Chapter 1484 - 1446: Nobility and Son-in-Law

The process of entering the city went smoothly.

Although Iwamura Castle is a militarized town, it is not in wartime status right now. Daily trade caravans and goods transportation have never stopped.

The entire town is not large; it’s just that Lann’s huge stature makes him stand out among the crowd.

However, evidently, in this Sengoku Period with a supernatural power system, this physique is just ’astonishing’ and far from reaching the level of ’amazingly awesome’.

Even the small soldier standing guard at the gate merely remarked on Lann’s physique before focusing on the message he brought.

Seeing Lann take out Kikuchi Daisuke’s signature letter from his body, the guard at the city gate dared not slack and directly turned to call his superior over.

But his superior apparently could not read either; he just noted the orderly handwriting on the letter, clearly penned by a literate person, and thus went off to find someone else.

After quite a fuss, the letter finally ended up in the hands of the city lord, Ando Shouji.

Lann sat cross-legged on the reflective wooden floor, treated with tung oil, waiting calmly.

And shortly after, a man with a Tang-style hairdo entered the room with a grim expression, seating himself in the main position.

The Tang-style hairstyle does not involve shaving the hair like the moon-style haircut, but rather slicking the hair back and tying it into a high ponytail at the back.

This grim-faced man was evidently the city lord and Kikuchi Daisuke’s master, Ando Shouji.

At this moment, he too was seated cross-legged, but there was a Samurai armor set up as a seated figure behind him, looking fierce and dignified.

Ando Shouji’s hand was on the small armrest beside the cushion, with Kikuchi Daisuke’s signature letter clamped in his palm.

Evidently, he had grasped the current situation from the letter, which had soured his mood.

"Why do you keep looking at my family heirloom armor?"

Suddenly, Ando Shouji, who seemed to be pondering over the unexpected situation quietly, lifted his head and asked Lann, seated below, in a deep voice.

From his viewpoint, he felt as if the strangely-originated, exotically-appearing man in front of him had an unnervingly deep gaze that grazed past his side.

The angle was such that it was directed precisely at the Samurai armor statue behind Ando Shouji.

In the strictly hierarchical Sengoku Period, this was basically considered ’rude’.

But really, Lann was just using his [Spiritual Vision], attempting to see if individuals like Ando Shouji, ’Mino’s Three’, had any possessed Spirit Body.

Regrettably, this person obviously had nothing.

Not only was there no manifest possessing Spirit Body, but there wasn’t even that inexplicable power encircling them from the void when they first arrived in this world.

It’s not a matter of lacking manifestation; there had been no contact at all, right?

What exactly was the purpose of the possessing Spirit Body in this place, and by what criteria were they sought?

Meanwhile, his mind was swiftly sorting through the newly acquired information.

Yet relying on an almost instinctive social capability, Lann continued to respond to Ando Shouji’s question flawlessly.

No one could tell he had been momentarily distracted.

"This family heirloom armor looks very imposing, so I inadvertently glanced at it a couple of times. Please forgive me, my lord."

Without arrogance or inferiority, the response was even courteous and well-balanced to the point where the irritated Ando Shouji had nothing to say.

This fellow... Why does he seem even nobler than the court nobles in Kyoto?

Ando Shouji was not known for having a good temperament.

Upon receiving Kikuchi Daisuke’s letter, he immediately recognized that the issues were complex and potentially very serious, souring his mood.

At this point, when he spoke, it was basically under the influence of a displaced anger, subconsciously seeking an excuse.

But once Lann responded with poise, that displaced anger vanished without a trace.

The bizarre experiences of the person in front of him were indeed astounding, but what of the Ming people?

In their own country, Ming people still have the saying ’the heavens are high, the emperor is distant’; we’re in Japan now.

Though most people instinctively show some degree of attention and respect upon hearing the Ming Country’s name, if it really gets in the way, who cares? Ming people, Japanese—saying ’chop’ and it’s chopped?

Lann’s own notably robust physique wasn’t something Ando Shouji overly cared about either.

Because of the proximity to Owari Country, Ando Shouji had started to interact with some newly popular weapons circulating in Japan’s market.

It’s rumored to be Southern Barbarian weapons, and that big fool from Owari brought in quite a few, sparking his interest, leading to purchasing a couple of them. At this point, he had practiced them proficiently.

However, when Lann demonstrated this naturally noble aura through his speech and conduct.

Ando Shouji immediately regained composure.

...Could this be someone of great importance?

Compared to the simplicity and crudeness of brute force, the underlying power and relationships arouse more vigilance and caution.

Upon considering this, Iwamura Castle’s city lord, even spoke in a noticeably more polite manner, his tone hesitant and respectful.

"This—this indeed is the family heirloom armor, placed in the Tenshu, reminding the clan to never slack."

As he spoke, Ando Shouji, who had initially one hand hanging from the small armrest, straightened his body, placed both fists on either side of his crossed legs, and slightly nodded toward Lann below.

According to etiquette, this signifies his gratitude toward Lann for appreciating his family’s ancestral armor.

