From the Ming Dynasty, we will conquer the world

Chapter 39: New and Old Sword Masters, Ghost Warriors, Thunder Sky! (6000)

At the mouth of Xiangshan City, a small boat carrying only five or six people slowly approached the coast.

The leader was a young man who was taller than the average Japanese. He had long and thin eyebrows, elegant and bright eyes, and was dressed in short tights. His thick black hair flowed like a lion's mane, and he looked quite imposing.

He walked forward and soon entered the Xiangshan government office.

At this time, Zhu Polong was copying calligraphy in the reception room. When he saw Zhu Polong, the young man immediately knelt on one knee, followed the ancient martial arts etiquette, clasped his hands together, and spoke in fluent Central Plains Mandarin in a loud and clear voice:
"I've seen the crocodile head!"

Zhu Polong put down his pen and said with a smile:
"Nobunaga, you fought well at Okehazama."

Hearing this, the current Lord of Owari Province, the future "Sixth Heavenly Demon King", Oda Nobunaga, also looked somewhat complacent. This battle was the best masterpiece of his life. He raised his head, smiled, and said cheerfully:

"Without the firearms and manpower of the Crocodile Head, I would not have been able to accomplish this! This batch of firearms is really..."

At this point, Oda Nobunaga paused, not knowing how to describe it, and finally could only utter a dry sentence.

“It’s really exquisite.”

Zhu Polong waved his hand and said indifferently:
"Gunpowder originally comes from the art of alchemy. I, Wudang, have studied the art of alchemy for many years and have my own secrets. What are some firearms compared to that?
Although Imagawa Yoshimoto has some courage, he cannot be compared with you. This is something my adoptive father and I both agree on.

The ambition of the daimyos of the Wa Kingdom was, at most, to come to the Tang territory to plunder and steal some wealth.

The only one who is truly ambitious and dares to swallow an elephant is you, Oda Nobunaga, in the whole Japanese world. "

These few words made Oda Nobunaga's heart surge. His eyes lit up and he said with emotion:

"China is a vast country with a population of hundreds of millions. With my ability as a small ant, I am afraid that I will not be able to shake this tree in my lifetime. However..."

At this point, he laughed and said:
"Since I know this place exists, and I have the support of the Crocodile Head and the Dragon King, how can I, Oda Nobunaga, be willing to live in a tiny country like Wa?

Life is but fifty years long. Even if I overestimate my own abilities, I want to follow in your footsteps and make a grand scene. I will have no regrets even if I die!"

Seeing Oda Nobunaga being so heroic, Zhu Polong also clapped his hands and laughed. He looked at the two people behind Nobunaga. One of them was wearing a wide robe with large sleeves, a stern face, long hair tied behind his back, and a long sword at his waist.

The handle of the knife is wrapped with Buddhist beads, and the guard is shaped like a lotus, giving it a sense of luxury and elegance. It does not look like a killing weapon, but rather a sacrificial vessel for worshiping gods.

The other was a skinny old man, wearing a coarse linen shirt, a bamboo hat, and leg wraps. His skin was dark, like an old farmer who worked in the fields all day.

The old man also had a long knife tied around his waist with a straw rope. The blade was quite long and the scabbard was shaking, constantly hitting his calves.

Looking at the two of them, Zhu Polong raised his eyebrows and smiled:
"Nobunaga has ambitions, and is willing to sacrifice his life for them, but what about the other two?

Brother Xin Gang, when I came to challenge you, didn't you tell me that you would devote the rest of your life to swordsmanship and not care about worldly affairs? "

The founder of the Shinkage-ryu, Kamiizumi Nobunaga, who was revered as the Sword Saint, smiled nonchalantly.

"Warfare is a matter of deception. Since I have no confidence that I can defeat you, I must find a reason to avoid fighting.

In my life, I don’t like fine wine and beautiful women, I only like a name. I have worked hard to gain the reputation of the ‘Sword Saint’, but I don’t want to lose it to a barbarian like you.”

As a warrior, avoiding war is a shame, but this Japanese sword master did not feel embarrassed at all when talking about it. Instead, he looked calm.

Kamiizumi Nobunaga became famous at a very early age. It was said that he learned this supernatural swordsmanship from Tengu on Mount Tengu.

He once wandered around Wakoku and was employed by different princes. In one battle, he killed hundreds of people alone.

After committing such a murderous sin, he no longer took to the battlefield in person. Instead, he opened a dojo and taught the Shinkage-ryu swordsmanship. His disciples spread throughout the country of Wa, and he earned the name "Sword Saint".

