Chapter 1493: Virtue, Peace, and the One Who Rules the Realm

“Lord Lann’s Guardian Spirit…” Takeda Hanbei rarely, or rather never, saw his teacher so surprised, so he found it incredible. “Have you never seen Him possess a person either?”

“Well, perhaps it has happened on the Western continent?” The scholarly old goat, stroking his beard, said uncertainly. “But in Japan, it has never happened.”

The first half of the sentence was speculative, the second half was affirmative.

Habu calmly nodded.

He understood his teacher’s reasoning.

Because his teacher, after all, also brought legends of the prolific and knowledgeable mythical beasts from the Western continent to the Japanese Archipelago.

The source of the legend is Ming Country on the Western continent, but the appearances of these legends have long been localized.

The set of large-sleeved kimono his teacher is wearing now is the most direct embodiment of the transformed images of the legend.

If he showed up on the Western continent in his original form, he should be dressed in ancient Ming attire.

“But such a form of possession, not even I have seen it before.”

The scholarly old goat shook his head, hands behind his back.

“Hey, it’s really something new. Indeed, when life goes on long enough, you get to see something new. I don’t know if this is the normal process of possession or if it’s a special process due to that person’s uniqueness.”

“But in any case, Habu…” The long-bearded goat looked seriously at his student and the host, “A person chosen by such power will surely have a tumultuous life.”

“Or perhaps, not only his life will be tumultuous; those surging waves might hold the entire world in their hands, allowing it to flow at their whim.”

“The entire… world?!” Habu widened his eyes, questioning his teacher, “Are you saying, it’s some sort of malevolent spirit?”

With a ‘thud’ sound, Habu subsequently covered his forehead, leaned back, and sucked in air through his teeth.

As if someone had suddenly knocked on his forehead.

Ando Shouji, sitting next to him while suppressing his curiosity and maintaining a solemn demeanor, looked at his son-in-law’s sudden reaction but didn’t dare to look further.

In the air, the old goat retrieves the hoof used to tap his disciple’s forehead.

“In speaking of the changes in the world, why couldn’t you think positively? I’ve always taught you to be optimistic and cautious, yet you’re always like this.”

The old goat complained with bleating tones.

And Takeda Hanbei, while rubbing his forehead, retorted in dissatisfaction: “But the world is getting messier, isn’t that obvious?”

“The more chaotic times are, the more likely such people will emerge. Did I teach you Ming Country’s history for nothing?”

“But this isn’t Ming Country, Teacher.” Takeda Hanbei replied quietly, “This is… Japan.”

When a building is about to collapse, those who can turn the tide often arise, which is a universal truth.

But on the Western continent, figures who bravely face adversity attract countless followers naturally.

Using their dreams, morals, and persistence, they inspire many, and many willingly let themselves be inspired.

And in Japan, it’s been eighty-eight years since the turbulent Onin War began.

Acts of betrayal, alliance, and betrayal again are played out repeatedly by various lords.

Their empty claims of righteousness are exceeded by numerous acts of betrayal and broken alliances, almost naturally without any qualms or thought.

In their eyes, there’s only victory and the continuation of their family.

No idealistic victory, just… simple survival victory.

How can one break through such a capricious world and forge a path as a hero?

Heroes must possess the capacity to encompass the world, but in Japan, such individuals are the first to be betrayed.

Not for any reason, simply because they appear as if they could easily be betrayed.

The scholarly old goat shook his head, resembling a goat shaking off flies.

“Why concern yourself with the whirlpools and undercurrents beneath the great waves, Habu?”

The long-bearded goat spoke lightly.

“The symbol of a benevolent and peaceful world has already appeared; only heaven knows how the world will turn next.”

“Benevolent and peaceful world?” Takeda Hanbei was startled, “Are you saying… world leader?!”

Now, the Japanese Archipelago is in utter chaos, with no sign of an end, not even a temporary respite.

And now his teacher speaks of a benevolent and peaceful world? If such a world were truly going to arrive, it could only mean one thing—

Japan will give birth to a “world leader.”

So-called “world leader” can be simply understood as “someone who holds the world within their grasp,” because Japan, no matter what, still reveres the emperor in Kyoto Imperial Palace, so they can’t call themselves emperor, hence this term.

“Didn’t I say, only heaven knows?” The long-bearded goat stroked his beard, the eyes behind the small round glasses filled with deep meaning, “Or perhaps, the term ‘world leader’ isn’t even worthy of him?”

