The geisha sat on the ground, placed the shamisen on her lap, and clutching the strings with her left hand, she held the ginkgo leaf-shaped ivory pick with her right hand. She started plucking, playing a sprightly tune. It was said that most geishas in the Edo period began to receive rigorous training from the age of ten. Unlike sex workers, the appearance wasn’t the only requirement for geishas—the women needed to master ikebana, tea ceremony, etiquette, dance, musical instruments, and have knowledge about different cultures. The effort and energy invested were no less than that of a samurai mastering his sword.

  Generally, they were tasked to serve essential guests. As for those geisha who was more famous in this industry, they were allowed to choose their guests. If they did not like a person, they would not catch a glimpse of them even if they had a lot of money. Most of the geishas were only asked to perform their talents. Their circumstance was definitely better than sex workers.

  The steaming-hot red-leaf pot, coupled with the beautiful Kyoto dance, entertained the guests and hosts in the tea house to the fullest. The older samurai was good at making someone happy. In addition to the sake, he had specially prepared some French wine for Gabriel, which was also where he originated from. He could not help but persuade Gabriel to drink a few more glasses.

  When everyone had their fill of food and drink, someone clapped their hands twice outside the house. It wasn’t loud, but the geishas stopped playing their shamisen once they heard it, hurriedly lowering their heads and cleaning up the place. After that, they bowed and left the house with their heads hung low. At the same time, the Choshu and Satsuma domain samurai returned to their positions immediately. A hint of excitement was especially evident in the eyes of the Choshu domain samurai.

  At that time, Zhang Heng knew that the man he had been waiting for was about to make an appearance. Gabriel, too resumed his original sitting position, obviously not accustomed to sitting on his heels. When he first came to Japan, he often complained about the anti-ergonomic sitting method. After sitting in this position for a while, his legs would become numb, and he would cross his legs instead. But now, he decided he needed to show respect to the man he was about to meet.

  The shoji door was pushed open from the outside, and the man who walked in first was a samurai with a squarish face. As soon as this person showed up, all the samurai in the house felt an invisible force descending over their shoulders, as if a ferocious beast was glaring at them. The two samurai at the front could not help but move back a little.

  “Kirino Toshiaki!” Someone exclaimed in a low voice, “Is he here too?”


  Kirino Toshiaki looked unusually tall for a Japanese of this era—he was almost as tall as Zhang Heng, and his shoulders were vast. On top of that, he also had a pair of long arms, and his hands were covered in calluses.

  In his youth, it was said that Toshiaki Family was relatively poor, and his father was seriously ill. Thus, to pay for his father’s treatment, he misappropriated domain funds. However, the authorities soon found out, and he was exiled from the domain. At one time, the family could only make money from farming. But Kirino Toshiaki did not give up on becoming a samurai. At the age of 15, he first trained at the Yakitori Dojo located at Ijuin, before he switched to the Jigen-ryu. When he was 18, his brother died, and his death hit him hard-he had to go home to help with farming.

  However, what he had learned in the previous three years laid the foundation for finding his direction. While working as a farmer, he continued to train hard. At the age of 25, he finally mastered his sword. It was at that time that he met Saigo Takamori, the most crucial nobleman in his life. Eventually, he became Kirino Toshiaki, the person powerful enough to terrify the shogunate. No one knew how many people he had killed so far. A glance from him was enough to put fear into a person. Zhang Heng had a different focus, though, paying his attention to the katana that hung on Kirino Toshiaki’s waisthis goal tonight.

  The Juzumaru-one of the five greatest katana in this world, forged by Aoe Tsunetsugu! The monk Nichiren owned it during the Kamakura period, and it was named Juzumaru because the handle was wrapped around by a rosary. As Zhang Heng looked at this famous sword, Kirino Toshiaki was also looking at him. Perhaps it was because Zhang Heng was someone that he had never seen before.

  But eventually, he stopped staring at him and bowed to the person behind. “It’s cleared. Please come in.”


  Although most in the room already knew who the person behind Kirino Toshiaki was, it still caused a great commotion when the man showed up.

  “Master Togyō! Master Tõgyo! It’s really you.” “You look fine! This is really great!!!” When they saw the man, many Choshu Domain samurai started to cry.

  Although Zhang Heng had guessed that the person who came to Ukichi tonight to discuss business with Gabriel would be influential, he was surprised when he heard the man’s name. He was the most influential and powerful person in the Choshu Domain. Shinsaku Takasugi was his real name, and he was supposed to have passed away recently. Master Tõgyo was his other name.

  It was no wonder that the sect hired Kirino Toshiaki as his personal bodyguard.

  If others knew that the lord of Choshu, who should have been dead, suddenly appeared in a tea house in Kyoto, it would probably cause a great stir and unleash a series of unpredictable changes. But on the other hand, Shinsaku Takasugi risked such a significant risk of entering Kyoto and meeting Gabriel personally. Something big must be going on.

  “Mr. Gabriel, we meet again.” Shinsaku Takasugi let out a hearty laugh before entering the room.

  Although he still looked a little weak, his eyes were filled with vitality. And he seemed fine like any other healthy adult. This sparked a glimmer of hope in the samurai’s hearts. In this period of significant change, Shinsaku Takasugi played a great role. Whether it is his political career, military capabilities, or influence in the Choshu Domain, it was difficult to be replaced.

  As a result, when news of his death broke out, it was an ultimate nightmare for the Choshu and Tobaku Domain supporters. Gabriel also laughed when he saw Shinsaku Takasugi.

  “Well played! You fooled even your old friend.”


  “A special method must be taken during this special time,” said Shinsaku Takasugi.

  “Special method? It seems you have made up your mind.” Gabriel felt excited, and he instantly sobered up. “Yes, you have been in Japan for so long. I’m pretty sure you know exactly what’s going on right now. It’s time for the world to change. Instead of delaying and continuing with pointless fixing, it is better to break it and rebuild the world again.”


  Shinsaku Takasugi wrote, “我曹の快死果たして何の日で笑って待つ四隣に炮 声を回くを!”. He singlehandedly fought off the shogunate fleet. Even Gabriel had to admit from the depths of his heart that this short Eastern man before him was destined to do great things. It was no wonder that so many people from the Choshu Domain and even the whole of Japan were willing to follow him and serve him.

  However, he did not forget his identity just because he was admired. Gabriel finished his wine and smiled slyly, “Then, what do you want from me? And what will I get in the new world?”


  Translator’s footnote

  我曹の快死果たして何の日で笑って待つ四隣に炮 声を回くをA famous poem written by Shinsaku Takasugi.