Chapter 122 Declaration of War Sakura pushed open the door. The room was filled with a faint scent of knife oil. Gen Chisei was concentrating on wiping the famous sword Spider-Kiri in his hand. The blade was flashing a cold light under the light, as if he was already looking forward to the upcoming duel. The matching Douji-Kiri Yasutsuga was also neatly placed on the other side. These two famous swords handed down from generation to generation will witness a fateful collision today. Ying stood at the door, her face still calm. She bowed slightly and spoke in a calm voice as usual: "Young Master, everyone is here. Should we go to Meiji Shrine?" Yuan Zhisheng responded softly, "Yeah." There was a hint of calmness in his voice, but there was also some complex emotions hidden in it. He slowly wiped the oil off the knife, his eyes lingering on the blade. In the past, these two knives had helped him cut off the lives of countless enemies. Today, they would drink blood again. Originally, Minamoto Chisei was dismissive of the so-called Minamoto Yusuke. He didn't care whether a kendo master who suddenly appeared would subvert the Japanese kendo system. But this man actually dared to attack the detention center of the Sheqi Eight Families and took away those family members with dangerous bloodlines. This behavior has already crossed his bottom line. He slowly hung the Spider Cutting Sword and the Boy Cutting Sword around his waist. The two swords seemed to be integrated with him. The slight friction sound of the scabbards accompanied his every step, and a cold murderous aura quietly spread. Minamoto Chisei straightened his body and walked towards the door with a determined look. Today, he wanted to personally put an end to Minamoto Yusuke who was impersonating the Minamoto family. …… "Brother, it's time to go out. Those people have been waiting for a long time." Lu Mingze stood beside the screen, looking at Lu Mingfei who was sitting on the tatami with expectant eyes.
Lu Mingfei's fingers gently stroked the gorgeous drawstring dress on his body, his brows slightly furrowed, with a hint of helplessness in his eyes. "Do I have to dress like this? Today is the press conference for my inauguration as a member of the House of Representatives. I should be wearing a suit, right?" He looked down at the old and luxurious attire on his body, feeling a little uncomfortable. What he was wearing was the formal dress of aristocratic men in the Heian period of Japan, a belted dress. This kind of clothing was once the standard for the court and important ceremonial occasions, symbolizing supreme authority and status. Now that Lu Mingfei was wearing it, it was as if he had gone back in time and returned to the era that belonged to the Japanese aristocracy. Lu Mingze smiled slightly, walked to Lu Mingfei's side, helped him straighten his clothes, and said in a brisk but cautious tone: "Brother, our political foundation is still relatively weak now. What you can rely on is still your identity as the 'strongest swordsman'. As for your identity as a descendant of the Yuan family, as long as we quickly deal with the Sheqi Eight Clan, this identity will naturally be unquestioned." Lu Mingfei sighed, he knew that Lu Mingze was right. At present, his identity as a descendant of the Yuan family had not been completely confirmed, and the Eight Snake Families were eyeing him covetously. However, with the reputation of the Sword Saint, the people and politicians of Japan had gradually begun to accept him. Once he gained more power, his identity problem would be solved. He stood up and glanced at himself in the mirror, wearing a belted outfit. The gorgeous attire carried an ancient sense of ritual. Lu Mingze stood beside him, his calm eyes revealing a hint of hidden fanaticism. Perhaps this time he could really return to the throne. "Okay, since you have arranged everything, I will act according to your plan." Lu Mingfei said calmly. This will be the beginning of a dramatic change in the entire Japanese underworld. Lu Mingze nodded slightly, with a relaxed smile on his face. "Don't worry, brother, everything is under control." Outside the Meiji Shrine, the sun is shining brightly. It is a rare good day. A group of samurai in traditional belted uniforms stand quietly in front of the shrine. The air is filled with a solemn atmosphere. Among the crowd, masters from various kendo schools gather with solemn expressions. They are all waiting for the arrival of a man, the man who will defeat them all. Not only people from the kendo world, but also a large number of reporters gathered around, and almost all the media in Tokyo rushed here. From senior reporters from major newspapers to those tabloid reporters, their cameras, cameras and microphones had already been pointed at the main entrance of the shrine. Today's press conference was not only Lu Mingfei's inauguration ceremony, but also a historic moment that attracted public attention. Not only that, there were also many ordinary people who came to watch this press conference. "Boom! Boom! Boom!" Suddenly, the sound of a deep drum echoed in the