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Chapter 28 Fencing Essentials (Please vote and read on!)

The identity card that Chen Lai inherited contained the basic principles of flower swordsmanship.

Therefore, giving Lorena a simple swordsmanship instruction at this moment is not a problem... but if the instruction is given without protection, then the problem becomes more significant.

As is well known, ever since Boissiere invented the mask, which reduced the danger of fencing, the sport has been regarded as an aristocratic sport that "has some danger, but can demonstrate the courage of a knight."

The key word here is not noble or knight, but danger.

Although all the training swords in the fencing hall are special models with leather straps wrapped around their tips, they still hurt when they pierce a person, not to mention that beginners tend to use extra force due to nervousness.

Inside the fencing hall, Lorena hesitated to step onto the long carpet. She was a little hesitant. In the past, when she fought against Mr. Chen Lai, although she always lost, she would occasionally score points... Back then, Chen Lai was wearing full protective gear, but now it was as if he was wearing nothing at all.

"Don't hesitate. I'm not being arrogant. I went easy on you with your previous coaches to boost your confidence. Now that you've made progress, it's time to show you the true charm of fencing."

Chen Lai extended his right hand with a fencing sword, his hand slightly below his hip, the tip of the sword pointing upwards at a 45-degree angle, his left hand behind his back, striking an extremely relaxed pose.

Lorena is a competitive person. She doesn't think Chen Lai let her win in the previous lessons. Now that he's so arrogant, he's bound to suffer!

However, suffering is suffering, that's how it is for men who come to Paris. Surrounded by women, they lose all sense of who they are... Chen Lai needs someone to wake him up!
Stepping onto the long carpet, Lorena assumed the same pose as Chen Lai, their swords clashing, waiting for the referee to call "start".

The counter walked over and glanced at Chen Lai, who wasn't wearing protective gear. But then he thought that since it wasn't him who would be in pain, and he knew that Frey wouldn't give him an extra penny if he reminded him, he gave up and simply called for the start.

As practice began, Lorena went first. Like many beginners in fencing, she favored thrusting and attacking.

With one foot stepping forward, Lorena's sword was already quite far out. In fencing, a point is only scored by a "thrust"; slashing and dragging are considered unsportsmanlike and illegal behaviors.

Chen Lai moved his hand slightly, using an extremely slight force to deflect Luo Lina's sword. However, he did not rush to attack. Her forward steps were too large, and if he were to rashly thrust, it would easily lead to physical contact, which would be an absolute failure for a fencer who pursues "elegance".

So he slid back and lightly tapped Lorena's sword, signaling her that her attack had failed and that she should calm down and try again.

Lorena was not satisfied, so she changed her strategy. She took small steps forward, feigning a thrust, while actually gathering her strength for a second attack.

Chen saw through her plan and launched a sliding attack. The flustered Lorena tried to defend, but was lightly pricked because she was too slow. Her foil was inserted very shallowly into the hole in her fencing uniform, and the counter signaled to Chen to score.

In the second round, Lorena was determined to show her true skills, but there is an Arab proverb: it is best not to use your true skills when you are angry, otherwise others will know that you are not very good.

In this round, her attack was not even as fierce as in the first round. Chen Lai only made a feint, which tricked her into stretching her waist, and then she was stabbed in the shoulder by Chen Lai's sword.

In the third round, Chen Lai scolded her for being impetuous and demanded that she attack in the way he had taught her. Luo Lina calmed down and her attacks became more methodical. They fought for ten rounds in this round, with Luo Lina losing because she was struck in the hand by a sword.

……

In the final round, which was also the last set of today's one-hour practice session, Chen asked Luo Lina to defend while he attacked.

At this moment, Lorena was slightly out of breath. She had exhausted a lot of energy, and if Chen Lai attacked in a fierce manner, she would definitely not be able to withstand it. However, today Chen Lai was always so unpredictable. His attacks were not swift, but rather leisurely, like strolling in a garden. Every block and thrust forced Lorena to retreat.

Despite being on the defensive, Lorena was forced to launch an attack to reclaim space. The carpet wasn't infinitely long, and the person forced off the carpet still lost.

Unfortunately, whether on offense or defense, Luo Lina was no match for the man in front of her. Chen Lai remained calm and composed, his handsome mustache barely trembling, as he steadily forced Luo Lina into a dead end, ultimately forcing her to admit defeat.

"It's over, Coach York. You've won decisively. That's amazing skill. I assure you, even Master Yoda didn't have that skill when he was your age."

"I think you might want to try participating in the All-France Warriors Fencing Tournament. The champion can win a considerable prize... Then you won't have to work for such a stingy boss and receive such a meager salary."

The counter's drowsiness had long been jolted awake by Chen Lai's performance. As an expert, he knew how difficult it was to master such swordsmanship.

What a waste that someone like that works for a miser like Frey!
"Thank you for your compliment, I will consider it." Chen Lai said neither humbly nor arrogantly, and put his fencing back into its holster.

"That's amazing! How did you do that?" Lorena took off her mask and excitedly ran up to Chen Lai, humbly asking for his advice.

"If you had a martial arts master inside you who could control your movements, you might do even better than me," Chen Lai thought to himself.

Despite his inner grumbling, he still adopted the demeanor of a coach when facing Lorena: "Swordsmanship is a technique that trains both the body and the mind. Maintain an indomitable spirit and a cautious mind, and your attacks will be as sharp as mine, and your defense will be watertight."

"Of course, on this basis, you also need to hone your skills with sweat, tears and time to etch them into your blood."

After hearing this, Lorena's eyes practically sparkled... It was wonderful that her mother, Walter, had sent her to learn swordsmanship; she had met such a philosophical and handsome coach.

Chen Lai is different from all other coaches. He doesn't look at your body with a greasy and disgusting gaze. Even if you take the initiative to provoke him, you can only get his response of "Come on, let's fencing".

Perhaps it is precisely because of this seriousness and rarity that Chen Lai has become a sought-after figure at the Frey Fencing Hall.

Thinking of this, Lorena couldn't help but feel a little regretful. She secretly resented that her mother had only paid for one hour of the fencing hall. After she left, Chen Lai would still practice fencing with other ladies and young women. What kind of seductive and shameless women would they use to seduce this "pretty friend"?

For reasons unknown, Lorena extended an invitation to Chen Lai.

"Coach Yorke, do you have some time tonight? My mother has heard me talk about you a lot, but she has never been able to meet you... Perhaps you could do me the honor of coming to my house for dinner tonight?"

"Okay."

Surprisingly, Chen Lai readily agreed. This was not surprising, as he only had one month to seize every opportunity in the instance and expand his network.

He knew that a wider circle of friends would bring more secrets, and in an era where information was not readily available, conversations before and after meals meant shaping and summarizing the entire world.

And that's exactly what he needs.

(End of this chapter)