Inside the carriage, Shin'yu said solemnly:
"In their eyes, your Forging Blades Workshop is now a piece of fat meat, and whoever catches it wants to take a slice. The reason your Uncle Niwa is holding this martial arts tournament is to divert the spearhead, letting the Powerful Figures kill each other first. The loser will slink away, and the winner will seize the fruit. This will minimize the losses of the merchant guild..."
"Although it still can't change the final result, it's just a matter of changing the name of the Forging Blades Workshop. With the support of the Powerful Figures, you won't go bankrupt..."
Shōko suddenly became agitated and stood up with a "whoosh," "But doesn't anyone care about Yukino? Are we women supposed to sacrifice our happiness to protect the merchant guild!"
"Don't get excited, let me finish."
Shin'yu calmly waved his hand, "Why do you think your merchant guild was so smooth sailing before, and no Powerful Figures dared to mess with you?"
A hint of resentment flashed across Shōko's face, "Of course, it's because my father and Uncle Ikawa were both around. They are not only the most famous swordsmiths in the entire Land of Iron but also first-class Samurai! Our three families are of one mind, so others naturally don't dare to act rashly!"
"Well, you've finally hit the nail on the head." Shin'yu smiled slightly, "The Powerful Figures are good at scheming, and there are too many interests involved. I'm not good at the power struggles of intrigue, but I'm willing to speak up for you."
He changed the subject, "Of course, if someone doesn't listen, I'm also a bit handy with my fists."
His gaze was cold and quite imposing. Having been by Madara's side for so many years, he had also picked up a bit of his domineering aura, which made Shōko's heart tremble.
Shin'yu scrutinized the girl's eyes, thinking that what he said was a bit subtle, and this girl might not have understood it?
It meant whoever dares to make things difficult for you, I'll take them down!
"You... are willing to help us?" Shōko, of course, understood Shin'yu's implication, and a warm current surged in her heart, but it cooled down in the next second, and she hesitated to ask, "What do you want? What... are you after?"
What am I after? Money, of course, what else? Your beautiful face?
Shin'yu was calm and composed, and he went straight to the point, "Transfer 30% of your merchant guild's shares to me, and I'll sit here for you. Whoever troubles you, I'll kill them."
"This..." Shōko hesitated, "My Sugawara Family originally held 40% of the merchant guild's shares, but... after that change, my personal shares are only 10% left. If you can really save us from this crisis, I can transfer all the shares under my name to you..."
"30%, not a single point less."
Shin'yu leisurely took out a silk scarf and wiped his hands, "I have no money, no power, and I'm even a foreigner, all alone. That's why I won't take those damn Powerful Figures seriously. When the time comes, even your Daimyo, I'll kill him for you."
When he said this, his expression was calm, and his tone was indifferent, but the plainness revealed unparalleled confidence, as if he was talking about a trivial matter.
Shōko's heart shook, and she stared blankly at the young man in front of her. Looking at his face alone, he was just a handsome boy next door, the kind who could exude sunshine with a smile, but this harmless guy had just killed dozens of people while talking and laughing.
She knew he could definitely do it.
...
When the caravan arrived in the capital, under Shōko's guidance, Shin'yu swaggered into the gate of the Forging Blades Workshop with an arrogant gait.
Soon after, he finally met the current president of the merchant guild, the head of the One Heart Tradition, Niwa Maya.
"You must be Shōko and the others' savior."
This was a tall and slender middle-aged man with a neat beard, a thin face, and a sickly pallor. His broad frame indicated his former imposing figure.
He walked into the guest room tremblingly, leaning on a cane. Beside him, there was a woman with picturesque features who was supporting and serving him.
The woman was dressed in plain white clothes. Although her face was covered with a light veil, her bright and beautiful eyes were enough to show her beauty.
"Yukino!" Shōko happily walked over and enthusiastically took the woman's arm.
Shin'yu glanced over and saw that Maya was followed by two young men. One was tall and had firm features, with a shiny bald head that looked quite robust; the other had a handsome face, but his eyes were lazy, as if his mind was wandering elsewhere.
"These are Niwa Uncle's two disciples, Ryunosuke, the eldest, and Tetsuya, the second," Shōko introduced.
The moment Shin'yu saw Tetsuya, a subtle light flashed in his eyes, and a certain power within him stirred.
Strange, this kid's body...
Niwa Maya, upon learning that Shin'yu was the caravan's savior, immediately treated him with courtesy, offering him good food and drink.
After a few pleasantries, Shōko began, "Niwa Uncle, this Miyamoto-kun said he could..."
