Chapter 324 Met an old lady
Su Lun killed "Ghost Hand" Ueno Sasaki and ran into the forest. Naturally, it was difficult for anyone to catch up.
Not long after, news came from Senjou. After a hard fight, she was slightly injured, but she escaped smoothly.
Su Lun also breathed a sigh of relief.
He didn't go to meet Miko and Senjo, so he disguised himself as a down-and-out samurai and went to the dock of Izumo City, intending to take the waterway to Edo.
Now he has escaped this round of siege by the Takeda Shogunate, and he has escaped the most dangerous moment. But the entire Izumo, and even several nearby feudal lords, should be besieged. Now that they have been exposed, distracting targets are less likely to be noticed.
The Hiigawa River is the most important river in Yamagakure Country, and its tributaries cover the entire Honshu Island like leaf veins. The river is hundreds of meters wide and can accommodate large ships. Sea-going ships can also go upstream from the outlet to Edo Castle.
In the early morning, the Izumo Castle Pier is packed with people and a busy scene.
The porters at the dock unloaded packages of goods from the merchant ships, which were the goods brought by overseas merchants. They also carried some heavy wooden boxes onto the ship, and the fine iron and ore were transported from here to various places in the mountains. and overseas.
Su Lun was wearing a sloppy warrior uniform, a bamboo hat, and a cheap iron sword. He was inconspicuous among the crowd.
I don’t know how the people in the shogunate delivered the news, but the latest reward order has appeared on the notice board at the pier. Su Lun, Qian Jiao, and Lolota are all on the list. Probably because of her special status, Mikado Miko was not on the list.
Su Lun glanced at it as he passed by, shook his head and walked over.
Not to mention that his disguise was very clever, and it was completely different from his original appearance. Even without disguise, no one would be able to recognize the scrawled portrait drawn with a brush.
Although the guards at the inspection will check the household registration brand, it is extremely easy to forge a one-page household registration paper that does not even have an anti-counterfeiting mark.
What's more, his fluent local accent is hard to doubt.
It was easy for Su Lun to get through.
He walked to the pier, where there was a bamboo hut, and squatting under it were some people carrying cloth bags and saluting. These were travelers preparing to take a boat to other places, and there were also some traveling businessmen traveling around.
Cargo ships generally do not carry travelers, so Su Lun has to wait here for passing passenger ships.
There are probably several routes that pass by Izumo Pier every week, but there is no timetable in this era. I just wait at the pier. If there is anyone who docks, go up and ask. If you can go, just pay the fare and take the boat.
Su Lun was not in a hurry. Anyway, the "Black Sun Festival" was still nearly ten days away, so it was still too late no matter what. He sat on the ground, holding the broken sword and closing his eyes to rest, thinking about all kinds of alchemy knowledge in his mind.
He gained a lot from yesterday's battle, and he needs a lot of time to improve his shortcomings.
After waiting for a long time, people in the shed came and went, and there were twenty or thirty people piled up.
Those traveling merchants traveled south to north and were well-informed, so they started chatting.
Most of them were random gossip, and Su Lun listened to them intentionally or unintentionally.
Then, I heard the news of the King of the North Sea’s fleet.
"There were many large ships passing here yesterday. Those ships were equipped with artillery and heavy troops. I don't know where they came from."
"That's the ninth fleet of the King of the North Sea. I heard it's going to Edo to collect taxes from our Yamagakure?"
"I heard that those pirates want to invade and rule us."
"Our great Majesty Nimei is a monarch conferred by Amaterasu. How can he allow outsiders to rule? Those outsiders will definitely be punished by the gods."
"A war is about to break out. Haven't you seen that a lot of swords, bows and crossbows have been transported to Edo on the dock these days? I heard that various daimyo have jointly signed a letter, preparing to fight to the death with those outsiders."
"."
Su Lun was digesting the alchemy knowledge in his mind, and he thought about it after hearing the news.
He was also curious about whether there would be a fight.
If Oleg wants to become the real "king" in the vast sea area of the North Sea, the four countries of Beizhou must win.
Although Shan Yin is small, he is not so easy to give in.
At least when he communicated with Yuzi before, Su Lun knew that the attitude of the divine service royal family was to be in pieces rather than in ruins.
