The sky brightened, yet the morning fog hung heavy, carrying the brine of the sea over Floating Sakura Island's bluestone alleys.
The inn's wooden door creaked softly. Shi Jin stepped out, quietly leaving his payment on the counter without a word.
The Yama Sword slung over his shoulder glinted coldly, cutting through the mist with faint menace. His steps were steady and firm, no hesitation at all — heading straight for the shrine.
The resting place of the Crimson Fall Sword and the Kiyotaki Sword.
The root Jiang Yu and Jiang Na had guarded their whole lives.
The moment his figure vanished around the alley corner, the shadow crows perched on the eaves burst into flight. Black feathers tore through the gray morning mist. A sharp cry vanished into the wind, darting like an arrow toward the shrine.
Even the wind from their wings carried an approaching chill.
Before the shrine's stone steps, Jiang Yu stood leaning against the rail, his fingers brushing the hilt of the Kiyotaki Sword again and again. Anxiety lingered in his eyes after a sleepless night.
Until the cry of the shadow crow reached his ears, the message brushing his shoulder.
His tense shoulders relaxed at last. The gloom between his brows lifted. The stone hanging over his heart all night crashed down.
He's only here to say goodbye.
The warmth by the cliff last night… had been real.
But this relief lasted only an instant.
Behind him, the sharp, heavy clink of armor exploded, fierce and resolute.
Jiang Yu spun around. His face sank like a frozen pool. The air around him turned sharp.
Jiang Na stood there, clad in full silver light armor, fitting perfectly to her body. The plates glinted coldly in the mist. She gripped the Crimson Fall Sword tightly, the tassel stretched straight, her knuckles white.
Battle intent blazed from her like frost.
This was no farewell.
This was a stance — ready to fight an enemy.
The last flicker of hope in Jiang Yu's heart shattered completely when he met Jiang Na's determination.
His eyes darkened. He understood at once.
Shi Jin had not come to say goodbye.
Every step he took toward the shrine was for the Crimson Fall Sword. For the Kiyotaki Sword.
For the two divine artifacts that protected Floating Sakura Island.
Yet a huge confusion surged, choking his chest.
Even if he killed them both — what then?
The island's artifacts did not belong to their wielders. Even if the holders died, their power would immediately pass to the next guardian.
Stealing them in this way was meaningless!
He had no time to think.
Seeing Jiang Na's unshakable resolve, her hand steady on her sword —
Jiang Yu ripped the Kiyotaki Sword off his back. The heavy blade blazed coldly in the mist.
He snatched the armor beside him, moving fast and sharp. The clink of plates cut through the shrine's silence.
He lifted his gaze, sweeping over the guards outside the hall. His voice was hard as iron, every word heavy:
"If Shi Jin sets one foot inside the shrine — kill him."
He knew better than anyone this order might be useless. That it might not stop someone carrying ten thousand years of hardship.
But he had to fight.
Even if it only ended in mutual destruction. Even if it only weakened him a little.
It would buy Floating Sakura Island more life. More time for the next guardian.
Once armored, Jiang Yu tapped the shoulder buckle, his fingers touching the cold metal. He turned to Jiang Na.
All doubt and hesitation in his eyes were replaced by icy resolve.
His jaw tightened into a sharp line.
They stood side by side.
The cold light of two divine artifacts overlapped in the morning mist.
Only one thought burned in his heart:
In this battle, I must win.
Jiang Na's grip on the Crimson Fall Sword tightened. Mist dampened her eyelashes. The resolve she had forced cracked a little.
She looked up at her brother, her voice trembling with unconcealable worry.
"Brother… will we win?"
Jiang Yu looked down, meeting her frightened eyes. Helplessness rose in his throat, but he pressed down hard on her shoulder — firm, steady, passing his resolve to her.
He lifted his gaze toward the misty path leading to the shrine. His voice was forged from unbreakable will:
"We will. Don't forget. Your big brother is the strongest."
His fingers squeezed the Kiyotaki Sword's hilt again. All helplessness vanished, leaving only desperate determination.
Even if the road ahead was an abyss. Even if victory was uncertain.
He had to stand in front of Jiang Na. In front of Floating Sakura Island.
Hold the last line.
Meanwhile, the morning mist still lingered. The cliff wind cut coldly over the final narrow path to the shrine — bluestone hanging over the abyss, wide enough for only one person, a natural choke point.
