"...Whatever." Qingcheng sighed, "Do whatever you want, as long as you don't miss the important things. Has Lord Toyotomi come to Osaka?"
"Lord Toyotomi will probably arrive this afternoon," Yoshihisa replied, "He is probably... currently reviewing the troops that will be joining the battle tonight outside of Osaka."
"Ha..." Qingcheng's face suddenly flushed strangely, "The day that can realize our long-cherished wish... has finally come..."
"Tonight's mission is very heavy." Yoshihisa said, "We have to fight against the Edo Shogunate and Shura at the same time... It's troublesome just thinking about it."
"Isn't that perfect? ​​That's why I'm so excited." Qingcheng panted.
…
…
"Nice to meet you!"
Azhu, kneeling on the tatami, pushed forward the cloth bag filled with snacks she had just bought from far away, then bowed respectfully to Lin who was sitting opposite her.
"I'm Azhu! Please give me your guidance!"
Lin accepted the gift from Azhu with both hands and returned the greeting:
"Nice to meet you. I'm Kinoshita Lin. Thank you for the gift."
"I have already heard from Ogata Ittosai about your situation."
"You're much cuter than I thought."
"You are cuter than I thought!" Azhu said quickly, "When I first heard Master Ittosai say that you were a female swordsman and businessman with outstanding swordsmanship and amazing wealth at a young age, I thought you might be a fierce-looking, muscular person!"
Lin seemed to be amused by what Azhu said.
After laughing a few times, Lin said slowly:
"I have heard everything about you from Ogata Ittosai."
"I admire your determination to find your family."
Lin looked at Azhu with admiration.
"I don't know much about the 'remnants of Iga' either."
"But I'm happy to help Ogata Ittosai's companions."
"I will work with my subordinates to pay attention to, investigate, and collect as much information as possible about Iga."
"But I am essentially just a businessman, not the leader of an intelligence organization, so I can't guarantee that I can help you in any way. I can only assure you that I will do my best."
Hearing this, Azhu was overjoyed.
"Thank you very much!" Ah Zhu bowed his head again and saluted. "I am very happy that you are willing to lend me a helping hand! No matter what the final result is, I will never have any complaints!"
Because of her childhood experiences, Lin has always had a favorable impression of people who value family affection.
Azhu is not only polite, but also the type of person who values ​​family affection, which is the type that Lin has always liked. This made Lin's gaze towards Azhu soften a lot.
When Lin told Azhu that she would help her investigate the "Iga Remnants", she was not just being polite. She really wanted to investigate the "Iga Remnants" seriously.
Not only for Azhu, but also for myself.
Based on all the information currently known, the "Iga Remnants" are very likely to merge with the organization that studies "immortality".
So even for her own sake, Lin couldn't just sit back and watch the "Iga remnants."
"Okay, raise your head." Lin said to Azhu, "I'm not used to people showing me such courtesy. Raise your head."
Da da da…
At this moment, a series of footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door, coming from far away and getting closer.
Hearing the footsteps, Makimura, who was sitting in the corner of the room, grinned: "It's the footsteps of Mamiya and Asai. It seems that Mamiya and the others are back. Hmm? Why do I seem to have another unfamiliar footstep..."
As soon as Makimura finished speaking, the paper sliding door of the room was opened with a "whoosh".
What Makimura said is absolutely correct.
The ones who opened the door were Mamiya and Asai.
Behind Mamiya and Asai stood a middle-aged man who looked familiar to Ogata, but he couldn't remember who he was for the moment.
"Hmm? Yao Goro?" Lin stared at the middle-aged man standing behind Mamiya and Asai and raised her eyebrows.
After hearing Lin mutter the name "Yōgoro", Ogata finally remembered who this person was - it was Yukimura, whom he had met once before when he served as Hatsumitsu's "temporary bodyguard" in Shinmachi, Osaka.
It was Yukimura who allowed Ogata to reunite with Makimura indirectly, and it was also Yukimura who allowed Ogata to show off his prowess in front of Hatsukimi and others in an almost forced manner.
Ogata remembered that Makimura once told him: Yukimura, whose original name was Yaogoro and who had received a lot of favors from Lin, was considered half a member of their Huluya.
Looking at Ogata, Fuma and others in the room, Mamiya, Asai and Yukimura all showed surprise and confusion, but Yukimura quickly calmed down his expressions and then bowed respectfully to Lin.
"Ms. Lin." He greeted Lin actively and enthusiastically.
