Chapter 554 - Three Moves (1/2)

The sudden turn of events caught everyone off-guard. No doubt the duel results had already been determined, Yamada’s attacks only raged on, where even swore he’d take Akane’s life. Then, at the critical moment, Zhang Heng appeared out of nowhere and blocked the fatal blow.

Takeuchi inhaled sharply, and his sleepy eyes lit up.

Even he had to admit that Yamada’s plan had been successful. Little by little, he led Akane into his snare, only revealing his fangs at the end. Unfortunately, it fell short. It wouldn’t have been easy for that ronin to parry Yamada’s attack. He would have to react fast enough, where if he were to be one second late, Akane would have been slain. But speed alone was not enough. Yamada’s last two attacks were undeviating. If his intention to kill Akane was only realized at the last second, it would still have been too late even if the ronin was quick to react. Like Takeuchi, the ronin would have to see through Yamada’s intentions ahead of time to be able to save Akane by the skin of her teeth.

Takeuchi thought back and recalled seeing Zhang Heng taking a half-step forward when Yamada launched his final attack.

The small half a step shouldn’t be underestimated. For Akane, it was a difference between life and death.

She didn’t antic.i.p.ate Zhang Heng to step in.

When the drunken Yamada caused a commotion at the market last night, Zhang Heng played the daft baddie. Sure, he was also carrying a weapon, but the ronin strangely didn’t step in to stop the rogue samurai, something Akane misinterpreted as cowardice.

However, after learning that Zhang Heng had traveled to Western countries, her opinion about him changed, but only to a certain extent. She thought that Zhang Heng was the kind who held culture in low esteem and despised martial arts. Warriors of the Edo period were literate individuals and good fighters because how could illiterate men be expected to rule the territory? (Not to mention, the j.a.panese literacy rate actually exceeded that of many Western countries during that time).

During those turbulent times, men with n.o.ble aspirations actively sought ways to save their county. While some used their swords, others went the course of the pen. In Akane’s opinion, however, there was no difference between the two.

But after last night’s incident, Zhang Heng came to the dojo, explaining that he had come to Kyoto to challenge a high-ranking samurai warrior. Akane thought that must be a braggart who knew not his place. She simply wasn’t certain if he just wanted to show-off or if he really planned to get bashed at a dojo somewhere.

Before she could answer the question, the Choshu people were already knocking on her door, forcing her into accepting a duel with Yamada. She noticed the bloodthirst in Yamada’s eyes and thought that must be where she would meet her end. Imagine her surprise when the man she believed to be unreliable saved her when her life hung by a thread.

The guy did not step in to help when she was up against three men, but now that there were five, he suddenly stepped up to the plate. Could he have measured the gap between the enemy and her based on the number of people in the dojo where he included the children?

As Akane tried to make sense of the situation, Yamada suddenly bellowed, “This concerns the very soul of the Choshu warriors’ reputation! It’s a duel between Ois.h.i.+ s.h.i.+nkage-Ryu and Myos.h.i.+n-Ryu! Who the h.e.l.l are you?! What makes you think you’re qualified to intervene?”

“Oh, I just recently found lodging here.” Even though the samurai was uncouth, Zhang Heng told him the plain truth. “Oh? So, you’re just another parasite? That means you’re one of them?!” hissed Yamada with malice.

The samurai had misunderstood him, and before Zhang Heng could explain, Yamada snapped, “You came at the right time. Since you’re from this dojo, then you have a share in this woman’s crime! If that’s the case, both of you can pay with your lives!”

“Hold on!” Akane picked herself off the ground, clutching her injured right hand. “This has nothing to do with him. I am your opponent here!”

“Stop blabbering. Don’t worry, none of you will escape today!” With his carefully formulated plan now quashed, Yamada was incensed. He would instead shed all pretense of cordiality than continue rambling.

Without another word, the samurai raised his katana in menace.