Meet the Attack

Bai Sui knew this was his primordial spirit sounding an alarm, projecting information that would affect him into his inner vision.

In the past, although Bai Sui would occasionally receive trivial information through his inner vision, this time it arrived with such abruptness.

This indicated that it would have a profound impact on Bai Sui; though he did not know exactly what the matter was, he could sense the urgency within it.

Although I cannot see their faces clearly, judging by their attire and movements, they are led by four high-ranking samurai, followed by a significant number of low-ranking ones.

This style of dress and conduct does not match the customs of the Land of Iron described by Kubota Noriyuki, so it is highly likely they are noble retainers from the Land of Fields, the Land of Fire, the Land of Hot Springs, or even the Land of Mountains.

Hmm, although I cannot see the national insignias on them, in terms of distance and potential conflict, the Land of Fields is the most probable origin.

Especially since there appears to be a guide being led along; the possibility of it being the Land of Fields, or something related to it, is even higher.

Bai Sui pondered further but could not fathom what their purpose would be in coming here, so he went out to find Kubota Noriyuki, who was overseeing the sparring of his two disciples.

"Tell me, if a daimyo or a noble discovered the location of this village, what would they do?" Bai Sui looked into the man's eyes, observing his expression.

Upon hearing this, Kubota Noriyuki frowned. "Why? Have you discovered something? Them? They would naturally seize everyone not under their control as slaves; after all, the village does not pay them taxes."

This remark immediately made Bai Sui understand the reality of the situation. It turned out that there was indeed a generation gap between him and the people of this world. Within the Uzumaki clan, no one would speak of such things to them, and while the villagers who fled here were worried, they would not voice it, as it would only add to people's anxieties.

Bai Sui thought for a moment before saying, "That is correct. I just had a premonition that a group of people, guided by a... likely a traveling merchant, is currently heading toward the village's location. I suspect they will find the village before long."

"What? A premonition? Is this the 'falling leaf signaling autumn' you spoke of before?" Kubota Noriyuki was more focused on that particular detail.

Bai Sui did not offer much explanation, simply nodding in acknowledgment, and emphasized, "In my perception, this matter is grave, so we must find a way to resolve it."

To this, Kubota Noriyuki did not argue. "If they discover the location, we can only run. Even if we kill this group, we have no possibility of contending with the national army once they are enraged."

Bai Sui frowned in thought, feeling as if something had been overlooked. No, it shouldn't have reached that point yet. There must be a turning point. What could it be? Those people...

Bai Sui reviewed the invading party in his mind once more and suddenly remembered the guide. That's right! They don't know the village's location; they are being led by that traveling merchant. If we can eliminate them on their route, far away from the village, perhaps we can avert this disaster!

The more Bai Sui thought about it, the more it made sense. However, Kubota Noriyuki beside him was helpless. "But we don't know where they are coming from. Even if we wanted to intercept and kill them, we can't find them. And if we only kill them in the vicinity, as long as their main force is searching nearby, they will eventually find us."

Bai Sui said nothing, turned, and returned to the house, taking a linen bag from a shelf on the side.

It contained a small pouch of coins. Bai Sui took out six copper coins, walked to the table, and prayed piously to the heavens, begging for guidance.

Wrapping his hands in Qi, he tossed the coins onto the table. "Yin, Yang, Yang, Yang, Yin, Yin. The hexagram is Heng, Thunder over Wind. Zhen is East, Xun is Southeast. They should be to the east-southeast of the village!"

Having used the Coin Divination to determine the direction, Bai Sui prepared to pack up and depart.

As soon as he stepped out, he saw Village Chief Kase hurrying over. It turned out that Kubota Noriyuki had sent his two disciples to notify the chief; after all, this was a matter that would decide the village's fate, even if the method of discovery was somewhat bizarre.

Kubota Noriyuki was explaining the situation to the chief. Although the chief was somewhat skeptical that one could know such distant things from within the village, it was a case of better safe than sorry.

Village Chief Kase was quite decisive. Upon learning that Bai Sui already knew the enemy's location, he did not dwell on the details but asked if they should bring Murai and the others. After all, those hunters had some combat capability, and there was strength in numbers.

Bai Sui thought about it but refused; the movement speed of ordinary people was too slow, and this matter was imminent and could not be delayed.

The reason he wanted to bring Kubota Noriyuki was that Bai Sui wanted him to handle the bodies and provide professional advice.

Bai Sui donned his sword and led Kubota Noriyuki toward the east-southeast.

Throughout the journey, Bai Sui was merely walking, not running, yet Kubota Noriyuki felt it becoming increasingly difficult to keep up, having to run at full tilt just to barely maintain Bai Sui's pace.

However, Kubota Noriyuki did not know that this was Bai Sui holding back significantly because he saw how much the man was struggling. Their speed was not slow, and in less than an hour, the two saw the party from afar.

The moment he saw the group, Kubota Noriyuki's gaze toward Bai Sui changed, as if the person standing there was no longer the doctor from a small village, but an omniscient deity.

When Bai Sui saw the group, he focused all his attention on them and did not notice Kubota Noriyuki's anomaly. Bai Sui exerted his hearing and vision to the limit, trying to glean information about them.

The two sides were about a hundred meters apart—a distance an ordinary person might not be able to bridge, but which Bai Sui could now manage.

"Hmm... good... village... return... aunt..." However, Bai Sui could only barely hear them and could not make out the words clearly, so he stealthily moved a bit closer.

By observing their lip movements, Bai Sui was finally able to understand what they were saying.

He saw one of the samurai kick the guide and bark, "Hurry up!" Then, he turned to his companion and said, "I didn't expect an unexpected harvest on this trip. This village is quite sensible. Let's take a different route on our way back."

His companion replied with a wide, greasy grin, "Yes, yes, ha-ha-ha! I hope the others are as sensible as this village. He-he-he-he, our journey is not short; staying on the road for another day is no big deal, ha-ha-ha..."