Under One Person: My Inner Realm Connects to All Worlds!

Chapter 248 Izumo Sword Saint, God Lord Sword Eight

"Roar--!"

A deep, resonant hum, seemingly emanating from the depths of the earth, emanated from the catfish's mouth, causing the office windows to vibrate.

The enormous head sank slowly into the ripples on the floor as if it were buried in the earth, and disappeared.

Zhao Fangxu swallowed hard and said with difficulty, "Chairman Han, this...this will cause disputes, and what if we can't handle it?"

Zhao Fangxu didn't actually have a good impression of Japan, so he wasn't concerned about how many casualties the earthquake catfish would cause in Japan. His primary concern was whether it would cause trouble for China.

Han Yun glanced at him, his eyes deep: "Old Zhao, do you think we're playing house right now? Takamagahara is setting fires all over the land, trying to unleash ancient evil spirits. I'm just giving him blood for blood, and tooth for tooth."

"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. What I want is not to destroy neon lights, but to warn and deter them. Let them be too busy to worry about themselves and have no energy to cause trouble in China."

"Moreover, the earthquake catfish has its own sense of proportion, enough to make their world of superhumans, especially Takamagahara, feel the pain for a long time."

He walked to the window, stood with his hands behind his back, and looked eastward.

"As for the dispute... do they have any evidence? It was just a sudden, slightly violent 'natural disaster.' Japan is a country prone to earthquakes, so even a large earthquake is not surprising."

"Moreover, those gods have infiltrated my divine land, so let them taste what it's like to have their own backyard on fire."

Zhao Fangxu opened his mouth, but ultimately let out a long sigh. He knew Han Yun's decision was irreversible, and strategically speaking, this was indeed the most direct and effective counterattack. It was just that the methods… were somewhat cruel.

"Hopefully... we can control the scale," he could only say.

The silence surrounding the existence of supernatural beings and the suppression of information is a tacit agreement among all countries; everyone works together to cover it up.

This involves cultural beliefs, political upheavals, and various other factors. For example, if devout ordinary believers knew that the Messiah, the Lamb of God, the savior, was actually an alien, what kind of problems would arise?
Many heroes, warriors, and even demigods in myths and legends were actually extraordinary beings.

If the earthquake gets out of control and the news of the superhumans is leaked, it could cause a huge upheaval throughout the world.

If the truth is revealed at that time, China will face strong condemnation from many countries, and it is unknown what kind of embarrassing situation it will be in.

This is also a problem that Zhao Fangxu has been worried about.

-----

Two hours later, in the depths of a secluded shrine somewhere in the Kanto region of Japan.

Several figures dressed in classical priestly attire, their auras shrouded in mystery, were performing some kind of ritual. Suddenly, the elderly priest at the head of the group abruptly opened his eyes, a look of horror on his face.

"Oh no! The ley lines... the ley lines are groaning! Something... has returned! And it's become incredibly powerful!"

Earthquake Catfish: Welcome my warm embrace!

Almost the instant his words fell, the entire shrine, no, the entire Kanto region, trembled slightly.

Immediately afterwards, the tremors intensified!
The earth trembled violently, buildings groaned under the strain, and terrified screams echoed from afar. This wasn't happening in the heart of bustling Tokyo, but rather at several crucial nodes along the ley lines.

In particular, several bases in remote mountains and forests that were secretly controlled by Takamagahara and used to cultivate shikigami or conduct forbidden experiments were targeted with "precision".

The earth cracked and mountains collapsed, buildings crumbled, and the barriers sealing various demons and shikigami shattered under the impact of the violent earth vein power. Countless experimental subjects screamed as they fled or were buried...

"Baka! It's an earthquake catfish! How could it..."

A priest stared with rage at the enormous, dark golden figure vaguely churning in the surveillance footage, and the destructive scene it brought.

"How could its power... have grown to this extent?!"

The old priest's face was ashen. Just now, a shikigami connected to his mind had been shattered into pieces by the earthquake catfish's tail while trying to stop it. As a result of the backlash, the old priest suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Quickly! Contact all branches immediately and activate the highest level of defense! Stabilize the ley lines! We absolutely cannot allow it to continue causing damage!"

However, the earthquake catfish seemed to be infused with boundless power and some kind of clear command, tumbling and crashing wildly through the complex network of earth veins in the neon-lit city, specifically seeking out and destroying those nodes rich in the Qi of heaven and earth and bearing the mark of Takamagahara.

The world of supernatural beings in Japan was instantly plunged into chaos and panic.

Kyoto, an ancient palace complex hidden behind layers of barriers and blind spots in the eyes of the world.

This is not Kiyomizu-dera or Kinkaku-ji, which are teeming with tourists, but the location of "Kami-in," the core organization of the Takamagahara organization.

The palace was solemn and the atmosphere heavy, a stark contrast to the vibrant spring scenery of cherry blossoms outside.

