Encountering a tiger

Inside the clinic, Bai Mo had just finished treating an elderly man carrying a toddler and sent him out. As the man turned to leave, Bai Mo secretly slipped some dried persimmons into the toddler's hand. This should be the last person there that morning.

Just then, there was a soft knocking sound at the window. Bai Mo didn't look at it, but simply gestured for her to come in.

Like a nimble black cat darting into the house through the window, Chiyome landed silently and came to Bai Mo, carrying a box on her back that was almost the same size as her.

"Even if you're a ninja, you don't need to come in through the window."

"I'm sorry, my identity is still somewhat sensitive, so I can only disguise myself as an ordinary ninja. After all, if the Takeda Clan discovers our cooperation, it would be disastrous."

If possible, I would like to ask that you allow the Mochizuki Clan ninja to enter from the back and wait in your room.

Watching Chiyome silently close the door before pulling down her mask, Bai Mo said with a hint of helplessness:

"But your clan's ninjas always use the main gate. You're the odd one out, aren't you? After all, this is your territory; sneaking in would make you look like a spy for the enemy and attract more attention."

"Hmm... that's true, but please consider the suggestion of posterior chamber therapy carefully; it's for your own good."

Chiyome placed the huge wooden box on the counter and continued:

"This is a gift to thank you for your help in our time of need. Although it was a gift from the Takeda Clan, it will be of the greatest value in your hands."

Taking a deep breath, Chiyome opened the wooden box, and a familiar medicinal scent immediately wafted out. But to Chiyome's surprise, she didn't feel that intense discomfort this time.

How strange! I felt terrible the whole way here, weak and even having trouble breathing, but why did I completely stop feeling unwell after entering this pharmacy?

Chiyome looked around the pharmacy with her doubts, but she didn't see any calming incense.

Bai Mo ignored Chiyome's wandering gaze. He looked at the snake molt in front of him, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Is this a thank-you gift from the Takeda Clan? They certainly know how to pick things."

"This must be the only medicinal herb in the collection; such a large snake slough looks very expensive."

With the discomfort gone, Chiyome was finally able to examine the snake molt in front of her more closely. Such a long molt was extremely rare, and she wondered what kind of secret medicine it had been soaked in. It looked somewhat like gold.

It has to be said that even if it's not used, its appearance alone could fetch a good price.

"I'm not praising them, snake slough is indeed a medicinal material, but all medicines have some toxicity. Those with weak qi and blood should not take snake slough. I'm giving this to you, who has just returned from the battlefield, hehe."

Hearing Bai Mo's laughter, Chiyome was also stunned. Because of her family, the Mochizuki Clan had always kept their distance from snakes, so she was unaware of their medicinal uses.

Now that Bai Mo is saying this, doesn't this thing mean it's useless or even harmful to me?

Her heart sank. She feared the other party had no real intention of healing her, but rather ulterior motives. Now, thinking back, why was an Onmyoji (yin-yang master) accompanying Morotoki?

"It seems you've thought of something?"

Seeing Chiyome in thought, Bai Mo asked her a question. Chiyome then nodded and told Bai Mo what had happened the night before.

"You're being watched."

"Hmm, I didn't expect to be on high alert like this. What should we do... I hope the marriage goes smoothly."

Chiyome sat in the chair, her face contorted with bitterness. She was not good at politics and had been trained in ninja skills since childhood. She had already done her best to be put in this position.

Unlike Uesugi Kenshin, Takeda Shingen believed in collectivism, emphasizing that "people are the castle, people are the stone walls," and that power must be integrated into the system. It was inevitable that Chiyome would be suspected of wrongdoing.

She was somewhat troubled. If she fulfilled her engagement with Takeda Moritoki, she would be considered a member of the Takeda Clan, and even if she unexpectedly gained power, she wouldn't be treated this way.

"What's done is done. I advise you to give up this idea. Politics isn't something that can be solved by simply giving in." Bai Mo put away the medicine box and handed a cup of nourishing hot tea to Chiyome.

Never let yourself become a fish on a chopping board; at the very least, you should know how they intend to deal with you.

Bai Mo's meaning is very clear: regardless of whether it's cooperation or hostility, at least we need to know the opponent's intelligence.

Of course, he also had his own reasons. The curse of the Mochizuki Clan had existed for so long, and although it had never been mentioned to outsiders, such things could not be kept from those who were interested.

However, he came knocking on Chiyome's door precisely when Chiyome had just obtained the Magnetic Field Power. Therefore, the motives of this person who took the initiative to come to her are highly questionable.

For example, obtaining something that doesn't belong to this world.

"Thank you. I'm sorry to have brought these feelings to you. I really need to be prepared for both possibilities. I will investigate personally. Would it be convenient for you to have a follow-up examination now? By the way, I'd like to check the rear room space. Perhaps we could test it first."

