Chapter 123: 【four Extremes Breathing Technique】, True Sword Match Seven Days Later
So big.
This is…
So white.
This… right, right?
Big and white.
No, no!
Dazed Shangshan Che was stunned by this suddenly appearing snowy mountain spectacle for a good while before sensing the surging flow of Corona Qi in his body, realizing he wasn’t dreaming.
Lightly sniffing the thick mint tobacco scent lingering at his nose, Shangshan Che carefully picked up the button in front of him with his fingers and placed it on the tie dangling over the hospital bed surface.
He slightly shifted his gaze, and after seeing the extremely familiar furnishings and scenery, confirmed this was the hospital room in the Special Affairs Office.
Except for this door not remodeled into a prison, everything else seemed like a one-to-one replica.
“Are all Special Affairs Office hospital rooms carved from the same mold… Even the artificial flowers on the windowsill are the same kind.”
Shangshan Che grumbled slightly in his heart, then touched his chest, feeling the intact sensation.
He slightly lifted the clean white down quilt and shook his feet, which sent no hint of abnormality.
These two severe injuries caused by the Ju-Hina Yako Master had now healed completely without leaving any aftereffects, and without any internal prosthetics or steel nails loaded.
Gotta say, the Special Affairs Office’s medical level is top-notch.
After confirming no more issues with his body, Shangshan Che held his breath and turned his head to look at Sister Nanjo, who was lying prone on the hospital bed breathing evenly.
Those two majestic snowy mountains even changed elevation with her breathing, slowly swallowing and spitting the black tie ridge.
But Shangshan Che didn’t focus much on that.
He stared at Sister Nanjo’s serene and peaceful face for a bit, discovering that this woman, who usually appeared cold and restrained outside but became extremely unreliable after drinking, could actually show such an expression.
It felt like a serious sense of incongruity… no less than Miss Tokugawa’s front armor thickened tenfold.
Shangshan Che blinked, noticing a pile of documents scattered beside Sister Nanjo’s hand, flipped only halfway without signatures.
Her right index and middle fingers even clamped a slender steel pen, ink dripping from the tip, already staining a small patch of the white bedding.
She was handling official business while staying by my hospital bed? Sister Nanjo, you…
Shangshan Che sighed, quietly reaching out to extract the steel pen from Sister Nanjo’s hand without disturbing her.
With a click, Shangshan Che grasped the pen body, wanting to pull it out at lightning speed.
Corona Qi silently surged to his fingertips, Shangshan Che gripped hard with five fingers, yet that unremarkable black steel pen didn’t budge.
A bone-chilling cold gaze suddenly filled the entire hospital room, making Shangshan Che’s spine shiver.
But the next moment, the steel pen was pulled out with a “pop” by Shangshan Che, followed by a lazy voice: “I wondered who it was… Shangshan Jun, you’re awake…”
Sister Nanjo sleepily rubbed her eyes, slowly straightening her body; the shirt already snapped open by the pressure slid even more uncontrollably to the sides.
The snowy mountains in the middle trembled and rose, turning from winding Alps into towering Mount Everest, almost giving a sense of bursting out.
“Ahem, Sister Nanjo, mind your image a bit.”
Shangshan Che averted his gaze, staring at the vase on the windowsill, earnestly warning: “It’s cold, dress properly, don’t catch a cold.”
“Hm?”
Sister Nanjo was still in that dazed just-woke-up state, half-opening her eyes and aimlessly turning her head several times before finally picking up the snapped button from the bedding with her fingers.
She tsked displeasedly,
“Should’ve been diligent back then and swapped for a size larger; now I gotta buy a new one, more trouble.”
Sister Nanjo looked down for a good while longer before tapping her head with her finger, reacting to what was going on.
She lightly quirked her lip, not fastening the buttons of the loose-fitting wide suit draped over her, instead leaning forward curiously with hands behind her back toward Shangshan Che,
“Shangshan Jun, embarrassed?”
Shangshan Che stared at the vase, eyes straight ahead: “Just the season change; don’t want Sister Nanjo catching a cold and affecting work.”
Sister Nanjo rarely showed a hint of smile, standing from the standard low stool, rubbing her somewhat numb buttocks from sitting too long, raising both hands for a full stretch,
“Finally not under the same roof with those guys who might hinder my career; give me a break too, breathe some fresh air.”
