readytorunbook Chapter 333 The Secret Treasure of the Nine Old Dogs
Chapter 333 The Secret Treasure of the Nine Old Dogs
Upon hearing his mistress's words, the old servant behind Capria smiled and sighed, "Capria, you are certainly a rare beauty, but that lord is never short of beauties around him. Not to mention the two peerless beauties of Tianquan Beidou in Liyue, just look at the one who came today, he is like an immortal."
Capria pouted slightly and said, "Yes, it's really frustrating!"
Xu Ning never imagined that one day, because of his drinking, he would be coveted by other girls.
Even knowing this, he wasn't in the mood to feel smug for the time being.
He was now standing at the entrance of Inatsuma Narukami Shrine, awkwardly smiling at Kano Nana's murderous gaze.
The two broken flower branches on the ground were remnants of the Substitute Jutsu used by Nana Kano.
"If Lord Yae no Kami hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known that Lord Xu Ning had actually done such a thing!"
"Moreover, the one you brought actually attacked a shrine maiden on Narukami Taisha's territory!"
Faced with Kano Nana's accusations, Xu Ning had no way to defend himself and could only bear it all with a wry smile.
After all, once he left the island, he planned to go directly to Narukami Shrine to meet Yae no Miko.
Master Ji still didn't quite like the atmosphere of Narukami Taisha and returned to Chenyin Cave Heaven ahead of schedule.
Xu Ning then took Shen He's hand and teleported her directly to the entrance of Narukami Shrine.
Then, I bumped into Nana Kano right at the door.
"Great, you're finally back. You made me search almost all over Inazuma, you know?"
As soon as Kano Nana saw Xu Ning, she angrily rushed up to him, demanding, "Where did you hide Zaoyou?"
Overcome with emotion, Kano Nana lunged at Xu Ning, almost abandoning all semblance of a shrine maiden's decorum.
Shen He, standing next to Xu Ning, could not tolerate anyone attacking Xu Ning in front of him. The moment Kano Nana pounced, he reached out and grabbed Kano's head.
Shen He acted extremely quickly, and Xu Ning almost had time to stop him.
Fortunately, Kano Nana is not an ordinary shrine maiden. Although she did not expect that the beautiful woman next to Xu Ning would suddenly attack, she was quick to react.
In an instant, he took a piece of flower branch and used the "Substitute Technique".
Shen He snapped the flower branch in half, gave a slight snort, and was about to conjure an ice talisman at his fingertips.
Fortunately, Xu Ning had already put his hand on Shen He's shoulder. "Shen He, this is a friend."
Although no major incident occurred between the two sides, it did alarm the other members of Narukami Taisha.
Xu Ning first woke up Zao You from the cave and personally handed her over to Kano Nana, who had an unfriendly expression.
The latter immediately led Zaoyou back into the house. As for whether to teach this unruly little raccoon a lesson or to conduct a thorough check, Xu Ning had no idea.
Inashiro Hotaru has already informed Yae no Miko.
The wise and beautiful Lady Gongsi swayed as she walked out of the inner room. Upon seeing Xu Ning's appearance, she exclaimed in surprise, "It's only been a dozen days, how come you look so weak and unsteady on your feet, Lord Xu Ning?"
"Hmm, let me think. Could it be due to practicing some kind of secret technique? Oh right, I remember that General Kujo came here specifically to ask Lord Xu Ning the other day. He said that if he saw you, he would ask you to go and see the master of the magistrate who was in charge the day before yesterday. It is said that he is very concerned about a certain treasure that you took away. It seems that it must be related to this."
What does it have to do with that secret treasure? I only borrowed a dozen or twenty moves from it from beginning to end.
Xu Ning inwardly grumbled, but still politely replied, "Alright, I'll also pay a visit to General Kujo and rest for a couple of days. Then I'll do my best to help you complete the Divine Cherry Blossom Great Purification as a reward for your generous gift."
Upon hearing Xu Ning's words, Yae no Miko's eyes narrowed with a smile.
"Though these words may sound a bit formal, they still warm my heart. After all, I've been searching here for a long time, but I still haven't found the person you mentioned, and I'm at my wit's end!"
Even the divine child couldn't get her out?
Xu Ning sighed. Oh well, let's just take it one step at a time.
"If I remember correctly, the Tianling Fengxing Mansion should be here!"
Xu Ning crossed the plaza in front of the castle tower, walked along a stone path covered with cherry blossom petals, and stopped in front of a magnificent and elegant building.
