Female Swordsman Training Dojo

Tachibana Seiko appeared calm on the surface, but inwardly she was furious. Kujou Umeko's words clearly implied that she learned about Nylon through Shiranui Ran's lord, Misuru-hime. In her eyes, this was tantamount to betrayal of Taira no Harunobu; that vixen was indeed unworthy to be with the teacher!

The others, including Hirako, had roughly guessed this as well, and their expressions were rather unpleasant. This strange situation surprised Kujo Umeko; she had considered many possibilities for Aozora-kan's reaction after she revealed this. But what was this? It seemed as if they weren't considering business matters at all.

At this moment, Harunobu spoke up: "Lady Kujo, do you mean that the ninjas in Shiranui told you this information?"

"That's probably how Misuru-hime found out, but I learned it from Misuru herself. She wanted me to persuade Lord Kujo that it would be dangerous to attack you." Kujo Umeko stopped worrying about the strange looks on the faces of the disciples of Aozorakan and gave Misuru-hime a simple explanation.

Then she got back on track:

Chapter 318

"But for me, all I want is to work with you, not to be thrown into the abyss."

Harunobu frowned slightly; he wasn't very good at this, so he simply pinched Tachibana Seiko's dragon horns, signaling her to go first. Tachibana Seiko readily agreed, saying, "Let's get back to the point, Lady Kujo. If you want more cooperation, what else can you offer?"

“Faster progress, more profits, and less trouble.” Returning to her area of ​​expertise, Kujou Umeko was noticeably more confident. She clasped her hands in front of her lower abdomen, her eyes slightly narrowed. “The materials needed for this nylon involve yokai, right? Our Kujou Dojo has established supply channels and can provide raw materials in bulk at low prices. At the same time, as a former member of the Imperial Family, I can get many friends from the current Imperial Family, so these fabrics can be labeled as 'Royal Special Supply,' which will significantly increase the price and the expected total sales.”

"Similarly, if it were just you alone, there would probably be many envious people who would keep causing trouble for you because of this huge profit. But with our Kujo Dojo included, there will be far fewer of these troubles."

At this point, Kujou Umeko recalled Tachibana Seiko's expression earlier and decided to take a gamble: "And in this way, President Tachibana's work will be much easier, and you'll be able to spend more time with Master Hei."

It has to be said that Kujou Umeko's words made a lot of sense; not to mention Tachibana Seiko, even Harunobu was somewhat tempted. Kujou Umeko, noticing this, pursed her lips, her heart leaping with joy. But soon, her merchant's greed kicked in again. She felt she could take another gamble: "Also, I think we can discuss the profits further. After all, to ensure the cooperation of our allies, we need to share the profits. How about a 90/10 split?"

Tachibana Seiko's face darkened instantly. She did want to spend more time with Harunobu, that was true, but only if she completed the task Harunobu had given her. And her task was simple—to earn money for Harunobu.

Therefore, she would never accept someone who asks for half a share of the profit right off the bat!

When Kujo Umeko saw Tachibana Seiko's darkening face, her heart skipped a beat, and she snapped back to reality. She hurriedly tried to salvage the situation, but Harunobu's voice drifted over from the other end: "Sure, let's split it 90/10. Don't worry, we won't take away your brand name anymore; after all, we're partners now."

“Teacher training, there’s no need…” Tachibana Seiko thought Harunobu didn’t want her to continue working so hard, so she quickly expressed her opinion, but Harunobu pinched the soft flesh of her waist and interrupted her.

"It's alright, Holy Son. Consider this half-finished task as making a friend," Qingxin said with a smile. "Anyway, there's still so much left, right?"

The package that Tachibana Seiko carried contained not only nylon for making stockings, but also other useful items that Harunobu had unearthed from his past life's memories—items that could be made in this era but hadn't yet appeared. These included easily copied clothing items and even lingerie, as well as simple yet highly effective accessories like headlights.

These items may not be as profitable individually as stockings—after all, they were popular all over the world and even became a form of hard currency when they were first invented—but when combined, it's a different story.

