“Understood! Lord Oniichi Hōgan!”
Watching the landlady leave, Wu Ming smiled with deep meaning.
Having a family status and samurai name without a domain was not yet a true samurai, but at least it meant half a foot in the privileged class.
At the very least, from now on, he could travel across the continent and serve any lord he wished.
“Hmm, if real samurai are like jūkenshi (xiu cai), then now I’m at least equivalent to a tongsheng?”
Wu Ming instantly thought of this analogy and found it somewhat amusing.
Although the name Oniichi Hōgan was not as impressive as Kamikage Kōnosuke, the latter was merely a nickname. When compared directly, it was naturally far inferior to the former.
“And besides… even if someone investigates in the future, they will only know I was born a commoner and obtained a family name through my own means—so, essentially, a black household gaining legitimacy?”
This wasn’t a crime. Even if investigated, it was perfectly reasonable and legal, so there was no fear of scrutiny.
“Even more so…”
Wu Ming gazed at his own fortune.
He noticed a sudden surge of crimson within his external fortune, resonating with the world and appearing long-lasting and profound.
“This is the fortune of a samurai family?”
At this moment, something else seemed to change within him, making him feel even more integrated into the system of the world. Like a drop of water containing an ocean, it was imperceptible to outsiders.
He immediately realized this change was a fortunate coincidence, greatly beneficial for his concealment, and couldn’t help but smile.
“With this family fortune, I now have a seed—indicating I also possess the potential to contend for supremacy, to become a daimyō of a castle or country, or even a shōgun…”
However, Wu Ming didn’t want to think too deeply.
After all, while contending for supremacy was important, he was alone, and to truly control a castle, country, or even the entire nation would take far too much time.
Initially, he only wanted to establish some forces to gain intelligence.
“From this perspective, establishing a ninja organization like a shinobi army would be ideal… though their loyalty can be purchased with money…”
In recent days, Wu Ming had contacted several ninja organizations, purchasing intelligence and news.
Unfortunately, to his disappointment, aside from two local clans fighting in Numata Castle and even the entire Izumo Province, there were almost no significant events.
When asking the ninja to monitor newly emerged suspicious individuals, they immediately provided dozens of names, including Kamikage Kōnosuke.
Even if Wu Ming’s actions were considered extraordinary in Numata Castle, from the perspective of Izumo Province or even the entire Japan, they were nothing special.
Samurai who traveled the land, refined their swordsmanship, and hunted demons were nearly everywhere.
“It’s not that there’s too little information, but rather too much…”
Wu Ming sighed. Under such circumstances, as long as the opponent was slightly clever, whether they remained hidden or, like himself, adopted a localized false name, they could effectively remain concealed for a long time.
“Excuse me… is Lord Kōnosuke here?”
After finishing his daily practice, just as Wu Ming was about to go out for a walk, he saw a retainer waiting there.
“Lord, our master wishes to see you!”
“It’s Naitō Takamasa? Let’s go!”
Seeing the insignia on the retainer, Wu Ming said immediately.
“We meet again, Kōnosuke-kun. Even in the commercial district, I often hear of your brave deeds!”
Upon reaching the residence, Naitō Takamasa was already waiting.
“I’ve changed my name now. I am Oniichi Hōgan, the head of the Oniichi clan!”
Wu Ming said solemnly.
“I see. Lord Oniichi, please forgive my ignorance!”
A flicker of surprise passed through Naitō Takamasa’s eyes. As someone well-informed, he naturally already knew about this, but he still couldn’t believe it in his heart.
Now it seemed it was truly the case.
“What level of determination does it take to abandon one’s original family name?”
He quickly masked his expression and continued, “Your reputation has now reached my lord, Komasaka-dono. He will summon you… if you can become his vassal, I’m sure receiving a stipend of 100 koku will be no problem!”
Wu Ming had already proven his strength with his achievements, making him an undoubtedly powerful samurai.
In times of chaos, no daimyō would be stingy with a bit of land to attract such a person.
“Summon me?”
A playful expression appeared on Wu Ming’s face. “Naitō-kun, I think I’ve already told you my intentions before, haven’t I?”
“Even Lord Komasaka cannot change your decision?”
Naitō Takamasa straightened his back and looked Wu Ming in the eye. After a long while, he could only reluctantly back down: “Recently, you’ve been accepting rewards from nearby villages for slaying demons on their behalf. If that’s the case, I’d like to hire you once!”
“Indeed… couldn’t help it, huh? The fox’s tail is finally showing…”
A faint smile appeared on Wu Ming’s lips, yet he solemnly said, “Naitō-kun, I’m truly sorry, but I’ve already decided to leave to focus on my sword cultivation…”
“L-Leave?”
Naitō Takamasa opened his mouth wide and suddenly bowed: “Lord Oniichi, please reconsider one more time!”
“Naitō-kun, what use would money be to me?”
