Chapter 210: New Secret Technique Darkness Sword! Fang Xiang Shi Reappears, Second Effect Of The Rin Character Technique!
In the heavy rain.
Two clusters floating in mid-air, blazing hot flames burning fiercely, the expressions on the human heads at the center of the flames growing increasingly ferocious and pained, making the crimson fire grow even larger.
——【Essence of Cong Yuan Huo（Two-and-a-Half Star）】.
“A two-and-a-half star demon, truly terrifying.”
Shangshan Che exclaimed, “If it were the old me seeing you at such close distance, I’d definitely be roasted into a pile of charcoal.”
The two clusters of Essence of Cong Yuan Huo turned a deaf ear, floating over one from the left and one from the right, intending to surround and burn him, to harvest his pain.
The heat penetrated through the rainwater, landing on Shangshan Che’s skin.
“But unfortunately.”
He reached out with a virtual grip, saying with utmost seriousness, “I’m no longer the me of before.”
Boom!
The two clusters of Essence of Cong Yuan Huo shifted from stillness to motion, as if by prior agreement, pouncing over from ten meters away in an instant!
They evaporated all the moisture along their path completely dry, sending scalding steam surging skyward.
While Shangshan Che, their attack target, did not move.
Or rather, he had already moved.
Drip.
Intact raindrops trickled over Shangshan Che’s still ice-cold fingertips, falling into the extremely sticky mud at his feet.
Just like the countless raindrops falling from the sky throughout Edo Castle.
Shangshan Che did not turn his head for another look, instead calmly releasing his hands, inserting them into his pockets, and walking toward the Nameless Swordsman’s residence in his memory.
Patter patter.
Only when he was about to reach the end of this short street did two streaks of pale white lightning arrive belatedly, erupting from the distorted human heads in the center of those two clusters of Essence of Cong Yuan Huo…
With a tremendous boom!
Countless azure-purple electric arcs surged wildly from the elongated rift, illuminating the profound sky of Edo Castle’s rainy night.
【You killed Essence of Cong Yuan Huo（Two-and-a-Half Star）, obtained 272 points of Soul Ash!】
【You killed Essence of Cong Yuan Huo（Two-and-a-Half Star）, obtained 251 points of Soul Ash!】
【You obtained Essence of Cong Yuan Huo!】
The proficiency prompts were almost negligible.
“Huff…”
A dragon-like Qi Barrier was gently exhaled by Shangshan Che, then dispersed by his wave until not a trace remained.
He toyed with the crimson little bead in his hand, holding it nostalgically before his eyes.
“This essence is of much lower quality than the one Sister Nanjo gave me.”
Rubbing the glass bead-like surface of the essence, Shangshan Che this time had no intention of using it to enhance Kaga Kiyomitsu.
The current Kaga Kiyomitsu, even without a bug-level talent skill like Soul Enhancement for self-reinforcement, could not be significantly improved by a mere high-quality essence.
Shangshan Che walked precisely down the center of the road.
This time, even without deliberately walking in the shadows to hide his figure, no reckless demons approached, attempting to treat him as blood food.
Wandering Samurai prowling the streets and alleys instinctively changed direction upon sensing his presence, while hungry gazes from thatched cottages carried greed mixed with fear.
Shangshan Che looked up again and spotted at the edge of his vision a powerful demon with a stunningly beautiful upper body but eight segmented legs covered in thick black bristles on the lower body.
——【Jorōgumo（Three-and-a-Half Star）】.
The woman dressed in silk clothes happened to turn her head toward him as well.
Neither stopped their steps; only their gazes crossed.
Shangshan Che’s gaze was indifferent.
Jorōgumo slightly lowered her head toward him, revealing a pitiable expression.
“This Jorōgumo has grown much stronger in this time.”
After confirming the other was not following, Shangshan Che thought silently to himself.
This was the best possible outcome.
A three-and-a-half star Jorōgumo was not weak from any perspective.
His purpose here was to seek the Nameless Swordsman, not to sweep away demons for Soul Ash.
Moreover.
Shangshan Che could sense that in this Edo Castle, aside from those Oni Warriors, there were extremely anomalous great terrors that had yet to appear.
Thus, even with sufficient strength, he did not arrogantly pursue and slaughter demons within sensing range, engaging in a killing spree.
