Tap! Tap! Tap!
A crisp, tapping sound echoed through the airport terminal. It wasn’t the sound of high heels, but rather the clack of wooden geta sandals striking the floor.
The sound was distinct, making people instinctively turn their heads.
Of course, what drew the most attention was the owner of those geta sandals.
Donghai International Airport is one of the largest in China. Mostly fashionable men and women, many international visitors with blonde hair and blue eyes, and even major celebrities can be seen here daily. But the man wearing these geta was simply impossible to ignore.
It was already winter, and the temperature in Donghai had dropped below 10 degrees Celsius. Yet, this man wore a loose, thin, white kimono-like robe with a deep V-neck, almost bare-chested, revealing a bold, unkempt patch of chest hair.
The man appeared to be over fifty years old. He didn’t look like an artist, yet he had long, flowing hair of such remarkable quality that even models in shampoo commercials would envy it.
Coupled with the geta sandals on his bare feet, his strikingly peculiar style immediately revealed his nationality. Despite his East Asian features, he was clearly not Chinese.
The man’s eccentric, unique style made everyone passing through the airport glance his way, achieving a 100% turn-to-look rate. Yet, he seemed completely indifferent to these stares, a gentle smile on his face. His demeanor was as outstanding as his attire.
A man of his age had moved beyond the ‘uncle’ category, so he might not typically attract young girls, but his aura could definitely be called a ‘young matron killer’!
“Uncle!” At the airport exit, an equally eye-catching, stunningly beautiful young woman was waiting. Seeing the man emerge, she immediately called out with delight.
While waiting earlier, the woman had carried a very aloof, icy aura—the perfect, unapproachable goddess type. But upon seeing this man, that frostiness melted away considerably.
This woman was none other than Yagyu Chika, renowned as the belle of Beijing University!
The eccentric man smiled and walked over. “You’ve been in China for several years now, yet you haven’t changed much.”
Yagyu Chika only had one uncle: the sole contemporary figure in Japan qualified to be called ‘Sword Master’—Yagyu Munenori!
One-Sword Style, Iaido Draw, Yagyu Munenori!
For those unfamiliar with Yagyu Munenori, it was hard to guess upon first meeting him that he would have such an outstanding yet ordinary demeanor. He carried none of the imposing aura of a master swordsman, wasn’t difficult to approach at all, and unlike Miyamoto Kazuma, who almost never parted with his sword for the sake of his training, he carried no visible weapon.
His loose robe clearly showed he was unarmed.
Yagyu Chika smiled. “It’s normal that I haven’t changed much. But…” She scrutinized her uncle, noting his astonishingly fair skin. For a man in his fifties, it looked even more delicate than many young girls’. She asked in surprise, “Uncle… you look quite a few years younger…”
Yagyu Munenori smiled faintly and simply said, “I gained some insights during my secluded training.”
Yagyu Chika’s beautiful eyes widened. She was deeply shocked by these words.
Her uncle had been the true Sword Master of Japan’s swordsmanship world for many years, unmatched. The ultimate goal of Miyamoto Kazuma, the premier master of the Two-Sword Style, was merely to become her uncle’s rival, to be worthy of a match against him.
Now, after his seclusion, her uncle had gained further insights.
And these gains weren’t just in swordsmanship; they had reached a level where his very skin and texture appeared younger! This mysterious, profound realm was something Yagyu Chika knew of but didn’t truly understand.
In any case, it was a realm far beyond the reach of ordinary people, surpassing common imagination.
Thinking of this, Yagyu Chika couldn’t help but feel a bit worried for her former teacher, Jiang Fei. She actually quite admired Jiang Fei, even felt a degree of worship towards him, so she didn’t really want to see him die.
Of course, her uncle, whether in swordsmanship, personal character, or breadth of mind, was incomparable to Miyamoto Kazuma. Her uncle would absolutely never do something like disfiguring a woman or crippling her martial arts.
However, in a true life-and-death duel, death was a common outcome.
Fortunately, her uncle didn’t plan to seek out Jiang Fei immediately.
The two walked out of the airport together. Donghai, often shrouded in winter haze, was unusually clear today, bathed in bright sunshine.
Standing on the steps, Yagyu Munenori let the sunlight fall on his face. His eyes didn’t flinch from the strong light, not even squinting. “To set foot on this land again… it’s been eighteen years.”
Yagyu Chika’s eyes lit up with surprise. “Uncle, you’ve been to China before?”
“Of course. You were very young at the time,” Yagyu Munenori replied with a smile.
“Why did you come to China back then, Uncle? Was it the same as Miyamoto Kazuma, to temper your swordsmanship?” Yagyu Chika guessed.
“Correct.” Yagyu Munenori nodded, then said with a hint of regret, “Miyamoto Kazuma actually had great talent in the sword path. In Japan, he was one of the most gifted swordsmen I’ve ever seen. Unfortunately, his mindset was too narrow, and his sword techniques too unorthodox and tricky.”
