Chapter 866 'Transparent Realm' and 'Unity of Heaven and Man' [End]
Chapter 866 “Transparent Realm” and “Unity of Heaven and Man”【·End】
The middle-aged man...that is, Goro Komu, smiled slightly:
"You're welcome. For me, it's just a piece of cake."
Boss Kiryu turned his head and cast a "see-through" look at Goro Komaki.
"Ogata-kun, if I guessed correctly, my lord must have said something to you, right?"
There was no trace of confusion in his tone, only solid conviction.
Komaki Goro did not deny it. He shrugged and frankly admitted:
"Not long ago, Xiaolin suddenly came to me and asked me to help you."
"You also know Xiaolin's character."
"She has always been proud and rarely lowers her attitude to ask for help."
"Anyway, she and I can be considered senior sisters and brothers."
"Since Senior Sister has said this, if I don't nod in agreement, let alone anything else, just the reproachful look in A-Machi's eyes will make me so uncomfortable that I can't eat."
Boss Kiryu sighed silently, with a guilty look on his face:
"First my lord, then Mr. Tachibana, and finally you...I've really caused a lot of trouble for a lot of people this time..."
Komu Goro smiled freely:
"Mamiya, we have been friends for more than seventy years, so don't talk like mother-in-law."
"If you really want to say 'cause trouble', A-Ting and I don't know how much trouble we have caused you."
His words made the look of guilt on the other party's face lighten a lot.
After taking a deep breath and sorting out his emotions, Boss Kiryu changed the topic:
"Ogata-kun, I'm really curious, how did you find me and Tachibana-kun?"
"It's not surprising that Tachibana-kun found me and Katsumi."
"After all, he was fighting with the Changzhou Army near Lanshan."
"As for you, I really can't imagine how you found me and Jun Tachibana accurately and promptly in the vast mountains and forests."
Faced with the question from Boss Kiryu, Goro Komaki chuckled a few times, then changed into a meaningful tone:
"Nothing, the wind told me."
As he spoke, he raised his gaze and looked at the invisible mountain wind above his head.
"By the way, just now, the 'wind' told me: It's going to rain soon, and we'd better go home early."
If other people heard what Komaki Goro said, they would probably think that this person is a lunatic, talking about these mindless and crazy words so early in the morning.
However, Boss Kiryu did not cast a "caring for the mentally retarded" look at the other party, but laughed a few times with no surprise:
"'Unity of man and nature' is really a puzzling state..."
Komu Goro smiled and then continued:
"I was already near you before Mr. Tachibana arrived."
"I know you don't want outsiders to interrupt your duel with Keji, so I lurked on a tree trunk not far away and waited quietly."
"When Katsumi raised his knife and prepared to cut off your arm, I was ready for battle, thinking whether to kill Katsuki directly or leave him half alive."
"At that moment, I suddenly sensed Mr. Tachibana's aura."
"Because Jun Ju has arrived, I will give him the honor of being a 'hero who saves the elderly'."
Having said this, Goro Komaki paused for a moment.
After a moment, he changed into an admiring tone:
"The battle between Tachibana Aoden and Katsumi... was really exciting."
"The collision of 'selfless realm' and 'selfless realm'... Such a scene is really rare."
"Understanding the 'state of selflessness' in battle... Tachibana-kun and Katsumi are both unparalleled geniuses."
"What a pity, Denji has gone astray."
"Otherwise, he might not be able to try to attack the highest realm."
After hearing this, Boss Kiryu had a flash of regret in his eyes.
But at the same time, after hearing the other party praising Qingdeng as a genius, he couldn't help but look happy and proud.
Suddenly, as if he remembered something, he frowned slightly and hesitated.
After a moment, he made up his mind and said:
"Ogata-kun, speaking of Tachibana-kun... I have a heartfelt request."
Goro Komaki waved his hand generously:
"Mamiya, don't worry, just say whatever you want."
Now that the other party has said so, Boss Kiryu is no longer polite.
He took a deep breath, and then said seriously, word for word:
"Ogata-kun, can you give Tachibana-kun a lesson?"
Suddenly, a surprised look fell on Boss Kiryu.
"'Guide Ju Jun one or two'? What, could it be that Jun Ju has encountered some martial arts problem that even you can't solve?"
Boss Kiryu smiled bitterly:
"Yes, that's exactly it."
After sighing, he sorted out his words and said slowly:
"In fact, just a few days ago, Mr. Tachibana came to me and shared with me a wonderful experience that he had experienced not long ago."
