Big Tomorrow Next 50

page views:1 Publication date:2023-03-24

Chapter Fifty
: Who is the Mantis Stalking the Cicada
? The inn was deathly silent. Clusters of arrows, gleaming coldly, pointed at the three figures in the arena.
The young monk glanced around, smiled slightly, and tossed his straight sword to the ground, saying, "The initiative has been lost; this humble monk accepts defeat."
"Young Master…" Kato was unwilling, but under the young monk's disapproving gaze, he lowered his weapon.
Several constables took out chains and ropes and bound the two men tightly. Unlike Kato, who resisted fiercely, the young monk maintained a smile throughout.
Seeing the two captured, Ma Hao turned his face, coldly staring at Ding Shou. The constables also aimed their arrows at him. The young monk watched this scene with interest, seemingly detached from the situation.
Ding Shou took out a waist token from his robes and tossed it to Ma Hao. Ma Hao caught it and exclaimed in astonishment, "A Jinyiwei token!"
Ding Shou smiled silently, hands behind his back.
"So it's the Emperor's personal guard. No wonder you're so skilled," the little monk remarked, his expression also showing surprise. "
You, surnamed Ma, you're so late! Are you waiting to collect my corpse?" The charming man suddenly appeared out of nowhere, pointing at Ma Hao and cursing.
To Ding Shou's surprise, Ma Hao wasn't angry. He merely frowned slightly and said, "Since you sent a message to me, you should have waited for your men to arrive before taking action. Why were you in such a hurry
?" The charming man wasn't one to be lectured. Before he could retort, Ma Hao asked, "Have you suffered any losses?"
Upon hearing this, the charming man immediately flew into a rage. He strode up to the young monk, picked up a knife from the ground, pointed it at him, and cursed, "You damn Japanese devil! Where's Old Jiang? If you don't tell the truth, I'll chop you up!" Before he finished speaking, he raised the knife, displaying the aura of someone ready to slice the two bald men in half.
A figure flashed, and Ma Hao had already blocked her way. "Since they have surrendered, the law will punish them. You cannot use your personal power to punish them."
The charming woman's eyebrows furrowed, and she was about to lose her temper when Xiao Dazi helped Old Xu out. Old Xu rushed forward and bowed, saying, "Xu Pu, a secret agent of the Six Doors, greets Your Excellency."
"No need for formalities," Ma Hao asked with concern, "How are your injuries?
" "I lost an arm, but it won't kill me." Xu Pu was pale from blood loss, but he still managed a forced smile.
Ding Shou was surprised by the harmonious atmosphere between the soldiers and bandits. Pointing to several shop assistants, he said, "You... are all government officials.
" "We are on official duty, please forgive any deception." Xu Pu bowed slightly.
"No... no... I... am not..." Xiao Dazi waved his hands repeatedly.
"Of course you're not, you're someone I picked up from Ningxia." She slammed a knife deep into the table, then raised a leg and boldly stomped on the wooden stool, spitting out a curse. "I'm not a servant, I owe them from my past life."
Xu Pu smiled bitterly, even Ma Hao's square face couldn't help but smile. "Why bother? When have I ever shortchanged you on your reward?
" With a sneer, Wanrenmi crossed her arms, full of disdain. "Your little bit of silver isn't even enough for my cosmetics for a year."
"Sir," a constable leaned out from upstairs, "there's a corpse here."
"But Old Jiang—" Wanrenmi's expression changed, and she leaped upstairs, the others following behind.
The little monk smiled and shook his head, muttering to himself, "If you knew what was up there, you definitely wouldn't be in such a hurry to go up and see..." ********************* Upon seeing the horrific scene inside the room, everyone turned pale.
Wanrenmi stared at Ding Shou and said, "Official, who exactly is this fat Luo? He was far too ruthless." Ding Shou shook his head and said, "I want to know too..." Before he could finish, they heard Jang-geum's clear voice from outside, "Master..." "Jang-geum, don't come in." Ding Shou flashed out, blocking Jang-geum from entering the room. Jang-geum curiously peered inside, but Ding-soo's body completely blocked her view. She could only ask herself, "Master, is Uncle Luo in trouble? " "No, he's just missing. Maybe he sneaked away," Ding-soo explained with a forced smile. Jang-geum said "Oh," and took a tiger-eye cake from her bosom, handing it to Ding-soo, saying, "Master, you eat this." "My disciple is truly sensible. Go back to your room and rest," Ding-soo praised. Watching Jang-geum skip away, Ding-soo weighed the cake in his hand. Thinking of the bloody scene inside, he still didn't have the courage to eat it. The constables who had finished surveying the inn reported to Ma Hao: "Sir, of the five Japanese pirates inside, three are dead, two are captured, and one is unconscious. According to the innkeeper, a guest and the cook are missing." Ma Hao nodded and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Ding Shou, saying, "May I ask your name?" "My name is Ding Shou." Ma Hao's expression changed, and he said urgently, "The imperial envoy to Korea ?" Ding Shou smiled and nodded. Ma Hao was about to bow in greeting when Ding Shou stepped forward and stopped him, saying, "There are too many people here, Lord Ma, no need for such formalities." Ma Hao nodded slightly and whispered, "I heard that you, sir, have fallen ill and are unable to receive guests. Who would have thought to meet you here ?" Ding Shou said apologetically, "I am impatient with formalities and have made an excuse to decline. I apologize for making you laugh, Lord Ma." Just then, they heard the angry shouts of the "heartthrob" downstairs. The two hurried down and saw the proprietress pointing at the little monk and yelling, "You treat this pile of junk like a treasure, are you bewitched?" Kato was furious, but the little monk smiled without saying a word. Ding Shou and his companion looked at the table. The bundle had been opened, revealing three boxes inside. A long, narrow box contained a rusty sword; a square box held a broken bronze mirror; and the smallest wooden box contained a piece of ancient jade, though of poor quality. All these items together weren't worth much silver, no wonder the miserly proprietress had lost her temper. Ma Hao waved his hand, and the constables tidied up the inn. The body was set aside, clearing the central area, where the two monks were forced to kneel. "What are your names?" "Where did you take Old Jiang?" "What's in the bundle ?" The three asked simultaneously, pausing after each question, exchanging glances, and continuing: "Do you have any accomplices?" "Who is the unconscious person?" "Why weren't you poisoned? " The voices clashed again, each person harboring suspicions, asking different questions, but they all felt embarrassed to appear so disorganized in front of the Japanese. The little monk smiled slightly and said, "I am alone, and I cannot explain myself. It would be better if you all spoke one by one, and I will tell you everything I know." The charming one immediately blurted out, "Where did you take Old Jiang?"

The young monk frowned and said, "We never leave our rooms without permission. Whoever you speak of is none of our business."
"What exactly is in that bundle that you are so cautious about?" Ding Shou interjected.
"An ancestral heirloom, worthless to you all."
Ma Hao said in a deep voice, "What are your names, and why are you here?"
"This humble monk is Shi Gang. I admire the beauty of China, so I brought a friend here for a visit."
Ma Hao slammed his hand on the table and angrily said, "Nonsense! Then how do you explain the unconscious and injured person you accompanied
?" "A traitor in my family; I must find him and deal with him.
" The young monk answered calmly and methodically.
"Do you Japanese pirates have any accomplices?" Ma Hao continued to ask.
The young monk didn't answer, but after a moment's thought, said, "We have never committed any crimes since we came to the Central Plains. It is rather arbitrary of you to condemn us as pirates simply because we are Japanese."
Ma Hao sneered, "Sharp tongue! Then let me ask you, do you have ordination certificates if you claim to be monks? And if you claim to be law-abiding citizens, do you possess official credentials issued by the Ming Dynasty
?" The young monk was speechless, lowering his head and remaining silent.
Seeing that he couldn't get any information, Ma Hao ordered the two men to be taken to the woodshed and locked up. He then asked Ding Shou, "What is your opinion on this matter, sir
?" Ding Shou frowned and shook his head, saying, "Their words are full of falsehoods; there must be something fishy going on."
"What you say is quite true, sir. For over sixty years since the Zhengtong era, Shandong has not seen any Japanese pirates. Their appearance in this remote bay must indicate something of great importance," Ma Hao interjected.
Ding Shou nodded in deep agreement. It wasn't yet the time for Jiajing to abolish the maritime trade; the Japanese pirates were only seen once every ten or eight years. During Jiajing's forty-odd years in power, there were 628 pirate raids, accounting for 80% of the Ming Dynasty's pirate incursions. Considering the short distance between Shandong and Japan, the fact that Japanese pirates hadn't been seen for sixty or seventy years shows how rare these creatures were. Of course, Liaodong was also close to Japan, but the Japanese had a good habit: they remembered their defeats! From the seventeenth year of Yongle's reign, when General Liu Jiang of Liaodong annihilated the invading Japanese pirates, until the fall of the Ming Dynasty, Japan never set foot in Liaodong again.
"It seems we can only get some real information when that person wakes up," Ma Hao sighed. They had already examined the unconscious monk; he wasn't poisoned, but rather under a kind of sedative, and would wake up after a while.
