Chapter 120: Fifty Years, Yamamoto and Araki

Time flies; fifty years rush by.

Since the four—Si Feng Yuan Ye Yi, Jing Le Chunshui, Fu Zhu Shi Si Lang, and Gang Mi Dai Shitan—took command of the Guard Court Thirteen Squad, more than fifty years have passed…

In these fifty years, the four of Jing Le, as newly appointed captains of the Guard Court Thirteen Squad, also as disciples of the contemporary Sword Eight Huang Mu and grand‑disciples of Chief Captain Yuan Liuzhai, naturally attracted the gaze of countless Death Gods!

With Jing Le's accession, rumors even spread through the Jingling Court that they rose through Huang Mu's nepotism, taking over the squad‑captain posts previously held by the great noble "superiors".

Yet as time passed, all gossip proved illusory before the overwhelming spiritual pressure of Jing Le's second‑rank Spiritual Might; after Jing Le displayed their strength, the four naturally seized control of their respective squads and, while mastering each squad's affairs, achieved proud results that never tarnished Huang Mu's reputation!

At present, the four of Jing Le, in both seniority and strength, can be called veteran elite captains of the Guard Court Thirteen Squad—truly formidable.

On the other side…

Fifty years ago, Huang Mu went to the Embroidered Chamber to visit Xiuduo Luo Qianshou Wan and Nie Jian Li…

In response, Qianshou Wan, following Huang Mu's wishes, built upon the Embroidered Chamber—her private laboratory—combined the manpower and funds of the Guard Court Twelfth Squad she controlled, and founded the so‑called Technology Development Bureau; although countless nobles tried to block its establishment, Huang Mu dealt with each of them.

Moreover, during the fifty years since the Technology Development Bureau was founded in the Jingling Court, the soldiers of the Twelfth Squad, under the leadership of Xiuduo Luo Qianshou Wan and Nie Jian Li, have produced many remarkable achievements!

Many of those projects made the great nobles drool, yet because of Huang Mu's overwhelming power, few short‑sighted fellows dared to meddle with the Technology Development Bureau's affairs.

Today, a major event concerning the Technology Development Bureau is about to occur…

Since Qianshou Wan set up the Technology Development Bureau, she and her companions have been stationed in the laboratory, almost never leaving—a group of Twelfth Squad tech‑enthusiasts…

Rarely today, under the guidance of Xiuduo Luo Qianshou Wan and Nie Jian Li, they stepped out of their dark lab into the sunlight, squinting under the blazing sun as they gazed at the azure sky, as if searching for something.

"Boom!!"

Soon, accompanied by a roar, an object bearing the Zero Squad emblem—shaped like a pillar or a rocket—descended from the sky, landing on the clearing before them and kicking up a cloud of dust.

"Finally arrived?!"

"In legend, directly subordinate to His Majesty the Spirit King, the Royal Agent…"

"All members of the Zero Squad, whose strength and authority surpass the Guard Court Thirteen Squad."

As the dust rose with the pillar's landing, the Twelfth Squad soldiers who had been staring at the sky turned toward the pillar, squinting slightly.

Yes, these tech‑enthusiasts who usually linger in the laboratory left their cozy dark rooms because today is the day their great Shu Dora captain is promoted from the Guard Court Thirteen Squad to the Zero Squad, and they have come here to see him off…

After today, they may never again have a chance to meet their great Shu Dora captain; once Qianshou Wan joins the Zero Squad, descending from the Spirit King's Palace where the Zero Squad resides, or climbing up to find Shu Dora, will be extremely difficult.

"Click~"

While the Twelfth Squad members stared at the massive heavenly pillar that had fallen from the sky and pierced the ground, the pillar's doors suddenly opened without warning…

Immediately, under the gaze of the Twelfth Squad soldiers, three men clad in white feathered robes stepped out of the Heavenly Pillar Carriage.

"They're here! Those are the Zero Squad soldiers!"

"What a powerful oppressive feeling!"

"Are these the death gods that surpass the Guard Court Thirteen Squad? Terrifying!!"