"On the first day of the Summer Battle in Kyoto, when he was attacking the remnants of Changshu's army retreating to Tianwang Mountain, he suddenly entered a very strange state..."
Boss Kiryu said eloquently.
Goro Komaki listened quietly.
The "transparent world" that day, the divine help that day, the demonic confusion that day, always concern Qingdeng's heart.
After the war was over and he found time and energy, he immediately started studying the matter.
The only person around him who has the highest level of martial arts attainment and can possibly solve his doubts is Boss Kiryu.
So, he took time out and took the opportunity to visit Kiryu's boss to recount everything he experienced that day in an attempt to get some guidance.
After Boss Kiryu finished speaking, Goro Komaki asked directly:
"...So, did you say anything to him?"
Boss Kiryu shook his head with a bitter look on his face:
"What else can I say other than to say, 'I have no idea'?"
"'Transparent World'... This is beyond what I can answer... No, this is beyond what I can understand."
"Although I have never set foot in this field, but... this is the 'transparent realm', right?"
Komugoro nodded lightly:
"Since Mr. Ju feels that the world in front of him has become transparent, and at the same time he feels a steady stream of power emerging from his body, and he becomes intoxicated without paying attention... then there is no doubt that this is the 'transparent realm'."
"Only the 'Transparent Realm' can behave like this."
At the end of his words, he deliberately changed into a confident tone.
"To experience 'transparency' for the first time at such an age... This is really beyond my expectation."
"Back then, I also suddenly entered the 'transparent realm' during a fierce battle."
"However, I did not indulge in it at the time and quickly recovered my senses."
As he spoke, he lowered his eyelids and his facial expression became solemn.
Then, he lowered his head and looked at his charred right hand, his eyes shining with thought.
At this time, Boss Kiryu sighed:
"I have practiced swordsmanship all my life, but now that I have buried my eyebrows, I have never been able to get a glimpse of the mystery of the 'transparent realm'."
"As for the 'unity of man and nature' after fully comprehending the 'transparent realm', I can't even imagine it."
"Therefore, I dare not say more to Mr. Ju for fear of misleading others."
"Now Mr. Tachibana has grown into an amazing swordsman that even I can only hold back."
"I can't teach him anything more."
"The only person who can give him guidance now is you."
"Ogata-kun, can you do me this favor?"
"You just need to give him a little guidance as much as you can."
After saying that, he cast a sincere look at Goro Komaki.
Facing Boss Kiryu's warm eyes, Komaki Goro did not agree boldly, but showed an expression full of emotion:
"...Mamiya, your request is too embarrassing for me."
"As you can see, I have become a hermit."
"If I were born casually, wouldn't it violate my principle of not caring about worldly affairs?"
"I'm well prepared to 'live the rest of my life with A-Machi in an ordinary way'."
Upon hearing this, Boss Kiryu couldn't help but smile helplessly:
"Ogata-kun, the rest of your life is still very long, right?"
"But... you are right."
"You have fought all your life, fought all over the world, and finally lived a peaceful life."
"Even today, there are still young people who covet your 'power'."
"It's my fault for bothering you."
"I'm sorry, I was abrupt. I thought I didn't say what I just said..."
Before Boss Kiryu finished speaking, he was interrupted by Goro Komaki:
"Mamiya, you misunderstood."
"Although your request is really embarrassing for me, did you hear my refusal?"
"Mr. Orange's talent is very high, astonishingly high."
"Such a genius is really rare to see in a hundred years."
"To be honest, if possible, I would also like to train Mr. Tachibana, and then see with my own eyes how far he can grow in the future."
Boss Kiryu was stunned for a moment, then showed a look of surprise.
However, before he was pleasantly surprised for a long time, he was poured cold water on him:
"It's just that I really can't give you any advice, Mr. Tachibana."
"Mamiya, 'transparency' and 'selflessness' are two completely different realms."
"You can also try to give some advice on the latter."
"But the former is powerless."
"The 'transparent realm'... and the 'unity of man and nature' after thoroughly understanding the 'transparent realm' are both truly 'can only be understood, not expressed in words'."
"You can't achieve anything by just talking with your mouth or demonstrating with actions."
"The more I talk and do, the easier it is for Qingdeng to lose his way."
"So, we really have nothing else to do except wait and see what happens."
"The road ahead must be left to Mr. Tachibana to walk on his own."
"Work hard to feel, work hard to understand, and rack your brains to understand."
“Only in this way can we truly control ‘transparency’ and then control the ‘unity of man and nature’.”
"In the meantime, I'll try to help him."
"When the time comes, I will help him break through in my own way."
