As a veteran disciple of the Iron Seal, Hokuto had visited many of the villages and towns near the Return-Heart Sect, but among them was not Jifuku Village—their destination this time.
Though he had never set foot there, Hokuto had memorized detailed records of every settlement in the area. Jifuku Village was considered one of the larger villages in this district, with over 1,200 households and more than 7,500 residents. Many families there raised four or five children.
In this era without surveillance or proper security, child abductions occurred almost daily. The local authorities could scarcely keep up—stacks of missing-child reports piled up in storage, gathering dust. Because of this, officials often welcomed sect disciples taking justice into their own hands. As long as the actions weren't overly excessive, most magistrates would turn a blind eye.
…
Once the route was planned and supplies prepared, Hokuto led his small training squad down the mountain.
The moment they reached the foot of the slope, he noticed that his five junior sisters were brimming with excitement, wide-eyed and gawking at everything as though it were new.
Thankfully, Hokuto had already established a strong enough sense of authority. Though the girls were excitable, they didn't dare get too out of line.
As cultivators, their pace far outstripped ordinary folk. In barely an hour they had crossed the vast grasslands and arrived at their first planned rest stop—Rakuka Town.
Before entering, Hokuto reminded his five junior sisters not to wander off. They all nodded rapidly, their expressions earnest. Only then did Hokuto lead them through the town gates.
"Fresh, ripe persimmons—sweet ones here! Sour ones, we'll trade!"
"Radishes sweeter than pears—come trade!"
"Candied hawthorn skewers, sticky and sweet!"
It was dusk, the liveliest hour on the streets. Vendors shouted themselves hoarse, each louder than the last, advertising their goods.
"Rice, millet, mung beans! Porridge hot and ready—steamed buns, pea buns!"
At last, one particular shout made Yū Kaemi's stomach rumble beyond control. She raised her hand and called out, "Reporting!"
"Speak," Hokuto replied evenly.
"I want one of those pea buns," Kaemi said, pointing eagerly at a stall with steaming bamboo baskets stacked high.
"Alright. How many do you want?" Hokuto asked.
His quick agreement startled her. She had thought her usually rigid senior brother would refuse, or at least make it troublesome.
Turns out, most of the time, Senior Brother can be surprisingly reasonable, she thought.
Holding up two slender fingers, she said, "Just two."
"You three?" Hokuto glanced at the other sisters.
Kaemi's two younger sisters immediately chimed in that they wanted some too. Yanagi Shizune quickly followed, saying she'd like to try them. Only Hōjō Akiyo remained silent.
After collecting their answers, Hokuto approached the stall. "Shopkeeper, how much for a pea bun?"
The vendor's eyes lit up at the sight of business. Lifting the lid with practiced ease, he said cheerfully, "Fresh and piping hot! One copper each."
"Good. I'll take eight." Hokuto slipped a small blue pouch from his belt, counted out eight coins, and handed them over.
Though he had his Qiankun Ring, only cultivators could use such artifacts. To avoid drawing suspicion, Hokuto made a point of carrying ordinary packs and pouches, never flaunting the ring in public.
"Eight pea buns, coming right up!" the vendor cried. With deft hands, he wrapped the buns in a lotus leaf and handed them over. "Here you are, customer—if you like them, come back for more!"
Nodding, Hokuto carried the lotus-wrapped bundle back to the girls.
Kaemi leaned forward, inhaling deeply. Her face lit up with anticipation. "Wow, that smells amazing!" She reached out eagerly to grab one.
But Hokuto raised his hand just in time, deftly avoiding her "hungry tiger pounce."
"Patience. We'll eat once we've reached the inn. Put your veil back on first."
Kaemi let out a reluctant, drawn-out "Ooh…" Inwardly, she immediately crossed out her earlier thought: Turns out Senior Brother can be reasonable.
Sliding the bundle discreetly into his Qiankun Ring, Hokuto led the group toward the inn.
As they walked, Akiyo began to sense something strange. Since childhood, she had grown used to being the center of attention, the brightest star wherever she went.
Yet now, even on this crowded street, no one spared her a second glance. Not even the hawkers turned their eyes toward her.
Something's off.
She glanced at Hokuto. This had to be his doing.
So it wasn't just my imagination that Shizune seemed different. He must've tampered with our hats or veils somehow.
But… what kind of trick makes people completely overlook us? This cowardly Senior Brother seems to have some unexpectedly clever methods when it comes to hiding.
Still, Akiyo had no intention of exposing him. Truth be told, she had always disliked the leering eyes of men. It unsettled her. This feeling of being invisible for once was… refreshing.
Fine, I'll let him off for now. I'll settle accounts once we're back at the sect.
"BANG!"
"CRASH! CRASH!"
As Hokuto searched for the inn, a loud clatter of breaking wood and pottery erupted ahead.
A sharp, sneering voice followed:
"You dare set up a stall here without paying rent? Tired of living, are you?"
Looking over, they saw a tofu seller's cart overturned, bean curd splattered across the ground. A stubble-faced middle-aged man glared furiously at several youths who had just toppled his stall.
"Oh? Still daring to glare? I'll teach you!" One of the young men in blue cloth jeered and kicked the vendor in the head.
"Argh!" The man cried out, clutching his skull. "The officials already take rent from us! Now this Ryū Sandō demands rent too! We're just small folk, how can we pay both?"
"Ha! Talking back? Get him!"
At the command, the group of youths surged forward, pummeling the man with fists and boots.
The other vendors nearby only looked on in silence, some even stepping further away. Clearly, this was nothing new to them.
"Outrageous!" Akiyo snapped, her voice sharp with anger as she reached for her White Rainbow Sword.
At that very moment, three glowing choices flashed before Hokuto's eyes.
(End of Chapter)