I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 145 Whose tactic was force followed by courtesy? (5200 words)

Ultimately, the vague and unclear teaching by Ms. Kiyono continued until she was exhausted.

I had this feeling that my jaw might dislocate at any moment, so I insisted that Tsukino Gen massage it for a long time.

The air in the room became noticeably stuffier as a result. Tsukino Gen opened the window and listened to the soft sounds of washing up coming from the bathroom.

It's kind of funny for no reason.

People with a spirit of challenge are always admirable; they want to devour what they can't finish and grasp what they can't hold. Their courage is commendable.

Even after the girl with rosy cheeks came out of the bathroom, she still seemed a little awkward, her eyes darting away as if she couldn't look him in the eye.

We are always bravest when we are about to do something, or rather, when we are in a dilemma. After we do it, all those feelings of hesitation, nervousness and shyness will come back to us.

"Didn't you have something to do this afternoon?"

"You know this as well?"

Gen Tsukino remembered that he hadn't told the other person that he was going out that afternoon.

Kiyono Mizuki snorted, "You've been checking the time the whole time, you must have something planned."

Gen Tsukino thought for a moment and asked softly, "What if I'm testing how long I can last?"

This sentence sent Kiyono Mizuki soaring to the top of the charts, as if she were on a rocket.

"Get out of here!!"

"Ha ha ha ha."

The boy, laughing, went out the door with ease.

This time, Tsukino Gen didn't go out to hail a taxi, but instead waited quietly at a nearby intersection. Until a silver sedan stopped in front of him.

The car window slowly rolled down.

It was a face I hadn't seen in a long time.

"Mr. Tsukino."

"haven't seen you for a long time."

Gen Tsukino smiled as he looked at Shinichiro Kawakami.

Gen Tsukino opened the passenger door and got in; there was no one else behind him.

In fact, Shinichiro Kawakami had informed him in advance that he would be coming to pick him up. As someone who had once been under the command of Shiro Kitagawa and was later noticed by Daigo Nakajima, he must have some value here.

Shinichiro Kawakami didn't deliberately hide anything, revealing to Gen Tsukino that he was now essentially a double agent. He was also one of the pawns that Daigo Nakajima had casually planted.

Naturally, his influence with Daigo Nakajima was limited, but he still allowed Gen Tsukino to learn a great deal about the internal workings of the Hakukai Summit through him. In particular, he had connections with several of Daigo Nakajima's trusted group leaders. Although he wasn't yet at that level, he still had some authority to hear about the latest developments.

As someone who had a brief encounter with Tsukino Gen and still survived, it was most appropriate to send him to pick up and drop off Tsukino Gen.

Gen Tsukino didn't need him to do much for him; a few key developments and providing information when needed was enough. As for whether he would deceive him...
The young man named Anan, who is still lying in the hospital, is probably the best example of this.

When Kawakami saw Tsukino Gen again, he felt that the other person seemed unchanged. Both his appearance and his temperament seemed the same as before. But even so, he felt a lot of pressure.

This proves that Tsukino Gen's ruthlessness and cruelty in that abandoned building were genuine, without any trace of pretense. In other words, he could easily use those same tactics on himself.

There was no reason for him to be dishonest; he simply hoped deep down that the storm was coming soon, and whatever the outcome, it would be better than waiting to die.

Kawakami tried to say something along the way, but the other person didn't initiate conversation, so he couldn't answer anything. Besides, he knew perfectly well that everything in the car was being listened to, and that speaking up would only make things worse and was completely unnecessary.

They remained silent until they entered the somewhat remote neighborhood of Zhaori.

"Where are you going?"

Gen Tsukino asked seemingly casually.

"Butterfly Water Courtyard".

"The name sounds nice."

"The residence of President Bai Feng has a history of nearly a hundred years."

Kawakami answered matter-of-factly.

He was very careful about his words and dared not answer too much, but he also dared not give the boy a perfunctory answer.

Fortunately, Tsukino Gen ended the conversation at that point, and the car continued until it entered the gates of Chosuiin. Tsukino Gen, sitting in the passenger seat, did not open the door.