Just as the two were discussing their next steps, a constable reported that the monk who had been unconscious had woken up. The room was dimly lit, making the sallow face of the monk sitting there appear even more ashen. Upon seeing Ding Shou and his companion enter, the monk straightened his robes and bowed deeply, saying
, "Hojo Hidetoshi thanks you two gentlemen for saving my life." "You're also a Japanese?" Ma Hao frowned. He had initially thought it was a Ming person being coerced by Japanese pirates, but it turned out they were fighting amongst themselves. Ding Shou gestured for him to remain silent, then said with a gentle smile, "Why did they capture you? What were the reasons? Please tell me ." Hojo Hidetoshi sighed deeply and recounted his ordeal. There's a saying, "A child without a mother"—the story is long, and the orphaned Hojo's plight is actually somewhat connected to China. Hojo Hidetoshi's ancestors were also very famous. After the third generation of the Kamakura Shogunate, real power in Japan rested with the Hojo clan, who held the reins of power. The Shogun and the Emperor were merely rubber stamps placed before the Hojo family. Just when the Hojo clan's power was at its zenith, a letter arrived from across the sea. Kublai Khan, the Mongol Khan, sent an envoy named Heidi, demanding that Japan follow the example of Goryeo and "establish friendly relations" with the Mongols, or else "war would be waged." Japan was stunned. Since Liu Rengui of the Tang Dynasty taught Japan how to behave after the Battle of Baekgang, Japan had taken the Tang Dynasty as its teacher, sending envoys to Tang China in an endless stream. For more than 600 years, Japan had always taken pride in admiring Tang customs, listening to Tang music, and reciting Tang poetry. After the fall of Tang, the Song Dynasty took over. Who knew what was going on with this Mongol who suddenly appeared? Japan and the Song Dynasty had frequent exchanges and a very close relationship. The Song Dynasty notes "Qingbo Magazine" record that when Japanese ships sailed into Song territory and encountered Chinese people, they would "select the most beautiful women from among the women on board to sleep with, and name them as 'breeding women'." Whether it was for the purpose of improving the breed or for organized prostitution, their pro-Song sentiment is evident. These barbarians who appeared out of nowhere caused Japan to sever diplomatic relations with the Song Dynasty and instead grovel before them. They have no right to do so. Kublai Khan was no saint. The Mongol Empire conquered countless countries and was invincible. Although he lost a few teeth during his southern invasion and even had the "Scourge of God" broken at Diaoyu Fortress (Sichuan, not Xiangyang, which Guo Jing defended), it didn't mean he would tolerate the humiliation of a small country. In 1271, Kublai Khan proclaimed himself Emperor of the Yuan Dynasty. In 1274, he established the Eastern Expeditionary Province, built 900 large warships, and dispatched 40,000 troops to cross the sea. Japan gathered 102,000 troops to meet him. As we all know, the Japanese army fought a bloody battle for a day and suffered heavy losses. The next morning, they found that they had suddenly won. A typhoon that night capsized more than 200 warships. The Yuan army eventually managed to return to land with only about 13,000 men. Japan called this the "Bun'ei War". The winners were bewildered, while the losers were even more disheartened. While Kublai Khan was busy destroying the Song Dynasty, he once again sent envoys to make Japan submit. Hojo Tokimune, the regent of the Hojo clan, acted decisively, beheading any Yuan Dynasty envoys who came, and chopping off two of them if two came. He ordered the guards of various countries to conscript men under the age of sixty-five, mobilize monk soldiers, and strengthen military preparedness, all in preparation for a rematch with Kublai Khan. In 1279 AD, at the Battle of Yamen, 100,000 Song Dynasty soldiers and civilians drowned themselves in the sea, marking the first time that the land of China had completely fallen into the hands of a foreign race. Japanese merchant ships passing through the area learned of the fall of the Song Dynasty and "the whole country observed a period of vegetarianism" (see the late Song Dynasty book "Iron Box History"; the "General Catalogue of the Complete Library of the Four Treasuries" compiled by the Qing Dynasty considers this to be a fabrication by people at the end of the Ming Dynasty, and I give a "thumbs up" to Ji Xianlin). Now that he had the means, Kublai Khan naturally would not let the Japanese devils have an easy time. In 1281 AD, the Yuan army split into two routes. One route, consisting of 40,000 troops, set off again from Korea; the other, for the sake of long-term planning, sent Fan Wenhu, a surrendered general of the Song Dynasty (the son-in-law of Lü Wende, who was heavily criticized by Jin Yong), to lead 100,000 troops from the Jiangnan garrison across the Yangtze River and march towards Japan. The two armies planned to converge in mid-June and launch a general offensive. However, Japan mobilized the entire nation to build stone dikes everywhere, leaving the Yuan warships with nowhere to land. At the same time, the Japanese naval commandos launched desperate attacks, delaying the Yuan army's movements. It wasn't until early July that the two armies finally joined forces. Just as they were preparing to launch the general offensive, a typhoon struck again. This time, the Yuan army suffered even greater losses, with only one-tenth of its 100,000 troops surviving. The Japanese called this the "Battle of Koan". A great general understands the timing of events and knows when to advance and retreat. The two defeats of the Mongols due to typhoons, besides demonstrating Kublai Khan's lack of talent in personnel management and the incompetence of his generals who were ignorant of weather and hydrology, are nothing to boast about. But the Japanese, those honest folks, don't think that way. So they turned typhoons into "divine winds," believing that the Japanese islands are protected by gods and will never fall. They believed that since China has fallen, the legitimate Chinese lineage should be in Japan. The Japanese island mentality swelled infinitely with such arrogance, to the point that during the First Sino-Japanese War, Japan's slogan for waging war against the Qing Dynasty was "Expel the barbarians." The war was won, and the joy was over, but the real trouble was what followed. The Mongol Yuan Dynasty was vast and populous, so losing a few hundred thousand men was like swallowing a fly—it was disgusting for a while, but the shogunate had exhausted its resources for these two wars. Many lower-ranking samurai went bankrupt, and countless farmers became bandits. But these weren't major issues. The Japanese people were resilient and hardworking; if they couldn't take it anymore, they could just sharpen their sticks and go up the mountain to rob people. They would never cause a nationwide peasant uprising that would shake the foundations of the country. But if the leaders at the top became restless, then the shogunate would be in real trouble.

As mentioned earlier, Japan was unreservedly pro-Song, so the Neo-Confucianism of Zhu Xi, which flourished in the Southern Song Dynasty, was also carried forward in Japan. This doctrine advocated the "Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues" and "righteousness and proper conduct," and proclaimed that it was a just act for the "king" who held the power to defeat the powerful "hegemon." In 1321, Emperor Go-Daigo ascended the throne. This child was ambitious from a young age and was deeply influenced by Neo-Confucianism. He was determined to restore the authority of the emperor. So he secretly gathered court nobles, local powerful families, and villains in the countryside to plot the overthrow of the shogunate. Unfortunately, this emperor was all talk and no action. Before the plan could even take shape, the shogunate learned of it and imprisoned him. Regardless of Emperor Go-Daigo's abilities, he must have been quite good-looking. He was imprisoned several times in his life, and each time he escaped by disguising himself as a woman.
Since relations had broken down, Go-Daigo directly established his own faction, calling on the anti-shogunate faction to attack the shogunate. With the help of influential figures, renowned generals of the time, such as Kusunoki Masashige and Nitta Yoshisada, supported the emperor. Thus, the anti-shogunate faction experienced several ups and downs, repeatedly winning against stronger opponents and gradually growing stronger. In 1333, Kamakura fell, and the last regent of the shogunate, Hojo Takatoki, only thirty-one years old, burned down his official residence and led 870 members of the Hojo clan in a mass suicide. Many samurai who had benefited from the Hojo clan for generations also committed suicide to follow their lord. The Kamakura shogunate, which had weathered 142 years of storms, thus came to an end.
With the emperor reclaiming power from the shogunate, Emperor Go-Daigo was riding high. He eagerly changed the era name to Kenmu and implemented his so-called "Kenmu Reforms." While the Neo-Confucian doctrines of hierarchy—ruler-subject, father-son, and so on—could be effectively used by rulers to indoctrinate their subjects, the emperor himself was delusional and believed them blindly, ultimately courting disaster. Guided by Neo-Confucianism, Emperor Go-Daigo considered himself the true ruler of Japan, with court nobles as his advisors and samurai merely their watchdogs. He reasoned that prioritizing civil over military affairs would have dire consequences, citing the fall of the Song and Ming dynasties as examples.
A large number of samurai dissatisfied with the reforms gathered around the powerful Ashikaga Takauji, urging him to overthrow the corrupt policies and recreate an era of samurai rule. Ashikaga Takauji was ambitious to begin with. Even as a confidant of the Hojo clan, he had rebelled against the shogunate. Now, naturally, he readily agreed and joined the rebellion.
The rebel army initially gained considerable momentum, but with renowned generals like Kusunoki Masashige present, Ashikaga Takauji suffered defeat after defeat. In the end, only two thousand men remained, and he fled to Bingo. Unfortunately, as long as the Kenmu Reforms continued, the Ashikaga would never lack cannon fodder. Kusunoki Masashige's memorials were ignored by the emperor, and Kyoto court nobles hindered him
at every turn. With no way to reverse the tide, Kusunoki Masashige led five hundred cavalry to confront
the Ashikaga rebels, who claimed to number five hundred thousand. He ultimately committed suicide in the Battle of Minatogawa.
With the fall of a great general and the imprisonment of Emperor Go-Daigo, Ashikaga Takauji installed Emperor Kōmyō as emperor. In any case, since the 89th emperor, the Japanese emperors have been alternating between the two houses of government. Unfortunately, Go-Daigo was unwilling to abdicate and once again disguised himself as a woman and fled to Yoshino, calling himself the "Southern Court" to denounce the rebellion. Emperor Kōmyō, who was based in Kyoto, was not to be outdone and called himself the "Kyoto Court." The two sides referred to each other as the "puppet court," and the era of the Northern and Southern Courts, with "two emperors in one day, one in the South and one in the North," had arrived.
For over fifty years, the Northern and Southern Dynasties fought fiercely, each side gaining an advantage at times. The government was in disarray, leading to a surge in Japanese pirates who constantly harassed the Chinese coast. However, China had undergone a dramatic change. Rising from humble beginnings, commoners from the Huai River region drove the Mongols back to the grasslands. Powerful figures like Zhang Shicheng and Chen Youliang were eliminated one by one, and even founding ministers who displeased the emperor were wiped out. Given Zhu Yuanzhang's temperament, he naturally wouldn't tolerate the Japanese pirates' disturbances. Therefore, he sent envoys to Japan to demand justice. The letter was extremely domineering: "Upon receiving this edict, if you are a subject, you will present a memorial to the court; if you are not, you will strengthen your defenses and secure your territory to ensure Heaven's favor. If you insist on being a pirate, I will order my navy to sail to the islands, capture them all, reach their country, and bind their king. Would this not be acting on behalf of Heaven to punish the unrighteous? Only Your Majesty can decide this matter.
" The Southern Court received this letter, then ruled by Prince Kaneyoshi, the eleventh son of Emperor Go-Daigo and the Grand General of the Western Expedition. This prince was not known for his good temper, and coupled with the lingering effects of the Mongol invasion, he was filled with suspicion and contempt for any Chinese envoy. Upon seeing the letter, he immediately executed and detained the envoy. Learning from the Mongol example, Zhu Yuanzhang decided to give the Japanese another chance, sending an envoy named Zhao Zhi with the letter. This letter was much more polite, but the problem was the poor choice of envoy—his surname was Zhao. The Japanese suspected this envoy was a descendant of Zhao Liangbi, who had previously served as an envoy to the Yuan Dynasty. Prince Kaneyoshi immediately ordered his men to execute him. Zhao Zhi spent considerable time explaining that he was not a descendant of Zhao Liangbi, and that the current leader of China had changed—it was the Ming Dynasty, not the Mongols. Only then did Prince Kaneyoshi realize his mistake and agree to send the envoy back to the Ming Dynasty to present horses and local products.
This matter would have been resolved amicably, but when Zhu Yuanzhang received the Japanese envoy, he inquired, "What are the customs of your country?" The Japanese envoy, who considered himself the legitimate successor to Chinese civilization, immediately launched into a poem: "Our country rivals the Central Plains, our people are like those of ancient times. Our attire follows Tang dynasty customs, our rites and music resemble those of Han dynasty rulers. Silver urns hold clear wine, golden knives slice white fish. Every year in February and March, peaches and plums bloom in the warm spring." His arrogance was palpable. Emperor Zhu, disgusted by his disrespect, refused to accept any tribute. Trading ships from Japanese daimyo were repeatedly rejected because they lacked official documents from the Ming dynasty.
With legal trade cut off, the number of Japanese pirates only increased. In the fourteenth year of Hongwu's reign, Zhu Yuanzhang again sent an envoy to Japan with a letter to the Japanese King, "Ryōkaku," making his message clear: if they continued to disobey, he would punish them.
