Chapter 166 : t5 and Crossroads
After deciding on their next direction, Jiang Lai and Okkotsu Yuta didn't hesitate and quickly bought tickets to Kyoto.
After discussion, for this trip to the Zenin family, Jiang Lai's main body would again go ahead to explore.
After all, the Zenin family had many eyes and ears. If Okkotsu Yuta brought Little Sheep Jiang Lai directly for a visit, it would likely attract unnecessary attention.
Better to let Jiang Lai's main body, who could infiltrate barriers silently, enter the Zenin family and directly find the person in charge to gather intelligence and confirm locations.
Because the operation required secrecy, Jiang Lai's time to go to the Zenin family was still at night.
Jiang Lai: I feel like I'm about to become a night vigilante!
Today's weather wasn't good. Rain started at dusk. The rainfall wasn't too heavy, but it kept pattering continuously, filling the air with humid atmosphere.
Okkotsu Yuta tidied up the room. Watching Jiang Lai switch back to his main body form and push open the window to go out, he said with concern:
"Senpai, should we wait for the rain to lighten before going? Or tomorrow would also work. It's not particularly urgent."
"It's fine, no problem." Jiang Lai paused, then smiled. "My technique is somewhat similar to Satoru's Limitless in a sense. It can isolate external rain and snow, no need to worry."
This explanation made Okkotsu Yuta's previous hesitation fade away. The black-haired youth's face broke into a smile as he said cheerfully: "That's good then. Senpai is like Gojo-sensei, both reassuring strong individuals."
Gojo Satoru was a symbol of strength. Just by standing there, he was the jujutsu world's protective deity, driving away countless cursed spirits. But even the strongest was human.
Jiang Lai couldn't help but think again of Gojo Satoru who went alone to handle the [Crossroads] tower. There were still no new emails from him in the inbox.
It seemed he'd still have to use Lady Zenin's technique later to confirm the other's situation.
"Well then, I'll set off." Jiang Lai gathered his scattered thoughts. He waved at Okkotsu Yuta, then turned and leaped out the window.
Rain and mist were hazy, the air filled with the scent of fragrant grass and earth.
Jiang Lai activated his spatial technique, covering himself with a thin layer that isolated the humid, fine rain threads.
Upon stepping into the Zenin family grounds, he suddenly remembered something somewhat important. Coming here so suddenly without prior notice, if he wanted to see the Zenin family head or Lady Zenin, wouldn't his destination be their bedroom?
But going to the bedroom at night felt somewhat awkward... and inconvenient for conversation.
Should he leave some subtle hints and reminders, then come for an appointment tomorrow night?
But if there was some situation on Satoru's side, knowing earlier would allow him to assist sooner.
Jiang Lai fell into rare minor indecision.
What ended his indecision was the current situation after approaching.
Jiang Lai silently leaped onto the rooftops. From afar, he glimpsed lights in the study area of the Zenin family head's residence.
The night was already deep, yet Zenin Naobito was still working at his desk handling documents. The wooden desk faced the window, and through it, you could see the piled documents.
Being a family head was quite difficult too... It seemed he'd arrived at a good time, the other hadn't rested yet.
Jiang Lai landed in the courtyard, his raven-feathered kimono blending into the night.
The Zenin family head's strength didn't require additional courtyard guards, so this small courtyard had no outsiders.
Jiang Lai walked along the wall to the window. He lightly released some cursed energy, carrying a few grains of sand to tap against the window!
The light "ding-dong" sound of sand hitting the window wasn't obvious in the rain, but Zenin Naobito keenly sensed traces of cursed energy aura. He quickly looked up, his flying eyebrows carrying skyward momentum!
Outside the window, Jiang Lai wore a demon fox mask, standing silently in the fine rain.
"...?!" Obvious shock crossed Zenin Naobito's face, then he adjusted his expression in the blink of an eye.
He slightly restrained his previous aura and got up to open the small door leading from the study to the courtyard.
When opening the door, Zenin Naobito made a slight bowing gesture. Jiang Lai nodded slightly in return.
The black-haired youth wearing the demon fox mask stepped into the study like a wisp of mist.
Zenin Naobito closed the small door, then lowered the study window's blinds. He sat back down, his deep voice lowered: "What brings you here again, sir?"
Not knowing his name but feeling "lord" inappropriate, he used "sir" to show respect.
Zenin Naobito's actions and words clearly showed he still remembered Jiang Lai's image from when he came to the Zenin family years ago, and had heard about the recent cooperative transaction from Lady Zenin.
Jiang Lai's eyes behind the mask lowered slightly as he spoke calmly: "Which Four Guardian Tower belongs to the Zenin family?"
There was subtle word craft here. Jiang Lai didn't ask "do you know about the Four Guardian Towers" or "do you have Four Guardian Towers here," but jumped directly to "which one."
This approach would reduce the other's likelihood of concealment... though Jiang Lai didn't think he would conceal anything, since the transaction did involve this convenience.
Zenin Naobito's expression paused slightly. He placed one hand on his crossed legs' knee and exhaled:
"It seems you've penetrated to very important places... This is quite troublesome. The Zenin family indeed has one, but I don't know its name."
It seemed the Zenin family head knew such a thing existed, which was exactly what Jiang Lai wanted to ask about. As for the name, he already knew.
Jiang Lai took out a white paper from his waist sash. This was the curse-activated map Okkotsu Yuta had given him before departure.
When he first stepped onto Zenin family territory, Jiang Lai had looked at the map. The strange symbol beside the [Noble and Base] tower at the Kyoto location was already lit.
