In order to become a Heroic Spirit, I had no choice but to cause trouble in history.

He was startled: "Who, who are you?"

Zuo Cun smiled and said, "Zuo Cun Anuo, carrying the famous sword He He, has come to pay a visit to Sui Shinko Masaji."

The boy sized up Zuocun Anuo.

She wasn't particularly tall, but she wore a proper Wu-style outfit, and her long black hair was neatly tied back, reaching her waist.

A backpack hung on his left shoulder, a dagger with a red scabbard was hanging on his chest, and two swords were attached to his left waist: a katana with a black and white scabbard and a wakizashi with an emerald green scabbard.

"..." The boy's eyes dimmed slightly as he looked at the crane wings with their black and white scabbards.

"Please come in, Lord Zuocun." The boy opened the door, making way for him. "My master... has been waiting for a long time."

Zuocun nodded and led Kanna into the Mizushinko residence.

"Master is in his bedroom, please follow me." The boy led the way.

Samura and Kanna followed behind the boy, with Samura looking at him.

This must be Mr. Seiji's successor, that is... the fourth generation Mizushinko Masahide.

The three arrived at the bedroom door, and the boy knocked.

"Master, Mistress, Lord Saimura Anno has arrived."

After a long while, a weak voice came from inside the room: "...Come in."

“…Excuse me.” Zuo Cun pushed open the door and went inside.

A strong medicinal smell wafted over.

Kanna instinctively covered her nose.

Zuocun looked down at the figure wrapped in a blanket on the ground.

He walked over and knelt down beside him.

His voice was heavy: "...Mr. Masatsugu, I'm late."

Even though he was so thin he looked inhuman, Mizushinko Masaji was still full of fervor and smiles.

"It's not too late... I'm still alive... It's not too late..."

"Let me see... a legendary sword stained with the blood of demons... a legendary sword forged by my own hand..."

There was no trace of vitality left in this old man.

But his dim eyes still held a hint of passion.

Zuo Cun couldn't help but smile.

"Ah, of course."

Zheng—

The crane wings were drawn from their sheaths, and Zuo Cun held them in his hands, presenting them to Sui Shinko Masaji.

"Still...so...dazzling."

Mizushinko Masaji showed no humility whatsoever, gazing intently at the Crane, at the renowned sword he had painstakingly forged.

------------

Chapter 357 Good things always happen every time I come to Mibu Village

Mrs. Shuixinzi sat opposite Zuocun.

"How much time does Mr. Seiji have left?" Zuo Cun's eyes were filled with sadness and regret.

Madam Shuixinzi remained calm: "I guess we won't see spring."

Kanna and Mizushinko Masaji's apprentice stood to one side, both silent.

No matter how much one worries, the impending death of an elderly person or a great person will stir the emotions of everyone around them, making them feel sad involuntarily.

"No need to be sad, Yu Guizhan, Zuo Cun Anuo." Lady Shuixinzi said with a slight smile.

"Masaji has no regrets now."

"His life, and my life, are already perfect."

"With such a perfect life, what reason do we have to leave this world with sadness?"

Zuo Cun looked at the hunched old woman.

"He forged an unparalleled sword, and the sword's wielder used it to slay evil spirits, becoming famous throughout the world. He even trained a satisfactory apprentice, and on his deathbed, he was able to see the sword he had forged once more." Lady Shuixinzi smiled slightly and waved to the young man, "Shengxiu, come here."

The boy obediently moved closer to Madam Shuixinzi.

“I’m useless, which is why Masatsugu and I don’t have our own children.”

"This child is the one we adopted shortly after you left."

His name is Seung-soo.

Seung-soo bowed slightly to Sa-mura.

He knew that Zuo Cun was a great man, and he also knew that Zuo Cun possessed the famous sword Tsurugi, which his master had painstakingly forged with his life's blood and the promise of the future.

"Don't you have a surname?" Zuocun asked.

“When he is fully capable of handling things independently, he will be given the surname Shuixinzi.” Lady Shuixinzi gently stroked Shengxiu’s head as she spoke.

"Is that so?" Zuocun smiled too, a smile of longing.

He bowed slightly to Katsuhide: "Please, you must inherit Mr. Seiji's mantle and carry on the tradition of sword forging."

Seung-soo dodged the direction in which Sa-chon was looking down, clenching his fist: "I will definitely carry on my master's skills."

Zuo Cun and Mrs. Shui Xinzi exchanged a glance and smiled at each other.

"And who is this?" Lady Shuixinzi looked at Kanna standing next to Zuocun, and Kanna subconsciously shrank her head.

“She is also an adopted child, named Koike Kanna. She is a... companion who was entrusted to me.” A trace of guilt flashed in Samura’s eyes.

"I see." Madam Shuixinzi didn't see a trace of guilt, but just smiled gently. "What a beautiful child. She will surely grow up to be a beauty."

Kanna's face turned bright red, and she didn't know what to say.

......

Samura and Kanna once again embarked on their journey amidst heavy snow.

"Lord Samurai, aren't we going to see Mr. Mizushinko off?" Kanna looked up at Samurai's face.

“No need, Kanna.” Samura said with a faint smile, “Just as Mrs. Mizushinko said, Mr. Seiji’s life has been perfect.”

"I suppose he wouldn't want me to watch him suffer in pain."

"He is a great man."

"A complete and great man."

"I'm sure Mr. Masaji will pass away with a smile on his face."

Zuocun smiled as he looked into the distance.

I couldn't help but recall the time I spent with Ryoma and Miss Oryo in the forge of Mizushinko's house in Owari, listening to the crisp clanging of the hammers and watching the famous sword at my waist slowly take shape.

"Really?" Kanna looked at Samura, somewhat puzzled.

But she won't say it.

She has always been a kind and understanding girl.

"Let's go, Kanna, let's find a carriage."

"Huh? Are we going to Kyoto by carriage, Lord Samura?"

"Hmm." Samura gently tapped Kanna's head. "Don't call me Lord Samura, just call me Mr. Samura."

Kanna also gave a faint smile.

"Yes, Lord Samura."

Zuocun tapped Kanna on the head again.

......

Shuixinzi Zhengci left.

He passed away the day after Zuocun left.

Just as his wife, Hazamura, had predicted, Mizushinko Masaji left this world with a smile on her face.

He didn't live to see spring, because his life was already full of springtime beauty.

......

February.

After a bumpy journey, Samura and Kanna finally arrived in Kyoto.

Zuocun's purpose in coming here was to pave the way for the arrival of the loyalist party.

He needs to set up the activity base here in advance and do all the preliminary logistical work, waiting for Wu Shi Ruishan to take over before he leaves.

His core activities will not be those of the loyalist party.

Once Ryoma and the loyalists arrive in Kyoto, they will travel to Edo to find someone who is neutral, cares only about Japan itself and not so much about those in power.

Sheng Haizhou.

If possible, Samura and Ryoma even wanted to directly persuade Katsu Kaishu to join the Tosa Domain.

But for now, it's better to focus on the present.

With his luggage on his back and Kanna's hand in his, Zuocun arrived at a familiar place.

"Once we cross this bridge, our destination will be just ahead," Zuocun said to Kanna with a smile, pointing to the village across the river.

Kanna smiled too, but it was a barely perceptible smile.

Ever since Samura adopted Kanna, his facial expressions have become much more varied.

Perhaps it was guilt, or perhaps it was a sense of responsibility, that made him afraid to show Kanna a cold face.