The morning cherry blossoms gradually fell, and the wind in the courtyard lost its chill. After sending Jiang Na back to her room, Jiang Yu stood alone by the stone table, twisting the piece of coarse cloth between his fingers. The ferocity beneath the cloth was firmly suppressed by his water power, yet he could still feel that overbearing, slaying aura.
He lifted his eyes toward Cherry Blossom Hotel, complicated thoughts churning in his dark eyes.
Sending Shadow Ravens to investigate would only result in more weapon soul backlash. His water-sense net was dense, but it still could not pierce Shi Jin's true bottom line.
Passive defense like this could not last.
Only by meeting him in person could he see through Shi Jin's scheme, and gauge the reality of that divine weapon. But…
A trace of dread crossed his heart. He knew too well how dangerous Shi Jin was.
To wield a vicious blade with its own will, to hide his magic completely, to set a test with a smile—this was no ordinary opponent.
Though he held the Kiyotaki Sword, he dared not underestimate him. One wrong move, and he would not only gain no information but be put at a disadvantage, even exposing Floating Sakura Island's defensive weaknesses.
Yet if he did not go, letting Shi Jin hide in the mist, the safety of the Luo Fei Sword and the peace of Floating Sakura Island would remain a thorn in his heart.
Jiang Yu squeezed the cloth tightly in his palm until his knuckles turned white. The Kiyotaki Sword at his waist trembled slightly, as if sensing its master's resolve. Cool water power quietly wrapped around him.
He took a deep breath, suppressing his fear. Hesitation in his eyes was replaced by determination.
Risky or not, a test it had to be.
He had to go.
But he could not barge in. He could only go quietly, and observe.
He raised a hand and summoned the Shadow Raven leader, his voice cold and cautious.
"Pass the order: the water-sense net remains in full force, especially at the Luo Fei Sword seal. Not one step may be relaxed. I am going to Cherry Blossom Hotel myself. No need to follow—only wait on the perimeter. If there is any movement, support me at once."
The Shadow Raven leader hesitated.
"My lord, Shi Jin's power is unfathomable. It is far too dangerous for you to go alone."
"If I do not go, I will never understand his true depth," Jiang Yu cut him off. Water power condensed at his fingertips, erasing all aura around him.
"With the Kiyotaki Sword, I can protect myself. Remember: do not act without my order."
He did not notice at all that a slim figure was quietly standing behind the cherry tree by the corridor.
Jiang Na clutched the hem of her dress, having heard every word. Shock in her heart was instantly replaced by surging worry.
Although she was wary of Shi Jin because of the vicious blade, she feared even more for her brother risking danger alone.
After a moment's thought, she quietly slipped forward, hiding in the morning mist and cherry trees, following lightly, suppressing her aura to the extreme, afraid of being detected.
With that, Jiang Yu's figure blurred into a pale blue shadow, slipping into the morning mist toward Cherry Blossom Hotel.
The Kiyotaki Sword hid all light, only a faint wisp of water power lingering around him—defense, and confidence.
His mind was completely absorbed in the game against Shi Jin, full of calculations:
how to approach without being noticed, how to test his true goal, how to retreat safely if something went wrong.
He did not sense the faint figure following not far behind.
Morning mist curled around them, cherry petals swirling.
The pale blue shadow stopped just outside the gate of Cherry Blossom Hotel. He suppressed his aura once more, his fingertips quietly touching the hilt of the Kiyotaki Sword, ready to step in.
Suddenly, a soft voice came from behind, timid but firm.
"Brother!"
Jiang Yu froze sharply and spun around.
Jiang Na stepped out from behind the cherry tree, tiny petals stuck to her temples, her skirt damp with morning dew, her eyes filled with anxious worry. She had clearly followed all the way.
His heart sank. He instantly pulled Jiang Na behind him, his gaze sweeping the gate vigilantly, his voice mixed with anger and helplessness.
"Why did you come? Who told you to disobey me and follow into such a dangerous place!"
He had not sensed her aura at all. Partly because his mind was entirely focused on Shi Jin, and partly because he never imagined his always-obedient sister would rush into this unknown danger for him.
He was both angry and afraid. His tight, careful plan was thrown into chaos.
Jiang Na gripped her dress, poked her head out from behind him, and looked up. Her voice was soft but stubborn.
"I can't let you come alone. He's so strong… I can't relax if you're by yourself."
The morning wind blew, dropping cherry petals on their shoulders.
Inside the hotel yard, it was terrifyingly quiet—not even a bird chirp.
It was as if a pair of eyes was watching the brother and sister outside the gate through the mist.
Beneath this deliberate calm lurked an explosive confrontation.
Jiang Na's sudden appearance added even more variables to an already dangerous test.
Jiang Yu looked at her stubborn, worried eyes. His anger finally softened into affection. His fingers loosened on the Kiyotaki Sword's hilt, then squeezed tight again.
He knew his sister's nature. Now that she had followed, there was no way she would go back alone.
Arguing would only expose their position, putting them at a disadvantage.
"Fine," he sighed heavily, his voice full of helplessness but carrying unshakable instructions.
"Stay close to me. Do not leave even one step. No matter what happens, do not move your spiritual power. Obey every order I give."
Jiang Na nodded quickly, her anxiety easing a little. She stuck close to his side, clutching his sleeve tightly, her breath almost silent.
Jiang Yu half-protected Jiang Na behind him, his gaze locked tightly on the movements inside the gate. Pale blue water power flickered around him. He spoke quickly in a low voice.
