Swallow Return

Light the two wooden pieces with a dim candle flame, and grayish-white smoke immediately appears in the air, swaying from side to side with the wind drifting in from outside the window.

The originally fresh and delicate fragrance immediately became rich and intense, filling the entire room.

The aroma contains a power to touch people's hearts; wherever it goes, anyone who smells it will immediately feel their mind clear and refreshed, their spirits lifted, and their mind exceptionally clear and lucid.

In video games, this would be roughly equivalent to a temporary boost to intelligence, perception, and willpower.

Liu Yun thought to himself that if he had this thing as an aid in his past life, he might have scored 30 to 50 points higher on the college entrance exam.

However, it's too late for me to get it in this lifetime.

The two pieces of fragrant wood cut from the orchid tree were not for his own use, but were specially provided to the two ladies.

Ryuun briefly explained the cause and effect to Igawa Asahi and Akiyama Rinko, then instructed them to relax, sit upright on the tatami mat, each holding a piece of burning incense wood, and not to move or talk.

The two girls didn't quite understand what they were supposed to do, but they were used to obeying Liu Yun's every word. No matter what orders they received, they would carry them out meticulously, even if it involved their lives.

So they obediently sat down, solemnly accepted the burning incense, and their figures were soon enveloped in the grayish-white incense mist.

Two opaque wisps of mist lingered, obscuring the light and preventing Liu Yun from seeing the expressions of the two women.

Just a moment later, the breathing of Igawa Asagi and Akiyama Rinko suddenly became rapid and heavy.

Then, low moans gradually began to emerge.

"Um... um..."

"Ha...ah..."

Both women sounded like they were in a state of pain and depression.

But Liu Yun's eyes lit up.

This is a good thing!

Previously, Igawa Asahi and Akiyama Rinko had almost become human dolls without independent consciousness, only knowing how to obey orders and serve their master.

Although the situation at the time was forced upon them by circumstances, Liu Yun felt quite guilty about how he had come to this conclusion.

Now that they've been enveloped in this fragrant mist, they've quickly regained their ability to express emotions, suggesting there's hope that the mind manipulation effects on them can be lifted.

Lan Shedai, it really worked!

After a while, Igawa and Akiyama's groans turned into low murmurs.

"...Is that so...?"

"...But why is this happening..."

"...Have we made a terrible mistake...?"

"...But perhaps I would rather..."

Hearing what the two girls said, Liu Yun couldn't help but feel a little awkward and nervous.

In the past, I faced no enemy on the battlefield without fear, but today I can hardly suppress the unease in my heart.

After all, in the realm of Eastern ethics, men are considered to be the more powerful party and also need to bear more responsibility on certain sensitive issues.

However, Liu Yun is already prepared to face this responsibility head-on.

Ultimately, it was my careless use of my powers that caused this trouble...

Two thin pieces of fragrant wood, each about the size of a teacup, produced a large amount of thick, grayish-white smoke after burning, which lasted for several minutes before gradually dissipating.

By this time, the girls had calmed down.

Unable to predict how Liu Yun would react, he could only sit upright and wait solemnly.

After the smoke finally cleared, two weak and powerless girls lay collapsed on the floor.

Both were equally exhausted, drenched in sweat, their casual clothes soaked through, even wetting the tatami mats on the floor.

But their expressions were completely different.

Rinko Akiyama smiled sweetly, her face full of happiness, her cheeks flushed, and she nodded gently, saying, "Lord Ryuun... even though you were already... even though you were already like that, you still kindly brought such a treasure to undo the effects of the spell... choosing to follow Lord Ryuun was definitely the right decision."

At the same time, Igawa Asagi bit her lip and frowned, saying in a hoarse voice, "I have absolutely no aversion or resentment towards Lord Ryuun, but what happened is a bit hard to bear. Please forgive me for leaving alone for a while to sort out my feelings..."

The girls expressed completely different attitudes, and then looked at each other with surprised expressions.

Their eyes met in the air for a long time.

"Is that what Rinko thinks?"

"Isn't that what the captain thinks?"

Both of them looked completely bewildered, seemingly unable to comprehend each other's line of thinking.

Liu Yun's feelings were more complicated.

Seeing Rinko Akiyama's unreserved and affectionate attitude, he felt a secret pleasure, but also a deep sense of guilt, wondering if he could bear the pressure of "the most difficult thing to bear is the kindness of a beautiful woman".

Seeing that Igawa Asagi was having trouble letting go of the past and was trying to escape, he understood that this was understandable, but he couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.

This probably stems from the selfishness that is impossible to overcome in human nature.

Liu Yun sighed softly and immediately made up his mind: since Akiyama Rinko was willing to stay, he must do his best to take care of her, and Igawa Asahi's request to be alone to calm down should also be respected.

That's what he planned to do.

But to everyone's surprise, Akiyama Rinko, who was usually not very assertive, suddenly became unusually resolute. She grabbed Igawa Asagi's arm and said earnestly and urgently, "Please think it over, Captain! If you choose to leave Lord Ryuun now, it will definitely be the thing you regret most in your life!"

