Swallow Return

This is a very famous historical event, but Liu Yun's understanding of it is basically based on rumors, and he doesn't know how much of it is true and how much is false.

At this point, Lady Oichi, as the person involved, provided a firsthand account: "At the time, Oichi was really conflicted... Logically speaking, after getting married, she should consider herself a member of the Asai family and shouldn't be biased towards the Oda. But coincidentally, that day, the servants were tidying up the storeroom and found things left behind by the former Lady Hirai. Then Oichi uncontrollably began to worry... If the Oda family really declined, would Oichi become the second Lady Hirai? Then... then she remembered that before she got married, her elder brother had told her that if there was anything important, she could tell Granny Mi, and Granny Mi could send the letter home no matter where she was..."

When she said this, her tone was as calm as if she were recounting someone else's story.

Even from the slight trembling of his hands and feet, one could still discern an unusual emotional fluctuation.

Liu Yun still didn't know how to respond.

“…A woman like Oichi doesn’t deserve to be happy.” Oichi said this with a smile of relief on her face. “But when I heard you say, Lord Sasaki, that ‘my wife has never made any mistakes over the years and has no reason to be punished,’ I couldn’t help but feel a little moved! I even thought…it would be nice if my brother’s suggestion was accepted. But that doesn’t feel right. I was moved because I heard the rejection…Ah, what a strange contradiction.”

At this moment, the sky was filled with swirling clouds, and the bright moonlight reappeared, shining through the cabin window and onto Miss Oichi's profile.

Liu Yun couldn't help but think—

I've heard that the rocks on a nearby island called "White Stone Island" are as white as jade under the moonlight. So, Miss Oichi would truly be a "jade beauty" under the moonlight.

Chapter 269 The Secrets of the Ladies

This night was a bit tough for Liu Yun.

It wasn't because he couldn't sleep; with his physical talent, he could go without sleep for several days and nights without any problems.

It wasn't the three little girls huddled around me that caused the trouble. Although it was indeed quite troublesome, it was all within acceptable limits.

It wasn't because they were worried that the monsters who had failed in their previous attacks might return and make a comeback—if they dared to do so, they would be met with swords and spears.

Rather, it was due to a slight wavering within myself.

Looking at Miss Oichi by the window under the moonlight, Ryuun couldn't help but recall his childhood in school. While idly daydreaming in class, he suddenly caught a glimpse of a female classmate from the next class walking past the window during PE class, her hair swaying in the wind and her fleeting figure.

This is what is called "youthful sentiment".

This is a subtle feeling that is hard to describe, and it is completely different from the situation of "wanting her body".

However, Liu Yun is actually better at handling the latter type of routine.

When it comes to situations that require genuine care and attention, I find myself unsure how to handle them.

Moreover, he had already decided in his heart that he could not let the innocent Iori suffer, which meant he could not act willfully based on that slight wavering in his heart.

Throughout the entire night, Liu Yun maintained a principle of treating everyone with courtesy and stayed by Miss Ashi's and her three maids' side without sleeping.

……

As dawn broke, Gui Die and Ning Ning finished their arrangements and returned to their cabin.

During this time, the underwater monster showed no signs of attacking again.

The three little princesses were already fast asleep around Liuyun, and Miss Ashi gradually leaned against the cabin wall by the window and drifted off to sleep. Lady Guidie and Lady Ningning also looked quite tired, the latter still bearing an injury, but both had a preoccupied expression and showed no intention of resting.

Liu Yun felt that they must all be racking their brains over the reasons behind the monster's nighttime attack.

So he lowered his voice, and without disturbing the three girls' sleep, casually asked, "You two ladies have worked hard. By the way, what was the origin of those monsters we just encountered?"

"At least during the years I spent with Lord Hideyoshi in northern Omi, I never heard of any similar monsters appearing." Lady Ningning gently shook her head, indicating that she did not know.

Lady Guicho frowned and said, "Based on the divination tools passed down from the bathhouse yokai, I can roughly determine that those were wild yokai that have lived in Lake Biwa for hundreds of years. They can make a living on their own and do not have the power or motivation to attack humans. Therefore, they have been rarely known to the outside world and have not been attacked or subdued."

