GBP Chapter 334 The General is Interested
Chapter 334 The General is Interested
Kujo Sara nodded, a look of reminiscence on her face.
"After seeing the evidence of the crimes at Narukami Shrine that day, I was so enraged that I went to question the head of the family without hesitation."
Kujo Sara glanced at Xu Ning with a complicated expression. "As you predicted, after hearing my questioning, the head of the Kujo family issued a kill order against me without any mercy..."
"Although the warriors under the command of the Heavenly Territory pose almost no threat to me, due to the patriarch's death order, each of them attacks me fearlessly. Because I do not want these soldiers, whom I have personally trained, to be slaughtered, I have been tolerant at every turn..."
Even knowing that Kujo Sara was alright, Xu Ning still couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.
"Do you think you're immortal? You, an archer, are constantly giving way to a bunch of sword-wielding warriors? You haven't even used your lightning magic, have you? How are you going to fight when they get close? Are you going to use your bow like a stick?"
Kujo Sara gave a wry smile. "Otherwise, why do you think I was defeated by that lady in one move? I was indeed quite injured back then..."
"I thought I might die in the Tenryo Magistrate's Office, but then I suddenly remembered the book you mentioned, 'The Book of Endurance,' and shouted its name to the head of the Kujo family..."
Kujo Sara looked directly into Xu Ning's eyes with her golden eyes and asked solemnly, "What secret does that book hold? The patriarch has been in charge of the Heavenly Territory for decades, and I have never seen such a panicked look on his face, as if someone had suddenly seized his vital point... If this secret concerns the safety of our Inazuma family, I would like to ask you to entrust it to me for safekeeping."
Xu Ning chuckled dryly, "This... is probably a bit inappropriate, because... the secret inside, well, it only concerns the well-being of half the people of Teyvat..."
"Half of Teyvat's population, that's quite a lot. No wonder the General is so interested?" Kujo Sara muttered to himself.
This statement was quite shocking to Xu Ning.
"Why...why would the General be interested?"
Kujo Sara said solemnly, "Naturally, I mentioned it to the Shogun after I recovered from my injuries. How could I not report something that the head of the family cherishes so much to the Shogun? After all, after the incident with the Mikage's heart, we still don't know what other trouble the Gujin Clan has left behind in Inazuma!"
"Listen to me, it's not the root of the trouble. This belongs to Old Man Kujo... his private property, you understand? Don't all stare at other people's things, it's very impolite!"
Xu Ning tried to persuade her a couple of times, but seeing that Kujo Sara was unmoved, he sighed inwardly, "Old dog, this is all I can do to help you."
I've already thoroughly dealt with this hot potato, so I might as well just return it to Old Dog. What he does with it or how he covers it up is none of my business.
Thinking of this, Xu Ning couldn't help but feel a little fortunate that he had arrived at the Tianling Fengxing Mansion first and met Kujo Sara.
If I were summoned by General Thunder and forced to hand over this important treasure, and I presented that book to him, guess how many times the general would stab me?
“This small house in front is where the current head of the Kujo family lives. No one is allowed to leave the house without a general amnesty.”
Kujo Sara pointed to a small house under a huge cherry blossom tree in the corner of the backyard and said.
Xu Ning looked at the tiny house where he could almost bump his head if he tiptoed, and sighed. If only he had known this would happen!
"If he can't come out, others can still go in, right?"
Kujo Sara, unaware of Xu Ning's intention in asking this question, nodded and said, "Of course."
Xu Ning thought to himself, "That's good. Now that book will finally have a use. I can pick a good match for the old man. Maybe you'll even have a few more younger brothers and sisters!"
"Lord Xu Ning, you've arrived."
The aged voice of Kujo Takayuki came from the small house.
"I can't go out for the time being, so I'll have to trouble you to come in and see me."
Xu Ning smiled nonchalantly, "It's alright."
Just as Xu Ning was about to enter, he suddenly noticed that Kujo Sara was also going to follow.
"General Kujo, I can go in by myself."
At this moment, Kujo Sara felt more and more strongly that the book Xu Ning took must contain a huge secret.
After all, ever since he started talking to Xu Ning about this book, Xu Ning seemed to have been trying to cover up its contents in every way, and now he even wanted him to leave.
According to his own investigation, even the final ninja Hayato, who stole the book that day, and the shrine maiden Inashiro Hotaru, who listed the head of the family's crimes, were completely unaware of what was written in the book that Xu Ning took.
