Chapter 249: Please Appoint Me as Martial Arts Alliance Leader!

Gu Qing and Mikenagashi Shiro had agreed to duel at a set time; this was not the place for them to draw their swords. Mikenagashi Shiro sheathed his blade effortlessly, exchanged a glance with Gu Qing, and walked toward the edge of the crowd.

The Japanese present naturally made way for Mikenagashi Shiro; as Japan's greatest swordsman, he held an exalted status, and now, facing a challenge from this Central Plains man, the Japanese chose to place their faith in Mikenagashi Shiro.

Mikenagashi Shiro was the pride of Japan!

"Let's return as well."

Gu Qing said.

He had traveled through Edo, witnessed Mikenagashi Shiro, and felt he had seen enough; he then took the sisters back to the Yanagi household.

Duan Tianya and Kobayashi Masaru each retrieved their swords, which Mikenagashi Shiro had knocked away, and exchanged glances; Kobayashi Masaru had now calmed down and felt profound gratitude toward Duan Tianya, while Duan Tianya, with his gentle nature, nodded and sheathed his sword, following behind Gu Qing.

At the Yanagi household.

"Is it really ninety-two percent?"

Yanagi Tadamasa knelt before Gu Qing, his eyes glinting faintly.

Yanagi Tadamasa had long desired to become the Martial Arts Alliance Leader and elevate the Yanagi clan; upon hearing that Gu Qing had observed Mikenagashi Shiro's techniques and spoke with such certainty, something unknown stirred within him.

If Gu Qing could kill Mikenagashi Shiro, he could kill Iga Musashi; if he could kill Iga Musashi, he could kill Sato Yoshinosuke.

Would the position of Martial Arts Alliance Leader not then be within easy reach?

"It's no longer a question of ninety-two percent."

Gu Qing said: "It's what you plan to do after becoming the Martial Arts Alliance Leader!"

Yanagi Tadamasa stiffened, his spine gradually straightening.

After a long conversation, when Gu Qing and Yanagi Tadamasa parted ways, Yanagi Tadamasa still followed Gu Qing, escorting him a great distance; even after bidding farewell, he couldn't help laughing a few times.

The seed buried in his heart for years was finally about to bloom and bear fruit.

"Master."

In the darkness, Duan Tianya addressed Gu Qing.

Gu Qing noticed Duan Tianya's deep unease and smiled: "Have you encountered a problem in your martial arts?"

"The sword techniques you taught are superb; I've tested them thoroughly and have no doubts."

Duan said.

Originally, Duan Tianya had sought Gu Qing as his master merely to learn a few tricks, but he never expected Gu Qing's Japanese sword techniques to be so powerful; though differing in adaptability from local Japanese styles, their power was greater. Duan Tianya tested them in duels at the Yanagi household and against Kobayashi Masaru of the Iga school, confirming their effectiveness.

Duan Tianya even harbored a thought that his own cultivation was the true form, while all Japanese sword techniques were heretical.

"But…"

After demonstrating his techniques, Duan said with deep concern: "The Yanagi household has great ambitions. By meddling in Japan's affairs, are we doing good or harm?"

Gu Qing only needed to demonstrate his ability to reshape Japan; Duan Tianya had far more to consider.

If Japan's situation changed overnight, who could say whether it would bring fortune or disaster to the Great Ming?

"My alliance with the Yanagi household is contingent on Yanagi Tadamasa becoming Alliance Leader and purging the Japanese pirates."

Gu Qing said: "Whether it brings fortune or disaster, we'll decide after clearing the coastal Japanese pirates."

Gu Qing had no need to consider the future, just as in the Heaven and Earth world he needn't have worried about the Jingkang Humiliation thirty years hence—he had left the Heaven and Earth world, and it had frozen in place; as long as he preserved his life and continued his cultivation, when he one day reopened the world, his power would surely be greater.

Would Gu Qing then need to worry about the Jurchen invaders?

Just as now—even if the Yanagi household truly unified Japan, could it bring harm?

Impossible!

Gu Qing could raise them up, and he could crush them flat. Duan Tianya, well aware of the Japanese pirates's devastation, felt reassured upon learning Gu Qing was using the Japanese pirates as leverage.

"Train hard!"

Gu Qing patted Duan: "After my duel, I'll teach you the Illusion Sword."

Duan Tianya remained silent, watching Gu Qing walk toward Yanagi Yukihime's chamber.

Moments later, twelve-year-old Yanagi Piaoxu was chased out, stomping furiously outside the door, then crouching before it, peering inside.

Yanagi Piaoxu did not yet understand love or happiness, but seeing Yanagi Yukihime's rosy cheeks and boundless joy each day, she naturally wanted to insert herself into it—especially since, in her view, she had come first, and Yanagi Yukihime second.

In the following days, Gu Qing remained within the Yanagi household, never venturing out; news of his duel spread wildly throughout Japan, until this day, when Gu Qing neatly groomed himself, sword in hand, stepped out of the Yanagi household, and walked toward the mountain where he had agreed to meet Mikenagashi Shiro.

Mikenagashi Shiro had already arrived, waiting; upon seeing Gu Qing, he nodded to him.

In the mountains, Iga Musashi and many Iga disciples were gathered, along with ninja and ronin who had traveled great distances upon hearing of the duel.

"Has Sato Yoshinosuke arrived?"

!

Gu Qing scanned the crowd, searching left and right.

"He is too old to come."

Iga Musashi said coolly.

"A pity."

Gu Qing sighed, then fixed his gaze on Mikenagashi Shiro: "Have you found a successor for your Illusion Sword?"

Gu Qing had heard that Mikenagashi Shiro had passed on the Illusion Sword before the duel.

Mikenagashi Shiro smiled calmly: "You've passed on your sword techniques; naturally, I must prepare as well."

In Mikenagashi Shiro's view, Gu Qing, preparing for the duel, had already transmitted his sword techniques to Duan Tianya—should he die, his legacy would not be lost; thus, Mikenagashi Shiro was imitating him.

Hearing this, Gu Qing smiled, drew his sword slowly, and though he had not held it against an opponent in a long time, he was never unfamiliar with the blade; once in hand, the sword seemed infused with life, instantly vibrant.

"Both of you—attack together!"

Gu Qing raised his sword, aiming at Mikenagashi Shiro and Iga Musashi.

Mikenagashi Shiro and Iga Musashi immediately changed expression, staring at Gu Qing, each feeling deeply humiliated.

Edo.

Yanagi Tadamasa, accompanied by Yanagi Jubei and many Yanagi warriors, entered the Shogun's palace to pay homage to Tokugawa Ieyasu.

"Please, my Lord, appoint me as Martial Arts Alliance Leader."

After bowing, Yanagi Tadamasa made his request.

Tokugawa Ieyasu, hearing this, grew furious and immediately ordered Yanagi Tadamasa arrested—but the guards who entered all moved to Yanagi Tadamasa's side, surrounding Tokugawa Ieyasu instead.

"Mikenagashi Shiro and Iga Musashi will not return."

Yanagi Tadamasa said calmly: "Everyone in this imperial palace has been marked with the Life-Death Seal—and of course, after this, the Shogun will also receive his share…"

All the preparation of these days was finally about to bear fruit.

Yanagi Tadamasa said: "Shogun, give the order!"

(End of Chapter)