There were more than twenty samurai in the room, but Kirino Toshiaki, one of the four Hitokiri, was also present.
With only a wakizashi, even an excellent swordsman like Zhang Heng would not be able to take them all on his own.
Zhang Heng also considered the option of taking a hostage. The person with the highest value was obviously Choshu leader Shinsaku Takasugi, who happened to be one anti-Bafuku movement's most important members. His days might be numbered, but once Zhang Heng put a knife around his throat, not a single soul in the room would move a muscle.
That said, standing right beside Shinsaku Takasugi was Kirino Toshiaki, clearly here tonight to deal with situations like that. The man was silent as a rock, but Zhang Heng could sense his eyes following his every move.
