Chapter 167: Nine Breathing Techniques, The Path Of Muscle Casting Lies Within!
After Okabe Motonobu silently stood in place for several seconds, she finally noticed that the Yokai on her arm had been scared motionless, holding its breath and pretending to be dead.
“Tetsu-sensei… sorry, I lost my composure a bit.”
The woman narrowed her eyes again and smiled at the slightly stunned Shangshan Che.
Thus, the surrounding viscous, foul-smelling, and chilling atmosphere immediately vanished.
“Ah, it’s fine.”
Shangshan Che shook his head, showing no extra expression.
He hadn’t expected Okabe Motonobu’s reaction to just hearing the words “Mikawa Uprising” to be so intense.
Seeing that he didn’t show fear and distance himself like many others who had seen her “other side” up close, Okabe Motonobu breathed a sigh of relief and carefully teased the Yokai with her finger,
“Don’t be scared, don’t be scared, it’s all fine now…”
Once the Yokai slowly tried opening its eyes and squeaked, Okabe Motonobu looked up at Shangshan Che and slowly explained,
“Because the last uprising in the Mikawa Region was overseen by Lord herself, and I personally led troops to suppress it…”
At this point, she let out a long breath and continued in a calm state,
“And now, not long after, trouble has flared up there again, so it can only be said that I didn’t handle things properly back then.”
For Okabe Motonobu, having someone else say those four words was like slapping her straight in the face.
No, it was slapping Lord Yoshimoto’s face.
Because if this matter only concerned her personally, Okabe Motonobu wouldn’t have gotten angry in an instant to the point of losing her usual poise.
Listening to this exceptionally gentle voice, Shangshan Che couldn’t help but click his tongue twice in his mind.
Though the words sounded no different from usual, he, who had the “Clear Mirror” in his heart, could clearly sense the killing intent surging almost to the brim in Okabe Motonobu’s inner world.
Such surging and overwhelming killing intent and murderous aura…
It was hard to imagine how many people she had slaughtered on the battlefield in the past.
To first calm Okabe Motonobu down and avoid any issues, Shangshan Che acted as if he had seen nothing and added,
“But this time’s Mikawa Uprising is somewhat different.”
Okabe Motonobu paused her hand movements for the moment and listened with bated breath in full concentration.
Shangshan Che: “This time, it seems to be a riot forcibly caused by a Great Demon capable of bewitchment.”
“Great Demon?” Okabe Motonobu tilted her head; this was a very unfamiliar term to her.
In the Sengoku Period, this absolute spiritual void between heaven and earth, let alone Great Demons—even ordinary people, samurai, and warriors might never see even one demon or monster in their entire lives.
Just like the Yokai to Okabe Motonobu—she had seen a monster with her own eyes for the first time only after growing up.
Her willingness to keep the Yokai by her side was partly due to this.
Shangshan Che nodded: “Yes, Great Demon.”
“I see.”
Though Okabe Motonobu appeared somewhat airheaded, her own wisdom and thinking speed were not slow at all.
So she slightly bowed her head toward Shangshan Che: “Then, for the Mikawa campaign, I’ll have to rely greatly on Tetsu-sensei.”
“All in a day’s work.”
Next, to avoid any problems during the expedition, Shangshan Che still shared the current information with Okabe Motonobu.
After hearing just two sentences, Okabe Motonobu instinctively asked,
“Lord is going this time too? Why?”
Because it was to boost Lord Yoshimoto’s fame, using the Great Demon to create famous scenes, making her known throughout Under Heaven…
Such an inexplicable reason definitely couldn’t be said.
And even if said, Okabe Motonobu surely wouldn’t understand why he wanted to do this, let alone how he would answer if she pressed further?
Thus, after a very brief moment of silence, Shangshan Che spoke: “First, my intuition tells me to take this uprising seriously; second, the divination result for Lord Yoshimoto shows…”
Shangshan Che suddenly stopped talking.
Because Okabe Motonobu was squinting at him, but not smiling.
—She knew he wasn’t telling the truth.
