Chapter 367
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Chapter 367: The Sword Hunt of the World
Although considered a dangerous person, the arrest warrant has not been issued yet.
Bai Wei was temporarily able to walk freely in the bustling commercial district.
He needed to buy some new clothes to conceal his identity, as he couldn’t go back home. There was a high probability of falling into a trap if he returned.
Yoshine Ise understood this very well and opened her wallet to pay without hesitation.
Bai Wei didn’t have much money with him. After buying a new set of clothes, he wrote an IOU based on the price.
Yoshine Ise accepted it and put it in her wallet. Then, when Bai Wei went to pay, she tore up the IOU and threw it in the trash can.
When you saved my life, you didn’t mention that I should write you an IOU.
Yoshine Ise’s hands and feet hadn’t fully recovered, so she should continue using the wheelchair.
Bai Wei couldn’t carry the wheelchair back for her, so he decided to be her human wheelchair and carry her on his back. Along the way, they attracted many people’s attention in the commercial district.
"Actually, it’s not a bad choice to pick Igarashi. At least that girl is able-bodied and can help you hide your identity, so it won’t be like this," Yoshine Ise said, pressing her hands against the young man’s back.
"But she’s not clever enough," Bai Wei said. "At a time like this, it’s better to have smart people with us."
"So, you were interested in my mind?"
"Kind of."
"Hmph," Yoshine Ise scoffed. "I thought you were just attracted to my beauty."
Bai Wei opened his mouth to speak, but hesitated.
The sword witch saw that he had something to say and said, "Just say what you want to say."
"Saying it out loud would sound insincere," Bai Wei said. "You don’t need to force a smile. I’m sorry for getting you involved in all of this. If I have the chance, I will send you back."
"Forced smiling, do I look like I’m forcing a smile?" Yoshine Ise pushed her facial muscles. "Maybe I’m just not naturally fond of smiling, but this experience feels quite fresh, I find it interesting."
"Being chased by the whole city is interesting?" Bai Wei thought, "Do you think this is a game?"
"They’re chasing you, not me. I’m the hostage, a pitiful hostage, unable to move freely, at the mercy of others." Yoshine Ise revealed a hint of her mischievous nature. "The police uncle will forgive me too, after all, I’m a patient, aren’t I?"
"Yes, yes." Bai Wei nodded. "I am a notorious terrorist holding a hostage, so could you act a little more scared?"
"I’m already scared enough." Yoshine Ise bent over. "Can’t you hear my heartbeat?"
"… Can’t hear it."
"Nonsense. Although I’m not as exaggerated as Jingūji, at least I have a C+."
"It’s because it’s thick that I can’t feel it." Bai Wei sighed helplessly. "I’m on the run, so please be serious."
"Running in the commercial district?" Yoshine Ise waved her hand. "Over there, over there, could you please get me a matcha-flavored ice cream?"
"Okay." The girl working part-time was a high school student. She couldn’t help but feel a little shy as she looked at the two people up close. She thought to herself, "Adults are really bold, walking around in crowds and not feeling embarrassed even when they’re so close."
Yoshine Ise said, "Don’t misunderstand me, I was kidnapped by this person and held hostage. We’re not lovers, so please don’t get the wrong idea."
The high school girl nodded to show that she understood, then said to the person in the back, "Matcha flavor, lover’s size, extra…"
Bai Wei："…"
The two of them sat down in the shop. Yoshine Ise tasted her ice cream and said, "There are a lot of people in the commercial district, and the police can’t evacuate them. Even if they are conducting an arrest operation, they wouldn’t choose this place. So we can temporarily rest assured. The problem is, what are you going to do next? Do you have a plan to clear your name?"
Bai Wei shook his head and said, "I don’t even know what crime I’m accused of, so how can I clear my name?"
Yoshine Ise scooped up a spoonful of white ice cream covered in green matcha powder and said, "The charges are definitely serious. The level of mobilization surpasses that of capturing murderers. It must be extremely grave terrorism… For example, followers of an evil god."
She was a sword witch and had participated in similar actions several times before, which left a deep impression on her.
"But if it’s just a few ordinary people going against the followers of an evil god, it’s hard to make sense of it," Bai Wei said. "Do you really think a few high-level missionaries can overcome the mysteries from beyond the realm?"
Who has seen a supernatural creature of evil being killed by a bomb gun?
"At this stage, the shrine is unable to help. December is our vacation time and it seems that the sword witches have been sent to the village to undergo some kind of ritual." Yoshine Ise rested her chin on her hands. "But it’s strange that this action has no connection to the shrine. Maybe it’s because you are more familiar to us? Worried about alerting the enemy?"
