Originally, there were no roads in the world, but as more people walked, roads were made.
Sometimes, to open a path, one doesn't need to walk—perhaps a sword can do it instead.
At the end of the icy path, a humanoid monster stood frozen in a sword-swinging stance. A massive oni mask hovered around it, adding a touch of mystery to its presence.
It wore thick armor, its voluminous white hair streaked with a deep blue reminiscent of Cryo energy. The spikes extending from its helmet resembled the sharp horns of an oni, exuding an air of nobility and lethality.
Its face was obscured beneath the helmet, hidden behind a tattered talisman.
Perhaps due to its extreme age, the talisman was already crumbling, as if missing parts.
The most eerie feature, however, was the threads covering its limbs and torso.
Had Bai Luo's eyesight not been sharper than an ordinary person's, he might have missed those faint, almost imperceptible threads.
The threads stretched upward, seemingly vanishing into the void.
"Maguu Kenki?!"
Maguu Kenki
The creature's distinctive appearance finally jogged Bai Luo's memory of the monster from the quest.
A Kairagi? No, this was far more advanced than a Kairagi.
Not only was it the source of Kaedehara Kazuha's ascension materials, but back when it was introduced into the Spiral Abyss, Bai Luo's account hadn't been particularly well-geared. Combined with his unfamiliarity with its attack patterns, he had suffered countless defeats at its hands.
"Why... why is this thing here?!"
The fisherman was equally shocked upon recognizing the Maguu Kenki.
"It usually stays near the Serpent's Head, and as long as you don't approach it, it won't attack randomly!"
Now the fisherman understood why everyone who entered Fort Mumei disappeared. The origins of this Puppet Sword-Demon were unknown, and its combat prowess was terrifying.
Forget ordinary adventurers—even some Vision bearers might not be a match for it.
"It... seems to be challenging Mr. Himura?"
Watching the Maguu Kenki standing opposite Bai Luo, Teppei ventured a guess.
In the past, faced with this Maguu Kenki, Teppei would have fared even worse than this weathered fisherman.
But his recent training hadn't just improved his swordsmanship and medical skills—it had indirectly toughened his mental resilience.
After all, getting stabbed in the heart daily would harden even the most timid person.
In every sense of the word.
"Yes, it's challenging me."
Sheathing his reverse-blade sword, Bai Luo studied the Maguu Kenki.
This Sword-Demon wasn't a living being but a man-made construct.
It couldn't speak, yet it used the [Sword] to communicate.
And it had sensed that Bai Luo was among the rare few who could [hear] the sword's voice.
That slash just now—it was both a challenge and an invitation to converse.
But... I refuse.
For now, Bai Luo had no intention of fighting it.
As mentioned before, Bai Luo prioritized caution in all things.
Until he confirmed whether the Tatarigami could affect him, he absolutely wouldn't place himself in unnecessary danger.
Digging into his pocket, Bai Luo pulled out a Sunsettia.
Swinging his arm in a couple of circles, he hurled the Sunsettia toward the Maguu Kenki.
Let this fruit serve as their pact. Once he finished his current business, he would return to honor their duel.
Seeing the Sunsettia flying toward it, the Maguu Kenki didn't slash this time. Instead, it reflexively caught the fruit.
Its intelligence wasn't high, but it understood this wasn't an attack.
Clutching the fruit, the Maguu Kenki stared at Bai Luo again.
An overwhelming sword intent radiated from it, utterly unrestrained.
But Bai Luo completely ignored its provocation. With a casual wave, he leaped back onto the boat.
With Bai Luo's permission, the fisherman rowed even faster than before, as if wishing he had two extra arms.
Only the Maguu Kenki remained at the edge of Fort Mumei, holding the Sunsettia, seemingly at a loss.
Amid the drizzle, the Maguu Kenki watched the departing boat for a long time before finally turning away.
"That thing probably can't even eat, right?"
Once back on the boat, Bai Luo found himself pondering another question.
Qiqi could taste sourness because she had once been human, retaining human senses.
But what about the Maguu Kenki?
If his Sunsettia could make even the Maguu Kenki taste sourness, that would truly be something.
The Maguu Kenki incident was just a minor detour. Thanks to the fisherman's efforts, the boat soon reached a dock and pulled ashore.
"There's a Jakotsu Mine here. Most of Inazuma's minerals used to come from this place. It only declined after the Shogunate collaborated with Fontaine to develop the Mikage Furnace. This dock used to be bustling too."
After mooring, the fisherman explained to Bai Luo.
Indeed, though the dock seemed modest in scale, it had all the essentials—even a small crane. The stacks of wooden crates nearby hinted at its former prosperity.
The moment the two stepped ashore, Resistance members hiding nearby emerged from the shadows.
They had received word in advance and come to escort them, but fearing Shogunate spies, they hadn't dared show themselves prematurely.
"Mr. Himura!"
The Resistance fighters, armed with spears, looked visibly excited.
News of Battousai's arrival on Watatsumi Island had long reached them.
But stationed on Yashiori Island, they were embroiled in battle and hadn't been able to return.
Upon hearing that this esteemed figure was coming to Yashiori Island, they had braved the Tatarigami's dangers to volunteer as escorts.
One even took off his raincoat, offering it to Bai Luo.
"Thank you for your efforts. Let's head to the camp first."
Politely declining the raincoat, Bai Luo gripped his reverse-blade sword.
A faint plum blossom fragrance wafted through the air. In the blink of an eye, his reverse-blade sword transformed into a crimson oil-paper umbrella.
The red robe paired with the red umbrella seemed to cleanse the surrounding miasma. Even the Resistance fighters, long oppressed by the Tatarigami's power, felt refreshed.
"Mr. Himura is truly extraordinary."
These Resistance members weren't strangers to the abilities of Vision bearers, but a sword turning into an umbrella? This was their first time witnessing such a thing.
Though Teppei hadn't been formally acknowledged as Bai Luo's disciple, his status had risen simply by training under him.
While not treated with the same reverence as Bai Luo, several Resistance fighters still flocked around him, eagerly asking how they too could become Mr. Himura's students.
Teppei could only offer a wry smile—after all, even he hadn't been officially recognized as a disciple.
"To become my disciple, you're still missing one thing."
That was what Bai Luo had once told him.
But what exactly that "one thing" was, Teppei still didn't understand.
Perhaps... it was the killing intent Mr. Himura had always wanted him to possess?
The dock wasn't far from the camp, and before long, they arrived at Fort Fujitou, located in northern Yashiori Island.
"Mr. Himura, we meet again."
Outside the camp, Gorou stood waiting with a group of Resistance officers, his tail wagging incessantly—a clear sign of his good mood.
Bai Luo was in high spirits too.
The fish had been trained well enough. Now, it was time to work on the dog.