A Wall Apart

Bai Mo sighed softly, then casually opened the door, and a warrior in armor walked in before closing the door again.

The samurai, adorned with bear skins and boar tusks, was quite imposing for his time.

"This shop does not treat soldiers," Bai Mo said calmly. The man raised an eyebrow, coughed twice, and introduced himself:

"I Takeda Shingen."

"Sorry, that's not treatable either."

Wearing the Takeda family crest and other decorations, this person was indeed Takeda Shingen, but to Bai Mo, Takeda Shingen was no different from an ordinary soldier, so he didn't bother to remember him.

Now I understand why Kenshin didn't want to leave. Even if she didn't attack because of Bai Mo, she wouldn't allow herself to leave through the back door because of Takeda Shingen.

Upon hearing Bai Mo's words, Takeda Shingen shook his head and said, "I'm not here for treatment. You seem to have some connection with the Mochizuki Clan, but I've simply wanted to chat with you today."

As he spoke, he sniffed and said, "Were you having a meal just now? I'm so sorry to bother you, but a doctor shouldn't drink too much in the morning."

Too much alcohol is bad. Now I look forward to hearing the good news every morning that Uesugi Kenshin died drunk.

Takeda Shingen chuckled twice, easing the tense atmosphere, and then sat down on the bench without any hesitation, but a clicking sound came from behind the door.

"A rat?"

"I suppose so," Bai Mo replied with a subtle expression. Then, Takeda Shingen spat and said, "If you need, I can arrange better accommodations for you. It's inevitable that these annoying beasts will be in this kind of shady place."

As the crackling sound grew louder, Bai Mo changed the subject:

"You seem to be placing a little too much importance on me?"

"Those with ability should naturally be given high positions. Your medical skills are beyond doubt, far superior to those of the Takeda Clan. The people in the castle and the Mochizuki Clan can attest to this."

Moreover, I never offend doctors, because no one can guarantee that they won't need their help someday.

Hearing this, Bai Mo understood Takeda Shingen's purpose. He probably knew about the relationship with the Mochizuki Clan during this period and came to confirm the situation.

After all, what Bai Mo did during this period was, to some extent, a major blow to this person's nerves.

"My relationship with the Mochizuki Clan is simply a collaboration, and my standing before you now should be enough to explain things, right?" Hearing Bai Mo's words, Takeda Shingen nodded in agreement.

When he first learned about Bai Mo's information, he was terrified.

Holding free clinics was meant to win people's hearts, and while the collaboration with the Mochizuki Clan was supposedly a partnership, everyone could see it was actually a desperate act of kindness. The thought of such a person in the common people made Takeda Shingen want to beat his intelligence officers to death.

While it's not fair to blame the intelligence officers, since intelligence is usually handled by ninja groups they keep, and their relationship with the Mochizuki Clan isn't good right now.

But whenever Takeda Shingen thought about it, he imagined that on the day Uesugi Kenshin invaded, if Bai Mo had raised his arm, the masses would have responded, the Mochizuki Clan would have rioted, and Chiyome would have stormed in...

Just thinking about it sends chills down my spine.

Fortunately, this guy wasn't ambitious, otherwise he wouldn't have refused to treat the Takeda Clan soldiers. If only he had cultivated a few spies within their ranks...

That's why Takeda Shingen wasn't angry at Bai Mo's initial attitude; on the contrary, he was even somewhat relieved.

"Of course I understand, sir. Since you seem uninterested in changing your residence, I will not disturb you. I am here today simply to inform you that Miss Chiyome has agreed to sever all ties with the Takeda Clan."

But since you're only in a cooperative relationship, let's pretend I wasn't here today. If you're willing to join Takeda and utilize your medical skills, I guarantee you'll earn everyone's respect...

Click, click, some more sounds came from behind the door. Takeda Shingen, who had just made his remarks, was slightly annoyed by the rat that was ruining the atmosphere, and said:

"It's better to kill those shameful creatures, rats, as soon as possible. It would be a loss if they damaged the medicinal herbs."

Bai Mo shook his head, ignoring the ferocious tiger behind the door that seemed ready to devour someone, and said:

"It is true that I am cooperating with the Mochizuki Clan, but I get along very well with them. Since Chiyome is willing to return to Takeda, I will naturally respect her choice."

However, if you intend to establish your authority through humiliation, or even do something unfriendly, I will not stand idly by.

Bai Mo sat behind the counter, his gaze fixed intently on Takeda Shingen. The latter suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. Even though the other party was just a doctor, Takeda Shingen felt a sense of helplessness, as if he were trapped in the Dahai and encountering a bloodthirsty shark.

"That's natural; harmony is paramount."

"Peace is of the essence. Things haven't been peaceful in the city lately, so it would be best if you were to be cautious."

Hearing Bai Mo's words, Takeda Shingen took it as casual talk and nodded. Just as he was about to leave, there was a sudden, urgent knocking at the door.

Just then, Mochizuki Mo said from outside the door, "Doctor, are you there? I have urgent business. Some people in the clan are making a big fuss because of the leader's decision to return to Takeda."

"The leader... I shouldn't bother you, but... the leader and I can only rely on you. At least let me explain the situation to you, okay?"

Before Bai Mo could answer, Takeda Shingen spoke in a low voice, "In these extraordinary times, to avoid misunderstandings, we'll use the back door."

"Wait, go through the front gate, don't go in..."

Before he could finish speaking, Takeda Shingen had already opened the back door and was about to go inside.

It would indeed be troublesome if the Mochizuki Clan's ninjas saw him here; who knows what they would think? But that's only one reason.

The Mochizuki Clan's stance presents a good opportunity to gather intelligence. This flustered female ninja will spill everything out like beans.

Completely ignoring Bai Mo's words, compared to this intelligence, offending an ordinary doctor like Bai Mo was nothing at all!

The thought that he had gained so much from his trip, while his incompetent intelligence officers hadn't even been able to find out this much information, made Takeda Shingen feel that he was truly extraordinary, and he almost couldn't help but hum softly.

Then, behind the door stood a white woman in armor, rubbing her hands together and looking at him with anticipation.

Takeda Shingen's mind went blank.

"Uesugi Ka..."

Bai Mo knew very well what that "ga" sound meant. It was because someone had grabbed his neck and hit him squarely in the abdomen, and his scream was blocked in his throat.

"Don't worry, I won't kill you to avoid causing trouble for my friend. I'll just make you forget everything that happened today. Heh, you old turtle, you've finally fallen into my hands."

Kenshin casually crushed the bones in Takeda Shingen's hand, which was gripping the wall, and dragged the armored Shingen inside, choking him by the neck. Then, the sound of a thigh breaking rang out.

The bloodshed and brutality behind the door caused even the Buddha to close his eyes.