Inside the hall.
Five ashigaru, their faces showing a mix of anxiety and excitement, knelt on the ground with both hands pressed forward, bowing to Wu Ming at the center: “We greet our lord!”
“Hmm, Sword One, Sword Two, Sword Three, Sword Four, Sword Five… I have seen your efforts within the ashigaru unit. Today, I formally accept you as my personal retainers. I hope you won’t disappoint the names I have given you and become the swords of my house!”
“We vow to serve our house with our lives!”
The five ashigaru, their faces flushed with emotion, answered loudly.
“Good! As retainers of my house, each of you will receive a monthly stipend of two kan of coin, a ration of rice, and furthermore… I shall personally teach you my sword techniques! Follow me!”
Wu Ming led the seven men to a specially cleared training hall and, in a solemn tone, said: “What I am about to teach you is the essence of martial cultivation I gained after years of traveling across many regions and countless experiences. I have named it—Ninpo Kenshi Ryu (Ninja Swordmaster Style)!”
“The so-called Ninja Swordmaster is a secret martial art I have created by combining ninjutsu, yin-yang techniques, and the principles of swordsmanship. Today, I will pass it all to you. You must strive diligently in your cultivation!”
“Hai!”
The seven men all kowtowed, nearly moved to tears.
At this time, the land of Fusang was still a strictly class-based society. The aristocrats and samurai, as privileged classes, monopolized the opportunities and rights to education and literacy, especially in matters of acquiring power, which were completely inaccessible to commoners.
For commoners to rise in status was practically impossible.
Yet now, Wu Ming was casually passing on the seeds of power to them?
“Even if we fall into hell and become demons, we will surely repay the master’s kindness!”
On the spot, the seven men wept openly, causing Wu Ming to feel secretly embarrassed.
“Hmph, you pledge loyalty to my house, and my house offers you protection and martial teachings. This is only fair according to the way of the samurai…”
Nonetheless, Wu Ming maintained a serious expression as he looked at his subordinates regaining their composure and said gravely: “Now then, I shall begin explaining the cultivation of the Ninja Swordmaster. Listen carefully and do not miss a single word!”
…
“That concludes today’s lesson. You may now go and practice diligently!”
After dismissing the seven men, a faint, mysterious smile appeared on Wu Ming’s lips.
This so-called “Ninja Swordmaster” was, in fact, a cultivation method he had devised by combining the Yin Yang corpse refinement technique with various other elements. It had cost the lives of all test subjects in the dungeon and was something even he dared not practice himself, leaving it only to his subordinates.
Wu Ming could only guarantee a few things about this Ninja Swordmaster cultivation:
First, it definitely won’t kill people during practice!
Second, since they are still alive, they won’t have the usual vulnerabilities of zombies to sunlight or other weaknesses.
Third, although it grants great power, it doesn’t guarantee that deeper cultivation won’t lead to side effects such as the gradual loss of physical sensation and rationality, increasing madness, a craving for raw meat, or even transformation into a demon-like state.
Fourth, even if they eventually turn into demons or lunatics, the talismans implanted at the beginning would still allow Wu Ming to maintain basic control.
As for other complications, Wu Ming himself wasn’t entirely sure. He could only proceed cautiously, adjusting the method as he went along.
“Still… since it uses a fragment of flesh from the Shuten-doji as the seed of power, this Ninja Swordmaster technique does have some potential for enhancement. Advancing to the second level isn’t a problem, reaching the peak of the second level might even be possible, or perhaps even the third level? Although the probability of that is practically negligible…”
Wu Ming rubbed his chin thoughtfully: “I’ll also need to think of a good nickname later. ‘Tsukimi Seven Spears’? ‘Seven Demonic Warriors’? Or maybe ‘Seven Kings of the Demon One’?”
…
Meanwhile, the reputation of the “Tsukimi” and Wu Ming was gradually spreading.
Inside a large mansion guarded by samurai.
“Father!”
A young warrior, clad in bright red armor, knelt in the corridor: “The Kurosawa family has hired five swordsmen from the Itto-ryu school with a large sum of money. They gained the upper hand in the recent battle, forcing us to retreat!”
“Itto-ryu swordsmen, huh?”
Seated on a chair was a middle-aged warrior who bore a striking resemblance to the young man. He was the current head of the Sanada clan, Sanada Motoyoshi.
In Iwami Province, Inashiki District was a major district with a rice yield of 50,000 koku. The Yamada clan controlled 12,000 koku, making them the undisputed dominant force.
The remaining land was divided among local clans and regional samurai.
Among them, the Sanada clan held 3,500 koku, and the Kurosawa clan had 4,000 koku, both being powerful local clans.
“Father, should we contact the forces of Numata Castle and ask Lord Tora Moro to pressure the Kurosawa clan to end this war?”
Sanada Suketake asked below.
