Chapter 159: The Book of Five Rings

“Hmm… It seems this impersonation has been quite successful?”

After the evaluation was over, Oniichi Hougen specifically asked Yamasou Shoubou to stay behind. Soon, the original Yamasou Shoubou suddenly changed demeanor, staring blankly at Oniichi Hougen, who now appeared expressionless, and rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

Of course, this so-called “Oniichi Hougen” was actually Fujiyuki Hōshi impersonating the character created by Wu Ming.

Since a third-tier expert was used, the aura of strength was clearly evident. Combined with Wu Ming’s own bloodline aura as a cover, even these closest retainers couldn’t detect the deception, making it quite usable.

“Moreover… back when it was first created, I secretly prepared a contingency plan. This shadow warrior has a second form—Yamasou Shoubou! When necessary, he can switch roles to become the monk while I continue as the clan head… switching back and forth conveniently provides better cover, just requiring the monk to retreat for meditation under some pretext…”

After preparations were complete, Wu Ming brought the fake Oniichi Hougen to the newly completed “Honnō-ji.”

“This name… is another of my whims…”

Wu Ming wanted to laugh but restrained himself, mindful of maintaining the demeanor of an esteemed monk.

“Kemuriki Meng, Amakusa Shiro!”

Upon entering the temple, naturally the false Oniichi Hougen took the lead and summoned two young attendants: “This is Yamasou Shoubou, the future abbot of Honnō-ji. You must respect him as you would me.”

“Honored greetings, Lord!”

The two boys immediately bowed and stole a glance. Finding Yamasou Shoubou to have a gentle and kind appearance, not the fierce visage of a warrior, they relaxed slightly.

“Erm…”

At this moment, Wu Ming, controlling Oniichi Hougen, coughed once more and solemnly announced: “Kemuriki Mō! This is Master Yamasou Shōbō, whom I have specially invited to be your teacher. He will instruct you in military strategy, tactics, the arts of yin and yang, ninjutsu, and even the refined disciplines of flower arrangement and tea ceremony. He is a profoundly learned scholar, and I myself deeply admire his mastery in both fields!”

“Teacher!”

Kemuriki Meng bowed once more, his voice brimming with eagerness.

“Very well… I shall do my utmost to pass on all my knowledge to young Master Kemuriki…”

Wu Ming chanted a Buddhist mantra and glanced at Amakusa Shiro beside him: “Of course… this one here may also attend the lessons…”

Amakusa Shiro’s face immediately lit up with joy, and even Kemuriki Takeru felt pleased for his companion’s opportunity.

Following this, Wu Ming naturally had no interest in continuing the charade. He had Oniichi Hougen leave and stayed behind himself, observing the young Kemuriki before him.

“My knowledge spans numerous domains—military strategy, tactics, the art of yin and yang, calligraphy, the tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and beyond… Which subject shall we commence with, Kemuriki Meng?”

“Of course, military strategy!”

Kemuriki Meng clenched his fist and replied without hesitation.

“Studying military strategy… is an extremely arduous process. Are you prepared?”

“Rest assured, Teacher! I have already made up my mind!”

Kemuriki Meng’s gaze was resolute. The bloodline he carried, the vendetta of his family, and the years of pursuit and hardship had already accelerated his growth.

“Excellent… I have compiled all the military strategy, tactics, and yin-yang arts I have ever studied into a book named ‘Go Rin No Sho’ (The Book of Five Rings). It is divided into five volumes: the Earth Scroll, the Fire Scroll, the Wind Scroll, the Water Scroll, and finally, the Void Scroll. From today onward, I shall begin teaching it to you! Naturally, Amakusa Shiro may also listen in. How much you gain depends entirely on your own comprehension…”

“Hai!”

Kemuriki Mō and Amakusa Shiro enthusiastically responded.

“Now… go prepare lunch first. This afternoon, we will officially begin the training, which will be quite demanding…”

Wu Ming watched the two boys leave with a smile, his gaze soon turning deep and contemplative.

Of course, this “Go Rin No Sho” was entirely fabricated by him, a compilation of various Japanese martial arts, yin-yang arts, and ninjutsu he had collected, enriched with his own imagination.

Moreover, he had added quite a few personal touches.

As for its usefulness, naturally it had some merit. In Wu Ming’s view, it was at least a third-tier manual.

By “third-tier,” he meant his own classification system, based on the maximum potential achievable through the manual. The pinnacle of “Go Rin No Sho” naturally was the third level.

After all, Wu Ming himself was currently a Daoist practitioner of the third level. Creating a fourth-tier manual would be impossible for him, even with other references, unless he advanced to the rank of a Celestial Master.

However, teaching “Go Rin No Sho” to Kemuriki Meng and Amakusa Shiro wasn’t entirely altruistic on Wu Ming’s part, as it contained subtle techniques for control, similar to those used in the ninja swordsmen.

The deeper one delved into it, the more susceptible one became to his influence.

However, it wouldn’t drive them mad or strip away their rationality. The methods were more subtle and gentle compared to the crude techniques used in the ninja swordsmen.

