Facing a one-paw-injured Higokumaru, Ming Yu didn't let his guard down in the slightest. After all, a fox has four paws, and those five swaying tails were not just for show. Getting hit by one of them would definitely not end well.
The closer he got to Higokumaru, the more Ming Yu realized the fox's immense size.
Its mountain-like body was an immense shock just standing there, not to mention the roaring flames that inspired awe and fear.
But no matter what, this fight had to be fought.
Frankly, Judah was not very suitable for Ming Yu. Neither the wildly flying chains nor the auto-targeting spears were abilities he could master. His current use of Judah was still at the most basic level, merely borrowing its restraining power, relying more on his own combat skills.
As Ming Yu approached, Higokumaru grew increasingly anxious. The flames on her body were not enough to harm Ming Yu; the tachi formed by Judah had the effect of suppressing Honkai Energy, making it no difficult task to resist those flames.
Her beastly eyes stared fixedly at Ming Yu's position. While leaping to dodge his attacks, Higokumaru swept her five large tails toward him like vipers that had been waiting for the right moment, launching a fatal attack with lightning speed.
Looking at Higokumaru's sweeping tails, fluffy yet powerful, Ming Yu's heart steeled. He didn't dodge, but silently gathered Honkai Energy in front of him, the tachi in his firm grip locked onto an incoming fox tail.
Seeing Ming Yu not dodging, Higokumaru was overjoyed and put even more force into it, wanting to end it all in one blow.
When Theresa saw Ming Yu's life-threatening stance, she immediately became anxious. Is this guy a fool? With such a huge tail sweeping over, what's the use of that tiny blade? Even Judah can't save you!
Ming Yu took a deep breath. The next moment, the massive crimson tail hit his body. A violent impact shot through him, causing a sweet taste in his throat as he spat out a mouthful of blood, his head feeling slightly dizzy.
The sensation, Ming Yu felt, was like being hit head-on by a large truck. It couldn't have felt better.
However, Ming Yu was not one to take a loss lying down. Even though his head was spinning from the impact, the command issued a moment before was faithfully executed by his body. The tachi in his right hand stabbed fiercely into the crimson tail, and his left hand tightly gripped the fluffy fur. Even as his body was knocked back several meters, he didn't let go.
The restraining power made Higokumaru's tail slightly numb, but she didn't care. As long as she could finish Ming Yu, it was worth paying a price.
As Higokumaru retracted her tail, Ming Yu was thrown into the air with it. The fierce wind whipped against his face, stinging like a blade, which helped clear his consciousness a little.
Realizing his position, he was overjoyed. He accumulated Honkai Energy in his legs, and with a mid-air step, he flew towards Higokumaru's back, two tachi appearing in his hands.
It wasn't until the tachi appeared in Ming Yu's hands that Higokumaru, who had intended to swat him out of the air, realized it was all just Ming Yu's ploy. Unfortunately, it was too late. Two tachi had already been plunged into her back.
Enduring the discomfort in his body, Ming Yu leaped up again and plunged two more tachi into Higokumaru's back, near her neck.
"AARGH!" The pain of the blades piercing her flesh made Higokumaru cry out. The restraining power attached to the tachi caused the flow of Honkai Energy in her body to become even more obstructed. This drove her into a more frantic struggle, trying to throw Ming Yu off.
The violent shaking made it impossible for Ming Yu to keep his footing. He immediately seized the opportunity to leap off, escaping the approaching flames and the treacherous terrain.
But even in retreat, Ming Yu had to leave another wound on Higokumaru. While in mid-air, another tachi appeared in his hand, and golden Honkai Energy continuously gathered in his palm.
"Go!" Ming Yu shouted, and the tachi in his hand shot towards Higokumaru's other front paw, parting the crimson fox fur and sinking in up to the hilt.
Ming Yu had barely landed before he had to quickly roll to dodge Higokumaru's stomping attack.
"Hah~, hah~" Ming Yu panted, looking at the nearly frenzied Higokumaru, and said with a smile, "How about that!"
"Damn you!" Higokumaru roared, the four tails behind her sweeping toward Ming Yu with increasing speed.
Ming Yu grinned, his body moving just as quickly. He did a side flip to dodge Higokumaru's sweep, then dashed under her body. With a flick of his wrists, two more tachi landed in his hands.
Although Higokumaru's anger was greater, the seven tachi already embedded in her had a significant effect, causing her resistance to weaken visibly.
Quickly dashing under her body, Ming Yu, despite taking a few kicks, still managed to stab the tachi into her two hind paws.
Rolling away from another of Higokumaru's tails, Ming Yu looked at the roaring fox and smiled faintly. All that was left were the tails.
With all four limbs and her body pierced by the tachi formed from Judah, Higokumaru's resistance grew weaker and weaker. Only her tails were still flailing, putting up a final struggle.
But if Ming Yu could face the challenge when she was fully able, how could he not handle a weakened Higokumaru? Her resistance was futile.
Finally, Ming Yu plunged the thirteenth tachi into one of Higokumaru's tails and shouted, "Bind!"
The thirteen tachi distributed across Higokumaru's body all lit up. Golden chains connected the thirteen blades, firmly locking down the Honkai Energy within her body, rendering her immobile.
Ming Yu flicked his right wrist, and the final tachi flew into his hand.
Clutching his chest, Ming Yu dragged his exhausted body slowly towards Higokumaru's head, as if to deliver the final blow.
Knowing her end was near, Higokumaru ignored the approaching Ming Yu and instead roared at Yae Sakura, "Yae Sakura! I'm not convinced!"
"Why is there always someone to save you!" Higokumaru's fox mouth opened wide as she yelled frantically, "Five hundred years ago, Kallen saved you, and five hundred years later, it's these guys! Why!"
For Higokumaru, her envy and jealousy of Yae Sakura were perhaps even deeper than her desire for her body. She was jealous that at every critical moment, someone would come to save Yae Sakura, while she could only remain forever trapped in that day of despair.
Facing Higokumaru's roar, Yae Sakura thought for a moment, then took Theresa's hand and said, "Perhaps it's love and trust. I believe in Kallen because she said she would protect me. And I believe in them because it was Kallen's choice."
"I don't believe you!" Higokumaru shouted even louder. "You're a Herrscher too, how could a human save you!"
"Whether you believe it or not, this is the truth," Ming Yu said, slowly raising the tachi in his hand.
"Higokumaru, do you remember what I said in Nagazora?" Ming Yu's tone softened slightly. "Among humans, there are people you can trust. It has nothing to do with you being a Herrscher!"
As he spoke, Ming Yu slowly lowered the raised tachi and began to speak again, "This time, I won't seal you. So, please, try to trust humanity just once, okay?"