Jingzhe, Xiaoxue, Liao Zhibing, and Gao Delai had never fallen asleep. After nightfall, the four lit a wind-resistant lamp and waited on deck, some standing, some sitting.

Jingzhe and Xiaoxue were the most alert. Though they hadn’t heard footsteps, their vigilance as secret agents made them immediately sense someone approaching.

The two quietly walked to the ship’s rail. Under the illumination of lamplight and moonlight, they saw a lean figure in black clothing with hand on sword hilt, crouching like a black panther as he darted and weaved across the beach, avoiding the sleeping guards while rapidly approaching.

Just from these movements, they could tell the newcomer was a master no weaker than themselves!

Their hearts tightened, and they immediately turned back to quietly warn Liao Zhibing and Gao Delai: “Someone’s coming! Tell them to be on guard.”

As they spoke, the person had already reached them. The four prepared for battle. After a light sound, they saw an iron claw hook onto the bow, followed by slight rustling of fabric. In the blink of an eye, the black shadow had leaped onto the deck.

Everyone immediately went on high alert, their entire bodies tense with wariness.

The black shadow leaped onto the bow and immediately saw four people surrounding him in formation, causing him great alarm as well.

However, upon seeing Gao Delai and Liao Zhibing, the person released his grip on his sword and pulled down the black cloth covering his face.

The visitor was none other than Hirasawa Na.

Gao Delai quickly whispered to Jingzhe and Xiaoxue: “Don’t attack. This is Sakurai’s friend. Our master said he would come looking, and here he is indeed.”

Jingzhe and Xiaoxue didn’t completely let down their guard, maintaining defensive positions and stances, ready to spring into action and subdue him at any moment.

Hirasawa Na also keenly sensed the hostility from the two, narrowing his eyes as he looked over.

Gao Delai quickly lowered his voice and said in Japanese: “These two are our master’s guards. Since they don’t recognize you, they’re naturally defensive.” Turning to Jingzhe and Xiaoxue, he said, “This isn’t a place for talking. Let’s go inside to discuss.”

Jingzhe and Xiaoxue hesitated briefly, then remembering Qin Yining’s instructions, they stepped aside.

With his superior skills giving him courage, Hirasawa Na followed Gao Delai into the ship’s cabin despite being surrounded.

Inside the cabin, the lights were bright and the main hall spacious. Guards who had received word had already arrived but didn’t immediately show themselves, instead standing in the shadows.

Liao Zhibing said, “Ask him what he’s here for.”

Gao Delai then questioned Hirasawa Na.

Hirasawa Na withdrew his gaze from surveying the surroundings and said tensely, “The woman I saw at the tavern today—is she the new master you mentioned of Hideaki? How could she befriend that shameless wretch Adachi Manba! If Adachi Manba hadn’t devised cunning schemes, the Daimyo wouldn’t have betrayed Hideaki!”

Gao Delai replied, “Our ship had just docked when we encountered that Adachi Manba. Do you think we wanted to deal with him? That Adachi Manba’s eyes were practically glued to our master. Our master came here to bury Sakurai in his homeland. She couldn’t let all efforts go to waste by not even being able to land on shore, so she had no choice but to play false with Adachi Manba.”

Hirasawa Na was stunned, somewhat surprised: “Aren’t you a merchant ship? I saw you were constantly busy doing business.”

“Commerce is just a cover. If our master weren’t repaying Sakurai’s life-saving grace, how could she possibly abandon home and family to cross the vast ocean to come here?”

Upon hearing this, Hirasawa Na immediately showed solemn respect, sighing: “Hideaki finally found a master who won’t betray him. Your master is worthy of trust.” He bowed his head deeply.

These words were all exchanged between Gao Delai and Hirasawa Na in Japanese, so Gao Delai had to turn and explain to Liao Zhibing, Jingzhe, and Xiaoxue.

The tense atmosphere between both sides disappeared. Gao Delai invited Hirasawa Na to sit, but Hirasawa Na said, “I would like to meet your master, if it’s convenient.”

“You want to see our master?”

“Yes.” Hirasawa Na nodded firmly, then said, “I want to know about Hideaki’s final circumstances.”

Gao Delai turned to explain to Liao Zhibing and Jingzhe.

Jingzhe said, “Our lady should be willing to see this young man. Our lady values loyalty and righteousness greatly. She would definitely want to meet Sakurai’s friend, otherwise she wouldn’t have come to this place.”

“It’s just that the night is already deep…” Liao Zhibing hesitated somewhat.

Xiaoxue said, “Our lady won’t mind.”

Thinking of how Qin Yining had dealt with Adachi Manba for so long just to successfully land in Mizusawa Country, they knew she definitely wouldn’t mind.

Xiaoxue then stood up: “I’ll go ask our lady to come out.”

Everyone nodded, and Gao Delai invited Hirasawa Na to sit while fetching tea and water.

Ji Yun was resting in the outer room of Qin Yining’s bedchamber. Hearing approaching footsteps, she immediately leaped up and quietly demanded: “Who’s there!”

“It’s me,” Xiaoxue said. “Hirasawa Na has come and wishes to see our lady.”

Qin Yining had already awakened when Ji Yun spoke. Hearing this, she sat up, her voice slightly hoarse: “Ask him to wait a moment. I’ll be right there.”

“Yes.” Xiaoxue acknowledged and quickly returned to the main hall.

Ji Yun lit a lamp and helped Qin Yining dress. After simple preparation, Qin Yining carried the lamp and walked quickly outside. Just reaching the main hall entrance, she heard several people conversing with a Japanese person with Gao Delai’s assistance. That person’s clear, young voice was very familiar—it was the person she had encountered at the tavern.

Xiaoxue at the doorway noticed Qin Yining and smiled: “Our lady has arrived.”

Everyone quickly stood to respectfully greet her.

Qin Yining and Ji Yun entered one after the other. Her beautiful eyes fell on Hirasawa Na, observing him without concealment.

Hirasawa Na only saw a beautiful woman in honey-colored brocade robes enter. Out of courtesy, he immediately lowered his head and didn’t examine her appearance.

Qin Yining smiled slightly: “Please sit down.”

Gao Delai immediately translated this for Hirasawa Na.

Qin Yining sat upright in the seat of honor, while the others all stood behind her on both sides.

Hirasawa Na sat in his original position. Seeing how everyone treated Qin Yining with complete respect and showed extreme loyalty, his curiosity about this woman grew.

This woman must be a noble. An ordinary merchant’s daughter wouldn’t have such bearing.

“This brother visits in the deep of night. May I ask what instruction you have?”

“Seeing you sitting with that shameless wretch Adachi Manba at the tavern today, I thought you were his friend. But seeing Master Gao and Master Liao standing behind you, I recalled our previous meeting when they brought Hideaki’s ashes back to Mizusawa Country, hoping to bury him, but weren’t granted permission by the Daimyo and were even driven away by the people. They said at that time that if their master knew of this, she would surely be furious. So I guessed then whether you might be Hideaki’s master.”

After Gao Delai translated Hirasawa Na’s words for her, Qin Yining couldn’t help saying: “So his name was Sakurai Hideaki.” With a sigh, Qin Yining then slowed her speech, having Gao Delai convey her words to Hirasawa Na.

“I can hardly be called Sakurai’s master. Because I couldn’t do anything for him, and even brought him to lose his life.”