Kamiizumi Nobunaga stroked the hilt of the long sword at his waist, raised his head, looked directly at Zhu Polong, and slightly raised the corners of his mouth. Although the smile was light, it inexplicably gave off a sense of ferocity.

"However, for me, the title of 'Japanese Sword Saint' is still a little underrated. 'The First Swordsman in the Central Plains' is a good goal."

The skinny old man next to him shook his head when he heard this.

"Shangquan boy, the real edge is hidden deep in the sheath. Once it is revealed, it will kill people. You have been in seclusion for many years, but you still can't see through these empty names?"

Ueizumi Nobutsuna said indifferently:

"Old senior, you are too harsh. Since the path to becoming an immortal is blocked, isn't it good to be able to pass on your name to future generations?

Isn’t there a saying in the Central Plains that goes, “If you cannot eat from nine tripods while alive, you should be cooked in nine tripods after death.”

If I, Kamiizumi Nobunaga, cannot be remembered for eternity as the ‘best swordsman in the world’, but can be remembered for eternity as a ‘lunatic’, that would be enough for my life’s wish.”

The old man knew that this man had a free and unrestrained personality, so he stopped talking and shook his head, looking like a child who could not be taught.

Seeing this, Zhu Polong naturally understood the identity of the old man and couldn't help laughing:

"During the battle, my foster father has always missed you. I never thought that after the failed assassination attempt, you would still dare to come here alone?"

Although Zhu Polong had a smile on his face, his eyes were extremely cold.

Suddenly, a surging and noisy sound rang in everyone's ears, and the air around them suddenly felt as heavy as iron, dark, cold, and damp, as if they had suddenly fallen into a bottomless ocean abyss.

The old man raised his eyebrows, revealing a look of surprise. He did not expect that this Four Seas Crocodile God, who was rumored to have been defeated once, was actually more unfathomable than before.

He gently pressed the long knife at his waist and said calmly:

"It's common for warriors to compete with each other. Crocodile Head shouldn't be so magnanimous as to say this."

Zhu Polong had no expression, but his aura was even stronger, which made Tsukahara Bokuden understand his firm determination to fight.

Tsukahara Bokuden said calmly:
"My lifelong wish is to end the chaos. The Ghost Emperor came to the east and used force to disrupt the country. Although I know I can't defeat him, I still want to take the risk of assassinating him.

After the assassination attempt failed, the old man felt that he had fulfilled his duty as a Japanese slave. Now I am just a wandering ronin.

I came to the Middle-earth to test the heroes of the Middle-earth with my sword, and I would have no regrets even if I died."

Zhu Polong raised his eyebrows and suddenly said:
"You also want to take advantage of this opportunity to get a glimpse of the boxing realm of 'Breaking the Void'?"

The old man asked back:
"Don't you two want me to take advantage of your situation?"

Zhu Polong laughed loudly, his laughter was so loud that the tiles in the hall shook and shook off the dust.

"Since you are so willing, how can I refuse?"

Zhu Polong cares about this old man even more than Kamiizumi Nobunaga.

Because his name was Tsukahara Bokuden, and he was the original owner of the title of "Sword Saint" in the Wa Kingdom.

The reason why Kamiizumi Nobunaga was called the "Sword Saint" in the future was simply because this old Sword Saint had abandoned worldly fame and lived a life of "martial arts and farming", making friends with the heavens, earth and mountains all day long and never taking action again.

Although Tsukahara Bokuden is now over seventy years old and has suffered numerous hidden injuries due to his early attempts to learn martial arts, his martial arts skills are incredibly high and he has entered the realm of "extreme emptiness".

An old master who has reached the "ultimate void" realm and is proficient in swordsmanship is absolutely terrifying even if his physical strength is declining and his blood is depleted.

Even Zhu Polong himself did not dare to say that he was completely sure that he could defeat this old man. If he was attacked unexpectedly, his life would be in danger.

Seeing that Zhu Polong had reached a cooperation with the new and old generations of sword masters of the Wa Kingdom, Oda Nobunaga also smiled and clapped his hands. The two followers behind him immediately presented him with a wooden box.

"We meet again in the Middle-earth. I see that Crocodile Head is still as elegant as ever. Nobunaga has prepared a small gift for you. I hope Crocodile Head will accept it."

Zhu Polong raised his eyebrows, a gleam of light flashed in his eyes, and he said with wisdom:
"The one in here is the messenger sent by Yan Shifan."