When asked indirectly, the current head of the family, Kujo Kamaji, also said that he had been in and out of his father's study dozens of times and had never seen any books or scripts similar to ninja novels anywhere.
At least nine saras can now be certain of one thing.
That is: this book is very important. Whether it is Xu Ning or someone else who obtains this book, they will probably keep it a secret from everyone, just like the head of the Kujo family, and will never reveal a single word about it.
“Lord Xu Ning, before the Kujo family head is granted a general amnesty, if he wants to meet with envoys from other countries, according to Inazuma's laws, he must be accompanied by a high-ranking official.”
Xu Ning looked at the hint of curiosity and excitement in Kujo Sara's golden eyes as she was about to witness the truth, and didn't believe a word of the so-called laws she mentioned.
Okay, you asked for it!
The furnishings inside the Kujo Takayuki hut were extremely simple.
A low small table and two cushions were placed facing the main entrance.
Against the wall was a tatami mat, with a neat set of bedding folded on it.
Fortunately, the tea set on the small table was quite exquisite, and the incense burner burning in the corner prevented any unpleasant smells in the small room.
Xu Ning pushed the last remaining futon on the ground to Kujo Sara, and without caring whether the ground was clean or not, he sat down cross-legged.
Kujo Takayuki, who was sitting opposite Xu Ning, glanced at him and smiled, "This old man is a convict and can only entertain guests in this cramped space. Please forgive me, Lord Xu Ning."
"Forget all past events like smoke, and with a selfless heart, the world is vast."
Xu Ning recited a line and laughed, "Although Lord Kujo made a wrong move, he was able to shed all those worldly burdens and cultivate his mind in this quiet place, living a leisurely and tranquil life. I'm afraid he surpasses most mediocre people in this world."
Kujo Takayuki repeated the poem Xu Ning had recited twice in a low voice, then shook his head and sighed, "Lord Xu Ning was renowned for his unparalleled poetic talent in Liyue back then. I had long heard of him from Inazuma, but seeing him today, I know that his great reputation is well-deserved. However, Lord Xu Ning's visit today must not be just to give me these two lines of poetry, right?"
(You think you're so great because you can recite poetry? But I just don't like listening to it. Enough nonsense, did you bring your things?)
Xu Ning understood Kujo Takayuki's subtext, smiled slightly, took out a clean teacup from the exquisite tea set, poured a bowl of "Chidori" tea, and handed it to Kujo Sara.
"These two lines of poetry were just a spontaneous expression of my feelings; please take them with a grain of salt, sir. The main reason I've come today is to apologize, in the presence of General Kujo, for taking your prized possession without permission the other day."
(I naturally brought the things, but would you dare take them in front of Sara?)
When Kujo Takayuki saw Xu Ning pour a cup of wine for Kujo Sara and then drink from his gourd, he knew that Xu Ning didn't want to pour him any wine.
He picked up the teapot, poured himself a cup of cool tea, took a sip, pursed his lips, and said, "What treasure? It's just a book of strange tales and miscellaneous stories, which I keep by my pillow for leisure. I really didn't expect that Lord Xu Ning would share the same interest. Otherwise, if anyone else had seen this book, I'm afraid they would have had a hard time even flipping through it."
(Why wouldn't I dare to take it? Even if Sara were here, would she dare to open it and look at it?)
Ha, old man, you're really used to having Kujo Sara under your thumb, you're not afraid at all.
Xu Ning sneered inwardly, but smiled and said, "The head of the Kujo family is wrong. Nowadays, all kinds of novels are very popular in Inazuma. Merchants from Liyue buy a lot to keep on their journeys to pass the time. It is said that even our Inazuma general is very fond of them and occasionally reads them."
(You're so bold, so impressive. Now even the General wants to see what you're capable of. What do you say?)
Kujo Takayuki nearly dropped the teacup as if he had burned his mouth with the cold tea in his hand.
How did this matter reach the ears of the general?
The old man quickly calmed down, stroked his beard, and forced a smile, saying, "It seems that I, this old man, am truly ignorant. A true friend is the hardest thing in life, and since I have nothing of value, after much thought, I think it best to give you that book directly."
Xu Ning was slightly taken aback, but then he understood what Kujo Takayuki meant. He admired the old man's decisiveness.
