Swallow Return

Kinoshita Tokichiro immediately had someone summon Sasaki Ryuun. This was the strongest swordsman in his faction.

Meanwhile, Akechi Mitsuhide summoned a refined and handsome young man. He looked more like a scholar than a martial arts master.

Chapter 126 The Contest with Akechi Samanosuke

When Liu Yun first heard about the "martial arts competition to determine task allocation," he was actually a little disgusted.

As Sun Tzu once said, "War is a matter of vital importance to the State; a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected."

How could such an important military meeting be decided so casually?

But then I thought about it again, and it seems that Oda Nobunaga's style has always been rather frivolous... and over the years, he has killed off many, many diligent and serious daimyo.

This person should not be underestimated.

What may seem like a spur-of-the-moment, impulsive decision might actually have a hidden agenda behind it.

Thinking about it this way, Liu Yun felt that perhaps he hadn't seen through it.

You're only on the second level, treating others as if they were on the first level, when in fact they might be on the fifth level.

Then there's no need to worry about things at the top. Just focus on winning this "trial match" and making your reputation even more widespread!

At this moment, two servants brought over wooden knives wrapped in cloth bags.

Today is just a competition, not a life-or-death struggle, so we should use training weapons that are less likely to cause fatalities or injuries.

Of course, with Liu Yun's arm strength, if he were to attack an ordinary person, he could kill them with a sleeve, let alone a wooden sword.

But that guy on the other side, since he was sent by Akechi Mitsuhiro to participate in the competition, he should at least have some skills. If he doesn't use a sharp weapon, nothing serious should happen.

Liu Yun softly thanked him and took the wooden knife wrapped in a cloth bag.

Then he observed his opponent.

He was a refined and gentle young man, with a delicate and fragile appearance, like a beautiful porcelain doll. He seemed more like a noble young man from the Heian period, composing poems and painting in the spring and autumn, than a warrior from the Warring States period, wielding swords and dying on the battlefield.

I could hardly sense any "aura of a strong person" from the other party.

In comparison, while Ryuun didn't have the excessively exaggerated hair and physique of Shibata Katsuie, it was just that his clothes concealed it; upon closer inspection, he was actually all powerful muscles. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to shoulder the heavy responsibility of a pile driver.

In terms of appearance, the contrast between the strong and weak is stark.

However, Akechi Mitsuhide, seated at the head of the right side of the main tent, appeared utterly confident. Surely the representative they sent couldn't be too weak?

Meanwhile, Kinoshita Tokichiro, who was on the left and behind, looked a little nervous despite knowing Ryuun's strength.

Could this pretty boy in front of me be a hidden master?

Liu Yun was puzzled and couldn't figure out the answer, so he simply ignored it, put away the wooden sword, bowed slightly and said, "I am Sasaki Liu Yun from Omi. It's a pleasure to meet you."

The handsome young man opposite him, with his rosy lips and white teeth, also smiled and bowed at almost the same time, introducing himself as "I am Sakamoto Shigeaki Samanosuke Hidemitsu, it is an honor to meet you."

Oh, Akechi Samanosuke Hidemitsu!

This guy is a historical figure, after all. Although his abilities aren't outstanding in Koei Tecmo's historical strategy games, he really shines in Capcom's action-adventure games.

After exchanging pleasantries, Akechi Samanosuke stood with his sword in hand, and his aura changed drastically.

That kind of romantic, sentimental love story, like that of Genji and Jia Baoyu, has completely disappeared.

The moment he picked up the wooden sword, he seemed like a completely different person.

Liu Yun immediately felt a strong sense of oppression.

This is a very familiar feeling; I've felt this way every time I've faced a strong opponent, and I'm quite used to it now.

The pressure didn't deter Liu Yun in the slightest; on the contrary, it made her even more excited.

Akechi Samanosuke simply held the wooden sword lightly, his legs slightly bent, one in front of the other, in a common stance, with a warm smile still on his face.

But in Liu Yun's eyes, it was a thunderous strike that was about to be unleashed.

If the slightest flaw is revealed, the opponent will unleash all their power in the shortest possible time and launch a devastating attack.

This kind of stance is undoubtedly that of a master rarely seen in a lifetime.

Liu Yun suddenly realized that he had fallen into a disadvantageous position.

Seeing that guy's refined demeanor and delicate appearance, I subconsciously underestimated him and didn't immediately focus my attention.

He couldn't even hold the wooden sword properly; his body and mind were not at their best.

If this stalemate continues, the opponent will be exhausted of physical strength and fighting spirit much faster, putting them at a disadvantage.

However, the breath has already been locked, and trying to adjust it at this moment may backfire.

In street fights between laymen, the one who strikes first always has the upper hand.

However, in a duel between experts, the one who moves first is often at a disadvantage.

After a few breaths, Liu Yun also smiled, but did not rashly adjust his posture and remained still.

In a short time, he realized that in terms of swordsmanship alone, he was probably inferior to his opponent, but his advantage lay in his innate strength, endurance, and physical prowess.

Although physical strength and fighting spirit are depleted much faster than the opponent's, if the total amount can exceed that of the opponent by many times, there is nothing to fear.

If Akechi Samanosuke was like dark clouds looming over the city, foreshadowing an impending storm, then Sasaki Ryuun was like a towering mountain, a still and profound place.

To someone without discernment, it might just appear as two people standing motionless in a dull manner.

