Nakagiya Oto’s words had cast a shadow over Koda Shini’s expression, his heart filled with lancholy.
In ancient tis, it was said that mastering the literary and martial arts to serve the Emperor’s Family was the best path for a martial artist. However, in modern society, martial artists no longer have many prospects: they beco soldiers, security guards, bodyguards, or slowly blend into show biz, hardly ever coming to prominence.
Instead, in the Underworld where strength is revered, those with high Combat Power are more easily respected and gain status; many organizations and groups offer high regards to those exceptionally skilled in martial arts.
Thus, there is actually a deep connection between the Martial Arts World and the Underworld. For instance, Koda Shini, as a representative of Gangrou Style Karate in the Island Country Martial Arts World, held a high reputation, but he was also a martial arts instructor for the Guandong Association.
It was easy to understand: how much money could one earn by running a Martial Arts Hall? The reputation in the Martial Arts World could not be converted into real wealth, unlike becoming the martial arts instructor for the Guandong Association. Teaching so students every year and occasionally fighting a few matches for the Guandong Association could earn him more in one year than he could make from a lifeti of running a Martial Arts Hall.
But having accepted their favors and entered this Jianghu, it was unrealistic to hope for a peaceful life thereafter.
Li San once said to Wu: "To die in the ring one day would be a decent outco." Koda Shini naturally shared this understanding, and as Watanabe Ryosuke’s forr teacher, Nakagiya Oto had long anticipated that his disciple might face such an end.
Nakagiya Oto quickly regained his composure and looked at Koda Shini, "Did you co today just to say this?"
"Lord Nakagi,"
The usually silent Ozeki Nobuyoshi stepped forward, speaking respectfully, "The man who killed Watanabe-san has now openly challenged the Guandong Association and is about to compete in martial arts with Xiaoze Wutian."
Nakagiya Oto shifted his gaze, his look towards Ozeki Nobuyoshi was palpable, regarding the leader who commanded tens of thousands in the underworld.
In this mont, Ozeki Nobuyoshi felt an imnse pressure emanating from the gaunt old man before him, a sensation far more intense than when he first, as a re minor leader, caught a distant glimpse of the forr head of the Guandong Association.
Nakagiya Oto’s gaze was like a sword, making it difficult for Ozeki Nobuyoshi to et his eyes, but he was no ordinary man. With equally firm resolve, he clenched his teeth and t Nakagiya Oto’s gaze, struggling to speak, "Lord Nakagi, originally when Watanabe-san was surrounded by police, the man who killed him took advantage of his fight with the police to launch a sneaky attack. It was utterly despicable! And now, that person has again co forward to challenge the Guandong Association. Lord Nakagi, are you really going to stand by and do nothing?"
Nakagiya Oto’s expression grew stern, "When Watanabe Ryosuke decided to join the Guandong Association, I made it very clear to him that whatever happened to him in the future would be unrelated to our sect."
Ozeki Nobuyoshi’s face changed, "Lord Nakagi, do you really have the heart to..."
"Shut up!"
A furious shout interrupted Ozeki Nobuyoshi. Nakagiya Oto’s gaze turned icy, his presence as sharp as an unsheathed blade, giving Ozeki Nobuyoshi the illusion of being on the verge of being sliced open.
Following Nakagiya Oto’s words, the few other n working in the courtyard all put down their tools and coldly turned to look over.
Ozeki Nobuyoshi’s face went pale. Although he was a figure above tens of thousands in the Guandong Association, at that mont, he felt that saying another word might result in his imdiate death, even with Koda Shini and Xiaoze Wutian by his side, no one could save him.
"Master Nakagi, please calm down."
Seeing the tension rising, Koda Shini quickly spoke and then turned to Ozeki Nobuyoshi, "President, perhaps we should leave for now."
Ozeki Nobuyoshi was reluctant, but he too sensed so prejudice from Nakagiya Oto towards him and staying any longer might not serve any purpose. He could only nod his head.
"Master Nakagi, I will visit you another day," said Koda Shini to Nakagiya Oto.
Nakagiya Oto remained expressionless, not speaking.
Thus, Koda Shini led Ozeki Nobuyoshi and Xiaoze Wutian out of the courtyard, and once the three had left, a middle-aged man walked toward Nakagiya Oto from the entrance, wearing straw sandals, his skin dark, and his physique like a towering iron tower.
"Master, should Ryosuke’s death just be left at this?"
Nakagiya Oto’s expression chilled as he looked at the other, "Naoto, what did you say? Say it again."
Fujiwara Naoto bowed his head, biting his lips, "Master, I want to avenge Ryosuke!"
Nakagiya Oto walked toward Fujiwara Naoto, stopping right in front of him, "What did I just say?"
Clearly fearful of his own teacher, Fujiwara Naoto’s body trembled slightly.
"Do you know why I said those words to Ryosuke when he chose to join the Guandong Association?" Nakagiya Oto asked, his gaze sweeping over the others in the courtyard, "Do you all think I am too heartless as a teacher?"
There were five people in the courtyard, all of whom now kept their heads bowed, not daring to et Nakagiya Oto’s eyes.
Nakagiya Oto looked at Fujiwara Naoto, "It’s because of people like you that I had to say that!"
