Kyoto, the magistrate's office, the office of the chief minister Abe Risato.
Abe Riri is very depressed now.
Because Mucun escaped.
When Abe learned from his confidant that Makimura had escaped from prison, he felt angry and aggrieved.
Angry about Mucun's escape.
He felt aggrieved that he had no way to help Mucun who had escaped.
Makimura left the prison in a swagger with the help of that guy Hasegawa Heizo.
Hasegawa took Makimura out of prison on the pretext that he needed the prisoner Makimura to assist him in investigating the case.
Hasegawa's reason for taking Makimura out of prison was impeccable.
Abe had no fault at all with Hasegawa's almost forcible removal of Makimura from prison.
As a special security force, the Fire Thieves have the privilege of temporarily transferring prisoners related to the case they are investigating from prison.
Abe had no reason to protest or stop Hasegawa from taking Makimura away.
When Abe thought of this, he felt quite depressed.
In order to adjust his mood, Abe walked slowly to the window and looked at the scenery outside.
The window of Abe's office just faces Nijo Castle in the distance.
Just stand in front of the window and look out, you can see the magnificent Nijo Palace.
Looking at the Nijo Palace in the distance, a hint of jealousy flashed in Abe's eyes.
Abe Riri, who was merely a big boss in Kyoto, was not qualified to attend the banquet held in Nijo Castle tonight.
Abe Riri raised his hand and touched the hair on his temples.
Abe's temples had already turned gray.
Touching the white hair on his temples, Abe couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
He is already quite old.
So he knew that he might not be able to make any further progress and reach the level of attending a banquet of the same level as tonight for the rest of his life.
Putting down his hands that were touching the white hair on his temples, Abe let out another long sigh.
"Lord Abe!"
Just then, a loud shout was heard outside the door.
This is the voice of Abe's confidant.
After hearing the cry from his confidant, Abe immediately responded:
"Come in."
The paper sliding door was opened, and the confidant quickly walked behind Abe who was facing the window.
"Lord Abe, someone spotted Makimura Yahachi on Sanji Street."
Upon hearing the name "Makimura Yahachi", Abe's eyes widened, he turned around, facing his confidant and said loudly:
"We found Makimura Yahachi on Sanji Street?"
"yes!"
The confidant explained to Abe as briefly as possible the series of events including the unexplained explosion on Sanzi Street, the nearby officials who went to investigate and discovered Makimura Yahachi.
"…Are you sure that person is Makimura Yahachi?"
"There are very few people with the height of Makimura Yahachi. It is certain that the person who appeared on Third Prince Street just now was Makimura Yahachi." The confidant replied.
After his confidant finished speaking, Abe was silent for a while.
Then, a look of ecstasy appeared on his face.
"Go!" Abe shouted, "Pass my order - go after Makimura Yahachi!"
Abe Riri is very happy now.
He was just worrying about how to get the escaped Makimura Yahachi, but now Makimura Yahachi himself handed over the evidence.
Hasegawa could indeed use the excuse of "case handling needs" to bring Makimura Yahachi out of prison.
But this does not mean that criminals taken out of prison can be allowed to walk the streets with impunity.
Now that Yahachi Makimura has appeared on the street, Abe has sufficient reason to chase Makimura back.
Not only that, after capturing Makimura, Abe could also severely impeach Hasegawa, who dared to go against him and took Makimura away from prison under his nose, on the grounds that he "took the criminal away but failed to keep him under good care."
After hearing Abe's order, a hint of hesitation appeared on the confidant's face.
"Lord Abe, the explosion on Sanwang Street..."
Abe knew what his confidant was going to say and spoke first:
"We'll investigate slowly after the explosion on Sanzi Street! Chase Makimura Yahachi back first!"
There was a hint of rebuke in Abe's words.
After noticing the reproach in Abe's tone, the confidant hurriedly said:
"Yes, yes! I will do it immediately!"
"etc!"
When the confidant was about to leave the room, Abe called out to stop him.
