Female Swordsman Training Dojo

In the not-so-crowded room, Harunobu maintained his Thunderclap Flash pose, breathing heavily. The booming thunder surged like a tide, causing Sato Mei's heart to tremble slightly. He was no ordinary person; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to obtain the Otaku, nor would he have been able to escape to Tokyo after betraying the dojo and become Hanayama Jun's personal guard.

Therefore, he could see that if Harunobu continued to build up his strength like this, he would definitely not be able to withstand the final thunderous strike, and might even die—the reverse blade was also made of metal, which was much harder than a human neck.

He must take the initiative.

In the blink of an eye, Sato Mei, who had been guarding the gate, launched his attack. He raised his long sword above his head in a high stance, with the tip of the sword just a hair's breadth away from the roof.

Two strong thighs sank deep into the tatami mat, and a strange scream, like the roar of a monkey, burst out from his mouth. The sound crashed into the thunderous waves, parting a path, and allowed Sato Mei to rush powerfully to Harunobu's front.

However, Harunobu just found it boring. This person's movements had too many flaws. He felt that he could break through them without even using the burst of Thunder Breathing. But this was just right, as it helped him to create the illusion that he wasn't very strong and definitely couldn't defeat an attack by more than fifty people.

But just as Harunobu relaxed, Sato Mei suddenly appeared in front of him and swung his knife.

The long sword, raised high, slammed down at the very moment the monkey's cry reached its peak, leaving a trail of afterimages in the air before crashing down on Harunobu's right shoulder.

Satsuma Jigen-ryu - Ultimate Technique - Lion Manifestation!

In that instant, Harunobu felt as if he could really hear a lion roaring, just like when he faced the blow that cut off his sword with Hosei's, or as if he were facing the intimidating aura of Hayashi Uemon. This strike seemed to combine the paths of Shinto and Nen, causing Harunobu's pupils to shrink slightly. So that's how it can be done?

And, as expected, underestimating your opponent is a bad idea.

However, these thoughts were fleeting, and Harunobu quickly focused back on the battle itself. He watched Sato Nami swing his long sword down, pushed the tsuba with his left thumb, and the reverse-blade sword in his right hand instantly transformed into a streak of light, heading straight for Sato Nami's neck.

Start later but arrive first.

"Varied--"

Sato Mei was utterly panicked. He hadn't expected Harunobu to be so quick and so audacious, directly trading injury for life. It seemed that Hanayama Isao had really offended him badly!

Indeed, at this point, Sato Mei completely believed Harunobu's story, just like the other members of the Hanayama Group and the onlookers.

So he immediately twisted his wrist and stepped back, stopping at the last moment. Thanks to Harunobu's restraint, he managed to block the reverse blade. The enormous force made his hands numb, but he managed to block it!

Just as a feeling of relief arose, his rational mind immediately realized something else—Qingxin was missing!

As he realized this, his legs suddenly ached, and his tall body inevitably slumped down, followed by a barrage of slashes raining down on him.

A moment later, Sato, covered in bruises, collapsed to the ground. Harunobu kicked open the door, revealing a luxuriously furnished room and an elderly man sitting cross-legged at a low table, exuding composure.

"Hanayama Jun?" Harunobu asked, but his tone was very certain. The old man did not hide it, but spread his hands seemingly calmly, "That's right, I am Hanayama Jun. Director Hei, are you calmed down now?"

Harunobu glanced back at Sato Nami lying on the ground: "You don't think that letting me beat up these trash will make me feel better, do you?"

"No need to answer, because this behavior only makes me angrier."

Chapter 62

"Who do you think you are, sitting here waiting for me to attack?"

Hua Shan Xun's calm smile froze. He was about to awkwardly say something when Qing Xin walked up to him and raised his leg to kick him.

Then, with a click, Harunobu's movements stopped.

Hanayama Jun held a pistol, its dark muzzle pointed at Harunobu's head, and said smugly, "Director Ping, I know you're fast, but can you outrun a bullet?"

Harunobu lowered his dangling right foot and looked at Hanayama Jun, who was still smiling: "So, this is your reliance? You plan to kill a samurai in front of so many people?"

