Teach That Wang Xun a Lesson

As dusk deepened, Nagano Masayasu walked at the forefront, his steps steady.

He glanced at the people behind him and nodded to the black-haired youth.

He recognized the man; he was a young man from the Ryōkawa Clan. Although they were both minor nobles, he was far more powerful than his own declining Nagano Clan.

"Hey, Nagano, is it true that you're taking us to see the Tsunayashiro Clan?"

Ayakawa Hiko looked at Nagano in front of him, puzzled.

"Just follow me. You know where this road leads."

Upon hearing this, Ayakawa Hiko clenched his fists, glanced at his companion beside him, and then looked at Nagano Masayasu's back in front of him, his heart filled with surprise.

He found it hard to believe that Nagano Masayasu, whose family had fallen on hard times and was almost expelled from aristocratic circles, could actually get in touch with the Tsunayashiro Clan.

"Ayakawa, do you really think Nagano is capable of working for the Tsunayashiro Clan?"

The person next to him lowered their voice, their tone tinged with uncertainty.

Another person echoed this sentiment.

"Yes, what if he's just using the Tsunayashiro Clan's name..."

Ayakawa Hiko frowned, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly spoke.

"Whether he's lying to us or not, it's worth going to see. He wouldn't dare try to fool us with Tsunayashiro's name."

The person behind him looked at Nagano in front of him and couldn't help but ask a question.

"Hey, Nagano, why is this important figure from the Tsunayashiro Clan contacting us? And what's his connection to that Wang Xun?"

Upon hearing this, Nagano Masayasu paused for a moment, then replied in a deep voice.

"There are spies of that master within the Kidō Corps, and that Wang Xun... has some conflicts with the master, so we're just looking for an opportunity to teach him a lesson."

"If you few can help him complete this small task, you'll have done something for the Tsunayashiro Clan in the future. Do I need to elaborate on the benefits?"

Despite Nagano Masayasu's words, Ayakawa Hiko still had reservations.

This happened so suddenly that he was caught off guard.

Although he had followed Tsunayashiro on a whim upon hearing her name.

But why would those high-ranking figures in the Tsunayashiro Clan care about the face of these minor noble scions?

But when he thought of Wang Xun's contempt and Tessai Tsukabishi's reprimand, and the humiliation they suffered in the training ground, his concerns were suppressed by resentment and greed.

If they could get on the Tsunayashiro Clan, they could not only avenge their grievances, but also climb the social ladder of the Four Great Noble Clans. Such a temptation was irresistible to them.

Nagano Masayasu overheard the whispers behind him, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

He knew all too well that if these foolish spoiled brats who had followed him got involved with that person, the outcome would be disastrous.

But he dared not offer any warning, nor even show the slightest sign of anything amiss. He could only quicken his pace and lead the group toward the Tsunayashiro Clan's residence.

Because he wasn't sure if someone else was secretly watching him.

If he disobeys that person, he and the entire Nagano Clan will die.

He had no other choice.

Before long, the group arrived at the Tsunayashiro Clan residence.

The towering gate stood majestic and solemn, and the guards at the entrance had stern expressions, which made Ayakawa Hiko and the others tense up and turn their gazes toward Nagano.

However, Nagano did not lead the group through the main entrance, but instead walked towards a more secluded side.

After making several turns, the group arrived at a secluded little door.

Nagano stepped forward and whispered a few words to the guard at the small gate.

The guard glanced at Ayakawa Hiko and the others, then stepped aside to make way, gesturing for the guards behind him to lead Nagano Masayasu and the others inside.

Ayakawa Hiko frowned slightly, looked at Nagano Masayasu, and asked softly.

"Nagano, why don't we use the front door?"

Nagano glanced at him indifferently.

"This matter needs to be handled discreetly. There's no need to ask too many questions. You'll find out when you see the adults."

The group felt uneasy upon hearing this, but having already come this far, they had no choice but to grit their teeth and continue forward.

After passing through the ornately decorated corridor, the group was led to a secluded side room.

