Swallow Return

However, Igawa Asahi seemed only focused on being sad and didn't think about those things at all.

She really is still a silly girl who acts on her emotions.

Liu Yun frowned, just about to teach her some common sense about how to conduct oneself in society, when suddenly he sensed a huge commotion coming from afar.

The ground to the west of Yokoyama Castle seemed to be shaking.

Could it be an earthquake?

Japan is a place where earthquakes are quite frequent.

Now Liu Yun had no time to waste with the silly girl. He immediately leaped up and jumped onto the roof of the building, looking westward.

Fortunately, there was no ground cracking or houses collapsing.

Under the rising sun, what came into view was a cavalry army on the move.

It was too far away and the view wasn't great to estimate the exact size, but I would roughly guess it was between five hundred and one thousand people.

Everyone was on horseback, forming a long column of five to seven riders.

Dust billowed and hooves thundered.

Although it couldn't be described as a forest of banners that blotted out the sky, it was still a grand and imposing sight.

It is galloping along the main road.

Such a large number of cavalry would indeed cause a tremendous commotion, like an earthquake.

These people rode their horses quickly toward Hengshan City, yet their formation remained orderly and disciplined, clearly demonstrating their excellent training and strict military discipline.

Moreover, Liu Yun could vaguely sense that the riders and horses in this group were surrounded by a faint aura, much like the barrier above Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei.

From a distance, about one-fifth of the people were carrying flags.

Being able to keep a flagpole perfectly straight while riding a horse is clearly a remarkable skill.

The tallest flag is a pattern composed of five papaya petals.

Next was a large white flag with a design of three "Yongle Tongbao" copper coins.

As a history game enthusiast from a later era, Liu Yun didn't need to draw upon any of his knowledge from this life to know that these were Oda Nobunaga's family crest and horse mark.

Family crests are fine, they're a symbol that anyone of the same clan can use.

However, the Ma Yin is unique; even its own son wouldn't directly adopt it, but would at least change some details.

So it was Oda Nobunaga himself who came?

No wonder the black-clad ninja leader, known as "Master Take," wasn't in a hurry to go back and report; he probably knew his superior's itinerary in advance.

At this moment, Igawa Asagi followed Liuyun to the rooftop.

Seeing the hundreds of cavalry galloping by, she temporarily escaped the low mood of being betrayed by her team members and muttered to herself, "This is the Demon King Nobunaga's army! It's only dawn, did he travel all night?"

Only after hearing this did Liu Yun realize this.

Indeed, a feudal army capable of marching in the dark was already considered elite. A cavalry unit capable of galloping forward in the dark was nothing short of a miracle.

However, the Oda clan now has a total of tens of thousands of soldiers, so it's probably quite normal for Oda Nobunaga to select a few hundred elites from among them.

Thinking of this, Liu Yun casually said, "I didn't expect Nobunaga to return home from Kyoto with only a few hundred men. He's really bold."

Igawa Asahi gazed westward and solemnly said, "This is the Oda clan's military law: the peasant soldiers in various regions are mobilized by the retainers, while Nobunaga himself only leads a few hundred Makai soldiers to move quickly. These few hundred Makai soldiers are said to have shared the power that Nobunaga obtained from the demons, which not only greatly increases their martial prowess but also allows them to communicate with Nobunaga."

Liu Yun scoffed, "I don't know exactly what kind of power they obtained from the demons. But judging from their actions towards the common people, the Oda clan's samurai were no worse than the Buddhist monks!"

Igawa Asagi remained silent, clearly these words had struck a nerve with her deepest inner conflict.

Liu Yun, who never liked to give long speeches, immediately shook his head and said, "Looks like I have to go. Remember to be careful, there might be other spies among your team members!"

Igawa Asagi looked slightly bewildered: "Are you leaving?"

Ryuun said, "I think Nobunaga would like to see me. And I am also very interested in meeting this influential figure."

After hearing this, Igawa Asahi hesitated for a moment, then finally shook her head sadly: "As you said... judging solely by their actions, the Oda clan seems more like the righteous side than the Buddhist sect. However, the Buddhist sect does utilize the righteous secret techniques inherited from the holy monk Jianzhen, while Nobunaga is filled with the aura of demons and heretics. I can never get over this. Therefore—therefore—"

Seeing her stammering and speaking vaguely, Liu Yun interrupted, "You can observe first, and then we'll talk when the Oda family has indeed committed heinous acts."

Igawa Asagi was silent for a moment, then asked, "If that day ever comes, what will you do?"

Liu Yun couldn't help but smile and said calmly, "I have no lingering feelings for the Oda clan. If Nobunaga ever does something that angers me, of course I will be his enemy."

Hearing this, Ikawa Asagi's face relaxed considerably, and a long-lost smile appeared on her face: "In that case, I'm relieved. From now on, I will continue to lead the team to act independently. As for the livelihood issue you mentioned, whether it's stealing from unscrupulous merchants or charging for exorcisms, we can always solve it. By the way, the little purple girl you rescued seems quite willing to come with us... Anyway, I may have to say goodbye to you for a while."

Liu Yun suddenly felt a little regretful and lonely, but he quickly put these trivial feelings aside, bowed slightly to show his politeness, and said goodbye: "Take care. If anything happens, come to Sasaki Village, and I can help you in some way."

Suddenly remembering something, Ikawa Asahi spoke again: "There is something I should tell you. My subordinates are only one squad of the Demon Ninja. As far as I know, after Mount Hiei was burned down, two other squads left with Mr. Yagyu Suishinsai. Their ideas and methods... are somewhat ruthless. If you happen to encounter them, please be careful."

Liu Yun nodded upon hearing this: "Thank you. If we happen to run into each other, I will try my best to avoid killing you out of respect for you."

