Hunting: Memories (I Transmigrated as a Memory Hunter)

Arc 1: Kumoshima Part 9

CHAPTER 9

Nephrite smiled. The flavor of the green tea in this tea house was exactly like the one he always had back in his world.

Agase always brought him packs of it back then.

With careful preparation, the aroma will be richer and the taste more flavorful.

Like this one.

Lord Fei's taste was good, he praised despite the hate brewing inside him. Keisuke's residual feelings were too strong.

Nephrite followed Lord Fei in this tea house. It was popular with the nobles despite the unusual architecture. Even Aijin was a patron, going here every time she went to Silver Rain City.

A common tea house usually had many private rooms separated from each other.

However, this one had a three-story establishment that catered to people of any social class.

The entrance itself was pretty unusual for this era. A reception desk with a huge scroll painting on the wall behind was the first thing that caught his eyes. The left hallway leads to the stair to the second floor and an entrance to the employee's area and kitchen. The right hallway leads to the first-floor tea room

Most commoners love the first-floor area. It allows them to interact with other people. The tea room consists of many low tables that can be moved together if the situation requires. Sliding doors were open for the Zen garden view. They also offer board games that people of any class enjoy.

The second floor consists of elegant private tea rooms. The third floor has four rooms that both serve as tea rooms and/or bedrooms.

The tea helped Nephrite's nerves calm down. Spying without training wasn't easy. The guards around Lord Fei are all quite alert. They even emptied all the rooms above and around the one Lord Fei reserved. Nephrite had no choice but to sit in on the first floor with the other regulars.

Good thing, the table under Lord Fei's room was not occupied. They probably thought it was impossible for a spy to listen to their conversation from this position.

Nephrite won't be able to do it under normal circumstances despite his good hearing. Yet, since he entered this world, he realized that he can focus on which sound he only wants to hear. He did not know how it was possible but it didn't matter anymore. As long as he can use this ability to gather information, it would be fine.

As he lifted the teacup elegantly to his mouth, he closed his eyes, gathering his focus.

From the other's point of view, he was just enjoying the tea. Even if there were guards observing him right now, they could never guess what he was up to.

Seems like Lord Fei's visitor hasn't arrived yet. For a high-profile person like Lord Fei, who will dare make him wait? Unless...

He decided to wait longer.

Enjoying the tea while acting as a cover was only half of the truth. He needed the tea to calm down.

As much as possible, he didn't want to engage in direct combat with the enemies. If he made one mistake and got discovered, clashing with them would be inevitable.

After his training under Kazuyuki, his fighting ability improved. Despite that, he still didn't want to take risks.

His morality was still tied in the modern era. It will never be easy for him to adapt to the mindset of "putting the law in your own hands".

As much as possible, he wants to avoid bloody battles.

If he had other options, why put blood in his hands?

Even so, Nephrite would fight when he needs to.

Just then, he heard a commotion outside. Nephrite stood up to check it. There was a group of employees and other people who were watching the scene unfold. Nephrite decided to join them.

"Please release my brother."

A boy around the age of eleven was blocking the way of a tall middle-aged man at the entrance.

Nephrite could only see the boy's back. His tone was full of nervousness but also had a tinge of authority and visible firm resolve.

Whose child was this? Nephrite wondered.

The middle-aged man raised his eyebrow. He was wearing a dark blue kimono with paintings of waves at the hem. The carriage behind him bears the eagle and snake crest as well.

"Tell me, young boy. Did you see me take your brother?" The middle-aged man's voice was calm.

"No, but the man who took him used that emblem on your carriage. Your guards let him into the manor."

Nephrite saw the face of the middle-aged man twitched, but the way he spoke did not change.

"If you still remember which of my guards was it, then wait for me. I need to meet an important person right now. Your matter needs to wait."

"Thank you, My Lord." The boy moved out of his way. He bowed deeply as the man passed him. The latter headed straight to the left hallway, not giving Nephrite's side a glance.

Nephrite contemplated if he should ask the child about his predicament, but one of the staff talked to him and led him to the garden. As they passed to the front desk, Nephrite frowned as he noticed the staff's uniform kimono. A question arose inside him but decided to ignore it for now. He had some urgent matters to attend to anyway.