The side room was dimly lit, with only a single oil lamp casting a faint glow that stretched the shadows long.

A figure sat at the head of the table, dressed in an elegant kimono with the subtle crest of the Tsunayashiro Clan, casually stroking a teacup with his fingertips.

"Tokinada, the person has been brought here."

As soon as Nagano Masayasu entered, he immediately bowed his head and stood silently in the shadows to the side.

He kept his head bowed low, his hands clasped tightly at his sides, barely daring to breathe.

Despite the gentle smile on Tsunayashiro Tokinada's face, Nagano could still clearly feel the invisible pressure emanating from him.

He vividly remembered his past experiences, and the wounds on his body, which had not yet healed, still ached faintly.

The ruthlessness hidden beneath that gentle mask sent chills down his spine; simply standing to the side made his fingertips tremble slightly.

Upon seeing this, Ayakawa Hiko and the others quickly bowed and paid their respects, their tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible panic.

"Greetings, Tokinada."

They were still young and not very familiar with the person in front of them, but as long as he was a member of the Tsunayashiro Clan, he deserved their respect.

Tokinada slowly raised his eyes, and a gentle smile instantly bloomed on his face.

He waved his hand, his voice gentle.

"No need for formalities, please rise."

The group quickly stood up, stood aside with their hands at their sides, not daring to look directly into Shi Tokinada's eyes, only daring to glance at him out of the corner of their eyes.

At this moment, Tsunayashiro Tokinada, his voice still gentle.

"I heard that a Wang Xun has come to your area. Is that true?"

The group exchanged glances, but Ayakawa Hiko was the first to muster the courage to look up and ask.

"That is indeed the case. May I ask why Lord Tokinada summoned us here?"

Tokinada chuckled softly and took a sip of tea.

"To be honest, you might not know why I called you here today."

"My younger brother, Tokinada, had also taken a liking to Wang Xun before. He thought Wang Xun had some talent, so he specially allowed him to work for the Tsunayashiro Clan, hoping to give him a better future."

"Unexpectedly, Wang Xun, arrogant and conceited, not only rejected Tokinada but also insulted her."

"My good-for-nothing younger brother is cowardly and I dare not punish him, but now that I, as the older brother, know about this, I must stand up for him."

At this point, a subtle chill crept into Tokinada's tone.

Upon hearing this, Ayakawa Hiko and the others' eyes lit up instantly.

It turns out that Lord Tokinada Tan had long disliked Wang Xun, which explains everything that happened today.

Most of their concerns vanished instantly, replaced by excitement and exhilaration.

In this light, the humiliation they suffered today is actually a good thing, giving them the opportunity to reach out to the Tsunayashiro Clan.

Wang Xun, well done!

Tokinada clearly saw the changes in the expressions of the others, and the smile on his lips deepened.

"What's wrong? What's troubling you? Why don't you tell me?"

The people in front of him were relieved Tokinada speak, and began to pour out their grievances in accordance with his words.

"Lord Tokinada, you don't know, that Wang Xun is just an outsider. Somehow he obtained special permission from the Great Kidō to study among the Kidō Corps."

"He relied on his own abilities and looked down on us at every turn, making us lose face in front of the Great Kidō Daoist Priest."

Ayakawa spoke, her tone grew increasingly agitated.

"What's even more infuriating is that Lord Tessai Tsukabishi not only sided with him, but also publicly reprimanded us, saying that we were complacent, unambitious, and living off the protection of our ancestors."

"We are resentful, yet helpless; it's truly hateful!"

The others echoed their sentiments, their voices filled with resentment and unwillingness.

Tokinada listened patiently, even nodding slightly, as if he truly empathized with her.

His expression perfectly conveyed a protective instinct towards his younger brother and a desire to uphold the family's reputation.

"That's right, I've been wanting to teach him a lesson, but I couldn't be too ostentatious because of family pride."

"Now that you have been humiliated by him, why not use you as extensions of my hands and feet? With me backing you up, we can all strike together and teach him a lesson."

What do you all think?