Su Lun killed Ueno Sasaki and ran into the forest. Naturally, it was difficult for anyone to catch up.
Not long after, news came from Senjou's side. After a hard fight, she was slightly injured, but she managed to escape smoothly.
Su Lun also breathed a sigh of relief.
He didn't go to meet Miko and Senjo, so he disguised himself as a fallen samurai and went to the dock of Izumo Castle, intending to take the waterway to Edo.
Now they have escaped this round of siege by the Takeda shogunate. The most dangerous time has been avoided. But the entire Izumo and even several nearby vassals should be surrounded. Now that they have been exposed, there is a possibility that their targets will be noticed instead.
also lower
The Hiigawa River is the most important river in Yamagakure Province. Its tributaries cover the entire Honshu Island like leaf veins. The river is several hundred meters wide and can accommodate large ships. Sea-going ships can also go upstream from the outlet to Edo Castle.
In the early morning, the Izumo Castle Pier is full of people and a busy scene.
Lifu at the dock unloaded packages of goods from the merchant ships. These were the goods brought by overseas merchants from the outside. They also carried some heavy items onto the ship, and the fine iron and ore were transported from here to various places in the mountains and hidden areas.
overseas.
Su Lun was wearing a sloppy warrior uniform, a bamboo hat, and a cheap iron sword. He blended in with the crowd and was inconspicuous.
I don’t know how the people in the shogunate conveyed the news, but the latest reward order has appeared on the reward list at the dock. Su Lun, Qian Jiao, and Lolota are all on the list. Mikado Miko is probably because of his special status.
, not on top.
Su Lun glanced at it as he passed by, shook his head and walked over.
Not to mention that his disguise was very clever, and it was completely different from his original appearance. Even if he was not disguised, probably no one would be able to recognize the scrawled portrait drawn with a brush.
Although the guards at the inspection will check the household registration brand, it is extremely easy to forge a one-page household registration paper that does not even have an anti-counterfeiting mark.
What's more, his fluent local accent is hard to doubt.
Su Lun is also easy to get through.
He walked to the pier, where there was a bamboo hut, and squatting under it were some people carrying cloth bags and saluting. These were travelers preparing to take a boat to other places, and there were also some traveling businessmen traveling around.
Cargo ships generally do not carry travelers, so Su Lun has to wait here for passing passenger ships.
There are probably a few routes passing by Izumo Pier every week, but there is no timetable in this era. I just wait at the pier. If there is anyone who docks, go up and ask. If you can go, just pay the fare and take the boat.
Su Lun was not in a hurry. Anyway, there were still nearly ten days left for the "Black Sun Festival", so he would still have time no matter what. He sat on the ground, hugged the broken sword and closed his eyes to rest, thinking about all kinds of alchemy knowledge in his mind.
He gained a lot from yesterday's battle, and he needs a lot of time to improve his shortcomings.
After waiting for a long time, people in the shed came and went, and there were twenty or thirty people piled up.
Those traveling merchants traveled from south to north and were well-informed, so they started chatting.
Most of them were talking about something, Su Lun also listened intentionally or unintentionally.
Then, I heard the news about the King of the North Sea's fleet.
"There were many large ships passing here yesterday. Those ships were equipped with artillery and heavy troops. I don't know where they came from."
"That's the ninth fleet of the King of the North Sea. I heard it's going to Edo to collect taxes from our Yamagakure?"
"I heard that those pirates want to invade and rule us."
"Our great Majesty Nimei is a monarch conferred by Amaterasu. How can he allow outsiders to rule? Those outsiders will definitely be punished by the gods."
"A war is about to break out. Haven't you seen that a lot of swords, bows and crossbows have been transported to Edo on the dock these days? I heard that all the daimyo have jointly signed a letter, preparing to fight to the death with those outsiders."
""
Su Lun was digesting the knowledge of alchemy in his mind, and he thought about it after hearing the news.
He was also curious whether there would be a fight.
If Oleg wants to become the real "king" in the vast sea area of the North Sea, the four countries of Beizhou must win.
