But when he looked up, he found no one there. General Wei Tian had disappeared sometime earlier.
Old Tian left the riverbank and walked out along a path, gazing at the small hill where the Spring Stream Palace was located in the distance, shrouded in night... He suddenly smiled strangely: "That Japanese girl from the Takeuchi family must be trying to fool people again. I hope that little fool Chen Xiao won't be bewitched by her beauty. Sigh, young people, so full of youthful vigor. Hmph, what Heart Sword Technique, all that mystification. It's really just dividing the fundamental rules of power into simple methods. It's just that the theory is profound, but in practice, it's impossible to do it..."
Then I remembered Nishihira Kojiro, whom I had just pointed out.
A meaningful look appeared on Lao Tian's face.
Giving pointers to a Japanese person... If this had happened many years ago, I doubt I would have even glanced at a Japanese person kneeling before me and begging.
But now... heh heh.
That old fox Takeuchi Fumio has worked hard, and in recent years, the Japanese martial arts world has gradually improved under his influence.
“It’s not a good thing for the Shangchen family to be so dominant. That Nishihira Kojiro has some skills. If he can cause trouble for the Shangchen family in the future, the Japanese martial arts world will no longer be a monolithic entity.”
After muttering a few words to himself, Old Tian suddenly tapped his forehead and chuckled self-deprecatingly, "The older I get, the more despicable I become, sigh..."
Old Tian strolled a few steps toward Sennyyu Palace and stood on the street in front of the palace gate, gazing at the palace gate from afar.
His gaze gradually became somewhat complicated.
Years ago, when I brought that young girl here, Sekiryu-gu Shrine wasn't as grand as it is now. This gate must have been built later. And the cherry blossom groves that covered the hillside, the scene of me leading that girl step by step up the mountain path…
With a vine in hand, the swordsmen of the Shangchen family along the way were filled with fear and dread, as if it were the end of the world.
Looking back now, it feels like something from a past life...
In truth, who knows that his past conquest of Japan was merely a casual act, the most fundamental reason being that in front of a sword-making gate, the little girl he held in his hand pleaded with him in a cheerful voice:
"Uncle Tian, the cherry blossoms inside are so beautiful. Can you take me in to see them?"
Old Tian raised his head again and looked at the moon in the sky.
“Mingyue…so many years have passed in the blink of an eye…even your descendant, that child who called me Uncle Tian back then, has turned to dust…but now, I am still alive in this world. Alone, all alone…”
Chapter 199 [Fighting is Necessary!]
In the morning, Chen Xiao stretched in the yard, feeling slightly sleepy.
Last night, Tang Xin and I talked all night long until dawn before Tang Xin finally left.
However, after learning the true nature of the "Heart Sword Technique," the initial sense of mystery and interest in it faded.
Chen Xiao knew very well that although the Heart Sword Technique seemed profound and mysterious, it was actually a vague and impractical theory. While it was said that if one could master all the rules, one could anticipate the enemy's moves and be invincible, this theory seemed perfect—but in reality, it was utterly impractical!
Tang Xin is already considered a rare genius in Japan for thousands of years, but he has only achieved a little success. Moreover, it was because of his "physical disability and strong will" that he was forced to give up learning martial arts and poured all his talent into comprehending the Heart Sword Technique, which is why he has achieved some success.
But consider this: even a prodigy like Tang Xin, after pouring all her effort into it, only achieved a small degree of success...
Speaking of the Heart Sword Technique, if one could master it to its highest level, one would be invincible... But this is a "false proposition" because there is no "if"! This kind of thing is just a pipe dream; in reality, it is impossible to master it to its highest level.
If I were to devote all my energy to cultivating the Heart Sword Technique, I would inevitably neglect my other skills.
However, it cannot be denied that some principles of the Heart Sword Technique can be helpful in improving one's martial arts cultivation level. However, one should not become too obsessed with it, otherwise one will suffer from qi deviation.
Thinking of this, Chen Xiao suddenly had an idea!
You can figure this out yourself. So how could someone as exceptionally intelligent as Tang Xin not understand? This Heart Sword Technique seems profound, but it's nothing but flashy and impractical stuff! You understand that yourself. Would Tang Xin not understand?
So, her previous mystification and earnest instruction... probably wasn't motivated by good intentions...
If I truly become obsessed with it and devote all my energy to mastering such an unattainable realm, I fear I will truly waste my life!
Thinking of this, Chen Xiao sneered inwardly. This woman... Hmph!
The Mind Sword Technique of the Shangchen family. If it were truly powerful, one could cultivate it to become invincible. So why didn't Jingu Naoyuki cultivate it? Why didn't Takeuchi Bunzan cultivate it? It wasn't because their level of skill was insufficient, nor because their talent was lacking! It was because they saw through the essence of this technique—that it was all show and no substance—and thus abandoned it. They merely used the Mind Sword Technique as a supplement to elevate their swordsmanship, without truly indulging in the illusory dream of "mastering all the rules."
Chen Xiao had gone to bed too late last night, so she woke up a little late this morning. But when she walked out of the courtyard, she still saw Ito Kyo standing outside, fanning herself with a folding fan, looking relaxed, and smiling and greeting her.
This guy arrived early this morning and has been waiting outside ever since?
Chen Xiao thought to himself, "The Shangchen family really puts a lot of effort into me."
He was already on guard, but he didn't show it on his face. He simply nodded to Ito Kyo.
"Chen Xiaojun, the Daizong family instructed me to arrange a car for you to go to Kyoto this afternoon. This morning..."
Before he could finish speaking, Chen Xiao said, "I'd like to go for a stroll in Kobe this morning."
Ito Kyo paused for a moment, then immediately smiled and said, "Alright, I'll be Chen Xiaojun's tour guide again this time."
The two went out. Chen Xiao had already spent two days exploring Kobe, but this time he got into the car and said, "Let's go see Nanjing Town."
Kobe's "Nanjingcho", also known as Chinatown, is actually Kobe's Chinatown.
Chen Xiao had been here once yesterday and remembered some of the directions, so this time he didn't need Ito Kyo to guide him. He went straight to a Chinese clothing store, bought two sets of Tang suits, and changed out of his kimono.
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do. This kimono is fine for a short while, but it's much more comfortable to change into a Tang suit." Chen Xiao changed into a Tang suit without making a sound.
In truth, he had already made up his mind. Tang Xin's intention was to use him as a henchman for the Shangchen family. This had been quite obvious yesterday. If he continued to help her, the more battles they fought, the higher the Shangchen family's prestige would rise. Others would then only see him as a member of the Shangchen family's inner circle.
If I were to change into a Tang suit, it would clearly reveal my identity. Without saying a word, just by looking at my attire, it would be obvious that I am not a member of the Shangchen family.
It was only yesterday, when Nishihira Kojiro emphasized his identity as a "successor of General Tian of China," that Chen Xiao was reminded of this.
Chen Xiao wasn't a radical youth. Although he didn't like Japan, he didn't think that wearing a kimono during a trip there was anything against national integrity. When in Rome, do as the Romans do; wearing local clothing was a common practice. However, when it came to a martial arts competition, his stance and whom he represented became vastly different! Therefore, he quietly changed into a Tang suit today.
Of course, he didn't have any money on him, but Ito Kyo paid for the clothes.