A Pawn’s Passage

Toyotomi Chiyo looked toward the guji shackled to the pillar. "Is it really necessary to interrogate them like this?"

Xu Kou replied calmly, "Stubborn offenders simply won't confess without applying some extreme methods."

Toyotomi Chiyo frowned slightly. "This likely goes against the Sage Commander's instructions. Before the February offensive began, the Sage Commander clearly emphasized that pacification and appeasement should be the priority. Violence should not be used at will, and certainly not mass killings. The Sage Commander even quoted a Confucian Sage. If those from afar do not submit, cultivate virtue to attract them. Once they arrive, settle them in peace."

Xu Kou replied with no change in expression, "Of course, I'm following the Sage Commander's instructions. Pacification and appeasement are the priority."

"This is your version of pacification and appeasement?" Toyotomi Chiyo questioned sternly.

"What else, then?" Xu Kou shot back. "If not for the Sage Commander's instructions, at least half of them would already be dead, and their heads displayed on the city gates for all to see. Even the survivors wouldn't be standing here dressed so neatly. But now, they're still alive, merely detained. Isn't that already a form of pacification and appeasement?"

"You—!" Toyotomi Chiyo exclaimed, exasperated.

Xu Kou responded coolly, "Lady Toyotomi, don't forget—we're at war. This is not child's play."

The two conversed in Central Plains official speech. With Toyotomi Chiyo dressed as a Daoist priestess, the shrine members thought she was from the Daoist Order.

It was not until Toyotomi Chiyo turned to the two ninjas and ordered them to stop in the Wa language that their assumptions were shaken.

One of the ninjas hesitated, saying, "Your Highness..."

The other remained unmoved. "Your Highness, we only serve the current Kampaku, and the present Kampaku is Lord Hidemochi."

Only then did the shrine members realize that the female Daoist was in fact Princess Toyotomi from the Chancellor's Office. While daughters of ordinary daimyos were also sometimes called princesses, the Hattori Ninja would not refer to just anyone as "princess" except an actual member of the Toyotomi clan.

Xu Kou spared the two ninjas further trouble. "Very well, since Lady Toyotomi objects, you two may withdraw. At worst, I'll handle it myself. I once served in the Green Phoenix Guard, so I have some experience with these matters."

Toyotomi Chiyo took a deep breath. "Superintendent Xu, what will it take for you to let them go?"

Xu Kou replied, "Simple. If they reveal the Sonno-joi faction's hideouts in Taki District, I'll let them leave safely. Lady Toyotomi, don't forget that your elder brother, the former Kampaku, was killed by these Sonno-joi rebels. He was like a father to you and sent you to the Fenglin Daoist Mansion. But he was slain by these traitors. Don't you want revenge?"

Toyotomi Chiyo fell silent, but her gaze gradually grew resolute. She said softly, "I understand."

"So?" Xu Kou asked.

Toyotomi Chiyo replied, "Give me half an hour. Let me speak with them. If it doesn't work, you can use your methods."

"Very well," Xu Kou nodded.

With that, Xu Kou turned and walked out. The others remained in place, holding their posts.

Toyotomi Chiyo suddenly called out, "Superintendent Xu."

Xu Kou stopped in his tracks. "Lady Toyotomi, is there something else?"

Toyotomi Chiyo said, "I was born into a noble household, after all. I once read a line in a book and would like to share it with you."

"Go ahead." Xu Kou turned toward her.

Gazing at Xu Kou, Toyotomi Chiyo spoke slowly, "All the long-standing families of the world owe their legacy to virtue. Of all the finest pursuits under heaven, studying remains the best."

Xu Kou smiled. "A lesson well received. Unfortunately, ever since I took up this line of work, I've ceased being an ordinary man. When necessary, I must be ready to cast aside that big, round heart of compassion. There's no helping it. Someone has to do the dirty work, and someone has to bear the blame.

"But courtesy demands reciprocity. Let me also offer you a few words, Lady Toyotomi. After all, you're no longer a princess but a Daoist, with ambitions to climb the ladder. To excel in learning is to rise in office—after all, we study to make our mark in the world. But if one lacks the skill to draw a sword and achieve unparalleled feats, then one must navigate worldly affairs and blend in with the world.

"People like Deputy Hall Master Zhang, Deputy Hall Master Qi, Deputy Hall Master Li, and Deputy Palace Master Yao are all exceptional. They seek grand achievements, bold feats, and to realize lofty ambitions—things beyond the reach of common folk. But we are ordinary. We lack their resources and talents and cannot be judged by the same standard. So allow me to offer you a short verse as well. Speak not of current affairs to play the hero; pursue only harmony and humility. The Daoist's path lies in composure. Show no brilliance, claim no loyalty. All worldly affairs should remain hazy. No need to refute nor debate."

After Xu Kou finished speaking, he strode off decisively.

Toyotomi Chiyo watched Xu Kou leave, then turned her gaze to the shrine members, meeting Asai To's gaze.

"You're...Princess Chiyo?" Asai To asked cautiously.

Toyotomi Chiyo replied softly, "Just as Superintendent Xu said, I am no longer a princess."

Asai To mustered her courage and asked, "Your Highness, why did you choose to become a Daoist priestess?"

Toyotomi Chiyo replied, "Because only the Daoist Order can help me avenge my brother."

Asai To fell silent.