Although Shanyin is small, it is not so easy to give in.
At least when he communicated with Yuzi before, Su Lun knew that the attitude of the divine service royal family was to be in pieces rather than in ruins.
Because it was necessary to mobilize a large amount of supplies to Edo, all the original passenger ships were drafted to transport the goods.
Su Lun waited at the pier until the afternoon, but failed to catch the boat.
Just when he was thinking about whether to take the trouble of taking the land route instead, a fleet of boats came slowly on the river.
These ships are hung with cherry blossom flags with white stripes on a black background. They are the official merchant ships of the Shanyin Kingdom. They come from the pirate city of Hasterling. The daimyo of Shanyin have a lot of business outside, and these ships are full of various goods.
If you grow imported materials, you will earn huge profits after selling them.
Seven ships docked for supplies and a large amount of cargo was delivered, and the workers on the dock became busy.
The traveling merchant seemed to be familiar with the steward on the ship, so he asked about it and wrote back immediately.
"Hey! The adults on the boat said we could take the boat!"
"Of course, the current situation is special. The seats on the ship are limited. The ticket will be a little higher than before."
""
When Su Lun heard this, he also understood that this traveling merchant also sells "channels".
He stood up and paid the guy an additional 50% of the shipping fee. As a down-and-out warrior, he could still afford such consumption.
I thought it would be better to use a sea ship on the sea, so as not to encounter any monsters, wind and waves, and sink in an instant. Moreover, a big ship with many people and backgrounds would not be easy to encounter and troubleshoot. It would save a lot of trouble.
Su Lun and more than a dozen passengers boarded a boat in the middle.
After sensing it, there is nothing particularly troublesome on the ship.
He didn't mind crowding in the newly vacated warehouse with those people.
Not long after, the ship completed its supplies and set sail again.
Su Lun stayed in the cabin for two days.
There are restaurants on such large ships, but they are not provided for temporary passengers like them.
When I'm hungry or thirsty, I just eat some dry food and water that I carry with me, and I don't feel like I can't stay still.
He spent the whole day meditating and digesting knowledge.
With stops and starts along the way, if everything goes well, it will take about four or five days to get from Izumo to Edo.
But on the third day, Su Lun suddenly opened his eyes from meditation.
He saw the sunlight shining in through the ventilated window, a golden beam. In the rays of light, tiny dust particles were clearly visible.
Today is rare good weather.
"The sun is out"
Su Lun suddenly felt like he should go out and get some fresh air.
However, at the same time, he frowned.
It seems that I feel "a little weird" having this feeling.
He can control his emotions, which means that under normal circumstances, he is different from normal people and does not need some inexplicable relaxation just because he has been in a claustrophobic cabin for two days.
After Su Lun awakened the second-level reaper talent, he also became aware of many mysterious abilities, and the possibility of being affected was getting lower and lower. After being promoted to a professional level, this ability has been greatly enhanced.
"Could it be that I'm under the influence of some supernatural power?"
Su Lun thought of the situation where he and Mr. Jing once encountered someone who "provoked their fate" at the Port of Kadurante.
After that, he became extra careful about similar situations.
Or is it an illusion?
Su Lun frowned and thought for a moment, but decided to go out and take a look.
Although this fleet is Shanyin's official merchant ship, it is a mixed bag.
In addition to the Yamagakure people wearing kimonos, there are also many blond and blue-eyed people with various skin colors on the ship. These are professional businessmen who have been traveling to Yamagakure from pirate ships.
Especially since it seems that a war is about to break out recently, there are also many people on the ship who want to follow and make war fortune.
Su Lun walked out of the warehouse and observed along the way. The upper level was very noisy. Gambling and singing songs were the few entertainment activities on the ship. The crew had a great time.
Su Lun didn't find anyone in particular and walked directly onto the deck.
I haven't been out for two days. I took a breath of fresh air and felt refreshed.
There are no big waves in the inland river, and the big ship sails smoothly on the river.
