The samurai bodyguards were taken aback for a moment, but they all seemed to be wary of the old man's authority, so they lowered their swords and some even sheathed them.
"Alright, young man, I can guarantee that if you release young master Fujiwara, they won't harm you." The old man raised his head and squinted at Chen Xiao.
I don't know why—this old guy isn't actually very tall, but when he slightly raises his chin and squints at people, he always gives people the feeling of being looked down upon by him.
Chen Xiao still held the young master Fujiwara's wrist in one hand, and placed his other hand on his neck. He shook his head and slowly said, "I'm just protecting Miss Sato."
After speaking, he deliberately glanced at Miss Sato standing behind him—this distinguished lady seemed somewhat stunned. She probably hadn't expected her new attendant to be so audacious as to actually start a fight in such a setting.
Although she was of noble birth and had developed a certain composure from a young age, she was still just a young girl. At this moment, she couldn't help but panic for a moment, and then she pretended to be calm and gave Chen Xiao a deep look: "You... let him go."
Chen Xiao immediately loosened his grip and gently pulled the young master Fujiwara away with a cry of "Ah!" His men caught him, but when he looked down, he saw that the spot on his wrist where Chen Xiao had pinched him was now a bruise.
Once the young master Fujiwara was out of danger, he flew into a rage and shouted, "Quickly! Arrest this lowly Chinese man!"
"Young Master Fujiwara!"
Before Chen Xiao could speak, the old man frowned, his face darkening. He glanced at Chen Xiao and said coldly, "Please be mindful of your status! With His Highness the Prince here, everything is naturally up to His Highness to decide! When did the Fujiwara family become so ill-mannered!"
"..." The young master Fujiwara was speechless. He glanced at the old man unwillingly, then at Chen Xiao, but in the end he didn't dare to make a move. He just gritted his teeth and said, "Chiyoko... this, is this guy your personal attendant? How can someone of your noble status use a Chinese person as a personal attendant?!"
Before Miss Sato could speak, Takeuchi Asako had already rushed to her side. This woman, who disliked Chen Xiao, first gently pulled Miss Sato a couple of steps away from Chen Xiao, and then looked at the young master Fujiwara, coldly saying, "Young master Fujiwara! Is it any of your business who His Highness uses as attendants?!"
Ms. Sato then calmed down, composed herself, and said slowly in a gentle voice, "Fujiwara-kun, please remember your identity! This Mr. Chen is... my special attendant."
With that, she ignored the young master Fujiwara and turned to look at the old man, bowing respectfully before smiling formally: "Master Takeuchi, I didn't expect you to be here as well."
"Your Highness." The old man smiled, performed a strange bow, and then frowned at the angry young master Fujiwara: "Is the Fujiwara family's precepts really so inadequate? It seems that next time I see Prince Fujiwara, I'll have to have a good talk with him."
The young master Fujiwara's expression changed, and he finally sighed, quickly bowing: "Master Takeuchi, I was rash just now! Please forgive me!"
This guy actually managed to hold back. He looked up at Chen Xiao and slowly said, "Are you His Highness's new attendant? You seem quite capable! I must find an opportunity to learn from you!"
After saying that, he snorted, turned around and walked towards the door, with his entourage quickly following behind.
The old man Takeuchi saw this, frowned, shook his head, and looked disdainful.
"Excuse me, everyone." Ms. Sato glanced at the crowd around her, her expression returning to its usual coldness. "Please make yourselves at home."
The surrounding crowd bowed deeply in a thunderous roar, and Miss Sato, accompanied by Takeuchi Yako, left. Before departing, she gave Chen Xiao a deep look, the expression of which was unclear—whether gratitude or reproach. Takeuchi Yako, on the other hand, glared fiercely at Chen Xiao and, as she passed him, muttered, "He knows nothing, only knows how to cause trouble!"
As soon as the distinguished Miss Sato left, the others dispersed. No one dared to cause trouble for Chen Xiao anymore, though there were quite a few strange looks from those around them.
