Chapter 560: 560

Chapter 560 Borrowing Katana

Zhang Heng felt that Shimizu Isshin had to be a lot better than the young man before this .

Since he was the captain, he was second only to Sugawara Saemon among the dojo’s ranks . He should have been practicing Shigen Shinkai–Ryu for some time now . Of course, who else would be the one to showcase everything that he had learned so far .

In fact, Shimizu Isshin had been following Sugawara Saemon even before he opened the Suzaku Dojo . After practicing Shigen Shinkai-yu for more than ten years, he finally acquired his Menju status . Now, he taught on behalf of Sugawara Saemon at the dojo . Even Sugawara Saemon himself wasn’t sure if he could defeat Shimizu Isshin .

Now that he was standing in the face of Zhang Heng, Shimizu looked even more solemn than when facing his master .

Other practitioners observing them knew that the offensive side always had the advantage over the defenders . Like the saying went, no one could defend forever, where sooner or later, the attacker would creep up and break the opponent’s defense . However, Zhang Heng insisted on staying at the same spot, not even moving his feet an inch . He managed to nullify his opponent’s attack quickly . Even if Koyama Myoshin-Ryū was a sect that emphasized defense, it was impossible that anyone maintained such a calm mind in the face of such a formidable opponent .

This could only mean one thing: the gap in strength between the two must be a lot wider than initially expected . Shimizu felt the pressure bearing down on his shoulders . Fighting this battle meant carrying the dojo’s honor . Before the battle began, he bowed to his opponent, drew the wooden katana, and said in a deep voice, “Let’s learn from each other . ”

Zhang Heng got his hands on the katana crafted by Miike Tenta Mitsuyo a quarter of an hour later . At the same time, he also got to witness the quintessence of Shigen Shinkai–Ryu . On the other hand, Shimizu was sweating profusely, gasping for breath, looking much like a fish out of water . There was fear in his eyes . He had tried his best, but it was fruitless .

He even felt that he was not much different from the junior that fought with Zhang Heng earlier . He failed to break his defense no matter how hard he tried .

No one had ever heard of a sect called Koyama Myoshin-Ryū, and they wondered how its disciples could be so skillful . Shimizu was known as an experienced master of Suzaku Dojo . No matter what happened, his expression always remained unchanged . Suzaku Dojo’s disciples had always said that as long as Shizumu was here, there was no need to worry about anything, even if the sky fell on them .

However, at the end of the battle with Zhang Heng, Shizumu’s mind was muddled . This was his first time experiencing helplessness, where the harder he fought, the sadder he felt . It was as if everything that he learned so far had been rendered useless .

Shizumu was actually not that weak . When the two of them fought, Zhang Heng could feel that Shimizu was stronger than Yamada . Shigen Shinkai–Ryu had always emphasized taking the first strike . Their iaijutsu was particularly interesting . The rumor was their iaijutsu was a fusion of Kinri Sankyo iaijutsu and So-Ryu iaijutsu .

After the battle with Shimizu, Zhang Heng had roughly figured out his strength and speed . When Shimizu was using iaijutsu, he unexpectedly managed to infuse an impressive strength into the strike .

Although his attack was still blocked by Zhang Heng, the ability where one could force its body into an overdrive state was actually quite interesting . After defeating Shimizu Isshin, Zhang Heng initially thought that he would face Sugawara Saemon, the ultimate boss of Suzaku Dojo . In the end, he was a no show . Instead, he sent someone to deliver the katana to Zhang Heng . It could also mean that Sugawara Saemon had surrendered .

Zhang Heng had no idea what was going on inside the Suzaku Dojo now . Shimizu Isshin was almost equally powerful as Suwagara Saemon . Since Zhang Heng defeated Shimizu Isshin, Sugawara Saemon would definitely not come to rechallenge Zhang Heng . It must be why he gave the katana to without saying anything

And Zhang Heng kept his promise . After taking a good look at the sword, he left satisfied . To everyone’s surprise, Zhang Heng refrained from blurting out anything arrogant after that . Shimizu was relieved, quickly leaving the dojo and headed to his sensei’s study room . Sugawara Saemon was intently practicing calligraphy, not even looking up when he heard someone knocking on the door .

So Shimizu stood aside respectfully until his sensei completed his brushwork . Suguwara put down the brush and sighed .

Shimizu bowed his head in guilt . “I’m ashamed . I failed to defeat him, and I even lost your beloved sword to him . ”

“It’s okay,” replied Sugawara Saemon . “There will always be geniuses in this world . Except for Miyamoto Musashi, the Sword Sage, no one can remain undefeated forever . Look at me . I failed to beat Serizawa Kamo as well . I had to wait for him to die before I could open Suzaku Dojo in Kyoto . It’s just a katana . What more, he’s only borrowing it . He didn’t say he wouldn’t return it to us, did he? He can take a good look at it as long as he wishes . ”

“I blame myself for not improving enough,” Shimizu replied, his face sullen . “Now is the best time for the dojo to grow . I didn’t expect this to happen to us, and everyone saw it as well . I’m afraid my loss has brought forth many undesirable consequences…”

“There’s no need to worry…” Sugawara Saemon sneered . “Do you really think this Abe Yuta is only here to borrow the katana? Look, this is just the beginning . Suzaku Dojo isn’t the only one in Kyoto that houses the famous katana . Maybe the man is the next Miyamoto Musashi . By that time, Kyoto would be in chaos . ”

Shimizu raised his head with a look of consternation, not expecting his sensei would give Abe Yuta such high evaluation . The weirdest part was Sugawara Saemon did not even go and watch their battle just now .

He seemed to know what Shimizu was thinking in his heart . Sugawara Saemon then shook his head, “You have been with me for the longest time and have the best aptitude . Of course, what I value most is your character . When I noticed that your opponent caused a great stir in you, I could roughly guess how strong he was . It is necessary to guard against arrogance and rashness, but you don’t need to belittle yourself . Your strength is not bad, but your opponent was too strong . You were outgunned . Treat this loss as an opportunity . Everyone says that I traveled everywhere to learn each sect’s best before I finally created Shigen Shinkai–Ryu . But in fact, my most precious moment was when I trained with Serizawa Kami . The tremendous pressure he inflicted on me forced me to fuse the bits and pieces I learned before . It’s the same for you . Relive the battle . If you can find out your shortcomings, you will excel again . Go now . Suzaku Dojo will require your presence again . ” After that, Shimizu bowed and exited the study room . Before he left, he heard Sugawara Saemon muttering, “Koyama Myoshin-Ryū, Koyama Myoshin-Ryū… I’ve heard this name somewhere before . Now, why can’t I remember anything about it?”

On the other side, after Zhang Heng defeated the captain of Suzaku Dojo, he realized that sweat hadn’t even broken out . Since it was still early, he visited another dojo . After that, then turned to Shimon-ya at the market and bought some soba noodles, oden, and some roasted glutinous rice dumplings that Akane Koyama had been longing for a long time .

Zhang Heng slowly walked back to his residence .

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