Akane Koyama only heard about Gion’s battle when it was almost noon the next day, and it was the same guy called Takizawa Masata who told her about it. He had been loitering outside her dojo for some time now and was filled with excitement and admiration as he related the story to her. According to him, it seemed Zhang Heng and Okita Soki had defeated the more than 200 enemies last night. Not only did Kirino Toshiaki fail to stop them, but it was also rumored that several powerful and influential people were killed in that battle as well.
Takizawa Masata explained it with color and vividness as if he was at the scene last night. Akane Koyama had already known from Takizawa Takizawa Masata about Zhang Heng’s challenge to various dojos. When the two met, Zhang Heng once mentioned that he wanted to visit all of Kyoto’s major sects. Akane Koyama thought he was kidding. Now, she knew that he was serious.
Akane Koyama was worried about Zhang Heng’s safety after he secretly challenged so many dojos in the name of Koyama Dojo-it was no wonder Takizawa Masata was so eager to sign up. He wouldn’t be the last one, though. This morning, Akane Koyama met seven people who wished to apprentice under her. It seemed the meeting with Zhang Heng would have to be postponed. It was estimated that what happened at Gion last night would spread even further-it meant that more people would only come to apprentice at Koyama Dojo.
Akane Koyama had to close the dojo temporarily, and everyone, Takizawa Masata included, was asked to come again tomorrow. Then she knocked on the door next door, but no one responded.
Initially, she intended to confront Zhang Heng about this issue, curious about why he would challenge so many dojos and get himself caught in the battle between the Shinsengumi and the Tobaku supporters. However, it turned out Zhang Heng wasn’t at home, prompting her to start worrying. She did not believe a word from Takizawa Masada about Zhang Heng killing hundreds of enemies. No matter how powerful a master was, they had to have a limit. Even if a hundred enemies simply stood there and allowed Zhang Heng to slaughter them, both of his hands would eventually become numb.
Zhang Heng and Okita Soki were only a two-man army. Only God knew how they defeated so many-not to mention that they actually won the battle in the end. Takizawa Mazaki only described how invincible they were but said nothing about how badly wounded they got or how severe their injuries were.
WC
After hesitating for a while, Akane Koyama climbed the dojo’s wall and entered Zhang Heng’s courtyard. Fortunately, her worst nightmare of a bruised and battered Zhang Heng lying in a pool of blood in the courtyard didn’t materialize. She pushed the door to Zhang Heng’s house, only to find him sleeping on his bed.
Zhang Heng had gone to seek a doctor before returning to his house, where his injuries were treated with herbal remedies. Fortunately, most of them were just external, where Kirino Toshiaki caused the most severe wound on his body. After fighting for so long, the adrenaline rush had all but fizzled out, hence the fatigue. Not even bothering to grab a bite of breakfast, Zhang Heng went right to sleep the moment he arrived home safely.
Akana Koyama was embarrassed when she saw that everything was fine. It was impolite of her to come into his room without knocking on the door first, not to mention that she might be mistaken for other intentions.
Fortunately, Zhang Heng was still sleeping at this moment, and Akane Koyama attempted a tiptoe, gunning to leave the house gently and quietly.
However, right when she took a few steps, a familiar voice caught her. “Miss Koyama? Can you pour me a glass of water?”
“No, don’t get me wrong… I didn’t mean that,” replied Akane Koyama with incoherence, as she was taken aback.
“I know you are simply worried about me,” Zhang Heng went on. He opened his eyes and flashed a smile at Akane Koyama, “I can’t move that well for now, which is why I’ll need your help… “
“I see.” Akane Koyama took the copper pot and poured a glass of water for Zhang Heng quickly. She was so nervous that she forgot why she came here. She did now know what to do while Zhang Heng drank the water.
“Thank you…” he paused. “…sorry for all the trouble I caused you.”
“It’s okay. I’m glad you’re fine,” Akane Koyama replied in her heart. But halfway through, she realized something wrong. Initially, she came here to ask Zhang Heng how he got so close to the Shinsengumi. If she continued the current topic, she would not ask those questions.
But fortunately, Zhang Heng seemed to know her frustration, taking the initiative to answer the questions in her mind.
“I have nothing to do with the Shinsengumi. I just met Okita Soki last night.”
“A random encounter? In Choshu and Satsuma samurai territory?”
“Well…” Zhang Heng pondered for a moment, eventually deciding not to tell Akane Koyama about the French businessman’s conspiracy with Takasugi. Even if Tobaku’s plan failed this time, it would not affect the overall situation. In the next few months, Tokugawa Yoshinobu would still return the power to the emperor, and the battle of Toba Fushimi bound to happen in January the following year.
In the end, the shogunate would be completely defeated, and a new government would be established. In fact, Zhang Heng did not want to cozy up too much with the Shinsengumi, one that was destined to be dismissed in the end. The last thing he wanted was to cause unnecessary trouble to Akane Koyama. After what happened last night, Zhang Heng was thinking to show his goodwill to Tobaku. Forget about Saigo Takamori. During the Satsuma Rebellion, he would have chosen to side with the losers. And in the end, they were all wiped out by the new government. As for Okubo Toshimichi, he died too early. Perhaps Ito Hirobumi would be the right choice?
Zhang Heng did not tell Akane Koyama about his plan. He simply smiled. “I was there for some other reason.”
“Because of that?” Akane Koyama pointed at the Juzumaru on the table.
She had also heard about Zhang Heng’s habit of borrowing a katana everywhere he went, but now she finally had the opportunity to advise him. “Yes, a good katana is the crux of a samurai, but if you are too obsessed over this, your cultivation will be affected. Moderation is the key to success.”
“You are right. I will return all the katana I don’t need tomorrow.” Zhang Heng nodded.
Hearing Zhang Heng’s hasty reply, Akane Koyama felt a little uncomfortable. After that, she did not know what else to say anymore.
On the other hand, Zhang Heng felt that the rest of the katana was no longer good enough since he acquired the Juzumaru. Unless he came across the five most powerful katanas in the world or something better than Juzumaru, he would accept no more swords even if he were to get it for free.
When the topic was over, the atmosphere in the room became awkward again. Akane Koyama did not know what to say next. Should she ask Zhang Heng to rest well or not to cause so much trouble in the future? In the end, Zhang Heng broke the silence. “I heard Kiyomizu-dera has stunning maple trees. We should head there together in the autumn.”
“Hmm… Sounds like a plan.”
