I Was a Swordsman in Ancient Japan

Historical science: [Bai Wugou] - ancient Japanese women's wedding dress, you can check the photos on Baidu, very beautiful clothes.

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In the second year of Kanzheng (1790), November 2.

Edo, Hokazeya——

Kondo, who was sitting behind the counter, stared straight at the air in front of him.

As if thinking about something.

Chiba, who worked with him in this North Wind House, was sitting beside Kondo with a book in his hand.

Chiba's main job is to serve as the personal doctor of the owner of Beifeng House.

So it's quite relaxing on weekdays.

When I have nothing to do, I will read it leisurely with a book like this.

At this time, Chiba, who was sitting beside Kondo reading a book, squinted his eyes and glanced at Kondo beside him.

Looking at Kondo who seemed to be thinking about something, Chiba let out a low sigh.

"Kondo-kun, didn't someone come here to tell you that Mashima-kun is safe now?"

While continuing to flip through the books in his hand, Chiba continued to say to Kondo without raising his head:

"Do you not believe what the man said?"

"No... I believe what that person said..." Kondo Naga sighed, "But if I don't see Mashima with my own eyes, I really can't feel at ease..."

The "that person" that Kondo and Chiba spoke of naturally refers to A-machi.

On the third day of the martial arts test, Ogata was suddenly absent.

Ogata's sudden absence naturally made Kondo very disturbed. I was worried that Ogata had encountered some accident.

One day after Ogata was absent from the martial arts test, A-Machi suddenly approached Kondo and told Kondo that Ogata was safe now, but something happened and he had to "disappear" for a while.

Kondo asked what happened to Amachi Ogata at the time,

But Ah-cho kept this secret.

After reporting safety to Kondo, Acho left in a hurry.

Although A-machi's words reassured Kondo a little, but Kondo always felt uneasy if he didn't see Ogata was really safe with his own eyes.

After Kondo sighed for a long time, he turned to look at Chiba.

"Once I'm free now, I can't help but think about Mashima-kun."

"So—Chiba, please chat with me."

"Okay." Qianye nodded without hesitation, "What do you want to talk about? Are you talking about cats again?"

"Cats or something, we'll talk about it later. Let's talk about your 100 tael bonus. Have you figured out how to spend it?"

Relying on his superb swordsmanship, Chiba won the crown of the "Imperial Trial" martial arts test.

Afterwards, Chiba also immediately went to the Kitamachi Magistrate's office to receive his generous bonus of up to 100 taels of gold.

"...No." Qianye shook her head after contemplating for a while, "It's strange to say."

"Usually, I occasionally fantasize about how I will spend my money when I have money."

"But when I got a windfall, I don't know how to spend it..."

"How about building a sword gym?" Kondo suggested, "100 taels of gold is enough to build a sword gym."

"Qianye, your swordsmanship is so strong, once you build a sword gym, you won't have to worry about having no students."

"I don't intend to become a sword master..." Qianye said softly, "In short, let's save the money now. I will use it later when I figure out how to use the money."

"I advise you not to save money." Kondo shrugged, "Haven't you heard a saying? 'Edo people don't spend overnight money'."

"The recent world is not so peaceful, and it has only been three years since the 'Great Tianming Famine' that starved to death so many people."

"Once the world is not peaceful, the value of money can easily fluctuate."

"Now the value of money fluctuates a lot."

"If you keep saving and don't spend it, maybe after a few months, your money will become a piece of waste rock."

"I don't know what you said." Qianye smiled bitterly, "But I can't think of any other better way to deal with the money other than saving it temporarily."

"In short, let's save it for the time being, and then take one step at a time."

As soon as Chiba's voice fell, footsteps from far to near suddenly sounded outside the shop door.

Hearing the footsteps, Kondo immediately muttered:

"A guest is coming..."

As soon as he uttered this grunt, Kondo immediately sat up straight and upright.

Chiba, who was sitting next to Kondo, did the same. While sitting up straight and upright, she put away the book in her hand.

Wow.

The shop door was opened.

"Welcome light..."

Before Kondo could say the last syllable of "Welcome", his eyes widened in astonishment.

The person who opened the store door was a man and a woman.

Kondo is very familiar with this pair of men and women, whether it is the man or the woman.

"Mashima!" Kondo exclaimed excitedly, standing up abruptly.

This pair of men and women are exactly A-Machi and Ogata who is wearing a human skin mask.

...

...

Ogata looked at Kondo who was exclaiming in front of him, and smiled slightly:

"It's been a while, Kondo."

Although Ogata had just moved into that remote little house to recuperate from his injuries, he immediately asked Ah-machi to go to the North Wind House to help him report Kondo's safety.

But just like Kondo never felt at ease when he didn't see Ogata was really safe with his own eyes, he also always felt uneasy if Ogata didn't show his face in front of Kondo himself.

However, Ogata has always been powerless about "going to the North Wind House to find Kondo".

Because the North Wind House is too far away from where he lives now, and the injuries on Ogata's body do not allow him to move such a long distance.

So we can only wait slowly.

Waiting for the injury on his body to recover enough to allow his body to go back and forth between Beifeng House and the place where he currently lives.

And now the vitality as high as 36 points is really impressive.

The injuries on Ogata's body changed almost every day.

When he went to the Kitamachi Magistrate's office to receive his bonus three days ago, Ogata was still limping when he walked.

And when he woke up this morning, Xu Bian found that he could walk normally now.

Not only can I walk normally, but I don't have any injuries on my body and I still have a dull pain.

After discovering that his body had recovered to the point where he could go back and forth between the North Kaze House and the house he lived in, Ogata immediately led A-Ming to the Kita Kaze House without any hesitation, and reported to Kondo in person. All in peace, let Kondo see with his own eyes that he is still alive and kicking.

