Chapter 393 The royal trial begins! [Explosion 8400 words! 】
"Enma-sama." Shuntaro yawned, "Did you call us here just to tell us these things?"
"Since the task of capturing the traitorous ninja is given to Shintaro, can't we just call Shintaro here? Why call me and Jitaro too?"
"If it's just to remind us to pay attention to that traitorous ninja in Edo in the future, then there's no need to call the two of us here, right? It's okay to let others convey this little thing."
Shuntaro was taking a nap just now.
Taking a leisurely and comfortable nap has always been one of Shuntaro's biggest hobbies.
Precisely because he likes to take naps, Shuntaro hates being woken up suddenly while taking a nap.
Enma had just issued an emergency call suddenly, and Shuntaro was forced to wake up, which already made Shuntaro a little unhappy.
If the Balrog called them here specifically to talk about something very important, that would be fine.
But judging from the current situation, it seems that Enma really just wants to talk about some small things that can be relayed by others.
This caused Shuntaro to have a rather obvious emotion of "unhappiness" in his tone when he said those words just now.
As soon as Shuntaro finished speaking, Enma said in a deep voice:
"I specially called you and Ji Tairou here, of course, not just to convey this to you."
Enma turned his gaze back to Ji Tairou.
"Gokutaro, there are still 7 days left before the 'Imperial Trial Match' is about to begin."
"How ready are you?"
"It's foolproof." Ji Tairou responded without thinking.
Seeing Ji Taro's resolute expression and firm tone, Enma nodded gently.
"Don't let up. I've told you many times how important this 'imperial trial match' is to us now."
"If we can get the first place in the 'Imperial Trial Combination' martial arts test, it will definitely greatly change the general's impression of us."
"Maybe it can also improve the impression of the old and middle-aged adults on us."
After admonishing Jitaro, Enma turned his attention to Shutaro again.
Enma frowned immediately after seeing the eye-catching women's kimono that Shuntaro was wearing.
"Shuntaro, I called you here just to question you properly."
"What's up with that dress you're wearing?"
"This one?" Shuntaro tugged at the skirt of his upper body, "When I was wandering around Edo a few days ago, I found this dress very beautiful, so I bought it and tried it on, and found that it was quite comfortable.
Yes, so I continued to wear it.”
Upon hearing Shuntaro's words, several black lines appeared on Enma's face.
"You are one of the 'Four Heavenly Kings' in Shiranui." Enma said solemnly, "How could you be dressed up in such a funny way?"
"Enma-sama, what does it matter?" Shuntaro shrugged, showing a fearless smile, "It's not like the ninjas in Shiranui will have their morale plummeted just because I wear this outfit."
"...Hmph." After being silent for a while, Yan Mo snorted heavily with his nose, "Forget it, I don't want to worry about you anymore."
"That's all I have to say, you can all go back."
…
…
After Enma gave the order to disband, Shuntaro, who had long been looking forward to returning early, was the first to stand up.
After Shuntaro stood up and left, Gokutaro and Shintaro followed closely behind.
Because the houses that Shintaro, Gokutaro, and Shintaro lived in were not in the same direction, after leaving Enma's house, Shuntaro did not even say hello, and directly parted ways with Gokutaro and Shintaro.
Striding on the way back to his house.
Gokutaro and Shintaro seemed to have long been accustomed to Shutaro's indifferent behavior towards them, and they ignored Shutaro who didn't even say hello to them.
The homes where Shintaro and the two of them live are not in the same direction, but the homes where Shintaro and Gokutaro live are in the same direction.
So the two naturally walked side by side.
The relationship between Gokutaro and Shintaro is not particularly good.
The reason is that their personalities are not very compatible.
Shintaro is a man of few words and meticulous in his work.
Because he doesn't talk much and just keeps busy doing things, people can't guess what he is thinking about.
Shintaro, who was meticulous in his work, naturally couldn't pee in the same pot as Jitaro, who loved wine and women.
Although the relationship between the two was not good, in order to pass the boring walking time, Gokutaro took the lead in talking to Shintaro:
"This 'imperial trial match' is really troublesome... I really don't want to participate in such a troublesome thing..."
Shintaro also responded positively to Jitaro's conversation.