"Just say you left through the back door to avoid trouble—wouldn't that be enough?" The old man's smile deepened. He wasn't afraid of Qingxin saying harsh words to him; he was afraid of Qingxin remaining silent, because as long as she spoke, they could talk.

"Hmm, that's a good excuse, I understand."

Harunobu nodded, and a hint of smugness appeared in Hanayama Jun's aged eyes. Then Harunobu kicked over the low table in front of him, and the scalding tea splashed onto him. It seeped through his thin kimono and landed on his skin, directly causing blisters.

He didn't lose his composure and roll on the ground from the burn, but his face was extremely pale: "Director Ping!"

However, Harunobu was even more agitated than him: "If you're so capable, then shoot! Let's see which is faster, my sword-drawing technique or your trigger-pulling speed?"

—Anyway, he still has defensive magic artifacts on him, so at worst he'll get injured.

When pressed down by Harunobu's fierce and savage demeanor, Hanayama Shun immediately wilted, and all the lines they had exchanged in good spirits instantly became useless.

"Where did your son go?" Qingxin looked down at Huashan Xun with an air of impending doom.

Seeing the menacing Harunobu, Hanayama Shun swallowed hard, feeling a bit resentful towards his son. How could he have offended Harunobu so badly? Could it be that he used the same attitude and methods he usually used on those lowly people?

However, having been a group leader for over twenty years, Hanayama Shun managed to maintain his composure: "Director Ping, my son really hasn't returned yet. Otherwise, how about this? I have some savings..."

Harunobu interrupted him, coldly saying, "Before that, I want to know why your son is interfering with my killing of demons? Or is it that your Hanayama Clan is actually a den of demons..."

His indifferent gaze lingered on Hanayama Xun's aged neck. Hanayama Xun, who was over sixty years old, had obvious age spots on his neck and was as thin as a piece of dry firewood. Harunobu's gaze was like an axe raised high.

Harunobu continued softly, "You should know that I was one monster short of meeting the government's quota this year, and then your son ambushed me just when I was about to succeed, allowing the monster to escape."

"This...this..."

Sweat beaded on Hanayama Shun's face. He did know about the Blue Sky Pavilion incident and deeply understood what it meant. At this moment, he was cursing Hanayama Xun to the bone in his mind, completely ignoring the fact that it was Hanayama Shun who had given the death order to capture that sword hunter alive.

After all, this directive actually came from above, not from him. Besides, doesn't that idiot know how to be flexible?!

"So I'm really annoyed right now, especially since you dared to act all high and mighty in front of me. So you'd better give me a reasonable reason, otherwise I'll have to take it out on you."

The still gentle voice sounded like the whisper of death, making Hanayama Jun break out in a cold sweat. He dared not utter the order from the Demon Dragon Society—otherwise he wouldn't have stayed here to destroy the evidence in the first place—but he also dared not continue to anger Harunobu.

After a moment of stalemate, Qingxin suddenly nodded knowingly: "I understand, it's an order from the Demon Dragon Society, right? This is probably the only thing that could make you so scared that you won't say anything."

"But I doubt you'd tell me the details even if I killed you, since I can't kill you all, while the Demon Dragon Society will make you suffer worse than death..."

As Harunobu muttered to himself, Hanayama Jun's sweat poured down his back; he felt he was probably going to die here.

He had witnessed firsthand how mad samurai could be when they were about to be stripped of their samurai status. Let alone killing an old Yakuza, a few years ago there were even those who shouted "God punish the traitors" and stormed the Imperial Palace. What right did he, a mere Yakuza, have to be an opponent of such madmen?

That damn little brat is really going to get his father killed!

“Well, Director Ping, actually I still have quite a bit of savings, and even without your samurai status, with your strength you can…”

"Stop with the nonsense, I don't have time to listen." Qingxin exhaled a breath of stale air and moved away from Huashan Xun. The latter immediately breathed a sigh of relief and was about to get up to get the money when he heard Qingxin say, "Do you want your left hand or your right hand?"

