Tokyo Knights: The Odd Jobs X Files

After the New Year, Li Xin and the others from "X" Agency returned to Japan first, but Lai Sheng Rui and Kagura Chizuru stayed behind.

Investment matters are not something that can be resolved in a single sentence; there are many follow-up matters to handle. Many departments and companies are closed for the Chinese New Year, and the investment work can only officially start after the New Year. The two of them still have a lot to do and will have to stay in Central China for at least another month.

"Ah-Xin, after I get back, I'd like to discuss the 'KOF' tournament with you."

At Jingzhou Airport, Kagura Chizuru, who came to see Li Xin off, said to him before he boarded the plane.

This year's "KOF" tournament is different from the last one. In addition to the eight seeded teams, another eight teams will need to be selected through knockout tournaments held around the world.

Moreover, after the promotion of the previous tournament, the "KOF" tournament has become a mainstream phenomenon. So, although this tournament is still hosted by the Kagura Group, many other forces want to get involved. Kagura Chizuru is not able to handle it alone and needs Li Xin's support.

"I understand. Chizuru, just let me know when you need anything, and I'll definitely help."

Li Xin said to Kagura Chizuru.

Kagura Chizuru is no ordinary person, and the relationship between Li Xin and Kagura Chizuru has never been a simple employer-employee relationship. Li Xin saved Kagura Manki and contributed greatly to the fight against the "Eight Heroes". That's why Kagura Chizuru spared no effort to help Li Xin in the matter of Zhao Liqiu, and even went so far as to build a semiconductor factory in the Central Plains.

"it is good."

Hearing Li Xin's affirmative reply, Kagura Chizuru couldn't help but smile.

Besides Chizuru Kagura, Rui Kisugi was also at the airport to see them off. In addition to "X" agency, Ai Kisugi and Michael were also returning to Japan this time.

After instructing Ai not to be naughty and to take good care of Mike, Rui said to Lisha, "Lisha, while I'm gone, I'll leave Ashin in your care."

"Yes, don't worry, Sister Xiaolei, I will take good care of Ah Xin."

Mao Lixia nodded vigorously.

"besides……"

Lai Sheng Lei whispered in Mao Lixia's ear, "You'll have to face A Xin alone for a while."

Mao Lixia's ears turned red instantly, and she said in a voice barely above a whisper, "I will try my best..."

"What? What are you trying to do?"

Angel ran over to join in the fun, but was chased away by Morixia: "Angel, you're still too young, don't ask about these things!"

Angel pouted, looked down at her chest, and muttered softly, "I'm not a child anymore..."

In the past year, she has been developing well. Although she can't compare to Ayane's busty monster, she is still much more prominent than her peers, such as Tsuchimiya Kagura.

(Kagura Tsuchimiya: ∑(°口°?))

Back in Tokyo, at the office, Crocodile looked at Li Xin and the others with a brooding gaze: "You guys have had a really long year..."

An awkward smile crept onto Li Xin's face.

They originally planned to return to Japan on the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, but the village chief dragged them away and made them stay until the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth. After visiting the lanterns and eating glutinous rice balls, Li Xin and the others boarded the plane back to Japan on the sixteenth. However, Crocodile returned to Japan on the eighth day of the Lunar New Year and stayed at the office alone for more than a week.

Of course, Crocodile wouldn't let himself be wronged; he would definitely go out every day to indulge in pleasure and have a great time. However, Li Xin still felt somewhat sorry for Crocodile.

"Sorry, Crocodile Man, it's just that the villagers are too hospitable, I can't leave."

Li Xin apologized to Crocodile Man.

Crocodile waved his hand: "Forget it, I know it's not easy for you to go back once a year. Just let me know in advance if you change your plans next time, so I can spend a few more days with my daughter in Hong Kong."

Li Xin thought for a moment and said to Crocodile Man, "Wouldn't this be too much of a torment for your daughter?"

"..."

Crocodile was silent for a moment, then said to Li Xin, "Xin, if you talk like that, you'll easily end up with no friends!"

Li Xin couldn't help but laugh and said to Crocodile, "I brought you some local specialties from my hometown. We'll pick them up from Mingmei later."

"That's more like human language!"

The crocodile immediately smiled.

Suddenly remembering something, Crocodile took out a letter and handed it to Li Xin: "Oh right, Xin, here's a letter for you."

Li Xin took the letter and saw that it only had the recipient "X" written on it, but not the sender's name.

After opening and glancing at the letter, Li Xin put it away and said to Crocodile, "Crocodile, I'm going away for a few days."

"No, you just got back and went out again?"

Crocodile Man was speechless.

Li Xin shrugged: "There's no other way, I have to repay the favor."

....................................

Kyoto, a city built by Japan more than a thousand years ago in imitation of Chang'an and Luoyang from the Sui and Tang dynasties in Central China, suffered several air raids during World War II. However, because it was not an industrial city like Tokyo or Osaka, but rather a sacred place of Japanese culture and religion, it was less damaged, allowing this ancient city to be well preserved during the war.

Li Xin walked through the streets of Kyoto, his gaze lingering on the ancient city.