The Twelfth Squad members, merely by facing the three men in white feathered robes emerging from the Heavenly Pillar Carriage, felt a crushing pressure descend upon them, causing cold sweat to form on their foreheads…

At the same time, the soldiers present could not help but remark that the three before them truly are members of the Zero Squad.

"Boom~"

Among them, a soldier wearing spiritual‑pressure measuring glasses, in the crisp explosion, permanently lost his favorite invention; closing his eyes, he exclaimed in shock, "Wow, such strong spiritual pressure! It already exceeds the limit of my measuring device—truly worthy of a Royal Agent, indeed powerful."

"The dignitaries of the Zero Squad have arrived! Little devils of the Jingling Court, cheer to your heart's content!"

"You'd better now quickly record the appearance of our Zero Squad members; unless something unexpected happens, you probably won't see us a second time in this life~"

However, while the Twelfth Squad members were stunned by the Zero Squad's strength…

The one with a self‑styled "airplane" haircut, who to the otaku looks like a street‑thug Zero Squad member, suddenly blew a trumpet while shouting at the soldiers.

"Why can that guy blow a trumpet and talk at the same time?!"

The Twelfth Squad soldiers all showed puzzled expressions.

In fact it's simple: the "airplane head" doesn't actually blow the trumpet; the trumpet sounds on its own, and he merely mimics the pose while shouting.

"Yo yo yo…"

"You Guard Court Thirteen Squad soldiers, are you here to listen to my rap?!"

"Or perhaps you actually want my autograph?"

Before the Twelfth Squad could recover, the Zero Squad member with a mohawk and dark skin began rapping on his own.

"He's even heavyweight!"

The Twelfth Squad members looked at the man and exclaimed in amazement.

"Um…"

"In short, on behalf of all Zero Squad members! Warmly welcome Ms. Xiuduo Luo Qianshou Wan's joining."

The last of the three, with a glossy head, dressed like a monk, a Zero Squad member, waved the flag bearing the Zero Squad emblem and cheerfully said.

"This last Zero Squad member barely looks like a normal person."

The Twelfth Squad members slowly breathed a sigh of relief, for at least they had found a respectable person among the Zero Squad; honestly, if all those so‑called Royal Agents were as eccentric as the "airplane head" and the "mohawk", they should really advise their captain that they'd rather skip this Zero Squad.

"By the way, which of you is Xiuduo Luo Qianshou Wan?!"

Just as everyone relaxed, the monk suddenly stopped waving his flag and asked the soldiers before him.

"You…"

"How could you not even know the appearance of the person about to join your Zero Squad?!"

The Twelfth Squad members, who had just relaxed, instantly flared with anger and shouted at the monk.

"Could it be you are Qianshou Wan? From now on we'll be colleagues, please guide me~"

The monk, unperturbed by their shouts, gently rubbed his chin, examined the Twelfth Squad members, then leisurely approached Nie Jian Li and politely asked him.

"Ha?!"

"Are you blind? No matter how you look, I'm not that woman Qianshou Wan, right?!"

Nie Jian Li, after hearing the monk's words, said angrily.

"What? You're actually not 'Senjumaru'?"

Heshang, upon hearing this, instantly showed a look of great shock, appearing completely dumbfounded by Nièmiànlì's words.

"Are those guys from the Zero Division really okay? I feel like the problem might be quite serious..."

"I suspect these people aren't actually members of the Zero Division at all..."

"They must be members of a 'circus' specially put on for His Majesty the Soul King, who stole the Zero Division's exclusive transport to come down here and 'make a fool' of us!"

As for the remaining members of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, they've already been left speechless by the three Zero Division members before them, and now they're somewhat doubting the true identities of these three...

Some even speculated, based on the trio's behavior, that these three people before them were not the so-called 'royal special agents,' but rather members of the 'mood team' who usually guard the Soul King Palace and are tasked with relieving the Soul King's boredom.

"Hahaha..."

"Sorry, sorry, I was just joking..."

"I saw that your atmosphere was really too heavy, so I just wanted to liven it up a bit."

"I certainly know who the true Shutara Senjumaru is."

