Chapter 128 Saint Seiya Climbing the Tower
Li Shuwen was born in the late Qing Dynasty as a martial artist. He held military posts under the Qing government and was famous as a martial obsessive, so much that he would walk while practicing with his spear.
He was a man of rules—never late for a match, never using hidden weapons, always confronting opponents openly and sincerely, taking every duel seriously.
Yet his strikes were extremely lethal. Regardless of his opponent, most duels ended in death.
As a result, he gained a fearsome reputation, accumulated countless grudges, and was respected and feared by fellow martial artists.
Throughout his life, he faced numerous challenges, and his notorious reputation persisted until his death.
Due to his connections with Qing officials and warlords, his disciples traditionally served as military instructors or bodyguards for high-ranking officials.
When teaching disciples, the focus was solely on martial training, not on moral righteousness, which led some of his students to become the "villainous characters" in anti-Japanese propaganda dramas.
Because of his ferocity, and due to national circumstances, he was rarely publicly promoted. Consequently, Bajiquan (Eight Extremes Fist) was not as famous as Tai Chi.
However, within modern martial arts circles, there is a saying: "In literature, Tai Chi brings peace to the world; in martial arts, Bajiquan stabilizes the cosmos." Bajiquan is a military-style martial art close to modern combat, suitable for battlefield skirmishes. During wartime, gaining the trust of warlord forces was proof of its effectiveness.
"Anyway, Shirou, until your wounds are fully healed, you must never go near that place again. Understood?" Da Vinci warned once more.
"I know already, it's too much. It's just a minor injury. Da Vinci, you don't need to keep repeating yourself. I've promised several times already," Shirou said impatiently.
Although he was still a little defiant, he understood just how formidable Li Shuwen was. Shirou had the sword sheath, but the opponent had the black mud.
Even if Li Shuwen's arms were cut off, they could quickly recover. Unless Shirou could destroy his spiritual core, the battle would never end. For now, all he could do was recover and prepare to face this terrifying enemy in full strength.
Yet, the world rarely unfolds according to human will.
Afterwards, everyone continued enjoying the mountain scenery. By afternoon, they returned by car to the small town atop the mountain and stayed there.
After settling the students, Hiratsuka Shizuka went to Shirou's room to care for the sleeping boy.
If the child had ability but was inexperienced, making mistakes that led to injury, she would let him discover solutions on his own—after all, humans grow by repeatedly encountering unknown environments and sustaining minor injuries.
But Shirou was different. Unlike ordinary "good kids" who help others even at personal cost, Shirou had ambitions and beliefs beyond normal measures.
From the beginning, he was willing to get hurt and fight alone for his ideals.
People willing to sacrifice for others exist—not few—like anti-drug teams, firefighters, or disaster rescue squads. But they have comrades and partners to rely on, enabling them to overcome fear and charge into danger to save lives.
Shirou, however, had a tendency to bear everything himself.
This stubbornness was painful to witness, and she couldn't leave him unattended.
True care required someone genuinely concerned to be by his side. Hiratsuka Shizuka gently stroked his head, smoothing his furrowed brows with her fingers.
The sun set behind the mountains, and the moon rose from the opposite side. The high peaks were draped in darkness, sprinkled with starlight, a calm and peaceful beauty replacing the neon glow of the city.
"Suspicious… very suspicious… Something definitely happened between Hiratsuka-sensei and Shirou today," Kasumigaoka Utaha thought, walking along the hotel corridor, her mind in turmoil.
While on the mountain, she didn't know where Sensei and Shirou had gone. When they were found, Sensei was giving Shirou a lap pillow. Could it be… a student-teacher romance?!
So, a rival? Hiratsuka Shizuka didn't seem like the type to fall for a young boy, though she might like handsome men temporarily—likely needing care herself.
And the object of affection was her student—illegal, right?
No, though Shirou sometimes acted childish in certain ways, he was mature in others.
But if that were true, it would mean Shirou's typer was "Older Sister"?
No, no. In that case, I'd also be a big sister type. Why the disparity?
Had she pushed too hard before? Kasumigaoka Utaha was torn.
She claimed to be a sexy older sister type but was really a veteran otaku; all her romance knowledge came from light novels, manga, and galgames.
