His calligraphy is quite skillful. The two lines of poetry he wrote are written with rounded and powerful strokes, clearly showing that he is also quite accomplished in calligraphy, and is not the kind of good-for-nothing playboy.
After blowing away the ink, Bo Ren held the fan in his hand and looked at it again. A satisfied smile appeared on his face. He handed the folding fan to the attendant and said, "This is my gift. Please give it to Chen Xiaojun for me."
The attendant, who always served Prince Hirohito, respectfully accepted the folding fan. He thought to himself that when His Highness recruited Nishihira Kojiro, he had also given him a folding fan, but without personally inscribing it. This time, however, he had personally written two lines of Chinese poetry for this Chinese man. It seemed that in His Highness's eyes, this Chinese man held far greater importance than Nishihira Kojiro.
After Chen Xiao's departure, he defeated the three sword masters who had come to challenge him one by one. Immediately, the way these swordsmen from the Shangchen family looked at Chen Xiao changed considerably. Yesterday they were full of hostility, but now they were much more friendly, even showing a hint of respect and fear. The Japanese admire strength, especially since the three challengers were no weaklings. Just look at Nishihira Kojiro's performance; it was clear he had achieved considerable skill in swordsmanship, firmly entering the realm of a top-tier swordsman. Among the eight outstanding members of the Shangchen family, none had reached that level.
Chen Xiao, who defeated Nishihira Kojiro, naturally commanded both awe and respect from the Eight Heroes of Shangchen.
Before leaving, Ito Daio gave Chen Xiao a deep look, but his gaze was unfriendly. Clearly, although Tang Xin had spoken to him about today's events, he didn't entirely approve. However, given the circumstances, he couldn't say much. Ito Kyo then pushed Ito Daio out of the room.
"Thank you, Chen Xiaojun." Tang Xin slowly walked down, her face still bearing a serene smile, but she blinked, revealing a hint of girlish playfulness: "Or, should I call you Mr. Nohara Shinnosuke?"
Chen Xiao chuckled, then said, "I did you a favor. How will the Shangchen family thank me?"
Tang Xin glanced at Chen Xiao again: "The matter is not over yet. If you want to get paid, you have to wait until the matter is finished."
Chen Xiao smiled and gave Tang Xin a deep look: "Aren't you afraid of dealing with a tiger for its skin?"
Tang Xin smiled and said, "I will go to the other courtyard tonight to teach you the basics of the Heart Sword Technique. As for how much you can comprehend, that depends on your comprehension and talent."
Chen Xiao originally had little interest in this kind of real martial arts. He only stepped forward to help today because of Tang Xin's sake and because he felt a little sympathy for this girl with a pitiful background.
However, after his battle with Nishihira Kojiro, his thoughts began to subtly change—it seemed that seriously learning martial arts could indeed be quite beneficial. He had always relied on his supernatural abilities to bully others, and when he encountered a true master, he was bound to suffer.
However, he didn't really yearn for the Heart Sword Technique of the Shangchen family—there was a real master, General Tian, in the abandoned streets of the country. If he wanted to learn martial arts, he should naturally learn authentic Chinese martial arts.
Looking around and seeing no one else, Chen Xiao casually asked, "What's the deal with that Prince Hirohito? Master Takeuchi Bunzan is a master of Imperial Swordsmanship, so why does that prince seem so hostile towards Izumiya?"
Tang Xin sighed and briefly introduced Bo Ren's identity and status in the royal family.
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiao couldn't help but laugh: "Ah! So he's someone who might become the Emperor of Japan in the future! It's a pity I didn't take a closer look at him earlier. Once he becomes the Emperor, it will be very difficult to get close to someone like him."
He made a joke, then continued, "But since he is such a prince with a special status, why doesn't your Shangchen family get along with him? Why is the relationship so tense?"
Tang Xin gave a bitter smile: "Because... of my grandfather."
Her voice held a hint of helplessness: "My grandfather was the Grand Master of Imperial Kendo, nominally the Kendo teacher of all the imperial family members, responsible for instructing all the imperial children. In Japan, Kendo teachers don't just teach swordsmanship; they also teach the Way of the Warrior, morality, principles, and much more. Moreover, as the Grand Master of Imperial Kendo, my grandfather held considerable influence with His Majesty the Emperor. The Emperor would occasionally meet with him to inquire about the education of the imperial children. If my grandfather spoke well of someone, the Emperor would naturally have a favorable impression of that person—conversely, if my grandfather spoke ill of someone…"
Chen Xiao nodded: "I understand, it's roughly the meaning of a Grand Tutor. It's just that Takeuchi Bunzan isn't a Civil Grand Tutor, but a Military Grand Tutor. But if that's the case, if that person, Hirohito, were smart, he should have befriended you more, so why did he become such an enemy of Izumiryu-gyu?"
However, Tang Xin did not answer the question, but simply smiled and remained silent, her eyes looking somewhat strange.
Seeing that Tang Xin remained silent, Chen Xiao didn't press her for details, but he couldn't help thinking: "Look at that Bo Ren, the way he looked at Tang Xin was a bit strange. Could it be that he likes Tang Xin, but Old Takeuchi doesn't agree, which is why the two families became enemies...? That's quite possible." Tang Xin had already changed the subject, saying, "Hirohito and my grandfather don't get along. If it were any other member of the imperial family, they wouldn't care about the Emperor's impression of them. But Hirohito is one of the candidates who has a chance to ascend the throne. Naturally, he hopes someone will speak well of him to the Emperor. Not only that, but there's also the Imperial Household Agency's evaluation of the imperial family members. My grandfather has influence over all of that. Now that our two families are at odds, Hirohito naturally doesn't feel comfortable letting my grandfather continue to sit in the position of Grandmaster of Imperial Swordsmanship. Even if he can't shake my grandfather's position, he still wants to find a way to weaken my grandfather's influence on the imperial family. The most effective way is to weaken my grandfather and Izumiryu-no-kami's prestige in the Japanese martial arts world. My grandfather is the number one grandmaster in Japan, so it's not easy to mess with him. But weakening Izumiryu-no-kami's prestige is something that can be done. Weakening Izumiryu-no-kami's prestige is like slapping my grandfather in the face, making him less assertive in the imperial family."