Just like when the magistrate of the Heavenly Realm suddenly ordered everyone to stop and kill Kujo Sara, if I hadn't taught Kujo Sara that phrase, he probably would have succeeded.
Now that he's realized the book in his arms is a hot potato, he immediately and without hesitation decides to discard it.
Moreover, this old guy was certain that I wouldn't risk my reputation by ruining his own, so he kept calling me a "confidant" and a "fellow enthusiast," just to keep me from saying anything out of line while I had the book in my hand.
Xu Ning was not about to let this guy have his way.
Besides, what if the general suddenly wanted to see me one day if I took it?
Xu Ning pulled a tightly wrapped book from his pocket and slammed it onto the small table.
"How can that be? We in Liyue have an old saying: 'A gentleman does not take what others love.' Although I dare not call myself a gentleman, I am not a villain either. Please keep it safe, Lord Kujo."
Kujo Takayuki didn't even glance at the books Xu Ning had left on the table; he just kept pushing them away from Xu Ning.
As the two were politely declining each other's drinks, Kujo Sara had already finished her "Chidori" (a type of drink).
After setting down the teacup, Kujo Sara casually picked up the books that were tightly bound on the table.
"I see that the patriarch means well, so please don't stand on ceremony, Lord Xu Ning. Also, I've recently been researching the customs and preferences of ordinary people in Inazuma, and I'd like to read some novels of that kind. I wonder if I could borrow a few to take a look?"
Xu Ning was astonished. When did you, a mere warrior, start doing research?
But at this moment, there was no time to argue. Xu Ning suddenly stood up and said, "Leave the book here for now. You can read it if you want. I just remembered that I have an urgent matter to attend to at Narukami Shrine, so I'll take my leave now."
Kujo Takayuki reacted quickly, "The old man is in prison and unable to see guests off, so please see Lord Xu Ning off for me, Sara!"
Seeing Kujo Sara get up with the book, Xu Ning just wanted to get to the teleportation anchor point on the castle tower as soon as possible and slip away.
Unexpectedly, Kujo Sara, being tall and long-legged, followed closely behind him.
"So, 'Ninja Calamity' is just an abbreviation? 'Ninja Flag's Wandering Calamity,' that's quite a unique name..."
Xu Ning was startled and turned around when he suddenly heard the sound of pages turning behind him.
Kujo Sara was completely stunned, with only the wind rustling the pages of the book in his hands, revealing some of Teyvat's untold secrets.
"This is the secret that the patriarch and you knew...? I was actually saved by this while serving as the magistrate of Tianling? And I even emphasized the potential importance of this book to the general?"
Kujo Sara's face turned bright red, and the pages of paper fluttering in the wind seemed like resounding slaps. Her golden eyes even seemed to glow red.
Xu Ning knew something was wrong and immediately turned and ran towards the teleportation anchor point not far away.
Nine saras behind him slammed the book to the ground and casually took out a black feather fan from his waist.
"Thunder! Summon it!"
Several streaks of purple lightning struck the thin book.
Kujo Sara set the books ablaze, then scattered the ashes, until even the ashes were broken, before stopping.
Xu Ning had already vanished without a trace by this time.
Kujo Sara stood there stunned for a long time, thinking frantically, "If the Shogun asks me, how am I supposed to explain this absurd thing to her?!"
"Ahahahaha!"
Just then, an exaggerated laugh suddenly came from behind me.
"Kujo Tengu, you finally have the guts to come to the castle tower for our appointment! Hahaha, let's have a hot-blooded sumo match! I, the Arataki Sumo Oni-ou, have been waiting for this battle for a long time. Hurry up and take off your clothes to fight!"
Three words that shouldn't have appeared suddenly jolted Kujo Sara back to attention, and those filthy images from before resurfaced.
Kujo Sara's face was as cold as frost, her feather fan still in her hand. She turned and unleashed a bolt of lightning at that foolish oni.
"Awooo! You shameless Kujo Tengu, you actually launched a sneak attack!"
When Xu Ning appeared at the teleportation point of Narukami Shrine, Yae no Miko seemed to be waiting there.
"Oh, look how relieved you are. Is everything settled?"
Xu Ning smiled wryly, "Where did you see the relief on my face? Well, anyway, the matter is finally resolved. If possible, you can mark the location of the Divine Cherry Blossom Purification, and I'll get to work."