Chapter 575: Diligence and Frugality in Managing the Household
Capital City, Iwazaki family residence.
The usually peaceful and serene elegant courtyard was now filled with a sense of killing intent.
On the perimeter of the Lake Heart Cottage, the core of the residence, guards were stationed every three steps and there were sentries every five steps. Security guards with bulging waists patrolled vigilantly around the main pathways...
"Have... they... found him?"
Inside the Lake Heart Cottage, Iwazaki Hanzo, who had electrodes attached to his body and a pale face, lay on the bed and asked hoarsely, with great difficulty.
The poison of Iwazaki Yuhei, as he mentioned, was a very vicious neurotoxin. The poisoned individual would gradually lose perception and control over their body.
Although the rescue was timely, employing top-notch medical resources to remove part of the toxin from Iwazaki Hanzo, temporarily saving his life.
But already aged and frail, after such an ordeal, Iwazaki Hanzo now lay paralyzed, finding it difficult even to move a finger or speak.
With current medical technology, there is almost no possibility of curing this kind of neurological damage.
According to the doctor, Iwazaki Hanzo doesn't have much time left. Even if he lives, he will gradually become a paralyzed, speechless vegetative state.
"Not yet, but don't worry, Father, I've already sent more people to search for Xiuji with full force.
The good news is that the ninja that Iwazaki Yuhei sent to assassinate Xiuji somehow failed. At the scene, aside from Xiuji's bodyguard, no trace of Xiuji's body was found.
From Iwazaki Yuhei's subordinates, we also extracted information confirming that their assassination mission failed, and none of the involved ninjas survived. So, there's a high probability that Xiuji is still alive.
It's just we don't know why he hasn't contacted the family yet. I suspect it might be because he's injured, or wary of subsequent pursuits, so he's temporarily hiding in Country Hua.
If that's the case, then finding him should just be a matter of time."
Beside the sickbed, a man of about sixty years, whose eyebrows and eyes bore some resemblance to Iwazaki Hideyoshi, spoke in a deep voice.
After a moment of silence, Iwazaki Hanzo's raspy voice finally came through faintly.
"At all... costs... bring him... back..."
The man shuddered upon hearing this, raising his head to look at Iwazaki Hanzo, with a gaze mixed with surprise and complexity.
The surprise was that his own son might turn misfortune into a blessing, getting closer to that position, but the complexity was that ultimately the position of family head was not his...
Iwazaki Hanzo struggled to move his eyeballs, glancing at the man beside the sickbed, his gaze sweeping over the graying temples and the wrinkles between his eyebrows and eyes.
"You... understand... Xiuji is... the best... choice..."
Though his expression was somewhat complex, the man finally nodded heavily.
"Don't worry, I understand. The Iwazaki family cannot withstand any more turmoil right now!"
This time, Iwazaki Yuhei's coup attempt not only turned the Iwazaki family's current decision-maker into a cripple but also led to the aftermath and reckoning of two family branches involved in the coup, severely draining their vitality.
Now, within the family, there's panic, and outside the family, countless eyes are eagerly waiting to take advantage.
If, at this time, he were to fight with his own son for the family head position, the Iwazaki family might truly fall into chaos.
Fortunately, the current situation is not too bad; in the end, his own son will have the last laugh...
Upon hearing this, Iwazaki Hanzo finally closed his eyes with relief.
He understood his offspring well. Kind-hearted and soft, with average aptitude, his character and capability are wholly inadequate to shoulder the heavy responsibilities of the family, and he's also older, not comparable to the youthful Iwazaki Hideyoshi.
It's a pity, if not for making a move against me this time, Iwazaki Yuhei's displayed ruthlessness and decisiveness would have made him a good candidate for family heir...
Thinking this, he opened his eyes once more.
"That... mystery person... have you found them..."
The man shook his head.
"No, besides giving me a warning, the other party didn't leave any contact information or clues.
Initially, I thought it was some power that inadvertently acquired Iwazaki Yuhei's plan and tipped us off, eventually wanting to gain benefits from us.
But so many days have passed, and the other party hasn't shown any intention to contact us, not at all appearing as if they want to extort favors.
Fortunately, thanks to this mysterious person's warning in advance, otherwise, if I were any later, Iwazaki Yuhei might've actually succeeded.
If one day I find out who this person is, the Iwazaki family must express our gratitude!
Iwazaki Hanzo, upon hearing this, twitched the corner of his mouth slightly.
How could my astute self have produced such a foolish son?
Express gratitude?
This mysterious person leaves after the matter, hiding their accomplishments and fame.
They aren't after money or fame; feared they might be after something bigger...
Moreover, that they could know about such a secret action in advance indicates they have been closely watching the internal movements of the Iwazaki family.
Giving you a warning and help yet remaining elusive, abandoning the friendship and easily accessible substantial wealth of the Iwazaki family, this suggests there's a problem with their identity or stance. They aren't the type of person with whom the Iwazaki family can openly form ties.
Do you not consider whether this enigmatic, unseen, lurking figure might have unspeakable motives towards the Iwazaki family?
And you're only thinking to thank them?
If the Iwazaki family really fell into your hands, you'd probably be helping count the money and recouting it for the ones who sold it out?
"Get out..."
"Uh..."
...
It must be said that Iwazaki Hanzo had a sharp eye, and just from a warning from an unknown source, could vaguely sense the evil plots behind someone.