As soon as Ogata said "I haven't seen you for a while", Kondo quickly walked out from behind the counter, and then quickly rushed to Ogata.

"Mashima, you finally appeared!"

"I've been worried that something happened to you after you suddenly missed the martial arts test!"

"I've looked around for you. But I can't find you at all."

"If Ms. A-machi hadn't come to me and told me that you are safe now, I would have gone to the execution office and entrusted the officials of the execution office to find a samurai named 'Mashima Goro'!"

"Sorry." Apologetic expression appeared on Ogata's face, "I made you worry, I have dealt with some things these days."

"Mashima, are you injured?" Kondo realized at this moment that some exposed skin on Ogata's body was wrapped in thick sackcloth.

"Well, but it's just a minor injury that doesn't matter."

"It's good that you're fine." Kondo let out a long breath, "As long as you're fine, I'm at ease."

Looking at Kondo who looked relieved in front of him, a special smile involuntarily appeared on Ogata's face.

Even if he is wanted by the shogunate all over the country, even if his leader is stared at by so many people, there are still people who will show concern when they encounter any danger——Thinking of this, Xueyi feels that his face is brightened. Make an inexplicable smile.

He raised his hand and patted Kondo's shoulder, and after greeting Kondo for a while, Ogata looked over Kondo's shoulder and looked at Chiba who was still sitting behind the counter.

"Qianye-kun." Ogata smiled and said, "I've heard about it. You have successfully won the first place in the martial arts test. Congratulations."

"It's just that I was lucky for a while." Qianye smiled slightly, "Mashima-kun, your body smells very strong... What did you do? You have so many injuries..."

"Well, I encountered some things and accidentally made these injuries, but they are only minor injuries, and they will heal after a period of rest."

After briefly exchanging pleasantries with Chiba for a while, Ogata turned his gaze back to Kondo in front of him.

"Kondo, is the owner of your North Wind House here now?"

"Huh? Yes. What's the matter?"

"That's it." Ogata put on a slightly serious tone, "I'm going to visit Ezo later, so I plan to ask the owner of your Hokazeya about things related to Ezo."

Ogata led A-machi to Hokazeya this time, not only to personally report Kondo's safety, but also for another matter - to ask the owner of Hokazeya about information about Ezo.

"Ezo Land?" Kondo's face was filled with astonishment, "Master, what are you doing in a wild place like Ezo Land?"

"Look for someone." Ogata said, "I'm going to Ezo to find two people who are very important to me."

Although Kondo behaves carelessly, he is actually the kind of person who is rough and fine.

Seeing that Ogata didn't seem to want to say more about his purpose of going to Ezo, Kondo didn't ask too much.

"Master, you really came at the right time."

"My boss, he happens to be in the shop right now."

"But he's on the bathroom right now."

Speaking of this, Kondo couldn't help but smiled wryly.

"If it wasn't because my boss went to the bathroom, I wouldn't be sitting at the counter helping to look after the store."

"Master, he always goes to the bathroom for a long time, but he has been there for a long time, so he should be back soon..."

Before Kondo finished speaking, footsteps came from the corridor behind the counter.

"Ah, my boss is back." Kondo said happily, "It's really timely. He came back as soon as he was mentioned."

The sound of footsteps was getting closer and closer to Ogata and the others, and the last short middle-aged man with half-white hair appeared from the corridor.

When the middle-aged man saw Ogata and Atachi, he was stunned for a moment, and then immediately said loudly like a conditioned reflex:

"Welcome! What do you need?"

"Mashima." Kondo Assistant Ogata introduced, "This is the owner of our Hokaze House."

After briefly introducing the middle-aged man to Ogata, Kondo turned his attention to the middle-aged man and introduced Ogata to him.

"Boss! This guest is my friend. He plans to go to Ezodi in the future, so I want to ask about Ezodi."

"Ezodi?"

The middle-aged man—that is, the owner of Beifengya looked up and down Ogata several times with suspicious eyes.

"Master Samurai, although I don't know why you plan to go to Ezo. But I advise you not to go to Ezo if you can. Ezo is not very peaceful now, maybe there will be a war. "

"If you must go to Ezo, then I also suggest that you wait for a while and wait for Ezo to be a little calmer before going."

As soon as the boss finished speaking, Xu Fang said in a firm tone without thinking:

"I know Ezodi is messy and dangerous right now. But I can't wait too long because I have important things to do."

"If you insist on going to Ezo now, Mr. Samurai, then I won't say anything more."

Dongjia shrugged.

"You said that you are here to inquire about things related to Ezo, right?"

"What do you want to ask?"

"We want to know where we can take the boat to Ezo," said Ogata, "and I want to know if you have a map of Ezo for sale here."

"The best way to go to Ezo is to find a merchant ship going to Ezo." The owner said, "Let the owner of that merchant ship give you a ride."

"This method is the safest and least expensive."

"If you don't want to take a merchant ship, you have to find a way to find a ship yourself. But this method is expensive and unsafe."

"I recommend that you go to the Dewa area or the Mutsu area."

"There are many businesses in those two areas that specialize in doing business with the Ainu people."

"The Ezo goods here are all imported from the merchants in the Dewa and Mutsu areas."

"Go to Dewa or Mutsuna to see if there is any merchant who is willing to take you to Ezo."

"As for the map of Ezodi, we don't sell it here."

"Those big businessmen in the Dewa and Mutsu areas who do business with the Ezo may have a map of the Ezo."

"After arriving in the Dewa or Mutsu area, you can ask if there is any merchant who is willing to sell you a map."

"Is there no map..." Ogata showed a bit of disappointment on his face.