Hearing this, Chen Xiao nodded, understanding the situation.
During the day, Ito Kyo spent the day with Chen Xiao, sightseeing and wandering around Kobe City. However, before the sun set, Chen Xiao returned to the villa on the mountain of Izumiryuu-gu. He had made an appointment with Tang Xin during the day, and Tang Xin would come over to teach him the Heart Sword Technique that evening.
After sending Ito Kyo away, Chen Xiao sat quietly in the courtyard waiting. Thinking of Tang Xin's late-night visit last night, he couldn't help but feel a little hopeful. He couldn't help but feel a little self-deprecating about his own feelings.
But just as the sun was setting, someone came to visit outside the courtyard. It wasn't Tang Xin, but a strange young man.
The man was respectful, and was accompanied by two disciples from the Spring Flow Palace.
The man entered the courtyard, bowed respectfully to Chen Xiao, then stepped back two steps, gave a slight bow, and spoke in an extremely polite tone: "Mr. Chen Xiao, our Prince met with you during the day and was greatly impressed by your demeanor. He specially sent me to visit you and convey His Highness's respect to you."
As he spoke, he solemnly took out a small wooden box and presented it with both hands: "This is a gift written by His Highness himself. Please accept it with a smile."
The man didn't wait for Chen Xiao's reply. Bo Ren had only instructed him to deliver the gift, and he understood that Chen Xiao was still living in Quanliu Palace and couldn't openly side with him immediately. He simply delivered the gift to leave a good impression so they could meet again in the future.
After seeing off the person who had come to visit and bring gifts out of the blue, Chen Xiao closed the courtyard gate and looked at the box in his hand.
This box is made of fine sandalwood and naturally emits a faint fragrance. Upon opening it, a beautiful ivory fan is quietly placed inside.
Chen Xiao couldn't help but smile. Did all these noblemen like to use folding fans? Ito Kyo was like that, and so was Prince Hirohito.
He took out the fan, unfolded it, and saw two lines of poetry written in a rounded and powerful style. Chen Xiao was taken aback at first, and couldn't help but think: This Japanese imperial prince is indeed quite skilled in Chinese calligraphy. Putting aside everything else, I can't write this kind of calligraphy as well.
But after reading the content of the poem above:
But for your sake, I have been pondering this until now.
Chen Xiao read the poem but immediately misunderstood it—today, few people remember its original meaning of respecting and valuing scholars; instead, it is often used to express affection between men and women.
When Chen Xiao saw that Prince Boren had actually written such a sentence on his folding fan, he felt a chill run down his spine and couldn't help but shiver.
Damn! Could it be that this Prince Boren, who looks so respectable, is actually gay?!
Chapter 197 of the main text: [Heart Sword Technique]
After seeing off the attendant sent by Prince Boren, Chen Xiao waited for about two more hours, until almost midnight, but Tang Xin still hadn't arrived.
"That woman isn't lying to me, is she?" Chen Xiao muttered to himself. He had done the Shangchen family a huge favor today, and if that woman was lying to him, he would tear down the gates of Quanliu Palace tomorrow!
As midnight approached, Chen Xiao sat on the steps of the villa, at one end of the corridor, where the wind chimes swayed gently, producing a clear, tinkling sound. The moonlight tonight was exceptionally beautiful, its unobstructed rays bathing the earth in a soft, pale moonlight. Chen Xiao was gazing absently at the sword-testing stone in the corner of the courtyard when he finally heard the wooden door creak open.
Looking at Tang Xin standing quietly at the door, Chen Xiao deliberately sighed and said with a smile, "I thought you were going to stand me up."
Tang Xin walked in quietly without saying a word. She was dressed in white, her slender waist cinched with a wide belt, and her long, black hair cascaded smoothly over her shoulders. Under the moonlight, her face appeared exceptionally beautiful.
"Chen Xiaojun, I'm here to teach you the Heart Sword Technique." Tang Xin slowly walked up to Chen Xiao, her eyes unusually calm: "First question, what do you think the Heart Sword is?"
Nishihira Kojiro stood on the riverbank. The river wasn't too far from Sennyyu Shrine. It was midnight, and the riverbank was deserted, except for an ancient stone bridge spanning the riverbed. Nishihira Kojiro strolled onto the bridge, leaned on the railing, and looked out. The river water below shimmered with phosphorescence, all reflected from the moonlight.
The head of the Hidden Moon School looked solemn, his hands gradually tightening around the railing as he took a deep breath. He exhaled as if trying to release all the pent-up emotions in his chest.
Having left Izumiryu Palace during the day, Nishihira Kojiro simply parted ways with Prince Hirohito and his entourage without even a word of farewell. Although he was always aloof and presented a cold demeanor, he actually understood Hirohito's character quite well. The other party was merely using him, a highly skilled swordsman, to try and suppress the Kamishin family. And he, too, was single-mindedly pursuing strength, so he and Hirohito were in perfect agreement. Today, he had lost, so naturally, he had no further use in Hirohito's eyes. Rather than staying there to endure Hirohito's displeasure and ultimately be kicked out, it was better to be decisive and leave first.