"I want to do it myself!"
After saying that, Abe took the katana from the knife rack nearby, then he held the katana in his hand and walked out of the room quickly with his confidant.
Abe Riri is very happy now.
He had already begun to imagine the scene of capturing Makimura Yahachi again.
The reason why he ordered the arrest of Makimura Yahachi tonight was to complete a perfect plan of "killing three birds with one stone".
1: After capturing Makimura Yahachi, he can disgust this guy who has had a bad relationship with him ever since he became Kyoto Yoriki.
2. He was able to use Makimura Yahachi as a witness to impeach Kamiyama Koshinosuke for "appointing a commoner who was not even an official to intervene in a major case."
3: After successfully impeaching Kamiyama, who had always been at odds with Toda, he was praised by Toda Tadahiro.
When Abe learned that Makimura had escaped with the help of Hasegawa, he thought his perfect plan had failed.
And now, the reality facing Abe tells him that his plan can still be implemented!
And this plan evolved into a perfect plan of "killing four birds with one stone".
If he could recapture Makimura Yahachi this time, he could impeach Hasegawa Heizo who dared to go against him tonight for "deregulation and failure to properly supervise the criminals transferred out of prison, resulting in the escape of the criminals."
This kind of perfect plan that "kills four birds with one stone" is really hard to find even with a lantern.
And it is not difficult to complete this perfect plan - just capture Makimura Yahachi again.
When he thought of this, a look of joy appeared uncontrollably on Abe's face.
Under the impact of this strong joy and excitement, Abe decided to personally lead the team to bring Makimura Yahachi back...
…
…
Kyoto, Nijo Castle, Ninomaru Garden.
If you were to ask who has the highest status at this banquet tonight, besides Owari daimyo Tokugawa Munemichi, then no matter who you ask, he will definitely answer:
Toda Tadahiro is the deputy director of Kyoto, and Hota Mashun is the deputy director of Osaka Castle.
Osaka Castle Representative - The shogunate's representative in Osaka Castle, responsible for the defense of Osaka Castle and commanding the shogunate servants on duty in Osaka. He also monitors the Kansai daimyo and holds the military command and litigation adjudication power in Kansai in times of emergency.
In terms of position rank, it is equivalent to the Kyoto Shoshidai.
"Mr. Horida! Please!" Toda, who was sitting next to Horida, toasted Horida enthusiastically again.
After Toda toasted him again, Horida immediately put on a smile and responded to Toda's toast.
Toda, who was toasting Horida, had a big smile on his face, but the smile on his face was mixed with a bit of... provocation.
Horida, noticing the provocation on Toda's face, instantly became furious.
Horita understood what Toda's smile, which was mixed with a hint of provocation, meant - Toda was showing off to him that he had regained the favor of Tokugawa Munemachi.
After putting down the wine glass, a hint of displeasure appeared on Horida's face.
Horita and Toda did not get along.
Toda Takashi is the governor of Kyoto, but he keeps neglecting his duties - Horita hates this.
Horida wanted to report Toda more than once.
However, Toda did not make any achievements in his ability to govern. Instead, he was always very careful in preventing himself from being reported and impeached by others, and it was impossible to find any evidence to hold Toda responsible.
Toda also knew that Horida had been trying to find something to hold against him, so while Toda worked even harder to make sure everything was foolproof, he also looked for every opportunity to provoke Horida - just like what happened just now .
After receiving a few words of praise from Tokugawa Munemune tonight, a look of pride has been on Toda's face and has not disappeared until now.
Looking at Toda's smug face, Horida became inexplicably angry.
Because Toda had just come to toast him again, the wine glass on Horita's desk was empty.
Seeing this, the maid beside her hurried to Horida's side and refilled Horida's glass.
When the maid was pouring wine for Horida, she suddenly turned her head and whispered something in Horida's ear.
When the maid finished speaking, Horita's pupils suddenly shrank.
He turned his head and looked at the maid with surprise.