Wu Ming sighed deliberately and said, “I’m really very sorry!”
He bowed deeply and left without hesitation.
Behind him, Naitō Takamasa unconsciously clenched his fists.
When had it come to this? When could a wandering samurai treat him, an official merchant, like this? Moreover, every time he represented his lord’s recruitment, it was rejected—a series of slaps to his face!
At that moment, he almost wanted to give the order to have him killed on the spot, but he dared not.
Wu Ming’s prestige was not built on stipends or soldiers, but on his own strength.
This was an era of demon-infested chaos, where humans and gods coexisted—a time even more chaotic than the warring states of Wu Ming’s previous life. Those with power naturally held privileges!
Previously, Wu Ming had already demonstrated his martial prowess and tactical abilities to Naitō Takamasa through a large number of demons and samurai, proving himself to be a formidable force equivalent to dozens of men!
Without clear provocation, even his lord, Yamada Toramori, would likely hesitate to make such a decision, let alone a mere merchant like him!
“One man, one sword, the path of life and death entirely in one’s palm…”
In an instant, Naitō Takamasa recalled Wu Ming’s previous demonstration of the tea ceremony, and he stood there, stunned.
Numata Castle, built against the mountains, stood atop a hill. Outside were thick walls forming the third bailey, followed by the second bailey, and finally the main keep—the tenshukaku.
No matter who the enemy was, attacking from below while facing defenders with three lines of defense would be extremely difficult.
As a symbol of the Yamada clan’s rule, the tenshukaku of Numata Castle stood there proudly.
Inside the tenshukaku at this moment.
“Did he really say that?”
As the head of the Yamada clan and a daimyō with 12,000 koku, Yamada Toramori was not a fierce general charging into battle but rather had the gentle demeanor of a scholar.
He wore a tall hat and flowing robes, his face powdered white, holding a bat-shaped fan in his hand, unconsciously tapping it against his palm, displaying a pensive expression.
In contrast, Naitō Takamasa was kneeling on the floor, his forehead already covered in cold sweat.
As the lord, if this mission was not completed successfully, he could even order him to commit seppuku!
The power held by those in authority was not based on their personal strength. Even if he had physical strength, at this moment, whatever punishment he received, he dared not resist.
“Kamikage Kōnosuke, I’ve heard of his name too. It’s said he wields the famous blade ‘Fūmagiri,’ making him a powerful samurai capable of matching dozens of men!”
Yamada Toramori suddenly sighed. “Such a warrior would probably only be enticed by a stipend. Unfortunately, he refuses to serve our clan… It seems we’ll have to follow the example of the shrines and dojō.”
Naitō Takamasa knelt silently, not daring to utter a word.
Within the Yamada clan, there were also shrines and dojō. For these places, Yamada Toramori had also granted stipends and autonomy, treating them as honored institutions.
But Oniichi Hōgan was merely a samurai. What qualifications did he have to be treated this way?
Naitō Takamasa felt his fingernails nearly digging into his flesh.
A stipend—the dream of many. Once one had a family name and hereditary territory, one became a true samurai, able to serve generation after generation, establishing the foundation of a family!
Something he could only dare not dream of, someone else had obtained it in an instant.
This contrast instantly became like flames of an asura, burning his heart.
Slap!
At this moment, Yamada Toramori suddenly closed his bat-shaped fan and pointed it at Naitō Takamasa: “It’s decided then. You go tell Kōnosuke that if he can rescue my little princess, I will grant him 300 koku!”
“Hai!”
Naitō Takamasa respectfully agreed, slowly backing out, his heart filled with envy and a hint of secret anticipation.
“What? Rescue someone?”
As expected, Wu Ming received the hastily arrived Naitō Takamasa.
“That’s right! My lord is waiting for you. Don’t keep him waiting!”
Wiping sweat from his brow, Naitō Takamasa hoped Wu Ming would make a mistake, but certainly not one related to him.
“Then let’s go!”
Wu Ming glanced at Naitō Takamasa, already understanding that although he was a merchant of the Yamada clan, he certainly didn’t have the authority to make decisions.
And matters concerning stipends naturally required confirmation directly with the daimyō himself.
“Lord Oniichi, I beg of you!”
Inside the tenshukaku, Wu Ming did not act arrogantly as Naitō Takamasa had imagined. Instead, he meticulously followed all the etiquette.
Every movement exuded the calmness and dignity of a true samurai household.
This attitude immediately put Yamada Toramori at ease. After reiterating the conditions, he spoke decisively.
“Rest assured, I will certainly slay that demon who dares to abduct people wantonly!”
As for whether he could rescue the daimyō’s little daughter, that would depend on heaven’s will.
Wu Ming thought to himself but solemnly guaranteed with a serious expression, then bowed and withdrew.
Such grace and bearing immediately earned Yamada Toramori’s admiration.
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