There Isn't Enough Room Here for So Many People

Half a month later, the southeastern border of the Land of Iron, Red Armor City.

Red Armor City was a famous metropolis in the southeast of the Land of Iron, guarding the vital thoroughfare leading inland. Commerce flourished, and its forging industry was especially developed.

What drew even more attention was that this city was jointly defended by a "Swordsaint" and a "Young General."

The so-called Swordsaint was a title, but it belonged to the civilian sphere, usually bestowed upon top-tier swordsmen whose swordsmanship had reached the pinnacle, who had founded or mastered a certain school or style, and who had won widespread respect in pure martial arts.

As for the so-called Young General, this was also a title, but it focused more on military strategy, command ability, and meritorious service to the nation. Those who received this honor must have led a great army on the battlefield, achieved brilliant military exploits, or made outstanding contributions to national defense or strategic planning.

Although the two had different emphases, there was no absolute hierarchy. A Young General might also possess the martial skill of a "Swordsaint," and a Swordsaint in the wild might later take office as a "Young General."

This touched upon the unique culture and power structure of the Land of Iron.

This country had no ninja, and not even traditional Daimyo. They revered the most classical spirit of Bushido, and the people cultivated various martial skills centered on swordsmanship.

Those who practiced martial arts but held no public office were called "Swordsmen"; those who served the nation and entered the power system were called "Samurai."

The entire bureaucratic system of the country was built by these Samurai.

The pinnacle of the Samurai was the leader of this country—the "General," the supreme chief of the Samurai.

The General was not hereditary but was chosen from among Samurai whose strength was exceptional, and whose virtue and prestige were sufficient to convince the masses.

The current General of the Land of Iron was the legendary figure who had bravely led the Samurai to resist the invasion of the demigod Hanzo the Salamander during the Second Great Ninja War—Mifune.

Not long after the end of the Second Great Ninja War, he was elected General due to his outstanding achievements and lofty reputation.

Barring any accidents, the Land of Iron would be led by him for the next twenty years.

And on this day, inside the Lord's Mansion of Red Armor City, the city lord and Young General, Takeda Nobutsuna, placed a brief report before the president of the Red Armor City Swordsmanship Association, the Swordsaint of the Shinkishin Meichi School, Soichiro Yagyu.

"Where did this reckless greenhorn who doesn't know the rules come from?" Soichiro Yagyu put down the report, his brow immediately furrowing.

The content of the report was simple. To summarize: a young swordsman calling himself "Isshin" had recently been tirelessly challenging people everywhere, starting from Forging Town and heading north all the way through Rock Echo, Blue Stream, Black Feather, White Falls... He had already visited and sparred with over twenty dojos in eight towns.

Now, his trail was pointing toward Red Armor City.

"This greenhorn named Isshin, what background does he have? What school does he follow? Which elder taught such a reckless junior?" Soichiro Yagyu asked in a deep voice, his tone carrying obvious displeasure.

Such a high-profile and continuous string of dojo challenges was rare and rude in the etiquette- and tradition-respecting swordsmanship world of the Land of Iron.

City lord Takeda Nobutsuna shook his head: "His background is unclear. All we know is that he claims to use the Ashina Style."

"Ashina Style?" Soichiro Yagyu searched his memory, confirming he had never heard of this tradition in the Land of Iron, and his brow furrowed even deeper: "Unknown origin?"

"Indeed, we can't trace his roots." Takeda Nobutsuna analyzed relatively calmly, "However, the swordsmanship he uses is indeed the orthodox sword technique of our Samurai. His foundation is solid, definitely not some wild path. Perhaps... he is a disciple taken in by some Samurai while traveling abroad, or the legacy of some old hermit who has been in seclusion for years. Such things have happened before."

Upon hearing this, Soichiro Yagyu's expression eased slightly, but the doubt in his eyes did not completely dissipate.

Even if his master might have some connection, such behavior was still too ostentatious.

He looked at the name Isshin on the report, and the long list of defeated dojos behind it, tapping his fingers lightly on the table.

"It seems he wants to step on others' reputations and make a name for himself all the way." Soichiro Yagyu's voice turned a few degrees colder: "Since this greenhorn is almost at Red Armor City, then, according to the rules, someone should teach him what swordsmanship is, and what reverence is."

Takeda Nobutsuna smiled instead: "He should indeed be taught the rules properly. However, Yagyu..."

He changed the subject: "According to reports from the dojos along the way, although this kid acts recklessly, he is indeed young, and his talent and strength are top-notch. Such a fine piece of material would be a pity if we just let him drift away after teaching him a lesson, or make an enemy of him."

He tapped the report lightly and continued: "My meaning is, after he has been taught a lesson and understands the immensity of heaven and earth, we might try to recruit him. If he is willing to abide by the rules, with his skill, he could represent our Red Armor City in the next National Swordsmanship Tournament."

"Hmph, that depends on whether he can get past me first." Soichiro Yagyu's voice was unyielding, carrying the unique pride of a Swordsaint: "Rules are rules. Since he chose the most arrogant path, he must have the awareness to bear the heaviest lesson. As for whether he can be used afterward, and how to use him, that's a matter for later."

He raised his hand slightly, as if grasping something in the air, and his entire aura suddenly condensed: "My iron staff will let this greenhorn thoroughly experience what it means to calm the heart, and what it means to enlighten the mind."

Although this Soichiro Yagyu enjoyed the reputation of a Swordsaint, his main weapon was not a sword or blade, but a specially made, immensely heavy iron staff.

The so-called "Shinkishin Meichi School" meant that with one swing of his staff, he would make the opponent achieve "sudden enlightenment."

Whether they could comprehend the Way was uncertain, but the effect of making one see stars and instantly "calm the heart and enlighten the mind" was universally acknowledged to be immediate. That was the origin of the Shinkishin Meichi School.

"Very well." Takeda Nobutsuna smiled and shook his head: "Then let's first see if this young swordsman of the Ashina Style can withstand your staff and achieve enlightenment."

A few days later, Red Armor City.

The midday sun shone on the towering city gate and the bluestone-paved streets, coating this important town known for forging with a warm hue.

A figure moved against the flow of people and stopped at the city gate.

It was a young man of exceptionally tall stature and a magnificent physique, his back straight as a pine. It was Isshin, who had traveled north from the southern border.

He planned, as usual, to first find a tavern or market to inquire about who was the strongest here.

However, the moment his foot stepped into the shadow of the city gate tunnel, before he could even get a good look at the city scene, a crowd suddenly surged from the main street ahead.

The newcomers were all dressed in neat, dark-colored swordsmanship dojo robes. They moved swiftly, their eyes unfriendly, clearly having been waiting for a long time.

They quickly spread out in a semi-arc, blocking Isshin's path. The lead disciple, a sharp-looking one, stepped forward, chin slightly raised, and said in a tone of undisguised arrogance:

"You're that Isshin, right? My master wants to see you!"

Isshin's gaze swept over this group of obviously hostile dojo members. His expression remained calm as he asked flatly, "Who is your master?"

The disciple puffed out his chest, his voice like a bell:

"The number one staff master in southeastern Land of Iron! President of the Red Armor City Swordsmanship Association! Founding patriarch of the Shinkishin Meichi School! The one who once repelled a mountain flood with a single staff and single-handedly defended Dragon's Break Gorge! Granted the title 'Iron Gall' by the General himself! The Swordsaint famed throughout the southeast..."

"Stop, stop!"

Isshin made a halting gesture. He pointed at the not-so-spacious street inside the city gate beneath his feet.

"There's not enough room here for all these people."