Chapter 226: Wu Clan's Plan
"I hope we don't have to deal with anything tonight. We've been handling something every single night since the tournament started." Cang Yue sighed as she packed up for the day.
With Yun Che and Retsu securing their victories, they were set to advance to the Quarter Finals. Since Cang Yue's match against Retsu had been moved up, Retsu now had a day off, while Cang Yue awaited the winner between Xia Qingyue and Xiao Kuanglei. If she won her next match, she would face the winning contender from tomorrow's third and fourth losing matches—her target now was securing fifth place.
Yun Che, adjusting his sleeve, glanced away. "I might have something to deal with tonight."
"Again?" Cang Yue let out an exasperated sigh. "We just dealt with Ling Tianni last night. What's it going to be tomorrow? The heavens themselves?"
"This time, you're staying on the ark, Little Yue," Yun Che said firmly. "It's something concerning the Wu Clan. I need answers since they said something about dealing with Mu Che."
"Since when did you so concern about Mu Che?" Cang Yue asked.
"Not concern about him at all. Since I want to demand explanation from the Wu Clan, might as well ask about that Mu Che so I can give him a piece of my mind if we ever met him." Yun Che grins.
"Muu! Then I'm coming with you!" Mio huffed, crossing her arms. "I want to help too!"
"Ara~ If Mio-chan goes, then I shall as well." Retsu smiled gracefully, raising her hand.
Mio deflated instantly, pouting. "Ugh… Again, Ret-chan? You just won't let me be alone with Danna-sama."
Cang Yue pinched the bridge of her nose. "You went last night too, Retsu-chan."
"Fufu~ But I go where the action is and knowing your tendencies, there's no way I am letting you be alone with him." Retsu chuckled, then turned to Cang Yue. "Though, I did have a match with you earlier. No offense, Little Yue."
"None taken…" Cang Yue exhaled. "Just be careful." Then, as a thought struck her, she frowned. "Wait… If you three leave, who's going to cook dinner?"
"Don't worry, Yue-neesama! I got it covered!" Nemu beamed, pumping her fists. "Nee-sama taught me some new recipes!"
"We can help too!" Mai and Mei chimed in, while Yuanba, standing nearby, nodded. "I'm getting better at prepping ingredients."
"Alright then," Yun Che said, fastening his coat. "Once we're done, we'll meet you back at the Main Ark. Let Xue Ling and Lin Yueru know about our little trip."
Cang Yue sighed but relented. "Just don't take too long."
Yun Che exchanged a quick nod with Retsu and Mio before all three deployed their Wings of First Flight, the wind rushing around them as they soared into the night.
"They won't get far," Yun Che muttered under his breath. "Let's go."
"Hai!" Mio and Retsu answered in unison, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.
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"The plan has failed. We need to move our remaining men and embed them within the elite guards." Wu Zhenhai, one of the escorting elders, spoke as he removed his disguise, revealing his aged face and dark hair.
"They can disguise themselves as ordinary troops and slowly climb the ranks. We need full control of the Blue Wind Imperial Palace within two weeks." Wu Changsheng, another elder, removed his hood, his long white hair swaying slightly in the dim light.
Wu Mushan, their leader, stroked his graying beard, his expression grim. "Do you realize Cang Xingwu failed to defeat Mu Che? All of our pawns have fallen. Even the princess, Cang Yue, has bested one of our top disciples. And whatever that 'storm' was at the palace a few days ago… it completely derailed our plan to install our puppet."
The three elders fell into silence, their minds replaying their failed schemes.
Finally, Wu Zhenhai broke the tension. "Then we take the palace by force. Imperial Protector Xue Ling is our only real obstacle. Once she's eliminated, the Imperial Family will fall like dominos, and we will seize control."
Wu Mushan exhaled sharply. "Don't forget—Princess Cang Yue is the disciple of the great Dracule Mihawk. That swordsman alone is a major problem."
Wu Changsheng scoffed. "That damned swordsman… unpredictable as always. But even he can't stop what's coming. Not when we have fifty thousand troops stationed at Jinshan Island, ready to launch the invasion from Jin Province. Even if we wipe out the Imperial Family, it won't matter. The invasion is inevitable."
Wu Zhenhai's eyes darkened. "And what about Yun Che and his companions?"
Wu Changsheng sneered. "That brat has no idea of our true cultivation. If we surround him with Emperor Profound Realm soldiers, he'll piss his pants."
Wu Mushan's fists clenched in frustration. "That damn Yun Che! Damn the Imperial Family! If they hadn't entered the tournament, we would have won easily!"
In a sudden fit of rage, he kicked a nearby bucket, sending it crashing against the stone wall. The resounding clang echoed through the chamber—just like the bitter realization of their crumbling plans.
"Our men have successfully retrieved the feral and transformed participants. They've lost their humanity, but once unleashed during the takeover, they'll make an excellent distraction." Wu Zhenhai's voice was calm, but his eyes gleamed with malice.
Wu Changsheng nodded in approval. "If Wu Nie had succeeded in New Moon City, we'd have another fifty thousand troops. Combined, that would've given us a total of one hundred thousand—more than enough to crush the Blue Wind Empire."
Wu Mushan's voice carried the final decree. "Prepare the men. We march for the Imperial City. Once inside, scatter them and move toward the palace."
With that, their forces began donning the armor of Imperial Soldiers and guards, blending seamlessly into the ranks of the empire they sought to overthrow.
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Unbeknownst to them, Yun Che, Mio, and Retsu had already pinpointed their location using their Eagle Scent. From their vantage point, Yun Che smirked as he lifted Zangetsu, resting it on his shoulder.
By extending their Haki, they had uncovered the Wu Clan's entire scheme. At first, Yun Che had assumed they were merely seeking vengeance for what he had done. But then he overheard something unexpected—the elders kept calling him 'Mu Che' and spoke of dealing with him. It didn't spark his anger, but rather, a strange curiosity.
What exactly did they mean by that?
But now wasn't the time for questions. It was time for action. He can capture one and scour his brain for information.
"Showtime." Yun Che muttered, nodding toward Retsu and Mio.
—-------------------------------
Above the flying ark, the three elders from before suddenly shed their suppression, revealing their true cultivation—Emperor Profound Realm experts.
As their disguises faded, they settled onto the bow of the ship, gazing down at the empire they planned to conquer.
But they had no idea what was coming for them.
"How?! We dealt with him before—how is he still alive?!" Wu Mushan's voice was filled with disbelief, his expression darkening. He had been personally tasked with eliminating the genius and elusive Mu Che, yet here he was—standing in their way once again.
Wu Zhenhai's eyes narrowed. "Looks like he goes by Yun Che now… That slippery bastard Mu Che."
