Bear School Astartes

No matter what, Lann had found a way to cut down the [Worm Possession].

Although this method wasn’t economical or long-term, it was at least safer than searching independently for the Undying Slash.

It wasn’t that Lann looked down on Black Conical Hat Li’s abilities as a ninja, but Immortal Peak Temple was, after all, a military stronghold in East Japan.

And it was a temple where everyone practiced martial arts.

Now, Black Conical Hat was clearing ninjas not far ahead of Lann. If something happened, they could have each other’s backs. But if he wandered alone, searching for the Undying Slash...

Who knows how many places in this temple, now reminiscent of a demon cave, even the leader of the Ninja Group doesn’t know about?

According to rumors, the Immortal Peak Master existed since Immortal Peak Temple’s early construction, so his understanding of this temple must be far deeper than Black Conical Hat’s.

Just as the Demon Hunter and the ninja were about to leave the side hall and continue exploring, they heard the heavy sound of armor hitting the ground behind them.

The two turned around in unison, just in time to see a tall, thin figure and a robust one emerge from the corner.

It was the armored Southern Barbarian he had suppressed, and another one... Iwami Yixin wearing a tengu mask?

The Demon Hunter paused, then realized.

Iwami Yixin’s official identity didn’t allow him to attack Immortal Peak Temple, but for someone known as the [Sword Saint], it would be outrageous to be bound by such an official role.

Put on a mask to hide their identity, or represent a personal identity, and then come out to kill.

You say I am Iwami Yixin?

If I cut you down, then I am not!

This must be the thought process of the [Sword Saint].

”Lord Yixin...” Lann nodded in greeting, ”I didn’t expect you to be unable to resist coming over either.”

The Demon Hunter wasted no time in exposing his identity.

After all, no one here cared about his official identity.

The frail old man nodded nonchalantly: ”Storming into Immortal Peak Temple and causing a ruckus... well, it’s something I imagined doing in my youth. Didn’t expect that as I’m nearing death, I actually have a chance to make it happen. Thanks to you, boy.”

”As for this guy...”

Iwami Yixin tilted his sword hilt, pointing to the armored Southern Barbarian beside him.

”Don’t expect to communicate with him. After this raid on Immortal Peak Temple, he’s probably going to burn out.”

Old Robert neither spoke nor moved now, like a set of empty armor.

That feeling reminded Lann of his first meeting with Black Conical Hat Li by the Longquan River.

A feeling of a heart that’s already dead.

Lann furrowed his brow slightly.

”Lord Yixin, I didn’t intend for him to see these scenes... At least, he would have something to look forward to in his future life.”

”I know you’re kind-hearted, Lann. But for people like him, you wouldn’t know as much as I do. For them, revenge means more than future life.”

Iwami Yixin’s voice, at first, seemed indifferent to Old Robert’s state.

But upon careful thought, there was a sense of recalling past regrets with acceptance.

Was it a story from the war?

Lann thought silently. Only in that most brutal human activity could one encounter all sorts of peculiar people and events, right?

Iwami Yixin had led a war; he had seen far more people than Lann.

The Demon Hunter no longer argued, consenting to include the armored Southern Barbarian, who wished for nothing more than death, in their plans.

Among the four of them, it was the Southern Barbarian, who had initially guarded the wooden bridge at Immortal Peak Temple, who was the most eager now.

He immediately walked past Lann, advancing further into Immortal Peak Temple beyond the side hall.

As he passed by Lann, the Demon Hunter, through the muffled sound of metal, vaguely heard a ’thank you.’

The Demon Hunter did not turn to look at the man clad in heavy armor.

He didn’t know whether the ’thank you’ was because he exposed the lies of Immortal Peak Temple or because he initially didn’t want this father, who had lost his child, to get involved.

But in any case, Lann now clearly felt that the other party didn’t care about anything anymore... except revenge.

”The rest of the road, it’s a frontal assault.”

Lann shook his head, sorting out his thoughts, speaking as he walked.

”The people of Immortal Peak Temple have repaired their undying bodies to the point their minds are broken. They abandoned the defense of the temple and the weapons and equipment used for defense, probably exchanging them all for research funds.”

With that, Lann nodded towards Black Conical Hat Li. These pieces of information had been verified by him.

The black conical hat bobbed up and down: ”I confirm that this temple, which originally could withstand a military siege, now only has manpower as its means of defense.”

Iwami Yixin rested his wrist on the hilt of his sword at his waist, walking lightly.

”Haha! That suits me just fine. If we were really facing a fully fortified fortress, our few swords might not even be as effective as these ninjas. If it’s just people... haha, we can certainly have a good fight!”

”Don’t be careless, Lord Yixin.” The Demon Hunter was very rational at this moment. ”Even though Black Conical Hat has intercepted many ninjas, the fact that they were killed is already a message. Those small-scale engagements like on the mountain path just now, catching them off guard... there won’t be any more.”

”Isn’t that better, Lann?”

Beneath the red tengu mask, Iwami Yixin’s voice inexplicably reminded people of a gaunt, smiling face.

The smile on that face was sharp and bloody.

”Didn’t we come here to kill? Enemies rushing towards us are much easier than us having to look for them.”

”Indeed.” Lann’s straightforward answer made Iwami Yixin pause for a moment, ”So you should be careful with your aging body. Getting too excited could trigger cardiovascular issues.”

”Uh... haha! You really are amusing, Lann!”

Iwami Yixin’s hearty laughter seemed impossible to come from that skeletal, almost sickly body.

And in the deepest part of Immortal Peak Temple, inside the thirty-three bays hall, the living Buddha in light green monks’ robes, signifying a unique status, was chanting scriptures softly before the statue in the main hall.

His physical condition was not better than that of an ordinary living Buddha. From the cracked and ruptured skin, one could still see fibrous muscles and centipedes crawling restlessly.

The grand hall, which should have been spotless and splendidly magnificent to showcase the greatness of Buddhism, was now untended, filled with centipedes, locusts, dust... filth.

The ethereal Buddhist principles could not compare to the visible reality of an undying body.

A tall ninja, carrying a straw hat and holding a double-bladed glaive, entered from outside the main hall. As if sensing nothing unusual, he bowed respectfully to the living Buddha in green robes.

”Master, someone has intruded into the temple. We will go and stop them.”

With that, not waiting for the ’master’ to express any opinion, the ninja left on his own.

Only the living Buddha was left, his dry and rigid vocal cords producing sound.

”Again... a few more lives... Buddha... please have mercy.”

His words suggested a reluctance to cause more deaths.

But the monks who were already obsessed with undying bodies would no longer stop for the mere ’master’s edict.’”

Immortality distorts a person’s way of living.

This is not only an issue faced by the Undead. There are those who seek immortality, caught up in the vortex of struggles driven by their desires.

Once tainted by ’immortality,’ the development of events amidst the various emotions of longing, fear, desire, and rejection is no longer something an individual can control.