Chapter 58 The Conspiracy of the Three Great Families 2
The news that Hanshu wanted to hold a banquet quickly spread throughout the citadel. Some of the tsukumogami who had nothing to do before started helping with the preparations, while others assisted Kasen and Shokudaikiri in the kitchen.
Some were helping to set up the venue, and Hanzhou asked Kitsune no Suke to tell them that the spirits would also be coming to play later. This put Shokudaikiri and Kasen in a bit of a predicament.
Since they didn't know exactly how many guests there would be, it would be extremely impolite to not prepare enough food. However, this problem was quickly resolved.
The spirits [Shōdaikiri Mitsutada], [Kasen Kanesada], and [Azuki Nagamitsu] were brought to the kitchen door by Kanshū.
"I've brought you some help."
The kitchen in Honmaru is large and fully equipped. With three more head chefs, their workload has been significantly reduced. Han Zhou specifically pointed out the dessert-making area to [Azuki Nagamitsu].
"The facilities and ingredients there are complete; it's a place specializing in making desserts."
"thank you"
"Hmm... I don't like it too sweet. Could you put a little less sugar in my portion?"
[Azuki Nagamitsu] smiled and nodded in agreement. It wasn't even a request to him, just a small favor. The other party had helped their citadel a great deal, so this was nothing to him.
Hanzhou, who wasn't good at cooking, gave up his spot in the kitchen. The spacetime portal in the middle of the courtyard was constantly being used by tsukumogami (spirits), and Hanzhou wouldn't close it until all the spirits had left.
So now Hanzhou can see—
Two identical white cranes flitted back and forth in the passageway, two Mikazuki sat on the corridor drinking tea, and two pairs of Genji brothers were chatting nearby, etc.
Hmm... there are so many twins.
The thought unconsciously floated through Han Zhou's mind.
Bingzi Jiaolin Sword and Seven Star Sword had already arrived beside him with their smaller counterparts. When no one else was around, the three of them communicated in Chinese.
Taking this opportunity, Han Zhou took out two hair ribbons that he had prepared beforehand. The light blue ribbon was embroidered with the Big Dipper, while the dark one featured a pattern of intertwined branches and pepper trees, both with strong symbolic meaning. Since both of them had long hair, this gift was quite suitable.
The two reached out and took it, simultaneously stroking the patterns on it. The familiar embroidery once again brought back memories of their hometown.
"The patterns of my homeland... are even warmer than I remember," Seven Star Sword couldn't help but say.
"You can feel the warp and weft of your hometown in the embroidery thread," Bingzi Jiaolinjian echoed, carefully putting away the hair ribbon.
"Once everything is over, I will take you back to see them." Han Zhou had always wanted to take these two swords back, but she also had to respect the other party's wishes.
The Seven Star Sword and the Bingzi Pepper Forest Sword are ancient swords from the Sui and Tang Dynasties, even older than the old men of the Three Crescent Moon Sword. Having left their homeland for many years, even if they chose to stay, they still had to go back and visit.
"Then I will trouble you, Lord Hanzhou."
Thank you.
As swords from the Sui and Tang dynasties, their speech carried a touch of antiquity. Before Han Zhou could speak, a loud "bang!" rang in his ears, startling all the surrounding spirits, including Han Zhou, who turned their gazes toward the source of the sound.
The two identical white cranes, dressed lightly, were now adorned with ribbons and sequins, holding ceremonial cannons that she herself didn't know had appeared in the citadel.
"Tsurumaru Kuninaga!!! What have you done now!" Hasebe's voice came from afar. He had just passed by two white cranes, and because he was busy organizing the banquet, he hadn't had time to check on them.
Looking back now, I deeply regret it!
"He did it!"
The two men simultaneously pointed at each other, attempting to shift the blame. The two Taiko drummers, not far away, exchanged a glance and sighed helplessly.
"Mr. Tsuru is never still for a moment. It's rare for him to come and play in Lord Kanshu's citadel."
"Haha, if things really calmed down, then he wouldn't be Mr. He anymore."
After all, that's "Tsurumaru Kuninaga," who never lets himself get bored.
Seeing the two disheveled white cranes, Han Zhou sighed and walked towards them. The two were being scolded at that moment, and Hasebe, noticing footsteps behind him, turned around and immediately greeted them.
"My Lord"
"Leave this to me, you can go and get back to what you're doing."
Upon hearing this, Hasebe glanced at the list in his hand, gave the two white cranes a warning look, and then bowed slightly to Hanshu.
