novelzi Chapter 251 Taking the Initiative
Chapter 251 Taking the Initiative
Discover more content at My Virtual Library Empire
Overseas island nation, Fusang, also known as the territory of the Dongying people.
Nowadays, although the Fusang Island Nation's national power is far inferior to that of the Xuanyuan Nation, its strength in the realm of Martial Dao is extremely formidable, not to be underestimated by countries around the world.
The entire Fusang Island Nation's Martial Dao inheritance mainly divides into three different schools: Ninja, Samurai, and the most mysterious Onmyoji.
The Onmyoji are the fewest yet most powerful, followed by the Ninja, and lastly comes the Samurai. However, the so-called "weakest" Samurai have become the backstage power dominating the Fusang Island Nation, in what is referred to as the era of the "Three Families Joint Rule," which denotes the current situation of the Fusang Island Nation's three major Samurai families.
These three major Samurai families are the Longma Family (Kamakura), the Ashikaga Family (Muromachi), and the Tokugawa Family (Edo).
Shuiyuan Longzhi once said not just anyone could become the President of the Ronin Guild; even being a disciple of Sword Saint Musashi doesn't suffice. Ye Feng took away two fast swords from Sato Shinichi, Autumn Water and Yama, knowing only that Sato Shinichi possessed the famous blade Autumn Water, he was undoubtedly from the Longma Family, but he was unaware of Sato Shinichi's other identity.
To become the President of the Ronin Guild, one must obtain the approval of two major Samurai families. Sato Shinichi's other identity comes from his mother, Tokugawa Reiko, who belongs to another Samurai family.
Today, at the Longma Family estate, the person in charge of the Tokugawa Family, Tokugawa Xin Tian, made a personal visit. He appeared unremarkable at first glance, with average looks and around sixty years of age, dressed in a loose, blue Samurai outfit, with somewhat lazy features. Compared to a genuine Samurai, it looked as if only the outfit on his body seemed appropriate.
Indeed, his appearance was plain, but to assume he was ordinary as well would be a huge mistake; even on the Celestial God Mountain, Tokugawa Xin Tian was a man with considerable influence, and even the Guardians of Celestial God Mountain, such as Sword Saint Palace Musashi, have spoken highly of him.
Observing Tokugawa Xin Tian arriving alone with a sword, the Longma Family head, Sato Taketsuki, had a changing expression. To be frank, he did not have the courage to visit the other two families alone.
Three Families Joint Rule!
Any family head from the three major families who did not wish to turn the 'three' into 'one' was not qualified, a fact both Sato Taketsuki and the man before him were well aware of.
Moreover, the Onmyoji of Fusang did not concern themselves with worldly affairs, but there were many Ninjas who hoped for discord among the three great families.
"For Xin Tian to visit alone is truly an eye-opener for me, please come in!"
Sato Taketsuki, a rather portly man, had a particularly warm smile on his face at this moment.@@@@
"It's nothing, there's nowhere in Fusang we can't go. I dare to go anywhere you dare," Xin Tian replied with a hidden implication, suggesting that he dared to venture places even Sato Taketsuki would not. Such was the absolute confidence of Tokugawa Xin Tian.
"The more I see, the less interested I am."
"It's only those places I haven't seen that are worth longing for and seeing. What do you think, Xin Tian?"
Sato Taketsuki did not acknowledge the hint of mockery, remaining untroubled.
"That is true," Tokugawa Xin Tian said, striding into the Longma family estate with his head held high, walking more familiarly and comfortably than the following Longma family patriarch, Sato Taketsuki, whose gaze narrowed with each step.
"Xin Tian, are you here today for a particular reason?" Sato asked.
Can't I come if there's nothing urgent?
Tokugawa Xin Tian's aunt Tokugawa Reiko had married into the Longma Aristocratic Family, so technically, he and Sato Taketsuki were cousins, though Sato Taketsuki's mother was not Tokugawa Reiko.
Of course, if there was nothing important, Tokugawa Xin Tian truly wouldn't bother making social visits. He placed the blade in his hand on the table and casually said:
"Autumn Water was taken, and yet you, the Longma family patriarch, still sit here calmly drinking tea—it truly broadens my horizons."
The blade on the table was named Muramasa.
It had another name, Demon Blade Muramasa, one of the top ten famous blades of Fusang, with even greater renown than the Longma Family's Autumn Water and likewise an heirloom of the Tokugawa Family passed down through generations.
"How can a living man be bound by a sword blade?" replied Sato Taketsuki with a smile, quickly adding:
There was one more thing left unsaid—the face of Celestial God Mountain was also the face of all samurai.
After hearing this, Sato Taketsuki got a fright. He knew he shouldn't have such thoughts. Questioning Sword Saint Musashi would be an extremely dangerous signal for him.
"Thank you, Lord Xin Tian, for the message."
Sato Taketsuki said sincerely, his gaze incredibly complex.
"I'll go visit my aunt and take the opportunity to pay respects to my cousin. By the way, is his spirit tablet in the ancestral shrine?"
This latter question seemed somewhat overreaching. However, Tokugawa Xin Tian didn't seem to mind at all.
"Once his remains are brought back, they'll be placed there."
Sato Taketsuki's cold brows imperceptibly twitched, his tone flat, without sorrow or anger.
"Then I'll come to pay my respects next time. Enjoy your meal, Mr. Wu Yue."
Having said this, Tokugawa Xin Tian picked up the Demon Blade that was on the table and turned to leave.
He didn't need to be shown out. If Sato Xin Yi had not died, within thirty years Tokugawa Xin Tian would have made three families into two—the Longma Family had long been considered his for the taking. After another ten years, he was even more confident he could swallow up the remaining one.
This was the opening move!
The former head of the Tokugawa Family had arranged this new move by having his daughter marry into the Longma Family and then having her son slowly become a disciple of Musashi.
It's a pity that a good card was messed up by Ye Feng.
Beyond the Northern Border, outside the national boundary, Gai Jiutian, clad in a black robe and carrying the Black Blood Sword, faced his first strong enemy in his life—a masked Martial King.
Gai Jiutian, who once single-handedly slaughtered the Black Armored Army without flinching, still kept his composure in front of this Martial King, even though at this moment, he was only a Grandmaster.
A Grandmaster, regardless of how powerful, was not enough to contend with a Martial King.
"One more step, death!"
The masked Martial King had but one sentence, each word cold as ice. His mission was to stop Gai Jiutian from advancing northward and prevent him from supporting Ye Feng.
The opening move—all those who were loyal to Ye Feng, which included those from Zhu Guangbo's camp, were also making their opening moves now. Any forces under Ye Feng's command would be stopped one by one.
"Just you?"
If there were any Grandmasters here, they would surely give Gai Jiutian a thumbs up, admiring his guts for daring to speak to a true Martial King in such a tone.
Mad as a hatter!
"Worthy of being the son of Gai Dugu, just perfect for a warm-up."
The masked Martial King chuckled.
The next second, a gigantic hand seal, condensed from Qi Force, smashed down towards his head, burying him deep in the ground instantly, his life and death uncertain.
"Warm up your mother...!"
A familiar voice sounded in Gai Jiutian's ears.
```