Just as everyone, because of the Zero Division members' unreliable performance, began to question Heshang's true identity, Heshang suddenly burst out laughing and continuously explained to the Thirteen Court Guard Squad members present.

"Uh..."

"Is it really okay to liven up the atmosphere at a time like this?!"

"Hehe, I really can't figure out the brain circuits of the big shots in the Zero Division~"

The Thirteen Court Guard Squad members took it at face value; if it was just about livening up the atmosphere, they could barely accept it, although some among them still felt that this Heshang was suspicious.

Just as the Thirteen Court Guard Squad members were left speechless by this Heshang...

The self-proclaimed Zero Division member, Heshang, came up to a girl with beautiful purple short hair among the Thirteen Court Guard Squad, and, smiling at the girl who looked cute and had an impressive figure, said, "If I'm not mistaken, you're the one who wants to join our Zero Division, Shutara Senjumaru, right?!"

"You've got the wrong person!"

When the Thirteen Court Guard Squad members saw Heshang personally approach their youngest member, they all couldn't help but complain about him.

"Huh? I'm not the Senjumaru captain! I'm Ye, Ye Zhou..."

As for the girl with purple short hair, her body trembled instantly upon hearing Heshang's words.

She never expected that this rather unreliable-looking Heshang would suddenly strike up a conversation with her, so she hurriedly waved her hands at Heshang and began to explain her identity.

"Hey hey hey! Even if we don't look at gender and age..."

"Just by looking at their attire, you should be able to tell the difference between a captain-level Soul Reaper in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and an ordinary Soul Reaper who isn't a captain, right?"

"Ordinary Soul Reaper squad members don't have that white captain's haori."

"You guys from the Zero Division, please try to be a bit more serious!"

Before the purple-haired girl could finish what she wanted to say, Nièmiànlì spoke up first.

As soon as Nièmiànlì opened his mouth, he expressed his dissatisfaction with Heshang.

"Sorry, sorry! The joke really went too far..."

"Well then, Shutara Senjumaru! Welcome to officially join our Zero Division and become a member of the 'royal special agents'! From today onward, you will stand above the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, no longer subject to any laws within the Pure Spirit Court, and will directly serve the great Soul King."

After hearing Nièmiànlì's angry words, Heshang finally restrained his 'out-of-tune' demeanor.

Then, Heshang walked straight up to Senjumaru, who stood before the Thirteen Court Guard Squad members, always cool and beautiful while silently observing everything before her, and laughed as he spoke to Senjumaru.

"Shutara Senjumaru."

Senjumaru looked at the out-of-tune Heshang before her and calmly spoke her name.

It wasn't that Senjumaru was angry at Heshang; rather, she was naturally aloof.

"Hyōsube Ichibē."

The false Heshang, upon hearing Senjumaru's words, gave a faint smile and revealed his name.

"Kirinji Tenzanrō."

"Nichikuō Ōetsu."

On the other side, Kirinji and the 'Sword God' Ōetsu, who had been clowning around behind Heshang, also wiped the smiles from their faces and told Senjumaru their names.

"So then, Senjumaru, let's leave the Pure Spirit Court together and head for the Soul King Palace!"

After everyone had given their names, Heshang extended an invitation to Senjumaru.

"Sure."

Senjumaru agreed without a second thought to what Heshang said.

"Hmph, 'stupid woman,' are you finally leaving?"

Standing behind Senjumaru, Nièmiànlì quietly watched everything before him; upon hearing that Senjumaru had accepted Heshang's invitation, the corners of his mouth twitched upward—if it weren't for the fact that neither Senjumaru nor the Zero Division members had left yet, he would have already burst out laughing in excitement.

But it doesn't matter; whether it's Senjumaru or the Zero Division members, no one can stop him from replacing Senjumaru as captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and taking charge of the entire Technical Development Bureau's plans! This is the yang plot he has schemed for decades, an inevitable trend that no one or two people can block.

"Hehehe..."

However, despite Nièmiànlì's best efforts to suppress his constantly rising grin, his throat still let out a sound of joy—inner delight is simply impossible to hold back.

Who knows how many years he has endured in order for this day to succeed in replacing Senjumaru?!

