Chapter 23 Undercurrent
Chapter 23 Undercurrent
Night, Yingzhou Embassy
"Baga! So many people can't beat one ***.
Sato, this useless bastard, has brought shame to the Great Yingzhou Kendo.
Qin Huai, huh? I remember this name."
Looking at Sato Kojiro who was almost cut in half on the tatami, a tall middle-aged man with a pale face touched the broken sword in his hand and said coldly.
"I haven't seen the heir of Xinyou Sword for a long time. I wonder how it compares to the Xinyin Style passed down in my family?"
Beside the low table, a short man with a childish face was touching the blood on Sato's body and the broken bones on his feet.
"Yagyu-kun, this Qin Huai is a Baji Sect member. His boxing skills are somewhat restrained by your swordless skills. You must not take it lightly."
The middle-aged man put down the katana with a smooth broken edge, signaled his servants to carry the body away, and spoke to Yagyu Takizo in a serious tone.
Yagyu Takizo also returned to the low table and knelt opposite Miyamoto Kazuya, his tone excited.
“Senior Miyamoto, I have been practicing swordsmanship in my family home in Nara for more than 20 years. Whenever I heard the elders in my family talk about the size of Shenzhou, I was very skeptical. Now that I have come out of the cage and seen it, I find that its natural resources are far superior to those of Yingzhou.
Senior, when do you think we can have such a precious place?"
"It's almost time. As the Tengu of this generation of the Yagyu family, you must lead the nephews and nieces of Kansai to win victory for Dayingzhou in this martial arts performance and bring supreme glory to His Majesty the Emperor!"
Listening to Miyamoto Kazuya's encouragement as if he expected his son to achieve great things, Yagyu Takizo couldn't help but look forward to tomorrow's martial arts performance even more.
-
Tianjin, Zhili Governor-General's Office
"Master Baturu, I wonder if the place I arranged for you is comfortable?"
"Very good, ask the kitchen to make more food. Who will eat this much? I've been hungry all day!"
Looking at the burly man sitting at the octagonal table in front of him and concentrating on eating, Jin Er couldn't help but nod in agreement, but he was secretly complaining in his heart.
Still eating, from the afternoon to the evening, several cooks have collapsed from exhaustion, and there is not even enough food for you to eat!
Although he was complaining in his heart, he still appeared respectful on the surface, for no other reason.
As the only Manchu master sent by the imperial court to participate in the martial arts performance, Baturu Erdun was the last runner-up in martial arts of this era. His strength was naturally unquestionable. If he had not been slightly inferior in weapons during the martial arts test that year, he would not have had to wait until now to become the "number one martial arts champion".
"Lord Baturu, there will be a martial arts performance tomorrow. I wonder what kind of weapons you need? Can you tell me so that I can prepare them for you?"
"No need to go to so much trouble, my hands are enough to drive those crooked melons and cracked dates out of the country!"
As the strongest tiger-hunting warrior in the Shanpu Camp, Baturu naturally disdains to use those ordinary soldiers. In his opinion, nothing is more trustworthy than his own body.
"Okay, I'm finally full. The cooking skills of the chefs in Zhili are just so-so."
Baturu stood up. With a height of more than two meters and a muscular body, he stood in front of Jin Er like a small mountain.
"Don't just stand there. Remember to call me tomorrow. I can't wait to see those foreigners wail under my feet."
Baturu grinned grimly and patted Jin Er's shoulder with his big hand, signaling him to clean up the mess.
For a moment, Jin Er felt as if a heavy hammer had hit his shoulders twice. Hearing Baturu's instructions, he had to grit his teeth and say yes.
-
Ruyi Temple, Boxing House
"Master, you are so old, why are you thinking of participating in the martial arts competition?"
Feeling the inquiring gaze of the young man in front of him, the old man put down the teacup in his hand, but did not answer immediately. Instead, he gave the young man a surprise attack.
"Ah Wen, you have been my disciple since you were seven years old. It has been five years since then. Today I will test you."
"Master, please ask. I will tell you everything I know."
"What do you think martial arts training is?"
Faced with this seemingly broad question, although Ah Wen was young, he did not answer casually. He thought for a while and then responded seriously.
"Master, I don't have much experience, I just think that practicing martial arts can strengthen the body and protect the country. It's good."
Listening to Ah Wen's conventional answer, the old man smiled, his eyes filled with memories, and he spoke slowly, "Ah Wen, I'm old, and I'll be buried in the ground in a few years.
There's no way. People have a lifespan. If you live like an old monster in this world, you might as well be dead.
I brought you to this martial arts performance because, firstly, I wanted to show you the world. After all, I have only seen this kind of event a few times in my life.
Secondly, I want to take advantage of my body still being able to fight and see if there are any new bloods in the Shenzhou martial arts world who are worthy of my guidance. "
Seeing Ah Wen nodded as if he understood, the old man touched the boy's head.
"What did you think of the young man with the knife this afternoon?"
"Master, I feel like that person is like two different people on and off the ring."
"It's a good thing that he can tell the difference. It would be a pity if he became a martial arts madman like his master."
"Master, do you know his master?"
"I have met you a few times when I was traveling around the world in my early years. Apart from other things, when it comes to connections, there are not many people who can compare to your master.
Okay, it’s getting late, go to bed early, or you won’t be able to get a good seat if you go too late tomorrow.”
"Good night, Master."
-
At midnight, the Russian Embassy
In the rebuilt embassy hall, Romanov sat on the imperial sofa with a dull expression, looking at the various medicines on the table in front of him.
Longshunrong, Darentang, Hongrentang
“Qingxin Pills, Zixue Powder Blank, these are not the magic medicine we need!”
Geraldt was rummaging through these Chinese traditional medicines, and with a distorted face he yelled at Blank who was also searching for and comparing them.
"All the medicine available in this city is here. What else can I do?"
Blank also hit back aggrievedly.
Bishop Antoine listened to the quarrel between the two men and said thoughtfully to Romanov beside him,
"So many medical clinics and drugstores don't have it. It seems that the magic medicine must be the exclusive secret medicine of a certain martial arts school."
Romanov saw Antoine talking to him and said coldly
"I don't care what your bottles and jars are for, but if they interfere with my business during the martial arts performance, you will have to bear the consequences yourself."
When Geraint and Blank saw Romanov speaking, they dared not say anything and could only look at Antoine, hoping that he would stand up and say something.
"Paul, it's not easy for them to pay for you to hold this martial arts competition, so you should control your temper.
If you just want to force the school that possesses the magic medicine to show up, I have a way."
Seeing that Antoine had another solution, Gerald and Blank hurriedly asked for advice.
"That's a great idea. It would be an honor for us to get the help of Prince Romanov."
"It's really not a big deal. For Antoine's sake I'll do it with reluctance."
When Romanov heard Antoine's countermeasures, he also felt that this was feasible.
After the two Western merchants said goodbye, Antoine turned to look at Romanov.
"Paul, fighting is dangerous, so it's better to be careful."
(End of this chapter)