Chapter 37

Kousuke now felt very happy, really.

In front of him was a large bowl of steaming rice and a big, plump fish weighing three pounds, emitting a fragrant aroma. Yes, this was the most sumptuous meal he had ever seen in his life. Swallowing several mouthfuls of saliva, Kousuke suddenly shouted and, in a frenzy, grabbed the big, plump fish and began to devour it ravenously.

Suddenly, a bucket of cold water splashed in his face.

Kousuke suddenly felt that everything before his eyes had disappeared: the large bowl of rice, the plump fish in his hand, and the tender fish meat that had softened in his mouth. Everything had vanished, leaving only endless darkness.

Yes, it was just a beautiful dream, and now this dream had been shattered by the chill that enveloped his body. He had been tied to a pillar for two days and one night. Since the "devil" left, all that remained around him were pairs of bloodshot eyes. Kousuke knew that they meant hatred, a hatred that was drenched in blood. He hadn't eaten anything for a very long time, not even a drop of water. Kousuke felt that he would die here. But Kousuke did not hate the "devil"; he even felt he should thank him. If not for his command, he would have been beaten to a pulp by the townspeople yesterday. Perhaps this was the retribution spoken of in Buddhist teachings, he thought to himself.

Reflecting on the past, Kousuke suddenly felt that his life had been a failure. In his youth, he had worked as an apprentice in a merchant's shop in Hakata and married a beautiful wife. Everything seemed so wonderful. However, the unpredictable nature of life struck when his wife's beauty caught the attention of a wealthy landowner. After a futile struggle, he was forced to flee with his wife by boat in the middle of the night. After many twists and turns, they finally arrived in Higashimatsuura. Just as they had settled down, the town where they lived was attacked by bandits. Kousuke and his wife were taken to the bandits' lair, which was now known as Yotaka Mountain Bandit Camp. Initially, he thought it was a disaster, but he gradually discovered that these bandits were just farmers who had lost their land and turned to banditry out of desperation. They usually only plundered the wealthy and did not harm the common people. To survive, Kousuke eventually became a bandit himself. With his accounting skills and sharp mind, he gradually gained the favor of the bandit leader and became responsible for managing the stolen goods. Life improved for the couple, and during this time, his wife gave birth to a lovely daughter. Ten years passed quickly, and two years ago, Banishi Dairo colluded with a wealthy landowner to rebel and killed the original bandit leader and his close associates. Kousuke, who was intelligent and suspected of knowing the location of the original leader's secret treasure room, was spared. After providing the location of one of the leader's treasures and offering several strategies, Kousuke gradually became one of Banishi Dairo's trusted subordinates.

However, Banishi Dairo did not appreciate Kousuke; he even found him somewhat annoying. If not for Kousuke's frequent good strategies, Banishi Dairo would have kicked him out long ago and taken his wife and daughter for himself. Why? Kousuke was a Buddhist, specifically a Zen Buddhist, who believed in the virtue of preserving life and accumulating good karma. Therefore, he always advised Banishi Dairo not to kill innocents. Frankly, Kousuke was a bit naive in this regard, just as he was overly confident when gathering information about the town. The previous leader, who was also a farmer, sympathized with the peasants and listened to Kousuke's advice. However, Banishi Dairo was a ruthless and bloodthirsty man. Speaking to him about Buddhist teachings was like slapping him in the face. Thus, Kousuke was destined to become a tragic figure.

Soon, after Banishi Dairo was severely injured and fell into a coma, Kousuke, who had no strong background but was still one of Banishi Dairo's capable subordinates, became a target for his rival, Daishi Noji. After forcibly controlling Kousuke's wife and daughter, Daishi Noji forced Kousuke to go down the mountain to gather information, creating divisions within Banishi Dairo's forces to weaken his power. At least, so far, Daishi Noji's plan had succeeded.

Now, Kousuke knew that his retribution had come. Although he had never killed anyone with his own hands, many people had died because of his strategies. He felt that he would go to hell. However, Kousuke still clung to this world, as his wife and daughter were still here. If he died, they would become playthings for other men. Thus, he oscillated between regret and attachment, gradually sinking into endless darkness. The bucket of cold water that drenched his body did not fully wake him up, as he was too hungry, and his nerves were numb. But just as he was about to completely lose consciousness, he heard a voice that made his soul tremble.

"Untie him and give him a bowl of thin porridge." Ah, it was the voice of the "devil." In a daze, Kousuke felt the ropes around his body being loosened, and his lips were forced open. A warm liquid flowed down his throat, and gradually, his body regained sensation, and his limbs slowly regained some strength.

"Ah," Kousuke let out a low, hoarse cry, as if he had discovered the most wonderful thing in the world. His weak hands suddenly clutched the wooden bowl tightly. This was porridge, delicious porridge. He drank it in large gulps, and soon the bowl of thin porridge was empty. A beam of light entered his eyes, and Kousuke slowly opened them. The first thing he saw was a pair of legs in straw sandals. Following the legs, Kousuke gradually raised his head and soon saw a young face with calm eyes. Ah, it was the "devil."