The meaning was obvious, and Hanayama Jun himself had said the same thing, so he immediately understood and gritted his teeth, saying, "Left hand!"

"You won't call the police, will you? It'll be a hassle to prove it wasn't intentional injury," Harunobu said casually as he slowly drew his Yukigiri sword.

Hua Shan Xun turned his head and stretched out his left hand: "No! The Yakuza also have their own benevolence—ah!!"

"That's settled then. But if there's a next time, I'll kill the entire Hanayama Group." Harunobu coldly completed the Bloodthirst and sheathed his sword, then held out his hand. "Where's the money?"

Hanayama Jun, who had lost his right hand, immediately stopped screaming. With a fawning smile, he pulled out a small wooden box from under the floor and thoughtfully opened the lid, saying, "There is a total of three thousand yen here. Please don't mind."

"You really know how to make money, Yakuza." Harunobu chuckled, picking up the wooden crate. "I hope we never meet again, Hanayama-gumi leader."

With Harunobu's departure, Hanayama Jun finally breathed a sigh of relief and began to bandage himself. The physical pain and chaotic environment made him unconsciously agree with Harunobu's explanation.

After all, his son was indeed capable of such a thing, and Harunobu's series of actions were also in line with what a samurai facing the end of his life should do.

"Sigh, that unfilial son! When he comes back, I will definitely..."

"Father! Father! Something terrible has happened! Young Master... Young Master, he..."

Hearing the panic and chaos emanating from the drafty Hanayama Office, Harunobu, carrying a wooden box, walked into the crowd with a slight smile on his lips.

Chapter Sixty-Two: A Second Blossom

At the restaurant in Aozorakan, Harunobu put down the wooden box he was carrying. The cat, whose eyes had been glued to the box the whole way, suddenly pounced on it and started counting the money.

Seeing the woman's greedy appearance, Harunobu rolled his eyes and didn't bother with her. Instead, Hirayuki, who was coming out of the kitchen, tapped the kitten on the head: "Dinner's ready. Go wash your hands."

Qingxin chuckled as she watched the kitten pout and go to wash her hands, then tapped it on the head: "Teacher, you too, you have to set a good example for everyone."

"Yes~ yes~" Harunobu replied, his unclean little hand taking the opportunity to slide up the older sister's waist and hips. "Sachiko-neechan is so virtuous~"

Hirako blushed, glanced at the kitten in the kitchen, and after confirming that she was still washing her hands, she reluctantly sat on Harunobu's lap.

Although her body was limp at this moment, her mouth was firm: "Teacher, you really are something, to be put under a mind-altering spell by a monster and almost cause a huge mess."

Harunobu, diagnosed by the mysterious shrine maiden as suffering from mental interference, was also helpless. He never expected that the sword hunter would know magic, and even though he knew magic, he was not as smart as a proper elite-level monster—otherwise, he wouldn't have been detected by the compass.

This unusual feature might be the reason why it became a sword hunter?

I wonder where that guy is hiding now. Next time I must find a good place to see if I can kill him instantly, so that the Demon Dragon Society won't come to interfere again. Speaking of which, why is the Demon Dragon Society looking for this monster?

Although it is a humanoid demon

Chapter 63

It's strange, but judging from the feel of hitting it before, it shouldn't be some kind of fox demon or tengu with extremely high economic value.

Harunobu remained silent for a long time, lost in thought. Hirako thought her joke might have been a bit too harsh and made Harunobu uneasy. She then turned her body slightly shyly and said softly, "Master, are you angry?"

The cool tone of her voice somehow managed to create a touch of allure amidst the soft, lingering melody, instantly waking Qingxin. Her thoughtful expression turned into a smile, and her large hand, which had been resting on her slender waist, took the opportunity to move upwards: "Oh right, I'm angry, I need a kiss to calm down."

Hirako glanced around quickly with both eyes, but before she could see clearly, a large mouth pounced on her.

"Ugh...mmm...sizzle..."

Before her instinctive resistance could even take shape, Hirako, sensing Harunobu's scent, had already opened her teeth to welcome his intrusion, her clear saliva swirling and merging together.