Moreover, once the Qingkong Business Alliance develops further, Qingxin has other big things waiting to be explored, so making money to support his family won't be a problem.

Now it was Kujo Umeko's turn to look grim. Her momentary greed had resulted in turning a full-line agency into a single-item agency—not just a difference between 95% and 90%, but a difference between 100% and 10% of 10%.

In truth, Harunobu didn't care whether it was 95% or 90%; it would definitely be a large sum of money enough for their needs. But he wouldn't let his strong woman suffer, and to be honest, he was a little annoyed right now.

"Mitsukuhime, it seems she's not as easy to talk to as Ran..."

The original intention was to solve the problem of Tachibana Seiko's excessive workload, but it was all ruined by the spoiler. It's a real shame.

Should it be attributed to Miss Fox?

Forget it, let's focus on preparing for the upcoming Tianlan Trial Tournament.

Just then, seeing that Harunobu and his party were about to leave, Kujou Umeko finally couldn't help but say, "Master Taira, please wait a moment! I have some important information, and I hope you can reconsider after hearing it."

Harunobu lowered his raised buttocks back down, and casually patted the plump thigh of Tachibana Seiko in his arms: "Mrs. Kujo, I hope you won't continue to ruin my impression of you."

“Of course, Master Taira.” Kujou Umeko pursed her lips and said, “Actually, there is another hidden purpose to this Tenran Trial – that is to choose a husband for Princess Misuru.”

"Huh?" This was indeed a bit unexpected for Harunobu, or rather, for everyone else present, including Kujo Hideki.

After speaking, Kujo Umeko visibly let out a long sigh of relief, as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Then, without waiting for any prompting, she poured out the rest of her story like beans spilling from a bamboo tube: "After His Majesty the Emperor broke free from the Katsura family's control, he deeply felt the disloyal ambitions of the current cabinet and their desire to revive the story of the samurai in the north. Therefore, he held the Tenran Examination in an attempt to recruit talented individuals to counter the madmen of the Army and Navy."

"However, His Majesty the Emperor felt that the samurai could not trust the Imperial Family, which was implementing the return of the imperial property to the emperor. Therefore, he decided to marry Princess Misuru to the top scorer of this year's Tenran Trial, in order to lay the foundation for the new northern samurai and establish mutual trust between the Emperor and the samurai."

"I think this information should be enough to offset my rudeness just now, Master Taira?"

Harunobu rubbed Tachibana Seiko's slender waist with a headache, and waved his hand helplessly: "I guess so, but even so, I can't give you all of it. Half, you can talk to Seiko about the details later."

After saying that, Qingxin couldn't help but curse, "Damn it, I was hoping to win first place in this year's Tianlan Trial, and they pulled this trick on me! It's disgusting!"

No matter the country or dynasty, becoming a prince consort is never a good thing. Although in Japan, there are princesses who marry into noble families and commoners, and it doesn't seem to be a big deal—this time it's clearly different from those marriages for political alliances; it's about using a princess to tie down the greatest samurai in the land.

Therefore, it's impossible for the princess to be at the mercy of the first-place winner; it's more like the other way around.

Harunobu didn't want to marry a scheming woman who was always thinking about how to make him her dog, much less a lunatic obsessed with strengthening the Emperor's authority. Besides, he was going to get rid of Hirohito, Bisuru's brother, sooner or later; who would dare keep her around?

Not to mention, a prince consort like that wouldn't have concubines in his household. So, does that mean Harunobu would have to drive away Taira no Yukiko and the others? I'd rather drive away your mother, the Emperor!

In short, this princess is not someone you can marry—wait, why would Princess Misuru so openly and deliberately leak this information to Kujou Umeko?

The author says:

Author's Note: Although I didn't get any votes, I still managed to write 10,000 words a day. But now I'm truly out of votes, so the next big update will depend on luck~ Also, "Princess Meguru" is probably the most difficult heroine to win over, so she'll enter the palace relatively late~

Chapter 295: Tokyo Shakes

"Hey, have you heard? About that matter."

"Such mystery, isn't it just about the Dragon Slayer Swordsman and the Full Moon Sword Master? Everyone knows about that."