But without a doubt, this etiquette is only suitable for individuals of at least the same rank.

For someone like Ando Shouji’s immediate subordinates, to earnestly take a look at the family heirloom armor, it’s expected to bow down on knees and express gratitude.

And Lann remained calm as always, only flawlessly mimicking Ando Shouji’s actions.

Similarly, he placed his fists on the floor on either side and nodded slightly towards him.

This composed and calm demeanor suddenly filled the City Lord of Iwamura Castle with a sense of relief.

Damn it! Fortunately, Kikuchi Daisuke mentioned in his letter that this person’s background might be very deep! Otherwise, I’d foolishly plunge into deep water!

Warriors outwardly promote a fearless, reckless fighting spirit, but once they have a fief, it’s impossible not to use their brains, especially for someone like Ando Shouji as a City Lord.

It’s clear that the person has a complicated identity, maybe even very noble! Without any deep-seated hatred or interest conflict, why not give a friendly face? Is it too much?

Not too much! Ando Shouji felt it wasn’t too much at all!

The atmosphere of the conversation quietly tilted.

The initial sense of superiority, like a master questioning an unknown subordinate, began to dissipate.

Lann’s demeanor and presence in this social occasion elevated his status to nearly the same level as the City Lord.

Etiquette, though cumbersome and often stale, precisely because of its complexity, becomes a badge of social status and implicit identity proof.

Lann didn’t seem familiar with the local Japanese etiquette, visibly learning from Ando Shouji on the spot.

Yet the very process of his learning made one of the ’Three Lords of Mino’ instinctively feel that he must have been familiar with complex rituals and various social skills prior.

Different from local Japanese etiquette, yet certainly representing a very high social status.

For Ando Shouji, having this concept is enough.

"I hear that you wish to investigate the heavy ’Residual Impurity’ that suddenly appeared near this castle?"

Though the letter in hand had plainly stated it, small talk is one way to foster relationships in social interactions.

Lann was not surprised, merely reiterating: "I myself may already be entangled with this ’Residual Impurity,’ unable to extricate myself. Rather than implicate others, I’d better resolve it directly. Conveniently, this is how I make my living."

"Your determination and demeanor are admirable!"

Ando Shouji had prepared this compliment well in advance.

Yet Lann paid little attention to his words, for at that moment, as if recalling last night’s sensation, a warm breeze swept across the back of his neck.

It was as if the entity behind him agreed with his statement.

Following a series of unproductive pleasantries, Ando Shouji then wrote another letter by hand and handed it to Lann.

Furthermore, he instructed the attendant in the Tenshu to provide Lann with convenience for his investigation.

Afterwards, with a polite manner, he announced the end of their conversation.

Seeing Lann nod calmly before turning and leaving with neither hesitation nor concern, Ando Shouji’s mouth involuntarily twitched.

... Does the City Lord of Iwamura Castle truly not warrant attention?

Who the hell is he?!

A noble person with a background deep as the sea suddenly appearing in the territory, Ando Shouji now even felt that the issue of ’Residual Impurity’ was no longer urgent.

"Summon someone."

After Lann’s silhouette completely vanished from the Tenshu, Ando Shouji called for the attendant.

Soon, a page with a shaved forelock knelt before the City Lord, head bowed, awaiting orders.

"Currently... Hmm. I’m unsure about certain matters; deliver a letter to my son-in-law, expedite it, understand?"

The page glanced up briefly, then nodded decisively: "Understood!"

Ando Shouji’s son-in-law is Takeda Shigetada, known as Takeda Hanbei, from the Takeda family of Mino Country, renowned in the region.

After swiftly drafting the letter with deft strokes, Ando Shouji hesitated momentarily, directly striking the last line and adding the four characters ’come in person,’ before handing the folded paper to the page.

Upon receiving the letter, the page immediately set off, his footsteps loudly echoing against the wooden floor.

Lann did not know that Ando Shouji had summoned Takeda Hanbei to Iwamura Castle solely to assess his reality.

But even if he knew, he probably wouldn’t care much.

Appearances, background... such things were not as reassuring to him as the peaceful feeling of maintaining his swords and armor at leisure.

"No, you don’t need to follow me. Just point me to the person’s house... Hmm, it’s really cramped."

Lann spoke to the soldiers who had become reserved around him.

The second half was his own whispered mutter as he descended the stairs.

Iwamura Castle’s enduring status as a military stronghold for centuries is attributed to its strategic location and its narrow, solid construction owing to terrain and stone materials.

While the terrain favored defense, Lann’s size made for an uncomfortable passage.

Having obtained the address of the hanged man, Lann walked alone for a distance when a series of small crisp sounds echoed from the roof tiles nearby.

Rong Buqiu landed on his shoulder with a soft "meow."

"Everything’s arranged, meow! Qilin is outside ready to support; I’m here to help!"

"Thanks. But the situation is better than we expected; that Lord was quite courteous."

Lann said as he placed Rong Buqiu on the ground and they headed toward the target’s house.

Meanwhile, at the street corner, a figure watched them from the shadows.