——I really shouldn’t have been so obsessed with putting on makeup…
Isshikika lowered her head slightly and said this in her heart with a lost tone.
From the time she left Isshiki Sword Hall to the time she arrived at Zenbei Hall, Isshiki's self-confidence continued to decline.
Originally, Isshikika was quite confident in the red lipstick and eyebrows that she had spent so much time to paint.
However...when leaving Isshiki Sword Hall and heading towards Zenbei Hall, Isshiki Hana met many girls who were wearing beautiful makeup on the way.
Osaka's economy is so developed that girls with beautiful makeup can be seen everywhere.
Looking at the beautiful girls with makeup one after another, Isshikika couldn't help but lower her head subconsciously...
Subconsciously trying to hide my poor makeup...
——I should find a chance to wipe off the makeup on my face later...
When Isshiki was secretly thinking about how to remove the makeup on her face, Shibata's words "Huh? Mashima-kun?" interrupted Isshiki's thoughts, causing Isshiki, her grandfather and others to cast puzzled glances at Shibata not far away.
…
…
"Mr. Majima, who is this?" Naoshige looked at Shibata who was running towards them, and then looked at Ogata.
"This is someone I know," Ogata explained.
Just when Ogata finished explaining to Naoshige who this person was, Shibata happened to arrive in front of Ogata.
"Isshiki-sama, nice to meet you." After arriving in front of Ogata, Shibata did not immediately start a conversation with Ogata, but first bowed and greeted Naoshu very politely, "I am Shibata Ryuyuki, a disciple of Yuanmingguan."
Naoshu nodded to Shibata.
"Shibata." Ogata asked the cheerful and strong man whom he had a good impression of, "Are you... coming here to participate in the 'big test'?"
"Hahaha, not really."
Shibata laughed heartily.
"I haven't been given the honor of participating in the 'big tryout' yet. I'm just here to watch."
"I am an apprentice of Yuanming Pavilion. Before I became Miss Chuguang's bodyguard, I was one of the apprentices of Yuanming Pavilion and have been studying in Yuanming Pavilion."
"Even though I have become Miss Chu Guang's bodyguard, I have never left Yuanming Pavilion. Whenever I have free time, I will continue to practice swordsmanship in the pavilion."
Yuanming Hall - one of the four major sword halls participating in the "Grand Test" event, teaching the unique sword skills.
Wu Wai Liu is also a well-known swordsmanship school, known for its high practical value. Many people call Wu Wai Liu the "killing sword."
"Although I was unable to represent Yuanming Pavilion in the 'Grand Test' this time, I was fortunate enough to be favored by the master and allowed to come and watch. Hahaha, I didn't expect to run into you here by chance."
After saying this, Shibata looked at Naoshige and others standing beside him.
"Mashima-kun, are you a member of Isshiki Kenkan?"
"No." Ogata shook his head, "I am just an outsider who came to watch the trial at the invitation of Mr. Isshiki."
"Hey! Shibata!"
At this time, a young man with a very sturdy appearance and a hideous horizontal scar on his forehead, who was not far away, shook his hands vigorously at Shibata and continued to shout:
"Shibata! If you are free now, please come over!"
"Oh! Anyun, wait a moment, I'll be there right away!"
Shibata waved vigorously at the sturdy man who was calling him, and turned his attention back to Ogata.
"Mashima-san, my friend seems to have something to talk to me about right now, so I'll take my leave now."
"Let's have a good chat later if we have a chance!"
"Yeah." Ogata nodded gently, "Okay."
After watching Shibata walk away quickly, Ogata followed Naoshige and the others towards the seating area of ​​their Isshiki Sword Hall - the southern part of the dojo.
Zhi Zhou undoubtedly sat at the front.
Ogata sat slightly to the left and back of Naoki.
As for Isshikika, she sat side by side with Ogata.
As the granddaughter of the owner of a famous sword hall in Osaka, Isshiki Ka received an elite education that ordinary people could hardly reach since childhood. She was a typical lady from a noble family.
After sitting down with her knees bent on the slightly cold floor, Isshikika crossed her hands neatly on her legs.
Her back was straight, her graceful swan neck was slightly pulled back, and her eyes were not looking to the side.
The temperament of a "lady from a noble family" is fully displayed at this moment.
After sitting down on the floor with Isshikika, Obe couldn't help but glance at Isshikika beside him.
Her appearance at this moment was completely different from the "Isshiki Ryoma" with a chivalrous aura that she had seen on the smuggling boat and in the inn before. Although they had the same appearance, they looked like two completely different people.