"Heh, do you know how the Dragon Slayer Swordsman won?"

"How else could he have won? I heard he managed to cut off the hand of the Full Moon Sword Master by launching a sneak attack in the middle of the game."

"You believe that? You might as well say that the Dragon Slayer Swordsman is having an affair with the Full Moon Sword Master's wife. Everyone knows that apart from being a womanizer, the Dragon Slayer Swordsman is upright and honest in all his actions."

"Oh right, right, you're so clever. If he hadn't ambushed him, how could he have possibly defeated the Full Moon Sword Master? He wasn't even born when the Full Moon Sword Master was killing monsters!"

"Bullshit! You stupid idiot! The Full Moon Sword Master was twenty-eight years old when he killed his first demon, while the Dragon Slayer Swordsman is already twenty-five—"

At the tram stop, commuters waiting for their trams were having a lively discussion.

Chapter 319

In the latest big gossip, some excited fans even started pushing and shoving, seemingly ready to use force to persuade the other side. Although a fight was eventually averted because a group of passing guerrillas wearing "support gauntlets" passed by, they quickly and clearly split into two teams.

However, there is a very significant difference in the number of people on both sides.

There are far more people who support the Dragon Slayer than the Full Moon Swordsman. Because no matter how eloquently the Full Moon Swordsman's supporters speak, they cannot change one fact: Kujo Hidekichi did indeed lose to Taira no Harunobu, and he himself admitted it.

At this very moment, newspapers and magazines bearing the apologies of Kujo Hidekichi to the disciples of Aozorakan and Taira Harunobu are circulating throughout Tokyo. Excited newsboys are running through the streets and alleys, quickly washing away the negative image of Aozorakan from the previous days.

This also mitigated much of the negative impact of Harunobu's reputation for being lecherous, transforming it into an "acceptable quirk" for the powerful. While this is partly because lechery is generally considered reasonable in Japan, the shift from universal condemnation to almost no one deliberately mentioning it, and even some expressing praise, is truly remarkable.

"As expected, strength is the most important thing."

Harunobu sighed as he finished his morning training and sheathed his Asakasa. He then took the towel Saten Yoko offered him, wiped the sweat from his brow, and began to dry his bare upper body. It wasn't that his disciples were unwilling to serve him; it was just that such intimate actions could easily escalate into something more—it wasn't that Harunobu lacked self-control, but rather that these fairies were all going too far.

After a moment, Harunobu, having tidied himself up briefly, looked at Yoko Saten: "Is there anyone I absolutely have to see lately?"

"No, Teacher." Saten Yoko took the towel and stuffed it into her arms. The towel, soaked with Teacher's sweat, was a high-end item; if she threw it away carelessly, it might cause a bloody incident the next second.

Qingxin nodded: "Then you should start preparing for the opening of the outer gate, right? The renovations were finished a long time ago, and it was supposed to open a few days ago."

"A bunch of competitors are coming again." Saten Yoko pouted, more like she was being coquettish than complaining. "Even if you have great stamina, Shifan, you have to be careful."

"Yeah, how about we change the celebration party to once a month from now on?" Harunobu said with a smile, and when he saw Saten Yoko's face suddenly droop, he couldn't help but pinch the cute little Yoko.

"Alright, I won't be able to manage the outer sect guys much. You guys can take care of teaching them. After all, spending time with you guys is more important—Nana! You're slacking off again!"

"Eh? It's not because you were too fierce last night, Master~" Hanazawa Nana blinked, trying to get away with it with cuteness. But as Saten Yoko approached menacingly, she immediately began to seriously practice her Thunder Breathing sword techniques.

Despite the outside disturbances, things remained peaceful and happy inside the Aozora-kan.

But outsiders aren't so optimistic, just like the question Qingxin asked Yezi earlier.

Although only one day had passed since Harunobu defeated Kujo Hideki, the news had already spread throughout Tokyo and was even showing signs of spreading nationwide because Harunobu had swaggered into Kujo's dojo and destroyed it, and Kujo Hideki had even published a notice of defeat in the newspaper.

