Chapter 935: The Ancient Feud |
When it came to treasures, Liu Xing was always eager to explore.
So, after giving Dogo Aige a quick glance, Liu Xing followed Matsui Yui into the room behind the large door.
Contrary to Liu Xing's imagination, the treasure room behind the door wasn't a vast space filled with a chaotic assortment of valuables. Instead, MacIntyre had meticulously organized the room, dividing it into multiple sections based on the value of the items. Each section was further divided into smaller rooms, housing different types of treasures.
Of course, MacIntyre had organized the items this way to quickly install security measures in each section and even individual rooms. For instance, the least valuable gold and silver jewelry was placed in the outermost area, surrounded only by iron bars imbued with electric magic... After so many years, the magic on these bars had almost completely faded, so when Liu Xing touched them, he only felt a slight tingling sensation in his fingers.
MacIntyre had been extremely cautious with the most precious magic items, so the innermost rooms were protected by interconnected mechanisms.
In simple terms, these mechanisms were designed to trigger a chain reaction. Once one of them was activated, the rest would also be activated. If a living being entered the attack range of these activated mechanisms, they would automatically trigger.
However, MacIntyre might have been reluctant to destroy his collection of treasures accumulated over the years, so he focused on making these mechanisms flashy and impressive. But he didn't install self-destruct programs inside the rooms.
Therefore, Matsui Yui, who had no patience for puzzle-solving games, quickly arranged for her subordinates to set up various defensive measures. Then, they directly triggered the mechanisms in each room. Due to the passage of time and the hasty initial setup, these mechanisms were all bark and no bite. After a dazzling display of lights, sounds, and smoke, Matsui Yui's subordinates emerged unscathed.
Soon, Liu Xing and the others had opened all the rooms in the treasure trove.
All the items Matsui Yui had mentioned were there, and Liu Xing even found something he had been searching for a long time—a fragment of "The Secret Scripture of Xuanjun."
This was the item that had started Liu Xing's "dream."
If he hadn't found this fragment today, Liu Xing might have forgotten about his quest to collect "The Secret Scripture of Xuanjun."
However, the magic spells recorded on this fragment were incredibly powerful—summoning Nyarlathotep!
Unfortunately, the conditions for using this magic spell were unknown, so Liu Xing's desire to summon Nyarlathotep was quickly extinguished.
Of course, Liu Xing guessed that even if he could see the conditions for using this magic spell, he probably wouldn't be able to meet them. After all, Nyarlathotep wasn't the kind of Byakhee that could be summoned at will.
It would be better for Liu Xing to shout "Aughra" three times on the spot and ask her to introduce him to Nyarlathotep... even if he might get his head blown off by Aughra.
After obtaining "The Secret Scripture of Xuanjun," Liu Xing was delighted and prepared to leave the treasure trove with Matsui Yui. Due to the sheer number of treasures, they decided to carry only a few of the most valuable and portable items with them. The rest, including the gold and silver jewelry, would be transported out by Dogo Aige's men using submarines.
However, as they passed by the stone bridge and the small river, Liu Xing suddenly realized that they were gone, and a nearby painting was also missing.
It seemed that Dogo Aige had taken the fragment of the Poetry and Song World.
Over an hour later, Liu Xing and Matsui Yui returned to Kagoshima City.
As soon as they entered Shimada Sho's estate, he summoned them to the living room.
"What's the matter, Xiaoxiao? Why the rush?" Matsui Yui asked, puzzled.
Shimada Sho shook his head and said seriously, "Something's not right with Ii Naoyoshi's situation. I sent my informants to keep an eye on that seafood market, and I found that more than half of the stalls have changed owners, and the foot traffic has increased significantly. We estimate that there are over a hundred new people in the market."
"Are these the same people who fled into the Dreamrealm?" Liu Xing asked hurriedly.
Shimada Sho nodded and said affirmatively, "Yes, it's them. I've identified several familiar faces through the recordings. Although they're now disguised as ordinary small-time merchants, the occasional madness in their eyes tells me they're still the same as before—fanatical believers of that unknown Great Old One... But a hungry wolf that has learned to be patient is much more difficult to deal with than a tiger that prefers direct confrontation."
Liu Xing frowned and said, "In that case, they must be preparing to make their move."
After a moment of silence, Shimada Sho suddenly shook his head and said, "No, I don't think they'll take action anytime soon. At least, not before the end of the Public-Military Conflict. If they act now, they'll easily face a joint crackdown by the Public Faction and the Warrior Faction. It'll be like what we discussed before—a strong start but a quick collapse. After all, their numbers are far fewer than the entire Island Nation."
"So, I believe they're currently focusing on growth, using the seafood market to gain control of the Lu Wu area and develop a group of peripheral believers to assist them. Then, during the initial period after the end of the Public-Military Conflict, when the Island Nation is at its weakest, they'll launch their offensive. This way, they'll have a better chance of controlling Kagoshima City, or even Southern Kyushu."
Liu Xing thought about it and agreed that Shimada Sho was right. The initial period after the end of the Public-Military Conflict was indeed the most vulnerable time for the Island Nation.
Based on the current situation, when the Public-Military Conflict concludes, the best outcome for the losing side is that the major families will be suppressed or placed under house arrest. Their servants and henchmen will be disbanded, and the secret cults will either be absorbed or expelled from the Island Nation.
