Chapter 444: Gathering of Troubles

Chapter 444: The Gathering Storm

The castle of Edo sent a message of reassurance to the hall of the court, the flower hall.

A single, pristine silver-white surface gleamed before them, a metal box measuring three cubits in length, placed upon the table.

"Mr. Fukui-san, this is what I have promised you, let us examine it," Liu Tianyi smiled, gently placing the box in front of Fukui.

Fukui, whose face bore a subtle complexity, traced the intricate gold filigree along the box’s surface with his fingertips, repeatedly pressing against the two small characters inscribed with the seal of 'Six Winds'. His expression was a mixture of deep emotion.

Three decades of his life spent in the relentless business of Three Rivers Heavy Industry had left him, at the end, with nothing but this singular, exquisite piece of craftsmanship. Yet, in gratitude for the people who had supported him, he still held it with reverence.

Life had been a cruel irony; this very object, so rare within the Six Winds Group, had become nothing more than a mere curiosity to Fukui.

Liu Tianyi observed the subtle shifts in the other person’s expression, but his own mind remained unmoved.

If not for a strict order from the clan, this box might never have reached Fukui.

After all, Three Rivers Heavy Industry was already complete, and the Fukui family had lost all value. Even if this masterpiece were to fall into the hands of a rival, it would be nothing more than a story.

A person driven by the desire for vengeance against his family would truly be beyond endurance.

"Ah, there's more," Liu Tianyi said suddenly, his eyes twinkling. "You know, Mr. Fukui, the talents of Mr. Shuichen are remarkable. His grandfather greatly admired him, so I intentionally kept him in the Liu family to serve as a loyal servant. Can you imagine Fukui’s despair?"

"If he could be appreciated by Liu, that would be a blessing."

Fukui’s demeanor darkened, his lips curling into a complex expression.

Liu Tianyi stood, bowing deeply. "I shall take over Fukui-san’s duties, thank you very much."

"No need to thank you. This is his own creation, and it has no bearing on me."

Liu Tianyi followed swiftly, supporting Fukui’s arm as he sat down.

"Mr. Fukui, if you truly wish to abandon everything for the sake of justice, what will become of your family in the heart of Edo?"

Fukui’s gaze flickered with understanding, then softened. "The Six Winds have always been my teacher. I have seen the true path of righteousness, and I will not abandon the truth of this matter. The Emperor entrusted me with this mission, and I will uncover the truth behind the shadows."

"Mr. Fukui, I must admit, I am troubled by this."

Fukui’s eyes narrowed, but his voice remained steady. "It is a cruel irony that this very box, so rare within the Six Winds, would become nothing more than a relic to me."

Liu Tianyi smiled faintly. "Indeed, the fate of Three Rivers Heavy Industry and the Fukui lineage is intertwined. Even if this were to fall into the hands of a rival, it would be nothing more than a tale of misfortune."

The wind stirred the raindrops, which rained down upon the sand. The sound echoed ominously.

Fukui rose abruptly, his thoughts racing. He understood the intentions behind the words, and with a determined sigh, he replied:

"Perhaps this is the end of the line. If I am to sacrifice everything for the sake of justice, then I shall do so."

Liu Tianyi’s eyes shone with resolve. "Then let us hope the Emperor’s wisdom prevails."

With that, the scene shifted, the light from the hall’s ceiling casting shadows that danced across the floor. The storm outside mirrored the turmoil within.

Though the screen was drenched in gloom and the torrents of driving rain blurred the figure's face,

Toyotomi Yuanjiang still recognized those eyes at a single glance.

Overbearing, arrogant, and wildly defiant.

In all the Yamato Sector, there was no one else but Arashi Retsu.

"This footage was captured purely by chance outside the city by a Peregrine drone from the Garrison Bureau, on the day of the Edo Rebellion."

Liu Dian stepped up behind Toyotomi Yuanjiang, listening to the mechanical heart humming within his chest, a satisfied smile slowly curving his lips.

"At that time, Akechi Haruhide was already a fugitive wanted by the Jinyiwei, yet he appeared outside Edo Castle alongside Arashi Retsu. Moreover, the two seemed to have known beforehand that the Honghu would launch an attack on that very day."

Liu Dian spoke unhurriedly: "Of course, this does not prove they were involved in the Edo Rebellion itself, but it is an indisputable fact that they knew the Honghu's movements inside and out. To stretch the coincidence further, while tracking the rumors framing Tokugawa Hiroshi as the Kamakura King, I discovered that several of the rumor-mongers were, in fact, labor-slaves belonging to the former Black Dragon Capital."

"Yet, numerous as the doubts may be, not a single one constitutes conclusive evidence. Therefore, whether Tokugawa Hiroshi was set up to die is something you must judge for yourself, Mr. Toyotomi."

"Your Excellency's benevolence is something the Toyotomi clan will never forget, even in death."

Toyotomi Yuanjiang spun around abruptly, pinning his hands tightly to his sides as he bowed deeply to Liu Dian, folding himself completely in two.

"Please tell me, Your Excellency, where is Akechi Haruhide hiding now!"

Liu Dian feigned embarrassment, "You put me in a difficult position, sir. If I knew where that fugitive was hiding, I would have sent men to apprehend him long ago. Why would I..."

"If Your Excellency can only help me exact my revenge..."