……
With no obstructions, in just twenty short minutes, Shangshan Che, having dispelled his incarnation, arrived at the doorway of the Nameless Swordsman’s residence.
Passing the small cat stone sculpture guarding the gate, Shangshan Che gently pulled the door knocker twice.
Dong, dong.
Soon, the door opened.
With a creak, the wooden door swung open to both sides, and a thicker rotten smell than last time surged toward Shangshan Che’s…
He sniffed and found no difference in the scent.
So, this rotten smell was perceived by his Clear Mirror in the heart.
Morbid and aged.
Shangshan Che felt upon “smelling” this odor.
Shangshan Che stepped into the courtyard and, as before, reached the widely open doorway of the dojo.
The empty dojo appeared exceptionally desolate under the reflection of the heavy rain.
Narrowing his eyes again, he could see the Nameless Swordsman still sitting motionless in the center of the dojo.
He was still wearing that conical hat.
Just as Shangshan Che was about to step over the dojo threshold, he inexplicably felt a vague sensation.
It seemed that stepping into this dojo would plunge him into some unknown great terror.
No, not right.
Seizing this sensation, Shangshan Che shuddered in shock.
This feeling should not be limited to this small dojo.
But centered on the entire courtyard… no!
It had already extended from the courtyard deep into Edo Castle, unknown how far!
Shangshan Che suddenly realized—this was the reason no demons were around.
Any demon stepping into this “range” would face the strike of this unknown great terror.
But what was it?
Sword Domain?
But Shangshan Che had experienced Lili Zi’s Sword Domain up close, and it did not feel like this.
Not quite certain.
But one thing was certain: as a swordsman of the Natural Reason School, the Nameless Swordsman far surpassed both him and Lili Zi in strength and sword technique attainment.
Thinking of this, Shangshan Che could not help shaking his head with a wry smile inwardly.
This was only natural.
The Nameless Swordsman was so aged, who knew how many years he had lived.
While Lili Zi was only how many years old?
Just turned eighteen, probably.
He thought no more and stepped into the dojo with one foot, causing the edge of the Nameless Swordsman’s conical hat to tremble slightly.
The hoarse breathing sound echoed in the dojo again after a long interval.
Shangshan Che clearly felt his waist being appraised, then heard a raspy voice,
“It’s only been a few days, yet you’ve truly stepped onto the path of Skill and Reason…”
The surprise in the words flashed and passed, replaced by amusement: “However, as expected of Shangshan Che…”
The Nameless Swordsman laboriously raised his head,
“Come, sit.”
Shangshan Che said nothing more, sitting cross-legged opposite the swordsman whose skin was dull yellowish-brown, muscles nearly gone, merely sagging over the bones.
The Nameless Swordsman said softly,
“Since you’ve chosen Skill and Reason, I have no qualification to instruct you anymore.”
Shangshan Che was taken aback.
What did that mean?
As if reading his thoughts, the Nameless Swordsman seamlessly continued from Shangshan Che’s mind,
“Because the path of Skill and Reason each person treads is completely different.
Those around may seem like fellow travelers, but the great path is bitterly cold, with only oneself walking alone…”
“The words of others are like firefly light, real yet illusory.”
The Nameless Swordsman’s coarse veil shook,
“From now on, no one can help you on this.”
Shangshan Che silently nodded.
——Lili Zi had only taught him general methods, perhaps for this reason as well.
Letting the heavy rain fall for a while, the Nameless Swordsman changed the subject: “But there is still a Secret Technique.”
He asked, “Shangshan Che, can you demonstrate Three-stage Thrust for me once?”
“Sure.”
Shangshan Che stood immediately, reached out, gripped the intangible “Kaga Kiyomitsu” brought by Skill and Reason in his hand, and casually assumed the starting stance.
For him now, using Three-stage Thrust had become instinct like eating or drinking; even without a stance, he could execute it effortlessly in a flash.
Under the Nameless Swordsman’s quiet gaze, three intangible sword lights emerged from the void and vanished at the same point in the same instant.
He could not help praising, “Flawless foundation.”
Shangshan Che shrugged: “Every swordsman daring to tread the path of Skill and Reason should have such a foundation.”
