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The Japanese Government must have thought, the moment they laid eyes on the word ‘China’, that this is it!

Aren’t the Warriors just itching with desire for such a formidable opponent?

There’s no need to mention that the country of China is deeply intertwined with history.

The past of longing for the continent, tales of adoration for the Tang Dynasty, the frustrating history of asking Joseon to pave the way to conquer the Ming only to be thwarted, and though they couldn’t conquer the Ming, the countless benefits gained from the Opium Wars leading to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The glory days when they successfully seized land during the imperial era, and their attempts to exert economic influence upon China as they began to rise again amidst the ashes of a war-torn country.

All these events resonate deeply with the hearts of the Japanese people.

Looking back at history, China is a land where opportunities lay asleep. Just like a professor from Tokyo University noted, “Japan has seen explosive growth and opportunities every time it sought to expand onto the continent.”

And beyond historical reasons, there were overflowing elements for the Warriors to covet.

First and foremost, China was a nation with an extraordinarily high number of Warriors.

Initially, the land of China had existed with those classified as Taoists or Resorts, individuals with supernatural abilities, Alchemists, and Shamans. There were even Wizards using magic obtained through foreign exchanges, some of whom surpassed their Western counterparts in certain fields.

Even amid the turmoil of opium addiction, Western nations ravenously devouring Qing Dynasty, and many hoisting their flags while claiming to uphold the Mandate of Heaven, the whole continent swept into chaos, with Japan’s invasion among other calamities, China still stood in this manner.

The potential amassed over a long history in China was certainly not something to be dismissed.

Yet, the level of ‘potential’ that was undeniable amidst numerous calamities got swept away by the colossal wave known as the Cultural Revolution.

Old things that needed to be dismantled vanished under ideological scrutiny and persecution, while countless people began fleeing from the red tide. Those who couldn’t escape faced death or disability, and everything they had cherished and researched was burned. The speed at which everything vanished was so phenomenal; it was as if grains were devoured by hordes of locusts, and in this process, only the Warriors barely managed to keep their lineage alive.

After the Cultural Revolution, the remaining Unoccupied Mountain of China began to assert influence, swearing allegiance to the Communist Party of China. Despite undergoing transformations, becoming the devoted dogs of the government in place of the once-thrived idea of inviolability they had once vociferously championed… Instead, they were able to grow their strength at an incredibly rapid pace, thanks to massive government support.

Even the haughty Warriors who once scoffed at China’s inability to shake off poverty now nodded in acknowledgment at mention of Chinese Warriors, enough said about their image.

No, it wasn’t just the Warriors.

When Japan realized the importance of soft power and initiated the project of promoting Japanese culture, they tried to showcase representative martial arts like Karate. This effort proved quite successful, reaching a level where even Hollywood began to use it as material without needing any lobbying.

Despite Japan’s efforts generating fantastic synergy through long exchanges and lobbying with the West, China suddenly and dramatically appeared under the names of Kung Fu and traditional Chinese martial arts, snatching away the hard-earned accolades Japan had garnered.

Of course, if we consider history and tradition, China’s is undoubtedly longer, and if we think about potential, the Chinese market is immensely attractive, which might make it even more tempting for the capital-driven nation of America than Japan.

Furthermore, Japan’s past encounters with U.S. sanctions, along with becoming increasingly unlikable as the ‘Economic Animal’, and the foolish remarks thrown around by thoughtless Japanese such as “Japan can bring America to its knees with money,” among various other reasons could also play a part.

No, if we were to dig deeper, that analysis could very well be accurate.

But how many people, unless they are experts, delve deeply enough into these matters? Or even if someone does dig deep, how many of them can separate emotions from facts? The key point is that during that time, Japan, the former economic powerhouse, was overshadowed by incredibly impoverished China, their efforts began to fade and fall into decline.

Especially among the Warriors, this trend was even more pronounced.

Japan’s martial arts became overshadowed by China’s martial arts, taking the spotlight.

In the realm of cinematic creations…

No.

Perhaps it’s the fact that they were overshadowed in creation that makes it sting even more for their pride.

To the public, who won which martial arts tournament and where that person hailed from is just a mere snack for consumption, but culture is a crucial element that influences an individual’s lifetime.

In youth, it serves as entertainment; as one ages, it transforms into treasured memories.

Therefore, the Japanese Warriors were hoping for a splendid chance to prove to the world.

That Chinese martial arts are mere phantoms, while Japanese martial arts are the true essence.

The Chinese Warriors have run their course, while the Japanese Warriors are indeed worthy of playing on a global level.

Unfortunately, the hopes of the Japanese Warriors never came to fruition.

The reason was that China was shrouded behind the Bamboo Curtain, leading to minimal tight interactions.

Moreover, the Communist Party of China viewed the talents they had painstakingly cultivated with disdain for any encounter with ‘friendly atmospheres’ with outsiders, painting the entire nation with anti-Japanese sentiments.

Not too long ago, incidents of cars being wrecked merely for being Japanese and the drivers assaulted occurred frequently, while the power holders of the Communist Party made hostile comments about Japan in official settings. Additionally, in some remote areas, assaults and even murders of Japanese individuals became commonplace.

Amidst such an atmosphere, how could exchanges like friendly duels possibly succeed?

Even if a duel were to be formally organized, returning home would mean dealing with all sorts of biased judgments in a hostile ambiance, and proposals for friendly duels in China could lead to astonishing events where the Japanese participants were attacked en masse, returning battered from group beatings, having to endure grueling experiences.

Of course, things have gotten better lately…

But does that erase the events of the past?

Resentments don’t fade so easily.

Especially if one has personally encountered such events in China, it would be even harder.

That’s why the Japanese Government was convinced.

This was a prime opportunity to divert the increasingly difficult gaze of the Warriors and reduce their influence.

To douse the flames ready to blaze, bringing it down to a level akin to manageable gas flames or campfire, turning it into something usable and controllable…

The burden was even light.

If Japan were to stand alone, contact with America and objections from China would have made it an absolute headache.

But what about this situation?

It’s a clear justifiable cause, a solid reason that could prompt nods of agreement, plus there’s Korea, a partner to divert attention!

This needs to happen.

With that conviction, the Japanese Government proceeded with the plan.

Utilizing governmental agencies and even trading companies connected with foreign contacts…

* * *

What’s most crucial in a joint operation?

Funds? Equipment? Talents?

Sure, all of them are important.

But those are vital for regular operations.

What truly matters in a joint operation is, quite literally, the “joining” part.

The hands and feet must coordinate.

In this respect, Korea and Japan were rather decent partners.

Although the relationship between the two nations isn’t particularly warm, and considering they came perilously close to war not long ago, it might seem odd to say they match well. But reflecting on their recent joint operations that successfully repelled Evil Ghosts, the fact that they aren’t on particularly friendly terms yet live with a sea as a barrier between them, and the vibrant cultural exchanges minimizing the sense of foreignness, there’s reasoning behind this statement.

That said, it’s impossible for individuals who’ve had no previous exchanges with each other to suddenly gel overnight. Even folks from the same school need thorough training to finally showcase their skills, right?

Thus, Japan and Korea opted for the best course of action.

Japan would head towards India.

Korea would go towards Mongolia.

The objective of the dispatched Warriors was to disturb the Warriors near the Chinese border through these two countries, ‘annoying but not leading to war.’

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“Hmmm. The spice smell is quite strong.”

 

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