Chapter 58

As a Silvermane Iron Guard sentinel officer, Jiépàdé's combat style is quite simple and brutal.

Simply put, it's just frantically putting a shield on himself.

With the force of one punch he could knock down a group of Rift Beasts… he put a shield on his allies. But the shield capacity was considerable; Xing, Xier, and others pounded him repeatedly, yet Jiépàdé suffered little injury.

Xing even felt that, compared to Jiépàdé's shield capacity, even the Doomsday Beast was as fragile as thin skin.

To withstand such frequent attacks, his muscles under the armor must surely be gleaming. In the Hero Association, the one renowned for "defensive power," Chāohéjīn Hēiguāng, set down the one-ton dumbbell in his hand, and while looking up at Jiépàdé's battle, he sighed.

After the guards beside him fell, only Jiépàdé remained standing on the field. After all, two fists can't match ten hands; under the fierce assault of five opponents, Jiépàdé gradually showed signs of weakness, unable to cope.

"Jiépàdé…… if you could train with me, you wouldn't need three months to develop muscles like mine, and then you'd surely be able to block Xier and the others' attacks." Chāohéjīn Hēiguāng sighed.

Having said that, Chāohéjīn Hēiguāng still dared not underestimate Xier and the others. After all, even the one called "Humanity's Strongest," KING, spoke highly of a little girl inside……

"Chāohéjīn Hēiguāng, would you consider crafting armor similar to Jiépàdé's?"

The Hero Association staff member in charge of arranging Dark Light's training said, "Tongdi previously observed Jiépàdé's combat and took great interest in his violin-box-like defensive device."

"If you wish, Tongdi can also help you forge armor and a defensive device like a violin case, making you more adept at dealing with monsters."

"Mm, thanks for your kindness, but I don't need it."

Chāohéjīn Hēiguāng glanced at Jiépàdé's silver armor, shook his head, and said, "Being wrapped in that stuff would make even my muscles weep."

"'A body forged to the extreme is itself the best armor'—please convey this to Lord Tongdi, thank you for his good intentions."

The over-two-meter-tall Chāohéjīn Hēiguāng slowly rose to his feet, his muscles bulging all over, like a blackened heavy fortress; under the room's lighting, his bald head reflected a gleaming light.

After admiring his so-called "perfect" muscles in the mirror, he wore a slightly puzzled expression.

"Hmm… could there really be a monster capable of hurting me?"

"This battle has been extraordinarily arduous; Jiépàdé, true to his role as a protector on the path of preservation, has dragged on for a long time, both sides showing utter exhaustion before finally calming down."

"Only then did everyone remember there was still Bronya's letter, and they hurriedly took it out."

"After reading the letter, Jiépàdé's eyes widened in disbelief, hardly able to believe what he saw."

"Xiluwa also stopped arguing with him at this point, calming down to advise, 'Everything that needed to be said has been said, little bro; it's up to you to decide what to do.'"

"Jiépàdé said without hesitation, 'I am a sentinel officer of the Silvermane Iron Guard; duty calls, and I must carry out the command of the Great Guardian.'"

"Xing glanced at the bat in his hand, then at Jiépàdé: 'You really ought to think this over again…?'"

'"……" Jiépàdé fell silent for a moment, then said, "But Miss Bronya is the actual commander on the front lines. According to military regulations, when the front-line commander's orders conflict with those of the rear engineers, one should await further instructions."'

"Nice kid, he's really played this rule to the fullest." Déchuān regrettably pursed his lips, "Boring, I want to see rivers of blood!"

Déchuān's grievances likewise voiced the feelings of Wǔzàng and Yǒngcìláng.

A powerhouse like Jiépàdé is rare even across the whole Beloborg; especially his exquisitely refined defensive technique once left Wǔzàng stunned.

—This is not thanks to any aid from the Star Gods, but purely the result of relentless tempering of body and skill; without enduring countless life-and-death trials and passing through innumerable perilous gates, such technique could never be forged.

Meanwhile, the coordination of Xier, Danheng, and Xing was also impressive. Especially Xier…… Miyamoto Musashi, who boasts having experienced countless battles and witnessed myriad combat styles and weapons, had never before seen a scythe-shaped…… like this.

Moreover, Xier's skill is also formidable; having mastered such speed in her early teens…… truly left him awestruck.

Yet at the critical moment of the dragon-tiger showdown, both sides suddenly ceased fighting, leaving Miyamoto Musashi feeling unsatisfied.

Suddenly, a low male voice came from outside the gate of the Tokugawa mansion, interrupting the thoughts of those wandering about.

"Old master."

Outside the gate stood a burly man nearly two meters tall, wearing a neat white suit and expensive snakeskin shoes—judging by attire alone, he looked like a corporate executive entering an office building. But when he lifted his head, his face, scarred with knife marks…… seemed to have stepped out of hell as an asura.

The man was precisely the second-generation leader of the Japanese yakuza Huashan Group, Huāshān Xūn.

In stark contrast to his massive 166‑kg frame and fearsome appearance…… the awe‑inspiring Huāshān Xūn had just turned eighteen the previous week.

After the light screen appeared, Déchuān summoned Baki, Huāshān Xūn, Yuchi Dizuku, Rikaiō and other strongmen to his mansion to watch; aside from Wǔzàng and Yǒngcìláng, the first to arrive was Huāshān Xūn.

"Hmm, this warrior……" Upon stepping into the mansion, Huāshān Xūn saw Miyamoto Musashi seated opposite Yǒngcìláng on the raised platform.

For some reason, the instant Huāshān Xūn saw Miyamoto Musashi, a strange feeling arose in his heart.

Though he sat opposite Yǒngcìláng, with an exquisite tea table before him and the Tokugawa family's luxurious garden scenery behind him, when Huāshān Xūn focused his gaze on Miyamoto Musashi, he felt only darkness behind him.

The darkness had no top, no bottom, no bounds, no end…… Huāshān Xūn felt as if the darkness intended to swallow him, reaching out to engulf him.

"Musashi, this is Huāshān Xūn."

Seeing Huashan arrive, Déchuān was delighted, eagerly introducing him: "Speaking of Huashan, one cannot fail to mention what lies behind it—oh right, have you heard of Xiake Li? In the second year of the Yuanhe era……"

"No need for many words, old master."

Huāshān Xūn bluntly cut off Déchuān's words, stepping forward with one foot into the darkness before him, striding straight to Miyamoto Musashi's side. He removed his glasses, slipped his hands into his pockets, and looked down at those eyes shaped like magatama…… and the two blades, one long and one short, at his waist.

Miyamoto Musashi, peerless under heaven. Legend says he slew countless foes, relying on his self‑created divine technique—Niten Ichi‑ryū.

And facing this very person……

"Miyamoto Musashi."

Huāshān Xūn lifted his gaze to the people in the light screen and slowly said, "Do you think your sword…… can break through Jiépàdé's defense?"