Prince Kaneyoshi's reply to the emperor was a classic: "I have heard that the Three Sovereigns established the order of things, and the Five Emperors abdicated the throne. Only China has a ruler; how could barbarians be without one? The universe is vast and boundless, not the sole power of one ruler; the cosmos is expansive, divided among various states for their respective defense. The world belongs to all under heaven, not to one person alone. I reside in the distant and weak land of Japan, a small and insignificant country with fewer than sixty cities and less than three thousand li of territory, yet I am content. Your Majesty, as the ruler of China, the sovereign of ten thousand chariots, with thousands of cities and a territory of millions of li, still feels insatiable and often harbors thoughts of annihilation.
When Heaven unleashes its killing intent, stars shift and constellations change. When Earth unleashes its killing intent, dragons and snakes roam the land. When man unleashes his killing intent, heaven and earth are overturned. In the past, Yao and Shun were virtuous, and guests came from all corners of the world. Tang and Wu practiced benevolence, and tribute was offered from all directions.
" Your Majesty, I have heard that the Celestial Empire has strategies for waging war, and even a small nation has plans for defending itself. In literature, there are the moral teachings of Confucius and Mencius; in military strategy, there are the tactics of Sun Tzu and Wu Qi. I have also heard that Your Majesty has selected trusted generals and raised an elite army to invade my territory. My lands, with their marshes and islands, are well-prepared; how could I possibly kneel and submit? To submit is not necessarily to live, nor is to resist necessarily to die. If we meet before the Helan Mountains, let us play a game; what fear have I? If Your Majesty wins and I lose, it will satisfy the Celestial Empire. If I win and Your Majesty loses, it will be a disgrace to my small nation. Since ancient times, peace has been the best policy, and ending war is the best policy, to prevent the suffering of the people and alleviate the hardships of the common folk .
Therefore, I have specially dispatched this envoy to respectfully petition Your Majesty, hoping for your consideration.
The letter was neither humble nor arrogant, but polite and respectful. The phrase "Meeting before Helan Mountain, let us play a game" uses two classical allusions, which shows the Japanese people's immersion in Chinese learning. The Ming Dynasty had not been established for long, and Zhu Yuanzhang could not risk repeating the mistakes of Kublai Khan. In the end, he swallowed his anger and was afraid that Japan's bad temper would provoke his descendants again. Therefore, he listed Japan as a country that would never be conquered.
"In the vast ocean lies a wondrous land, where the people's customs and rituals are peculiar, and they cherish
fans. Their unfolding and retraction are neither straight nor conventional; valiant warriors, arrayed in battle, are the first to offer them.
The king is tyrannical, and the people are bandits, disturbing the lives of the living and incurring the wrath of gods and ghosts.
Gazing at the sky from the bottom of a well, what can they know? They cut their hair and wear mottled clothes for convenience.
Floating words often claim that the king wears many official robes, but when the thieves are apprehended, the king is unable to defend himself.
The king is unable to defend himself; folding his trousers and wearing loose cloth are truly difficult to verify.
The king and his ministers, barefoot, talk to frogs croaking, indulging in their desires and defying the laws of heaven.
Now we know that with a single stroke of the hand, the Japanese invaders will surely change in this way one day.
" This is Zhu Yuanzhang's "Journey to the Japanese Fans," which reveals the Hongwu Emperor's resentment, contempt, and unwillingness towards Japan. In fact, according to this plot development, Japan's good days should have ended when Zhu Di came to power. Zhu Di was no innocent child. His father banned the seas, and Zheng He's fleet made six voyages to the Western Ocean. The Hongwu Emperor established the capital in Nanjing, while the Yongle Emperor moved the capital to Beijing. Annam was also designated by Zhu Yuanzhang as a non-conquerable barbarian state, and he directly incorporated Annam into the Ming Dynasty's provinces. He even managed to seize the throne that his father had passed down to his grandson. If Japan wanted to court death, they could try.
But history played another trick, and the situation in Japan changed. Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the third shogun of the Muromachi shogunate, unified the Southern Court. Subsequent Japanese emperors were all from the Northern Court. However, the question of which of the two courts was the legitimate one has always been a topic of debate among the Japanese people. Until the Meiji Restoration, militarism rose, and because Kusunoki Masashige's image as a military god was deeply rooted in people's hearts, the emperor declared the Southern Court as the legitimate imperial family. In this way, he labeled his ancestors and descendants as rebels. This kind of logic is unique to the Japanese.
Now, let's talk about Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the comedic shogun from "Ikkyu-san." Aside from his constant scheming and plotting to kill Ikkyu in the anime, which is true, everything else is fictional. The Ashikaga shogun was a pragmatic and capable individual. He had affairs with all the women of Emperor Go-Enyū and deeply understood the importance of trade between Japan and China. Therefore, even during the reign of Emperor Jianwen, he worked hard to improve Sino-Japanese relations, strictly prohibiting border residents from invading the Ming Dynasty. He addressed the Ming Dynasty as "Subject of the King of Japan," and to show his sincerity, he captured more than twenty pirate
leaders
... The tribute was presented to the Yongle Emperor, Zhu Di, who displayed the magnanimity of a great power, ordering the "governance according to their laws." As a result, these twenty-odd unfortunate men were steamed alive on the Ningbo beach. This humble gesture pleased Zhu Di, who bestowed upon them the title "King of Japan, Minamoto no Michiyoshi" and a tortoise-shaped gold seal, ushering in a honeymoon period for relations.
After Ashikaga Yoshimitsu's death, the fourth shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimochi, felt that such tribute was beneath him and severed the tribute trade. However, the tides of history could not be stopped, and under pressure, the sixth shogun, Ashikaga Yoshinori, reopened the tribute trade. The Muromachi shogunate could have continued smoothly, but in 1467, the ōnin War broke out.
The war was initially sparked by the shogun's succession, with the armies divided into eastern and western forces based on their supporters. However, as the fighting progressed, both sides forgot about righteousness and honor, and old grudges resurfaced. In any case, if you joined the Eastern Army, your enemies would definitely join the Western Army, coming to conquer you under the banner of punishing
the rebels, and vice versa. Thus, one battle after another ensued, drawing most of Japan into this war. This ten-year war was utterly chaotic and irrational, a rarity in the world. The once prosperous Kyoto became a killing field, with not only the common people suffering, but also the imperial family, nobles, and even the shogunate unable to escape its calamity. Almost all the governors, their deputy governors, and local lords joined the fighting. A dozen or so governors, while nominally remaining neutral, used this opportunity to strengthen their armaments and expand their territories, gradually transforming themselves from old governor daimyo into new Sengoku daimyo. Meanwhile, deputy governors or local powerful families such as the Echigo Nagao clan, the Shinano Murakami clan, and the Hizen Arima clan began their journey of overthrowing their superiors, thus setting the stage for the Sengoku period in Japan…
Hojo Hidetoki, speaking of this, sighed deeply, filled with emotion.
Ding Shou and Ma Hao exchanged a glance, surprised by the chaos in that tiny island nation. Ding Shou asked, "Who are the people chasing you?"
"They are Ise Ujitsuna, son of Ise Moritoki, the lord of Odawara Castle, and his retainers. They are after the Three Sacred Treasures and the name of my Hojo family," Hojo Hidetoki said angrily.
"The Three Sacred Treasures of Japan are sacred objects held by successive emperors, and only by holding them can one be considered legitimate. They are the 'Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi,' the 'Yata-no-Kagami,' and the 'Yasakani-no-Magatama.' After the unification of the Northern and Southern Courts, the Southern Court handed the Three Sacred Treasures to Emperor Go-Komatsu of the Northern Court. Emperor Go-Komatsu, dissatisfied with Toshiyuki's monopoly of power, entrusted the treasures to his son, Ikkyu Munezumi, during a visit..."
"Wait a minute, you just mentioned Ikkyu!" Ding Shou was stunned.
"Indeed," Hojo Hidetoki nodded. "The Zen Master Ikkyu's name was Sōjun, a high-ranking Zen monk. His mother was from the Fujiwara clan, but because she favored the Southern Court, she was driven out of the palace by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. He was born outside the palace. Ashikaga Yoshimitsu tried to harm him several times but failed. Later, during the reign of Emperor Komatsu, he was frequently summoned to the palace. I didn't expect that you, sir, had also heard of the Zen Master's reputation."
Tōshū rubbed his forehead and waved his hand weakly. "It's alright, you can continue.
" "The Three Sacred Treasures enshrined in Ise Grand Shrine are now fakes. Shogunate samurai are secretly searching for the genuine articles. My ancestor, Tokiyuki, son of Takatoki, once led an army in Kanto to fight against the Ashikaga clan. When the Zen master Ikkyu Sōjun passed away, he entrusted the Three Sacred Treasures to me for safekeeping." Hojo Hidetoki said, slamming his fist on the bed in anger. "I didn't expect that scoundrel Ise Moritoki would find out.
Ise Shinkūrō Moritoki, of lowly birth, undermined his superior as a retainer of the Imagawa clan, killing Horikoshi...
" "Chachamaru, son of Kubo Masatomo, has seized control of Izu Province. Insatiable, he waged a war of no mercy, invading Sagami, occupying Odawara Castle, and aspires to replace the Uesugi clan as the ruler of Kanto. He is eager to return the Three Sacred Treasures to the shogunate in exchange for a legitimate title of guardian daimyo, and even intends to impersonate a descendant of the Hojo clan to gain a righteous cause."
Ding Shou scoffed dismissively, "The Hojo clan has been extinct for nearly two hundred years; what righteous cause can they still claim?"
"My lord, you are mistaken," Hojo Hidetoki said, his face flushed. "The Hojo family originates from the Taira clan, possessing the true blood of the imperial family. This lineage is deeply ingrained in the hearts of the samurai; how can it not constitute a righteous cause?
" The Japanese emperors were said to be of an unbroken lineage, with countless descendants. The Ming Dynasty had only been around for a few years, yet the annual stipends for the imperial vassals had become a heavy burden, and the Japanese imperial family naturally could not afford it (the Qing Dynasty, which used the resources of the entire nation to support millions of bannermen, was an exception). Thus, starting with Emperor Saga, the surname "Minamoto" was bestowed upon princes of lower status. Later emperors followed suit, bestowing the surname "Taira" upon the grandson of Emperor Kanmu. Subsequently, the Seiwa Genji, a descendant of Emperor Seiwa, the Uda Genji, a descendant of Emperor Uda, and the Murakami Genji, a descendant of Emperor Murakami, and so on, appeared one after another.
Although their social status was lowered, their lineage remained noble in the eyes of the Japanese. The Sengoku warlord Ise Moritoki once said, "In the past, the Genji and Taira clans coexisted in the imperial court; during the Hōgen and Heiji Rebellions, the Genji clan weakened, and the Taira clan seized power; during the Jōshō and Yōwa eras, the Genji clan rose again; the Genji clan perished after three generations, and the Taira's Hōjō clan took over and ruled the land; the Hōjō clan lasted nine generations before being destroyed, and the Genji's Ashikaga clan emerged victorious. This shows that the power of the samurai was a matter of destiny, alternating between the Genji and Taira clans. After the death of Lord Mochiuji of Kamakura, real power in Kanto fell into the hands of the Uesugi clan, who originated from the Fujiwara clan. What qualifications did they have to become the leaders of the samurai class?" Therefore, Ise Moritoki, filled with ambitions to dominate Kanto, desperately needed to bring Hōjō Hidetoki under his wing and endorse his claim to power.
