Chapter 319 - 249: The Fall of Huangpu (3)

Chapter 319: Chapter 249: The Fall of Huangpu (3)

Ota Masayuki entered the room, somewhat bewildered, to see the commander of this operation, Ono Shunyu, frowning as he flipped through a stack of intelligence reports.

He didn’t even look up when he heard the footsteps, simply asking, "Ota, how are things outside?"

"It’s deserted. I couldn’t even find a place to eat," Ota Masayuki complained, sitting down across from Ono Shunyu.

"Heh, Ota, you truly live up to your nickname, the ’Kyoto Foodie.’ Always eating wherever you go," Ono Shunyu said, looking up with an exasperated smile.

"We’re not the same. You shoulder the high hopes of the entire Ono Clan, so of course you have to work twice as hard. As for me, I’m just an insignificant second son of the Ota family. No one pays me any mind," Ota Masayuki said nonchalantly.

As childhood friends and now colleagues, Ota Masayuki and Ono Shunyu were on excellent terms, so they could afford to be casual with one another.

Ono Shunyu gave a wry smile. "Everyone knows you’re just pathologically lazy. If we’re talking about sheer ability, I’m nowhere near your match."

"Alright, alright, enough with the flattery," Ota Masayuki said, waving his hand dismissively before asking a question.

"I just saw a squad of Warriors leaving the station. Are they off on a mission?"

"Mm." At the mention of official business, Ono Shunyu’s demeanor became serious as well.

"I’ve assigned them to take control of the various districts within the Huangpu Guard, so we can bring this land into the Monarch’s territory as quickly as possible."

Ota Masayuki nodded, but then a thought occurred to him. He couldn’t help but offer a word of caution. "Ono, I know it might not be my place to say, but you’d best not be too hasty in subjugating Flower Square. The people there have a thousand threads connecting them to Wu Liangchen. If you press them too hard and it backfires, things could get ugly!"

Ono Shunyu, however, was dismissive. "Ota, you’re a good man, but your two great flaws—gluttony and cowardice—are what hold you back."

"Wu Liangchen may be skilled, but our East Sea’s sturdy ships and powerful cannons are sitting in the Huangpu Guard’s harbor right now. I refuse to believe that for all his skill, he’s tougher than a cannon."

Ota Masayuki sighed to himself. ’He knew these privileged sons of noble Kyoto families could never understand just how terrifying a true Martial Artist could be.’

"Be that as it may, it never hurts to be cautious."

"Don’t worry, I have it under control," Ono Shunyu said, brimming with confidence.

And he had indeed earned the right to be arrogant. As the meticulously groomed heir of the Ono Clan, he had, on his very first mission, successfully led the East Sea’s fleet of sturdy ships and powerful cannons to blast open the gates of the ancient nation of Great Yan.

An achievement like that was enough to cement his name as one of the great statesmen of the era.

Thus, his every word and gesture exuded a powerful self-assurance.

Ota Masayuki remained noncommittal. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he made an excuse and left.

After Ota Masayuki had gone, Ono Shunyu shook his head, a flicker of contempt for his childhood friend crossing his mind.

’The man was simply too timid, nothing like a Warrior of the East Sea.’

’It was only his noble birth that saved him. Otherwise, he probably couldn’t even make it as a low-ranking Warrior and would have been relegated to the peasantry.’

Meanwhile, Flower Square had also grown quiet and desolate.

After all, with a powerful enemy at the gates, few people were in the mood to come seeking pleasure and entertainment.

Seeing this, Old Man Bai couldn’t help but sigh. ’He knew tonight’s business was a total bust.’

Still, thanks to the staunch support of his regulars, he’d managed to sell most of his stock.

He was packing up his stove, ready to head home, when footsteps sounded from outside the glass window.

A flicker of joy sparked in Old Man Bai’s chest, and he was about to ask what the customers wanted. But as he looked up, he was met with the cold gazes of several East Sea men, and his heart plummeted.