I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 186 The Real Victory?
It was a starless night, which seemed to foreshadow that tomorrow would not be a clear and sunny day.

What are your impressions of summer?

The man in the Hawaiian shirt, sipping 'The Godfather', had long since cut off his rather artistic long hair.

Kitagawa Shiroo's most memorable summer was the day he was expelled from school for fighting back against an upperclassman who had been bullying him. It was a stormy day with thunder and lightning, and torrential rain.

He was walking home alone, carrying his schoolbag and pushing his bicycle.

My mood that day was probably as gloomy as the weather, a hazy gray.

It's as if I can no longer find any meaning in myself, like a child abandoned by the whole world, a broken toy that even the store manager wouldn't put on the shelf.

From that day on, he dropped his backpack and walked toward the group of men who always smoked in front of that convenience store.

What followed was a long and exciting road, but one that offered little in the way of savoring its details.

He may have initially felt the so-called passion and youth, but looking at the young people laughing and joking on the street, he always felt that what he had lost was more precious. Even though he seems to lack nothing now.

But tonight, the hand that held the cup seemed to tremble slightly.

Because he knew that tomorrow was a special day, a day destined to be special. In his life, which was gradually turning him into a 'veteran', it had been a long time since he had felt that kind of excited trembling in his body because of something like this.

Having grown accustomed to a stable life, and learned how to avoid risks and escape disaster, do I still truly possess the capacity for adventure?
He took a deep drag on his Marlboro cigarette.

In the quiet and gentle bar, the soothing music temporarily calmed his restless nerves.

The wind chimes swayed slightly as the door was opened.

"Senior Kitagawa."

The one who came in was Shinichiro Kawakami.

The relationship between the two at the White Summit is actually quite delicate. As the one who 'surrendered,' Kitagawa Shiroo feels he is still being tested. On the other hand, Kawakami Shinichiro, who was already a pawn, is being treated much better.

I heard that she has done a lot for that boy recently, and she's become quite popular.

It seems that the two are no longer just in a simple superior-subordinate relationship; it's hard to say who will have to rely on whom for help in the future.

Therefore, Kitagawa Shiro's attitude was quite amiable. "Please sit down first. Have you been very busy lately?"

Shinichiro Kawakami took the glass of wine that the bartender pushed towards him, and shook his head with a smile.

"It's alright, it looks like there's a lot to do, but it's not really that troublesome."

Kitagawa Shiro took out a cigarette. "It's good to have something to do, especially at this crucial time."

Kawakami took the cigarette, but instead of lighting it, he first picked up his wine glass and clinked it with Kitagawa Shiroo's.

He laughed, "Doesn't doing all these things just mean I'm becoming more and more inseparable from Bai Feng?"

"Ha ha ha ha."

Kitagawa Shirofumi laughed too. "Now that things have come to this, there's no point in talking about severing ties. I remember telling you from the beginning that this is a road with little chance of turning back. Perhaps some lucky ones will make it through, but they are ultimately a minority. It's better not to stand out, but once you start gaining people's trust, that possibility is cut off."

"makes sense."

"Do you regret it?"

Kawakami paused for a moment, then shook his head.

"What's with all this talk about regret? It's been so long, do you really think you regret taking this path?"

Kitagawa Shiro took a drag of his cigarette. "When I left school and got into my first bloody fight, I probably regretted it. Later, when I bought my parents a car and they looked at me suspiciously, asking where the money came from, I probably regretted it then too. But..."

He laughed. "When I saw that the senior who used to bully me had become a balding middle-aged man who was obsequious to the leaders, serving them tea and water, I felt that I was still lucky and had no right to regret it."

Kawakami lit a cigarette, and the smoke swirled around him.

He thought for a moment, looking at the dim and distant lights, like the only lighthouse on a vast, shipless sea.

It was right there, but I just couldn't get close to it.

"senior."

"Ok?"

Are you afraid of what tomorrow will bring?

"To be honest, I'm still a little nervous."

"I'm very scared."

Kawakami looked earnestly at Kitagawa Shiroo, "I'm afraid that if I'm not careful, I'll become one of the casualties. And it won't even be reported in any way. Although Ms. Momiji promised a substantial compensation if something happens... but..."

"Will I still be forgotten quickly? Will I still make my family sad? Will I still regret being too young to appreciate the beauty of this world, and that there are so many places around the world I haven't had the chance to visit? Am I ridiculous to be afraid of these things?"

Kitagawa Shiro shook his head. "To be honest, after so many years in the Hakukai Summit, this is probably the first time I've ever been to an event like this. You're still young; you don't really need to take these risks."