As for the gaze directed at her by Horida, the maid pretended not to notice it. After pouring the wine, she quickly walked away from Horida.
Horida pursed his lips and fell silent.
After pondering for a moment, Horida stood up from behind the table and walked quickly out of the banquet.
The people around him just thought that Horida might be going to the bathroom, so no one cared about Horida's sudden departure.
After quickly leaving the banquet, Horida first pretended to go to the toilet.
After walking far away from the banquet, it suddenly turned and went behind a big tree.
Behind this big tree, stood a middle-aged man.
A middle-aged man who had been waiting for Horida to come here for a long time.
"Lord Horita." The middle-aged man was the first to greet.
"Lord Shenshan."
Horita spoke in a calm tone. He and Kamiyama were just nodding acquaintances, so his tone was a bit cold.
"Enough of the small talk and let's get straight to the point. Tell me your plan to give Toda Tadahiro a powerful blow."
The person standing behind the big tree waiting for Horida to come over was Kamiyama Kosunosuke.
At the same time, it was Kamiyama who bribed the maid to ask Horida to go behind the conspicuous tree when pouring wine for Horida.
What Kamiyama asked the maid to tell Hotta was: Kamiyama Koshinosuke wants to discuss with you a plan behind the big tree that can give Toda Tadahiro a sharp blow.
"Lord Horita." Seeing that Horita was not going to say more pleasantries, this was exactly what Kamiyama wanted. "There is a group of people secretly plotting something in Kyoto."
Kamiyama told Horita directly that the wife and daughter of the master of the Metaphysics Museum, Inaba, were kidnapped by a group of mysterious people, that this group of mysterious people made strange requests to the master, and that the wife and daughter of the master, Inaba, had been successfully rescued.
After listening to Kamiyama's words quietly, Horida frowned slightly and said:
"And then? What are you going to do?"
"I brought Master Inaba's wife and daughter here disguised as my family. They are now sitting next to my seat."
Shenshan's tone now had a more meaningful tone.
"Master Horita, if you bring the wife and daughter of Master Inaba to the lord of the domain and tell him: 'An extremely powerful group of forces are secretly plotting something in Kyoto, but Master Soshidai of Kyoto is still unaware of it,' guess what will happen?"
Hearing Kamiyama's words, Horita raised his eyebrows slightly.
After a while, Horida smiled and said:
"I see……"
"Master Inaba's wife and daughter are our witnesses. And we not only have witnesses, but also physical evidence."
After saying that, Shenshan bent down and picked up a long object covered with cloth at his feet.
After tearing off the cloth covering the long object, Horida looked surprised and said:
"Iron Cannon?"
"This is a cannon that was captured from the group that kidnapped the wife and daughter of the Inaba master. As you can see, this is an extremely rare Nanban cannon. Not every force can buy this kind of cannon. If you take this cannon to see the feudal lord, you can sit back and watch as a very powerful group of people are secretly plotting something in Kyoto."
"…We have witnesses and physical evidence. Lord Kamiyama, you are really well prepared." Horita sighed, "No weapons are allowed at this banquet. I'm really glad you managed to bring this cannon in."
Shenshan showed some helplessness on his face:
"To be honest, these witnesses and evidence were sent to me by others, not found by me."
"As for how to bring the cannon in... I am the magistrate of Kyoto after all, so I can bring in a long, inconspicuous object - I can still do that."
Having said this, Shenshan paused, and then his tone gradually became serious:
"Lord Horita, I know you hate Toda Tadahiro. And I hate Toda Tadahiro just as much."
"Although we are not close friends, the enemy of my enemy is my friend."
"I am only a magistrate of Kyoto. My words carry no weight."
"As the Lord of Osaka, you should take these witnesses and material evidences and speak directly to the Lord of the Domain. Only then can you inflict the greatest damage on Toda Tadahiro."
"So - Lord Horita, are you willing to cooperate with me?"
Almost immediately after Kamiyama finished speaking, Horita immediately said loudly:
"Of course! I would never refuse something that can disgust Toda Tadahiro."
