Chapter 151: The Decision

“Since that’s the case, gentlemen, please follow me!”

After confirming their identities, Ken’ichi Matsushita took the lead.

Mitaro Kojima bowed slightly and followed closely behind, his mind still reeling: “This cultivated land alone must yield at least a thousand koku. And with so many people, this family poses a significant threat and potential danger to our clan…”

The Kojima clan lived closest to Mount Tsukimi and was merely a small local aristocrat with a stipend of a thousand koku. Witnessing the rise of such a powerful neighbor naturally caused unease.

And this feeling intensified to the extreme when he finally met the head of the Oni family, Oniichi Hōgan.

The reception area was originally the banquet hall of Shuten-dōji.

Wu Ming occupied the seat of honor, with six warriors of various appearances kneeling on either side.

“My lord! The envoy from the Kojima clan has arrived!”

After performing the formal greetings, Ken’ichi Matsushita rose and took a seat among the retainers.

The magnificent and imposing hall, together with the concentrated gazes of the seven warriors who seemed like demons, instantly made Mitaro Kojima feel as though he had entered a hellish realm, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.

“Are you Kojima Mitaro? We met once before. What does the Kojima clan want this time?”

At this moment, Wu Ming spoke.

Compared to his seven retainers who seemed like demons, he appeared the most normal. Yet as soon as he spoke, the entire atmosphere relaxed, as if returning from hell to the human world.

“Yes!”

Feeling immense relief, Mitaro Kojima snapped himself out of it, quickly bowing, feeling as though he had just escaped death.

Knowing that if he were to offend again, even if the Oni family didn’t hold it against him, he would likely have to commit seppuku upon returning home, he hastily retrieved a pristine letter from within his robes and presented it with both hands: “This is a letter from our lord to the Sanada family!”

Ken’go stood up, took the letter, and knelt to present it to Wu Ming.

“Hmm? The Sanada family is requesting our support? And… a marriage alliance?”

Wu Ming finished reading the letter at a glance, a faint playful smile appearing on his face: “So the Kojima clan has already aligned with the Sanada family?”

“Yes… and the Sanada family has even paid three hundred kan of gold coins to hire five lower ninja. If we could also gain the divine power of your lordship, I truly cannot imagine any possibility of failure!”

Mitaro Kojima bowed his head to the floor, declaring loudly.

“I understand the intentions of both the Kojima and Sanada families. You may withdraw for now… I need to consider this!”

Wu Ming waved his hand.

“My lord?!”

Mitaro Kojima wanted to say more, but upon seeing the glances from Ken’s four and Ken’go, those terrifying and malicious gazes that seemed like demons, he immediately found himself unable to utter another word.

“So? What do you think?”

After the messenger departed, Wu Ming clapped his hands twice. The side door nearby opened, revealing the figure of another black-clad warrior.

“Kohei Kawazoe, as the envoy of the Kawazoe family, do you have anything else to say?”

Wu Ming said leisurely: “The Kojima family has decided to fully align with the Sanada family. Moreover, five lower ninja are sufficient to neutralize your previous advantage in swordsmen…”

“Please, my lord, be sure to help the Kawazoe family… If I fail to accomplish my mission, I can only commit seppuku in apology!”

Kohei Kawazoe’s face turned pale as he suddenly opened his robe, exposing his chest and abdomen, and drew his short sword.

“Dare!”

Bang!

Before he could act, a dark shadow flashed in front of him, and he received a fierce punch to the face, his nasal bone breaking as he fell to the ground.

Shōta Matsushita said coldly: “My lord has not yet spoken. Whether you live or die is not for you to decide!”

“Haha… Kawazoe Kohei, I have indeed seen your courage!”

Wu Ming clapped his hands: “Alright then… the Oni family will assist the Kawazoe family. With our Oni family’s power, the Kawazoe family will surely achieve final victory…”

“Ah… Lord Oni…”

Kohei Kawazoe knelt in gratitude, already at a loss for words.

“However, in return… after the Kojima family’s defeat, they must cede three hundred koku of land to our Oni family and send hostages… Hmm, and since the Sanada family’s princess is said to be quite nice, they can send her as well… Go and inform the head of the Kawazoe family. If these conditions are accepted, I will dispatch troops immediately. Haha…”

Wu Ming waved his hand, and Kenji and Kenshō immediately escorted the envoy of the Kawazoe family out.

“My lord, why not?”

Shōta Matsushita and Ken’ichi Matsushita both knelt: “With the strength of our clan, we could completely annihilate these two families!”

Since cultivating the Ninja Swordsmen techniques, the surging blood within them had constantly urged them to conquer and kill. At this moment, their eyes were filled with a thirst for blood.

“That’s right… our clan indeed has the strength, but not enough to completely destroy the Yamada family… In Izumo Province, we still need to follow the laws and regulations. Otherwise, even if we conquer Hoki District, the Iyu family will not sit idly by…”

Wu Ming sighed with some frustration.

In the land of Fusang, certain concepts were deeply rooted. For example, samurai and nobles were believed to possess noble bloodlines, naturally destined to be rulers and superiors.