However, as soon as the look of disappointment appeared on Ogata's face, what the boss said immediately made Ogata's brows rise, and the look of disappointment on his face disappeared a little.

"Although I don't have a map of Ezodi here, I have another good thing here."

"wait a second."

After finishing speaking, the host turned around and walked towards the stairs not far away.

The host came back not long after climbing up to the second floor of Beifeng House.

When I came back, my boss had an extra book in his hand.

"This book should be useful to you."

Walking slowly back and forth between Ogata and Atachi, the owner handed the book in his hand to Ogata.

"This book was written by an old friend of mine and given to me."

"It records some commonly used words in Ainu language."

"The old friend who gave me this book told me that as long as you learn all the common words recorded in this book, you can communicate with the Ezos simply."

Ogata's pupils narrowed slightly in surprise.

Ogata was slightly disappointed when he learned that there was no map of Ezodi for sale at Beifengya, but he didn't expect to be pleasantly surprised so soon.

After receiving the book from the master, Ogata asked:

"Can I take a look?"

"Of course." The owner smiled, "One of the main principles of my business with others is - warmly welcome customers to inspect the goods."

After obtaining permission from his employer, Ogata turned to the first page.

The first line of the first page starts with a string of pseudonyms.

After transliterating this string of pseudonyms, it means "Pinna".

This string of pseudonyms is followed by a line of text: "There is no specific meaning. Ezo will keep saying the word 'pina' when eating to express his gratitude for the food."

"Ezo has no written language." The owner explained, "so we can only use pseudonyms to transliterate their words."

"For example, 'Ayi' in Ainu language means 'arrow'."

Ogata listened carefully to the introduction of his boss while flipping through the book in his hand.

The teaching method of this "Teaching Guide for Common Phrases in Ainu Language" is quite simple and rude.

Because Ezo does not have written words, they directly use pseudonyms to transliterate their words, and then mark what the words mean at the end.

Ogata briefly flipped through the book, and the records in this book were indeed some commonly used words and sentences.

This is indeed a very useful book for Ogata and A-machi who plan to go to Ezo in the future.

After all, after going to Ezo, it is inevitable to meet the local aborigines.

If you can't communicate with the Ezo, it will be a troublesome thing.

"It's useless for me to keep this book. If you want it, I'll sell it to you."

"Since you are Kondo-kun's friend, then I will sell it cheaper."

Dongjia raised 8 fingers.

"80 silver."

"Just 80 silver, and this book is yours."

80 silver - this is indeed a very cheap price for a book.

What's more, this is a very rare reference book for teaching languages.

Ogata just got the 100 taels of gold for the first place in the literary examination, and he is rich, so he didn't think too much, so he nodded vigorously:

"Okay, I bought it."

Ogata took out his purse and counted out 80 silver.

After handing over the money to the owner, Ogata asked:

"Have you ever been to Ezo? Are there any things or taboos that must be paid attention to when facing Ezo?"

"I have never been to Ezo Land." The owner smiled wryly and shook his head, "All the Ezo goods sold in my shop are purchased from other people, and I did not go to Ezo Land to buy them myself. .”

"I've never even seen Ezo."

"So I don't know if there are any things or taboos that must be paid attention to when facing Ezo."

"Is that so..." A hint of disappointment appeared in the depths of Ogata's pupils again.

"...Mashima." Kondo, who had been silent since just now, suddenly said, "Are you really determined to go to Ezo?"

"Yeah." Ogata nodded without thinking, "It's decided."

"When are you going to leave?"

"Probably in a few days..." Ogata shook his head lightly, "The exact number of days is yet to be determined."

"..." Kondo lowered his head slowly, and the expression on his face changed slowly.

Kondo's expression at this time is exactly the same as the expression he showed when he parted with him in Kyoto.

Ogata couldn't help showing a wry smile.

"...Kondo, don't show such an expression."

Seeing Kondo's expression like this, Ogata also felt a little sad for some reason.

Ogata raised his hand and patted Kondo's shoulders.

"I will stay here in Edo for a while longer."

"I will come to you more often in the next few days."

"I'll call again tomorrow."

"At that time, let me see if your swordsmanship has improved after leaving Kyoto."

"Hmm..." Kondo nodded slightly.

Although Kondo squeezed out a smile.

But in this smile, the color of loss is more than the color of joy...

...

...

Ogata and Machi left the Hokaze House side by side.

After leaving Beifeng House, A-Machi said in a disappointed tone:

"I didn't get much information..."

"It's okay." Ogata answered, "For the time being, there are still some gains."

Ogata raised the "Teaching Guide for Common Phrases in Einu" in his hand.

"It's so thick..." A-Ming twitched the corner of his mouth.

"Let's learn slowly." Ogata stuffed the book back into his arms, "Anyway, it will definitely take at least 2 months to go to Ezo, just learn slowly during these 2 months A common vocabulary in the Ainu language."

The two walked back to their residence at a leisurely pace.

Returning to their residence from Beifeng House, they had to pass through a fairly bustling commercial street.

After entering this relatively bustling commercial street, the flow of people increased in an instant, and the voices in the ears became more and more noisy.

Looking at the dense flow of people around, Ogata raised his eyebrows as if thinking of something.

"...Machi."

"Ok?"

"It's rare to come out, why don't we go for a stroll before going back?" Ogata smiled.

There was a light in A-Machi's eyes.

But as soon as the light appeared in his eyes, A-Machi looked up and down Ogata with hesitant eyes.

"Ayi, your injury shouldn't matter, right?"

"It doesn't matter. It's just a simple stroll. It won't affect my injuries too much."

"...Alright then!" A-Machi nodded vigorously, "Then let's go for a walk before going back!"