Hearing Horita's words, a relieved smile appeared on Kamiyama's face.
Kamiyama and Horida returned to the banquet one after another.
After returning to the banquet, Horida led the Inaba mother and daughter, who had been sitting next to Kamiyama's seat, towards Tokugawa Munemichi's side.
Because of his position, Kamiyama did not have the power to get close to Tokugawa Munemachi.
But Horida does.
After coming to Tokugawa Munemitsu's side, Horida whispered a few words in Tokugawa Munemitsu's ear.
Tokugawa Munemitsu's expression changed slightly, he slowly put down the wine glass in his hand, said loudly "Everyone continue, I'll be away for a while", and then followed Horita and Inaba's wife and daughter to the outside of the banquet.
Looking at Horita and Tokugawa Munemichi who suddenly left the table, Toda's expression changed.
He instinctively had a bad feeling...
Not long after, his bad premonition came true.
A maid ran to Toda's side and said something to him. Then Toda walked towards the direction where Horita and Tokugawa Munemichi had just left with a gloomy face...
Not long after, the three of them as well as Inaba's wife and daughter returned.
The expressions and looks on the three people's faces were different.
Horita looked refreshed.
Tokugawa Munemichi had a sullen face.
Toda looked pale and walked unsteadily.
After returning to his seat, Toda quickly waved and called his subordinates who were waiting not far away.
"Go!" Toda said to his subordinates in a deep voice, "Go and tell Abe Risato to tell him exactly what I'm going to say next..."
…
…
In an inconspicuous street in Kyoto.
"Master Fuma." Ating asked Fuma in a surprised tone, "How did you find us?"
"Komachi, have you forgotten?" A faint smile appeared on Fuma's face. "I was a ninja after all. Isn't 'tracking others' one of the things we ninjas are best at?"
"Besides, I am familiar with Kyoto."
"Things like 'finding someone in Kyoto' are easy for me."
After saying that, Fuma casually threw the male ninja in front of Ogata and Atachi.
"Master Fuma." This time it was Ogata who asked, "What's the matter with this person?"
"That's a long story."
Fengmo told the story slowly and leisurely.
"Because I encountered something related to Brother Ogata, I decided to come to you two to report the news."
"While searching, I suddenly spotted four guys dressed as male ninjas from Shiranui jumping up and down, seemingly looking for something."
"I was curious, so I followed over to take a look."
"Then I heard them mention A-Ming's name."
"So I walked over and asked them what they wanted from Komachi."
"I didn't want to conflict with them. After all, I made an agreement with Shiranui 10 years ago that I would not take the initiative to cause trouble for Shiranui again."
"However, these four ninjas not only did not answer my questions, but also kept asking me if I had any relationship with Atachi."
"I told them honestly: I have a good relationship with Ah-Ming."
"Then they suddenly pulled out knives and asked me if I knew the whereabouts of Ah-ting."
"Since they have drawn their swords, I can only fight back."
"I was once a ninja, after all, so my counterattack was a little...stronger. I killed three of the four ninjas in one go, leaving only this guy."
At this point, Fuma angrily pursed his lips at the half-dead male ninja standing at Ogata and Atachi's feet.
"Because I wanted to ask him what he wanted to do with Ah-Ming, I left him with a breath."
"Are you here to see Ah-Ming..." Ogata narrowed his eyes slightly, "Ah-Ming, do you know this person?"
At this time, A-machi leaned down and took a look at the face of the dying male ninja lying at her feet.
After seeing the face of the male ninja clearly, A-Machi's face darkened:
"...Yes, I know him. His name is Heitaro, and he is a jonin in our Shiranui..."
"Alas... I don't need it anymore when I get old..." Feng Mo sighed and sat down on the ground. "It was just two hits and my legs hurt so much. They've been shaking ever since... Alas..."
Ogata looked at Fuma's legs - just as Fuma said, Fuma's legs were trembling slightly.
Looking at Fuma who was resting on the ground, Ogata couldn't help but ask:
"Master Fuma...are you really already in your seventies?"