When he came to the phrase "in his own way," Komaki Goro emphasized his tone and put on a strange and meaningful expression.
Boss Kiryu seemed to understand the implication of the other party's words. He laughed at first, and then solemnly thanked:
"Ogata-kun, with your words, I feel relieved."
Suddenly, a look of reminiscence appeared on Boss Kiryu's cheeks, the lines on his face relaxed, and his expression became clear.
"If you think about it carefully... time flies so fast."
"I met Mr. Tachibana four years ago."
"Four years ago, he was just a little-known little Tongxin with mediocre swordsmanship."
"In just four years, he has become the first person in the shogunate's army and a top swordsman who has entered the realm of 'transparency'."
"The back views of my juniors always make me dazzled and I can't help but look away."
After hearing this, Komugoro immediately laughed and patted his shoulder.
"Mamiya, don't say such depressing words."
"Don't let age be a shackle for you."
"That day, when you stood behind Mr. Tachibana, holding a sword with him, and assuming a flowing posture, for a moment, I saw the 'Liuguang Hachiman' coming to the world again."
"Ninety-something is the right age to start a career."
"You're almost dead anyway, just one more day to make trouble."
"If you gain something, you've earned it."
"If you get nothing, it's not a loss."
Listening to Goro Komaki's "advice", Boss Kiryu smiled noncommittally.
"Okay, let's go."
"'Wind' really didn't lie to you, I have already seen the dark clouds."
"Go home quickly before it rains."
Boss Kiryu said as he turned back.
Komugoro raised his heels and they walked side by side.
"This is a rare opportunity, Mamiya, come to my house to eat wagashi. Atachi has not seen you for a long time. She will definitely be very happy if you can come to my house as a guest."
"Yeah, that's fine."
The two gradually walked away and entered the winding mountain road.
…
…
Changzhou, Fangzhou (Zhou Fangguo), a certain winding mountain -
Tweet—! Tweet—! Tweet—!
From time to time, you can hear the chirping of birds in the trees.
The intermittent chirping of birds makes the forest even more peaceful.
Although the scenery in the mountains is still shrouded in lush green, it does have a sense of seasonal change.
Shuten Doji took the lead, Takasugi Shinsaku was in the middle, and Katsura Kogoro was at the back. The three of them lined up in a single file and walked straight into the depths of the mountain.
Under the escort of the team of surprise soldiers, the remnant army led by Katsura Kogoro and Shuai Suzu finally returned to Changzhou without any danger.
Regardless of their grief, Takasugi Shinsaku and Katsura Kogoro quickly threw themselves into work.
The first thing they have to do is to meet Yamata no Orochi!
Shuten Doji didn't keep them waiting.
In just two days, he brought a sure message to the two of them: Come with me! I will take you to see Lord Orochi!
In this way, a group of three people came to this unknown mountain not far from Hagi Castle [the feudal capital of Choshu].
Walking through the green trees along the road, Katsura Kogoro turned his head and looked behind him. Thanks to the good weather and the excellent view, he could see the majestic Hagi Castle in the distance.
Then, he raised his head and looked up at the sky. Thick branches obscured his view.
From the gaps, one can glimpse the clear blue sky and the bright sun that is reaching its highest point.
"Hey! Shuten Doji! How long do we have to go?"
Takasugi Shinsaku wiped his sweat and continued to shout angrily:
"It's just a meeting, is it necessary to make it so tiring?"
Shuten Doji stopped and turned around with a faint smile:
"'Mystery' is one of the biggest features of our FaZun Party."
"In order to implement this feature, we have always spared no effort."
"We're almost there, just hold on a little longer."
After that, he continued to move forward without any explanation.
Takasugi Shinsaku and Katsura Kogoro looked at each other and followed silently.
Climbing up hills, jumping down steep slopes, pushing through bushes... After trekking for an unknown amount of time, suddenly, the sound of gurgling water came from afar.
After a while, a clear mountain stream appeared in front of the three people.
This creek is very clear, flowing "gurgling" to the foot of the mountain.
The Shuten boy looked at the stream and said:
"We're almost there. Go upstream along the stream and you'll find a waterfall. There is a cave behind the waterfall, and Lord Orochi is in the cave."
Takasugi Shinsaku smacked his lips:
"Tsk, we're finally here...huh? Who is it?"
His eyes suddenly widened and he turned his head to the right.
Almost at the same time, Katsura Kogoro raised his eyes and saw a young man and woman with their backs to them, sitting cross-legged by the stream not far away.
The girl was startled by Takasugi Shinsaku's shout.
She screamed "Wow!" and hurriedly turned her head, casting confused and frightened glances at Katsura Kogoro and the others.