Upon hearing this, Miss Jinghe lowered her head and remained silent, only glancing at Liuyun out of the corner of her eye.

At the same time, Rinko Akiyama also cast a hopeful glance at him.

Liu Yun has always been good at reading people's expressions and gleaning enough information from them.

Just as they were hesitating about whether to proceed or not, they suddenly heard the voice of a servant outside the door.

"Lord Ryuun! A guest from Gifu Castle has come to visit!"

This immediately disrupted the atmosphere.

Are they guests from Gifu Castle?

Doesn't that mean it was sent by Oda Nobunaga?

For Liu Yun, the messenger's intentions were not easy to guess.

After successfully obtaining the Ranshatai from the Shosoin Repository of Todaiji Temple in Nara, wasn't it agreed that we would go home and rest for a few days before gathering again?

Why are you in such a hurry to send an envoy again?

Regardless, Liu Yun had no choice but to leave the two girls, Jinghe and Qiushan, aside for the time being.

Feeling suspicious, he asked Hayami Seibei, who had come to deliver the message, "What kind of guest is he? Have we met him before?"

"Uh..." Hayami Seibei looked a little embarrassed and hesitated before answering, "The guest's identity is very special, and I have never had the honor of meeting him before..."

"Really?" Liu Yun stepped forward to greet him, then casually asked, "How special are they?"

"Um..." Hayami Kiyobei ​​hesitated for a long time, stammering and unable to explain clearly, only lowering his head and saying, "Sir, you will know when you see it for yourself."

This piqued Liu Yun's curiosity.

Arriving at the lobby of the Sasaki Mansion, we saw the guests already seated.

Liu Yun was immediately alarmed.

She was a graceful and dignified noblewoman, dressed in a simple black robe, sitting calmly on the tatami mat. Wasn't she Lady Kicho, the mistress of the Oda family?

Why did she show up at my door without even saying hello?

Hmm... Lady Kicho does indeed have the freedom to come and go freely within the Oda clan's territory, and she is not lacking in the ability to protect herself.

However, the sudden visit still made people feel a little uneasy.

Looking further down, next to Lady Guidie was another woman, dressed in white, with a headscarf and a few simple hair ornaments, appearing dignified, gentle, and virtuous. She was Lady Ningning from the Yushiba family.

Well, I heard that she encountered a mental demon recently, and she should have just been cured by "Lan She Dai". Maybe she came out to relax with her best friend, Lady Gui Die.

That explanation is plausible, at least for now.

Then--

Following Lady Guidie and Lady Ningning, there was another woman with a beautiful face and graceful figure. She wore a light pink dress embroidered with cherry blossoms. She exuded both the bright and charming innocence of youth and the graceful demeanor of a mature woman. It was impossible to guess her age at a glance.

Judging solely by appearance, this woman doesn't necessarily surpass the two wives, nor is she superior to any of the women in the Sasaki family—at least that's what Ryuun, who doesn't have a penchant for pedophilia, believes. Other men in Japan during this era might have a different opinion.

But she possesses an indescribable charm that makes people instinctively want to protect and cherish her, and are unwilling to do anything to hurt their family.

Liu Yun recalled for a moment and remembered that the woman in the pink sash should be Oichi, Oda Nobunaga's sister.

She was the one who married Asai Nagamasa, had several daughters, and later became a widow.

That's really strange.

If Lady Guidie is a free-spirited and domineering female CEO who goes wherever she wants, then Lady Ningning went on a field trip with her best friend because she was feeling down and needed to adjust her mood...

Why did Miss Oichi come out to visit?

Why is she here?

Chapter 263 Why don't you come and correct me?

Since distinguished guests have arrived, Liu Yun, as the host, should naturally show a solemn and enthusiastic attitude.

It would have been more convenient to have Iori and even Sara come out to greet the female guests together.

However, the two of them happened to be at the temple where their Uncle Xinghe was offering incense, so they had to quickly send someone to inform him and leave Liuyun to handle the situation alone for the time being.

He first strode forward and greeted Lady Guidie with utmost courtesy.

Originally, Liu Yun disliked the elaborate rituals of 16th-century Japan, especially the insincere flattery among a bunch of pretentious old men. However, things were different when faced with the elegant, charismatic, and powerful "domineering female CEO."

Even disregarding the fact that she is the matriarch of the prestigious Oda family, one should still show her some courtesy out of gentlemanly manners.

Faced with Liu Yun's bow, Lady Gui Die remained indifferent and haughty, sitting motionless. She merely glanced at him sideways, waved her sleeve, and casually replied, "No need for formalities." That was all.

This is not at all like visiting an old friend's house.

However, it's not surprising that Lady Guidie has always had this style of art.

When they occasionally show genuine emotions and reveal their adorable side, it's always in private.

She still needs to maintain the image of a "domineering female CEO" in front of so many people.