Little lady

John had watched the video records of each of the Emperor's matches multiple times and had gained a lot of insights. Even though he has not figured out a way to beat the legendary Emperor, he had learned a little bit of the Emperor's swordsmanship.

The Emperor's sword was not as flashy as the other swordsmanship styles in the empire and had no excess movements. It uses but a single swing to cut everything in its path. It felt less like a swordsman style, but more like an assassin's style. 

...

John got excited as he went out to do some of the forms of the Emperor's swordsmanship. It was already night and most of the prodigies have gone to sleep. Still, there were some of them continuing to practice. 

John went to look for a secluded spot and started to practice the Emperor's style. The more he swung his sword, the more he understood. The Emperor's sword was as simple as it could be, and it functioned in the form of the origin of the sword.