In comparison, the young man was much calmer and remained seated, unmoved.
As the girl turned her head, Katsura Kogoro was able to see her face clearly.
She is around 20 years old, wearing an orange yukata, petite in stature, with delicate features and a pretty face, and is worthy of the title of "beauty".
At first, the girl's pretty face was full of vigilance, but she relaxed after seeing the drunken boy.
"What, it's Ah Jiu..."
Shuten Doji shrugged:
"A Ling, what are you afraid of? With your brother here, who has the ability to hurt you?"
Facing Shuten Doji's complaints, the girl called "A Suzu" playfully made a face, then turned around and shouted to the boy next to her:
"Brother, Ah Jiu is back!"
It was only then that the young man finally reacted and took action.
He slowly turned his head and looked at Katsura Kogoro and the others expressionlessly.
Katsura Kogoro took advantage of the situation and looked at the other party.
He is 23 or 4 years old. He is dressed in the attire of a martial artist. He is quite tall, fair-skinned, neither ugly nor handsome. He has a gorgeous ancient sword hanging on his waist and has no belt.
At first glance, he is just an ordinary person who is thrown into the crowd and cannot be found again.
However, somehow, this person gave Katsura Kogoro an...indescribable strange feeling.
At this time, Shuten Doji's voice interrupted his train of thought:
"Mr. Takasugi, Mr. Gui, let me introduce you."
Shuten Doji stood sideways on one side so that they could face each other.
"This is Otakemaru, the highest combat power of our Punishment Party."
"This is Otakemaru's younger sister, Suzu."
"Otakemaru, Suzu, this is Takasugi Shinsaku, and this is Katsura Kogoro."
As soon as Shuten Doji finished retracting his front legs, Ah Ling stood up straight on his back legs, bowed slightly, and said seriously:
"This is the first time we meet, little girl A Ling! I have already known your names for a long time. It is a great honor to meet you today!"
Reasonable and restrained, neither humble nor arrogant, showing everyone's style.
Otakemaru: "..."
The young man...that is, Otakemaru, didn't say a word, just looked at the two of them expressionlessly.
In fact, Takasugi Shinsaku and Katsura Kogoro didn't hear the second half of Shuten Doji's words or Suzu's self-introduction at all.
After hearing the name "Otake Maru", all their attention was taken away.
At this moment, both of them stared at the young man with widened eyes, looking at the young man in astonishment, shouting the same question in their hearts:
——He is Otakemaru?!
Katsura Kogoro couldn't control his shock.
There was no way he could equate this young man, who looked ordinary and had neither a strong physique nor awe-inspiring domineering power, with the "highest combat power of the Fa Zun Party".
Shuten Doji watched all this with a smile.
It is not difficult to see that he had already guessed how the two would react after seeing Otake Maru.
After about 5 seconds, they gradually calmed down.
Shocked as it is, the etiquette should still be fulfilled.
Katsura Kogoro straightened his back and cleared his throat:
"I'm sorry. I am a patriot from Choshu, Katsura Kogoro."
Takasugi Shinsaku followed closely:
"With the patriots of Changzhou, Takasugi Jinzuo."
Otakemaru: "..."
Otakemaru still looks like that, expressionless and speechless, looking like a puppet.
——Why is this person so rude? Didn’t he even give his name?
Just when Katsura Kogoro was secretly dissatisfied, Shuten Doji smiled and explained:
"Please forgive me, Otakemaru is not a disrespectful person, he just cannot hear me."
He raised his hand and pointed at his ear.
"He was born deaf, so he can neither hear nor speak."
As soon as these words came out, the shock that had just faded away once again dominated the expressions of the two of them.
"He can't hear?!"
Katsura Kogoro asked awkwardly.
Shuten Doji nodded:
"Yes, if you don't believe it, you can take some firecrackers and light them in his ears, and he won't react at all."
"Only Orochi-sama and Suzu can communicate with him using their eyes, expressions, and special gestures."
Katsura Kogoro opened his mouth, wanting to say something more.
But the extremely strong shock made his brain confused, and he didn't know what to say for a while.
After a while, Takasugi Shinsaku took over:
"Can a deaf person be your greatest fighting force?"
Deaf—this title made Ah Ling puff up her cheeks and look unhappy.
"Mr. Takasugi, this is ridiculous."
Shuten Doji chuckled and his tone became intriguing.
"It is precisely because he was born deaf and has been unable to hear the sounds of the world since birth, so he can hear the 'voices' that we cannot hear, and then set foot in areas beyond the reach of us mortals."
