Chapter 209: Return To Edo Castle! Secret Technique Taught By The Nameless Swordsman! Heir To Ryūgen Shinkage-ryū
Kisaragi Station.
Hearing this familiar yet unfamiliar name, Shangshan Che’s thoughts even stalled for an instant.
An indescribable shock made his hand holding the water cup stiffen.
Only then did he remember why he had felt a sense of familiarity in his heart when he heard the place name “Shizuoka Prefecture” on the phone earlier.
Because Kisaragi Station originated from a supernatural phenomenon in Shizuoka Prefecture.
But hadn’t he personally killed that supernatural phenomenon?
The round-trip train ticket that burst out because of it was still lying in his storage bag.
Shangshan Che took a quick glance at the bag and found that the intact round-trip ticket still existed.
In an instant, he fell into a brief yet prolonged contemplation.
If most events in the Eternal World could be considered as truly existing, then Kisaragi Station should have been killed by him.
So the “Kisaragi Station” in Sister Nanjo’s mouth now…
Sitting in the slightly noisy yakitori shop, a name surfaced in Shangshan Che’s mind.
Could it be her…
Although his heart was stirred by massive waves, Shangshan Che remained outwardly composed, merely responding to Nanjo Emi.
Nanjo Emi, who was still a bit tipsy even now, was not as sharp as usual.
She grabbed the lemon from her water cup, chewed it in her mouth, and said, “Kisaragi Station… it was quite popular back in the day, whether on 2ch or Twitter.”
“Especially in the early 2000s.”
Seemingly afraid that the two young people, Shangshan Che and Lili Zi, wouldn’t understand, Nanjo Emi slowly explained a lot about the main story of Kisaragi Station and related common sense.
Shangshan Che pretended to listen attentively, while Lili Zi sitting beside him was utterly serious.
A few minutes later, Nanjo Emi subconsciously pulled out a cigarette from her pants pocket for the third time, only for it to be snatched away by Hiyori Bo, who was floating in mid-air and on high alert, with her fluffy little short hand.
—In public enclosed spaces, smoking is prohibited!
Nanjo Emi didn’t even notice the cigarette between her fingers had disappeared.
She lit an imaginary cigarette in the air and continued, “Anyway, what I want to say is, after you go to Shizuoka Prefecture, don’t take any train just to save money or for convenience—best to avoid any places related to ‘stations’ altogether.”
“Whether it’s that train that can lead to the Eternal World, or the Kisaragi Station that has been appearing frequently lately, they pose no major threat to reality for now.
But according to Kujo Tsubaki, they have the ability to send people deep into the Eternal World.”
Nanjo Emi leaned on the sofa, squinting her eyes and shrugging,
“With your trouble-magnet constitution, if I don’t remind you, you might get tossed into some remote corner halfway—who’ll have the headache then? Me again…”
“That makes sense.”
Shangshan Che nodded first, then asked, “Then how do I get there?”
“The Special Affairs Office has arrangements; just follow the organization’s lead.”
Nanjo Emi glanced down at the electronic clock on the table and muttered softly, “Fancy places are such a hassle; it’s been so long and I don’t know what they’re grilling.”
She slapped the table and said loudly, “Let’s order a couple of beers first!”
Nanjo Emi acted on her thoughts.
The next moment, she called over the waiter outside the door.
Her expression while giving instructions was serious and earnest, as if she were directing the Special Affairs Office on how to respond to the aftermath of the tide soon to come.
After a short wait, several large glasses filled almost to the brim with amber beer liquid, white bubbles, and ice were placed on the table.
Nanjo Emi cheerfully shouted once, slurped a mouthful of the frothing foam, and began to lay the groundwork,
“Because the tide’s aftermath, or the 1.5 tide, is coming soon. Arakawa Ward has no big issues here; I’ll always be around, and we have plenty of manpower.
But Shizuoka Prefecture doesn’t have many fresh talents with gifts; the new recruits we’ve trained aren’t reliable yet, and for some reason, the number of demons there is higher than surrounding areas…”
Upon hearing this, Shangshan Che knew Nanjo Emi wanted to trick Lili Zi into going too.
