Chapter 138: Dakness: Jingliu, please don't cut Yan Qing; if you must cut, cut me instead!

"I'll let you have three moves."

Jingliu's voice was like a needle prick, making Yan Qing involuntarily feel a chill on his neck, and he subconsciously gripped his sword tighter.

... His gaze slowly shifted back, but his pupils dilated in an instant.

That... is her sword?

Yan Qing saw that the sword was not forged from ordinary iron, but condensed from a piece of solid ice; the blade shed a faint cold light, as if he were holding a thread of moonlight in his hand.

"What are you waiting for?" The battle was about to break out, seeming impatient, Jingliu coldly urged from the side: "Draw your sword, keeping the senior waiting is quite rude."

Emiya family—

"Can solid ice be used as a sharp sword?" Emiya Shirou wondered, in his impression ice could be very sharp and pointed, but its hardness ultimately couldn't match metal, and it would easily shatter on impact.

Even though the Emiya had only just begun to study swordsmanship, they knew the quality of the sword was crucial to the swordsman themselves; in a clash between masters, the weapon must not fail.

If judged by worldly standards, this move is indeed risky.

Zuosong Xiaoxiaolang extended a finger and said leisurely: "But there is a precondition—if a person can reach the state of sword and self as one, then this act is no longer risky. For her realm has transcended the sword itself; grass, wood, bamboo, stone—all can become a sword."

Then, according to Zuosong Xiaoxiaolang's meaning... has Jingliu already achieved sword-self unity?

"No..." Zuosong Xiaoxiaolang lightly shook his head, "In my humble opinion, her realm is still above that."

Hearing this, everyone was stunned for a moment, all casting him puzzled looks.

The realm of sword and self as one is rare, but in that war-torn era a few hundred years ago, I happened to see a few.

Zuosong Xiaoxiaolang smiled faintly, "Since Jingliu appeared, I have noticed that her sword is not only a part of her body, but also the expansion and contraction of her movements and stillness, the breath of her walking, standing, sitting, lying. Her sword... is not bound by her flesh, but returns to nature."

In short... her sword has long been united with heaven and earth.

Upon reaching this realm, every move leaves no trace of artificial carving, all is natural spontaneity." Zuosong Xiaoxiaolang gazed at the white-haired woman holding her sword with one hand, and couldn't help but let out a long sigh: "... This is also the realm I have striven all my life to reach."

——

Only saw Yan Qing brandish his sword and release; in an instant six flying swords streaked like meteors across the wild, instantly inflicting considerable damage on the demonic shade's body.

This strike had sufficient power, but unfortunately it was not a killing blow.

Jingliu's piercing critique soon rang in his ears: "Hesitating and looking back, your strength wanes and your power weakens. Where did your earlier confidence go?"

Yan Qing silently cursed "Damn it"; since his debut, aside from the general, he had rarely encountered such a master, and in his agitation his sword aura rose even higher.

"Come again!"

Only heard a series of crisp "dong-dong" sounds as several flying swords struck the demonic shade's armor, ringing gold and jade, fierce as a sudden storm; the sharp trembling of the blades echoed for a moment inside the Gong Zao Si.

"... My turn."

As the voice faded, Yan Qing heard a gust of wind at his ear.

In the wind seemed to drift the scent of blood.

By the time Yan Qing came to, the mighty demonic shade that had just been standing upright had already collapsed, turning into countless ginkgo leaves drifting into the air; he didn't even have time to make a sound before forever losing the ability to speak.

"One must be like this: sword drawn, no turning back, a single strike must kill."

When uttering the words 'must kill', Jingliu bit down hard on the syllables, her killing intent seeming unable to be restrained.

Demon Slayer world—

This sword... doesn't seem as fast as imagined?

Sanemi Shinazugawa scratched his head in doubt, comparing the battle between Jingliu and Jingyuan... today her attack speed had slowed considerably, as if she wanted a certain little swordsman to deliberately see her movements.

Compared to Yan Qing's attack, which was like a sudden storm, Jingliu's sword had no extraneous motion. Moreover, it was very quiet... quiet as a snowflake falling on a plum branch, everything unfolding naturally, even the demonic shade's death being part of the harmony.

If slaughter were compared to a piece of music, the tune she composed certainly had no trace of dissonance, flowing like water.

Thanks to Yan Qing, several Pillars finally saw clearly her sword, forged through countless tempers and then simplified.

Fortunately, Miss Jingliu has a little design on Yan Qing's heart; otherwise we would still have no chance to see her sword clearly.

Kanroji Mitsuri sat on the ground, saying somewhat happily.

Iguro Obaiku nodded: "Hmm, I hope this master ancestor will teach us two more moves so we can also benefit, but I just heard her tone... it seems somewhat off?"

After dispelling the demonic shade, Jingliu turned her back to Yan Qing and spoke slowly: "Only that just now sword was not utterly disappointing."

Yan Qing finally saw the gap between them, dejectedly lowering his gaze: "... I lost."

"The match isn't over yet, because my final sword hasn't had a chance to be thrust out, yet there's no opponent left on the field..."

The atmosphere suddenly solidified; large beads of sweat slid down Yan Qing's forehead, his eyes fixed on the white-haired woman before him, the pressure almost turning into an invisible giant hand gripping him tightly, not allowing him to draw a breath.

"Hehe... drawing the sword to no avail, desecrating the divine will of the Emperor Bow and Destiny Commander, is highly ominous." Jingliu lifted her gaze to the sky, her laughter seemingly carrying a hint of madness.

Yan Qing gripped his sword tightly: "You..."

"With your strength, even if you saw the blade, it would only be a dead end." Jingliu said lightly: "Compared to dying at any moment, I give you a more dignified choice—after witnessing my sword forged through countless tempers, to die as a swordsman."

Having said this, the corner of Jingliu's mouth curled up slightly.

"Little brother, do you want to take one of my swords?"

Nooooo—!

Dakness's voice rang out like a bomb in the tavern, its high pitch nearly bursting the eardrums of the adventurers present, that anguished wail seeming as if they were about to face the pain of losing a husband.

"Jingliu, he's your disciple's son, waaah! Shouldn't a talented junior be well cared for?"

How could you bring yourself to harm such an adorable Yan Qing!

Didn't we agree on skipping a generation? Why, after cutting down Jingyuan, do you still want to cut Yan Qing? General Jingyuan, save him! Waah...

"Hey hey hey, is that how you use 'skipping a generation'? If you don't know how to use it, don't use it!" Wazawa muttered helplessly, he glanced around the tavern, quietly sidling up to the blonde girl, "Say, Dakness, could you lower your voice a bit? There are lots of people watching us here..."

"Just look then." Dakness wiped away a tear, although she was crying so hard she could hardly speak, she still let out a hoarse plea:

"Jingliu, please don't cut Yan Qing; if you must cut, cut me instead!!"

Wazawa:???

So this is actually your true purpose?!

The stunning white-haired, red-eyed older sister personally wields the blade; doesn't this make you, a perverted masochist, feel thrilled??