Mechanical Alchemist

Su Lun killed the "ghost hand" Ueno Sasaki, and fled into the forest. Naturally, it was difficult for anyone to catch up.

Not long after, news came from Qiantiao's side. After a hard fight, she was slightly injured, but she escaped smoothly.

Su Lun also breathed a sigh of relief.

He didn't go to meet Miko and Chijo, but disguised himself as a down-and-out samurai and went to the pier of Izumo City, intending to take the waterway to Edo.

Now I have escaped this round of siege by the Takeda Shogunate, and I have avoided the most dangerous time. But the whole of Izumo, and even the nearby feudal clans, should be surrounded. Now that they're exposed, distracting targets are less likely to be noticed.

The Hii River is the main river in Yamagakure, and its tributaries cover the entire Honshu Island like leaf veins. The river is 100 meters wide, which can accommodate large ships, and sea ships can also go directly to Edo Castle from the upstream of the mouth.

In the early morning, the Izumo City Pier is full of people, and it is a busy scene.

Porters at the wharf will unload bags of goods from merchant ships, which are goods brought by overseas merchants from outside; they will also carry some heavy wooden boxes onto the ship, from which good iron and ore will be transported to various places in Shanyin. at and overseas.

Su Lun was dressed in a sloppy warrior uniform, a bamboo hat, and a cheap iron sword. He was inconspicuous among the crowd.

I don't know how the people in the shogunate passed on the news. The latest reward order has appeared on the notice board at the pier. Su Lun, Qianjo, and Lolotta are all on the list. Miko Mifu is probably not on it because of her special status.

When Su Lun passed by, he glanced at it, shook his head and walked by.

Not to mention that his disguise is very clever, it is completely different from his original appearance. Even if there is no camouflage, no one will be able to recognize the scribbled portrait drawn with a brush.

Although the guards at the inspection will check the household registration plate, it is very easy to fake the one-page household registration paper that does not even have an anti-counterfeiting mark.

What's more, his fluent local accent is hard to doubt.

Su Lun is also easy to get past.

He walked to the pier, where there was a bamboo hut, under which squatted some people carrying cloth bags to salute, these were travelers who were going to go elsewhere by boat, and there were also some wandering businessmen.

Cargo ships generally do not take travelers, and Su Lun will wait here for passing passenger ships.

There are probably a few passing by the Izumo Pier every week, but there is no timetable in this era. They are all waiting at the dock. If there is a dock, go up and ask.

Su Lun was not in a hurry, anyway, there were still nearly ten days left for the "Black Sun Festival", so there was still time. He sat on the ground, holding the broken sword and closing his eyes to meditate, recalling all kinds of alchemy knowledge in his mind.

Yesterday's battle gained a lot, and he needs a lot of time to improve his shortcomings.

After waiting for a while, people in the shed came and went, piled up twenty or thirty.

Those wandering merchants traveled from south to north, well-informed, and chatted as they talked.

Most of them were scattered gossip, Su Lun also listened intentionally or unconsciously.

Then, I heard the news of the fleet of the King of the North Sea.

"A lot of big ships passed by here yesterday. Those ships had artillery and heavy troops on board, and I don't know why."

"That's the Ninth Fleet of the King of the North Sea. I heard it's going to Edo to collect taxes from us?"

"I heard the news that those pirates want to invade and rule us."

"Our great Majesty Renming is the monarch bestowed by Amaterasu, how can outsiders rule? Those outsiders will definitely be punished by the gods."

"The war is about to break out. Didn't you see that a lot of knives, swords, bows and crossbows have been transported to Edo on the pier these days? I heard that all the big names have signed a letter and are going to fight those outsiders to the death."

"."

Su Lun digested the knowledge of alchemy in his mind, and thought about it when he heard the news.

He was also curious as to whether there would be a fight.

If Oleg wants to become the real "king" in this vast area of ​​the North Sea, the four countries of Beizhou must win it.

Although Shanyin is small, he is not so easy to give in.

At least when communicating with Yuzi before, Su Lun knew that the attitude of the gods to serve the royal family would rather be broken than whole.

But once there is a fight, it is very likely that the entire country will collapse.