Teenage boys were supposed to like playful older sister characters, right?
So, romance guides from galgames were lies!
Even though the online Emiya was flirtatious and skilled at charming girls, in reality, he was so slow and serious, almost like an old man. The gap between online and reality was absurd.
'No, I must know! If Shirou already has someone he likes, then fine, I'll accept being rejected. But it must be stated clearly in person! Otherwise, I can't accept it!' she thought and headed to the boy's room.
At that moment, a black shadow flashed through the hotel. Its footsteps were ghostly light, and it appeared behind the headband-wearing girl, striking her neck with a hand blade.
"Ugh…" Kasumigaoka Utaha felt a sharp pain and went dark, knocked unconscious.
The shadow bound her with a ribbon-like object, securing her to itself, then carried her to the windowsill and abducted her.
As it departed, it unleashed a massive surge of magical energy, leaping from the window. The girl's hairband fell on the windowsill.
Shirou, sensing the magic, opened his eyes, exchanged a glance with Hiratsuka Shizuka, and rushed out, just catching the shadow disappearing through the broken window.
Shirou reached the windowsill, picked up an object, examined it carefully, and said to Hiratsuka Shizuka:
"This hairband is Kasumigaoka-senpai's!"
"Damn it! That bastard has indeed been corrupted by the black mud! He didn't pursue before, earning my respect as a martial arts master, but now this… it's despicable!" Hiratsuka Shizuka clenched her fist against the windowsill in anger.
"No… this doesn't match Li Shuwen's usual obsessive style, but whatever, we have no choice but to pursue! My wounds are almost fully healed," Shirou said, activating reinforcement magic, his body glowing with electricity as magical energy coursed through him, and leaping out the window in pursuit.
"Anyone who dares involve my student will regret it…" Hiratsuka Shizuka also invoked Martha in possession, class Ruler.
"Cough… strictly speaking, You should teach a lesson, not beat anyone," Martha spoke within her, correcting her tone.
"At this point, spare the lecture. Hurry and catch up!" Shirou urged.
"What attitude! Don't boss me around! If not for you being my student, I'd—ah…" Martha burst out scolding.
Perhaps due to being atop the scenic mountains of Jiangnan, her attributes as the Water Saint were greatly enhanced, and her mood surged, making her more prone to expose her true nature.
"Sorry, Saint-sensei, let me quickly go after Kasumigaoka-senpai," Shirou said, noting the difference between the heroic spirit's nature and Hiratsuka Shizuka's usual demeanor was minor.
…Hmm, oh ho ho, Shizuka, how can you speak so roughly? We should say, 'Let us go together! To save the world.'" Martha laughed in agreement, choosing to stay quiet inside to avoid saying more.
The two accelerated their pace, leaping high and pursuing.
The shadow ahead moved lightly, even carrying Kasumigaoka Utaha while vaulting across buildings, steadily increasing the distance. The figure was cloaked in black mist, making it difficult to discern in the night.
However, the magical energy left clear traces, as if deliberately guiding Shirou and Hiratsuka Shizuka.
"This is like it's luring us," Hiratsuka Shizuka muttered.
"No problem! Even if it's a trap, my Mystic Eyes can detect it," Shirou said, running with his Mystic Eyes active.
"Wait! Wait! Why!? If I'm not careful, you'll end up back here again! If Chaldea hadn't been monitoring this alternate space, you'd have gone in unnoticed!" Da Vinci complained through a holographic projection.
"Da Vinci, there's no choice! My student has been kidnapped by a servant who fled inside here, help us!" Hiratsuka Shizuka said.
"Servant? Was there a magical reaction near Mount Lu just now?" Da Vinci asked the staff nearby.
"There was indeed a magical fluctuation, but it was very weak," a Chaldea staff member replied.
"Could it be an Assassin? But it seems you won't listen to me anyway. I understand! Chaldea will fully support you. Now, mobilize all resources for the search!" Da Vinci agreed.
"Thank you! I'm counting on everyone!" Shirou said to all the members in the holographic projection.
Now that Kasumigaoka Utaha had been kidnapped, even knowing there was a trap ahead, they had no choice but to give chase.