"Chen Xiao!"
Zhang Xiaotao ran quickly to Chen Xiao's side. The girl was excited, tugging at Chen Xiao's sleeve, and whispered excitedly, "Good heavens! Did you hear that?! A princess! That girl, she's a princess!"
Chen Xiao touched his nose: "Prince of the Imperial Family? What's that? Is it a very noble status?"
Zhang Xiaotao rolled her eyes: "You've learned so much from me these past two days for nothing! 'Inner Princess,' that's a title exclusive to the Imperial Family! Only... direct female descendants of the Emperor can be called Inner Princess! In the Japanese Imperial Family, princes are called Princes, and princesses are called Inner Princesses, understand? This Inner Princess, judging by her young age, is probably a granddaughter of the current Emperor of Japan or something like that."
After a pause, Zhang Xiaotao frowned and said, "It's just strange... why does she have the surname Sato? The Japanese imperial family doesn't have surnames."
Chen Xiao had heard Zhang Xiaotao mention this before: The Japanese imperial family claims to be descendants of Amaterasu, the Japanese sun goddess. To show the nobility and mystery of being a descendant of a god, all members of the imperial family refer to themselves as descendants of a god. To distinguish themselves from ordinary people, the official members of the Japanese imperial family only have given names and no surnames.
"So what if they're descendants of the Emperor... aren't they all Japanese devils?" Chen Xiao curled his lip.
"Young friend," Chen Xiao was talking to Zhang Xiaotao when the old man Takeuchi walked over and stood a few steps away from Chen Xiao, looking at him with a half-smile on his old face: "May I have a word with you in private?"
Although he was asking a question, his tone carried an air of unyielding authority. This tone made Chen Xiao uncomfortable, but he still nodded.
He glanced at Zhang Xiaotao, gave her a wink, and then left the venue with Old Man Takeuchi.
Upon reaching the back, respectful waiters escorted the two to the back area. This old man, Takeuchi, seemed to possess an extremely high status; all the Japanese who saw him appeared utterly trembling with fear. The old man flicked his sleeves and walked gracefully ahead, while Chen Xiao followed behind, carefully observing the old man's back, but he couldn't help feeling that the old man's gait was somewhat peculiar…
His gait... seems to...
Walking further in from the back of the banquet hall, you soon arrive at another empty hall.
Old man Takeuchi walked ahead, gently pushed open the door, and stepped inside. Chen Xiao followed behind, and could feel a chilling aura immediately wafting out as soon as the door opened!
His heart skipped a beat!
Old man Takeuchi walked into the room, and Chen Xiao followed about three or four steps behind him. But as Chen Xiao stepped into the room, he suddenly heard a creak behind him...
Bang!
The door slammed shut automatically!
The room wasn't very brightly lit, clearly indicating it was an empty banquet hall. However, everything seemed to have been removed. Several strangely shaped wooden figures were scattered haphazardly around the large room, and a row of weapon racks hung on the walls, displaying all sorts of weapons—knives, spears, clubs, axes, hooks, forks, long spears, broadswords, bows, and arrows.
Chen Xiao even spotted a complete set of ancient Japanese Sengoku-style armor neatly arranged in the corner. The helmet, which resembled bull horns, was covered with a black mask, and the armor was bright red, covered with ornate chrysanthemum patterns.
This old guy... he really knows how to put on a show... he actually set up a training ground like this on the ship?
Chen Xiao thought to himself...
Suddenly! The old man Takeuchi in front of them stopped abruptly!
As soon as the old man Takeuchi stopped, Chen Xiao immediately felt a soaring, sharp killing intent coming from in front of him!
Old man Takeuchi's hand had somehow already rested on the hilt of his sword. With a gentle flick of his thumb, the long katana was drawn from its sheath with a click!
A sharp, cold glint flashed across the old man Takeuchi's eyes. His previously kind gaze suddenly turned fierce!
"Hey!!!"
A loud shout!