Chapter 248: Eighty Percent Is His!

Liu Sheng Xueji and Liu Sheng Piaoxu changed into Han clothing and walked with Gu Qing through the streets of Edo.

Edo was the future Tokyo; in this world, the Ming emperor was still Zhu Houzhao, while Japan had entered the era of Tokugawa Ieyasu. The city had a sizable population, yet amid the chaos of the age, it felt desolate and sorrowful, lacking any sign of prosperity. The locals, seeing Gu Qing, Liu Sheng Xueji, and Liu Sheng Piaoxu all dressed in Ming attire with an air utterly unlike that of Japan, naturally felt awe and silently parted to let them pass.

As for Duan Tianya, he now followed Gu Qing from afar.

"Look at that great snow mountain."

Liu Sheng Xueji pointed to Mount Fuji and said, "My sister and I trained in swordsmanship there from childhood. The Liu Sheng family's Snow Drifting Through the World can only be perfected there."

Snow Drifting Through the World and Killing God's Single Slash are both Liu Sheng family's ultimate arts.

"One day, my sister and I will demonstrate them for my husband."

Liu Sheng Piaoxu, walking beside him, added, "Snow Drifting Through the World looks beautiful when used."

Liu Sheng Xueji glanced at Piaoxu, feeling her twelve-year-old sister was always eager to show off near Gu Qing. But Xueji was used to yielding and said nothing; instead, she watched as Piaoxu took the lead, taking Gu Qing's hand and hurrying forward to introduce him to Edo's sights.

"That building over there is the Tokugawa shogun's palace."

Liu Sheng Piaoxu pointed at the palace and explained to Gu Qing.

"Too bad he doesn't deserve it—otherwise, we could have had a duel before the shogun."

Gu Qing gazed at it for a moment, then looked away.

"Doesn't Min Kuang Siliang deserve to duel you before the shogun?"

Suddenly, a man stepped forward from the crowd—thin-faced, a sword at his waist, standing upright with hands clasped. He bowed in Han style and spoke in Chinese: "I am Iga Musō!"

In today's Japan, there are four great masters: Liu Sheng Danma Shou of the Liu Sheng New Shadow School, Min Kuang Siliang of the Illusionary Sword, and Zuo Teng Jizhizhu, the head of Japan's Three Supreme Shinobi, who never appeared in the TV drama. As for Iga Musō, he is the master who taught Duan Tianya Iga techniques in the TV drama.

Gu Qing studied Iga Musō for a moment and replied, "Min Kuang Siliang probably does."

What he doesn't deserve is "before the shogun."

Iga Musō's face stiffened. He stared at Gu Qing and asked, "How does your martial skill compare to Iron Dan Divine Marquis?"

Iga Musō was close friends with Iron Dan Divine Marquis, taught Duan Tianya Iga martial arts, and even defended him after Duan Tianya killed Liu Sheng Jibing—mainly because of a letter from Iron Dan Divine Marquis.

In today's Central Plains martial world, Iron Dan Divine Marquis is universally known as the strongest.

"I don't know."

Gu Qing said, "I've never fought him."

Before obtaining the complete Golden Indestructible Divine Art, Gu Qing had no intention of provoking Iron Dan Divine Marquis, fearing it might disrupt the art's transmission.

Iga Musō sneered. "You're truly arrogant."

To insult the shogun was to insult Japan's honor. Iga Musō gestured, and instantly a young man stepped forward from behind him, sword in hand, standing in the center.

"Iga's Xiao Lin Zheng!"

The black-clad youth loudly challenged Duan Tianya.

Gu Qing's challenge to Min Kuang Siliang had spread throughout Edo. A Central Plains man challenging Japan's top swordsman had been elevated to a matter of national pride.

Iga Musō had come for this reason—and upon hearing Gu Qing insult the shogun, he realized this duel was of great importance. He decided to let his disciple strike first as a probe.

"Are you the head of Iga?"

