After the battle with Okita Soki, Zhang Heng's swordsmanship, which had been stuck at Lv.3 for a long time, finally broke through to Lv.4.
For Zhang Heng, it was like stepping into a whole new realm.
Every major advancement was a qualitative leap, not to mention Lv 4, which only a handful of people could achieve. After the advancement, Zhang Heng's five senses were strengthened. He had also integrated the insights and combat experience he had accumulated from challenging various dojos. Coupled with the foundation he had built up in Black Sail, he had finally formed a set of swordsmanship that belonged solely to him.
To commemorate the battle with Okita Soki, Zhang Heng finally decided to name the new sect he created Sky-swordsmanship.
Other than that, he also acquired a skill similar to Mind's Eye, which allowed him to continue fighting even when his vision was blocked.
Could it be that he was going to become Daredevil in the future? Zhang Heng touched his chin and thought about it. He could also feel that there seemed to be room for improvement in Mind's Eye. Perhaps his ultimate goal in the future was to maintain his combat power even when his five senses were blocked.
But to achieve that, his sixth sense would probably need to be incredibly sharp.
It sounded a little far-fetched, but generally speaking, as a master, he or she would more or less have a certain sense of impending danger. It was just that the strength of the sixth sense varied. It was useful when it came to guarding against sneak attacks, but it was still a long way to go if he wanted to rely on his sixth sense to fight.
Zhang Heng wasn't in a hurry. His quest this time was coming to an end. His swordsmanship had leveled up as he wished, and he had found two weapons of the same level as the Mikazuki Munechika. As for more advanced weapons, Zhang Heng had no idea where to find them.
One of the three divine artifacts, Amagumo?
That sword was famous, but it was mostly used as a ceremonial artifact, and it was too old. The material used to craft it was too inferior, and its combat effectiveness was questionable. The other main reason was that the sword wasn't in Kyoto's palace, but it had been stored in the Reta Shrine. Even if Zhang Heng wanted to, he couldn't get it.
Logically speaking, the Five Blades Under the Heavens were the best weapons a player could obtain in a Dungeon. Although Scarlet had guessed that there were A-rank tools in the dungeon, she had no idea where to find them.
Zhang Heng had no intention of forcing it. He had done everything he could. If he didn't meet her, then so be it.
And next, he had to face a happy problem. According to the rules of the dungeon, he could only take one out of the two swords. Should he choose Juzumaru or Kiku-ichimonji? This was a problem.
Zhang Heng estimated that both swords were Grade-B. As for their respective characteristics, he could only guess at them before the appraisal was completed. In addition to the fact that the Juzumaru was difficult to damage, the rosary wrapped around the hilt was likely to give it an attribute similar to warding off evil spirits.
On the other hand, Kiku-ichimonji was Okita Soki's beloved katana. Its blade was lighter than the Juzumaru, and its sharpness was even better. It could easily cut a fallen leaf from a tree into two. Combined with Okita's ultimate skill, Seigan, it was impossible to defend against. Zhang Heng's attacks with this katana were three times faster than his fastest speed.
Both sabers had their own advantages, making it difficult for him to decide.
While he was hesitating, the dungeon was nearing its end.
The Battle of Toba Fushimi broke out as recorded in history. When the political situation became more and more unfavorable, Okubo Toshimichi, Saigo Takamori, and the others made a prompt decision to overthrow the Tobaku with force. In January of the following year, they defeated the shogunate's army, ushering in a new era.
However, the people who were immersed in joy now had no idea what fate awaited them in the future.
According to his agreement with Okita Soki, Zhang Heng used the connections he had accumulated in the Tobaku faction to meet with Katsura Kogoro. The latter promised that if Kondo Isami was willing to lay down his weapon and no longer fight against the new government, he would spare his life. However, he would announce to the public that he was dead. In exchange, Kondo Isami had to change his appearance and return to his hometown to work as a farmer. He would never step out of his house for the rest of his life.
Zhang Heng knew that Kondo Isami would never accept such a condition, and he also knew that Katsura knew that Kondo Isami would never agree to it. However, Zhang Heng had fulfilled his promise to Okita Soki and helped Kondo Isami find a way out of a hopeless situation. He would not help Kondo Isami make a choice because everyone had their own destiny.
After doing all these things, all he had to do was wait for the day of his departure.
…
The cherry tree in the yard finally shed all its leaves. Although it would still sprout next year, Zhang Heng could not wait for that day.
Today, he was sitting in the yard of Koyama Dojo, eating grilled fish and pickled radishes while watching a few samurais practice their swordsmanship.
Not long after, Akane Koyama, who had just finished her lesson, walked out of the main house.
She wiped the sweat off her forehead, took a bowl of red bean soup from Zhang Heng, took a sip, and asked, "Have you booked the ticket?"
"Well, it's tomorrow afternoon."
Zhang Heng smiled. He announced to the public that he still had unfinished business in the Western countries and had to go back again. As for the date of his return, it was uncertain.
Now that Koyama Dojo was on the right track, the samurai era was over. However, the new government would form the Metropolitan Police Department, which would also teach swordsmanship. In history, the Metropolitan Police Department chose one style from each of the ten schools of swordsmanship and created the Metropolitan Police Department Ryu.
Zhang Heng changed the history slightly. Through his efforts, he managed to make the little-known Koyama Myoshin-ryu into one of the ten schools. After that, Koyama Dojo would also become a dojo with the Metropolitan Police Department, helping to teach swordsmanship. This way, even in the Meiji era, Akane Koyama's dojo could continue to grow.
Akane Koyama bit her lip. She knew what Zhang Heng had done for Koyama Dojo, but it was difficult for her to repay him. All she could do was silently enjoy the benefits he brought. It was difficult for her to accept. After a moment of silence, she asked, "Weren't you collecting swords before?"
"Oh, after Ms. Akane's reminder, I stopped doing that kind of thing," Zhang Heng said.
But in fact, after obtaining the Juzumaru and Kiku-ichimonji, there were no more swords that caught his eye.
"My father also has a hidden sword, but it's not a famous one. I don't know who made it," Akane Koyama said. "I know it can't be compared to the sword in your hand, but take it as a parting gift."
"Oh? In that case, I will gladly accept your invitation. "Heng nodded.
Although he was destined to be unable to bring this sword out of the dungeon, he did not refuse Akane Koyama's kindness. He reached out with both hands and took the gift from the girl.
He drew the sword from the scabbard and looked at it. Just as Akane Koyama said, it was an ordinary sword, probably less than a hundred years old. It was well maintained, but it was not as hard as the Juzumaru, and its sharpness was not as good as Kiku-ichimonji's. The blade looked dull, and there were no inscriptions left by the maker. It was obvious that it was not a famous sword.
However, Zhang Heng accepted the sword solemnly because he did not want to disappoint the girl's kindness. He then got up and bowed.
"Thank you for taking care of me all this time, Ms. Akane."
Akane Koyama tried her best to look up, not letting the tears fall from her eyes. "I will always keep the courtyard for you. Come back when you have time," she said softly.
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