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I have released these many chapters just to get ahead of the guy copying the fanfic.
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The next day.
The morning sun illuminated the bedchamber.
In the air, the scent of last night had not yet dissipated, and an ambiguous atmosphere still permeated the room.
Perhaps she was too tired from last night, Mei Terumi curled up like a kitten on the soft bed, sound asleep.
Shin glanced at her half-exposed body, a flash of triumph in his eyes, then he got up, clad only in a loose robe.
He stretched, his joints popping.
Perhaps the movement of getting up was too loud, Mei Terumi was woken up.
She slowly opened her hazy, sleepy eyes, her face full of weariness.
Her dazed eyes darted around, immediately spotting Shin standing by the bed.
She instantly remembered where she was, and immediately pulled the quilt over herself, wrapping it tightly.
Her gaze had nowhere to settle, so she looked to the side.
And where she looked, lay that almost transparent, lotus-root colored silk dress, only this long dress had already been reduced to torn rags in last night's storm.
Mei Terumi instantly recalled everything she had experienced last night.
Her once bright, spring-water green eyes immediately became hollow and lifeless, and her entire being was in a daze.
Her fair skin was covered in red marks, like cracks.
Memories surged, last night was like a nightmare.
That man, in the most barbaric way, made her understand what dominance was.
There was no tenderness, no gentleness at all.
Every demand was like an assertion of ownership.
In the end, she gave up, letting him crush her.
Her disconsolate appearance did not catch Shin's attention.
Instead, he walked directly to the desk, pulled out a blank scroll from the table, and then picked up a brush.
Without thought, the brush tip moved across the scroll like flowing clouds and water.
Weapons, food, medicine... the content written down was exactly the same as the list Mei Terumi had last night.
The scroll he had burned last night seemed to have been etched into his mind.
After writing, he signed his name and heavily stamped the daimyo's seal.
The crimson mark was branded on the scroll.
Having done all this, Shin took the order and walked back to the bed.
As Shin approached, Mei Terumi uncontrollably trembled.
"Take it."
Shin calmly tossed the order in front of her.
The scroll unrolled, opening right before her eyes.
The familiar list of supplies, the crimson mark, stung her eyes.
After seeing the content, Mei Terumi's eyes, in that instant, regained a glimmer of spirit.
She looked at the order in disbelief.
He... rewrote a copy?
Why?
She looked up at Shin, her eyes filled with confusion.
She didn't understand.
Last night, she had exhausted all her schemes, even sacrificing herself, to obtain something, only to be mercilessly rejected by him.
But now, after she had completely fallen, becoming a worthless plaything.
He, however, so easily threw the thing she had yearned for to her.
What was this?
Humiliation?
Pity?
Or charity?
Her hollow eyes held deep confusion.
Shin looked down at her, seeing her bewildered yet stubborn expression, the smile on his face grew wider.
"I am very satisfied with your performance last night."
These words instantly pierced her ears.
A tremendous sense of shame washed over her, making her pretty face flush red.
Her performance last night?
That appearance of being at his mercy, utterly devoid of dignity?
She bit her lip so hard she almost drew blood, just to keep herself from crying out.
Seeing her aggrieved expression, Shin immediately lost interest.
He sat back on the bed, raised his hand to pinch her chin, forcing her to look up, and said, word by word, "Stop those tears!"
Mei Terumi was startled, and her tears immediately stopped.
"That's a good girl!" Shin nodded and said, "This was your own choice, and I gave you what you wanted."
"Remember."
"In the Land of Fire, there is a rule."
"What I give, you can take."
"What I don't give, you cannot reach for, much less snatch."
"This is a one-time thing, don't expect it again!"
Mei Terumi understood instantly.
This was not a reward.
This was him setting rules for her!
He was using this bloody method to tell her that everything she had was solely at his whim.
If he wanted to give it, you could have it.
If he didn't want to give it, even begging on your knees would be useless.
"Do you understand?" Shin asked, his voice still calm.
Mei Terumi's body trembled violently, and two streams of tears rolled down, no longer able to be controlled.
After a long while, a sob escaped her throat.
"...Yes."
Shin released his hand with satisfaction, stood up, and summoned a maid to bathe and change his clothes.
The dessert before the main course had been tasted.
It was time to deal with serious matters.
He did not look at Mei Terumi again, turning and leaving without a backward glance.
The palace door closed, isolating inside and out.
Mei Terumi hugged the scorching order, burying her face deep in the quilt, letting out suppressed sobs, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably...
The capital.
At Minister Tanaka's mansion, the atmosphere was somewhat heavy.
Across from him sat a burly man.
The man had short white hair and dark skin. He was a shinobi from Kumogakure, named Darui.
As an envoy from the Land of Lightning, his purpose for this trip was singular.
To secure for the Land of Lightning the qualification to conduct specialty trade with the Land of Fire.
Just last month, the first batch of merchant caravans laden with specialties from the Land of Fire arrived in the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth.
Among them, a white sugar called Fire Crystal immediately sparked a trend in high society.
When the daimyo of the Land of Wind and the daimyo of the Land of Earth began to use silk from the Land of Fire as the highest reward, and Fire Crystal as the grand finale dessert for state banquets.
The Land of Lightning, however, was excluded.
Upon learning of this, the daimyo of the Land of Lightning was furious.
Why could those poor devils from the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind enjoy something that he, a monarch of one of the Five Great Nations, did not have?
In his rage, an urgent order swiftly reached Kumogakure.
Upon receiving the order, the Raikage immediately dispatched Darui, known for his unyielding nature, to rush over day and night.
"Minister Tanaka, my intentions have been made very clear." Darui finally broke the silence, his words very forceful. "That white sugar called Fire Crystal, as well as silk and tea, we in the Land of Lightning want them too!"
Minister Tanaka put down his teapot, his smile unchanged.
Looking at the formidable Kumogakure envoy before him, he already understood.
The daimyo's strategy had worked.
However, this matter was beyond the decision-making power of a mere minister of finance.
Minister Tanaka composed himself, his tone neither obsequious nor arrogant. "Regarding trade, I naturally welcome it. However..."
"However what?" Darui frowned, clearly impatient.
"Lord Darui is unaware," Minister Tanaka explained unhurriedly, "the trade between our country and the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth is a national policy personally set by the daimyo."
"All the terms and details are directly approved by the daimyo manor."
"Now that the Land of Lightning wishes to join, this has exceeded the scope of my authority."
Minister Tanaka emphasized the words 'the daimyo', both stating his position and reminding the other party who held the ultimate decision-making power in this matter.
"This matter is of great importance, and I must personally report it to the daimyo."
"Before receiving a clear decree from the daimyo, I cannot give you any reply."
These words were well-reasoned and logical. He did not directly refuse but skillfully passed the buck.
Although Darui was impatient, he was not a fool.
The other party's words were typical bureaucratic rhetoric, yet there was nothing to fault.
He snorted. "Then how long will I have to wait?"
"I will immediately seek an audience, and as soon as there is news, you will be informed immediately."
"During this period, please rest well at the inn, and all expenses in the capital will be borne by our side." Minister Tanaka smiled as he made the arrangements, fully displaying his hospitality.
Hearing the promise, Darui could only suppress his anger in the end. "Alright! I'll await your news! I hope you don't make me wait too long!"
"Certainly, certainly."
After seeing Darui off, Minister Tanaka immediately ordered, "Prepare the carriage!"
"To the daimyo manor at once!"