Because of the need to mobilize a large amount of supplies to Edo, the original passenger ships were conscripted to transport the goods.

Su Lun waited at the pier until the afternoon, but failed to get a boat.

Just when he was thinking about whether he should bother and switch to the land route, a fleet of boats came slowly on the river.

The cherry blossom flags with black background and white stripes are hung on these ships, which are the official merchant ships of Shanyin Kingdom. They come from the pirate city of Hastling. Although Shanyin is closed, the daimyos have a lot of business outside. These ships are full of various imported materials, and they will make huge profits after selling.

The seven boats docked for supplies and unloaded a large amount of cargo, and the workers on the pier also got busy.

The wandering merchant seemed to be familiar with the ship's steward, so he went to ask, and immediately wrote back.

"Hey! The adults on the boat said they can let us take the boat!"

"Of course, the situation is special now. The seats on the ship are limited. The ticket will be a little higher than before."

"."

When Su Lun heard this, he also understood that this traveling merchant also sells "channels".

He got up and paid the guy an extra fifty percent of the ship's fare. The identity of a down-and-out samurai can still afford such consumption.

I thought that the big sea ship would be better, so as not to encounter some monsters and storms, it would sink immediately. What's more, a large ship with many people and backgrounds is not easy to encounter investigations. Much less hassle.

Su Lun and more than a dozen passengers boarded the middle boat.

After perceiving it, there was nothing particularly troublesome on board.

He didn't mind sharing the newly vacated warehouse with the travelers.

Not long after, the ship was replenished and set sail again.

Su Lun stayed in the cabin for two days.

There is a restaurant on this kind of big ship, but it is not provided for temporary tourists like them.

When I was hungry or thirsty, I ate some dry food and water that I carried with me, and I didn’t feel unable to stay.

He was meditating and digesting knowledge all day long, and time passed quickly.

Stop and go all the way, if it goes well, it will take about four or five days from Izumo to Edo.

But on the third day, Su Lun suddenly opened his eyes from meditation.

He saw the sunlight coming in through the ventilation window, a beam of golden light. In the faint light, fine dust is also clearly visible.

Today is a rare fine weather.

"The sun is out"

Su Lun suddenly had a feeling in his heart, as if he should go out to get some air.

However, at the same time, he frowned.

As if to think that I have this feeling "somewhat strange".

He can control his emotions, that is to say, under normal circumstances, he is different from normal people, and will not need some inexplicable relaxation just because he stayed in a claustrophobic cabin for two days.

After Su Lun awakened the talent of the second-stage reaper, he also had a sense of many mysterious abilities, and the possibility of being affected was getting lower and lower. After being promoted to a professional rank, this ability has been enhanced a lot. Therefore, he sensed something abnormal.

"Could it be that I was affected by some kind of extraordinary power?"

Su Lun thought of a situation in which he and Mr. Jing were "provoked by fate" once in Kadurante Port.

After that, he was extra careful about similar situations.

Or is it an illusion?

Su Lun frowned and thought for a moment, before going out to have a look.

Although this fleet is Shanyin's official merchant ship, it is a mixed bag.

In addition to the Yamagakushi in kimono, there were also many blond and blue-eyed people of various skin colors on board. These were professional businessmen who had been in close contact with Yamagakushi.

Especially recently, it seems that a war is about to break out, and there are many guys on board who want to make war fortune with them.

Su Lun walked out of the warehouse, and observed all the way. The upper floor was very noisy. Gambling and diva dancing were one of the few recreational activities on board, and the crew had a great time.

Su Lun didn't find anyone special, and walked directly onto the deck.

I didn't come out for two days, and I took a breath of fresh air, and my whole body felt refreshed.

There were no big waves in the inland river, and the big boat drove smoothly on the river.

Apart from the bored sailors playing poker, there were also a few passengers who came up to bask in the sun. The superstructure at the stern is the captain's cabin, the first mate's cabin, and several luxury cabins for big businessmen and their families.

Glancing at it, there's nothing noteworthy about it.

Su Lun walked to the side of the boat, leaned against it, and murmured in his heart, "Is it really an illusion?"