"Besides you, there is no other person suitable to participate in the 'Imperial Trial Match'."
"You are the only one among the 'Four Heavenly Kings' who has received a complete Sinology education."
"I can learn the Four Books and Five Classics better than you, but I can't beat them without you."
"I can fight better than you, and I can't learn the Four Books and Five Classics as well as you."
"It's just because there's no one who can replace me that I find it troublesome." Ji Tairou curled his lips, "Compared to such troublesome things, assassination and other tasks are more suitable for me."
"Gokutaro, don't waste this rare and good mission."
Shintaro said in a calm tone.
"Lord Enma attaches great importance to this 'imperial trial'. I believe I don't need to say more. You all know what this means, right?"
"As long as you can successfully complete the task entrusted to you by Lord Enma, you will definitely please Lord Enma greatly."
"As long as you make Lord Balrog happy and let Lord Balrog see your outstanding abilities, you might be able to win some of Lord Balrog's favor for you."
"The possibility of giving up the position of the 18th Enma to you in the future may be greatly increased."
"That guy Shuntaro is here. Who will be my successor as the 18th Enma?" Even though Gokutaro said this, a strange light was still shining in his eyes.
"Gokutaro, haven't you noticed that the relationship between Enma-sama and Shutaro is getting worse and worse?"
Shintaro said in a tone that was still as calm as if there was no emotion involved.
"Since the incident three years ago, Shuntaro has become more and more free-spirited and has no regard for the precepts of my Shiranui."
"You must have discovered it a long time ago, right? Enma-sama has already expressed his dissatisfaction with Shuntaro countless times, openly or secretly."
"At a time when Enma-sama has been extremely dissatisfied with Shuntaro for a long time, it is not impossible for someone who may not be as strong in ability, but who is liked by Enma-sama to take over the position of the 18th Enma.
"
After saying that, Shintaro turned around and turned into the side path.
"Anyway, Jitaro, please work hard. Don't let down Enma-sama's expectations of you."
"Let's break up here first. I'm going to start organizing people to capture that traitorous ninja."
"Yeah." Gokutaro waved his hand at Shintaro in response.
Although Shintaro has gone far away, what Shintaro said to him just now is still being recalled in Jitaro's ears.
Ji Tairou unconsciously slowed down, and the strange light shining in his eyes was more dazzling than before...
…
…
Edo, outside Yoshiwara, next to Jianhui Liu.
"Why do I have to pretend to be a woman again..."
Asai's current expression is like this: w(?Д?)w.
He looked like he wanted to go crazy and roar loudly, but he held it back.
Ogata, Makimura, and Asai were standing next to the willow tree outside Yoshihara.
There is a willow tree at the end of the avenue connected to the outside of Yoshihara Gate, named "Mikai Willow".
Many guests had fun in Yoshiwara. After leaving Yoshiwara and walking to this willow tree, they often looked back at Yoshiwara because they had tasted the pith and learned the taste. This is the origin of the name "Jianhui Willow".
The outfits of the three Ogata people at this time have not changed much from last night.
Ogata wears the special haori of the Shirobei Club.
Makimura wears ordinary clothes.
And Asai... also dressed up as an extremely beautiful girl like yesterday...
Although it's only just getting dark now, it's not yet the time when Yoshiwara really becomes lively.
But many people who had finished their work for the day were eager to go straight to Yoshiwara with the money they had earned today, or the money they had saved for many days.
When passing by this beautiful girl Asai, most men and women couldn't help but look back and look at this beautiful girl.
And the looks from these people made Asai even more embarrassed.
Looking at Asai who looked crazy, Ogata wanted to say some words of comfort, but he couldn't think of what to say...
The reason why Asai is dressed like a woman is because of Bai Lin.
"Asai, for a period of time from now on, you should continue to disguise yourself as a woman, lurk in the Four Seasons House with Makimura, and try to get some useful information from Kitaro."
"Of course, I won't ask you two to go every day. If you go every day, you might attract the attention of Ji Tairou."
"Anyway, you two will go to the Four Seasons House tonight."
"As for when I can take a break in the future without going back, it's up to me to decide."
The above is what Lin said to Asai today.
When Lin was saying these words to Asai, Ogata happened to be present.
Ogata felt that he would never forget Asai's expression at that time...
