Chapter 39 Homecoming

The fact that the spirit's waist held aloft easily revealed their identities to [Kanshu].

"Lord Hanzhou... how did you come to terms with the separation?"

Kashuu Kiyomitsu failed to finish his sentence, but Kanshu understood.

"The past is all history. Acquaintances always end in separation, and I've long since grown accustomed to it." As she spoke, [Han Zhou] looked at them, her cool face softening slightly in the moonlight.

"But in the future, I may be free from the pain of parting for a long time."

After saying this, Han Zhou's figure had already disappeared from the spot.

——

Han Zhou listened as the troops described to her the scene of seeing her past self. That version of herself was exactly the same as she was now. Therefore, the spirits were very accepting of it. If they had seen their pre-divine selves, the story would likely have been very different.

Having finished her official duties, Han Zhou sat in the corridor, listening to the lively conversation around her. Seeing that her teacup was almost empty, Hizamaru casually picked up the teapot beside her and refilled it.

"Thank you, Kneeball."

"You're exaggerating; it's just a small matter."

Looking at the serious Hizamaru, Kanshu covered the corners of his mouth with his teacup. With such a serious personality, it's no wonder Higekiri often teases Hizamaru. He seems inexplicably easy to bully.

"Oh, by the way... I'll take you all back to my hometown in three days."

...the surrounding voices disappeared instantly.

"What?! Really?!"

"Wow, what is my lord's hometown like?"

"Three days from now? I can't wait!"

Taking advantage of the chaos, Kashuu Kiyomitsu sat down next to Hanzhou, his beautiful red eyes filled with curiosity. This almost made Hanzhou think he was seeing a cat.

"What brings you back this time, my lord?"

"Go to pay respects to a deceased friend."

They all saw the longing in Han Zhou's eyes. They also guessed that that person must be very important to their lord.

The news spread quickly throughout the citadel, but Hanshu didn't intend to explain it to the authorities. Otherwise, she'd likely encounter some annoying rats on the way, and she didn't want to spoil her mood.

The day arrived quickly, eagerly awaited by the spirits, when Kanshu would take them home. They hadn't originally planned to bring any picnic items, as the spirits felt it inappropriate for their lord to return to pay respects to deceased friends.

After Han Zhou learned about this, he indicated that he could bring her, explaining that the person in question wouldn't like a too-serious atmosphere. Perhaps this was just right.

Because there were quite a few swords and dozens of people inside the citadel, the portal that Han Zhou opened was very large, and she stood at the very front.

"Come on, I'll take you home."

After passing through the portal, the spirits smelled a fragrance different from that of the Manyozakura. That tree was even more lush than the Manyozakura within the citadel. Pink petals swirled in the gentle breeze.

The air was filled with the fragrance of flowers, and in this beautiful place, a tombstone stood quietly beneath a tree, its sharp characters recognizable even to the spirits of the dead.

That was Han Zhou's handwriting.

The name on the tombstone was engraved in Chinese by Han Zhou, which the spirits could not understand.

Han Zhou poured the wine in his hand onto the tombstone. "I'm back. It's been... more than four thousand years. Time really flies."

"The sapling we planted back then has grown into such a lush tree; you've certainly chosen a good place to rest in peace."

While she was talking to Feng Qingyuan, the tsukumogami remained silent and did not disturb her. By the end, Han Zhou's soft laughter had been mostly carried away by the wind.

"Alright, I've set up the barrier. If you want a picnic and drinks, get moving!"

Some were helping, while others were running around aimlessly. In the blink of an eye, they had climbed up the peach tree, which was even bigger than the Manjusaka.

Let's see who can climb to the top the fastest!

"What?! I won't lose!"

"Damn it, you guys ran away!"

The cheerful chatter of the little swordsmen filled the air, occasionally punctuated by comments like, "Mr. Tsuru! When did you add wasabi?!" or "Kuniyuki, with such a beautiful view, why aren't you sleeping?!"

Han Zhou leaned against the tombstone, slowly sipping the wine in her glass. As she watched the petals fall into her cup, she exhaled, and just then, the five tiger cubs from Gotakatsu roamed over, playfully wrestling around her.

"Oh, you've come too," Mikazuki said with a smile, patting the little tiger. As an elderly man, he really liked these fluffy little tigers.

Higekiri had already dipped his fingertip in some sake and offered it to the little tiger's mouth, which startled Hizamaru.

"Brother! You can't feed this wine to the tiger cub!"

They're drinking high-proof liquor. What if the little tiger gets sick from it?!

Sure enough, the little tiger that had licked its beard and cut its fingertips was already walking unsteadily. When faced with its younger brother's gaze, the culprit blinked nonchalantly.

Wu Hu Tui started searching as soon as he noticed all the tiger cubs around him were missing. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the tiger cubs gathered around Han Zhou.

"My lord." He greeted Han Zhou, and when he saw a small tiger with slightly red cheeks, he picked it up with some surprise. "Have you been drinking?"