"Ryosuke had a teacher, fellow disciples, friends. Does the person who killed him not have any? Now you want to avenge Ryosuke, but if you succeed, won’t there be soone on their side who will want to seek revenge on you?"
Fujiwara Naoto clenched his teeth, "If it really cos to that, I alone will face it!"
"Ha ha!"
Nakagiya Oto burst out laughing and then kicked Fujiwara Naoto, sending him flying out of the courtyard gate with trendous force.
Seeing this, the other disciples all knelt down, and after Fujiwara Naoto rose, he quickly entered the courtyard and knelt before Nakagiya Oto.
"You alone will face it?" Nakagiya Oto bit out angrily, "If you were to die, wouldn’t these people here also want to avenge you?"
Fujiwara Naoto froze, looking towards his fellow disciples. He and Watanabe Ryosuke had been close, so when he heard about Watanabe’s death, he was determined to seek revenge on his behalf. If he were to die, surely soone among these disciples would want revenge too, and so it would go on...
Nakagiya Osamu spoke solemnly, "Watanabe Ryosuke beca a criminal, that was his own choice. He died for his choices and thus t a fitting end. And you, would you really pay the price for soone else’s decisions?"
"How foolish!"
With those words, Nakagiya Osamu turned and walked into the house.
The other disciples, kneeling on the ground, looked at each other, and one of them stood up, ca over, and helped Fujiwara Naoto up, patting him on the shoulder, "Naoto, our teacher is right. Ryosuke paid the price for his own choices; we shouldn’t have to foot the bill."
Fujiwara Naoto’s expression was wooden, and after standing up, he spoke no more.
That evening, Fujiwara Naoto left a letter, took a knife, and left the village.
Early the next morning, a disciple, looking horrified, took the letter and ran to find Nakagiya Osamu.
Nakagiya Osamu took the letter and read its contents:
"Teacher, I studied with Ryosuke for ten years, close as brothers. Now that he has been killed, if I do nothing, I fear I wouldn’t find peace in this lifeti."
"You said I shouldn’t pay the price for soone else’s choices, but taking revenge for Ryosuke is my own choice. I am willing to pay any price for it. Please forgive !"
Nakagiya Osamu stared at the letter in his hands, silent for a long ti.
"Teacher, shall I go and bring Naoto back?" asked a disciple standing by.
Nakagiya Osamu closed his eyes. "Let him go."
In the courtyard, yellow wax blossoms drifted slowly towards the horizon.
The wind had picked up.
...
"Fujiwara Naoto? Who’s that?"
In New York, in a private hospital of Hongn Zhiyuan Hall, Wu Li asked Li San.
Li San replied, "He’s a disciple of the Sword Saint Nakagiya Osamu."
Wu Li’s eyes widened in surprise. "Sword Saint?"
Li San nodded. "He’s a legendary figure in the Island Country Martial Arts World, proficient in various styles of swordsmanship, and skilled at teaching according to one’s abilities. He’s trained many outstanding disciples, including the Hoshan Swordsmanship Master Watanabe Ryosuke you killed before."
"As for Fujiwara Naoto, he’s also a disciple of Nakagiya’s, but he practiced Natural Reasoning Heart Flow. Ten years ago, he already obtained the highest rank in Natural Reasoning Heart Flow, qualified to open his own martial arts hall and teach."
Wu Li, "Is this about avenging his fellow disciple?"
Li San, "Exactly, Fujiwara Naoto is challenging you to avenge Watanabe Ryosuke. Ha, the mont they heard you were going to duel on my behalf, they imdiately brought Fujiwara Naoto to challenge you."
Wu Li, "And if I refuse?"
Li San gave a wry smile, "Fujiwara Naoto is already quite famous in the Island Country Martial Arts World, and with his teacher Nakagiya Osamu’s influence, his public challenge to you, if not accepted, might not sit well."
Wu Li remained silent, reflecting on the close ties between Hua Country’s Martial Arts World and those of Japan and South Korea, largely due to the shared cultural influences and martial arts heritage from Hua Country. Thus, the martial arts circles of these countries intersect regularly.
Fujiwara Naoto was no unknown, and his public challenge to Wu Li had strong justification. If Wu Li declined, his reputation in the Martial Arts World would likely suffer imdiately.
Currently, Wu Li was primarily involved in the Martial Arts World, though he represented Traditional Martial Arts of Hua Country dostically. To many, he was seen as the strongest fighter in Hua Country. Any damage to his reputation would affect not just him; unpleasant rumors could spread.
"So, before I fight Xiaoze Wutian, I must first confront Fujiwara Naoto?" Wu Li asked.
Li San, "They will undoubtedly challenge you before your match with Xiaoze Wutian."
Wu Li thought for a mont, then suddenly smiled, "In that case, let’s do it together."
Li San, "Hmm?"
Wu Li, "Tell the Guandong Association to organize the duel between , Fujiwara Naoto, and Xiaoze Wutian all on the sa day."
Li San’s eyes lit up, "Are you sure?"
Wu Li grinned, "Since we have to fight anyway, let’s do it all at once to avoid any more complications."
"Get it all settled at once so there won’t be any surprises."
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