Xiaoshan Qian knew nothing about what Zhang Heng was going to do that night.
The latter just told her before leaving the house, "I have to go to work. There is no need to leave food for me." Then he walked out of the dojo with the knife.
Akane Koyama only thought it was an ordinary job, because Zhang Heng had gone out to work at night before. Although the number of times was not many, in Akane Koyama's opinion, there should be no difference this time.
In fact, she couldn't worry about this kind of thing now. When she looked at Zhang Heng after that trip to Kiyomizu Temple, she seemed to have a slightly different feeling than before. It was hazy, and Akane Oyama herself couldn't tell what it was. What's the reason? Or maybe she vaguely guessed something but didn't want to admit it.
The girl's thoughts are as unpredictable as the reflection of the full moon in the water.
In addition, besides her relationship with Zhang Heng, she also has other worries. The most important one is the survival and development of Xiaoshan Dojo. Because she could not recruit students before, she had to provide free lessons and provide preferential lunch conditions from poor people. Recruiting disciples among her children would make her money tighter.
Although Zhang Heng later rejected her proposal to reduce or reduce the rent, even including the rent, it was still not enough to support the dojo. Akane Koyama has been struggling with how to increase her income sources for some time.
As a result, at this moment, a strange-looking guy was looking at something furtively outside the door of the dojo. The next moment, a wooden knife was pointed at his chest.
"Who sent you here?" Xiaoshan Qian frowned and shouted.
"Ah?!" The person who came seemed to be startled, took half a step back, wiped his nose and said sarcastically, "Is this a small mountain dojo?"
"Isn't it clearly written on the plaque outside the door?" Xiaoshan Qian did not relax her vigilance.
"I...I saw it, but I didn't expect it to be so...simple inside the dojo." The visitor said.
"Are you here specifically to be beaten?" Akane Koyama didn't expect that this guy with a sinister look would have the nerve to despise someone else's dojo, and she couldn't help but said angrily.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" The visitor saw that the wooden sword in Akane Koyama's hand was about to strike at him, and he quickly apologized, "I know that real outsiders don't like to pursue fame and wealth, so this is the perfect place...to be honest. , I actually came here to learn skills from a teacher." He quickly explained the reason for his visit.
"Huh?" Akane Koyama put away the wooden knife in her hand at the last moment and looked at the visitor with a suspicious look, "Why do you want to come to Koyama Dojo to become a disciple?"
The guy outside the door was also a little dumbfounded. He didn't expect that there would be a dojo that would ask such a question. Akane Koyama looked like she didn't believe that someone was here to become a disciple.
"Because... I want to become the most powerful swordsman in the world?" The visitor answered cautiously.
This bold statement combined with his somewhat wretched appearance is a bit ridiculous, let alone the fact that he has the desire to become the best swordsman in the world but he came to become a disciple of the impoverished Xiaoshan Dojo.
At this point, Akane Koyama was sure that the guy in front of her was here to have fun.
So she raised the wooden sword in her hand again and shouted angrily, "Bold madman, be prepared to wake up!"
"Ah?!" The visitor was about to cry without tears. He had no idea why he had to be hacked again for telling the truth. Could this be a trial before joining Koyama Akishin-ryu? As expected, the people from this school are very fierce.
…………
On the other side, Zhang Heng had already met with French businessman Gabriel at the meeting place. The latter was wearing a tuxedo today and his hair was meticulously combed. He looked energetic. When he saw Zhang Heng, he waved to him and finally The answer to the mystery was announced, "Hi, Yuta-san, let's go to Gion tonight."
Gion is located east of the Kamogawa River. It was originally a street in front of the Yasaka Shrine. In 1665, the Edo shogunate allowed teahouses to be opened here, and then gradually developed into a famous flower street in Kyoto. Now it is the most prosperous time of Gion. It is known as having three Qian Geisha is the place where all men yearn for.
The person who invited Gabriel tonight set up the venue there and was obviously aware of the French businessman's hobby.
However, Gabriel didn't seem to be in a hurry. He took Zhang Heng to the roadside to eat something to cushion his stomach, and then waited until it was completely dark before the two of them set off and slowly wandered to Gion. Another aspect confirmed Zhang Heng's previous judgment.
The person the French businessman wanted to meet tonight was obviously not convenient to appear in public, so he postponed the banquet to this time, and then came to Gion under the cover of night to avoid being hit by other people.
Could it be Hanjiro Nakamura that everyone in Kyoto is looking for now?
Although Zhang Heng hopes this is the answer, on the other hand, he also knows very well that the reason why Gabriel, a cunning French businessman, contacted the rebel faction must be to discuss business, and Nakamura Hanjiro, the executioner, does not understand business at all. Of course, this is also It doesn't mean that he will definitely not come tonight. If he is not the host of tonight's banquet but just a bodyguard, it is still possible. Therefore, Zhang Heng has not completely given up hope.
Zhang Heng followed Gabriel into a teahouse named Youji. He could clearly feel that this teahouse was different, from the waiter at the entrance to the maiko passing by in the corridor. The smiling proprietress actually seemed to have a vague sense of martial arts.
Zhang Heng realized that his previous idea might be a bit off. The host of the banquet placed the location here not to satisfy Gabriel's basic demands as a man, but because this was a secret stronghold of the rebel faction in Kyoto. .
Zhang Heng couldn't help but become more curious about the identity of the host of tonight's banquet. With such confidentiality and security measures, the other party's background might be quite high, but he remained indifferent on the outside.
Until he passed through a corridor and reached the middle of the courtyard, a maid finally blocked his way.
The other party bowed respectfully to him and said politely, "This guest, Youji is in a place of pleasure, so please untie me."
"But I'm not here to have fun." Zhang Heng said calmly.
The maid smiled after hearing this and said nothing more, but she did not move away either. She was just stuck in the middle of the road. This action was enough to explain her position.
Seeing that the atmosphere was getting a little tense, Gabriel quickly asked Zhang Heng about the cause of the matter, and then advised, "It's okay, just give them the knife to keep for a while. It's just a banquet tonight, there's nothing dangerous. Just bring it back after you finish your meal."
"This knife is a relic of the ancestors. I dare not leave it." Zhang Heng also opened his mouth. In fact, he just borrowed this knife the day before yesterday. It is the sharpest and strongest knife. He brought it to deal with what may happen at night. Great war.
