Chapter 123: One versus Thousand
"This is not recklessness, but justice." Lu Mingfei's voice remained calm, but every word was like thunder exploding on the field.
"Japan has been in darkness for too long. Today, I will use this knife to cut off all the darkness. No matter you, the Eight Clans of Sheqi, or anyone else who dares to stand in the darkness, will be exposed."
Lu Mingfei slowly raised the wooden sword in his hand, pointing the tip of the sword at the men in black under the podium.
"This is my promise and also my declaration of war. Tonight I will start from Kabukicho and clean up the evils of the world."
…………
The pitch-black convoy drove out from Togenji Heavy Industries in Shinjuku District and slowly headed towards Meiji Jingu Shrine. Shinjuku District is the base camp of the Snake Eight Clan, where the power of the Snake Eight Clan is greater than that of the police.
Yuan Zhisheng sat in the dark Hummer with his eyes closed, preparing for the next battle, but at this time Yasha and Crow sitting in the back row suddenly cried out in surprise.
"Young master, look outside!" Crow shouted, pointing at a huge screen outside the car window.
They are now driving in the Kabukicho area, and not far away is CrossShinjuku Vision, which is known as the largest screen in Tokyo. This giant display screen is particularly famous because not only is it huge in size, but also has a 3D stereoscopic effect, and can display realistic 3D advertisements and video content.
However, the huge screen at this time did not show the usual 3D advertisement, but a live broadcast. How could Lu Mingze miss such a good advertising spot?
Lu Mingfei's figure appeared in the center of the screen. He stood on the podium of Meiji Jingu Shrine, wearing a belted outfit, holding a wooden sword, with a stern expression.
Lu Mingfei on the screen was like a god descending to earth, and his voice echoed through every corner of Shinjuku through the loudspeaker: "Today, I will use this knife to cut off all the darkness."
As his voice echoed in the air, the entire Kabukicho fell into an eerie silence. The originally bustling street and the colorful neon lights seemed to be eclipsed. The crowd looked up at the huge screen with surprise and disbelief in their eyes.
"What's going on?" Yasha stared at the screen in amazement, his face full of surprise and anger, "He actually dared to use this method to declare war on the underworld in Japan?"
Yuan Zhisheng slightly opened his eyes, and his calm gaze fell through the car window on the figure of Lu Mingfei on the screen. Lu Mingfei on the screen was holding a wooden sword high, with great momentum. His voice was calm but powerful, and every word was like a declaration, delivered to everyone's ears.
Yuan Zhisheng said in a low voice, his eyes revealing a hint of cold contemplation, "It seems that he has already planned everything."
Crow and Yaksha in the car looked at each other and felt a chill in their hearts. They didn't expect that today the so-called Sword Master, whom they didn't care much about, would declare war on the entire Japanese underworld in such a straightforward way.
"Young Master, what should we do now?" Crow asked, his expression becoming serious. With Lu Mingfei's declaration on the screen, the Eight Clans of Sheqi were instantly pushed to the forefront, and they had no way to retreat.
"Keep going." Yuan Zhisheng said coldly, with a sharp gleam in his eyes. "Since you want to step on our Sheqiba family to rise to power, then you should show your due strength. If you don't have enough strength, you will have to pay the price for your arrogance."
The Hummer convoy continued to drive towards Meiji Jingu Shrine, and behind them, the crowds on the streets throughout Shinjuku district had already begun to riot.
The picture on the screen was still playing, and Lu Mingfei's image was seen by countless passers-by through the huge screen. The wooden sword was raised high, symbolizing the sword of justice and reckoning.
But before the Hummer could move forward for long, Gen Chisei's phone rang, and the voice of Fuma Kotaro came from the other end of the line.
"Young Master, the fierce ghosts have just launched an attack on our territory! Some important places of the family have also been attacked! We need support!"
"Ying, turn back!" When Yuan Zhisheng heard the voice coming from the phone, he instantly clenched the phone and said to Ying who was driving next to him.
…………
The top floor of the Paradise Pavilion
Sakurai Kogure stepped on the tatami and slowly pushed open the white screen in front of her. Behind the screen was a man who was more beautiful than a woman. His every frown, smile, and every movement revealed elegance that made other women feel ashamed.
The blood-red wide-sleeved kimono set off his snow-white skin, making him look somewhat charming, and the deep red long sword in his arms made him look sharp.
"Sir, our people have begun the attack." Sakurai Kogure came behind the man and pressed his shoulders with skillful hands.
"Hmm." The man at least hummed.
"Why... should we help them? You know, if we rashly attack the Eight Snake Families this time, we will suffer heavy losses. And that guy's declaration of war seems to be against all of us." Sakurai Kogure hesitated for a long time, but still asked.
