White Cloud Town was named after the blue skies and faint clouds that were often seen in this place. Although the town was not big, it was bustling with activity and people came and went.
Fujiwara No Chiko and the others found an inn and settled down. After settling down, Fujiwara No Chiko changed into a set of local clothes and put on a bamboo hat with a veil. Then, she went to Hattori Chio's room.
"I'll go out and ask around," Fujiwara No Chiko said.
"Why don't you just leave it to them? There's no need for you to go," Hattori Chio said.
"My Chinese is better than theirs. The Ye family is full of experts. I don't feel safe letting them go," Fujiwara No Chiko said.
"I'll go with you," Hattori Chio said.
"It's not good to have too many people. Your Chinese is not as good as mine. It's easy to expose yourself," Fujiwara No Chiko said. Then, she asked, "Why? You don't believe me? "
"No, no, you think too much," Hattori Chio quickly explained. "If that's the case, be careful."
Fujiwara No Chiko nodded and left.
After leaving the inn, Fujiwara No Chiko asked passersby where the Ye family lived. After knowing the exact location, Fujiwara No Chiko quickened her pace and walked towards the Ye family.
She was very careful along the way. She carefully observed her surroundings to prevent anyone from following her. Fortunately, she did not find any signs of being followed.
After a while, she arrived in front of a pawnshop.
The pawnshop was not big, but it had an antique feel to it. The words "Ye Ji Pawnshop" were very eye-catching. It was already evening and there were no customers in the shop. The clerk at the counter was using a feather duster to clean up the pawnshop. The shopkeeper next to him was fiddling with an abacus, calculating the day's income and expenditure.
Fujiwara No Chiko saw that there was no one around and slowly walked into the pawnshop.
"Dear customer, we're about to close. If you want to pawn something, please come back tomorrow," the clerk immediately said when he saw a customer.
The shopkeeper didn't even raise his head as he continued to calculate.
"I'm not here to be a pawn. I'm here to find someone," Fujiwara No Chiko said in fluent Chinese.
"Looking for someone?" the shop assistant asked. "Who?"
"Look for your boss, Ye Kong," said Fujiwara No Chiko.
"Why are you looking for our boss?" The shopkeeper stopped what he was doing and asked after hearing Fujiwara No Chiko's words.
"Something important." Fujiwara No Chiko said, "It's urgent."
"Have you made an appointment?" the shopkeeper asked. Who was Ye Kong? How could he meet him whenever he wanted?
"No," Fujiwara No Chiko replied.
"How about this, miss, please leave your name first and come back tomorrow. I will report this matter to my master tonight and give you an answer tomorrow. What do you think? "The shopkeeper said.
"As I said, it's urgent." Fujiwara Chiko said as she pressed her palm directly on the counter. With a little force, her slender white palm pressed directly into the elm counter that was more than a palm thick. Fujiwara No Chiko retracted her palm, leaving an inch-deep palm print on the counter.
"You … What are you trying to do?" The shopkeeper was shocked by the scene in front of him.
"As I said, I'm looking for your boss, Ye Kong." Fujiwara No Chiko said coldly, "Now."
"You … Wait!" Wait here, "the shopkeeper said to the worker who was staring at the handprint in shock." Go and get the First Master, quick! "
The shop assistant was also shocked. He immediately opened the back door and ran to the backyard.
In less than a cup of tea's time, the curtain at the back door was lifted and a handsome middle-aged man walked in. He was wearing a green shirt and had bright eyebrows and bright eyes.
"Which friend is looking for me?" The middle-aged man walked to the counter and asked.
It's her. "The pawnshop assistant pointed at Fujiwara No Chiko and stammered.
"Friend, let's talk nicely. There's no need to scare the people in my shop." The middle-aged man looked at the handprint on the counter and said with a smile.
"You are Ye Kong?" Fujiwara No Chiko asked.
"That's right." The middle-aged man said, "Friend, you damaged my counter. You should compensate me."
"Excuse me." Fujiwara No Chiko cupped her hands and bowed. She took out an ingot of silver and placed it on the counter. "It's urgent and I had no choice. Otherwise, I definitely wouldn't be able to see you today."
"Oh?" Ye Kong motioned the shopkeeper to accept the silver and said, "I don't know you. You came to my pawnshop and didn't want to redeem anything. Why are you looking for me?"
Fujiwara No Chiko didn't say anything. She just glanced at the shop assistant and the shopkeeper.
The middle-aged man understood and waved his hand. The shop assistant and the shopkeeper turned and left.
"Are you really Ye Kong?" Fujiwara No Chiko asked again.
"Friend, if you continue to be so unreasonable, I'm sorry I can't accompany you." The middle-aged man said as he turned and prepared to leave.
"Wait a minute." Fujiwara No Chiko shouted.
The middle-aged man turned around.
