Lu Mingfei, who had read Dragon Clan before slaying the dragon

Groups of black-clad bodyguards poured out of the surrounding Mercedes-Benz cars. They pulled out electric batons and guns from their pockets and looked at the newcomers warily.

When the man came closer, the bodyguards found that he was just an old gentleman wearing a black suit, carrying a travel bag, with silver-white hair, looking a little old, and walking a little slowly.

They were not sure whether the old man was tired from walking for too long or his legs were not very flexible. No one noticed that although the old man's steps were slow, they were unusually steady.

"There's a knife! There's a knife in his hand!"

Not only did someone shout loudly, but everyone looked at the old man and found that the old man's right hand extending one meter was reflecting a pale halo. It was a Japanese long sword. There was also a nearly half-meter-long white blade in his left hand holding the suitcase... The bodyguards loaded their guns and loudly warned the old man not to come any closer.

"Stop!" A cold shout came from the back seat of the Rolls-Royce. "Stand back! Do not disrespect the principal! Without my order, do not stop the principal from doing anything!"

The backseat window slowly rolled down, revealing a white-haired old man in a black kimono. He bowed slightly and said, "I've long heard of your name, Principal Ange. I'm Tachibana Masamune. It's our first meeting. I hope you'll take care of me in the future."

There was a man in black beside him who translated Japanese into English for him.

"Tachibana Masamune." Ange looked at the old man in the car, "The head of the eight snake families?"

"It's the predecessor." Tachibana Masamune shook his head. "The current head of the family is the head of the Minamoto family, Minamoto Chisei. He studied at Kassel Academy. You should know him."

Chapter 269: The First Confrontation between Ange and Masamune Tachibana

"Genjisei? I remember that kid was only in his twenties?" Ange looked out at the night sky of Tokyo, not even glancing at Tachibana Masamune. "You're still alive, aren't you? Why are you so eager to hand over the position of head of the family to such a young child?"

"Chisheng is different. He's more talented than me. The Snake Clan is in a critical period right now. We need a young general to boost morale, not a decadent old man like me." Tachibana Masamune said with great sincerity, "Chisheng is more suitable to lead the Snake Clan at this stage than I am."

"Oh, so you're just too lazy to deal with this mess, so you're leaving it to your juniors to clean up." Ange pulled a cigar from his suit pocket and held it between his lips. "The Sheqi Eight Clan has been ruled by a coward like you for a full ten years? No wonder even Aga has become stupid."

The bodyguards in black glared at the old man who was talking nonsense, and approached him with knives in an attempt to intimidate Ange.

"Stand back." Tachibana Masamune simply ordered calmly. He looked at Ange, "The principal seems to have some opinions about me?"

"Of course." Ange nodded truthfully, puffing out a puff of smoke that swirled in the car lights. "You suddenly appeared twenty years ago, appearing in the Sheqi Eight Clan, appearing in everyone's sight. Before that, no one knew you. It was as if you appeared out of thin air."

"Then it took you only ten years to climb to the position of patriarch of a major underworld family. No one knows what tactics you used, but you surprisingly gained the trust of all the family heads." Ange said, "Over sixty years ago, I spent three years and painstakingly transformed the Sheqi Eight Clans into my Japanese branch. But now, with just a few words, you've destroyed my Japanese branch and turned it back into your Sheqi Eight Clans. You know me very well, but I know nothing about you. Of course, I don't like you."

"The principal is very frank, but isn't it too rude for an educator? Excuse me, but you look like a gangster like us now." Tachibana Masamune still used honorifics, and the person next to him translated his words to Ange verbatim.

"Oh, it's a coincidence. I was indeed a veteran gangster, and I was the best gangster in the Japanese gang sixty years ago, and you are the best gangster in the Japanese gang today." Ange said, "There's no need for gangsters to beat around the bush and flatter each other, right?"

"Yes, Principal, is there anything you want to know from me? For example, the secrets of our Sheqi Eight Families? Or... my purpose?" asked Masamune Tachibana.

"I won't ask such stupid questions, because I don't think you'll tell me the answers. I'll dig out everything you say bit by bit myself." Ange waved his hand and asked straight to the point, "What I want to ask is, there was a shooting assassination in Tamamonomae just now. Someone wanted to kill me. Did you know?"

"I know." Tachibana Masamune nodded. "As soon as you left Tamamonomae, the Miyamoto family head and the Ryoma family head immediately sent me a message, so I was able to 'chance' to meet you here."

