Chapter 9 Auction 1
The items purchased at the general store have been directly transported back to the citadel by the shopkeeper. The courtyard is now crowded with people preparing to retrieve their belongings.
"Seriously, why did you buy so many snacks, lord?" Ichigo Hitofuri looked at the three large packages in front of him with a headache.
Yagen stood beside his older brother with a smile in his eyes and made a small joke, "Perhaps in the eyes of the Admiral, we're all just kids."
Ichigo Hitofuri thinks this isn't wrong either, based on current speculation. His lord has lived for at least a thousand years, far exceeding the age of most swords. Perhaps in his eyes, they really are just children.
Han Zhou, who had just returned, saw the swordsmen sorting packages in the courtyard.
"Higakiri, Hizamaru, and Yagen, the three of you come with me. I need your help with something."
The three who were named exchanged glances, while Hasebe, standing behind Han Zhou, spoke up without backing down.
"My lord, is there anything I can do to help?"
Han Zhou knew that if he didn't assign Hasebe some work, he would start overthinking things. He pondered for a while.
"Prepare lunch for Kasen, and while you're at it, take stock of the kitchen supplies and check on the sales of the horses at the Wanwu shop. Bring them to my office tonight."
"yes!"
After sending Hasebe away, Kanshu led the three swordsmen to his office. Higekiri and the others had initially assumed Kanshu only wanted to help them with some paperwork.
But... they discovered that Han Zhou had actually set up a barrier. What could be causing their lord to be so vigilant?
Seeing their puzzled expressions, Han Zhou dropped a bombshell without batting an eye: "I'll get to the point, someone is selling swords and knives in secret."
What...? Selling swords?!
Yagen was stunned for a moment. His expression turned serious, and his hands unconsciously clenched into fists at his sides. His tone was solemn.
"General, so you're planning to take us with you?"
Higekiri still had a smiling face, but the sharp aura emanating from him clearly showed that he was angry.
"Oh my~ I'm quite skilled at slaying demons!"
“I will help too, Master,” Hizamaru said earnestly, his eyes, which resembled Higekiri's and had golden cat-like color, revealing obvious anger.
Han Zhou wasn't surprised by their reaction. It was difficult for ordinary people to discern any emotion from Han Zhou's light golden eyes. Even now, she maintained her composure and calmness.
"You'll all come with me to the auction house. This matter has far-reaching implications, so don't tell the rest of the citadel yet."
The ability to hold such a large auction right under the noses of the authorities suggests a deeply entrenched network of vested interests. This time, they're not only rescuing the swords, but also planning to destroy the auction venue.
If they were to find fault with it, it could easily endanger the citadel, but since Hanshu has decided to do this, he must be confident that he won't be discovered. The people here still have a very superficial understanding of spiritual power.
Believing they possessed immense power, they became arrogant and disregarded sword spirits. After all, in their eyes, only the spirit itself was truly precious.
Those chosen by Han Zhou were all swords she had used before. In addition, their levels were also very high, enabling them to handle unexpected situations.
During lunch, Han Zhou noticed that the atmosphere was no different from usual, which told him that they had done a good job of keeping it a secret.
After lunch, having finished her work, Han Zhou sat down under the Wan Ye Cherry tree with a book in hand. This robust, towering tree, nourished by Han Zhou's energy, was in full bloom.
She hadn't turned more than a few pages when a little tiger cub, who had been wandering around, snuggled up beside her. The sun felt warm on its skin, and the little tiger yawned, stretching its supple body comfortably, its paws even curling into flowers.
"...Little tigers?" Gokotai's voice came from afar. Gokotai, dressed in his inner robes, was with four other little tigers.
He froze when he saw Han Zhou. But the other four tiger cubs pounced on Han Zhou, who was sitting under the tree, as if by unspoken agreement.
Some sat in her lap, some climbed onto her shoulders, some lay on top of her head, and some even fought with the little tiger that had sneaked up to Hanzhou first.
"I'm sorry, my lord. The little tigers were too naughty..." The five tigers retreated to Han Zhou's side, their voices growing softer and softer.
Looking at the timid Five Tigers Retreat, Han Zhou patted the spot beside him.
Would you like to hear a story?
Driven by curiosity, Gokotsu sat down next to Hanshu, and the little tiger that had been perched on Hanshu's head jumped into Gokotsu's arms.
As the clear, cool voice, like that of a mountain spring, echoed in Wu Hu's ears, he felt a sense of tranquility.
"Once upon a time, there was a little girl who was very strong-willed from a young age. She didn't easily accept help from others, and naturally, she grew up to be a very assertive person."
Wu Hu Tui looked up at Han Zhou's profile. His expressionless face revealed no emotion, but... he felt that this was more than just a simple story.
"A strong-willed girl, after reaching a high position, found herself with no one she could trust. Despite her immense power, she didn't know why she wielded a sword, nor the meaning of life; she fell into confusion."
Hearing this, Gokotsu hugged the little tiger in his arms tightly. "So, what happened to her afterwards?"
Upon hearing this question, Han Zhou turned and gently rubbed Wu Hu Tui's head. Those light golden eyes were like gentle sunlight, captivating Wu Hu Tui for a moment.
"She met someone who taught her to sheathe her sharpness, and slowly she gained trustworthy subordinates. Just when she realized that the sword in her hand was meant to protect those she cherished, the person who taught her to sheathe her sharpness left."
A barely perceptible longing lingered in Han Zhou's eyes, but when he looked down at Wu Hutui, all the thoughts in his eyes had vanished.
"Retreat, whether out of strength or cowardice. As long as there is someone or something you want to protect, that is the reason to resolutely wield your sword."
Gokotai stared into those eyes, his breath catching in his throat. Images flashed through his mind: Ichigo and Yagen-ni caring for him, helping him find the little tiger; Hirano and Maeda helping him groom the tiger; and... the scene of Yagen-ni nagging him for buying him too much silk and snacks.
Thinking of this, a smile spread across his face.
He wanted to protect this warm and peaceful life; he wanted to protect his lord and his brothers.
Han Zhou, sensing the change in the Five Tigers Retreat, stood up.
In the retreating gaze—
Han Zhou's long, flowing black hair fluttered in the wind, carrying a cool fragrance. Her aloof face remained expressionless, but her pale golden eyes held emotions that Gokotai couldn't decipher.
The cold, ethereal voice drifted into his ears on the wind, sounding both faint and unreal.
"It is precisely because we have weaknesses that we continuously grow stronger."
So there's no need to worry anymore. Here you have trustworthy companions; this is the home of the sword spirits.
——
Looking at the much more cheerful Gokotai, Ichigo Hitofuri asked gently, "Is there something you're happy about?"
Gokotai, holding Ichigo Hitofuri's hand, replied with a smile, "I just think Yagen-ni is right. Lord Kanshu is indeed an excellent lord!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