"How does it feel to be hungry? But do you know how many people have died because of you?" Masahiro asked Kousuke with a stern look.

Kousuke lowered his head, not daring to meet the "devil's" eyes, and his whole body trembled.

"Help him up and let him meet the new companions," Masahiro said, waving his hand.

Two ashigaru bowed and followed the order, coming to Kousuke's side and dragging him forward. Soon, Kousuke was brought to several wooden pillars. He slowly raised his head and saw that there were six pillars, each firmly binding a person. At that moment, the six people were slumped against the pillars, and by the light of the fire, Kousuke clearly saw the expressions on each of their faces. "Ha ha ha, ha ha ha, is it you? Ha ha, you have this day too," Kousuke clearly recognized a few of them as Daishi Noji's subordinates. The bandits raised their heads to look at the man who was laughing uncontrollably, then lowered their heads again. Since they were now prisoners, they would either be killed or released. For now, they still believed they would be released.

"Huh? Is it you?" Kousuke suddenly stared intently at one of the bandits, as if he had a deep-seated grudge against him. His face twisted in anger, and he rolled and crawled toward a bandit with disheveled hair on the right side.

"Ah! You... What are you doing? Don't come over!" The bandit with disheveled hair, seeing Kousuke crawl toward him like a madman, looked panicked and struggled to move backward.

"Ugh. Save... Save me!" Kousuke quickly reached the disheveled bandit, who, being tied up, was easily choked by Kousuke. Struggling for breath, the disheveled bandit let out a low, desperate cry. Kousuke used all his strength, choking the bandit while shouting, "Return my wife and daughter, return my wife and daughter." As the disheveled bandit's face turned from red to purple, Masahiro had to have Kousuke pulled away.

Even after being pulled away and firmly held down, Kousuke continued to shout, trying to break free from his restraints. His eyes, red with anger, stared at the disheveled bandit who was gasping for breath. If looks could kill, the disheveled bandit would have died dozens of times. After about ten minutes, Kousuke gradually calmed down.

"Then, Kousuke, can you tell me who these people are now?" Seeing Kousuke calm down, Masahiro asked.

"Sir, they are all Daishi Noji's men, but he," Kousuke pointed excitedly at the disheveled bandit who was still gasping for breath, "is Daishi Noji's son, his only son, Daishi Tarou. He is the one who led the men to take my wife and daughter, wu wu wu," Kousuke began to sob.

"Oh? I didn't expect to catch such a big fish," Masahiro's lips curled upward slightly, speaking to himself with interest.

"Sir," Kousuke suddenly struggled to bow to Masahiro, "Sir, please save my wife and daughter."

"Ugh!" Masahiro was taken aback by the man who was still bowing frantically.

"Kousuke, you haven't realized your current situation, have you? You are my prisoner, a bandit who once attacked my territory, and now you are asking me to save your wife and children?" Masahiro felt that this man was really stupid.

"No, sir," Kousuke, seeing Masahiro's outright refusal, suddenly opened his eyes and, breaking free from the two ashigaru, grabbed Masahiro's leg and refused to let go. "Sir, I have a very important secret," Kousuke bit his lip and looked at Masahiro earnestly.

"Secret?" Masahiro felt curious. What secret could make Kousuke think he could help save his wife and children? He waved his hand, signaling the two ashigaru to pause.

"Yes, sir, it's a secret about the bandits' treasure," Kousuke said in a low voice.

"Oh?" Masahiro looked down at the man who was holding his leg tightly.

"It's the treasure left by the previous leader. I've been inside a few times, and there's at least a thousand kan, along with other supplies," Kousuke explained quickly, seeing Masahiro's skeptical look.

"A thousand kan?" To be honest, Masahiro was tempted. The territory was now so poor that he had only 17 kan even after pawning his underpants. Now, there were a thousand kan. But if there was so much money, why didn't this man keep it for himself? Thinking about this, Masahiro began to doubt that the man was lying.

"Sir, the money is too heavy to carry, and even if I did, where would I use it? It would easily draw attention," Kousuke, seeing Masahiro's interest wane and his frown deepen, quickly explained.

"The biggest problem is that the treasure is in a very hidden place on the back mountain of the bandit camp, making it difficult to access," Kousuke added the biggest reason.

"Oh?" This was not a problem for Masahiro. He was determined to eliminate the bandits one day, especially after catching such a "big fish."

"Sir, I am willing to lead you to the treasure. But please save my wife and daughter," Kousuke continued.

"Hmm, if I eliminate the bandits on the mountain, I can save your wife and daughter," Masahiro thought for a moment and then said. After all, if the bandits were eliminated, Kousuke's wife and daughter would be saved. It would just be a favor. Of course, he would not attack the bandits to save Kousuke's family before eliminating them, as his own people were also human and should not be put at risk for personal gain.