"Really? Then I'll ask directly." Ange asked casually, "Did you arrange this assassination?"

Tachibana Masamune was stunned for a moment, as if he didn't expect Ange to be so straightforward. After a moment of hesitation, he slowly shook his head.

"That's really strange. The person who could predict that Aga would invite me to negotiate in Tamamonomae, and even timed my departure, and even had the ability to hide it from everyone and install four heavy machine guns in Tamamonomae..." Ange stared into Tachibana Masamune's eyes, "Isn't he really the head of the family?"

"It's not me, Principal. I have no grudge against you, and I have no reason to murder you." Tachibana Masamune shook his head. "If I had such intentions, I wouldn't have sent your student Inuyama-kun to receive you, nor would I have sent the Miyamoto family head and the Ryoma family head to accompany you."

"Oh? You mean if you want to kill me, I can't even see Aha?" Ange asked with interest.

"How could that be? You are the most feared dragon slayer in the world. Is there really anyone in this world who can kill you?" Tachibana Masamune sighed.

"Curious? You can try it yourself."

"Principal, you are joking. I dare not overstep my authority." Tachibana Masamune continued to shake his head.

"Aga and I, neither of us died. You should be disappointed, right?"

"Really not. Principal, there's no need to be so aggressive with me. Putting aside your stance, I actually admire you quite a bit," Tachibana Masamune said sincerely. "After all, anyone who can stick to a belief throughout their life is either a hero or a madman, let alone something as great and difficult as slaying a dragon."

"And Inuyama-kun is our compatriot. He is the head of the Inuyama family, an important branch of the Snake Eight Families. Although he is close to the principal, he is a man of integrity. I have never doubted that Inuyama-kun would betray his family."

"I admire you too. You're not Japanese, but you're even more hypocritical than the Japanese?" Ange looked at Tachibana Masamune in admiration. "You're really good at telling lies. No wonder you can fool the entire Japanese underworld."

"You asked Ahe to put pressure on me. Regardless of whether you were responsible for the murder or not, you must be dissatisfied with the outcome of today's negotiations." Ange lifted his sleeve to reveal the wound on his arm, which was almost healed. "The negotiations between me and you, the Eight Snake Clan, broke down, and I walked out of it unscathed. I only suffered minor injuries, and no one was killed at the scene."

"I understand." Tachibana Masamune sighed slightly, "Principal, you're determined to accuse me of something no matter what, right?"

"Well, the principal was injured on the territory of our Sheqi Eight Clan. It's true that we failed to provide adequate hospitality. As the person who authorized this negotiation, I also have an unshirkable responsibility." Tachibana Masamune looked directly into Ange's eyes. "If the principal has any grievances, please feel free to vent them on me."

"You said that yourself. I have a strong desire for revenge." Ange smiled, "Then I won't be polite with you."

Ange put the suitcase on the hood of the Rolls-Royce, held Ichimonji Norimune and Koyuki Sahmonji in his hands, and suddenly slashed the skylight on the roof with the back of his knife. The glass of the skylight shattered into powder and poured down, just like the scene when Ange was covered by machine gun bullets in Tamamonomae.

Everyone in the car moved out of the way to avoid being scratched by the broken glass, but Tachibana Masamune sat there calmly, motionless, letting the broken glass fall on his head and shoulders like hail.

Not only the skylight, but also the windows on all four sides were all smashed to pieces. No one would have thought that a second-rate "Menkyo Kaiden" swordsman would use his swordsmanship on an expensive top-of-the-line car. His swordsmanship was brutal and vicious to the extreme, just like a street gangster using a knife to slash at his father's murderer one by one.

The water tank was smashed and leaked, the bumper fell off, and the A-pillar was cracked... The car paint that was originally as smooth as a mirror was now shattered and there was not a single good spot left.

"I told you not to act rashly. Don't stop the principal from doing anything he wants to do." Tachibana Masamune instructed the black-clad bodyguards who were almost unable to contain themselves.

Everyone was ordered to stay where they were, watching the old man transform from an English gentleman into a violent old thug, swallowing their saliva... These bodyguards all rose to their current positions from the bottom of the gang. They all had experience in smashing their enemies' cars on the streets. In their opinion, the old man's smashing method was extremely skillful. Every slash of the knife would result in a huge repair bill. The ferocious momentum was comparable to that of a ghost released from hell.

In a short period of time, this expensive Rolls-Royce sedan was almost smashed to the point of being scrapped by Angers. It was leaking on all sides, and no one in any car factory would agree to repair such a dilapidated car.