Nobunaga laughed again and said:
"Crocodile Head is indeed very smart. This person is the Soul Chaser Horse, one of the Twelve Zodiac Signs under Yan Shifan."

At this point, Nobunaga snorted and said disdainfully:
"Although the Yan family seems to be powerful, they are far away from the capital. How can they know the power of the crocodile head and the dragon king? They still want to induce us to cause chaos. They are really overestimating their own capabilities."

Nobunaga's words were quite pleasing, and even Zhu Polong laughed. He waved his hand and said nonchalantly:

"You underestimated him. This is his personality. He likes to be in control of everything. Even though he knew that the southeast was going to be in chaos, he still wanted to intervene to feel at ease.

As for whether it would succeed or not, Yan Shifan didn't care too much, but he always had to do his best first.

Nobunaga, you are so fearless at such a young age, which is both a good thing and a bad thing. It can help you defeat powerful enemies, but it can also make you ignore details. "

Although Oda Nobunaga heard this, he smiled nonchalantly and said:
"Crocodile Head, I was born this way, and I can't change it."

Zhu Polong shook his head and said no more. Instead, he looked at the two Japanese sword masters and said calmly:

"I just have something to ask, and I hope you two can help me."

The two looked at each other, and Ueizumi Nobunaga, who had always been paying attention to the situation in the southeast, spoke first and said pointedly:

"The current situation in the southeast is that the government and the Ghost Emperor are in a standoff, and a war will begin soon.

At this juncture, the Crocodile Chief wants us to take action. Could it be that he is worried about... the person who is currently occupying Southern Shaolin?"

Considering that Zhu Polong had been defeated by that man, Kamiizumi Nobunaga did not directly say Xu Xing's name, but everyone present knew who he was referring to.

Zhu Polong himself had no scruples and said directly:

"It is the 'Great Sage of Chaos'. Yu Long is dead, Qi Hu is nowhere to be found, and Taizhou City is only supported by Lu Fang. He is definitely not able to withstand the might of our army. I am afraid that when the battle is in full swing, that person will suddenly jump out to disrupt the situation and take advantage of the situation.

Recently, none of the spies I sent out have been able to return alive to report the news, which shows that this man is indeed very ambitious. "

Ueizumi Nobutsuna frowned and asked in confusion:

"It is said that he is just a young man who has just come of age. Even if he can defeat the crocodile head, he will take advantage of the crocodile head's fatigue after a long battle. For such a person, do we really need me and the old senior to take action together?"

Kamiizumi Nobunaga also had disciples among the Thirty-Six Ships, so he naturally knew the truth about Zhu Polong's final defeat in the battle of Taizhou.

Therefore, even though he knew that there was a new master occupying Shaolin, he did not really take Xu Xing seriously.

Zhu Polong shook his head and denied it:

"I don't need you all to attack together. Or rather, not just you. I have also contacted the ninja masters of the Koga lineage, as well as a group of assassins trained by my adoptive father.

This way, there is no room for error."

Seeing that Ueizumi Nobunaga was still doubtful, Zhu Polong added:
"Originally, my foster father was planning to take action himself, but recently that Lü Fang in Taizhou City has been restless and has often led his troops out, most likely to arrange the formation left behind by 'Yu Long Qi Hu'.

Oh, it is wishful thinking for a eunuch who has lived in the deep palace for a long time to understand such a grand military formation. However, Lu Fang is also an unfathomable person, so he needs to be on guard against.

Before the battle, my foster father and I cannot over-consume our energy, so we have no choice but to trouble you two."

Hearing that Zhu Tiandu was also going to take action himself, Tsukahara Bokuden raised his eyebrows and said with interest:

"In that case, I really want to see what means this young man has to arouse the fighting spirit of the Ghost Emperor."

Among these people, except Zhu Polong, Tsukahara Bokuden, who had once assassinated Zhu Tiandu, was the one who knew best what kind of person this Ghost Emperor was.

Therefore, Tsukahara Bokuden had no doubt about Zhu Tiandu's judgment and accepted Zhu Polong's assignment without any objection.

At this moment, another voice sounded.

"It's not enough. Although both of you have high swordsmanship, your physical training is not good enough. Bring 'Da Lei Tian' with you." Upon hearing these three words, even Zhu Polong frowned.

"Godfather, this is not us..."

The voice sounded again, and although it was as plain as before, it had a decisive and unquestionable tone.