After listening to Hojo Hidetoki finish speaking, Ma Hao pondered for a moment and said, "The things in that bundle are the Three Sacred Treasures you mentioned."
"That's right. There was nowhere to stay in the sixty-six provinces of Japan, so I smuggled myself to Ming China. Because of the custom of shaving one's head in my country, I disguised myself as a monk and took refuge in Ashoka Temple. Unexpectedly, pursuers followed and I was captured. Fortunately, you gentlemen rescued me; I will never forget it," Hojo Hidetoki said gratefully
, tears streaming down his face. After comforting Hojo Hidetoki for a few moments, the two came out. Ma Hao said with a solemn expression, "This matter is more serious than I initially thought; it may have to reach the Emperor's ears for a decision by the court."
Ding Shou nodded and said, "In any case, the Three Sacred Treasures and Hojo Hidetoki must not be lost."
"Rest assured, sir, this is my duty; I will arrange everything properly," Ma Hao replied. Inside the woodshed, Kato, bound hand and foot, struggled incessantly, while Ise Ujitsuna remained silent with his eyes closed.
Suddenly , the woodshed door rattled, and he opened his eyes to see the Ming official standing before him, hands clasped behind his back. Ma Hao stared intently at Ise Ujitsuna and said sternly, "That person has awakened." Ise Ujitsuna showed no surprise, only a soft "Oh. " Ma Hao paused, then continued, "I find it strange that you have both the people and the goods in your hands. Why not leave sooner, instead of lingering here?" Ise Ujitsuna chuckled, "It is said that the proprietress here has a boat that can help people go to sea. Perhaps we need her help."

Ma Hao chuckled and shook his finger, saying, "First, this Penglai Inn is actually empty. This news is merely bait to lure desperate bandits into a trap. I don't believe this news can reach Fusang. Second, you've been here for two days, keeping a low profile, yet you've never mentioned going to sea..."
Ma Hao bent down close to Ise Ujitsuna, staring intently into his eyes as he uttered, "This only shows that you're not worried about ships going to sea; you're just waiting for your accomplices to arrive."
Kato's expression changed drastically, and Ise Ujitsuna's eyebrows seemed to twitch involuntarily.
Ma Hao straightened up smugly. "It seems I guessed right."
Ise Ujitsuna, seemingly possessing a maturity beyond his years, quickly regained his composure and said calmly, "In that case, I congratulate you on your new achievement, sir. I wonder if you intend to wait here passively or send word to the Governor-General of the Japanese to send troops to assist?"
"I need not trouble you with what I do," Ma Hao said, turning to leave.
Ise Ujitsuna called out loudly, "I'm merely curious, what percentage of the credit will you receive afterward?"
Ma Hao paused, then quickly walked away.
As the wooden door slammed shut, Kato asked worriedly, "Young Master, what if he sends reinforcements? What will we
do?" "Kato," Ise Ujitsuna smiled slightly, "there's a saying in Tang China: 'The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.' This Tang man is driven by self-interest..."
********************
Back in his room, Jang-geum was already fast asleep. Ding Shou unfolded the three divine artifacts under the lamp, examining them closely. After a long while, he still couldn't find anything unusual about them. In the end, he could only conclude that the Japanese were ignorant and treated all sorts of junk as treasures.
The door creaked open, and someone pushed it open. "Oh, my lord, why aren't you sleeping in the middle of the night? What are you doing fussing over this pile of junk?" The voice was sickeningly sweet. Ding Shou didn't need to look up to know who had entered.
Looking up, he saw a stunningly beautiful woman with delicate features, fiery red lips, and sparkling almond-shaped eyes. Her long, flowing pink silk dress trailed on the ground, clearly the result of meticulous makeup. Her already striking beauty was now a perfect 12. Ding Shou couldn't help but chuckle, "The night is cold, and I can't sleep alone. I need to find something to do. But the proprietress is still restless, getting all dressed up to see someone."
A string of silvery laughter rang out, and the woman, carrying a fragrant breeze, rushed to Ding Shou's side, putting her arm around his shoulder. "A woman
dresses up for the one she loves," she said, "Why ask such an obvious question, sir?" Gently stroking the smooth hand on his shoulder, Ding Shou said calmly, "To have the proprietress's favor is my greatest fortune
." "I knew you were so charming, sir," the woman breathed softly, her hands reaching for Ding Shou's waist, but he firmly grasped them.
The charming woman gently nibbled at Ding Shou's earlobe, murmuring, "What, are you, sir, a recluse who refuses to yield to men, or a virtuous
man who remains unmoved even with a woman in his lap?" "A man who remains unmoved even with a woman in his lap isn't a gentleman," Ding Shou said, enjoying the warm breath she exhaled, his eyes closed.
"Then what is it?" the charming woman asked curiously.
"Impotence," Ding Shou said with a strong tug, lifting her lithe body. He turned and pulled her into his arms.
The charming woman felt a hot, thick object pressing tightly against her full, round buttocks. Even through several layers of clothing, the burning sensation made her tremble. A liquid seemed to flow from her vagina, soaking her thin underpants.
The charming woman's cheeks flushed red as she breathed heavily, "My lord must not have such a hidden ailment." With that, she wrapped her legs around Ding Shou's firm waist and rubbed her beautiful buttocks together.
Ding Shou clearly felt the soft, elastic flesh of her buttocks in his lower body, and said with a bitter face, "But I'm afraid."
The charming woman twisted her body, resting her head on Ding Shou's shoulder, and whispered in his ear, "Afraid, afraid I'll eat you up.
" Ding Shou gently sniffed her fragrant shoulder and nodded, "That's right, I'm indeed afraid of being eaten alive by the proprietress, ending up like Feng Mengxiong."
The charming woman's expression changed, and she was about to struggle, but Ding Shou smiled and said, "Proprietress, don't move anymore. If you lose control of your strength, you might hurt your body."
The charming woman's expression suddenly changed, and she realized that Ding Shou's fingers, which were supporting her back, were pressing on her "Mingmen" acupoint. She chuckled and said, "My lord, you're overthinking it. Feng Mengxiong has committed many evils and deserves to die. I'm merely acting on behalf of Heaven.
" Close to her rounded earlobe, Ding Shou whispered, "And then you let me eat him afterwards, how do you explain that?
" The beautiful woman gently rubbed her cheek against Ding Shou's, and the charming woman chuckled, "This is a world where people eat each other. You gentlemen were starving at the time, so I had no choice but to make do. The living are always more important than the dead, aren't they?"
"Thank you for your concern, I'm flattered," Ding Shou paused, then added, "If it weren't for the two throwing knives hidden in your sleeves, I would be eternally grateful."
The charming woman gave a seductive laugh, her sleeves fluttering as two willow-leaf throwing knives embedded themselves in the table. "I offered myself to you, but you always kept me at arm's length. Are you satisfied now ?
" He spun her around, slamming her against the wall. The charming woman cried out, "My lord, be gentle! Don't you know how to cherish a beautiful woman?"
Ding Shou pressed the woman against the wall, freeing one hand to climb up and roughly knead her full breasts, eliciting a soft moan from her. "Boss lady, you'd better say what you're thinking now, lest I take advantage of you and then deny it," Ding Shou said with a smile, playing with her ample bosom.
Breathing hot air, the woman whispered in Ding Shou's ear, "Just now, the wind blew something into my ear. That Hojo guy said these scraps of metal are Japanese national treasures. If you, sir, would be willing to give me these junks..." With a giggle, the woman's nimble tongue traced along Ding Shou's earlobe, "I will definitely satisfy you, sir..." "
You want to collude with the Japanese pirates?" Ding Shou's voice turned cold.
"I'm a woman, and what woman doesn't love money? I just want to do some business with these Japanese. Don't worry, it's just a loan. I'll return it to you in its entirety afterwards." The charming woman's eyes sparkled, her gaze alluring.
Ding Shou didn't answer. He gently tugged at her silk skirt, and the dress clung to her smooth, beautiful body as it fell silently down. Looking at her slender waist, delicate shoulders and arms, high breasts, and two erect nipples on her pale pink areolas, her long, straight legs, he couldn't help but exclaim, "People often say a beauty can be exchanged for an empire, and it's certainly true."
The alluring woman gazed at Ding Shou with tender affection, twisting her seductive figure, her face flushed with desire, and asked, "Would you be willing to exchange it, sir
?" Ding Shou picked her up again, staring into her alluring eyes, and smiled, "I wouldn't even trade a brick for me." Before he finished speaking, he kicked open the door and tossed her body outside.
With a soft cry from the "Heartthrob," a voluptuous, alluring body was tossed about. In mid-air, the slender waist twisted, changing direction, and the body plummeted headfirst to the ground.
Even after the door closed, the shouts and laughter of the constables outside, along with the "Heartthrob's" curses, could still be heard: "What are you looking at? Haven't you ever seen your mother before? Look again and I'll gouge your eyes out!"
Ding Shou chuckled, then frowned and rubbed his aching groin. This woman was fiery and alluring, truly a vixen. If he weren't so wary, he would have loved to devour her. He turned to look at the still-sleeping Jang-geum and couldn't help but lament: "Little Jang-geum, when will you grow up!"
Suddenly, a cold snort came from outside the window. The sound wasn't loud, but it was clear and distinct. Ding Shou hurriedly rushed to the window and saw a gray shadow running rapidly forward. Ding Shou
pressed the window lattice and also
flew out, following the shadow.
They ran straight to a dense forest, where the gray shadow disappeared without a trace. Ding Shou wondered if it was a feint, when suddenly he felt a sharp energy surge from behind him.
Without thinking, Ding Shou used the Heavenly Demon Illusionary Steps, drifting away in a strange manner. The energy grazed past him, only snapping a few small trees about the size of a bowl behind him.
"Who dares to do such a despicable thing?" Ding Shou shouted angrily.
A figure emerged from behind a tree, his hair and beard disheveled, his expression forlorn and dejected, carrying a kitchen knife. It was none other than the missing mute, Old Jiang.
"You...are...a...person...of...the...Demonic...Sect," the mute suddenly spoke, his voice hoarse and strained, clearly having not spoken for many years.
"Old Jiang! Who...are you?" Ding Shou asked hesitantly, startled.
"Whose successor are you in the Demonic Sect?" Old Jiang ignored his question and continued, enunciating each word clearly.
Although his tone was stiff and cold, it lacked murderous intent. Ding Shou secretly thought that this old man might be a surviving old monster from the Demonic Sect. Since he had already revealed his whereabouts, he might as well take a gamble. So he took out the Heavenly Demon Token from his robes, raised it high, and said, "I, Ding Shou, the current Heavenly Demon of the Demonic Sect, am here. Seeing the Heavenly Demon Token is like seeing the Demon Lord."
