The Heir

Сhарtеr 212: Strееt Brawl

Аftеr а night оf rаin, as the sun rosе, stеam rosе from the wаtеr, аnd thе tеmрeraturе suddenly soared. Thе аir was thiсk with a dаmр, muggу hеat.

Тhе hеаt wаs enоugh to make реoрle irritable. Sоme shoрkeeреrs аlоng thе оffiсial streеt сouldn’t hеlр but сurse undеr their brеаth. On such а stifling dаy, mоst peoрle prefеrrеd tо staу indoors, and businеss nаturаlly suffеrеd.

Тhе оnlу eхсeрtion wаs Old Womаn Lu’s mung beаn sоuр stall bу thе rоаdside. Anyоne passing by cоuldn’t resist ordering а bowl. A singlе bowl оf mung bеan sоup was enough to soothe the inner heat.

“Old woman, five bowls of mung bean soup,” came a heavily accented voice.

Everyone turned to look and saw several men dressed in Japanese clothing. The one leading them was particularly familiar to those on the official street—it was none other than Renji Eishō.

“Sold out,” Old Woman Lu replied, glancing indifferently at Renji Eishō and his companions before muttering under her breath.

The official street was home to many ink workshops, and Ink Pavilion was no exception. Renji Eishō had been going from one place to another seeking challenges, and by now, he had earned the resentment of everyone in the area.

One of the ronin, hearing Old Woman Lu’s words, glared fiercely at her. He pointed his Japanese sword at her and then at the pot of mung bean soup on the stall, muttering something unintelligible.

“Murder! The Japanese are killing people!” Old Woman Lu, a simple and honest woman, shrieked as soon as the ronin pointed his sword at her. Her voice was as shrill as a slaughtered pig, instantly stirring up the entire official street like a boiling pot of porridge.

Recently, due to Renji Eishō’s repeated challenges to the halls, everyone in the area had been simmering with anger. However, Renji Eishō’s challenges were based on genuine skill, so while people were furious, there was little they could do but accept it.

But now, with Old Woman Lu’s scream, everyone’s anger flared up. Immediately, people grabbed sticks, knives, door bolts, bricks, and benches—their weapons were a motley assortment.

Then, with a sudden rush, everyone surrounded the group.

Zhen Niang was in Ink Manor at the time. Hearing Old Woman Lu’s scream, she understood that someone had come to settle scores, though she didn’t know why the Japanese had provoked Old Woman Lu. Thinking this, she followed the crowd outside.

When she reached Old Woman Lu’s stall, she saw Luo Wenqian with his sleeves rolled up, arms crossed over his chest, looking relaxed yet with a cold glare fixed on the ronin. He had been enjoying a bowl of mung bean soup at Old Woman Lu’s stall earlier. As an elderly woman living alone, Old Woman Lu’s plight was something Luo Wenqian couldn’t ignore. Now, he stood ready, poised as if he would shed blood within five steps if the ronin dared to take another step forward.

Zhen Niang watched anxiously but knew that showing fear was not an option in such a situation. She pursed her lips, clenched her fists, and kept her eyes fixed on Luo Wenqian, fearing for his safety. Seeing Luo Wenqian empty-handed while the Japanese held a sharp weapon, she knew this wouldn’t do. She immediately rushed back inside and found a Shizhou military saber in Li Jingfu’s room—a gift Luo Wenqian had given him earlier."Brother Luo, catch the knife." Zhen Niang came running back and, upon reaching him, tossed the knife to Luo Wenqian. Luo Wenqian caught it, his expression growing even more leisurely and composed. Though not a military man by origin, what kind of fights hadn't he experienced back in the mines? Moreover, during his initial collaboration with Marshal Qi, he had received some pointers from the marshal himself.

At this moment, though his demeanor was calm and collected, there was a faint edge of sharpness about him, reminiscent of a warrior ready for battle. His stance made even the ronin's expression turn serious.

A person's skill could be gauged to some extent just by their posture. Immediately, the ronin gripped his sword with both hands, adopting an offensive stance.

Luo Wenqian now wore a grave expression as well. Having dealt with Marshal Qi and the Qi Family Army for years, he had some understanding of the Japanese and these ronin. In large-scale battles, such ronin warriors posed little threat, but in one-on-one combat, they were truly troublesome.

Now was the time to strike first—and clearly, the ronin thought the same. Almost simultaneously, their blades clashed in the air. With a sharp clang, Luo Wenqian's knife snapped in two, eliciting gasps from the onlookers.

By now, Zhen Niang was so frightened her palms were drenched in sweat.

Yet Luo Wenqian showed no panic. As the one managing the Qi Family Army's business, he was well-acquainted with military blades. The Japanese swords in the hands of the Japanese were exquisitely crafted, and due to their length, the Qi Family Army's blades had often been severed by them in past encounters. Thus, though his knife had broken, Luo Wenqian was not overly surprised.

When it came to fighting, he was no pushover—the name Luo Jiu of the north was one to be reckoned with.

He rolled on the ground, using his body to slam into the ronin and send him flying.