But in the end, his 'sleeping on firewood and tasting gall' will not be in vain; from today onward, he will successfully turn from a serf into a master.

"Click~"

However, just as Nièmiànlì let out a light laugh...

Accompanied by a metallic clang, a silver-colored metal handcuff clamped onto his wrist.

"Huh?!"

Nièmiànlì looked at the silver handcuff on his wrist, then at the members of the Second Division wearing the 'Covert Ops' uniforms on his left and right, and fell into contemplation.

"Nièmiànlì, why don't you keep laughing?"

"You're not laughing because you're just not the type to laugh, right?!"

Senjumaru watched as Nièmiànlì's smile faded, and a faint smile immediately appeared on her cool, beautiful face.

Qianshouwan, what do you mean by this?!

Niejuanli raised his hands, which were cuffed with handcuffs, his eyes staring at Qianshouwan twitching constantly.

"As you can see, over the years you've been in the Twelfth Division, I believe your thinking has serious problems, which could pose a huge threat to the Gotei 13!"

"Therefore, I have decided, according to the Pure Spirit Court's law, to send you, a person who could pose a huge threat to the Soul Society, to the Maggot's Nest, to prevent you from harming the Pure Spirit Court."

Qianshouwan looked at Niejuanli and chuckled.

"Where do you get off thinking I could harm the Pure Spirit Court? You wicked woman!"

Upon hearing Qianshouwan's words, Niejuanli nearly blew a gasket, he glared at Qianshouwan and roared with his hoarse voice.

"From the experiments you made me do, those experiments clearly violate the Pure Spirit Court's rules."

Upon hearing that, Qianshouwan gave Niejuanli a light smile.

"Bullshit! If those experiments are problematic, then the first one to be thrown into the Maggot's Nest should be you, after all, those experiments we conducted were jointly devised by you and me!"

Niejuanli, unable to contain himself, pointed at Qianshouwan's nose and shouted.

"What you say is correct; according to the Pure Spirit Court's law, I am indeed guilty!"

"But sorry, I am no longer a member of the Gotei 13; I am the Zero Division's royal special agent, and the Forty-Six Room's authority of the Pure Spirit Court does not reach me~"

Qianshouwan looked at the flustered Niejuanli and chuckled.

"You..."

Niejuanli was dumbfounded; he had never seen such a shameless person from childhood to adulthood.

"Captain Qianshouwan, have you finished your briefing?!"

At the moment Niejuanli was stunned, the Second Division member who had apprehended him respectfully asked Qianshouwan, who was about to head to the Soul King Palace.

"Of course~"

Qianshouwan lightly nodded upon hearing that.

"Then we'll take this criminal away."

The Second Division member, after hearing Qianshouwan's words, tentatively said.

"Of course~"

Qianshouwan continued to respond to the two Second Division members before him.

"Go!"

After obtaining Qianshouwan's consent, the two Second Division members naturally had no reservations; they roughly yanked Niejuanli, forcibly pulling him out of his stunned state, and spoke harshly.

"Shutara Senjuwan! Senjuwan!!!"

"I'll remember you, I'll remember you! You'll regret it!!"

Niejuanli himself is not particularly skilled in combat; after being restrained by the handcuffs from his own laboratory, he became like a lamb to the slaughter, being carried by the two Second Division officers toward the new Second Division barracks.

Yes, after Shihouin Yoruichi took office as captain of the Second Division, the first thing she did was rebuild the Second Division barracks, expanding upon the existing base; after all, starting today, this place will no longer be merely the barracks of the Second Division of the Gotei 13, but also the headquarters of the Covert Operations.

"Cut the chatter, move!"

The two Second Division officers, looking at the continually shouting Niejuanli, kicked him hard in the butt and berated the frenzied Niejuanli. In the eyes of these two Second Division officers, Niejuanli is no longer the high-ranking vice director of the Technical Development Bureau; he is merely a criminal to be manipulated.

"I..."

Niejuanli was furious, but faced with the dire situation before him, he had no choice but to follow the two officers ahead. Niejuanli silently swore that, given time, he would one day escape from that damned prison……

"Damn! Why did I make this thing so well back then?!"