Shi Jin arrived.
The trees around him suddenly moved. Dozens of shadow crows transformed, black-cloaked, blades in hand, forming a wall across the path.
Their voices were cold and unified:
"The shrine is forbidden today. Turn back."
Shi Jin did not stop at all.
He lifted the Yama Sword from his shoulder, tore off the wrapping cloth in one motion. The cold blade flashed sharply in the morning light.
He planted the sword heavily on the stone. The deep thud shook loose pebbles from the cliff.
He lifted his eyes to the shadow crows, gaze cold as jade, voice calm but unyielding:
"I do not want to kill the innocent. You may leave."
The crow army tensed.
A few black-cloaked men loosened their grips, stepping back unconsciously, doubt in their eyes.
But most stood frozen, hands white on their weapons, blades pointing straight at Shi Jin.
The crisp clash of arms rang out in unison.
They would not retreat — even if it meant death.
Shi Jin's eyes darkened.
He drew his blade.
The Yama Sword blazed brighter. He poured in no magic at all — only pure physical power.
The heavy blade slashed down with a storm wind!
The stone wall at the pass exploded. Rocks flew. The shockwave swept both sides.
Several shadow crows were thrown back — but not one was injured. Only staggered, terrified, no blood drawn.
The crows stared at each other in shock. Their hands loosened.
The certainty of dying for their master had been shattered by this strong but restrained force.
Shi Jin stood, blade tip lightly touching the stone. His voice turned colder, more imposing:
"One last chance."
From the group, the shadow crow leader stepped forward, black cloak flapping in the wind. His voice burned with loyalty and resolve:
"We are Shadow Crows. We die for Lord Jiang Yu. This is our blood-bound mission!"
He lifted his gaze to Shi Jin, resolute yet respectful.
"Lord Shi Jin… thank you for showing mercy. But please — grant us a quick death."
At those words, even the ones who had considered fleeing hardened their faces. They gripped their weapons and returned to the line. All hesitation vanished.
Dozens of black figures formed a wall again, blades aimed at Shi Jin.
Not one stepped back. All prepared to die.
Shi Jin's lips curled into a very faint smile. He spoke only one word:
"Very well."
One syllable.
His figure vanished in the mist, leaving only a blur.
Before the shadow crows could react, a numbness touched their necks.
Dozens of black figures collapsed in sequence — not one bleeding. Simply knocked unconscious, breathing steadily.
Shi Jin reappeared at the end of the pass. He glanced down at the fallen crows, then continued forward, toward the shrine.
A quiet sigh rose in his heart, a thought no one would ever know:
The me from the past… would not have even let you speak.
He stepped forward. Beyond the broken stone wall lay the vermilion torii shrine path.
Layer after layer of red torii gates climbed into the fog. Vivid paint against the pale white mist.
Wind chimes on the eaves tinkled clear, winding around red pillars.
Moss and dew covered the bluestone underfoot. He walked through layer after layer of red shadow, footsteps breaking the corridor's silence, steadily advancing toward the shrine at the end of the fog.
The mist still hung low. The shrine gate stood at the end of the vermilion torii.
The moment Shi Jin set foot on the steps, Jiang Yu stood alone on the white jade stairs.
Hand on the Kiyotaki Sword, silver armor frosted, brow heavy. He looked straight at Shi Jin, firm yet gloomy:
"Choose another place. This shrine is the only thing I have left of my parents. I don't want it destroyed by fighting."
Shi Jin's gaze paused. He did not speak — only nodded heavily.
A quiet sigh brushed his heart:
We are both trapped by fate.
Shi Jin slid the Yama Sword back into its sheath. The light metallic click settled in the mist.
He silently followed Jiang Yu down the jade steps, one after the other, toward a wide, open bluestone clearing behind the shrine.
Mist swept over their hems.
Only silent confrontation lay ahead.
Reaching the center of the clearing, Jiang Yu turned and stood. Silver armor glinted coldly.
He squeezed the Kiyotaki Sword's hilt, brow twisted with pain and confusion. He asked low:
"Why are you doing this? We were fine not long ago… weren't we?"
Beside him, Jiang Na's fingers dug into her sword, knuckles white. Her eyes burned with grief and sorrow, staring straight at Shi Jin, begging for an answer.
