Chapter 78: The Older the Ginger, the Spicier It Is

"Elder, your blade is already broken. Though a broken sword can still be used in battle, one more strike on the fracture will shatter it completely!"

Luo Quan felt the tide had turned decisively in her favor, and her tone grew considerably lighter.

Yan Zhai smiled with approval: "The Hokushin Ittō-ryū truly deserves its reputation as an art of swordsmanship—every technique is precise as surgery, yet uniquely beautiful."

Suddenly, his expression hardened: "But do not underestimate the Yagyū Shinkage-ryū! Who says you cannot fight without a blade?"

Saying this, Yan Zhai tossed aside his broken blade and spread his hands wide.

"Then I'll take my leave!" Luo Quan assumed Yan Zhai was merely making a final struggle and didn't hesitate—she lunged forward with her sword.

Had she known even a little about the Yagyū Shinkage-ryū, she would never have charged so recklessly while Yan Zhai held no weapon.

The Yagyū Shinkage-ryū originated from the Shinkage-ryū, founded by Kamiizumi Nobutsuna and developed by Yagyū Muneyoshi.

In Japan, swordsmanship is also called the art of killing; every style was ultimately created to kill the opponent.

But the philosophy of the Yagyū Shinkage-ryū reversed this—its ideal was victory without killing, the sword of life. Thus, it possessed almost no techniques of overwhelming lethality; instead, it favored subduing opponents without injury, and "Muto-dori" was its ultimate expression of this philosophy!

"Muto-dori" means disarming an opponent barehanded—sounds ordinary, but it is an art mastered only by Yagyū Shinkage-ryū masters.

Not just anyone can remain calm when a blade swings toward them and snatch it from the enemy’s grip. In the split second between life and death, only true masters can keep their minds as still as still water!

And Luo Quan now held only a bamboo sword—there was no life-or-death stakes here. After all, Yan Zhai had disarmed countless razor-sharp blades; what trouble could a harmless bamboo sword possibly cause him?

Though Junko had urgently warned Luo Quan to be careful, it was already too late—Yan Zhai charged toward her.

As Luo Quan’s bamboo sword neared Yan Zhai’s chest, he twisted his body slightly—the blade slid beneath his armpit, lifting his loose kimono high.

According to the full technique of "Muto-dori," he needed only to close the distance, shove forward with his shoulder, and send Luo Quan tumbling backward as her momentum exhausted itself.

But seeing she was a girl, Yan Zhai held back his full strength—he merely stabilized his forward motion and snatched the bamboo sword from beneath his armpit.

Having disarmed Luo Quan, Yan Zhai struck with his palm, aiming to force her back—but Luo Quan, now weaponless, showed no panic. Instead, she engaged him in hand-to-hand combat.

The Shōtōkan style of karate is famed for its power and aggression; Luo Quan’s sudden assault caught even Yan Zhai off guard.

Mainly because he never expected Luo Quan to know karate—let alone hold such a high rank!

But Luo Quan’s rank was limited, and her physical strength was insufficient. It might suffice against ordinary people, but to defeat a sword saint like Yan Zhai? Pure fantasy.

Had Yan Zhai faced a master-level Shōtōkan practitioner without a weapon, he would have lost badly—but Luo Quan was merely a third-degree black belt.

So after his initial flurry of confusion, Yan Zhai quickly regained his composure and swiftly forced Luo Quan back with three or four moves.

He lifted the fallen sword from the ground, gripped it firmly, and smiled: "Now, the sword is in my hands."

Luo Quan sighed softly: "Indeed, the older the ginger, the spicier it is... I yield."

"To hold your own against me this long—you’re among the top young swordsmen in Japan. If you’re willing to become my disciple—" Yan Zhai paused, slapped his forehead, and chuckled: "Sorry, old habit. Whenever I see a talented youth, I think of taking them on. I forgot—you’re a famous singer."

Luo Quan quickly seized the opening: "But I can teach Junko my Hokushin Ittō-ryū!"

Yan Zhai glanced at Junko beside him and sneered: "She won’t even properly learn her own school’s swordsmanship—why would she learn Hokushin Ittō-ryū from you?"

"I will take it seriously!" Junko suddenly stepped forward. "I’ll make time to master this sword style!"

Yan Zhai frowned: "Hmph! You’ve always struggled to practice your own swordsmanship, yet now you agree so readily!"

"Forget it. You’re grown now. If you’ve found your own path, stop wandering aimlessly like before. At least make something of yourself!"

"My dream since childhood was to be an idol—I just never dared tell you."

Yan Zhai glared: "So now it’s my fault?"

"No! No!" Junko waved her hands frantically, terrified he’d retract his words.

"It’s just past lunch, and dinner’s still far off—I won’t keep you. Take the bus to the nearby subway station. Don’t be like Junko—hailing taxis everywhere. Money isn’t meant to be wasted!"

"Then we’ll take our leave," Luo Quan and Wen Xia nodded and turned to go.

"Wait!"

"What is it?" Luo Quan looked puzzled.

"Who taught you Hokushin Ittō-ryū?"

"My master’s name is Chiba Shūsaku," Luo Quan answered without hesitation—the legendary swordsman who founded Hokushin Ittō-ryū in her past life.

Yan Zhai fell into thought: "Chiba Shūsaku... I’ve never heard that name. Where is he now?"

"My master has no fixed residence—he lives wherever he goes. He left me no way to contact him. If he doesn’t wish to appear, no one can find him."

"That’s the way of a hermit master. To meet him, to truly spar with him—that would be a dream!" Yan Zhai’s eyes shone with longing.

"What a pity... what a pity..." Yan Zhai turned, hands behind his back, shaking his head in sorrow as he walked toward the inner room, lost in melancholy.

The three women, ignored, quickly slipped away from the Yan Zhai Sword Dojo.

This time, Junko followed her grandfather’s advice and took the train home.

On the return journey, the three sat side by side. Exhausted, Luo Quan leaned against Wen Xia’s shoulder and fell into deep sleep.

Junko gazed at Luo Quan’s peaceful profile and smiled with heartfelt joy.

"Having a friend like Luo Quan is truly wonderful!"