Ogata thought: This is probably the real Isshiki flower. A well-educated Yamato Nadeshiko.
If she could retract the cold aura from her body, Isshikika would really look like the human embodiment of the title "Yamato Nadeshiko".
Isshikika's face is always expressionless. Her face and eyes seem to be without any emotion, which makes people think of "ice".
He exudes a cold aura all the time, as if he is a huge human-shaped block of ice standing on the ground.
There is still some time before the official start of the "big trial", and many guests can still be seen entering the venue one after another.
Countless people who are good at socializing take advantage of this short period of time while waiting for the "big tryout" to begin and move around.
Zhi Zhou was the owner of the Isese Sword Hall, so naturally there was an endless stream of people coming to greet and chat with him.
Almost everyone who came to greet Naoshige asked him who the "man in the bamboo hat" sitting next to him was.
In response to these inquiries, Naoshige used his well-prepared answers such as "He is a friend I met recently" to give a flawless response.
It’s not just that Naoki is “popular.”
Isshikika, who was sitting next to Ogata, was also very popular...
…
…
"Ms. Isshiki, long time no see!"
Ogata glanced at the young man who was standing in front of Isshiki. He looked a little shy and bit his tongue out of nervousness when he said "Long time no see".
If I counted correctly... Ogata remembered that this should be the third person who came to greet Isshiki...
"Toriyama-kun, long time no see." Isshiki nodded to the young man expressionlessly.
The young man greeted Isshikika very enthusiastically, but Isshikika's response was extremely cold.
Ogata noticed that no matter who came to greet Isshiki, she would always be indifferent and aloof.
After the shy young man had said everything he could to Isshikika at the moment and left Isshikika's presence, Ogata could not help but whisper to the beauty beside him in a half-joking tone, in a voice that only he and Isshikika could hear clearly:
"Ms. Isshiki, you are really popular..."
"Sorry to embarrass you..." Isshika responded in a low voice, then let out a light sigh, a look of fatigue appearing on her face.
Ogata keenly noticed the tiredness on her face and said slowly:
"It must be hard to be admired and pursued by so many people, right?"
"Yeah. It's very hard." Isshikika said without hesitation or reservation, "It's like there are dozens of mosquitoes flying around my ears."
"Mosquito..." Ogata laughed dumbly and said jokingly, "Those who have been pursuing you might cry after hearing your comments."
"In my eyes, they are just like mosquitoes," Isshiki said without hesitation, "I have always been very straightforward in expressing my dislike for them."
“Never give them any good looks.”
“Never show them kindness.”
"But they are still like mosquitoes that can't be driven away, and they keep buzzing in my ears."
"Do they think that as long as they keep showing me kindness, my impression of them will change... How stupid..."
Having said this, Isshikika sighed once again with a tired look on her face.
"I really hope they won't come and bother me today at least... This is my first time watching the 'Big Trial', and I don't want to create too many bad memories..."
“I think this is difficult,” Ogata said.
At this moment, a beautiful yellow butterfly suddenly flew past Ogata.
Ogata, whose eyes were involuntarily drawn to the beautiful yellow butterfly, continued in a calm tone:
"Miss Isshiki, you are already very beautiful, and now you are even more beautiful after putting on makeup. It should be difficult to ask your suitors to stop bothering you today."
His sight was drifting away because he was chasing that beautiful butterfly, so Ogata didn’t notice that Isshikika beside him blushed suddenly.
“Forget about the compliments…” Isshikika quickly raised her two cooler hands and hugged her hot cheeks to cool them down. “I don’t know how to put on makeup. I only know how to paint my lips and eyebrows. I even feel that my current makeup doesn’t look good…”
"Well... then this shows that Miss Isshiki, you are really beautiful." Ogata finally withdrew his gaze from the butterfly that had already flown away, and smiled at Isshiki who was still covering his face to cool down, "Even with immature makeup, you can still be so beautiful."
The cheeks, which had finally cooled down, warmed up again.
This high temperature not only "burned" Yisehua's cheeks red, but also her ears.
"Thank you..." Isshiki stammered.
While he was stammering, a happy smile slowly appeared on Isshiki's face as the corners of his mouth slightly turned up.
This was the first time Isshiki smiled since he left Isshiki Sword Hall today.
…
…
After a brief chat with Isshiki, the slightly awkward atmosphere between the two of them dissipated.
The two chatted in a harmonious atmosphere, and before they knew it, they were talking about the origin of this "big test".
