Tokyo Sword Saint Online Dealing

"So Akutagawa invested heavily in making this place as solid as a rock."

"Didn't he just say he was going to get the key? The sealed room is connected to the Shosoin. To open these two rooms, all the collectors' keys need to be collected. If even one key is missing, it won't open."

As they spoke, Kudo Yuichi led Uesugi Kiyoshi to the end of the corridor and, with a slight effort, pushed open a rustic, old-fashioned wooden Japanese door.

This should be the "meeting room" that Kudo Yuichi mentioned, but Uesugi Kiyoshi never expected that the meeting room of the superhumans would be completely different from what he imagined.

There were no lights in the room; the only illumination came from countless arm-thick candles emitting a warm glow.

The candle stands atop a nearly two-meter-high golden candlestick, looking down like countless shimmering stars, dreamlike and ethereal.

The ceiling of the entire conference room is a clear, transparent glass window, as flawless as crystal.

Behind this crystal barrier, Uesugi Kiyoshi looked out and saw an endless starry sky!

This is the ninth basement level, yet the ceiling is shimmering with a bright starry sky that is no longer visible in Tokyo, a city plagued by severe light pollution.

Beside the candlesticks were countless antique ornaments that looked ancient and were by no means ordinary, as well as several tall and ferocious, lifelike statues of ghosts and gods. In the very center of these decorations was a round table that looked like it was cast from white jade.

This round table is somewhat like the round table used for gatherings of Western knights. There are neat rows of large, dark-colored chairs around the table. Uesugi Kiyoshi counted that there are nine chairs in total.

On the table in front of three chairs, there are signs with Chinese characters written in ink.

These are "Rashomon," "Detective," and "Attempted Crime."

These may be the code names of the three existing collectors in the Collectors Association.

He already knew who the first two were, which is why he made that judgment.

After Uesugi Kiyoshi and Kudo Yuichi entered the conference room, the heavy wooden door closed automatically.

The candlelight and starlight mingled, casting shadows on the white jade round table and the sculptures of ghosts and gods, creating a mysterious and ambiguous atmosphere.

Kudo Yuichi sat in his own chair, comfortably relaxing his shoulders, his expression becoming more relaxed. He gave Uesugi Kiyoshi a wink.

"Please make yourself at home. What do you think? I designed this meeting room."

After a moment of contemplation, Uesugi Kiyoshi uttered two words with certainty.

"rich!"

Kudo Yuichi rolled his eyes, seemingly offended.

"This boundless starry sky is an image that I directly extracted from the National Astronomical Department and projected onto this crystal wall without any alteration. Onmyoji are skilled at observing the stars at night and divining good and bad fortune. This is prepared for the Onmyoji companions that may appear in future collectors."

“Those ghost and god statues are the ghost and god statues that we have eradicated and sealed over the years. They used the statues as a means of spiritual support to bewitch believers and guide rituals. We discovered them, destroyed them, and then stored the statues here.”

"These candles are byproducts of the research conducted by the scientists in the association. They are mixed with calming incense, which can refresh the mind, aid meditation, and reduce the chances of falling into depravity. They are rare and valuable items that are hard to find outside."

Kudo Yuichi proudly introduced his design concept, but judging from Uesugi Kiyoshi's perfunctory expression, he knew it was all in vain.

He paused, then changed the subject.

"Qing, you've changed a lot lately. Be careful not to get addicted to killing, or you'll easily fall into depravity."

Uesugi Kiyoshi found a seat, raised an eyebrow, and said with a half-smile, "Have I changed?"

"Of course I have. Have you counted how many people you've killed today?"

"Most of the killing-level ritualists under Dong Wenyu's command have died at your hands. This level of slaughter can easily cause extraordinary individuals to lose their true nature and be taken advantage of by ghosts and gods. It is a miracle that you have not shown any signs of falling into this state."

Kudo Yuichi's words made Uesugi Kiyoshi seem thoughtful.

He wasn't immune to falling into despair; rather, he was rescued from it by others.

He recalled that languid and carefree figure, like a lotus emerging from the water.

"Will killing hasten one's descent into depravity?"

Uesugi Kiyoshi stopped his distracting thoughts and asked seemingly casually.

"Not entirely correct, but that's a common saying."

"The hatred and resentment of mortal souls can cloud the inspiration of superhumans and weaken their defenses. That's why there are very few cases of superhumans massacring ordinary people in this world, and it doesn't benefit them either."

"In this respect, the souls of the extraordinary are even more effective than those of ordinary people."

"Therefore, even if a battle between superhumans has a winner, you must be careful of the opponent's final counterattack and finish them off in time. Don't be like the villains in the movies who just talk a lot of nonsense."

"Too many clerics have died at your hands today. Why do you think I lit the requiem candles instead of using lamps for illumination? I was afraid you would fall into depravity, and that feeling is not pleasant."

Meeting Kudo Yuichi's somewhat worried gaze, Uesugi Kiyoshi smiled slightly.

"Thank you for your concern, I'm fine."

"Yuichi, I have never changed."

"Maybe I'm just good at hiding it, but I've never said I'm a good person!"

Chapter 84 Clear Heart

Kudo Yuichi narrowed his eyes, as if he were getting to know his friend all over again.

He gave Uesugi Kiyoshi a deep look, then lowered his eyes and said, "Is that so?"

