novelAbuy Chapter 1937 1408: Amitabha! Death Is Here! Death Is Here!
Chapter 1937 1408: Amitabha! Death Is Here! Death Is Here!
"Buddha! The white snow falling on the Ezo land is truly magnificent. No matter how I look at it, I never tire of it!… It's just a pity, I've been away from Wakasa's homeland for too long, and barely remember the autumn glow on the Three Directions Five Lakes when I went boating with my grandfather in my youth… I only remember hunting with my father at the Qibi Song Yuan!… I suppose, they've been waiting for me for a long time now, beyond the Sanzu River, in the Netherworld?…""Old friend, it's thanks to you again for running to the Wakasa Takeda's main family, speaking of some old words difficult to express… Old acquaintances have mostly faded away, and as I approach death, only you, my old friend, can still accompany me!…"
Takeda Nobuhiro smiled peacefully, holding Mori no Kiyoshi's hand. Mori no Kiyoshi's eyes reddened, but he only smiled and said.
"Lord Nobuhiro, I've looked over the Three Directions Five Lakes for you, and the autumn scenery is extremely beautiful, just like a clear mirror in the hands of the Bodhisattva! As for the Ruoxia Takeda Family, under the revival of the Yuanxin Family Master, their culture has flourished across the countries… Old friend, you need not worry. You started from nothing, never owing the Wakasa Clan anything. As for your ancestors… they owe you!"
"Haha! What is there to owe or not owe, it's all passed. When we meet again soon, I'm sure it'll be delightful…"
Takeda Nobuhiro chuckled, withdrawing his withered hand, reaching out to his eldest son Mitsuhiro.
"Mitsuhiro…"
"Father!"
"After spring, the family's trade with those Shandan Tribes… Never mind, I'm about to pass away, no point speaking empty words. From now on, the affairs of the Kaozaki Family, you shall manage them!"
Takeda Nobuhiro sighed lightly, yet the smile remained on his face. He tightly held his eldest son Mitsuhiro's hand, merely saying.
"Mitsuhiro! My son, take things slowly! Don't rush… Slow down a bit! Avoid greed… As the family head, don't rush and don't be greedy, then no big mistakes will occur!… Where is Yoshihiro?"
"Grandfather!"
"Yoshihiro, my grandson, hurry up! Grow up soon… Hurry a bit more! Share some of your father's burdens!… With successors in the family, hearts will be at peace! With peaceful hearts, major issues won't arise…"
"Grandfather! I will grow up quickly, will undergo the coming-of-age ceremony next year!"
"Haha!"
Takeda Nobuhiro laughed briefly but soon furrowed his brow. He sensed the urgency of life, finding even laughter somewhat wasteful. Thus, he composed himself, once more gazing at his old friend, the great merchant Mori no Kiyoshi.
In these years, he had thoroughly understood his sons and grandsons, arranged the future of the family ahead of time. Yet only this old friend was a true variable, or perhaps, a genuine opportunity!
"Old friend, the great tide of the Shandan in the North has risen, as has the tide of the Shogunate in the South. I cannot see clearly, nor have the chance to… And you, will you stand at the peak of the tide, steering a lone boat? Or retreat to an isle, guarding a reef?"
"..."
Facing Takeda Nobuhiro's final inquiry, Mori no Kiyoshi silently closed his eyes, rare honesty emerging.
"Lord Nobuhiro! In the battlefield of the Martial Family, advancing means becoming a Daimyo in the country, retreating means being a local aristocratic family. You have your own family, like a tree in the Jifeng, always with its roots, always having a retreat…"
"And me? I am merely a flying bird in the Jifeng! Man dies for wealth, birds perish for food. If I don't fly, I will plunge into the sea… I have no retreat, no choice!"
"..."
Upon hearing these heartfelt words, Takeda Nobuhiro remained silent. He breathed hurriedly twice, suddenly extending his hand, holding tightly onto Mori no Kiyoshi's arm!
"Old friend! The mountain temple in the Ezo land, though small, can accommodate a great monk like you. If you don't mind the Kaozaki Family… Then here will be your tree, your final resting haven! I acknowledge you, you shall be the house elder of the Kaozaki Family! Stay on the clan's tree, build your nest, stand alongside the Kaozaki Family, until this tree falls, or grows stronger!"
"…!"
Upon hearing this, Mori no Kiyoshi was surprised. This old friend, shrewd all his life, why suddenly so generous in his old age? The meaning of this promise was clearly to allow him to formally join the Kaozaki Family, even if the Capital City's lords fall into blame, providing him the final sanctuary. A promise willing to risk significant danger?… Mori no Kiyoshi's expression slightly shifted, softly spoke.
"Lord Nobuhiro! The Buddha's light shines upon you, as it shines upon the Kaozaki Family. Still, the golden Buddha light is envied by many… At present, the future of the Kaozaki Family is bright. What more can you ask for? And what can I offer you?"
"Old friend, a dying man speaks kind words, where would any schemes lie?… I truly want to ask, but I know it is unobtainable!"
Takeda Nobuhiro gave a bitter smile, shaking his head. He gazed deep into Mori no Kiyoshi's eyes, his gaze transparent and sincere.
"Before the Buddha, no false words!… The Shandan Trade is too entangled. With you involved, I can calmly close my eyes."
"..."
At this moment, Mori no Kiyoshi stared into Takeda Nobuhiro's clear eyes, sensing a final compassion and plea. He slightly tilted his head, glanced at Kaozaki Mitsuhiro without seeing anything unusual, then slowly nodded, agreeing.
"Alright! Lord Nobuhiro, I join the Kaozaki Family! Only it's not yet time to make it public…"
"Alright! No matter how outsiders see it… In the Kaozaki Family, you are the house elder!"
Takeda Nobuhiro gently nodded. Then, with difficulty, he turned his head to instruct Kaozaki Mitsuhiro.
"Mitsuhiro, bow… to your uncle! From now on, he is… the house elder of the main family… Serve him like you serve me…"
"... Yes!"
Kaozaki Mitsuhiro knelt down, respectfully bowing three times to Mori no Kiyoshi. Mori no Kiyoshi made no modesty, receiving it solemnly. Witnessing this, Takeda Nobuhiro's smile grew more peaceful. He watched the two, slowly reciting a verse from Tang Wen that Mori no Kiyoshi had brought him, which was from the book "North Dream Trivia."
"Ah! Therefore in turbulent times, eliminate traces and conceal origins, do not become the herald of Green Forest!"
After speaking, Takeda Nobuhiro composed himself, sat cross-legged facing the window with its snowy view. He observed the cold wind sweeping across the sky, along with the austere hawk in the wind, softly chanting, leaving behind his final poem of passing.
"The wind rises! The tree remains, the bird remains, the nest also remains. But I shall be no more!"
"Amitabha! It's over! It's over!"
After finishing, Takeda Nobuhiro's head tilted, and then the cries within the chamber began to resonate mournfully! While Mori no Kiyoshi, eyes red, gazed at the tilted form of his old friend, observing the younger generation weeping over the corpse. He felt, stronger than ever, the passage of an era!…
The old era had ended… The era where the Tang style still lingered, the Muromachi shogunate's era, were buried within the winter snow along with the people of the old era.
And the new era had begun!… The era rich with Japanese style, the era of Warring States slaughter, will truly reach its climax among the ambitious, disrespectful young Martial Family!…