No matter in his past life, the Great Zhou, or other worlds, there seemed to be an ironclad rule—emperors did not become immortals, and immortals did not become emperors.
Even in ancient times, when there were saintly emperors, they merely attained divinity through faith or became sages through physical cultivation, but never achieved the Dao of immortality. Naturally, there was a crucial barrier involved.
Now, this very obstacle was revealed before Wu Ming.
“Amidst external fortune, my luck is dense, yet I dare not recklessly take advantage of it…”
Wu Ming observed his own fortune, a bitter smile appearing on his face: “Bodhisattvas fear causes, ordinary people fear consequences. It’s fine for commoners, but for a cultivator like me to take advantage of it would bring significant troubles…”
Yet, he was reluctant not to take it.
After all, these past five years of refining his Dao nature had solidified his attainment as a Zhenren (True Man), meaning his cultivation had reached the threshold—only needing fortune now to surge forward.
“There’s also the matter of the martial clan’s fortune! Previously, when I controlled two provinces, I could suppress the martial clan’s fortune of the Oniichi Clan, but now that I have unified Izumo, my foundation has become somewhat unstable!”
This was extremely critical.
After all, Wu Ming was a complete outsider from another world, both in body and soul. How could he possibly gain the recognition of Heaven’s will and Earth’s energy?
The reason he had risen so far was entirely due to inheriting the family name and fortune of the original Oni clan, enabling him to deceive Heaven and slip past unnoticed.
However, the Oni family’s influence could barely govern the entire Izumo Province—it was already pushing its limit!
If he couldn’t suppress this fortune, Wu Ming’s true identity would immediately be at risk of exposure. Attracting the attention of deities would be the least of his worries—the most feared would be the heavenly punishment from this world!
He was already an “alien” who had somehow climbed to a high position and seized Japan’s fortune. If heavenly thunder didn’t strike him, who would it strike?
“These two matters probably need to be resolved by Yoshitsune!”
Wu Ming cast a subtle glance toward Oniichi Yoshitsune.
Then he stood up: “Everyone has come from afar. Please, allow me to properly entertain you all!”
He immediately ordered the banquet to begin.
Of course, it was a banquet strictly following traditional Japanese customs, where the main dishes were only radishes and fish, making Wu Ming almost weep inwardly. However, the specially instructed elaborate craftsmanship by the chefs, combined with the precious tableware, was enough to make the gathered noble families marvel in astonishment.
After the grand banquet, Wu Ming summoned his trusted confidants for a late-night council.
“My lord! The rebellious clans and those die-hard nobles who refused to submit have already been completely eliminated by the Oniichi Group, with the cooperation of other families!”
Suzuki Ken’ichi reported while kneeling, his blood-stained scent growing stronger. Wu Ming, however, was pleased to see that he had crossed the threshold of three levels.
“Also, the Iyu Hideyuki family has been exiled to a small island in the far north of Izumo!”
Wakamatsu Kotarou reported as well.
“Hmm… for now, let it rest like this. Later, we can simply allocate a small domain outside Izumo Province for them, and order them under penalty of death never to return to Izumo, allowing anyone to kill them if they do.”
Wu Ming tapped his fingernails: “Our main house currently holds thirteen thousand koku of rice production, making us the most powerful in Izumo Province. We must expand the scale of our standing military forces. Next year, I will need five thousand professional soldiers!”
“Regarding this, your servant is already working diligently!”
Yamanaka Kajinosuke knelt forward: “The recruitment points we’ve established are yielding very satisfactory results. Many ronin, attracted by our lord’s reputation and the promise of land, have joined our ranks!”
“What about the situation in Iida District?”
“Following our lord’s instructions, after spreading news of our great victory throughout the surrounding regions, the unrest has ceased. Other than the death of Lord Tsuboi Hayayoshi, there have been no other losses. After sending a message to Tachibana Shigemoto, I believe he will quickly arrive to take responsibility!”
Oniichi Yoshitsune reported excitedly: “With this, even if the Daizoji Clan falls, our dominance in Izumo will be unshakable!”
“Congratulations, my lord!”
Instantly, the samurai within the chamber all bowed in celebration.
The Oni family had become the military governor of Izumo Province, solidifying their status, which Wu Ming had already sensed in the flow of fortune. Still, he happily accepted the congratulations of his retainers with a beaming smile.
“It is all thanks to all of you that our clan has reached this point today!”
Wu Ming’s expression turned solemn: “However, there is one matter I must announce! Yoshitsune, come closer to me!”
“Yes!”
Oniichi Yoshitsune stepped forward, sensing something, his face a mixture of sorrow and joy, his mind in chaos, when he heard Wu Ming’s voice again: “I have no sons, but Yoshitsune, as the heir to the Oniichi Clan, has already proven himself! He is worthy of the Oniichi name!”
“Therefore, I have decided to step down and pass the leadership of our clan and the position of Izumo’s guardian to him! From now on, I shall merely serve as an advisor to the clan!”
“My lord! Please reconsider!”
Upon hearing this, Yamanaka Kajinosuke and others immediately changed expressions. Even Oniichi Yoshitsune knelt down: “Please, my lord, withdraw this order, or I shall have no choice but to commit seppuku!”
“Silence!”
Wu Ming’s eyes narrowed, his expression more serious than ever before: “My decision is final!”
In other clans, such a move would certainly cause great turmoil. However, within the Oniichi Clan, the newly established retainer group had not yet fully matured, and Oniichi Hōgan’s personal prestige was too high, making him essentially a one-man authority. Thus, when Wu Ming made his decision, no one could possibly oppose him.