Wu Changsheng scoffed. "We made sure to deal with him. We even received confirmation of his body. Without his guards, that cripple was nothing. All brains, no brawn."
Wu Mushan clenched his fists. "Yet somehow, he survived. Not only that—he's cultivated. Did he attain enlightenment? Find some hidden power?" Beads of sweat formed on his brow. "If he continues to grow, he could completely derail our plans. Just like before… When we lost Wangya and Jinshan Islands to him."
Wu Changsheng's face twisted in frustration. "That damn brat rallied thousands of Jin Providence men against our clansmen. He uprooted our entire network of spies and nearly stripped us of control over the region!"
"Without him, the Jin Family was nothing but a stepping stone," Wu Mushan sneered. "And look at them now—five years without him, and they've gone back to being weaklings." He exhaled sharply. "If not for him, we'd have wiped them out long ago."
Wu Zhenhai nodded. "With the Purple Crystal Vein discovered in Wangya Island and our forces stationed in Jinshan Island, the takeover of the Jin Family is inevitable. By next week, we'll seize their manor as a strategic base."
Wu Mushan's eyes glowed with cold intent. "But first, we finish what we started… We kill Mu Che—before he returns to haunt us again."
"You won't have to look far."
A sudden voice echoed through the air just as a blazing torrent of blue flames surged toward the ship's bow.
BOOM!!!
The explosion rocked the vessel, shattering the bow and sending flaming debris into the sky. Wu Mushan and the other elders barely managed to evade in time, their expressions turning grim as the entire Wu Clan force snapped to attention.
"You found him."
Descending from above, Yun Che landed gracefully, Zangetsu resting on his shoulder. Mio and Retsu flanked him, their eyes gleaming with amusement under their veiled hats.
"Mu Che!!!" Wu Mushan roared, veins bulging in fury. Around them, hundreds of Wu Clan warriors closed in, weapons drawn, ready for battle.
Yun Che let out a tired sigh, shaking his head. "This again…" He had no intention of denying it—not yet. If they believed he was this 'Mu Che,' then perhaps he could use it to uncover more about their schemes… and the mystery of his supposed doppelgänger.
"Guess I'll play along."
His lips curled into a smirk. "Sup, old farts."
The elders bristled at his casual tone.
"Mu Che! You're supposed to be dead!" Wu Mushan barked, his eyes burning with disbelief and rage.
Yun Che shrugged. "Am I not?"
Wu Zhenhai's grip tightened on his sword. "Seems like you've delivered yourself right to us. This time, we'll make sure the job is done properly."
Yun Che grinned wider. "Well, in that case, I have just one thing to say…"
His expression turned mischievous as he began, "Puh-la-lem. Puh-la-lie-lay-lool."
The Wu Clan members froze, their faces twisted in confusion. Even Mio and Retsu exchanged glances—one puzzled, the other giggling behind her hand.
Yun Che continued, undeterred. "Pah-lee-nee… parsnip… parsley… par… partner, pardoner…"
Mio blinked. "Parley?"
Yun Che snapped his fingers. "That's the one! Parley! Parley!"
The Wu Clan warriors glanced at each other, murmuring in confusion.
"Parley?! What the hell is Parley, kid?" Wu Mushan barked, his patience thinning. "Has dying messed up your head? Damn to hell whatever muttonhead thought up that word—Parley!"
Yun Che's smirk widened. "That would be the French."
"Enough!"
Wu Changsheng's voice boomed as he sneered at Yun Che and his companions. "Since you've so kindly delivered yourselves to us, we'll capture you along with those beauties. Might as well break you and make those beauties our slaves."
At his command, the surrounding men began to transform. Their auras surged, their bodies exuding a primal energy—half-man, half-cheetah. Though they retained their human forms, their speed-enhanced essence filled the air with an oppressive pressure.
Yun Che's smirk widened. "Cheetah essence, huh? So that's how they plan to take over the palace. With this kind of speed, they could wipe out the entire Imperial Family in one night. No one would even see it coming."
"Shall we match their pace?" Retsu's voice was calm, her elegant fingers already wrapped around the hilt of her Zanpakutō.
"Oh, absolutely." Yun Che rolled his shoulders, excitement flickering in his eyes. "Been a while since we've gone all out just for fun. Besides, they refused our attempts at Parley…" His smirk turned wicked. "I haven't even completed my daily missions for them yet, but what the hell."
"Get them!" Wu Mushan roared.
The transformed warriors exploded forward, their speed leaving streaks of light in their wake as they lunged toward Yun Che's group.
"Bankai!"
Yun Che and Retsu's voices rang in unison, their unleashed power surging through the battlefield like a tidal wave. The sheer force of their spiritual pressure alone sent dozens of Wu Clan members flying.
Retsu's transformation was mesmerizing—her neatly braided hair unraveled, cascading like flowing ink down to her ankles. Her blade, Minazuki, condensed into its short-sword form, emanating an aura drenched in death and blood. "Minazuki… (All Things End)."
Yun Che's form shifted in an instant—his attire morphing into the sleek black robes of Tensa Zangetsu. His massive blade condensed into its small, pitch-black, ultra-sharp form, radiating an ominous, suffocating aura. "Tensa Zangetsu… (Heaven-Chained Slaying Moon)."
The battlefield stood still for a brief moment.
Then—
Boom!
A shockwave burst forth from the sheer weight of their released power.
The Wu Clan warriors hesitated, their primal instincts screaming at them. The reason Yun Che and Retsu rarely used Bankai in the real world was simple—there was almost never a reason to. Now, it was merely a formality… or, in this case, a fun way to finish the fight in style.
"Let's get started, shall we?" Yun Che smirked, his blade gleaming ominously as the battle truly began.
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[Ding…... Daily Mission Achieved]
[Use Bankai once a day]
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"What the… What kind of power is this?!" Wu Mushan's voice trembled as he stared in disbelief. The man they had once eliminated with ease now stood before them, radiating overwhelming strength.
"Since when did Mu Che become this powerful?!" Wu Zhenhai shouted, his face twisted in shock.
The Wu Clan warriors stood frozen, their confidence shattered as they took in Yun Che and Retsu's transformed appearances.
Retsu's Bankai had not only unleashed a suffocating aura but had also blown away her Uchikatsugi, revealing her delicate yet devastatingly beautiful face. The men around her were momentarily stunned, their faces flushed as if a celestial goddess had descended before them. Annoyed by their reaction, she casually lifted her sleeve to cover the lower half of her face.
Retsu had once dismissed the idea of veiling herself. To hide behind fabric felt unnecessary—until she realized the power it granted her. Over time, she had grown accustomed to the barrier it provided, shielding her from the intrusive stares of men who lost themselves at the mere glimpse of her beauty.
Now, she would never fight without it.