"The Grand Test was originally proposed by the previous master of the Zenbyoukan," Isshikika said slowly, "and its original intention was to allow the various sword halls to communicate and learn from each other better."
"The 'Big Trial' has been held for 10 years."
"Including this year's event, this is the 10th time the 'Big Test' has been held."
"The previous 'big trial' was quite interesting."
"But the 'big trials' of the past two years have become boring."
"This year's 'big test' will probably be very boring."
"Boring? Why?" Ogata asked.
"Because the competition in previous 'big trials' was very fierce, no one knew who would win."
"But ever since the genius Kitahara Shigekuni emerged from the All-Hyōkan, it's become easier to guess who will be the final winner of the 'Great Trial' - it will definitely be Kitahara."
"Beiyuan is the one who spoke rudely to you at the entrance of the sword hall just now."
The image of Kitahara, whose handsome face was dragged down by his topknot hairstyle, appeared in Ogata's mind.
"Kitahara is a gifted genius. He obtained the Katori Shinto-ryu Menkyo Kaiden certificate at a young age."
"And a few months ago, he became the teacher representative of the whole military academy."
"Two years ago, when Kitahara participated in the 'Big Test' for the first time, he won the championship with a near-crushing advantage."
"Then last year, Kitahara participated in the 'Big Test' for the second time, and once again won the championship with a near-crushing advantage."
"Currently, Kitahara is the first person to win two consecutive victories since the 'Big Trial' was held."
"There are no great new figures appearing in this year's 'big test'."
"This year's champion will probably be Kitahara again."
Having said this, Isshikika paused.
Then a hint of cunning appeared in his eyes.
"I really hope someone can interrupt Kitahara's winning streak..."
"Hmm? Miss Isshiki, don't you like that Kitahara?" Ogata asked.
"Well, I really don't like that Kitahara." Isshiki nodded, "But that's not why I want his winning streak to be interrupted. The reason is simply that I simply don't like Zenhyokan."
"Because the Quanbing Pavilion has a history that...I don't particularly appreciate."
"Zenbeikan is the oldest sword hall in Osaka. It was established at the end of the Warring States Period more than 200 years ago."
"When the first master of Zenhyo-kan built this sword hall, Oda Nobunaga died in a rebellion, and Toyotomi Hideyoshi inherited Oda Nobunaga's mantle and soared to the sky, launching a war to unify the country."
"At that time, the first master of the Zenhyokan overwhelmingly supported Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who had no rivals in Japan, and continued to sing praises for him."
"Because the master of the Zenhyo-kan was a famous swordsman in Osaka at that time, he was privately received by Toyotomi Hideyoshi."
"When meeting Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the first master of the Zenhyo-kan said all the nice things and flattered him , even giving his family heirloom sword to Toyotomi Hideyoshi."
"As a result - after Toyotomi Hideyoshi died and the Toyotomi clan declined, Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was originally a subordinate of the Toyotomi clan, rose to power and usurped the power of the Toyotomi clan. The first owner of the Zenhyokan changed his attitude very quickly and turned to support Tokugawa Ieyasu."
"It is said that during the Osaka Summer Campaign, when the Tokugawa clan finally succeeded in defeating the Toyotomi clan, the master of the Zenhyo-kan secretly helped Tokugawa Ieyasu ."
"I hate this kind of fence-sitter."
"So I couldn't help but develop a prejudice against the Quanbing Pavilion."
"But Kitahara's winning streak being ended... I can only think about it."
"After another year of training, Kitahara must be stronger now."
"Among all the people who participated in the trial this year, no one can compare to Kitahara."
…
…
Ogata didn't realize that he was just chatting with Isshiki Ka, but he had unknowingly attracted a lot of hatred...
“Damn it…” Kitahara cursed in a low voice, “How long is that bastard going to chat with Miss Isshiki…”
Kitahara... no, it should be said that all the suitors, led by Kitahara, who had not yet come forward to greet Isshikika, were now cursing Ogata in their hearts.
Because Ogata had been chatting with Isshiki Ka, they had not found a chance to go up and say hello to Isshiki Ka.
It is well known that it is extremely impolite to approach someone and say hello when they are talking to someone else or doing something else.
As Isshikika's suitors, Kitahara and the others naturally don't want to do anything rude in front of Isshikika.
So they waited and waited... until now, when the 'big test' was about to begin, there was still no sign that the two of them were going to stop chatting.
He couldn't find a chance to go up and say hello to Isshikika - this was not what annoyed Kitahara the most.