"From now on, whatever I make, I must leave a backup; I must never let others use my creations against me."

At the same time, Niejuanli looked at the handcuffs on his wrist that sealed his spiritual pressure, his brows furrowed tightly; he decided that from today onward, all items he researches must have a backup, and he absolutely does not want to taste this humiliation again.

"Hang in there! Niejuanli~"

"I'm being promoted to the Zero Division, you're headed to the Maggot's Nest, we both have bright futures~"

Shutara Senjuwan watched Niejuanli's retreating figure, a faint smile appearing on his face.

"Shutara, thank you!"

Niejuanli turned sideways, glared hatefully at Shutara Senjuwan, and silently thanked Senjuwan for his good intentions.

"Ah this..."

As the captain of the Twelfth Division, Shutara Senjuwan's confirmation of joining the Zero Division was made. Meanwhile, Niejuanli, who everyone expected to succeed Senjuwan as captain of the Twelfth Division, was taken away by the Second Division officers. Only then did the Twelfth Division members gradually recover from their shock.

"Ye Zhou..."

"The Twelfth Division and the Technical Development Bureau are now yours to handle."

As everyone regained their composure, Shutara lightly tossed off this sentence to the latest-joining purple-haired squad member, then proceeded together with the faux monk and the other Zero Division members toward the Heaven-Pillar Palanquin that had brought them here.

"Huh? Me?"

When the purple-haired loli reacted, Senjuwan had already entered the Heaven-Pillar Palanquin with the other Zero Division members; the faux monk then activated his ability, transporting the Palanquin and the Zero Division members to the Shiba family's estate.

However, to the purple-haired loli and the Twelfth Division officers, this scene seemed overly horrifying; in their eyes, a pair of huge hands suddenly appeared in the sky, lifting the Heaven-Pillar Palanquin from the ground and then flinging it far away.

"These guys aren't just joking around."

At this point, the Twelfth Division officers finally realized how unfathomable the Zero Division is.

"Ignite!"

Meanwhile, at the Shiba family estate, the current head of the Shiba family had already made preparations.

All that could be seen was him gripping a torch and igniting the Shiba cannon used to launch the Heaven-Pillar Palanquin……

"Boom!"

Accompanied by a roar, the Heaven-Pillar Palanquin soared back into the sky.

As the Heaven-Pillar Palanquin rose, Araki, who was lounging on the roof, narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Looks like Senjuwan is finally heading to the Zero Division~"

Araki couldn't help but smile at the winding Heaven-Pillar Palanquin.

In that case, his promise to Qian Shou Wan is also considered thoroughly completed.

"Eh..."

On the other hand, the Qian Shou Wan who was seated in the Heavenly Pillar Palanquin and felt it continually rising saw her face slightly change; frankly, she was still not quite used to the side effects brought by the Heavenly Pillar Palanquin.

No one knew how much time had passed, just as Qian Shou Wan began to feel a bit nauseous.

"Boom!"

Accompanied by a tremor, the Heavenly Pillar Palanquin successfully descended onto the Omotesando of the Spirit King Palace.

"Is this the Spirit King Palace?!"

When Qian Shou Wan stepped out of the Heavenly Pillar Palanquin and stood upon the Spirit King's Omotesando, only then was she stunned by the sight of the Spirit King Palace before her.

She saw four huge discs floating in the sky, each resembling a pot lid, with a tall spire at the center of each disc; both the discs and the spires gave her an overwhelming sense of oppression.

"Of course~"

The false monk couldn't help but give a slight smile upon hearing Qian Shou Wan's words, and silently nodded.

"That disc-shaped thing is the detached palace of our Zero Division members; after you join the Zero Division, you will also have your own detached palace built. As for the central high tower encircled by the detached palaces, it is naturally the palace where the Spirit King resides—the Spirit King's Inner Palace! From today onward, you will serve the Spirit King together with us."

The false monk chuckled and said to Qian Shou Wan.

"I understand..."

Qian Shou Wan heard this and lightly nodded.

