novelraw Chapter 214-1: Secret Rite of Resurrection (1)
Chapter 214-1: Secret Rite of Resurrection (1)
[Perhaps the brutal spectacle of someone being cleaved in two was too much, no one stepped up to challenge for quite some time. The audience grew impatient, cursing loudly…]
[When you leapt onto the dueling platform, the curses immediately turned to cheers. The kimono-clad women circulating among the seats soon had their trays piled with bets.]
[One woman in a red kimono had her tray heaped high, while the woman in blue had only a single conspicuous money pouch and a sparse scattering of wagers.]
[You instantly understood: almost no one had bet on you. Nearly all the spectators had wagered on the swordsman before you.]
“Heh… In a moment, I’ll make sure you all lose every last scrap of your underclothes…”
Lin Xun felt he hadn’t wagered enough himself. If there were an option to increase his stake, he might well have put every last bit of Spirit Essence in his pocket on the fight.
Other people were just gambling addicts. He, on the other hand, was merely letting the wind blow money straight into his bowl. A fundamental difference.
[On the dueling platform, the Fire-Worshipping Heartless Flow Swordsman eyed the strange weapon in your hand with visible puzzlement.]
[You had not yet activated the Chain Blade – Call of the Underworld. No searing dragonfire had yet ignited along it. Still, the weapon’s form looked quite similar to a kusarigama commonly wielded by ninjas.]
[Ninjas often engaged in assassination, theft, and other underground activities. Because of this, they were widely despised. A Genin’s status was far lower even than that of an ashigaru, and it was rare to see a ninja openly fighting on the dueling stage.][The Fire-Worshipping Heartless Flow Swordsman’s expression remained cold. He lifted his chin slightly, indicating you should attack first.]
[You raised the two chain blades. Instantly, black dragonfire ignited along the chains from your wrists to the tips of the blades, wrapping them in fierce flames…]
[You were just about to fling the chain blades and cut the swordsman down when he stared in utter shock at the black dragonfire. He hurriedly unfastened his sword and tossed it to the ground, waving his hand to signal surrender.]
???
“Wait, my good man, where did that lofty, arrogant swordsman’s spirit go?”
[A chorus of jeers and curses rose from the crowd below. More than a few people shouted accusations that the arena was rigging the duel, forcing the swordsman to concede.]
[The Fire-Worshipping Heartless Flow Swordsman seemed not to hear any of the angry insults. He turned and jogged briskly away from the dueling platform…]
“Monster, where do you think you’re going?”
There was no way Lin Xun would let this Shell slip through his fingers.
[Murderous intent flashed in your eyes. Without hesitation, you flung the chain blade. The fleshy bone chain shot forth from your wrist, the blade instantly piercing the swordsman’s back.]
[His body froze. He looked back at you weakly, then slowly collapsed…]
[You have defeated the Fire-Worshipping Heartless Flow Swordsman. Experience increased slightly.]
[You obtained Heartless Flow Sword Manual – Secret Art: Iai Kaguya (Rare Item).]
[You have accumulated the fourth stack of Karmic Fire!]
[With a tug, you dragged the swordsman’s corpse to your feet…]
[Fire-Worshipping Heartless Flow Swordsman’s Shell: A disciple of the Heartless Flow Dojo, proficient in the sharp sword style known as Heartless Flow. However, the Secret Art Iai Kaguya is an esoteric technique never taught to ordinary disciples. This swordsman’s status appears to be anything but simple. He died of a fatal heart-piercing blow. Compatibility: 124% (+55%).]
[Do you wish to possess this Shell?]
Lin Xun raised an eyebrow. His Karmic Fire stack had increased again after killing the swordsman.
[The audience erupted into an uproar. Some applauded, but most hurled curses and furious cries. The spectators who lost their bets could scarcely believe the undefeated swordsman had been slain by you in a single move.]
[You stepped down from the dueling platform. Looking at the tavern owner, who was still dumbstruck, you said quietly that this swordsman’s identity was suspicious. He should have the body moved to a private room in the tavern, Lord Samurai would be investigating it shortly.]
[The tavern owner jerked to attention, nodding so hard it looked as if his neck might snap, and could not help but praise that Lord Samurai’s skill was unfathomable, and even his acquaintances wielded such astonishing power…]
[He hurried onto the platform and ordered his servants to carry the corpse away.]
[You were about to head toward the latrine when a blade blocked your path.]
[It was a sword still sheathed. The one holding it was another swordsman, clad in robes identical to those of the man on the platform.]
[With a hostile glare, he demanded to know who you were. Why would someone so strong take part in underground duels? And when his junior had already surrendered, why had you still killed him?]
[You brushed aside the obstructing sword with a wave and said coolly that the Rite of Duel was a battle to the death. Anyone stepping onto that stage had to be prepared to die, did he really think saying “I surrender” was enough to call it off?]
[The swordsman’s expression was indignant. But realizing he was no match for you, he didn’t dare attack. Seeing the servants trying to move the body, he ignored you and hurried up to the platform…]
[Soon, a dispute broke out on the stage. Several servants were injured by the swordsman’s blade and no longer dared approach the corpse.]
[The swordsman gathered his junior’s body in his arms and prepared to leave. Do you want to stop him?]
[You strode forward and hurled your chain blade, hooking him and dragging him to your side.]
[As he struggled desperately, unable to break free, you quietly spoke a single sentence that made him cease resisting.]
[That was, his junior was not yet dead. But if he continued to interfere and delay treatment, he really wouldn’t be far from death.]
[You brought him to a secluded corner and explained to the bewildered swordsman that his junior was obviously a novice, fresh out of training, who thought himself invincible for having learned a few shallow sword techniques.]
[Such brazen arrogance would have gotten him killed sooner or later, whether you struck him down or someone else did.]
[But seeing he still had some glimmer of talent, you hadn’t wanted such promising raw jade to be wasted. So you had given him this lesson yourself.]
[Right now, your junior has fallen into a state of feigned death. You must quickly use a secret rite to awaken him. If you miss the window, he truly will have no chance of survival.]
[Otherwise, what would the dueling arena want with a corpse?]
[At your words, the swordsman froze, recalling how all the other defeated bodies had been thrown out to feed the dogs, while only his junior’s was being carefully carried and guarded by several attendants… Still, such a technique of repeatedly dragging someone back from death was too shocking to believe. He remained deeply skeptical.]
[Half-convinced, half-doubtful, he promised you: if it was truly as you said, and you could revive his junior, then your actions were nothing short of righteous. From this day on, you would be welcomed as an honored guest of the Heartless Flow Dojo.]
[But if your claim proved false, some of the dojo’s disciples had already left the dueling arena to return and report to the Master Instructor. He was sure the Master would come to avenge his junior.]
[The Fire-Worshipping Tavern Owner had already sidled over, carefully asking whether you wished to simply kill this troublesome swordsman who could no longer resist.]
[You shook your head and gestured for the owner to have the two of them housed separately within the tavern, saying you would fetch Lord Samurai to handle the matter.]
[With that, you turned and left, heading to the latrine…]
[…]