Female Swordsman Training Dojo

Author's Note: I've burned the trees! Although there are still many dungeons I haven't drawn yet, I'll enjoy some Sparky Incense with Miki for now (￣︶￣*)). And since it's the end of the month, please give me some votes!

Chapter 232: A Twist of Fate

Ultimately, Harunobu and Hijikata Souji agreed with Fujiwara Kaguya's suggestion.

Because if the monsters that attacked Nakajima Toshiko and her group were yokai, they certainly weren't ordinary, mindless monsters. And for elite-level yokai, the Dragon Slayer's backside is not something to be trifled with; there's no one else to eat anyway, so why risk their lives to do so?

Unless it's some powerful yokai deliberately provoking Seishin—but then why not just go to the Aozorakan and punch him? At the very least, he should be killing Hiratsuka Raicho's people, what's the point of killing Nakajima Toshiko's people?

Qingxin wasn't familiar with them.

If Hijikata Souji hadn't come all this way, he probably wouldn't have known about it—after all, the one in charge of intelligence was Koneko, and she wasn't as nosy as Harunobu.

So if there really is a mastermind behind this, then Harunobu feels he's being a bit too humorous.

However, now that he knows, and since Hijikata Souji has come to him for help, Harunobu naturally wants to assist. But as mentioned above, it's not suitable for him to personally take action…

"So, it's all yours now, Yoko." Harunobu patted Saten Yoko on the shoulder. "Perfect, this way you won't feel useless, right?"

Hirayuki and Hosho Amu are currently in charge of teaching and the Bracer Association respectively, Koneko is the intelligence chief, and Tachibana Seiko is in charge of the Business Alliance, so none of them have time for this. Of the remaining few who are relatively free, Hanazawa Nana is a lazy bum and definitely won't want to do anything unless Harunobu orders her to. Tachibana Yuzu is capable, but she's still too young, a disadvantage from the start.

That leaves Tachibana Nako and Saten Yoko as the two suitable candidates, and it's only natural that we should choose Saten Yoko.

"Shifan..." Saten Yoko blushed. Making such intimate gestures in front of outsiders was a bit too much for her. However, she did feel a lot more relieved; she could finally share some of Shifan's burdens!

"Me too! Me too!" Fujiwara Kaguya raised her hand high. "Me too!"

Harunobu, Hijikata Souji, and Minamoto Yukisakura exchanged glances, each seeing a hint of disapproval in the other's eyes. But in the end, Harunobu spoke first: "Let her go. It's better than her sneaking off alone."

The second half of his sentence convinced the other two, and Hijikata Souji nodded: "Alright, Sakura, have you been busy lately?"

Gen Yuki Sakura glared helplessly at the smiling Fujiwara Kaguya: "There's no rush, it's fine to let the subordinates do it. I'll do it too."

"Yay! I love you the most, Sakura!" Fujiwara Kaguya jumped up, only to be pushed back down by Minamoto Yuki Sakura in a disgusted manner.

"Let's begin then." Harunobu felt a little more at ease. With Minamoto Yukisakura accompanying him, Saten Yoko's safety was more assured. Although even without her, he would have secretly followed them anyway.

Are you kidding me? The culprit is most likely a monster. Are you just going to let Saten Yoko take a chuunibyou girl to deal with it? He must have been kicked in the head by a donkey demon.

With the Shimada style protecting him, his stealth skills are now quite good. Although he can't compare to the real ninjas in Shiranui, they are enough to deal with ordinary people.

So, the group left the east.

Chapter 254

The Beijing court visited the morgue, and the scene of the death was also at Toshiko Nakajima's house.

It has to be said that Hijikata Souji's car is more comfortable.

Shouldn't he buy a car too?

Qingxin lay on the chair, listening to the chirping outside the window, lost in thought.

Several days have passed since the day the lawsuit was filed, and more than half of March has passed. Many cherry blossoms are in full bloom, including one in the Aozora Pavilion that is almost in full bloom.

The preliminary rounds of the Heavenly Observation Trial will officially begin in a few days. Although Qingxin and his personal disciples have been guaranteed a spot in the main competition and don't need to participate, the other ordinary disciples will still need to rely on their strength to make it to the finals. Qingxin also supports their participation in this competition.

