"…A-Machi. Do you remember Kondo?"
"Of course I remember." Ating answered without hesitation, "I just looked for him the day before yesterday."
At this point, a hint of helplessness emerged on Ating's face.
"The day before yesterday, I spent a lot of effort to convince Kondo-kun that you were really safe..."
In order to avoid involving Kondo, Ogata never told Kondo the real reason why he came to Edo.
So Kondo naturally didn't know that Ogata, who suddenly stopped participating in the "Imperial Trial" martial arts test, actually went to deal with Shiranui.
From Kondo's perspective, Ogata simply missed the martial arts test for no reason and then disappeared.
In order to avoid worrying Kondo, after moving into this house to recuperate three days ago, Obe reported the address of Kitakaze-ya to A-machi, and asked A-machi to go to Kitakaze-ya on his behalf to report safety to Kondo who was currently working there.
Tell Kondo that he is fine now, but because of some things he encountered, he has to be "missing" for a while.
A-Machi also knew Kondo and knew the relationship between Kondo and Ogata , so naturally she would not shirk this task.
On the second day after moving into the house - that is, the day before yesterday, A-machi followed the address given to him by Ogata and found Kitakaze-ya and Kondo who was working part-time there.
After Atachi told Kondo that "Ogata is safe now, but he has to be 'missing' for a while due to some things", Kondo immediately asked Atachi with a nervous look on his face what had happened to Ogata.
According to A-Machi, she had to put in a lot of effort to finally fool Kondo and make him believe that Ogata was really safe now.
"The 'Kitakaze-ya' where Kondo works now is actually a store that specializes in selling specialties from Ezo."
Ogata continued.
"The owner of Kitakaze-ya might know some information about Ezo."
Hearing Ogata's words, Atachi's eyes lit up.
"So that Kitafuya is a store that specializes in selling Ezo goods?"
"Didn't you just go to Kitafuya the day before yesterday and tell Kondo that you were safe?" Ogata asked helplessly, "Didn't you notice that Kitafuya's shelves were filled with strange and bizarre Ezo goods?"
"I didn't go into Kitafuya at that time." A-Ming said, "When I found Kitafuya, Kondo-kun happened to be standing outside the store eating."
"I left after I told Kondo-kun I was safe, so I never entered that store."
At this point, Ating let out a long sigh and said with emotion:
"How lucky I am... I just happen to know someone who works in a store that sells Yezo goods..."
"Yeah, that's right." Ogata also let out a long sigh, "After my injuries have healed better, I'll go visit Kitafuya... and meet Kondo by the way, let him know that I'm really safe..."
"...Going to Ezo...seems like it will cost a lot of money." Atachi muttered softly, "I need to buy thick enough winter clothes and enough dry food..."
Before Atachi could finish her words, Oufang interrupted her and said:
"You don't have to worry about the money, Ating."
"Have you forgotten?"
"But I still have a lot of money to collect."
"A large sum of money?" Atachi repeated what Ogata had just said with a puzzled look on his face.
After pondering for a while, I finally remembered what Ogata meant by what he had just said.
"Yeah... I almost forgot about that money..."
…
…
The next day——
Edo, the place where Ogata and others recuperate.
"Ittosai, you said you had something important to tell us." Lin asked Ogata, who was sitting cross-legged in front of them, "Now that everyone is here, you can tell us whatever you want to say."
Ogata and the group of people from Huluwu, led by Lin, gathered in the room where Makimura and Asai lived.
In order to take care of the more seriously injured Makimura, Asai and Shimada, Mamiya lived with Makimura, Asai and Shimada in the largest room in the house.
Then Genichirō lived in a room all by himself, next door to Mamiya and the others.
Lin, who also lives in a separate room, lives next door to Yuanyi.
Just now, Ogata suddenly came to the room where Mamiya, Makimura, Asai, and Shimada were living.
As soon as they entered Mamiya and their room, Obe asked Mamiya to help call Lin and Genichir, who were living in other rooms.
"Mamiya, could you please call Miss Lin, Mr. Genichi and the others over? I have something very important to tell you." - These are the exact words Ogata said to Mamiya just now.
Although he didn't know what this "important matter" Ogata was talking about, seeing that Ogata looked serious when he said this, Mamiya did not dare to neglect it.
Lin and Genichi's rooms were next door, so Mamiya quickly brought Lin and the others over.
"I'm sorry that I've taken up your time because of my personal business." Ogata bowed and apologized to Lin and others in front of him, "I'll try to be brief."