"Okay, let's go in quickly." After saying this in a helpless tone, Ogata took the lead in holding the sword on his waist and strode towards the Yoshihara gate not far ahead.
After passing through Yoshiwara's gate, Oconon, Makimura, and Asai parted ways for the time being.
Makimura and Asai will "ambush" in the area around the Four Seasons House, waiting for Gokutaro's arrival. After all, it is impossible to just sit around and wait for Gokutaro to arrive at the Four Seasons House.
After Ogata passed through Yoshiwara's gate, he turned right and entered the Shirobei Club.
Ogata's working hours are when it gets dark.
Today, Ogata did come a little early, and the sky was just a little dark now.
Ogata came a little early today, so he planned to find an empty room in the club to sit and rest for a while.
The two club staff who were standing guard outside the club seemed to know Ogata. After seeing Ogata, they greeted Ogata loudly in a warm tone.
After raising his hands to the two people in response, Ogata strode into the club.
When Guasheng took Ogata to get familiar with the layout of Yoshiwara before, he took Ogata to the rooms in the club that were specially used for the rest of the club's officials.
Ogata relied on his own memory to move around the clubhouse, which was not that big.
From time to time, he would see people passing by him on the way.
Among those who passed by Ogata, those who did not know Ogata ignored him or just nodded politely.
Everyone who knew Ogata, without exception, greeted him with a warm and somewhat intimidating attitude.
Because the enthusiasm was too much, Ogata felt a little uncomfortable...
Finally arriving at the rooms that were specially used for club members to rest, because the doors of each room were closed tightly, and it was not known which room was occupied or unoccupied, Ogata casually walked to a room.
In front of the door of his room, he asked softly:
"Is there anyone inside?"
As soon as Ogata finished speaking, a voice that was quite familiar to Ogata sounded from behind the door of this room:
"Mashima-kun?"
Listening to this voice, Ogata couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.
This voice was simply not too familiar to Ogata.
I hear it almost every day these days.
Just as Ogata was about to say something, the door in front of him was opened with a "whoosh".
The person who opened the door was also the owner of the voice just now, none other than Gua Sheng.
Ogata looked down at Gua Sheng, who was only as tall as his chest.
There was a thin layer of sweat clinging to Guasheng's forehead.
After taking a look at the fine sweat on Guasheng's forehead, Ogata asked:
"Miss Guasheng, have you just returned from patrolling Yoshiwara?"
"Yeah." Gua Sheng nodded, "I just patrolled Yoshihara a few times, and now I'm taking a break here."
After saying that, Guasheng looked Ogata up and down.
"Mashima-kun, what are you doing here? Do you want to see me for something?"
"No. I just see that it's still early, so I plan to find a rest room in the club to take a rest."
"That's it..." Gua Sheng put on a helpless smile, "Mashima-kun, if you want to find a room to rest, you don't actually need to ask if there is anyone there, just open the door and come in."
"We don't need too complicated etiquette here."
After educating Ogata about their little knowledge, Gua Sheng turned sideways.
"Anyway, you come in first."
"I'm the only one in this room now, so it's relatively quiet."
Compared to an overly busy room with strangers present, Ogata would definitely prefer to rest in a quiet room where all the people in the room were people he knew.
Ogata entered the room following the space left by Gua Sheng's sideways movement.
Just as Gua Sheng said, until Ogata came in, she was the only one in the room.
There was a cushion placed in the middle of the room. There was a peach-shaped depression on the cushion, which must have been the shape Gua Sheng had when he sat on the cushion just now.
After realizing that Ogata was looking at this cushion, Gua Sheng immediately walked over to the cushion with a slightly blushing face, and then waved his hand to flatten the dent in the cushion.
Ogata deliberately pretended not to notice the cushion too much and sat cross-legged casually in the corner of the room.
"Is it my imagination..." Ogata said in a helpless tone as soon as he sat down on the tatami, "I always feel that everyone in the club seems to be much more enthusiastic about me..."
After that, Oubon informed Guaou about the warm reception he received from many club members after entering Yoshiwara.
After listening to Ogata's narration, Gua Sheng, who had just sat cross-legged on the cushion again, smiled:
"Mashima-kun, the fact that you managed to snatch away the fire-fighting thief who came to take credit yesterday by yourself has been spread around the club for a long time."
