#11 – The Elder and the Hot Spring
When one says Wajin town, hot springs immediately come to mind.
After all, there was a giant hot spring district in the back part of the town.
In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say that most tourists visited for that very purpose.
Yukito looked up at the evening sky and sighed.
It seemed that the fatigue of the past few days was melting away. After leaving the smithy, they went sightseeing to different locations. But it was all worth it now.
Being able to enjoy this hot spring in the imperial capital. It was the result of tireless effort, blood and sweat of easterners.
He thought back on what the owner had said to him before getting inside.
According to her, the first group of people had arrived decades ago from across the sea.
At that time, it was merely defecting. Back then, nobles had much more power and authority. It was not difficult to imagine how hard things were for people from foreign tribes.
Regardless, the defecting easterners were protected by the emperor and some of the nobles, and given land to live on. And so it was them who cut down the trees and built houses here.
That was the beginning of the east district.
Though, it was much poorer back then.
Things changed dramatically during the age of the Red Emperor.
He had the reputation for being a tyrant, but that wasn’t everything. He had significant achievements, particularly when it came to domestic affairs.
The creation of the eastern town, as well as actively incorporating their culture. And these hot springs were part of that culture.
The easterns searched the area around the city and dug the hot springs themselves, drawing the water to their town. That would have been an incredible amount of work.
Still, its reputation spread quickly. And now there were many inns and facilities that had them.
Though, a few exaggerated the health benefits of bathing in them.
“It’s thanks to them that I can enjoy this hot spring now. We should be grateful, huh?”
Yukito said to the person, hidden on the other side of the steam.
And then the figure appeared.
“Hohoho. I was still young back then. It was not my effort that brought it about.”
Said the old man.
There was a small bucket floating on the water. And in it was a cup and bottle. Apparently, he was enjoying a drink.
“Bringing sake into a hot spring… I suppose it is tradition. But is that why you erased your presence?”
“Hohoho.”
The old man chuckled as he drained his cup. Then he pushed the bucket over to Yukito.
“How about it? One drink?”
“…Thank you.”
He poured it quietly and drank. The sake felt warm as it went down his throat and to his stomach. He sighed.
“Ah, well done.”
“…No. But now that I’m an accomplice, there is something that I want to ask.”
“Hoho. You didn’t need to do that to ask. I am but an old man, but will tell you anything you wish.”
“Aren’t you Ittosai?”
The old man just waved his hand in the air. And then the bucket that floated in the water was drawn back to him.
“I am called Dosan Inokami. Though, I have also gone by that other name.”
“I’m Yukito. I…heard that you were a former Sword Saint.”
The old man poured the sake and muttered, ‘perhaps.’
“The title of Sword Saint is much too heavy for my shoulders. It is much better suited for someone like you, no? Future Sword Saint.”
“…No, it is too heavy for me as well.”
The old man chuckled with amusement.
“All I did was teach swords to some children. That is all I could do, with such little talent.”
“You are being modest.”
Dosan Inokami. He was famous enough to be in history books.
During the Red Emperor’s reign, he was appointed as the imperial sword instructor. He then introduced the concept of qi techniques to the skill then known as ‘aura,’ allowing people to wield it with greater freedom.
After that, he became a living legend, shaping imperial swordsmanship and leading many prestigious schools to flourish.
In a way, you could say he was the spark that ignited the Red Emperor’s ambitions.
This was quite an encounter.
Yukito was thankful for the information from Tougoro, who had told him there was a chance to meet him if he came in the evening.
“More importantly, I was wondering if…”
“I do not know where Raido has gone.”
He said bluntly, and Yukito’s shoulders slumped with disappointment.
“If he really is in hiding, then there is nothing anyone can do to find him. However…”
“Yes?”
“He is not one to hide without a good reason.”
That was true. He was not that kind of man.
Yukito could not really imagine that grandfather running and hiding. If he had any trouble, he could solve it with the sword.
“A reason…”
“Yes. That is the important part.”
The old man said as he drained the rest of his cup.