Chapter 251: The Yanagisa Clan

It's good to have a daughter, truly good!

Yanagisawa Tadamasa held his wine bowl, watching Yanagisawa Yuki and Yanagisawa Piaoxu cluster around Gu Qing, his heart filled with satisfaction—this long-held wish of his, to see his two daughters marry well, had finally been fulfilled.

The current Tokugawa Shogun had been planted with the Life-Death Mark; the Yanagisa family could now control the daimyos by holding the Shogun hostage, and in a few more years, Japan's banners would change… Thinking of this, Yanagisawa Tadamasa straightened his back even more.

"Great Master Gu, please take me as your disciple!"

Yanagisawa Jubei suddenly knelt before Gu Qing at the victory banquet and shouted.

Yanagisawa Jubei was a famed swordsman in Japanese history, though he was rather insignificant in the world's top rankings; yet he had already mastered his family's techniques thoroughly. Originally, he had intended to become a disciple of Min Kuang Siliang and cultivate the Illusion Sword to elevate his skill—but now, he had a far better choice.

Gu Qing alone killed Min Kuang Siliang and Iga Muso; his strength is unquestionably the greatest in Japan. If you want to learn swordsmanship, it's crystal clear who to follow.

"Fine!"

Gu Qing readily accepted Yanagisawa Jubei and said, "I can teach you and Tianya the Illusion Sword."

Gu Qing's mastery of swordplay was extremely high; the Illusion Sword had been used before him once, leaving no secrets. Even while teaching it to Duan Tianya and Yanagisawa Jubei, he could refine and improve it.

"I hope you two will support each other in the future and never turn your blades against each other."

Before teaching the Illusion Sword, Gu Qing recalled the original plot where Duan Tianya killed Yanagisawa Jubei, so he said this.

In the TV drama, Duan Tianya once said that after learning the Illusion Sword, his tragic fate began… But in truth, it was the Yanagisa family's tragic fate that began—Duan Tianya took all the Yanagisa women and killed every man, a true anti-Japanese hero.

The techniques were transmitted.

Yanagisawa Jubei and Duan Tianya sat in silent contemplation.

At this moment, Gu Qing naturally entered Yanagisawa Yuki's room.

"My sister isn't feeling well today."

Yanagisawa Piaoxu sat on the bed, smiling at Gu Qing, saying, "She went to sleep alone." As she spoke, she pulled Gu Qing close into her arms and said, "It's my turn now."

"You're still too young."

Gu Qing pinched Yanagisawa Piaoxu's cheek. When you finally take on an adult form, I won't let you rest.

Iga School.

Duan Tianya, Yanagisawa Jubei, and the Yanagisa clan, along with the Shogunate's guards, stood outside, watching the Iga School's halls filled with mourning after Iga Muso's death.

"Attack!"

Yanagisawa Jubei coldly spoke, leaping down, his long blade merciless, cutting down several men at once, throwing the Iga School into chaos. The trained ninjas inside rushed out to fight the Yanagisa samurai.

Duan Tianya watched Yanagisawa Jubei wield his sword without mercy, his heart aching.

The Iga School was originally meant to be Duan Tianya's master's home—but Gu Qing and the Yanagisa clan's alliance had turned it into an obstacle… As Duan Tianya pondered, he leapt down, his sword flashing, slicing through two ninjas with swift strokes.

"Duan Tianya, a sword is for killing. If you hesitate like this, you'll never achieve anything in your life!"

Seeing Duan Tianya's hesitation in his swordplay, Yanagisawa Jubei sneered.

Duan Tianya remained silent, but as he thrust his blade forward, he suddenly recognized the man before him as Xiao Lin Zheng, whom he had dueled on the street days ago. In these few days, Xiao Lin Zheng's sword skill had improved dramatically; his consecutive strikes left Duan Tianya astonished.

"It's you?"

In the dim light, Xiao Lin Zheng also recognized Duan Tianya's face, stunned for a moment, then cried bitterly, "My master already lost the duel—why won't you leave us alone?" As he spoke, he swept his blade upward. Duan Tianya fell silent. Gu Qing had helped Yanagisawa Tadamasa seize power, and now Yanagisawa Jubei was slaughtering the Iga School—Duan Tianya felt as if a corrupt minister had usurped the throne and exterminated loyal ministers. Every time he thrust his sword, he felt he betrayed his own chivalric heart. The sword's full ten-tenths of power were already reduced by two; as he moved, he deliberately omitted cruel techniques, losing another six.

Now, Duan Tianya's participation in the battle was more like slacking off.

"Catch!"

Xiao Lin Zheng struck forward.

Duan Tianya's eyes narrowed—he recognized the Illusion Sword technique. He blocked with his blade, countering with the same style. After only a few exchanges, he realized: Xiao Lin Zheng was almost certainly the disciple Min Kuang Siliang had chosen before their final duel.

"Run away!"

Duan Tianya pressed his sword down and told Xiao Lin Zheng, "Your strength is still too limited!"

Xiao Lin Zheng was pushed back several steps, and now he calmed down. Seeing Duan Tianya's repeated mercy, he realized this man was unlike the others who had stormed in. He gave Duan Tianya a long, heavy look, then retreated toward the exit.

"Don't go!"

Duan Tianya pretended to chase after him, exchanging two more blows with Xiao Lin Zheng, merely to help him escape.

"Hmph…"

!

In the midst of the chaos, a cold laugh rang out. A dark shadow flashed through the crowd, and many Yanagisa men collapsed. Duan Tianya stared—before him stood a short, elderly man, white-haired and bearded, his eyes sharp and cruel. He raised his hand and struck Duan Tianya's chest with a palm!

"Thud!"

Duan Tianya rolled on the ground, his vision blurring.

"I didn't notice for a moment, and you Yanagisa clan caused such a mess."

The short old man said, "But this chaos will be settled soon." As he spoke, he seized Xiao Lin Zheng and leapt away, vanishing without a trace.

"Sato Yoshinosuke!"

Yanagisawa Jubei recognized the man, clenched his fist in fury, then rushed to Duan Tianya's side. Seeing Duan Tianya barely breathing, he pulled up his shirt—on his chest was a red palm print.

"You keep showing mercy to others, but they show you none at all!"

Yanagisawa Jubei sneered, "You've been struck by Sato Yoshinosuke's unique Blood-Congealing Palm—famous alongside my family's Bone-Shattering Palm. You won't even need to see your master—you'll die before then."

Die?

At that moment, Duan Tianya felt neither joy nor sorrow—only utter emptiness. He had never imagined death could arrive so suddenly.

It felt meaningless.

Yanagisawa Jubei stared at Duan Tianya, hesitated a moment, then said, "But you're lucky—you got hurt right in front of me. My master is too vital to my family; I can't let you die… But I warn you: remember everything you've seen today—and keep it buried in your heart!"

Duan Tianya looked at Yanagisawa Jubei, confused.

Yanagisawa Jubei carried Duan Tianya into a house within the Iga School, closed the door, and said, "My Yanagisa family has a technique called the Primordial Turtle Qi Art—only virginal males and females can cultivate it. When practicing, the body burns with unbearable heat, so both parties must be completely naked and pressed together. After the art is activated, your internal injuries and poison will fully heal…"

Duan Tianya's eyes slowly widened.

Had Gu Qing not appeared, Duan Tianya would have received this Primordial Turtle Qi Art treatment in seven years—now, it came early.

"Let me die!"

Duan Tianya's voice was hoarse.

(End of Chapter)