Her beauty was not a spectacle for the unworthy. It belonged only to Yun Che and her flock sisters, the ones she had chosen. Even the Emperor himself—Cang Yue's father, a man who commanded absolute authority—had never once laid eyes upon her uncovered face.
"Mouu… Mio wants to have fun too!" Mio pouted, waving her fists. "I've been working on something special, and now's the perfect time to show you!"
Yun Che and Retsu exchanged a glance before turning to her, curiosity flickering in their eyes.
"Developing?" Yun Che raised an eyebrow as he swung Tensa Zangetsu.
"Oh?" Retsu smirked slightly in her deathly Bankai form. "Now this, I have to see."
The battlefield, which had been filled with tension just moments ago, was now charged with a new kind of excitement.
"Ehee… I can use Darkness Bending, remember?" Mio grinned, closing her eyes as a dark mist began swirling around her body. "I finally tapped into my old powers—and even developed something new."
Without warning, one of the Wu Clan men lunged at them. Mio barely moved. She simply raised her hand—and in an instant, a dark essence tentacle burst forth, piercing the man clean through.
A ripple of unnatural energy erupted from her body. Two writhing tentacles sprouted from her back, lifting her into the air as her entire form pulsed with a sinister glow.
The Wu Clan men staggered back in horror.
"W-What the hell is that?!"
"A demon! She's a demon!"
"A darkness cultivator?!"
Yun Che and Retsu's eyes widened.
One of the writhing tentacles morphed, taking on the form of a demonic serpent—jagged spikes lined its body, glowing orange markings pulsed along its length, and its red, malevolent eyes locked onto its prey before unleashing an ear-shattering roar.
Then—another one sprouted from her left side.
The second demonic serpent snapped its jaws at the first, both creatures hissing and growling at each other like territorial beasts. They lunged—tearing at one another, jaws clashing, fangs gnashing—before finally reaching some unspoken truce. Their glowing eyes flicked toward the Wu Clan men.
"Holy… Mio, what is this? Some kind of new power?" Yun Che asked warily as the demonic serpents shifted their gaze toward him and Retsu, studying them.
Mio giggled. "Ehee… I developed them myself! Meet my little creations. They're supposed to be my demonic arms—I remodeled my old spider limbs, but… well…" She gestured toward the monstrous serpents. "They kinda turned into these instead."
Mio's dramatic sigh cut through the chaos as she observed her demonic arms, a playful glint in her eyes. "They even have minds of their own! Like children," she mused, her voice filled with mock exasperation. The serpents hissed in unison, responding almost as if they understood her words.
"And they've been fighting to be Mama's favorite." She smirked, as if relishing the thought.
One of the serpents, acting on its own accord, lunged forward with terrifying speed, coiling around one of the Wu Clan men before tossing him aside like a ragdoll. The second serpent was no less vicious, snatching another soldier in its grip and dragging him toward Mio. His terrified expression came into sharp focus as he was brought inches away from her, his wide eyes full of dread. The serpent roared, its hot breath washing over him in a terrifying gust. With a savage flick, it hurled him off the ark, sending him tumbling into the void of night.
Before the remaining soldiers could even react, the second serpent sunk its sharp teeth into the back of another soldier's head, effortlessly lifting him off the ground. A deep, guttural snarl erupted from the serpent, echoing through the battlefield as it tossed him away like mere prey.
In a smooth, almost casual motion, one of the demonic arms snatched a fallen sword from the ground, its serpentine fingers curling around the blade with precision. With a flick of her wrist, the arm hurled the sword through the air, the steel singing as it pierced another soldier's shoulder with deadly accuracy. The soldier's scream was cut short, his body crumpling to the ground.
Yun Che, who had been observing this scene with an awed expression, muttered to himself, "...Oh man…" His words were filled with disbelief, still processing the sheer destruction Mio was unleashing with such ease.
Even Retsu, ever composed and focused, blinked in mild surprise at the level of control and devastation Mio wielded. Her usual calm demeanor faltered for just a moment.
Meanwhile, Mio giggled, the sound light and carefree, her sharp smile stretching wide across her face. "Ehee… Mio now has new power. Ehehe…" She seemed almost childlike in her glee, her demonic arms shifting and writhing around her as though they were waiting eagerly for their next command. It was as if the serpents themselves were ready to please her, ready to follow her every whim.
Or perhaps, they were simply waiting for their mother's next order.
Wu Mushan watched in disbelief, his mind racing to comprehend what he was witnessing. The three figures before him were no longer just warriors or cultivators; they had become something far more powerful—beings that transcended their original forms. He couldn't fathom how they had kept this power hidden, especially in the tournament. They had the ability to crush their enemies effortlessly, and yet, they chose not to.
Mio's transformation left him stunned. Her ability to manipulate darkness had always been a terrifying concept, but seeing it in action made his blood run cold. The sheer magnitude of her powers was unlike anything he had seen before. If word of this got out, the entire world would tremble in fear.
"She is a darkness cultivator. An extremely powerful one…" Wu Mushan muttered under his breath. "And these two…"
His eyes flicked between Yun Che and Retsu, both now exuding an aura of power that felt otherworldly.
"Who are you people?!" Wu Mushan roared, his voice filled with a mix of anger and frustration.
Yun Che and Retsu exchanged a brief glance, both recognizing the futility of conversation. Their enemies had already sealed their fates.
Mio, on the other hand, wasn't concerned with dialogue. She casually reached out with one of her demonic arms, retrieving Retsu's fallen Uchikatsugi hat. Retsu gave her a silent thanks before reequipping the hat, once again concealing her striking beauty behind the veil of her veiled hat.
Yun Che smirked, his eyes narrowing as he turned his attention back to the remaining threats.
"Mio, handle the foot soldiers. Both Retsu and I will engage the elders."
Without another word, Yun Che and Retsu launched into action, their bodies moving with blinding speed as they targeted the remaining threats. Meanwhile, Mio stood poised, a sweet yet dangerous smile on her lips.
"Hai, now dearies… let's deal with these pesky men!" Mio's voice was sweet, almost innocent, but there was no mistaking the deadly intent that followed.
Her demonic arms began to tear through the battlefield with terrifying precision. She grabbed a nearby wooden pole, swinging it with ruthless efficiency. It was as though she had four arms, each one moving independently but in perfect synchronization, creating an unstoppable storm of destruction.
Wu Zhenhai and Wu Chengshang, still reeling from their hollow transformation, attempted to regain control. They infused their bodies with cheetah essence, pushing their speed to the limit. Their bodies were no longer fully transformed, but the surge in power was unmistakable. Their aura burst with an intensity that rivaled the best warriors.
But when they dove toward Yun Che and Retsu, their speed—while impressive—was ultimately nothing compared to the overwhelming might of the two Visoreds.