Looking back now, would it have been better to let Ye Zi participate in the preliminary rounds directly, allowing her to overcome her negative mindset...? Probably not. That girl is surprisingly arrogant, and she only thinks that as a direct disciple of Qingkong Pavilion, achieving this level is her due. On the contrary, I worry that if she encounters setbacks, it will worsen her condition.

As Harunobu pondered this, he suddenly chuckled, "Why does he seem more like a worried father than a husband... Oh well, I'll go find the shrine maiden and see if she has any good ideas."

During this time, several more of Nakajima Toshiko's people died, and Saten Yoko still hadn't found any concrete clues. It was really a headache. It was also difficult to tell Yoko to give up, as that would be a heavy blow to her already confused state of mind.

So he could only hope that the magical shrine maiden might have a good way to guide Saten Yoko to complete this task discreetly. He even specifically asked Saten Yoko for leave and asked Minamoto Yuki to be extra vigilant.

After following her for some time, Qingxin unfortunately failed to persuade Yuan Xueying to become his disciple, but he did get a general idea of ​​Yuan Xueying's combat strength.

She's very strong, though still not as strong as him, but definitely very strong. Most elite-level demons probably wouldn't be her match; at least, the "Sword Hunter" he killed back then certainly wasn't.

With her protecting him, Qingxin finally felt at ease.

However, while he was relieved, the red fox was anything but.

At Toshiko Nakajima's home, Toshiko Nakajima sat nervously on the sofa, her posture so cautious that only half of her buttocks touched the cushion, as if she could get up or slide to her knees at any moment.

Opposite her, the red-haired fox, already shrouded in grayish-white smoke, continued to puff out clouds of smoke, her forceful inhalation revealing her extreme agitation.

"Hasn't Ping Qingxin come looking for you yet?"

The unexpected question made Nakajima Toshiko tense up: "Yes, Lord Yakumo. Only that woman named Saten Yoko came with two followers."

"Damn it, has that guy noticed something's wrong?" Yakumo Kurenai chewed on her cigarette, rubbing her smooth instep with her slightly unclean hands. She was extremely agitated. Anyone would feel frustrated if they had a plan ready to be executed but were forced to stop. Especially since this wasn't just any ordinary plan, but a major operation to assassinate the Emperor.

For this, she meticulously planned every step, including dealing with Hiraharu Nobu, who had once ruined one of her plans.

Although Nakajima Toshiko failed to become friends with Hiraharunobu as ideally envisioned, she successfully portrayed herself as his enemy by advocating that women should not and could not learn swordsmanship, let alone participate in the Tenran Tournament.

This can be described as a direct attack on Aozorakan, the only designated women's dojo in Tokyo.

If a few more of Nakajima Toshiko's people were killed at this point, and the news were released, public opinion would naturally assume it was Taira Harunobu's revenge in a fit of rage, especially since she was also fanning the flames.

In fact, this kind of public opinion had already begun to ferment, but because Hijikata Souji suppressed the number of casualties so much, it was not big enough.

But why is Taira no Harunobu not following the plan? He just sent a few women to investigate the case, showing absolutely no sense of urgency.

This is a major serial murder case! It could very well damage your reputation!

Even if you're foolish enough to believe the truth will prevail, shouldn't you have noticed that it's actually monsters killing people? Where's your sense of justice and compassion? Where's that sense of justice you had when you killed the Demon Dragon Society? You bastard...

Yakumo Kurenai took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. Anger would only affect her thinking and work.

“That guy must have discovered something important, otherwise he wouldn’t be ignoring things here.” Yakumo Kurenai said calmly. “Although I can’t think of any flaws, he is probably investigating us with that vixen Shiranui Ran right now.”

Surely he couldn't have been completely oblivious and just been busy playing around with women all day, could he?

Impossible, absolutely impossible!

So don't blame her for being ruthless.

You think things here aren't important, huh? Well then I'll kill your woman and see which side you think is more important!

Chapter 233: Losing Both Wife and Army

"Ding dong~"

The doorbell rang crisply, and Saten Yoko raised her index finger and released it. The slight repulsive force of the doorbell button bouncing back made her feel somewhat melancholy. She tried to cheer herself up, but to little avail.

Several days have passed, and she hasn't found even a single truly useful clue or piece of evidence, only some seemingly useful but ultimately flawed answers that turned out to be a waste of time.

Even many of these incorrect answers were found with the help of Hijikata Souji; if she had been on her own, she probably would have found even fewer.