Ogata straightened up, cleared his throat, and then said seriously:
"I plan to go to Ezo with A-Machi once my injury has healed enough to not hinder my travels."
"Ezo?" Makimura was the first to exclaim.
Although the others did not exclaim like Makimura, there was more or less astonishment on their faces.
Lin raised her eyebrows, looked at Ogata up and down with a meaningful look, and said softly:
"Are you planning to go find those two doctors Hyun Jung and Hyun Jin?"
"That's right." Ogata nodded, "You all should know it, right? The purple mark on my neck has grown bigger."
Ogata raised his hand and touched the left side of his neck.
"I guess it's most likely that the 'immortal poison' in the body has spread."
Last night, after learning that Ogata, who had suddenly fallen into a coma, had woken up, Makimura, Asai, Shimada... especially Makimura, also wanted to go and see Ogata who had finally woken up.
However, due to the severity of his injuries, he even had difficulty walking, so he could only continue lying down and wait for Rin, Genichi, and Mamiya, who had gone to visit Ogata, to return.
After Lin and the others finally came back, they brought the bad news that "the immortal poison in Ogata's body may have spread" to Makimura, Asai and Shimada.
So everyone present knew that the purple mark on Ogata's neck had become larger.
"...Brother Ogata, the reason why the purple mark on your neck has become bigger may not be because the 'immortal poison' in your body has spread." Makimura hesitated, "Maybe it's because of some other reason..."
"Whatever the reason, I need to prepare for the worst."
At this point, Ogata's tone became more helpless.
"If the purple mark on my neck has grown bigger for some other insignificant reason, that would be best."
"But if it's really because of the spread of the 'Immortality Poison' in my body that caused the purple mark on my neck to grow larger... then it can't be ignored."
"So I discussed it with Ating last night."
A firm tone gradually appeared in Ogata's tone.
"When my injury is almost healed, I will immediately go to Ezo to find the two doctors Xuanzheng and Xuanzhen."
"...Are you and Ms. Atachi the only ones heading to Ezo?" Lin asked. "Excuse me, Ezo is very big. Looking for two people in Ezo is like looking for a needle in a haystack."
"I know." The firmness in Ogata's tone did not change at all, "But this is the only way."
"It's better to go to Ezo and look for a needle in a haystack than to sit there and do nothing."
"Besides, it's not good to stay in Edo for too long now." When saying this, Ogata changed his tone to a joking one, "The shogunate may find out at any time that 'Executioner Ittosai' was also involved in the attack on Shiranui."
"So we need to leave Edo quickly before the shogunate finds out who destroyed Shiranui."
"Let's not talk about whether the shogunate has the ability to find out who destroyed Shiranui. Even if they find out, it will take many months or years." Lin complained unhappily.
Their previous attack on Shiranui could be described as a "lightning attack".
From the start of the attack to the departure of Ogata and others, less than an hour had passed.
The reason is that the power of the barrel is too strong.
Faced with weapons of the caliber of the Ōtsutsu, the ninjas in Shiranui fought bravely but were quickly defeated.
After the "Gu"s, together with Ogata and others, defeated the ninjas in Shiranui, they robbed the treasury in Shiranui.
After dividing up all the money stored in Shiranui's vault, the "dirty" ones also fled in all directions, escaping from this hell that had tormented them for who knows how many years.
The money they divided up from Shiranui's vault was enough for them to start a new life.
It was not until the attack on Shiranui was over that the shogunate realized belatedly that something had happened in Shiranui.
Then, near dusk, officials were sent into Shiranui to investigate what had happened.
By that time, Ogata and the "Gu" had already run away, and there was nothing left in Shiranui except the corpses.
As far as Ogata and the others know, the shogunate is still investigating who attacked Shiranui.
Because when the shogunate officials arrived at Shiranui, there was no one alive there, and there were no witnesses or physical evidence.
Therefore, it is a question whether the shogunate has any way to find out who destroyed Shiranui.
Even if we can find out, it will probably take a lot of time.
That's why Lin complained about Ogata just now.
After complaining about Ogata's words in a bad mood, Lin took a deep breath.
After slowly exhaling the breath she had inhaled into her chest, Lin said in a deep voice:
"……I see."
"You and Ms. A-Ming are allies of our Hulu House."
"We won't ask any questions or interfere with what you plan to do next."
At this point, a faint smile appeared on Lin's face.
"Since you have made up your mind to set off for Ezo as quickly as possible, I can only wish you good luck in your military career."
"If you need any help, feel free to ask them."
"I can't guarantee that I can help with anything else."
"But I have never been afraid of anything that involves money."
"Ezo is very far away. It will cost a lot of money to go there."