"I will test him with indirect words first, to understand his purpose. You just stay by my side and do not speak. If he moves, I will form a barrier to protect you. Retreat to the Shadow Ravens outside. Remember—"
Before he could finish, a lazy, clear voice drifted out from behind the cherry trees inside the yard, soft with morning mist, precisely cutting off their whispers, carrying a knowing smile.
"No need to plot outside the gate. My yard is not a dragon's pool or a tiger's den. Why so careful?"
As the voice fell, a figure in pale white stepped out slowly. Morning mist curled around his clothes, tiny cherry blossoms resting on his shoulders.
It was Shi Jin.
He still looked casual and indifferent, hands in his pockets, eyes curved, but hidden beneath was unfathomable clarity.
His gaze lightly swept over Jiang Yu's tense body, then fell to Jiang Na clutching his sleeve. He finally nodded slightly, gesturing a casual greeting, his tone natural as if he had been waiting.
"Lord Chiba. Miss Jiang Na. Good morning."
Jiang Yu's water power surged abruptly, his aura turning cold. His fingers clamped down sharply on the Kiyotaki Sword's hilt, completely shielding Jiang Na behind him. Dark eyes filled with extreme vigilance.
He had not sensed anyone inside the yard at all.
Shi Jin's aura was lighter than the morning mist, as if merged with the cherry blossoms.
This power was even more terrifying than he had imagined.
Jiang Na also shrank back behind Jiang Yu, her fingers tightening even more on his sleeve.
Looking at Shi Jin only a few steps away, shock surged in her chest again.
The man in front of her was still gentle, smiling softly.
But the moment she thought of the man-eating vicious blade in his room, she felt that behind his smile hid unpredictable sharpness.
Even the morning mist around them seemed to carry a faint pressure.
The wind in the yard blew softly, cherry blossoms swirling through the air.
In the silent three-way standoff, only Shi Jin's faint smile lingered in the mist.
Careless on the surface, yet holding complete control, taking in the siblings' unease and wariness.
The cherry wind swirled, silence stretching for a few seconds.
Shi Jin took the first step. His pale-white figure walked through the falling petals, his pace lazy, no tension at all. He brushed the petals from his shoulder and smiled, breaking the deadlock.
"It's pointless to freeze at the gate. You'll catch cold in the morning mist. There's a breakfast shop nearby with excellent cherry cakes and plain porridge. Why don't we go try some?
Better than guarding against each other. You can't talk on an empty stomach. It's no fun either."
With that, he stepped aside and gestured for them to follow, palm open gently. The smile on his face remained warm, not the slightest bit threatening, yet carried a calm certainty.
The aura around him was as faint as mist melting into cherry blossoms, no edge to be found, leaving people unable to guess the thought behind this casual proposal.
Jiang Yu's vigilance did not fade in the slightest. His fingers still clamped the hilt, protecting Jiang Na firmly behind him. His dark eyes stared heavily at Shi Jin.
An invitation to eat—was it fake goodwill, or another carefully laid test?
He could not see the calculation behind the carelessness.
But to refuse directly would cut off the best chance to probe him face-to-face, putting himself at a disadvantage.
Jiang Na quietly glanced at Shi Jin's calm side face, then gently tugged Jiang Yu's sleeve. Her hesitation held a hint of suggestion, her fingers tightening slightly, as if saying: since we're here, we might as well test him.
Though nervous, she understood this might be the only chance to understand his purpose, better than stalemate at the gate with no progress.
The morning mist gradually lifted. Sunlight spilled through the cherry branches in tiny specks of light. Petals fell at their feet.
Shi Jin still held the inviting gesture, smiling faintly, waiting quietly.
His calm composure, against the siblings' solemnity, formed a silent game amid the falling cherry blossoms.
Jiang Yu's gaze swept over Shi Jin invisibly. A faint wisp of water power probed quietly—no ferocity from the weapon soul, no spiritual fluctuation of a blade.
He looked at his open palms, loose pockets, and waist with no curve of a weapon. Finally, he confirmed he was unarmed.
His tight nerves relaxed a little, but he did not drop his guard. His internal balance was set.
His fingers slowly loosened from the hilt, though not fully leaving the sheath. Pale blue water power quietly withdrew but remained condensed. He stepped sideways, keeping Jiang Na at his side, and said in a low voice:
"Very well."
Two simple words broke the final deadlock.
Jiang Na's hesitation faded. She quietly let go of his sleeve and instead gently grabbed his forearm, still staying half a step at his side, her gaze wary on Shi Jin's back.
A faint smile spread in Shi Jin's eyes. He did not mind their coldness at all. He turned and smiled, leading the way.
"This way. The shop's cherry cakes are limited. If we're late, we'll only get plain porridge."
With that, he stepped forward first. His pale-white figure walked amid the falling cherry blossoms, pace still lazy, not looking back, no obvious defense—only the petals on his shoulder gently brushed away by an invisible force.
In truth, every movement around him was within his perception.
Jiang Yu took Jiang Na's wrist, squeezing gently to signal her not to wander or speak, and followed closely.
His gaze stayed locked on Shi Jin's back. The surrounding mist, the tiny sounds of the street—all entered his perception.
Even if the other side was unarmed, this seemingly ordinary breakfast was still a test hidden beneath a sword's edge.
The sweet scent of cherry cakes drifted from the street corner, mixed with the cool touch of morning dew, spreading in the dawn light.
On the peaceful street, the thoughts of the three remained tangled in silent confrontation, not relaxing for a moment.
The three walked through the falling blossoms to the street corner.
The breakfast shop stood beside an old cherry tree, bamboo curtain half-rolled, steam rising from the bamboo steamer.
The sweet fragrance of cherry cakes blended with the warm aroma of porridge, wrapping around them.