Someone opened the passenger door for him.

She received the same treatment as Rin Asagiri back then.

Oh no, I've become a capitalist myself.

Then, Kitagawa Shiro's fawning face appeared from the side, his smile so bright it was almost unbearable to look at. His mouth was practically stretched to his eyebrows; anyone who didn't know better would think he'd seen his biological father who had saved his life.

"Mr. Tsukino has finally arrived. How was the journey?"

Gen Tsukino glanced at Kitagawa Shiro, who was smiling ingratiatingly, and noticed that the man had tied up his unkempt long hair and even shaved his beard. He was no longer wearing his usual casual Hawaiian suit, but instead a formal suit.

In this weather where the temperature is generally above 35 degrees Celsius, looking at his constantly sweating forehead, Tsukino Gen wanted to laugh a little.

"Fortunately, this friend drives quite well."

Kawakami didn't understand what the other person meant by that, so he could only smile nervously and shyly.

Tsukino Gen got out of the car, and Kitagawa Shiro began to lead the way.

"This is the Chosui-in, the highest-level venue in the Hakukai. Generally, only the president can use it. We specially invited Mr. Tsukino here to express our utmost sincerity."

"Thank you for your help."

Is this the utmost sincerity?

Gen Tsukino calmly followed the other person into the courtyard, his gaze casually sweeping around. He could easily spot the people standing guard, dressed in suits and wearing sunglasses.

His expression was silent and serious, seemingly unmoved by anything.

Gen Tsukino knew perfectly well that this wasn't a show of respect for him; it was a display of muscle.

Distinguished guests are certainly distinguished guests, but it's also important to make them understand that negotiations must be based on a level playing field, or rather, a slightly tilted scale.

Kitagawa Shiro was very nervous as he led the way; these arrangements were all at the woman's behest. He was worried that such details would displease the boy. He seemed to be alone, unprepared, and without any potential allies, but having witnessed the boy's martial prowess firsthand, Kitagawa Shiro felt that this wasn't just a matter of having a couple more guns.

I've always said that times have changed, but now I find myself missing the spirit of Bushido.

We passed through the open space in front, then through the corridor and the front hall.

The winding path felt like entering a garden intended for sightseeing.

Kitagawa Shiroo finally stopped in front of a door that was slightly ajar.

"Mr. Tsukino, this is the place. I won't go in."

"Ah."

Just as Tsukino Gen was about to lift his leg, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and smiled at Kitagawa Shiroo. Feeling the boy's gaze, Kitagawa Shiroo shuddered. He couldn't figure out this boy's personality.

After all, he's a ruthless person who can act on a whim and doesn't care about the consequences at all.

The next moment, I heard the other person say, "Do you want to take off your shoes?"

".ah?"

Kitagawa Shiro didn't react for a moment.

Before he could answer, a cool and calm voice came from inside the door, "No need."

"Excuse me then."

Gen Tsukino lifted his leg, opened the door, and then disappeared behind it.

Kitagawa Shiro finally breathed a sigh of relief. He wiped the sweat from his forehead as if he had been caught in a downpour, and wished he could quickly take off his stuffy suit and reveal his incredibly masculine white vest.

Then, as if remembering something, he glanced around worriedly.

At the corner, at the end of the corridor, and even outside the door just inside, countless gazes and indistinct figures seemed to be brewing something restless.

Kitagawa Shiro couldn't help but sigh.

It's human nature to be stubborn and persistent, even to the point of despair. But when that time really comes, how much room for maneuver will you actually have left?
"Crench."

The door closed, and Tsukino Gen walked into the spacious tea room, which was filled with the scent of sandalwood.

The lights were on, and the light was bright.

You can then clearly see the young woman sitting in her seat. She is indeed very young, as if she has just graduated from school and started working.

Her long, gray hair was clearly meticulously bleached, giving her the air of a trendy celebrity or internet influencer. However, she was quite attractive, with distinctive features. Even though she tried to appear polite and calm, one could imagine from her face how unyielding, even stubborn, she was.

