Because the Koyama Dojo was no longer what it used to be, there were many more disciples. Encouraged by Zhang Heng, many of them came to the dojo early in the morning to practice. Zhang Heng, who was just a wall away from the dojo, was forced to develop the habit of going to bed early and getting up early.
When Akane Koyama found him, he had already washed up and was about to go for a morning jog. Unexpectedly, he received news of Okita Soki's visit.
Considering that Okita Soki was terminally ill, Zhang Heng had long given up hope of winning the duel. He also doubted whether Okita Soki's physical condition could withstand a battle. Although he was now stuck at the threshold of Level 3 to Level 4 and could not find a way to improve, he did not want to sacrifice Okita Soki's life.
However, when Zhang Heng saw Okita Soki, he knew that no matter how much he persuaded him, he would not give up on this duel.
So, the two finally stood in Zhang Heng's small courtyard. This was also Zhang Heng's request. No matter the final outcome, he did not want to announce the result of this duel to the public.
Okita Soki took the wooden sword from Akane Koyama's hand, but he was not in a hurry to remove the Tachi from his waist.
Instead, he looked into Zhang Heng's eyes. "Before we start, I have a few questions to ask Mr. Abe."
"Go ahead," Zhang Heng said.
"Are you on the same side as the Satsuma and Choshu Domain?" No one expected Okita Soki's first question to make the atmosphere tense.
Akane Koyama's face showed a touch of anxiety. She wanted to say something, but Zhang Heng reached out and stopped her. The latter nodded and admitted, "Yes."
"I knew it." The expression on Okita Soki's face was a little strange. He was neither angry nor disappointed. Instead, he seemed to breathe a long sigh of relief. "I heard similar rumors before. I heard that the deputy director of Mitsurugi died in your hands."
"Oh, there is such a thing," Zhang Heng said. "So, do you want to avenge them today?"
Besides, I'm not a person like the director who can't stand a single grain of sand, "Okita Soki shook his head and said," Times have changed. The Shogun has returned the throne to the Emperor, but the other party is still aggressive. No one knows what the future will bring. During this period, everyone is in a state of panic. Many people have begun to think of a way out, but due to the strict rules set by the director, no one dared to bring it up. But in private, many people have come up with other ideas. "
Okita Soki paused, "I also want to talk to someone who has contact with Honor King Faction. Since Mr. Abe is familiar with those people, it would be great. I know that Mr. Abe is trustworthy."
"Let me know if you need any help. Do you want to leave the New Selection Group?" Zhang Heng asked.
Okita smiled. "What's the difference between my current situation and where I am now? Although I don't actually care about what's going on, I've worn this outfit for so long, and I'm used to it. Why should I take it off at the last moment? "
Zhang Heng did not speak, waiting for Okita Soki to continue.
"There are two people in this world that I'm most worried about. One is my sister, Ah Guang. Fortunately, she is married. The other is Director Kondo. The director brought me to Kyoto, and he and Hijikata have been taking care of me. However, I know Director Kondo very well. He is very stubborn, and he will not change his mind once he has decided on something. If … if the new government is really established, I'm afraid he will not bow down to those traitors. So, what I'm begging you for is not going to be easy to fulfill."
Okita Soki sighed. "If the situation really deteriorates to a certain extent in the future, I hope that you can help Director Kondo if the conditions permit. Use your connections over there to at least let Director Kondo return to his hometown alive and become a farmer."
Okita Soki was probably the person in the entire Shinsengumi who cared the least about politics. However, he was also the most intelligent person in the Shinsengumi. His worries were not unreasonable, and he was right on the mark.
For Zhang Heng, who knew history, he knew very well what happened to Kondo Isami, the Shinsengumi's director. Although Kondo Isami did not participate in the Battle of Toba Fushimi for some reason, he returned to Edo because he was loyal to the shogunate. Subsequently, he was defeated by the new government in the Battle of Katsunuma, and the Shinsengumi was divided. Kondo Isami led the remaining people to continue to resist the new regime. They were surrounded and captured in the Ryusan area, and not long after, they were beheaded.
Zhang Heng thought about it and decided to tell Okita the truth. "I can only do my best, but I can't give you any guarantees."
In fact, Kondo Isami died in April of the following year. At that time, Zhang Heng had already left the quest. Recently, Zhang Heng had been very busy, and he did not have the time to use the extra round of the game to return to the previous quest. He did not even know what would happen to the quest after he left.
However, he could find a way to use his connections with the higher-ups in advance to see if he could save Kondo Isami. Knowing Kondo Isami's character, even if he was lucky enough to escape death, he would not return to his hometown and become an honest farmer like Okita Soki said. There was still the Battle of Shiraishi, the Southwest War, and so on.
However, Zhang Heng had fulfilled his promise and saved Kondo Isami once. As for what he wanted to do next, it was up to him.
Okita Soki breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Zhang Heng's words. "That's enough. I don't need you to make an oath or anything. I just hope that I can leave without any worries. Finally, I have one more thing to ask of you."
As he spoke, he finally untied the sword from his waist, caressing the blade, and his eyes became gentle. "This sword is called Kiku-ichimonji Norimune. It was forged by Ichimonji Norimune, a swordsmith of Ichimonji Norimune. It is seven hundred years old, and it is my old friend. Unfortunately, I can no longer slash it. The fate between us has come to an end. I want to find a home for it, and you are the most suitable candidate. I believe that it will definitely shine brighter in your hands."
Zhang Heng was a little surprised. Kiku-ichimonji Norimune. Although it wasn't one of the world's five katana, it was no less famous than the world's five katana. It was also one of Japan's top swords. Speaking of which, there were rumors on the Internet that the owner of this sword was Okita Soki, but not many people supported this theory. Now, Zhang Heng had actually obtained this famous sword from Okita Soki.
And Okita Soki came to Koyama Dojo to look for Zhang Heng today. Apparently, he wanted to make arrangements for his funeral. He could clearly feel that he did not have much time left, so he wanted to burn one last time. He wanted to repay Zhang Heng's kindness, and he also wanted to bid farewell to the world as a samurai.
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