“Hehe.” Feng Mo chuckled a few times, “You are definitely over seventy years old. It was not easy for me to fight in that battle just now… Oh, right, I almost forgot about the main thing. I came to you specially to tell you the news.”
"Report?" A-Ting asked doubtfully, "What happened?"
"Something terrible has happened." Fuma smiled bitterly. "Brother Ogata, do you know? The six major sword halls now claim that you killed their masters and many of their disciples, and they want you to confront them in Nimukai Town. And that group of people seems to be weird."
"...Fuma-sama, please tell me and Atachi about this matter in detail."
…
…
Fuma explained the whole story to Ogata in the simplest terms possible.
"I just went to Nimukai Town to take a look, and hid in the distance to eavesdrop on the conversations of the disciples of the six major sword halls currently entrenched in Nimukai Town. I found that they were all talking about some strange things. So I think these people are weird."
"Strange things?" Ogata asked.
"I heard them mention the name 'Ryunosuke' repeatedly. They also talked about 'capturing Ogata Ittosai alive' and so on."
"It's a pity that my ears have become less useful as I've gotten older. I can't hear other more useful things."
As soon as Fuma finished speaking, Atachi immediately cast a worried look towards Ogata.
"Ayi... these disciples from the six major sword halls who are still alive, could it be that..."
"...Hmm." Ogata said solemnly, "They should be members of the 'gravediggers' who infiltrated the six major sword halls..."
After learning from Fuma that the "disciples" of the six major sword halls entrenched in Nimukai Town had repeatedly mentioned the name "Ryunosuke", Oobe dared to be sure that these surviving "disciples" of the six major sword halls must be Ryunosuke's subordinates, that is, members of the "Gravediggers".
"What on earth are the 'gravediggers' planning to do..." Ogata let out a long sigh.
Based on the various information currently known, it is not difficult to infer that the "gravedigger" is forcing him to go to Nimukai Town.
And for Ogata, Nimukai Town is obviously the Hongmen Banquet.
Ogata was feeling...irritated right now.
The "gravedigger" first disguised himself as him and killed people everywhere in Kyoto, causing him to be inexplicably blamed.
And now, for some unknown reason, they poured a basin of black water on him, accusing him of "suspected massacre of the masters and many disciples of the six major sword halls", and forced him to go to Nixiang Town to attend the Hongmen Banquet.
The "gravedigger" kept causing him trouble one after another, and to be honest, Ogata now felt... a little annoyed.
No, it should be said that it is - very annoying.
This feeling of irritability accumulated in Ogata's chest, making him feel as if his chest was blocked.
“Hmm…”
At this moment, Ogata and A-machi heard a low groan of pain coming from their feet.
The two of them looked towards their feet following the sound.
Heitaro, who had been half-dead and unconscious, now woke up...
…
…
The deafening sound like thunder and the rolling sound of air waves still echo in the ears of the herders.
——When was the last time I heard the sound of a bomb exploding?
Makimura asked himself this question for no reason, and answered it himself...
——It seems...it was two years ago...
…
…
2 years ago - March 7, the 8th year of Tianming (1788 AD).
Kyoto, somewhere outside the city.
"Shunliu, why did you drag me to this remote place?" Mucun looked at Shunliu with a puzzled look. He was holding a square object in his hand.
"Just wait and see." Shunliu had a smug smile on his face. "Didn't we catch a southern barbarian who sneaked in from Osaka and then fled to Kyoto a while ago?"
"Of course I know. He's the one who escaped from prison a while ago."
"I learned the making technique of some very interesting things from that southern barbarian."
"Is it something very interesting?"
"Let me show you something."
After saying that, Shunliu placed the square object in his hand under a big tree, then took out a tinderbox and lit a tinderbox-like thing on one side of the square object.
"Aha! Come here!"
After lighting the fuse-like thing, Shunliu hurriedly pulled Mucun towards a huge rock in the distance.