Chiyome's intention was naturally to treat the ninja in the back room, as mentioned earlier. After all, if the Mochizuki Clan's ninjas came in through the main gate every day, it was hard to guarantee that they wouldn't be discovered by someone with ulterior motives.

This wasn't just for his own sake, but also for the sake of Bai Mo, an ordinary herbalist.

"In every sense of the word, your current behavior will directly lead to you never being able to get married, Chiyome."

Seeing Chiyo eagerly exploring the bedroom of Chiyome, Bai Mo spoke coldly. These words made Chiyo freeze. Indeed, for a woman, especially a woman of her status, to close the door and talk to Bai Mo now would be an act that would ruin her reputation.

Not to mention, she now wants to run into that bedroom.

"This... this is for the treatment of the other disciples. It's alright, no one will know I'm here."

As she spoke, Chiyome tried to pull the door, but for some reason, the unlocked wooden sliding door was completely immovable, even with Chiyome's strength.

Moreover, for some reason, she suddenly felt as if a venomous snake had bitten her neck.

"Is this... broken?"

"No, I don't think so." Bai Mo stepped forward and easily opened the door. Behind the door was a clean bedroom that didn't look like anyone had ever lived there. Chiyome wanted to go in and take a look, but for some reason, she had a feeling that once she stepped in, she wouldn't be able to come out unscathed.

It felt as if taking one step forward meant Avici Hell.

"Alright, you're doing much better now. Just focus on recuperating. As for those ninjas, they can come in through the back door for treatment from now on. But I have a personal request."

Bai Mo closed the bedroom door and said to Chiyome:

"If you get any information, would you be able to share it with me? After all, I'm just an ordinary person, and knowing things in advance would be a great help."

Chiyome readily agreed to the request, saying, "Thank you very much. After all, I need to discuss this with someone I trust. But rest assured, the Mochizuki Clan will never let those who offer help in my time of need suffer."

Bai Mo nodded, indicating that Chiyome could leave, but Chiyome seemed reluctant to go, saying somewhat apologetically:

"Um, I wonder if you could do me another favor?"

After some time, in the mountains and forests--

Bai Mo watched Chiyome put some herbs into the basket and sighed inwardly.

"You don't need those. My pharmacy has plenty of stock. You should be paying more attention to other wild animal tracks than me. Didn't you say you were going to prepare a proper return gift?"

Chiyome asked Bai Mo to help her find a return gift.

Yes, even if you know the gift is given with ill intentions, you can't neglect the outward appearance. It's a gift from the Lord, so as a subject, you still have to show your loyalty.

Moreover, for Chiyome, this was an opportunity to express her stance.

So Chiyome asked Bai Mo to help her find some wild animals suitable as a return gift, such as a bear or a wild boar. After all, in her opinion, the herbalist must know a lot about the mountains.

Bai Mo came with her partly because he needed Chiyome's trust. It would be fine if it were a modern person, but for an ancient person, saying things like, "I will leave a mark on you, and I will come back to collect your soul when you die," would be inappropriate.

If the other party is not trustworthy, people in ancient times would generally feel that they are being cursed, and they could not guarantee that it would cause any trouble.

If possible, Bai Mo didn't want to force them; it would be best to cooperate. Besides, he really needed Chiyome's information right now.

Bai Mo was also somewhat concerned about how people outside the city lived.

"We've found the trail, it's heading in that direction, and there's a nest not far away."

Bai Mo pointed to a hidden wild boar track and said to Chiyome:

"I remember you promised me that there wouldn't be any high-intensity fighting, right?"

After all, she is still a patient.

Chiyome nodded and said, "Don't worry, with this power, these mindless beasts are no threat to me. Please wait here for a moment; the battle will be over soon."

Indeed, very quickly, using the force of the Electric Current Push, Chiyome easily shot two kunai into the boar's brain and heart. Just as she was about to call on Bai Mo to help deal with it, a voice came from behind her.

"Huh? You're better so quickly? You're so energetic! Your liver was ruptured, I thought you'd be bedridden for a long time."

Upon hearing this, Chiyome's hair stood on end. She immediately stepped back, drew her short sword, and stared at the person.

It was a white-haired girl, whose vibrant body was barely concealed by her black and white armor. She held a weapon in her hands and looked at me with a subtle expression.

That expression wasn't one of looking at a person at all; it was just like how Chiyome looked at the wild boar—she was watching her prey.

"Uesugi... Kenshin."

"That's right, Chiyome, it's me." Kenshin slowly raised his weapon and pointed it at Chiyome.

"Now that the self-introductions are over, may we begin the battle?"

Looking at this woman, Chiyome felt only relief that Bai Mo wasn't there; otherwise, she would have been in serious trouble herself.

Just as she was feeling relieved, a voice came from not far away.

"Is it resolved? I heard a sound... Hmm? Are there any other people?"

Watching Bai Mo slowly walk out, Chiyome felt utterly hopeless. It was all over.