21st Century Necromancer

The car, carrying Yu Chen and Hiromi Jounouchi, quickly left the downtown area of Kanazawa City and drove to an estate in the suburbs of Kanazawa City.

This was a building with a traditional Japanese architectural style, constructed with a stone foundation, planks, and rammed earth to form a wall about one and a half persons tall, covered with exquisitely shaped blue-gray tiles on top.

The planks on the outside appeared to have turned dark brown due to age, and although the color seemed dull, there was also a sense of profound antiquity.

The car stopped at the estate's main gate, which was designed with a heavy, double-gabled door. The pine doors, reinforced with copper bands, weighed at least several hundred pounds.

Watching two men who appeared to be servants struggling to open the heavy doors, which creaked loudly, Yu Chen could deeply sense the doors' defensive power during the age of cold weapons, even without Hiromi Jounouchi explaining it at his side.

"It seems they're treating us like honored guests! Doors like these in a samurai residence would only be opened for distinguished visitors or when the master of the house is going out and wouldn't be opened lightly otherwise," Hiromi Jounouchi explained to Yu Chen in a soft voice, watching the doors that were now fully open.

Listening to Hiromi Jounouchi's quiet explanation by his side, Yu Chen couldn't deny and slightly nodded his head. He was more interested in Hiromi Jounouchi's understanding of these matters than the reception he was given.

In fact, on this trip to Kanazawa, Yu Chen discovered that Hiromi Jounouchi had a very interesting hobby – she loved traditional Japanese architecture.

Whether it was the traditional Japanese style of the Edo Period, the western influences of the Meiji Era, the mixed Eastern and Western culture of the Taisho era, or even the modern architecture of the Showa Era, Hiromi Jounouchi loved them all and spoke about them with expertise.

Yu Chen naturally didn't mind his girlfriend's little hobby. On the contrary, such interests might not seem useful on a daily basis, merely topics of conversation; but at crucial times like this, they could be a great help.

Not to mention, Hiromi Jounouchi's explanation of the wide-open doors alone allowed Yu Chen to understand the level of hospitality he was receiving and how he should respond in kind.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

A wise wife ensures her husband avoids disaster, the ancients did not deceive.

The gate Yu Chen and Hiromi Jounouchi entered was the main gate of the estate, which led to a small open area, a corridor, and the main building directly facing the gate.

Under Hiromi Jounouchi's explanation, Yu Chen understood that this area used to be the preparation area for the master's carriage and horses, the corridor was where ordinary guests would wait for the master's summons, and the main building facing the gate, called the "zashiki," was the living room where the master would usually receive visitors.

After removing their shoes under the corridor and placing them on an specially arranged stone, Yu Chen and Hiromi Jounouchi followed an elderly man's guidance into the ancient estate.

The elderly man didn't lead Yu Chen and Hiromi Jounouchi to the zashiki, which served as the living room; instead, he guided them through the corridor to a smaller room behind the zashiki.

In the room, the son of the elderly lady Yu Chen and Hiromi Jounouchi had met before was seated in the traditional "seiza" kneeling position at the room's main seat, waiting for their arrival.

"Head of the family, Doctor Chen Yu and Doctor Jounouchi Hiromi have arrived," announced an elder by the door of the small room. After receiving permission from someone inside, he gestured Chen Yu and Jounouchi Hiromi to enter, leading them into the room.

"Doctor Chen, Doctor Jounouchi, have you both arrived? Please, take a seat," said the man seated in the place of honor as the elder led them in. He immediately stood up from the cushion, welcoming them.

Once Chen Yu and Jounouchi Hiromi were seated, the man and the elder sat back down together.

"Previously, when my mother suddenly fell ill, had it not been for your rescue, I dread to think what might have happened. To offer such a hasty thanks for such a great kindness was impolite of me. Please allow me to express my gratitude once again.

I am very thankful to both of you for saving my mother's life!" As soon as the man began to speak, he expressed his gratitude to Chen Yu and Jounouchi Hiromi. From his sincere demeanor, it was clear that he indeed was a filial son.

After a round of pleasantries and small talk, Chen Yu finally learned that the man's name was Maeda Toshitoku, the current head of the Maeda family. The elder named Okumura Eren, was a retainer of the Maeda family.

Of course, the title of head of the Maeda family that Maeda Toshitoku held did not refer to the main family of the Maeda clan. The head of the Maeda clan's main family was Maeda Toshiyasu, who was currently appointed by the Imperial Household Agency to manage the archives. Maeda Toshitoku was only the head of a branch family.

"Since she is the mother of the head of the Maeda family, why would she be going out alone? And looking at the old lady's condition at the time, her cancer seemed quite serious. Logically, she should be admitted for healing treatment. Is it possible that her condition was not discovered earlier?" After some casual conversation, Chen Yu inquired about his concern.

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The elderly lady had been taken to the hospital for surgery, and as the chief surgeon, Chen Yu, of course, knew about her condition. Now that he understood her distinguished status, he naturally wondered about her health situation.

Maeda Toshitoku appeared somewhat embarrassed when he heard Chen Yu's question, but Okumura Eren explained, "We have always been aware of the old madam's health. However, since her youth, she disliked having people serve her closely. The head of the family tried several times to have retainers accompany the old madam.

But she sent them away with scolding, which led to her being out on the streets alone. As for the healing treatment..."

Okumura Eren's expression became noticeably opaque. After studying Chen Yu carefully, he tentatively began to ask, "Doctor Chen comes from Tokyo. I wonder if you have heard of the Japan Mystery Enthusiasts Association?"

Okumura Eren was obviously a Supernaturalist, and moreover, an expert-level Samurai professional above the formal rank, a strong individual who would have been honored as a Sword Master during the Warring States period. Ordinary people would certainly be seen through at a glance, yet he couldn't see through Chen Yu.

This is why he tentatively asked whether Chen Yu was a Supernaturalist while also explaining the reason why the old lady was unwilling to be admitted for healing treatment.

Understanding Okumura Eren's implication, Chen Yu immediately grasped the underlying meaning.

The Maeda family was a well-known samurai household. Although they did not achieve much during the Meiji Restoration due to backing the wrong side at the end of the Edo period and only managed a marquisate from their Kaga Million Koku, they were still a prominent samurai family and an important member of the Hua Clan.

With ancestors like Maeda Toshiie and Maeda Keiji, who were famous samurai, it wasn't strange that even the drivers of the branch family's cars were formal rank Supernaturalists. Hence, knowledge of the Supernaturalist Association was not surprising.

"The old lady didn't seek healing because..." Chen Yu hesitated to speak plainly due to Jounouchi Hiromi's presence. But since Okumura Eren had mentioned it to Chen Yu, he would naturally understand his meaning, and without further explanation, he simply nodded.