The woman chuckled lightly: “Besides, this level is nothing… It’s not a situation you intentionally caused, Shangshan Jun; you’re not some married man.”
Sister Nanjo shrugged at him, speaking in an indifferent tone amid the earth-shaking movement,
“So if you want to stay true to your thoughts, glancing a few more times won’t hurt… I’m not the bad superior who grabs some little handle and makes you do things with ‘you wouldn’t want others knowing you did this.'”
She took a cigarette from her pocket, waved it in front of Shangshan Che before lighting it in her mouth: “As for being a superior, I pride myself on doing decently.”
Shangshan Che shifted his gaze from the windowsill vase to Kaga Kiyomitsu leaning against the wall, took a deep breath, then calmly said,
“I still say the same, Sister Nanjo: catching a cold affects work efficiency; piling up more work later won’t be good.”
Sister Nanjo glanced at the screen showing 26° on the AC, smiled,
“Then let’s talk work as much as possible.”
Slightly sorting the documents scattered on the bed, Sister Nanjo stood by and spent three cigarettes’ time handling them.
Midway, listening to the tune Sister Nanjo hummed, Shangshan Che understood this was his nominal superior’s relaxed posture.
Though Shangshan Che didn’t quite get why Sister Nanjo, who kept reasonable social distance from most people, could relax like this in front of him.
But it was a good thing.
Sister Nanjo now not only had to spin nonstop handling mountains of paperwork but also go on business trips everywhere daily, negotiating with Ghost God level figures nationwide… Calling her ultimate 007 wouldn’t be overkill.
No matter who, if strung too tight for too long, that string in the heart will eventually snap or lose its original elasticity.
No matter the method or place, people need to relax now and then for better mental recovery.
Tap tap.
The sound of thick documents hitting the wooden table came; Sister Nanjo picked up another blank document, plopping down beside Shangshan Che’s thigh.
Shangshan Che was stunned for a moment.
“Since you said talk work, let’s first routinely record matters related to that Three-Star Demon.”
Sister Nanjo said, filling in the basic info on the document in a few strokes.
And only after that black steel pen waved in front of Shangshan Che several times did he snap back.
Then, under Sister Nanjo’s subtle gaze, he casually began recounting matters related to the Ju-Hina Yako Master.
Shangshan Che didn’t think much of it.
If an earthquake or avalanche natural wonder suddenly happened right in front of you, staring blankly for seconds is normal; it’s human nature.
Some time later.
“So the only remaining issue is that 【Goto Bathhouse】 in Yuhara River Town.”
Sister Nanjo propped her elbow on her waist, staring at the upper half of the document in hand.
“Theoretically yes.” Shangshan Che thought, continuing, “But I think those two, likely Yako’s parents’ earthbound spirits, aren’t very aggressive.”
—Because those two earthbound spirits understood his words quickly and let him leave, Shangshan Che felt worth putting in a good word for them.
Otherwise, if he took down those earthbound spirits with home advantage and extreme vitality, whether that big group of monks at Hongyuan Temple lived or not would be questionable.
“Got it.”
Sister Nanjo nodded, added a line at the end of the file, sealed it with Onmyōdō, then stuffed it into what seemed a special cowhide bag.
Next, Shangshan Che saw Sister Nanjo pick up the apple long placed on the bedside table, wash it in the restroom, and come out with a small knife.
Sister Nanjo sat cross-legged on the bed, dried the apple surface with Onmyōdō, then picked up the small knife to peel the apple skin bit by bit.
Shangshan Che puzzledly asked: “Sister Nanjo, what are you doing?”
“Peeling a big apple, can’t you see?”
Sister Nanjo circled the blade over the apple skin, from top to bottom.
You’re really doing this.
Shangshan Che was somewhat speechless, but soon drawn to Sister Nanjo’s hand movements.
—If looked at carefully longer, one could see every circle of apple peel Sister Nanjo made was uniformly thick, with no excess peel left.
The apple peels dangled down circle by circle, forming a long string.
“Sister Nanjo’s hand control is this good?” Shangshan Che couldn’t help guessing, “Has she trained in Breathing Technique?”