Inside the deepest part of the "Purification Hall," an elderly man dressed in a pure white priest's robe and wearing a tall black hat, the Grand Master of Takamagahara, knelt on a prayer mat with a somber expression.

The magic circle in front of him was displaying a blurry image of an earthquake catfish raging through the Kanto earth veins, causing violent upheavals.

The temple doors slid open silently, and a figure entered with steady, rhythmic steps. The newcomer was not dressed in priestly robes, but rather in a dark blue, neon-colored ancient swordsman's attire.

The upper garment was a shoulder-length robe, the lower garment was riding trousers, and the feet were wearing white foot bags and straw sandals.

On the left side of his waist, he wore a simple and ancient-looking katana. The hilt was made of plain bronze, and the scabbard was a dark purplish-black. It looked plain and unadorned, but it subtly exuded a sharp aura that could cut through anything.

He looked to be around forty years old, with a cold and stern face, sharp eyes like a hawk, and a taut jawline. He was like a famous sword sheathed in its sheath, silent yet exuding a chilling aura.

His hair was neatly tied back, with not a single stray hair on his forehead, revealing his meticulous and even rigid personality.

This person is none other than Zaraki Souichirou, the contemporary sword saint of Izumo Sword Pavilion.

Izumo Kengo is one of the oldest and most specialized schools of swordsmanship in the world of Japanese supernatural beings. It can be said to be a sacred place of swordsmanship that all swordsmanship schools in Japan aspire to.

Its founder was none other than Susanoo, the legendary figure in Japanese mythology who slew the Yamata no Orochi.

Only those with exceptional talent can be recommended by kendo dojos from various regions to train at the Izumo Sword Pavilion. However, training does not guarantee becoming a disciple; only through extremely rigorous selection can one remain at the Izumo Sword Pavilion as a licensed member.

In other words, obtaining permission allows one to publicly announce the name and techniques of their school of thought.

The disciples of the Izumo Sword Pavilion all take it upon themselves to "slay demons and protect the divine kingdom".

As for Zaraki Soichiro, the fact that he was able to become the contemporary Izumo Sword Saint at just over forty years old naturally shows that he was exceptionally talented.

He himself was well-versed in the existence of six sword styles: Hokushin Itto-ryu, Shinto Munen-ryu, Kyoshin Meichi-ryu, Zaraki Shinkage-ryu, Tenshin Shinden Katori Shinto-ryu, and Niten Ichi-ryu, and had mastered them to a high level.

It should be noted that each of these six sword styles has its own strengths.

The Hokushin Itto-ryu emphasizes the unity of mind, spirit, and strength; the Shinto Munen-ryu focuses on the practicality of combat and overwhelming momentum and power, with Saito Yakuro, one of the best among them, being known as "Saito of Power".

The Kagami-mei-ryu school emphasizes the beauty and precision of posture and form, and is highly artistic. The fourth master, Momoi Haruzō Naomasa, is even known as "Momoi of Position".

The Zaraki Shinkage-ryu school emphasizes the concept of "living swords," aiming to eliminate the opponent's fighting ability rather than kill them, and is known for techniques such as "no-sword slashing."

Tenshin Denka-ryu is more like a combination of ancient martial arts, including not only swordsmanship but also iaido, staff fighting, jutsu, and more; Niten Ichi-ryu was founded by Miyamoto Musashi and uses two swords, one large and one small, for combat.

His ability to blend six different styles of kendo together demonstrates his talent in the art.

Furthermore, Zaraki Soichiro innovated and developed his own unique swordsmanship, consisting of twelve moves, each corresponding to a certain philosophy and superior skill.

Natural Imagery System:
Cherry Blossom Blizzard: Technique, a continuous eight-directional slash, the sword light like falling cherry blossoms; the story originates from a poem by a monk who travels west, wishing that under the cherry blossoms of spring, things would pass away as before.

Maple Dance: A footwork technique that combines the Falling Leaf Step to unleash a reverse-wind slash while dodging; the imagery evokes the poignant scene of autumn maple leaves swirling in the wind.

Moonlit Wave: A combo attack with three arc-shaped slashes that rise and fall like waves, each strike higher than the last; inspired by the description of "the moonlit shore, with waves rising and falling in threes" in The Tale of the Heike.

And the Zen Buddhist philosophy system:
"No Mind, No Movement": This refers to the mental technique of launching a fatal blow the instant all distracting thoughts are eliminated; its koan corresponds to the Zen proverb "Only a sword without intention is a true sword."

Water Moon Mirror: A defensive stance, as elusive and difficult to grasp as the moon's reflection in water; philosophically, it embodies the Prajna thought that "flowers in a mirror and the moon in water are ultimately empty."

Lu Hua Ning: A sudden thrust, concentrating all one's strength into a single point on the sword tip; an allusion to the line "The world of grass and dew, like my own fleeting appearance" from the waka poem "Manyoshu".

