Chapter 162 Mirror Flower, Water Moon

“Jing Hua Shui Yue” (Mirror Flower, Water Moon) were naturally not the real names of He Yang Xinci's four disciples; those were just the monikers they had been given in the "jianghu legends."

Their real names, apart from themselves, were known only to He Yang Xinci.

More than ten years ago, when the four of them came to the Central Plains with their master, only "Shui" (Water) was given a fixed pseudonym, "Leng Yuqiu" (Cold Desire Autumn); while the situation of the other three was—"Jing" (Mirror) kept changing identities, using other people's names; "Hua" (Flower) had to change to a new alias after each mission; 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, could be considered to have come to an end.

"Head Constable Fang, have you been well?" Yue had already appeared behind Fang Jin and Xu Huai Shang when he said this.

He was like a ghost, coming and going without a trace; even Xu Huai Shang had not noticed Yue's presence until he was within five meters of her.

"We..." Fang Jin turned his head warily, and asked suspiciously, "...have we met?"

He had met many experts these past two days, so 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 to express.

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

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

"Heh..." Yue smiled, unhurriedly took out a gold medal from his bosom, and raised 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 that gold medal; he himself had almost become someone who possessed such a gold medal, but... he didn't.

Because he still had a conscience.

"So you are a secret agent... my respects..." No matter what he thought in his heart, Fang Jin, who was eating the imperial grain, still had to show some respect to this "superior."

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

"Xu Huai Shang." Xu Huai Shang reported her name herself, without waiting for Fang Jin to introduce her.

"Oh..." Yue groaned, seemingly not taking her seriously, and turned his head to Fang Jin again, "Head Constable Fang, let me be blunt." He paused for half a second, and glanced in the direction of the main street, "That He Yang Xinci-daren (大人, esteemed person)... is my adoptive father and also my master; my name is He Yang Zhiyan... as you might have guessed, I am also Japanese."

"Through my identity, you probably also guessed that today... our actions are not only my master's intention, but also the current Holy One's will..."

"Therefore, I have come here to remind you, and I hope that you can clearly understand your position..."

His words made Fang Jin feel a chill run down his spine, but upon closer inspection, it was also reasonable.

The "jianghu" that had once disappeared had been revived unknowingly over the years, and had once again broken away from the control of the imperial court.

This was obviously 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 "gray area"; not to mention the Japanese, even Westerners, barbarians, or non-humans... as long as they were willing to be "obedient" in front of the imperial court, other details didn't matter.

In fact, they wished that He Yang Xinci would slaughter the entire Central Plains martial world, and incidentally cripple himself, so that the imperial court could save a lot of trouble.

"So, you mean to let Fang Jin stand on your side?" A few seconds later, before Head Constable Fang could reply, Xu Huai Shang asked first.

"What?" He Yang Zhiyan heard a bit of hostility from Xu Huai Shang's words, but his attitude was also very tough, "Miss Xu... do you have any objection to this?"

If this had happened at an earlier point in time, Xu Huai Shang might not have had any objection, but now... she had already seen Oda Ai and Sasaki Mei in the enemy camp, so she certainly couldn't allow the situation to develop like this...

Compared to the two Sengoku players who had already allied with He Yang Xinci, Xu Huai Shang, who had only managed to win over one allied NPC in Fang Jin, would have completely lost her position if Fang Jin became a lackey of He Yang Xinci's disciple...

"What do you think?" Xu Huai Shang did not answer He Yang Zhiyan's rhetorical question, but asked back.

As her voice fell, the tense murderous intent on both sides collided in the air.

Even the surrounding air seemed to sink.

Chi Ying——

At that moment, a blade was drawn.

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

【Qingniao】(Blue Bird) had just appeared, the blade energy was unparalleled, and this first blade was a desperate fatal strike.

Ping——

Too fast to see, the short weapons clashed, sparking a chilling sound of blades.

The weapon used by He Yang Zhiyan to meet the attack was a short sword; the way he held the sword was backhanded.

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

"Head Constable Fang... what handsome martial arts." Judging from the fact that He Yang Zhiyan could still praise his opponent in a calm tone, he had undoubtedly gained the upper hand in the previous exchange, "As expected of the direct disciple of 'Sword Phoenix Meng Qing', he is completely different from those martial artists who worship under prestigious sects but are only famous in name..."

"You flatter me." Fang Jin endured the pain of his tiger's mouth splitting, as well as the discomfort of the churning blood in his chest, and replied coldly, "I have learned ninety percent of my master's martial arts, but my cultivation... I'm afraid is less than one-tenth of hers."

"But..." He Yang Zhiyan changed the subject, "I don't understand... why Head Constable Fang wants to fight me?" He then turned his gaze to Xu Huai Shang, "Could it be... for this woman?"

Fang Jin replied expressionlessly, "It has nothing to do with Miss Xu." As he said this, his disordered inner breath had gradually adjusted, "The reason why I am 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 casually, "But if I lose the dignity of a Central Plains martial artist..." He raised his blade again, and assumed a fighting stance, "...how will I have the face to face my master's spirit in heaven in the future!"