Tachibana Masamune sat in the car, motionless as a mountain, watching it go from pristine to shattered. Broken glass and peeling paint fell all around him, and his clothes were torn by the debris. Tachibana Masamune remained calm and asked, "Have you calmed down, Principal?"

"That's about right." Ange said this, and finally inserted the Ichimonji Norimune fiercely into the engine under the already dented hood. Billowing black smoke immediately emerged from the gap in the hood.

"From now on, it's better to ask you, the people from the Eight Sheqi Families, to keep your mouths shut. Ahe is very loyal to you. Your people have been calling him my dog, which has caused my students to resent me as their teacher." Angé said coldly.

He threw Hongxue Samaji on the ground, patted the dust off his shoulders, and picked up his suitcase... It turned out that he had not been resentful about being assassinated from the beginning, but as a teacher, he was venting his anger for the exclusion his students suffered in the Sheqi Eight Families.

When Ange heard Lu Mingfei say that someone was trying to assassinate him and that Inuyama He might die protecting him, he was extremely furious. The thought of killing the old dog Tachibana Masamune flashed through his mind, but he was dissuaded by Lu Mingfei.

So let's just count this Rolls-Royce as some interest for now.

"Okay, I'll keep your instructions in mind," Tachibana Masamune nodded. "Japan isn't very safe right now, so please be careful, Principal."

"Don't worry, you are the boss of the Japanese underworld. If anything happens, it will be your fault." Ange said this at last, turned around with his suitcase and disappeared into the night of Tokyo.

Tachibana Masamune calmly watched Ange leave until he could no longer see his back, then he spoke in a very low voice with a faint tone.

"I really admire you, Principal Ange. Who wouldn't want to be like you, living in the sunshine... a living legend?"

……

Tamamonomae, a Japanese-style room on the first floor.

"So who are you?" Inuyama He looked at the person whose hair covered his face, frowning, "Where did Sakura go again?"

"Ms. Sakurano is in her Porsche in the parking lot. She just fainted and will probably wake up tomorrow morning." The person who dragged Inuyama He into the Japanese-style room said, "As for me... Master Inuyama, we've met before. Do you remember me?"

The man took off his shapeless, tattered wig.

"You are..." Inuyama He looked at the man's somewhat familiar face and was suddenly stunned, "Lu Jun? Are you Lu Mingfei?"

"It's me. This is a meeting between the head of the Inuyama family and our principal. It shouldn't be strange that I sneaked in, right?" Lu Mingfei asked with a smile.

"Do you know? The head of the Minamoto family secretly summoned half of the Japanese underworld to look for you, and you dare to show up in my Tamamonomae openly." Inuyama He said in a deep voice with an angry look.

"You won't sell me out to the Sheqi Eight Clan, right?" Lu Mingfei smiled. "The principal and I are in cahoots. If you sell me out, you're selling out the principal. If that were your intention, you wouldn't have risked your life to help the principal just now."

"You're very smart, and your fighting skills with the principal just now were very sharp. You have a high level of understanding in the way of the sword," Inuyama He said in a quiet voice. "When I was your age, I probably wasn't even half as good as you. No wonder he said you were the best and always satisfied."

"In front of the contemporary sword masters of the Sheqi Eight Clans, I am really just showing off my skills." Lu Mingfei said modestly on the surface, but in fact he was shocked by Inuyama He's tone.

Lu Mingfei thought, "Why are you, an old man, still jealous at this hour? Is this the time to complain about the principal's favoritism? I didn't save your life just to show off my brains so I could become a master swordsman and then listen to your sarcastic remarks!"

"If I'm not mistaken, your sword should be the famous Kanze Masamune?" Inuyama He suddenly asked, "You've probably heard of it, too. I lost this sword fifteen years ago. If it's convenient, could you tell me about the origins of Kanze Masamune?"

"Actually, I was just about to ask you about this knife." Lu Mingfei hesitated for a moment, "I got this knife before entering Kassel Academy. I found it in an izakaya in my hometown..."

Lu Mingfei told the izakaya owner the truth about the Kanze Masamune that he had given him.

After hearing this, Inuyama He was silent for a long time: "Miyamoto Kenjiro... So he really is still alive. The Snake Eight Clan and the Oni Clan have been looking for him for fifteen years but there's no trace of him. It turns out he's hiding in China."

"Actually, I roughly guessed that the izakaya owner was from the Snake Eight Clan, but I also think this matter is too strange." Lu Mingfei said in a low voice, "So I also want to learn about Mr. Miyamoto Kenjiro's situation from you."