But once a fight breaks out, it is very likely that the entire country will collapse.
Because it was necessary to mobilize a large amount of supplies to Edo, all the original passenger ships were called up to transport the goods.
Su Lun waited at the dock until the afternoon, but failed to catch the boat.
Just when he was thinking about whether he should go to the trouble of taking the land route instead, a fleet of boats came slowly on the river.
These ships were hung with cherry blossom flags with black background and white stripes. They were the official merchant ships of Shanyin Country. They come from the pirate city of Hastlin. Although Shanyin is closed, the daimyo have a lot of business outside. These ships are loaded with various imported materials, and they will make huge profits after selling them.
Seven ships docked for supplies and a large amount of cargo was delivered, and the laborers on the dock became busy.
The traveling merchant seemed to be familiar with the steward on the ship, so he asked about it and received a letter immediately.
"Hey! The adults on the boat said we can take the boat!"
"Of course, the situation is special now. The seats on the ship are limited. The ticket will be a little higher than before."
"."
When Su Lun heard this, he also understood that this traveling merchant also sells "channels".
He got up and paid the guy an extra 50% of the shipping fee. As a down-and-out warrior, he could still afford such consumption.
I thought it would be better to have a big ship, so as not to encounter any monsters, wind and waves, and sink immediately. What's more, a big ship with many people and backgrounds is not easy to encounter investigation. A lot less hassle.
Suellen and more than a dozen passengers boarded a boat in the middle.
After sensing it, there was nothing particularly troublesome on the ship.
He didn't mind squeezing in the newly vacated warehouse with the travelers.
Not long after, the ship was replenished and set sail again.
Su Lun stayed in the cabin for two days.
There are restaurants on such large ships, but they are not provided for temporary passengers like them.
When I'm hungry or thirsty, I just eat some dry food and water that I carry with me, and I don't feel like I can't stay still.
He spent the whole day meditating and digesting knowledge, and time flew by.
Stop and go along the way, if everything goes well, it will take about four or five days to get from Izumo to Edo.
But on the third day, Su Lun suddenly opened his eyes from meditation.
He saw the sunlight shining in through the ventilated window, a golden beam. In the wisps of light, tiny dust particles are clearly visible.
Today is rare good weather.
"The sun is out"
Su Lun suddenly felt like he should go out for some air.
However, at the same time, he frowned.
It’s as if he feels “a little weird” to feel this way.
He can control his emotions, which means that under normal circumstances, he is different from normal people and does not need some inexplicable relaxation just because he has been in a claustrophobic cabin for two days.
After Su Lun awakened the second-stage reaper talent, he also became aware of many mysterious abilities, and the possibility of being affected became less and less. After being promoted to a professional level, this ability has been greatly enhanced. Therefore, he sensed something abnormal.
"Could it be that I am affected by some supernatural power?"
Su Lun thought of the situation where he and Mr. Jing once encountered a situation where someone "provoked their fate" at the Port of Kadurante.
After that, he was extra careful about similar situations.
Or is it an illusion?
Su Lun frowned and thought for a moment, but decided to go out and take a look.
Although this fleet is Shanyin's official merchant ship, it is a mixed bag.
In addition to the Yamakaku people wearing kimonos, there are also many blond people with various skin colors on the boat. These are professional businessmen who have always been close to Yamakaku.
Especially since it seems like a war is about to break out recently, there are also many people on the ship who want to follow and make war fortune.
Su Lun walked out of the warehouse and observed along the way. The upper level was very noisy. Gambling and singing songs were the few entertainment activities on the ship. The crew had a great time.
Su Lun didn't find anyone in particular and walked directly onto the deck.
I haven't been out for two days, but after taking a breath of fresh air, I feel refreshed.
There are no big waves in the inland river, and the big ship sails smoothly on the river.
On the deck, in addition to bored sailors playing poker, there were also a few tourists who came up to bask in the sun. The superstructure at the stern is the captain's cabin, the first mate's cabin, and several luxurious cabins for big businessmen and their families.
After a quick glance, there was nothing noteworthy.
Su Lun walked to the side of the ship, leaned there, and murmured in his heart: "Is it really an illusion?"
