Nightfall.
The night covered the Mino Plain, and the entire castle of Rice Leaf Mountain transitioned from the hustle of daylight into the relatively quiet night. Every household fell asleep in the tranquil darkness, waking with the sunrise and resting with the sunset, the most common rhythm of that era.
Only a few houses could let candlelight shine through, for, after all, whether it was candles or lamp oil, the average commoner could not afford them.
In the productivity-deficient ancient times, illumination was truly a luxury. Even in China, many related stories were passed down, often tales of scholars finding ways to read despite their poverty, unable to afford an oil lamp, such as "borrowing light through a carved wall" or "bagging fireflies to read by snowlight."
Even in China, it was like this, much less on this island nation.
However, in Fujikichiro’s longhouse tonight, a rare luxury of candlelight was also lit. In the hall, under the illumination of firelight, Saito Dosan nostalgically lifted the dagger in his hand, his fingers trembling slightly. He gently caressed the blade, examining the "Xiu" character engraved on it.
"This is it... this is it..."
He mumbled as if lost in thought. Although they had parted for over a decade, and he was no longer the head of the Chu Yeshi clan, but a renowned and influential feudal lord who seized Mino through cunning, he was certain he would not mistake this dagger.
For it was a fragment of the Chu Yeshi Blade he once used, a part of the legendary treasure blade left by the Taichu Warrior who slayed demons.
If he had been very certain before, then at this moment, Saito Dosan completed the final confirmation — he suddenly turned his gaze upon the black-haired girl who looked identical to Yoshitaka; she was indeed another daughter he had lost contact with for many years!
Truly...
Truly wonderful! Not knowing whether they would meet again in this lifetime, he hadn’t expected such a surprise to arrive so suddenly, leaving him utterly unprepared!
Even though he was known for being treacherous and ruthless, thus dubbed the "Viper of Mino," his heart was in disarray at this moment.
This smooth-browed, full-bearded, fierce-looking man took a deep breath, striving to regain his composure and forcing a kind and gentle fatherly smile. He turned to the black-haired girl, who seemed at a loss, and asked:
"Miyoshino... no, your mother, is she... is she well?"
"..."
The black-haired girl was stunned by his words, her expression immediately turning somber.
She opened her mouth, but in the end, only lowered her long lashes, unable to say anything.
In her mind resurfaced the unforgettable scene from her childhood, the man with the alms stick and red eyes suddenly bursting into her home... At that tender age, Hidechika knew nothing, already lying in a pool of blood with her mother.
After the red-eyed man departed, her mother, with her last breath, resurrected her using the dagger’s power and all her demonic power, and entrusted her to live on, to be strong no matter what, before passing away silently.
Since then, young Hidechika carried her mother’s wishes and promise, living strongly on her own. She lost much, even her ability to speak, but only remembered the name her mother left her. Whenever asked, she would show the "Xiu" character on the dagger her mother left behind as an answer.
It has been like this to this day.
"..."
"..."
In the silence, the air gradually became stifling, and sometimes silence itself was a form of response.
"I see, I understand now..."
Seeing the girl’s somber expression, Saito Dosan suddenly seemed to age many years. He understood something, and after silently pondering for a moment, could only let out a long, melancholic sigh. Although the girl said nothing, a man as intelligent as he would certainly understand what had occurred.
That woman was no longer in this world...
There was a curious absence of surprise within him, only a sense of realization, as in this war-torn world where both humans and demon ghosts perished daily, coupled with their decade-long separation and no contact, he had already come to terms with this possibility.
But the sorrow was irrepressible. He turned back again, somewhat lost in thought, pondering and examining the short blade in his hand, as if entranced in a peculiar reminiscence of the past, the smiles and appearances vivid in his mind, as if everything happened just yesterday.
It’s strange, it’s been over ten years since then...
He stared blankly for quite a while, his eyes unknowingly becoming bright, seemingly with a glistening appearance.
Oh no, oh no, oh no...
At this moment, standing at a distance, Fujikichiro was trembling with fear, not getting a chance to marvel at the tender side of the Viper of Mino, nor how this seemingly iron-hearted man could show such humanity. Instead, he first felt as if his scalp was on the verge of exploding, believing he had witnessed something he shouldn’t have!
He nervously surveyed the surroundings, finding Miss Ah Xiu’s expression somber, her eyes lowered in silence, while Gu Mo stood with a calm demeanor, observing everything without any surprise, clearly someone who had seen much of the world. Truly worthy of someone from the Celestial Empire...