It was laughable.
As Yun Che and Retsu engaged in their relentless assault on Wu Zhenhai and Wu Changsheng, the cheetah elders found themselves outclassed at every turn. Their efforts to land a single hit were in vain as Yun Che and Retsu danced around them with ease, utilizing Flash Step and disappearing in rapid bursts of speed. Their movements were so fast, they left behind only afterimages, mocking the elders' attempts to land a blow. Against the power of their Bankai, the elders were nothing more than targets to be toyed with, unable to even touch their opponents.
Meanwhile, Mio was having her own fun. Her demonic arms, now fully unleashed, tore through the remaining soldiers with terrifying efficiency. She barely needed to make an effort; her arms seemed to have a life of their own. Each movement, whether a grab or a strike, was perfectly timed to eliminate any threat in her path. The soldiers, their speed and strength a far cry from the opponents they had faced earlier, were no match for her instincts and agility. One by one, they were dispatched with brutal ease, their attempts at resistance futile.
Suddenly, the ark floor trembled as three massive beasts erupted from the chaos—the feral disciples who had been kept in reserve for such an occasion. A humanoid bull, a panther, and a wolf—each one once a formidable opponent in the tournament—charged toward Mio with a terrifying roar. Their feral state made them powerful, but it also made them uncontrollable, an untamed force set loose to rampage through the city.
The men who had unleashed them expected these beasts to be the perfect distraction, a force capable of sowing chaos while the Wu Clan's forces infiltrated the palace. But what happened next shocked them.
Mio's demonic arms moved with a speed and precision that seemed almost unnatural. Despite the panther's agility, one of her arms pierced it cleanly, the beast's screech cut off as it crumpled to the ground. The bull, powerful and brutish, was cleaved in two with a single slice from her left arm. The wolf, once famous for its unmatched durability in the tournament, fared no better. Mio's arm pierced it effortlessly, then ripped it apart, leaving nothing but a torn, lifeless form in its wake.
The soldiers, who had thought the beasts would be their trump card, were left stunned. What had seemed like a potential game-changer was nothing more than a futile attempt to make up for their overwhelming defeat. Mio's demonic arms had dismantled the so-called threats in an instant, leaving the remaining soldiers in utter disbelief.
Above, Yun Che, watching the spectacle unfold, let out a deep sigh. Back in the tournament, the three beasts would have posed a challenge—perhaps even a serious one—given the context of their power. But now, with Mio's new abilities, the beasts didn't stand a chance. Her dominance was undeniable, and against someone of her caliber, those feral creatures were little more than pests. The thought briefly crossed Yun Che's mind that they could have easily dealt with the beasts back then—but it would have harmed their reputation. Now, with the full extent of Mio's power revealed, they were utterly powerless.
As Mio tore through dozens of their men with her demonic arms, panic began to spread among the Wu Clan forces. Their formation wavered—until Wu Mushan's voice thundered across the battlefield.
"Men, use the White Beast Essence! The clan honors your sacrifice! Take her down!"
The cheetah men hesitated, exchanging uneasy glances before obediently consuming the white pills.
Yun Che and Retsu's eyes widened in shock as their bodies convulsed violently. White substances spewed from their mouths, masks forming over their faces, and dark holes appearing in their chests. Agonized screams filled the air as their forms twisted, merging into grotesque hybrids—half cheetah, half Hollow. Some were only partially transformed, while others had fully lost their humanity.
Yun Che clenched his fists, his voice laced with disgust. "Sick bastards…"
"What's wrong, Mu Che?" Wu Zhenhai sneered. "They died for the glory of the clan. In exchange, they've been given power beyond their limits."
"These pills allow the Wu Clan to surpass our enemies without fear," Wu Changsheng added.
Wu Mushan smirked. "A gift from the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region—White Masked Beast Essence. It grants them incredible power at the cost of their humanity."
Yun Che exhaled sharply, his disgust deepening. "So they're mass-producing pills to turn people into those things… These bastards are getting out of hand."
Mio's expression darkened. "Danna-sama, I can put them out of their misery, right?"
Yun Che nodded. "They're already beyond saving. End them."
Mio wasted no time. Her demonic arms surged forward, cutting through the transformed warriors with terrifying precision. Her left serpent-arm became a razor-sharp blade, slicing through them in swift horizontal and vertical strikes. Her right arm moved like a predator, grabbing weapons and corpses, repurposing them as deadly projectiles before crushing them to dust.
The hollowfied warriors didn't bleed—they simply disintegrated, their bodies vanishing into the air like true Hollows.
One of them lunged at Mio, only for her left serpent-arm to coil around his leg. With a sickening twist, her right arm grabbed the other half of his body and ripped him apart—no blood, no flesh, just a fading wail before he vanished completely.
Mio's lips curled in disgust. "They gave up their own humanity… willingly."
She didn't hesitate any longer. The battlefield became a massacre.'
Mio unleashed both of her demonic arms, severing them from her body. No longer mere extensions, they writhed independently—living, breathing serpents of darkness.
The battlefield descended into chaos. The left serpent-arm coiled around a nearby Hollow, its body twisting with unnatural speed before lancing upward, impaling the creature from below. The right serpent-arm morphed, its smooth surface erupting into jagged blades, shredding through enemies like a living hollow grinder.
Hollowfied men roared as the twin beasts tore through them, their bodies vanishing into nothingness upon death. The serpent-arms lashed out, grabbing Hollows mid-air, crushing them in their coils before reattaching themselves to Mio with a sickening snap.
Her right arm grew serrated edges, turning into a whirling executioner's blade, while the left continued its violent hunt. Together, they rampaged, ridding the battlefield of the abominations before her.
"Rest in peace," Mio whispered, her voice barely audible over the carnage.
She wasn't just fighting—she was releasing the lost souls trapped within these monstrous husks… If there was anything left to save.
Mio raised her arm, a singularity of pure darkness forming in her palm—a miniature black hole, a testament to her mastery over darkness bending.
The gravity around her shifted violently, an invisible force pulling at everything in its radius. Screams filled the air as men and Hollows alike struggled in vain, their enhanced speed utterly useless against the overwhelming force. One by one, they collapsed inward, their bodies disintegrating into oblivion upon contact with the event horizon.
Above, Yun Che and Retsu hovered, their eyes locked onto their respective opponents.
Wu Zhenhai and Wu Changsheng stood defiant, their forms now twisted—half Hollow, half man. Their new masks covered only half their faces, proof of an advanced version of the transformation pill.
Wu Zhenhai's hollow mask had consumed half of his face, the eerie white bone fusing with his skin in jagged, uneven edges. His once-human body was now a grotesque fusion of man and beast, with dark, vein-like markings stretching across his chest, converging around the gaping hollow hole that had formed at its center. His left arm had twisted into something monstrous—elongated fingers tipped with razor-sharp claws, while jagged spikes protruded from his back like a twisted mockery of wings.
