Chapter 8 The Most Beautiful Blade in the World
The array within the newly arrived Kitsunenosuke's body had been altered by Hanzuru, transforming it from a mass-produced shikigami into her exclusive shikigami. Others are unable to use Kitsunenosuke to gather information about her.
Of course, she had also made two preparations: if anyone successfully tampered with the array within Kitsune-no-Suke's body, the self-destruct array hidden within it would immediately activate, destroying Kitsune-no-Suke.
Hanshu's citadel is so vast that it's practically a small world unto itself. Maintaining this citadel requires many tsukumogami (spirits), but Hanshu isn't in a hurry to forge any swords.
Due to a shortage of manpower, Han Zhou is using shikigami as substitutes. The attendants are also being rotated among the swordsmen.
Today is Yagen Toshiro
The two of them, along with Kitsunenosuke, were compiling reports on yesterday's sortie. Yagen, taking advantage of Kanshu's rest, offered some suggestions...
"General, should we forge a few more swords? Even with the help of shikigami in the citadel, we still need more people for sorties."
Hanshu listened to Yagen's suggestion and considered the levels of the swords within the citadel. They were already nearly maxed out; it was indeed time to begin training the next batch.
"Okay, let's try out the formula for forging a katana today."
The tachi is better suited for outdoor combat in open areas. The swords in the citadel have now been upgraded, and their combat experience is constantly increasing.
"Two swords will be enough. Kitsune-no-suke, go to the forging room and take my talisman with you." Han Zhou looked at the little fox on the table.
Kitsune-no-suke flicked his tail and immediately replied, "Yes, sir!"
The talisman contains Han Zhou's power, enabling her to awaken the slumbering spirits within the swords.
Yagen watched as Kitsunenosuke darted away, a smile on his face. "Now the General can confidently entrust things to Kitsunenosuke."
"After all, this is an improvement I made, so there's no need to worry about it being controlled by the enemy. Your sorties will also require Kitsunenosuke's accompaniment; if you're not prepared, it will not only put you in danger but also lead to the leakage of information about the citadel."
Yagen understood his commander's good intentions, which was why he wanted more swords; compared to the vast citadel, the current number of people was still too small.
Since the shikigami helped Kasen Kanesada cook, it has also been able to make some simple dishes, which at least frees up more time for Kasen Kanesada to go into battle.
After finishing processing the report, Hanshu strolled leisurely through the citadel, with Yagen following behind her. Just as they rounded a corner, they spotted Awataguchi's three small daggers.
The most lively little tiger cub of the Five Tigers Retreat spotted her and ran straight towards her, leaping precisely into Han Zhou's arms with a powerful hop. At that moment, the two awakened sword spirits emerged from the forging room.
One had light blue hair and wore a traditional Awataguchi military uniform; the other had dark blue hair with a golden wheat ear decoration on the side. Both possessed beautiful faces and eyes that held the glimpse of golden crescent moons.
They were all so beautiful that it was hard to look away.
"I am Ichigo Hitofuri. The only tachi made by Awataguchi Yoshimitsu. Toushirou are my younger brothers."
"Mikazuki Munechika. He's called Mikazuki because he removes a lot of hamon (horn-like markings) during forging. Nice to meet you."
When Kanshu saw Mikazuki Munechika, he stopped in his tracks with some surprise.
Mikazuki, one of the Five Great Swords of the Land, has had many masters. Among them, the most outstanding is probably Kanshū.
Those beautiful eyes narrowed for a moment in shock when they saw her. Then, a gentle smile spread across her face, and she walked towards Han Zhou.
"This is truly astonishing. It's been a thousand years, my lord. You haven't changed at all," Mikazuki said casually as he stepped forward, his tone tinged with a hint of teasing.
Most sword spirits possess exquisite appearances, and Mikazuki Munechika, hailed as the most beautiful of the Five Great Swords of Japan, lives up to his title with his appearance in the mortal realm.
"It's only a thousand years, not a long time to me," Han Zhou said, looking down at Mikazuki's face.
"This look suits you very well."
"Oh dear, you flatter me. Are you still on your journey?"
It's been temporarily suspended.