“Didn’t you see? According to Lord Ando, he’s only been here a few days, right?”

“And in just these few days, there’s already someone around him possessed by the [Eight Hundred Waves]. Furthermore, I sense two other Guardian Spirits’ presences on him.”

“Although we haven’t encountered them, there is no doubt that their presence is quite fresh. If you add him, there are already four Guardian Spirits around him, Habu.”

Four Guardian Spirits!

Takeda Hanbei thought he had misheard.

In the entire Mino Country, to his knowledge, there was no one with the capability of having four Guardian Spirits residing within them!

And this man of unclear origin, shrouded in layers of mystery, how long has he been here?

What does this mean?

Is this like the characters in the Ming Country’s “Water Margin,” where the heavenly constellations naturally gather around the Life Star?

Is this like the celestial heroes descending to earth?

But the aura of the Guardian Spirits cannot be faked, and his teacher, who has seen much and is knowledgeable, would not easily be mistaken.

So even if Takeda Hanbei found it hard to believe, the facts were laid out before him.

Meanwhile, Ando Shouji, who didn’t dare to interrupt the conversation between divinity and Buddha, felt sweat on his palms and the soles of his crossed feet, becoming slick and uncomfortable.

He couldn’t hear the voices of the Guardian Spirits, nor see their forms, yet just the one-sided conversation from his son-in-law’s mouth left him parched and made his heart twitch.

He had only asked this divinely gifted, exceptionally wise son-in-law to come and examine an unknown stranger; how did such talk bring forth words like ‘person of the world’ from his mouth?!

Although Ando Shouji was one of the three prominent figures in Mino and considered his fame not small, such a term as ‘person of the world’ was daring even in dreams.

Only when his son-in-law remained silent in the tea room for a long time did Ando Shouji cautiously glance up at him.

He noticed that his son-in-law’s face no longer bore the respect shown to a mentor, but was left only with deep contemplation.

Knowing his son-in-law well, Ando Shouji allowed his tense body to relax.

‘The divinity’ must have withdrawn.

“Whew~”

Even though he relaxed into a cross-legged position, the long tension still made Ando Shouji let out a sigh of relief.

And as if startled awake, Takeda Hanbei quickly knelt and adjusted his knee direction, bowing politely to his father-in-law.

“I apologize, Father. My teacher said many things, and I couldn’t help but fall into thought.”

“No harm, no harm!” Ando Shouji waved his hand dismissively.

‘The divinity’ spoke in his tea room; he actually wished for the Guardian Spirit to stay a bit longer to share in the aura.

“But what did you discuss…?”

Ando Shouji asked very cautiously, as he’d heard quite a few explosive statements earlier.

“Don’t look at me being calm now, but the shock my teacher gave me is no less than yours, Father.”

Takeda Hanbei spoke quietly.

“Before the banquet, please tell me more about this Lord Lann, leaving nothing out!”

“That serious?”

“I’m begging you!”

Seeing his son-in-law sitting upright in formal courtesy, Ando Shouji quickly waved his hand.

Though this etiquette appears formal and proper, in Japan, such gestures often put pressure on the other party, expressing an unyielding stance.

There’s not much else to say about Lann; Ando Shouji had even sent people a day’s journey away to Thirteen Cherry Blossom Village for inquiries and confirmation with Kikuchi Daisuke.

Kikuchi Daisuke is his warrior, who even served as a Banner Guard in his army when young.

Even if Ando Shouji found it unbelievable, he wouldn’t think Kikuchi intended to deceive him.

Therefore, he immediately shared with his son-in-law the details about Lann that hadn’t been fully explained in his previous letters.

As expected, Takeda Hanbei, who always remained composed before Ando Shouji, was left dumbfounded upon hearing the full account of Lann.

A man from Ming Country who learned arts from the Southern Barbarians and then traveled through Japan.

So many points of contention in one sentence that Takeda Hanbei didn’t even know where to start!

But one thing is certain: the man indeed just appeared in Mino Country, within Ando Shouji’s territory. If far, probably just three or four days ago.

On the other hand.

“As expected… you are from Ming Country?”

While it was hard for Ando Shouji to believe in this identity, Takeda Hanbei had no doubt about it.

In Japan, such a demeanor is hard to cultivate in a person.

Japan has its heroes and warriors, but the aura of each nation’s heroes and warriors differs.

According to Takeda Hanbei’s teacher, Lann’s demeanor is truly not the type that could be cultivated in Japan.