Wu Changsheng was no different. His transformation had overtaken nearly his entire body, his flesh encased in a hardened, exoskeletal layer of hollow armor. His hollow mask had almost completely fused to his face, leaving only a single, bloodshot eye visible beneath its menacing design. He exuded raw, violent energy, his breathing now heavy and unnatural—like a beast barely restraining itself from going feral.
Unlike their fallen soldiers, these two retained control, merging Cheetah's speed with Hollow's Sonído, a terrifying combination of agility and raw power. Their powers now match the power of a Peak Emperor Profound Realm.
Wu Mushan smirked. "Give it up, Mu Che… You cannot match our strength!"
Yun Che and Retsu exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them.
Yun Che had once told her that the boundary between Shinigami and Hollow was absolute. A being could only be one or the other—never both. Even a partial transformation meant allowing a second voice inside, an ever-present whisper pulling them toward the abyss of a Hollow's existence. Most who tried to wield Hollow powers without full control inevitably lost themselves, their souls consumed in the process.
Visoreds, however, were different. They were Shinigami who had subdued their inner Hollows, harnessing their power without losing their identity. Unlike natural Hollows, who were driven by instinct and hunger, Visoreds retained their humanity while drawing upon their darker side. For humans, the risk was even greater—without the willpower of a Shinigami, they were far more vulnerable to complete hollowfication.
But Yun Che and Retsu were exceptions. Their bodies had evolved beyond normal limitations, strengthened by the System's enhancements. Rather than being consumed by their Hollow powers, they had learned to master them, progressing in stages. For now, they could manifest only their masks, a sign of their control. But one day—once they had fully completed their training—they would achieve something no other had: the ability to transform into full-powered Hollow forms without losing themselves to instinct or madness.
A new question formed in Yun Che's mind.
How had the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region managed to blur the boundary between human and Hollow?
This revelation troubled him. There had to be an explanation—some method or forbidden technique that allowed them to harness Hollow energy without succumbing entirely. Judging by the results, they had found a way to extract power from low-level Hollows, granting their warriors enhanced speed and strength. Yet, they lacked the true abilities of Menos-class Hollows—no Cero, no advanced regeneration.
At least, not yet.
If they continued refining this technique, who knew what they might achieve? If hollowfied humans became a reality, it was only a matter of time before something even worse emerged.
This couldn't be allowed to continue. If the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region had found a way to artificially evolve humans into Hollow hybrids, the balance of power in this world would be shattered.
Yun Che clenched Tensa Zangetsu tighter. He needed answers—and fast.
Then, with a smooth motion, Retsu removed her Uchikatsugi, the elegant headdress vanishing into her inventory.
"If you really want to fight Hollow to Hollow…" Yun Che's voice was low, menacing.
Both warriors raised their hands to their faces. Dark-red energy crackled, twisting and reforming—solidifying into their own Hollow masks.
Yun Che's face became shrouded in Hōyūu's menacing mask, its ominous markings radiating raw power. Retsu's, in contrast, morphed into Yachiru's perfected fox mask, elegant yet equally terrifying.
The elders' eyes widened in utter disbelief as Yun Che and Retsu donned their hollow masks.
"Impossible."
Wu Mushan felt his blood turn cold. No one—not a single warrior, no matter how strong their will—had ever wielded the power of the white beasts without consequence. Even the mightiest had only managed to control half of their power, forever cursed with bodies twisted by the transformation. The change was irreversible, their humanity forever scarred by the beasts' influence.
The best they could hope for was a half-formed state—half human, half monster.
But Yun Che and Retsu?
Their only change was the mask. Their bodies remained untouched. Their humanity unscathed. They weren't consumed by the beasts' power.
They had mastered it.
They had become humans who wielded the power of hollows without losing themselves.
Wu Mushan clenched his fists, feeling fear coil in his chest. "You… you can control their powers as well?!"
Unlike his men, Yun Che and Retsu remained unfazed, unchanged. Their Hollow transformations did not consume them—no wild aggression, no loss of control. Instead, their auras flared in perfect harmony, a seamless fusion of human and Hollow.
"Not just control," Yun Che corrected, his voice layered with an eerie resonance. "We've perfected it. No drawbacks. No side effects. Only power."
Their spiritual pressure spiked, flooding the battlefield with overwhelming force. Hollow reiatsu, raw yet refined.
Wu Mushan stumbled back. "H-How… Just how?!"
Yun Che's smirk widened. "These powers? We're Visoreds."
Without another word, he vanished, reappearing in front of Wu Zhenhai in a flash of black and crimson. His attack came without warning, a Hollowfied strike that shattered the air itself. Wu Zhenhai barely had time to block, but the force sent him spiraling backward.
At the same time, Retsu descended upon Wu Changsheng, her every movement refined, effortless. The elder barely registered her attack before her blade carved through his defenses, a perfect blend of Hollow and Zanpakutō mastery.
Wu Zhenhai and Wu Changsheng gritted their teeth, realization dawning upon them.
Their half-wit Hollow powers… were nothing compared to the perfected might of true Visored
--------------------------
As they battled, a figure was watching in the distance as it brandishes its spear. Seeing Yun Che before he donned the power of a hollow, a tear escaped under its eyes.
"I found you….after all these years"
-----------------------------
As expected, these two brutes could only draw power from low-level Hollows—nothing more than raw strength and speed. No Cero, no advanced abilities.
Yun Che had studied the Espada, beings who embodied the fusion of Shinigami and Hollow, where the Hollow side dominated. But this? This was different. It was the forced fusion of Hollow energy with humans, something that had never been documented.
At least, not yet.
Interrogating these two would be pointless. They were mere pawns, foot soldiers granted power beyond their control. If he wanted real answers, he needed to capture and interrogate the mastermind behind this twisted experiment.
With that in mind, Yun Che clashed with Wu Zhenhai using nothing but raw speed and brute force. No complex techniques—just overwhelming dominance. Retsu did the same, her every strike sending Wu Changsheng reeling as if she were toying with him.
Despite their Hollow-enhanced speed, neither Wu Zhenhai nor Wu Changsheng could keep up. They had gained power, but not mastery. Yun Che and Retsu, on the other hand, had perfected their control. Their movements were effortless, their counterattacks precise.
The air crackled as they exchanged rapid blows, locked in a relentless aerial battle. The sheer speed of their clashes blurred the sky, but Yun Che and Retsu were unfazed. Speed alone was enough to crush these so-called warriors.