Saten Yoko knew this was normal; she wasn't a professional police officer or detective. Her responsibility was simply to subdue the demons in Harunobu's place. But she still found it hard to control herself. Whenever she saw the good qualities in others, she would think of herself…

If this continues, psychological problems may really arise.

Yuan Xueying stood to the side, observing Saten Yoko with a hint of worry. Having spent some time together, she had developed a rather good impression of Saten Yoko. Aside from being a little silly—being so deeply in love with that philandering man Taira Harunobu—she was resolute, kind, and passionate, and also had a particular fondness for kendo.

...From that last point of view, it doesn't seem so bad that she's with that philandering man, Hiraharu. After all, not every man is as open-minded as Hiraharu.

Compared to Saten Yoko and Minamoto Yuki, Fujiwara Kaguya was much happier. Besides investigating the murder case, she hadn't neglected her swordsmanship training, and her drawing speed had indeed improved a bit—after all, Harunobu had already added her to his list of disciples.

Furthermore, she successfully participated in several guerrilla operations and wiped out a group of Yakuza from out of town. This group of Yakuza from Kyoto clearly didn't know the local situation; when the guerrillas stormed their hideout, they were still shouting, "The local gangs are so rude!"

Then I was so scared by Fujiwara Kaguya's American-style iaido that I peed my pants.

Although they were just a bunch of noobs, Fujiwara Kaguya didn't care. This was the first time she had personally taken action to punish evil!

The little female ghost was so engrossed in the excitement that she didn't really notice the slow progress of the case.

The click of the door opening interrupted the three's thoughts, and Toshiko Nakajima appeared from behind the door with an apologetic and warm face: "Sorry to keep you waiting, haven't you? Come in."

"excuse me."

Saten Yoko and Minamoto Yuki Sakura bowed slightly, and the latter pressed Fujiwara Kaguya's head, making her bend over slightly as well.

After exchanging pleasantries, the three entered the room. Saten Yoko couldn't wait to get straight to the point: "Mrs. Nakajima, you said you've remembered a new clue?"

Toshiko Nakajima walked over with a tray and placed the cups, plates, tea, and snacks on the coffee table: "Yes, it's quite a coincidence. Didn't you guys find out before that several people had been to the same kimono shop?"

Yes, five people went to that place, but the remaining six did not.

Chapter 255

"That's it." Saten Yoko sighed. She had thought she had finally caught the culprit, but it was all for naught.

Toshiko Nakajima chuckled, put the tray aside, and sat down: "I asked around at the gathering before. Although the remaining six people didn't go to the kimono shop, all eleven of them went to another place..."

While Nakajima Toshiko was using her smooth talk, Yakumo Kurenai was lying in the inner room. Her gaze swept over Saten Yoko first, then over Fujiwara Kaguya, and finally settled on Minamoto Yuki Sakura, using the fox statue in the living room as a guide.

They're all pretty weak.

If she were to act now, she could probably kill them outright. But Yakumo Kurenai certainly wouldn't do that, except that it would make Nakajima Toshiko a suspect. She didn't care about the life or death of such a pawn, but her goal was to continue using Nakajima Toshiko to distract Taira Harunobu, making him waste his energy on Nakajima Toshiko, who genuinely showed no abnormalities.

While you could kill them here, it would only drive Taira no Harunobu mad.

It might also attract that guy, Shiranui Ran, whose nose is more sensitive than a dog's.

Forget it, with the strength of these guys, there's no way they could defeat the ambush she set up. Besides, she might not even need the ambush.

In the living room, Toshiko Nakajima had finished explaining her new clue and smiled as she picked up her teacup.

"I never expected there to be a pleasure house exclusively for women." Saten Yoko looked on with obvious surprise, which made Nakajima Toshiko's smile deepen.

Young girls like this are most easily curious, and the men in the pleasure quarters are even more adept at sweet talk than women. Furthermore, Taira no Harunobu is a womanizer, so this young girl will definitely feel resentful. Even if she doesn't feel that way psychologically, with so many wives, Taira no Harunobu can't possibly satisfy them all. Therefore, she will certainly have physical unsatisfaction. If this is exploited, perhaps she can be turned around.

This was the plan she provided to Yakumo Kurenai, and it seems to be working so far...

Just then, Nakajima Toshiko, whose lips couldn't help but curl up, heard Saten Yoko's regretful voice: "There's no way around it, it seems we still have to ask the teachers' college for help. I don't want to go into that disgusting place."

puff--

Nakajima Toshiko spat out a mouthful of hot tea. Three surprised gazes and one angry look fell on her at the same time, forcing her to force a weak smile: "Sorry, I've caught a slight cold recently."