Instantly, the crowd erupted in cheers. Zhen Niang's heart, which had been pounding in her chest, finally settled a little.

The ronin scrambled to his feet, his face livid with rage, and pointed his sword directly at Luo Wenqian.

Luo Wenqian crossed his arms, still watching the ronin with an air of leisure, but the coldness in his eyes made the other Japanese tense up.

At that moment, five or six men rushed out from the Yi Hou Sheng money shop—its guards. Some were elderly, others missing limbs, but all were veterans retired from the Qi Family Army. Usually inconspicuous, they now exuded an aura of bloodlust as they encircled the Japanese, staring coldly without a word.

Thus, the entire scene grew tense, poised on the brink of erupting at the slightest provocation.

Seeing this, even Renji Eishō paled. His confidence in challenging others to Ink Competitions in the Ming Dynasty stemmed from the court's policy of benevolent governance toward foreign states, emphasizing the grandeur of a great nation and winning hearts through virtue.

Therefore, no matter how arrogant his attitude during the Ink Competition, as long as he prevailed by skill, the Ming court could do little against him. Instead, they had to adhere to diplomatic etiquette, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.But he understood clearly in his heart. If things escalated now, they could be treated as Japanese pirates by the Ming people, and he was well aware of the Ming court's hatred for Japanese pirates. At that point, not only the Ming people, but even the diplomatic mission might sacrifice them to appease the Ming court's anger.

He only regretted that the ronin and Luo Wenqian had acted too quickly earlier, leaving him no time to intervene. Now, how could he just stand by and watch the situation worsen?

Thinking this, Renji Eishō stepped forward, raised his hand, and slapped the ronin hard across the face. Then, with an angry expression, he scolded the ronin in a torrent of words.

The ronin, slapped, dared not move, only nodding repeatedly and responding with "Hai, hai."

"Everyone, we are friendly. We only wanted to buy some mung bean soup. The weather is too hot. We meant no harm—this was all a misunderstanding." Afterward, Renji Eishō bowed and apologized to Old Woman Lu.

Seeing this, the crowd knew the Japanese had backed down. Although many wanted to grab them and beat them up, Renji Eishō was, after all, a member of the diplomatic mission. Whether they could actually do so was uncertain.

Luo Wenqian glanced at Renji Eishō again. "Whether it's a misunderstanding or not, I don't care. Today, you pointed your swords at our people, so this matter will be reported to the court for judgment."

With that, Luo Wenqian waved to the crowd. "Alright, it's hot. Everyone, go find some shade." He then turned to Old Woman Lu. "Granny Lu, sell them the mung bean soup. Better that than letting them use heatstroke as an excuse to shirk responsibility."

Hearing this, the crowd burst into laughter. "Exactly, Granny Lu, sell it to them!"

Of course, though they said this, Renji Eishō and his group were in no mood for mung bean soup now. Even looking at the mung bean soup on the stall, his face turned ashen, as if he had swallowed a fly. Today, they had lost face, and he was desperate to turn the tables.

Thinking this, he noticed the sign of the Li Family's Ink Manor not far away. Today, he would start with the Li Family's Ink Manor to reclaim their dignity and show the Ming people the capabilities of the Japanese.

With this thought, his mood improved slightly.

Meanwhile, Zhen Niang hurried to Luo Wenqian's side, her eyes filled with concern. Luo Wenqian smiled and secretly squeezed her hand. The two exchanged a glance, feeling perfectly in sync.

Just then, Luo Wenqian narrowed his eyes.

"What's wrong?" Zhen Niang asked curiously.

"Renji Eishō and his group are targeting the Li Family's Ink Manor," Luo Wenqian said, nodding toward the retreating figures of Renji Eishō and his men as they entered the manor.

"Don't worry, just wait and watch the show," Zhen Niang said with a smile.

"Oh?" Hearing this, Luo Wenqian realized that Zhen Niang must have prepared for Renji Eishō's visit. His curiosity was piqued. "Let's go, let's go. I want to see."

"Then let's go," Zhen Niang lifted her chin with a hint of pride.

The two then walked side by side into the Li Family's Ink Manor.

Inside, Zheng Fuli was now receiving Renji Eishō and his group."May I ask if the person in charge of your workshop is present?" Renji Eishō addressed Zheng Fuli, speaking in Chinese. Though his pronunciation was quite awkward, it was still fluent, indicating that Renji Eishō had some knowledge of the Chinese language.

"I am the person in charge of this workshop," Zheng Fuli replied. He had always been the external manager, so this statement was correct.

"No, no, no. I am looking for the person in charge who is participating in the Huizhou Tribute Ink Selection," Renji Eishō said. He had inquired quite a bit about the Li family's affairs and naturally knew that the true person in charge of the Li family now was a certain Miss Zhen. He had heard that this Miss Zhen was also the Ink Supplier for the Princess's residence and would be his opponent in the upcoming Ink Competition.

He had come to seek guidance, and naturally, he wanted to seek it from this Miss Zhen. In doing so, he could also gauge her abilities in preparation for the Ink Competition a few days later.