"In my memory, you're a reasonable person. Back when Tohsaka Tora provoked you, you just beat them up and that was it. But today you're so decisive and ruthless, unlike the person you used to be."

Uesugi Kiyoshi spoke without hesitation.

“You know me, Yuichi, how people treat me is how I treat others.”

"Those delinquents like Tohsaka Tora aren't really heinous criminals. They didn't do good things, but they were reasonable too."

"So I tried to reason with them first, and only when that failed did I resort to violence."

"Can these enemies I've encountered today reason with me?"

"If I don't kill people, they'll kill me. I have no choice."

"There are always some things in this world that are beyond our control. We can't live just for ourselves; that would be too selfish."

"I saved Higashima Maki today, and I may have gotten myself into a lot of extra trouble, and in the end I may even lose my home, but I don't regret it."

"Because I believe that if my master were here today, he would have done the same thing. Since my master is not here, I, as his disciple, should take his place."

"Killing someone is a first for me, but I'm an expert at slaying demons. There's no difference, is there?"

"Humans know how terrifying ghosts are, but ghosts know how wicked people are."

"Whether he's a human, a ghost, or a god, whoever tries to kill me, I'll cut him down first."

"This is my original intention for learning swordsmanship, my true heart, which remains unwavering."

His words were sharp and pointed, and his eyes seemed to hold a gleaming sword. Even if the sky collapsed, the earth caved in, the sea crumbled, and the mountains collapsed, nothing could change his mind.

Kudo Yuichi silently exchanged a glance with Uesugi Kiyoshi, then suddenly smiled with delight without warning.

“Akutagawa once told me that most swordsmen are stubborn people because they must remain steadfast on their own path in order to forge a firm sword heart.”

"Now I've seen it for myself."

"So, now that you've come here, does that mean you've made a decision?"

Uesugi Kiyoshi nodded; there was no need for him and Kudo Yuichi to play games.

“I’ve worked as a kitchen helper in restaurants and as a cashier in convenience stores. During my holidays, I often dress up as a mascot and hand out flyers—I’m not against working for others.”

“I consulted my master, and he seemed to have some opinions about Heian-kyo and government organizations like the Shinsengumi, but he didn’t dislike the Collectors’ Association. So, although Akutagawa-san gave me a rather bad first impression, I didn’t mind working with him.”

"To make a living, I've done many more things that I had to force myself to do. Besides, the pay at the Collectors Association was probably the best job I've ever had."

He paused for a moment, and Uesugi Kiyoshi's expression became even more serious.

"Yu-yi, I hold grudges. I will make Dong Wen-yu and Yuan Long-hai pay the price."

"Moreover, I've had enough of this situation where I can only passively defend and counterattack."

"My swordsmanship is decent, but not enough to take on a thousand men single-handedly. I originally thought that even if this world was dangerous, the enemies were just ghosts and gods. One man and one sword would be enough to make a living."

"It seems that the most troublesome thing right now is people."

"If that's the case, why should I pretend to be aloof and indifferent to fame and fortune?"

"Dong Wenjue was able to build a Dark Night Empire from scratch. Am I any less capable than him?"

Uesugi Kiyoshi took a deep breath.

In his past life, he started off badly, but eventually improved somewhat. However, he wasn't a successful person; he was just a high-level corporate slave working 996.

This life seems to start with a bloodbath, but with the help of benefactors, and the cheat-like Hundred Ghosts Scroll and Mirage Tower, it would be a waste to live an ordinary and mediocre life.

Previously, he was unaware that the world had been so thoroughly infiltrated by the supernatural; his goal was still to climb into the upper echelons of society.

Now, he wants more.

At the very least, one must be strong enough that neither humans nor ghosts and gods dare to provoke them.

As the thought crossed his mind, he stared straight at Kudo Yuichi.

“I am willing to join the Collectors Association. My sword can be used by you.”

"But I need your help, Yuichi."

"The Dongwen Society is in a time of turmoil, which is a golden opportunity. Although Dongwen Jue may have faked his death, there is still a lot of room for maneuver."

"If we can take advantage of Dongwen Zhenxi's legitimate banner to launch an uprising and defeat Dongwen Yu, then most of the fruits of the Dongwen Society will probably fall into our hands, which is enough to save me decades of struggle."

"Yuichi, I'm an ordinary person, and I'm greedy too."

"I have no intention of seizing my master's old friend's business, but if I help Dongwen Maki secure her position as the second head of the Dongwen Association, she should at least show some appreciation, right?"

"I heard that the Dongwen Society started out as a smuggling ring?"

"Yes, the traditional business of gangsters is to suck the blood of the working people, and I don't like it."

“But smuggling is about sucking the blood of capitalists like tycoons and political parties, and I don’t mind that.”

"If I help Dongwen Zhenxi kill those traitors, wouldn't it be reasonable for me to get a share of the smuggling business?"

Kudo Yuichi listened to Uesugi Kiyoshi's words, remained silent for a long time, and then slowly nodded.

"I knew you were planning this. You want to use the Collectors Association's power as a backing to deal with Dong Wenyu, right?"

“Ha, if it were any other gang, I’m afraid Akutagawa wouldn’t agree. It’s a tricky thing for superhumans to get involved in mortal gangs. But he sees the ghost god behind the Dongwen Society as a thorn in his side. You have the same goal and the same interests, so I guess you can get along.”

"."