This world possesses both magic and martial arts (where martial arts are essentially equivalent to swordsmanship), yet they are two completely distinct sets of skills. For centuries, no one has truly mastered both magic and martial arts simultaneously, which means the concept of "dual cultivation of magic and martial arts" remains purely theoretical, far from becoming reality. The reason is simple and lies in the affinity for magic.

  Magic affinity is a crucial issue that one must confront upon reaching the practical stage of magic, while Qi is an essential skill for a swordsman, a prerequisite for becoming a true swordsman. Without Qi, one is merely a person carrying a sword, incapable of actual combat. Once a swordsman acquires Qi, they gain the ability to protect themselves with it, which inherently resists external invasions, including magical elements. Sorry, Qi treats them as invaders as well!

  The two forces conflict with each other. The higher the level of Qi, the stronger the resistance to magical elements, and the higher the level of magical proficiency, the more precise the requirement for magical affinity. If initially, the two could coexist vaguely, when one progresses to a certain extent, the other inevitably deteriorates. Maintaining practical value in both simultaneously leads to one outcome: neither the magic nor the swordsmanship being top-notch.

  Thus, while dual cultivation of magic and martial arts theoretically exists, individuals who practice it tend to pose the least threat. This phenomenon has been accepted by the world. So much so that when a master teaches their disciple and finds the disciple's magic affinity too weak, it's common to mockingly suggest, "You might as well switch to swordsmanship, or at the very least, try dual cultivation!"

  Yet, Liu Sen defeated Naka with his fists and wounded Grus with a wind bde.

  There should be no issue with the wind bde, but his fists must involve some novel magic, definitely not imbued with Qi. For if he practiced dual cultivation, it would be impossible for him to defeat either of them with any skill, let alone a fourth-level swordsman. This was Grus's thinking.

  Magic in this world is fascinating. Magicians who envy the physical capabilities of swordsmen will go to great lengths to find alternatives, such as using earth magic to thicken their skin, fire magic to enhance their strength, or wind magic to increase the speed of a particur limb. These auxiliary magics, when refined to a practical stage, are considered advanced magic.

  This young man is a wind mage, with speed as his additional skill. His speed far exceeds the ordinary, surely a form of advanced magic. As a young master, he must have access to special methods allowing him early mastery. Could such speed also generate immense impact force? And if so, has he consumed some miraculous medicine to prevent his arms from fracturing under such force?

  They didn't have much time to be astonished, but they knew they were defeated, completely without the means to fight back. A swordsman without his sword is like a tiger without its cws, his strength halved, not to mention Naka's right shoulder shattered and Grus's right chest broken in three pces, making even raising their arms extremely difficult.

  Leaning against a tree across from them, Liu Sen said with a smile, "You've lost!" His excitement naturally surged in waves. Both men were first-level swordsmen, among the elite on Wind God Isnd, yet he resolved them with a few punches and kicks, albeit with some tricks—sneak attacking Naka and misleading Grus with magic. Yet success is success, victory is victory! The combination of magic and his fists proved unexpectedly effective.

  Grus, struggling to sit up with a face full of despair, said, "You may proceed!" Their assassination attempt failed, their lives were in Liu Sen's hands, and death was inevitable. It was just a matter of how he would choose to torment them.

  Liu Sen sneered, "If I wanted to kill you, I would've crushed your heads with a single punch long ago. Why wait until now? I spared your lives because I have a few questions!"

  "Alright, I'll be honest..." Grus didn't finish his sentence before Naka suddenly sat up, shouting, "Grus, you can't speak!" With a swift movement of his foot, Liu Sen brought Naka down again and pointed at Grus, "Speak!"

  Grus responded, "What's there to hide after losing to the young master?... I'll tell you, we were all sent by the eldest son, Alto, to kill the young master on the road!"

  Naka stood up again, "Yes, we were sent by Alto, not of our own will. Please forgive us, young master!" He changed his stance, initially preventing Grus from speaking, now supporting him. Had that kick awakened him?