“If that’s the case…” Liu Yun followed this line of thought and voiced his doubts: “Why did they suddenly launch an attack just now? The monsters seemed to have a clear target.”

"I've also consulted the oracle about this matter." Gui Die looked at the few young girls who were fast asleep beside Liu Yun, her eyes showing little affection but rather a wary and cautious expression: "It must be that one of the three girls possesses some unique constitution that has attracted the attention of the demon. As for whether this constitution comes from her bloodline or some other reason, we cannot know for the time being."

Ningning sighed, stepped forward, gently stroked Chacha's sleeping face, and softly added, "As you all know, I have an innate intuition that surpasses that of ordinary people. The first time I saw Miss Chacha, I felt that something was wrong, but I thought it was just my imagination..."

Gui Die shook her head and said, "It's not certain yet that it's Cha Cha."

Liu Yun didn't quite understand why someone with a unique physique would be noticed by a monster. He didn't want to ask too many questions at the moment, so he brought up the next topic: "What exactly is that reef called 'White Stone Island'? Those monsters in the water weren't actually that strong. If they hadn't relied on the power of the reef, they wouldn't have been able to break into the cabin."

Both ladies seemed a little unsettled when the matter was brought up.

Ningning turned her head to look into the distance for some reason and said something pointless: "I can indeed feel something mysterious on the reef, but I didn't expect it to be used by monsters."

Gui Die raised her head and glanced at the patterns on the cabin ceiling. After taking a deep breath, she explained, "I just performed a divination regarding 'White Stone Island,' but I didn't get any results. It's probably because the mystery behind it is too deep."

"I see..." Liu Yun noticed the slight oddness on the two ladies' faces, but didn't pay it any mind. He was still thinking about the monster and continued to ask questions along the way: "It's too much of a coincidence. I'm afraid we can't treat this attack as purely accidental. May I ask, who guided everyone to this 'White Stone Island'? In my opinion, this place is not a well-known tourist attraction, so the first person to make the suggestion might be a suspect."

This statement arose naturally from the information above.

Liu Yun felt that what he said was completely correct.

Unexpectedly, Gui Die and Ning Ning panicked upon hearing this and quickly replied in unison, "Lord Sasaki, what you say is not entirely true. As far as I know, although 'White Stone Island' on Lake Biwa is not famous throughout the world, it is a highly favored scenic spot among eminent monks, virtuous people, and literati in the Kyoto area."

"You are right, Madam. When I accompanied Lord Hideyoshi to Kyoto, I heard about this island, which looks like pure white jade under the setting sun, several times. The local people may not know about it, but it's not necessarily because someone guided us that we chose to come here. What do you say, Lord Sasaki?"

At the same time, Gui Die and Ning Ning both looked a little unnatural. They unconsciously glanced at each other, then immediately looked away, making the scene slightly awkward.

Upon hearing this and seeing this scene, Liu Yun couldn't help but begin to have doubts.

The two ladies' words were not problematic in themselves.

But their responses were so swift, and their attitudes so firm and decisive... that's a bit strange.

It seems like they know the inside story but are unwilling to tell it, and just want to say something vague to get by.

But that explanation doesn't quite make sense.

Madam Guidie is a dignified, elegant, and dashing female CEO, while Madam Ningning is a poised, prudent, and shrewd ace wife. Neither of them are ordinary women who have never seen the world.

Even if they wanted to hide some information, they should have done a better job of making it clear on the surface, so as not to easily reveal obvious flaws.

But what about now?

Lady Guidie lowered her eyebrows, looking rather dejected and dejected, as if she had done something wrong and was heartbroken and self-blaming, completely lacking the domineering demeanor of a female CEO; Lady Ningning glanced into the distance, looking somewhat ashamed and indignant, as if she had been assaulted but dared not speak out, not at all like a capable and virtuous wife who could handle anything with ease.

The atmosphere between the two ladies was very strange and difficult to describe.

Could it be that Liu Yun's question touched upon a very deep private secret, so much so that they had no time to conceal it?

But what could that be?

This situation only lasted for about ten seconds before Ningning recovered completely, her face beaming with a warm smile, and she casually changed the subject. Then Guidie waved her sleeve, casting aside her negative emotions, and continued the conversation in the same vein.

