Chapter 362 - 272: The Faces of the Noble Families, a Silver Treasure Chest

Chapter 362: Chapter 272: The Faces of the Noble Families, a Silver Treasure Chest

Yokoyama Daisuke did not go to the imperial palace.

Neither did Ota Masayuki.

Not only did they not go, but the Patriarch of the Yokoyama family—Yokoyama Daisuke’s father, Yokoyama Yasushi—and the Patriarch of the Ota family, Ota Takashi, had each sent their own men.

They had but one objective: to have Ota Masayuki and Yokoyama Daisuke entertain Wu Liangchen at all costs. Whatever he requested must be fulfilled, and their families would support them with all their resources.

Of course, these instructions were delivered verbally, leaving no written evidence.

Furthermore, both men had, by unspoken agreement, chosen not to appear in person.

This was a mark of their caution.

After all, with the Monarch having just died, if their two families appeared too eager and solicitous toward Wu Liangchen, they would easily give others a pretext for criticism.

But this did not stop them from secretly currying favor with Wu Liangchen.

Especially after news spread that the East Sea Nation’s fleet had been completely annihilated before the Huangpu Guard, Wu Liangchen’s status in the eyes of the great noble families rose even higher.

However, the peculiar situation in Tokyo prevented them from showing their goodwill openly. They could only send discreet signals of their intentions.

And all of these political dealings, including the shifting attitudes of the various powers, occurred in an extremely short period of time.

Before Wu Liangchen had even led Graham and the others back to Yokoyama Daisuke’s home, no fewer than ten families had already sent extravagant gifts.

The Takizawa family, in particular, not only sent over Takizawa Sayon’s personal handmaidens but also a whole carriage full of new clothes and cosmetics.

Though nothing was stated explicitly, the meaning was obvious: Takizawa Sayon was to seize this opportunity by any means necessary. If something were to happen between her and Wu Liangchen, that would be for the best.

The other noble families who hadn’t managed to send their own fair daughters in time were all wringing their hands in regret.

These so-called great houses, which had always prided themselves on bloodlines and pedigree, had all undergone a complete change in attitude, wishing they could forcibly shove their daughters into Wu Liangchen’s arms.

Yokoyama Misaki had also received instructions from her father: go all out to win Wu Liangchen’s favor.

Moreover, taking advantage of their home-field advantage, the Yokoyama family had sent over all their own suitable, beautiful noblewomen in one fell swoop.

Suddenly, Yokoyama Daisuke’s home was filled with a flock of chattering beauties, a truly magnificent sight.

But Yokoyama Daisuke was in no mood to appreciate any of it.

He and Ota Masayuki stood on either side of the entrance, respectfully awaiting Wu Liangchen’s return.

Soon, Wu Liangchen’s figure appeared at the end of the street. Behind him followed a group of people—Graham and his men.

When he saw Wu Liangchen, dressed in snow-white robes, Yokoyama Daisuke couldn’t help but gasp, even though he had been mentally preparing himself.

Barely an hour had passed between Wu Liangchen’s departure and his return, yet in that time, the Monarch had died, as had that mysterious Guardian Martial Master.

And the man who had committed these earth-shattering acts, Wu Liangchen, was completely unscathed. He didn’t even have a speck of blood on him.

What a terrifying reality that was.

At this point, Yokoyama Daisuke no longer dared to harbor the slightest thought of rebellion. This was no mere suppression by a superior power; this was a complete annihilation of forces on a different level of existence.

As for Ota Masayuki, he had already accepted reality when he witnessed the fleet sink before his very eyes.

’Never oppose this man. Absolutely nothing good can come of it.’

Just then, Wu Liangchen arrived. Yokoyama Daisuke hurried forward to greet him, his face a mask of humility. "My lord, everything is prepared. Please, come inside."

Wu Liangchen didn’t even spare him a glance as he strode into the courtyard.

The courtyard was now filled with many lavishly dressed women. Upon seeing Wu Liangchen, their eyes lit up, and they began to move forward, ready to follow his every step.

But Wu Liangchen ignored them completely, leading Graham and his men straight into the main hall.

This cold display, far from discouraging the expectant women, only made them more excited.

"Did you see that? He’s so handsome!"

"Yes! He’s much more handsome than in his portrait!"

"I’d be willing to die if it meant I could marry a man like that."

The women began to whisper amongst themselves.

Yokoyama Misaki, however, looked on with disdain.

’A bunch of common powders and cheap rouges, and they want to lay a finger on my idol? Pure delusion.’

With this thought, she straightened her clothes one more time and walked smugly toward a side door of the main hall.

This was the benefit of home-field advantage.

The main hall of the Yokoyama estate had been completely transformed.

The expensive reed mats had been unceremoniously rolled up and tossed into a corner like trash.

The floor was now covered with a thick carpet, on which high tables and round chairs were placed.

This had all been hastily changed to accommodate Wu Liangchen’s habits.

Wu Liangchen paid no mind to any of this.

He had seen far too many of these noble families act arrogant at first, only to become sycophants later.

He walked straight to the seat of honor and sat down, then waved Graham over.

"Sit."

He held no grudge against these Folangji merchants. He had only acted before to disarm them.

Now, he needed them to act as guides and contacts for his journey to the secret realm overseas, so Wu Liangchen treated them with a measure of courtesy.

Graham, for his part, was open and frank. When Wu Liangchen told him to sit, he sat.

"I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll need to stay in the East Sea Nation for a few more days," Wu Liangchen said. "You will stay here during that time. Once I’m finished, you will all accompany me to Huangpu Guard, and from there we will set off for the Sky’s Edge."