This meant the [Noble and Base] tower was indeed at the Zenin family.
At this moment, Jiang Lai said: "Since you know, then the rest will be convenient."
"I can probably guess your tower's name. It's [Noble and Base]."
"Our people can handle the Four Guardian Towers at other locations. But for your Zenin family's destruction matter, outsiders aren't convenient to participate. It's better to try yourselves."
However, Zenin Naobito's expression after hearing this wasn't relaxed. His face with upward-flying eyebrows and beard rarely squeezed out a bitter smile:
"If it were that easy, we wouldn't need to seek help from outsiders. After you tell me the tower's name, it's probably even harder to handle."
Jiang Lai's eyebrows behind the demon fox mask raised slightly. He stood quietly in place, waiting for Zenin Naobito's explanation.
"This tower is rooted in the Zenin family's region, radiating to the Zenin clan members on this land. I originally thought this tower was limited by land area and considered whether we could relocate without alerting the enemy... Now it seems, since it's named the [Noble and Base] tower, it probably connects to something else."
Zenin Naobito deeply exhaled: "This is rooted in the Zenin family's system."
As family head, Zenin Naobito wasn't stupid. He knew the Zenin family had always had hierarchical distinctions linked to cursed energy and gender.
This tower was probably built on that emotion or order.
Though Zenin Naobito didn't say it explicitly, Jiang Lai also guessed somewhat.
His eyebrows behind the mask rose slightly, then he said calmly: "Since you understand, then abolish the original system, dissolve the feudal family structure, and reorganize with new education."
"Your order couldn't last long anyway. Early demolition isn't impossible."
"The struggle before transition is the hardest to handle. This isn't something that can be done just by talking." Zenin Naobito stroked his beard with one hand, shaking his head and sighing.
The counterattack before dawn is the fiercest. Jiang Lai understood. It had to be said, Brain-kun's design was excellent, placing the [Noble and Base] tower in such a location.
The Zenin family's matter was indeed difficult, probably not something that could be resolved quickly.
But Jiang Lai didn't want to spend much effort here. Their family affairs should be resolved by themselves.
And both the Zenin family head and Lady Zenin were no ordinary people. Once they set their direction, they would take action.
Anyway, he had conveyed the information. The specific implementation should be left to these responsible parties.
Jiang Lai raised his head slightly, switching topics in his next sentence: "Last time, your respected wife and I agreed on another transaction. I sent Zenin Naoya out of the Zenin family, while your wife would provide me one prophecy opportunity. I want to cash it in now."
Zenin Naobito's thoughts were still immersed in the Four Guardian Towers. After hearing Jiang Lai's words, he took a few seconds to react and come back to himself: "I understand. Please wait a moment, sir."
Lady Zenin usually also participated in some family politics (though the elder council had considerable complaints about this).
So calling Lady Zenin when handling documents wasn't anything that would attract attention.
The servant outside followed orders, led Lady Zenin to the study, then consciously retreated far away.
Lady Zenin originally wondered what documents were being handled tonight that required her joint consultation, but upon pushing open the door and seeing that swaying figure in the light, she immediately understood.
That person had come.
Jiang Lai didn't say much. Zenin Naobito had already conveyed Jiang Lai's previous words to Lady Zenin.
Lady Zenin sat down elegantly. She didn't refuse but nodded: "I'll naturally fulfill what was promised. What do you wish to prophesy? I need some keywords."
Jiang Lai was silent for half a second, then replied: "Gojo Satoru, Four Guardian Towers, Crossroads."
Lady Zenin's expression was slightly stunned, somewhat surprised by what Jiang Lai had given.
But she didn't ask more questions. Instead, she dutifully prepared for the prophecy, placing both hands on the desk surface.
Cursed energy slowly overflowed from Lady Zenin. The study's antique oil lamp swayed with light and shadow.
The rain outside gradually intensified, accompanied by howling wind. Sharp flashes lit up the sky.
Jiang Lai's brown eyes behind the mask stared intently ahead. Some fine horizontal, vertical, and curved lines appeared in the air before Lady Zenin.
Those fine lines were guided by some special power, interlacing and combining, gradually arranging into recognizable text.
[Zhuangzi's dawn dream, crossroads misty. Don't lose, don't forget, friends looking out for each other.]
Jiang Lai stared at these words, falling into brief stunned silence.
These words were somewhat vague. Jiang Lai couldn't immediately pinpoint anything. He had some guesses, but his thoughts were too complex.
So he focused his gaze on Lady Zenin, waiting for the caster's initial explanation.
After using the technique, Lady Zenin's complexion looked somewhat paler, but she still kept her back straight with graceful bearing, showing no weakness.
She lowered her eyes, carefully feeling the prophecy. After a long while, she raised her eyelids and said slowly:
"I'm not entirely certain... but this prophecy seems to say that the person you're looking for is at crossroads, just not real crossroads. So friends need to find him and bring him out of Zhuangzi's dawn dream crossroads."
Life's path has countless choices and countless possibilities. Each choice corresponds to two paths.
The path not chosen is the crossroads.
Jiang Lai paused slightly in his heart. He glanced at the prophecy, pondered for a moment, combining those lines with Lady Zenin's words, then converting them into more understandable language.
Aside from those one-in-ten-thousand special cursed tools, only the strongest himself could confine the strongest.
...This meant Gojo Satoru might be trapped in some illusory crossroads if-line, and he needed to pull him back from the Zhuangzi's dawn dream if-line?