"Isn't it normal for everyone to be enthusiastic about you, a great hero?"
"Don't be like this." Ogata couldn't help but smile bitterly, "I can't be a great minister or a great hero."
"If possible, I really hope everyone can treat me like they used to, without being so enthusiastic... Hmm? Miss Guasheng, why are you looking at me like this?"
Gua Sheng, who was sitting cross-legged on the cushion, was leaning forward in the direction of Ogata, casting his intriguing eyes on Ogata.
"...Mashima-kun, I always feel that you are very mysterious."
"Mysterious?" Ogata raised his eyebrows, "Why do you say that?"
"The clothes you are wearing are not bad, and the sword on your waist looks high-end. I feel that you are not a poor person, but you come to work at our Shirobei Club."
"With such powerful skills, he became an enemy of the elite Huo Fu thieves, and was able to defeat the opponent's No. 25 people in one go, while he was barely even injured."
"I also know a friend who can directly contact that 'Gibira'."
"I have always heard people say that Yun is a divine realm where millions of gods live. It has been rich in outstanding people since ancient times."
"I still didn't believe it at first, but now I do believe it."
"There is Ogata Ittosai before me, and you are behind me. They are both incredible swordsmen."
"It makes me want to see with my own eyes whether the land of Izumo is really that magical."
As soon as Guasheng finished speaking, Xufang immediately shrugged and said with a smile:
"Miss Guashou, you are flattering me too much by putting me and Ogata Ittousai together."
"In terms of swordsmanship and deeds, I can't compare to Ogata Ittosai in any of them."
After hearing Ogata's words, Gua Sheng was silent for a while.
Then he straightened up.
"That's right."
"At least you should refute..."
Listening to Ogata's helpless words, Gua Sheng chuckled a few times and stood up.
"Mashima-kun, I'm going to get some tea, do you want it?"
"Yeah, okay. Please."
Guasheng left the room quickly.
Only Ogata and the cushion with the "peach"-shaped indentation appeared again were left in the room.
Not intending to waste this free time waiting for Gua Sheng to come back, Ogata took out a book from his arms.
There are two large Chinese characters written on the cover of this book: "Book of Rites".
Ogata just bought this this afternoon.
Ogata has the memory of "former Ogata".
Although "Maeogata" was only a lower-level samurai of the Hirose Domain, he also received a complete education in the temple.
Moreover, "Maeogata" studied pretty hard at Terakoya.
All the Four Books and Five Classics have been studied in a regular manner and recited in full.
Before Ogata himself traveled to the Edo period, under the strict requirements of his parents who were extremely paranoid about the so-called Chinese studies, Ogata also studied the Four Books and Five Classics assiduously.
The memory of "former Ogata", plus Ogata's own memory. The two memories combined, although Ogata does not make him a "Master of Sinology", he can still recite the Four Books and Five Classics completely.
But to be on the safe side, Ogata decided to take the time to review some parts of the Four Books and Five Classics that were difficult to memorize or were easy to memorize incorrectly during the period before the "Gozen Trials" began.
After all, he promised Hasegawa that he would be mutually beneficial and help Hasegawa.
If you don’t even pass the “Imperial Examination” essay test in the end, you’ll be laughing your ass off...
Just as Ogata was carefully looking at the "Book of Rites", which had the largest number of words among the Four Books and Five Classics, Gua Sheng came back carrying a large tea tray.
After discovering that Ogata was reading "Book of Rites", Gua Sheng asked curiously:
"Mashima-kun, are you so eager to learn?"
"No." Ogata shook his head, "If it weren't for the fact that I participated in the 'Gozen Trials', I would definitely not have read these books..."
"Mashima-kun, have you participated in the 'Gozen Trial Match'?" Gua Sheng's face was full of surprise.
This was not something worth concealing, so Ogata informed Gua Sheng that he had participated in the "Imperial Trials".
Of course, Ogata would not stupidly tell the real reason why he participated in the "Gozen Trial Match".
He just said that he thought the "imperial trial match" was quite interesting, so he planned to join in the fun.
After learning that Ogata had signed up to participate in the "Ozen Trial", Guachang let out a sigh of relief, and then sighed softly:
"That's great... I also want to participate in the 'Imperial Trial Match'..."