Fujiwara No Chiko suddenly waved her hand and the door of the pawnshop closed automatically. The crossbar also fell down and blocked the door from the inside.
"What are you doing?" The middle-aged man calmly asked.
"Since you are Ye Kong, you must know this sword." Fujiwara No Chiko put down the scabbard and hit the hidden spring. With a snap, the hidden compartment of the scabbard automatically popped out. She reached out her hand and pulled out the Chihō sword from the scabbard and placed it on the counter.
"This …" The middle-aged man's expression changed when he saw this. He reached out and picked up the sword. His left hand held the hilt and pulled it out with a slight force. With a swoosh, the sword was pulled out by a foot. The roar of a tiger and the roar of a dragon could be heard and a white light flashed. The whole room instantly lit up.
"This … this is the Chihō sword!" The middle-aged man said. "Snap!" He closed the sword and put it on the counter. He stared at Fujiwara No Chiko. "Who is Ito Fumio to you? How did you get this sword? "
"I killed Ito Fumio. I took this sword." Fujiwara No Chiko said.
"Hahahaha …" The middle-aged man looked up and laughed. "I'm afraid the person who can kill Ito Fumio hasn't been born yet. Tell me, why did your master ask you to come to me? "The middle-aged man asked with a smile.
"How do you know that I'm lying to you? How do you know that I'm his disciple?" Fujiwara No Chiko asked with a frown.
"This Chihō sword is Ito Fumio's favorite. With his cultivation, he would never let this sword fall into the hands of an outsider." The middle-aged man continued, "The scabbard on your back is also his. As far as I know, he has always been alone. He doesn't have a wife, and it's impossible for him to have a daughter. There is only one possibility for him to give you these two things. That is, he has already accepted you as his disciple."
This person was indeed Ye Kong! Fujiwara No Chiko thought of this and immediately bowed. "Uncle Ye, please forgive Chiko's offense." After that, she bowed to the ground.
"Get up, get up." Ye Kong quickly helped Fujiwara No Chiko up. "How is your master?"
"Master is very good," Fujiwara No Chiko said as she took out a wax pill from her arms and handed it to Ye Kong. "Master asked me to give this to you."
Ye Kong took the wax pill and squeezed it with his hand. The wax pill split into two halves. He took out a piece of white silk from it, and then shook it gently and read it carefully.
"So it's like this." Ye Kong looked dignified after reading the letter. "Did Matsumoto Takeyoshi assign you a task?"
Fujiwara No Chiko didn't dare to neglect and told Ye Kong everything.
After listening, Ye Kong frowned. He didn't expect that Fujiwara No Chiko's first target would be the Ye family. What made him feel even more inconceivable was that Matsumoto Takeyoshi actually knew that he had already obtained the Golden Ring Sword! The Golden Ring Sword was a legendary item. The sword's creator was unknown. It was said that this sword had already gained intelligence and could choose its own master. Its whereabouts were uncertain. One morning, Ye Kong had just woken up and discovered that this sword had actually appeared on his table! Other than Ye Fan, he was the only one who knew about this matter. Moreover, he had indeed instructed Ye Fan to deliver this item to his father, Ye Yun, in the next few days. Now, it seemed that things had far exceeded his expectations. Matsumoto Takeyoshi had used some unknown method to find out about this secret and had even sent experts to steal this item.
It seemed that there was someone secretly monitoring every movement here. The plan now was to beat them at their own game and let Ye Fan continue with this matter to avoid alerting the enemy.
"Chiko, you go back first." Ye Kong placed the letter on the candle in front of the God of Wealth's statue and burned it. "Everything will proceed according to your original plan. In three days, I will have Fan Er bring the item on the road. You can make your move then, but remember, let Hattori Chixiong make his move. Don't interfere, understand?"
"I understand what Uncle Ye means, but …" Fujiwara No Chiko couldn't help but worry. "That Hattori Chixiong's cultivation level is extremely high, and he has the Fiery Sword. If that's the case, your son …" Fujiwara No Chiko was afraid that Hattori Chixiong would hurt Ye Kong's son.
"Don't worry about this. I will secretly protect him," Ye Kong said. "I won't make a move unless it's absolutely necessary."
"I understand. Take care, Uncle Ye. Time is of the essence. Chiko will leave first," Fujiwara No Chiko said.
"Be careful," Ye Kong reminded her.
Fujiwara No Chiko nodded. After bowing to Ye Kong, she turned and left.
After returning to the residence, Fujiwara No Chiko went straight to Hattori Chixiong's room. In the room, Hattori Chixiong was busy on the table. There were dozens of different medicines on the table.
"What are you …" Fujiwara No Chiko looked at the medicines that she couldn't name and asked.
"Making an antidote," Hattori Chixiong didn't even raise his head. "I have to think of a way to cure your poison first."
"Oh," Fujiwara No Chiko said as she sat across the table.
