Trafford's Trading Club

736: Chapter 149: Broken Blade 736: Chapter 149: Broken Blade A solemn samurai cleared the way as a luxurious carriage slowly made its way into Zaodao Village.

This was the entourage of Princess Yue Ji from the Kondo Family.

Just as the samurai had said, before nightfall, Zi Xing successfully arrived at Zaodao Village and took up residence in the Nagato House.

Everyone from the Nagato House came out to welcome her, just as it had been the previous time Zi Xing encountered them.

However, after waiting quietly in the Nagato House for quite some time, she still did not see Mo Xiaofei.

This made Zi Xing speculate about one thing: perhaps this time, she and Mo Xiaofei weren’t placed in the same “Zaodao Village.”

Would she, like Mo Xiaofei, keep reincarnating countless times in this “Zaodao Village”?

Zi Xing repeatedly recalled the steps that led “Zaodao Village” to the fourth day before.

But what surprised her was… with Mo Xiaofei beside her, she found these steps seemed difficult to unfold.

First of all, with her current abilities alone, she simply couldn’t bring Nagato Saburo into the dungeon. “Miss, the master of the Nagato House said that due to unforeseen circumstances, there wasn’t enough time to prepare, but he has tried to prepare food, asking if you are ready to set off.” The maid gently said from outside the door.

Hearing the maid’s voice, Zi Xing’s heart was moved, and she instructed the maid to enter…

Shortly after, a figure in a maid’s outfit seized a moment of inattention by the Nagato House samurai guarding outside and quietly left.

When night fell completely, lights were lit at the new residence of the Nagato House, and the girl dressed as a maid quietly approached the old residence of the Nagato House.

This person was actually Zi Xing, who had swapped identities with the maid.

She did this for no other reason than to see if the conditions for reincarnation were the same when she came alone to this “Zaodao Village” this time.

Now, she needed to explore alone.

Without any obstructions, Zi Xing easily opened the entrance to the dungeon.

As for the guy ordered by Nagato Munachika to guard outside, he was easy enough to deal with.

This time, she had finally regained a bit of her demonic power, though not much, but it was more than enough to deal with an ordinary person.

Since she encountered the girl in white kimono during the last “Zaodao Village” destruction, Zi Xing had lost consciousness and couldn’t learn more.

This time, her decision to enter the dungeon alone was almost instinctive.

She did not head towards the “Eternal Palace,” but directly to where Narukami Haru was imprisoned.

It was almost indistinguishable from her impression of Narukami Haru, still crazy as ever.

Zi Xing watched Narukami Haru in the cell for a while, contemplating for some time, and finally seemed to make a decision, suddenly reaching out to tap the bars of the cell.

The sound made Narukami Haru react slightly, slowly raising his head.

Zi Xing met his gaze but spoke to herself, “This bit of demonic power can only sustain for a very short time.

However, if I can keep getting through the same day repeatedly, even if I only ask a little each time, eventually, I can find out everything…

Hopefully, it’s useful.”

Her demonic power had suddenly recovered a trace during the second cycle of reincarnation, and it hadn’t recovered much since.

This was probably related to the state of a person or thing that trapped her in this illusion—such as if the caster was weak or distracted by other things, their control over the illusion would naturally weaken significantly.

The reason for only this slight recovery was probably because she entered the Yan Wuyue World while already severely injured?

Zi Xing’s pupils suddenly emitted a faint glow.

At this moment, she was using a secret technique from the Greedy Wolf Clan.

To put it simply, it was a kind of hypnosis—of course, much more advanced than ordinary hypnosis. “Look at me, Narukami Haru.” Zi Xing called in a low voice at this moment, constantly vigilant of her surroundings, fearing that she might inadvertently touch some rule, thus resetting the time. “Look at me…

Narukami Haru…”

When the already vacant gaze of Narukami Haru became even more empty, Zi Xing nodded.

She knew her spell had succeeded.

Zi Xing endured the stinging pain in her Divine Soul caused by the secret technique stimulated with her minuscule demonic power, quickly asking, “Narukami Haru, tell me, what exactly is so special about Nagato Tsuruko?

Why do you hate her so much?”

Narukami Haru’s expression suddenly became conflicted.

Zi Xing could only grit her teeth, continuing to amplify the effect of the secret technique.

Finally, Narukami Haru slowly spoke, “She is a monster that Nagato Munachika created by implanting the blood and flesh of the fox spirit’s heart into my body and making me give birth to.

I am the last descendant of the Narukami family, which is an Onmyoji family that once hunted the fox.

My body has always sealed the soul of that fox spirit.

Nagato Munachika wants a complete fox spirit that belongs only to him…”

Hearing this, Zi Xing suddenly took a deep breath, “Was the fox spirit your ancestor once hunted called Yu Sanniang?”