Niwa Maya immediately noticed her hesitant expression and raised his hand to interrupt,
"We are already guilty of failing to greet such a distinguished guest! How can we disturb his rest! Let's withdraw and allow our guest to rest properly!" He instructed, "Ryunosuke, treat him with good wine and food, and spare no expense on gifts and thanks! Do not neglect him in any way!"
With these words, he led everyone out of the guest room, leaving only his two disciples to accompany Shin'yu, who nodded with a smile, albeit a subtle one.
Ryunosuke rubbed his bald head and leaned in to ask, "I heard from Shōko that you single-handedly wiped out all the bandits?"
Shin'yu glanced at him, "You don't believe it?"
"I naturally believe Shōko's words," Ryunosuke said, "I'm just amazed, I didn't know the Land of Iron had produced such an expert. A true young hero."
Tetsuya suddenly yawned, "Senior Brother, I'll leave this distinguished guest to you. There's no need for me here. I'll go back and prepare for the competition."
"You!" Ryunosuke glared, but not wanting to cause a scene in front of Shin'yu, he simply waved his hand, letting him leave.
"Competition?" Shin'yu tilted his head and asked, "If I'm not mistaken, is this competition perhaps the martial arts contest tomorrow?"
"Ah, my junior brother and Yukino have been childhood sweethearts since they were young. He heard that Master was going to marry her off, and he's been making a fuss."
Ryunosuke said helplessly, "Don't let his laziness fool you, he cares a lot about Yukino. No matter how much I try to persuade him, I can't stop him from participating in this martial arts tournament."
Shin'yu narrowed his eyes slightly, muttering "interesting" to himself.
The guest room not only had delicious food prepared, but also a long Guardian God Sword placed horizontally on a sword rack.
The scabbard was light blue, with a slightly curved arc throughout. It had no handguard, but the hilt was exquisitely crafted, with a simple wooden color and intricately woven two-tone bands wrapped around it.
Shin'yu walked over with interest, grasped the hilt, and drew the sword out three inches. The blade was as smooth as a mirror, and a cold, white light flowed slowly along the blade. Just looking at it, one could feel a chill.
He looked at the sharp blade and pressed a finger deeply onto it, then forcefully wiped it across.
Nothing happened. His finger remained as it was, without even a trace.
Shin'yu frowned, and blue light emerged from his palm, allowing the Autumn Dew on Leaves Chakra Blade to completely envelop the blade before reaching out and wiping the blade again.
A faint white mark appeared on his fingertip, extremely subtle, and disappeared in an instant. If not for Shin'yu's top-notch vision, it would have been almost impossible to detect.
"The sharpness is not bad." Shin'yu nodded.
Ryunosuke beside him immediately came back to his senses. The scene just now had startled him into a cold sweat. He stepped forward and introduced, "This sword is called 'Frost Descent One Heart'. It is made of mysterious iron from beyond the sky and forged by my master himself. It was originally intended to be sent to the shrine for offering, but if you like it, sir, you are welcome to take it."
"Really?" Shin'yu asked.
"Of course, it's true." Ryunosuke said, waving his hand towards the door.
Two servants walked in with bowed heads, holding trays in their hands, one of which neatly displayed clothing.
Shin'yu glanced at his slightly shabby raincoat, put down the Guardian God Sword, shook his hand, and accepted the robe.
It was a black brocade robe, Samurai style, with violet patterns embroidered on both sides of the collar, and a light purple shimenawa rope tied on it to cinch the waist.
The style and size of the clothing fit perfectly...
Holy crap... a wandering Samurai, huh...
"Is all this Niwa Chairman's idea?" he asked, turning his head.
"Of course. Master instructed that no gift or thank-you money should be missing," Ryunosuke said, pointing to another tray. "This is 30 million ryo in cash, just a small token from the chairman."
Niwa Maya, as expected of the person who has led the Forging Blades Workshop for decades, even while bedridden, he can still maintain the operation of the chamber of commerce in an orderly manner, arranging everything properly.
Shin'yu asked curiously, "Aren't you guys quite rich? Why did you only hire two Samurai for such an important task as escorting the caravan?"
Ryunosuke sighed, "Since the chamber of commerce had an accident, the shogunate has restricted the number of Samurai we can hire and does not allow us to train Samurai ourselves, which is why it has come to this."
"I see." Shin'yu's face flashed with understanding, and he waved his hand without any politeness.
"Then thank your chairman for his kindness on my behalf."
Ryunosuke bowed, "Okay, then I'll take my leave."
"Wait."
Shin'yu suddenly stopped him, the corner of his mouth slightly raised, "Give your chairman a message for me..."
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