  "Alto said, as long as the young master is killed, the dragon turtle armor would be rewarded to me, and the gold coins to Naka. Upon our return, we would immediately be promoted to captain of the guard..."

  Liu Sen stared at them coldly, their eyes shining bright.

  Grus stopped speaking as Liu Sen pced a finger to his lips, signaling him to be quiet.

  Liu Sen smiled lightly, "I understand your intentions. Knowing death is unavoidable, you wish to take someone down with you, right? Or perhaps cause internal strife within Wind God Isnd, leading to chaos?"

  Grus's face paled slightly, and Naka looked dejected, neither escaping Liu Sen's sharp gaze. Liu Sen said, "No need for schemes. Just tell me about your pn. Compared to this, I'm more inclined to believe you are remnants of Nathan Isnd!"

  Had they cimed this on the ship, he would've believed them, but not now. Naka's reaction betrayed him.

  "You may proceed!" Grus sighed deeply, "I won't say anything!"

  Liu Sen's icy gaze fixed on them, both facing him calmly, their injuries seemingly irrelevant. After a while, Liu Sen suddenly said, "I know your plot!... A rebellion involving thirty-five isnds, right?"

  This was a sudden thought, the only logical conclusion. Having lived on Dragon God Isnd for nineteen years, isoted from the outside world with their cn extinct, it was improbable for any external force to await them. The only potential allies were the thirty-five isnds oppressed by Wind God Isnd.

  This statement shocked Grus and Naka, their bodies trembling. Grus's gaze darted to Naka, who, under his resentful look, shouted, "It wasn't me! I haven't told anyone!"

  Naka's reaction was enough. Although dark, he was not a schemer, something Liu Sen knew well. He sneered, "Really? Not even when you were drunk?"

  Naka's complexion turned ashen. Alcohol was his Achilles' heel. Despite strict self-control after losing his family and home, he couldn't abstain completely. Had he divulged his deepest secret during a drunken episode? He was uncertain.

  Grus sighed deeply, "Naka, my brother, we've lost, but..." turning to Liu Sen, "Young master, we haven't left Wind God Isnd for nineteen years, barely having the chance to contact them. The rebellion was just wishful thinking on our part... They are innocent!"

  "Even if they didn't actively participate, they are still a threat!" Liu Sen said, "If you don't want them to suffer because of you, then spill everything! First off... how do you pn to breach the dragon turtle's defenses?"

  "We... we opened a secret path on the cliffs of the northern isnd, which leads directly from the sea to the cliff..." In his account, Liu Sen was slightly surprised. This man indeed pnned big, managing to carve out a path on a hundred-meter cliff over nineteen years, working only half a day each year during Wind God Isnd's Wind God festival, when everyone was on the southern isnd, leaving the north retively empty.

  Should they successfully contact the thirty-five isnds, these people would quietly ascend from the north on the day of the May festival. Wind God Isnd's strength lies in its dragon turtles, mostly located on the southern seashore. Without the dragon turtles' assistance, Wind God Isnd's forces are not exceptional, certainly unable to withstand the selected troops from the thirty-five isnds. Once Wind God Isnd's inhabitants are eliminated, what use would the dragon turtles serve? Their plot had a chance of success!

  After Grus finished, Liu Sen suddenly sneered, "You're mistaken!"

  "We're not wrong!" Grus shouted, "United, the thirty-five isnds can indeed defeat Wind God Isnd, bringing peace and tranquility to the eight hundred miles of sea territory. Our failure now is the will of the heavens; I have nothing more to say!"

  "You're mistaken because you underestimated my grandfather!" Liu Sen said, "You haven't yet started contacting the thirty-five isnds, which is your only luck. If you had, I assure you, you'd all die, including those from the thirty-five isnds daring to partake in the rebellion!"

  Their complexions paled further. Liu Sen continued, "Did you really think your nineteen-year operation could escape everyone's notice? They've known all along. Do you know why grandfather assigned you two to accompany me? He intentionally gave you this opportunity to connect with those people, so he could eradicate all those harboring rebellion in one fell swoop!"