Duan Tianya was startled upon hearing Iga Musō's name—he knew this man was the master Iron Dan Divine Marquis had instructed him to seek. Yet now, face to face, they were about to draw blades. This was far from his plan.

"Correct." Iga Musō nodded and stepped aside, letting Xiao Lin Zheng advance, sword in hand, facing Duan Tianya across the distance.

Xiao Lin Zheng was originally the friend who had witnessed Duan Tianya's romance, growth, and eventual rise in Japan. Later, during the Giant Whale Gang arc, Xiao Lin Zheng would offer Duan Tianya considerable aid.

Duan Tianya felt fate was cruel. His plan to come to Japan and learn supreme martial arts had changed again and again—his intended master had now become his enemy. But since the man had come to challenge him, Duan Tianya had no choice but to respond. He drew his blade and faced Xiao Lin Zheng.

"Please."

"Please."

After the formalities, in an instant, sword met blade.

Duan Tianya struck with swift, decisive cuts. Xiao Lin Zheng, trained in Iga ninja arts, dodged and rolled, twisting and tumbling, even launching hidden shuriken between moves. Having studied Japanese techniques under Gu Qing, Duan Tianya now understood their subtleties—even if the world differed, the essence of the moves felt similar, though their power varied. Combined with Gu Qing's own martial insights altering his techniques, Duan Tianya unleashed unexpected strikes, forcing Xiao Lin Zheng into constant retreat.

Iga Musō watched Duan Tianya closely. Though he used Japanese sword techniques, each movement was slightly off—yet upon closer inspection, they held profound logic. Iga Musō narrowed his eyes, realizing a duel with Gu Qing would be extremely difficult.

Gu Qing watched the duel with interest, observing their exchanges, then asked, "Is Xiao Lin Zheng a genin or a chūnin?"

Ninja were ranked as genin, chūnin, and jōnin. Iga Musō himself was a jōnin.

!

"He's a genin!"

Seeing Xiao Lin Zheng on the verge of defeat, Iga Musō spoke to save face: "He's also my newest student, with the least skill and the most lazy disposition."

"..."

Xiao Lin Zheng's face flushed crimson. He swung his blade in a desperate, life-or-death strike.

"Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!!!!"

Four rapid exchanges. Xiao Lin Zheng, risking his life, left his chest wide open. Duan Tianya could have slashed him with a single cut—inflicting a shallow wound on himself but gutting Xiao Lin Zheng. Yet despite this obvious opening, Duan Tianya did not strike decisively. Instead, he parried several times, seeking to create distance.

Xiao Lin Zheng fought desperately; Duan Tianya held back. All martial observers nearby understood clearly: the grace of the Celestial Kingdom was truly different.

"Hah!"

Xiao Lin Zheng launched another desperate slash.

"Enough!"

From the crowd came a sharp cry. A gleaming blade flashed between the two fighters, gently deflecting them apart. Between them stood a man—rough-faced, unkempt hair, sword scabbard at his waist, radiating wild unconventionality. He spoke coldly: "This duel is between me and Gu Qing alone. It has nothing to do with Japan, or your honor. None of you need interfere!"

The newcomer was none other than Min Kuang Siliang, master of the Illusionary Sword!

Liu Sheng Xueji and Liu Sheng Piaoxu immediately turned to Gu Qing, noticing his brows slightly furrowed, as if pondering Min Kuang Siliang's single strike.

"Husband, what do you think?"

Liu Sheng Xueji whispered.

"When I spoke with your father at your home, I said I had an eighty percent chance. Now it seems that eighty percent belongs to him."

Gu Qing sighed.

How could this be?

Liu Sheng Xueji and Liu Sheng Piaoxu were stunned by Gu Qing's lack of enthusiasm. They had spent days with him and recognized his unparalleled sword mastery—even Liu Sheng Danma Shou often sought his counsel.

"The remaining ninety-two percent are ours!"

Gu Qing said.

Min Kuang Siliang's strike had appeared to show off before the crowd—but to Gu Qing, it had laid bare his entire foundation.

(End of Chapter)