Chapter 343 - 261: Preparing in Advance

Chapter 343: Chapter 261: Preparing in Advance

The reprimanded retainer didn’t dare to lift his head.

Ota Masayuki didn’t want to dwell on the matter. Time was precious, and who knew what might happen if they stayed in the city any longer.

Right now, Ota Masayuki just wanted to escape Great Yan as quickly as possible.

At the same time, he secretly made a resolution: once he was back, he would never again take a single step outside the East Sea.

’So what if I’m a coward? It’s better than being dead.’

’And from now on, I have to stay far away from anywhere Wu Liangchen might be. It’s just too dangerous otherwise.’

With this in mind, he gave a low-voiced order, "Listen up. My new identity is the young master of a trading company from the East Sea. I’m leaving the city to go home for the New Year. If you can’t remember that, then keep your mouths shut and pretend you’re mute. If anyone messes this up, I’ll kill them!"

The usually good-natured Ota Masayuki had finally shown his teeth. After all, his life was on the line; he had no choice but to be cautious.

His retainers naturally didn’t dare to object, nodding in agreement.

And so, the group, now in disguise, quickly left the district and headed for the West City gate.

Ota Masayuki knew that the docks had become the center of attention. Going there now would be like walking straight into a trap.

So he decided to do the opposite, leaving through the West City gate and then detouring to a neighboring city.

The coastline of Great Yan was very long. While the best port was at Huangpu Guard, several of the surrounding cities also had their own small harbors.

They were small, but perfectly capable of handling departing ships. He could use one of them to sail back home.

Although it meant taking a long detour, the plan was much safer, especially since it completely bypassed that great god of slaughter, Wu Liangchen.

And as things stood for Ota Masayuki, he was unwilling to get anywhere near Wu Liangchen if there was even the slightest chance of an encounter.

In this way, they soon arrived before the West City gate, which was now only a symbolic barrier. Once they were past it, they would be as free as a fish in the sea or a bird in the sky.

Just as Ota Masayuki was breathing a silent sigh of relief and inwardly gloating over his brilliant decision, a group of people suddenly came up from behind.

They were all strong, young men with grim expressions, walking quickly and in silence.

At this sight, Ota Masayuki’s soul nearly left his body. He had no idea what mistake he had made for his cover to be blown.

But this was no time to dwell on it. He yelled, "Go! Quickly!"

With that, he took the lead and bolted for the gate.

Seeing this, his retainers also scrambled to run.

But just then, another group of people appeared up ahead, led by a young man.

The young man gave Ota Masayuki a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "Lord Ota, why are you in such a hurry to leave?"

Ota Masayuki didn’t recognize the young man, but at a time like this, it didn’t take a genius to figure out where they were from.

Who else but Flower Square could muster such a force?

He felt a pang of despair but still clung to a sliver of hope. "Lord Ota? I think you have the wrong person. I’m the young master of the Yongtai Trading Company, on my way home for the New Year. Here, these are my identification papers. You can see for yourself."

He had even gone to the trouble of preparing a full set of identification papers for this alias; his thoroughness was almost admirable.

But the young man across from him didn’t even glance at them, just chuckled dryly.

"Ota Masayuki. My name is Yan Feng, and I work for Master Wu. Are you sure you want to keep denying it?"

Hearing the two words "Master Wu," Ota Masayuki’s expression changed.

"You... you people..."

"Let’s be honest. Master Wu has requested your presence," Yan Feng said coldly.

"So if you know what’s good for you, you’ll come along quietly. I’ve heard a bit about you; you don’t have much of a bad record, so I’d rather not make this ugly. But if you insist on struggling, don’t blame us for being merciless."

Hearing this, Ota Masayuki was silent for a moment before letting out a long sigh. "Alright. I’ll go with you."

"My lord!"

His retainers, loyal to a fault, surged forward to protect Ota Masayuki, even knowing they were outmatched.

But Ota Masayuki stopped them.

"Enough. Don’t cause more trouble. This is an order from Master Wu. If I obey, I might have a sliver of a chance. If I defy him, I’ll die on the spot."

Yan Feng clapped his hands lightly. "Well said. It seems you’re not like those other fools. At least you have a clear understanding of your own situation."

Ota Masayuki gave a bitter smile. "What good would it do not to? Let’s go. We shouldn’t keep Master Wu waiting."

Soon, under Yan Feng’s escort, he was brought aboard a massive ship.

When Ichida Keizai saw him, he couldn’t help but be taken aback.

He recognized Ota Masayuki.

He had seen the high-born scion once before, back on the ship.

He never expected that even someone like him would be captured.

Just as Ichida Keizai was marveling at this, Yan Feng asked, "Where is Master Wu?"

Ichida Keizai immediately snapped back to reality, lowered his head, and said, "Master Wu is in the ammunition hold, taking inventory. Please follow me."

Ota Masayuki, of course, did not recognize Ichida Keizai.

Although they had met, a person of his status would never have noticed a common crewman.

But for that very reason, he felt a flicker of shock.

This Ichida Keizai was clearly from the East Sea, yet from the looks of it, he seemed to have earned Wu Liangchen’s trust and favor.

’So how did he manage that?’

Thinking this, Ota Masayuki glanced left and right on the way to the ammunition hold. When he confirmed that Yan Feng was busy talking with someone and wasn’t paying attention to him, he secretly began to speak.