Pingjing City Grand Assembly (2)

Chapter 33: Great Gathering at Pingjing City

Regarding the exact size of the Land of Fire, Uchiha Shin had once seen a netizen's deduction in his past life, which claimed that the area of the Land of Fire was roughly equivalent to that of China.

In his past life, Uchiha Shin had not believed it at all.

However, ever since he transmigrated into this world, and after he understood the scale of the Uchiha Clan's sphere of influence during his last clan trial, Uchiha Shin believed it.

Take this escort mission, for example.

Looking at the map, the straight-line distance from the Uchiha Clan's settlement to Pingjing City, the capital of the Land of Fire's Daimyo, was nearly one thousand kilometers.

Therefore, the actual travel distance would certainly be far greater than one thousand kilometers, not to mention the mountains to climb and rivers to cross along the way...

Fortunately, ninjas are not ordinary people; even the most basic genin would be considered a superhuman existence in Uchiha Shin's past life.

Thus, this distance, along with the climbing of mountains and crossing of rivers, was actually nothing for ninjas, even if they relied solely on their own two feet.

Uchiha Shin, Uchiha Hana, and Uchiha Tajima's group set off at sunrise, which was around six o'clock in the morning.

By nearly twelve o'clock noon, the Uchiha Clan's ninja squad took a break.

They ate some food and replenished their stamina.

Uchiha Shin also took a bathroom break.

According to Uchiha Shin's estimation, if nothing went wrong, their group would definitely arrive at Pingjing City on time around six or seven in the evening.

After resting for about half an hour, Uchiha Shin, Uchiha Hana, and Uchiha Tajima's group set off on the road again.

Along the way, there were no blind ninjas or bandit forces that dared to provoke this Uchiha Clan ninja squad.

At around seven in the evening, Uchiha Shin, Uchiha Hana, and Uchiha Tajima's group had successfully arrived at the main gate of Pingjing City.

Holding the warrant personally signed by the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, Uchiha Tajima easily led the group through the gates of Pingjing City and successfully entered the city.

Under the cover of night, Uchiha Shin, who was in the squad, looked up at the tallest, brightly lit building in the city—the Guardian Pavilion where the Daimyo of the Land of Fire resided.

He couldn't help but curl his lip.

"That's it?"

"I thought the Guardian Pavilion of the Land of Fire's Daimyo would be grand."

"How come this level of luxury doesn't even compare to an ancient county town from my past life?"

Disdain appeared in Uchiha Shin's eyes.

The Guardian Pavilion, constructed primarily of wood and blue bricks, lacked any of the architectural splendor of "a pavilion every five steps, a tower every ten; corridors winding like belts, eaves reaching high like fangs; each following the terrain, interlocking in complexity."

Compared to the Forbidden City in the country where Uchiha Shin lived in his past life, it was at most the manor of a wealthy rural landlord.

"It seems that whether in my past life or now, the Japanese are always so small-minded."

Uchiha Shin, possessing the soul of a Chinese person, felt very proud.

However, Uchiha Hana, who was beside him, lacked experience; she was actually making a fuss over seeing a rural landlord's manor.

How embarrassing!

Watching Uchiha Hana, who was standing next to him and practically dancing with excitement, Uchiha Shin turned his head slightly away.

Led by Uchiha Tajima, the Uchiha Clan's ninja squad passed through the busiest street in Pingjing City, and amidst the hawking of street vendors, turned left and right into a large courtyard similar to a post station.

Once the Uchiha Clan's ninja squad entered the courtyard...

Uchiha Shin suddenly discovered that ninjas from other clans had already arrived and were stationed there.

Looking at the clan emblems on the armor of the ninjas moving about the courtyard, Uchiha Shin determined that this clan that had arrived early must be the Hagoromo Clan.

Sure enough, before long, someone opened the door and walked out of the row of houses on the south side of the courtyard.

"Tajima, you've arrived."

"Haha."

The leader of the Hagoromo Clan walked quickly toward Uchiha Shin's group with several subordinates, taking the initiative to greet Uchiha Tajima.

"It seems I arrived a bit late."

"Haha..."

"What about the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans?"

Uchiha Tajima turned his head to look around the courtyard but did not see any ninjas from the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans.

"Them?"

"They're probably still on the road!"

The leader of the Hagoromo Clan laughed heartily and invited Uchiha Tajima into the house to talk, but when mentioning the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans, a flash of disdain and contempt crossed his eyes.

So, there is a hierarchy of contempt among ninja clans as well!

Seeing the disdain and contempt in the eyes of the Hagoromo Clan leader, Uchiha Shin thought to himself.

"Come, let me introduce you; this is Master Yamashita from the Fire Temple beside me."

"Hmm!"

Uchiha Tajima looked toward Master Yamashita of the Fire Temple and gave a slight nod, acknowledging the greeting.

"Goichi..."

"Arrange the men first; we will discuss the rest when I return."

Uchiha Tajima spoke in a low voice, first instructing Uchiha Goichi, a jonin by his side, then turned back to give Uchiha Shin a look that signaled, Stay vigilant, watch yourself.

He then took several subordinates and headed toward the room of the Hagoromo Clan head to discuss the specific details of tomorrow's escort mission.

As for Master Yamashita beside the Hagoromo Clan head, and the Fire Temple that he represented, Uchiha Tajima did not hold them in any regard at all.

Under the command of Uchiha Goichi, the ninjas of the Uchiha Clan were all properly assigned to their rooms.

Uchiha Shin and Uchiha Hana shared a room.

In Uchiha Shin's view, the location of this room was excellent.

From a security standpoint, the rooms to the left and right were occupied by Uchiha Clan jonin, and the area in front of the door remained within the reach of the brazier's light.

Should any sudden situation arise, Uchiha Shin and Uchiha Hana would be protected by the clan's jonin at the first possible moment.

Furthermore, the light from the brazier not far from the door provided Uchiha Shin and Uchiha Hana with a wide field of vision.

Having traveled for a whole day, Uchiha Shin was truly feeling a bit tired; it would be wonderful if he could soak his feet to relieve the fatigue.

However, Uchiha Hana was very perceptive; using the hearth inside the room, she quickly boiled a pot of hot water.

Watching Uchiha Hana bring the basin of hot water before him to serve him as he washed his feet...

Uchiha Shin felt that having such a perceptive subordinate was actually quite nice.

Hahaha, after soaking his feet, Uchiha Shin immediately felt much more comfortable.

Following that, Uchiha Hana diligently took the bedding out from the cabinet and had the bed made in no time.

Looking at the soft, warm bedding, Uchiha Shin lay down just as he was, fully clothed.

His ninja tool pouch and weapons were kept on his person as well.

Although sleeping like this was uncomfortable, this was, after all, an unfamiliar place.

As a ninja, one must remain vigilant where it is required.

Otherwise, if one were careless, there was no telling when an enemy might slit one's throat.

Uchiha Hana followed Uchiha Shin's example, lying down in the bedding fully clothed with her weapons kept close.

Around ten o'clock at night, a noise suddenly came from the courtyard outside.

Hearing the commotion, Uchiha Shin and Uchiha Hana quickly climbed up to peer through the window. Seeing by the light of the courtyard brazier that the noise had been caused by the ninjas of the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans...

Uchiha Shin and Uchiha Hana crawled back into their bedding and continued to sleep.

PS: Seeking recommendation tickets, favorites, monthly tickets, and investments. The contract has been signed, so invest with confidence, haha.