After saying that, Guasheng raised his hand and stroked his chest, which was not much bigger than a man's.
Women are not allowed to participate in the "Yuqian Trial Combination". This rule alone is doomed for Guasheng to have no chance at the "Yuqian Trial Combination".
"Miss Guasheng, are you also interested in the 'Imperial Trial Match'?" Ogata asked.
"It's not that..." Gua Sheng smiled bitterly and shook his head, "The reason why I want to participate in the 'Imperial Trial Match' is because of some... other reasons."
After that, Guasheng picked up the teacup he had just brought and drank all the tea in one gulp.
"Forget it, it's useless to say this now. If you can't participate in the 'Imperial Trial Match', just don't participate!"
"Come on, Mashima-kun, this is your tea, it's a bit hot, drink it slowly."
…
…
at the same time
Edo, Yoshiwara, Mimeya, Fubell Taifu's Room
"I said..." Mrs. Fu Chizu said to Shuntaro, who was lying on the tatami in her room with an expression that seemed to hate iron, "Have you been too busy recently? Why do you keep going to me every day?
Are you running here?"
Shuntaro, still wearing the women's kimono, lay carelessly on his side on the tatami in the room, with his left hand propped up to support his head.
"Have I told you before, right? I've been quite free recently."
After saying that, Shuntaro yawned greatly.
"You are my only close friend in all of Edo. I have no other place to go except to come to you."
"Don't say it feels sad..."
Kneeling in front of and behind Shuntaro in annoyance, Fuzuki Taifu seemed to have remembered something, showed a strange smile, and then said to Shuntaro:
"Didn't you tell me last night that you made a new acquaintance with Majima Goro-kun on the banks of the Rashomon River? You can go find him. That man is working at the Shirobei Club now. It should be easy to find him.
It’s easy.”
Last night when it was already late at night, Shuntaro suddenly broke into her room as usual.
After breaking into her room, Shuntaro told her excitedly: He was bored tonight and went for a walk on the bank of the Rashomon River, which he hadn't been to for a long time. Then he met by chance and successfully got to know him with his beautiful skills.
The young samurai named "Mashima Goro" who uses the Hohoin-style spear technique.
After hearing what Fu Chi Taifu said, Shuntaro showed a slight smile.
"Are you talking about Majima Goro-kun... I just know him, and we are not friends yet. But your suggestion is quite good. If I am in that mood in the future, I will go and talk to him more."
After saying that, Shuntaro sat up from the tatami and stretched out.
"well……"
Then he let out a soft sigh.
"Shiranui is getting worse and worse."
Shuntaro's incomprehensible comment made Taifu Fuzu appear a little surprised on his face.
"Did something happen?"
"This afternoon, the Balrog suddenly summoned us, the Four Heavenly Kings..."
Shuntaro told Mr. Fubelling what happened this afternoon in a concise and concise manner.
After explaining the ins and outs, Shuntaro said in a half-joking tone:
"There are really more and more rebellious ninjas during this period."
"Although there were many rebellious ninjas in the past, there have been particularly many rebellious ninjas in recent years."
"In recent years, a few ninjas have defected to Shiranui almost every year."
"A few months ago, a kunoichi named Omachi rebelled against Shiranui, and now there's a new rebel ninja."
"The continuous increase in the number of rebellious ninjas only shows one thing that no one wants to be a ninja in Shiranui anymore."
After listening to Shuntaro's words quietly, Fuzuchi Taifu let out a sigh of relief, then smiled and said:
"Isn't that what it should be?"
"You have so many broken rules in Shiranui."
"Once you make a big mistake, you may be demoted to a 'filth' no different from a slave."
"In such a cruel environment, isn't it normal for people to be forced to leave?"
"And...let's not forget about your cruelty in Shiranui."
"I think even if your rules in Shiranui are relaxed, there will definitely still be many people who want to defect."
"after all……"
Having said this, Mrs. Feng Chime paused.
Then he said word for word:
"In this day and age, we no longer need ninjas."
Not only did these words of Fuzu Taifu not make Shuntaro unhappy, but they actually made Shuntaro laugh.