“My abilities are limited; how can I shoulder such a tremendous responsibility?”
Oniichi Yoshitsune still refused, repeatedly declining the offer.
“Yoshitsune, you need not decline further. Here, I have no sons of my own. Besides you, who else could inherit the Oniichi Clan’s legacy?”
Wu Ming smiled slightly: “Moreover, after stepping down from the clan leadership, I will continue to serve as the clan’s chief advisor. You can proceed with confidence!”
Hearing this, although still feeling the transition was too abrupt, Yamanaka Kajinosuke and others finally felt reassured.
In the Japanese world, there was a longstanding political tradition of elder statesmen continuing to hold influence behind the scenes.
Just like the great unifier Toyotomi Hideyoshi from the Warring States era of Wu Ming’s past life, he first took the position of Kanpaku (Imperial Regent), and within a few years, he stepped down, allowing his nephew to assume the role of Kanpaku while he himself became “Taiko” (the title of a retired Kanpaku), still firmly holding power. In the end, he even forced his nephew Kanpaku to commit suicide!
The Tokugawa clan’s Tokugawa Ieyasu was similar. After becoming the Seii Taishogun (Barbarian-Conquering General), he also stepped down and passed the position to his son, becoming the “Ogosho” (Retired Shogun).
This practice of elders stepping down early to support the next generation struck Wu Ming as quite awkward, like an emperor tiring of his position and simply becoming a Retired Emperor. It felt childish, yet undeniably, there was a reason for its existence—it must have had some merit.
Moreover, this tradition also existed in the current Japanese world.
The Emperor had to defer to the Retired Emperor, the Kanpaku had to heed the Taiko, and the Shogun had to obey the Ogosho. Even if Wu Ming relinquished his position, he would remain the Chief Elder and maintain a firm grip on the Oniichi Clan’s authority. Thus, the retainers could barely bring themselves to accept it.
“That settles it. While the clan leaders are still here, choose an auspicious date and prepare for the succession ceremony!”
Wu Ming waved his hand dismissively.
“Lord of the House… Father!”
Oniichi Yoshitsune was moved to tears, as he was ultimately not a true member of the Oni family. He believed that Wu Ming had stepped down early to ensure a smooth transition of power and pave the way for him.
However, what he did not know was that the gaze Wu Ming cast upon him also contained pity: “I’ve given you all of Izumo Province; now bear the calamity in my stead!”
…
The next day, the noble clan leaders, still hungover from the previous night’s banquet, received a rather surprising piece of news.
The current head of the Oni Clan, the man known as “Oniichi Saeki no Sukune,” who wielded the powers of ghosts and thunder and served as the military governor of Izumo Province—Oniichi Hōgan—was about to step down!
Needless to say, this news was incredibly shocking, initially making them almost believe their ears were deceiving them.
Right after, they began to wonder if there had been a major upheaval within the Oni clan or if Oniichi Hōgan had been assassinated, sparking considerable chaos and uproar.
After repeatedly confirming the authenticity of the news, the various clan leaders calmed down, but not without a sense of relief.
After all, Wu Ming’s reputation for brutality was utterly terrifying—a man who had burned thousands alive, his hands stained with countless wronged souls, his temper unpredictable and fearsome. He frequently demanded clan leaders commit seppuku and even confiscated their lands and titles.
Now that Oniichi Yoshitsune was to take over, they felt a sense of relief.
“Even though he’s still part of the Oni family, he probably won’t be as frightening as that Oniichi, right?”
This was the shared thought among all the clan leaders and the people of Izumo.
…
“Haha! Look at those clan leaders, they seem quite relieved upon hearing the news!”
At the same time, Wu Ming was receiving the newly arrived Tachibana Shigemoto: “How is your injury?”
“It has fully healed. I thank my lord for his concern!”
Tachibana Shigemoto knelt: “I believe that the timing of my lord’s decision to step down is actually quite wise!”
“Because of my fearsome reputation?”
Wu Ming stroked his chin.
“Exactly! Governing a nation requires both benevolence and might. My lord previously burned thousands, exterminated over a dozen noble clans, and killed so many that Izumo was drenched in blood, forcing every daimyo and noble to submit—that was the pinnacle of might. However, this has also established a terrifying image, one that cannot be easily changed. The people find it difficult to feel close to you.”
Wu Ming continued where Tachibana left off: “Therefore, we must change leaders, allowing the people of Izumo to see Yoshitsune’s benevolence?”
“Indeed!”
Tachibana Shigemoto said: “As long as the young master displays sufficient generosity and kindness, combined with my lord’s might, our clan’s position in Izumo will be unshakable! This is also a strategy of pacification!”
“To conquer a nation through might and govern it through benevolence—that is the path to long-term stability!”
“Haha! Shigemoto, you truly are a capable chief strategist!”
Wu Ming smiled slightly. Although Tachibana could not possibly understand Wu Ming’s deepest intentions, his insight was still quite impressive.
At once, Wu Ming declared: “I have already appointed you as our clan’s Land Survey Magistrate and promoted you to the rank of Senior Commander. Go forth and work diligently! As for Tsuboi Hayayoshi and the vengeance for the assault on Iida District, one day I will surely settle the score with our enemies!”
“Hai!”
Although already a samurai, the position of *Shimodai* (a general’s aide) was a mid-level rank within the Oni Clan. It was rare and commendable to attain this status without notable military exploits, relying solely on administrative prowess. Tachibana Shigemoto accepted the assignment with fervor, his heart burning with passion and resolve to achieve great deeds for the Oni Clan and repay his lord’s trust and benevolence!
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