"If you need it, I can lend you money without interest or restrictions."
"Thank you for your kindness." Ogata smiled, "But I'm not really short of money right now."
"Because there is still a large sum of money waiting for me to collect."
…
…
4 days later——
October 29, the second year of Kanzheng (1790).
Edo, Gofukumachi Gate, Kitamachi Bugyosho.
Compared with big cities like Kyoto and Osaka, Edo has a big difference, that is, Edo has two magistrates' offices - Kitamachi magistrates' office located at Gofukumachi Gate, and Minamimachi magistrates' office located at Sukiyabashi Gate.
Edo once established the "Nakamachi Bugyosho", but this Nakamachi Bugyosho was only a flash in the pan and was closed shortly after it was established.
Hearing the names, most people would think that the Minami-machi magistrates and the Kitamachi magistrates each managed half of Edo, with the Minami-machi magistrates managing the southern half of Edo, and the Kitamachi magistrates managing the northern half of Edo.
But this is actually wrong.
The Minami-machi and Kitamachi Bugyosho did not each manage half of Edo; instead, they implemented a "monthly ban-kotai" system.
Simply put, they took turns managing Edo on a "monthly basis".
This month, Kitamachi Bugyosho is in charge of Edo. Next month, it will be the turn of Minami-machi Bugyosho to manage Edo. Then the month after that, it will be the turn of Kitamachi Bugyosho again...
This month it happened to be the turn of the Kitamachi Magistrate's Office to manage Edo.
Ogata and Atachi walked out of the Kitamachi Bugyosho side by side.
A-Ting was holding a wooden box in his arms.
Ogata limped along beside Atachi.
"A-Machi." Ogata whispered to A-Machi, who had slowed down her pace to take care of him, "Do you really not need my help?"
"No need." Ating said without hesitation, "Don't treat me like a lady in seclusion. I can carry things that are several times heavier than this box."
Ogata looked Ating up and down several times, and seeing that Ating was indeed able to handle the situation with ease, he didn't say anything more.
"We've become rich." Ogata put his lips close to A-Ming's ear again, lowered his voice, and continued to whisper in a joking tone at a volume that only he and A-Ming could hear.
The reason why the two of them came out of the Kitamachi Bugyosho just now was because they came to collect the prize money for winning the first place in the "Imperial Examination" literary examination.
The first place in the literary test and the first place in the martial arts test of the "Imperial Examination" can both receive a bonus of 100 taels of gold.
Just two days ago, the martial arts test that lasted for several days finally ended.
The person who finally won the martial arts exam turned out to be someone Ogata knew—Chiba, who was currently working part-time at Kitafuya with Kondo.
Although he had heard from Kondo before that Chiba was very strong and a master of the Hokushin Dream Style, Ogata did not expect Chiba to be so strong that he could win the "Gozen Shihe" martial arts test.
Although many participants in the "Imperial Trial" were of very low skill, there were still some people with fairly good skills.
Therefore, it was not easy for Qianye to defeat all the competitors and take the first place in the martial arts test.
The end of the martial arts test also announced the successful conclusion of this year's "Imperial Examination".
The government stipulates that the prize money for the first place in the civil and martial arts examinations of the "Examination Before the Emperor" will be distributed uniformly two days after the end of the "Examination Before the Emperor", which is today.
The distribution time is today and tomorrow, and no one will be accepted after this time.
The top scorers in the civil examination and the military examination must go to the Kitamachi Bugyosho in person to collect their certificates. When collecting the certificates, they must present a piece of paper similar to an "examinee certificate" that was given to each of them after they registered for the "Gozen Exam".
After absorbing "Immortality" for the second time, Ogata's vitality increased to 36 points.
After his vitality was further increased, Ogata's already terrifying recovery speed became even more terrifying.
After 4 days of recuperation after absorbing "Immortality" for the second time, today, no wound on Ogata's body is still painful.
Except for those deeper wounds which still need some time to heal, the other shallower wounds have already scabbed, healed, and grown new flesh.
At the same time, he was able to walk like a normal person - although he couldn't walk for too long, and he limped when he walked. This was because Ogata also had a deep wound on his left thigh, and this wound had not yet healed completely.
It was thanks to this powerful recovery ability that Ogata was able to recover to the point where he could barely walk before today.
If he couldn't move around today, Ogata really didn't know how to go to the Kitamachi Magistrate's Office to collect the money.
The wooden box that Atachi is holding now contains the prize money for the first place in the literary examination - 100 large bonus coins.