After the staff left, Nephrite decided to approach the boy who was currently feeding the Koi fishes in the pond, “Good evening.”

The child seemed vigilant against him. Despite that, he politely greeted Nephrite with a bow.

“Are you hungry?” The child shook his head. Then he looked up and stared at Nephrite’s eyes. “You can ask if you wanted to know something, Young Master.”

The child’s eyes were fierce. Nephrite smiled, amused at the smart boy. “Well then, may I know who that man was?”

The child frowned, “You don’t know who the Governor is?”

“That was the Governor? Lord Iruwa?”

The child stared at him incredulously, as if saying ‘Are you really from this country?’

Sorry, my friend. I am not. Nephrite cleared his throat, “What is your name? Do you need help? Though I can not do it today, I could ask people later to help you find your brother tomorrow. Sorry, I overheard earlier.” Nephrite quickly added the last sentence.

The child looked at him with suspicion this time but did not embarrass him. After a while of contemplating, the child answered. “Thank you Young Master, but I will see if the governor would help me first,” he paused, “My name is Xian.”

Obviously a fake name, Nephrite grinned. Such a smart kid. “Okay, Xian. I won’t bother you anymore but if you need help, find me at the Miyazuya Manor. I’m Keisuke.”

With that, he stopped bothering the kid and went back to his table, trying to eavesdrop some more. However, the voice of the person who spoke to Lord Fei was still not the same as the voice of Lord Iruwa.

It took him a few minutes but aside from a faint sliding sound, he still can't hear a thing.

Was he wrong? But if it was not Lord Fei, then who did the Governor meet?

Time passed by as he observed the surroundings.

As he lazily drank his tea, Shier arrived.

Nephrite hid his surprise as he observed the newcomer's appearance. Gone was his farmer get-up. The image of the co-cabbage seller earlier was completely washed away by the light-blue kimono he was wearing right now. The cloud pattern in it made it calming in the eyes. His gray kimono jacket accentuated the design, making the kimono look even brighter.

"Young Master," Shier greeted him. He just stood at the side of his table, his looks drawing more attention from the other customers.

Nephrite cleared his throat, "Sit down," he gestured to the cushion beside him.

Shier hesitantly sat beside him. "Young Master, I'm sorry. I think I overdressed myself." He glanced at Keisuke’s low-quality kimono.

"What are you saying? It's fine," Nephrite poured him tea.

Flustered, he grabbed Nephrite's hand. "Master, what are you doing?"

Nephrite frowned. He was sure that Shier has a better status than Keisuke. The only reason he was serving as a guard was that he owed a favor to Keisuke. "You don't have to be polite to me."

Just then, he noticed a movement in the zen garden. The sky was already tinged with orange. With the lanterns still not lit yet, some areas are covered with shadow.

He saw Xian, still watching the koi fish in the pond. His eyes were looking at it with full curiosity.

"Master, that child looks quite familiar," Shier suddenly said.

"You know him?"

"I am not quite sure. But he somehow resembles Chunan's younger brother."

Come to think of it, Nephrite had not heard anything about Chunan for a while since the a*******n. Even if he asked Kazuyuki about it before, the latter did not give him an answer. Nephrite just assumed he went out on a mission.

Why hasn't Chunan returned yet?

Then he recalled what the kid said to the Governor earlier.

While thinking if he should go and ask the kid about it, he heard another commotion at the reception area. Lord Iruwa was about to leave.

Nephrite stood up to check it when he caught another movement in the zen garden on his side vision.

It happened fast. A man in black grabbed Xian, who in an instant seemed to faint, and put him in a sack then ran off!

Nephrite signaled Shier who also saw the scene. He gestured towards the entrance. Shier nodded in complete understanding while handing him a small pouch.

Nephrite put it inside his sleeve. He walked fast past the guests of the tea house so as to not take the attention of others. As he reached the zen garden out of the other's view, he ran to look for the back entrance.

The person who took the kid was a pro. The culprit did everything without a single sound, no one else noticed it. If he and Shier removed their attention seconds earlier from the kid, even they wouldn't notice what happened.

Nephrite held the hilt of his short sword as he ran to the back alley. He wasn't expecting to catch the culprit and the child. But, if he can find traces to help then it would be fine.