Meiji Shrine. The sound was steady and powerful, striking everyone's heart. Everyone was startled, because this sound of the drum is usually only played during festivals, carrying a sacred meaning. Along with the sound of the drum, a clear sound of Kagura bells came from the distance. A group of shrine maidens and priests in hunting robes were seen slowly walking from the main gate of the shrine, along the stone steps, heading towards the main hall. Leading them was the man that everyone was looking forward to, Yuan Yusuke. Lu Mingfei was wearing a simple and gorgeous belted outfit, with steady steps and a stern look. Every step he took was accompanied by a heavy sense of ritual, as if he was not only walking towards the hall, but also towards the throne that belonged to him. Lu Mingfei walked up to the podium and glanced at the dark crowd below. Standing in front of the historic Meiji Shrine, accompanied by the deep sound of Taiko drums and the crisp sound of Kagura bells, the atmosphere was solemn and sacred. Today was not only his inauguration ceremony, but also a stage to show strength to Japan. There were not only kendo masters in the audience, but also media reporters from all over the country, and even many ordinary people came to catch a glimpse of the strongest swordsman. Their eyes were full of anticipation, which was both awe for a kendo legend and curiosity about the future political star. "Thank you all for coming to the press conference today to celebrate my inauguration as a member of the House of Representatives." Lu Mingfei's voice was steady and powerful, echoing throughout the venue.
He stood on a makeshift podium in the main hall, with the ancient shrine building behind him, making him seem like he was standing at the intersection of history and reality. Although the press conference was nominally to celebrate his election to the House of Representatives, everyone knew that what really attracted them was not an ordinary political press conference, but the moment when Lu Mingfei appeared as the "strongest swordsman". Just as Lu Mingfei was about to continue speaking, an abrupt voice suddenly rang out from the audience. "Excuse me, what is the next political agenda of the Sword Saint?" This sudden question caused the atmosphere at the scene to stagnate slightly. The person who asked the question was a reporter standing in the front row. His name was Hiramatsu Koji, an ace reporter for the Yomiuri Shimbun, the largest newspaper in Japan. He was known for his courage to expose the powerful and outspoken. His question was sharp, like a sharp knife stabbing directly at Lu Mingfei. Lu Mingfei was slightly stunned and his eyes darkened. Strangely enough, as a candidate for the House of Representatives, Lu Mingfei never elaborated on his political platform and policies. His election was more based on his personal charm, strong strength, and the aura of the strongest swordsman. This unconventional electoral path caused dissatisfaction among many people, and Hiramatsu Koji was clearly one of them. Most of the reporters present had already received "bribes" from Lu Mingze and, according to the agreement, would not ask overly sharp questions at the press conference, but Hiramatsu Koji was an exception. He has never been afraid of the powerful, nor will he remain silent for money. He came here today to inquire about Lu Mingfei's political views. Lu Mingze stood in the darkness not far away like a ghost, the corners of his mouth curled up, and the plan officially began. Hiramatsu Koji's sudden attack was obviously not in the plan of everyone present. They thought that the organizers could control today's media atmosphere through money and influence, but they did not expect that there would still be someone who dared to openly challenge it. The other reporters in the audience began to get a little agitated. Hiramatsu Koji's question also touched upon their inner doubts. As a candidate for the House of Representatives, Lu Mingfei had indeed never made any substantive political statements. His election process was shrouded in mystery. It seemed that he relied solely on his charming face and the powerful strength of the strongest swordsman. Voters didn't even know what he was going to do in politics. Lu Mingfei glanced calmly at the audience. Hiramatsu Koji's question directly pointed out the weakest link in his political career. He was a political novice who had never really been involved in politics and did not have a clear policy agenda. The reporters around were quietly waiting for Lu Mingfei's answer. The tension in the air gradually rose. Hiramatsu Koji maintained a calm smile, as if he had already foreseen that he would force the other party into a corner. Lu Mingfei took a deep breath and regained his composure. He absolutely could not show his weakness in front of so many people at this moment. "My political platform will be announced at the appropriate time." He smiled slightly, with a calm and relaxed tone, "But today, we will not talk about this. I know that what everyone is most concerned about is kendo." He gently turned the wooden