Retsu didn't even need her Minazuki Bankai's power. Their Hollow masks alone amplified their power by seven levels. If she combined that with her Bankai, she would ascend another three, pushing her to the Peak Tyrant Profound Realm like Yun Che.
Wu Zhenhai's frustration boiled over. "How?! How did you master this power?! Tell us before we kill you!"
Yun Che smirked, the mockery in his eyes unshaken. "You don't need to know."
In the distance, Retsu laughed softly as she continued tossing Wu Changsheng around like a ragdoll. His furious attacks meant nothing.
Wu Zhenhai's rage reached its peak. "Who are you people?!"
Yun Che simply raised a hand, pressing his palm against the back of Tensa Zangetsu. His voice cut through the battlefield like a blade.
"Getsuga Tenshō."
A dome of power erupted from his sword, the air vibrating with raw destruction.
Wu Zhenhai barely had time to scream before he was obliterated in a single, devastating strike.
"P-please… don't kill me! They made me do it! Please!"
Wu Changsheng's voice trembled with desperation as he crawled backward, his hollowfied form flickering between fear and survival instinct. His once-proud figure was reduced to nothing more than a desperate man begging for his life.
Retsu remained silent, her fox mask concealing any emotion. She raised a single finger, her movements slow, deliberate. At her fingertip, a crimson glow pulsed ominously, brightening with every passing second.
Wu Changsheng's instincts screamed at him. Run!
He turned, pushing his speed to the limit—
BOOM!
A crimson beam of energy tore through the air. It struck him before he could take a second step. His body vanished in an instant, vaporized without a trace.
Two Peak Emperor Profound Realm cultivators, wiped out like insects.
Wu Mushan stood frozen, his face drained of all color. His mind struggled to process what he had just witnessed. Then, his horror deepened.
He turned.
Mio stood in the distance, her black hole swallowing their massive ark whole. The colossal construct—a symbol of the Wu Clan's might was being pulled apart by sheer gravitational force.
Then, with a simple snap of her fingers—
BOOM!
The black hole imploded. A final shockwave rippled outward, shredding everything it had consumed. The ark, the hollowfied warriors, the remains of his fallen men—all erased.
Now, only he remained.
Mio teleported beside Yun Che, her serpentine demonic arms writhing hungrily, their razor-sharp fangs glinting in the dim light. They coiled and tensed as if sensing fresh prey.
Wu Mushan took an instinctive step back in the air. He had to run—
Then, Yun Che appeared before him. Through the eerie glow of his Hollow mask, his Sharingan spun.
Wu Mushan froze. He hadn't even realized it, but in that brief moment—his mind had already been scanned.
Yun Che had no need for interrogation. He had already taken everything.
With a casual motion, he removed his mask—Retsu following suit. His Sharingan still gleamed ominously.
"Come on, old man," Yun Che smirked. "Use your power. Go full Hollow if you want."
He gestured between himself, Retsu, and Mio. "We won't even need our masks to take you down."
Wu Mushan looked around.
His thousand-strong army was gone.
His three strongest elders were dead.
He was all that remained.
"I will… kill you all… I swear I will kill you ALL!!!"
Wu Mushan roared, his body crackling with energy as his transformation began. His cheetah essence surged through his veins, muscles coiling like steel springs, ready to unleash unparalleled speed. His fingers curled around the hollow pill—the key to unlocking his full power.
He lifted it toward his mouth.
STAB!
A sudden, searing pain tore through his chest. His breath hitched. His body stiffened.
The pill slipped from his fingers, tumbling through the air before hitting the ground with a soft clink. His vision swam as he looked down, his mind struggling to process what had just happened.
A blade protruded from his heart.
Shock rippled through him. This wasn't Yun Che's doing. It wasn't Retsu's. It wasn't Mio's. Even they seemed momentarily caught off guard, their eyes fixed on him with faint surprise.
His lips parted, blood pooling in his mouth. "Damn it… Am I… falling here…?" His voice was weak now, no longer the commanding presence of an elder, but the dying whisper of a man robbed of his final fight.
His knees buckled. His strength drained away. He couldn't even turn to see his killer.
"My clan… will avenge me…!"
His body slid off the blade, collapsing lifelessly to the ground.
Wu Mushan had died before he could even fight as his body fell lifelessly to the ground below, his heart cleanly stabbed by an unseen force. Yun Che, Retsu, and Mio halted their movements, their eyes narrowing as they took in the figure responsible for the sudden strike.
Hovering mid-air with an aura of undeniable authority, the mysterious woman exuded an overwhelming presence. Her long, dark hair, styled into a high ponytail with an ornate red and gold hairpiece, framed a face hidden beneath a mask. Her sharp, expressive eyes pierced through the silence, her gaze unwavering as she surveyed the scene.
Her armor gleamed in the waning light, a striking combination of red and gold that spoke of regality and power. Ornate patterns adorned her shoulder plates and gauntlets, and her outfit was accented by white robes beneath, lending her a look that was both commanding and elegant. The spear she brandished gleamed with Sky Profound Realm energy, confirming that this was no ordinary warrior.
Yun Che stepped forward, his smirk barely hiding his curiosity. "Whoever you are, we've got this under control. But thanks anyway," he said casually, offering a nod of acknowledgment. Perhaps she had her own vendetta against the Wu Clan, but her presence here was a wild card he hadn't anticipated.
The woman floated silently, her piercing gaze fixed on him. She said nothing, her silence more commanding than words. Her aura radiated caution, a subtle warning not to underestimate her.
"What just happened?" Retsu said, her voice calm yet amused as she descended gracefully beside Yun Che. Her full Bankai form radiated power, her short sword resting casually in one hand.
"Muuu... I'm still getting used to these snakes," Mio muttered, her dark energy swirling around her as the two demonic serpents coiled like living extensions of her arms. "They even turned into blades mid-fight. Who knew?" The snakes wiggled slightly, as if agreeing with her.
"Araa... who is this?" Retsu asked, her violet eyes narrowing slightly as she gestured toward the armored woman standing in front of them. Her presence, though silent, was undeniably intense.
"No idea," Yun Che replied with a shrug. "She just killed Wu Mushan with her spear. Denied me the last hit." He sighed dramatically, clearly annoyed.
The armored woman's gaze sharpened, her irritation palpable. Without warning, she thrust her spear at Yun Che, her movements precise and swift.
Retsu and Mio didn't even flinch, their expressions unreadable as they watched the sudden attack unfold. Yun Che, however, raised his Tensa Zangetsu lazily, blocking the spear's thrust with ease. The impact didn't so much as force him back a step, his stance firm and his expression bored.
"Oi, what's the big idea?" Yun Che said, tilting his head slightly. His tone was calm but carried an edge of annoyance. "If you're here to play stupid games, you better be ready to win stupid prizes."