His words made the two of them feel trapped in a fog.
Katsura Kogoro tried his best to imagine how a deaf-mute could learn to sword.
It is even more unimaginable how he can become the strongest fighting force over Shuten Doji and Hannya.
The drunken boy's voice continued:
“I’ll talk to you later when I have the opportunity to discuss the details.”
"Now let's go see Lord Orochi first."
"Don't keep him waiting too long."
Having said this, he turned to look at Otakemaru and Aling.
"Speaking of which, Ah Ling, what are you two brothers and sisters doing here?"
Ah Ling sighed and said:
"Do you think I want to bask in the sun here? It's all because my brother suddenly said he was going for a walk, so I had no choice but to accompany him."
Shuten Doji:
"That's it...then you go ahead. I'll take Mr. Takasugi and Mr. Katsura to see Lord Orochi first."
"Well, okay."
Shuten Doji led the two of them on the road again.
When they left, A Ling did not forget to cast a vicious look at Takasugi Shinsaku who had just bluntly said the word "deaf".
After a while, only the brother and sister were left in the same place.
Suddenly, Otakemaru raised his eyes and looked straight at the sky to the north.
Upon seeing this, Ah Ling immediately asked:
"Huh? Brother, what's wrong?"
Otakemaru: "..."
"'Wind' tells you: 'It's going to rain'...Ah! Brother, wait for me!"
Ah Ling took two steps and hurriedly caught up with Otakemaru who was walking away on his own.
…
…
Walking upstream along the mountain stream, soon, the sound of gurgling water from the waterfall was heard in front of me, accompanied by bursts of roaring from time to time.
"We're here."
Shuten-douji raised his chin towards the cave behind the waterfall.
"Lord Orochi is right there."
When the two heard this, they swallowed in unison and looked solemn.
The leader of the Punishment Party, Yamata no Orochi... is finally going to meet him!
When they thought of this, their heartbeats could not help but accelerate.
They had heard various rumors about this person a long time ago.
Some say he is the handsome guy from Yushu Linfeng.
Some say he is a great swordsman with unparalleled swordsmanship.
Some say he was a sharpshooter who was good at wielding two revolvers.
There are so many kinds of rumors that it is dizzying, and I don’t know which one to believe.
Shuten Doji saw through what the two were thinking and smiled slightly:
"Don't be nervous. Lord Orochi is not a scary person. He is far kinder than you think. Don't just stand there and follow him."
The Shuten boy walked toward the cave.
The two followed closely side by side.
A group of three people walked through the water curtain and entered the cave... The cave was very cool and small.
"Xiaojiu, you are here..."
An old voice.
The speaker is an old woman in her sixties sitting on a stone.
Shuten Doji smiled:
"Miss Tamamoae, long time no see. Where is Orochi-sama?"
——Tamazo Mae?!
Two sets of shocked eyes immediately turned to the old woman.
After "Otakemaru is deaf", the truth of "Tamazo Mae is an old woman" once again shocked the two of them into speechlessness.
The old woman... Tamamo Mae ignored the two people's gaze and said calmly:
"The big snake is right behind. Big snake! Xiaojiu is back!"
At the same time as he finished shouting, the sound of unhurried footsteps came from behind the cave.
Unable to pay attention to Tamamo Mae, Takasugi Shinsaku and Katsura Kogoro both looked away and stared at the direction where the footsteps came from.
Who is Yamata no Orochi?
With this question in mind, the two of them didn't even dare to blink.
In just a few breaths, the footsteps finally came close to them——
Before the people arrive, the stomach arrives first.
A fat middle-aged man with a big belly slowly appeared in front of everyone, holding on to the wall and taking frivolous steps.
Shuten Doji said in a half-joking tone:
"Orochi-sama, is it my imagination? You seem to have gained some weight."
"Hahahaha! It's not your imagination, I have indeed gained weight again! Alas, once people get older, it is easy to gain weight."
After the fat middle-aged man said this, he turned to look at Takasugi Shinsaku and Katsura Kogoro who were stunned in place:
"You must be Mr. Takasugi and Mr. Katsura, right? Nice to meet you!"
"I am the leader of the Punishment Party, Yamata no Orochi!"
…
…
Volume 4 "Running to Ikeda House" - The End!
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Volume 5 "The Land Divided into Two Divides the World", so stay tuned!
The postscript to Volume 5 will probably be released tomorrow. This postscript is quite long, so be sure to read it! (Leopard Leopard Head with Tears.jpg)
PS: You can review Chapter 248 of Volume 2, where Otakemaru and Suzu make their debut.