Old Jiang stared blankly at Ding Shou and the Heavenly Demon Token he held in his hand, without any expression or movement. Ding Shou felt a little embarrassed, thinking that not everyone in the Demonic Sect was as obedient as Mei Liangqi. He wanted to put it away, but it would be too embarrassing. He was in a dilemma
. At this moment, Old Jiang slowly knelt down and said in a deep voice
, "Disciple of the Demonic Sect, Seven Kill Demon Blade Jiang Duan Yue, pays respects to my lord." Ding Shou finally felt relieved. It turned out that the old man was just a little slow to react. No wonder. He smiled and said, "Senior Brother Jiang, I pay my respects." "
Where is my lord?" Jiang Duan Yue asked.
"Ah, it's a long story," Ding Shou began, recounting the entire tale of his apprenticeship. He even managed a few tears when he spoke of Zhu Yunwen's impending death.
Jiang Duan Yue listened silently, then stared at him strangely after he finished, making Ding Shou uneasy. Suddenly, Jiang Duan Yue spoke, "Since you've inherited the lord's mantle, is the *Heavenly Demon Strategy* in your possession?"
Ding Shou sensed something was amiss but still forced a reply, "I've only received instruction from my master and haven't seen the actual *Heavenly Demon Strategy*."
Jiang Duan Yue nodded and abruptly said, "Then tell me the incantation for the Heavenly Demon Formless Great Art."
Ding Shou looked troubled and said, "Senior Brother Jiang, the Heavenly Demon Formless Great Art is the foundation of all the demonic arts within the Heavenly Demon Strategy. Only a Demon Lord can practice it. Please don't put me in a difficult position.
" Jiang Duan Yue cackled, startling countless birds in the forest. His laughter abruptly ceased, and he said sternly, "In the Demonic Sect, the strong are respected. I just knelt out of gratitude to my lord, not because I was kneeling to a mere child like you!"
This old man was about to turn hostile and force his way in. Ding Shou took a step back and said coldly, "Since I have received the mantle of the Heavenly Demon, I have the responsibility to lead the Demonic Sect. Senior Brother Jiang, are you attempting insubordination
?" "Heavenly Demon!" Jiang Duan Yue stepped forward and said, "The Free Heavenly Demon, lawless and unruly, when did you fall to the level of a court lackey, obeying the orders of others
?" Ding Shou also sneered, retorting, "The Seven Kill Demon Blade, bloodthirsty and arrogant, why do you willingly become a slave, performing the work of a cook
?" Jiang Duan Yue's expression changed, and he said sternly, "Will you give it to me or not
?" "I cannot comply.
" Holding the cleaver in a reverse grip, with the back of the blade pressed against his arm, and raising it in front of him, Jiang Duanyue said, "Very well, I'd like to see how much of the master's true teachings you've learned in your three years of training."
Ding Shou, seeing the cleaver in his hand, felt as unfathomable as a deep pool or a towering mountain, and immediately focused his attention, preparing to face the "Seven Deadly Slashes of the Demonic Blade" that had made him famous.
The two faced each other across the air, their auras surging forth and filling the surrounding area. Birds in the forest, forced by the killing intent, hovered in the air for a long time. Suddenly, an aged voice rang out, "Old Monster Jiang, you're so old, bullying a child! Have you no shame
?" The voice was elusive, seemingly omnipresent. Ding Shou searched intently but couldn't find its source. In a duel between masters, there was no room for distraction. In that moment of carelessness, Jiang Duan Yue's tall figure leaped up, transforming into a gray lightning bolt, plunging down. Accompanying him was a chilling blade of light, like a bolt
of
lightning… ********** ...
Suddenly, a small door cracked open in the wall, and the alluring woman dressed in black stealthily emerged. Seeing only Jang-geum on the bed, she was puzzled but relieved. She tiptoed to the table, and looking at the three divine artifacts laid out there, she couldn't help but reveal a charming smile…
Inside the woodshed, Ise Ujitsuna and Kato, bound hand and foot, leaned against the wall with their heads bowed. Suddenly, a flash of light appeared, and Ise Ujitsuna looked up sharply. He saw a man in black approaching them, holding two short blades. A slight smirk played on Ise Ujitsuna's lips, his face full of smugness…
In the inn's backyard, three Japanese corpses, covered with white sheets, were laid out in the center. Two constables in blue robes stood under the eaves, hands on their swords, their eyes gleaming, unwavering. They were unaware that two ropes were slowly winding down from above
… Inside the main hall, Ma Hao sat alone, holding a chess piece, his thick brows furrowed as he stared at the chessboard. His thoughts raced. He had brought only the best of the Six Doors, and his arrangements were impeccable, allowing him to wait in comfort. He was certain that the Japanese pirates would be captured in one fell swoop. Yet, why did he feel a sense of unease? Had he made a mistake by not seeking reinforcements in time?
His mind was in turmoil, and he lost interest in the game. He tossed the chess piece aside and paced back and forth in the hall, hands clasped behind his back. He didn't notice that the shadows of the beams and pillars on the floor seemed to have suddenly come to life, stretching out limbs and creeping silently behind him.
Ma Hao seemed to sense something and abruptly turned around. The shadow had returned to its original shape as a pillar. As he turned away, the shadow, like a nimble snake, swiftly slithered behind him…
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
The night was cool and still, the waning moonlight casting its pale glow upon Ding Shou, who stood there dumbfounded. Behind him stood the towering figure of Jiang Duan Yue.
Jiang Duan Yue's face was like frost as he stared at the figure hidden behind the giant tree he had cleaved in two. He had
a broad face and a wide mouth, his hair and beard as white as silver. His old gray robe could not conceal his imposing presence, yet his face wore a nonchalant smile.
Although decades had passed, Jiang Duan Yue still recognized the man immediately, "Du----Wen----Tian!"
Du Wentian laughed loudly, "You still have the nerve to recognize me? What, after all these decades, the Seven Kill Blood Blade has been replaced with a kitchen knife."
"Blood Blade or kitchen knife, as long as it can kill, it's a good blade," Jiang Duan Yue said coldly.
"Oh ho, you old man, trying to kill me to silence me?" Du Wentian shouted, his eyes narrowed.
"What's there to silence?" Jiang Duan Yue scoffed.
"Old Jiang, you're getting old and your memory's failing, so let me give you a heads-up." Du Wentian held up three fingers and said, "More than thirty years ago, I heard you conquered the Twelve Linked Forts, and I held a banquet for you at the Yellow Crane Tower to congratulate you. Do you remember?"
Jiang Duan Yue turned his head to the side, not responding.
"I know you're too ashamed to say it," Du Wentian continued rambling, "After we finished drinking, we ran into that scoundrel couple, the Heavenly Immortal Couple. I wasn't afraid of them even if I fought them alone, but I drank too much that day. But if I had you by my side, I might have a chance of winning. And then what the hell did you do that day..."
Jiang Duan Yue's face turned ashen, and he remained silent.
Du Wentian spat on the ground, pointed at Jiang Duan Yue's nose, and said, "I was risking my life with Leng Peng, and you were flirting with that slut Qin Tong, even singing her little tune! I warned you at the wrong time, and you turned around and left, leaving me almost stranded! You bastard who values women over friends..."
Jiang Duan Yue roared, his blade flashing like thunder. Du Wentian dodged the lightning strike, but the residual force still snapped a row of tree trunks.
"What, caught red-handed, getting angry?" Du Wentian winked.
"Damn it! That day, I was under the spell of that bitch's love flute, completely disoriented, and I don't even know what I was doing. I plunged headfirst into the Yangtze River. If I hadn't been rescued, I'd be a water ghost by now, and even my Blood Blade is gone! Who can I complain to?" Jiang Duan Yue probably hadn't spoken so much in years, his chest heaving, clearly furious.
"Why didn't you help in the Battle of Blackwood Cliff? Ha, everyone says that Qin Tong got the information. Did you slip it up in bed?" Du Wentian persisted.
With a furious roar, Jiang Duan Yue unleashed a series of swift, snow-white slashes, failing to strike Du Wentian's ghostly figure but felling numerous trees. As he swung his blade, Jiang Duan Yue cursed, "Is everyone as shameless as you? You still have the nerve to show your face after such a crushing defeat? I'll chop you to death, you shameless old bastard..."
Ding Shou, with the good-natured attitude of a bystander, watched the two old madmen's antics from a distance, increasingly convinced that the Demonic Sect was a bottomless pit, a breeding ground for senile dementia and mania. Just as Ding Shou was considering whether to go and offer some advice, he suddenly noticed two unsteady figures.
"Old Xu, Little Da Zi, what are you doing here?" Ding Shou rushed forward and asked.
As soon as Xiao Dazi saw Ding Shou, he burst into tears. Old Xu handed the bundle in his hand to Ding Shou, who opened it and found the Three Divine Artifacts inside. He asked in surprise, "What happened?
