"Have you heard? That Bibi Tō actually wants to elope with a useless guy named Haruto Akiyama.""She's willing to betray Shikon-den just for him!""Has she gone blind?""Brother Xun, Uncle Hayate, and all those who cared for her… doesn't she feel any of it?""What charm does that useless guy have to make her so obsessed? It's as if she's possessed!"
Spirit Falcon's delicate and exquisite face was full of anger. Her pale hands clenched into fists, trembling with resentment.
"Scar-faced Brother?"
Xunji Hayate twitched at the corner of his mouth. The original name was absurd—why would anyone name someone like that? It annoyed him. That old man, giving such a ridiculous name… of all choices, he had to name him Xunji Hayate! How could anyone call him anything else?"Xunji…""Chicken Brother…"None of them sounded right!
"On the contrary, it's because we treated her too well that she took everything for granted," Xunji said calmly, hands behind his back, responding to Spirit Falcon's indignation."As for that useless guy… he has no real charm. Perhaps it's because Bibi Tō grew up surrounded by extraordinary youths in Shikon City—talented and handsome in every way. She simply got tired of the 'delicacies' and found something coarse to have its own appeal."
Xunji's voice was filled with sarcasm and a cold sneer. Spirit Falcon shook her head, helpless and speechless.
"Oh! By the way, Spirit Falcon, don't call me Brother Hayate anymore. Call me Brother Xun," he added lightly, as if brushing aside the matter of Bibi Tō.
"What? Brother Hayate? I think it sounds fine!" Spirit Falcon blinked her pale golden eyes, puzzled but didn't argue further. After all, Xunji Hayate was the exalted Pope, and she was merely a weak, helpless attendant.
"By the way, Brother Xun, this Bibi Tō and Haruto Akiyama…""Are we just going to let them go?" Spirit Falcon raised her fist in indignation, furious at the thought.
"Heh!" Xunji sneered, a cold glint flashing in his golden eyes."Don't worry. I will not let them leave that easily. That Haruto Akiyama… I've arranged a punishment that will make him suffer greatly! And Bibi Tō… she will also get what she deserves."
Meanwhile, after leaving Shikon City, because Bibi Tō had been crippled by Xunji…
In a nearby city, Haruto Akiyama had hired a carriage to carry both of them toward the Blue Lightning Overlord Sect near Heavenly Tō Imperial City. Days passed as the carriage traveled over mountains and rivers, finally reaching the border of the Heavenly Tō Empire.
A narrow canyon stood before them—a necessary route into the empire. The carriage rolled into the gorge.
"Move out, men!"
Suddenly, a loud shout rang out. A group of black-clad, masked men leapt from the canyon walls, shouting as they charged downhill. One after another, they blocked the carriage in the gorge.
The coachman reined in the horses, terrified. Inside, Bibi Tō grabbed Haruto Akiyama's arm, panicked.
"Haruto! Bandits! What should we do?"
If she had her cultivation, Bibi Tō wouldn't be afraid. But now, powerless, she was just an ordinary girl.
"Don't worry, Bibi. They're just ordinary bandits. Leave it to me," Haruto replied gently, not realizing the danger. He stepped down from the carriage, hands behind his back, exuding calm.
Though he was a spirit master considered weak, facing ordinary bandits, he felt no fear.
He immediately summoned his spirit, Three-Cannon Ro. A purple glow flashed.
A small pig-like creature appeared: short limbs, purple and white fur, a tiny tail, fan-sized ears, and large round eyes. Two yellow spirit rings rose around Haruto.
"I am a spirit master. I advise you to leave immediately," he warned sternly."Or don't blame me for being impolite!"
He thought showing his spirit master identity would scare them off. But the bandits laughed uproariously.
"Hahaha! With that little pig spirit of yours, what can you do to us?"
"Men, attack!"
At their leader's shout, the bandits charged with steel blades. Haruto grimaced but had no choice. He directed Three-Cannon Ro forward, channeling his soul power into his body.
Against ordinary bandits, Haruto might have been fine. But these weren't ordinary bandits—they were a surprise arranged by Xunji Hayate!
A scream rang out. Three-Cannon Ro was slashed in half, scattering spirit energy everywhere.
"What?!"
Haruto turned pale. Something was wrong. When Three-Cannon Ro exploded, he suffered backlash, spitting blood and collapsing.
"Haruto!" Inside the carriage, Bibi Tō's eyes turned red with tears. She screamed, heartbroken.
"Hmph! You worthless thing, I'm taking you!"
The bandits approached, kicking Haruto disdainfully.
"Hey! And there's a little beauty too!" One of the bandits spotted Bibi Tō, whistled, rubbed his hands, and leered toward the carriage.
The coachman cursed Haruto silently—he couldn't even defend against ordinary bandits.
"Don't come near me!" Bibi Tō shouted. Her delicate face turned pale with fear as she revealed her former Holy Maiden title to scare them off.
"You? Holy Maiden of Shikon-den? What a joke!" one bandit scoffed.
The leader frowned but shrugged."Forget it. She's too pretty, dressed unusually… probably important. Let's just take the goods and go."
Haruto, lying weak and pale, finally relaxed a little. As long as Bibi Tō was safe… he didn't care about the loot.
Then, a rough voice rang out."Boss, we won't touch the woman.""And this kid… shouldn't be a problem, right?"
A tall, muscular bald man with a long scar across his face stepped forward, rubbing his hands and grinning at Haruto.
"What?!"
Haruto froze. No way!
"This kid looks ordinary, his spirit is weak… whatever, we'll do as we please," the scar-faced man said casually.
"Thank you, big brother!" Haruto said nervously.
The scar-faced man licked his lips, the scar twitching."Kid! You look soft and refined, just the type I like! Don't worry—Scar-Faced Brother will train you properly. You'll have an unforgettable experience!"
He grinned and lunged at Haruto."No! Stop!" Haruto struggled in terror, but he couldn't escape.
The scar-faced man grabbed his leg, laughing cruelly."Kid, come back here!"
Screams echoed as the battle began, birds scattering in fright.