This was not Li Xin's first time in Kyoto. He had come to Kyoto before when Iori Yagami's father's curse flared up. He sought help from the famous "Kami-Nyou-ryu" school of swordsmanship and received guidance from Konoe Eichun, a master swordsman of the "Kami-Nyou-ryu". Ultimately, he used the "Slaying Heaven Sword Technique" to temporarily suppress the curse on Iori Yagami's father.

Li Xin hadn't paid much attention to the city because he was rushing to save people, but now he finally had the chance to appreciate its charm.

Kyoto was built in imitation of ancient Chang'an and Luoyang. The streets are straight and orderly. In addition to a few main roads, there are countless small paths. Although it looks like a maze, you can actually find your way as long as you find the right direction.

Compared to the modern metropolis of Tokyo, the pedestrians on the streets of Kyoto do not have that hurried sense of urgency. Instead, they seem very leisurely. There are very few people wearing suits and ties. Most of them are in casual clothes. You can also see a lot of people wearing kimonos. Walking on the streets of Kyoto, it is easy to feel like you have traveled back to ancient times. Li Xin, who is wearing a very modern combat uniform, seems a bit out of place.

"Ah! Robbers!"

A scream rang out, and Li Xin looked in the direction of the sound, only to see a man on a bicycle snatching a wallet from a woman in a kimono.

Just as Li Xin was about to make a move, he saw a young girl in a kimono next to the woman in the kimono act swiftly. Her movements were like a dance. With a spin, she caught up with the robber, grabbed the rear rack of the bicycle, and caused the robber to lose his balance and fall off the bicycle.

Enraged by the fall from the carriage, the robber yelled at the kimono-clad girl, "You despicable woman!"

As the robber spoke, he actually pulled out a small knife from his pocket, got up, and stabbed the girl in the kimono.

The kimono-clad girl showed no panic as a sharp knife pierced her. Instead, she calmly bowed to the robber, stepped forward, slightly sidestepped the knife, and raised her elbow to strike the robber in the abdomen, sending him flying far away. His dagger and wallet flew out of his hand, and the dagger flew straight towards the kimono-clad woman behind her.

Just as the woman in the kimono was staring blankly at the flying dagger in a panic, the dagger suddenly changed direction and flew into Li Xin's hand.

"call……"

The woman in the kimono was still in shock, and the girl in the kimono, who had also noticed what was happening, was quite frightened. She quickly ran to the woman in the kimono and asked, "Mama Yamakura, are you alright?"

"It's alright, it's alright."

The woman in the kimono finally realized what was happening and waved her hands repeatedly at the girl in the kimono.

Seeing that the woman in the kimono had no wounds and was indeed alright, the girl in the kimono breathed a sigh of relief, but still kept bowing to the woman in the kimono: "I'm sorry, Mama Yamakura, I was too impulsive!"

"It's alright, you meant well."

The woman in the kimono smiled and comforted the girl in the kimono, then walked up to Li Xin and bowed to him, who was holding a dagger, saying, "Sir, thank you for saving me just now!"

She wasn't blind; although she had panicked, she could still see that Li Xin had gently waved his hand, beckoning the dagger over.

Because of her profession, the woman in the kimono had served many important figures of high status and was very familiar with the group of extraordinary people. The skill that Li Xin had just displayed was definitely that of an extraordinary person.

The girl in the kimono hurriedly followed, bowing deeply to Li Xin: "Sir, thank you so much. If it weren't for you, I would have made a terrible mistake!"

Li Xin smiled slightly and said to the girl in the kimono, "Next time you do something heroic, be more careful about your surroundings."

The woman in the kimono picked up her purse from the ground, took out a business card from it, and handed it to Li Xin: "Sir, my name is Yamakura Tae. I run a teahouse in Miyagawa-cho. If you have time, you are welcome to come to the teahouse anytime. Let me treat you well to repay your help."

The girl in the kimono said, "My name is Kokoro, and I am a maiko. I hope you will take good care of me in the future. Also, thank you again for your help in preventing me from making a serious mistake."

"Heart……"

Li Xin called out the name of the girl in the kimono, and then asked, "You just used 'Bajiquan'?"

The gesture of bowing, the stepping motion, the two-dimensional top... the kimono-clad girl just now used to subdue the robbers was none other than "Bajiquan".

When Li Xin first arrived in Tokyo, he knew no martial arts other than the "Wedding Dress Divine Skill". "Bajiquan" was the first martial art that Li Xin came into contact with, so when he saw a girl in a kimono using "Bajiquan", he couldn't help but feel a sense of goodwill towards her.

"Yes."

Upon hearing Li Xin mention "Bajiquan," the girl in the kimono blushed slightly and lowered her head, saying, "I didn't practice well, please forgive me, sir..."

"No, you've practiced very well."

Li Xin shook his head slightly and said to the girl in the kimono, "Integrating dance into 'Bajiquan' adds a touch of gentleness to the fierce and violent 'Bajiquan,' making it a very good innovation that combines strength with softness."

