Dragon Raja: Oh no! Lu Mingfei has been diagnosed with depression!

"Did you sleep well last night, Lu Jun?"

Inuyama He specially changed into a plain white kendo uniform today. He picked up Lu Mingfei at the Peninsula Hotel and took him to Tokyo's largest kendo dojo. The Snake-Headed Eight Family bought the place yesterday, and the original students were dismissed and replaced by several elders with samurai-style haircuts.

The kendo masters knelt on the tatami mats, with a small table in front of them. Hot tea was brewing on the table, and two bamboo swords were placed next to the iron kettle.

"I rested quite well, but there seem to be two rats living upstairs; they make a little noise occasionally at night... Could you help me find out who the guests staying upstairs are?"

Lu Mingfei also changed into a kendo uniform and strolled through the empty room, his gaze sweeping over the kendo masters one by one. Each master who was being looked at would unconsciously straighten his back.

"I'll have my men investigate."

Inuyama He paused for a moment, somewhat puzzled as to how rats could survive in the Peninsula Hotel, but he nodded nonetheless and looked at the row of elders in front of him with Lu Mingfei.

The situation of these kendo masters is quite delicate. In name, they were invited to teach kendo, but each of them has their own reputation in the kendo world. People who want to learn kendo from them include business tycoons and rising political stars. As soon as they announce that they are taking on disciples, the line of people seeking to become their disciples can stretch from Tokyo to the Pacific Ocean.

So at first they refused, claiming that even if they were to commit suicide, they would not tarnish their swordsmanship because of power, their attitude as hard as a rock.

In the end, Genjiro gave these old fogies an irresistible reason, which he said in the following words:

"All schools that have left a mark on history will receive an invitation. We are willing to abide by your rules. If you are not willing to go, then so be it. We have already invited enough successors of swordsmanship. From now on, the selected schools will receive the unconditional support of the main family."

That's what touched the hearts of these old guys. Famous kendo schools from all over Japan will be there. If they are absent, they will inevitably be looked down upon in the kendo world.

So these sword masters were also secretly competing, straightening their backs and naturally exuding the air of masters as they brewed tea, trying to attract Lu Mingfei's attention.

If Lu Mingfei chooses one of them, the kendo school they represent will receive the support of the main family, and they might even become the number one school in Japan.

"This is the successor of Tenshin Denka-tori Shinto-ryu, the oldest and most complete ancient style in modern times. Its moves are heavy and emphasize defeating the enemy with one blow... This is the successor of Yagyu Shinkage-ryu, which was the official military strategy during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. It emphasizes using softness to overcome hardness and resolving conflicts by going with the flow."

Inuyama He introduced the schools of thought that each of these people represented to Lu Mingfei:

"Because you are a distinguished guest, the apprenticeship process has been simplified. If you wish to learn a particular style, simply sit down, drink your tea, and hold the bamboo sword; that will be considered your apprenticeship. In the days to come, your master will teach you wholeheartedly until you graduate."

As he spoke, he observed Lu Mingfei's expression, but to be honest, it was hard to tell anything from that expressionless face.

Lu Mingfei listened quietly to his introduction, but kept walking forward, stepping over one small table after another. The elders who were not chosen would lower their heads and sigh, silently putting away their tea sets.

He walked straight ahead, then finally stopped, coldly looking at the young man who stood out from the group of elders.

The man was handsome with a touch of effeminacy. His fair skin had a marble-like texture, and his brows were sharp. He gave the impression of a wealthy young nobleman, showing no trace of a sword master.

"...This is the successor of the Jingxin Mingzhi School, which emphasizes posture, distance, and demeanor. It is a very entertaining school of thought, but it also takes into account practical combat and is extremely lethal."

Inuyama He quickly stepped forward to introduce them.

"Can you look up and let me see you?"

Lu Mingfei interrupted Inuyama He's introduction and looked at Genjiro.

Inuyama He and Genji were both startled. This wasn't some ceremony to select a courtesan. Lu Mingfei hadn't even given them a glance when he passed by the other disciples of different schools. Why did he want to see Genji's face?

Genji obediently raised his head. The fact that the young master of the Snake Clan had now been reduced to a courtesan for others to admire still made him feel somewhat humiliated.

But this was his own choice. In order not to arouse Lu Mingfei's suspicion, Yuan Zhisheng still wore a smile on his face and looked at Lu Mingfei, even though he felt humiliated inside.

In a daze, he seemed to see a flash of gold pass by in front of him. When he came to his senses, Lu Mingfei was already sitting on the ground, picked up the teacup on the table, and drank it all in one gulp.

"Let's start with you."

Lu Mingfei gripped the wooden sword on the table. "What should we learn first? To chop people or wooden stakes? I've heard that some Japanese kendo schools have students get used to the feel of the sword cutting flesh first, in order to hone their sword intent."

Is it really necessary to be in such a hurry? And did you see this plot in some ghost story? Who thinks about killing people on their first day of learning swordsmanship?

Genji was somewhat taken aback. He now finally understood why Inuyama He found it difficult. To be able to calmly receive someone who didn't follow any logic at all was already a testament to Inuyama He's skill.

"Before we begin our formal lessons, please allow me to introduce myself."

Genjiro took a deep breath to suppress the distracting thoughts in his mind, and bowed slightly:

"My name is Genjiro. I have been learning kendo since I was a child. I am a disciple of the Menkyo Kaiden of the Kyōshin Meichō-ryū school. I hope you will take good care of me in the future."

"Yuan Zhisheng?"

Lu Mingfei repeated the name, his eye twitching slightly.

"Yes, is there something wrong with my name?"

Yuan Zhisheng forced himself to adapt to Lu Mingfei's rhythm. He had already begun to regret coming here. Lu Mingfei was strange in every way after seeing him, but he had already removed everything that could represent his identity. Inuyama He also pretended to be unfamiliar with him.

"It's nothing, it's just that the surname 'Yuan' is very famous in Japan, so I was a little surprised."

Lu Mingfei shook his head, gripped his knife, and stood up. "Let's not waste time. Let's begin. My time is very limited."

Genji frowned, but still stood up, and while Lu Mingfei was looking elsewhere, he gave Inuyama He a look.

Inuyama He understood and clapped his hands. A group of men in black rushed into the corner of the corridor, carrying rows of knife racks and wooden stakes, placing them around the house. Then they removed all the wooden tables and tatami mats from the ground.

The kendo masters reluctantly followed the men away, giving Genjiro a fierce glare before they left.