Inside the Ashina Castle Keep, Suzuki Makoto and Genichiro Ashina sat opposite each other. Between them, on a low table, lay an incredibly detailed map of the Fountainhead Palace and its surroundings.
"There are only two roads into the Fountainhead Palace. One is the original pilgrimage path, connected by giant shimenawa straw effigies. The other is a plank road carved out of the sheer cliff by laborers conscripted by the Interior Ministry after they occupied the palace.
——After the plank road was completed, the straw effigies were destroyed, so on the surface, the only way into the Fountainhead Palace is the one built by the Interior Ministry."
"But in reality, there is another path into the Fountainhead Palace. It was created by the people of Ashina for a counterattack after the Fountainhead Palace launched a war against us downstream. After the war, this path was sealed off with multiple layers by the Fountainhead Palace. Since no one has used it to travel there for many years, the Interior Ministry never discovered it, even with their thorough reconnaissance before their invasion three years ago."
Genichiro Ashina presented his bargaining chip. This was evidently the same method that Isshin Ashina and Suzuki Makoto had previously discussed. After all, Genichiro had at most only heard of or seen this path, while Isshin Ashina had likely walked it himself.
Suzuki Makoto glanced up at Genichiro Ashina. As the victors of a past war against the Fountainhead Palace, Ashina's knowledge of attack routes and combat tactics could have made the Interior Ministry's conquest much easier.
The fact that the Ministry was unaware of this path during their invasion made Genichiro Ashina's intentions perfectly clear—he wanted to see the Interior Ministry and the Fountainhead Palace wear each other down to exhaustion.
One didn't need to think hard to imagine the ferocity of the battle that would erupt between those who possessed the power of immortality and those who came to seize it. It would undoubtedly be an extremely brutal war, as no one would retreat even a single step. For their respective power and eternal life, both the Fountainhead Palace and the Interior Ministry would surely throw everything they had into the fight.
The people of Ashina wouldn't be heartbroken by this; in fact, they would delight in it. Genichiro Ashina was probably secretly hoping the Fountainhead Palace would repel the Interior Ministry a few times, just as Ashina had. That way, Ashina's position on the Ministry's list of grudges would surely be pushed back a bit.
Unfortunately, the Interior Ministry controlled the entire nation, and the Shogun's obsession with immortality was strong enough to push them to continue fighting, no matter the cost.
Genichiro didn't seem to mind Suzuki Makoto's gaze; after all, he wasn't even pretending anymore. He just continued to point at the map and explain.
"Climbing up from here will lead you to the Fountainhead Palace. Although I have kept an eye on this path, I was forbidden from entering the palace after the war, so I am not entirely sure if the Interior Ministry has set up any countermeasures along it."
"Don't worry. As long as I can avoid being seen, the path itself is not a problem."
The only reason Suzuki Makoto hadn't entered the Fountainhead Palace yet was because he didn't want to alert too many people prematurely. It was obvious how heavily fortified the Interior Ministry's position there was.
He couldn't just kill everyone, including the dragon, could he? He was there to sever the ties of the undying curse, not to rack up a thousand kills.
Then, Genichiro's finger landed on other spots. It was clear that even though he couldn't enter the Fountainhead Palace, he knew everything inside like the back of his hand.
"In the waters of the Fountainhead Palace, there is a Great Colored Carp, which one might say is the closest thing to a truly immortal being. It is also one of the auspicious signs the Interior Ministry has been making offerings to. This bait will attract the Great Colored Carp and agitate it."
"After the invasion of the Fountainhead Palace, most of the palace nobles and Okami Guards either died in battle or were executed. Only a small number were kept for research, which was handled by the monks of Senpou Temple and personnel sent by the Interior Ministry. They are being held in the dungeon outside the Fountainhead Palace. This is the key to the dungeon's main gate."
Whether it was enraging the Great Carp or releasing the people of the Fountainhead Palace, both were intended to create a diversion. Looking at the bait and the key, Suzuki Makoto raised an eyebrow but did not refuse the offer.
These preparations, in turn, confirmed Genichiro Ashina's previous statements. He had indeed been preparing ways to deal with the Fountainhead Palace, but had always lacked someone who could truly defeat the Divine Dragon. The Isshin Ashina of twenty years ago might have been able to, but now, the Sword Saint was so old he could barely handle teaching duties.
"In addition, I can also make a move on the plank road. When would you need me to coordinate? Should I set a fire in advance to create an opportunity for you to enter, or should I wait and act at the same time as you?"
"I will scout the secret path once to get a clear picture of the situation. We'll talk again after that."
Genichiro Ashina nodded and pointed to another spot on the map.
"This is where The Divine Heir is. If he were to disappear, the Interior Ministry would surely be thrown into greater panic. Unfortunately, a member of the former Ashina clan betrayed us, and his adopted son is The Divine Heir's guardian, deeply trusted by him. To maintain secrecy, I cannot coordinate with your actions there."
The Divine Heir's guardian?
"I heard that every generation of The Divine Heir has their own Covenanter, and that the Covenanter can also use the power of the Dragon's Heritage. Is that traitor's adopted son The Divine Heir's Covenanter?"
Suzuki Makoto remembered what he had heard from the Senpou High Priest at Senpou Temple about the whereabouts of the other Mortal Blade—that it had been taken by someone who served The Divine Heir. So he asked one more question.
"If Kuro truly has a Covenanter, it should be that guard named Wolf. However, after the Interior Ministry took control three years ago, I have no knowledge of anything that happened."
Genichiro Ashina's tone was a bit grim as he said this, as if there was a hidden story there, but Suzuki Makoto couldn't be bothered to ask.
He would just take a look when he was in the area. After all, the awakening condition for the blade in his hand was so simple, he was more than happy to complete it along the way.
Suzuki Makoto rolled up the map.
"I will set out today to test the waters. I'll tell you the detailed plan when I return."
"I leave everything in your hands, Lord Suzuki."
Genichiro Ashina bowed deeply in respect.
Allowing the Shogun who had once been defeated by Ashina to remain eternally on his throne was undoubtedly like holding Ashina over a fire. If he could help the more amicable Lord Hidetada, with whom he had no dispute, ascend to power, that would be the true path to Ashina's survival in the future.
By the time he looked up, the young man before him had already vanished. Genichiro gazed out from the Castle Keep at the liquid night, took a deep breath, and then went to make his own preparations.
____
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