“That lord may appear gentle, but he is not so easily swayed…”
Sanada Motoyoshi shook his head: “Currently, among the clans in Inashiki District, our Sanada and the Kurosawa have the highest koku yields. I fear that this has already drawn the attention of the higher lords…”
Indeed, in the system of Fusang, it was common for daimyos to overshadow the emperor, senior retainers to control the daimyos, and samurai to manipulate the senior retainers, in a hierarchical manner.
Even within Inashiki District, although the Sanada and Kurosawa clans were nominally vassals of the Yamada clan, their true intentions were known only to heaven.
“For Lord Yamada, it is not desirable for either our Sanada or the Kurosawa to emerge victorious. He would prefer to see both sides continue to weaken each other, thus consolidating the Yamada’s position…”
“Since you were sent to Numata Castle as a hostage in your youth, you’ve been too heavily influenced by the Yamada clan. Should I consider changing the heir?”
Unaware of this, Suketake received a glance from his father that carried many hidden intentions.
Moreover, if Sanada Motoyoshi truly decided to change the heir, Suketake’s fate would be grim—whether forced to become a monk, exiled, or even compelled to commit seppuku, all were possibilities.
“But not yet… Choosing Suketake as my successor was supported by Numata Castle and the will of Lord Tora. Our clan has not yet gained the strength to rival the Yamada…”
Thus, Sanada Motoyoshi said: “No! How can we show weakness to our lord? Even if we must all die in battle, we must uphold the way of the samurai!”
“Then, Father’s meaning is?”
“Let’s seek assistance from other clans?”
“Which of the nearby clans has such strength?”
Sanada Suketake was puzzled: “Even if there is one… can our clan afford the cost of their intervention?”
Indeed, the Sanada and Kurosawa were already the two most powerful clans in Inashiki District, aside from the Yamada. Other clans would be unwilling to get involved.
“There is one more! The head of the Oniichi clan, Oniichi Hōgan-dono. Have you heard of this name?”
Sanada Motoyoshi said.
“Oniichi Hōgan? Is that the mighty warrior known as ‘Shinki Kōnosuke,’ said to possess the strength of a hundred men?”
Sanada Suketake mused: “It is said he also possesses powerful demon or yin-yang techniques, defeated the Shuten-doji, and rescued Lady Yamada. Because of this, Lord Tora granted him 300 koku!”
“Although Oniichi-dono is a mighty warrior, the Oniichi clan is newly rising. If our clan can show goodwill at this moment, he will surely side with us!”
“Then, what cost is Father willing to pay?”
Sanada Motoyoshi said: “Your younger sister, Oe, has already reached marriageable age… how about we send this message through the Ko-jima clan? Forming a marriage alliance with the Sanada clan would greatly help the Oniichi clan establish their position in Inashiki District! But we must act quickly!”
“Hai!”
Sanada Suketake naturally understood the urgency. Such a mighty warrior might even be considered for marriage to a daughter of Lord Tora himself. If they didn’t act swiftly, they might miss their chance.
…
“Haaah!”
The blade flashed down, cleanly severing a tree as thick as a human leg.
“The path of the Ninja Swordmaster taught by our lord is simply too powerful!”
Sagami Ken’ichi slowly sheathed his sword, feeling the growing strength within him, murmuring in awe.
To cut through a tree of such thickness in one strike was considered a standard achievement in sword schools, earning one the title of “Kensei” (sword prodigy).
And he had achieved this in merely half a month!
Moreover, Sagami Ken’ichi also felt that his body’s resistance to injury and recovery ability were continuously improving!
Although this came with some discomfort and minor side effects, compared to the power gained, they were negligible.
As the lord had explained, due to the use of ninjutsu, the cultivation process would naturally be arduous.
But for a samurai, if one could not endure even this level of hardship, one would be disgracing the name of a warrior!
“Shōta and Ken’ichi have already begun engraving the third talisman. I must work even harder. Today, I will swing my sword ten thousand more times!”
Sagami Ken’ichi thought to himself.
“Lord! Lord! An envoy from the Ko-jima clan has arrived!”
At that moment, an ashigaru ran in to report.
“Ko-jima clan?”
It was only natural to interact with the Ko-jima clan, as they were the nearest local clan to the Tomita Maru. They had already dispatched envoys previously, so what brought them here again?
“I’ll go see!”
Sagami Ken’ichi arrived at the entrance of the Tomita Maru and saw the same envoy as before, apparently named Ko-jima Yatarō, accompanied by two attendants. He smiled and said, “It’s you again, Ko-jima-dono!”
“Sagami-dono! I have been sent with an important message for the Oniichi clan!”
Ko-jima Yatarō said solemnly, though his eyes flickered with surprise.
The last time he saw Sagami Ken’ichi, he was merely a low-born warrior recently promoted, deserving only disdain. But now, the powerful aura emanating from him was enough to make Yatarō secretly uneasy.
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