"go."

Even if you are the "Crocodile God of the Four Seas", you have to bow your head before the "Dragon King".

Zhu Polong didn't say any more nonsense. Instead, he turned around and led two master-level swordsmen directly into the government office.

Oda Nobunaga wisely did not follow, but stayed where he was, observing the reception room with great interest.

The three of them walked all the way to the depths of the government office. Zhu Polong lifted up a piece of floor, revealing a deep cave entrance. The cave entrance was dark and mysterious, filled with a sinister and ominous atmosphere.

Ueizumi Nobutsuna raised his eyebrows and couldn't help asking:
"Crocodile Head, could it be that 'Great Thunder Sky' is...?"

Zhu Polong didn't look back, but walked straight into the cave.

"Come on, take a look, and you will understand."

Tsukahara Bokuden didn't feel anything and jumped down directly. Kamiizumi Nobunaga hesitated for a moment but followed him.

Zhu Polong walked in front, and his voice spread from the deep tunnel, forming many echoes, which was strange and inexplicable.

"This was originally an underground passage for a government office. After I discovered it, I mobilized people and transformed it into the residence of 'Da Lei Tian'.

Normally, those who are qualified to come here are all great boxers who can see in the dark, so there are no torches."

After walking a few dozen steps, they both heard an extremely dull and slow sound.

If an ordinary person heard this kind of sound, they would definitely think it was the sea tide rolling into the shore.

But both of them were martial arts masters, so they could naturally tell that it was not sea water, but blood.

——This is the sound of hot blood surging in the human body.

After a while, in the dark passage, there was another powerful crashing sound like that of a drum, which echoed in all directions with a bang.

It was as if there was an invisible giant living at the very end of the passage. Although he was sleeping, the sound of his natural blood circulation was shocking enough, even terrifying.

The sense of pressure brought by this pure vitality is more direct than any punch.

After all, the force of a fist is just a kind of mental pressure, but this "thing" is a real existence.

After turning the corner, the two finally saw the true form of the thing.

Nobunaga Kamiizumi's eyes fluctuated and his chest heaved violently several times before he calmed down. He turned his head and looked at Zhu Polong beside him, and he was unusually confused.

"You guys, is this really..."

Zhu Polong said in a deep voice, "It's what you thought." Looking at the huge body, his eyes were filled with pride and emotion, "It took six years to finally complete it."

After taking a closer look at this thing, even Tsukahara Bokuden, the calm and composed old swordsman, could not help but sigh:
"The development of the human body's hidden treasures by Zhongyuan boxing is truly... miraculous. I originally thought that 'Martial Arts and Farming as One' was the ultimate method of training, but compared to this..."

He shook his head and smiled bitterly:
"Is this a human or a ghost? Is this what boxing training ends up looking like?"

If ordinary people saw this thing, they would probably immediately bow down and kowtow, treating it as a ghost or god that had descended to the world.

Only martial artists at the master level like Tsukahara Bokuden and Kamiizumi Nobunaga can see the essence of martial arts contained in this body.

It can even be said that this thing itself is simply a "living secret book".

Zhu Polong shook his head and said:

"This is a road to failure. However, even if he is completely crazy, he still wants to prove it. In the end, this is the end, neither living nor dead."

Ueizumi Nobutsuna looked at him again in awe and said firmly:
"If he were to fight with this... this person, that person would definitely die, with no chance of survival."

Tsukahara Bokuden nodded.

A master is so rare. In the Central Plains, every master is the master of a region and has an extraordinary status. Even the imperial court has to treat him with caution. Who wouldn't be arrogant?
It is absolutely impossible to let them join hands and assassinate a junior.

When Zhu Tiandu caused the first sea disaster, the only ones who dealt with him were three masters at the "utmost sincerity" realm.

The lineup that ambushed and killed Xu Xing this time, in terms of the quality of its masters, was even better than the one that surrounded Zhu Tiandu. Even if one looks through thousands of years of martial arts history, one cannot find such a battle.

Kamiizumi Nobunaga has been immersed in the realm of "Ultimate Sincerity" for many years, Tsukahara Bokuden is a grand master of the realm of "Ultimate Emptiness", and this Great Thunder God is even more extraordinary, in addition to the Koga Ninja Group and the death warriors trained by Zhu Tiandu himself.

Kamiizumi Nobunaga was certain that unless that person had achieved the state of "indestructibility", he would die no matter what.

There is no doubt that this is the strongest ambush lineup in the world, or even the strongest in history.