But soon, Shangshan Che realized even the super big white tender apple stripped of its coat wasn’t as majestic as the tip of the iceberg.
Amid the blade scraping apple peel sounds, Sister Nanjo seemed to remember something, rocking her thick black-stockinged feet as she spoke:
“When I watched anime before, female characters visiting hospital patients always brought fruit baskets and peeled apples for nearly discharged patients; the atmosphere would turn warm instantly.”
“So I wanted to try what it feels like.”
Seems like it really is.
Shangshan Che’s interest piqued; he asked: “So, what does it feel like?”
Crunch.
With the blade slipping, the bare apple was held in Sister Nanjo’s hand.
She picked up the long winding apple peel wrapped around her fingers, raised her head to eat it bite by bite into her mouth, then chewed thoughtfully.
After a while, Sister Nanjo turned to Shangshan Che, looking into his eyes seriously: “Actually, nothing special.”
Crunch crunch crunch, the apple was divided into many pieces, falling onto a porcelain plate Sister Nanjo got from somewhere.
She stuck a toothpick in and handed it to Shangshan Che.
All that anticipation for nothing.
Shangshan Che took the fruit plate, thanked her, then chomped down apple pieces one by one.
“Shangshan Jun, actually many things in this world are like this.”
Sister Nanjo stared at the ceiling: “Passed down wrongly, taken out of context, beautified by filters—so before doing something or becoming someone, there are always many unrealistic beautiful fantasies.”
“Only after really doing it do you suddenly realize things aren’t quite as imagined.”
Shangshan Che thought to himself he was just eating apple, why suddenly tell him this.
What’s this got to do with the apple.
Sister Nanjo seemed to see through his thoughts, turning her head and unceremoniously taking a piece from the fruit plate: “I just don’t want you turning as awkward as me.”
“So, Shangshan Jun.” Sister Nanjo held the apple flesh up between their sights, “Think more before acting.”
“Sister Nanjo.”
Nodding, Shangshan Che suddenly asked: “How many days was I asleep?”
Sister Nanjo: “About two days plus; your injuries were pretty serious.”
Shangshan Che nodded understandingly; since Sister Nanjo hadn’t shown her hand yet, it was time for him to make her reveal it,
“Then why could you stay with me over two days straight?”
“Superior caring for subordinate—isn’t that natural? So many whys?”
Shangshan Che smiled: “Sister Nanjo, you expect me to buy that nonsense? Whatever you need, just say it directly; no need to beat around the bush between us, let’s be straight.”
He added: “If you keep hesitating, I might head back to Arakawa Ward to train with Lili Zi.”
Sister Nanjo propped hands on the bed, glancing away: “Ah, seen through.”
“Didn’t think I’d become the kind of person I used to hate most.”
Sister Nanjo sighed, continuing: “Seven days from now, Special Affairs Office has an important True Sword Match at Yokohama’s old dojo ‘Obscure Moon Hall’.”
“I’ve negotiated with them, so this match decides if Arakawa Ward Special Affairs Office can expand influence across Yokohama City and promote the system.”
Sister Nanjo: “Obscure Moon Hall doesn’t care about new or old eras, or supernatural knowledge circulation—to them, as long as it slays demons.”
She continued,
“What we need to do is prove to these demon slayers that as new generation, the geniuses fostered by our Special Affairs Office system are stronger than theirs.”
“That way, Obscure Moon Hall won’t hinder our ‘misleading youth’ and will side with us as actual allies.”
True Sword Match.
As the name implies, both sides use edged true swords for the bout, not weaker wooden or bamboo swords, so very prone to casualties.
Even if both agree to stop at contact, if one harbors other intentions, it leads to real life-or-death fierce battle outcomes.
Even if both intend to stop at contact, similar strength can accidentally slay the opponent.
By the time you think to pull back, it’s too late.
Shangshan Che rubbed his hands, feeling itchy again: “Why not say earlier?”
“—Because I feared telling you would make you ignore your condition for various reasons and force entry into this True Sword Match.”
“—Having you join the seed match like others in a month, then the Imperial Grand Competition after, already seriously disrupts your personal cultivation, Shangshan Jun.”
Sister Nanjo raised a finger to her lips: “In short, ‘for your own good,’ so I didn’t want to tell you.”
—Sister Nanjo, are you my mom?
