Chapter 850: Sonno-joi Patriots
Qi Xuansu did not linger long in Yoshida Castle and continued on his journey.
It somewhat reminded him of his early years roaming Jianghu. Back then, his cultivation was weak, and he had not yet realized that Madam Qi was hiding her true strength. Every step had been a struggle, like crawling through a swamp. But now, Qi Xuansu was only one step away from becoming a Banished Immortal. With the cultivation of a Heavenly Being and a semi-immortal object in hand, he could even hold his own against a Wuliang-stage Heavenly Being. Naturally, he could now move with ease through this place infested with malevolent spirits as if he were taking a stroll through a serene garden.
Since Watarai District was under the control of the Chancellor’s Office and Taki District belonged to the Jingu, these two regions had seen the fiercest battles. They were also the areas most saturated with resentment and yin energy. But once Qi Xuansu passed out of Taki District, the situation improved somewhat, and there were more traces of human life.
Along the way, Qi Xuansu casually rescued another samurai—a burly, broad-shouldered man.
Through conversation, he learned the man’s name was Gosaku, who, like many, had no last name. He had once studied swordsmanship in the Shinkage-ryu School, but was not from the Yagyu clan.
More crucially, this man turned out to be a Sonno-joi patriot.
This caught Qi Xuansu by surprise. But instead of killing Gosaku, he decided to use the samurai as a cover. With a travel permit and a companion from the Sonno-joi faction, who would ever question his identity?
As for himself, Qi Xuansu continued to claim that he was a Harima Onmyoji named Docho.
Gosaku did not grow suspicious at all. As a samurai, he could not tell the difference between Daoist and Onmyodo spells. All he recognized was the Kuji-kiri. To him, anyone who could draw that symbol had to be a Harima Onmyoji.
The two traveled together and discussed the current war engulfing Fenglin.
Gosaku was filled with rage. However, to Qi Xuansu’s surprise, Gosaku’s hatred for the Chancellor’s Office far exceeded his hatred for the Daoist Order. Toward the Daoists, he felt more fear than animosity.
After all, Daoist cavalry, flying ships, and firearms were unstoppable on the frontlines.