“Chika, you must remember, comprehending the sword path is like comprehending life itself. A truly powerful swordsman should embrace all things. The more one experiences, the stronger one becomes, able to incorporate grass, trees, mountains, rivers, sunlight, and rain into their sword technique. Even when coming to this land to hone one’s skills, one should not come with a heart set on challenging and conquering everything. That’s why, back then, I took away from this land profound sword principles that have benefited me immensely. And Miyamoto Kazuma… died here.”
——-
Jiang Fei didn’t know for sure if the sword strike he foresaw in his mind truly represented the Japanese Sword Master Yagyu Munenori. In any case, he knew he couldn’t afford to worry needlessly.
Even if Yagyu Munenori’s sword skills were as formidable as he had envisioned, Jiang Fei felt he still had a fighting chance.
His Agility attribute was now at 6, granting him six times the sword speed of an ordinary person. Combined with the Lone Nine Swords, the North Darkness Divine Skill, and Ladder Cloud Ascension, while he might not be confident against his bargain master Xuanji Zi, he wasn’t afraid of anyone else.
So, after spending some time in the capital to settle matters with the Chinese Medicine Association, Jiang Fei, along with Simba and the eagle, hitched a ride with the ‘free labor’ driver Ye Yuanyuan and drove back to Jin City. Without any ceremony, he even had Ye Yuanyuan drive him directly to Dao Village.
Of course, since Jiang Fei was being so unceremonious, Ye Yuanyuan saw no reason to be polite either.
They arrived in Dao Village around evening, just as hunger was setting in. Not only did she stay, demanding Jiang Fei cook a grand meal to reward her, but she also mercilessly plundered Jiang Fei’s stock of fine wines, loading a considerable amount of both grape wine and rice wine into her SUV.
“Could you not act like a bandit raiding a village? You’ve emptied half my wine cellar! Keep this up, and I’ll have to ban you from Dao Village!” Jiang Fei said irritably, looking at Ye Yuanyuan.
He himself was carrying a long, thick winter melon picked from the vegetable garden in his left hand, and a pheasant caught by the eagle during its mountain patrol, along with a grass fish netted from the pond, in his right.
Ye Yuanyuan didn’t blush in the slightest, maintaining her cool demeanor. “Why are you always so stingy? If it runs out, you can just brew more. It’s not like it’s worth much.”
“Not worth much? How can you say that? Don’t you know each bottle of this precious brew could sell for a fortune out there?!” Jiang Fei glared. “Besides, Dao Village grapes only come next summer. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. I can’t just brew it anytime.”
Ye Yuanyuan fell silent.
To be honest, the fine wines Jiang Fei brewed were unlike anything she had ever tasted before. Even without any… bust-enhancing effects, Ye Yuanyuan would still be utterly fond of them. She knew perfectly well that if Jiang Fei were to sell these wines, there would definitely be connoisseurs willing to pay top dollar.
Proud and aloof as she was, she felt a little embarrassed and changed the subject, looking at the winter melon, chicken, and fish in Jiang Fei’s hands. “Isn’t this a bit light for dinner?”
Jiang Fei carried the items into the villa and instructed, “Go to Uncle Wang’s butcher shop at the village entrance and buy some pork and ribs. He probably hasn’t closed shop yet. I’ve already picked other vegetables from the garden and left them by the roadside; bring them back on your way.”
“M-me? Go buy meat?” Ye Yuanyuan was stunned, as if hearing the biggest joke ever. She chuckled incredulously. “Are you kidding me!”
She, the esteemed Miss Ye of the Ye family, grew up in the army. Even if not a refined lady, her world involved fists, kicks, and real weapons. Sending her to a butcher shop to buy meat? Wasn’t this a joke?
The mental image was just too jarring, okay?
“What’s the matter? Don’t you know where Uncle Wang’s shop is?” Jiang Fei turned back and gave her a puzzled glance.
He’s really serious about making me buy meat, Ye Yuanyuan fumed, her face turning cold. “Go buy it yourself if you want it! There’s no way I’m going!”
Jiang Fei suddenly understood. So this woman finds things like grocery shopping embarrassing? She’s feeling shy!
What’s there to be shy about? I’m a grown man doing these things, and I’m not shy. Why are you being so stubborn?
Jiang Fei turned and continued walking inside. “Suit yourself. I’m not going either. If you don’t mind missing out on a delicious meal, then don’t go. And if you refuse this time, then don’t ever expect me to cook anything tasty for you again…”
His final words were a blatant threat.
But Jiang Fei suddenly thought it might be quite amusing to train a fierce woman like Ye Yuanyuan, with her violent tendencies, into a homemaker who knew her way around a grocery market.