In the night, the figure enveloped in black mist carrying Kasumigaoka Utaha leapt over the forest, suddenly speeding up, stepping over jagged stones, and jumping to the top of a
mountain peak. When they reached the edge of a cliff, the black shadow jumped down with her, entering the alternate space, diving into its small world.
"Hmph! It's you again, little mouse! Apart from the third party on the boy's side?" Within the small world, the black-mud heroic spirit Li Shuwen sensed the servant's magical energy and immediately gave chase.
The shadow, sensing danger, placed Kasumigaoka Utaha in the underground near the entrance of the small world and then vanished into the darkness.
"Ordinary human…" Li Shuwen frowned as he looked at the unconscious Kasumigaoka Utaha lying on the ground.
A few minutes later, Shirou and Hiratsuka Shizuka, following the residual magical energy, arrived at the mountain they had visited earlier that morning, reaching Dragon Head Cliff.
"Shirou! Li Shuwen is really strong, so I won't let you fight him alone. But since your wounds aren't healed, you'll assist from the side. Rescue Kasumigaoka comes first. Understood?" Hiratsuka Shizuka said seriously.
"I understand, Teacher." Shirou had no better option and agreed.
The two jumped into the alternate space. This time, there was no one to stop them, and they walked smoothly through the gate that had been shattered by the dragon.
Beyond the light gate, a world of green came into view—a small, serene realm. The environment resembled a valley filled with towering green trees reaching toward the sky, streams and springs flowing, and peach blossoms blooming everywhere, like a paradise on earth.
Sounds of clashing echoed from all around. Armored ancient soldiers carrying spears and drawing bows approached from all directions. Each soldier was strong and capable.
Shirou used his Mystic Eyes to observe their bodies.
They were in a state between spirit and flesh, seemingly made from a mixture of loess and black mud, and their spiritual essence were the souls of those who had died in battle here over thousands of years, summoned by the Holy Grail.
Thousands of black-mud soldiers, fearless of death, surrounded Shirou and Hiratsuka Shizuka.
Just when a fierce battle seemed inevitable, the leader on the other side raised his hand, and all the soldiers lowered their weapons.
"Are you the challenger, Shirou Emiya?" the leader stepped forward.
Shirou looked and saw a Han Chinese man dressed as a general approaching. He wore a helmet, had a beard, and sharp, penetrating eyes. In his strong, rough hands he held a white-
hafted pear blossom spear. He appeared to be in his thirties and, unlike the other soldiers, was a real servant.
"Shirou, be careful! That's a servant!" Da Vinci warned.
"These hands, these eyes… you must be Archer, right?" Shirou asked.
"Haha, so it's you! The sharp-eyed boy Li Sensei mentioned. Follow me!" The man dressed as a general laughed heartily. His spear was a weapon from this world; in life, he had fought with spears on battlefields but was not particularly powerful.
"What's going on?" Shirou asked, surprised.
"You want to meet Master Li Shuwen, right? Come with me. If you pass the trials here, you'll reach the top of the tower and meet him." The general-appearing servant spoke and started walking.
The soldiers ahead fell back in order, instantly creating a long, straight path toward the center of the valley.
"So cryptic," Hiratsuka Shizuka complained.
"But it seems they don't intend to fight us, which is great," Shirou said.
"Exactly. In situations like being surrounded, escaping would be almost impossible. It's a relief we don't have to fight. I should prepare some devices for such scenarios in the future," Da Vinci said.
Following the general-servant, they reached the middle of the valley, where a massive redwood building stood. Nearly thirty meters tall, covering over three hundred square meters, with three floors outside and four inside, red walls, red tiles, and corridors on all sides. The eaves curved upward, the roof ridges carved with beasts—an ancient, solemn tower.
"Magnificent."
"Wait, isn't this Xunyang Tower? Why is it here?"
"Well, there's no architect here, so we just used a nearby nice-looking building. By the way, my Song-family brother even wrote poetry here, but it doesn't matter," the general-servant shrugged.
"Please go upstairs. I'll guide you there.
Master Li is on the top floor. To meet him, you must defeat the enemies on the first three floors.
