Suzuki Makoto sighed in his heart.
This was the reason why the Ubuyashiki family had always strictly guarded the truth about demons during the battle with Muzan Kibutsuji—to prevent the situation from spiraling into an uncontrollable state.
However, Shibata's story was not over yet; he was evidently addicted to talking.
"The Interior Ministry would naturally agree to that—we're talking about eternal life here! Which of those noble lords could resist such a thing? And most importantly, since immortality is real, how could they possibly wait for the day Lord Isshin passes away?"
"Lord Genichiro agreed to revert the Ashina nation's status back to simply 'Ashina,' placing it nominally under the jurisdiction of the Interior Ministry. The Ministry agreed readily, directly investing the Ashina clan as eternal Daimyo. They promised not to send officials or armies, provided Ashina is willing to yield the path leading to the Fountainhead Palace."
Truly a strategy that benefits both sides. Using the proven method of immortality as a bargaining chip, employing the [Undying Sword Saint] as a strategic deterrent, and actively lowering their posture to give the Interior Ministry a graceful way out—this man named Genichiro Ashina had an extremely precise grasp of politics and the human heart.
"So, Brother Shibata, what exactly is the Fountainhead Palace?"
"Haha, I knew you were going to ask that! Don't be impatient, I'll explain slowly—the Fountainhead Palace is the place where one can obtain the gift of immortality. It is the place that everyone in the world yearns for!"
Under the description of this chatty older brother, Suzuki Makoto finally figured out exactly where this immortality originated.
Originally, the Fountainhead Palace enshrined a cherry tree known as the Everblossom. Because it bloomed with cherry blossoms throughout all four seasons, it was named the Everblossom, and its flowers were called the Flowers of the Everblossom.
But one year, a great drought struck. The master of the Fountainhead Palace had to personally pray for rain. This sincerity moved a Dragon God from the West; rain fell for five days, and the drought was relieved.
During those five days, the Dragon God rested upon the Everblossom, its breath merging as one with the tree. Although the Dragon God eventually departed, a sacred entity named the Divine Dragon was born.
Thus, the people of the Fountainhead Palace began to worship and make offerings to the Divine Dragon. The water source beneath the Divine Dragon's feet was henceforth imbued with divine power, capable of bestowing the gift of eternal life, and from then on was known as the Dragonspring.
"That is the Fountainhead Palace. Ashina is located at the furthest downstream point of the Dragonspring. If they could discover secrets regarding eternal life even down here, one can only imagine just how miraculous the source of the Dragonspring at the Fountainhead Palace must be!"
"Indeed miraculous."
Suzuki Makoto nodded.
The story in Shibata's mouth was undoubtedly the common propaganda line disseminated by both the Interior Ministry and Ashina. After all, anyone thinking with their backside would know—would anyone truly be willing to share something like eternal life?
Could it be that Genichiro Ashina merely mentioned it, the Interior Ministry sent someone to take a look, and the people of the Fountainhead Palace just swept the couches to welcome them, everyone happily sharing the Dragonspring together?
Even more bizarre was the fact that it was clearly just a prayer for rain. Once the rain finished falling, that should have been the end of it. How could a Dragonspring capable of granting immortality possibly appear?
Even if that Dragon God was lovestruck and lost Its wits upon seeing the Palace master, It could have just granted the master eternal life. Why bother with the rain, the fusion, and finally creating some nondescript shared version of the Fountain of Youth?
But the most suspicious aspect was this—why would the Interior Ministry publicize the existence of immortality?
Even a traveling merchant like Shibata could speak of it with such logic and enthusiasm. The spread of this rumor was likely so wide that even village rustics could say a thing or two about it.
Suzuki Makoto smelled the scent of a conspiracy.
Everything—from the sudden shift in the Ashina nation's attitude, to the bizarre rumors of the Fountainhead Palace, to the incomprehensible actions of the Interior Ministry—made him feel that this [Eternal Life] was like a carrot dangling high before a donkey, luring countless ordinary people to rush toward Ashina, toward the Fountainhead Palace.
As for what lies beneath the carrot—whether it is a beautiful dream come true or a bottomless abyss—that remains unknown.
"Does Brother Shibata also wish to go to the Fountainhead Palace?"
"Sigh, to go to the Fountainhead Palace, one must first drink the Water of the Palace for three months to cleanse oneself of filth before one can enter. That costs a huge sum of money; I'm still far from saving enough!"
The man sighed and groaned, while Suzuki Makoto became increasingly certain that there was something wrong with this situation.
He looked meaningfully at the people around him. Whether they had heard it before and were just joining the fun, or hadn't heard it and wanted to listen, when the Fountainhead Palace and the Water of the Palace were mentioned, everyone revealed a uniform expression of yearning and sighing.
Clearly, these people also harbored thoughts of earning money for those three months of water.
"It is truly something to yearn for. If Lord Isshin is willing to accept me as a disciple, I will train earnestly. If not, I must first save enough money for three months of water."
"Hahaha, let's do our best together then. Brother Suzuki, you are so young, you surely make money faster than I do. Who knows, perhaps we might even enter the Fountainhead Palace on the same day!"
---
Suzuki Makoto walked along the mountain road leading to Ashina Castle, having bid farewell to Shibata and the others.
In truth, one could see from this that the Interior Ministry still had means to deal with Ashina. They built a new city by the main road on the plains. Naturally, compared to the mountain fortress of Ashina, both merchants and pilgrims were more willing to stay in the new city, making Ashina Castle appear desolate and lonely.
Over time, the new city would form a siphon effect on the population of Ashina Castle. The people of Ashina would slowly move to the new city to work and live. Eventually, perhaps without the Interior Ministry even lifting a finger, Ashina Castle would turn into a purely tourist attraction.
However, Ashina was not sitting idly by awaiting death. Being able to put out the golden signboard of "Sword Saint Isshin Ashina Accepting Disciples" would naturally attract a large drove of young people. As long as Ashina Castle secured fresh blood, Ashina's future could go further.
Therefore, Suzuki Makoto was now more interested in Genichiro Ashina than in the Sword Saint, Isshin Ashina. After all, although Isshin Ashina was still the Daimyo in name, nothing had changed for twenty years, yet now the Ashina nation had found a way out of a desperate situation through diplomatic means. This was evidently Genichiro Ashina's achievement.
"What are you here for?"
Several soldiers standing in front of the checkpoint shouted the question.
"I have come seeking to take Lord Isshin Ashina as my teacher."
Some of the soldiers revealed looks of ridicule, though no one spoke out of turn. The leader merely maintained an expression of official business.
"This is the Ashina Outskirts. If you wish to apprentice, pass through the Castle Town and proceed to the main castle. However, to enter the main castle, you must demonstrate your strength. I hope you are prepared."
"Many thanks."
The soldiers immediately let him pass, allowing Suzuki Makoto to walk into the Castle Town.
____
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