Chapter 528

It took quite a while, but after Village Flower Princess consumed Zaizen Professor's soul, she seemed to have gained something and lost something else; although she remained as aloof and solitary as ever, her gaze upon the surroundings now held a bit more interest than before.

Arimura Hana is a very ancient existence of the inner world; she can only consume and make use of souls that resonate with her, so it took her a great deal of time, but judging by her previous strength, she was clearly superior to Shirakawa Mai, and now that she has consumed Zaizen Professor, just how strong Village Flower Palace has become is something Uesugi Muneyuki really cannot say.

"Does Village Flower Palace also have an interest in Izu?" Uesugi Muneyuki translated.

"I am still clear about the history before the eighth shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune." Arimura Hana lazily nodded, wearing an expression of "I'm full": "Minamoto no Yoritomo and his Kamakura shogunate, Minamoto no Yoritomo himself and his younger brother Minamoto no Yoshitsune are both new gods, but Minamoto no Yoritomo kept his talents hidden, and after obtaining the power of a new god, aside from the Battle of Mount Fuji, he never used his own power again."

"Minamoto no Yoshitsune, however, is different—he is young, impulsive, and as soon as he was promoted to new god, he could not wait to use his power, launching the surprise attack at Ichinotani, the Battle of Yashima, and the Battle of Dan-no-ura, exhausting all his strength, after which Minamoto no Yoritomo finally got the chance to dispose of him."

"Otherwise, the living god family possessing the Three Sacred Treasures would not be so easily defeated."

Uesugi Muneyuki, upon hearing this, could not help but be shocked.

Village Flower Palace's words are truly explosive!

Are the brothers Minamoto no Yoritomo and Minamoto no Yoshitsune both new gods?

No wonder the history of the Genpei War looks so shrouded in mist: in the Battle of Fuji River, the Minamoto army of five divisions (actual combat troops only over 2000 horsemen) faced the Taira army of 70,000 (actual combat troops also only over 2000 horsemen), and the Taira were routed entirely because waterbirds in the reed flats were startled into flight.

However, as previously mentioned, Japan did not truly begin to eat its fill and have the leisure to compile official histories until the Edo period; earlier history is a tangled mess, and current Japanese accounts of the first Kamakura shogunate basically all come from this book, *Azuma Kagami*.

But the problem lies here: *Azuma Kagami* was written by the Hojo clan, who ruled the Kamakura shogunate, and its essence is not to record the history of the Genpei War, but to "prove that my Hojo rule is reasonable and lawful."

And the Hojo clan's legitimacy mainly comes from Minamoto no Yoritomo's wife, Hojo Masako, who inherited one of his titles, "Kamakura-dono," so *Azuma Kagami* highlights a certain "awkwardness."

Minamoto no Yoritomo must be wise and martial, for if he were not wise and martial, there would be no Kamakura shogunate, nor would he have chosen the Hojo as his wife's clan and as his chief retainers; yet Minamoto no Yoritomo cannot be too wise and martial, otherwise it would be impossible to explain why the Hojo clan later came to rule.

Minamoto no Yoritomo must be orthodox and substantial, an undisputed founder of the shogunate, otherwise the legitimacy of the Kamakura shogunate would be in question, but Minamoto no Yoritomo cannot be too orthodox and substantial, otherwise his line would die out after three generations, turning into a "miya shogun" appointed as shogun, which would pose a problem.

Thus, *Azuma Kagami* is full of such awkwardness: Minamoto no Yoritomo sometimes appears far-sighted, rich in strategy, full of personal charm, and at other times violent, cruel, slaughtering retainers with short-sightedness and even neurotic tendencies, much like the *Records of the Grand Historian*; Sima Qian truly hated the Han imperial house, yet had to uphold it as orthodox, so throughout his work are similar awkwardnesses—for example, his friend Li Guang, whom Sima Qian admired, appears in the stories as a "Flying General" who seems incredibly fierce, but upon closer inspection of Li Guang's military record, he did not even win against the Xiongnu, let alone draw; another example is fully affirming the achievements of Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, yet placing them among the outer relatives, and even slyly suggesting they are excellent, a pity they are outer relatives, declaring Wei Qing truly a model general, a pity he is an outer relative, Huo Qubing achieved feats unmatched in generations, a pity he is an outer relative.

But the problem with *Azuma Kagami* is the same as with the *Records of the Grand Historian*: many parts lack corroborating historical sources.

Figures like Yao, Shun, Yu, and Tang cannot be verified, and the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors are steeped in mythological aura, but since there are no other historical sources for comparison, everyone can only believe that Sima Qian is telling the truth!

*Azuma Kagami* is likewise: although the Japanese academic world knows its accounts are problematic and severely biased, being the Hojo speaking for themselves, there are almost no other sources to verify it!

This book has been thoroughly combed through by Japanese academia, even giving rise to the "School of Hidden Meanings," for instance, the line before Minamoto no Yoritomo's death—"The bridge over the Sagami River is old and in disrepair"—is taken by the Japanese as suggesting Minamoto no Yoritomo was assassinated.

Interesting, truly too interesting.

"Since it's done, I don't know if Village Flower Palace is interested in the fireworks festival and seaside hot spring bathing on the Izu Peninsula? There's also a courage-testing event this time!" Uesugi Muneyuki said with a very obsequious smile.

The pressure of being a new god is immense; he needs Village Flower Palace's support.