Toyotomi Yuanjiang cut Liu Dian off sharply, his voice dropping into a low, resolute rumble, "Every member of the Toyotomi clan shall accept Your Excellency's 'Confucian Sequence Incantation Seal', pledging absolute, lifelong loyalty without betrayal!"

The Confucian Sequence Incantation Seal, once marked, pierced the mind and bound the thoughts. The moment the seal fell, life and death lay entirely in the master's hands.

The terms offered by Toyotomi Yuanjiang were impossible for Liu Dian to refuse.

"Akechi Haruhide is currently hiding in Osaka Castle!"

The words had barely left his lips when Toyotomi Yuanjiang straightened his spine, reached out to snatch the briefcase off the table, and strode out of the drawing room with great, sweeping steps.

"The old fool, he certainly moves with purpose, but he is far too foolishly loyal, trapping himself in his own cage. All for a dead man—is it truly worth taking things this far? How utterly pitiful!"

Liu Dian stared at the wide-open doors, shaking his head with a cold, mocking laugh.

Was Toyotomi Yuanjiang pitiful? Indeed he was.

But a pitiful man always possesses a detestable side.

In Liu Dian's eyes, Toyotomi Yuanjiang's detestable nature far outweighed his wretchedness.

Now alone in the empty drawing room, Liu Dian suddenly raised his hand and snapped his fingers.

With the crisp sound, the holographic projection that had been hovering in the open space shifted immediately.

A scholar wearing a white jade Confucian crown and a flowing black robe slowly materialized in the room.

"Allowing me to connect only now? Did you have a guest just moment ago?"

The young man in the black robe smiled broadly, looking at Liu Dian with an amused glint in his eye, "Could it be Toyotomi Yuanjiang?"

Hearing the other man utter that name, Liu Dian's initially calm face turned utterly grim, and he sneered, "As expected of the Wang clan of Langya. Before your feet have even stepped into the Yamato Sector, you've already planted eyes and ears inside my bureau. Quite the masterful stroke."

"Brother Liu, you misunderstand..."

Liu Dian interrupted with a frosty tone, "Wang Changting, you have not taken office yet, and you do not hold an official rank. By the rules of the realm, you should address this official as Your Excellency!"

Stunned into a brief silence by Liu Dian's sharp rebuke, the young man in black, Wang Changting, soon let out a helpless laugh, cupping his hands together: "My greetings, Lord Liu."

Liu Dian snorted coldly, turning around to seat himself in an official's armchair.

"Speak. What business do you have with this official?"

"Good business, of course."

The smile on Wang Changting's face never wavered, "I wish to discuss a transaction with Your Excellency."

"What business could your Wang family possibly have that reaches all the way to Edo Castle?"

Liu Dian deliberately dragged out his vowels, making no effort to hide the sheer disdain in his voice.

"It concerns the New Policies, naturally."

Liu Dian remained expressionless, "Continue."

"Surely Lord Liu must have heard by now that the New Donglin Party has chosen to invite the great clans into the Yamato Sector. The Langya Wang clan has selected Inuyama Castle, and in a few days, I shall depart to assume the post of Pacification Commissioner there."

Liu Dian narrowed his eyes, "Are you telling me all this because you require this official to offer you congratulations?"

"There is no need for congratulations. The current vice-magistrate of Inuyama Castle is named Yang Baize, a student of Pei Xingjian, the current Prefect of Chongqing."

"Wang Changting, if you intend to continue with this useless chatter, you may disconnect from the link right now."

Met with one biting sarcasm after another, the smile on Wang Changting's face finally began to fade away.

"Yang Baize shares a profound connection with Yan Jun, the Jinyiwei Centurion of Inuyama Castle. They will undoubtedly join forces to obstruct me."

Liu Dian's heart stirred slightly, though his tone remained aggressively stern, "Where did you hear this news?"

"Where I obtained it is of no concern to you, Lord Liu. At any rate, it seems Your Excellency has no interest in continuing this conversation with me."

Wang Changting was not one to be intimidated by his posturing; he let out a cold laugh of his own, "Since that is the case, I shall take my leave!"

"Hold on..."

Liu Dian's face was dark, "Make it clear. What does the struggle in your Inuyama Castle have to do with my Edo Castle? What benefit is there for me?"

"There is no need for me to elaborate on the bad blood between Yan Jun and the Ming King, is there? My clash with Yan Jun is already set in stone. Would the Ming King truly pass up such a golden opportunity to kick a man while he is down?"

"Wang Changting, up until this very moment, this official still fails to see where there is even a shred of advantage for me."

"Liu Dian, we are both men of the New Donglin Party, so there is no need to play dumb while understanding perfectly well, is there?"

Wang Changting sneered, "If my information serves me right, you have not yet managed to establish a connection with the Ming King, have you? If you are willing to join hands with him to eliminate Yan Jun, would he still keep you at arm's length?"

"It seems you truly know everything about my affairs."

Liu Dian's eyes grew sinister, the cold, harsh words forcing their way out from between his clenched teeth one by one.

"Hardly everything, and I certainly lack the courage to provoke your Liu clan. We are merely taking what we each need."

Wang Changting maintained a firm, unyielding stance, "This business transaction—will you do it, or will you not?"

At that exact moment, his holographic projection began to flicker unpredictably, appearing as though it might disconnect at any second.

"I will do it!"