For some reason, such a thought arose in Shangshan Che’s mind.
“Che.”
Okabe Motonobu called Shangshan Che’s “full name” directly, neither exposing the half-true lie nor digging deeper.
She just said: “As long as your actions benefit Lord, I don’t care about the rest… I don’t care what you want to gain from the Imagawa Clan, or how many other plans you have.”
She emphasized again,
“As long as everything you do benefits Lord.”
“Otherwise, even if you flee to the ends of the earth, I’ll personally twist off your head and deliver it to Lord~”
Okabe Motonobu’s thinking was very simple.
She only wanted to make Lord Yoshimoto better and was loyal only to Lord Yoshimoto.
But fortunately, though their ideas differed slightly, their goals aligned.
Feeling a sudden gravity, Shangshan Che nodded to her, looked straight into her narrowed eyes, and said calmly,
“With Okabe Excellency sharing this sentiment, Che is reassured.”
Hearing this, Okabe Motonobu grinned and extended her fist: “Then from now on, let’s fully and wholeheartedly assist Lord in becoming the ruler Under Heaven together.”
Shangshan Che lightly bumped fists with her.
“Then Okabe Excellency, next are you returning to the Imagawa Residence…”
Before Shangshan Che finished speaking, hurried footsteps came from outside the courtyard.
“Motonobu Excellency! Tetsu-sensei!”
Asahina Yasutomo’s anxious voice and figure burst in together; seeing the many items he carried, he was probably out on an errand to procure something.
This visit was likely just passing by.
Because he was rushing too much, he nearly tripped over the symbolic tiny threshold.
Asahina Yasutomo looked at the two in the courtyard bumping fists in a “very friendly and harmonious” atmosphere and laughed too, asking,
“Tetsu-sensei, about Motonobu Excellency’s sleep issues…”
“Solved.” Shangshan Che interrupted him with a concise answer.
“Eh?”
He was stunned for a moment, then exclaimed upon realizing what Shangshan Che said: “In just one or two days, it’s actually solved!?”
Asahina Yasutomo deeply inhaled, saying sincerely and admiringly,
“Tetsu-sensei is truly a divine person.”
Though this phrase should be a complete compliment in the Sengoku Period, Shangshan Che, deeply influenced by modern culture, found it increasingly off-putting no matter how he heard it.
He could only smile awkwardly.
After speaking, Asahina Yasutomo then noticed Okabe Motonobu’s vibrant energy today.
He first showed unmasked joy, then curiously asked,
“So Motonobu Excellency, what exactly caused your poor sleep?”
“Here, this little fellow.”
Okabe Motonobu fully explained the cause and effect to Asahina Yasutomo, then smilingly rubbed the Yokai on her shoulder with her fingertip, making it squeak comfortably.
“So that’s how it is…”
After listening, Asahina Yasutomo stared intently at the Yokai with sharp eyes; if not for the other two present, he would probably have slain it already.
The little rat immediately squeaked in fear twice and hid in Okabe Motonobu’s back collar.
The woman shook her head at him: “Yasutomo, don’t be like that, you’ll scare it.”
“Moreover, Little Gu Chang only meant well but caused trouble; now that I’ve educated it, it won’t disturb others’ sleep anymore.”
Asahina Yasutomo immediately looked away and deeply bowed,
“I’m very sorry! I lost control of my emotions for a moment, Motonobu Excellency!”
After apologizing, Asahina Yasutomo, who still had duties, didn’t chat more but simply bid farewell to the two and left the courtyard.
—Watching Yasutomo’s figure disappear from view, Shangshan Che continued his unfinished words,
“Are you heading back to the Imagawa Residence?”
“Yes, yes.” Okabe Motonobu smiled and clapped her hands. “Perfect, I need to report recent events to Lord anyway.”
“Then Okabe Excellency, let’s go together.”
“Sure, sure.”
…
Halfway there, Shangshan Che first took out the Tachi he had bought at the blacksmith shop yesterday.
