Okita Soki related to Zhang Heng about the recent happenings brewing within the Shinsengumi. It appeared that Kyoto’s public security was worsening by the day, and the general’s behavior was getting more and more ambiguous. The director Kondo Isami and the deputy Hijikata Toshizo were getting increasingly worried. With the rapidly deteriorating situation, rumors that a new government would soon be propped up began to spread widely among the public. The ronin in the group also began to worry about their future. If the new government fell into the Tobaku Sect’s hands, they would definitely come up with everything they had to destroy Shinsengumi since it was the shogunate’s main force.
While everyone was panicking, Okita Soki, trying to make a full recovery at home, was exceptionally calm.
He knew how bad the situation was, but he managed to convince himself to simplify the whole thing. Since the director and deputy director were still in discussion, he just needed to execute them as usual. Okita Soki just did not know if he could even swing the Tachi in his hand.
“In two months, the maple leaves of Kiyomizu-dera should turn red too,” Okita Soki blurted to Zhang Heng.
“Yes.”
“Ah, when the time comes, I really want to take a look,” Okita Soki sighed.
“I see.”
“Unfortunately, I have lost a reason to go there again.” A trace of sadness lurked beneath in Okita Soki’s signature hearty smile. Perhaps he saw his destiny from the orchid in the corner.
“Get well soon. I heard that Director Kondo and Deputy Director Hijikata are busy seeking a potential partner for you. Your sister Ako entrusted them with your marriage before you left home,” replied Zhang Heng.
Okita Soki shook his head. “You don’t have to lie. I know my body. I am afraid this sickness that plagues me is incurable. So, I shouldn’t waste the time of any other woman.”
Zhang Heng was speechless.
But then, Okita Soki reassured Zhang Heng. “Don’t worry; I haven’t forgotten the agreement between us. I will go to you when my health gets better.”
“Well, if there is anything at all that you need, get someone to look for me in the dojo.”
Okita Soji’s health deteriorated faster than expected, and there was a good chance the friendly match with Zhang Heng wouldn’t even take place. It was a shame that Zhang Heng was unable to fight the top Shinsengumi member in this dungeon. But such was life. Nobody got what they wanted all the time.
After that, Zhang Heng wasted no more time, quickly building a good relationship with the Tobaku supporters. Initially, he wanted to look for Konda Isami, but he wasn’t in Kyoto at that time. Since he knew Saigo Takamori, Kido Takayoshi, and Sakamoto Ryoma were going to live a short life, he gave up on looking for these historical celebrities.
He wasn’t asking for much, anyway. All he wanted to do was protect Koyama Dojo from certain destruction after the new government was established. It could easily be made possible by anyone with a little influence. The new government had a challenging journey ahead of them. Many lost their lives in civil wars and assassinations, where practically none of them had a good ending. Hence, it was a bad idea to get too close to them.
Besides, Zhang Heng made some time to watch the maple leaves with Akane Koyama at the temple. Everything happening to her now was something she never dared imagine before. Koyama Dojo had been given a new breath of life. Presently, it had become even better than when her father was alive. Nonetheless, she didn’t know why her joy faded when she heard that Zhang Heng would leave Kyoto next year. When she went to the temple, Akane Koyama’s mood had changed.
Including the extra 24 hours, Zhang Heng had spent 270 days in this dungeon, equivalent to almost nine months. Besides obtaining the legendary katana, Zhang Heng’s most significant gain from this dungeon was that his Lv3 swordsmanship was finally improving again after a long time of stagnation.
By the seventh month, however, Zhang Heng could no longer level up his swordsmanship by challenging Kyoto’s dojos. After merging the signature moves of various dojos, he vaguely noticed that he was about to reach Lv.4 swordsmanship.
Unfortunately, he could not find a way to break through the barrier. At the end of the shogunate era, Kyoto was the best place to hone one’s swordsmanship. This could be the last chance for him to improve. When he left the dungeon, it would be almost impossible to do it.
However, there was no one left in Kyoto worthy of fighting him.
Two of the four legendary samurais had been killed by Zhang Heng, and he even helped Tobaku to kill some of the shogunate’s masters. An opponent like Kirino Toshiaki was indeed hard to come by. Zhang Heng was desperate to meet someone as good as him.
He thought about going to Edo if he wanted to improve his swordsmanship further-he wanted to challenge someone powerful over there. However, he did not know the consequences if he left the designated location of this quest. Zhang Heng would only do it if it were his last resort. When he was thinking about it, an old friend came to look for him.
Okita Soki had put on a light blue haori today. His cuffs had Shinsengumi patterns on them, and this was also his favorite set. Having his hair and beard trimmed, he painted some pastel on his face like one of those geishas to hide away how pale he actually was.
Early the next morning, he knocked on Koyama Dojo’s door.
Akane Koyama was shocked to see the frail Okita Soki at her doorstep. Not long ago, she heard that his health had taken a worse turn and that death was inevitable, which was why she had gone to visit him only a few days ago.
Before he entered the dojo, Soki bowed solemnly at Akane Koyama. “Can you ask Mr. Abe next door to come over? Just tell him that Okita Soki is here for the appointment.”
“Appointment?” Akane Koyama hurriedly let the ailing man enter the dojo, appearing to have forgotten the friendly duel entirely. After all, the appointment was made six months ago, not to mention the state Okita Soki was in. Let alone a friendly match; he might even have a problem walking. “I have adjusted my body and spirit to the best condition according to what I promised him. Mr. Abe and I will have to continue with our friendly duel no matter what.”