Mucun had no idea what Shunliu was trying to do, so he let Shunliu pull him behind the huge rock.
As soon as he slipped behind the huge rock, there was a loud bang and a gust of air swept over, shaking Mucun's eardrums so much that they hurt.
“What… is this…?” Mucun rubbed his ears and slowly crawled out from behind the boulder.
The square object was nowhere to be seen.
The big tree that the square object was originally leaning against had been blown off at the roots. The surrounding ground was charred and flames could be seen everywhere.
"I call it a bomb." Shunliu proudly introduced it to Mucun, "That Nanman taught me how to make this bomb. In fact, the principle is very simple. You just need to mix gunpowder and other materials in a certain proportion to make it."
"Why would Nanman teach you this?" Mucun couldn't help but ask.
"Of course he didn't teach me for free. There were conditions - the condition for teaching me was that I let him go."
"I was wondering how that Nanman escaped from prison..." Mucun said helplessly, "It turned out that you let him go..."
"What does it matter? He didn't commit any serious crime anyway. He just sneaked into our country. Let him go."
"And then - what's the use of you learning the technology of making this explosive bomb?" Makimura said unhappily.
"It's really useless." Shunliu smiled awkwardly, "It's good to have more skills. Anyway, it won't hurt to learn one more skill. Let's go, Makimura, let's go back to Kyoto."
"You dragged me all the way to this remote wilderness just to take a look at this explosive bomb... I always feel like I'm at a disadvantage..."
"Sorry, sorry. To make it up to you, come to my house for dinner today. I'll ask A-Ying to cook something you like for you."
"Oh? Then I won't be polite. But is it okay? Will my frequent visits to your house affect your married life?"
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Shunliu raised his hand and hooked it on Mucun's shoulder. "We are brothers. There is no need to be so polite to me!"
"...When I think about it carefully, time flies by so fast." Mucun sighed and said with emotion, "You and Adian got married half a year ago."
"Yeah... time flies... before I knew it, I've become a married man... Ah Ba, you should hurry up too! It's almost time for you to get married too."
"Hahaha! I'm not in a hurry for this kind of thing... Hmm? Junroku... am I seeing things...? Is there black smoke coming out of Kyoto?"
Shunliu looked in the direction that Makimura's finger pointed - he saw black smoke rising from Kyoto Ryoku.
Although they were quite far away, they could still vaguely see the flash of fire...
The two of them stood there in a daze.
In a short while, layers of cold sweat began to break out on the two of them.
They didn't need anyone to explain to them what was going on...
They hurried back to Kyoto and saw the citizens in chaos.
Back at the Bugyosho, the chaos inside was no better than that on the streets outside.
"Akiyama!" After seeing this close friend of his walking past him, Makura hurriedly called out to him, "What happened?"
"I don't know the details!" Qiu Shan looked anxious. "I only know that there was a fire somewhere! The fire was very big!"
"Have the town firefighters been dispatched?" Shunliu asked urgently.
"The entire army has already been dispatched! But... today's weather is very dry! And the wind is very strong! I'm afraid the fire can't be suppressed!"
"...Let the town firefighters suppress the fire!" Makimura said without hesitation, "Let's do what we can! Everyone listen! Follow me and help the citizens of Kyoto evacuate!"
Although Makimura and Junroku only held the position of Yoriki for a short five years, due to their superb work skills and generous personalities, they have long been the backbone of the enforcement office.
After Mucun spoke, everyone around him immediately seemed to have taken a tranquilizer and slowly regained their composure.
At this moment, a voice sounded, causing the faces of both Mucun and Shunliu to change:
"Everyone listen! Follow me to Nijo Castle!"
"Lord Abe..." Makimura looked at the owner of the voice in surprise.
Abe parted the crowd and walked slowly to the center of the crowd and spoke loudly again:
"I'll say it again - come with me to Nijo Castle!"
"Lord Abe, I don't understand." Junroku said in a deep voice, "Why are you going to Nijo Castle at this time?"