In addition to the lazy and bored sailors playing poker on the deck, there were also a few passengers who came up to bask in the sun. The superstructure at the stern is the captain's cabin, the first mate's cabin, and several luxurious cabins for big businessmen and their families.
After a quick glance, there was nothing worth noting.
Su Lun walked to the side of the ship, leaned there, and murmured in his heart: "Is this really an illusion?"
The sun was shining warmly on his skin. He was not in a hurry to go back to the cabin, thinking it would be a good idea to come out and relax.
Su Lun looked at the scenery along the river, his eyes dimmed.
The white snow on Cangshan Mountain can be seen bright and dim.
But at this moment, a "gurgle" sound was suddenly heard, and a silver coin rolled down from the back of the deck.
It happened to fall at Su Lun's feet.
He turned his head and saw a rash maid chasing after him.
Su Lun bent down and picked up the silver coin that happened to be at his feet, and handed it out. The little girl said, "Thank you."
Su Lun smiled slightly, not looking at the little girl in front of her, but looking at the old man behind her.
The old man was wearing a well-fitting purple suit, and his silver hair was combed meticulously. Even just standing there, he gave people a sense of outstanding elegance. Although he did not wear any jewelery, it was still obvious at a glance.
She has an extraordinary upbringing. Even though the years have left deep marks on her face, this glance gave Su Lun the feeling that she must have been beautiful when she was young.
However, Su Lun was even more surprised by the old man's soul fire in his soul perception.
Very weak.
Like a candle swaying in the wind, it may be extinguished at any time.
Su Lun immediately realized that this was an old man whose life had come to an end.
Su Lun didn't think it was a coincidence that he suddenly met such a special old woman on the boat.
There was no strange expression on his face and no movement.
But with just such a glance, the old man seemed to have discovered something, and she walked over slowly.
The deck is not long, so I walked to it in just a few steps.
The old man took the initiative and said: "I originally wanted to find an excuse to meet by chance. But you seem to have discovered that I am waiting for you."
When Su Lun heard this, he immediately realized that his previous feeling was correct!
But he didn't feel hostility, and he asked cautiously: "Old madam, do we know each other?"
It is always right for older women to call them "ma'am".
"I met you once before."
The old man looked at Su Lun, then his eyes flashed, and then he converged his gaze. She followed Su Lun's example and leaned on the fence, and added: "At the 'Three Torii Gate'."
""
When Su Lun heard this, he immediately thought of it.
There was a shop called "Three Torii" in the Pirate City, and he had only been there once. When he went to buy materials, he met several cloaked men. He still remembered that an old man proudly bought the great writer Fujiwara Hayato's
All manuscripts.
Obviously, this is the one in front of me.
Moreover, Su Lun also knew that his disguise had also been recognized. No, he had been recognized in the Pirate City before.
Su Lun frowned slightly, "May I ask, madam, who are you?"
Probably not the enemy.
If it were an enemy, this would be a gentler beginning.
The old man said directly: "I am Katyusha's great-grandmother."
""
Hearing this, Su Lun's eyelids twitched sharply.
This really surprised him!
What's going on with Katyusha's great-grandmother?
I don't know why, but Su Lun always felt like she had molested someone's little girl and her parents came to her door.
Sure enough, there are so many elegant old ladies.
Someone with such a temperament must be a grandmother from a noble family.
So when he felt that he was being watched at Santorii, it was not an illusion, it was that girl Katyusha?
But how did she recognize it?
Is your disguise so bad?
Su Lun was a little speechless, but he also guessed what kind of special secret method it was.
But, then again.
The man in front of me is at the end of his life. Did he come to see me specifically?
As if he had guessed what he was thinking, the old man smiled: "I didn't come here specifically for you. I just wanted to go to the mountains to hide for something. I didn't expect fate to let us meet."
The smile made the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes deeper, but it made people see the kindness in her eyes.
Now that Katyusha's name was mentioned, Su Lun naturally couldn't pretend to be confused. But he didn't think it was a coincidence of fate and asked directly: "How did you know I'm here?"
