Chapter 432: Confrontation

Chapter 432: Standoff

The wall of the izakaya was draped with a grease-stained cloth, its distorted greenish hues making the images appear even more aged. "April 23rd, Keiho 12th year, the Governor's Office of the Wakanosu District issues a proclamation: The Hongguo rebel organization, which has long plagued the Wakanosu District and severely threatened the lives and property of the people, has been completely eradicated." "Hongguo was a violent group established on the basis of extreme ideological extremism. For years, it had frequently operated in the Wakanosu District, inciting over 50,000 innocent citizens, orchestrating multiple attacks, and causing numerous deaths. Its crimes were endless, a testament to its brutality." "The Governor's Office of the Wakanosu District also mentioned in the proclamation that the various city governors' offices will continue to maintain a high-pressure search operation, striving to completely eliminate the remnants of Hongguo. At the same time, they called on the people to actively provide information on any remaining hidden bases of the Hongguo organization. Officials and citizens united, working together for the long-term stability of the Wakanosu District!" "Yesterday, the eighth batch of young laborers' output ceremony was held at the Edo Port dock. The Wakanosu District Governor's Office's Vice Commissioner Liu Chenting attended the ceremony and presided over it." "During the event, Vice Commissioner Liu proposed the overall requirement of 'changing one's fate through one's hands,' hoping that the young laborers heading to the imperial capital would embody the new Edo spirit of 'three parts genetic destiny, seven parts hard work to change one's fate,' not waiting, not relying on others, but working hard and progressing. The citizens who participated in the event were all deeply inspired, their spirits uplifted. It is said that the destination for this labor output is Suzhou Prefecture in the imperial capital, a region renowned for its prosperity in imperial history." "On the same day, the fifth Enlightenment Private Academy, 'Pongyao Garden,' a landmark in the new policies of Edo Castle, officially announced its completion and will open to all citizens in the city tomorrow. With the previously completed Confucian Temple, all districts of Edo Castle now have comprehensive basic education facilities." "From the admission notice of Pongyao Garden, it is clear that the academy has firmly implemented the requirements of the new policies of the Wakanosu District, not only abolishing the mandatory enrollment for students, but also providing corresponding food and lodging subsidies, and offering free the latest basic brain-computer interface developed by the Imperial Ministry of Industry, loaded with Confucian classics, to help students fully develop their Confucian genetic potential, free themselves from the constraints of their names and origins, and look forward to a bright future."

In the clear, resonant tones of the Ming official language, the act of swallowing by the Wakanosu District's envoy became increasingly rapid, until he finally lifted the large sea bowl and drank the remaining broth in one gulp. The Wakanosu District's envoy touched his lips, muttering a vague curse in the Wakanosu language, then slammed the sea bowl onto the table. *Thud.*

The old man dozing in the corner was startled by the sudden noise, his tired eyes fluttering open, dazed as he scanned the room before finally noticing the towering figure seated at the table, as strong as a bear. "You, you're Xiao Lie? It's been so long!" The old man's eyes, though clouded, shone with genuine joy. He wobbled to his feet, approaching Xiao Lie, and patted his arm. "This body of yours is getting stronger every time I see it, truly astonishing."

Xiao Lie smiled. "It's been a while, Old Longxi. How are you?" "I just had a liver transplant last year at a black market clinic. They said it was genuine agricultural goods from Yunnan Province. It's working fine, I shouldn't die anytime soon." "Which clinic?" "Why are you asking that?" "I'm worried you've been cheated. Most of the goods in the Wakanosu District aren't from the imperial capital; most are counterfeit from Siam." "It doesn't matter where it's from, as long as it keeps me alive." The joy of reuniting dispelled the old man's drowsiness, and his weathered face suddenly showed vigor. "Enough of that, today is a good day. After all these years, to meet you and the Wakanosu District's envoy at the same time, what shall we eat? I'll treat you!"

"Another bowl," the Wakanosu District's envoy took up the conversation, his voice low and measured.

The old man chuckled. "The Wakanosu District's envoy, your appetite is good today." Xiao Lie smiled. "Same here." "Alright, no problem," the old man said, his voice cheerful as he bustled behind the counter. "Xiao Lie, do you remember the first time we came to this place?"

The Wakanosu District's envoy leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the dim yellow light bulb hanging from the ceiling. His left hand lightly tapped the table. "Of course." Xiao Lie raised the wine cup in front of him and drank it in one gulp. The cup, as large as a fist, was held by him as if it were a trinket, his expression thoughtful. "That was Keiho 55th year. You, me, and Master Tokugawa. We first met here." "Back then, your Sanzhao Heavy Industry had taken on most of the reconstruction projects in the Wakanosu District, and Master Tokugawa was already the head of Rindō Capital. Only I..."