"Naturally, you, come play with me." Village Flower Palace nodded, she curiously glanced at Saito Asuka beside her, and suddenly realized the other was also staring at her.

Can this girl see me?

At the same time, Asuka also stared at Village Flower Palace, her face turning pale.

Who is this beautiful older sister?

And on her person, there is an aura of a strong one!

The girl clutched her head and crouched defensively, shrinking into a ball from fear.

Why am I always so weak?

Shirakawa Mai, meanwhile, looked at Village Flower Palace with some concern.

This rain maiden—always leaving her unable to fathom her—just what is her origin?

The car had just come to a stop, and even before Shirakawa Mai could push open the car door, the outside scene already signaled her status.

The welcoming party was clearly divided, yet equally respectful.

On the left were the staff of Fuji Television's *Hand of God* program: the director, producer, and several main hosts, who at this moment had shed their usual on-camera vigor, like students awaiting a teacher's reprimand, carrying a touch of restraint and eagerness, their eyes fixed on this vehicle.

Meanwhile, the scene on the right was even more oppressive.

Not a mixed crowd of various religious people, but a uniform array of Shinto and Buddhist representatives, with ranks clearly distinguished.

The front-row individuals wore pure garments and lower-rank formal priestly robes; the family crests on their formal haori faintly glowed in the sunlight.

They are the most influential shrine priests in the Izu region, among whom one white-haired elder is the head of Izusan Shinai, with extremely deep seniority within the Kantou alliance.

At this moment, they slightly bowed their heads, hands clasped in front, their posture being impeccably reverent.

A little later, several monks in torn robes and high priests, holding prayer beads, with solemn expressions. Though they did not bow as low as the priests, their downcast eyes and motionless standing also fully expressed their reverence for the arrival.

This is by no means an ordinary program reception.

This is the religious power brokers of the Izu region, offering submission and greetings to the one who has descended upon this place, the true holder of the authority of the Kantou Shinai Alliance.

Behind them, a few close attendants dared not even breathe, the scene was utterly silent, save for the rustling of sea wind through palm leaves.

The director of the program crew wiped sweat from his forehead, silenced by this silent display.

Shirakawa Mai opened the car door, the blazing sun seemed to lose its power upon her, her entire being enveloped in a chilling aura. She did not wear miko robes today, but a neat holiday dress, the high heels beneath her summer skirt making her legs astonishingly long, huge sunglasses covering half her face, only revealing a perfectly contoured jaw and a faint yet strikingly present lip color.

She did not immediately walk toward anyone, but casually tossed the car keys to one standing rigid as a spear beside her, dressed in a black suit, an alliance subordinate (these people had unknowingly appeared sometime ago, taking over scene security and guidance), her motion natural and smooth, carrying a habitual sense of control.

Afterward, she slightly turned her head to face the newly descended Uesugi Muneyuki, behind her sunglasses, she gave him a look only he could understand—carrying a hint of teasing, as if saying, "Look, the procession isn't bad?"

Then she turned toward the welcoming party.

She did not remove her sunglasses, nor did she immediately put on a polite smile. She simply let her gaze sweep slowly over the group of priests and monks.

Those upon whom her gaze fell unconsciously lowered their bodies even further.

"Thank you for coming far to greet me." She finally spoke, her voice not loud, yet clearly reaching every ear, carrying an indisputable plainness, neither courteous nor arrogant, as if merely stating a fact: "The matter of Komatsu is regrettable; the preparations at Tsuruoka have required everyone's cooperation, thank you all for your hard work."

This light remark, both affirming and subtly striking—here, stability, under her gaze.

The head priest of Izusan Shinai immediately stepped forward a small pace, bowed deeply: "Hakubi's personal presence is our honor. Everything has been arranged properly; we dare not disturb your refined leisure."

Shirakawa Mai then barely nodded, accepting this respect. She finally stepped forward, but not toward the program crew, instead leading the way into the resort. The group of priests and monks naturally and tacitly split into two lines, slightly bowing, like a silent honor guard.

Until she had walked a few steps, she seemed to recall something, stopped, turned half her face, and casually waved at the program crew director, who had finally relaxed and was preparing to follow.

"Director, the program proceeds as usual, no need to specially accommodate me." Her tone was casual, yet carried a settled authority.

The Fuji TV director hurriedly nodded and bowed: "Yes, yes! Everything follows Miss Shirakawa's arrangements!"

Uesugi Muneyuki followed slightly behind her side, watching her walk, naturally becoming the absolute center in her shadow, feeling that aura blending summer heat waves with invisible pressure, he inwardly sighed: This is not a female actress coming to film a show; this is clearly a giant of the black and white ways, even transcending the mundane path, conducting a routine power inspection.

It's too dark, Mai Xuejie.

At the same time, Sakura and Hirate Sarina of Akasaka, who had also come to the scene, saw this: "The great cherry blossom should be thus!" Sakura's face turned red, and she excitedly clamped her legs together.

"He can be replaced!" Hirate was equally emotionally stirred, fantasizing about herself unifying the Japanese entertainment idol scene, becoming the moment of Matsuda Seiko of Renkawa Year or Yamaguchi Momoe.

But as the car door continued to open, a small figure emerged from the back seat, instantly drawing everyone's gaze—what is this ultimate adorable creature?

Oh right! She is that girl named Saito Asuka! The one from the Sakuradamon briefing!

Foul, too foul!