Therefore, the various merchants, politicians, and even nobles and officials from other countries who had been frequently bothering Qingxin came in droves again. Every day, the inbox was overflowing with invitations to various banquets, not to mention all the other miscellaneous things.

For example, disgusting photos submitted by some shameless women!

Bah! What a piece of trash! They dare to covet our teachers' college!

Every day, the disciples who clean the mailboxes have to tear up a huge pile of this stuff by hand!

As for why it's a mailbox instead of a high-end, classy personal messenger—because the mail would be rejected outright and sent back by the recipient.

Anyway, Harunobu wasn't involved in politics, so he wasn't worried about offending these "big shots." As for revenge, let's not even talk about what methods they would use to retaliate against a samurai who had already fully demonstrated his fighting prowess. As long as they showed such a hint, their enemies, and those who simply wanted to curry favor with Harunobu, would definitely turn them upside down.

Finally, don't forget that Harunobu is also the honorary head of the Special Higher Police. Although he doesn't actually have any jurisdiction and only has a group of his disciples under him, he does have the power to conduct purges.

What if you anger them and they come to investigate the accounts? How many "big shots" can withstand a thorough investigation by the intelligence agencies? Should the Ministry of Home Affairs be allowed to oversee the Special Higher Police, block their procedures, and refuse their unwarranted investigation? Guess why there's a golden-haired fox in the Special Higher Police? And guess who the actual boss of the Special Higher Police is?

The cabinet has been in turmoil for so long and still hasn't been reorganized; even His Majesty the Emperor has begun to rule personally. Who's going to cause trouble for that poisonous princess now? Yamamoto Gonnohyōe's grave is still covered in grass!

Moreover, these politicians are currently engaged in a frenzied infighting over the prime minister's position or old grudges, making it impossible for them to unite. Furthermore, they are all afraid of Katsura Taro's head in Misuru's hands, constantly worried that that bastard who didn't even know how to die cleanly or in some remote place might say some strange things.

They didn't dare to raise their voices at Princess Misuru in the council, even though Princess Misuru, as a princess, never attended council meetings. Naturally, they weren't as assertive towards Taira no Harunobu of the "Princess Misuru's lineage."

However, they weren't stupid, and they quickly found a new way—to send women to Ping Qingxin, no, to send disciples!

For these people, women are as plentiful as they want! It just so happens that Ping Qingxin is a lecher, so it's easy. He directly sends out a large number of women one by one, flat-chested, huge, tall, short, big, small, innocent, charming... all kinds are available.

They don't even need to come up with a reason; Qingkong Pavilion has always been recruiting disciples! Arrange it! It absolutely must be arranged!

While politicians were frantically showering Harunobu with benefits, other forces were not stopping either.

Both the Army and Navy are searching for the secrets of the "Natural Harushin-ryu" swordsmanship through various channels, and then they keep scratching their heads as they look at the sword techniques that Harushin's adoptive father had left in the government.

No, where is your Thunder Sword? Where is your Flying Sword? Where is your Water Sword and your upgraded Shigure Sora?

What are you talking about? You didn't even leave behind your visualization techniques, let alone your sword skills!

The military was furious—though it was all for naught, they clearly had no intention of giving up their pursuit of the Natural Harushin-ryu, a "powerful swordsmanship that could be learned quickly." After all, militarism was the instinctive mindset of Japanese soldiers in this era, and without some fat men and little boys, they couldn't be broken.

Meanwhile, on the other side, a certain red fox was sometimes gritting its teeth and sometimes looking smug.

Chapter 296: Princess Misuru's Scheme

She was furious because her perfect plan had once again been violently thwarted by Hiraharu Shin. She originally intended to praise Aozorakan to death and make Hiraharu Shin fall into the quagmire of being ostracized by his peers, but unexpectedly it became a stepping stone for him to become famous.

As for her smugness, it was naturally because the main competition of the Tianlan Trial was about to begin, and the grand fireworks she had prepared were about to go on stage.

Rin Rokudo looked at Yakumo Kurenai and hesitated for a moment because of her crazy expression. But considering that he still needed her to assassinate the Emperor, he still forced a concerned look and said, "Yakumo Kurenai, if you have mental problems, I can take you back to headquarters to see Hanabusa-no-Maki."