"Then, I shall take my leave."
When facing Hanshu, Tsurumaru Kuninaga felt inexplicably guilty. Because the ceremonial cannon in his hand was something he had secretly bought.
With a flick of his finger, Han Zhou sent the ceremonial cannon from Tsurumaru Kuninaga's hand flying into Han Zhou's grasp. Then—
Thump! Thump!
"Ouch!!!"
She watched expressionlessly as they pretended to crouch down, clutching their heads and feigning pain. Meanwhile, the spirits who had just witnessed Han Zhou smash Tsurumaru's head with a cannon burst into laughter.
"You've almost smashed the crane's head."
"Exactly! My lord went too far!"
Seeing their deliberately pitiful expressions, Han Zhou sighed almost imperceptibly and waved his hand. His divine power removed the sequins and ribbons stuck to the white crane, cleaning them up. Of course, he didn't remove the ones on the ground.
"If you have nothing to do, go and help out."
She really underestimated the danger of two white cranes getting together, but unfortunately, the citadel is quite busy right now, and it's impossible for anyone who could stop them to keep an eye on them all the time.
Perhaps Han Zhou's words had an effect, because the two of them didn't play any pranks before the banquet started, but she felt that this was the most unusual thing, as if they were holding back some big move.
The blooming cherry blossoms took on a different charm under the night lights. She watched the petals slowly drift into her cup, her thoughts beginning to wander.
Before dealing with the auction venue, we need to figure out the intentions of the three major families. Those three pawns should be getting back to us soon. Then, Ranlu needs to compile a list of trustworthy A-rank Saniwa.
However, we must also provide assistance to Ranluo. If those people turn against us, they will naturally have to pay the corresponding price. We must not let them affect our plans.
After all that was done, he would be responsible for handling the auction venue alone, until all the auction venues collapsed—
That's pretty much the point where the three major families will resort to desperate measures.
Han Zhou's pensive expression was quickly noticed by the tsukumogami who were watching her. Although at first glance it looked like she was staring blankly at the wine, the gentle aura surrounding her was gradually dissipating, turning into coldness.
This change was quite noticeable to them.
"My lord, if you think about other things while admiring the flowers, the wine will taste bad."
"Haha, that's right. The beautiful scenery is right in front of us. Wouldn't it be a waste not to appreciate it now, given the rare fine wine that Lord Hanzhou has brought out?"
The two voices, one after the other, successfully pulled Han Zhou back to reality. She looked at the pairs of "twins" sitting around her and took a sip of her drink.
Long, slender fingers twirled the wine glass in his hand, the clear liquid rippling within. His pale golden eyes were lowered, making it impossible to discern his emotions.
"Just some trivial matters"
Mikazuki and the others naturally didn't believe Han Zhou's perfunctory answer. If it were just some ordinary little thing, the other party wouldn't have been distracted for so long during the banquet, and even his demeanor would have changed.
As for what Han Zhou was thinking, they could easily guess that it was related to the three major families. Whether it was the attack on the troops or the attack on Ben Ling's formation, it was all the work of the three major families.
They had exchanged information before the banquet began.
On the side of the three major families
Although Cha Li's mission failed, she did not receive any reprimand. Just as Han Zhou had guessed, the three major families also knew that it was impossible to succeed using such methods alone.
Gu Yu Feiyue looked down at Gui Yu and asked, "How are the spies I arranged in Wanwu doing?"
Gui Yu remained calm and composed when suddenly asked the question.
"No useful information has been received so far. What are our next steps?"
Sitting in the first seat, Gu Yu Feiyue thought for a moment. This operation was just a test, and judging from the information brought back by Cha Li, it was not a complete failure.
Confronting Han Zhou head-on would be an extremely foolish choice; judging from Han Zhou's current abilities, they simply cannot handle him.
Does this person... not have any weaknesses?
Gu Yu Feiyue thought to herself.
Tsukumogami, or those two S-rank Saniwa?
However, Gu Yufei quickly rejected this idea. Han Zhou was not only powerful himself, but he also had enough means to protect those around him, as evidenced by this action alone.
If that exists... could you offer some assistance?
Gui Yu keenly noticed a hint of gloom flashing in the patriarch's eyes, and he roughly guessed what it was.
"I need to discuss this matter with the two family heads, Morikawa and Kiyama. You should go and rest."
"I understand. I'll take my leave."
Gui Yu tactfully left, intending to find a way to inform Han Zhou of his suspicions.
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