There are also mythological and legendary series:
Amaterasu Cave: The ultimate technique, a secret sword that can turn the tide in desperate situations; its origin is the mythical story of Amaterasu hiding in a cave.

Yatagarasu: Its movement technique is a mysterious zigzag advance, like a three-legged divine crow; it symbolizes the sun messenger who guides Kamudae.

Dragon Tail Return: A reverse-hand, upward slash with a reverse blade; derived from the legendary final strike by Susanoo against the Yamata no Orochi.

The last pure martial arts system:
Cloud Cutter: A slashing strike, a vertical cut that breaks through defenses, like splitting open a sea of ​​clouds; its imagery comes from the spectacular sight of the sea of ​​clouds around Mount Fuji being split open by the rising sun.

Mirage: a feint attack, a deceptive move that uses the reflection of the sword to create illusions; it is inspired by the famous mirage tower of Lake Biwa.

Xiaotian: A special technique, a decisive strike delivered in the first rays of dawn, corresponding to the "dawn training" moment that is most valued in Japanese martial arts.

Although China has thousands of years of cultural heritage and looks down on this so-called swordsmanship, it is undeniable that this small country has also forged its own path in the cultivation of extraordinary individuals.

China values ​​both physical and mental well-being and puts great effort into cultivating one's character. These extraordinary individuals in Japan, after reaching a certain pinnacle, can even glimpse a path to the universe and understand the profound mystery of learning from nature and nourishing one's own heart.

Of course, whether he figured it out himself or learned it by stealing during the Tang Dynasty and the following thousand years is unknown.

Zaraki Souichirou is different from Ashiyajima Yoshi, whom Han Yun had previously annihilated. Ashiyajima Yoshi was only able to barely be ranked among the gods by relying on his ancestors' blessings and using shikigami.

This Zaraki Soichiro, relying on his human body, managed to seize the eighth position among the twelve gods.

Therefore, this deity is codenamed "Sword"!
It can also be called: Kenpachi!
"Your Excellency, the Grand Master of Ceremonies."

Zaraki Soichiro bowed slightly, his voice steady and deep, with a metallic quality. His posture was standard and full of power, a result of years of rigorous training.

The Grand Master raised his eyelids, shifting his gaze from the magic circle to Zaraki Souichirou, and slowly spoke, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible weariness and solemnity: "Sword Saint Zaraki, you have arrived. You must have already sensed the disturbance of the earth's ley lines."

Zaraki Souichirou straightened up, his gaze sweeping over the magic circle displaying the scene of calamity, his eyes showing no fluctuation, as if he were looking at an ordinary landscape painting.

"Hey. The earth is rumbling like drums, and ominous energy is rising to the sky. Such a disturbance is extraordinary. Could it be the work of the legendary 'God of Calamity' who controls earthquakes—the Earthquake Catfish?"

"It is indeed this scoundrel."

The Grand Master nodded, his tone heavy: "This Fiend should have been taken to the Divine Continent by the Lord of the Reed God. For some reason, its power has surged, far exceeding the records. Moreover, its intelligence seems to be guided by someone, and it has been targeting our sacred sites, destroying the ley lines, causing widespread suffering and panic among the people."

He looked intently at Zaraki Souichirou: "Zaraki the Sword Saint, the guardian of the divine kingdom of Izumo Sword Pavilion for generations, possesses divine swordsmanship and the ability to slay demons and monsters."

"Now that disaster has struck and the people are in turmoil, it is precisely the time when Your Excellency's power is needed to demonstrate your divine might, vanquish the demons, and bring peace to the world."

Upon hearing this, Zaraki Soichiro instinctively pressed his right hand lightly on the hilt of his katana, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force.

He raised his head slightly, a look of responsibility and determination appearing on his cold face, and said in a deep voice, "Your Excellency, you flatter me. Protecting the divine kingdom and eliminating evil is the duty of us swordsmen, and it is also the 'family name' passed down through generations of the Zaraki clan."

"Since such monstrous creatures have appeared and wreaked havoc on the world, there is no reason for me to stand idly by with my sword. Even if I am reduced to dust, I will still slay them to comfort the suffering people and maintain the peace of the divine kingdom."

A hint of satisfaction flashed in the Grand Master's eyes, and he solemnly said, "In that case, I will trouble Sword Saint Zaraki. Please be sure to find the true form of this fiend and use your supreme sword skills to slay it, eradicate the root of the disaster, and appease the panicked people. The Divine Institution will fully cooperate and provide you with all the support you need."

"Hi!"

Zaraki Soichiro bowed deeply: "I will obey Your Majesty's will! I will depart immediately and will certainly live up to your expectations, presenting the head of this scoundrel before Your Majesty!"

Having said that, he said no more, turned around, and strode away with firm and swift steps. His deep blue silhouette against the solemn palace was like a sharp sword about to be drawn.

(End of this chapter)