In the East China Sea, at Frostmoon Village, a merchant ship slowly approached the village's port.
As the merchant ship drew nearer, and upon confirming that it was indeed a merchant ship, the villagers living on the shore flocked to the area, eager to see what they could buy, whether it was a good deal, or to take on temporary work as porters to earn some money. Many also brought their own goods, intending to sell them to the merchant ship in exchange for cash.
After the merchant ship docked, a lean, middle-aged man in a suit and top hat followed Wang Han, who was dressed in full black armor, down the ship with a smile on his face.
The middle-aged man carefully said to Wang Han, "Sir, this is Shimotsuki Village. The Isshin Kendo Dojo of Mr. Koushirou that you are looking for is located at the foot of the back mountain behind the village."
"Hmm." Wang Han nodded, scanned the direction of the back mountain with his radar, and his figure instantly disappeared from everyone's sight.
Seeing Wang Han disappear, the lean middle-aged man quickly looked around, but couldn't find him. He breathed a deep sigh of relief and ran back to the merchant ship amidst the villagers' astonished gazes, shouting, "Set sail immediately!"
The middle-aged businessman didn't want to stay there a moment longer. Wang Han was too powerful, too ruthless, and too dangerous. When he met Wang Han, it was on a pirate ship littered with corpses. There wasn't a single living person, nor a single intact body. Even as a vicious pirate, he couldn't imagine how ruthless and cold-blooded the person who did all this must be.
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"Isshin Kendo Dojo." Wang Han arrived at Koushirou's kendo dojo and glanced at the sign at the entrance. The five characters on it contained a simple sword intent, so it seemed that he had indeed come to the right place.
"What can I do for you?" A green-haired man with sleepy eyes arrived at the kendo dojo. He saw Wang Han standing at the entrance and noticed the strange sword (knife) in Wang Han's hand. Knowing that Wang Han was a swordsman, he asked curiously.
'This person is Zoro.' Wang Han glanced at Zoro and confirmed in his mind that this was indeed Zoro, and also knew that the other party had not yet set sail.
Wang Han smiled and said, "I'm here to see Mr. Koushirou."
"Since you're here to visit your master, please follow me." Zoro nodded and led the way into the kendo dojo.
Upon hearing this, Wang Han followed Zoro into the kendo dojo. In the dojo's main hall, Wang Han saw young men diligently practicing swordsmanship, wielding bamboo swords and sweating profusely as they repeated standard slashing motions time and time again. In front of these young men, a middle-aged man wearing glasses and maintaining a faint smile knelt down, watching their movements.
"Master, this gentleman wants to see you," Zoro said to the kneeling middle-aged man after bringing Wang Han in. This man was Koushirou, whom Wang Han was looking for.
"Hello, Mr. Koushirou. I've heard of your superb swordsmanship, so I've come to learn from you," Wang Han said as he stepped forward.
Upon hearing Wang Han's words, the boys practicing kendo all stopped.
"Tch. So you're here to challenge me." Zoro scoffed, annoyed, and drew his katana, pointing it at Wang Han. "Before you challenge my master, you'll have to defeat me first."
“I’m not here to challenge you, I’m here to test your swordsmanship,” Wang Han said, shaking his head. “Besides, you’re too weak.”
"Damn it, don't look down on me." Hearing Wang Han's contemptuous words, Zoro's forehead veins bulged. He raised his sword and gave Wang Han a swordsman's salute before saying, "Watch out."
After saying that, Zoro took two steps forward and slashed at Wang Han with his sword.
"Easily impulsive," Wang Han said calmly, glancing at Zoro. He instantly drew his Miao sword and then sheathed it.
It flashed by like a swift, fleeting blade.
"bite."
A strand of green hair slowly drifted down from Zoro's forehead. Zoro was stunned. He hadn't even seen how his opponent drew his sword before it was severed from his hand. If his opponent wanted, he could have even cut off his head along with it.
“You are too weak right now,” Wang Han said calmly. “Not only your strength, but also your cultivation level is too weak.”
"Damn it." Zoro glared at Wang Han, gritting his teeth. This was the first time he had ever encountered someone so strong, so strong that he couldn't even see the other person make a move.
"Zoro." Koushirou breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Zoro was alright, and ordered, "You are no match for this gentleman. Take your junior brothers and go out first."
Zoro gritted his teeth and replied, "Yes, Master."
Zoro then looked at Wang Han and said, "Tell me your name. I lost this time, but I will definitely become stronger in the future and defeat you fair and square."
"Come ask me for my name when you're strong enough," Wang Han replied calmly, glancing at Koushirou.
Upon hearing this, Zoro clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, saying, "I will definitely do it. I swear on my swordsmanship."
After saying that, Zoro led his junior brothers out.
“He’s got some backbone. You have a good disciple.” After Zoro and the boys left, Wang Han said to Koushirou. “Now it’s our turn to test our swordsmanship.”
Koushirou withdrew his worried gaze from the doorway and said to Wang Han calmly and regretfully, "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I no longer spar with anyone in swordsmanship, and my swordsmanship is not as good as yours."
“I won’t force you; it’s entirely up to you,” Wang Han said calmly. “But what if I could let you see your daughter again?”
Upon hearing this, Koushirou clenched his fists and calmly said, "My daughter, Kuina, is dead."
“Of course I know that,” Wang Han said calmly. “What if I could resurrect her in a different way? What if I could let you see her with your own eyes?”
Upon hearing this, Koushirou clenched his fist again. After clenching it for a long time, Koushirou finally asked in a trembling voice, "Are you telling the truth? Can you really revive Kuina?"
“It’s true, but it’s not a true resurrection. It’s just bringing her soul from the world of the dead back to the world of the living.” Wang Han looked at Koushirou and said, “Don’t you have anything to say to her?”
"What is the price?" Koushirou asked.
"You shall challenge me to a duel. If you win, I will allow you to see her," Wang Han said, looking at Koushirou. "But if you lose, I will take away all your swordsmanship skills. You should think it over. Of course, you can also choose not to add a wager, or not to compete at all. I will not force you; it is entirely up to you."
“No need to think about it.” Koushirou said without hesitation, “I will fight you, but I hope that no matter who wins or loses, you will let me see Kuina. Regardless of who wins or loses, you can take away all the swordsmanship I have ever mastered.”
“Okay, then it’ll be three days from the back of this mountain. I hope you can get yourself ready. I also need to prepare some things.” Wang Han nodded. His figure disappeared from Koushirou’s sight.
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