Looking at A-Machi with a happy smile on his face, Ogata couldn't help but smile too.

The reason why he suddenly proposed to go shopping was because—Ogata suddenly remembered just now: Although he has been in Edo for a while, he has never visited this "the largest city in Japan" with A-machi.

Even though he is currently in the most prosperous city in the country, he hasn't had a good time with A-cho in Edo, which makes Ogata feel a little uncomfortable...

I will be leaving Edo in a few days.

Let’s say goodbye this time, and when I return to Edo next time, I don’t know when it will be.

So Ogata planned to spend more time with A-cho, and go shopping and play more with A-cho in Edo before leaving Edo.

...

...

Ogata, who was holding A-Ming's hand, turned into a drill bit of an earth-drilling machine, drilling through the flow of people and walls in front of him, and drilled a path for him and A-Ming to walk through.

Just when Ogata was drilling forward wholeheartedly, he suddenly smelled a pleasant sweet smell.

After sniffing vigorously, Ogata turned his head to follow the aroma.

This tempting aroma came from a wagashi shop not far away.

Amachi, who was walking behind Ogata, was also attracted by the aroma, and turned his head to look at the wagashi shop.

Ogata has always liked to eat sweet things.

Wagashi, which are basically sweets, is very suitable for Ogata's appetite, and wagashi is one of Ogata's favorite foods.

And Acho's taste is the same as Ogata's.

A-Machi also likes to eat sweets, and likes to eat wagashi.

After staring at this wagashi shop for a while, Ogata asked abruptly to A-cho beside him:

"Machi, do you want to eat wagashi now?"

"Coincidentally, I just wanted to ask you this question too."

In just two sentences, Ogata and A-Machi reached a consensus, and hurried towards the wagashi shop.

The business of this wagashi shop is very good. After Ogata and A-machi lined up for nearly 10 minutes, it was finally their turn to buy.

Ogata bought 3 large boxes - not only for himself and A-Ming, but also for the people in the gourd house.

Satisfied, he carried the 3 large boxes of wagashi and left in front of this wagashi shop. A male voice that seemed to have been heard somewhere suddenly sounded from Ogata's side:

"Isn't this Mr. Samurai?"

In terms of mood, he followed the prestige with doubts.

A young man who looked familiar, but couldn't remember when he had seen him, ran towards Ogata and Atachi quickly.

"Excuse me, may I ask who you are?" Xu Fang asked back with a little apology.

"Hahahaha." The young man laughed heartily, "I am the owner of the tea house that you helped a while ago."

"It's the shop owner who couldn't deliver to Yoshihara because of his waist injury."

Hearing the young man's words, Ogata instantly remembered who this person was.

"It's you." Ogata smiled, "Looking at you, your back injury seems to be healed."

The young man patted himself on the back, and then let out a series of hearty laughs again: "It's completely healed!"

When they first came to Edo, Ogata and A-Machi went together to collect information on the "Imperial Trial" in various places in Edo.

In the evening, I went into a tea house to drink tea and rest.

That night, the tea house happened to have a delivery order from Yoshiwara.

The "Sakuramon House" in Yoshihara ordered their special steamed buns, and the owner of the tea house had to deliver the special steamed buns of their tea house to "Sakuramon House" in time tonight.

And that night, the owner of this tea house was very unfortunate - he injured his waist.

Then his wife was also sick at the time, leaving only a 12-year-old daughter.

Just when the owner of this tea house was at a loss, Ogata, who happened to be taking a tea break in this tea house at that time, decided to help him and deliver the steamed buns to "Sakuramonya" in Yoshihara.

After recalling who this young man was, the look in Ogata's eyes became complicated.

From a certain point of view, that tea house can also be regarded as Ogata's "place where dreams began".

It is precisely because Ogata chose to deliver goods for the owner of the teahouse that night that Ogata entered Yoshiwara that night, met Guasheng that night, became attached to Fuling Taifu that night, and met Geutaro by chance on that night...

The owner of the teahouse didn't seem to recognize A-Machi—but that's normal.

At that time, in order to avoid being recognized by the Shiranui ninja who might be lurking somewhere in Edo, Machi wore ugly and scary makeup.

The make-up was so ugly that he couldn't see Ah-Ming's true colors at all.

Now that Shiranui has perished, there is no need for Machi to continue to disguise, so Machi has been going out without makeup recently.

A-Ming without makeup and A-Ming with that scary heavy makeup are completely different looks.

Therefore, it is quite normal for the owner of the tea house who has only seen the "heavy make-up A-machi" not to recognize the "plain makeup-type A-machi".

"Thank you very much at that time!" The owner of the tea house bowed to Ogata, "If it wasn't for your help at that time, I didn't know what I would have done."

"It's just a trivial matter." Ogata smiled and straightened the owner of the tea house who was bowing to him, "So you don't need to thank me for such a small matter."

"Master Samurai!" The owner of the tea house said seriously, "No matter what, I want to express my thanks to you! Please allow me to treat you to a cup of tea!"

"Ah, there's no need for that." Ogata said hastily, "I said it just now, it's just a trivial matter, there is no need to thank you so grandly, I appreciate your kindness."

"That can't be done." The owner of the tea house shook his head, "Master Samurai, you don't understand how much you helped me at that time."

"If we failed to deliver the steamed buns to Yingmen House in time that night, we would have to pay a huge sum of money."

"You have helped us so much. If I don't thank you properly, I will feel uneasy. At least let me buy you a cup of tea!"

Ogata kept saying "no", "no".

The owner of the tea house stubbornly said, "I will always thank you well."

Ogata, who couldn't beat the owner of the teahouse, could only say helplessly, "Why don't you treat me to something to eat or drink. Just tell me which places are more interesting in Edo."

