Sayu and Bai Luo belonged to intelligence divisions of different factions.
It was just that neither of them liked doing "real work."
However, their sensitivity to intelligence was still quite sharp.
So, Sayu was the first to pull the water-logged document out of the Kujou servant's robes.
But before she could read it, Bai Luo snatched it from her hands.
Signaling Tatyana to deal with the flailing Sayu, Bai Luo began to flip through the text.
Perhaps because the man had been soaking in the sea for so long, much of the content was illegible, but some parts could still be deciphered.
"The phenomenon of troops fearing battle on the Yashiori Island front lines is severe and has drawn the attention of the Clan Head..."
"Lord Masahito once wrote a letter detailing the chaos caused by the [Tatarigami] on the island, but the Clan Head was unmoved and instead flew into a rage."
"Therefore, we were dispatched to inspect the situation on the island and report the truth, to encourage Lord Masahito to press on and destroy the rebels' nest in one fell swoop."
The first half of the text was normal, simply recording why they were here and what they were doing.
The reason why the Shogunate army bombarded the refugee ship was also recorded here.
"You old scoundrel Kujou, so it was your doing."
After writing Kujou Takayuki's name in the little black book in his heart, Bai Luo continued reading.
Further down... things got a bit weird.
"Started getting a nosebleed at noon, accompanied by dizziness. Such weakness is a disgrace to the samurai spirit of the Kujou Clan."
"Head hurts, especially at night. It hurts so much it feels like it's splitting open. Some team members have started coughing up blood and have nightmares every night."
"Had a nightmare. Dreamed of a small island in the western sea being swallowed by quicksand. Very ominous."
"It's whispering again... I feel like ears are growing inside my brain. I want to run, but I can't escape."
"Bleeding. My whole body is bleeding. I feel like I'm melting..."
"..."
Further down, the content was completely destroyed by filthy blood and seawater; the original writing was impossible to make out.
Under Sayu's longing gaze, Bai Luo stuffed the paper back into the Kujou servant's clothes and kicked him back into the sea.
Bai Luo knew very well that the man was beyond saving.
Rather than letting him live in such agony, it was better to give him a quick end.
He gave Tatyana a look, then hoisted Sayu up by the scruff of her neck again, and the two continued walking forward.
Some things were better left unseen by children, lest they leave bad memories.
Tatyana sighed slightly. Although she could "see" Bai Luo's actions through other means, his winking signal seemed a bit...
*Never mind, he is my superior after all.*
Under Tatyana's control, the water currents wrapped around the Kujou servant floating on the surface and dragged him to the bottom of the sea.
Before long, dark red blood began to bubble up from the depths.
After dealing with the servant affected by the Tatarigami, the group continued deeper into the area.
Along the way, Bai Luo finally understood why the text had used "we."
Corpses lay strewn across the ruins in various positions—lying, sitting, or curled up.
There were corpses of Shogunate soldiers, Resistance fighters, and even people dressed as fishermen.
Some had died in madness from the strange illness caused by the Tatarigami, while others had accidentally wandered in and been sacrificed by the afflicted.
In short... the scene was so tragic that Sayu was scared into shrinking into her Muji-Muji Daruma, letting Bai Luo carry her in his hand.
After passing these bodies, the view suddenly opened up. A semi-circular barrier, seemingly formed of water, appeared before them.
Tatyana stepped forward first, attempting to control the water flow.
But she failed; the water refused to obey her command.
Bai Luo handed Sayu to Tatyana, then stepped up to the barrier himself and tentatively reached out his hand.
Whoosh—
The water rippled and sucked him directly inside.
[Trial Activated - The Oni of Severed Fate]
[In the ruins to the west of Yashiori Island wanders an autonomous humanoid machine swordsman.]
[It bears three bonds of fate.]
[Trial Requirement: Defeat at least one bond of fate.]
[Trial Reward: Random Exclusive Equipment x1, Random High-Grade Item x1, Random Class Change Tome x1.]
Originally, his vision was obscured by black mist, but the sudden notification made Bai Luo's eyes light up.
He had initially thought the opportunity this ruin could offer was just a piece of exclusive equipment.
He didn't expect a high-grade item and a random Class Change Tome as well.
He didn't know what the high-grade item was; it was likely something similar to a Trial Card.
But he couldn't miss out on the Random Class Change Tome.
One can never have too many skills. No matter what class he rolled, it would be an upgrade for him.
However, judging by the System's description, to get the latter two rewards, he would likely have to defeat the Maguu Kenki's other two bonds.
Speaking of three bonds, it reminded Bai Luo of something.
In his memory, the Maguu Kenki indeed had three forms, though these three forms only appeared in certain events.
Did he have to face those three forms?
Just to be safe, Bai Luo switched to his "Hei" (Black) state.
Hei's quantumization ability could not only dodge most damage, but even if he couldn't win, he could use his Ultimate to jump to Sayu or Tatyana.
So, it was the safest state.
[Start the First Trial - Origin?]
"Yes."
[First Trial started successfully. Please defeat the founder of the Iwakura Art, the sword master who holds the martial name Douin — Mikoshi Michihiro within ten minutes.]
"Hmm? Who?"
Gripping his dagger tightly, Bai Luo was slightly surprised.
Wasn't the one who challenged him last time the Maguu Kenki?
Why, after entering, was he facing not the puppet, but a sword master with such a grand-sounding title?
The black mist dispersed. The surroundings were no longer the oppressive and dilapidated ruins, but a small farmhouse courtyard.
In the center of the courtyard sat a man who looked somewhat stoic, kneeling in seiza.
His build was robust, and even with his eyes closed, he exuded an oppressive aura.
"A challenger?"
Perhaps sensing Bai Luo's presence, Mikoshi Douin slowly opened his eyes.
In his eyes, there was no distinction between good and evil, nor joy or anger. There was only a surging will to fight.
"Mikoshi Douin?"
Bai Luo gripped his dagger and asked tentatively.
"Hmph."
Mikoshi Douin was just as he appeared: stoic and a man of few words.
From the moment they met, he had said only two words (in the original text, "Challenger?" and "Hmph" count as minimal speech).
Immediately after, he drew his sword.
After unsheathing the [Amenoma Kageuchi] by his side, Mikoshi Douin's aura finally underwent a change.
If he felt like an emotionless block of wood before, he was now a razor-sharp blade.
"Mikoshi Douin. En garde."
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