But who was Tokugawa Lili Zi?
Before Nanjo Emi could even finish her real words, she unhesitatingly refused outright,
“I’m not going.”
“Huh?”
Nanjo Emi, who was about to happily sip her iced beer, jolted and nearly spilled the beer in her hand.
She looked puzzled at Lili Zi, who ignored the surrounding beers, juices, and milk, and kept drinking her healthy plain water.
Hey, little sis, you’re not playing by the script!
I haven’t even finished talking!
You predicted my prediction, huh!
Lili Zi said flatly, “I still need time to study the breathing technique; I don’t have spare time to go out.”
She stated matter-of-factly,
“Besides, for something this minor, leaving it to Shangshan Jun alone is more than enough.”
Shangshan Che, inexplicably poked, felt embarrassed.
You trust me that much…
“Ohhh—”
Nanjo Emi deliberately drew out the tone, giving a strange expression as she said, “So you’ve already had some deep private exchanges, and you know Shangshan Jun has gotten much stronger, huh.”
Lili Zi remained unmoved, taking it as tacit agreement.
Shangshan Che helplessly heard Nanjo Emi hum and say, “In that case, Shangshan Jun, you’ll go on the business trip alone!”
Going alone is actually pretty good.
If Lili Zi were there, with her sword domain, she’d definitely snatch away a ton of his kills.
So Shangshan Che nodded, “I have no objections.”
“Got it!”
Nanjo Emi immediately pulled out her mobile phone, took a deep breath to muster her final bit of energy, and hammered away at the keyboard.
Moments later, she slammed the phone face-down on the table: “I’ve already talked it over with them; someone will add you on Line soon, and there’ll be someone to pick you up when you head there tomorrow, okay?”
He nodded again, “Fine.”
—At the same time, Shangshan Che decided to inform Nanjo Emi about the factory-related intelligence only after returning from Shizuoka Prefecture.
Otherwise, the source of this advance intel would be too hard to explain.
Anyway, it’s not something overly urgent… Even if he changed his mind later, a phone call could fix it.
“Then this week’s work is really done!”
Nanjo Emi stretched lazily, tired yet happy, making Lili Zi’s eyes flicker slightly as she sat diagonally across.
“Ran! Come drink!”
She pulled over Akatsuki Ran, who hadn’t spoken much since entering and had an extremely low presence beside her.
The latter’s face turned ashen— she had practically hidden under the table, yet she was still picked by Nanjo Emi as the first drinking companion!?
—If she got drunk, how could she taste the high-end yakitori later!
Though utterly unwilling in her heart, Akatsuki Ran, with her extremely strong adaptability to survival, had already mastered workplace ways in just over ten days.
Successfully evolving from a workplace newbie to a veteran.
Naturally, she knew how important it was to make her immediate superior happy at the dinner table… This might mean a sharp reduction in workload for the next few days.
Soon, Nanjo Emi and Akatsuki Ran started chugging two gulps for her one in bold drinking style, making Shangshan Che, seated directly across, twitch at the corner of his eye.
Among the shikigami in the sofa corner, Nure-onna stealthily took a glass of beer and sipped it bit by bit, showing a blissful expression.
Shangshan Che would call this the real way to drink.
Hiyori Bo then took out a small box of full-fat pure milk suitable for babies from behind, stabbing a straw into it with a pop.
As for Kaga Kiyomitsu, due to lacking a mouth, she could only lean against the wall in frustration, buzzing as they drank and ate, making Shangshan Che’s head buzz numbly.
Finally, after symbolically sipping some beer and grimacing from the bitterness, Shangshan Che said solemnly, “Little Jia, promise me, in your next life, reincarnate as a demonic sword girl to repay the favor.”
He said, “That way, you can taste alcohol and delicacies.”
“Oh… okay, Master… I got it…”
Kaga Kiyomitsu buzzed in confused understanding, wanting to shrink back and pretend she saw and heard nothing.