"Regardless, the operation was too rushed and strange." Bai Wei intertwined his fingers. "It’s like someone gave an order and it was hastily executed. And it was a unilateral action from the police department, it seems that the mole is from within."
The sword witch took a bite of the ice cream. "It’s delicious, want to have a taste?"
"I’m not thirsty, thanks."
"Having a bite of something sweet helps digest bad feelings." Ise handed over a spoon.
"You’ve used the spoon, right?" Bai Wei asked.
"After all, I only got one, but I don’t mind." Yoshine Ise acted very naturally.
Bai Wei reluctantly took a bite. The matcha-flavored ice cream flowed down his throat, and the cool sweetness slightly relaxed his tense mind.
He stood up and said, "I’m going to make a phone call, is it okay for you to stay alone?"
Ise continued eating ice cream and nodded, "If you don’t come back in an hour, I’ll ask the shopkeeper to call the police and take me back."
It is convenient to talk with intelligent people.
This girl is pretty nice, but she can be a bit mischievous.
Bai Wei left the ice cream shop.
After the person left, Yoshine Ise leaned on the table, unknowingly clenched her fingers, made some suppressed laughter, then suddenly raised her head, punched the air several times, releasing a burst of strength that had suddenly appeared all over her body.
After finishing a set of punches, she silently let out her emotions, then took a breath and scooped another spoonful of ice cream into her mouth, savoring the gentle sweetness.
The sword witch muttered to herself, "It’s a bit sneaky to use someone else’s situation to satisfy your own desires, we should be careful not to go too far… But, this feeling is really… intriguing."
She held her cheeks and let out a comfortable sigh.
Yoshine Ise was already in her twenties. She was no longer a young sword witch who would blush at the sight of an ice cream. The feeling of excitement that she felt actually came from the strong contrast.
Bai Wei always showed a mature attitude in front of her, filled with a carefree knightly vibe. There was also a persistent sense of distance. But this time, his behavior was completely different during their close encounter. This contrast made her feel the satisfaction of finally touching the tender side of a tiger’s neck, a chance that might only come once in a lifetime. It was inevitable for her to feel excited.
Of course, she wasn’t just excited, but also thinking about what to do next while refueling with sugar.
…
Bai Wei left the bustling commercial area and went to a public telephone booth three kilometers away. He inserted coins and made a phone call.
"This is the Dragon Sakura Club," answered a waiter on the phone.
"Is Xue Hanlei there?"
"The boss lady is currently not here."
"If she comes back, please let her know that I will call again before 10 pm tonight."
The phone hung up.
Bai Wei walked out of the phone booth. This is New Tokyo’s inner area, with office buildings and commercial land being constructed all around. The old apartment buildings have already been marked for demolition, and the residents have moved out. There are hardly any pedestrians around.
"Come out," said Bai Wei. "You’ve been following me for a long time, haven’t you? You must be impatient."
Just as he finished speaking, a white streak swept through the air and slammed in front of Bai Wei, then broke apart.
The scattered sword energy formed air currents and left marks on the old walls on both sides.
"Even without drawing the sword, it’s possible to release sword energy. In the Ming Country, it seems to be called ‘protective Qi.’ It’s a rare skill among high-ranking martial artists."
A voice, old yet steady, came from somewhere.
A sixty-year-old man dressed in a kimono appeared. He had a traditional samurai topknot on his head, wearing a kimono that was a combination of a shoulder wrap and wide-legged trousers. The color was deep blue, and simply put, it looked like a pair of pants with shoulder straps. The design of the shoulder wrap covered the entire shoulder, creating a shawl-like style. This kind of attire was standard for samurais during the Edo period, and it indicated a high rank.
In this era, there are very few people who still dress like this, as there are also very few samurais left, and even fewer who are allowed to carry swords.
The old man’s appearance and his powerful sword skills, which can reach across half a street, undoubtedly prove his origins.
Bai Wei said, "Before, I was wondering why only a few armed forces were sent out. Perhaps I underestimated myself… Now, I realize that I’ve been respected enough."
The Shogunate samurai, who are responsible for collecting prohibited swords, are rare in number but all of them are expert swordsmen with a skill level of over forty. They possess formidable strength and their combat abilities rival those of the top-ranked martial artists in the Ming Country. In the world of martial arts novels, it’s like deploying the highest-level internal experts to capture a criminal, and it’s already giving face.
With Yingzhou’s limited resources, being able to produce a top-notch swordsman is enough to surprise Bai Wei. He thought that this matter might have already involved the internal affairs of the Shogunate.
The old man took a step forward and introduced himself, saying, "I am Ishida Kiyoshimasa, the guard of the Akamatsu Edo clan! I’ve come to apprehend the thief upon the orders of the General!"