I found the blue hydrangeas mentioned by the musician, followed them through the forest to a cracked tomb. Inside, I discovered the map of a painting pointing to a nearby island surrounded by blue flowers. After dodging a masked archer's warning shot and rescuing a captured peasant, I set off toward the island.
I found the blue hydrangeas just like the musician mentioned, signaling that I must be close to the secret. Knowing these flowers held the key to Uchitsune's legend, I began following the blue hydrangeas out of the bamboo forest, keeping my eyes fixed on the vibrant trail.
The path led me to a ancient tomb, and I found its heavy entrance surprisingly cracked open. It was strange to see such a sacred place disturbed, but it was clear this was where I needed to go. I squeezed inside through the narrow gap
I discovered a small resting place containing a map painted on a scroll. The artwork depicted an island completely surrounded by blue flowers, matching the mysterious trail I had been following. It was clear that Uchitsune's resting place held the answers, but to find the cursed bow, I needed to locate that island next.
When I turned to leave, I realized the original entry path I used to get inside the tomb was no longer easily accessible. I had to scramble up a high ledge, searching for an alternative path to climb out of the tomb.
Just as I reached the light near the exit, a sudden voice broke the silence. A tengu-masked man stood above, shouting at me to stop searching for the cursed bow. Before I could respond, he drew his bow and fired a warning shot.
He warned that death awaited anyone who pursued Uchitsune’s weapon, then vanished into the shadows.
Ignoring his threat, I set out toward Hiyoshi to search for the island depicted in the painting. As I made my way toward the coast, I passed a grim scene along the path. A man had been tied up and burned to death, a brutal reminder of the cruel Mongol presence in the area.
Pressing forward, I soon reached the outskirts of Hiyoshi, only to find a small patrol of Mongol soldiers occupying the area. They had captured a local peasant and were holding him hostage. I decided against a direct standoff, choosing instead to close the distance and engage them in melee combat.
One brute stepped forward, wielding a massive sword and a heavy shield that rendered my standard parries useless. Recognizing the threat, I quickly shifted to my water stance, dodging his heavy swings before breaking his guard with a flurry of rapid strikes.
Once the last enemy fell, I cut the bindings on the terrified peasant and set him free. Grateful for his life, he handed me a small token of appreciation before running off to safety.
Realizing this location was merely a landmark along the search area, I opened my map to reorient myself. I realized I had misjudged my initial path slightly while navigating the terrain, but with the coastline now in view, I set off toward the water to find the island.
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