But all the high-ranking members of the Oda clan present held their breath and stared intently.

Most people sitting in this tent have the discerning eye to appreciate high-level matches. A few less skilled individuals will obviously just follow the crowd and watch, unwilling to show their ignorance or lose face.

Upon seeing Ryuun smile, Akechi Samanosuke's smile vanished, and his expression gradually turned serious.

With one side gaining and the other losing, the situation seems to have reversed again.

Time seemed to stand still, and all sounds seemed to cease. After an unknown amount of time, Oda Nobunaga, who was sitting high in the main seat, suddenly let out a "Ha!"

I don't know what it means.

A soft interjection was hardly enough to affect two top swordsmen who were dueling.

However, that was no ordinary person, but the "Sixth Heaven Demon King"!

Oda Nobunaga had not personally wielded his sword in battle for a long time, so it was difficult to judge his exact combat strength. However, anyone with even a little training could sense the extremely terrifying supernatural power emanating from him.

This soft, meaningless "ha" made both Sasaki Ryuun and Akechi Samanosuke feel slightly annoyed.

With their composure shattered and unable to continue the standoff, they were forced to take action!

Perhaps this was Oda Nobunaga's intention? After all, he was a very impatient person.

Akechi Samasuke made the first move.

Without any apparent exertion, the wooden sword was swung across with fluid grace, seemingly slow yet giving the impression that there was no way to avoid it.

If I had to describe it in one word, it would be "like a skilled butcher dissecting an ox, with exquisite skill."

Sasaki Ryuun was a split second slower than his opponent.

The extraordinary power contained within his body erupted. Although the wooden sword was wrapped in a cloth bag, it still made a piercing sound as it rubbed against the air.

This was a devastating blow, amidst towering waves and flying sand and stones.

In the blink of an eye, both sides moved almost simultaneously, and then stopped at the same time.

Ryuun's wooden sword rested against Akechi Samanosuke's neck. Akechi Samanosuke's sword, however, was only an inch away from Ryuun's heart.

Oda Nobunaga was quite pleased with himself and made his decision: "Good! The outcome is decided; both of them are excellent."

Akechi Samanosuke remained calm, slightly bowed his head, sheathed his sword, took two steps back, and bowed, saying, "Your Excellency is highly skilled; I have learned much from you."

He immediately reverted to his pretty-boy image.

Liu Yun felt a vague sense of lingering satisfaction and immediately returned the greeting: "Thank you for your kind offer! It was my good fortune."

I have a feeling that Akechi Sōma has a backup plan.

Of course, I can't say I've given it my all.

At that moment, Mitsuhide Akechi's face contorted severely, but instantly returned to normal, as if he had no qualms whatsoever.

Kinoshita Tokichiro, on the other hand, laughed heartily and frankly to express his joy.

Oda Nobunaga suddenly turned to a senior retainer on his left and said, "Gonroku, I've heard your nephew is a very strong young man. How does he compare to the two on the field?"

The one called "Genroku" was Shibata Katsuie, a short, stocky man with thick hair. Upon hearing this, he bent down and replied in a somber tone, "My nephew sparred with Sasaki Ryuun some time ago, and the result was far inferior. I'm afraid he can't compare to these two masters today for the time being."

"Hmm..." Oda Nobunaga seemed quite satisfied with this. He looked around and said, "The task of rescuing Oichi is now entrusted to the monkey."

Kinoshita Tokichiro, with his pointed snout and short stature, was overjoyed. He crawled forward a few steps and shouted, "I will certainly not let my lord down!"

Chapter 127 The Deep Valley Behind Xiaogu City

"Please repeat yourself. How exactly was the arrangement made for picking up Miss Oichi?"

Looking at his surroundings, Liu Yun couldn't help but wonder.

We are currently located behind Odani Castle, on a peak of Mount Ibe.

The area is surrounded by cliffs and shrubs, with no normal access roads whatsoever.

Moreover, it is home to many insects, snakes, and ferocious beasts.

Ordinary people would never be able to climb such a treacherous road, let alone outflank Xiaogucheng from the back.

The flowing clouds conjured wings, Takenaka Shigeharu cast a spell and floated in the air, and Kinoshita Tokichiro climbed as nimbly as a monkey. Only the three of them had it relatively easy.

Even a formidable samurai like Hachisuka Masakatsu had to remove his heavy armor to keep up, panting heavily.

Those who are slightly worse than him need the assistance of Ryuun, Takenaka, and Kinoshita to barely keep up.

There were fewer than twenty people in total.

Upon reaching the summit, one can see a deep valley ahead. Perhaps to prevent attacks, all vegetation in the valley has been deliberately burned, leaving only bare, scorched earth. Hundreds of paces away, on the opposite steep slope, stand a towering, sturdy stone wall and a narrow back door.

In such an environment, it's simply impossible to launch an attack.

If a hundred qualified archers or arquebusiers stand behind the city wall and fire in unison, even Liu Yun would not dare to charge.

Looking from several hundred paces away, one could see that there were indeed some Asai family soldiers patrolling the stone wall. If there was any movement, hundreds of men could be mobilized to defend it in an instant.

Seeing this, he couldn't help but wonder: what's the point of climbing all this way?

Upon hearing Ryuun's question, Kinoshita Tokichiro smiled wryly and said, "Didn't I just briefly mention it downstairs? Brother Ryuun didn't listen carefully. Whew... I'm quite tired. Please repeat it for me, Master Takenaka."