I was a swordsman in ancient Japan

"In order to live up to their expectations, after I became the Balrog, I have been working hard."

"I want to revitalize Shiranui with all my heart."

"But within a few years, I found out."

"The age of the ninja is long gone."

"Now there is no place for ninjas. No matter how hard I try, it is impossible to revive Shiranui."

"But I have already taken the position of the Balrog, and shouldering the expectations of so many people, I can only continue to bite the bullet and try every means to revitalize Shiranui."

"Yuanyi, I don't know if you know what it's like to be doing something impossible to succeed."

"That feels exhausting!"

"And this kind of thing, I have done a full 30 years!"

"I'm already tired of things like revitalizing Shiranui!"

"Rejuvenate Shiranui? Don't be kidding! Now it's not the Warring States period, and there is no place for us ninjas! How can we revitalize Shiranui!"

The Balrog's words were almost roared out.

It was as if he wanted to vent out the grievances and hard work that had been squeezed in his heart for 30 years.

"So after my Shadow Warrior was poisoned, I didn't choose to immediately jump out and find out the subordinate who betrayed me."

"I think it's a great opportunity."

"It's a good opportunity to justifiably remove Balrog's position and not have to deal with anything in Shiranui!"

"So I decided to take this opportunity to leave Shiranui."

"Don't bother with everything in Shiranui."

"After I left Shiranui just now, I came to Edo, found a tea house that was still open, had a few drinks, and then ran into Genichi you."

After all, the Balrog heaved a sigh of relief.

Then he patted his chest.

"I've held back these words for a long, long time"

"Now that I speak out in one breath, I feel much more comfortable in an instant."

"So that's how it is." Yuan Yi said softly, "Is this what you told me just now and kept in your heart?"

"That's right." Balrog grinned, "Genichi, I feel very happy now, as if the boulders that have been pressing on me for decades have been lifted away."

"I'm so happy."

"I'm finally free."

"I've made up my mind now. I'm going to Kansai first."

"Before I became a Balrog, I once saw a very beautiful maple forest in Kansai."

A faint look of memory appeared on Balrog's face.

The smile on his face also changed a little.

Just now, the smile on Balrog's face was full of excitement and excitement.

But now, the smile on the Balrog's face was only soft.

"I've always wanted to go see it again."

"It's a pity that not long after I discovered the extremely beautiful maple forest, I chose to be the Balrog. I worked hard for Shiranui for 30 years, and I never had a chance to see it again."

"I want to take advantage of this opportunity when I am finally free to see the maple forest that I have been away for more than 30 years."

"I'm even starting to prepare dry food for travel now."

The Balrog clapped the bag of dried sweet potatoes in his hand.

"So Genichi, I don't care what you came to Edo for."

"If you really came to Edo this time to find trouble for Shiranui, then it's up to you."

"Just don't bother me."

"I don't want to meddle in anything related to Shiranui anymore."

"I don't know what will happen in the fire, and I don't want to care about it anymore."

"I've done enough, it's time to set me free too."

Yuanyi had been listening quietly.

After Balrog's voice fell, Yuan Yi said softly:

"The reason why I followed you just now was to see if I should take advantage of your order to settle the grievances with you."

"But now it seems that it is unnecessary."

"There is no 12th generation Balrog anymore."

"Now there is only one old man who has been exhausted by everyone's expectations."

Hearing Yuan Yi's words, Balrog was a little taken aback.

Then a meaningful smile appeared.

"An old man who is exhausted by everyone's expectations. This sentence sums it up really well."

After saying that, the Balrog stood up.

"I've been holding back in my heart, but I haven't been able to find someone to say, I've finished it."

"There is nothing to talk about between you and me."

"We probably won't see each other again in the future."

"See you again, Yuan Yi."

The Balrog didn't say much farewell.

After saying a few words, he took the dried sweet potato in his hand and walked slowly towards the other end of the alley.

Yuan Yi didn't speak, nor did he move.

He just silently watched the Balrog leave.

Let the Balrog's back become smaller and smaller in his field of vision.

As Genichi said just now, there is no more Balrog.

There is only one old man who has been tortured physically and mentally by everyone's expectations.

Regarding this old man, Yuan Yi couldn't find any reason to draw his sword against him.

Chapter 424 Use the truth to convince people! (raise the large tube) [1W]

Edo, Shiranui, inside a certain mansion

Shintaro, who was kneeling opposite Lin Ziping, bowed respectfully to Lin Ziping.

"Master Lin Ziping, I have admired your name for a long time."

There are 4 people in this magnificent mansion, Shintaro, Huitaro, Lin Ziping, and Shuntaro.

Faced with Shintaro's salute and hello, Lin Ziping ignored him, and didn't even look at Shintaro directly.