The woman floated back slightly, her sharp eyes scanning the two imposing figures flanking Yun Che. Retsu's calm yet deadly demeanor and Mio's menacing aura with her writhing demonic snakes made it clear they were no ordinary companions.
The woman's voice finally broke the silence, tinged with anger and disbelief. "Che'er… so this is where you are… fooling around with them?"
"Huh?" Yun Che blinked, genuinely stunned by her words. "Che'er? Who even are you?"
"You..." The woman's tone hardened, her grip on her spear tightening. She raised it again, her fury evident in her every movement. "You dare… forget me?!"
Before Yun Che could respond, she charged at him again, her spear blazing with power as she aimed for him with all the indignation of someone deeply wronged.
Clash!!
The armored woman was momentarily stunned as Retsu raised her Minazuki short blade, effortlessly intercepting the tip of the spear with a calm precision that betrayed her overwhelming power. At the same moment, Mio's dark, serpentine demon arms coiled tightly around the spear, restraining it like an unbreakable chain.
"Be mindful, miss," Mio said coldly, her other serpentine arm lunging toward the woman like a predator ready to strike. "Or we'll be forced to kill you."
Sensing the immediate threat, the armored woman released her grip on the spear and leapt back, narrowly avoiding Mio's snapping demon arms. The serpents roared, their menacing presence filling the air with a dark, suffocating aura. The woman kept her guard up, her sharp eyes darting between Retsu and Mio. These two weren't just bad signs—they were living calamities.
Despite the looming threat of the two women, her focus snapped back to Yun Che, her voice filled with anger and betrayal. "This is where you've been? You left me and my family for five years to be with them?! You cheater!!"
Retsu blinked, her calm expression giving way to mild confusion. "Ara... another one from 'Yun Che's' past? Do you know her, Yuu-kun?"
Yun Che shook his head firmly. "Nope. Never seen her in my life."
Retsu nodded, taking his word without hesitation. She trusted his clarity about his past—or at least his version of it.
Yun Che sighed heavily and rubbed his temples. "What the... Who the hell are you? Calling me a cheater out of nowhere." He stepped forward cautiously, his irritation simmering under the surface. "Mind telling me my full name? Let's see if you've got the right person."
The woman's eyes burned with fury as she snapped, "You're Mu Che, from the Jin Province!"
Mio sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes. "Sigh… Another one? I thought we'd dealt with enough of these. First that other woman, now this one."
Retsu lowered her blade but kept a watchful eye on the stranger, while Yun Che's patience was visibly wearing thin.
"Mu...? Oh, come on!" Yun Che groaned in frustration. "Not this again. How many times do I have to say it? You've got the wrong guy! I'm Yun Che, from Floating Cloud City."
The armored woman clenched her fists, her disbelief and anger radiating from her like heat waves. "Don't you dare lie to me! You abandoned us, and now you act like you don't even know me?!"
Yun Che threw his hands up. "Look, I don't know who this Mu Che guy is, but I'm not him! Maybe he looks like me, maybe he sounds like me, but I'm not him. End of story!"
Retsu and Mio exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of amusement and exasperation.
"Ufufu," Retsu chuckled lightly. "It seems Yuu-kun's face has been causing quite a bit of trouble lately."
"Trouble magnets, the both of them," Mio muttered, folding her arms as her serpentine appendages hissed lowly.
The armored woman, still seething with anger, seemed unconvinced but also uncertain. Her sharp gaze flickered between Yun Che and the two terrifying women flanking him.
The armored woman scoffed, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and sadness. "Yun? That's your new identity? You even made yourself forget me? You left me five years ago! You abandoned our families, and since then, they've been in shambles! Even Bing misses you. Don't you miss father? Mother? She misses you a lot. What about my brother? Your friends?"
As she spoke, her anger gave way to remorse. Tears rolled down her cheeks, falling past the edges of her helmet. Her voice cracked as she continued, "Please… come back. I promise I'll be the wife you always wanted. I promise I'll give you your wife back. Your rights as my husband and I'll be the proper wife you wanted. Just… come back to us… to me"
Yun Che turned to Retsu and Mio, who both sighed in frustration. To think that this mysterious Mu Che had caused such a mess and left Yun Che to deal with it. First, he is the nominal husband for Xu Qian and now this. This wasn't the first time someone mistook him for this elusive man, but it was becoming more infuriating with every encounter.
"Bing? Family? Wife?" Yun Che muttered in disbelief. "Lady, I don't even know who you are."
The woman gritted her teeth in frustration, her voice rising. "Fine! If you want to play this game, then let me jog your memory!"
She slowly removed her helmet, revealing an astonishingly beautiful face. Her features were sharp yet elegant, with teary eyes that carried both longing and fury. Her dark hair framed her face in soft waves, while her expression was both hurt and accusing.
"Recognize me now?" she demanded, her voice trembling.
Yun Che raised an eyebrow, his face devoid of recognition. "Nope. Still nothing. I'm not playing games, lady. Just tell me who you are."
The woman's anger flared again. "You're a cruel man. You used to be so attentive, always making me happy. Where is the perverted Mu Che who cared for me? Who made me laugh, cry, and feel alive?!"
Yun Che's patience snapped, his voice firm and unyielding. "Listen, if you're not going to tell me outright, these two"—he gestured at Retsu and Mio—"might get the answers out of you."
Mio's serpentine demon arms writhed menacingly, their glowing red eyes fixed on the woman, while Retsu twirled her Minazuki blade lazily, her calm smile hiding a dangerous edge.
The woman's expression twisted in anger and desperation. "Fine! My name is Jin Mulan! Your wife! You married me five years ago to save me from being forced to marry a good-for-nothing! And now I find you here, fooling around with these women? Am I nothing to you?!"
"Wife?!" all three of them exclaimed in unison, their disbelief echoing in the air.
Yun Che rubbed his temples, letting out an exasperated sigh. "This is getting ridiculous. If I ever meet the real Mu Che, I swear I'm going to kill him for dumping his mess on me."
"I'll gladly do it for you, Yuu-kun," Retsu murmured, her tone soft but laced with a dangerous promise.
Mio, meanwhile, looked ready to tear Mu Che apart with her demon arms. "Let me at him first. I'll make sure he pays for the trouble he's caused."
Yun Che ignored their remarks and muttered to himself, "System, any information about this woman?"
------------------------
[Ding…]
[Name: Jin Mulan]
[Age: 29 Years Old]
[Level: 63] (Third Level Emperor Profound Realm]
Description: A great warrior from the Jin Providence. Apparently married to this 'Mu Che,' and she has mistaken you for him. She appears to harbor a grudge against the Wu Clan, as she was willing to kill them, though it might have looked like she was saving you. Whatever her reasons, she is indeed the wife of Mu Che. You may have a lot on your plate.