"Fortunately, with Lord Sasaki's help, a major disaster was averted. However, there are quite a few wounded and fallen followers who need to be properly taken care of, don't they?"

"That's true. It's still not suitable to sail now. We can return to shore in another hour. I will take care of things then."

Then they got into a discussion.

At this point, Liu Yun was unable to get a word in edgewise.

However, he could not forget that embarrassing scene from just now.

Just now... the atmosphere between the two ladies was really a bit off!

Thinking about it carefully, there had always been some tension between them, but I never expected it to be this bad today...

But what does this have to do with the monster attack?

Well... in retrospect, the final issue lies with a location called "White Stone Island".

Liu Yun's idea is that those who guide people to this place may have colluded with monsters beforehand, harboring some suspicious motives.

Upon hearing this, Lady Guidie and Lady Ningning were thrown into disarray and nearly became incoherent.

Therefore, the conclusion that can be drawn is—

The location "White Stone Island" was chosen by the two of them.

Moreover, the reason for choosing this location is something that cannot be disclosed.

But what kind of secret dealings could Lady Guidie and Lady Ningning possibly have?

It's impossible that they said "White Stone Island" was the place where they fell in love, and that they came here just to relive their old dreams, right?

and many more……

Chapter 270 Lord Sasaki, please take care.

The next day at daybreak, the group immediately boarded a boat and left the scene of the crime, returning to shore.

The "Monster Attack on Shiroshi Island, Biwa Lake," which nearly caused a major disaster, has been put on hold for now.

A post-incident count revealed that the number of casualties among the followers was not high; only five or six people died in battle, and more than twenty sustained injuries. The others were corrupted by the monster's secret magic, falling into an unnatural state of unconsciousness, but they recovered without any aftereffects.

Liu Yun still suspected there might be some conspiracy behind this. However, whenever the name "White Stone Island" was mentioned, Madam Gui Die and Madam Ning Ning reacted strongly, looking like they had a guilty conscience, making it impossible to ask any further questions.

I certainly won't be able to find any clues on my own in a short time—I'm not some famous detective from a fantasy world.

I had no choice but to put my questions aside for now and deal with them when I got home.

Next, we might face Oda Nobunaga's wrath and have to consider the "Nine-Tailed Fox" issue. In comparison, the incident on "Shiroishi Island" seems less worthy of attention.

Rushing to reach the shore, Liuyun bid farewell to the ladies.

This side naturally headed north back to Sasaki Mansion, while the other side went to live in a nunnery in the south.

When they took their leave, Gui Die and Ning Ning still seemed a little confused.

The two of them acted normally when they were alone, but when they stood together or made eye contact, they both seemed a little unnatural.

Liu Yun didn't think about this terrifying question in detail.

It's not that I'm afraid to think about it, but that I feel it has little to do with me.

To be honest, these are all their private matters. If anyone should be concerned, it should be Oda Nobunaga, Hashiba Hideyoshi, and the like.

Somewhat unexpectedly, when they parted, Lady Guidie said to Liuyun solemnly, "An accident has occurred that resulted in the death of a servant. There is no reason to let Oichi continue to relax outside. I will take everyone back immediately and will not disturb you any further. I will take my leave now."

That makes perfect sense.

Liu Yun then politely said, "Have a safe journey."

Lady Guidie shook her head and sighed, "Actually, it's your safety that's cause for concern."

Ryuun knew she was referring to rejecting Nobunaga's marriage proposal.

Since you dare to say no to the "Demon King," you must be prepared to face the pressure that follows.

Oda Nobunaga is currently riding high, seemingly poised to unify the country, and his name alone would send shivers down the spines of the people of all nations. However, based on recent observations, Liu Yun believes that the man may not truly be all-powerful, and even if one offends him, it might not be anything too serious.

Over the past few days, the family has made general preparations to cope with any unexpected events.

Liu Yun smiled calmly and replied casually, "Thank you for your concern, Madam. Please do not worry, I have already made up my mind."

Seeing this, Lady Kicho looked worried and frowned, sighing, "Although Lord Nobunaga is not someone who is easily persuaded, if things really get bad, I will do my best to dissuade him."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yun felt somewhat displeased.