"Clap."

Kawakami downed the entire cocktail in one gulp right in front of Kitagawa Shiro, then slammed it down on the table.

He left his seat and looked at the other person.

"No, I'm ready. Only by taking the greatest risks can one have the chance to enjoy the greatest wealth. Everyone thinks I'm a cunning person who only thinks about protecting myself. But this time, I'm willing to pay the greatest price."

Kitagawa Shiro looked at Kawakami with some surprise.

Kawakami had already placed several banknotes on the table. "These two drinks are on me. Senior, go back and rest early. See you tomorrow."

"."

Watching the young man leave with heavy yet unusually swift steps, Kitagawa Shiroo didn't turn back for a long time.

The bartender, who had known Kitagawa Shiro for a long time, walked over with a smile while wiping the glasses.

"Times have changed, and today's young people are not the same as we were back then."

Kitagawa Shiro smiled. "Yes, some people always grow old, and some people are always young. It's time to be eliminated by the times."

"Don't say things like 'the new era doesn't have a ship to carry you,'" the bartender said, setting down the spotless glass that had been wiped clean, which then clinked against the glass next to it with a crisp, pleasant sound.

he whispered.

"Time will always be here; the question is, how much are you willing to pay for a ticket?"

……

Dark clouds shrouded the faint moonlight, as if veiling it with a mysterious veil.

The Butterfly Water Garden was quiet and still, as if no one was there. It was simply a work of art for people to admire.

Somewhat incongruous with the antique-style building was a small electric scooter leisurely driving up to the entrance.

A burly man in black, looking nervous, stood at the door.

When he first saw the electric scooter's lights, he thought he was seeing things, as if a bicycle couldn't possibly appear on a vast ocean.

Until he saw the other person park the car properly and then walk towards him.

Just as he was about to speak, an unbelievably young face came into view, and he immediately realized what was happening.

"Sir!"

For a moment, he forgot how to address the boy, and his heart began to pound. As someone who could stand guard at the gate at night, he was certainly not some nobody, and he knew the other person's identity.

The exceptionally handsome young man glanced at him indifferently and said, "Oh, there's someone here. Dressed so darkly, I almost didn't see them."

"Uh"

The man didn't know how to respond to that, until the boy walked over and casually patted him on the shoulder.

"Then I'll keep an eye on the car for you. There have been a lot of battery thefts lately."

"Yes!"

He stood up straight, as if he had received some supreme command. It wasn't until Tsukino Gen walked in through the door that he belatedly realized what was happening.

What was I supposed to do?

Keep an eye on the battery!
Under the cover of night, Tsukino Gen entered the Chosui-in courtyard.

He didn't need anyone to guide him; although the path was winding and circuitous, he quickly found himself in the brightly lit hall. He didn't see Mochizuki Miki there, only her long gray hair.

I don't know if it was recently repainted, but it feels even grayer than last time, almost like a pale blue.

Instead of wearing that eye-catching red dress, Shiramine Koyo dressed simply and plainly in a white dress, making her look like a beautiful young girl still in school.

Tsukino Gen realized that this young woman, who now bore the hopes of her family, was indeed quite young. Perhaps she should still be studying at university, or enjoying her rosy youth.

But now, she has been forced into the midst of bloodshed and is facing a new day.

Perhaps, a new day is a new world.

"You came."

Bai Feng Hongye turned around and whispered those words.

Gen Tsukino looked at her strangely. "That sounds like something the villain would say when the protagonist and the villain meet during a crucial plot development. What, did you have someone ambush me?"

He looked around; there was no one else, and no sound.

Shiramine Koyo rolled her eyes at Tsukino Gen, annoyed. "Do you usually joke around with your aunt like this?"

“I talk like that to everyone, and it’s not necessarily a joke.”

"It's not a joke, after all, I have no reason to take action against you at this point."

"So, if you had the chance in the future, you would target me?"

Gen Tsukino smiled and then walked to the cushion behind the coffee table and sat down.

Shiramine Koyo's face stiffened for a moment, but she quickly adjusted her expression and looked at Tsukino Gen indifferently.

"I didn't mean that, I was just going along with what you said."

"Actually, it doesn't matter if you think that way. If you look at the history of Yanxia, ​​you'll see that one of the methods those powerful ministers used to consolidate their power was to constantly change the people on the dragon throne. Because they wanted to prove to everyone that a symbol is a symbol, and real power is real power."

Shiramine Koyo narrowed her eyes. "Is Mr. Tsukino threatening me?"

"That's one way to understand it. Of course, if you would never try to do that, then it's just a well-intentioned reminder."

