It had been more than twenty days since Zhang Heng entered this quest. He had challenged many dojos and learned many different styles. He could switch to different swordsmanship according to different situations. However, in the most dangerous moments, people would still choose to return to their instincts.
Zhang Heng's instincts were the swordsmanship honed by Black Sail during his ten years as a pirate. The so-called Annie-ryu was a swordsmanship that did not belong to any school. It relied purely on combat instinct and experience.
After the katana in his hand broke, Zhang Heng simply stuck close to Kirino Toshiaki and took the initiative to close the distance between them. This way, the battle became more dangerous, and it also tested both sides' reaction speed.
And reaction speed was Zhang Heng's strength. He had experienced more battles than Kirino Toshiaki. No one could beat him when it came to swinging his katana and seizing fleeting opportunities in a chaotic battle. This was also Zhang Heng's biggest advantage. On the other hand, Kirino Toshiaki was fifteen years older than Zhang Heng. In terms of swordsmanship, he might not be any worse than Zhang Heng, and he was stronger too. However, his reaction speed was still declining.
In this life-or-death situation, he was as calm as ever. Since he could not defend himself, he decided not to. Instead, he went on the offensive again, thinking that he could save Zhang Heng. He also began to consciously look for opportunities to fight, taking advantage of Juzumaru's advantages. At the same time, he patiently waited for an opportunity to put some distance between them.
Both were trying their best to play to their strengths, and at the same time, looking for each other's weaknesses.
Kirino Toshiaki could be said to be the most powerful master Zhang Heng had encountered so far in this quest. Hence, this battle was also the most satisfying one for him.
For now, neither of them could gain any advantage.
But as time went by, Zhang Heng became more and more familiar with Kirino Toshiaki's swordsmanship. The latter's swordsmanship habits and routines were gradually grasped by Zhang Heng. On the other hand, Kirino Toshiaki had just gotten used to the Niten Ichi-ryu. In the blink of an eye, Zhang Heng had switched to a new style. This time, his swordsmanship became more elusive, even beyond the scope of Japanese swordsmanship. Kirino Toshiaki was at a loss.
At this time, Zhang Heng finally sounded the horn of counterattack. The katana in his right hand took the initiative to make contact with the Juzumaru, blocking Kirino Toshiaki's slash. At the same time, he stabbed Kirino Toshiaki's lower ribs with his left hand.
Kirino Toshiaki realized the danger he was in. Juzumaru did not press down anymore. Instead, he decisively retreated and slashed at Zhang Heng's left wrist. However, during the process, he knew he was in trouble. Zhang Heng's attack on his lower ribs was just a feint. It was as if Zhang Heng had already guessed his response. Zhang Heng had been waiting for him with his katana, and at the same time, he swung the katana in his right hand.
Kirino Toshiaki retreated with one blow, but it was still too late.
The two of them finally distanced themselves from each other again, but Kirino Toshiaki's right hand was bleeding profusely. At the same time, there were two severed fingers on the ground.
Zhang Heng's strategy was to continuously change his moves in a short period of time, taking advantage of Kirino Toshiaki's slower reflexes. At the same time, he deliberately lured Kirino Toshiaki into using his previous moves. In the end, he finally got a generous reward.
With only three fingers left, he could no longer hold the katana. So, Kirino Toshiaki switched the Juzumaru to his left hand.
However, his left hand was definitely not as good as his right hand. It would not be a problem for him to deal with an ordinary battle, but in a battle between masters, he had already lost.
Looking at the severed fingers on the ground, Kirino Toshiaki's square face finally showed some emotion.
However, it was not despair or fear. Instead, it was more like a relief.
He opened his mouth and said in a low voice, "Today, I have finally repaid Lord Saigo's kindness. It's a pity … I won't be able to see the new era you promised." After that, he raised the Juzumaru in his hand again and nodded to Zhang Heng. "Come on. It's better to die in your hands than to die in the hands of other idiots."
