The name of the great swordsman begins in Okehazama.

Saito Tatsuoki whipped his warhorse desperately, the wind whistling past his ears, while the sound of hooves behind him grew ever closer.

"Damn it! Damn it!"

He dared not turn around, and could only lower his body, wishing he could stick himself to the horse's back.

That guy can shoot arrows!

Changqing's horse is getting closer and closer.

His physical strength was already exhausted, and his arms were so sore that he could barely hold the gun, but the killing intent in his eyes remained undiminished.

This person must die; he is a hidden danger in Mino. Keeping him alive will only cause me trouble in the future.

"drive!"

The warhorse accelerated again, and was less than three feet away from Longxing.

Long Xing finally turned back, "You...you let me go..."

Before he could finish speaking, Changqing's spear had already thrust out.

The shot wasn't particularly sharp, but Long Xing's body had long been weakened by wine and women, and he didn't even make a move to dodge.

The spear pierced his chest, protruding half a foot from his front.

Long Xing arched his back, looking down at the spear tip that had suddenly appeared on his chest.

He fell off his horse, rolled a few times, and lay motionless on the Sixth Avenue.

The moonlight shone on his face, and his eyes were still open, unable to close in death.

Changqing reined in his warhorse, panting heavily.

He has lost count of how many people he has killed since last night.

"Congratulations, host, you have acquired the skill [Mind's Eye], which improves the accuracy of all weapons and enhances the efficiency of ranged weapon use..."

This skill seems to be compatible with all skills!

As he was lost in thought, Isono Kazumasa rode up, followed by seven or eight hatamoto (traditional Japanese bannermen).

"Lord Mori!"

Isono Kazumasa was a military commander favored by Mori Nagayoshi in his previous life.

It wasn't because of his high stats, but entirely because of his loyalty and battlefield performance.

Historically, after surrendering, this man was feared by Nobunaga, who forced him to adopt Tsuda Nobusumi as his son. Disgusted with Nobunaga, he eventually fled and refused to serve him.

"Lord Isono, thank you for your help!"

Yuan Chang smiled and said, "Lord Changzheng previously said that you were different from others, and I had some doubts. But after meeting you today, I can see that your reputation is well-deserved. I would like to invite you to stay at Zuohe Mountain Castle for a few days in the future so that we can discuss military strategy and tactics!"

"Lord Isono, you flatter me. If it weren't for Lord Nagamasa and your help, I would probably be dead."

Yuan Chang asked jokingly, "So, how does Your Excellency intend to thank me?"

Changqing also joked, "If an enemy attacks you one day, no matter how far away, I will come to your rescue. If we become enemies in the future, I will definitely let you go!"

"Hahaha!" Yuan Chang laughed loudly, "If we really face off another day, I will definitely not hold back!"

A commotion suddenly arose in the distance.

Nagayoshi turned his head and saw Hideyoshi leading several foot soldiers, dragging a man out of a group of fleeing soldiers. The man was dressed in decent kimonos and was struggling desperately, shouting something.

"Lord Mori!" Hideyoshi shouted at the top of his lungs, "We've captured a big shot!"

The man was forced to kneel on the ground, covered in mud, his hair disheveled.

Hinano Hiroshi?

Changqing raised an eyebrow.

I never expected that he had been following Saito Tatsuoki all along. Shouldn't this person have defected to someone else according to history?

So loyal, always following his former master?

"Let him go! Make him get up!"

Hiroshi Hine was stunned, but he still stubbornly pushed the soldier's hand away.

"Where is my lord?"

"He's already dead. What's there to miss about a lord who abandons his retainers?"

Hineno had already guessed the outcome; he just couldn't accept it.

He was almost fifty years old and had spent most of his life serving the Saito family. Now that he had lost his territory and his lord, he felt as if all his strength had been drained away.

He swayed and nearly knelt down again.

"I will give you 500 koku of grain to join my Mori family. We will rebuild our family business in Mino. Are you willing?"

Hong stood there, speechless for a long time.

Hideyoshi, standing nearby, became anxious: "My lord! This man was just fighting us to the death!"

"What happened just now is over." Changqing looked at Hongjiu. "I only have one question for you: are you willing?"

Hiroshi Hineno suddenly burst into tears, as if he had found a reason to continue living.

"My lord..." He knelt on the ground, his forehead pressed against the soil, "I am willing to serve you like a dog or a horse! If I have any disloyal intentions, may I be struck down by heaven and earth!"

Changqing nodded and turned to walk towards his warhorse.

After taking two steps, he suddenly stopped and looked back at Long Xing's corpse on the ground.

"Release him back to the temple and wait for someone to collect him."

Hideyoshi responded and ordered a few foot soldiers to move the body.

……

By the time everyone retreated back to southern Omi, dawn had already broken.

Marume Nagayoshi leaned against a tree, watching Nagayoshi stagger, and his lips twitched: "My lord, you might collapse if you take a few more steps."

"I won't fall down." Changqing plopped down next to him, as if all his strength had been instantly drained away.

Changhui couldn't help but burst out laughing.

He was usually quiet and rarely laughed out loud.

"You were killing so fiercely last night, I thought you were made of steel!"

"That's just holding on by a thread." Changqing closed his eyes. "Once that thread breaks, it's all over."

In the distance, Nagamasa Asai was walking towards them with Kazumasa Isono.

"Lord Mori!"

Changqing struggled to stand up, but Changzheng quickly took a few steps forward and pressed down on his shoulder.

"Lord Mori, this is Oda's territory. We cannot stay any longer and will take our leave now."

"I understand, thank you!" Changqing said with a wry smile.

Changzheng waved his hand: "Between us, there's no need for such talk. What are your plans now?"

"Return to Omi to rest and then await Lord Nobunaga's orders."

Changzheng nodded and stood up: "Then I won't see you off."

He stretched out his hand.

Changqing grasped it and used the leverage to stand up.

The two looked at each other for a moment, and then Changzheng suddenly laughed and said, "Next time we meet, let's have a good drink together."

"it is good."

"Lord Mori!" Yuan Chang clasped his hands in a fist salute from horseback. "Take care!"

"Take care, Lord Isono!"

The cavalrymen turned their horses around and galloped north.

Changqing stood there, watching their departing figures until they disappeared into the dawn.

"My lord," Changhui approached, "we should also be going."

Changqing nodded and turned to look at the remaining soldiers.

They had already stood up one after another, packing their meager belongings. Hideyoshi was weaving through the crowd, patting one person on the shoulder, supporting another's arm, and talking incessantly.

"Hurry up, stop dawdling, let's go back and have some drinks!"

"Sanlang, how's your leg injury? Can you walk?"

"My lord, my name is Erlang..."

"Yes, yes, Erlang, you help Sanlang a bit."

Changqing couldn't help but laugh. This monkey is really funny.

……

After retreating into Marume Nagayoshi's territory, Hineno Hiroshi began to get busy.

He led the horse, delivered water, and found dry rations, fulfilling his duties as a retainer to the fullest extent.

Seeing his appearance, Hideyoshi couldn't help but mutter, "This man changes his mind quickly."

Hong heard this but wasn't angry; he just smiled bitterly.

"My lord wants to help me restore my family's fortunes, so naturally I must do my utmost."

Hideyoshi pursed his lips and said nothing more.

After resting for most of the day, the team finally encountered reinforcements at dusk.

Niwa Nagahide's banner appeared in the distance on the main road, followed by at least five thousand soldiers.

"Lord Mori!"

Changxiu's expression changed when she saw Changqing covered in blood.

"How are you?"

"It's nothing." Changqing waved his hand. "It's all other people's blood, it's fine."