March is typically a peak season for colds, so Saten Yoko and the others didn't think much of it, simply offering her a few words of comfort. Nakajima Toshiko slowly wiped her mouth and the table, then probed resentfully, "But speaking of which, is it really necessary to bother Lord Taira no Harunobu with such a trivial matter?"

Saten Yoko tilted her head regretfully: "I don't want to trouble the teacher, but my teacher is a very petty person. He'll definitely get angry if he finds out I went to a place like that. Besides, I don't want to go to a place like that. It's too dirty, so I have no choice but to trouble the teacher."

"Without further ado, Mrs. Nakajima, do you have a telephone at home?"

"Sorry, it's not installed yet," Toshiko Nakajima quickly added, "And that amusement park seems to..."

Fujiwara Kaguya asked curiously, "It seems like what?"

Nakajima Toshiko appeared calm, but her mind was racing faster than ever before. She finally came up with a workable excuse: "That amusement park seems to have closed down, but I still have the address of their female president..."

"Huh? Mrs. Nakajima, how come you have their company president..."

Yuan Xueying covered Fujiwara Kaguya's mouth and politely nodded to the stunned Nakajima Toshiko: "I'm sorry, this child has been abroad for a long time and is a little impolite."

As they spoke, Minamoto Yukisakura pulled Fujiwara Kaguya closer to Saten Yoko, away from Nakajima Toshiko.

The obvious distancing behavior made Nakajima Toshiko's heart bleed, especially when she felt Yakumo Kurenai's increasingly dissatisfied gaze, which made her even more terrified.

And she had to pretend to be nonchalant: "Oh, it's nothing, it's nothing. I won't take up any more of your time. I hope you can catch the murderer soon and avenge the sisters."

Saten Yoko put down her teacup: "Yes, we will do our best."

The three of them hurriedly left.

The author says:

Author's Note: I encountered Mirajane at the Gate of Gods. Her teleportation, multi-movement, and lightning-fast sword were monstrous; I couldn't defeat her despite my best efforts. I died about fifteen times with the Thunder Bottle and about ten times with the Thrust Shield. Finally, I returned to my roots, using the Fingerprint Shield and the Divine Leather Stitching Needle, and won in four tries. It really comes down to the traditional shield-and-thrust technique! But now I'm going to be electronically impotent again. Looking forward to the Black Monkey in August. And sure enough, a slow pacing in the plot easily leads to a drop in subscriptions; I've already dropped several. So, it's time to speed things up—

Chapter 234: How to Kill the Emperor?

As soon as Saten Yoko and the other two stepped out of the room, Nakajima Toshiko stood up in fear and bowed her head to Yakumo Kurenai, who was coming out from the inner room.

"idiot."

Yakumo Kurenai sternly rebuked him, a gloomy expression creeping onto her exquisitely alluring face.

Because of Nakajima Toshiko's unnecessary actions, Saten Yoko almost summoned Hiraharunobu directly, which was not a good thing. Although their goal was to attract Hiraharunobu's attention, that meant getting him bogged down in the investigation and wasting his energy. If Hiraharunobu went directly to that pleasure quarter, there would only be two outcomes.

First, all the monsters hiding there were killed, then Shiranui Ran dragged them away to search for their souls, and finally the plan was completely exposed, and everyone was doomed.

Second, Yakumo Kurenai should remove all the monsters from that area and let the three women go. This would destroy the trust that Nakajima Toshiko had painstakingly built with them, and Hiraharuto, having discovered that his wife was perfectly fine, would likely lose even more interest in this area.

One suffered a huge loss, and the other a small loss. In short, neither made a profit.

Although Nakajima Toshiko didn't know about Shiranui Ran's situation, she could tell from Yakumo Kurenai's expression that she had messed things up. Her legs were trembling like a leaf, and she almost couldn't hold back her laughter. Although in her opinion, it wasn't her fault, it was just that scumbag Hiraharunobu was too good at manipulating women, having trained Saten Yoko to be so obedient that she wouldn't even dare to stroll through a pleasure quarters.

However, uttering such excuses now would sound like shirking responsibility, and she dared not do that to Yakumo Kurenai. She could only anxiously await Yakumo Kurenai's subsequent punishment.