"Don't worry, the little tiger will recover in half an hour." As the brewer of these drinks, Han Zhou naturally knew better than others.

They are the companion beasts of tsukumogami, so these little guys won't have any problems drinking this kind of alcohol; at most, they'll just fall asleep.

"After that, the problem with the Time Travel Army is resolved. You can all come back and stay here with me."

"Haha, if that day ever comes, my lord, you must show us around here more often!" Mikazuki laughed heartily, showing no doubt what Kanshu had said.

"Wow, if that happens, there will definitely be a lot of scares!"

Tsurumaru Kuninaga appeared out of nowhere, with bits of grass still clinging to his body.

Among a group of elderly people, Gokotsu seemed a little out of place, but he did not feel uncomfortable.

Prince Hizamaru would pour him juice and prevent him from drinking alcohol. Prince Higekiri would also place snacks in front of him, and Princes Mikazuki and Tsurumaru would watch over the tiger cub for him, cleaning it up after it rolled in grass.

Everyone is very gentle

The sounds of playful fighting in the distance reached their ears.

"Nashio Toushirou! Fudo Yukimitsu! What are you doing?!" Hasebe's angry and bewildered voice was very clear, drawing the attention of Hanshu and his group.

Hasebe was covered in pink peach petals and looked rather disheveled.

"Hahaha, Hasebe, you're so funny!"

"Who do you think caused this? Fudo Yukimitsu!"

Hasebe immediately rushed forward, intending to teach the other party a lesson, but was stopped by Yagen beside him.

"Calm down! Hasebe!"

"Yagen, look at what he's doing!"

Because his younger brother was involved in this matter, Ichigo Hitofuri quickly arrived. Looking at the lively scene, a gentle smile appeared on Hanshu's face.

Even though they had seen Han Zhou's smiling face, they were still captivated by it.

"If only my lord could smile more often, what do you think, Xiao Tui?"

Tsurumaru Kuninaga had two little tigers stuck to him; one was nestled in his arms yawning, and the other was perched on his head, tugging at his white hair.

"I...I think, my lord is...very good...very gentle."

After saying this, Gokoto scratched his cheek a little embarrassedly.

"Drinking like this is nice, but it would be better if there were some other entertainment."

Higekiri looked around at the beautiful scenery, a beauty he had never experienced in the citadel.

Hearing Higekiri's words, Hanshu glanced sideways at the tombstone. He set down his wine glass, gently touched his blue teardrop-shaped earring, and took out a white jade flute from it. The warm, delicate feel was just like it had been four thousand years ago.

"Haven't sung this in four thousand years, I've become quite rusty."

"In that case," Mikazuki put down his sake cup, straightened his magnificent battle attire, and his breathtakingly beautiful eyes held a hint of amusement.

"Then I'll dance to the tune of your flute, my lord."

"Oh my, the dance of the most beautiful blade in the world? I really can't wait!"

Upon hearing the decision, the spirits gathered around in unison. Han Zhou watched as Mikazuki skillfully took out his fan, chuckled, and placed his jade flute to his lips.

A gentle breeze blows—

A melodious and lingering flute tune poured forth, Han Zhou's slender, pale fingers moving deftly, the enchanting music captivating the spirits for a moment.

Moreover, Mikazuki, dancing to the sound of the flute, exuded the elegance of a Heian noble with every movement. The fan in her hand constantly changed and twirled, and when her gaze met those crescent-moon eyes, many tsukumogami were stunned by their beauty.

"What a nice view......."

I don't know whose words came from the bottom of my heart.

When the flute music stopped, many people were still in a daze. A moment of silence fell over the room. Seeing this, Han Zhou teased Mikazuki beside him.

"Looks like Mikazuki, your dancing wasn't very good. Nobody seemed to react."

"Haha, even the old man has reached a point where his strength is failing."

"No, no! Lady Mikazuki's dance was beautiful! And the lord's flute playing was wonderful too. We just haven't recovered from our shock yet!"

"Yes!"

"Wow, so these are the Five Swords of the World. They are truly not to be underestimated."

Praises poured in, and Han Zhou responded to each of the little swordsmen's compliments. He noticed their curious gazes as they looked at the jade flute in his hand.

"This is a gift from her," she said, glancing at the tombstone beside her, her tone light and casual. "She said she bought it casually, but this jade flute wasn't cheap."

"My lord... how did you and her meet?"

Ran Toushirou hesitated before asking, not only because he was curious, but also because the other tsukumogami were curious about Kanbune's past.

"If my lord finds it difficult, you don't have to say it!" Ran Toushirou said somewhat flusteredly after seeing Hanshu remain silent.

Han Zhou, who was just wondering where to begin, immediately realized that the other party had misunderstood him. He patted the messy head reassuringly, then turned his gaze to Goko Retreat.

"Tui, do you remember the story I told you before?"