"As for the thing I just rode, it's called the Heavenly Pillar Palanquin, a transport used by our Zero Division to travel between the Spirit King Palace and the Soul Society. If you need to go to the Soul Society to handle some business, you can directly take the Heavenly Pillar Palanquin there; on the way back, remember to ask the head of the Shiba family to use the Shiba cannon to send the Heavenly Pillar Palanquin you're riding, along with you, back to the Spirit King Palace."

Then the monk seemed to recall something and continued speaking to Qian Shou Wan.

"I know."

After hearing the monk's words, Qian Shou Wan lightly nodded again.

"Then come with me to forge your own detached palace~"

Seeing this, the monk proceeded forward along the Omotesando.

"Good."

As for Qian Shou Wan, she remained extremely obedient, closely following the monk.

"By the way, there's something I forgot; after thinking it over, I decided to give you a slight reminder."

The monk striding forward seemed to recall something else; he turned around, looked at Qian Shou Wan, and spoke earnestly.

"Huh?!"

Qian Shou Wan heard this and blinked in surprise.

"Don't move the Heavenly Pillar Palanquin lately, and definitely don't go to the Soul Society—remember that?!"

The monk, changing from his previous gentleness, looked at Qian Shou Wan with a stern expression and warned.

"Eh, I know."

Qian Shou Wan was first surprised by the monk's sternness, then nodded.

"Recently the Soul Society hasn't been so harmonious; Araki, after settling for so long, is probably about to make a move on the Guardian Thirteen Squads..."

Seeing Qian Shou Wan's good attitude, the monk stopped admonishing her and instead explained on his own.

"Araki is going to move against the Guardian Thirteen Squads?!"

After hearing the monk's words, Qian Shou Wan's expression showed a hint of doubt.

"Yes, I estimate that not long from now, the commander-in-chief of the Guardian Thirteen Squads will have to be replaced."

While answering Qian Shou Wan's words, the monk turned his head, looking through the clouds beneath his feet and the countless layers of barriers toward the distant Soul Society.

"This..."

Upon hearing that, a flicker of realization crossed Qian Shou Wan's eyes; she had already guessed fifty years ago that Araki would fight Genryūsai, deciding the commander-in-chief of the Guardian Thirteen Squads, but she hadn't expected this day to come so quickly.

"Hope everything stays peaceful~"

Qian Shou Wan lifted her head, and a hint of worry flickered in her beautiful eyes.

At the same time...

In the barracks of the First Division of the Soul Society.

"Swish! Swish! Swish..."

The captain of the First Division, who also serves as commander-in-chief of the Guardian Thirteen Squads, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, was continuously sweating in the Captain's Quarters; he waved his wooden sword with tiger-like vigor, his brows furrowed as his eyes sharpened, while his spiritual pressure inwardly condensed, yet he gave an impression of immense, immeasurable might.

"Is Commander-in-Chief Yamamoto still training?"

Outside the First Division's Captain's Quarters, the members of the First Division lay against the gate, peering through the crack at Genryūsai Shigekuni continuously waving his zanpakutō inside, their faces flashing with endless astonishment.

They never expected that the already top-ranked Genryūsai, commander-in-chief of the Guardian Thirteen Squads, would still be working so hard in his daily routine; this filled everyone with immense admiration for Genryūsai, yet they also felt somewhat puzzled.

"Commander-in-Chief Yamamoto is clearly invincible, famed as the strongest death god of the Soul Society, yet he still trains so hard every day—what could it be for?!"

"You guys, why aren't you training yet?!"

Just as the First Division members were admiring Yamamoto's training in secret, the returning patrol officer Jakubu Chōjirō saw the scene and shouted at everyone in anger.

"Yes! Yes, sir!!"

At Jakubu's warning, the First Division members immediately straightened up and then ran helter-skelter to the other end of the hallway.

"Sigh..."

Jakubu sighed helplessly at the sight.

"Thud thud~"

After Jakubu drove away the newly arrived First Division members, he approached the front of the Captain's Quarters door, lightly knocked twice to let Yamamoto inside prepare, then pushed the door open.

"General Genryūsai, I'm back."

As soon as Jakubu entered, he saw Genryūsai set down his wooden training sword and instead pick up a towel, continually wiping the sweat from his body.

