Chapter 166 Chapter 19

This is the next year.Specifically, it should be the beginning of April in the seventeenth year of Qingchang. On this day, the ships leading to Chijian Pass carried passengers and goods from the border port of Quanzhou as usual. Musashi was sitting in the shop of the shipping merchant Taro Zaemon Kobayashi, and stood up from the table when he heard that the ship was about to depart. "Then, I'm leaving." He greeted the people who saw him off and walked out of the house. "please take care." The people who saw him off said in unison, and walked to the dock together around Musashi.

Among these people was Moto Ami Koetsu. Huiwu Shaoyou was unable to come due to illness and was replaced by his son Shaoyi. Shao Yi took his beautiful new wife with him.His new wife is bright and moving, especially eye-catching. "Isn't that Yoshino?" "Live in Willow Street?" "Yes, it's Taifu Yoshino of Ogiya." Everyone tugged at each other's sleeves and talked in low voices. Although Shaoyi once introduced her to Musashi. "This is my wife..." However, it is not introduced that she used to be Taifu Yoshino. Musashi didn't recognize her face.Taifu Yoshino of Ogi House once burned peony branches and played the pipa on a snowy night.

However, what Musashi knew was the first generation Yoshino, and Shaoyi's wife was the second generation Yoshino. Flowers fade and flowers bloom, time flies. That snowy night, the fire that burned the peonies, looks back like a dream today.Where is the first generation of Yoshino at that time?Are you already a wife?Or is it alone?No one has heard of her rumors, and no one knows. "How time flies! It has been seven or eight years since I met you." Guangyue walked to the side of the boat and muttered to herself. "Eight years..." Musashi was also full of emotions about the passing years.Taking this boat today is also the beginning of another life.

in addition-- Among the people who saw him off, apart from the two old friends, there were also Matahachi Benji, who had been at the door of Yutang in Miaoshin Temple, and two or three samurai from Hosokawa's official residence in Sanjoche Street, Kyoto. There are also a group of ministers representing Mitsuhiro Karasuma. And the people Musashi met during his stay in Kyoto for half a year.Even despite Musashi's refusal, more than 20 or 30 people came to ask for advice because of Musashi's character and swordsmanship. Seeing such a huge send-off queue, Musashi was confused. Musashi wanted to say goodbye to several people, but couldn't, so he got on the boat alone.

The boat bound for Kokura in Buzen. Under the mediation of Nagaoka Sado of the Hosokawa family, Musashi's mission this time is to compete with Sasaki Kojiro for many years. Of course, this matter was mainly due to the running around of the feudal elder Nagaoka Sado and the negotiation of documents. It was later learned that Musashi had been living at the house of Motoami Koetsu in Kyoto since last autumn, and it took about half a year. Things are settled. Musashi also knew in his heart that one day he would fight Iwaryu Sasaki Kojiro, which was inevitable. The day finally came. However--

Musashi never expected that before leaving, he would bear the expectations of so many people. It made him very uncomfortable to see so many people off today. But he couldn't refuse people's kindness. Musashi felt sincere and apprehensive, and if it was the kindness of someone who knew him well, Musashi respectfully accepted it.However, if he is praised as a man of the hour by the public, he feels very uncomfortable. He considers himself to be an ordinary man, with nothing extraordinary. The same is true for this contest.Who is eagerly waiting for this day?When I think about it, it's not Kojiro or himself, but the people around me.Most people like to watch the excitement, and they also look forward to a battle between the two of them.

"I heard that there is going to be a martial arts competition." Everyone spreads it to ten, ten to a hundred. "The contest is finalized." Someone said decisively. Then the rumor became: "when?" Even booked a date for them. For becoming the focus of attention, Musashi has infinite regrets in his heart.On the surface, it seems that he is promoting his own reputation, but in fact he has no such intention.What he really needs is solitude for contemplation, and he seeks unity of thought and action.But this matter made him brood—and since he was enlightened by the monk Yutang, he felt very painful when he knew that his career in Taoism was still far away.

Even so— He thought about it from another angle—— The reason why he can survive is entirely due to the favor of the world. He is about to set sail today, and the black narrow-sleeve top he is wearing was sewn stitch by stitch by Guangyue's mother. The new bamboo hat and straw sandals in his hands, as well as everything on his body, carry the human feelings of the world. I am mediocre, neither farming nor weaving, and relying entirely on the rice grains of the common people for a living-this is entirely dependent on the grace of the world to survive. What am I going to do in return for them?

Thinking about it this way, I know that I shouldn't be overly wary of the world, or feel confused.However, their kindness exceeds their true worth, so they have to fear the world. The ship is about to leave port. Someone said goodbye. Someone prayed for a safe journey at sea. Someone is waving a flag. Someone waved. Time gradually passed between the sender and the sender. "Goodbye." "goodbye." The ship's cable had been loosened, and Musashi stood on the ship and waved to the people on the shore. The huge sails towered among the blue sky and white clouds.