Such thoughts resurfaced in Shangshan Che’s mind after a long time; he rubbed his temple, feeling slightly annoyed.
Sister Nanjo wanted to hide the True Sword Match over such trivial worry—did she think he was an immature kid who couldn’t weigh pros and cons himself?
But she seemed aware of it, hence those words.
Too indecisive, Sister Nanjo.
But—
Shangshan Che pondered: “If it’s sword technique contest, calling Lili Zi with far superior sword attainment wouldn’t it be easy win? She now masters the supreme skill Sword Domain said only ancient Sword Masters knew.”
“Said it, it’s 【True Sword Match】.”
Sister Nanjo said: “The deadly kind… No strict limits on contestant strength, as long as not obvious old gen vs new gen.”
So that’s it.
Just Lili Zi alone indeed wouldn’t do.
Though Lili Zi’s sword technique and state of mind surpassed most peers.
But in true combat power, Lili Zi who contacted supernatural just days ago was far inferior to many cultivators.
Possible to be purely crushed by stats.
“Moreover.” Sister Nanjo stood to rummage, tossing him a document, “Rules ban thermal weapons but no other taboos; who knows what weird tricks their contestants have.”
“—Though I think Obscure Moon Hall has no need for so-called cheating, but if those are conventional to them?”
Sister Nanjo spread hands: “Plus, they even prepared special grounds to test new thermal weapons’ power; those demon slayers really care only about slaying demons.”
Shangshan Che got it.
Because besides practicing sword technique and Breathing Technique, he dabbled in Onmyōdō, contracted a shikigami, and once solo-slayed a Three-Star Demon, chased a Two-and-a-Half Star nue to death…
Such illustrious battle records dwarfed new recruits and students Special Affairs Office scouted and trained from the masses after the Tide.
Let alone Arakawa Ward currently having only him as seed.
So-called S-grade was mixed bag, with not-weak swordsmen like Lili Zi, and ultimate newbies like Runa almost no different from normals.
—Thus, if entering the fray, he’d likely shoulder most pressure.
“Besides that.”
Sister Nanjo suddenly spoke: “Miss Tokugawa might not take the field publicly either; trouble if issues arise.”
Trouble?
Shangshan Che thought briefly—Is Lili Zi some public figure?
Moments later, he recalled that roadside cur named Tokugawa Haruhiko met at Special Affairs Office doorway before.
Shangshan Che probed: “Tokugawa Family?”
Sister Nanjo wasn’t surprised he knew those three words.
She nodded, propping chin on wrist gravely: “Masters of one of the 【Four Extremes Breathing Technique】, standing at the pinnacle of all Breathing Techniques, all samurai—the Tokugawa Family.”
“Beyond vast wealth to stir financial tides, they possess power safeguarding it for centuries.”
Shangshan Che was slightly stunned.
Sounds so impressive?
Lili Zi is from such a colossal entity.
Before meeting Tokugawa Haruhiko, he thought Lili Zi just shared the surname coincidentally.
Otherwise, how could Lili Zi stay mediocre until meeting Yuya, then first learn Breathing Technique and skyrocket.
She even nearly got taken by a mere Half-Star kitsune-dog before.
Shangshan Che couldn’t help asking: “Then Lili Zi…”
“—I don’t know Tokugawa Family internals.”
Shangshan Che’s words were cut off.
Sister Nanjo exhaled: “Who knows why Tokugawa Family tossed such sword prodigy outside casually; maybe impure bloodline? Who knows… I don’t know, don’t care.”
She said flatly: “As long as Miss Tokugawa’s heart isn’t there; I can tell.”
—Then later, he’d find a chance to ask Lili Zi himself.
Guided by her so long, if she had unspeakable troubles, he should help as able.
Decision made, Shangshan Che smiled again.
No wonder Sister Nanjo didn’t want to tell him about True Sword Match earlier.
If even Lili Zi struggled to compete, it’d be him solo-carrying against all their competitors.
But such absurd things rare in society or workplace?
Could only say Sister Nanjo was too conscientious as superior.
“Though personally, I have no issue.”
Shangshan Che licked his lips, murmuring eagerly while cracking knuckles.
Seven full days to True Sword Match start; even now unsure against those illustrious demon slayers in the docs solo.