" "Grandpa, save...save...the boss...madam!" Xiao Dazi sobbed. After stretching his wrists, which were numb from being bound for so long, Ise Ujitsuna smiled and said softly, "You've worked hard, Kikujumaru." The masked man in black behind him
, wielding twin blades, bowed and said, "It's my duty." His voice was quite young; after a slight pause, he said shyly, "Now that I've entered the Dao, please address me by my Dharma name, elder brother." Ise Ujitsuna chuckled gently and said with a touch of indulgence, "Alright, Gen'an..." A tall, thin old man holding a rattan cane entered, nodded to Ise Ujitsuna, and said, "We are late, causing the young master to be imprisoned. Please punish us, young master." "Master arrived earlier than I expected; you must have had a long journey," Ise Ujitsuna smiled. "It was due to my lack of secrecy that I was captured; it has nothing to do with anyone else. " The old man bowed and said, "Thank you for your forgiveness, young master." Kato rushed in, anxiously saying, "Young master, the Three Sacred Treasures haven't been found." Ise Ujitsuna's expression changed, and he quickly walked out. Inside the hall, the stench of blood filled the air. Ma Hao and Hojo Hidetoki were bound and thrown to the ground, while Chojin was held hostage by a masked man in black. Every now and then, men in black dragged the cold corpses of constables into the room. Ma Hao's expression was filled with grief; he couldn't bear to look and lowered his head until a pair of straw sandals appeared before him. "My lord, the situation has reversed in the blink of an eye. You didn't expect that, did you ?" Ise Ujitsuna said with a smile. Ma Hao snorted coldly, remaining silent. "We dare not be enemies of the superior nation. If you return the Three Sacred Treasures to their rightful owners, we will release you. How about it?" Ise Ujitsuna's expression was sincere. With a cold laugh, Ma Hao said sarcastically, "Do you take me for a three-year-old child?" "Why do you say that, sir?" Ise Ujitsuna asked, puzzled. "If the Shandong pirate raids reach the Emperor's ears, the court will surely send an envoy to question the Japanese King. How can a mere lord of a city bear such a responsibility? In any case, I will be silenced. Why deceive me with such nonsense?" Ise Ujitsuna nodded in agreement, praising, "Your Excellency is wise. If I hadn't been blinded by greed, I wouldn't have gained this advantage." "You—" Ma Hao was filled with indignation. Ise Ujitsuna ignored him and approached Hojo Hidetoki. "Hojo-kun, my family sincerely invites you. If you agree, we will not hesitate to offer generous stipends to our retainers." Hojo Hidetoki sneered, "If the Ise family changes its name to the Hojo clan, then who am I ?" Ise Ujitsuna blinked. "I will bestow upon you another name," he said after a moment's thought. "How about Tanaka ? Tanaka Hidetoki, a good name." Hojo Hidetoki stubbornly turned his head away. Ise Ujitsuna smiled and said, "You will agree." Kato pointed at young Jang Geum. "Young master, what should we do with her ?" Slowly approaching, Ise Ujitsuna lifted Jang Geum's chin, looking at her terrified expression, and smiled faintly. "What a beautiful young girl. Kato, you've had a tiring journey eastward. This is a reward for you. " "Thank you, young master." Kato was overjoyed. He rushed forward and grabbed little Jang-geum, ignoring her cries and tantrums. In a few swift movements, he tore her clothes to shreds, revealing her exquisitely beautiful skin. "Brother, she's still a child..." Ise Gen-an stammered, unable to speak. "Gen-an, our family's great cause cannot tolerate a woman's compassion," Ise Ujitsuna said coldly. Jang-geum kicked and punched the fat monk, crying out, "Master, save me!" Impatient, Kato slapped her hard across the face. Jang-geum felt stars flash before her eyes, her head spun, and she felt utterly powerless. Ma Hao, his eyes bloodshot, roared, "Beast, let her go! " A man in black stabbed him hard in the stomach with a scabbard. Ma Hao convulsed in pain like a shrimp. Kato stripped Jang-geum of her remaining clothes, spreading her slender legs apart. Jang-geum's smooth genitals were completely hairless, and a thin slit between her legs was tightly closed. Kato used his fingers to part the slit, the tender, red flesh inside stimulating his lust. He extended his thick, carrot-like fingers and pressed them against her tender opening, intending to break her hymen with his fingers and lubricate her vagina with her virgin blood. Just then, a seductive voice rang out, "Master, what is there to play with a little girl? Shall I accompany you? " Ise Gen'an rushed to Ise Ujitsuna's side, drawing his sword to protect her, but Ise Ujitsuna gently pushed him away. Ise Ujitsuna looked at the charming woman with a silk handkerchief wrapped around her head and wearing a blue cloth dress, and chuckled, "Your establishment is truly full of traps; I didn't even notice you earlier."

With a flick of her long hair, the charming woman giggled, "Such praise is too much for me." Turning to Kato, she said, "Master, how could a little girl know how to serve? How about I offer myself in her place
?" Kato looked at her warily.
The charming woman didn't say much, but suddenly pulled on her robe, perhaps too forcefully, tearing off her red undergarment and revealing a heavy, trembling, snow-white breast, swaying before everyone's eyes.
The charming woman gave a seductive look, "Master, are you satisfied with my body?
" Kato swallowed hard, seeking approval from Ise Ujitsuna with his eyes. Seeing him nod, he immediately and impatiently pulled the charming woman into his arms. Ise Gen'an rushed forward, picked up Xu Changjin, and found a garment to drape over her.
The charming girl giggled in Kato's arms, "Master, don't be in such a hurry, let's go into the room and have some fun."
Kato chuckled, and suddenly there were a few "crack" sounds, and the charming girl screamed and collapsed to the ground.
Ise Ujitsuna held a string of prayer beads, gently turning them while muttering, "Our country is different from the superior country; we have methods to subdue people by striking pressure points. Fortunately, Kato is a master of jujitsu, so his methods were a bit rough. Please forgive him, shopkeeper."
The charming woman, momentarily careless, became easy prey. Her limbs were broken, and her pretty face turned pale with pain, yet she still spoke with a hint of coquettishness, "I served you sincerely, but you, Master, judged me by your own petty standards. How unfair!"
Kato grinned, "This way, everyone can have more fun." He grabbed the charming woman's skirt and ripped it, revealing a pair of plump, long legs.
The legs were smooth and straight, without a single flaw. Kato's eyes burned with boundless lust, and he couldn't resist opening his mouth to bite the tender flesh of her inner thigh.
Blood seeped from between Kato's teeth, and the heartthrob groaned in pain, yet her cries were tinged with a seductive allure. She bit her lower lip, pouting her bright red lips, and said in a seductive voice, "Master, I want you..."
Such natural seduction would move even Buddha, let alone a murderous, arsonist-turned-fake monk. Kato removed his robes, revealing a body of trembling fat, and suddenly pressed himself against the heartthrob.
"Ugh...so heavy...crushing me..." The heartthrob swayed her slender waist, leaving Kato unable to find his way, and with her bright red tongue, she kissed Kato's neck.
Ise Ujitsuna, not wanting to witness this erotic scene, got up to go upstairs, when suddenly he heard Kato scream. Ise Gen'an, standing beside him, covered Choge's eyes, and turning around, he saw Kato clutching her throat, lying on the ground, blood gushing out.
The woman, a heartthrob, had a thin razor blade in her mouth, the blade splattered with blood. She spat it out, along with the blood, and muttered, "You fat pig, trying to take advantage of me? In your next life!
" Ise Ujitsuna strode towards Kato. Seeing his wide eyes, mouth full of blood and foam, and body convulsing, clearly beyond saving, Ise Ujitsuna drew his sword, aimed it at Kato's heart, and plunged it in, ending his own life. Then, glaring at the woman, he said hatefully, "Since the shopkeeper doesn't like one person, then bring a few more." He then ordered, "All of you, come at me!"
A group of men in black, overjoyed, rubbed their hands together and surrounded the woman. The woman showed no fear. "Come on," she said, "I'll just consider it being bitten by a pack of mad dogs...
" Just as the heartthrob was about to be devoured, a loud "bang" resounded overhead, and countless shards of tile and wood chips rained down from the beams like a net. Amidst
screams, several men in black were struck by this sudden "hidden weapon" and fell to the ground. Then, a figure descended from the sky, heading straight for Ise Ujitsuna. Ise Ujitsuna
remained calm. He pulled at his eighteen-bead rosary, flicked his hands, and sent eighteen gusts of wind flying towards the attacker.
The man's robes billowed, and in the blink of an eye, the rosary disappeared. Then, with a flick of his sleeve, two men in black following closely behind were instantly knocked to the ground by the rosary.
The attacker then formed a claw with his fingers, aiming a swift, gusting wind at Ise Ujitsuna's head, when suddenly a gust of wind shot from the side, aimed directly at his ribs. Forced to dodge, he rolled away.
It was Ding Shou who arrived. His attack had missed, and as he regained his footing, he saw that the man who had forced him aside was a tall, thin old man with a goatee, guarding Ise Ujitsuna. The old man said to those behind him, "Young Master, please stay on the ship and hold them off for now. We'll deal with the newcomers before we go to meet them."
Ise Ujitsuna nodded, "Master, be careful," and led Ise Gen'an and the others towards the backyard.
Seeing Ise Gen'an about to leave with Chogeum, Ding Shou shouted, his figure blurring as he lunged at him. In a flash, the old man blocked his way.
Ding Shou impatiently yelled, "Get out of the way!" and his fists, like thunderclaps, aimed straight for the old man's chest and abdomen.
The old man remained calm, striking Ding Shou's heart with his staff. Ding Shou's momentum didn't falter; he changed one fist into a palm, striking the staff horizontally, while his other fist still aimed for the old man's chest.
The old man's cane was slapped away by a palm strike, yet he neither dodged nor avoided the punch aimed at his chest, a slight smile even appearing on his face.
Ding Shou suddenly felt a chill; he changed his straight punch downwards, meeting the silent kick head-on, shattering the old man's high-toothed wooden clogs.
Ding Shou was sent flying backwards, taking five steps before regaining his footing. The old man also swayed, feeling a slight numbness in his feet from the impact of the punch.
"Yo-shi, not many can withstand my Ghost Kick," the old man exclaimed. "Great Tang warrior, I am Fuma Kotaro from Japan. May I ask your name
?" "I am your Grandpa Ding." Anxious for Chang Jin's safety, Ding Shou held nothing back, unleashing the Thirty-Six Heavenly Demon Hands.
Faced with a barrage of palm strikes, Fuma Kotaro retreated several steps, then suddenly vanished before Ding Shou's eyes.
The bizarre scene startled Ding Shou. He quickly stepped forward to untie Ma Hao and Hojo Hidetoshi, asking them to take care of the "Most Popular Girl," before rushing after them.
************
Several dark figures hurried along in the night, their footsteps making a soft rustling sound on the beach.
"Brother, this girl is useless; let her go," Ise Gen'an asked Ujitsuna.
"No," Ise Ujitsuna said firmly, "This woman's master is extraordinary; she can be used as a hostage if necessary."
Hearing this, Ise Gen'an said no more and hurriedly followed his brother. Suddenly, the group clearing the way stopped. The two walked forward and saw an old man with white hair sitting cross-legged on a large rock, blocking their path.
"Let go of this girl, and I won't stop you," the old man said, seemingly too lazy to even look at them.
Ise Ujitsuna gave a signal, and two men in black drew their swords and leaped up like hungry hawks pouncing on a rabbit, heading straight for the old man.
The old man didn't even raise an eyelid; his right hand swung in a strange arc, slicing straight into the chests and abdomens of the two men. They screamed in mid-air, their chests and abdomens feeling as if they had been cut open, their internal organs spilling out and spraying onto the ground.
Ise Ujitsuna had never heard of such bizarre and vicious martial arts. Little Jang-geum was so frightened that she fainted. The old man shook his head and frowned,
saying, "A girl so timid, how can she be a disciple of the Demonic Sect?" He lightly leaped down, smiling at the seemingly stunned crowd, "Well, quickly hand the girl over to me. It's our first time meeting our junior brother; we should at least have a greeting gift."
Ise Gen'an's eyes, hidden behind his mask, were filled with fierce light. His left arm tightened around Jang-geum, and his right scythe was pressed against her throat. "Let us go, or I'll kill her."
The old man, who had been all smiles, suddenly became serious. "I hate being threatened more than anything in my life." With a flash, his figure disappeared before everyone's eyes.
Then, Ise Gen'an screamed, staggering backward as if his arms had been severed by a knife, falling onto the beach. Chang'e lay peacefully in the old man's arms.
"Kikujumaru!!" Ise Ujitsuna's eyes were bloodshot. He tried to step forward, but his subordinates held him back tightly.
"Brother, run!" Ise Gen'an shouted, then his body straightened like an arrow, and he rammed his head into the old man.
The old man casually flicked his wrist, and blood rained down. Ise Gen'an was instantly dismembered, his severed limbs rolling onto the beach. His head rolled to the old man's feet, and as his face mask fell away, a still-childlike, handsome face was revealed.
Tilting his head, the old man sneered, "Still just a child." He kicked it casually and shouted, "Roll it up!" The severed head slammed into the chest of a man in black with a whooshing sound, causing the man's chest to cave in, blood gushing from his mouth—he was clearly beyond saving.
Ise Ujitsuna, tears welling in her eyes, picked up her brother's mangled head, glared venomously at the old man, and led her remaining men towards the sea.