At this moment someone took a step slower. "Oops!" After the ship left the port, a passenger hurried over. The ships that had just left port were still clearly visible. But the young man who was too late to see him off stomped his feet to regret it. "Ah! I'm a step late, if only I don't snooze." He watched the ship go away, not only regretted his being late, but also had deep annoyance in his eyes. "Aren't you Quan Zhisuke?" After the boat went away, Guangyue, who was still standing in the crowd, saw the young man. Yumeng Quannosuke clamped the wooden staff in his arm under his arm.

"you are?" "We once met at the Vajra Temple in Hanoi..." "Yes, I remembered, you are Mr. Motoami Koetsu." "It is good to see you well, for I have heard that you were on the brink of death." "Who did you hear that from?" "Listen to Musashi." "Huh? Master said?... Strange, what's going on?" "You were arrested by people from Mount Jiudu. You were suspected of being a spy, and you might be killed. The news came from Ogura—it was Mr. Nagaoka Sado, the elder of the Hosokawa family, who wrote to me." "How did Master know?" "Mr. Musashi stayed at my house until today's voyage. Since Ogura found out where Musashi was staying, he often wrote letters, and only then did he know that Iori was at Nagaoka's house." "Huh? Iori is safe too?" Quan Zhizhu only found out about this now, and he was at a loss. "It's inconvenient to say more here." Guangyue took Quan Zhisuke to a nearby tea house and sat at the table. After the two had a deep talk, it was no wonder that Quan Zhisuke was so surprised. Yuesou's heart-to-heart communication—Xingcun of Jiudu Mountain, only took a look at Quan Zhisuke at that time, and he knew what kind of person Quan Zhizhu was. He said: "This is the fault of the subordinate." Yukimura immediately apologized to him, and Quan Zhisuke got a blessing in disguise and made a confidant. Because Iori fell into the cliff on the cliff of Kiyue, Yukimura sent people to search, but there was no news, life and death Mibu. Because they didn't see a dead body in the valley of the fault, they were convinced that Iori—— still alive. But because of this matter, Quan Zhisuke also had no face to see Master Musashi. Since then, Gonnosuke has been wandering around Kiniso. Occasionally in the streets and alleys, I heard that Musashi and Iwai from the Hosokawa family were about to agree to a martial arts competition, and also heard that the Musashi people were near Kyoto. Originally, Gonnosuke had no face to face Musashi. After hearing this news, he was even more eager to find Iori. Until yesterday, I heard at Mount Sado that Musashi was leaving for Kokura. If I don't see you today, when will you be? Quan Zhisuke made up his mind and planned to meet Musashi. He kept on his way, but he didn't expect to be a step late, which is really regrettable.Quan Zhisuke kept repeating these words. Guangyue comforts him: "You don't have to blame yourself so much. There are still a few days before the ship reaches its destination. If you chase it by land, you can definitely meet Mr. Musashi in Xiaokura, or find Iori at Nagaoka's house." Quan Zhisuke listened and said: "Originally I decided to catch up by land, but I also wanted to be by Master's side and serve him before the boat arrived at Xiaocang." Quan Zhisuke spoke his mind. "In addition, this voyage is probably the key to determine the ups and downs of his life for Master. Usually, Master is diligent in cultivation, so it is impossible to lose to Yanliu. However, victory or defeat is unpredictable, not necessarily Those who practice diligently will triumph, or those who are doomed to pride will fail—such things cannot be predicted." "But looking at Musashi's calm expression, he is obviously full of confidence, so there is no need to worry." "Although I think so, but according to rumors, Sasaki Iwaryu is a rare genius in the world after all, especially after working in the Hosokawa family, he has been diligent in training day and night." "Will the arrogant genius win, or the mediocre man who works tirelessly?" "Master Musashi is not mediocre." "No, he's not gifted. He doesn't rely on talent at all. He knows he was born with mediocre talents, so he keeps training himself, and he can't bear it. When these trainings are exerted one day, people will would say it was a natural talent—this is a person who is not diligent, making excuses for his laziness." "...Hey! Thank you so much." Quan Zhizhu felt that he was talking about himself.He looked at Guangyue's magnanimous face from the side. This person is also tempered. On the outside, Guangyue seems to be a leisurely person.There was no sinister nor venomous sting in his eyes.When he devoted himself to studying art, the brilliance in his eyes was definitely not so peaceful.It's like a lake full of wind and rain, which is quite different from a calm lake. "Mr. Guangyue, are you still not going back?" A young man in cassock visits the tea house. "Oh! Is it Youba?" Guangyue leaves the table. "I'm leaving, there are still people waiting for me." Guangyue bids farewell to Quan Zhisuke.Kwonnosuke also stood up. "Are you going back to Osaka?" "yes." "If there is time, I would like to take a night boat back from Yodogawa." "Then let's go together on the way to Osaka!" Quannosuke planned to go overland from Osaka to Kokura in Buzen. The son of the Haiya family with the young wife, the left-behind members of the Hosokawa clan and others, they all walked in the same direction in groups. The three of Guangyue and his party walked on the steps, constantly talking about all kinds of things that happened to Youba now and in the past. "It would be great if Musashi can win. But Sasaki Kojiro is not a fuel-efficient lamp, and his martial arts are really strong." At eight o'clock, he talked to himself worryingly.Because he knew that Kojiro was terrible. at dusk-- The three of them were walking on the bustling