Chapter 75 Choices

“Jing Hua Shui Yue” (Mirror Flower Water Moon) were naturally not the real names of He Yang Xinci’s four disciples; they were just titles given to them in the "jianghu legends."

Their real names were known only to He Yang Xinci and themselves.

More than ten years ago, when the four followed their master to the Central Plains, only “Shui” (Water) got a fixed alias, “Leng Yuqiu” (Cold Desire Autumn); as for the other three—"Jing" (Mirror) kept changing identities, using other people's names; "Hua" (Flower) had to change to a new alias every time after completing a mission; and as for "Yue" (Moon)...as someone who was always engaged in lurking and assassination, it was even more impossible for him to use his real name.

But today, this life of anonymity, living in the shadows, was coming to an end.

"Head Constable Fang, hope you've been well." Yue had already appeared behind Fang Jin and Xu Huaishang when he said these words.

He was like a ghost, coming and going without a trace; even Xu Huaishang did not notice Yue's existence until he was within five meters of her.

"We..." Fang Jin turned his head warily, and questioned, "...met before?"

Having met so many experts these past few days, Fang Jin was no longer surprised by the situation of someone suddenly appearing from behind; moreover, the other party had taken the initiative to greet him, without launching a sneak attack or revealing any murderous intent, so Head Constable Fang had no reason to panic too much.

"We have met..." Yue replied, "...but I'm afraid Head Constable Fang wouldn't recognize me."

His appearance was indeed unremarkable, the kind that would disappear into the crowd, but that was not what he meant.

"A few years ago, we met once in Jiangnan. At that time...my identity was that of a bodyguard from the Fengbo Escort Agency." Yue continued, "I remember, I even ate at the same table with the head constable, but...we didn't get to say a few words."

"Then..." Fang Jin didn't beat around the bush; he knew that the bodyguard was just a false identity, "What is your current identity, sir?"

"Heh..." Yue smiled, and slowly took out a gold medal from his pocket, raising his hand to show it to the two of them, "I think...Head Constable Fang is quite familiar with this, right?"

Fang Jin naturally recognized the gold medal; he himself almost became someone who possessed such a gold medal, but...he didn't.

Because he still had a conscience.

"So it's an Imperial Spy... I'm sorry for my lack of respect..." No matter what he thought in his heart, Fang Jin, who was eating the Emperor's food, still had to show some respect to this "superior officer."

"Mm..." Yue nodded, shifted his gaze to Xu Huaishang, and asked, "I wonder...who is this female warrior?"

"Xu Huaishang." Xu Huaishang reported her name without waiting for Fang Jin to introduce her.

"Oh..." Yue pondered for a moment, seemingly not taking her seriously, and turned back to Fang Jin, "Head Constable Fang, let me be blunt." He paused for half a second and glanced in the direction of the main street, "The Master He Yang Xinci over there...is my adoptive father and also my teacher. My name is He Yang Zhiyan...as you might have guessed, I am also Japanese."

"Based on my identity, you can probably guess that today...our actions are not only my teacher's intentions but also the will of the current Emperor..."

"Therefore, I'm here to remind you, I hope you can understand your position..."

His words made Fang Jin feel a chill down his spine, but upon further thought, it made sense.

The "jianghu" that had once disappeared had, over the years, revived unnoticed and once again escaped the control of the imperial court.

This was clearly something that the ruling class did not want to see...

And in order to recover this "unique" lost territory, it was not surprising to even use someone like He Yang Xinci.

Anyway, as far as the imperial court was concerned, it didn't matter who managed this "grey area"; not to mention Japanese, even Westerners, barbarians, or non-humans...as long as they were willing to "listen" to the imperial court, other details didn't matter.

In fact, they wished that He Yang Xinci would slaughter the entire Central Plains martial arts world, and incidentally beat himself to within an inch of his life, so that the imperial court could save themselves some worry.

"So, you mean you want Fang Jin to stand on your side?" After a few seconds, Xu Huaishang asked preemptively, before Head Constable Fang could reply.

"Oh?" He Yang Zhiyan heard a hint of hostility in Xu Huaishang's words, but his attitude was also very tough, "Miss Xu...do you have any objections to this?"

If this had happened at an earlier point in time, Xu Huaishang might not have had any objections, but now...she had already seen Oda Ai and Sasaki Mei in the enemy's camp, so she definitely couldn't let things develop like this...

Compared to the two Sengoku players who had already allied with He Yang Xinci, Xu Huaishang, who had only managed to win over Fang Jin, an allied NPC, would have no position to speak of if Fang Jin became a lackey of He Yang Xinci's disciple...

"What do you think?" Xu Huaishang did not answer He Yang Zhiyan's rhetorical question, but instead asked a question in return.

As soon as the words fell, the tense murderous intent of both sides collided in the air.

Even the surrounding air seemed to sink.

Chi Ying—

In that instant, a blade was drawn.

The person who drew the blade...was Fang Jin!

【Qingniao】(Azure Bird) had just appeared, and the saber aura was unparalleled; this first strike was a desperate killing blow.

Ping—

In the blink of an eye, weapons clashed, producing a chilling saber cry.

The weapon He Yang Zhiyan used to parry was a short sword; the way he held the sword was with a reverse grip.

After one move, Fang Jin retreated three steps, while He Yang Zhiyan...only retreated one step.

"Head Constable Fang...what exquisite skill." Judging from the fact that He Yang Zhiyan could still use a calm tone to praise his opponent, he undoubtedly had the upper hand in the exchange just now, "As expected of the direct disciple of 'Saber Phoenix Meng Qing,' he is completely different from those martial artists who worship under famous sects and are only famous in name..."

"You flatter me." Fang Jin endured the pain of his bursting tiger's mouth and the discomfort of the churning blood in his chest, and replied coldly, "I have learned 90% of my master's martial arts, but my cultivation...is probably less than 10% of hers."

"But..." He Yang Zhiyan changed the subject, "I don't understand...why Head Constable Fang has to cross swords with me?" He then turned his gaze to Xu Huaishang, "Could it be...for this woman?"

Fang Jin replied expressionlessly, "It has nothing to do with Miss Xu." As he said this, his disordered internal breath had gradually adjusted, "My reason for being your enemy is very simple..." He said solemnly, "I can lose my official position and salary..." As he said this, he took off the hat on his head and threw it away, "But if I lose the dignity of a Central Plains martial artist..." He once again raised his saber and assumed his stance, "...how will I have the face to face my master's spirit in heaven in the future!"