"Kenjiro...he is also a miserable man." Inuyama He sighed deeply.

He told the story of the life of Kenjiro Miyamoto and Noyuki Miyamoto.

Lu Mingfei remained silent. Kenshiro's life story had sounded beautiful when he described it himself, but he didn't expect the truth to be so tragic... However, there were still many doubts.

"I don't know everything, but since Kenshiro is still alive, we'll probably meet again someday." Inuyama He interrupted Lu Mingfei's thoughts. "I have a feeling he's already arrived in Japan, hiding somewhere we can't see, quietly observing the situation."

Lu Mingfei wanted to ask something but was interrupted by Miwako's voice.

"Master, Mr. Masamune is here to visit and is standing at the door of Tamamonomae."

He quickly exchanged glances with Lu Mingfei and Inuyama He who were inside.

"By the way, Master Inuyama, I must remind you about this...this person, Tachibana Masamune."

Chapter 270 Lu Mingfei instigates Inuyama He to rebel

"Tell Mr. Masamune that Tamamonomae is in a state of confusion right now. I don't know if the assassination crisis has been completely resolved. Please ask him to wait at the door for a while." Inuyama He instructed Miwako at the door, then turned to look at Lu Mingfei.

"Regarding Mr. Masamune?" Inuyama He asked Lu Mingfei, "Is there anything you want to remind me?"

"Time is running out. I just want to tell Patriarch Inuyama to pay more attention to Tachibana Masamune. He's not a simple person." Lu Mingfei lowered his voice and spoke quickly, "He's not as trustworthy as he looks. Patriarch Inuyama should try to keep an eye on him."

Looking at Inuyama He who looked hesitant, Lu Mingfei continued.

"I'm not trying to sow discord or split the eight Sheqi families, but the truth is, your families aren't as united as they appear. Because we now have the common enemy of the demons and the 'gods,' your families may appear harmonious, but there are always those with ulterior motives," Lu Mingfei said. "I'm not asking you to do anything to Tachibana Masamune, but you must be wary of others. It's better to be on guard against everything to avoid being ambushed in times of danger."

"Evidence," Inuyama He said in a deep voice, "I can't believe an outsider's one-sided statement and doubt the former head of our Snake Eight Clan. Since you have such a deep grudge against Mr. Masamune and describe him in such a bad light, I need convincing evidence."

"I don't have any evidence." Lu Mingfei shook his head. He thought for a moment and said to Inuyama He, "But I can probably predict what Tachibana Masamune will do next."

"Ok?"

"He seems to be unconcerned about power and can easily resign from the position of patriarch. That's because he was the one who single-handedly supported the position of Patriarch of the Yuan Family."

"In Tachibana Masamune's eyes, Minamoto no Nakasei is just his puppet. He's actually quite power-hungry. If Minamoto no Nakasei were replaced, he wouldn't have let go so easily of any other family head who took over as patriarch," Lu Mingfei analyzed. "The top three of the eight families—the Minamoto, Tachibana, Uesugi, and Snake—are already in the hands of Tachibana Masamune alone. Before he can achieve his goal, he must also firmly control the bottom four families."

"The other family heads are easy to deal with. They are all more obedient to Tachibana Masamune's will. The only change is you." Lu Mingfei looked into Inuyama He's eyes, "Head of the Inuyama family."

"Me?" Inuyama He pointed at himself.

"Yes." Lu Mingfei nodded. "From the beginning of the war against the demons until the principal came to Japan, you, Master Inuyama, have always been at odds with Tachibana Masamune. He's the advocate of war, while you're the conciliatory one. You must have become a thorn in his eyes. He arranged for you to receive the principal, which was a sign of his brilliance."

"If you and the principal are mortal enemies, that's great. At least one of you will die in today's meeting," Lu Mingfei said. "If you still have a teacher-student relationship, that's fine too. When the machine gun fire from the rooftop comes down, with your stubborn temper, you'll definitely rush over to help the principal take the bullets. It'll only take four machine guns to kill you."

"You mean, this assassination was also arranged by Mr. Masamune?" Inuyama He frowned even deeper.

"He was the one who arranged this negotiation. Tamamonomae is also part of the territory of the Snake Eight Clan. Who else could it be? You can't possibly suspect it was the head of the Miyamoto family or the head of the Ryoma family? Or your goddaughters?" Lu Mingfei asked back. "Again, I can't prove to you what Tachibana Masamune did for the time being, but I can predict what he will do. His next actions will make his ambitions clear."

