, if Seki Kōnosuke were someone who could be driven away by mere insults, then his nickname wouldn't include the words "King of Hell."

After a moment of contemplation, Zhen Yuanzhai said to Li Xin, "Xin, your current strength is among the top of the extraordinary experts, but compared to the peak extraordinary experts, you are still somewhat lacking."

"Master, I understand."

Li Xin nodded, knowing full well the gap between himself and a peak-level extraordinary expert.

Li Xin's two previous victories against Shi Xi Huang Wo Zhi Zhu were both due to a combination of circumstances. First, Shi Xi Huang Wo Zhi Zhu himself made tactical mistakes, and second, Li Xin's side had a bit of luck, which allowed Li Xin to defeat Shi Xi Huang Wo Zhi Zhu despite being weaker.

In terms of raw power, Li Xin was never nearly as capable as Shi Xihuang Wozhi.

However, now, through the sword intent left in the challenge letter, Li Xin knew that Shiki Huang Wuzhizhu's state was very different from before. He had entered an amazing realm that Li Xin could not describe or explain. If he fought him, Li Xin would definitely die.

Seeing that Li Xin had a clear understanding of himself and did not show any disrespect to the older generation of masters because of his outstanding strength at a young age, Zhen Yuanzhai was quite satisfied.

He stroked his beard and said to Li Xin, "A Xin, the so-called peak of the extraordinary is less a realm or level and more a state."

"state?"

Li Xin couldn't help but be curious.

He only knew that powerful figures like Chin Gentsai, the old witch, Tang Fulu, and Shiki Kō no Suke were extraordinary experts at the peak of the extraordinary realm, but he had never had a concrete concept of how strong one had to be to be considered at the peak of the extraordinary realm. Chin Gentsai felt that Li Xin was still far from the peak of the extraordinary realm, so he never explained this concept to Li Xin.

"good."

Zhen Yuanzhai nodded, then said to Li Xin, "When you integrate your own martial arts, expel the old and take in the new, and make every move and style a part of yourself, and your mind and body reach a state of 'clarity,' this is the pinnacle of the extraordinary."

Li Xin listened attentively; the teacher was emphasizing the key points, and Li Xin naturally dared not miss a single word.

“Generally speaking, it takes decades to reach this state, and what you lack right now, Ashin, is precisely that time.”

Zhen Yuanzhai believed that Li Xin would definitely reach this level in the future, or even take that crucial step and become an existence beyond the ordinary, but this was definitely not something that could be achieved in seven days.

If there are shortcuts to success in the realms of magic and supernatural arts, then in the realm of martial arts, any shortcut ultimately leads to a dead end. As Li Xin's master, Chin Gentsai would never allow Li Xin to take such a path.

After hearing Zhen Yuanzhai's description of the peak of the extraordinary realm, Li Xin knew that it would be extremely difficult for him, even more difficult than for ordinary extraordinary experts to reach the peak of the extraordinary realm.

Li Xin's current martial arts skills are extremely diverse, including internal skills such as "Wedding Dress Divine Skill", "Bright Jade Skill", "Three-Part Return to Origin Qi", "Thunderbolt Divine Skill" and "Mastery of All Laws Root Source Wisdom Scripture".

As for the techniques, aside from the original "Bajiquan", there are the three ultimate techniques of "leg, palm, and fist", "Eight Styles of Famous Swords", "Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique", "Buddha's Palm", "Six Gods Technique", "Extinction Emperor Fist", "Tiger Roar Emperor Fist", "Seven Limits", and the newly learned "Holy Spirit Sword Technique"...

These are all top-tier martial arts skills that ordinary people dream of, and each one is worth a lifetime of study for a martial arts practitioner.

Li Xin has learned so many unique skills in a short period of time. Although he can use them skillfully, integrating them into a coherent whole is definitely not an easy task, even with the "War God's Manual" as a general guide to coordinate the martial arts he has learned.

Time, this will take a lot of time, and the duel between Li Xin and Shi Xi Huang Wo Zhi Zhu is seven days later.

Seeing Li Xin's solemn expression, Zhen Yuanzhai reached out and pressed on Li Xin's shoulder: "Ah Xin, don't worry. I'll stand up for you on the other side, Shi Xihuang and Wu Zhizhu."

If he, as the master, doesn't stand up at a time like this, he might as well be dead.

He's not really too weak to fight anymore, you "Second Heavenly King of Hell," huh? Watch me beat you into a real King of Hell—to be the King of Hell in hell!

"Master!"

Li Xin was both moved and worried.

He already knew a great deal about Shiki Kōnosuke's strength through that challenge letter. Although he knew that Chin Gentsai's strength was unfathomable, the outcome of a fight against Shiki Kōnosuke was still uncertain.