The sun shines warmly on the skin.
He was not in a hurry to go back to the cabin, thinking it would be a good idea to come out for some fresh air.
Su Lun looked at the scenery on both sides of the river with microscopic eyes.
The white snow on Cangshan Mountain can be seen bright and dim.
But at this moment, a "gurgle" sound was suddenly heard, and a silver coin rolled down from the back of the deck.
It happened to fall at Su Lun's feet.
He turned his head and saw a rash maid chasing after him.
Su Lun bent down and picked up the silver coin that happened to be at his feet, and handed it out. The little girl said, "Thank you."
Su Lun smiled slightly, not looking at the little girl in front of her, but her eyes caught the old man behind her.
The old man was wearing a fitted purple suit, and his silver hair was combed meticulously. Even just standing there, he gave people a sense of outstanding elegance. Although she didn't wear any flashy jewelry, it was immediately obvious that she was well-educated. Even though the years have left deep marks on her face, this one glance gave Su Lun the feeling that she must have been beautiful when she was young.
However, Su Lun was even more surprised by the old man's soul fire in his soul perception.
Very weak.
Like a candle swaying in the wind, it may be extinguished at any time.
Su Lun immediately realized that this was an old man whose life had come to an end.
Su Lun didn't think it was a coincidence that he suddenly met such a special old woman on the boat.
There was no emotion in his expression, and he didn't move at all.
But with just such a glance, the old man seemed to have discovered something, and she walked over slowly.
The deck is not long to begin with, so I walked to it in just a few steps.
The old man took the initiative and said: "I originally wanted to find an excuse to meet by chance. But you seem to have discovered that I am waiting for you."
When Su Lun heard this, he immediately realized that his previous feeling was correct.
As expected, he was lured out by others!
But he felt no hostility, and he asked cautiously: "Old madam, do we know each other?"
It is always right for older women to call them "ma'am".
"I met it once before."
The old man looked at Su Lun, his eyes flashed, and then he converged his gaze. She leaned on the fence and reminded again: "At the 'Three Torii Gate'."
"."
When Su Lun heard this, he immediately thought of it.
There is a shop called "Three Torii" in the pirate city, and he has only been there once. I went to buy materials and met several cloaked men. He still remembered that there was an old man who boldly bought all the manuscripts of the great writer Fujiwara Hayato.
Obviously, this is the one in front of me.
Moreover, Su Lun also knew that his disguise had been recognized. No, he was recognized in Pirate City before.
Su Lun frowned slightly, "May I ask, madam, who are you?"
Probably not the enemy.
If it were an enemy, this would be a gentler start.
The old man said directly: "I am Katyusha's grandma."
"."
As soon as these words came out, Su Lun's eyelids twitched unconsciously.
The identity of the visitor surprised him greatly!
Katyusha's grandma, what's going on?
For some reason, Su Lun always felt as if she had molested a little girl and was being visited by her parents.
Sure enough, there are so many elegant old ladies.
Someone with such a temperament must be a grandmother from a noble family.
So it was not an illusion when he felt that he was being watched at Santorii, it was that girl Katyusha?
But how did she recognize it?
Is your disguise so bad?
Su Lun was a little speechless, but he also guessed what kind of special secret method it was.
But, then again.
The man in front of me is at the end of his life. Did he come to me specifically?
Not worth it.
As if he had guessed what he was thinking, the old man smiled: "I didn't come here specifically for you. I just wanted to go to the mountains to hide for something. I didn't expect fate to let us meet."
The smile made the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes deeper, but it made people see the kindness in her eyes.
Now that Katyusha's name was revealed, Su Lun naturally couldn't pretend to be confused.
But he didn't think this was a coincidence of fate, and asked directly: "How did you know I was here?"
The old man said gently: "It is fate when a person meets a capable person. Alchemists have been fighting against fate all their lives, but they don't know that in many cases, fate is already doomed."
It sounded like nonsense, but Su Lun understood something.
A talent like [S-003 - Controller of Destiny], or some kind of ability like astrology or prophecy?
And at this moment, all kinds of thoughts in his mind were flying and connected like lightning.
He suddenly had a bold idea,
The reason why Abe Taihe "released water" may have been found!