The kitten, having washed its hands, came back and looked at the two people hugging and munching on each other, giving them a disgusted look, especially at the teacher who not only kept eating but also kept her paws busy, crumpling a perfectly good kimono like a rag.

"Cough cough cough." The kitten coughed twice as if it were nothing unusual, sat down in its seat, and watched the two of them jump apart as if they had been electrocuted. It said resentfully, "Hey you two, do you have to take me the time it takes to wash my hands?"

Qingxin's old face couldn't help but turn red, and he could only resort to his teacher's authority: "Little cat, how dare you speak to your teacher and senior sister like that?"

The kitten's eyes showed even more disdain: "Shi Fan, you're just a typical case of being consumed by lust. Why don't you two stop waiting until you're married and go upstairs now? I promise I won't disturb you."

Harunobu was still calm, but Hirako couldn't hold back her embarrassment any longer: "Little cat!"

Seeing Hirako's pretty face flushed red as if it were about to bleed, the kitten immediately covered its mouth, indicating that it would not say anything.

Qingxin glared at the kitten fiercely, stood up, and said something pointless to ease the tension: "I'm going to wash my hands."

But instead of taking the initiative to change the subject, Hirako remained silent. Harunobu, however, noticed the kitten winking at him, seemingly referring to…

With a snap, Qingxin sat down very quickly.

The kitten leaned against the table with a smile, cupping its face in its hands: "It seems like we don't have to worry about Sachiko-nee anymore."

"But Teacher, this isn't good for your health. Even if you have to wait until after marriage, you can do it with your hands first, or..."

"Kitten!" x2

This child absolutely has to be cleaned up today.

So, a dozen minutes later, the kitten could only squat on the chair with her butt sticking out and shoveling food into her mouth—even though nothing was actually wrong—but she still occasionally cast a resentful look at Qingxin, as if to say, "I was clearly trying to help you!"

Well, so please go all the way, little kitty.

Harunobu clasped his hands together and prayed devoutly.

Today is another peaceful day at Aozorakan, but the next day will be different.

Early in the morning, Harunobu and Taira Sachiko got up, had a simple breakfast, and then went out separately to Senso-ji Temple.

Today is the day to meet with the disciples of the White Lotus Sect.

Harunobu, who had set off first, met up with Kitten on a rooftop. Kitten pointed around knowingly: "According to Sachiko-nee's location, this is the best surveillance area. We can see in all directions... Look, Sachiko-nee is coming."

Harunobu naturally saw Hirako in the crowd, and the latter suddenly turned her head to look in his direction. Although she looked away halfway through, Harunobu was certain that she had noticed his gaze.

The kitten pouted sourly and pointed to another place: "Look over there, that person is watching Sachiko-nee!"

Harunobu immediately followed the cat's finger and saw a man standing next to a komainu statue.

Referring to that komainu statue, the man was about 1.5 meters tall, wearing a black kimono, sporting a trendy three-part hairstyle, and holding a paper fan in his hand—crazy, still holding a paper fan in November.

Qingxin muttered to himself, squinting as he carefully observed the man's features. He could only say they were average, barely not ugly, but definitely not as good as him.

The kitten listened silently to Qingxin's mutterings. Why did her teacher's college student always act so silly at times like this? The person below was actually quite handsome—but he was definitely not as good-looking as her teacher's college student.

So handsome.

The kitten cupped its face in its hands and looked at Haruno, a smile slowly spreading across its face.

Until a voice called out, "Kitten, it's time to go."

"coming!"

The kitten responded softly and looked down. Hirako had stopped beside the komainu (guardian dog) at Senso-ji Temple, but the small cloth bag in her hand was gone. The man was walking briskly in another direction.

"Let me see what kind of thing the White Lotus Sect is that has run away to Japan."

Qingxin said in a low voice, took the kitten off the roof, and followed them into the crowd.

The man probably never expected that this job, which had been going on for several years without any mistakes, would be followed. Anyway, Qingxin and Xiaomao successfully followed the man to a three-story building.