Inuyama He looked at Lu Mingfei seriously, waiting for what to say next.

"I've said before that Tachibana Masamune is an ambitious man, and every ambitious man wants to hold power firmly in his hands." Lu Mingfei said, "This is a good opportunity to sideline you. Tachibana Masamune will definitely not let it go. He will definitely take the opportunity to ask you for the power of the Inuyama family."

"But Tachibana Masamune is a hypocritical fellow. He wouldn't want to seize power from you for no reason. I suspect he'll use your confrontation with the principal as an excuse. Far from blaming you for it, he'll actually praise you and even console you about the assassination attempt. He'll let you rest while the principal is in Japan, and then, naturally, have you temporarily hand over the Inuyama family's power to Minamoto no Chisei."

Inuyama He was silent for a moment and asked, "What if Mr. Masamune didn't do that?"

"If he doesn't do that, then just treat it as bullshit." Lu Mingfei paused, "But if he really does, then please remember my words, Master Inuyama, and be careful. We are allies who have shared our lives."

"Master, Mr. Masamune is at the door asking about Tamamonomae's condition and whether he needs to send more people?" Miwako's voice sounded again outside the room.

"Tell Mr. Masamune that we thank him for his kindness. Tamamonomae has been checked out. Please invite him in." After giving instructions to Miwako, Inuyama He looked at Lu Mingfei deeply.

He walked to the corner of the Japanese-style room and lifted up a wooden board half a person's height. A secret passage wide enough for one person suddenly appeared before his eyes.

"This secret passage leads directly to the first to third floors of Tamamonomae. The exit is at the most hidden corner of the roof. Go and take Kanze Masamune away with you. I will keep an eye on Mr. Masamune." Inuyama He said to Lu Mingfei.

"Thank you, Master Inuyama." Lu Mingfei glanced back at the old man before entering the secret passage and suddenly smiled. "In fact, you are very important to the principal. It's just that both you and he are old, and old people always like to keep many things to themselves. The principal has never stood behind any student from Kassel Academy and put his hands on their shoulders when taking a photo with them. You should know the meaning of this gesture... The principal should be very relieved that you survived."

After saying that, Lu Mingfei scurried into the secret passage like a cunning fox and disappeared without a trace.

Inuyama He didn't look back. He just raised his hand and scratched his shoulder, as if there was still the warmth left by his teacher's broad palm. He stood silently in the quiet Japanese-style room for a long time before pushing open the door, putting on a harmless smile, and walked towards Tachibana Masamune at the door.

"Mr. Masamune, I'm so ashamed that the negotiations with the principal broke down and I have to trouble you to come here in person." Inuyama He bowed deeply to Tachibana Masamune.

"Whether the negotiations are successful or not is secondary. It's you, Inuyama-kun, who was injured in the duel with Principal Ange and then involved in such a nasty attack. It was a close call. You're the one who should be most thankful for being alright." Tachibana Masamune helped Inuyama He up, patted him on the shoulder, and said in a comforting tone, "You are the head of a family who is highly respected by everyone. The Snake Eight Clan can't bear the tragic news of losing a head of family right now!"

The two chatted as they went upstairs. Lu Mingfei had also sneaked to the third floor through the secret passage and retrieved his Guanze Masamune from the broken eaves. He looked down and saw Tachibana Masamune and Inuyama He walking right below him, so he lay down behind the broken eaves and gave up the idea of ​​leaving immediately.

"Inuyama-kun, I'm sorry for leaving the negotiations to you." Tachibana Masamune suddenly bowed to Inuyama. "I'm deeply sorry for letting you bear the pressure from the secret party alone and putting you in such a dangerous situation!"

"Mr. Masamune, you're too kind!" Inuyama He quickly lifted Tachibana Masamune up with both hands. "As a member of the Snake Eight Clan and the head of a family, it's my duty to speak up for the family. Besides, I was indeed a student of Principal Ange. This is a fact. Mr. Masamune's decision is beyond reproach!"

"To be honest, I met Principal Ange by chance on the way to Tamamonomae, and we had a heart-to-heart talk," said Masamune Tachibana.

"What's the result?" Inuyama He asked.

Tachibana Masamune shook his head and sighed deeply, "Ange holds a deep grudge against the Eight Snake Clan! Our clan's situation isn't looking good. It seems that in our quest to annihilate the 'gods,' we'll not only face resistance from the fierce demons, but we'll also have to be wary of Ange's aggressive gaze."