Shisui's lips twitched slightly at those words.
He had to admit, that really was the Clan Head's style.
He immediately said:
"Should I make another trip?"
Xuandou waved a hand instead.
"Forget it. Business comes first. Lead the way."
Shisui nodded and led Xuandou toward the Daimyō's palace.
After they passed through several streets and alleys, the view suddenly opened up.
A magnificent palace stood at the very center of the city, sprawling over a vast area with imposing grandeur.
The main palace buildings followed a traditional Japanese style, with tier upon tier of dark gray tiled roofs and eaves that curved high at the corners.
The outer walls were built from massive logs and snow-white plaster.
A broad moat surrounded the palace, its waters clear to the bottom, with koi swimming leisurely through them.
The main entrance was an enormous vermilion gatehouse, its doors studded with gilded bronze nails that gleamed in the sunlight.
A fully armed samurai stood on either side of the gate, spear in hand and expression solemn.
Beyond the gatehouse, the gardens within were faintly visible.
Rockeries and flowing water, green pines and verdant bamboo, and exquisite stone lanterns dotted throughout gave every corner an elegant air.
Along a distant covered walkway, maids passed with lacquered trays, their sleeves fluttering.
The entire palace combined imposing dignity with Japanese elegance, displaying the Land of Hot Water's wealth at every turn.
As a country renowned for its hot springs, the Land of Hot Water drew countless tourists every year, and the wealth tourism brought made it far richer than the surrounding small countries.
Naturally, the Daimyō's palace had to live up to that prosperity.
Shisui stepped forward to announce their arrival.
The samurai at the gate looked them up and down, then said arrogantly:
"Lord Daimyō is