"...You are right." After Shuntaro laughed a few times, the expression on his face changed into an unpredictable and weird look, "Now is no longer the chaotic Warring States period two hundred years ago."
"The world is at peace. Except for the occasional hoe bearers who rise up to cause trouble, there are no more wars."
"Even the samurai have their swords and guns stored in the treasury and their horses are released to the south mountain. How can we ninjas do anything?"
Shuntaro leaned back and lay on the tatami.
"...I have clearly felt that the people in Shiranui are a little unstable."
Shuntaro, who was lying on the tatami, said softly.
"Even though the Fuma Village has long since disappeared and there is no longer any competitor in the world, the number of missions we can receive that allow us to show off our talents are still fewer and fewer every year."
"This worry that 'the world seems to have no need for ninjas anymore' has made many of us Shiranui ninjas panic."
"The Enma must have noticed this a long time ago."
"I don't know how Balrog will use his tactics to save this floating heart."
"I kind of want to wait and see."
After saying that, a smirk appeared on Shuntaro's face.
…
…
The day after reaching cooperation with Hasegawa Heizo, Makimura went to the headquarters of the Huosuke Thieves Kaizo in accordance with the regulations, and received from Hasegawa Heizou a map of Edo Castle that marked the approximate location of the Shiranui base.
.
There are two large circles drawn in the mountains to the north and east of Edo Castle. According to Hasegawa, Shiranui's base is somewhere in the mountains to the north or east of Edo Castle.
As for the specific place, we can only check it slowly.
Although it was not possible to find out where Shiranui's base was at once, being able to know the approximate location also saved Ogata and others a lot of effort.
After learning the approximate location of Shiranui's base from Hasegawa, Lin immediately conveyed this information to "Tōjōya" who helped them find the location of Shiranui's base.
Let Tojo Daigo, the "supreme power in the world of East Japan Yakuza", no longer have to waste time and manpower on carpet searches, and concentrate his manpower on dispatching to the two places Hasegawa mentioned.
There are still 7 days left from Ogata's registration to the start of the "Gozen Trial Match".
Makimura and Asai didn't stay at Shikiya every night.
In order to avoid going to the Four Seasons House too frequently and attracting Kitaro's attention, under Lin's arrangement, Makimura and Asai only went to the Four Seasons House three times in the past seven days.
Among the three times, there was one time when he missed the mark. Gokutaro did not go to the Four Seasons House to drink, but went directly into the Yumei House to start the cycle.
Asai seemed to have gotten used to wearing women's clothing many times.
Now Asai can put on women's clothes and put on makeup by herself with a very calm attitude.
After applying makeup many times, Asai also unknowingly learned how to apply female makeup.
Hasegawa promised to give Ogata and others the benefits. In addition to informing Shiranui about the approximate location of the base, he also helped Ogata and others pay attention to Shiranui's movements.
Xu then became an informant.
Ogata and the others did not intend to let Hasegawa know where the hotel where they were hiding was.
After all, the fewer people who know their hiding place, the better.
In addition, Lin and Mamiya are also wanted criminals that Hasegawa has been chasing.
If Hasegawa discovers that Rin and Mamiya are also staying with Ogata, Makimura and the others, no one can predict what will happen.
Since Hasegawa could not send someone to send the information about Shiranui directly to the hotel where they were hiding, Ogata and the others came up with another way: let Ogata, who happened to be working as a "spy" for Yoshiwara, act as an informant.
If Hasegawa had heard about Shiranui's movements, he would have sent a trusted person to contact Ogata who was "working" in Yoshiwara.
This will not only ensure that Hasegawa does not know the hiding place of Ogata and others, but also facilitate Hasegawa to convey the information to Ogata in a timely manner.
So Ogata has one more reason to come to Yoshiwara every night to "work".
During these seven days, Ogata lived a fairly regular life.
I took the time to review the Four Books and Five Classics during the day, and went to Yoshiwara to "work" in the evening.
Time passed by so little by little.
Finally, 7 days passed.
The "imperial trial match" has begun!
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By the way: A famous book friend actually owns the Chinese translation of the book "The Lustful Generation"! He posted a picture of this book in the comment area, but unfortunately the post seems to have been moderated... I haven't had time to comment yet.
What about adding more essence (the leopard head cries)