streets of Osaka, and soon found that Yatachi had disappeared without a trace. "Where did it go?" Koetsu and Gonnosuke turned back and looked around for Matachi's trace. They saw Matachi standing on a bridge in a daze. What the hell is he looking at? The two watched Youba's strange behavior from a distance, and Youba's eyes were fixed on the women by the river who were busy washing pots and pans, washing rice and vegetables. These were women from nearby shops, chattering get together. "Youba looks so strange!" The two seemed to notice Youba's serious expression from a distance, so they deliberately ignored him and watched from a distance. "Ah! It's Zhu Shi...it must be Zhu Shi." Youba stood there, calling out in his mouth. He recognized Zhu Shi from a group of women by the river. Although it was just a coincidence, it felt like an arrangement in the dark. Originally in the long house of Shiba District in Edo, Zhu Shi was called Matahachi's wife.Youba didn't expect to have a relationship with her at that time. Now that some years have passed, and he is already a practitioner in black, he feels particularly guilty about playing with women in the past. Zhu Shi also changed a lot. Probably only You Bahui recognized her at a glance on the road. what!It's Zhu Shi! He was hit hard inside.This is by no means accidental, but the intersection of life and life. People who live on the same land will definitely meet again. Let's not talk about it for now. Zhu Shi's current appearance is almost completely different from that of a year ago.Now she carries her two-year-old on her back in dirty suspenders. It is Zhu Shi's child. Youba felt as if he had received an electric shock. Zhu Shi's face became so thin that it was almost impossible for Shan to recognize her.Her dusty hair was tied up casually, she was wearing a coarse cloth narrow-sleeved dress with a short skirt, and she was carrying a heavy basket. Amidst the laughter of these women, she was bending over to sell things. There are seaweed, mussel shells and abalone in the basket.The child on her back would cry sometimes, so she would put down the basket to coax the child, and when the child stopped crying, she would sell things to the group of women again. what!that kid? Youba suddenly pressed his cheeks with two hands, counting the years in his heart.If the child was two years old, wasn't he in Edo at the time? If so-- By the Sukiyaya Bridge, when she and Zhu Shi both knelt on straw mats and were beaten with a staff by the county government for a hundred slabs, and then separated in two places—she was already pregnant with the child. "..." The faint sunlight at dusk reflected Yatachi's face in the river water, and his face was full of tears. He has forgotten the pedestrians coming and going behind him.In the end, Zhu Shi, who didn't know anything about it, walked to the river bank step by step with the unsold goods.Seeing this, Youba shouted recklessly: "Hey!" He raised his hand and was about to run over. Guang Yue and Quan Zhisuke hurriedly chased after him. "And eight, what's the matter? What's wrong with you?" Youba was taken aback, and when he looked back, he realized that he was worrying his companions. "Ah! I'm so sorry. It's really..." He hesitated to speak and stopped, thinking that a few words could not explain this matter.Especially the ups and downs in my heart just now, it is really hard to explain. What's more, this incident happened so suddenly that Matachi's throat became knotted and he had mixed feelings, so he simply said it outright. "I have to return to secular life for some reasons. Fortunately, the master has not shaved me yet, so I can return to secular life without reporting to him." "You want to return to vulgarity?" Youba thinks he is righteous, but for a calm person, this is simply ridiculous. "What's going on? You look very strange." "I can't explain the details now. Even if I say it, it will be laughed at. I just saw the woman who lived with me before." "Oh! It's the woman from before!" The two were dumbfounded, but Yatachi still said solemnly: "Yes. The woman carried the child on her back. After careful calculation, it must be my own flesh and blood." "Really?" "She was selling things by the river with a child on her back." "You'd better calm down and think about it. I don't know when that was your woman, but are you sure it's your child?" "I don't doubt it at all. I am ashamed that I didn't know that I was a father... My conscience is condemned. I can't just watch her go around selling things and live such a poor life. And, I must do my best to the child. Father's duty." Guangyue and Quan Zhisuke looked at each other, somewhat uneasy in their hearts. "So it's not a joke." they were talking. Youba took off his cassock and handed it to Guangyue together with the rosary. "I'm so sorry! Please give this cassock to Monk Yutang of Miaoxin Temple. Also, please tell Master that Youha has become a father in Osaka and will work hard in the future." "Is this okay? Do you really want to return the clothes?" "The monk said that I can return to vulgarity at any time." "Ok……" "Also, practice does not have to be done in a temple. It is more difficult to practice in the mortal world. Rather than avoiding filth and ugliness and living a life with clean ears in the temple, it is better to live in deception, filth, and confusion. In all kinds of ugly worlds such as fighting, fighting, etc., if you can still emerge from the mud like a lotus without being stained, and you can succeed in your cultivation, you are the real practice. The monk once said these words." "Well! It makes sense." "I have followed the monk for more than a year, but Mi still gave me the Dharma name. I still call me Youba. If I encounter any puzzles in the future, I will definitely ask the monk again. Please tell him so. " After speaking, Youba ran to the river bank, chasing the dim figure in the evening mist.