"No need!" Yakumo Kurenai said coldly. "Where are the demon swords I asked for? Did you bring them all?"

“I brought it, but Tianmu Lian said you need to keep a record and give feedback, otherwise he won’t lend it to me next time.” Lun Liudao pointed to a large wooden box he had just delivered. “There are twelve in total, all of which are created by combining the soul and the body. The side effects are not small.”

"Anyway, it's not like I'm using it." Yakumo Kurenai gazed into the distance.

Chapter 320

Standing in the imperial palace, his eyes were filled with deep hatred.

Inside the imperial palace, Princess Misuru raised her head and closed her somewhat weary eyes: "Sister Ran, how is the situation?"

"Just as you predicted, my lord." Shiranui Ran climbed in through the window and knelt before Misuru-hime. "Almost everyone is talking about the battle between Taira no Harunobu and Kujo no Hideki. Taira no Harunobu's reputation has soared. The negative reputation he had due to the marriage incident and his womanizing has almost disappeared."

“Very good, then we can prepare for the next step.” Misuruhime gently moved her fingers. “Genkuro and Uesugi Yoshinobu, those two are much more difficult to deal with than my uncle.”

Shiranui Ran remained kneeling, puzzled, and asked, "My lord, are you really going to follow His Majesty's orders and marry the winner of this competition?"

Misuru opened her eyes, and the golden light in her bright eyes disappeared, leaving only a sly look: "Why don't you just ask me directly if it's necessary to marry Hiraishin."

"My lord, I..."

Misuru interrupted Shiranui Ran's explanation, giving her reason: "Compared to that brat Hirohito, or those two Hatamoto samurai whose children are older than me, Taira no Harunobu is the best choice."

"Young, strong, handsome, and exceptionally capable. And with so many weaknesses and such obvious flaws, who else would you choose?"

Shiranui Ran frowned: "My lord, Taira no Harunobu is not such a simple man. Moreover, he would never accept His Majesty the Emperor's request to abandon his wives."

Misuru looked at Shiranui Ran with a calm expression. Although the white fox mask blocked her view, she could imagine Shiranui Ran's expression based on her tone. Shiranui Ran must be thinking that her approach was too inhumane, too cold and extreme, and prone to collapse; but bound by the code of conduct of a ninja, she could not oppose her lord's decision, so she could only frown in distress and think of a roundabout way.

"Haha~"

A sudden chuckle woke Shiranui Ran. The fox-like lady, seeing the mocking smile on her lord's face, knew perfectly well she'd been tricked again. She clenched her fists, her gaze darting menacingly towards Misuruhime's pert little bottom.

"Don't worry, that's why I'm choosing him, because I know he won't agree." Misuru stopped teasing her big fox, and her aloofness vanished instantly. She lazily relaxed her back and rested her chin on her right hand, which was resting on her knee on the low table.

"I plan to cooperate with him. He will help me deal with my father's demands and, incidentally, fend off that brat Hirohito. I will help him become the greatest samurai in the land, while simultaneously bestowing upon this unambitious, lecherous man countless riches and honors—a win-win situation, isn't it?"

"By the way, if that pervert is lusting after my good looks and tries to get rough with me, then Lan, you have to help me. After all, I don't want to be with a pervert who only thinks about sex all day long, even if he's really outstanding in other ways."

Shiranui Ran was speechless: "My lord, I can't beat Taira no Harunobu."

Even liberation?

“Even if it’s liberation.” Shiranui Ran recalled Harunobu’s brutal fighting style during the battle with Vortigern. “That guy was much crazier than he looked. To be honest, sometimes I’m quite glad he had so many wives, at least that way he didn’t have time to do other things.”

"Well, there's no other way then. I'll just have to use your invincible charm technique. After all, you're my ninja, so you're entitled to serve me in bed anyway." Misuru-hime grinned mischievously, puncturing Shiranui Ran's self-deception. "Besides, you've already fallen for Taira no Harunobu, haven't you?"