They previously suspected that there was a "third party force" behind Abe Yasukazu. Could it be the family behind Katyusha? !
It seems that this is the only way to explain it.
Naturally, there is a reason for letting people go if they are not relatives.
After all, Su Lun didn't know any other Lu Ying nobles.
Damn it
Isn't the four countries of Beizhou Oleg's territory? How could the noble Lu Ying extend his hand so far?
And judging from the situation, this plan was not just a short time ago, but may have been laid down years or decades ago.
Only those big families that have been passed down for thousands of years have this kind of background and skills.
Sure enough, a group of pirates can't play the conspiracy and conspiracy, but look at the professional politicians of Lu Yingqun!
Su Lun even felt that there was more or less some conspiracy behind the Ninth Fleet's arrival this time.
However, this old man's life is almost over.
Su Lun really couldn't guess why she came to Shanyin?
Before he could figure it out, the old man took the initiative and said, "I'm going to see an old friend."
"."
Su Lun felt as if someone had penetrated his thoughts.
Just like when I met Mr. Hei, in the eyes of this wise man, there is always a kind of wisdom that seems to see through everything in the world.
The old man asked: "Young man, can you chat with me for a few words."
Su Lun nodded: "Of course."
The old man's kind smile is like the warm sunshine in winter, making people unable to think of rejection at all.
"I don't have any ill intentions towards you. I just happened to meet him and wanted to see what the man who can make that girl Natyusha praise him is like."
After saying this, she paused and glanced sideways at Su Lun, "Now it seems that it is really special."
Su Lun heard some words that had no beginning or end, and felt a little strange, but he smiled politely and said, "Thank you very much."
The old man smiled and shook his head, "There are so many young talents in the empire, and that girl Katyusha is so proud. She has never laid eyes on one of them. But you are the only one she thinks is very good."
"."
Su Lun felt even more weird.
Although he and Katyusha get along very happily, it doesn't seem to be that interesting, right?
The old man's energy seems to be not very good. After saying these few words, he needs to take a rest.
She looked at the mountains and rivers in the distance and said: "That girl from Katyusha was like an ugly duckling when she was little, and she was a bit withdrawn. She liked to watch the stars in the sky alone in the garden, and she liked to stay in the study all day long. Reading story books. But she has a pure heart and is a kind and good girl."
At the end of life, people will probably recall the beautiful people and things they encountered in this life.
Suellen became a quiet listener.
At this moment, it was as if he also saw the shadow of his own future in the passage of other people's years.
After saying this, the old man seemed to have thought of something, and a slight smile appeared on his face, "When she grows up, she will be very beautiful."
"."
Hearing this, the atmosphere seemed to change instantly.
Su Lun's mind immediately thought of that little freckle, the braided girl at the airport.
That girl was one of the few people he found pleasant to get along with.
But saying it's "very good-looking" really doesn't count.
He also understood the old man's mentality of praising his great-granddaughter, and nodded in approval: "Yes."
The old man seemed to have read through his thoughts, but he didn't explain much. She looked up at the sky and said something meaningful: "I was once young. At that time, someone said to me: If the world is a cage, then love is the key to unlock the cage."< br>
Su Lun frowned slightly when he heard it, and after studying it carefully, he felt that there seemed to be another deep meaning in these words.
The old man didn't mean to explain much, and continued: "In this life, it is not easy to meet someone whose soul is compatible. If you miss it, you will miss it for the rest of your life."
Su Lun felt that these words were meant for herself,
But it seems like she is telling her own story?
He listened patiently and did not say much after all. He occasionally responded: "Yes."
The old man seemed to be struggling after standing for a long time. She sighed: "As people get older, their energy is not as good as before."
She looked like she wanted to talk more, but her body seemed to be unable to allow it, so she nodded regretfully and said, "Young man, thank you for your patience and listening to my old bones nagging me for so long. But I think I should go." Rest. Otherwise, I’m afraid I won’t be able to hold on until then.”
Su Lun nodded: "Yes. You go slowly."
He watched the old man being helped back to the cabin by the maid, with a hint of thought on his brow.
Did you really come across it and take a look?
What a strange encounter. (End of chapter)