Another example: when a daimyō, a local aristocrat, or a samurai lost their stipend, they would often gain widespread sympathy.

Even in this chaotic era, if he ruthlessly slaughtered and forcibly seized territories, he would likely provoke a united attack.

Although he wasn’t afraid, before accumulating enough strength to completely overturn the table and defeat the Yamada and Iyu families, it was better not to go that far.

Helping the Kawazoe clan defeat the Sanada and Kojima clans and forcing them to cede their stipends was already the limit.

At this moment, Wu Ming clearly regarded this domain as a certain large-scale strategic game.

“I have decided!”

After his seven retainers gathered again, Wu Ming spoke.

Instantly, the seven warriors stepped forward, knelt down, placed both hands on the floor, and pressed their foreheads tightly against it.

“This time, our clan will dispatch thirty ashigaru to support the Kawazoe clan’s campaign! Shōta! You will serve as the ashigaru captain!”

“Yes! I will surely not disappoint my lord’s trust!”

Shōta Matsushita loudly replied, while Ken’ichi Matsushita beside him dug his fingernails into the floor.

“Ken’ichi Matsushita! You will serve as my army inspector!”

However, Wu Ming’s next words immediately filled Ken’ichi Matsushita with deep gratitude. This role of army inspector meant he would serve as the disciplinary and military law unit, making him keenly aware of his lord’s trust.

“Ken’ichi, Ken’go, and the others will serve as my personal guards (elite troops) in the battle. This time, I will remain in the main castle of Tomita and not go to the battlefield. Gentlemen, do your best!”

“Yes!”

At this moment, everyone bowed their heads, their eyes seemingly burning with flames.

Seeing this, Wu Ming secretly smiled.

Such a small battle was completely beneath his notice. With Shōta Matsushita and Ken’ichi Matsushita alone, it would be sufficient.

Moreover, the Ninja Swordsmen’s training required reaching the next stage, which necessitated going to the battlefield, plundering the enemies’ flesh, and gaining power from their resentment.

“At this point, most of them have reached the first level. I suppose after this war, the name of the Seven Swordsmen of the Oni family will resound throughout Hoki District!”

…

When the Oni family and the Kojima clan respectively joined the battlefield, escalating the battle between the Sanada and Kawazoe families, Wu Ming leisurely made his way alone to Numata Castle.

“I should still find a few administrators and scribes. Those seven, like Shōta, are only good for fighting. If I have to manage finances and supplies myself, I’ll be driven mad sooner or later!”

Wu Ming thought carelessly: “Also, I should prepare a shadow warrior decoy to see if I can lure out that opposing reincarnator. At least it would allow me to trace them back…”

This domain was merely a game to him; he certainly had no intention of stubbornly defending it and being unable to leave.

Once he grasped the enemy’s foundation, he would relentlessly pursue them. If the enemy proved too powerful, he could retreat thousands of miles.

As for the fate of the shadow warrior decoy and this local aristocratic domain? Ahahaha… What did that have to do with him?

“Of course… I still need to appear as if I’m making efforts in managing this domain, creating an artificial weakness…”

Wu Ming’s eyes narrowed slightly, revealing an unfathomable chill.

Otherwise, how could he lure out that hidden enemy? He certainly didn’t want to end up in the miserable situation of having to unify the entire Fusang continent, become the ruler, and then play hide-and-seek with his opponent while exhausting his mental resources.

“Just… if the opponent has also chosen the path of expanding power as a daimyō, that would be somewhat troublesome. Therefore, I still need a certain foundation to contend with them in the future…”

Wu Ming casually walked along the streets of Numata Castle.

Because he wore a low hat, no one could recognize him.

However, the two samurai swords hanging at his waist were enough to inspire awe.

“A good administrator, or rather, a civilian official is quite difficult to find. However, last time at Takamasa Naito’s place, I saw his steward and deputy were quite impressive. At least merchants possess a certain level of writing ability and can calculate figures. They should be a good choice… Of course, going back to Takamasa Naito to request personnel would not only expose myself but also provide an opportunity for Numata Castle to plant spies, which would be a foolish act… Fortunately, there are not only him but other merchants in Numata Castle. If necessary, I could also recruit literate rōnin…”

Now that Tomita Maru was gradually developing, the previous trade in farming tools and seeds had already attracted a group of small merchants. Announcing recruitment now would likely not be refused.

However, the most important matter for Wu Ming’s visit this time was not this.

He continued walking without pause, and shortly arrived at a secluded location.

The number of pedestrians around gradually decreased. Even those who passed maintained solemn expressions, carrying a sense of reverence.

At the same time, a faint yet profound power entered Wu Ming’s perception.

“The Shinto of Fusang?”

A faint smile suddenly appeared at the corner of his mouth. As someone who had once served as the Emperor of the Eastern Peak, he was extremely familiar with this kind of power.

Although the Shinto of Fusang might differ in outward appearance, its essence was the same, and could not escape his discerning eye.

“Moreover… this Shinto is almost the most powerful force in the current cultivation circles of Fusang…”

A glimmer of darkness flashed in Wu Ming’s eyes.