The sun poured down on the skin, warm and complacent.

He was not in a hurry to go back to the cabin, thinking that it would be good to come out and let the wind go.

Su Lun looked at the scenery on both sides of the river with microscopic eyes.

The white snow in Cangshan Mountain can be seen on and off.

But at this moment, a "grunt" sound was heard suddenly, and a silver coin rolled down from the rear of the deck.

It just landed at Su Lun's feet.

He turned his head and saw a rash maid chasing after him.

Su Lun bent down and picked up the silver coin that happened to be under his feet, and handed it out. The little girl said, "Thank you."

Su Lun smiled slightly, did not look at the little girl in front of her, but saw the old man behind her.

The old man was dressed in a well-fitting purple dress, and his silver hair was combed meticulously. Even if he just stood there, he gave people an extraordinary sense of elegance. Although she didn't wear any jewelries, it was obvious that she was well educated. Even though the years have left deep marks on her face, just this one look gave Su Lun the feeling that she must have been beautiful when she was young.

However, Su Lun was more surprised by the old man's soul fire in his soul perception.

very faint.

Like a candle flickering in the wind, it may go out at any time.

Su Lun immediately realized that this was an old man whose life had come to an end.

Suddenly meeting such a special old woman on board, Su Lun didn't think it was a coincidence.

He didn't have any strange expression on his face, and he didn't move at all.

But with just such a glance, the old man seemed to have discovered something, and she walked over slowly.

The deck is not long at all, and it came to the side in a few steps.

The old man took the initiative and said: "I wanted to find an excuse to meet you by chance. But you seem to find that I am waiting for you."

When Su Lun heard this, he immediately realized in his heart that the previous feeling was correct.

As expected, I was drawn out by someone!

But he didn't feel any hostility, so he asked cautiously, "Madam, do we know each other?"

For older women, it is always right to call "madam".

"I've seen it once before."

The old man took a look at Su Lun, his eyes flashed, and then he retracted his gaze. She leaned on the fence and reminded again: "It's at the 'Three Torii'."

"."

When Su Lun heard this, he immediately thought of it.

There is a shop called "Three Torii" in the pirate city, and he has only been there once. At that time, I went to buy materials and met a few cloaked people. He still remembered that an old man proudly bought all the manuscripts of the great writer Hayato Fujiwara.

Obviously, it was the one in front of him.

Moreover, Su Lun also knew that his disguise had also been recognized. No, it was recognized in Pirate City before.

Su Lun frowned slightly, "Madam, who are you?"

Probably not the enemy.

If it's an enemy, this starts off a little milder.

The old man said directly: "I am Katyusha's grandma."

"."

As soon as these words came out, Su Lun's eyelids twitched unconsciously.

The identity of the visitor surprised him greatly!

Katyusha's grandma, what's the matter?

For some reason, Su Lun always had the feeling that someone's parents came to him after molesting a little girl.

If not, there are so many elegant old ladies.

The one who can have this temperament must be the grandmother of a noble family.

So it wasn't an illusion that he felt being watched at Santorii back then, it was that girl Katyusha?

But how did she recognize it?

Is my disguise so bad?

Su Lun was a little speechless, but he also guessed what kind of special secret method it was.

But then again.

The person in front of me is at the end of his life, is he here specifically to find me?

Not worth it.

As if guessing what he was thinking, the old man smiled: "I didn't come here specially for you. I just went to Shanyin for business. I didn't expect fate to make us meet."

The smile made the creases at the corners of her eyes deeper, but it made people see the kindness in her eyes.

Now that Katyusha's name has been mentioned, Su Lun can't pretend to be confused.

But he didn't think it was a coincidence of fate, and asked directly: "How do you know I'm here?"

The old man said gently: "It is fate to meet a capable person. Alchemists have been fighting against fate all their lives, but they don't know that fate is doomed in many cases."

It sounded like nonsense, but Su Lun understood a little.

Similar to [S-003-Fate Master] talent, or some kind of ability like astrology or divination?

And at this moment, all kinds of thoughts in his mind swirled and connected like lightning.