If the winning side is ruthless and relentless, the losing side will likely suffer heavy casualties and defections, resulting in a significant reduction in their overall strength, with only a fraction remaining.
What about the winning side?
Liu Xing didn't think they would fare much better. As one of the top ten powers in the Warrior Faction, Liu Xing had learned from Sawada Yinyin that the Warrior Faction was not a united front. Everyone had joined for their own interests, so if the Warrior Faction emerged victorious, the previously hidden conflicts would likely erupt. All it would take is a single spark.
Is it easy to find this spark?
Of course, it is! Or rather, they are everywhere!
For example, the Oda Family has already sent many people to investigate what happened on Shikoku Island, determined to avenge their family members. Once they discover that Mutou Masao was the leader of the Night Society at the time, they will suspect that Mutou Masao killed Oda Eiji.
The Warrior Faction will be in an uproar.
However, in Liu Xing's opinion, even if the Oda Family discovers the truth before the end of the Public-Military Conflict, they are unlikely to turn against the Shimazu Family and the Night Society during the conflict. Instead, they will secretly ally with the remaining families and secret cults, waiting until after the conflict to make their move.
Therefore, Liu Xing believes that if the Warrior Faction wins the final victory, it won't be long before they fall into internal strife. When that happens, Ii Naoyoshi and his group will face minimal resistance in their attempt to occupy Kagoshima City or even Southern Kyushu, as the Warrior Faction will be busy fighting among themselves for territory.
Ii Naoyoshi and his group can follow the example of Hokkaido and Ryukyu.
For now, the best strategy for Ii Naoyoshi is to quietly develop their strength, as they need to recruit peripheral believers.
"But speaking of Ii Naoyoshi, I heard that the Ii Family has also organized a team to search for him," Shimada Sho continued. "For the Ii Family, Ii Naoyoshi is not only a traitor but also a disgrace to the family's reputation. They plan to publicly execute him according to their family law once they capture him, and a team has already arrived in Kagoshima City."
"This is not good news. The Ii Family, being a top-tier family in the Island Nation, has a unique practice. When a new family member is born, they add a special drug to the various vaccines they receive. This drug is a formula learned by the Yis People from a now-extinct race. It causes the body to produce a unique pheromone that cannot be modified or removed."
"These pheromones constantly transmit information to the surroundings, and a specialized instrument can be used to receive this information. The most crucial part is that these pheromones have slight differences, allowing the instrument to analyze and identify the individual they belong to. Therefore, the team sent by the Ii Family will undoubtedly have this instrument. As long as Ii Naoyoshi appears within the instrument's detection range, he won't be able to escape the Ii Family's pursuit unless he hides in the Dreamrealm."
Upon hearing this, Matsui Yui exclaimed, "This is indeed bad news. If the Ii Family finds Ii Naoyoshi and informs the Warrior Faction and the Public Faction of his whereabouts, Ii Naoyoshi will have only two choices—either return to the Dreamrealm and wait for another opportunity or take immediate action!"
"Ii Naoyoshi will probably choose to take immediate action," Liu Xing continued. "Or, when Ii Naoyoshi realizes he's being watched, he'll instinctively believe his plan has been exposed. So, they'll have no choice but to act, as returning to the Dreamrealm and waiting for another opportunity could mean an indefinite delay."
"You're right, Liu Xing," Shimada Sho said seriously. "When Ii Naoyoshi realizes his plan has been exposed, he'll know he's raised the Island Nation's alertness. From then on, all the Dreamrealm gates that can be found will be heavily guarded. If they want to return to the real world, they'll likely face various attacks as soon as they step out."
Liu Xing rubbed his chin and said with a headache, "This is not good news. If those guys provoke Ii Naoyoshi to take action, the entire Kagoshima City will be thrown into chaos... But, as I recall, the relationship between the Ii Family and the Shimazu Family isn't good, right? After all, Ii Naomasa personally killed Shimazu Toyohisa, and he also died at a young age due to multiple gunshot wounds sustained during the pursuit. So, the Shimazu Family and the Ii Family should be considered blood enemies, even though centuries have passed, and their relationship probably hasn't improved much."
"That's correct," Shimada Sho said. "The relationship between the Shimazu Family and the Ii Family has always been strained. Aside from the blood feud over Shimazu Toyohisa, the Ii Family, as a trusted aide of the Tokugawa Shogunate, often issued various decrees to suppress the Shimazu Family. After the establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate, the Shimazu Family was one of the few families that could still exercise most of their ruling power in their territory, as it was too far from the shogunate's actual control."
"Moreover, although the Shimazu Family suffered heavy losses in the Battle of Sekigahara, Kyushu has always been the most martial region in the Island Nation. So, the Shimazu Family quickly recruited a new group of samurai. With their close ties to Europeans and advanced firearms, the Tokugawa Shogunate considered the Shimazu Family a thorn in their side. The Ii Family, as their enemy, constantly plotted against them. During the later Meiji Restoration, the Shimazu Family led the Satsuma Domain, which played a significant role in overthrowing the Ii Family's power."
"If I remember correctly, the Ii Family joined the Public Faction. Why would the Warrior Faction and Shimazu Nakano allow them to send people to Kagoshima City to search for Ii Naoyoshi? Don't they worry that the Ii Family will take this opportunity to gather intelligence or even cause trouble on the Warrior Faction's territory?" Matsui Yui asked, puzzled.
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