Chapter 106: Goodbye

This fallen samurai was different from the ones before. He was much stronger.

Li Mo came to this conclusion during their first clash.

From his previous conversations with Hanachirusato, he knew that in the distant past, during the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual, the filth would manifest as yokai like the Tofu Boy.

But now, it was a fallen samurai.

This reflected some kind of turmoil in Inazuma.

But that wasn't what Li Mo was focused on.

Clang—

The sound of metal clashing rang out, sparks flying as their blades met.

Li Mo could tell that this fallen samurai was skilled in swordsmanship.

Unlike the previous fallen samurai, who relied purely on brute strength, or those who had honed their skills through sheer combat, this one wielded a swordsmanship style passed down through generations.

What style was it?

"I'm a bit curious."

"Then I'll have to visit Inazuma City later to find out what style it is."

In terms of strength, the fallen samurai wasn't inferior to Li Mo. His speed wasn't slow either. If this were a Kairagi, there was no way he could be this strong. Even within the Tenryou Commission, there probably weren't many who could confidently defeat this fallen samurai.

The fallen samurai's skill level was comparable to Tejima, who possessed a Vision. But considering Tejima was already old and no longer at his peak, this fallen samurai was formidable.

Li Mo had already figured out the fallen samurai's swordsmanship.

It was time to end this battle.

Gritting his teeth, air flowed between them.

Breathing Technique, fully activated.

His body moved, and the Thirteenth Form of the Sun Breathing unfolded. Even now, Li Mo had to admit that Kyojuro Rengoku was incredibly powerful. This technique, which combined the previous twelve forms, was a killing move against humanoid enemies.

As long as the opponent didn't have regenerative abilities to the point of reviving from a single drop of blood, being struck by this technique meant almost certain death.

Pyro energy swirled, forming a brief vortex, and then the fallen samurai's body collapsed backward.

The "Sun Breathing" technique could connect with the Pyro element in this world. After some recent research, Li Mo felt he could channel a bit more Pyro energy than before.

At the very least, breaking through an Abyss Mage's shield would be much easier now.

As the fallen samurai fell, Li Mo saw the "Filth Tumor," which had been bound by the tree roots, crash to the ground. The impact was deafening, sending shockwaves and dust scattering through the air.

Li Mo's body moved instantly. The "Hanachirusato's Possession" had elevated his mobility to a new level. As the "Filth Tumor" began to fall, he charged forward.

He practically glided over the ground. The pull of gravity no longer hindered him.

"It wasn't the tree roots binding the 'Filth Tumor' in midair. The 'Filth Tumor' was floating to escape the tree roots' grasp, wasn't it?"

The fact that Li Mo had defeated the fallen samurai had affected the "Filth Tumor" itself. As a result, the "Filth Tumor" temporarily lost the ability to control its energy and stay afloat, causing it to crash to the ground.

If Li Mo were an archer, dealing with a floating "Filth Tumor" would have been easy. But as a close-combat fighter, he could only maximize his effectiveness when it was on the ground.

So, the strategy for defeating the "Filth Tumor" was clear.

Beside the massive "Filth Tumor," Pyro energy gathered. Against an enemy that couldn't fight back, all he needed to do was slowly whittle down its health bar.

His patience had always been good.

Hanachirusato stood still, clearly sensing the presence of the "Filth Tumor." They were, after all, of the same origin—almost like twins.

"Its intensity is decreasing."

The intensity wasn't referring to its strength or attack power, but rather the inherent strength of its existence. The "Filth Tumor," formed from the accumulation of filth absorbed by the Sacred Sakura's roots, constantly emitted malevolent energy. While most of it was intercepted by the Sacred Sakura and re-entered its cycle, some managed to escape, becoming the foundation of Hanachirusato's existence.

When the "Filth Tumor" was purified, it would mean the end of Hanachirusato.

"Hmm?"

Then, Hanachirusato sensed footsteps. It was a feeling, not something she heard. The presence was obvious, with no attempt to conceal it.

It was the aura of a celestial fox.

In current-day Inazuma, the spiritual essence within the bloodline of foxes was fading. Earth foxes had chosen to become stone statues, exiling themselves to a distant future. The only one with the aura of a celestial fox was the current Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine—Yae Miko.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Hanachirusato," Yae Miko said as she approached Hanachirusato.

It had been about five hundred years since Yae Miko last saw Hanachirusato. She had learned of Hanachirusato's existence from the onmyoji, Yatsugashira Harunosuke.

Hanachirusato was the "continuation" of Lady Saiguu, as Yatsugashira Harunosuke had described her. The talented onmyoji had discerned Hanachirusato's true nature and understood her intentions, knowing she would eventually choose to conduct the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual. This was evident from the letter left at the celestial fox statue.

"Hello, Guuji Yae."

"Just call me Yae. Hanachirusato, you can address me like that," Yae Miko said. "Yatsugashira Harunosuke once told me that you bear a quarter resemblance to Lady Saiguu. But now that I see you, I think it's more than just a quarter."

Hanachirusato's hands were tucked into the long sleeves of her shrine maiden attire, her skin almost entirely covered. She wasn't particularly eager to meet Yae Miko.

Yae Miko carried the bloodline of the Hakushin, which easily reminded Hanachirusato of Lady Saiguu.

"But... it's just a resemblance. You and Lady Saiguu are fundamentally different," Yae Miko said, turning her gaze toward the depths of Mt. Yougou. She knew the foreign traveler was currently there, completing the final stage of the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual.

Hanachirusato replied, "I understand what you mean, Lady Yae."

She had her own memories, her own friends. She was no longer just the "continuation" of Lady Saiguu.

At the end of her journey, she had met a friend of her own.

"That's good. I'm sorry I didn't meet you sooner. Perhaps we could have become friends, don't you think?"

"Wouldn't that have caused you more grief, Lady Yae?"

"Ah, when Lady Saiguu passed away, I didn't cry. After all, that woman tricked me into thinking that becoming the Guuji would mean I could eat all the fried tofu I wanted. But in reality, being the Guuji is exhausting. And I have to clean up after my old friend's messes. Sometimes I wish I could go back to those carefree days of lounging on someone's shoulders and enjoying life."

Yae Miko reminisced about the past. Those worry-free days were probably the happiest times.

"Lady Yae, are you happy now?"

"I'm very happy. I get to read light novels every day, eat sweets, and have as much fried tofu as I want. No one bothers me. It's wonderful." Yae Miko smiled.

Her smile was genuine.

Even if it wasn't as joyful as the happiest times, happiness was still happiness.

"I see." Hanachirusato didn't comment further, her tone softening. For Lady Saiguu, seeing Yae Miko's response would have brought her joy.

But Hanachirusato was just Hanachirusato. She couldn't speak for Lady Saiguu.

"Lady Yae, I need to go down now." Hanachirusato felt the "Filth Tumor's" fluctuations cease. She needed to meet Li Mo one last time.

Yae Miko smiled and said, "Then, until we meet again."

Hanachirusato drifted with the wind, heading toward the depths of Mt. Yougou.

After a long while, Yae Miko shook her head in a place where no one could see. "It's up to you now, young man."

She remembered examining Li Mo's body and discovering his unique constitution.

She couldn't help but smile.