Zhu Polong looked at the thing and said in a deep voice:
"Xu Tafa, you should have no regrets dying in such a lineup."

-

"Ok?"

In the back mountain of Southern Shaolin, there is a secluded courtyard.

Xu Xing, who was sitting opposite Bodhidharma's body, holding the Sanfeng Blood Sutra in his hands and meditating with his eyes closed, suddenly opened his eyes, and a gleam of light flashed in his eyes.

"This feeling, hey, Zhu Laolong really wants to attack me first? Very decisive, very decisive."

Xu Xing pushed the door open and walked out of the courtyard.

It was late at night and the moon was full in the sky.

The moon is bright and clear, and its light shines brightly in the courtyard and among the leaves of the forest, rippling gently like water waves.

Seeing this scene, Xu Xing felt that the blood that had just boiled in his chest had cooled down a little.

He had been concentrating on his boxing and martial arts for some time and had no time to be distracted. When he saw such a beautiful night, he couldn't help but feel emotional.

When was the last time you saw this kind of moonlight?
What about the last time?

It was not until he recalled his past life that Xu Xing stopped thinking.

He suddenly remembered a poem.

"Life is endless from generation to generation, but the moon over the river remains the same year after year."

But now, people are no longer the same as before, and even the moon is no longer the same as before.

Xu Xing felt a little disappointed.

Then, out of that melancholy, there arose a spirit of upliftment and striving to make progress.

Since we are lucky enough to live again, we should live it brilliantly and passionately.

One day, I will soar into the sky, pluck the stars and grab the moon, and see this magnificent world clearly!

His temper flared up, and he chanted loudly:
"I have great ambitions, and once dreamed of ascending to heaven. I have stroked the moon, and have lived in this world for thousands of years!"

At this moment, a response suddenly came from the forest.

"There are guests riding on phoenixes and phoenixes. They meet on the green mountains and red cliffs. They meet on the high and cold mountains. They drink muddy wine and drink with the Big Dipper. I am also among them."

The voice was clear and penetrating, like a tsunami, shaking the leaves in the forest, the moonlight floating, and the light and shadows chaotic.

I saw a figure rushing out from the forest, and after a few rises and falls, he landed next to Xu Xing. It was Qi Jiguang who had just recovered from a serious illness.

Qi Jiguang asked with a smile:

"Tafa, I thought you were the kind of person who was obsessed with martial arts, but I didn't expect you also have the taste for appreciating the moon?"

Xu Xing shook his head and said bluntly:

"I wonder how far I need to go in martial arts training to be able to tear the moon down."

Hearing such nonsense, even Qi Jiguang was stunned. He looked Xu Xing up and down for a while, and suddenly said:

"I was wrong. You are not just a fool obsessed with martial arts."

This was a bit offensive, but Xu Xing just smiled and said:
"what is that?"

Qi Jiguang pondered for a while and said:
"A martial arts fanatic, a fool with wild ideas."

Xu Xing laughed loudly and said nonchalantly:
"I just blurted out what I felt. I didn't expect that General Qi also liked Jiaxuan's poems."

Qi Jiguang sighed and said humorously:

"Qi is not good at literature, but Jiaxuan's poems are unparalleled in the world, sweeping through the ages, and have a majestic and powerful atmosphere. I can't help but like them."

Xu Xing put on a serious expression and gave him a thumbs up.

"Quality."

Qi Jiguang also laughed and said with emotion:
"Although Xin Jiaxuan was a man of both literary and military talents, he eventually died of old age on his sickbed. I, Qi, would not want to do such a thing.

The situation in the southeast is boiling right now. Zhu Laolong has deployed tens of thousands of troops, but he has always surrounded Taizhou without attacking it. I'm afraid he has some big plans..."

When the three words Zhu Laolong were mentioned, Qi Jiguang couldn't help but sigh.

Although he was successfully awakened by Xu Xing, Zhu Tiandu's punch was still engraved in his heart.

Xu Xing could tell that the general was wandering around the back mountain because he was worried and couldn't sleep.

He said firmly:

"Will not."

Qi Jiguang turned around and said in surprise:

"Oh? How do you know how to step on it?"

Xu Xing looked calm, raised his hand and pointed at his chest, and said in a matter-of-fact tone, concisely:
"I'm here."

　Since the martial arts in this world are extremely advanced, the experiences of masters like Kamiizumi Nobunaga and Tsukahara Bokuden are different from those in history.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)