But seven days.
In seven days, how much proficiency gained, how many skills break limits to new levels…
Not only that, Four-Tailed Fox promotion completes, Kisaragi Station likely resolved, new weapon gear drawn, maybe even Hundred-Eyed Demon from new gacha pool.
Could say, Shangshan Che seven days hence would qualitatively differ from now.
Such cheat-like strengthening speed, except unreasonable breakers like Lili Zi who breakthrough randomly, who else could keep up?
Shangshan Che showed Sister Nanjo a kind sunny smile: “Sister Nanjo, please register me for True Sword Match.”
Seeing her nod, Shangshan Che grinned inwardly with pleasure.
—I’m really looking forward to how much proficiency and extra surprises those little fellows’ experience packs bring in seven days.
After discussing the “heaviest” True Sword Match topic, Sister Nanjo returned to her somewhat lazy relaxed demeanor.
“If no other matters, about time to head back to Arakawa Ward.”
Mentioning Arakawa Ward evoked dark endless work for Sister Nanjo.
She sighed heavily, white shirt rippling: “Shangshan Jun, your injuries should be fully recovered, right.”
“One thing I’m curious about.”
Shangshan Che seriously asked: “The Tokugawa Family mastering 【Four Extremes Breathing Technique】 earlier—what differs from other Breathing Techniques?”
“Naturally.”
Sister Nanjo seemed sat out, waving for Shangshan Che to scoot over, then lay at bed tail blocking eyes with hand, slowly speaking,
“Like Onmyōdō, Breathing Techniques have inherent grades, or classes—anyway, you get it.”
“—Incomplete, Complete, Secret Realm, Four Extremes. Breathing Technique’s four tiers.”
Shangshan Che narrowed eyes; this flash of vast reflective white dazzled him.
He heard Sister Nanjo conserving energy whisper: “Like your Corona Breathing Technique, it’s 【Complete】 grade; most in Onmyo-ryo or Special Affairs Office are too.”
“While 【Four Extremes】, as named, top four among all Breathing Techniques—not from start, but history proves their might.”
“Thus, only Three Great Families master Four Extremes Breathing Techniques.”
Not the usual four heavenly kings are five; here one less?
Shangshan Che: “Three Great Families?”
“—Tokugawa, Kujo-in, Minamoto Family.”
Sister Nanjo paused specially here, moving hand; deep pupils seemed to reflect blurry figures: “Plus a generationally passed Sword Saint.”
“Bet you wondered earlier what 【Imperial Grand Competition】 exactly is.”
“Simple.” Sister Nanjo said.
“A 【negotiation table】 letting all—hermit Onmyoji Families, Three Great Families including Tokugawa, our Special Affairs Office, Onmyo-ryo, all notable influences—sit to talk.”
Shangshan Che puzzled: “If Tokugawa Family has money and fists, why sit at this table? Would they?”
To Shangshan Che, contradictions between such attitude-showing ancient families and Special Affairs Office were irreconcilable.
Let alone sitting to talk.
What to talk? How to bullet into opponent’s skull?
For such stubborn fossils, no more hesitation or futile talks—must heavy punch!
“—Sword Saint will make them willing.”
Sister Nanjo said calmly, as if tomorrow’s sun rising.
Sword Saint, Sword Saint.
Instinct told Shangshan Che these two words from Sister Nanjo differed from commonplace ones.
As Sister Nanjo said before, Imperial Grand Competition tradition lasted very long.
Pre-Tide, top Great Onmyoji strengths were similar.
So how powerful was Sword Saint to single-handedly make all Onmyoji and samurai bow heads obediently, sit amicably for talks?
Beep beep beep.
Sister Nanjo’s mobile phone suddenly rang.
She held it to ear, responded a few times, then sat up.
Sister Nanjo schooled her unreliable expressions, used spiritual power to seal open shirt, pulled out embedded tie corner, then buttoned suit buttons one by one into gaps.
“Shangshan Jun, time to go.”
“Break’s over.” She glanced back indifferently, “Someone’s waiting.”
“Okay.”
Shangshan Che nodded, hopped off bed, grabbed Kaga Kiyomitsu against wall.
Then, an indescribable feeling arose in him; massive prompts appeared before Shangshan Che’s eyes.
