Chapter 86

"What a shame, what a shame, so close yet again," a young girl muttered regretfully as she walked through the depths of Wuwang Hill, carrying a shovel slung over her shoulder, still stained with dirt.

Despite the eerie atmosphere of the place, she seemed entirely unbothered, skipping as she walked, occasionally kicking at stray blades of grass or using her shovel to knock dead branches from trees. Her movements with the shovel, though seemingly random, had a certain practiced fluidity, indicating a deeper level of skill.

She was out of place in the somber environment, like a splash of color on an otherwise black-and-white canvas.

"Huh?"

After walking for a bit, she suddenly slowed her pace, noticing something ahead. Carefully, she crouched down, completely disregarding the fact that her clothes might get dirty, and stealthily crawled forward.

"Zhongli?"

The man standing in the clearing ahead was someone she knew—Zhongli, one of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's esteemed consultants. He was the man who seemed to know everything except for anything related to Mora.

But the other person she didn't recognize. She had never seen someone like him before in all her time wandering Liyue Harbor. He was fair-skinned, clean-cut, and didn't look like a bad guy.

"Mr. Zhongli, may I propose another contract?"

"Speak freely," Zhongli replied.

"Would you agree not to speak of what happens next to anyone?"

"Agreed."

Perhaps her sneaking skills were decent, or maybe Zhongli was simply too focused on the person in front of him, but the strange man dressed in black did not seem to notice her presence.

Zhongli glanced in her direction but made no move to reveal her.

Once Zhongli confirmed his agreement, the man finally relaxed. He reached for the mask hanging at his waist and placed it on his face.

Zhongli initially thought Bai Luo just wanted to remain incognito in Liyue, perhaps to avoid revealing his identity as a member of the Fatui, especially since he might be staying in the city for some time.

But when Bai Luo lowered his hands, both Zhongli and the girl watching from the shadows were shocked.

The white mask on his face had transformed into a strange cat-like mask, and the black coat he had been wearing changed into a red kimono, typical of Inazuma.

In that instant, it was as if he had become a completely different person. His entire demeanor changed.

Before, he exuded an aura of death and mystery, like someone who could disappear into the shadows at any moment to stab you in the back. But now, he resembled a sheathed blade—a dangerous weapon, but one kept hidden from sight.

Even though he was no longer radiating any direct threat, the potential danger he embodied was palpable.

"Mr. Zhongli, I won't hold back."

Not only did his aura change, but his tone of speech had also shifted.

As he slowly unsheathed the katana at his side, Zhongli realized why Bai Luo now resembled a blade without any edge—his sword was a reverse blade sword.

No matter the situation, wielding a blade with its edge turned inward was an irrational act. Especially against a stronger foe, using such a sword wouldn't harm your opponent but could end up hurting yourself instead.

This was not a weapon suited for extended combat.

After unsheathing the reverse blade sword, Bai Luo ran his left hand gently along the cold steel of the blade, feeling its chill.

This true reverse blade sword was far superior to the one he had previously bound to himself. After making up his mind, Bai Luo turned the blade inward and stabbed it into his own body.

Zhongli: "??"

The girl: "...Potential client, must take notes!"

Bai Luo held up a hand to stop Zhongli, who had instinctively moved to intervene. Pulling the sword from his body, Bai Luo forced a pained smile and said, "Lord Zhongli, stabbing you counts as one move, but stabbing myself doesn't count toward the three moves, right?"

Does it hurt? Of course, it hurts—plunging a blade in and pulling it out isn't a walk in the park. Though the sword's ability prevents it from killing anyone, the pain it inflicts is real.

"There's no explicit clause for this in the contract... but very well, I'll allow it," Zhongli replied with a sigh. He could see that Bai Luo was using some sort of special technique, possibly drawing power from his blood or from the act of stabbing himself.

Seeing Bai Luo's pale face, Zhongli decided to let it pass.

"Thank you."

Glancing at the Nine-Headed Dragon Flash skill icon, Bai Luo saw no change, so he raised the bloodstained reverse blade sword again and stabbed himself a second time.

Once... twice... three times...

By the third time, something triggered a critical hit. The previously blue Nine-Headed Dragon Flash icon turned red, indicating that the ultimate technique, Heaven's Soaring Dragon Flash, was now available.

Borrowing strength like this was something many Kenshin players had done. After obtaining the true reverse blade sword, Bai Luo remembered this little trick—by stabbing himself with a regular attack, he wouldn't die, thanks to the sword's properties, and could trigger his special moves.

"Mr. Zhongli, I'm ready."

Still dripping with blood, the reverse blade sword was returned to its sheath as Bai Luo got into a low, crouched stance, preparing to draw his sword in a battoujutsu strike.

It was a cool pose, but one that left him coughing up blood in a not-so-dignified manner.

"Battoujutsu?"

As one of the oldest gods, Zhongli had encountered various forms of swordsmanship. He had once met the Raiden Shogun, back when she was known as the shadow of Baal, her older sister.

But this... this battoujutsu was different.

The moment Bai Luo assumed his stance, Zhongli immediately sensed the difference. He quickly raised his hand and conjured a Jade Shield to protect himself.

At the exact moment the shield was in place, a strange force restrained Zhongli. His hands, already raised, became immobile, as if frozen in place.

This... was impossible!

Zhongli, surprised for the first time in centuries, stared at Bai Luo, whose upper body was now practically touching the ground in preparation for the attack. For a moment, Zhongli thought Bai Luo might be from their era... or even a god.

For only a god—or a powerful entity—could invoke such a strange power.

Yet Zhongli quickly regained his composure. He wanted to see what kind of strike Bai Luo would unleash.

Though Bai Luo appeared to execute a single move, he had actually applied the technique of Dragon Hammer Flash.

This meant that when he unleashed Flash of the Heavenly Flying Dragon, two additional strikes from Dragon Hammer Flash would accompany it, delivering an explosive burst of damage.

Once he had gathered enough energy, Bai Luo moved.

The Flash of the Heavenly Flying Dragon was a technique designed to suppress the opponent in an instant. It involved an incredibly fast approach and a devastating slash.

With the speed boost from Dragon Hammer Flash, Bai Luo became a flash of red lightning.

"Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū: Secret Technique—Flash of the Heavenly Flying Dragon!"