**********
...
Ding Shou frowned. Death is a serious matter; there was no need to let their bodies suffer further. He lightly leaped up and cut the ropes, then gently supported the constables' corpses, intending to lower them. Just as his fingers touched the bodies, two paper lanterns beside him suddenly shattered, and two assassins wielding sharp blades emerged, their blades aimed straight for his back.
In a moment of panic, Ding Shou executed a powerful drop, then rolled low to the ground, narrowly dodging the deadly blow. But suddenly, a vine staff appeared out of thin air behind him, aiming to smash into the back of his head.
Unable to dodge, Ding Shou sidestepped, taking the blow head-on with his shoulder, then rolled forward. Although this reduced some of the force, his shoulder blade still felt like it was about to split open. Fuma Kotaro pressed his advantage, the vine staff following closely behind.
Ding Shou's one arm was clumsy, but his other hand unleashed a series of sealing, guiding, and pushing techniques, followed by a striking technique that broke through layers of staff shadows, directly targeting the vital point on Fuma Kotaro's chest.
Fuma Kotaro flipped over and disappeared into the night sky once more.
Ding Shou turned around, pressing his shoulder; the two assassins from before were also gone. He thought to himself that Japanese ninjutsu was indeed sinister.
Since there was no sign of them, Ding Shou took a step to leave, when he suddenly heard a whooshing sound behind him. He spun to the side, and a straight blade grazed past his shoulder. Without turning back, Ding Shou struck the attacker's chest with an elbow strike. The man let out a muffled groan, and Ding Shou could even clearly hear the sound of his ribs cracking. But when he turned around again, there was no one there.
This feeling of having nowhere to use his strength was truly suffocating for Ding Shou. Just as he was struggling to move, he suddenly heard the sound of clothes rustling through the air. He was about to turn around to face his enemy when he saw Jiang Duan Yue enter the courtyard.
"Senior Brother Jiang..." Ding Shou was about to speak to remind him when Jiang Duan Yue waved his hand to stop him, coldly laughing, "I've been here for thirty years, I know every blade of grass and every tree very well."
He took two slow steps, when suddenly a cold light flashed. A black curtain to Jiang Duan Yue's left was cleaved open, revealing a man in black still clutching the corners of the curtain, his wide eyes filled with disbelief. A thin line of blood appeared above his head, deepening in color before suddenly splitting him in two from head to toe.
Jiang Duan Yue remained unmoved, slowly pacing, each swing of his blade sending forth a spray of blood. Feng Mo Kotaro, unable to hide any longer, revealed himself, saying in his usual manner, "Feng Mo Kotaro, may I ask your name?"
"What Kotaro, what Daitaro? Members of the Demonic Sect are not for outsiders to bully," Jiang Duan Yue said coldly.
Ding Shou rubbed his nose in frustration. "Senior Brother Jiang, does that mean you can bully me all you want?
" Fengmo Kotaro, seemingly intimidated by Jiang Duan Yue's imposing presence, stood motionless. Jiang Duan Yue, mindful of his status, waited patiently for the other to make a move.
Ding Shou, observing the two, sensed something was amiss. "Senior Brother Jiang, something's strange."
Jiang Duan Yue roared, his blade sweeping across Fengmo Kotaro like a bolt of lightning. Kotaro didn't dodge or evade; in an instant, he was sliced to pieces by the blade.
Ding Shou gasped in surprise. These severed limbs were entirely made of wood, without a drop of blood, incredibly realistic. Jiang Duan Yue gritted his teeth and said, "Eastern Japanese Puppet Technique..." His figure leaped into the air like a roc spreading its wings, soaring towards the sea. Ding Shou followed closely behind.
Before the two even reached the beach, they heard Du Wentian shout, "Old Monster Jiang, come quick! There's some old bastard even more shameless than you, running around naked!"
Ding Shou thought to himself that Senior Brother Jiang was really losing face. Sure enough, Jiang Duan Yue's face turned ugly upon hearing this, and he rushed towards the source of the voice.
There, they saw Feng Mo Kotaro, wearing only a loincloth, wielding a rattan cane and shouting loudly, while Du Wentian, with a little girl in one arm, moved erratically as he fought with him.
Upon seeing the girl's face clearly in Du Wentian's arms, Ding Shou exclaimed with delight, "Jang Geum!" Hearing this, Du Wentian leaped out of the circle and laughed heartily, "Junior Brother, I'm returning this niece to you intact!"
Taking Chang Geum, Ding Shou thanked him profusely. Seeing her unconscious, he couldn't help but feel puzzled. Before he could speak, Du Wentian already knew his meaning and said, "It's nothing serious, she just fainted from fright. Speaking of which, Junior Brother, your disciple is utterly useless; she can't even watch someone kill her."
Watching Du Wentian shake his head, Ding Shou couldn't help but think to himself, "I raised this little girl as a nurse, not a butcher like you!"
Meanwhile, Kotaro Fuma was inwardly groaning. The three men before him were all exceptionally skilled. The young man's palm techniques were exquisite, the old man's swordsmanship was fierce and domineering, and the other old man's double palm strikes were not only ruthless and vicious, but his movements were also incredibly unpredictable. Such masters were rare even in Japan. Were top-tier masters in the Tang Dynasty so worthless? A thought of retreat arose in his mind. Seeing Du Wentian withdraw, he dared not linger. His body spun like a top, disappearing into the ground in the blink of an eye.
"Roll yourself out!" Jiang Duan Yue's words were like thunder. He leaped up with lightning speed, striking down from mid-air. His blade struck like a thunderclap, creating a large crater over ten feet in diameter in the ground with a loud "bang."
A figure darted out of the pit and flew forward. Jiang Duan Yue was already furious today, and the little Japanese devil's escape, which Du Lao Gui had witnessed, was a laughingstock. He wouldn't allow him to escape again. His blade flashed upwards, forming a net of light that swept towards Fuma Kotaro from all directions.
Fuma Kotaro had nowhere to hide in mid-air. Terrified, he screamed "Baka Yarou!" before being shredded into pieces by the fierce blade.
In truth, Fuma Kotaro's ninjutsu was profound. If he had fought calmly, even if he didn't win, he wouldn't have lost so miserably. But he had lost his will to fight, had no intention of dying, and only wanted to escape. In the end, this master of ninjutsu met a tragic end in a foreign land, his body never to be found.
**********
...

As the ship approached, no one lowered the ropes or boarding posts, causing the crew to become suspicious. Dawn was breaking, and in the light, they noticed that all the sailors were dressed in Ming Dynasty military uniforms, their expressions full of mockery.
Ise Ujitsuna stumbled back a few steps, lost his footing, and fell onto the beach, trembling as he asked, "Who are you?!"
"Qi Jingtong, the Vice Commander of the Dengzhou Guard of the Great Ming Dynasty, has been waiting for your arrival for a long time." The voice from behind startled them. Turning around, they saw that they had been surrounded by layers of Ming soldiers, swords and spears standing tall, their armor gleaming, their red military jackets bright and dazzling in the morning sun. The speaker was none other than the officer surnamed Qi who had spoken to them at the inn.
"Hahaha..." Ise Ujitsuna burst into wild laughter, appearing like a madman. His laughter abruptly stopped, and he said, "Ise Ujitsuna, son of Ise Shinkuro Moritoki, a samurai of Japan, has a request. General, are you willing to grant it
?" "No need for provocation. If it doesn't violate national laws or human sentiments, I, Qi, will agree." Qi Jingtong's expression remained calm and unwavering.
Ise Ujitsuna said in a deep voice, "I am willing to have a fair duel with the general. If the general wins, we will present our heads to the general for reward." He paused for a moment, then added, "If I am fortunate enough to win, I will still present my head to the general, I only ask that my men be allowed to leave."
"Young master..." The few remaining men were about to speak when Ise Ujitsuna stopped them, saying, "I am single-mindedly devoted to the glory of my family's great cause, even at the cost of my life. You need not be like this." He turned to Qi Jingtong and asked, "Does the lord dare to accept the challenge?
" "Go to hell, you little devils, keep dreaming. Now you are... well..." Old Wu scratched his head, thought for a moment, and said, "Right, fish and meat on the chopping board, I can chop them however I want, more powerful than you.
" Ise Ujitsuna said coldly, "If the general does not comply, we will fight like cornered beasts. The general surely does not wish to see his troops suffer heavy casualties."
Old Qian chuckled, "Want to play with your lives? I'd be a fool to play with you. Men
!" Several rows of archers surged forward, and another row of soldiers pointed their muskets in their direction. Old Qian said smugly, "Do you still have the capital to negotiate?"
Ise Ujitsuna's face turned ashen. He stroked his brother's head and smiled bitterly, "Kikujumaru, it seems we will never return home."
At this moment, Qi Jingtong spoke up, "As a warrior, I can accept the challenge."
A glimmer of hope appeared on Ise Ujitsuna's face. "My lord..." Old Qian and Old Wu tried to persuade him, but Qi Jingtong waved them off, saying, "But regardless of my victory or defeat, you cannot leave. From the moment you set foot on Ming territory, your lives were no longer decided by you or me, but by the laws of the court.
" Ise Ujitsuna knelt, his forehead touching the ground, and respectfully bowed to Qi Jingtong…
The morning glow illuminated the sea with vibrant colors.
Ise Ujitsuna gripped his three-foot-long katana tightly in both hands, his fingers clenching and unclenching, sweat soaking the hilt. Two zhang away, Qi Jingtong held a ten-foot-long spear in one hand, the tip pointing downwards, calm and composed.
With a loud shout, Ise Ujitsuna took two quick steps, leaping into the air, his katana slashing down at him.
Qi Jingtong's eyes flashed coldly. He swung his spear, his yin-yang handle closing in, unleashing several spear flowers, like pear blossoms in full bloom, thrusting at Ise Ujitsuna.
A clang of metal rang out in mid-air. As soon as Ise Ujitsuna landed, Qi Jingtong moved forward, without turning back, transforming his spear into a staff, sweeping it horizontally.
Ise Ujitsuna rolled low to the ground, aiming straight for Qi Jingtong's feet.
Qi Jingtong leaped into the air, his spear tip thrusting backward, executing a "Golden Cat Pouncing on a Mouse" move, reversing offense and defense.
Ise Ujitsuna, still rolling low, forcibly stopped himself, slapping the sand with his palm, using the momentum to flip himself up, his katana close to the spear shaft, aiming straight for Qi Jingtong's fingers.
Qi Jingtong's momentum didn't diminish; just as the blade reached his fingers, he released the spear with both hands. Before Ise Ujitsuna could even rejoice, Qi Jingtong had already grabbed the spearhead, changing his move to "Phoenix Spreading One Wing," striking Ise Ujitsuna directly, sending him flying.
Ise Ujitsuna rolled eighteen times on the ground, unable to get up. Qi Jingtong slowly approached, spear in hand, when suddenly Ise Ujitsuna leaped up, throwing a handful of sand directly into his eyes.
"Shameless!" the Ming soldiers shouted.
