Gacha games can't save this bizarre world.

Zhao Hao's "grand plan" has been stillborn!

"Alright, lead the way." What else could Zhao Hao say? He couldn't possibly hit someone who was smiling at him.

You still hit them after they've gone this far? Have you no shame? You can't ruin your public image!

He's truly a veteran strategist!

I regret it now. Why did I have to pretend to be Yasuo?

If this were Kenjiro Hanma, a boxer with a broken leg and a bomb disposal expert, he would be completely unrestrained and shameless.

The ramen ball disguised as a pendant was also anxious: That old fellow Chosokiyama is indeed cunning, he actually used a trick to appease her!

What should we do? Please, please don't let the Chosoka family take us away!

After witnessing Zhao Hao's strength at the shrine, Ramen Maru's only thought was: Cling to his coattails! I'd rather die than let go!

It immediately reverted to its original form, floating like a balloon behind Zhao Hao, arrogant and domineering.

It gently flicked a flying insect off its body; it was to inform the clan leader.

Seeing this, and noticing that Zhao Hao's expression remained normal, Chang Zongyishan pretended not to see it.

……

Chosokiyama is truly a remarkable man, capable of both yielding and standing firm. He actually opened the main gate wide and received Zhao Hao and his entourage with the highest honors.

Choso Yoshiyama's wife also came out to pay her respects, kneeling behind him and introducing herself with a long list of family titles.

All the prominent retainers of the Chosokabe family came to drink with them, and a long row of small tables was set up on both sides.

That old man, Chang Zongyi, was such a kind person, and he spoke so pleasantly. He also had that shrewd and charming old man by his side, acting as his straight man, and beautiful maids behind him pouring wine and serving food. What a scene! Tsk tsk~

The ramen balls were cold!

It's over! It's all over! Tanuki spirits are among the yokai that are relatively close to humans, and their lifestyles are quite similar.

But where can you find such a grand scene?

And that maid... serving a female raccoon cat, I wonder if Lord Yasuo would like it?

If Lord Yasuo is a Fury fanatic, then the Tanuki clan might still have a fighting chance...

However, Zhao Hao had seen his share of grand occasions. In his dreams, he lived a life more carefree than an emperor, and in the small world, he was practically a god.

I have several queens myself!

Go ahead and try to corrupt me, I'm a good swimmer and I can handle it!

Chang Zongyi was also quite adept at reading people's expressions, and in a short time he roughly figured out the relationship between Zhao Hao and the demon.

That naive young man had been saved by Yasuo, the swordsman, and considered himself his disciple, which Yasuo didn't deny...

As for the Tanuki Ramen Ball, it was only their first meeting, and he had only verbally agreed. It didn't matter.

Although Chosokiyama himself possessed only average extraordinary talent, he was exceptionally gifted as a parent.

At this point, he had given up on short-term gains and no longer thought about the issue of ownership of the secret realm that he was fighting with the fox demon for.

Anyway, even if I manage to seize it, it'll just be controlled by multiple parties, so the profits will be minimal. Why don't I cling tightly to this great swordsman's coattails?

A bronze-level great swordsman! This might be an unprecedented opportunity for a family that only appears once in a century, perhaps only because their ancestral graves are emitting auspicious smoke!

"Although my son is young, he has made some progress in swordsmanship. He previously overestimated himself and tried to subdue the demon sword, resulting in severe injuries. Now that Lord Yasuo has managed to subdue the demon sword, it is also an opportunity for him. If you are so kind as to accept my son as your servant, please allow him to serve you!"

The couple, Choso Yoshiyama and his wife, paid their respects with great ceremony, essentially prostrating themselves on the ground.

Chapter 413 Be Careful What You Leave Behind

I knew there would be trouble. He said he was a servant, but he just wanted to learn something.

But even Lao Tzu himself didn't understand his swordsmanship!

Zhao Hao's swordsmanship was all obtained from skin cards. It was powerful, though. "Hassey!", "Face the wind!", "Atoriya cough!"

But how do I hand this thing over to someone else?

But it doesn't matter. The master can only lead you to the door; the rest is up to you. If you haven't learned anything, isn't it because you didn't learn well?

The pale-faced pretty boy knelt down in front of Zhao Hao with a thud.

"Please, sir, take me in!"

The boy looked to be only fifteen or sixteen years old. He was quite handsome with delicate features. However, he was still recovering from serious injuries, and his face was pale with a slight frown. He was wearing a simple blue haori, which gave him a touch of the traditional Japanese aesthetic of "mono no aware" (the pathos of things).

Reaching Black Iron 5-star truly makes him a genius. While the accelerated recovery of spiritual energy and the Chosoka family's century-long accumulation played a role, his own abilities are undoubtedly exceptional. He's no less capable than the heirs of the major families in Kyoto.

The Choso family has been accumulating wealth for over two hundred years, and this is the moment they've been waiting for.

Zhao Hao slightly raised his hand and asked, "What's your name?"

The boy raised his head. "My name is Chosokabu."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hao exclaimed, "I don't? You've chosen a pretty rebellious name!"

"Alright, although I won't be in Japan for very long, I should be able to teach you a few things. Follow me for now."

After saying that, he took out a vial of magic potion from his pocket. "Drink it."

Chosoga no Fu was also decisive, without hesitation, he downed it in one gulp.

After drinking it, a wave of heat spread from his stomach throughout his body, and his spiritual energy immediately became more active. His injuries were also mostly healed!

This is a high-grade healing potion specially made by Carrie. It costs $180,000 to produce and is extremely rare, having been monopolized and impossible to buy.

Chosoka Fu knelt down and bowed again, then crawled to his knees behind Zhao Hao, temporarily leaving the clan to follow the new leader.