The Tachi had a wider blade width, meaning a thicker blade, a larger overall curve, and a blade length about fifteen centimeters longer than Kaga Kiyomitsu, covering a slightly more specialized attack range.
Its scabbard mouth also had a small strip of “mouth metal” deliberately inserted as a “safety” that must be removed before drawing the blade.
The Tachi was overall unremarkable, no different from ordinary Tachi sold at blacksmith shops in Sunpu Castle, but it gave an unexpectedly solid feel.
Next, Shangshan Che carefully scanned each of its attributes—
【Tachi】
【Quality: Rare】
【Effect One: Sharp. The Tachi is extremely sharp, cutting iron like mud.】
【Effect Two: Tough. The Tachi is extremely tough, balancing hardness and flexibility.】
【Effect Three: Bleeding. Wounds from the Tachi will be extremely hard to heal and will continuously bleed.】
【—A Tachi forged with care by a “blacksmith” of Sunpu Castle.】
But because the blacksmith didn’t break through himself during forging, this Tachi, like most weapons he made, didn’t deserve a unique name.】
Sharp, Tough, Bleeding.
The three effects had simple names and descriptions, no fancy or magical effects.
But this was the solid feel, the sense of “a weapon that can last a long time.”
Sharpness ensures armor-piercing, toughness is essential for prolonged battlefield combat, and bleeding maximizes the effect after each pierce.
It could be said this was a “battlefield Treasure Sword.”
Shangshan Che satisfactorily stroked its blade and stored it away.
This Tachi was fully sufficient as a secondary weapon.
He couldn’t help but think of that Epic Grade Daito displayed in the blacksmith shop; not reaching out to touch and check its panel yesterday was a pity.
A Daito forged under lightning must contain extraordinary effects and power.
But Shangshan Che didn’t miss it too much.
After all, compared to Kaga Kiyomitsu, which was also a Daito, that blade wasn’t much.
—Next, Shangshan Che simply prioritized his to-do list after returning to the Imagawa Residence.
First, of course, was to hurry and go through all the breathing techniques he had agreed with those elders to view.
Because who knew if in a few days, or later, those old guys might suddenly fall ill and say he couldn’t view them, then cite all sorts of odd reasons.
Practicing beforehand would still require killing people, which was too troublesome.
Speaking of cultivation…
Shangshan Che looked at the woman beside him who was smiling and greeting many passersby.
—Okabe Motonobu was at least at the Muscle Refining stage now, and surely had accumulated plenty of unique experience in the Palace of Flesh Stage cultivation.
He should be able to learn quite a bit from her.
“Okabe Excellency, the people of Sunpu Castle seem to adore you.”
After Okabe Motonobu waved to another shop, Shangshan Che couldn’t help but sigh.
Okabe Motonobu was slightly taken aback instead, puzzled as she countered: “Huh? Is that so?”
She muttered softly: “I just did what I should… They like me maybe, but adore is far from it.
In Sunpu Castle, I think only Lord deserves the word ‘adore.'”
As she spoke, a thinly clad skinny boy darted out from an alley and blocked their path.
The disheveled-haired boy carefully pulled out a small, battered piece of cold cake from his bosom and held it up to Okabe Motonobu,
“Okabe Sister, thanks from last time! This is for you to eat!”
“Wow!”
Okabe Motonobu half-squatted down, receiving the cold cake with both hands like a treasure, and solemnly said: “You even knew I haven’t eaten all day, thank you!”
With that, she quickly devoured the whole piece in two or three bites, revealing a satisfied smile.
The boy was stunned at first, then thanked again and darted back into the alley.
Shangshan Che beside her saw this and said nothing.
He recalled Okabe Motonobu’s words just now and couldn’t help sighing inwardly.
Gentle, beautiful, and powerful.
Compared to other nobles and samurai in this world, such an Okabe Motonobu…
No, perhaps no comparison was even needed.
How could such a wonderful woman not be loved and adored by the people of Sunpu Castle?
On the way back to the Imagawa Residence, Shangshan Che discussed many details about the Mikawa Uprising with Okabe Motonobu, along with his guesses about the Great Demon.