"Ah-Xin, wait for me, Master will be right back!"

Zhen Yuanzhai walked out gracefully. Li Xin wanted to chase after him, but Zhen Yuanzhai had already disappeared. At the same time, Zhen Yuanzhai's voice came from all directions.

"Ah-Xin, don't follow me. Don't distract your master!"

Li Xin took a deep breath. He originally only wanted to ask Zhen Yuanzhai to teach him how to defeat Shi Xi Huang Wo Zhi Zhu, and did not want to drag Zhen Yuanzhai into this conflict.

It is true that Zhen Yuanzhai is a peak extraordinary expert, and his strength is no less than that of Shixi Huangwozhizhu. However, he is old after all. If an old man like him were to engage in a bloody battle with an expert of the same level, regardless of the outcome, he would easily damage his vital energy. How could Li Xin bear to let Zhen Yuanzhai do that?

Li Xin just didn't want to drag Zhen Yuanzhai into it. But how could Zhen Yuanzhai stay out of it after he found out about it?

After Zhen Yuanzhai left, he did not return until the next day.

Seeing Zhen Yuanzhai's pale face and weakened vitality, Li Xin exclaimed excitedly, "Master, what's wrong with you!"

Zhen Yuanzhai told Li Xin to calm down, saying, "A-Xin, don't get agitated!"

Catching his breath, Zhen Yuanzhai said to Li Xin, "Xin, where are Xiaoya and Quan Chong?"

"They went to school."

Li Xin said to Zhen Yuanzhai.

"That's good. It's best if they don't see me like this."

Zhen Yuanzhai breathed a sigh of relief, but Li Xin felt even more pained by his appearance. He quickly helped Zhen Yuanzhai up and said, "Master, sit down, I will heal your injuries right away."

As he spoke, he reached out to heal Zhen Yuanzhai's injuries with "Mingyu True Qi".

Zhen Yuanzhai grabbed Li Xin's hand and said, "Xin, you still have to fight Shi Xi Huang Wo Zhi Zhu later, so don't waste your true energy for me!"

Li Xin couldn't help but say, "Master, what time is it? I can't care about that now! Besides, even if I were in full strength, I would still be no match for Shiki Huangwozhi. I'm not short of a little bit of true energy, so let me heal you!"

To everyone's surprise, Zhen Yuanzhai, despite his apparent weakness, possessed astonishing strength, and Li Xin was unable to pull his hand away from Zhen Yuanzhai's grasp.

Li Xin hurriedly said, "Master, let me heal your injuries!"

"Cough cough!"

Chin Gentsai coughed a few times, covered his mouth, looked at the situation, paused for a moment, then coughed heavily a few more times, finally coughing up a mouthful of blood. He weakly said to Li Xin, "Xin, that old devil Shiki Kōnosuke has actually mastered the martial arts of the invincible number one master in Japan more than sixty years ago. His strength has greatly improved, and even I am no match for him..."

"In that case, Master, please let go and let me heal your injuries!"

Li Xin tried to pull his hand away, but found that Zhen Yuanzhai's hand was like cast iron, and no matter how hard Li Xin tried, he could not pull it away.

"Listen to me!"

Zhen Yuanzhai continued, "This is a kind of ruthless martial art. The more you give up, the stronger you become. Back then, when Wudi fought with a senior from the Central Plains, he gave up his sword and killed his son, eventually reaching the ultimate level and becoming the first near-god-level expert in Japan in a thousand years, defeating that senior from the Central Plains."

Li Xin was so engrossed in Zhen Yuanzhai's words that he forgot to heal Zhen Yuanzhai (nor could he), and couldn't help but ask, "Then what about that invincible one now..."

Invincible was a figure from over sixty years ago. With the strength of a near-god, he should still be alive, right? But why has he never heard of such a person?

"He committed suicide."

Zhen Yuanzhai replied.

"what?"

Li Xin was stunned for a moment.

"After reaching the pinnacle of martial arts, he was invincible and dedicated himself to the martial arts path, committing suicide."

Zhen Yuanzhai said.

Li Xin: "..."

Is this what it means to be heartless and ruthless, and to become stronger by sacrificing more? Not only did he abandon his sword and kill his son, but he even abandoned himself in the end. Does that mean that if we leave Shiki Kou no Suke unattended, he might just commit suicide one day out of a moment of madness?

Of course, Li Xin was just thinking about it. He was quite certain that even if Shiki Kōnosuke were to commit suicide one day in the future, it would definitely be after he had killed himself.

Seeing that Li Xin's attention had been drawn away and he no longer mentioned the matter of healing, Chin Gentsai continued, "I fought a match with Shiki Kou no Suke. Although I didn't win, it wasn't without its benefits. He promised me that the duel would be postponed for three months."

