Chapter 30 The Song Immortal's Worries

While they were catching up with old friends, Yuu-giri and Ao-yaku had already arrived at Kanshu's Honmaru, and were spotted by Kashuu Kiyomitsu who happened to be passing by.

He was no stranger to these two Saniwa. As a sword spirit who had come into contact with them, Kashuu Kiyomitsu instinctively stepped forward.

"Lord Yuyuwu, Lord Qingye. Are you here to see our lord?"

Because the matter was urgent, neither of them brought any attendants. Before Yu Yuwu could answer, she saw Han Zhou walking towards her from a distance.

A joyful smile spread across her face as she jogged over to Hanzhou's side.

"Lord Hanzhou"

Han Zhou adapted well to being addressed as Yu Yuwu, and she could roughly guess that the other party had already deduced her identity. She didn't seem inclined to correct him.

"Follow me"

Han Zhou looked at Mikazuki following behind him. The other person nodded with the same smile on his face.

Everyone present could see the obvious exchange of glances, but Yu Yuwu and Qingye didn't delve into its meaning. Meanwhile, Kashuu Kiyomitsu and the others were waiting for Mikazuki to tell them.

After Hanshu led the two Saniwa away, Mikazuki finally looked at the two newly arrived swordsmen.

"Alright, let's get everyone together. There are some things I need to tell you."

This time, Han Zhou led the two to his office. Qing Ye and Yu Yu Wu looked around at their surroundings. It wasn't much different from their offices in their own citadel. If there was anything special about it...

Fresh flowers on the desk, blankets on the sofa, and candies and snacks on the coffee table.

These traces suggest that swords and blades frequently visited this place.

Han Zhou waved his hand, and the scattered items in the office were neatly arranged on a table.

While Hanshu explained the auction to Yuyuwu and Qingye, the tsukumogami of Hanshu Honmaru also gathered together, and the troops that had gone to Hiyu Honmaru explained the information they had obtained during this sortie.

Knowing that the second auction was about to begin, Mikazuki did not hide it from the public.

Knowing his nature, he will definitely tell everyone about this, and decide who will accompany him to the auction.

"We originally went to purge the Honmaru of the disqualified, but we didn't expect to receive such a big surprise."

Tsurumaru Kuninaga hadn't had time to change out of his battle uniform, and his body still carried a faint scent of blood. Of course, his fellow sword spirits accepted this level of reeking.

But aside from that, what the swordsmen were more concerned about was who Han Zhou would choose to accompany them to the auction.

"Mikazuki, has the lord decided on the personnel for this expedition?"

Hasebe looked at Touken, who was presiding over the meeting, and asked...

Mikazuki, dressed in his battle uniform, exuded an air of peace and composure in every movement. Hearing Hasebe's question, he smiled.

"No one has been chosen yet, but Hasebe seems really keen to go."

"Of course!"

Having guessed some of the inside story, Yagen remained silent for a moment. He guessed that the Grand Master would be taking two other Saniwa with him to the auction, and most likely wouldn't be bringing too many swords.

The first time it was three rounds, this time it'll probably be two rounds or even one.

In this situation, Yagen is also unsure who Hanzhou will choose.

While the tsukumogami was fretting, Han Zhou was explaining the details of the auction to Qing Ye and Yu Yu Wu.

She also spoke about the auction she had destroyed in the past.

"So, Lord Hanzhou wants us to go to the auction together?" Yu Yuwu asked, her expression serious, seemingly quite disgusted by the practice of auctioning off tsukumogami as mere objects.

Han Zhou nodded. Although he could accomplish this task alone, or even faster, Yu Yuwu and Qing Ye also needed a place to gain experience.

What she teaches always needs to be put to use. Having her at the auction isn't dangerous, and she won't let anyone escape.

This will provide the two with the greatest possible opportunities to gain experience.

"How many tsukumogami can we bring along?" Qingye was well aware of his own strength; if an unexpected event occurred, his swordsmanship would naturally be no match for the tsukumogami.

"One person can take care of two."

The auction hasn't started yet; the most important thing right now is to settle the surviving tsukumogami in the Touhou Honmaru. Qingye looked somewhat helpless when this topic came up.

"Iwatooshi in my citadel is extremely worried; he's very concerned about Imaizumi's condition."

Knowing how close Iwatooshi and Imaizumi were, Miyuki said regretfully, "If my citadel weren't already filled with sword spirits, I could have helped take in those tsukumogami."

If two identical tsukumogami appear in the citadel, it might attract the attention of the Time Government. Currently, they are still in hiding, so it's not a good time to openly confront the Time Government.

"Lord Hanzhou, have your family members caused you any more trouble?" Yu Yuwu asked, looking at the indifferent Hanzhou, a hint of worry in her eyes.

"I dealt with some of their members last time, and they've been quiet lately. But... that won't last long."

Qingye and Yuyuwu had been with the Time Government longer and understood its modus operandi better than Hanzhou. With members of the three major families entrenched in the government, they estimated that the next time they would simultaneously target Hanzhou.

"Please be careful of Lord Hanzhou. They might hold a meeting and invite you to attend. These meetings usually start with an attempt to recruit you, and they'll also subtly belittle and mock you." Yu Yuwu's expression turned extremely ugly as she recalled her first meeting.

At the time, she was ridiculed simply for not taking a clear side, and just recently she even encountered a curse. The scarcity of S-rank Saniwa in the Time Government is likely due to the influence of the three major families.

"Pshaw, a bunch of arrogant old men."

Qingye frowned, a look of disgust appearing on his handsome face.

Han Zhou nodded upon hearing this, accepting their reminder. Since they had all been through similar experiences, he figured the other party would likely try to take advantage of him as well.

She wouldn't mind cleaning up some trash, hoping those people would have a little self-awareness.

After reaching an agreement, Han Zhou escorted the two away from the citadel.

the next day

In the kitchen of the citadel, Kasen Kanesada was unusually distracted. Mikazuki had clearly stated in the meeting that the Samonji faction of the Hiyō citadel and Mutsu no Kami Yoshiyuki would be coming to the citadel.

Kasen Kanesada and Sayo Samonji both stayed at the Hosokawa family's residence, and their connection runs deep. Upon learning that Sayo was living in such a despicable citadel, despite Kansui having already saved them...

But he would still subconsciously worry about the other person's situation.

Shokudaikiri Mitsutada, who was also helping in the kitchen, clearly noticed the absent-minded Kasen Kanesada and asked him...

"Isn't the 'Poet Immortal' on duty today? Should we go take a break?"

Kasen Kanesada, snapping out of his daze, smiled sheepishly at Shokudaikiri.

"Giving up halfway is too unrefined."

Suddenly a white head popped into the kitchen.

"Yo, Hikaru."

Tsurumaru Kuninaga clearly overheard their conversation. He greeted Shokudaikiri Mitsutada, then turned his gaze to Kasen Kanesada, jokingly teasing him.

"I've heard that food made when you're in a bad mood can be quite complicated, so Kasen should probably take a break."

At this point, Kasen put down his spoon.

Thank you for your help.

Tsurumaru Kuninaga readily took over Kasen Kanesada's work, doing what he could while also chatting with Shokudaikiri nearby.

A note from the author:

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I'm back! Sorry everyone waited so long! [Let me see...]