“Still, embedding hidden techniques in the martial arts and exerting daily mental influence to implant control seals is just a minor trick. The real approach should be through emotional bonds…”

Wu Ming rubbed his chin thoughtfully: “What if I adopt him as my godson? Or… simply find a foster daughter and marry her off to him…”

…

In the afternoon, Honnō-ji basked in sunlight, with fallen leaves in the garden, creating a warm and pleasant atmosphere.

Kemuriki Mō and Amakusa Jūshirō knelt respectfully before Wu Ming, listening intently.

“My ‘Go Rin No Sho’ begins with the Earth Scroll, which discusses the way of the samurai and the practice of swordsmanship. Then there is the Water Scroll. Water is inherently empty and forms ripples; it is the softest and most yielding element, yet within its infinite variations lies an unchanging truth. Therefore, this scroll covers yin-yang arts and ninjutsu. The Wind Scroll deals with gathering intelligence, understanding the geography and grand strategy of the realm, and the military tactics of various sword schools…”

“And then there’s the Fire Scroll…”

At this point, a faintly eerie smile appeared on Wu Ming’s face: “This scroll records the art of warfare and the ultimate battlefield tactics in the world!”

“The ultimate battlefield tactics in the world?!”

The two boys were indeed startled, and Kemuriki Meng’s eyes gleamed with longing: “What kind of tactics are they?”

“I have named this strategy the ‘Teppō Daichū no Jin’ (Formation of Matchlock Muskets and Large Cannons)! If mastered, it will allow one to dominate the world, achieving victory in a hundred battles!”

A faint smile appeared on Wu Ming’s lips.

In truth, this referred to firearms. As someone from a previous life, he naturally had some vague knowledge and creative ideas regarding them.

However, the Da Zhou world was far more advanced than the Japanese world, and primitive firearms already existed. If Wu Ming were to introduce them now, it would not only draw attention but also be easily replicated, and he simply didn’t have the time for that.

In the Japanese world, however, things were different.

With status, power, and ample time, Wu Ming had gathered craftsmen and experimented with creating some devices.

Now, it was time to test them on his disciple.

Those who control power inevitably control authority; otherwise, it leads to chaos!

The emergence of firearms meant that even those with just a finger on the trigger could gain power rivaling a warrior who had trained for years!

What kind of transformation would such immense power in the hands of the lower classes bring?

Wu Ming was quite eager to find out.

“…Based on my research, supernatural forces are too prevalent in this world. Ordinary firearms, even at their peak, can only match the strength of a first-tier expert at most… While they may cause some social unrest, their impact on second and third-tier experts, or even the entire Daoist order’s rule, remains uncertain…”

“However, first-tier experts are the foundation and the most numerous group… Changes here might serve as a rehearsal for Da Zhou, or even other worlds of cultivation…”

Wu Ming’s ambitions were vast, far beyond merely the Japanese world.

“Teppō Daichū? What is it?”

Kemuriki Meng was puzzled. To defeat the armies of the Minamoto and Taira clans, he would need immense power, and he was deeply intrigued by this so-called ultimate battlefield strategy.

“It is the power of fire… representing an extraordinary force that invades like flames, capable of destroying everything. More importantly, it can be easily mastered by ordinary people…”

Wu Ming briefly explained the function of firearms, instantly sparking excitement in Kemuriki’s eyes: “I want to learn this!”

“Hmm… I will teach you the Fire Scroll along with the military strategy!”

Wu Ming nodded: “And finally, the Void Scroll…”

“What about the Void Scroll?”

Kemuriki clenched his fists tightly and asked anxiously.

“The Void Scroll discusses the path between having methods and transcending them. It is my life’s summary. ‘Void’ means no beginning and no end, no inside and no outside. Because it is void, one is not bound by any external things and can both immerse oneself within and step outside. Whether you can cultivate it… depends entirely on your talent…”

Wu Ming appeared to sigh, but in truth, this was a meticulously crafted control method he had designed specifically for Kemuriki Meng—a form of psychological manipulation. Once deeply engrossed in its practice, Kemuriki Meng would inevitably succumb to Wu Ming’s influence without even realizing it.

“Void? Having methods and transcending them?”

A flicker of confusion flashed through Kemuriki Meng’s eyes.

“All conditioned dharmas are like dreams and illusions, like dew and lightning. Thus should one contemplate them!”

Seizing the moment of confusion in this fated dragon, Wu Ming chanted an incantation that resonated like a mighty bell—awakening the mind and deeply planting a seed within Kemuriki Meng’s heart.

“When it comes to brainwashing and control, even Daoism can’t match the Buddhist sects…”

At the same time, noticing a fleeting glimpse of Buddhist tranquility on Kemuriki Meng’s face, Wu Ming secretly smiled to himself: “Besides… this also serves as a precautionary tactic to divert attention and obscure the chain of cause and effect…”

If, one day, Susano-o no Mikoto noticed something amiss, this arrangement might redirect suspicion toward the eminent Buddhist monks and scholars, and Wu Ming would be laughing in his sleep.

Not only Kemuriki Meng, but even Amakusa Shiro beside him, had tears in his eyes and bowed reverently to the ground.

Seeing this scene, Wu Ming first felt a flicker of joy, then a sense of solemnity. He knew his path was still long and arduous.