Qi Jingtong covered his face with his sleeve, while Ise Ujitsuna laughed triumphantly, leaping into the air and constantly changing his moves, unleashing thirteen slashes in an instant.
Ise Ujitsuna's men, seeing this, suddenly cried out in alarm: "Kageryu swordsmanship!!" They hadn't expected their young master, who had studied under the ninja master Fuuma Kotaro, to be a master of the Aizu Kageryu swordsmanship.
Qi Jingtong, unable to see, wielded his spear with impenetrable skill, only flashes of silver light visible, like swaying pear blossoms. Suddenly, with a loud shout, the spear pierced the air, aiming straight for Zhongping.
Blood blossomed on Ise Ujitsuna's chest as he flew backward, blood seeping from his mouth and nose, clearly suffering internal injuries. His men rushed to help him up. With great effort, Ise Ujitsuna said, "That spear strike just now was the Yang family spear..."
Qi Jingtong sheathed his spear and stood still, slightly surprised. "You know the Yang family spear
?" "Twenty years of Pear Blossom Spear, invincible under heaven, I... naturally... know." Ise Ujitsuna smiled sadly. "General, would you allow us to commit suicide
?" Old Wu jumped up and cursed, "Damn it! Those little devils have no shame! Why so many demands? General, let's shoot him to death with a hail of arrows!"
Ignoring Old Wu behind him, Qi Jingtong nodded to Ise Ujitsuna. As warriors, the victor has the pride of the victor, and the loser has the dignity of the loser.
Facing the rising sun, Ise Ujitsuna and the others knelt with their knees slightly apart, their clothes neatly arranged. Each held a wakizashi (a type of halberd) close to their abdomen. Ise Ujitsuna murmured, "I only wish that my clan will eliminate all rivals and dominate Kanto. Even if we are buried in foreign lands, our souls will cross to Japan and gaze towards the northern capital."
Then, led by Ise Ujitsuna, the group plunged the wakizashi deep into their left ribs, then slightly turned the blade upwards and pulled it horizontally to their right abdomen. Each of them showed an expression of unbearable pain, and one after another they collapsed to the ground.
Old Wu clicked his tongue, "They died from the pain! These little devils really don't consider themselves human..."
Qi Jingtong remained silent, looking at the corpses before him. Bathed in the morning glow, they seemed draped in colorful robes. Perhaps, as Qi Jingtong said, their fate was sealed the moment they set foot in this foreign land...
********************
At midday, in front of the Penglai Inn, squads of soldiers stood ready to depart, while numerous carriages were being loaded and unloaded.
Ma Hao watched as the bodies of the constables were loaded onto the carriages, and couldn't help but sigh deeply.
"Brother Zong, everyone has their own destiny. You don't need to worry about it," Ding Shou comforted Ma Hao, calling him by his courtesy name.
Having gone through life and death together, the two were less reserved with each other. Ma Hao shook his head and said, "I made a mistake and caused their deaths. My sins are beyond measure."
"Things are unpredictable. Those Japanese came so quickly. Even if you had sent someone to ask for help, it wouldn't have been in time," Ding Shou continued to comfort him.
"I feel guilty. I can deceive others, but I can't deceive myself. When I return, I will report this to the emperor and plead guilty, and await my fate," Ma Hao said dejectedly.
Ding Shou hesitated for a moment and said, "Actually, I can mediate in the court. It shouldn't be a big problem."
Ma Hao smiled and shook his head, saying, "Thank you, sir. I'll leave it to fate."
Over there, in an open carriage, the handsome man with bandages on his hands and feet leaned against the railing. Xu Pu, who had lost an arm, was acting as the driver, holding a whip, while Xiao Dazi was being directed around aimlessly.
"Little Dazi, how did you put the bridle on this horse? You think I can do all the work for you with just one hand?" Old Xu shouted.
"Little Dazi, where's my jewelry box? Bring it here right now, or I'll break your bones!" the charming woman yelled.
Little Dazi, already dazed, was further scrambled by the two men, his head spinning. He bumped his head on the door, causing them to burst into laughter.
"Sister, thank you for last night," Little Jang-geum said sweetly as she approached the carriage.
"Don't call me sister," the charming woman said, her eyebrows furrowed. "Then
what should I call you?" Jang-geum asked, shaking her little body pitifully.
"Auntie, whatever you call her, even better if you call her Grandma, but definitely not Sister," the charming woman glanced sideways at someone, "otherwise I'll feel like some bastard has taken advantage of me again."
The bastard next to her, upon hearing this, immediately looked up at the sky, staring at the midday sun, and changed the subject, "The moon is so round today..." causing a group of soldiers passing by to collectively roll their eyes.
Jiang Duan Yue walked to the carriage and coughed, "Um... Miss Cui, this old man must take his leave."
The charming woman had long since recovered from her surprise at the mute's words. Hearing this, she didn't say anything more, gesturing for Xiao Dazi to open a gilded red lacquered box at her feet, taking out a long pear wood box, and handing it to Jiang Duan Yue.
"This is..." Jiang Duan Yue asked in confusion.
"When my dead father left, he said he'd give you this when you were leaving. At the time, I wondered where a mute old man with no relatives or support could go. You two old bastards kept this from me for so long."
The box opened, revealing an ancient-looking longsword. The hilt was a foot long, and the blade was two feet seven inches long. Jiang Duan Yue drew the sword, and a cold light flashed. The blade, having drunk countless drops of blood, had a dark red hue. Three lines of inscription were engraved on the blade: "Heaven creates all things to nourish man, man has nothing to repay Heaven. Kill! ...
Jiang Duan Yue, wielding his blood-red blade, exuded unparalleled power and an aura that seemed to swallow mountains and rivers. "His blade strikes with terrifying force, staining the land red with blood," Du Wentian said, patting his shoulder forcefully. "The Seven Kill Demon Blade, a single strike severs the soul. Old Monster Jiang no longer needs to chop people with a kitchen knife..."
Jiang Duan Yue's face grew increasingly grim. He roared, "I'll kill you first!
" Du Wentian cried out, "Old Monster Jiang has gone mad..." and leaped forward, Jiang Duan Yue close behind. In the blink of an eye, the two old monsters vanished.
The crowd roared with laughter. Xiao Dazi asked, "Boss lady, what will we do with this inn after we leave
?" After a deep look at the "Penglai Inn" sign, Wanrenmi shouted, "Burn it down!"
"But...but...but this is our home!" Xiao Dazi cried, filled with reluctance.
The charming woman reached out to hit Xiao Dazi, but aggravated her wrist injury, causing her to gasp in pain. She snapped, "What 'home'? Wherever I am, that's your home, understand?"
"Yes!" Xiao Dazi chuckled, scratching the back of his head happily.
The Penglai Inn, the final resting place of countless bandits who thought they had escaped, was reduced to ashes in the thick smoke.
Old Xu sighed, "It's time to leave. This secret operation of the Six Doors has kept you two apart so much. It must have been tough for you two."
Ding Shou, who had been listening intently, jumped over. "You...you...you..." Damn it, he caught Xiao Dazi's rudeness. He spat and continued, "You got married?"
The charming woman rolled her eyes. "What, do I look like someone no one wants?" Then she chuckled. "Regretting it now...too late, Old Xu, let's go."
Old Xu cracked his whip, shouted "Giddy up!" and the old horse galloped away.
"You still haven't told me your real name," Ding Shou called from behind.
The charming woman's voice drifted back, "My name is Cui Ying'er. Remember that. When you can't sleep at night, remember to say that name when you're hugging your blanket and banging your head against the wall..." A chorus of silvery laughter followed.
Ding Shou stood there blankly, lost in thought.
"Master," Jang Geum tugged at Ding Shou's sleeve, asking, "What are you thinking about?
" Ding Shou pounded his head with his fist, "Master is thinking that he was a complete idiot last night, and which wall he should bang his head against tonight..."
"My lord," Qi Jingtong approached, clasping his hands in a fist salute, "Things here have been settled."
"Brother Shixian, thank you for your hard work," Ding Shou said politely.
"I dare not accept such a title from you, my lord." Compared to Ma Hao, Qi Jingtong was noticeably more reserved, bowing as he said, "This humble general must immediately set off for Huai'an. The soldiers and prisoners will be handed over to Lord Ma to take back. Does my lord have any further instructions
?" "By the way, how did you know about the Japanese pirates here?" Ding Shou asked curiously.
"At first, I only noticed their suspicious behavior and didn't confirm anything. It was your companion who took the opportunity to leave a note as a reminder," Qi Jingtong said, taking a slip of paper from his pocket and handing it to Ding Shou.
After a moment's thought, Ding Shou realized it was a note passed by Fatty Luo during their sparring match. But to mobilize troops from Dengzhou Guard with just a note without any evidence—Qi Jingtong was far too audacious. Unfolding the note, he saw that besides the reminder about the Japanese pirates at the inn , there was also a red seal of the Grand Eunuch of the Imperial Kitchen.
********** ... "Aren't you going to eat something? It wasn't easy for us to prepare this meal." The person who was hunched over the table eating looked up, and it was none other than Fatty Luo. "You're back like this?" The man didn't turn around and asked casually. Picking up a piece of braised duck strip and tossing it into his mouth, Fatty Luo muttered, "What else are we doing if we don't come back? Are we supposed to fight those Japanese pirates? That's what the Japanese pirate guards are supposed to do." "Are you so sure those people are Japanese pirates ?" "A bunch of short guys gathered together, carrying a lot of Japanese silver, what else could they be?" Fatty Luo tore off a bite of his radish pancake and said, "Even if they're not Japanese pirates, they're with prisoners, so they're not good people. Even if they're neither, taking those soldiers for a walk is a bit of fun, isn't it? " The man paused, then continued, "What do you think of that kid? " Fatty Luo thought for a moment and said, "Young and impetuous, loves his pride, can't stand being wronged, and his cunning is a bit shallow. But what young person isn't like that? He's good at martial arts and has a bit of talent. With some proper guidance, he might be a real talent. By the way, why are you so concerned about him? " "I don't know," the man shook his head and said, "His background is crystal clear, there's no problem with it, but I always feel like he'll bring trouble to us men. His martial arts lineage is always shrouded in mystery, so I'm a little unsure..." Fatty Luo said "Oh," put down his wine cup, and pondered for a moment before saying, "I do have some clues about his martial arts background, but I can't be sure, only about 60-70% certain." "If the cook Luo Xiang can say he's 60-70% certain, then he'd be 100% certain about others." With a dry laugh, the man turned around, his face sinister; it was Qiu Ju.

P.S.: Hojo Soun's two most outstanding sons were killed off so tragically. A moment of silence. Japanese names are very complicated; the proper way to address someone is to combine their surname, given name, official title, nickname, formal name, and religious name. It's too much trouble, so the text uses less formal but more common names. Please bear with me.
The Yang family spear mentioned here is not the Yang family generals of the Northern Song Dynasty from storytelling, nor is it Yang Kang's father, Yang Tiexin. It refers to Yang Miaozhen, a female general from the late Song Dynasty. This woman resisted the Jin, rebelled against the Song, and even rose to power under Mongol rule. Her spear skills were said to be invincible.

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