Seven days turned into three months? That's indeed a lot longer, but seven days isn't enough for Li Xin to grow into a peak extraordinary expert. Can three months be enough? Li Xin didn't have high hopes for that.

However, since Sei-ki Kō-no-suke injured Chin Gen-tsai, even if Li Xin is no match for him, he will definitely not let Sei-ki Kō-no-suke go so easily!

"Three months is indeed a bit short, but it gives us another glimmer of hope."

Zhen Yuanzhai said to Li Xin, "Xin, you have been practicing martial arts for too short a time, especially in these short two years you have learned too many divine skills and secret techniques. Even if you learn them, it will be difficult to integrate them. So what I mean is that I hope you will lock away your martial arts for the next three months and experience it as an ordinary person."

"To gain experience as an ordinary person?"

Li Xin wondered if this would allow him to further improve his strength.

"Yes."

Zhen Yuanzhai said to Li Xin, "Your strength has increased too quickly and you lack time to consolidate it. You could have had decades or even longer to complete this step, but you don't have that time now. So you can only take a shortcut, temporarily seal your power, and then reflect on yourself."

"Self-reflection..."

Li Xin thought for a moment and quickly understood Zhen Yuanzhai's meaning.

To reach the pinnacle of extraordinary skill, one must master all of one's martial arts. Li Xin's biggest problem right now is that he has too many martial arts and cannot integrate them into one in a short period of time. So he might as well set aside all of these martial arts, reflect on himself, and achieve "enlightenment" first before pursuing anything else.

This is definitely not as good as slowly settling down and naturally integrating all the martial arts into one, but in the current situation, we can only resort to tricks.

Li Xin nodded and said to Zhen Yuanzhai, "Master, I understand."

"You just understand."

Zhen Yuanzhai nodded and said to Li Xin, "Then, A Xin, you should set off as soon as possible."

Time waits for no one. Even with shortcuts, reaching the state of "enlightenment" in three months is not an easy task. Every second counts.

"Yes, Master. I will set off after making the arrangements."

Li Xin nodded.

Three months is neither a long nor a short time. He naturally needs to arrange everything before he can set off in peace. Moreover... if he fails to break through, the battle with Shiki-Kounosuke will be a certain death, and it might be the last time he sees his relatives and friends.

"Oh, right, Ashin."

Zhen Yuanzhai said to Li Xin, "Since it is a training exercise, it is not a simple trip. Otherwise, staying at home would be the same. What I mean is that you can go to some dangerous places and fight against the power of heaven and earth with your own strength to temper yourself."

Li Xin naturally wouldn't object to Zhen Yuanzhai's suggestion. He nodded and said, "Master, you are knowledgeable and experienced. Which places do you think have a harsher environment that can temper me?"

Zhen Yuanzhai paused for a moment, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated, but finally said, "Perhaps you could try to venture into the Tianshan Mountains."

"Tianshan..."

Li Xin thought for a moment and nodded, saying, "Yes, Master. If possible, I will try to go to Tianshan."

After Li Xin left, Zhen Yuanzhai, who was leaning against the bed, suddenly sat up, his face full of dejection. He murmured, "Xin, we martial artists must have the determination and will to face difficulties. Although I can help you solve this problem, there are times when I can't help you. So, I hope you will face this duel with your own strength first."

"This will be the biggest test you've faced since your debut. I hope you won't blame your mentor..."

....................................

Somewhere in the "Darkness," a base now reduced to ruins, only Shiki Kōnosuke sits cross-legged on the ruins, healing himself.

There was a huge fist print on his bare chest, three inches deep in the flesh, which looked quite horrifying.

Suddenly, Shiki Kōnosuke, who was healing himself, coughed up a mouthful of blood, and his breath became much weaker. He pressed his fist mark on his chest and muttered, "That damned drunkard, after all these years, not only has his strength not declined, but it has actually improved!"

The domineering internal force on the fist imprint raged in Shiki Kou no Suke's chest, preventing him from gathering his true energy. Forcing out this internal force would require a lot of time and effort.

"This injury will probably take at least two or three months to heal..."

Shiki Kōnosuke said unwillingly, "It seems that we can only do as that old drunkard said and postpone the duel with that kid for three months..."

Fine, let that kid enjoy himself for another three months!

Chapter 740 Farewell, Departure

"Ah-Xin, why do you suddenly want to go out for spiritual practice, and for three months at that?"

Lai Sheng Lei hugged Li Xin, her voice filled with intense reluctance.

The first person Li Xin said goodbye to was naturally Lai Sheng Lei. He stroked Lai Sheng Lei's beautiful face and said to her, "I have recently had some insights. In order to prevent these insights from disappearing, I want to go out and cultivate for a while. I'm sorry, little Lei, I can't stay with you for a while."