But soon after, she poked out half her blade from the vermilion scabbard, enviously watching the lively scene before her.
Couldn’t help it, really couldn’t!
…
The high-end yakitori buffet lasted a full three and a half hours plus.
Akatsuki Ran and Nanjo Emi were bound with hair by the dizzy, spinning Nure-onna and sent onto the van.
As soon as Shangshan Che got in the car, he saw the driver’s seat was empty and turned his head to look.
The sober ones were only himself, Lili Zi, Hiyori Bo, and Kaga Kiyomitsu—the four of them.
No need to mention the latter two; how could they let two children drive… especially Little Jia, who didn’t even have hands.
And himself, he seemed…
“I’ll do it.”
Lili Zi sighed helplessly.
“Lili Zi, you know how to drive?” Shangshan Che was surprised.
“Is driving something with a high skill requirement?”
She sat in the driver’s seat, repeatedly trying to start the van four or five times before it fired up: “As long as your reactions are fast enough, what’s the difference between driving and just pushing the joystick or turning the steering wheel?”
Hearing this, Shangshan Che suddenly had an ominous premonition.
—But the ominous one wasn’t Shangshan Che.
—An hour later, when they pulled up to the house doorway, Nanjo Emi’s van was already plastered with countless parking tickets.
Not only that… the utterly drunk and disoriented Akatsuki Ran had vomited who-knows-how-many times along the way.
Shangshan Che didn’t know about the first few, but the later ones were definitely Lili Zi’s doing.
Who knows if she deliberately pulled off a series of left-right drifts, dragon tail swings, extreme overtakes, and hard brakes—practically Akina Mountain car god descending on Arakawa Ward!
Wonderfully, Nanjo Emi wasn’t affected at all; she still lay beautifully on the back seat, showing an infant-like perfect sleeping face.
In stark contrast to the pale-faced Akatsuki Ran on the other side.
Shangshan Che sighed inwardly.
—Perhaps that’s the composure of a Ghost God level powerhouse.
At the house doorway, Shangshan Che watched somewhat speechlessly as Hiyori Bo laboriously levitated the three in the air, slowly floating them toward his home.
At times like this, only Hiyori Bo was reliable around Sister Nanjo.
Without her, these three would probably sleep in the car countless times.
Hiyori Bo is the real mom.
Shangshan Che watched for a bit longer but couldn’t stand it.
He ran over directly, grabbing one under each arm and one on his shoulder, tossing the three dead-drunk sleepers into the first-floor dojo like sandbags.
When he turned back, Hiyori Bo whooshed over and nodded to Shangshan Che in thanks.
“Little Hiyori Bo, you’re working hard too…”
Shangshan Che glanced at the three oblivious ones.
Among them, Nanjo Emi had the best sleep quality, not waking once during the trip.
Hard to imagine that the usually decisive and meticulous Nanjo Emi could turn like this after downing ten or twenty bottles of beer.
—With Sister Nanjo’s sleep quality, he probably couldn’t ask about the Two-Foot Adult’s wish power issue.
“Little Hiyori Bo, just let these three lie here for now; it’s not cold anyway, no big deal.”
Shangshan Che waved his hand,
“You and Little Jia can go play…”
Before he finished, Kaga Kiyomitsu whooshed out and stuck tightly behind Hiyori Bo.
Shangshan Che oh-ed.
Looks like the two little ones got along great during these hours.
He waved smilingly, “Go on, go on.”
After the two little ones left, Shangshan Che also went up to the third floor.
—Lili Zi was leaning on the balcony waiting for him.
“Here?”
“Yeah.”
The girl tilted her head to gaze at the starry night sky and said softly, “Since you’re leaving tomorrow, Shangshan Jun, teach me something simple and easy to understand.”
“Just right, after a day, I’ve pretty much observed your sword principle.”
She paused: “As for the breathing technique… there are many parts I haven’t fully figured out myself, so I need more time to study it.”
Hearing this, Shangshan Che said, “Then I can impart some knowledge about the Palace of Flesh to you.”
Meeting Lili Zi’s slightly stunned gaze, Shangshan Che smiled,
“I’ve gained a little insight.”