"Hello, please inform them that Xu Ning of Liyue has come to pay a visit to General Kujo Sara as promised."
Xu Ning smiled and said to Tong Xin, who was standing at the door.
This person, Tongxin, seemed to have heard of Xu Ning's name, and quickly nodded, saying, "Ah, please wait a moment. General Saro is currently meeting with the head of the Kujo family and several branch family heads..."
Xu Ning naturally knew that the patriarch Tongxin mentioned was no longer the old dog from the Kujo family.
Since General Thunder announced the abolition of the Eye Hunting Order, extremely severe punishments have been imposed on the heads of households who colluded with the foolish masses, deceived the Holy One, and facilitated the enactment and implementation of the Eye Hunting Order and the Heavenly Mandate.
Given the crimes these two old men committed, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they were chopped into pieces right there in the street.
However, considering their advanced age and their considerable past achievements and merits, they were ultimately only relieved of all their posts and ordered to remain in seclusion for life, forbidden from leaving the country or being released on bail.
As for the defense of the castle tower, it has been completely handed over to Kujo Sara, and the Tenryo Magistrate will also be temporarily under Kujo Sara's command until the Raiden General appoints a successor.
It can be said that in Inazuma, Kujo Sara is now truly second only to the emperor.
As for the head of the Kujo family, it was Kujo Kamaji, the second son of that old dog.
"The young man suddenly taking over power is probably unable to control those ambitious branch families under his command. Inviting Kujo Sara to attend the meeting is probably an attempt to use Sara's influence in front of the shogun to intimidate others. This Kujo Kamaji isn't so stupid after all!"
Xu Ning leaned against a cluster of weapon racks, standing beside the training ground of the Heavenly Territory Enforcer, quietly drinking his wine and watching the new recruits training hard, while casually pondering the current political situation in Inazuma.
"You're the legendary Liyue ambassador?"
A rather unfriendly remark rang out beside Xu Ning.
Xu Ning sighed. It seemed like he was running into trouble just by standing here to rest for a while.
The person asking the question was a burly man wearing standard armor.
"I don't know anything about the mystical or anything like that, but I am Xu Ning from Liyue."
Xu Ning introduced himself.
The burly man raised his chin slightly. "I am Ōkawara Goemon. You may not have heard of me as a foreigner. But the people of Inazuma know that I am the number one swordsman in Inazuma."
Hearing this title, Xu Ning and his non-existent companion were both stunned.
Inazuma swordsmanship is the best? Who bestowed that title?
"Excuse me for asking, sir, where do you rank General Thunder?"
Upon hearing this, Ōkawara Goemon's face immediately turned red.
"General... that is our deity, how could he possibly be involved in worldly conflicts? You are clearly trying to provoke us!"
Xu Ning sighed, "Alright, my fault. But I don't see that you possess the Eye of God. Is it because your swordsmanship is something special?"
Okawara Goemon laughed heartily, glancing contemptuously at the God's Eye on Xu Ning's sake gourd.
"How can one comprehend the ultimate swordsmanship by relying on unorthodox methods like the 'Divine Eye' without believing in one's own strength?"
“Even if the person who is from the same school as me relies on the elemental power he controls, he cannot harm me in the slightest. The most ridiculous thing is that I even managed to steal the Eye of God from him. It’s utterly laughable.”
Hearing what this guy said, Xu Ning guessed that he was probably a first-level leader of the Heavenly Territory, and might have participated in the Eye Hunt Order or even personally captured the Eye of God.
"Then you must have fought against many swordsmen with the Eye of God, such as a certain white-haired swordsman with dyed hair who is wanted by the authorities, or a swordsman who controls his white-haired sister."
Ōkawara Goemon seemed to suddenly recall a figure moving with the wind, and his increasingly fierce sword strikes made his face turn ugly.
Okawara Goemon roared at Xu Ning, "I will personally defeat that guy with the white-streaked hair, just you wait and see. Also, the head of the Kamisato family isn't some kind of siscon, you better remember that too."
Xu Ning chuckled and said, "As for being a siscon, I didn't say anything about the head of the Kamiri family. You were the one who said it!"
Okawara Go's face suddenly turned deathly pale. He had no idea how many ninjas from the Final Fantasy were hiding around him. He was afraid that his words would soon appear on the desk of the head of the Kamisato family.
"I didn't say it was the swordsman you just mentioned who controls his white-haired sister..."