Tea House Owner: "An interesting thing?"

"I'm a foreigner." Ogata said, "I don't know much about Edo. So just tell me some interesting things about Edo. For example, which shop's wagashi is particularly delicious, or where where would be more fun."

Ogata just made a decision - he wants to take a good look around Edo with A-cho while he is still in Edo.

But he is a foreigner after all, and he is not familiar with Edo at all, so he doesn't even know which place in Edo is more fun and lively.

So Ogata decided to kill two birds with one stone—let the owner of the tea house tell him what interesting things there are in Edo. This will not only allow the owner of the tea house to thank him for his original "goodness of delivery", but also Ogata can get the favor of Edo. intelligence.

"Which places are more interesting in Edo..." The owner of the tea house pondered, "There are so many interesting places in Edo... There is a very interesting place not far away."

"Oh?" Ogata raised his eyebrows, "Is there a very interesting place not far away?"

"Yes, the 'Shenmu' is not far from here."

"'Shenmu'?" Ogata asked suspiciously, "What is that?"

"'Shenmu' is a sacred tree that is well-known in our Edo." The owner of the teahouse said a little proudly, "Master Samurai, if you have time, do you want to do it now?" Go see the 'Shenmu'?"

"It would be a very regrettable thing if we didn't get to see this divine tree."

Ogata is indeed quite free now.

Ogata is also somewhat curious about the "divine tree" that the owner of the teahouse said.

So Ogata turned his head and cast a questioning look at A-Machi beside him.

As soon as Ogata cast his eyes on A-Machi, A-Machi nodded at Ogata.

"Okay then." Ogata turned his gaze back to the owner of the tea house, "Shenmu is not far from here, right?"

"Not far." The owner of the tea house immediately said, "It's very close, come with me!"

The owner of the tea house turned around and walked towards a side path.

Ogata and A-machi followed closely behind.

The owner of the teahouse who was walking in the front led the way while introducing Shenmu to Ogata and Atachi.

"A sacred tree used to be a tree planted in a certain shrine."

"That shrine was later destroyed by fire in a fire."

"The fire that burned down the entire shrine was huge, but Shenmu miraculously survived the fire."

"Since then, the tree has been considered divine and people have started calling it the 'God Tree'."

"There is another very interesting story about the 'Shenmu'."

"It is said that a long time ago, a certain samurai fell in love with a certain girl who was also from the samurai family."

"Not long after falling in love, they decided to get married."

"The venue for the wedding was neither at home, nor in a shrine or Buddhist temple."

"It's located under the 'Sacred Tree'."

"Because the 'Sacred Tree' is a very meaningful tree to them."

"They met each other under the 'Sacred Tree' by chance."

"So in order to commemorate this meaningful place, they set the wedding venue under the 'sacred tree' where they first met."

"It's a pity that the good times don't last long."

"Not long after the marriage, the samurai suddenly became seriously ill."

"No matter how many doctors were called, the samurai's disease could not be cured."

"The girl who can't do anything can only pray to gods and Buddhas everywhere, and pray to gods and Buddhas to protect that warrior."

"However, the girl visited every shrine and Buddhist temple in Edo, but the samurai's health did not get better."

"When the girl began to despair, a certain witch suddenly found the girl."

"The witch told the girl: go to the 'Sacred Tree' to pray and make a wish, and the warrior's illness can be cured."

"However, when you pray to the 'Shenmu' and make a wish, you must wear white clothes. And when you make a wish, you cannot silently recite your wish, you must clearly state your wish and why you want to make this wish .”

"Only in this way can the 'Shenmu' hear and understand your wish, and then realize your wish."

"The girl was already desperate, so after getting this suggestion from the witch, she immediately put on the white Wugou she wore when she married that warrior, ran to the 'Sacred Tree', and made a sincere wish to the 'Sacred Tree' , pray to the 'Sacred Tree' to bless the warrior."

"And then—a miracle happened."

"Not long after the girl made a wish to the 'Shenmu', the samurai's illness suddenly healed."

"After the samurai's body recovered, the girl looked around for the witch who asked her to make a wish to the'Sacred Tree', and wanted to personally thank her for saving her life."

"But the girl searched every shrine in Edo, but couldn't find the witch."

"People in every shrine say that there is no such person in their shrine."

"The witch just appeared suddenly, and then disappeared suddenly."

Ogata listened quietly.

After the story told by the owner of the tea house, Ogata said in a half-joking tone: "Is this a real event? Why does it sound like a myth?"

Ogata is a materialist and never believes that there are any gods and Buddhas in this world.

So after listening to this story, the first thought that came to Ogata's mind was: Is this story made up?

As soon as Ogata's rhetorical question fell, the owner of the tea house also showed a wry smile:

"I actually doubt the veracity of this story."

"However—the story may be false, but the story of the 'Sacred Tree' surviving a fire is true."

"We have always believed that the 'Shenmu' is really divine."

Speaking of this, the owner of the tea house raised his hand and pointed forward.

"Master Samurai, we have arrived. That tree is the 'Sacred Tree'."

Ogata and A-Machi hurriedly followed the direction pointed by the owner of the tea house.

"Is this...'Shenmu'?" Ogata murmured.

While whispering, he moved his eyes and looked up and down at the big tree not far ahead.

This big tree is not very big, and 3 adults can probably hug it.

Although the "Shenmu" is not big, it is very high. According to Ogata's visual inspection, the total height of the "Shenmu" is nearly 10 meters.

Because he knew nothing about botany, Ogata didn't know what kind of tree the sacred tree was.