The girl gazed at him calmly for a good while, then smiled faintly and nodded at him.
“Then I’ll be in your hands, Teacher Shangshan.”
—Shangshan Che started the teaching first.
For him, he just needed to fully explain to Lili Zi the knowledge he gained after twice completing it in the Sengoku Period.
No need for processing or simplification.
Because with her comprehension ability, these knowledge points that connected to her own system had no learning barrier at all.
Shangshan Che lectured nonstop for half an hour, and Lili Zi absorbed silently for half an hour.
“I see.”
The girl, having absorbed every drop of the external “moisture,” nodded in realization: “So muscle casting starts from here, and those Four Great Ultimate Forms are truly genius ideas…”
Her eyes sparkled, as if the next moment she’d dive into meditation to derive it.
But moments later, Lili Zi restrained the impulse.
She exhaled lightly and said, “Shangshan Jun, although every swordsman’s skill and reason is different, and even within the Natural Reason School I can’t point out your exact path in detail.”
“But above that, there is a universal method…”
【”Tokugawa Lili Zi” is imparting “Skill and Reason Calibration” to you…】
Shangshan Che consumed a serving of Soul Incense Ash and sat upright.
About twenty minutes later, the success prompt jumped before his eyes again.
Looking at the prompt, Shangshan Che understood everything.
Calibration was the standard of measurement.
A tool to more clearly recognize one’s cultivation gains, progress, or regression.
With this, it could greatly motivate the cultivator’s drive.
【Your trait·Introduction to Sword Skill has changed to “Sword Skill（1%）”!】
【Your trait·Introduction to Sword Principle has changed to “Sword Principle（1%）”!】
Two narrow, empty progress bars appeared before Shangshan Che; currently, only the bottommost bit of each was filled.
—From the vague “Introduction” to game-like “1%,” it had become much more concrete.
Next, Shangshan Che just needed to fill these two progress bars completely to complete expert-level cultivation of skill and reason.
“This progress bar feels kinda familiar…”
Shangshan Che thought and pulled up the Rin Character Technique panel, finding the three were indeed similar.
“How does it feel?”
Lili Zi’s voice came.
Shangshan Che answered honestly, “Just like playing an RPG game.”
—Maybe this calibration theory was just a tool for clearer measurement of progress and regression for others.
But for Shangshan Che, it was more than that.
Because the progress bars he saw never regressed…
“As long as it helps.”
Lili Zi curved her lips: “Hmm… Anything else you want to ask? If not, let’s leave it here.”
She tapped her head with a finger,
“My inspiration is bursting.”
For cultivation matters, indeed none left.
Shangshan Che asked directly, “Tokyo Seed Battle—will you participate, Lili Zi?”
This question stumped Lili Zi.
She pondered long, then shook her head: “Maybe not…”
Halfway, Lili Zi alertly raised her eyes, staring at him and counter-asking,
“You want me to?”
Shangshan Che hesitated two seconds, cautiously replying, “Just looking forward to it.”
So the girl nodded: “If you really want to see me up there, I’ll reluctantly sign up.”
“Otherwise, forget it.”
She spread her hands.
“Why?”
Shangshan Che was puzzled.
He remembered not long ago, Lili Zi had told him she wanted to defeat that group of geniuses and stand at Tokyo’s peak.
“Because the cultivation path I see is still very long.”
Lili Zi smiled and gestured: “No need to stop now and waste time fighting guys who aren’t even real powerhouses, right?”
This reason was beyond Shangshan Che’s expectation.
But thinking from her perspective, it was entirely reasonable.
The only issue was, didn’t Lili Zi care at all about fame, status, others’ recognition, or rare material rewards?
Shangshan Che didn’t voice this question.
Because he knew Lili Zi would definitely answer:
—Yes.
…
After shooing away the meditating Lili Zi in the evening breeze, Shangshan Che returned to the living room and took out his phone that had vibrated several times.
A look showed it was the Special Affairs Office agent from Shizuoka Prefecture that Sister Nanjo mentioned, who had added him.