Lin waved her hand, indicating that Yukimura didn't need to be polite, and asked, "Yao Goro, why are you with Jiulang and the others?"
Mamiya explained for Yukimura:
"After Asai and I visited the business partner you asked us to visit on your behalf, we happened to meet Yogoro on the way back. He happened to be in a hurry to report an important matter to the lord. So we simply brought him back with us."
Yukimura nodded at this time.
"Ms. Lin."
Yukimura said in a serious tone.
"I have already found some clues about the matter you asked me to help investigate."
As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of Ogata, A-machi, Lin... in short, everyone in the room except Fuma and A-tsuku changed slightly.
Ogata and A-machi both knew what Lin had previously commissioned Yukimura to investigate.
On the night when Ogata and Makimura reunited, Makimura happened to be following Lin's orders and came to ask Yukimura, who had a huge influence in Osaka, to help investigate and collect relevant information on the "Kansai Disappearance Case."
As everyone's expressions changed slightly, Yukimura looked around the room which was a little crowded with so many people sitting there.
"Ms. Lin, may I ask... is it convenient for you to listen to me now?"
"... Lord Ganshi, Miss Azhu." After thinking for a moment, Lin turned to look at Fuma and Azhu who were sitting in front of her, "I'm sorry, could you two please step aside for a moment?"
"Of course." Fuma said without hesitation, "Then I'll go take a short walk outside with Azhu. Let's go, Azhu."
Due to her childhood experiences, Azhu was forced to mature precociously. She had already mastered the skill of "reading the air". She didn't say anything else. She stood up very obediently and followed Fengmo out of the room.
As soon as the two of them left, Asai whispered to Makimura next to him, "Who was that little girl just now?"
"This is a long story." Makimura explained, "I will explain it to you slowly later."
While Makimura and Asai were chatting, Lin made a "please" gesture towards where Azuki had just sat.
"Yao Goro, there are no outsiders here now, please speak freely. Katsurokuro, go get a pot of tea."
"No, no need for tea." Yukimura said as he sat respectfully in front of Lin, "I still have a lot of things to do later. I will leave as soon as I finish speaking. I won't stay long."
"Ms. Lin, after you asked me to help investigate the recent frequent disappearances in Kansai, I immediately dispatched a large number of people to investigate the matter."
"After investigation by my subordinates, Koya-san's Koya-sensei is extremely suspicious."
"Takano-sei..." Lin muttered, her brows slowly furrowing.
Ogata also frowned.
As the head temple of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, Mount Koya has a large number of monks who spontaneously travel to various places to spread the beliefs of the Shingon sect.
These people who spread the Shingon faith to various places were called "Koya Saints".
Therefore, Kono Sei can be understood as a missionary.
The Konosei who traveled around preaching for their faith should, in theory, be a group of people with strong faith—but in reality, this is not the case.
"Traveling around and spreading faith" is not an easy task.
So gradually, more and more Konosho became depraved as they traveled around because they could not bear the hunger and cold.
More and more Konosei are engaging in obscene and deceptive business, taking advantage of others and intimidating the good.
Because of the many evil deeds committed by Kono Sei, he has become a despised person today. There is even a proverb that goes like this: Don't let Kono Sei stay overnight, it is shameful for him to have an affair with a woman.
"According to the investigation of my subordinates, the number of Kono-sei appearing in Kansai has increased significantly recently." Yaogoro continued slowly, "In some villages where people have disappeared, there have been reports that Kono-sei have appeared near the village."
"Although we have not yet obtained more evidence to prove that the 'Kansai Disappearance Case' was caused by Kono Sei, based on the information we have collected so far, Kono Sei is indeed extremely suspicious."
"If this series of events were all caused by Konosei, then everything can be explained."
"After all, human trafficking is indeed a disgusting thing that Takano Seijō does."
Yukimura reported the latest information he had collected in a concise and comprehensive manner.
After listening to Yukimura's report, Lin pursed her lips and then asked:
"Yao Wulang, is there anything else you need to report?"
"No more." Yukimura shook his head.
"...Yao Wulang, thank you for your hard work." Lin said solemnly, "Thank you for coming all the way to report to me today."
"You just said that you had something important to deal with later and couldn't stay long, right?"
"Then you can step down first and go do your own thing. I'll trouble you to continue to help me investigate this matter later."
"If you gather any important intelligence, please report to me as soon as possible, just like today ."
"Yes." Yao Wulang bowed respectfully to Lin again and quickly walked away from Lin.
"Koyasan...?" Genichi muttered as soon as Yogoro left. "Koyasan...is really becoming more and more suspicious."