-----------------------
Yun Che groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Great. Just great. Another person mistaking me for this Mu Che. It's like I have a shadow I can't outrun."
Retsu smirked, though her voice carried a warning. "Yuu-kun, shall I take care of her? It seems like this 'wife' might not listen to reason."
Mio, her serpentine arms twitching with eagerness, added, "Or perhaps she needs a little persuasion from me. I'm getting tired of people dragging their issues into our lives."
Jin Mulan, still floating with a mix of authority and emotion, stared at Yun Che. "You can't fool me, Mu Che! Even if you've changed your name, even if you've changed your face, I know it's you! Your mannerisms, your aura—everything tells me it's you!"
Yun Che shook his head, his expression firm. "Look, lady. I am not Mu Che. I'm Yun Che, and I'm from Floating Cloud City. I don't know you, your family, or anything about Jin Providence. So, kindly stop throwing your past at me."
"You think I'll believe that?" Jin Mulan spat, her eyes narrowing. "You can lie to yourself all you want, but I know who you are!"
"Tch." Yun Che raised his hand, signaling for Retsu and Mio to stand down. "Look, I don't have time to deal with your drama, but let me be crystal clear: I am not the man you're looking for. If you have a problem with Mu Che, find him. Leave me out of it."
Jin Mulan clenched her fists, her spear trembling in her grip. "You... You really forgot us, didn't you? Your family, my family, everything we went through... You've erased it all. Fine. If you won't come back willingly, I'll make you remember!"
She raised her spear, her eyes blazing with determination, but before she could attack, Retsu stepped forward, her Minazuki blade gleaming. "Miss Mulan, I suggest you reconsider. If you persist, I won't hold back. And trust me, you don't want to face us at full strength."
Mio's serpentine arms hissed in agreement, their sharp teeth gleaming ominously.
Yun Che sighed deeply. "Look, miss, you're not the only one calling me Mu Che. First, it was that odd couple, Xu Qian and Zhang Jin, and now you. Trust me, you've got the wrong guy. Just out of curiosity, how old was this Mu Che five years ago?"
Jin Mulan hesitated before replying, "You met Xu Qian? You were 18 when you married me, despite the five-year age gap between us. After she divorced you, you came to our estate, and I chose you to be my legal husband."
"I'm 19," Yun Che stated firmly. "If I were Mu Che, I'd be 23 by now. Five years ago, I would've been 14. Do I look like someone who could've been married back then?"
Her eyes narrowed in disbelief. "You look exactly like him! You must have cultivated some profound art to restore your youth. It has to be possible, especially since the Mu Che I married wasn't a cultivator but relied entirely on me!"
"Whatever story you've come up with, my answer remains the same. I am Yun Che, through and through. I don't know you, your family, or this Mu Che everyone keeps talking about. I've never set foot in Jin Providence. You've got the wrong man," Yun Che declared, his tone calm but resolute. "I hope that clears things up."
Jin Mulan stood in stunned silence, struggling to process his words.
Before she could respond, Yun Che drove his point home. "If you're my so-called wife, then surely you'd recognize my profound energy, right? Does it feel familiar to you?"
Her silence lingered, and her grip on her spear loosened. His question struck a chord, and she couldn't deny the truth—his energy was nothing like the Mu Che she once knew.
"Your silence says it all," Yun Che said, his voice softening slightly. "I think we've reached a conclusion here. Good luck finding him. If you do, give him a punch in the face for me, will you?"
With that, Yun Che nodded toward Retsu and Mio. Mio opened her Mirror Dimension, stepping inside first. Yun Che and Retsu followed, disappearing from sight.
The area fell silent once more. Jin Mulan stood motionless, staring at the empty space where Yun Che had stood moments ago. Slowly, she lowered her spear, her voice trembling as she spoke to herself.
"Mu Che… you must have lost your memories. I will restore them. I'll take you back, and I'll become the wife you deserve."
Sliding her helmet back into place, Jin Mulan turned and made her way toward the Imperial City, her determination unwavering.
"Mu Che… no matter how much you deny it, I know it's you. Even if you don't remember, I will remind you. I'll prove to you who you are and bring you back."
With determination blazing in her eyes, she put on her helmet once more and turned toward the Imperial City. If Yun Che—or Mu Che, as she believed—was heading there, she would find him again. This time, she would uncover the truth, no matter what it took.
------------------
Reappearing on the Blue Wind Imperial Family Ark, Yun Che, Retsu, and Mio landed gracefully. The tension from their previous encounter melted away as they each returned to their normal states.
Retsu lowered her blade, and with a shimmer of energy, her Bankai form dissolved, leaving her in her usual elegant attire. Her long, flowing hair cascaded down her back, freed from the intricate braids of her transformation. She brushed a few loose strands aside, her serene demeanor unchanged.
Mio followed suit, dismissing her Darkness Demon Arms form. The ominous serpentine appendages dissipated into shadows, leaving her in her regular appearance, though her gaze still carried a trace of the mischief and ferocity she had displayed earlier.
Yun Che, now back in his usual form, adjusted his coat and glanced at the two women. "Well, that was eventful," he remarked, exhaling as he stretched his arms. "First, some jerk accused me of being a useless cripple, being called a nominal husband, the Wu Clan. Then, a mysterious armored woman accusing me of being her long-lost husband.
"Danna-sama, you seem to have a knack for attracting women with complicated pasts," she teased.
Yun Che groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Tell me about it. This 'Mu Che' guy is like a magnet for trouble, and somehow, I'm stuck cleaning up his mess."
Retsu chuckled softly. "Well, at least she didn't attack us further. Though, I must admit, she's quite persistent. If she keeps chasing after you, it might become a problem."
"For us." Mio mused.
"Yeah, no kidding," Yun Che replied, shaking his head. "I don't even know how many more people are going to pop up, calling me this Mu Che or whatever and accusing me of ruining their lives."
"If we go to this Jin Providence, you might find a lot of them." Retsu smiled.
Mio smirked and raised her arm. "Next time, we'll just skip the talking and deal with them directly. I have no patience for anyone trying to claim what's ours."
Retsu smiled warmly, leaning slightly closer to him. "Of course, Yuu-kun. You belong to us, and we'll protect what's ours. Isn't that right, Mio-chan?"
Mio nodded. "Absolutely. Anyone who tries to take you from us will learn the hard way."
Yun Che sighed but couldn't help the small smile that crept onto his face. "You two really know how to make me feel special, don't you?"
Retsu and Mio exchanged a glance, their playful smiles softening. Despite the chaos surrounding them, they were unwavering in their devotion to him. He sighs and thinks about this some other time. Tomorrow will be the Quarter Finals and the matter with the Wu Clan is still not settled.