Shangshan Che opened the add request and saw the other’s black-and-white profile picture was of a martial artist from some cheap fighting manga, taking the first step of 5001 years of Chinese martial arts.
The Line name was 【Calm as Still Water】.
Without much thought, Shangshan Che accepted the friend request.
【Calm as Still Water: Hello.】
【Moon Sand Sauce: Hello.】
【Calm as Still Water: Hello, Arakawa Ward dispatched agent “Shangshan Che.” I am “Yagyu Oshi” in charge of liaising with you; please call me “Ryūgen Jun.”】
Yagyu?
Shangshan Che raised an eyebrow.
What a renowned surname—Yagyu Shinkage-ryū was the largest and most perfected branch developed from the Shinkage-ryū of the sword saint “Kamizumi Nobutsuna” hundreds of years ago.
Its fame almost paralleled that of Ittō-ryū and Katori Shinto-ryu, kendo schools known to nearly everyone.
Such a figure handling liaison work?
If there was no trickery, ghosts wouldn’t believe it.
On the screen, Shangshan Che thought for a while, then asked if the other wanted a proper spar after things ended.
【Calm as Still Water: !】
【Calm as Still Water: If fortunate, please let me have a fair and square combat with you! And further hone my martial arts!】
Fun.
Shangshan Che didn’t expect his first probe would expose the other’s true colors.
Purpose achieved, time to steer the topic back.
【Moon Sand Sauce: Let’s stick to work talk『handshake.jpg』.】
【Calm as Still Water: Sorry.】
【Calm as Still Water: Let’s stick to work talk『handshake.jpg』.】
Next, the Shizuoka Prefecture Special Affairs Office agent named Yagyu Oshi detailed the situation there and Shangshan Che’s work for the next few days.
Of course, the PDF document was indispensable.
Quickly scanning the document with his eyes, Shangshan Che rubbed his chin: “Seems pretty relaxed?”
At least the intensity was far lower than facing affliction in the Sengoku Period.
【Moon Sand Sauce: Understood, don’t worry, I’ll arrive on time.】
【Calm as Still Water: Thanks『fist hug.jpg』.】
The topic ended here.
Because work was done.
Shangshan Che waited a bit but no new messages came; he figured the other was the stubborn, rigid type.
Said to stick to work talk, and really only did work talk.
Yeah, probably a classic Yagyu Dojo disciple.
“In that case…”
Shangshan Che put down his phone and toured the villa.
In the first-floor dojo, the three drunkards were still snoring; upstairs, Hiyori Bo was surprisingly playing controller games with Little Jia.
Just seeing Kaga Kiyomitsu awkwardly poking the controller buttons with her hilt made Shangshan Che unable to hold back a laugh.
Thus, the villa temporarily had no place needing him.
Then he could lie on the bed and make a long-overdue return trip to Edo Castle.
Shangshan Che hadn’t forgotten.
—Last time he gave the Walker Token to the Nameless Swordsman, the other said once he reached expert level in Natural Reason School, he could come find him again.
Then, the Nameless Swordsman would teach him the true secret technique of Natural Reason School.
“So what am I still waiting for?”
In the darkness, Shangshan Che closed his eyes full of anticipation.
Splash.
Water pressure flashed and vanished.
Cold, gloomy, dilapidated, damp.
Shangshan Che, opening his eyes in the thatched cottage, deeply inhaled the familiar rotten thatch smell.
He scanned the familiar furnishings in the thatched cottage, then hung the Walker Token at his waist and donned the White Hannya’s Mask.
Shangshan Che pushed open the moldy room door and strode onto the muddy road.
Not far away, two clusters of Cong Yuan Huo that happened to stop here suddenly “looked” at Shangshan Che.
Scorching heat rose, distorting the air.
But Shangshan Che didn’t slip away silently like last time.
He was no longer the same.
Torrential rain poured down, sliding from the edges of the White Hannya’s ferocious grin.
The evil spirit grinned, spreading his arms,
“Edo Castle, it’s been a long time.”