“Haha…”
The Nameless Swordsman suddenly laughed without reason: “Shangshan Che, do you know Darkness Sword?”
Darkness Sword was a higher-level Secret Technique in the Natural Reason School.
Even when breaking through to Expert Level, Shangshan Che had not received related memories.
This showed its immense value.
Shangshan Che nodded: “I’ve seen someone use it before.”
——During sparring, Lili Zi had used it right before his eyes more than once.
The Nameless Swordsman asked again: “So, what did it feel like?”
“Fast.”
Shangshan Che answered without thinking: “Incomparably fast.”
The Darkness Sword Lili Zi executed was incomparably faster than the sword lights appearing without warning in her Sword Domain.
“That one must have been quite straightforward.”
Hearing this, Shangshan Che blinked.
In a sense, yes.
Ignoring Shangshan Che’s thoughts, the Nameless Swordsman slowly raised his withered finger, a trace of pride emerging in his raspy tone,
“What I’m teaching you is fundamentally based on【nothing】.”
“——The ‘strongest’ Darkness Sword.”
The Nameless Swordsman waved his finger, and two faint sword lights collided before Shangshan Che’s eyes.
Then vanished.
“Fast can be countered by simply being faster.”
“But【nothing】 is different.” He said, “If you can’t even sense it, how can you target or counter it?”
Pausing deliberately here, the Nameless Swordsman asked Shangshan Che,
“Want to learn?”
“Yes.”
Without the slightest hesitation, Shangshan Che sat back down, gazing intently at the Nameless Swordsman: “Please teach me this Darkness Sword of【nothing】.”
“Hahahaha!!!”
For some reason, the nearby Nameless Swordsman burst into laughter, clapping vigorously and heartily: “Then come on!”
“——Since Shangshan Che you want to learn, what reason do I have not to teach!”
The laughter and profound darkness enveloped Shangshan Che together.
Squeak, squeak~
Amid the bird calls, the somewhat confused Shangshan Che opened his eyes again.
But the wooden planks and furnishings before him were brand new, nothing like the empty, decaying dojo.
The conical hat-wearing Nameless Swordsman was nowhere to be seen.
He turned his head and saw brilliant sunlight and a scene of birdsong and flowers.
Further away came the sounds of children playing.
What is this sit…
Shangshan Che’s thought had not fully formed before it was abruptly interrupted.
Leaving only that sneering elderly voice.
“——Where are you looking, Shangshan Che.”
A moment of daze.
Shangshan Che opened his eyes again, the vibrant scene re-entering his view.
What was that just now…
Before the thought could land, a thick premonition of death filled Shangshan Che’s mind.
His pupils contracted sharply, instinctively raising his sword to block!
But he blocked nothing.
Neck slit, world spinning.
“Second time.”
“This won’t do, Shangshan Che, you only have a hundred chances… a hundred chances to master this Secret Technique.”
At this moment, Shangshan Che suddenly realized.
——The one who killed him was the Nameless Swordsman’s Darkness Sword!
But it was too late.
Consciousness faded, then reappeared.
Shangshan Che took a deep breath, clearing his mind sharply.
Likes starting trials without a word, huh?
Without hesitation, he opened his Storage Bag, placing his consciousness on the unremarkable gray Incense Ash.
Soul Incense Ash, use!
The next instant, death struck again!
But this time, Shangshan Che grasped that fleeting “sensation” just before death arrived.
Fourth time opening his eyes.
As if viewing in 4K resolution and Dolby Vision, Shangshan Che spread his arms, smiling and nodding toward the Nameless Swordsman whose location he did not know,
“Please, kill me.”
Thus, the sword light arrived as expected.
Beheaded, then resurrected, beheaded, then resurrected…
Die die die die die.
Shangshan Che could hardly remember how many times he had died.
He only knew this Darkness Sword called “nothing” by the Nameless Swordsman was truly hard to track.
Even with Soul Incense Ash’s aid, after dying so many times, he had only the slightest clue.
No wonder it was called the “strongest.”
“But a little is already enough, isn’t it.”
In the brilliant sunlight, Shangshan Che murmured softly upon opening his eyes.
He did not raise his hand nor use any power.
Without warning.
From the void, the sound of clashing metal like an illusion rang out.