Narukami Haru slowly said, “I don’t know.

The records about the fox spirit from my ancestors are very few.

When I was young, the Narukami family was in decline, and I knew very little about this aspect of things.

However, the Nagato House probably has a lot of records; otherwise, the Nagato House wouldn’t be able to master such a method of using the fox spirit’s heart.” “Was the fox spirit’s soul sealed in your body transferred onto Nagato Tsuruko?”

Narukami Haru showed a trace of painful expression, but under Zi Xing’s gaze in the end, she still nodded.

Zi Xing remembered the content recorded on the rubbing that the servant Liang Tian from the Nagato House found for her during the last time reset and suddenly asked, “Do you know about a key?” “What key?” “The Penglai Gate!” Zi Xing’s voice was calm, yet she appeared extremely exhausted and swift.

Narukami Haru, however, shook his head with confusion, and at this moment, Zi Xing just felt a storm spinning around…

She once experienced this feeling, it was the moment when time resets. “Can only try again…”

Zi Xing’s consciousness gradually faded, and the next second, when she regained consciousness, she just felt her body undulating, already in a carriage. “Miss, at the current speed, we should be able to reach Zaodao Village before nightfall…” … …

Meanwhile, what was Nagato Tsuruko thinking?

Oh, she was probably wondering why the slightly dejected samurai would speak such words.

She couldn’t understand more from the samurai’s face or his eyes.

Because for her, most of her knowledge was taught by Ah Xiu.

She had already forgotten if her mother had ever taught her anything because her memories of her mother had slowly faded.

As for whether or not the place where Narukami Haru once stayed might occasionally trigger some of her impressions, this was something Nagato Tsuruko did not know.

The only thing she could be sure of was that she was born here. “Who are you?”

A very soft and childish voice, yet not afraid, Nagato Tsuruko even walked step by step into the room, curiously examining this haggard samurai, “Do I know you?

How do you know my name?”

Mo Xiaofei shook his head, “You don’t know me, and I don’t know you.

But at least we’ve met before and have experienced some things together.”

Nagato Tsuruko tilted her head, apparently even more unable to understand this sentence.

Mo Xiaofei whispered, “Even if these are the things you least want to remember, even if this is just an unreal place, I hope you can…”

Can what?

Nagato Tsuruko couldn’t hear the last part.

Because this ragged samurai suddenly stood up, walked towards the outside, leaving behind only this sentence: “Don’t tell anyone that you saw me.”

He thus left through the window from Nagato Tsuruko’s vision.

Confused, Nagato Tsuruko saw the other disappear and then heard Ah Xiu’s voice calling. “Miss Tsuruko, here you are!

You frightened me!

Remember not to run around next time, okay?” “Ah Xiu, read to me…”

She wasn’t particularly beautiful, just a young maid whom Nagato Tsuruko drew into her embrace, letting her sit on her lap.

Ah Xiu flipped open the “Kojiki” that Nagato Tsuruko cherished and felt a bit troubled… her literacy was quite limited.

But thinking that this was Miss Tsuruko’s most anticipated moment of the day, Ah Xiu gritted her teeth and read the characters she recognized: “Frog… something… pond… hmm, this is a pond, right?

And then something about sound… hmm hmm, that’s roughly it.

Miss Tsuruko, do you understand?” “Ah Xiu, you’re so stupid!” “I’m sorry…”

Mo Xiaofei hadn’t gone far.

He had just climbed out the window but was still hiding outside.

Watching the scene between Ah Xiu and Nagato Tsuruko, Mo Xiaofei merely smiled slightly.

He then quickly left this place… it was time to check on Nagato Saburo and Nagato Munachika, as he couldn’t trust Nagato Saburo meeting that terrifying fellow, Nagato Munachika, directly. …

Before seeing Nagato Munachika, Nagato Saburo thought to himself that his brother would at least show a trace of anger.

But he was somewhat disappointed in the end.

Looking at Nagato Munachika’s hair, which was a mix of gray and black at the temples, Nagato Saburo suddenly became quiet.

There were only the two brothers present; as for Nagato Shinji, he was sent away early by Nagato Munachika in the beginning.

Nagato Munachika sat quietly for a while before speaking, “Saburo, don’t you intend to give me an explanation?”

Nagato Saburo replied indifferently, “Brother, what kind of explanation do you want me to give?”

This wasn’t like the usual Nagato Saburo, Nagato Munachika thought.

However, Nagato Munachika held his patience… his patience was always excellent, “Saburo, you know what I want to hear.

Why didn’t you deal with those two women who were to test the medicine, but instead let them walk into the villagers’ view?

Does it have to do with that mysterious warrior?”