He suddenly had a bold idea,

The reason for Abe Taihe's "release of water" may be found!

Before, they suspected that there was a "third party force" behind Abe Taihe, could it be the family behind Katyusha? !

It seems that this is the only way to explain it.

Naturally, there is a reason for releasing water for no reason.

After all, Su Lun didn't know any other Lu Ying nobles.

Fuck

Aren't the Four Kingdoms of Beizhou Oleg's territory? The hands of the nobles of Luying stretched so far?

And judging from the situation, this plan has not been in the past, it may have been years or decades ago.

Only those big families that have been passed down for thousands of years have this kind of background and skills.

Sure enough, a group of pirates can play tricks and tricks, let's look at Lu Yingqun's professional politicians!

Su Lun even felt that there were more or less conspiracy behind the Ninth Fleet's visit this time.

However, this old man's lifespan will be exhausted.

Su Lun really can't guess, what is she doing here?

Before he could figure it out, the old man took the initiative to say, "I'm going to see an old friend."

"."

Su Lun felt as if someone had been peeping through his thoughts.

Just like meeting Mr. Hei back then, in the eyes of this kind of wise man, there is always a kind of sharpness that seems to see through everything in the world.

The old man asked: "Young man, can you chat with me for a few words?"

Su Lun nodded: "Of course."

The old man's benevolent smile is like the warm sun in winter, which makes people feel reluctant to refuse.

"I have no ill intentions towards you. I just happened to meet him, and I want to see what kind of man Na Qiusha can praise."

Speaking of this, she paused for a moment, and glanced sideways at Su Lun, "Now it seems that it is really special."

Su Lun felt a little strange when he heard some words without beginning or end, but he smiled politely, "You are too proud."

The old man smiled and shook his head, "There are so many young talents in the empire, that girl Katyusha is so proud, she has never set her sights on one. But you are the only one who makes her feel very good."

"."

Su Lun felt even more weird.

Although he and Katyusha got along very happily, it seems... not that interesting, right?

The old man's energy seems to be not very good. After saying these few words, he needs to take a rest.

She looked at the mountains and rivers in the distance, and said: "Katyusha's girl was like an ugly duckling when she was a child, and her personality was a bit withdrawn. She likes to watch the stars in the sky alone in the garden, and likes to stay in the study all day long. Read storybooks. But she has a pure heart and is a good girl."

At the end of life, people will probably recall the wonderful people and things they encountered in this life.

Su Lun was a quiet listener.

At this moment, it seemed that he also saw the shadow of his own future from the passing of other people's years.

Speaking of this, the old man seemed to have thought of something, and a chuckle appeared on his face, "When she grows up, she will look good."

"."

Hearing this, the atmosphere seemed to change instantly.

Su Lun immediately thought of that little freckle, the braided girl at the airport.

That girl was someone he felt he rarely got along with happily.

But saying it's "beautiful" doesn't really count.

He also understood the old man's mentality of boasting about his great-granddaughter, and nodded in approval, "Yeah."

The old man seemed to see through his thoughts, but he didn't explain much. She looked up at the sky and said a meaningful sentence: "I was young too. At that time, someone said to me: If the world is a cage, then love is the key to open the cage."

Su Lun frowned slightly when he heard it, and after careful reading, he felt that there seemed to be other deep meanings in the words.

The old man didn't mean to explain too much, and continued: "It's not easy to meet a person whose soul matches in one's life. If you miss it, you will miss it for the rest of your life."

Su Lun felt that he was speaking to himself.

But it seems to be telling her own story again?

He listened patiently, after all, he didn't say much, and occasionally responded: "Yes."

The old man seemed to be struggling after standing for a long time. She said with emotion: "When you get old, your energy is not as good as before."

She looked like she wanted to chat a few more words, but it seemed that her body didn't allow it, so she nodded regretfully, "Young man, thank you for being patient and listening to my old bones for so long. But I think, I should go Rest. Otherwise, I'm afraid I won't be able to last until then."

Su Lun nodded: "Yes. Take your time."

He watched the old man being helped back to the cabin by the maid, and there was a trace of thought on his brows.

Really came across it to see?

What a strange encounter.