But it’s not exactly small...
Her mutter... clearly reached the ears of everyone present.
Kondo’s expression changed instantly.
The look in Chokata’s eyes flickered slightly at this mont...
"...Madam."
"What?!" Still angry, Abi glared fiercely at Zhouzhu beside her.
As her gaze landed on Zhouzhu... Abi froze.
The usually smiling Zhouzhu... was now expressionless, his face stern, glancing sideways at Abi.
His narrow eyes, so small that one could hardly see his pupils... opened up.
The eyes that were usually hidden behind his eyelids revealed themselves at this mont.
These were eyes... that could remind one of a tranquil ancient pool.
eting these eyes gave one the illusion of being dragged continuously into the bottomless depths of the pool.
"Madam, you’re too emotional right now, starting to talk nonsense, calm down a bit."
"..." Hearing Zhouzhu’s words, Abi was montarily stunned.
Then, as if realizing sothing, she shifted her gaze, looking at Kondo, whose complexion had returned to normal with a complicated look.
She pursed her lips, looking at Zhouzhu and then at Kondo in front of her.
Her originally erratic breathing gradually cald down.
Her flushed face slowly returned to normal.
Seeing Abi calm down, Zhouzhu smiled slightly, and then closed his eyes again, returning to that cheerful, amiable appearance.
"Abi, I think—even without discussing feelings or honor, which are elusive, just in terms of money and power, letting Mr. Tachibana and the others stay with us, helping them, and selling them favors, brings us many benefits."
"Mr. Tachibana is a Dōshin at the North Station Town Patrol."
"You’re well aware of what kind of people those who serve at the ’Three Tis’ are, right?"
"They’re all important and wealthy people despite low official positions."
"They may not hold high ranks, but they manage the security work of Edo, and the Town Lords and Patriarchs of each Jishinban in Edo all follow their commands."
"Forging good relations with such officials serving at the ’Three Tis’ benefits us without any downside."
"In the future, if trouble arises, it could open up more ways to solve it."
"Moreover—befriending Mr. Tachibana is also beneficial for the future promotion and developnt of our Natural Reasoning Heart Stream."
"I rember telling you before, that this newcor who joined my Shiwei Hall recently, has outstanding swordsmanship talent."
"In terms of swordsmanship talent... I think he’s on par with Toshisuke."
"The Beichen One-Sword Style was founded only about 30 years ago."
"Why could the Beichen One-Sword Style develop so swiftly in just over 30 years, becoming the ’number one school in Japan’?"
"Isn’t it because they produce excellent talents, and their disciples have a strong sense of belonging to the Beichen One-Sword Style?"
"Disciples who graduated from the Beichen One-Sword Style promote and develop it spontaneously due to their strong sense of belonging to their school."
"This is the main reason why the Beichen One-Sword Style could dominate the entire Japanese Swordsmanship World in just over 30 years."
"Abi, think about it—if we befriend such a highly potential apprentice and develop a deep bond with him, what could we gain in the future?"
"In the future, when Mr. Tachibana completes his training, he might just promote and develop our Natural Reasoning Heart Stream like the disciples of the Beichen One-Sword Style."
Zhouzhu’s narrative was thodical and well-reasoned.
Abi lowered her head slightly, silent.
After Zhouzhu finished speaking, Kondo and Chokata both focused their gaze on Abi, waiting for her response.
The room... fell into a deathly silence.
...
...
Shiwei Hall, first floor, main room—
While Zhouzhu, Abi, Kondo, and Chokata went upstairs to the second floor to discuss whether to let Aoto and the others stay, Aoto, Saito, and Kyūbē waited quietly in the main room on the first floor for Kondo and the others to finish their discussion.
Without any concern of being without a place to stay tonight, Saito sat calmly in a corner of the room, cradling his sword, wide-eyed and zoning out.
Having been weary from travel in the morning, only to return ho in the afternoon and find his house burned, and pursuing the arsonist, Aoto leaned against the wall behind him, resting with his eyes closed.
Only Kyūbē was restless, fidgeting his hands and feet.
"Kyūbē," Aoto slowly opened his eyes, giving Kyūbē a helpless smile, "be patient, sit down, and calm down."
"Sigh... Young Master..." Kyūbē sat cross-legged in front of Aoto, letting out a deep sigh, "If the Shiwei Hall people ultimately don’t agree to let us stay... what should we do?"
"We’ll co up with a plan when that ti cos," Aoto smiled lightly, "We’ll find a way if it cos to that."
"Young Master..." Kyūbē gazed at Aoto in disbelief, "You’re so optimistic..."
"I’m soone who always believes there’s more than one way to overco difficulties, and as long as we’re alive, there’s hope," Aoto closed his eyes and continued resting, "Don’t worry,
"The crises we face now aren’t significant at all."
"It’s just that the house and the family possessions are gone."
"In the end, these things are just material possessions. As long as we’re alive, we’ll eventually have them all again."
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