Touching his intact neck, Shangshan Che grinned: “Senior, how many times is this?”
“……Ninety-one.”
“That was close.” Shangshan Che pleasantly exhaled, “Almost couldn’t learn such exquisite sword technique.”
Crackle.
The sunlight and new dojo faded, heavy rain pouring down again.
Shangshan Che, who could nearly hear the entire Edo Castle’s movements, opened his eyes and saw
【Having undergone ninety-one deaths and learning in the “Nameless Swordsman’s” Sword Heart, you have learned the Natural Reason School Secret Technique—Darkness Sword · Hidden.】
Hm?
“Hidden”?
Shouldn’t it be “nothing”?
“Hidden, illusory, nothing—that was the path I researched at the beginning.”
The Nameless Swordsman panted wearily twice: “Did you think the strongest Secret Technique could be fully mastered between one blink and the next?”
“The path must be walked step by step.”
“So I was a bit greedy.”
Shangshan Che smiled noncommittally: “Actually, learning it in an instant wouldn’t be bad; it’s just one Secret Technique, merely drawing and sheathing the sword.”
The Nameless Swordsman suddenly fell silent.
The veil shook; Shangshan Che knew he was being looked at.
“Yes, just one Secret Technique.”
The Nameless Swordsman sighed softly: “Shangshan Che, you are strong, no doubt about it.”
“Then I must say your eyesight is spot on, senior.”
As Shangshan Che was about to stand and bow in thanks, he saw the Nameless Swordsman raise his withered palm, signaling him to stop.
“No need for thanks.”
Nameless Swordsman: “If in the future you insist on thanking for today’s gain, come back when you’ve advanced further.”
Shangshan Che thoughtfully asked: “What counts as advancing further?”
“Sword Master.”
The Nameless Swordsman spoke leisurely,
“When you become a famed Sword Master under heaven.”
With the elderly voice falling, a pale golden task prompt appeared before Shangshan Che’s eyes.
【Who Under Heaven Does Not Know You: After becoming a Sword Master, come to Edo Castle to find the Nameless Swordsman; only then will he accept your thanks.】
The last time he saw a golden-related task prompt was with Little Jia’s Legendary task.
“Sword Master, huh…”
Shangshan Che murmured.
Sword Master, Sword Master.
Meaning the Nameless Swordsman was also a Sword Master.
Come to think of it, this was the first confirmed Sword Master he had met so far.
“Just don’t know if Kujo Obuya and Sister Hoshi count…”
Shangshan Che withdrew his thoughts, nodding to the still-seated Nameless Swordsman, about to turn and leave.
“Use the back door.”
The Nameless Swordsman’s voice halted Shangshan Che’s steps.
He looked up, understanding why to use the back door.
Because beyond the open courtyard doorway leaned a samurai hugging a tachi, face flushed red, with drooping eyes.
Fang Xiang Shi.
The samurai was boredly chewing damp thatch; sensing someone looking, he casually raised his head.
Locking eyes with Shangshan Che from afar.
Splash.
Distance and rain curtain did nothing to diminish the oppressive pressure from Fang Xiang Shi.
Suffocating.
Just being stared at, Shangshan Che nearly felt his thoughts and bodily functions halt completely.
The Nameless Swordsman urged from behind: “He won’t dare enter; go…”
Shangshan Che did not move.
He could sense that though still far inferior to this Fang Xiang Shi, he was utterly different from the start.
At least, he could faintly gauge how strong Fang Xiang Shi was.
Like touching solid ground after falling into water, the dark underwater depths no longer inspired fear.
But from the opponent’s expression… he seemed to have long forgotten casually killing a Laughing Hannya who had just left home.
Shangshan Che stared at Fang Xiang Shi, raising his hand to slowly make a throat-slitting gesture.
Only then did Fang Xiang Shi show an intrigued expression.
The drooping-eyed samurai grinned pleasantly for the first time, nodding to him with undisguised killing intent.
Shangshan Che spared him no further glance, quickly turning toward the back door.
——Charging at the Ghost God level Fang Xiang Shi now would mean his brain was waterlogged!
……
In the room, Shangshan Che, still enveloped in Soul Incense Ash effects with no sleepiness, opened his eyes.
“Have to leave early tomorrow morning; sleeping now is forcing it.”
