Temptation

Unlike the Ouchi clan, who often dealt with Han people, the Yamana clan had, apart from the Ming Dynasty sending envoys over in recent years and their good fortune in meeting Ming envoys, basically never seen Han people.

So the moment he heard that Han people from the Celestial Empire had come looking for them—and had even presented Naito Mitsuo's head as a gift—he did not hesitate. He immediately brought along his most trusted senior retainer to call on them at the inn.

Wang Cong: ...

Was he not afraid this was luring a snake from its hole? Was Naito Mitsuo's head merely a stone tossed out to test the waters?

Knowing full well that the Ouchi clan had extensive dealings with Han people and could easily find some to impersonate them, he had actually come rushing to the inn to meet Junior Martial Uncle without even verifying anything...

What nerve...

Or perhaps he was simply stupid?

Wang Cong grumbled endlessly in his heart, but his face revealed nothing as he amiably led them inside.

Pan Yun stood smiling in front of the main hall to welcome them, while Xue Shao silently stood half a step behind her.

The smile on Yamana Mochitoyo's face faltered slightly when he saw Pan Yun. Before he could show it more clearly, Wang Cong had already called out, "Junior Martial Uncle, the Yamana clan head has arrived."

Yamana Mochitoyo froze and blurted out, "She is your Junior Martial Uncle? The leader of your group?"

"Yes," Wang Cong said. "We are disciples of Mount Longhu Academy. This is my Junior Martial Uncle, Pan Yun."

Yamana Mochitoyo's enthusiasm faded, and he was reluctantly invited into the hall.

Pan Yun sat kneeling in the seat of honor, raised a hand to invite Yamana Mochitoyo to sit nearby,