"And this time we will directly arrange for the pawns of the Snake Eight Clan to go to the Meiji Shrine. The Snake Eight Clan will definitely be alerted and will inevitably conduct an internal cleansing afterwards."
"Hahaha, the more chaotic the situation is, the better. That guy's main target is the Eight Clans of Sheqi now. We should pay a little price and let them fight to the death. While the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind, we can just be the oriole." The man laughed out loud, looking a little crazy. He picked up the wine bottle beside him and drank it in one gulp. A lot of wine slipped from his mouth onto his open chest.
"But I don't know if that guy has the strength to be a praying mantis. Let's arrange for a few more gangs to go to Shinjuku tonight. It's really going to be a good show tonight, hahahaha, let's make the whole of Japan go into complete chaos!"
…………
In the gathering place of gang members in Shinjuku district, several tattooed strong men also stopped drinking, stared at the screen with frowns, their eyes filled with anger.
"Is this guy crazy?" one of the sturdy men cursed. In their opinion, openly provoking the Eight Clans of Sheqi was no different from seeking death.
"This is a declaration of war on all of us!" said another tattooed burly man.
"This guy wants to overthrow the entire Japanese underworld?" Another tattooed burly man frowned, his voice filled with disbelief and shock.
"Impossible," he shook his head, as if trying to convince himself, "The Eight Snake Families control most of the underworld forces in Japan. He alone, no matter how strong he is, can't shake such a huge system."
"Isn't he afraid of us joining forces to encircle and suppress him?" a burly man whispered.
"Join hands?" The companion next to him sneered, "How can our gangs join hands without the Eight Snake Clan to mediate? But they are now unable to take care of themselves. I heard that the Fierce Ghost Clan sent people to attack them today."
"What should we do next?" one of them asked in a deep voice.
"What else can we do? Let's wait and see how the Eight Snake Clans respond." Another person shrugged and said.
At this time, a more muscular tattooed man walked out of the next room.
"Boss!!!" The sturdy men shouted as soon as they saw the man coming out. "Call everyone and let's go to Takamagahara now. The Snake Eight Clan just issued an order to clear Kabukicho today. All the gangs under the Snake Eight Clan should go together and break that guy's hands and feet."
"Yes!!!"
All the gangs in the Shinjuku area were in action. Motorcycles, trucks, sports cars, and thousands of gangsters began to flock to the host club in Kabukicho.
At the same time, the air in the night sky of Kabukicho began to become oppressive. The colorful neon lights were still flashing, but behind this seemingly prosperous scene, there was a hint of restlessness.
On the street, those pedestrians who were always known for their unruly behavior seemed to notice something unusual and began to look around cautiously. Many people chose to leave the neighborhood without any prior agreement.
The roar of motorcycles in the distance was getting closer and closer, and one convoy after another whizzed past, like a black torrent, carrying endless shadows and murderous aura. The major gang factions that the Eight Clans of Sheqi belonged to were now like combat soldiers who had been summoned, and began to gather in the same direction.
The leaders of various gangs stood on the street, exchanging stern glances with each other. They knew that tonight was destined to be turbulent. This was not an ordinary gang fight, but a life-and-death battle. Lu Mingfei's public declaration of war was undoubtedly shaking the foundation of their survival.
"I heard his name is Yuan Yusuke, a new swordsman." A tall, bald and tattooed gang leader blew a smoke ring with a serious look. There was a trace of fear in his eyes, but more of it was disdain.
"Sword Saint? He's just a brat." Another burly man sneered, "Does he think he can run wild in this territory just because he can fight? The Snake Eight Clan will never let him leave Kabukicho alive."
"Don't be careless. It's not just us who are taking action today. There are also the Demon Clan." The bald man reminded, his tone a little heavier. "I heard that the Demon Clan has already launched an attack on the Snake Eight Families in other parts of Tokyo. This time they want to take advantage of the chaos to split the Snake Eight Families. That Minamoto Yusuke is probably a bait."
"No matter who he is, we are only responsible for cleaning up Kabukicho tonight. It's none of our business to worry about anything else." The burly man waved his hand, his eyes cold, and his fingers tightened around the dagger at his waist.
At the same time, in front of the host shop in Kabukicho, more gangsters began to gather. The sound of motorcycle engines rose and fell, and the harsh roar mixed in the night, as if foreshadowing an impending storm.
……
Takama-ga-hara, which should have been a place of singing and dancing, was now completely silent. Today, Takama-ga-hara was closed for the day, and all the gigolos and waiters inside were on holiday.
"Brother, the real show is about to begin. There are thousands of gangsters gathered outside. Are you sure you can knock them all down?" Lu Mingze said to Lu Mingfei while sitting at the bar.
"What we are going to face later is not comparable to these more than a thousand underworld gangsters." Lu Mingfei put on the black-patterned hakama again, still holding the two wooden swords in his hands.