He sat up, listening to the game console sounds outside, pulling out each of his skill panels one by one, pondering whom to “favor.”
After some consideration, Shangshan Che looked at the Rin Character Technique he had just learned yesterday.
“You it is.”
Without wasting time, Shangshan Che took a deep breath and immediately entered the black space storing the silver ancient character.
As soon as the “Rin” character frame entered his view, Shangshan Che felt vast, majestic knowledge surging into his mind.
Completely different from the laborious observation last time.
“Soul Incense Ash’s effect is this strong…?”
After long yet short hours, the refreshed Shangshan Che came back to his senses.
——That incredibly potent comprehension effect was likely the lingering blessing from the Nameless Swordsman’s direct Sword Heart guidance.
“This senior is really generous…”
Whoosh!
On the back of his right hand, brilliant silver light stung Shangshan Che’s pupils.
He looked down intently, his whole body shaking twice.
【Mastery Level: 5.011%】
Five percent?!
One comprehension session directly increased Mastery Level by 5%?!
Staring at the prompts popping up, Shangshan Che’s mouth gaped unusually—
【Your Rin Character Technique Mastery Level has reached 5%; your Rin Character Technique effect is enhanced!】
【Your Rin Character Technique Mastery Level has reached 5%; your Rin Character Technique usage cost is reduced!】
【Your Rin Character Technique Mastery Level has reached 5%; you gained a new effect!】
【Rin Character Technique】
【Mastery Level: 5.011%】
【Effect One: Upon use, generate a barrier at will.】
【Effect Two: Upon use, enhance oneself.】
【—The beginning of all, commanding myriad things.】
Shangshan Che meant to swipe away the formulaic effect upgrade prompts, but soon noticed the new “Effect Two.”
And an expert one?!
The brief description piqued Shangshan Che’s interest; he had to see what this self-enhancement entailed…
——Rumble rumble rumble!
Mechanical roaring rapidly approached from the distant sky, closing in within seconds from the blue horizon to right outside.
Again?!
Shangshan Che looked up and saw through the window the massive matte iron bird hovering outside.
Helicopter!
An armed one!
The black rotors left countless afterimages in mid-air, emitting deafening noise.
The next moment, the helicopter’s cabin door was yanked open, and a burly man nearly bursting his Special Affairs Office uniform stepped out.
He shifted his gaze, quickly locking onto Shangshan Che.
Buzz buzz!
Bedside, mobile phone vibrated.
Shangshan Che picked it up and was stunned.
The message read:
【Emergency! This is the vehicle to pick up Agent Shangshan Che for support in Shizuoka Prefecture; please board ASAP.】
He looked up again at the hovering helicopter, lips twitching hard.
Treating me like an airdrop, huh?
But Shangshan Che did not dawdle.
He flung open the window, shouting at the top of his lungs,
“Little Jia, let’s go!”
Kaga Kiyomitsu in its scabbard immediately trailed a winding stream of light, landing steadily in his palm.
Shangshan Che leaped out, landing precisely beside the burly man in the helicopter amid his shocked gaze.
He lifted his chin,
“Let’s go.”
Thus, the helicopter surged upward with terrifying gravitational acceleration, speeding at full throttle toward Shizuoka Prefecture.
……
One hour later.
Shizuoka Prefecture, Numazu City.
Above Jundong County tunnel.
Shangshan Che felt his mobile phone vibrate again.
Checking it, it was a distress message from Shizuoka Prefecture Agent Yagyu Oshi, whom he added yesterday—otherwise he wouldn’t have been suddenly picked up by helicopter.
Though probably not from the person himself.
The tone was completely different.
Shangshan Che did not reply to the fifth “arriving soon,” tossing the phone back into his Storage Bag.
He heard the uniformed man anxiously shout: “Your Excellency Shangshan! It’s almost collapsing below; where should we hover to drop you!”
“Here?”
Shangshan Che looked down, seeing the mountain forest thick with dripping resentment and Demonic Energy.
——Among it, definitely plenty of the big eyeballs Sister Nanjo mentioned before.
——Now, rations for the Hundred-Eyed Demon, fat from the gacha pool, have a source!
He patted this experienced Special Affairs Office agent’s shoulder, flashing a sunny smile,
“Then, make them look up.”