However, once you learn a little about her background, you can understand it.

When Tsukino Gen came in, he stood by the coffee table and didn't move.

Bai Feng Hongye frowned slightly, but quickly propped herself up on her knees and stood up.

Wearing a bright red dress, Shiramine Momiji looked like a proud red rose. Her fair and beautiful shoulders were exposed, and her long, slender neck was raised, like a swan or a peacock.

She met Tsukino Gen's gaze without flinching, and then reached out her hand.

“Mr. Tsukino is younger than I thought. Hello, I am Shiramine Momiji. I am the daughter of Chairman Shiramine Seiki and the successor of the Shiramine Foundation.”

Gen Tsukino didn't put on airs. He extended his hand, shook hands with the other person briefly, and then let go.

During this time, Shiramine Momiji did not sense anything amiss.

"Please sit down." (This is an invitation to the other person to take a seat.)

However, Gen Tsukino sat down casually, without adopting a proper, formal posture.

Instead, he casually bent one leg and crossed the other, like a delinquent youth without any rules, like a petty hoodlum.

Then he looked at the other person and said with a smile.

"The successor to Bai Fenghui? Is it determined by law, or is it a predetermined outcome?"

"."

The very first sentence angered Shiramine Koyo, because this issue was currently the main conflict within the Shiramine Foundation. When the incident occurred, Shiramine Seiki hadn't left any concrete instructions regarding who would inherit the position.

Most importantly, the other party has not completely disappeared, so the issue of successor is just unresolved.

Moreover, there's Daigo Nakajima, an opponent whose strength is arguably even greater than Nakajima's, who is clearly on the surface.
Isn't this just reopening her wounds? Shattering her confidence?

However, recent experiences have improved Shiramine Momiji's patience considerably.

She looked at the excessively young and very good-looking boy in front of her and said.

"If it's not for that reason, then I can't think of any reason why Mr. Tsukino would want to see me."

Starting by intimidating you? That's such an old-fashioned approach. It doesn't suit this young man's character at all.

Or perhaps he was merely a middleman, a mouthpiece? The real mastermind behind it all hasn't appeared; it's still just a test?

"Moreover," she decided to emphasize her point and make the issue more explicit, "if everything is already settled, Mr. Tsukino wouldn't need to be here, right?"

Gen Tsukino maintained his smile.

"Miss Momiji sounds very calm, even quite at ease. It seems she doesn't really need any outside help. So why did you call me over?"

Miss Koyo?

Does he call himself by his own name directly? Who gave him the courage to be so intimate?
She remembered her aunt's instructions and then shook her head.

"That's not true. I think Mr. Tsukino is aware of the situation. If I didn't have sincerity, I wouldn't have arranged for someone to pick you up."

"That's not necessarily true. Perhaps you think that with your strength and the name of the former chairman who is still alive, you might not be at a disadvantage against Daigo Nakajima. It's just that I don't want an uncertain factor like me to turn against the other side. So I want to meet with you. If I can recruit you, that would be great. If not, it would be best to eliminate the unstable factor directly."

"."

The gesture of gracefully picking up the teacup paused.

She looked up abruptly, trying to control her expression, but the next moment...

"boom."

A flower in front of you.

The handsome young man had gotten up at some point, placing one foot on the coffee table without any hesitation, and his hand was outstretched.

Before he could scream anything, he choked himself.

He rested his elbow on his bent left knee and gripped her beautiful, fair neck with his hand.

The boy's face leaned forward, handsome, even devilish.

In an instant, he didn't seem like a wise person who preferred to stay out of trouble, but a murderer who took pleasure in harming others.

His expression was smiling, but his voice was chillingly cold.

"Well prepared, this tea room can fit so many people. Tell them to get out, I'll only say it once."

"."

Soon, the sound of footsteps and commotion could not be concealed from behind the wall.

It was as if countless undercurrents were surging impatiently.

A lurking danger seemed about to break through the wall and hurtle towards the boy.

Her face flushed red as she stared intently at Tsukino Gen, seemingly rebelling in this way, expressing her stubbornness and dissatisfaction.

