Chapter 251

Rong Ju's voice finally grew excited: 'Boy, the one who taught you swordsmanship has come. Under his guidance, you have never failed, but recently you suffered your first major setback in life. Your former confidence in your swordsmanship is wavering.'

Like a demon's temptation, Sui Yang's voice was like a heavy hammer continually shattering Yan Qing's psychological defenses: 'You worry that the General will be disappointed in you. You worry that you cannot become the person the General hopes you to be.'

'Come, show him the techniques I taught you; he will surely be delighted to see your progress. Tell him you will win victory for the Immortal Vessel with your next sword!'

'Yan Qing will not draw his sword just to prove something to me. I have confidence in him.' Jing Yuan's tone was calm, 'This confidence is not faith that he will ultimately win… but belief that he will one day break free from win or lose, realizing the true reason he wields his sword—whether for joy, for saving lives, or for slaying enemies…'

'This reason must be found by himself; no one can teach it to him. Now is the moment for him to take this step.'

'The General's words instantly cleared Yan Qing's gaze somewhat: 'General, I…''

'Breaking free from win or lose?' Rong Ju snorted disdainfully, 'That's just consolation for the dead and losers! Think of your crushing defeat at the Prayer Dragon Altar! Think of the feeling of hovering on the brink of death.'

'If at that time the Star Core Hunter's sword had pierced your body, you wouldn't even have the chance to stand here pondering the meaning of victory and defeat.'

'Rong Ju almost shouted in a commanding tone: 'Now is the time for you to break through yourself, shatter all fetters. Toward the teacher—toward the General who tries to confine you… draw your sword!'

'Yan Qing walked up before Jing Yuan, hesitatingly spoke: 'General… please allow me… to demonstrate swordsmanship. I hereby challenge you…'

'Jing Yuan did not respond, merely gazing at him quietly, smiling gently.'

'Yan Qing froze; he slowly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, as if making up his mind, then opened them again. He turned and gazed up at the sword formation, pointing his sword tip at the myriad sword gleams floating in the sky: '…Rong Ju teacher, I hereby challenge this sword formation, and you!'

——

Teyvat, Inazuma.

As dusk deepened, the outline of the citadel loomed especially solemn in the evening clouds, but even more eye‑catching was the impending battle unfolding in the sky.

'Phew… fortunately General Jing Yuan intervened.'

In a tea room, Tuo Ma was kneeling at the side; seeing his perpetually calm, gentle smile, Tuo Ma also let out a long breath, his tensed body only relaxing after a while.

'What a reassuring General.' Gazing at the steaming mist rising from the tea cup, Ling Hua sighed softly: 'Although possessing overwhelming power, he chooses the gentlest way to resolve issues, and each time he manages to secure the best outcome.'

Tuo Ma refilled her cup with hot water, the sound of the water murmuring like a stream: 'Indeed, this General Jing Yuan reminds me of Lord Ling Ren—both seem carefree but are actually thoughtful.'

'Elder brother, sir?' Ling Hua lifted the corner of her mouth, unfolded her folding fan, half‑covering her face: 'Indeed, the elder brother and the General alike excel at maneuvering with strategy, but General Jing Yuan's martial prowess is top‑notch even across the whole Immortal Vessel.'

'Indeed, that General does not blindly trust Yan Qing; he has absolute confidence in his own judgment and abilities. Even if the worst occurs, he can still grasp control of the situation—as now——'

Before Tuo Ma's words had finished, he saw faint flames begin to separate within the sword formation in the sky, eventually forming a body identical to Yan Qing's.

'Miss, they're about to fight!'

'Ah… Tuo Ma! The recording device… quick…' Ling Hua also uncharacteristically panicked; this time out, she too intended to find a quiet place to record Yan Qing's sword moves. The Inazuma Kamisato School's katana techniques have been passed down unchanged for thousands of years, and she and her brother also wished to seize this opportunity to improve them with foreign swordsmanship.

——

'What a waste of my painstaking effort, little brat. Your achievements could have been limitless. Too bad you have so many pointless thoughts.'

'Rong Ju's appearance is also because, during the possession, he had mastered Yan Qing's moves like the back of his hand, and he is confident to give him a final lesson using Yan Qing's form and techniques.'

'Rong Ju specializes in a ruthless sword, confident his technique far surpasses Yan Qing's, but under the General's guidance of "Concealing Form, Restraining Intent," Yan Qing engages him with agile movements and ultimately wins by a single move's margin.'

'Defeated by such a junior, Rong Ju's Dao heart shattered, and he willingly allowed Huohuo to collect him into her gourd.'

'Yan Qing also finally came to his senses, looking at the General, he embarrassedly scratched his head: 'General…'

'Jing Yuan hurriedly interjected: 'I'm old, please spare me the sentimental talk.'

'Things finally settled; after bidding farewell to that master‑disciple pair, everyone resumed searching for the next target. However, while reviewing, Huohuo began doubting herself again—after all, without a tail she is merely an ordinary person in the Ten Kings Office, and she doesn't know how long she can endure.'

'During this period she has been searching for clues about a tail, but despite searching so long she has found nothing, and she inevitably feels anxious.'

'After a whole day's work, Su Shang also grew tired, so everyone dispersed to rest; but early the next morning, a message from Xiao Guizi instantly cleared the foggy Xing's mind.'

'Oh no! Huohuo is missing!'

——

'Is it a mistake to seek an encounter in the dungeon?'

'Ah? Missing? Huohuo?' Hesitiya widened her eyes, 'Is Sui Yang still possessing her?! Could it be… that there's news of her having a tail?'

'High God, sir, it's not necessarily a tail.' Bei Er stroked his chin in thought, 'It's also possible that Sui Yang noticed Huohuo's sorrowful aura, wanted to feed on it, and possessed her. After all, without a tail, Huohuo has no Sui Yang attached, giving other Sui Yang an opportunity…'

'Isn't there a possibility that the tail itself sought out Huohuo?' Hesitiya spread her hands, 'Anyway, Sui Yang is immortal, Old Man Tail surely hasn't dissipated; maybe he's rested enough and actively sought out Huohuo.'

'That wouldn't even mean she doesn't reply to a message, right?' Bei Er lowered his head in thought, 'I recall that messages can't be sent from within Sui Garden… Huohuo not replying to their messages means she is either in Sui Yang's illusion or actually inside Sui Garden.'