Okabe Motonobu responded only with interjections like “mm” and “oh,” no longer teasing the Yokai, and sometimes even missing greetings from others—she must have been listening very seriously.
She might even be mentally simulating how to efficiently crush Mikawa Province’s rebels.
“In the coming days, I should still come to Okabe Excellency for advice on breathing technique cultivation issues, if you’ll…”
“Tetsu-sensei, you must come.”
Okabe Motonobu rarely interrupted him, saying somewhat eagerly: “Because I happen to lack a companion to exchange and verify cultivation insights with!”
There weren’t many samurai in the Imagawa Clan who had completed Qi Circulation, and even fewer with achievements in the Palace of Flesh path.
And Okabe Motonobu, being extremely loyal to Lord Yoshimoto, probably didn’t mesh with samurai under other elders.
Shangshan Che’s eyes lit up slightly: “Then in the future, I’ll have to bother Okabe Excellency often.”
She smiled: “I’m afraid with my daily cultivation, Tetsu-sensei will end up avoiding me.”
“Absolutely impossible!”
Shangshan Che, self-proclaimed half a competition fanatic, shook his head.
With that, the two and one rat arrived at the Imagawa Residence doorway.
At the doorway, two everyday unarmed hatamoto straightened up upon seeing Okabe Motonobu and deeply bowed to her, showing undisguised respect.
Okabe Motonobu seemed accustomed to it, so she didn’t help them up but directly led Shangshan Che into the Imagawa Residence.
“Hmm… Given the time now, Lord should be there.”
Without asking maids or servants about Lord Yoshimoto’s location, Okabe Motonobu quietly led Shangshan Che down another unmanned dark path to a secluded room with closed doors.
Emerging from the path, Okabe Motonobu closed her eyes and tilted her ear to listen for a while.
Soon, she grinned happily, raised a finger to her lips, and made a shushing gesture to Shangshan Che,
‘Shh’
Shangshan Che nodded silently, pondering what she was up to.
Next, she carefully handed the Yokai to Shangshan Che, then tiptoed to the other side of the room, wet her finger with saliva, and poked a hole in the papered window.
Shangshan Che trailed far behind her.
He focused his gaze slightly and peeked through the small hole to see Lord Yoshimoto holding a brush, reviewing documents.
Even alone, kneeling, she maintained an almost perfect posture of etiquette.
Shangshan Che looked again at Okabe Motonobu, who wore a mischievous grin and headed to the back door, and instantly understood.
Good grief, she wanted to scare her own Lord.
Shangshan Che was somewhat speechless.
This kind of thing… probably only Okabe Motonobu would dare do.
Sure enough, in less than ten seconds, Shangshan Che heard Lord Yoshimoto’s startled cry from inside, followed by Okabe Motonobu’s hearty laugh.
“—Lord! Long time no see!”
But the next moment, the laughter turned to a cry of pain, then a heavy thud of something kneeling, and finally Lord Yoshimoto’s cold scolding and repeated apologies.
Just standing outside listening, Shangshan Che had already imagined a full dramatic play.
He held back laughter and strode to the now-open back door, knocking on the threshold with his finger.
Lord Yoshimoto, who was firmly stepping on Okabe Motonobu’s head with her small foot in white tabi, stiffened slightly, quickly withdrew her foot, and coughed awkwardly twice.
“Um… Tetsu-kun… ah no, Tetsu-sensei.”
Lord Yoshimoto turned her face aside and explained helplessly: “It’s just because Motonobu pulled this stunt again, so I had to discipline her properly.”
With that, Lord Yoshimoto kicked the shoulder of the woman who, even kneeling, looked much larger than her, and coldly said,
“Get up already!”
Okabe Motonobu quickly got up from the ground, but showed no regret from discipline—instead, she seemed quite happy.
She turned to stick her tongue out at Shangshan Che, and before fully turning back, cried out in pain again.
Having delivered an axe kick to someone’s knee, Lord Yoshimoto withdrew her foot and rubbed her forehead in annoyance: “Tetsu… sensei, pardon the spectacle.”