Toyotomi Chiyo suddenly placed both hands on Asai To's shoulders and continued to look straight into her eyes. "My elder brother, my only family, died in Ise Province, slain by the Sonno-joi rebels. I'm not commanding you as a princess, nor threatening you as a Daoist. I'm simply pleading with you as a sister who lost her brother. Please tell me where those killers are hiding. I want to avenge him so that his soul can finally rest in peace. In return, I promise all of your safety."

......

Ise Province bordered Omi Province. Although Ise was the main battleground of the February offensive, much of Omi had also fallen under Daoist control. This was largely due to a renowned swordsman affiliated with the Chancellor's Office personally holding Hikone Castle.

The forces of Asahi-jingu, Jinsho-ji, and the Koga Ninja suffered heavy blows in earlier battles. With their power declining and Daoist strength rising, the Sonno-joi faction could no longer control Omi Province.

The two sides now faced each other from across Lake Biwa.

Jinsho-ji had been abandoned and now served as a garrison for the Daoist forces.

In truth, though called a temple, Jinsho-ji was more like a city, covering such a vast area that one could even call it a domain.

It had many halls, pagodas, and stone forests, but also an artificial lake, which was said to connect to Lake Biwa via canals.

After the Daoist forces took over, the monks who did not flee were merely placed under supervision and restricted in their movement. There was no blood bath, not even shackles.

A Purple Flood Dragon flying ship slowly descended, stirring a drizzle over the lake as mist spread through the air.

A row of tall and imposing black-armored Spirit Guards stood along the lakeshore.

Next to the ramp was a second-rank Spirit Guard and a Fenglin samurai, dressed in a plain robe and wearing a boat-shaped black cap.

A Daoist, appearing to be in his thirties, descended the ramp.

All the Spirit Guards and Daoist priests saluted him, and the samurai bowed respectfully.

The Daoist wore a black hechang and a white jade lotus crown, with a Sword of Wisdom hanging by his waist.

Though he was not smiling, he always had a slight upward curve in the corners of his lips. He gestured for everyone to rise before his gaze settled on the samurai. Then he stepped forward and said, "I've long heard of your great reputation, Sekishusai."

Yagyu Sosei bowed and said, "Greetings, Sage Li."

Within the Daoist Order, there were many Sage Lis. Precisely because there were too many of them, it became impractical to refer to them solely by their last name. People often used given names or official titles instead. If someone respectfully addressed a "Sage Li" without clarification, it usually referred to one individual—Li Wugou, the second-in-command of the Li family.

The Imperial Preceptor was Great Sage Li.

Sage Qingwei said, "This time, the Daoist Order was able to take most of Omi Province with relative ease. Sekushusai, you deserve much credit for it. But I'd like to be direct. How credible do you think that monk's statement is?"

Yagyu Sosei paused for a moment, then replied, "I'd say it's 70% believable. He wouldn't dare use outright lies to deceive you, but he may be holding something back. Or perhaps it's one part lie and nine parts truth."

Sage Qingwei gave a faint smile and said, "That's quite a high score."

He then instructed the second-rank Spirit Guard, "Take us to see that monk."

Led by the Spirit Guard, they arrived at a monk's quarters.

Inside was a Komuso monk, wearing an oversized tengai basket, his large flat feet exposed.

This monk exuded a dangerous aura from head to toe.

But upon seeing Sage Qingwei, the monk immediately became humble and docile, voluntarily removing his tengai to reveal his true face.

He had only one eye, and the skin all over his body was tinged blue-green—a terrifying sight. He looked less like a man and more like a demon.

The second-rank Spirit Guard said, "He was recruited by Deputy Hall Master Zhang. He's called Aobozu. Since he's a monk, we stationed him at Jinsho-ji."

Sage Qingwei nodded slightly and gestured for the Spirit Guard to withdraw.

"I heard from Qing Xiao that you wished to speak with me." Sage Qingwei looked at Aobozu. "You said you know a secret about Fenglin."

Aobozu spoke. "Before I turned into a demon, I was a wandering monk, drifting across the seas. I preached to others, urging them to ascend to bliss early. If they refused, I helped them do so. I also debated Buddhist doctrine. If someone could answer my questions, I'd grant them a reward. Many considered me a fallen monk. Some even called me a Buddhist demon. I don't deny that. People often ask, how can one stay pure in a world of chaos? How can bliss exist in suffering? With ghosts roaming freely and corpses strewn everywhere, talk of Buddhist purity seems like a lie. I've pondered deeply before coming to a realization that the time has come for blood-stained robes and the demon-subduing staff to descend into the mortal world. I shall carry the lamp of enlightenment, breaking precepts where I must, to save others from misery. Thus is my path to Zen."

Sage Qingwei neither affirmed nor denied his words. "The Daoist Order accepts all who are willing to learn. We embrace tolerance and inclusivity. Among us are former monks from the Central Plains and even beings like you of demonic origin. We treat them all the same. So, whether you are a Buddhist demon or a monk, it does not matter to me."

Aobozu joined his palms and said, "I'm not trying to justify my identity, for I truly am a demon. After transforming, I've harbored murderous and demonic intent, losing my true nature. Only by suppressing it with Buddhist teachings can I gain moments of clarity. By Daoist standards, I am now at the Wuliang stage. But if I removed the Buddhist restraint, I would reach the Zaohua stage. This is the change that becoming a demon has brought me."