sword at his waist, and the sunlight reflected off the scabbard, shining brightly. "I stand here as the strongest swordsman in Japan, showing my strength to everyone. Japan's kendo needs to change. The past rules and traditions can no longer adapt to this era. Today, I stand here not only as a councillor, but also as a successor, leading Japan's kendo to a new peak." His words were powerful and he cleverly avoided political issues and brought the topic back to the main content of the press conference - kendo. The reporters in the audience nodded slightly. Although they did not get a satisfactory answer, Lu Mingfei's response was smart. He accurately grasped the atmosphere of the scene and suppressed those who questioned his political stance with his identity as the strongest swordsman. After all, today's audience came more for his swordsmanship than for his political rhetoric. Hiramatsu Koji did not ask any more questions. He just sneered, took back the microphone and waited for the next opportunity to ask questions. He would not give up just like that. The press conference continued, and Lu Mingfei's answer successfully resolved the awkward situation, but the atmosphere on the scene seemed to become more subtle. Reporters' attention shifted from kendo to the political ambitions hidden in Lu Mingfei, while the kendo masters in the audience were wondering what kind of power allowed this young man to sweep across the entire kendo world in Japan. Lu Mingfei continued to talk about Japanese kendo. At this moment, a little girl came up from the side. The little girl was about eleven or twelve years old. When she walked to Lu Mingfei, her whole body was shaking. "What's wrong with the kid?" Lu Mingfei asked in a low voice, feeling a little strange at the same time. This seemed to be different from the original arrangement. Their initial plan was that during the press conference, a few gangsters would suddenly break in to cause trouble, and he would take this opportunity to issue a declaration to eradicate the gangsters, but what about the little girl who suddenly appeared? "Master Sword Saint, can you save my sister? A hero like you can definitely save her..." The little girl's voice was tearful.
The reporters in the audience were also stunned when they saw the little girl suddenly come on stage, and then they began to talk quietly. Then several security personnel quickly approached the girl and tried to take her away from the scene. This press conference was a live broadcast and was being broadcast on almost all TV stations. The appearance of the little girl could be said to be a live broadcast accident. "Little girl, please come with us." One of the security guards reached out to grab her wrist, trying to prevent this "accident" from escalating. "Wait a minute!" Lu Mingfei suddenly said, raising his hand to stop the security guard's actions. "Let her finish what she is saying." The security guards stopped and the scene fell silent again, with everyone holding their breath, waiting for what would happen next. The little girl wiped her tears and continued, "My sister was locked up in a place. They said that my sister had problems and was like a monster, so they took my sister away. They wanted to take me away too, but my parents tried their best to stop them and let me run away... I was very scared and didn't know what was going on. I didn't know who to look for. I heard on TV that the Sword Saint was omnipotent and could protect us..." "Do you know where she was taken?" Lu Mingfei asked in a low voice. The little girl raised her head with a hint of hope and surprise in her eyes. She never thought that Lu Mingfei would really respond to her request. "I... I don't know the exact location, I just know it's a very far place, there are a lot of people there, they were all locked up, I heard them say... it was the people from the Sheqi Eight Clan who took them away." As soon as the name of the Sheqi Eight Families came out, a low-pitched discussion broke out at the scene. Many people had heard of this giant in the underworld. Reporters quickly turned their cameras to Lu Mingfei and the little girl. It was obvious that this press conference was gradually deviating from the planned track. At this time, several men in black windbreakers rushed in, with samurai swords on their waists. The little girl was so frightened when she saw the man in black suddenly come in that she trembled all over and tightly grasped the corner of Lu Mingfei's clothes. The leader of the men in black swept the entire audience with a cold gaze. There was no expression on his face, but the coldness between his brows made people shudder. His gaze stopped on the little girl next to Lu Mingfei, his expression slightly stiffened, and then he strode forward with several of his men. "Sorry to bother you, please hand this girl over to us." The man in black spoke relatively politely when he saw so many people around him, but his expression was cold, and it sounded more like an order than a request. He looked directly at Lu Mingfei, as if all this was just a routine matter and he should be cooperated