What annoyed Kitahara the most was that Isshikika, who was chatting with Ogata in a familiar manner, had a faint smile on her face...
He had known Isshikihua for such a long time, but he had almost never seen Isshikihua smile at him during their conversations...
Who the hell is that bastard in the bamboo hat? !
Why does Miss Isshiki seem to be very familiar with him? !
What are they talking about? Why does Miss Isshiki look so happy?!
…
If he hadn't cared about his own image, Kitahara really wanted to rush forward and question Ogata and Isshikika about these questions one by one.
Time passes mercilessly.
When it was 8 o'clock in the morning, a middle-aged man with half of his hair white stood up on time and walked slowly to the center of the dojo.
"Everyone! Please be quiet!" the middle-aged man shouted loudly.
"This man is Nanjo Isao." Isshikika tilted her head and introduced Ogata, "The current head of Zenhyo-kan."
After introducing Ogata, Isshikika sat down properly and stopped chatting with Ogata.
Kitahara and other suitors finally waited for the long-awaited moment when Isshiki stopped chatting with Ogata - but now the "big test" has begun...
Now they could only sit in their respective seats indignantly, continuing to curse Ogata in their hearts...
Nanjo Isao, who suddenly appeared, actually came forward to make an opening speech announcing the official start of the "Grand Test".
This type of opening is the most boring throughout history.
In order to kill time, Ogata turned his eyes and looked around.
At this time, there were more than 100 people seated on the four sides of this spacious dojo.
Among the four major sword halls, the Yisese Sword Hall had the least visitors, with less than 20 people coming.
Isshikika had just briefly introduced to Ogata where the members of each sword hall were seated. The Quanhei Hall had the most people, about 40 people.
Nanjo Isao's opening remarks were neither short nor long.
After he finally finished his opening remarks and left the center of the dojo, the "Grand Test" finally officially began.
The contestants for each competition in the "Big Test" are randomly selected on the spot.
After the contestants of the first competition were announced, there was a low exclamation from the audience.
Ogata couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
According to Isshikika, Kitahara, who is probably going to help him win three consecutive championships this year, will actually appear in the first competition.
…
…
——Okay... calm down, Kitahara Shigekuni.
Kitahara, who was selected as the first player, is now tying his sleeves with a cuff and taking deep breaths off the court to adjust his mood and state.
——The man in the bamboo hat probably just happened to be an acquaintance of Isshikika.
——This doesn’t mean anything.
——The reason why Mr. Isshiki treated him with such courtesy must be because he has an extraordinary background.
——But so what?
——Miss Isshiki likes men with strong swordsmanship, not men with great backgrounds!
Kitahara kept on comforting himself in his heart, which was like deceiving himself.
——I am the first one to go on stage now...this is a godsend opportunity!
——Perform yourself well in front of Miss Isshiki!
After exhaling heavily, Kitahara stood up, strode towards the central dojo, and then stood on the east side of the dojo.
After standing up, Beiyuan, who had good hearing, heard a series of discussions that made the corners of his mouth curl up:
"This year, Kitahara is probably the champion of the 'Big Test' again."
"Yeah, Kitahara-kun is a genius after all."
"Three consecutive championships... wow, wow, wow, this is incredible..."
…
These discussions made Kitahara's self-confidence continue to rise as the corners of his mouth turned up.
Kitahara’s opponent in this competition…is someone Ogata is familiar with.
It was the burly man with a scar on his forehead who had just called Shibata away.
When the person in charge of arranging the contestants for each bout had just loudly announced the contestants for the first bout, Ogata heard the man's name: Aki Uenosuke.
Ayun was now standing on the west side of the dojo, casually carrying a wooden sword on her shoulder, yawning with a bored look on her face.
The referee standing between Kitahara and Anyi saw that both of them had entered the arena and stood in their respective positions, and then shouted, "Salute!"
Kitahara and Anyi both placed the wooden swords on their left waists with their left hands, then slowly squatted down, bowed to each other, simulated the action of drawing a sword, slowly pulled out the wooden swords on their left waists, and then stood up from the ground with both hands holding the swords.
When this set of etiquette for exchange is completed, the exchange begins.
——I must show my prowess in the first match! Let Miss Isshiki look at me with admiration!
call!
A sound of breaking wind suddenly exploded.
A wooden sword hit Kitahara hard between his left shoulder and left neck.
Kitahara let out a shrill scream, then fell heavily to the ground, and then... fainted.
The person who held the sword and knocked Kitahara unconscious with one blow... was naturally his opponent, Anyun.