Seeing how familiar Mikazuki and Kanshu were, Yagen, who was standing behind Kanshu, looked shocked.
Although Han Zhou is never pretentious, there aren't many people who can chat with her so naturally.
Mikazuki Munechika was one of Kanbune's most favored tachi.
The most beautiful blade in the world, with her stunningly beautiful face, wore a nostalgic smile as she uttered the words they spoke a thousand years ago when they parted ways.
"You said back then that we each had our own journeys, and now it seems our paths have crossed again."
Han Zhou was slightly surprised; she hadn't expected that even after a thousand years, San Riyue hadn't forgotten. Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, Han Zhou nodded in affirmation.
"It is precisely because I have been on the road that I have had the opportunity to meet you."
In a life that seems to have no end, every encounter on a journey is precious.
"Welcome to the citadel, Mikazuki and Ichigo."
Just like how I met you all now.
Only Mikazuki from the Sanjo faction has arrived so far. Since he can't put on his battle uniform by himself, Kanshu has temporarily assigned him to the area next to Awataguchi.
With Hitofuri's help, there shouldn't be any major problems.
"My lord, I have gathered the information you require." Hasebe quickly walked to Hanshu's side and handed her the collected information.
The list contained the items the swords had recently wanted, which she planned to buy from the general store. There were snacks from Awataguchi, a paperweight from Kasen, Kiyomitsu's new nail polish, and more.
Seeing this, Mikazuki smiled and asked, "My lord, may I come along?"
Hanshu nodded in agreement, but Hasebe became wary. He knew that his current lord had wielded many swords.
But he believed he could help Hanzhou with his own abilities.
Mikazuki Munechika, as one of the "Five Great Swords of the Land," is so rare that his appearance in the Yoroi-ya always causes a stir.
Following the list, Hanzhou visited each store one by one. After noticing that Hasebe hadn't written down what he wanted, Hanzhou turned to ask him directly.
"Hasebe, is there anything you want?"
Upon hearing that Han Zhou wanted to give him a gift, Hasebe straightened his back and answered seriously.
"I like anything that my lord gives me!"
Hearing this answer, Han Zhou wasn't surprised, just somewhat helpless. After spending some time together, she already knew what kind of sword Hasebe was.
Hasebe places great importance on his "master's destiny," which reveals the influence of his past experiences on him.
She stopped and silently set up a soundproof barrier. The calm in her light golden eyes soothed Hasebe's slightly uneasy heart.
"Your past experiences have shaped who you are today. I won't deny your past; it's part of who you are. But... it's better to relax a little sometimes. We're not superior and subordinate, master and sword, retainer and subject."
"But rather, companions."
Hasebe's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this, and he instinctively wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Han Zhou's actions. He looked at the notebook that his lord had stuffed into his arms, staring at her somewhat blankly.
"Let's start by recording things. Write down what you see and hear in this notebook; I think you'll find it helpful."
When Mikazuki Munechika realized that Kanshu wanted to talk to Hasebe, he quickly made enough space for the two of them, but he clearly overestimated his sense of direction.
He got completely lost. He found a chair in front of a light clothing store and sat down to wait for Han Zhou to come find him. During this time, many Saniwa (players of the game) saw this lone, most beautiful sword in the world.
Just as I was about to step forward to ask, I saw that the other party's Saniwa had already arrived.
Using her own strength, Han Zhou found the lost person. Looking at Mikazuki sitting obediently in the chair, her usually calm tone wavered slightly.
"Mikazuki, you've been running around everywhere since I wasn't looking!"
"Haha, sorry. I just saw some nice tea; I didn't realize I'd gotten lost."
"Really, don't cause trouble for our lord."
While Mikazuki and Hasebe were chatting idly, Kanshu had already approached the owner of the light clothing store with the business card he had deciphered last time, and said meaningfully...
"I'm really looking forward to the event in a few days."
"Haha, you won't have come for nothing!" the boss replied with a smile.
Mikazuki noticed the two people talking out of the corner of his eye and subconsciously sensed that something was amiss, but he didn't bother to ask any further questions.
A note from the author:
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Mikazuki: Hmm... I sense something's off about my lord. [Sees through it but doesn't say anything]
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