Zhang Heng also heard from Okita Soki about what happened to the Shinsengumi recently. He said that the security in Kyoto was getting worse, and the Shogun's attitude was getting more and more ambiguous. Bureau Chief Kondo Isami and Deputy Bureau Chief Hijikata's faces were getting more and more solemn by the day. The situation was so turbulent that rumors about the establishment of a new government were now known even by twelve-year-old children.
So the ronin in the group began to worry about their future. If the new government fell into the hands of the Tobaku rebels, the Shinsengumi, as the main force in Kyoto, would naturally meet its end.
While everyone was in a state of panic, Okita Soki, who was recuperating alone in his residence, was the calmest.
He knew that the current situation was dangerous, but his thoughts were simple. Anyway, the bureau chief and deputy bureau chief were in charge. All he needed to do was carry out their orders as usual.
Okita Soki did not know if he could still wield the Tachi in his hand.
"In another two months, the maple leaves of Kiyomizu-dera will turn red, right?" Okita Soki suddenly said to Zhang Heng.
"Mmm."
"Ah, I really want to go and have a look," Okita Soki sighed.
"Mmm."
"Unfortunately, I've lost the reason to go there again." Okita Soki's signature hearty smile now revealed a hint of sadness. He did not know if he saw his own fate from the orchid in the corner.
"Take good care of yourself. I heard that Bureau Chief Kondo and Deputy Bureau Chief Hijikata seem to be busy trying to find a wife for you. Your sister, Light-chan, entrusted your marriage to them before you left," Zhang Heng said.
Okita Soki shook his head, "You don't have to hide it from me. I know my body best. I'm afraid I won't be able to recover. It's better not to implicate other girls."
Zhang Heng was speechless.
But then Okita Soki comforted him, "Don't worry. I haven't forgotten our agreement. When I feel better, I will come to you."
"Well, if you need any help in the future, you can also ask someone to call me at the dojo," Zhang Heng said, taking Okita Soki's words as a form of comfort.
Although it was a pity, Okita Soki's body was deteriorating faster than Zhang Heng had expected. Hence, the battle with Okita Soki had to be canceled. It was a pity that he couldn't compete with the Shinsengumi's number one player in this dungeon. However, life was like this most of the time. Nothing was perfect.
After that, Zhang Heng did not stay idle. He began to contact some of the Tobaku rebels according to his plan. Initially, he wanted to look for Ito Hirobumi, but the latter was not in Kyoto at the moment. Other than Saigo Takamori, who was eliminated in advance, Katsura Kogoro and Sakamoto Ryoma were also short-lived. So, Zhang Heng decided to stop looking for these historical figures.
Anyway, he didn't want much. He just wanted to protect the Koyama Dojo from being liquidated after the establishment of the new regime. This kind of trivial matter could be done by someone of a lower rank. Although the new regime won the war, it wasn't easy after that. There were civil wars and assassinations. Basically, it was difficult for them to have a good ending. Being too close to them might not be a good thing.
Other than that, Zhang Heng did not forget to take some time to visit the Shimizu Shrine with Akane Koyama to see the maple leaves.
At the top of the mountain, Zhang Heng confessed to Akane that he would be leaving Kyoto next year. Akane Koyama's expression was a little complicated. After spending some time with Zhang Heng, she had already regarded him as a part of the dojo. She knew what Zhang Heng had done behind the scenes to revitalize the dojo, and she gradually came to understand her own heart. However, when he helped her plan the future development of the dojo, she knew that Zhang Heng was planning to leave.
Although she couldn't have imagined that the dojo would be revitalized under her leadership, and it was even better than when her father was alive, she didn't know why, but when she heard that Zhang Heng would be leaving next year, her joy seemed to fade.
When she stepped onto the stage of Shimizu Shrine again, she was in a different mood.
…
Including the extra 24 hours, Zhang Heng had spent 270 days in the game, which was almost nine months. Other than the famed swords, his biggest gain from this quest was that he had finally found a way to improve his swordsmanship, which had been stuck at Level 3 for a long time. Finally, he found a way to continue practicing it.
However, by the seventh month, it was difficult for Zhang Heng to improve his swordsmanship by challenging others. After combining the strengths of various schools, he vaguely felt that he was about to reach the threshold of Lv.4.
But at this last step, he could no longer find a way to improve his swordsmanship. Kyoto at the end of the Bakumatsu was the best place to hone his swordsmanship. This last step was not to be underestimated. Once he left the quest, it would be even more difficult for him to find a way to improve.
Now, looking at Kyoto, he really couldn't find a worthy opponent.
Two of the Bakumatsu's Four Swordsmen had died in his hands. After that, Zhang Heng helped the Bakumatsu to kill some of the shogunate's masters. However, an opponent like Kirino Toshiaki was really hard to come by. Now, Zhang Heng was starting to feel troubled.
He was already considering going to Edo to meet the masters there if he couldn't do it. However, he didn't know what would happen if he left the quest's designated location. Unless it was absolutely necessary, Zhang Heng didn't want to choose this method. Just as he was hesitating, an old friend came to him.
Okita Soki was wearing a light blue haori with the Shinsengumi's mountain pattern on the cuffs. It was also his favorite piece of clothing. His hair and beard were styled, and he even applied some pastel on his face like the geishas did to cover up his sickly pallor.
In the early morning, he knocked on the door of Koyama Dojo.
Akane Koyama was a little surprised to see Okita Soki standing outside the door. Not long ago, she heard that Okita Soki's illness had worsened and he was about to die. She went to visit him. She didn't expect that a few days later, Okita Soki could get out of bed again and come to her dojo alone.
Okita Soki bowed solemnly to Akane Koyama behind the door and said, "Miss Akane, can you please invite Mr. Abe from next door? Tell him that Okita Soki is here for an appointment."
"An appointment? What appointment?" Akane Koyama quickly let Okita Soki in. She had completely forgotten about the duel between the two. After all, it happened six months ago, and Okita Soki's physical condition was obvious to all. Let alone a duel, he probably couldn't even walk.
However, she heard Okita Soki say in a very serious tone, "I have adjusted my body and spirit to the best state according to the original agreement. So, Mr. Abe and I are ready to fight."
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