Without even washing his face, Shinjuro went out to find Henry Yanguang, his beard unkempt.
The result, naturally, was a soft rejection. After much beating around the bush, the owner made one thing clear: he could ask for anything regarding food and lodging, and use the training ground freely, but he would not provide alcohol. If he wanted to drink, he had to buy it himself.
Shinjuro was speechless. How could he refute that?
After all, this was a martial arts hall, not a tavern, and Henry Yanguang was the owner, not his servant. To have gone this far was already giving the Flame Pillar a lot of face.
He knew he was in the wrong, and he was seething with frustration but had nowhere to vent it. In his helplessness, he could only return empty-handed.
Now that the path of having the martial arts hall buy alcohol was cut off, he could only buy it himself. But it was easier said than done; he hadn't brought much money with him this time, and he couldn't get used to cheap alcohol. It was absolutely terrible!
He picked up a wine pot from the ground and poured a few drops into his mouth. The small amount of alcohol only made him more irritable.
This slippery owner, he just had to make trouble for him, didn't he! He would show him... No, he couldn't do that!
The Flame Pillar's last shred of self-respect curbed the evil thoughts surging in his heart, making him sober up and face this utterly disappointing reality clearly.
His wife was gone, there was no alcohol to drink, and he had accomplished nothing. Should he...
He should just go home.
Anyway, there was no point in staying here. He might as well... No!
A tender face appeared in his mind, reminding him of his initial reason for coming here. He didn't come to the martial arts hall to teach any damned Breathing Technique; he just wanted to bring his second son, Senjuro, to a better training environment.
In fact, the training atmosphere at this martial arts hall was indeed very good.
Although Senjuro was still timid and submissive when he brought him meals every day, he could still see that his youngest son had become much more cheerful. Furthermore, through his own secret observations, he found that Senjuro got along very well with the kendo apprentices here.
Although his youngest son's swordsmanship hadn't improved much yet, with actual combat practice, his moves were at least no longer so rigid.
Recalling Senjuro's every little detail, the anger that Shinjuro had been suppressing slowly dissipated. He began to calmly consider the issue of drinking.
His second son was training very well here, so he couldn't leave for now. However, he also wouldn't give up drinking.
So, there was only one way.
Thinking of this, Shinjuro showed an expression that was a mix of crying and laughing. Ha! He was actually threatened by that brat.
That night, Senjuro brought dinner back to his father.
"Senjuro, take a message to that brat kid."
As soon as Rengoku Senjuro entered his father's room, he heard this unexpected remark.
He knew that Ryan had been driven away by his father because he refused to deliver alcohol. He disapproved of this action from the bottom of his heart, but he was helpless. He hadn't expected his father to bring up his senior disciple again today.
Looking at his father now, who usually only lay drunk on the ground, he was sitting upright with a straight back, showing some of his former spirit.
Could it be...
"From now on, if he brings alcohol, I will patiently answer three questions."
"..."
Alright, so he just ran out of alcohol, no wonder he was so energetic.
"When you deliver the message, remember not to tarnish the Rengoku Family's reputation, understand?!"
"Yes... Yes, sir!"
"Then hurry up!"
It seemed he was desperate for a drink, Senjuro silently grumbled to himself, having become much more lively after spending time with Ryan these past few days.
Of course, he still didn't dare to defy his father's command. He put down the lunchbox and immediately rushed towards Ryan's small house—no, the dining hall. Given his senior disciple's appetite, he probably hadn't finished dinner yet.
"Senior Disciple, good news, good news!"
Ryan, with two sushi rolls stuffed in his cheeks, looked over, his cheeks puffed out.
"My father has had a change of heart and is willing to teach Senior Disciple again!"
Senjuro had long forgotten the Rengoku Family's reputation; he was simply happy for his fellow disciple.
What? It's only been a few days, and that decadent old man has caved so quickly? Could it be that he ran out of alcohol? But that shouldn't be the case.
Never mind, this is good news. Fortunately, he hadn't had time to sell those bottles of alcohol yet.
"Really? That's great! What exactly did your father say?"
"It's like this..."
The next day at noon, Ryan returned, carrying ten jars of fine wine.
"Master, I've come to see you! I can't help but miss you after a few days apart!"
As soon as Shinjuro opened the door, he saw Ryan's shameless appearance, and his eye twitched.
"I told you not to call me Master."
Ryan grinned, saying nothing, simply shifting the ten jars of wine tied to his chest to his back.
Heh heh, this kid is not only shameless but also hypocritical. I really want to give him a beating.
"Never mind, call me whatever you want. Come in."
"Yes, Master!"
"Let's be clear first, helping you perform First Form: Unknowing Fire counts as one, and I'll answer two other questions."
"But I've already mastered First Form. This time I'm here to learn Second Form."
"..."
This kid really has talent, and he's truly annoying.
"Less talk, quickly ask what you don't understand."
Five minutes later, Shinjuro answered one question and demonstrated Second Form: Rising Scorching Sun to Ryan once.
"You still have two questions. Hurry up."
Ryan wasn't in a hurry to continue asking. He also wasn't afraid of the decadent old man getting impatient. He simply tossed a jar of wine to him.
"Old man—no, my good Master! You should wet your throat first. I need to think for a while."
Shinjuro: Just call me old man, this 'Master' sounds so disgusting. Never mind, I won't fuss over it for now, drinking is more important.
"Gulp, gulp!"
A quarter of an hour later, Shinjuro's face was slightly flushed.
"Master, you haven't had enough, have you? Have another jar."
Hmm? How did this kid become so considerate? Shinjuro shook his head and skillfully took another jar that Ryan handed him.
"Gulp, gulp... *hiccup*!"
"Master, you have a good capacity for alcohol! Do you want more?"
"Nonsense, what's the point of..." Shinjuro suddenly felt something was off. "Kid, what exactly are you trying to do?"
It was the first time someone had actively encouraged him to drink, and he should have been happy, but then he thought that the one encouraging him was this brat kid, and the fine wine tasted like poison.
Shinjuro suppressed his urge to drink for the first time, and he himself found it incredible that his craving for alcohol had temporarily subsided. So, should he try to quit drinking today?
"Master, where are you going with that? I was asking if you needed any snacks to go with the drink?"
Two minutes later, Shinjuro sat on the stool, legs crossed, sipping wine and eating beans, a unique pleasure. Quit drinking? Quit my ass!
Ryan watched as the old man's face grew redder, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly upwards.
"Master, I want to ask..."
"Fool... foolish boy, don't you even understand such a simple question? When performing Second Form, you must first..."
"I understand, Master. And one more question..."
"Hmph! This question has some substance. You need to..."
"Wow! Master is so knowledgeable! Have another jar of wine."