Shangshan Che waved it off: “No, I think Lord Yoshimoto and Okabe Excellency have a great relationship.”
Lord Yoshimoto pouted, glanced at Okabe Motonobu a couple more times, and after confirming her mental state was normal, said,
“For this matter, I must first thank Tetsu-sensei.”
Midway, she first went aside and fetched several small bottles and packages from the corner never directly hit by sunlight,
“Tetsu-sensei, this is the konpeito and pastry I promised to buy for you earlier; please take them to Nishaku and Shiraishi and the others.”
Lord Yoshimoto handed them over and sighed: “As for the syrup shaved ice… it’s really hard to preserve, so next time I’ll take you all to the shop to taste it.”
“Lord Yoshimoto, thank you.”
Shangshan Che took them, curiously eyeing the konpeito sealed in small bottles, said to be very tasty.
“Oh!”
Nearby, Okabe Motonobu suddenly spoke, deliberately in a puzzled tone: “I recall, the candy and pastries from those two shops taste great, so they’re very hard to buy.
Usually there’s always a line… They say you have to wait a long time to get any.”
She grinned at her expressionless Lord, mercilessly poking through her little scheme.
Lord Yoshimoto’s mouth twitched, and she took a deep breath to calm herself.
The Imagawa Clan head faintly glanced at her vassal and said no more.
She just looked at Shangshan Che: “Tetsu-sensei, regarding the breathing technique prizes from those elders yesterday, I’ve already communicated and organized everything for you.
Now, handwritten copies of the nine breathing techniques practiced by the various elders are all displayed in the same room, just waiting for you to peruse.”
—All trivial matters arranged, just waiting for you to view the breathing techniques.
Hearing this, Shangshan Che blinked and thanked Lord Yoshimoto again.
Okabe Motonobu cast a slightly surprised glance, then as if suddenly realizing something, covered her mouth, barely holding back laughter.
Lord Yoshimoto ignored her and continued: “If you want to go today, you can anytime; I’ve arranged Motoyasu to take you.
Viewing time is exactly one hour; someone will call you when time’s up.”
“Understood.”
Shangshan Che nodded and put the konpeito and pastry into his Storage Bag: “Then, this matter should be done sooner rather than later; please allow me to go now, Lord Yoshimoto.”
“Of course.”
Lord Yoshimoto clapped rhythmically, and Matsudaira Motoyasu, who had been sitting reading at the main door, respectfully slid it open.
He acted as if he hadn’t heard what happened, seriously greeting the three present in order.
Finally, the slightly boyish-faced Matsudaira Motoyasu bowed to Shangshan Che,
“Che Adult, please follow me.”
Shangshan Che followed behind this boy still called Matsudaira Motoyasu, suddenly feeling a sense of unreality.
Because the man destined to unify all Under Heaven later, the acknowledged ancestor of the Tokugawa family, was now bowing to him in greeting.
This feeling was truly a bit strange.
On the way to the room storing the breathing technique copies, neither spoke a word.
But in unison, Shangshan Che was secretly observing the currently unremarkable Old Turtle.
And Matsudaira Motoyasu was repeatedly glancing with the corner of his eye at this onmyoji who had already shaken the Tokaido.
“Che Adult, we’re here.”
Matsudaira Motoyasu stopped, slowly opened the door, and bowed to Shangshan Che: “Handwritten copies of all nine breathing techniques are inside; timing starts when Adult enters.
Exactly one hour; please allocate your time wisely, Adult.”
“Mm, thanks.”
Shangshan Che rubbed his hands, ignored Matsudaira Motoyasu further, and immediately stepped through the door, opening the first thick breathing technique copy from left to right.
Instantly, eye-catching prompts popped up!
【You discovered “Miura Breathing Technique”!】
【Miura Breathing Technique detected—it can complete your “Corona Breathing Technique”‘s “Palace of Flesh” stage!】
【Learn it?】
And such prompts…
Exactly nine of them!
April is here!
April, get ready for massive updates!
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