"General Genryūsai, you're training again?!"

Que Bu looked at the sweating Yuan Liuzhai before him and couldn't help but ask.

Since the four disciples of Araki fifty years ago became captains of the Guardian Corps Thirteen Squad, Yuan Liuzhai has never left the squad's headquarters, as if something had spurred him; he trains there all day, honing his techniques.

Hmm…

Yuan Liuzhai heard that and gently nodded.

Lord Yuan Liuzhai, could you rest a little?

You have already stood at the apex of the Death God; there is no need to exhaust your body so mercilessly.

After hearing Yuan Liuzhai's words, Que Bu's eyes showed a hint of unwillingness; no one, not even Que Bu Chang Jiro, knows better how hard Yuan Liuzhai works. Besides daily training, Yuan Liuzhai also handles important documents at night, and Que Bu fears his body will not be able to bear it.

Can't not push him!

After all, that little rabbit kid must be impatient by now~

Yuan Liuzhai, after hearing Que Bu's words, smiled indifferently.

Hmm? You mean…

As Yuan Liuzhai's closest person, Que Bu naturally knows who the little rabbit kid mentioned by Yuan Liuzhai is. Considering Yuan Liuzhai's daily training and the phrase "can't wait" in his words, Que Bu seemed to have thought of something.

Lord Yuan Liuzhai, must you fight Araki?!

Que Bu looked at Yuan Liuzhai with some helplessness and asked softly.

This is my final test for him!

The Grand Captain of the Guardian Corps Thirteen Squad must be stronger than me.

Yuan Liuzhai shook his head at Que Bu, not because he wouldn't let Araki go nor because Araki insists on a duel, but because he must hand over the Grand Captain position of the Guardian Corps Thirteen Squad to someone far stronger than himself.

Stubborn.

To this, Que Bu shook his head helplessly.

Lord Yuan Liuzhai, I'm not the one criticizing you! You're already of an advanced age, why persist like this? Just hand the Grand Captain position over to Araki, wouldn't that be fine? As for whether Araki's strength truly surpasses yours, do you have the numbers in your mind?!

Although Que Bu wanted to say that to Yuan Liuzhai, considering the consequences he would face after speaking, he kept his mouth shut and silently nodded.

I think that Araki fellow must also be looking forward to a duel with me.

Perhaps Araki has put far more effort into this battle than I have…

To answer Araki's resolve, I must not slack off.

Yuan Liuzhai said this as he went to the window of the First Squad's headquarters, standing high above, looking down at the vast Jingling Court before him, a slight smile at the corner of his mouth.

Hehe…

Que Bu realized that Yuan Liuzhai was not unaware that Araki had already surpassed him; rather, Yuan Liuzhai wanted to indulge fully once more before "retiring" from the squad, to enjoy the pleasure of battle again.

On the other side…

Guardian Corps Eleven Squad dormitory.

Ah…

Araki, whom Yuan Liuzhai refers to and also anticipates a duel with him, is now lying on the roof of the Eleven Squad dormitory with a leisurely expression, yawning cheerfully, looking as if he hasn't fully woken up.

Then it's time to clear the "Obstructions"~

Araki muttered to himself, naturally feeling the boundless fighting spirit of his own teacher far away in the First Squad dormitory, but unfortunately his battle with his teacher must be postponed a bit…

To prevent others from causing trouble in the Jingling Court while he and Yuan Liuzhai duel, Araki decided to find an excuse and preemptively deal with all the frolicking forces in the Jingling Court.

Hope those bastards can open their eyes and not provoke me~

Araki, thinking this, changed his posture and continued to lie on the roof, falling asleep.

At the moment when Araki and Yuan Liuzhai tacitly prepared for their duel…

A upheaval is occurring within the Jingyue family.

Jingyue, the family is now yours.

The elder brother Jingyue, who had been bedridden, after relying on great willpower and battling illness for a full fifty years, finally closed his eyes and permanently left this world.

Jingyue's death seems like the fuse of a bomb; a cataclysmic event capable of shaking the Three Realms is brewing beneath the peaceful Jingling Court.

A massive ten‑thousand‑character chapter!