A fleeting, enigmatic light flashed in Asahi Igawa's eyes, but it vanished almost instantly. She seemed to want to say something, but opened her mouth without uttering a sound. In the end, she simply bowed and solemnly said, "If it is convenient, I will visit you regularly. I wish Lord Sasaki Ryūun continued success in his military endeavors."

Her words carried a faint hint of sorrow at parting, making one unconsciously feel somewhat melancholic.

But Liu Yun, being a straight man, only wasted less than a second before smiling and saying, "Goodbye."

Then he turned and walked away with a flourish.

They didn't even look back.

He naturally had no idea how long the other person had stood there silently watching his back.

Chapter Sixty-Nine: Demon King Nobunaga (Part 1)

The arrival of hundreds of cavalrymen at Hengshan City caused such a commotion that it was clear Liu Yun was not the only one who heard it.

At least Kinoshita Tokichiro must have noticed it much earlier and made some preparations as much as possible.

He led a small number of close attendants, dressed in formal attire, and respectfully went outside the city to welcome them.

Liu Yun was not present at the time and did not know what had happened.

Later, I heard that Oda Nobunaga did not express any attitude, nor was he in a hurry to enter the castle to rest. Instead, he rode his horse around the castle town of Yokoyama Castle, carefully observing the shops and merchants before showing a satisfied smile, and then entered Yokoyama Castle to rest.

This aligns with what Kinoshita Tokichiro said: for Nobunaga, the business situation in his territory was always the most important thing, and everything else could be put aside.

This left Liu Yun with a somewhat positive impression.

For a ruler in an agrarian era, valuing commerce is definitely not a bad thing. Although Nobunaga himself may have only been concerned with the amount of tax revenue, the benefits that the people received from it were real.

The advancement of productivity in human society has led to the emergence of exchange and division of labor, which in turn has helped to further develop productivity, creating a virtuous cycle.

……

As expected, not long after Oda Nobunaga entered Yokoyama Castle, before noon, he sent someone to summon Sasaki Ryuun.

It was broad daylight with bright sunshine, and although it was early winter, there was not much of a chill in the air.

But for some reason, when Liu Yun looked up at the sky above Hengshan City, he suddenly felt that there was a very thin layer of black mist covering it.

The feeling vanished in an instant; I wonder if it was just my imagination.

Surely this isn't proof that Oda Nobunaga was a demon king?

Liu Yun couldn't help but smile, deciding not to take the matter to heart for the time being.

Even if Oda Nobunaga really is some kind of "demon king," we still need to see him in person to know for sure.

It is said that the Oda clan's "Makaishu" (roughly equivalent to personal guards) were divided into two groups: the "Kuromo-i-shu" and the "Akamo-i-shu". The one who came to escort Ryuun-kami Castle for an "appointment" was said to be a core member of the "Kuromo-i-shu", who called himself "Kawajiri Hidetaka".

He was a short, stocky warrior with a fleshy face, taciturn and unsmiling, sporting a small mustache. He wore all-black armor and looked particularly serious and imposing, showing no sign of human warmth.

Liu Yun vaguely remembered this name. He recalled that in a game from a later era, the general was probably around 70 points in average ability. He seemed to have done well in the Oda clan and eventually became a high-ranking official at the level of a lord.

Therefore, one cannot help but pay a little attention and examine it carefully.

Then I felt greatly disappointed.

Judging from his footwork, breathing, and rhythm, there's nothing noteworthy about Hidetaka Kawajiri's martial arts skills.

He seems to be not much better than Eguchi Sukezaemon, and about evenly matched with Hayami Seibei. He would be easily defeated by Aotabo or Kurotabo.

Is this level enough to become a trusted bodyguard of Oda Nobunaga?

That's really hard to understand.

Liu Yun was very puzzled, and somewhat doubted whether Oda Nobunaga was really as meritocratic as the legends suggested.

however--

From the third wing of Yokoyama Castle to the second wing, Ryuun noticed an astonishing change.

The guy next to me, named "Kawajiri Hidetaka," seemed to be walking with increasing strength, his breathing becoming more steady, and his walking rhythm becoming more coordinated.

Their strength seems to have increased somewhat compared to before...

I estimate that he could beat Hayami Seibei, and he could also put up a fight against Aotabo and Kurotabo.

But what's the logic behind this?

In just half an hour from the foot of the mountain to the peak, his martial arts skills suddenly improved dramatically.

It just doesn't make sense.

With doubts in his heart, Ryuun followed Kawajiri Hidetaka and continued forward, reaching the plaza in front of the palace inside the citadel.

Oda Nobunaga was clearly waiting among them.

At this moment, Liu Yun, standing outside, could vaguely sense the presence of a very powerful creature inside the palace.

And it seems that Hidetaka Kawajiri's fighting skills have increased again.

According to Liu Yun's estimation, this guy is now slightly above Qing Tianfang and Hei Tianfang.

Combining the "aura of a powerful figure" emanating from the palace, Liu Yun suddenly had an idea: "Could it be that the closer Kawajiri Hidetaka is to Oda Nobunaga, the stronger he becomes?"

Although this idea is far-fetched and unbelievable, it is very much in line with reality.

It is possible that Oda Nobunaga possessed some kind of mysterious battle aura that could provide benefits to the "Makaishu" around him.

It's like the protective barrier on Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei.

Judging from today's situation, the effect of his halo is probably not as good as the monk's barrier, but this halo can move with the person, so it is much more practical!

No wonder when I saw those hundreds of cavalrymen galloping towards us this morning, I felt like they were all pretty formidable.

Although he hadn't seen the real person yet, based on this one move alone, Liu Yun felt that Oda Nobunaga truly deserved to be called a hero of a chaotic era.