Nagato Saburo nodded. “You’ve seen him?

And have already talked to him?” Nagato Munachika’s gaze sharpened.

This was a gaze that Nagato Saburo greatly feared—it contained too much, far too much for Nagato Saburo to bear.

The authority of the Master of the Nagato Family, the power of his brother, the mockery… and so on, so many things. “Yes, indeed I’ve seen him,” Nagato Saburo lowered his gaze and slowly said, “The samurai knows that the curse is nonexistent.

Those so-called Divine Medicines are merely things made from flour and sugar, with no actual effect…

However, who knows?

After all, the two women testing the medicine survived the last day of their month.” “Give me an explanation,” Nagato Munachika shook his head, “Saburo, I don’t wish to waste too much time on you.

Tell me, have you found that little bit of pitiful self-respect, and plan to join this samurai in confronting me?

Since you came in, I’ve seen the hatred in your eyes.” “Just as you said, brother.” Nagato Saburo seemed increasingly calm. “You should have died on the battlefield, that would have been your best end.” Nagato Munachika shook his head again, “I don’t know what method that samurai used to learn the secret of Zaodao Village’s curse, nor am I interested in knowing what kind of agreement you’ve had with this samurai.” “Has brother finally had enough and wants to make a move against me?” Nagato Saburo sneered, then shook his head wearily, “Actually, I shouldn’t mock you, nor do I have the right.

It was you who tempted me to do that thing to Haru back then… but at least it proves I was too incompetent.

But rest assured, brother, I will bring your head to Haru to redeem myself.” “Just with you?” Nagato Munachika also sneered, unmoving, “And the Nagato Family Swordsmanship Secret you secretly learned from Shinji?” “To kill an older brother is, after all, a treasonous crime,” Nagato Saburo slowly stood up, his gaze locked on Nagato Munachika, “So I have prepared for certain death.

If I can kill you, brother, I will surely commit seppuku in front of Haru afterward.

If I cannot match you, brother, then please scatter my ashes beneath the sakura tree in the courtyard where Haru and I lived.” “Considering that you also carry the blood of the Nagato Family, I agree.” Nagato Munachika closed his eyes.

Clang——!

The sound of a sword being drawn.

But this sword was clearly no longer sharp, with some rusty spots on the blade.

Ever since returning, Nagato Saburo hadn’t properly tended to this sword.

He vaguely remembered receiving this sword from Nagato Munachika before departing for battle, almost one of the best weapons of the Nagato Family, which should have been inherited by Shinji.

This tool exchanged for Narukami Haru. “Die!”

Nagato Saburo erupted with astonishing momentum, something he never possessed even on the battlefield.

The rusty sword was thus forcefully slashed towards Nagato Munachika’s neck.

What Nagato Saburo hadn’t anticipated was that his brother didn’t dodge, nor even thought of blocking it.

The blade directly reached Nagato Munachika’s neck, yet at this moment, it couldn’t cut in even a fraction, as if it were striking hard rock. “How is this possible…” Nagato Saburo’s eyes were filled with disbelief. “Now, you should know the gap between you and me.” Nagato Munachika sneered, and suddenly, a tail quietly emerged from behind him.

Nagato Munachika grabbed the blade of Nagato Saburo’s sword with one hand and, with a slight force, broke it, “I will mix your ashes into the soil to expand the ‘Eternal Palace’.”

Ah——!

Nagato Saburo roared. “I told you, you lack that capability.” Nagato Munachika shook his head, extending one hand, “The gap between you and me is like heaven and earth; you’ll never defeat me.” “What if you count me in?”

What if you count me in?

Nagato Munachika only felt his whole body becoming extremely heavy, as if a great mountain was pressing on him, and remarkably, at the instant that voice appeared out of nowhere, his body was directly forced to kneel on the ground!

Bang——!

The knees collided with the ground, and had it not been for the soft tatami mat here, the bones might have already shattered!

Bang——!

At this moment, Nagato Munachika’s body once again endured more pressure, and his whole body was pressed onto the ground, remarkably unable to move!

He raised his head desperately, only to see a disheveled samurai pushing the door open and slowly walking in. “Sorry, I just comprehended this power and didn’t control it well…” the disheveled warrior said calmly, “I call it ‘gravity’.

Although I once destroyed Zaodao Village with it, it’s quite suitable for dealing with you now.” “Who… are you!” Nagato Munachika gritted his teeth, forcing out words while fiercely struggling. “Just someone with an interest in becoming a hero.

But this path… is really hard.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a figure suddenly lunged out before his eyes. “Munachika!!!!”

With a roaring voice, Nagato Saburo plunged the broken sword mercilessly into Nagato Munachika’s back… the blade sunk in with one stroke!