Those who have just experienced power are the least able to withstand such threats. Tsukino Gen understood this principle, and it seemed that what he was doing was also suspected of 'stirring up trouble'.

But if I don't speak up, will this possibility never happen?

No, he knew about Bai Feng Hongye's hidden 'little rebellion,' and besides, she wasn't an outsider. She held a deeply ingrained belief: Bai Feng was the culmination of her family's efforts, and as a member, she had a rightful right to inherit it. No one else should have the opportunity to possess it.

It might just be a slightly risky situation where external help is necessary. But once things stabilize, it should be up to them to make the decisions, not this young man.

Therefore, Tsukino Gen needed to tell her that the best way to get along was to keep to oneself. He didn't have such great ambitions, and she had better not harbor any suspicions that didn't match his abilities.

Bai Feng Hongye remained silent for more than ten seconds before raising her head, her cheeks flushed slightly, a blush that seemed to betray her inner humiliation and anger.

But she still suppressed it.

"Thank you for reminding me, Mr. Tsukino. The thing you're worried about will never happen."

"That's good. By the way, what's the matter that you called me over so late?"

The boy asked leisurely.

Bai Feng Hongye said in a low voice, "Although you said that no preparation is needed, I still feel I should show my appreciation since I want your help."

"express?"

Gen Tsukino's gaze naturally drifted to the woman's figure beneath her white dress, a figure that easily sparked the imagination.

The boy's eyes were bold, with almost no attempt to conceal them.

This instantly enraged Bai Feng Hongye, especially when she recalled what he and her aunt had done—he was clearly a shameless lecher. But what could she do when he had such power?

Especially in this era, we cannot afford to be complacent.

"Yes. Please follow me."

She stood up gracefully, displaying a very dignified demeanor.

Tsukino Gen didn't make any more suggestive jokes with the other person. He followed behind them out of the front hall and around the long corridor at the back. The path wound its way through the corners, past a rockery and pond with the gentle murmur of flowing water.

Then we arrived at the door of a rather ordinary-looking room.

She glanced at Tsukino Gen before opening the door, and then, under his gaze, she yanked it open.

When she turned on the light inside, Tsukino Gen saw everything inside.

There were a lot of things inside, but they were basically things that could easily get you sentenced to several years in prison.

Because it's full of guns and ammunition.

Firearms of all types.

Pistols, submachine guns, shotguns, rifles, and even a sniper rifle that looks heavy.

This is practically a hidden armory within the Butterfly Water Courtyard.

It doesn't seem like a simple matter of collecting; it's more like a form of planning ahead.

"They really do have a deep-rooted family fortune."

Tsukino Gen remarked with emotion as he followed the other person in.

Shiramine Koyo said in a low voice, "I don't know what Mr. Tsukino likes to use, but you should be able to find it all here. If he doesn't like guns, there are also some more convenient knives. Perhaps Mr. Tsukino is very confident in himself, but I think it's good to be prepared."

Gen Tsukino walked past each 'exhibit'. But these things, which were unimaginable to ordinary people, seemed to have no desire to even touch them.

Until he saw a long wooden box. It was carved with exquisite patterns, with dragons and phoenixes flying around.

"What is this? Can I open it?"

"of course."

As Bai Feng Hongye opened the box, she said softly, "This is one of my father's collections, and it was his favorite thing. I didn't originally intend for it to be here, but now it should have a reason to be here."

As the wooden box was opened.

What appeared before Tsukino Gen's eyes was a slender samurai sword that exuded a strong sense of history.

The meticulously maintained blade revealed a chilling glint the moment it was opened, and there was even a faint smell of blood.

"It looks good, what's it called?"

Bai Feng Hongye raised her eyes and replied, "Zhan Yue."

Gen Tsukino gently stroked the textured hilt of the sword, but there was no mysterious resonance phenomenon. Naturally, Gen Tsukino would not engage in any melodramatic blood-binding ceremony.

He simply smiled at Shirakane and the red leaves.

"It's certainly good for collecting, but who in their right mind would flaunt it in public?"

Shiramine Koyo's answer was very simple.

"Whether you use it or not is your business. You can take it with you whenever you want."

"Clap."

Gen Tsukino closed the box.

Then he turned and walked towards the door, saying, "Then please pack it up. Come pick me up tomorrow, and I'll go with you."

".good."

Shiramine Koyo clearly heard the sound of her heart hitting solid ground.

No matter how much she didn't want to admit it, she had to acknowledge one thing.

That means that the situation is completely different when he is there and when he is not.

Of course she has to survive; that's the real victory.

……

(End of this chapter)