"As you wish." Zhang Heng did not hesitate and clenched the katana in his hand again.
…
When Okita Soki lifted the curtain, he knew that he had been deceived, but he was not too worried. Shinsaku Takasugi's physical condition was terrible, and there was an 80% chance that he could not walk on his own. That was why these people would risk exposing themselves and rob the sedan. Now, the other party was alone, and he had to carry Shinsaku Takasugi on his back.
Okita Soki recalled the crossroads he encountered along the way, turned his head, and rushed back. He soon made a new discovery. At one of the crossroads, he saw a pool of fresh blood, which seemed to prove that Shinsaku Takasugi was in a terrible condition.
Without hesitation, Okita Soki immediately followed the blood trail.
He had left Gion, and not far away was the residence of the Aizu Domain. The Aizu Domain belonged to the shogunate, and it was unlikely that Shinsaku Takasugi would seek refuge with them. However, on the other side of the street, there was a house belonging to the Yunshu Domain. Many people in the Yunshu Domain were close to the Tobaku.
Although the Shinsengumi's influence in Kyoto was not strong enough to break into a samurai house, Okita Soki would not let Shinsaku Takasugi escape no matter what. So, he chose to climb over the wall.
As soon as he landed, a katana came at him. Fortunately, Okita Soki was prepared for the enemy's sneak attack, and he managed to block the attack.
With the help of the moonlight, he saw the other party's face. It was a young samurai about the same age as him, and he was the last person accompanying Shinsaku Takasugi. Seeing that the sneak attack failed, the other party did not waste any time and continued to attack, trying to take advantage of the situation.
In all fairness, his swordsmanship was considered good among his peers. However, he was still no match for a genius like Okita Soki. When Okita was at his peak, he could defeat his opponent in less than ten moves. However, he had exhausted too much of his strength, and his body was covered in wounds.
Therefore, it took him a lot of effort to win this battle. Okita Soki had to use his signature move, the Green Eye. In the end, he stabbed the young samurai's throat. Seeing blood spurting from the young samurai's mouth, Okita Soki finally felt a little tired.
Fortunately, tonight's battle was over. Next, he just needed to find Shinsaku Takasugi, who was hiding in the house, and stab him in the chest. Then, he would be dead for real.
In fact, Okita Soki did not like to kill people. However, in this era, every man had to make a choice.
Okita Soki was lazy. He was the closest to the current leader of the Shinsengumi, Kondo Isami. He followed Kondo Isami from his hometown to Kyoto. The latter wanted to do something big, and in the end, he chose the shogunate. Naturally, he became the shogunate's lackey.
Recently, however, Okita Soki's mind was not on work at all.
After finishing off the last enemy, his thoughts drifted elsewhere.
What a headache … How can I see Miss Saya again?
Okita had been worrying about this matter. When the two met for the first time, although they chatted happily, he forgot to ask for the other party's address. After that, although they "coincidentally" met several times, he still could not muster up the courage. Sometimes, he only dared to look at the other party from a distance.
He once went to ask Hijikata, the most resourceful man in the group. The latter told him, "She's a woman. Just be tough. Go and propose to her father directly. Her opinion doesn't matter at all."
Okita Soki scratched his ears and cheeks. Although he did not know what was wrong with what he did, he had a bad feeling about it. Perhaps he subconsciously did not want to be hated by Miss Saya.
But the next moment, he heard the sound of a bucket falling to the ground.
Was there another enemy?
Okita Soki turned around with the katana in his hand, but what he saw was the face that had been haunting him for a long time.
But this time, the innocent and healing smile on her face was no longer there. Instead, it was replaced by endless fear.
What is she afraid of?
Oh, it's me. I'm covered in blood like a ghost now, right? Okita Soki thought to himself. At the same time, he apologized in his heart, "I'm sorry, Miss Saya. I didn't even have time to introduce myself before you saw my ugliest side."
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