Obviously, it is already November, when autumn is already strong, and the leaves of the "Shenmu" are still dense, swaying with the wind under the breeze that blows from time to time.

An old Shimenawa rope is wrapped around the trunk.

The so-called Shimenawa is a rope or grass rope made of straw. There is a white "Zigzag" imperial coin hanging on it.

Shimenawa is a sacred item in Japanese Shintoism. Used to represent the boundary between profane and sacred objects.

After Ogata looked at the "sacred tree", he began to look at the surrounding environment.

"Shenmu" is located in a very remote place, there are no private houses around, and there are no other people around except Ogata and others.

"Master Samurai." The owner of the teahouse said with a smile, "This is the 'Sacred Tree'."

Ogata does not know whether this tree has divinity or not.

But this big tree tied with shimenawa, its branches and leaves swaying in the wind, really has a sense of sacredness.

Looking at the "sacred tree", Ogata couldn't help recalling the story told by the owner of the tea house just now.

And also recalling that story, and Machi.

"Make a wish..." Ah-Ming looked at the "Shenmu" in front of him and muttered.

After muttering, A-Machi turned his head and said to Ogata in a half-joking tone:

"Speaking of which—I have a wish that I really want to realize right now."

"Oh? What wish?" Ogata asked.

A-Ming squeezed the flesh in his waist and abdomen.

"I always feel like I've gotten a little fatter." Ah-Ming said with a serious face, "So I really want to make a wish: I hope that the extra flesh on my stomach will disappear."

"Don't make such a boring wish to the god..."

...

...

After admiring the "sacred tree", Ogata and A-machi left in front of the "sacred tree" and said goodbye to the owner of the tea house.

Before parting, the owner of the tea house told Ogata and A-machi everything he knew about Edo.

Where is more fun, where is more lively, where it is best not to go... The owner of the tea house told Ogata and the others all these.

After receiving the information provided by the owner of the tea house, Ogata and the others wandered somewhere for a while before returning to their residence.

As soon as Ogata and A-machi returned to the house they were currently living in, they saw Mamiya walking along the corridor connected to the gate of the house.

Mamiya saw Ogata and Atachi who had returned, and immediately said to them:

"You came back in time."

"What's wrong?" Ogata asked.

"Miss Guasheng is here. She is currently in Mr. Keitaro's room."

"Miss Guasheng is here?" Ogata raised his eyebrows, "I see, I'm going now."

Ogata and Machi climbed up to the second floor of the house one after the other.

"Uncle Qing, Miss Guasheng." Standing outside Uncle Qing's room door, Xu Fang whispered to the back of the door, "It's me, is it convenient for me to come in now?"

As soon as Ogata finished speaking, Uncle Qing's voice came from the room.

"Of course it's convenient."

After obtaining Uncle Qing's permission to enter the room, Xu Bianli slowly opened the door in front of him.

As soon as he opened the door, Xu saw Uncle Qing lying in the bedding, and Gua Sheng who was kneeling beside Uncle Qing.

"I'm sorry, Miss Guasheng." After opening the door and entering the room, Xu Convenience said to Guasheng first, "I just went out for something, so I kept you waiting."

"No need to apologize, I didn't wait long, and I just arrived."

After Ogata and A-Ming sat side by side across from Guasheng, Guasheng passed a small cloth bag placed on the tatami beside her to Ogata.

"Master Ogata! This is for you!"

"What is this?" Ogata asked doubtfully as he took the cloth bag.

"It's eels." Gua Sheng said, "It's very good for replenishing physical strength."

Although eel was not a luxury food in ancient Japan, it was not cheap either.

"Miss Guasheng, thank you." Ogata's face showed a bit of helplessness, "It's really costing you..."

"It's just a small amount of money. It's far from being a waste." Gua Sheng waved his hand boldly, "There are 4 pieces in it, you can share them."

Guasheng should be the only person in Edo besides Ogata and others who knows the specific truth about the destruction of Shiranui.

He is also the only one who knows where the people who destroyed Shiranui live now.

After being destroyed in Shiranui, Guasheng's life slowly returned to the right track.

Back to Yoshihara's house.

Continue to work at the Shirobei Clubhouse.

Continue to defend Yoshihara as usual.

Continue to be honored as "Yoshihara Concentric" by the girls.

Since Ogata and others lived in this remote house to recuperate from their injuries, Guasheng came here to visit them almost every day.

Every time Guasheng came to visit Ogata and Uncle Qing, he would definitely bring some food or supplements to restore physical strength and promote wound healing.

Because Guasheng sent supplements every day, this made Ogata a little embarrassed.

Ogata put away the bag of eels in his hand, and asked Guasheng:

"Miss Guasheng, how is Mrs. Fengling now?"

"Teacher, she started working again yesterday." Gua Sheng said, "Seeing that the owner of Meiwu has really lost all his money this time, and just today he hired a new thug."

After conquering Shiranui, the Taifu who was kidnapped by the ninjas in Shiranui was naturally rescued by Ogata and the others.

The Taifu who returned to Yoshihara naturally wouldn't tell the truth.

At the moment when Shiranui was attacked by unknown people, if he said that he was kidnapped by the ninjas in Shiranui, it would definitely cause a lot of trouble.

So in order to avoid trouble, the Taifu made a fuss—saying that he was kidnapped by human traffickers.

The trafficker climbed over the window, climbed into her room, kidnapped her, and then saw the opportunity to escape.

Tai Fu is the cash cow of Jianmei House.

The money tree that suddenly disappeared suddenly returned, and the owner of Meiwu was naturally ecstatic to see it.

After the husband came back, the owner of Meiwu first gave the husband a long vacation, so that the husband could have a good rest and calm his mind.

Then a very powerful doctor was invited to give Taifu a full body examination.

