Qin Yining was amused to anger by Hirasawa Na’s words.

Why did these people always want to commit suicide at the drop of a hat?

“You’re not even afraid of death, so why don’t you have the courage to do things that benefit the people?”

“Our loyalty is something you cannot understand!” Hirasawa Na stiffened his neck, his tone extremely stubborn.

Qin Yining said, “Our country has a saying: ‘A wise bird chooses its tree to perch in.’ If you pledge loyalty to a wise and enlightened person, then you’re not a foolish person. If you pledge loyalty to a Daimyo who thinks of the people, then everything you do serves the people’s good. If you pledge loyalty to a despicable villain, then you’re helping evil! Your Daimyo has a precedent of betraying subordinates and values someone as despicable as Adachi Manba. Birds of a feather flock together—what kind of person must he be? Can such a person truly give the people of Mizusawa Country a good life?”

Taking a breath and waiting for Gao Delai to translate her words, Qin Yining continued, “Today on the ridges, I saw many children sensibly helping their mothers and grandmothers farm. They don’t even have proper clothes to cover themselves. Their female elders are gaunt yet sturdy, having completely lost feminine gentleness because they must work constantly, each looking like thick, gnarled tree branches. Their fields lack men to work them, because all men, including ten-year-old boys, are in military ranks, and perhaps one day they’ll lose their lives.

“A country needs both men and women to have more children and continue reproducing. But think about your country—if there are several more wars, how many men will remain? Without enough men to fill the army, when others attack in the future, won’t the remaining women and children directly lose their lives?”

Through a full day of observation, plus information revealed in the words of Adachi Manba and Hirasawa Na, Qin Yining had clearly understood Mizusawa Country’s current situation.

This Ishikawa Sanemi was a vain, glory-seeking despicable villain. He wouldn’t consider the people, only his own reputation for being a fierce warrior. He never considered the people’s gains and losses, only caring about his image in other Daimyos’ eyes.

He valued his reputation and pleasure above all else. How could such a Daimyo possibly consider the people’s survival? How could he truly develop Mizusawa Country?

If things continued this way, Mizusawa Country would sooner or later follow the old path of Beiji Country and Yan Country, crushed by war, with people displaced and only a few survivors barely living on, still having to endure the next natural or man-made disasters that could come at any time.

What Qin Yining and Pang Xiao had always wanted to do was to bring stability to all people under heaven, let them live peaceful lives, no longer suffering from war’s poison or exploitation by corrupt officials.

So seeing Mizusawa Country’s current state with her own eyes, Qin Yining couldn’t help saying so much to Hirasawa Na.

Hirasawa Na’s heart was already wavering, but his gaze toward Qin Yining also became guarded.

“What are you really trying to accomplish by telling me all this?”

Qin Yining sat leisurely and said, “I have only one purpose—to enable Sakurai to be buried in his homeland. If your Ishikawa Daimyo agrees, then all is well. If he refuses, I don’t mind using force.”

“You!” Hirasawa Na glared angrily.

Qin Yining waved her hand, indicating he should remain calm.

“If I use force, I’ll definitely avenge Sakurai. That Ishikawa Sanemi and Adachi Manba are both unworthy of forgiveness. If they die, will your country experience turmoil?

“I’m saying all this merely as an outsider analyzing Mizusawa Country’s current situation. I’m not a person of Mizusawa Country, so I needn’t worry about your future—I’m just mentioning it in passing. If you’re minded to prepare now, you could use this turmoil to give your people a good life. If you’re unminded and still want to protect your master, when it comes time for real action, I won’t show you mercy either.”

Everyone was shocked by Qin Yining’s words.

Gao Delai wiped sweat from his forehead and carefully explained to Hirasawa Na.

Hirasawa Na was so angry his face turned red, veins bulging on his forehead, as he gritted his teeth: “Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell the Daimyo about this! Preventing you from having a chance to act!”

“As you wish. If you want to betray Sakurai Hideaki once more.” Qin Yining smiled and stood up, her gaze blazing and her presence commanding. “I’ll say it again—I only want to bury Sakurai, let him return to his roots, and fulfill his regret. The price I pay for this is not within my consideration. Regardless of whether you inform your Daimyo of this matter, I won’t change my decision.”

Hirasawa Na gritted his teeth.

He had never seen such a forceful woman whose words were so chilling.

His heart struggled fiercely:

Should he help Sakurai or protect the Daimyo?

Should he preserve his beliefs or consider the people of Mizusawa Country?

Qin Yining observed Hirasawa Na’s expression and slowly spoke: “I’ve stated my purpose. It’s late—please do as you wish.”

After Gao Delai conveyed her words to Hirasawa Na, Qin Yining nodded slightly and rose to walk toward the cabin.

Ji Yun, Jingzhe, and the others naturally followed Qin Yining’s steps in leaving, while those hidden in the shadows also quietly withdrew.

Liao Zhibing and Gao Delai remained in place, momentarily unsure what to do.

Today’s words from Qin Yining were quite a shock to them as well. They hadn’t expected the Alliance Leader to make such a decision, but thinking carefully, the Alliance Leader was indeed someone who could do such things.

Gao Delai advised Hirasawa Na: “You needn’t rush to decide. Think it through carefully. Your decision not to speak up for Sakurai back then has made you regret for so many years. Consider this decision carefully before making it, lest you regret it for the rest of your life.”

Hirasawa Na came out of his daze, nodded, then with a grave expression covered his face with the black cloth. After bidding farewell to Gao Delai and Liao Zhibing, he easily and quietly left the tower ship without disturbing the guards sleeping soundly on shore, departing the dock as lightly and silently as a cat.

Qin Yining, confirming the person had left, returned to the main hall.

Gao Delai asked somewhat worriedly, “Alliance Leader, what if he goes back and informs on us?”

“He won’t.” Qin Yining was very certain.

“His heart already holds dissatisfaction and resentment toward Ishikawa Sanemi. Moreover, everything I said was true, and those truths will further intensify his dissatisfaction. He’s just unable to make an immediate decision due to his sense of loyalty. If he truly wanted to inform, he wouldn’t have listened to me finish—he would have immediately interrupted us and wouldn’t have given me the chance to slander his master.”