"All the currently known clues point to Mount Koya as the most suspicious place at the moment," added Mamiya.
"Osaka really came to the right place..." Lin said solemnly, "The situation is now very clear."
"Koyasan is undoubtedly the most suspicious place. We must focus on investigating it."
After saying this in a noncommittal tone, Lin slowly raised two fingers.
"We have so many people gathered in Osaka at the moment, which is just a waste of manpower. We don't need to keep so many people in Osaka."
"So I have a plan now - we split into two groups."
"One group will continue to stay in Osaka to collect intelligence, while the other group will go to Koyasan first, using Koya-cho as a base to investigate Koyasan."
"What do you think?"
Although Lin said "What do you think?", her eyes were only on Ogata.
After Ogata pondered for a moment, he nodded: "I have no objection."
There is indeed nothing wrong with the plan proposed by Lin.
There is really no need for so many people to stay in Osaka. Sending some people to Koyasan to conduct investigation first can greatly improve efficiency and avoid waste of manpower.
After Ogata took the lead in expressing his opinion, the others followed suit.
Everyone agreed with Lin's plan of "dividing the troops into two groups".
Seeing that no one expressed any objection to Lin's plan, Mamiya asked:
"Who should we send to Koyasan to investigate?"
As soon as Jian Gong finished speaking, someone immediately said:
"Count me in the team going to Koyasan."
The person who spoke was Yuanyi.
"Uncle, you actually took the initiative to take the job...that's really rare." Lin's eyes flashed with surprise.
"Don't make me sound like a lazy person who only knows how to eat and not work." Genichi said unhappily, "If you want to investigate Mount Koya, I would be the most suitable person to go there. I have an acquaintance in Koya Town."
"…Since you are so enthusiastic, I will follow your will. Who else wants to go to Koyasan first?"
…
…
After a brief discussion, the personnel who would continue to stay in Osaka and those who would go to Koyasan for investigation were quickly decided.
Yulin, Mamiya, Asai, and Shimada continued to stay in Osaka.
Ogata, Genichi, Atachi, and Makimura were the first to go to Koyasan.
Ogata had originally planned to go to Koyasan for investigation after Daishakten and Daijizai had recovered, so when they were deciding which people would be responsible for going to Koyasan, Ogata spoke up right after Genichi, saying that he wanted to go to Koyasan.
After determining the composition of the two teams, Yuan Yi asked:
"When will we go to Koyasan?"
"Of course the sooner the better." Mucun said.
"So - how about tomorrow?" Ogata suggested.
"Tomorrow?" Genichi raised an eyebrow. "Ogata-kun, aren't your swords still being repaired? Do you want to go to Koyasan with those two cheap swords on your waist?"
Genichi had seen countless swords, and he could tell at a glance that the sword Ogata was currently hanging around his waist was a cheap one that could be bought casually and the blade would probably become blunt after cutting a few bones.
"There's no way I'm going to Koyasan with these two pieces of junk." Ogata smiled, "Master Yoichi and I agreed to pick up the swords in seven days."
"It's a coincidence - today is exactly the time Master Yuyi and I agreed to pick up the knife."
"I plan to get the knife this evening. So we can set off tomorrow."
"I see... I can leave anytime." Genichi shrugged.
"Me too." Makimura agreed.
"In that case, let's set off tomorrow." Ogata said seriously, "I will go get the sword tonight and set off for Koyasan tomorrow morning."
…
…
At this moment——
In a forest on the outskirts of Osaka——
Ka La, Ka La...
A horse-drawn carriage rumbled forward in the forest where there were few birds flying.
The sound of the wheels turning and the music coming from the carriage became the only sounds in this silent forest.
Inside the carriage, Toyotomi Nobuhide, wearing a white cloak and half-closing his eyes, played the violin on his left shoulder with an elegant posture.
There were only two people in the not-so-spacious carriage - Toyotomi and a blond-haired, blue-eyed Westerner sitting opposite Toyotomi.
When Toyotomi played beautiful music with the violin, this Westerner closed his eyes and shook his head gently, looking like he was listening carefully and enjoying the music, with an intoxicated expression on his face from time to time.
Soon, the song ended.
When Toyotomi put down the bow in his hand, the Westerner clapped his hands vigorously.
"Great, Lord Toyotomi, your piano skills are getting better and better!" said the Westerner in English.
"Smith, thank you for the compliment." Fengchen responded with a smile in fluent English, "But my piano skills are still far from perfect. I need to practice more."
Toyotomi showed a regretful expression.