In the end, he spent a lot of money to hire new guards.

The husband's disappearance this time really scared half of the souls of Meiwu's owner.

In order not to repeat the same mistakes, the owner of Jianmei House decided to comprehensively strengthen the defense force of Jianmei House.

Avoid the situation where the wandering girl is kidnapped again.

After learning that Taifu is also like Guasheng, and his life is slowly returning to the right track, Ogata let out a sigh of relief, and another stone that was hanging in his heart finally fell to the ground.

"Master Ogata, your injury really recovered very quickly."

Guasheng looked Ogata up and down several times, and then said:

"You obviously couldn't walk steadily a few days ago."

"It's all back to normal now."

"How do you feel today? Shouldn't you feel suddenly tired like before?"

The "sudden feeling of fatigue" that Guasheng refers to naturally refers to the incident when Ogata passed out because his body absorbed the "immortal poison" for the second time.

Guasheng also came to visit Ogata that day.

But when Guasheng came to visit Ogata, Ogata happened to be in a coma.

Ogata, who suddenly passed out, was also taken aback.

Afterwards, when I learned that Ogata woke up and his body was fine, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"There is no serious problem." Ogata nodded, "I am no longer in a coma, and the injuries on my body are recovering well."

"That's good..." Gua Sheng let out a sigh of relief, showing a reassuring expression.

But at the next moment when he showed a reassuring expression, Gua Sheng's eyes slowly showed a touch of disappointment.

"...Master Ogata, I just heard about it from Mamiya-san and the others."

Gua Sheng said softly.

"You're leaving Edo in a few days... isn't it?"

After the look of disappointment slowly appeared in his eyes, the expression on Gua Sheng's face also slowly changed.

A few days ago, that is when Ogata decided to leave for Ezo after the wound on his body healed. Ogata also informed Guasheng of his plan.

So Gua Sheng also knew about it. Knowing that Ogata recovered from his injury, he left for Ezodi.

However, Ogata naturally concealed the real reason for going to Ezo from Guasheng.

Guasheng's expression at this time was almost exactly the same as Kondo's expression just now.

Ogata has never been good at dealing with people with such expressions...

After sighing lightly, Ogata smiled at Guasheng and said:

"I haven't decided on when I'm going to leave."

"I'm not leaving right away."

"So you can come to me more these days, I'm always here."

"Hmm..." Gua Sheng squeezed out a smile.

The smile on Guasheng's face was the same as the one that Ogata saw on Kondo's face just now - more disappointment than joy.

...

...

late at night--

The moon was fading in the west, and was about to sink into the dark clouds that hung like a torn curtain over the distant mountains.

Except for the sound of the night wind blowing outside the window from time to time, and the even breathing of himself and A-Machi, Ogata could not hear any unnecessary sounds.

During this time, Ogata has been having trouble falling asleep.

Not because of Ogata's insomnia or anything.

Although no wounds on Ogata's body were hurting anymore, when he touched some wounds on his body, he still felt a tingling sensation.

Ogata has always liked to sleep on his side.

But sleeping on your side can easily press on some wounds on your upper body, so these days Ogata can only sleep lying down with his face facing the ceiling.

But Ogata is not used to this sleeping position, so it takes a long time every night to slowly fall asleep.

It was the same tonight, maintaining this sleeping position that I was not used to, and after lying on the futon for an unknown amount of time, I finally entered a half-asleep, half-awake, dazed state.

After a while, you should be able to fall asleep smoothly.

But at this moment, Ogata suddenly heard a rustling sound from the bed beside him.

The noise was very small, if it wasn't because Ogata hadn't fallen asleep completely, otherwise it might not be audible.

——Machi?

Waking up from a half-asleep state, Ogata opened his eyes a little, and glanced at Machi who came out of the bed beside him.

As soon as A-Machi got out of the bed, he cast his eyes on Ogata, and looked at Ogata seriously, as if he wanted to check whether he had woken Ogata just now.

After Ogata found that A-Ming was looking at him, he immediately closed his slightly opened eyes, pretending to be still asleep.

A-Machi, who didn't realize that Ogata had woken up, turned his eyes away from Ogata's body, then stood up straight, and began to take off the white bathrobe on his body.

Ogata didn't dare to open his eyes because he didn't know if A-Machi was looking at him now, and continued to close them tightly.

A-Machi took off his white yukata, changed into an ordinary kimono, and tiptoed out of the room.

Ogata opened his eyes only after hearing the sound of A-Machi's footsteps leaving the room.

——It's so late, what is A-cho going to do?

Ogata looked at the white bathrobe that A-Machi had just replaced, and frowned slightly uncontrollably.

Originally, Ogata thought that Ah-cho should go to the toilet, but now it seems that it is not.

After all, if you just go to the toilet, you don't need to change clothes at all.

Driven by doubt and curiosity, Ogata decided to follow the past to have a look.

Because there was no time to change clothes, Ogata simply did not change clothes. He put on the black bathrobe he was wearing now, picked up Da Shitian and Da Zizai that were placed on the knife holder next to him, and quickly left the room, following closely Behind Ah-machi.

After A-Ming left the room, he quickly went down to the first floor and ran to the door of the house.

After pulling on her straw sandals, the white and tender feet without socks rushed out of the room.

Seeing this, Ogata became even more puzzled.

I don't understand why Ah Ding went out in the middle of the night.

Unable to figure out why, Ogata could only silently follow behind A-cho.

It's about 3 o'clock in the morning now.

In Edo at this point in time, there were not even a single wild dog on the streets.

Machi trotted along the unimpeded streets.

The weather is cloudy tonight, and the moonlight is covered by layers of "black clouds" that are dyed black by the night.