At this point, the two of them, along with the ramen balls, felt even colder.

Zhao Hao, after all, had a limited understanding of Japanese culture and simply regarded this servant as a servant.

However, in ancient times, the status of this servant was far from simple. They were called "minor servants"...

You can call them servants, human shields, or even "nannies" of their lords, but these "nannies" are all male, called "koshira" in Japanese, or "kosei," and are a type of samurai.

The servants attended to the military officers, handling various miscellaneous tasks. They primarily served as secretaries, nominally acting as the lord's guards.

Furthermore, those who are appointed as junior staff members and hold positions such as guards and confidential management are generally strictly prohibited from interacting or having contact with family members, including relatives.

During wartime or marches, they were the guards who held their positions and units to the very end, serving as the last line of defense for their lord.

Especially as human shields for their lord, they bear the responsibility of protecting him at the cost of their lives.

In addition, the servants must possess extensive knowledge, first-rate etiquette, and superb martial arts skills; otherwise, they would not be able to fulfill the duties.

But among these qualities, the most important is character, including loyalty. And it is precisely because of this that many of them grew up to become confidants of their lord.

In addition, most of the daimyo of the Warring States period chose handsome and dashing men as their surnames... because there is a preference for the same sex in both the East and the West.

In the East, there is a penchant for homosexuality and homosexuality. During the Ming Dynasty, there were even establishments specializing in male brothels!

Not to mention the West, ancient Greece had a deep understanding of this.

It is not uncommon for powerful lords during the Warring States period to regard lesser male relatives as objects of "male beauty".

These people are called "sexual minorities" or "the way of the masses," which means "relationships at night."

In addition, during the Azuchi-Momoyama period, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu both served as "koshu" (cowboys) to become daimyo's sons, essentially serving as hostages of the daimyo.

The term "koshi" (谗氏) refers to a type of samurai that emerged under specific historical conditions. Some koshi became cannon fodder for their lords, while others became their lords' comrades-in-arms and close friends. Of course, some even became best buddies.

Of course, Nagasokabu certainly didn't come here for that role. But he was still an extremely trusted confidant.

In short, Chosogiyama has really gone all out!

Choso Yoshiyama: Although I don't have a daughter, my son is just as good!

Japanese people always have this hysterical gambling mentality, always betting on the fate of the nation.

"Don't linger in one place." After the banquet, Zhao Hao said this before leaving.

The eldest son of the family, Chang Zongyishan, did not ask where he was taking his only son. He simply prepared gifts and a few servants, and then respectfully saw Zhao Hao and his party off.

In the distance, the couple could still be seen waving their wooden clogs in the air, while Chosoga no Fuku's mother watched her son walk away, tears welling in her eyes. Chosoga no Fuku, however, felt only longing and joy for the future…

Zhao Hao took a deep breath and said to the chubby Tanuki Ramen Ball, "Let's go. I promised to visit you guys. Lead the way."

This ramen ball is really something, eating and drinking like crazy at Chosoya's house, he's really carefree.

"This way, this way! Lord Yasuo, please come this way~" Ramen Maru said with a big smile, bouncing ahead to lead the way.

The tanuki clan's stronghold is no ordinary place; it's a small, secret realm that lacks communication with the inner world, making it a safer place.

It didn't even bother to guard against Chang Zongwu and his group, and simply led the way.

On a smooth mountainside, Ramenmaru flicked his short, stubby fingers, casting a spell. The mountainside split open, revealing a path.

After walking a few dozen meters, the view suddenly opened up, revealing a lush mountain forest and open field.

The tanuki demons must have already received the message, since Ramenmaru had previously sent a message via flying insects. A group of them were there to greet them.

The leading raccoon was over two meters tall and over two meters wide, with a body like a large wooden barrel, and was at the peak of Black Iron 5-star.

However, he was very friendly, smiling before even speaking: "Haha~ I am Yao Tanuki Eishi. Welcome, esteemed guest. Please don't find this place too rustic."

Having lived for over a hundred years, its eyesight far surpasses that of Chosokiyama, a Black Iron 3-star warrior. Chosokiyama inferred Zhao Hao's strength indirectly.

In Yaoli Yongzhi's eyes, Zhao Hao's body was tightly enveloped in spiritual energy, surging like a raging storm yet revealing nothing, as calm yet terrifying as the eye of a tempest. This was a powerful being! Far stronger than himself! Bronze level?!

The Tanuki clan produced a Bronze-level expert—the Eight Hundred and Eight Tanuki—which is why they can be considered the representative of yokai in the Shikoku region.

Yaobai Tanuki Eishi is a descendant of Yaobai Tanuki.

Of course, taking advantage of the moonlight, the tanuki spirits held a bonfire party. Hundreds of tanuki chuckled by the bonfire under the moon, most of whom were ordinary tanuki with a little bit of spirituality but had not yet awakened their spiritual power.

There are probably about twenty that can become Tanuki spirits; this is just one of the Tanuki spirits in the four countries.

Yao Tanuki Eishi acknowledged Zhao Hao's strength.

After learning that Zhao Hao had received extremely high treatment in the Chosoka family, and that the heir had even been brought by his side as a servant, he became even more respectful.

Yao Tanuki Eishi: I have to admire that old man Chosogiyama's guts! He really dared to gamble!

Zhao Hao didn't beat around the bush and directly proposed a meeting with the human families, saying he would help the Tanuki Demon.

However, he also needs the help of the Tanuki clan to gather some information.

The eight hundred raccoon dogs, Eiji, naturally agreed without hesitation, and that very night they shared a great deal of information about the Nanaya family.