My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 347 - 137: Edo’s Strongest Great Sword Hero! [5000]

"Good afternoon, Deputy Master!"

"Greetings, Deputy Master!"

"Deputy Master."

...

When Chiba Shigetarou entered Area C, all the apprentices inside immediately stopped what they were doing, stood up straight, and bowed to Chiba Shigetarou in salute.

Chiba Shigetarou nodded in acknowledgment to the surrounding apprentices as he quickly walked towards where Sazanoko was located.

Dressed in a kendo uniform, with her long black hair tied into a high ponytail that fell to her waist, barefoot, and holding a wooden glaive, Sazanoko stood in a corner of Area C, meticulously instructing several female disciples in the glaive technique.

Sazanoko was not only the "Small Tachi Technique Master" at the Little Chiba Sword Dojo but also the "Glaive Master."

In the daily teaching of small tachi technique and glaive technique at the Little Chiba Sword Dojo, Sazanoko was essentially in charge.

Chiba Dingji was a very open-minded person.

He allowed his daughter, Sazanoko, to appear publicly and freely in the Sword Dojo.

He also permitted Sazanoko to take on the roles of "Small Tachi Technique Master" and "Glaive Master" in the dojo.

Even though Sazanoko was already 22 years old this year, which by the standards of this era meant she was a complete spinster, Chiba Dingji was not the least bit anxious. He respected Sazanoko’s wishes and never forced her to marry anyone.

From Chiba Dingji’s actions on ordinary days, it’s not difficult to see that he was not the kind of person who held the outdated belief that "women are just tools for marriage alliances."

Thus, under the open-minded guidance of Chiba Dingji, the Little Chiba Sword Dojo was allowed to recruit female disciples. There were quite a few women studying at the dojo.

As early as the beginning of the Edo Era, there had already been a mindset: "If a woman wants to learn martial arts, she has to learn the glaive technique."

Influenced by this mindset, there were very few women who would learn swordsmanship. Most of the female disciples who came to study at the Little Chiba Sword Dojo did so to learn the glaive technique.

Therefore, the teacher they most frequently faced on a daily basis was Sazanoko, the "Glaive Master."

For a long time, sword dojos were generally divided into two types.

One type purely taught swordsmanship, with Shiwei Hall being a typical example.

The other type not only taught swordsmanship but also taught glaive technique, spear technique, archery, jujutsu, and other martial arts—the Little Chiba Sword Dojo belonged to this category.

The Little Chiba Sword Dojo, while teaching Beichen One-Sword Style swordsmanship, also taught glaive technique, jujutsu, and other traditional martial arts.

Noticing her brother’s return, Sazanoko first nodded in acknowledgment to Chiba Shigetarou, who had greeted her. Then, with her eyes, she communicated to Chiba Shigetarou: Brother, please wait a moment.

Understanding the meaning in his sister’s eyes, Chiba Shigetarou nodded and stood still, keeping a certain distance from Sazanoko for the time being.

Successfully using her eyes to signal her brother to "wait a moment," Sazanoko looked at a young girl of beautiful youth standing in front of her.

"Ayue, did you understand what I just explained?"

The girl called Ayue by Sazanoko awkwardly chuckled: "Miss Sazanoko, sorry... I didn’t quite understand... What does it mean for Qi to sink into the Dantian?"

This girl called "Ayue"... Chiba Shigetarou had a bit of an impression.

She was the youngest daughter of that great liquor merchant: Nakamura Chouhachirou: Nakamura Tsuki.

Speaking of this Nakamura Chouhachirou... he was considered one of the influential figures of Edo.

Originally just a fairly unknown liquor merchant, specializing in the liquor business.

Though he began at a low point, he had a keen and good nose.

After the Western powers forced open Japan’s doors, Nakamura Chouhachirou sharply sensed a business opportunity, boldly and decisively started doing business with those Westerners interested in Japanese sake.

Through business exchanges with Westerners, Nakamura Chouhachirou’s financial power expanded rapidly, and their family had now become one of the most renowned liquor merchants in Edo.

Wanting his daughter to have more poise, Nakamura Chouhachirou sent his youngest daughter to the Little Chiba Sword Dojo to learn the glaive technique—at least eight out of ten women learning the glaive technique did so for this reason...

Seeing Nakamura Tsuki truthfully admit she did not understand the earlier teachings, Sazanoko did not express any anger or frustration.

She stepped slightly to the side to stand next to Nakamura Tsuki.

"Tighten your abdomen." Sazanoko extended her left hand, gently pressing on Nakamura Tsuki’s stomach, "Use the strength of your waist and abdomen to release Qi Union; only then will the sound of your Qi Union be loud enough."

"Now try doing what I just said. Use the strength of your waist and abdomen, release the Qi Union."

"L-Like this?"

Nakamura Tsuki opened her mouth, emitting a slightly soft Qi Union.

"You didn’t use the strength of your waist and abdomen just now." Sazanoko’s left palm, pressing against Nakamura Tsuki’s stomach, slightly tightened, "Again, use your waist and abdomen strength."

Nakamura Tsuki swallowed hard, cleared her throat, then opened her mouth and emitted another Qi Union.

This time, the volume of her Qi Union was much louder than before.

"Hmm, not bad." Sazanoko nodded, releasing her hand from Nakamura Tsuki’s stomach, "You used the strength of your abdomen earlier."

Being praised by Miss Sazanoko... Nakamura Tsuki let out a "hehehe" laugh, her face lighting up with a radiant smile.

"Alright, let’s pause the practice here for now." Sazanoko’s gaze swept over each female disciple’s face in front of her, "Everyone, take a break for a stick of incense’s time. Go drink some water, wipe off the sweat."