The old man said gently: "It is fate when people meet capable people. Alchemists have been fighting against fate all their lives, but they don't know that many times, their fate is already doomed."
It sounded like nonsense, but Su Lun understood something.
Some kind of talent similar to [S-003-Controller of Destiny]?
And at this moment, all kinds of thoughts in his mind were whirling and connected like lightning.
He suddenly came up with a bold idea. There was a "third-party force" behind Yasuwa Abe. Could it be the family behind Katyusha?!
Damn it
Aren't the four countries of Beizhou the territory of Oleg? How could the great nobleman Lu Ying extend his hand so far?
And judging from the situation, this plan is not just a short time ago, but may have been laid down years or decades ago.
Only those big families that have been passed down for thousands of years have this kind of background and skills.
Sure enough, a group of pirates can't pull off the intrigues and intrigues, let's look at the Lu Yingqun professional politicians!
Su Lun even felt that there was more or less some conspiracy behind the Ninth Fleet's visit this time.
However, this old man's life is almost over.
Su Lun really couldn't guess why she came to Shanyin
Before he could figure it out, the old man took the initiative and said, "I'm going to see an old friend."
""
Su Lun felt as if someone had penetrated his thoughts.
Just like when I met Mr. Hei, in the eyes of this wise man, there is always a kind of wisdom that seems to see through everything in the world.
The old man asked: "Young man, can you chat with me for a few words."
Su Lun nodded: "Of course."
The old man's kind smile is like the warm sunshine in winter, making people unable to think of rejection at all.
"I don't have any ill intentions towards you. I just happened to meet him and wanted to see what a man like that girl Natyusha can praise so much."
After saying this, she paused and glanced sideways at Su Lun, "Now it seems that it is really special."
Su Lun heard some of the words that had no beginning or end, and felt a little strange, but he smiled politely and said, "Thank you for your praise."
The old man smiled and shook his head, "There are so many young talents in the empire, and that girl Katyusha is so proud. She has never laid eyes on one of them. But you are the only one."
""
Su Lun felt even more weird.
Although he and Katyusha get along very happily, it doesn't seem that interesting, right?
The old man's energy seems to be not very good. After saying these few words, he needs to take a rest.
She looked at the mountains and rivers in the distance and said: "That girl from Katyusha was like an ugly duckling when she was young, with a somewhat withdrawn personality. She liked to watch the stars in the sky alone in the garden, and she liked to stay in the study all day long.
Read story books. She is pure at heart, kind and considerate.”
At the end of life, people will probably recall the beautiful people and things they encountered in this life.
Suellen became a quiet listener.
At this moment, it was as if he also saw the shadow of his own future in the passage of other people's years.
After saying this, the old man seemed to have thought of something and a slight smile appeared on his face, "But when she grows up, she will be very beautiful."
""
Upon hearing this, the atmosphere seemed to change instantly.
Su Lun immediately thought of the little freckles and the braided girl at the airport.
That girl was one of the few people he found very pleasant to get along with.
But saying it's "very good-looking" really doesn't count.
He also understood the old man's mentality of praising his great-granddaughter, and nodded in approval: "Yes."
The old man seemed to have seen through his thoughts, but did not explain much. She looked up at the sky and said something meaningful: "I was once young. At that time, someone said to me: If the world is a
Prison, then love is the key to the prison.”
Su Lun frowned slightly when he heard it, and after studying it carefully, he felt that there seemed to be another deep meaning in these words.
The old man didn't mean to explain more and continued: "In this life, it is not easy to meet someone whose soul is compatible with you. If you meet someone, you should cherish it."
Su Lun felt that these words were meant for herself,
But it seems like she is telling her own story?
He listened patiently and did not say much after all. He occasionally responded: "Yeah."
The old man seemed to be struggling after standing for a long time. She sighed: "As people get older, their energy is not as good as before."
She had no intention of continuing the conversation, and nodded, "Young man, thank you for chatting with me, an old man like me. I will go and rest soon."
"Go slowly."
Su Lun watched the old man being helped back to the cabin by the maid.
There was also a hint of thought between his brows.