Upon receiving Li Xin's praise, the girl in the kimono exclaimed excitedly, "Really? My teacher who taught me Bajiquan said that what I'm wearing is neither fish nor fowl, and not suitable for formal occasions..."

This was the first time anyone had acknowledged her martial arts skills, and her martial arts teacher was extremely dissatisfied with her modifications to the style of "Bajiquan".

"The master leads you through the door, but the practice is up to you. Even the master is not necessarily completely correct. Martial arts have developed through generations of improvement. You did nothing wrong."

Li Xin encouraged him.

"Thank you, thank you, sir!"

The girl in the kimono exclaimed excitedly.

The woman in the kimono standing next to her shook her head slightly, tugged at her sleeve, and said to the girl in the kimono, "Alright, Shin, don't bother this gentleman anymore. We also need to prepare things for tonight's guests. Your mother said tonight's guests are very important!"

The girl in the kimono then came to her senses and bowed to Li Xin again, saying, "Sir, I'm sorry, I was rude just now."

Li Xin smiled slightly and said to the girl and woman in kimonos, "It's alright, goodbye, take care on your journey."

After saying that, he turned and left.

"Hey, sir!"

The girl in the kimono watched Li Xin's departing figure and couldn't help but say, "Sir, you still haven't told us your name!"

"Never mind, my heart."

The woman in the kimono shook her head slightly and said to the girl in the kimono, "This gentleman probably doesn't want to get involved with us. It's best if we don't linger."

Although nominally their profession is a cultural tradition and an art of Japan, the locals in Kyoto all know that they are just high-class prostitutes. Li Xin looks young and handsome, and is also an extraordinary person, so why should he associate with these geishas?

The girl in the kimono pondered for a moment, nodded slightly to the woman in the kimono, and then said, "I understand, Mama Yamakura."

After saying goodbye to the two women in kimonos, Li Xin inquired his way to a small temple on the outskirts of Kyoto. Inside the temple, two of Li Xin's acquaintances were sitting on the steps in front of the main hall. Upon seeing Li Xin's arrival, they both stopped talking.

"Long time no see, Ashin."

Hattori Hanzo greeted Li Xin with a smile.

Li Xin smiled and said, "Hattori-senpai, it's been a long time. I went to visit you in Ryukyu before, only to find that your sushi restaurant had closed down."

"Haha, my place has been discovered, of course I have to run away!"

Hattori Hanzo laughed loudly, then pointed to the swordsman beside him: "See, I've come to join him, haven't I?"

"Hello, Konoe-senpai."

Li Xin greeted Konoe Eichun, who was sitting with Hattori Hanzo.

Konoe Wing-chun smiled slightly at Li Xin and said, "Xin, it's been a long time. I heard from Leo that your martial arts have improved a lot and you have already mastered the 'near-god' move. It seems that I, your senior, am no longer as good as you."

Those extraordinary experts who possess "near-godlike moves" are among the top of all extraordinary experts. Even though Li Xin's power is currently slightly weaker and he has not yet reached the peak of the extraordinary realm, it is still enough for all extraordinary experts to be wary of him.

Li Xin smiled and said, "Speaking of which, I have to thank Senior Konoe. When we were in Greece, Senior Leo helped me with a lot of questions. If it weren't for Senior Konoe, Senior Leo definitely wouldn't have told me so much."

"That's not necessarily true."

Konoe Eichun shook his head slightly: "That guy Leo has always liked to show off, and he's always trying to be mysterious."

Suddenly, Konoe Eichun remembered something. He looked up at the sky and exclaimed in alarm, "Oh dear, it's already this late! I should go shopping with my wife and daughter. Oshin, you and Hattori can chat for a while. I'm going to go with my wife and daughter."

Without waiting for Li Xin and Hattori Hanzo to reply, he quickly left.

Hattori Hanzo shook his head and said to Li Xin, "Don't be offended. Konoe, although he is usually very serious and quite old-fashioned, is actually a henpecked husband and a doting father."

After a pause, Hattori Hanzo continued, "But there's nothing wrong with that. The top swordsmen I know are either single or widowed. It's rare to see someone like Konoe with such a happy family. It's admirable that he values ​​his wife and daughters so much."

Li Xin was somewhat surprised: "Are all the top swordsmen in Japan in such a miserable state?"

Hattori Hanzo nodded and said, "It's one thing if people don't get married, but for those who do, their wives often encounter various accidents and die after giving birth to their daughters."

No, it's one thing to be a wife-killer, but why do they all have daughters?

Li Xin expressed his confusion.

Chapter 654 Heart

Putting aside this pointless question, Li Xin asked Hattori Hanzo, "Hattori-senpai, what is the purpose of your letter asking me to come and find you?"

The letter that Crocodile had given to Li Xin was sent by Hattori Hanzo, but it only told Li Xin to come to Kyoto to find him, without saying what it was about. That's why Li Xin asked.

Hattori Hanzo did not answer, but instead reached out to Li Xin and said, "Let me see your Ming sword."

Without hesitation, Li Xin took the Ming sword from his waist and handed it to Hattori Hanzo.