Xu Ning feigned sudden realization, "Oh, the swordsman I was talking about is named Kasugano... Also, I think it's a bit inappropriate for you to call Princess White Heron 'White-haired Sister'..."
"You're trying to screw me over, aren't you...?"
In despair, Goemon Okawara drew his sword and pointed it at Xu Ning. "I know you know a lot about Liyue's sorcery, but draw your sword and fight like a man. I will show you what the highest level of swordsmanship looks like."
As the samurai leader of the Kujo clan, Ōkawara Goemon knew that the few words he had just blurted out would likely bring him unpredictable disaster. His only option now was to defeat the Liyue ambassador in front of him, who had single-handedly overturned the Inazuma political arena, so that those bigwigs who had lost their vested interests could vent their anger. Perhaps out of gratitude, they would even be able to save him from that petty clan head.
Xu Ning took a sip of wine, looked at the warrior commander who had drawn his sword against him, and laughed: "You came here with this in mind, didn't you? To be honest, it's a miracle that a guy like you, who is so outspoken and doesn't know how to judge people, has survived to this day and even reached this position."
Okawara Goemon could no longer tolerate the Liyue man's mockery, and with a cold shout, he stepped forward and slashed downwards.
This strike was swift, cold, decisive, and resolute, truly befitting his position as a warrior commander.
However, it was no match for Xu Ning's current agility.
Xu Ning swayed backward, seemingly wanting to back down, but suddenly took a step forward and moved to the side of Okawara Go. He didn't make a move, but simply leaned his shoulder against Okawara Go.
There was a "bang" sound.
Even though Ogawara Go was riding a horse with his back bent low, Xu Ning's leaning motion nearly knocked him to the ground, causing him to stagger a few steps to the side.
The sword aura and momentum that had gathered the moment the sword was drawn had completely dissipated.
Okawara Go was slightly alarmed, but he managed to calm himself down, made a slight adjustment, and once again swung his sword at Xu Ning.
Xu Ning didn't care, he just avoided him, drinking his wine and casually walking around within two meters of Ookawara Go, occasionally bumping into the samurai commander with his shoulder and back, each time causing Ookawara Go's swordplay to break down.
As Okawara Go's roar grew louder, his swordplay became increasingly erratic.
"enough!"
A clear, cold shout rang out in the courtyard; it was Kujo Sara's voice.
Xu Ning was also bored while waiting, so he casually played around with this arrogant guy. When he saw Kujo Sara come out, he reached out and gently pushed Okawara Go on the back.
Ōkawara Goemon stumbled and fell; if he hadn't managed to plant his sword in the ground in time, he probably would have fallen flat on his face.
"I heard that General Kujo had something to discuss with me, so I came here to pay my respects as soon as I arrived. I hope General Kujo won't think I'm being presumptuous."
Kujo Sara glanced at this guy who had been causing trouble ever since he entered Inazuma, pursed her lips slightly, and said, "Come with me, the head of the family has been wanting to see you."
The head of the household was naturally referring to the nine old dogs.
Kujo Sara couldn't change her way of speaking for a while, but seeing that Kujo Kamaji and those old foxes from the branch family didn't seem to care.
Xu Ning pondered that firstly, Kujo Sara now wielded considerable power, so they dared not express their dissatisfaction; secondly, although Kujo Takayuki had lost power, he was still a formidable figure, and perhaps he still held sway over these people in secret, so no one dared to underestimate this former head of the family.
Xu Ning followed Kujo Sara toward the back garden. Neither of them cared what would happen to the unlucky guy behind them.
“Ever since the head of the Kujo family was ordered to stay home and reflect on his actions, he has already confessed his crimes, handed over all the evidence, and relinquished all his authority.”
As Kujo Sara walked, he said, "But according to what he told me in private, his only regret in the rest of his life is that treasure that was taken away by Lord Xu Ning. If Lord Xu Ning refuses to return it, he will not be able to die in peace. So he has been urging me to find you."
At this point, Kujo Sara stopped, turned around, and asked Xu Ning, "I went to Narukami Shrine and asked. That day, Hayato took countless books from here, but apart from the one book you took, all the others have been handed over to me."
"Is that book the one you mentioned to me last time, 'The Book of Enduring Calamity'?"
Xu Ning coughed a little awkwardly, "Um, so, Old Man Kujo asked you to ask me about this book because you mentioned it to him in person?"