When Toyotomi put down the violin on his shoulder, the carriage under him just stopped.
"Lord Toyotomi."
The coachman jumped out of the carriage, ran quickly to the door and opened it.
"We're here."
"Well, thank you." Toyotomi smiled gently as he helped the coachman open the door for him, and slowly walked out of the carriage. "I made you drive all the way here, you must be tired."
"I don't deserve it." The coachman who was thanked by Toyotomi had a distorted expression on his face due to excitement. "I just did what I was supposed to do."
The carriage stopped in a dense forest.
After getting off the carriage, the driver stayed to watch the carriage, while Toyotomi led Smith slowly into the depths of the dense forest ahead.
In just a moment, a sturdy figure appeared in front of Toyotomi and walked towards him quickly.
"Lord Toyotomi!" The strong man knelt down and saluted.
"Takaharu." Toyotomi stood with his hands behind his back, "How are the troops?"
"We have assembled and are ready for inspection at any time!"
"Very good." Toyotomi grinned, "Come on, take me to see my Toyotomi warriors."
"yes!"
Gao Qing led the way in front, heading straight into the depths of the dense forest.
At first glance, this seems like an endless forest, but in fact it is surprisingly small.
Soon, as if suddenly clear, a small open space not covered by dense trees gradually appeared in front of Toyotomi and others.
At this moment, the air in this small open space was filled with a strong sense of solemnity and murderousness.
An extremely neat square formation of a thousand people stood on this open space.
Without exception, every man in the formation wore a katana and a wakizashi on his waist, and a brand new flintlock rifle on his back.
There is a red crescent moon engraved on the body of each flintlock rifle.
Even though Toyotomi appeared before their eyes , the phalanx remained motionless, with everyone standing straight with solemn expressions.
In front of the square formation, there is a huge rock with a smooth top.
Under the guidance of Takaharu, Toyotomi slowly climbed up the huge rock.
Standing on the huge rock, he looked down at the square formation of a thousand men below.
"Salute!" Gao Qing shouted loudly.
The soldiers knelt on one knee in unison.
Looking at the 1,000 soldiers kneeling under the boulder, Toyotomi's mouth...slowly opened up.
He smiled with joy.
"Everyone, welcome... back to Japan." Toyotomi slowly opened his arms as if he wanted to hug the 1,000 soldiers in front of him.
"I'm so happy."
"I have finally fulfilled the promise I made to you - I will take you back to Japan one day."
“But I’m also so sad.”
The smile on Toyotomi's face slowly disappeared, revealing a sad expression.
"My other, more important promise - the promise to take you to destroy the Edo Shogunate - has not been fulfilled until now."
"But the good news is that the day when I fulfill all the promises I made to you is finally not far away."
Like magic, the sad expression on Toyotomi's face slowly turned into a joyful smile.
Toyotomi raised his hands suddenly, and the white cloak draped over him fluttered open.
“Today, we are finally standing here!”
“Standing on the Gyeonggi Plain of Japan!”
"Standing outside Osaka Castle! This is a land that has been fought over by countless powerful men and watered with countless blood throughout history!"
“We are finally back!”
"We were once in the Edo Shogunate, barely surviving under the oppression of the Tokugawa clan, but now we are finally back!"
"Everyone. Those who follow me, those who follow Sensei Gourd and Taikotong! Tell me - at this moment, as you step on the soil of Japan, what do you desire?"
"The curtain falls! The curtain falls! The curtain falls! The curtain falls!"
Thousands of soldiers shouted "Down with the Qing Dynasty" over and over again with crazy expressions.
The sound reached the sky, and countless birds in the forest fled from the surrounding jungle.
The crazy aura, as if contagious, slowly spread from the faces of these thousands of warriors to Toyotomi.
"Very good!" Toyotomi laughed sharply, his eyes and mouth corners raised exaggeratedly due to excitement and agitation, "That's right! That's it! My fellow warriors! Follow me, and go with me to pull down those people standing in the sky one by one!"
"Now is the time to throw punches!"
"Join me and punch the Edo Shogunate!"
"Join me, and use blood and fire to wake up the Tokugawa samurai who are addicted to comfort."
"Grab their hair and lift them up, so that they can open their eyes and see the flying Taikotong trees!"
"My fellow warriors of Toyotomi..."
Toyotomi slowly stretched his arms upwards, as if to embrace the sky.
“Come with me! Let the Qiancheng Gourd stand up again in the gap between heaven and earth!”
"Join me! Tonight! Let the world turn upside down!"