Ogata originally wanted to carry the cash box himself, but the job was taken away by Atachi on the grounds that "your injury hasn't fully healed yet, so don't do any strenuous exercise."
For those big businessmen, 100 taels of gold might not be enough for their spending in Yoshiwara, a place where money is spent in one night.
But for ordinary people like Ogata, 100 taels of gold is undoubtedly a huge sum of money.
If you use it sparingly, it will last for 10 years without any problem.
So what Ogata said just now, “We have become rich,” was not a joke or bragging.
"Fortunately, my injury healed quickly enough that I was able to walk by today."
Ogata smiled and shrugged.
"If I miss the time to collect my bonus because I don't recover in time, I'll probably be so depressed that I'll vomit blood."
"It's a pity that you didn't complete the martial arts test." Ating smiled in a half-joking tone, "If you could complete the martial arts test, we might be able to get another 100 taels of gold."
"Don't be too greedy." Ogata responded to Ating in the same half-joking tone, "These 100 taels of gold are enough for us to squander for a while. Be content."
"I know, I was just joking. If you took the 100 taels of gold for the first place in the martial arts test, I would be troubled. I wouldn't know how to carry so much money."
Ogata only participated in the martial arts examination for a total of two days.
On the third day of the martial arts exam, Ogata went to have a decisive battle with Shiranui.
According to the rules of the "Imperial Trial", those who fail to arrive on time will be deemed to have forfeited.
Therefore, Ogata, who went to fight with Shiranui on the third day after the martial arts test and was unable to continue to participate in the martial arts test, was naturally treated as "voluntarily giving up" by the government.
Ogata did not feel much regret for not being able to complete the martial arts examination.
He decided to take part in the "Imperial Trial" for only two reasons.
The first reason is that this is an agreement between them and Hasegawa.
Hasegawa needs a master who is strong enough to participate in the "Gozen Trial" and to destroy Shiranui's attempt to elevate their image through the "Gozen Trial".
And Hasegawa's wish was indirectly fulfilled by Ogata and others.
There is no need to worry anymore about Shiranui relying on the "Gozen Trial" to elevate their image.
Because in Shiranui it was completely gone.
As for the second reason...it was Ogata's own reason.
Ogata never told anyone - including A-machi - the second reason why he decided to take part in the "Imperial Examination".
The second reason why Ogata decided to participate in the "Gozen Test" was that he wanted the prize money for the "Gozen Test".
After marrying Atachi at the Hyakuraya headquarters in Owari, Ogata had been thinking about his and Atachi's future.
With A-Ming by my side, the amount of money I have to spend every day suddenly increased a lot.
If you want to live a good life with Ating in the future, having enough money is essential.
However - Ogata is now the shogunate's most wanted criminal.
Unless he keeps wearing that human skin mask and lives as "Mashima Goro", any legitimate job will definitely be out of reach for Ogata, a wanted criminal.
So when he arrived in Edo and learned that the top winners of the literary and martial arts examinations of the "Imperial Examination" would receive a prize of 100 taels, enough for him and Atachi to live a leisurely life for at least 10 years, Ogata was very excited.
So when Ogata learned that Hasegawa was looking for an expert who was strong enough and willing to participate in the "Imperial Trial", he took the initiative to volunteer and personally participated in the "Imperial Trial".
Ogata's original goal was actually to win the first place in the martial arts test and get the 100 taels of gold.
Ogata had no expectations for the written test.
But who knew that the development of the world would be so unpredictable.
Ogata, who had not had any expectations for the written test, won the first place in the written test without knowing it.
It was for this reason that Ogata did not feel any regret for not being able to complete the martial arts test.
Anyway, he already had the 100 taels of gold to be won for getting the first place in the literary exam, so Ogata didn't really care whether he could get the first place in the martial arts exam.
The only thing that attracted Ogata to the "Imperial Trial" was the prize money.
To Ogata, these false titles such as "first place in the literary examination" and "first place in the martial arts examination" were of no importance.
And even if he got these false reputations, Ogata would not have any sense of accomplishment.
Because the person who got these false titles was "Mashima Goro" instead of "Ogata Yoshisei".
Ogata was worried that telling Ah-machi that another purpose of his participation in the "Imperial Examination" was to make money would cause Ah-machi to feel psychologically burdened.
That's why he kept it a secret from A-Ming. He never told A-Ming that he participated in the "Imperial Trial" for money, so that the two of them would have enough money to live a good life in the future.
"What should we buy first?" Ogata joked.
"Anyway, let's quickly send it back to where we live now." Ating smiled and joked, "I always feel uneasy walking on the street with so much money."