Shi Jin's eyes flickered. He looked away. No elaborate explanation.
Only a deep voice:
"I have no choice."
"Why?!"
Jiang Na shouted, voice cracking with sobs, full of unwillingness and heartache.
The shout crashed into the mist. Then dead silence.
Jiang Yu's hand whitened on his sword. The Kiyotaki Sword's tip cast a trembling shadow.
Jiang Na's shoulders shook. Tears fell onto the Crimson Fall Sword's hilt. She bit her lip, making no more sound.
Shi Jin looked down at the cherry petals by his feet, avoiding their burning gazes.
Only the Yama Sword's sheath glinted coldly in the wind.
"If there is nothing more to say… then do it."
Shi Jin spoke low. Dark golden magic coiled from his fingers around the sword's hilt.
He did not hold back his aura.
Cold magic exploded with the blade's light, freezing cherry petals mid-air.
Jiang Yu and Jiang Na instantly felt crushing murderous intent — an unreserved, ready killing move.
Jiang Yu grunted heavily. His thumb ground against the sword guard. He forced his magic to its peak. Desperation weighed on his brow.
He had known Shi Jin was terrifying. But he never imagined he would strike with everything from the start.
No way back. Only fight.
Jiang Na's fingers sweated around the Crimson Fall Sword's hilt. Her pink lashes trembled, but she lifted her chin to meet Shi Jin's gaze.
Unwillingness and resignation clashed in her eyes. She shifted her feet, forming a pincer stance with Jiang Yu.
Even as her fingers shook, she stood with the resolve to risk everything.
Neither held any desire to fight.
But they were backed into a corner by this fierce magic.
Only ready — to take the unavoidable battle.
Jiang Yu gripped the sword with both hands, knuckles bleached pale. Cyan magic wrapped the blade, yet his wrist trembled uncontrollably.
He knew Shi Jin's power too well. He knew the two of them together might still be no match.
But he could not retreat.
Behind him was Jiang Na. Floating Sakura Island.
He had to protect them with everything he had.
Shi Jin watched them force themselves onward, frowned slightly, and said low:
"It's unnecessary."
Before the words faded, the Yama Sword tore forth with dark golden wind.
No extra moves.
Only one slash.
The dark golden blade qi ripped through the air.
Jiang Na only saw her vision darken.
In the next instant, the Crimson Fall Sword was blasted from her hand. Searing pain shot up her wrist.
She flew like a leaf, slamming hard into a cherry blossom tree. Petals showered down.
A trickle of blood escaped the corner of her mouth.
Jiang Yu's pupils shrank to pinpricks. A suppressed roar burst from his throat.
Cyan magic exploded over his body. The Kiyotaki Sword blazed blindingly.
He lunged at Shi Jin on pure instinct, sword speed a blur of blue, aiming straight for his vitals.
Jiang Yu's cyan magic suddenly flowed like water, spreading along the Kiyotaki Sword. Where the blade passed, ripples spread through the air, like waves on a lake.
His steps were light but blisteringly fast, circling Shi Jin.
Every swing brought a surging cyan tide.
The seemingly soft sword qi hid sharp, killing edge.
Where the tide touched the ground, water-like marks seeped into the stone, then quickly froze into hard ice crystals.
He was unleashing the Kiyotaki Sword's true artifact power —
to drown Shi Jin in unending, freezing strikes.
Shi Jin's eyes flashed sharply as the cyan tide closed in. His sword hand stood like rock. His other hand slowly rose, thick dark golden magic pouring from his palm.
In the next breath, a dark golden barrier exploded outward from his body, wrapping Jiang Yu inside.
Time inside the domain seemed to slow.
Jiang Yu's cyan tide crashed into the barrier wall, stalling like mud.
The Kiyotaki Sword's hum turned dull. Even its blue light dimmed.
Jiang Yu's sword motion froze completely. His pupils contracted. He blurted:
"Seventh‑level magic?!"
He could clearly feel his magic being drained by half inside that golden barrier.
The tide that had raged moments ago could not even come within three steps of Shi Jin.
Chill shot up from his soles.
He knew Shi Jin was strong.
But he never imagined —
he could wield magic at this level.
Shi Jin's pupils blazed bright, dazzling gold, like two small lamps inside the dark golden domain, carrying unshakable resolve:
"From here on… I will not hold back."