The convoy sped along the road, with no police intercepting them and no assassins pursuing them—a rather strange situation. Luo Zheng grew even more curious. Anyone capable of accomplishing this must be extraordinary, but since Yuanfei Zuo was unwilling to talk, Luo Zheng naturally refrained from asking. He noticed Yuanfei Zuo continuously making phone calls and decided to ponder quietly, observing his surroundings with a calm deanor.
After a while, Yuanfei Zuo hung up the phone and looked at Luo Zheng and Lan Xue sitting beside him. He closed his eyes and remained silent, seemingly unwilling to speak. Luo Zheng knew that soone like Yuanfei Zuo was cautious and wouldn't say much until he fully understood his identity. Luo Zheng figured that the phone call was definitely to have soone investigate him, and he beca secretly vigilant, staying silent and waiting.
After so ti, another call ca in. Yuanfei Zuo listened for a while before hanging up again. Then several more calls ca in, which he answered without saying much. Before they knew it, the convoy rushed out of the city, reaching the suburbs. Luo Zheng suddenly noticed that while the other vehicles continued straight ahead, the car he was in made a turn and entered a nearby farmhouse.
The farmhouse looked unremarkable, one of those ordinary wooden houses, lined with white paper—a typical Japanese residence. In front was a small courtyard with an off-road vehicle parked there. Two wolfdogs, seeing the car enter, quickly stood up alert but, perhaps recognizing the people inside, they didn't even bark, lying down again to rest.
Seeing this, Luo Zheng knew that Yuanfei Zuo must co here often. As for the other convoy, they were likely drawing the opponent's attention away. The front yard had a rock garden and flowing water, looking quite unique, alongside a grape trellis under which were stone benches and tables. A teenager dressed in a kimono was making tea, while opposite sat a middle-aged man.
When the two saw the car approaching, they stood up and bowed slightly to welco them. The small car parked, and Yuanfei Zuo gestured for Luo Zheng and Lan Xue to get out. The car then turned and left. Yuanfei Zuo walked towards the grape trellis and embraced the other middle-aged man. Luo Zheng exchanged a cautious glance with Lan Xue and slowly walked forward.
"Let introduce, this is my elder brother, Yuanfei Zhu, and this is my daughter, Yuanfei Xinzi. I am Yuanfei Zuo, and I have long admired you two," Yuanfei Zhu suddenly switched to Huaxia language, with a smile on his face.
Luo Zheng's expression changed drastically, but seeing that the other side showed no hostility, he quickly cald down and contemplated the situation. It was clear that Yuanfei Zuo had discovered his identity through the previous call and brought him here while dismissing the others, indicating that there was no hostility towards him. Luo Zheng imdiately smirked and said, "Mr. Yuanfei Zuo, impressive tactics."
"Please," Yuanfei Zuo said with a smile, gesturing invitingly.
Luo Zheng and Lan Xue exchanged a glance, then sat on the stone benches under the grape trellis. Yuanfei Xinzi bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you both for saving my father. Please allow to make you so tea."
"You're too kind," Luo Zheng replied casually, glancing at Yuanfei Zuo and then Yuanfei Zhu, noticing them scrutinizing him as well. He couldn't help but smile and continued, "We are all smart people. In our country, there's an old saying: 'Don't speak in riddles in front of the savvy.' Since you know my identity and brought us here, does this an we can have an honest conversation?"
"The rumors are true, your gun skills are god-like. I witnessed it myself, and your insight is astonishing. No wonder you've made the Shijing family as jittery as if they were startled birds," Yuanfei Zuo said politely, glancing at Yuanfei Zhu, who nodded. Yuanfei Zuo continued, "Not to hide anything, we have been at odds with the Shijing family for generations. You killed several of Shijing family's experts, which caught our attention, so we looked into your background. I hope you'll forgive us for this."
"That's not important anymore. Since you also have a grudge against the Shijing family, and the enemy of my enemy is a friend, it seems we can indeed have a good conversation," Luo Zheng said, realizing that they indeed have a historical grudge against the Shijing family and didn't seem to be lying. The hatred in their eyes when ntioning "Shijing family" can't be faked. He said it nonchalantly.
"My young brother, please allow to call you that. You are indeed exceptionally clever, showing no suspicion of our intentions at all. Aren't you afraid we might deceive you?" Yuanfei Zhu suddenly spoke, also in perfect Huaxia language.
"Is there any significance in deceiving ?" Luo Zheng asked with a smile in return.
"Uh, indeed no significance. My young brother, you spoke to the point, truly brilliant. Let's get down to business," Yuanfei Zuo chid in, taking the conversation further. "We know sothing about your identity, although not entirely comprehensive, it is sufficient. I believe you're quite curious about who I am. For the sake of a pleasant collaboration, I feel it's necessary to introduce myself. However, this might take a while. I hope the two of you have enough patience to listen?"
"Good tea, beautiful scenery, and ample ti for a leisurely chat," Luo Zheng responded with a smile.
"How elegant," Yuanfei Zuo said with a smile. Exchanging a glance with Yuanfei Zhu, he continued, "I believe you are aware of the ninja. Long ago, Iga and Kaga were originally one place but were divided into two due to war, which segregated the schools. However, Japan's ninjutsu factions' fundantal training is still based on the scriptures 'Ten Thousand Rivers Gathered Sea,' which was authored by the ancestors of Iga and Kaga. The two factions were equal in strength, originally relatives, but later diverged due to different lords. The largest family of the Iga faction is the Shijing, while the largest family in Kaga is us, the Yuanfei."
This was the first ti Luo Zheng heard about such matters, and his interest couldn't help but increase, as he listened patiently.
Yuanfei Zuo continued, "The Kaga faction can be considered a neighbor to Iga, located not far north in the mountains, standing alongside Iga as the strongest ninjas for generations. In the early days, we served the feudal lords near the Capital City, such as the Kokaji Clan, the Tongjing family, and the Hosokawa family. Later, we submitted to the dominator of the land, Oda Nobunaga. During the most glorious ten years of Nobunaga's career, Kaga flourished and, taking advantage of the massacre at Iga, once had the tendency to dominate the ninja world. However, Nobunaga was assassinated by subordinates in the Capital City, causing a fragntation within the Oda family and stagnation, but with the accumulation of those ten years, Kaga was still able to rival the 'designated ninjas' of the Iga during the era of the Dechuan Shogunate."
"So, you were indeed ousted from power, but your strength is comparable to the in-power Iga, and the current head of the largest Iga faction, the Shijing family, wants to annex you to beco the dominant ninja family in Japan. Because they exposed your whereabouts, it led to today's pursuit," Luo Zheng quickly deduced and asked with a smile.
"My young brother, remarkably perceptive and indeed, that's the situation. Today, if not for you, my life would have ended in Fushan. Now, you and I both understand each other, and with a foundation of trust established, I believe your visit to Japan isn't rely for sightseeing. Shall we discuss cooperation next?" Yuanfei Zuo said earnestly.
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