Ogata was very thankful that the kimono that Amachi was wearing now was light yellow.

Even without the illumination of the moonlight, Ogata could still see the conspicuous yellow.

Soon, Ah-machi came to a place that Ogata was very familiar with.

Because of this place, Ogata and A-machi had just been here during the day today.

It is the "sacred tree" that is said to have divine nature recommended by the owner of the tea house today.

A-Machi stood in front of the big tree, looked up at the big tree, and at the same time adjusted his breathing disordered by the trotting all the way just now.

Ogata, who was lurking not far away, had an unconcealable surprise on his face.

Ogata never expected that A-cho, who suddenly went out in the middle of the night, would come here specifically to find this "sacred tree".

——Machi, what does she want to do? Want to imitate the girl in that story and make a wish on this "sacred tree"?

Ogata couldn't help but recall the wish that "she wants to lose weight" that A-Machi told him today.

——She came here in the middle of the night, maybe she came to make a wish to "Shenmu" and want to lose weight...

Thinking of this, Ogata couldn't help feeling secretly amused, and a helpless smile appeared on his face.

It's just... the moment A-Ming spoke, the smile on Ogata's face froze.

After his breathing calmed down a bit, A-Machi took a deep breath.

After slowly exhaling the inhaled air, a wry smile appeared on A-Machi's face.

"The girl in that story was wearing Bai Wugou and made a wish to the 'Shenmu', and the wish came true..."

"I... don't have Bai Wugou... and I don't know if the wish I made to the 'Shenmu' will work..."

After uttering this bitter murmur, A-Machi faced the big tree, bowed twice, and then knelt down on the ground.

While kneeling, put your hands together and keep your eyes closed.

"'Shenmu'... please listen to my wish."

There was silence all around, and Ogata's soft voice came into Ogata's ears clearly.

"The first time I... met that person was on the island called 'Butterfly Island'."

"The opportunity to get acquainted with him was that I took the initiative to find him and invited him to form a team with me."

"The reason why I took the initiative to find him to form a team is actually to use him."

"Because I recognized him as the famous 'Executioner Yidao Zhai' at that time, so I felt that forming a team with such a strong person would be of great benefit to completing the task assigned to me by the Balrog."

"I just wanted to use him simply..."

"But unconsciously, I started to have a good impression of him."

"Not long after I got acquainted with him, I saw him covered in bruises."

"The battle with the demon monk nearly killed him."

"That was the first time I saw him with scars..."

"Afterwards, I parted ways with him briefly for a while."

"Maybe it's really fate. Not long after we parted, we reunited with him in Kyoto."

"Not long after the reunion in Kyoto, he was involved in a conspiracy with the ultimate goal of destroying Kyoto."

"He had to fight all kinds of masters, and finally got himself covered in injuries again."

"That was the second time I saw him with scars..."

"During those days, I was the most helpless..."

"I'm afraid of the pursuers in Shiranui."

"I'm afraid that I will be caught back, and then I will be tortured out of shape..."

"It was he who extended a helping hand to me who was helpless at the time."

"It was probably at that time that I fell in love with him who was willing to lend a helping hand to me."

"Then, we came to Edo again."

"After the decisive battle with Shiranui, he became a blood man again..."

"This is... the third time I've seen him covered in scars."

"At that time, when he said that he was going to deal with Shintaro, I really wanted to hold him back and tell him not to go."

"Shuntaro is very strong, I don't want him to fight against such a strong enemy, and then hurt himself all over..."

"Just from the time I got acquainted with him, I have witnessed him bruised and bruised three times."

"Although he survived every time, what about the next time?"

"The next time he encounters a stronger enemy, can he continue to be so lucky to survive?"

"I'm scared……"

"Afraid of the next trip to Ezo..."

"I'm afraid that he will not be so lucky someday in the future..."

"If I had a choice, I hope that the next person who becomes bruised and bruised is me, not him..."

"'Sacred Tree'..."

A-Machi lowered his head a little lower.

The whole body seemed to shrink together.

Like a devout, humble believer.

"Please keep Ogata Itsuki safe."

"I just want him to be safe and sound."

"Peacefully...to realize my dream..."

"Then take me to realize his dream..."

As soon as A-Ming finished speaking, a gentle night wind suddenly blew.

The leaves of the "Sacred Tree" swayed accordingly.

The shimenawa rope wrapped around the tree trunk also danced.

Machi's hair was also fluttering in the sudden night wind.

The clouds that originally covered the moonlight tightly also fluttered under the influence of this gust of wind, and then separated a small gap.

The moonlight, as hazy as light smoke, penetrated this tiny gap and fell on Ah-Ming's body.

Under the shroud of this bright moonlight, at this moment, Ah Ding seemed to have put on a set of holy whiteness.

Ogata stared blankly at O-Machi who "put on" Shiro Wugou.

Pictures of the past flashed in Ogata's mind one by one.

Ogata recalled that night in Owari.

On that night, the girl told him: her dream is to be a bride.

And he also told this girl he fell in love with at some point in his same childish dream: he wanted to travel around.

It was obviously a long time ago, but the scenes of that night are still vivid in Ogata's mind, as if it were yesterday.

...

...

"It's ok...whether it's your dream or mine, it can be realized...I promise you."

...

...

The sudden male voice broke the silence.

The girl who was wearing a white dress made of moonlight trembled slightly.

After opening his eyes full of surprise, he stood up slowly, and slowly turned his head to look behind him...

...

...

No. 6 "Edo Castle Imperial Trial" - the end!

*****

Conclusion of Volume 6:

"I used to be young and frivolous, and lost my way when I embarked on a journey alone. When I met people, I just felt that I was fulfilled. People are the joy of people."

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