Xiao Lie chuckled. "But I was just a newly initiated disciple of the Yellow Heaven Gate, having just reached the rank of Wushu 8. In the Wudai family, I had no say. Yet you and Master Tokugawa didn't look down on me. Not only did they not drive me away, but they even invited me to sit and eat a bowl of noodles." "That day, you had just killed several people from the Wudai family fighting over the black market business, and you stumbled in here, reeking of blood. If not for Master Tokugawa stopping me, I would have thrown you out. I had to close my mechanical senses to finish that bowl of noodles."

The Wakanosu District's envoy seemed to recall the scene, and burst into laughter. "A blink, and it's been seventeen years. Time is relentless." Xiao Lie nodded. "Indeed, it passes quickly."

"Actually, I've never liked you," the Wakanosu District's envoy suddenly said, changing the subject. "Especially since that woman, Minazuki Harushige, appeared."

"I know," Xiao Lie said.

"But Master Tokugawa always looked up to you. He believed you had the qualities of a leader, the hope of the Wakanosu people against the New Eastern School."

"I know that too." The Wakanosu District's envoy's gaze turned cold. "Do you know why the Wudai family grew so quickly, from a small gang to nearly monopolizing the entire Wakanosu District's smuggling business in just over ten years? Who helped you?"

"It was Master Tokugawa," Xiao Lie said solemnly. "The black market business was built by him, and he connected with the Ming authorities. The Wudai family exists today because of Master Tokugawa's protection and help."

"Since you know that, why did you side with Su Cun?" The Wakanosu District's envoy's hair stood on end, like an angry lion, his voice echoing in the izakaya.

But strangely, the old man behind the counter seemed to have heard nothing, continuing his work. "You said I sided with Su Cun?" Xiao Lie's expression remained neutral. "What evidence?"

"No need for evidence. If not for his help, how could you have so easily destroyed the Yellow Heaven Gate? In the martial arts lineage, a disciple who betrays their master triggers a countermeasure, producing a deadly toxin in your body. Without Su Cun, how could you still be alive?" The Wakanosu District's envoy's questions continued, escalating into a roar.

"Did you know the Yellow Heaven Gate had planted these measures in the Wudai family all along?" Xiao Lie asked calmly. "Why didn't you tell me?"

The Wakanosu District's envoy sneered. "Master Tokugawa knew of your hatred for the Yellow Heaven Gate. He feared that if he told you, you'd become even more reckless. But he's been secretly seeking a solution."

"So you're saying you didn't tell me for my own good?" Xiao Lie interrupted, his voice sharp. "But it doesn't matter. I've already killed everyone in the Yellow Heaven Gate. However, I can tell you, the fall of the Yellow Heaven Gate has nothing to do with Su Cun."

"Doesn't matter? Then why haven't you faced any backlash?" "Why should I tell you?" Xiao Lie turned slightly, his massive figure casting a shadow over the Wakanosu District's envoy. "Wakanosu District's envoy, actually, I've never liked you either."

A low mechanical hum echoed in the air. Xiao Lie ignored it, his eyes fixed on the Wakanosu District's envoy. "But I must warn you, don't fall into the Ming's trap, don't let them lead you by the nose. Master Tokugawa was trapped by them and executed. Now two of the four major companies have fallen. They're waiting for me and you to fight, to easily remove all obstacles to the new policies."

"The new policies have nothing to do with me, and I have no interest in them," the Wakanosu District's envoy said coldly. "I only know that without someone framing him from within, Master Tokugawa would never have made such a low-level mistake!"

"So, you now think I'm the traitor?" Xiao Lie asked directly.

"Not you, then it can only be that woman, Minazuki Harushige. If you kill her, I'll believe Master Tokugawa's death has nothing to do with you."

At the moment the words "Toyotomi's distant domains" left his lips, a bone-chilling cold suddenly spread through the dilapidated izakaya. The old man boiling noodles abruptly shivered, muttering something like "old people are useless" while rising from the counter and heading toward the door. The wild-eyed man, unflinching in his gaze, declared with a chilling intensity: "You can pretend you didn't hear that." "It seems your bond with her is truly deep," he continued, his voice laced with mockery, "but I'm curious—just a 'yellow-rice ghost,' isn't it? Do you really think such a raving spirit could hold human emotions?" Just then, a blinding flash of lightning split the dark clouds outside. *Boom!*