"How's the investigation?" Hattori Chixiong took a little of each of the medicines and mixed them together. Then, he crushed them. In an instant, the room was filled with a strong medicinal smell.
"There's nothing useful," Fujiwara No Chiko said. "It seems that we have to send someone to spy on him."
"Mm," Hattori Chixiong said. "That's the only way. I'll send someone to spy on him later. I'll think of a way to make an antidote in the next two days. " Hattori Chixiong walked to Fujiwara No Chiko and handed her a needle and a small porcelain cup. "Drip a few drops of blood into this. I want to study the poison in your body."
Fujiwara No Chiko hesitated for a moment, then took the items. She pricked her finger and dripped a few drops of blood into the porcelain cup.
"Go and rest. I'll let you know if there's any news, "Hattori Chixiong said as he took the porcelain cup.
Fujiwara No Chiko nodded and turned to leave. She returned to her room.
The night passed uneventfully.
The next evening, the ninja found out that Ye Kong's son, Ye Fan, would be leaving tomorrow. He would be heading to the Ye family's ancestral home with the Golden Ring Sword!
"Oh?" Hattori Chixiong perked up when he heard the news.
"Continue to monitor his every move. Once he moves, report back immediately," Hattori Chixiong ordered.
"Yes." The ninja quietly retreated.
"Golden Ring Sword? Hahaha … "Hattori Chixiong laughed happily." I've long heard that the Golden Ring Sword is the most mysterious sword in the Central Plains. It's said that the sword will automatically find its owner. This time, Ye Kong's son is actually carrying it. It seems that the Golden Ring Sword will be mine soon. "
"Obtaining the Golden Ring Sword is one of my missions," Fujiwara No Chiko said. "You're not going to steal it from me, are you?"
"Hehe," Hattori Chixiong laughed. "If it's really the Golden Ring Sword, I'm prepared to take it for myself. But don't worry, "Hattori Chixiong took out a small wooden box and handed it to Fujiwara No Chiko." I've already prepared the antidote. When the time comes, you can go back and tell Matsumoto Takeyoshi that I injured you when you weren't paying attention and took the Golden Ring Sword away. "
"This …" Fujiwara No Chiko deliberately pretended to be hesitant. In fact, she knew that with Ye Kong secretly protecting Ye Fan, the Golden Ring Sword would not easily fall into Hattori Chixiong's hands.
"Don't worry," Hattori Chixiong said when he saw Fujiwara No Chiko's hesitation. "I'll stay in the Great Ming Dynasty. As long as you need my help, I won't stand idly by."
"Okay," Fujiwara No Chiko pretended to agree and took the small wooden box from Hattori Chixiong. "However, don't you find it strange? How did Matsumoto Takeyoshi know that Ye Kong would give the Golden Ring Sword to Ye Fan? "
"Can't you see?" Hattori Chixiong laughed. "Someone is secretly monitoring Ye Kong's every move, every word, and every action. Matsumoto Takeyoshi must have secretly bribed the servants of the Ye Family. That's why he was the first to know. "
"That makes sense. But, "Fujiwara No Chiko changed the topic and asked," with Matsumoto Takeyoshi's suspicious personality, isn't he worried that you'll take the Golden Ring Sword for yourself? "
"Of course he's worried, hehe …" Hattori Chixiong laughed. "Did you forget? He thought that I already drank the poison, so he's not worried about this. "
"It seems that you're determined to get the Golden Ring Sword?" Fujiwara No Chiko said.
"That's right." Hattori Chixiong laughed.
"But don't forget, as you said, the Golden Ring Sword chooses its owner. Furthermore, the Ye Family has many masters, and this son of Ye Kong, Ye Fan, is definitely not an ordinary person." Fujiwara No Chiko said, "I'm afraid this mission won't go so smoothly."
"From what I know, the Ye Family is extremely conceited." Hattori Chixiong looked as if he had a card up his sleeve. "This Golden Ring Sword is extraordinary, and definitely won't be handed over to an outsider for safekeeping. Ye Kong also seems to have smelled danger, and will definitely arrange for someone to send the sword to the Ye Family's ancestral home. That's the safest place. The Ye Family has many rules, and during the Spring Festival, each branch can only send one representative to the ancestral home. Ye Kong is a low-key person, and he's busy with family matters. He can't leave, so he can only let his only son, Ye Fan, escort the sword to the Ye Family's ancestral home. The biggest taboo when escorting a treasure is to have too many people, or else it'll be exposed. So if I'm not wrong, it'll definitely be Ye Fan alone who'll be carrying the sword. As for Ye Fan's cultivation, hehe … "Hattori Chixiong laughed." He's just a child, how big of a wave can he make? How can he beat the two of us? Hahahaha … "Hattori Chixiong looked up to the sky and laughed. It was as if the Golden Ring Sword was already in his pocket.
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