Chapter 675: Dainai Jiaohong

Bearing the deathly glares of the heroes, Chen Liutao and Qu Zhixing nodded solemnly: "Once we return to Jingcheng, we will plead with our superiors and submit the names of all you heroes—thereafter, privileges will be granted across all regions."

Pan Yun was satisfied; she rose and addressed the heroes: "But these are all empty promises—I'm not one to draw cakes in the air. Beyond that, money must not be lacking. Our voyage overseas, plus the time spent suppressing bandits in Quanzhou, means we'll be away from home at least half a year—how anxious must our families be?"

We must bring back gifts for our parents, wives, and children."

The heroes' eyes brightened slightly; the gloom from their exhaustion vanished instantly, their spirits soaring once more, morale surging.

Pan Yun was satisfied; next came a struggle with the Yamana and Dainai clans—perhaps the heroes wouldn't need to fight, but their presence and aura would be essential.

How could the children of Great Ming sink into despair?"

Xue Shao's eyes smiled; he lowered his head to hide the grin on his face.

Chen Liutao and Qu Zhixing muttered inwardly: She's acting like she's not drawing cakes right now—where's the money? It hasn't even shown a shadow yet.

Besides, whether status or wealth, all of it is her proposal, all of it is her cake—yet she speaks as if we brought it up ourselves.

The two seasoned courtier bodyguards muttered to themselves but dared not show a trace on their faces.

Xi Jin finished bandaging Xue Shao; Xue Shao put on his clothes and walked farther away with Pan Yun: "How is your injury?"

"It's fine," Pan Yun said. "I'll be healing tonight until noon tomorrow. Keep an eye on them for me—don't let them be bullied."

Xue Shao smiled faintly: "Aren't you afraid they'll cause trouble?"

The heroes were all unruly and defiant.

But Pan Yun tilted her chin proudly: "They have the heart of a hero. The trouble they cause is either retaliation against personal insult—or righteous deeds."

The latter need not be stopped; the former—retaliation against insult—is only human nature."

Those who chose to follow her across the ocean for revenge are all men of great principle—even Qu Le, after arriving, restrained his own temperament, fearing he'd endanger the entire ship.

Dying in a foreign land is a grave sin; no one wishes to drag their companions down because of themselves.

The heroes have already become so considerate—how could Pan Yun bear to suppress them further?

They care more for the common folk here than even Takenaga Hisanori did.

Thinking of Takenaga Hisanori, Pan Yun couldn't help frowning: "Have someone watch him tonight—his heart is corrupt. Better to be cautious."

Xue Shao nodded: "Do you think Dainai Jiaohong's people will come calling after noon tomorrow?"

Pan Yun's lips curled slightly: "They dare not stall."

Dainai Jiaohong truly dared not stall—he couldn't afford to.

As soon as Pan Yun and Xue Shao left, he was carried home. He learned his soldiers had been routed and scattered, and his clan had suffered heavy casualties. The surviving youths reported: "Those Han people are cruel—they only targeted us for slaughter. Originally, both sides were evenly matched, but after the heavenly thunder struck, they were as if blessed by gods. In less than fifteen minutes, half our men were dead or wounded; only seven or eight escaped. The rest either died or were captured. Lord, the Dainai clan… is empty."

Dainai Jiaohong spat blood, his face filled with grief: "We only slaughtered two villages—and yet the Dainai clan has paid such a terrible price…"

All were furious, yet helpless.

Dainai Yazi was dead; those she brought also suffered heavy losses. In that single burst of lightning, three Shindō were instantly obliterated—rumor had it they stood on the array's focal points.

How could they possibly explain this disaster to the Izumo Grand Shrine?

They couldn't fight Pan Yun—they couldn't beat her. Behind her loomed the watchful Yamana clan. They couldn't afford to stall either.

At this moment, they couldn't help doubting the oracle's verdict: "Didn't it say that after borrowing fortune, our Dainai clan would blaze like a fire in the sky… and replace them? Then why did we draw such a powerful enemy?"

Dainai Jiaohong felt a moment of confusion and doubt, but he quickly cast it aside and said sternly: "This is no time for grief or blame. The priority is to resolve the immediate crisis."

Pan Yun only promised not to attack us—she never promised to stop the Yamana. So we must make the Yamana withdraw."

"We're too damaged to fight—how can we make them retreat?"

"If you can't fight, negotiate," Dainai Jiaohong sneered. "Yamana Mototo is a fool. If we appear strong enough, he'll hesitate."

Naito Hiromitsu asked quietly: "What's our leverage?"

Dainai Jiaohong said gravely: "We return the territories we seized over the past two years."

The retainers and clan elders sighed in relief—this loss was bearable.

But Naito Hiromitsu's heart grew heavy: "Yamana Mototo is easy to manipulate—but will Pan Yun agree? She said she won't act, but she didn't promise to stay silent. What if they demand all the territory already taken?"

"Impossible!" Dainai Jiaohong coughed, his face ashen. "Pan Yun isn't a fool. To hand over so much land to Yamana Mototo… if she merely wanted the port and ships, why else would she let us live except to make us and the Yamana balance each other?"

Otherwise, if she helped Yamana Mototo crush the Dainai clan, they wouldn't even be sure if they could leave Japan alive—let alone keep the port and ships."

Dainai Jiaohong sneered: "The Han have a saying: when the clever rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked; when the birds are gone, the fine bow is stored; when the enemy state falls, the strategist dies. She won't let the Dainai clan perish—especially now that she's taken the port and ships. She won't let the Yamana dominate alone."

The retainers' hearts eased slightly.

Dainai Jiaohong ordered: "Immediately organize the city's forces. Plant flags on every wall. Repair the breached walls tonight. Strengthen defenses. At dawn tomorrow, line up troops outside the city. If we lack men, make every adult—man, woman, or elder—wear armor!"

Have the able-bodied surround the women and elders in the center. Tomorrow, the Yamana will send scouts—make sure you deceive them."

Dainai Jiaohong said coldly: "Yamana Mototo is a fool. If he sees our forces still have strength, and Pan Yun doesn't move, he won't dare fight again. That's when we negotiate."

Dainai Jiaohong looked at Naito Hiromitsu: "Prepare yourself. As soon as you deceive the scouts tomorrow, go straight to Yamana Mototo and negotiate."

Naito Hiromitsu bowed in assent.

Only then did Dainai Jiaohong collapse in relief; physicians rushed forward to treat him.

But the treatment was ineffective; after half the night's labor, the physicians finally left.

One physician walked only a short distance before being yanked into a dark alley. Naito Hiromitsu's face was unreadable in the shadows; he whispered: "How is the lord's condition?"

The physician trembled: "Not… not good. Severe internal damage. Chest caved in…"

Naito Hiromitsu's eyes seemed to burn; he whispered: "Can he be healed?" (End of chapter)