"Lord Toda just gave the order," Abe said calmly, "Prioritize the protection of Nijo Castle."
"Nijo Castle is the symbol of the shogunate in Kyoto and the headquarters of Lord Daishu in Kyoto. It must not be lost."
"Lord Toda has issued a death order to us: build a barrier around Nijo Castle as quickly as possible. Prevent the fire from spreading to Nijo Castle."
"Wait!" Makimura said urgently, "If we go to protect Nijo Castle, what about the people in Kyoto?"
"We don't have the extra manpower to take care of anything other than Nijo Castle!"
"Instead of saving people, you're saving a building?" Shunliu gritted his teeth, "Don't be ridiculous!"
"What? You two want to disobey orders?" After saying that, Abe seemed to be too lazy to pay attention to Makimura and Shunroku, and cast his eyes on the others, "What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and take action!"
The officials present looked at Abe, then looked at Makimura and Junroku, and finally - walked out of the magistrate's office quickly and headed towards Nijo Castle...
However - when all the officials were rushing towards Nijo Castle, two of them were running in the completely opposite direction from the others.
These two people are Makimura and Junroku.
"Hey! Where do you two want to go?" Abe rushed forward and grabbed Makura's shoulder, "Want to disobey me... ah!"
Abe hadn't finished speaking before the rest of his words turned into a stunned groan.
After he grabbed Makura's shoulders, Makura turned his head and glared at Abe fiercely.
Abe had never seen such a terrifying look before. Frightened by Makimura's look, Abe uttered a low groan of surprise, and then collapsed to the ground in fear.
After Abe let him go, Makimura withdrew his gaze, followed closely behind Shunliu, and ran with Shunliu towards a road not far away that had become a mess.
The two of them ran to evacuate the civilians.
Abe was so frightened by Makimura's eyes that he collapsed to the ground, and a few low sneers were heard around him.
Hearing these sneers, Abe's face instantly turned red with grief and anger.
After hastily getting up from the ground, Abe stared in the direction where Makimura's back disappeared, gritting his teeth...
…
…
"Thank you for your help."
Shimada spoke seriously to the middle-aged man who was sitting beside Makura's bed and applying medicine to the wound on Makura's forehead.
"You're welcome." The middle-aged man smiled. "Mucun-kun is my old friend. It's my duty to lend a helping hand to him and his companions."
"Um..." Shimada hesitated, "I haven't asked you yet, may I ask who you are?"
"My name is Jinle." The middle-aged man said without hesitation, "I am a Ukiyo-e painter and also a tattoo artist. You should know that there is a red dragon tattooed on Makimura's back, right? That red dragon is tattooed by me."
"So the red dragon tattoo on Senior Jinle's back was done by you!" Shimada exclaimed, "Your skills are really superb! The dragon tattoo on Senior Jinle's back is the most amazing tattoo I have ever seen! It's as if there is a real dragon on Senior Makura's back!"
"Thank you for the compliment." Jinle nodded with a smile, "Oh, it seems that Makimura-kun is about to wake up."
…
…
Just like a hot spring gushing out from underground, Makumura felt his strength gradually returning to his limbs.
I slowly opened my eyes, and the first thing that caught my eye was a face that was quite familiar, but one that I hadn't seen for some time.
Looking at this face, Mucun subconsciously whispered:
"Master Jilezhai..."
"Hey, hey, hey, Makimura-kun, are you sleepy?"
The man sitting beside Mucun's bed gave a bitter smile.
"Why use such an unfamiliar name? You should go back to 'Jinle Lord'. It sounds much more pleasant. I usually only let unfamiliar guests call me 'Jilezhai'."
"Sorry... I just recalled some past events and unconsciously used the old name I used to call you..."
Mucun turned his head and looked around him—he was lying on a bed, and Jinle was sitting beside the bed, applying medicine to the wound on his forehead...
Hasegawa was lying beside him, seemingly asleep.
Shimada was standing not far away. When he saw Makimura waking up, he ran towards him excitedly.