Because of Ogata's sudden arrival, Shuntaro and Keitaro were unable to escape through the tunnel in time, and it took a lot of effort to throw off the chasing officials again and return to Shiranui.

After the two returned to Shiranui, Lin Ziping, who was stunned by Hui Taro, just woke up.

Lin Ziping, who woke up, was directly invited by Shintaro to this magnificent mansion.

Being ignored by Lin Ziping like this made Shintaro a little annoyed, but he still suppressed his anger and continued to respectfully smile at Lin Ziping and said:

"Master Hayashi Ziping, we really have no ill intentions towards you. The yelling you made in the prison just now made my subordinates miserable. Don't you believe that we have something to do with Lord Iwakurazaemon?"

Shintaro has just learned from Huitaro what happened to them when they rescued Lin Zi.

Thanks to Lin Ziping's "there is a thief", both he and Shuntaro have suffered a lot.

"Whether you have anything to do with Yancang or not doesn't matter to me." Lin Ziping said indifferently, "I have a good life in prison, and I don't need you to rescue me. That's why I called someone."

"It's a pity that the jailers didn't knock down your two subordinates. You guys really saved me."

"It was your close friend Iwakurazaemon-sama who recommended you to my lord. After being recommended by Iwakurazaemon-sama, my lord has been fascinated by your talent for a long time and has always wanted to meet you."

"We brought you here in such a rough way after we learned that you were in prison. We apologize to you if you were surprised or displeased."

"Has Iwakura Zaemon become an official?" Lin Ziping raised his eyebrows.

"Iwakurazaemon-sama is serving my lord right now."

"That man has become an official too." After muttering like this, Lin Ziping leaned back without any image, and fell to the ground, "I have no interest in official career or anything. Please go and talk to your The lord said: I don't want to serve anyone."

"My lord, he doesn't ask you to serve him." Shintaro said seriously, "He just wants to see you and chat with you."

"After chatting with you, no matter what you decide to do, my lord will never interfere."

"If you want to join my lord, the lord will warmly welcome you."

"If you don't want to serve anyone, my lord will never stop you."

"You guys can do whatever you want." Lin Ziping yawned big, "Anyway, I'm in your hands now, you can meet whoever you want me to meet, in short, I won't work for anyone."

"Then please rest well, and I will take my leave first." Shintaro saluted Lin Ziping again, then got up and walked out of the room.

After Shintaro left, Keitaro and Shuntaro who were also present also left immediately.

This mansion is an empty house in Shiranui, and Shintaro left it for Lin Ziping to live temporarily.

There are 2 ninja guards from their Shiranuiri outside the door.

These two people were protecting Lin Ziping in name, but in fact they were monitoring Lin Ziping.

In order to show his sincerity, Shintaro did not lock Lin Ziping's mansion.

It doesn't matter whether it is locked or not, there are 2 ninjas watching him anyway.

After Shintaro left the mansion, he turned his head and smiled at Shuntaro who was walking behind him:

"Shuntaro, good job. As a reward, is there anything you want? Other than something I can't give, and asking me to let the oiran go."

"Shut up." Shuntaro didn't want to say a word to Shintaro, so he spit out the word coldly.

"Master Shintaro." Keitaro asked at this moment, "What should I do with the young samurai I met in the deserted temple? Are you going to find out who he is?"

"I know too little information, and I can't find out who he is." Shintaro shook his head, "Let's ignore that person for now. Since the tunnel in that place has been known to outsiders, it can no longer be used. Keitaro, tell Hannosuke and them to fill in the tunnels in that place later."

"Yes."

"Again, is that samurai that strong? How could he not lose against you and Shuntaro alone?"

"Yeah!" Keitaro nodded vigorously, "Very powerful."

When he heard that Shintaro planned to ignore Ogata, Shuntaro secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

When hearing Shintaro and Keitaro discuss Ogata, Shuntaro couldn't help but recall the battle with Ogata just now.

Shuntaro lowered his head and looked at the palms of his hands.

After his own sword collided with Ogata's sword, the throbbing pain transmitted to Shuntaro's palm still lingers to this day.

He has not encountered such a strong opponent for a long time.

so strong

While Shuntaro said this in his heart, he slowly clenched his palms tightly.

Shuntaro's eyes lighted up for the first time since he learned that Taifu had been arrested.

The inn where Edo, Ogata and others lived

The big room where Ogata and the others lived was still brightly lit.

Lin and others sat together.

Also present are Uncle Qing and Gua Sheng.

Uncle Qing is simply a "treasure house" to Lin and the others.

Unlike Machi, who is just a ninja and doesn't have much information, Uncle Kei is a jominin in Shiranui, and knows much more than Machi knows.