with. "You have to take her there." Lu Mingfei did not look at the men in black but touched the little girl's head, signaling her not to be afraid. "I'm sorry, this is a family affair of our Sheqi Eight Families, and I'm sorry I can't tell you." The man in black's words were still cold and concise. He obviously didn't intend to reveal too much, and he was even unwilling to start any negotiations with Lu Mingfei. "What if I don't intend to hand it over to you, what are you going to do with me?" Lu Mingfei asked. The black-clothed man's expression suddenly became stern, and a hint of threat and coldness suddenly appeared on his originally peaceful face. "Then we can only use some coercive measures." His voice became even colder, and every word carried a sense of oppression. Lu Mingfei smiled slightly, but there was no warmth in that smile. Instead, it carried a chilling coldness, like a biting cold wind that instantly swept across the entire venue. "Hehe, I didn't expect that the gangs nowadays are so rampant that they actually kidnap people in broad daylight." There was a hint of sarcasm in Lu Mingfei's voice. He slowly turned around and cast his gaze towards the group of reporters not far away. The ace reporter of the Yomiuri Shimbun, Hiramatsu Koji, was standing there, holding the recorder tightly in his hand. He had obviously noticed the climax of the drama. “Don’t you want to know my next political agenda?” Lu Mingfei’s voice suddenly rose. All the reporters, spectators, and even the men in black couldn’t help but hold their breath, their eyes fixed on him. "My next policy is to clear out all the darkness in Japan, starting with the underworld!" Lu Mingfei's voice echoed in the conference hall like thunder, carrying an unquestionable force. This sentence instantly pushed the already strange atmosphere to its climax. His eyes swept coldly over the men in black who had just walked in from the stage, and the air around them seemed to freeze because of his words. Everyone present, including the men in black, the reporters, the kendo masters who were watching, and even the ordinary spectators, were so shocked by the declaration at this moment that they were speechless. This sentence is not only Lu Mingfei's reply, but also a signal of declaration of war, a public declaration to the media and the entire Japanese society that he is not only a "strongest swordsman", but also a "scavenger" who will clear away all dark forces. The black-clothed man's expression suddenly changed. He obviously had not expected things to develop like this. His polite tone suddenly became stiff, and anxiety and anger appeared in his eyes.
They had originally come to deal with a "private matter" within the family, but now, they were publicly named and challenged by Lu Mingfei. Moreover, this challenge was witnessed by countless pairs of eyes and even spread throughout Japan through live television broadcasts. "Do you know what you are talking about?" the leading man in black asked in a deep voice, with an unquestionable threat in his tone. Lu Mingfei ignored his questioning. Instead, he slowly turned around and faced the audience again. His eyes were as firm as torches, and his palms gently stroked the wooden sword at his waist. "This country has been shrouded in darkness for too long. Many people have endured indignation, oppression and intimidation under the shadow of power, while the families and lives of those who have been sacrificed have been regarded as insignificant." He paused slightly, his eyes revealing a cold determination. "I stand here not only as a councillor, nor just as a sword master. I stand here to tell everyone that the dark forces of Japan will never go unpunished again. Today, this little girl is just the beginning. Next, I will prove with my actions that I will protect every innocent life." As soon as these words came out, there was a burst of exclamations from the audience. Reporters quickly raised their cameras, scrambling to record this moment. Lu Mingfei's declaration would most likely make him famous and become the focal figure in Japanese politics. Whether they were kendo masters or ordinary spectators, their eyes were filled with shock and disbelief. "Master Sword Saint, do you really want to make an enemy of the Eight Snake Clans?" The leading man in black couldn't help but take a step forward. The previous politeness was no longer in his voice, but replaced by naked threats. Lu Mingfei turned his head, his eyes as sharp as a knife, staring directly at the man in black. He slowly drew out the wooden sword from his waist. The sound of the scabbard rubbing against each other was particularly clear in the quiet air, and every syllable struck people's heartstrings. "You, the eight Sheqi families, claim to be the protectors of Japan, but look at what you are doing now." Lu Mingfei smiled lightly, but that smile was full of sarcasm and coldness. "Kidnapping innocent girls, selling drugs, and asking young girls to sell themselves to collect protection money. Your so-called glory is nothing but a scam to deceive yourself and others." (End of this chapter)