All of a sudden, a flash of orange headed straight on Nephrite's side.

Nephrite pulled out his dagger in time to block the shadow guard's sword. The blade reflected the orange dusk sky.

The man's strength was enormous, trying to overwhelm Keisuke's physic.

Using the enemy's strength, Nephrite pushed forward. He took a quick sidestep, causing the man's weight to drag himself down a bit.

Nephrite kicked the guy away. The man staggered sidewards but didn't tumble down.

The sound of small rocks breaking can be heard as the man bolted forward to Nephrite, not giving time to breathe.

Their swords clashed, movements faster and faster.

Just then, the man tilted his sword, deflecting the light in Nephrite's eyes, catching him off-guard.

Nephrite felt a sudden pain from his neck. He felt his heart rate decrease, his vision blackening.

"You've known too much." The man said before Nephrite passed out.

____________________________

The faint sound of metal thumping slowly entered Nephrite's consciousness. He felt the cold earth behind him. The scent of burning metal and charcoal in the air suffused his senses.

Nephrite gradually woke up. Surprised to see a small child's face hovering above him, he sat up abruptly.

"Young Master!"

Not far away from the child, he saw Chunan laid on the other side of the cave-like prison.

The child offered his hand to him. Seeing the eager look on the young one's face. He stopped his instinct to decline and instead accepted the offer.

Chunan wrists and feet were chained, locked, and connected to the wall of the cave.

"Brother kept struggling and fighting the guards who brought food so they chained him up," said the child.

"Shuijing!"

"Wasn't it true? Brother is too stubborn."

It took Nephrite a while to consume the information he was seeing right now. He blinked and stared at Chunan for a good couple of seconds. “Chunan, it’s really you!?” He looked back and forth between the brothers.

Chunan closed his eyes as if saving all his patience. Then he opened his eyes again and stared at Nephrite, "Young Master, why are you here? Where are Shier and Kuro? I was gone and they already failed to protect you?"

"Calm down, Chunan. I saw your brother get abducted so I followed and got caught in the process."

Chunan looks exasperated, "Why are you always so reckless, young master!"

"It's alright, don't worry."

"Young Master, I have to tell you something. I and Shuiㅡ"

"Wait." Nephrite heard faint footsteps.

Xian ran and hid beside his brother. Nephrite stood at the center of the room, waiting for their visitor.

He smiled as the familiar kimono with the insignia of eagle and snake appeared in front of his eyes.

Nephrite was greeted by Lord Fei's smiling face when he looked up.

"What an honor. Lord Fei graced us with a visit. How generous." Nephrite said sarcastically. Now it all makes sense. Why did Lord Iruwa’s carriage have the Akeruhashi crest on it? That’s because it was not Lord Iruwa’s carriage but Lord Fei’s. Lord Iruwa probably told the latter that a child was looking for his brother. And this was Lord Fei’s response. It was him all along!

Ignoring his greeting, Lord Fei asked, "Young Master of the Saikyu Clan, Keisuke, was it? I should thank you."

Nephrite raised his eyebrows.

Lord Fei touched his chin as if thinking deeply. "I heard that it was you who led those people looking for your father, correct? Therefore, I have long held you accountable for ruining our plans. But who knows? Who would expect you will even pay us this visit!"

Nephrite's chest thumped hard. Lord Fei's voice was endearing but it was sending fear inside him. Even so, he still feigned calmness. "So it was you?"

"Did it come as a surprise? Your father was a bit too lucky. Despite marrying to a merchant family, and he still managed to obtain the title of a lord? Such audacity!"

Nephrite frowned, "It was not father's fault he was well-respected." He knew how much Keichi worked hard to gain such respect from the people in Rose Valley.

"It doesn't matter anymore. I will crush that respect you are so proud of. Hiding enemies of the nation in your household? Treacherous leeches. Who would have thought you would walk into the trap yourself?"

"What are you saying?!" Nephrite felt panic in his heart. Enemies of Nation in their house?

Lord Fei smirked, "Why don't you ask those people behind you? First Prince Zhuangjin and Crown Prince Huaixian of the Great Lang Kingdom?"