Only by defeating the first-floor opponent can you advance to the second, and so on. Reaching the top allows you to meet Master Li, and the ultimate victor will obtain the Holy Grail."
"It's here! Classic shonen manga scene! The Twelve Zodiac! Leave this to me, you guys go ahead!" Hiratsuka Shizuka shouted excitedly.
"Shizuka, don't say such old references now. Many won't understand. At least say the strategy team must climb a hundred-floor tower, or they can't wake up and leave this world," Da Vinci advised.
"By the way, the little girl you're looking for is also up there. Master Li doesn't intend to harm her. Even if you're killed, she'll be sent back safely."
"Da Vinci! Look! Kasumigaoka is Athena! I haven't learned the technique to reverse waterfalls yet, but Sensei will save you soon!" Hiratsuka Shizuka clenched her fist, blood boiling with excitement. Though usually unreliable, the iron-fist teacher became invincible for her student in that moment.
Martha inside her spoke to the host.
"Eh? Can it be done? Secret technique of Divine Fist, Moses—Split the Sea with a punch!" Hiratsuka Shizuka exclaimed in shock.
"Over a thousand years and modern people still say things I can hear but not understand… I've already acquired the knowledge of this world," the general-servant said, puzzled.
"It's okay, I don't really understand either," Shirou comforted him.
"Hey, as a servant, are you just guiding us here?" Hiratsuka Shizuka asked.
"I wouldn't mind fighting you, but Master Li forbade me from using tricky moves on the tower. They'd just waste your strength and hinder growth. My Noble Phantasm is like throwing stones, so I wasn't summoned at first. Otherwise, I would have already grabbed the Holy Grail if I could surpass him in combat," the general-servant complained.
Da Vinci muttered, "I feel like you'd get along with King David…"
"Anyway, thanks for guiding us. Let's go." Shirou didn't want to waste time and bid farewell to the grumbling Archer.
"Let's go, let's go," the general waved impatiently.
"Thanks, Mr. Mu~! Goodbye!" Hiratsuka Shizuka waved as she walked inside.
"Mr. Mu? My name is Zhang Qing! Zhang Qing! Don't get it wrong!" the general-servant grumbled.
Too late—Hiratsuka Shizuka had already entered.
They reached the first floor. Hundreds of soldiers sat there, each with longbows in hand or nearby, and archery ranges set up in all directions. Rows of archers practiced shooting at targets.
In front of the staircase leading upward, a man dressed as an officer stood, blocking the path.
Seeing Shirou, he stepped forward: "So, you're the challenger, the boy. I am your opponent, the top archer of this floor."
"Alright! How do we fight? I'll be your opponent! Shirou! You go first!" Hiratsuka Shizuka clenched her fist, blocking the boy.
The officer raised his hand to refuse: "No, I only compete in archery. Master Li said this floor only accepts the boy's challenge. You may watch, but not intervene, or we'll treat you as a disturbance and remove you."
"What!" Hiratsuka Shizuka stepped back, frustrated.
"Shirou, he's not a servant, more like a phantom, but his parameters lean toward Archer," Da Vinci explained.
"I understand. How do we proceed?" Shirou asked.
"I only compete in shooting!" the archer officer said. A black-mud soldier appeared on the opposite range, with a wild peach from the valley balanced on its head, dozens of meters away from the target.
Wild peaches naturally grow slightly larger than lychees, about a palm-sized, and placed on the head, they sink slightly, making hitting the target much harder. A slight mistake could hit the person.
The archer officer expertly nocked his bow. In life, he was an officer under Zhou Yu, witnessing Zhao Yun's arrow split a sail at Red Cliffs. He later commanded a thousand men but died on the battlefield. Now recreated in black mud with the Grail's energy, he shot an arrow, piercing the peach and continuing into the target behind.
"Well done!" Soldiers nearby cheered.
"Now, you take one and shoot the peach. If your aim is better, you win," the officer tossed a wild peach toward Shirou.
"Oh." Shirou caught the peach and looked at the woman standing aside—he had no one else to choose.
"Eh? Me?" Hiratsuka Shizuka froze, pointing at herself. A high school teacher, now recognized by a Saint, coming here as a Holy Fighter… and now expected to serve as the target?
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