But Tsukino Gen's eyes remained unchanged; in fact, the pressure in his hand increased. She felt a suffocating despair emanating from him at any moment.

"Clap!"

The boy's grip loosened slightly only when the woman finally couldn't help but slap Tsukino Gen's arm.

Finally able to catch her breath, Shiramine Koyo shouted angrily, "Get out!"

The increasingly distinct footsteps faded away from the other side of the wall, as if the tea room had finally returned to true tranquility.

Gen Tsukino slowly released his grip, returning to his seat as if nothing had happened, and casually picked up his teacup to savor it.

The blush on Shiramine Momiji's face had not yet faded as she stared intently at Tsukino Gen.

I don't know what gave him the right to do this, or why he attacked me without saying a word.

Was he unhappy because of my backup plan? But isn't that just human nature?

She tried to catch her breath, but then she heard Tsukino Gen's nonchalant voice.

"It seems you don't really trust me. Is this what Miss Hongye calls sincerity?"

"I admire you, Mr. Tsukino. You clearly sensed it, yet you still attacked me. Weren't you afraid I'd give up entirely? Or perhaps I'm just a pawn to be discarded, and it's all a deception against you? Maybe, from the moment you walked in, you never had a chance to leave?"

Anyone can make threats.
Anyone can use a mix of truth and lies.

You've gone this far in showing me no respect, so why should I be polite?

Gen Tsukino smiled. "It doesn't matter. Anyway, your men haven't completely left yet. They're still outside, pointing guns at the inside. You may have given an order that at a critical moment, we can go down in flames, and that we should keep a dangerous person like me alive to prevent him from being handed over to Daigo Nakajima."

"Perhaps it is true, as you say, that you are just a pawn, or perhaps you have seen yourself as a sacrificeable piece. There will be someone willing to step in to cover for you, or rather, to carry on your father's legacy."

It doesn't matter.

Upon hearing this, Shiramine Koyo was already breaking out in a cold sweat.

My mind is in turmoil.

He seemed to be just going along with his own analysis, but the more you listened, the closer he seemed to be to his true intentions.

It would be best to control it if possible, but if not, we must eliminate it at all costs.

Even if the price is himself, at least there's Mochizuki Miki.
She was indeed willing to go this far, but now that the other party has seen through her, unexpected things are bound to happen.

What gives him such confidence? What makes him so indifferent?
She doesn't understand.

But the next moment, he saw the boy smiling and saying to him, "So you can order your men to act now and see. Once the first bullet is fired, all your doubts will be resolved."

"."

The scene froze at that moment.

Just a wall away, there was a gun position that had been simulated countless times beforehand, aimed directly at this wall.

They were trembling.

They were very nervous.

They were afraid of mishearing the order.

After an unknown period of silence...

The blush of embarrassment and anger on Shiramine Koyo's face faded, and her bright red dress became even more dazzling.

“Mr. Tsukino is indeed no ordinary person. I apologize for my previous probing and offense. I hope we can now talk about something useful and begin formally.”

"But how do I know now is the right time to talk? What if Miss Hongye is still wary of me?"

Bai Feng Hongye placed her phone on the table with a cold expression and then sent a message.

Then you can hear footsteps gradually fading away outside.

She looked at the boy coldly, "Is it alright now?"

Gen Tsukino shook his head again, "The fact that those people left doesn't mean that you, Miss Koyo, are safe."

"What do you mean?"

Do you have any weapons on you?

Gen Tsukino asked with a smile.

This is clearly an insult!
If he doubted this, how dare he attack himself directly?

"of course not!"

"No, I only believe what I see."

"you"

"Take off your clothes, I'll know if I see."

When the boy casually uttered those words, Shiramine Koyo instantly blushed and glared angrily at Tsukino Gen.

"what are you saying?!"

Tsukino Gen said nonchalantly, "What's there to be afraid of? I'm not asking you to take your clothes off. Oh, does Miss Momiji have a habit of not wearing underwear?"

……

(End of this chapter)