"You really don't need a real sword? I have a Butu Yuhun here. It can chop people like chopping melons and vegetables." Lu Mingze continued to ask.
“No, if I use a real knife, I’m afraid I won’t be able to control myself. If there are large-scale casualties, our plan will be ruined, and we might even be wanted by the whole world.” Lu Mingfei said calmly.
"I see. The area outside should have been cleared successfully. This battle will be broadcast live nationwide. We and the Eight Snake Families have mobilized our connections, and no police officer will enter Kabukicho tonight. So I wish you good luck in military affairs, brother." Lu Mingze took the bottle from the side, poured a glass of champagne and handed it to Lu Mingfei.
Lu Mingfei nodded slightly, took the wine and drank it all, then pushed it away and walked out.
It is ten o'clock in the evening. Kabukicho should be the most prosperous and lively at this time, but it seems a bit desolate and quiet at the moment. The colorful neon lights are flashing, but there are no pedestrians on the street.
Lu Mingfei slowly walked out of the door of Takama-ga-hara, holding a wooden sword in each hand. His steps were steady and powerful, as if this silent street was destined to be a battlefield that he was about to conquer.
The colorful neon lights shone on him, and the flickering light and shadow formed a sharp contrast with the simple black-patterned hakama he was wearing. The flow of time intersected on him, connecting the ancient kendo heritage with the modern chaos.
Not far away, the gang members gathered in groups, like a dark ocean. They all had gloomy eyes and expressions of disdain and hostility. The machetes in their hands flashed cold light under the light, and they were chilling.
The gangsters' tattoos are clearly visible on their bare arms and necks, as if these marks are their only glory and a bloody storm is about to come.
Even though he was facing hundreds of gangsters, Lu Mingfei's eyes remained as cool as ice. His gaze swept across them without a trace of fluctuation. He knew that these so-called gangs were merely tools used by the Sheqi Eight Clans to test their own strength, and the real opponents were still behind.
The gate of Takama-hara closed behind him with a slight collision sound. Lu Mingfei stopped in the middle of the street, only a few dozen steps away from the men in black. His back seemed lonely and determined, but on this empty street, he had a presence that could not be ignored.
A leading gangster boss stood up, his face full of sneers and disdain. He blew out a puff of smoke, his eyes full of contempt: "You dare to stand up and provoke so many of us? You are courting death."
Lu Mingfei glanced at him but didn't take him too seriously, as if his words were just wind in his ears. His fingers slightly tightened around the wooden sword in his hand, and he felt his blood begin to boil.
"None of you will have a chance to escape tonight." Lu Mingfei's voice was not loud, but it was clearly heard by everyone.
The gangster boss snorted and waved his hand backwards, signaling his men to take action: "Go ahead, chop him up!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a dozen gang members rushed out immediately, holding their machetes high in the air, and slashed at Lu Mingfei with fierce gusts. Each knife attacked his head and body with such force that it was enough to tear him apart in an instant.
But Lu Mingfei remained motionless until the blades approached. His eyes suddenly turned cold, and his whole body flashed like a shadow in the wind. The two wooden swords cut through the air with a slight whistling sound, and accurately met the machetes.
"Dang!" The first wooden sword made a crisp sound when it collided with the steel, followed by the second, the third... The wooden sword was as agile as a living thing in Lu Mingfei's hands, and every swing accurately blocked the edge of the machete, and his steps were easy and graceful, as if he was performing an elegant and cruel swordsmanship performance on the stage.
Before several gang members who were in the front could react, the knives in their hands were knocked away by Lu Mingfei's wooden sword. Their bodies froze for a moment, and then they were blown away by Lu Mingfei's powerful force, falling heavily to the ground with a dull sound.
"boom!"
The confrontation lasted only a few seconds, and more than a dozen gang members had all fallen, but Lu Mingfei was still standing there, his robe fluttering in the wind, as if a god was looking down at this land stained with sin.
The gang members around were a little panicked for a moment, but the advantage in numbers allowed them to quickly regain their composure. The leading gangster boss's face suddenly changed, as he did not expect that this young man was so powerful.
But now it was too late to back down. All the gang members were watching him. If he retreated, the dignity of him and the Eight Clans of Sheqi would be completely trampled under the feet of Lu Mingfei.
"Everyone attack! Today we are not just fighting for the Eight Snake Families, but for the glory of the entire Japanese underworld!" He roared wildly, and swung the machete in his hand violently, rushing towards Lu Mingfei with immense anger and murderous intent.
At this order, all the gang members rushed towards Lu Mingfei like an out-of-control flood. Dense machetes were waving in the air, forming a forest of steel. Every blade light carried murderous intent.
Lu Mingfei narrowed his eyes slightly, lowered his body slightly, and raised the wooden sword in his hand again. The real battle had just begun.
(End of this chapter)
