Curse Return: Swordsmith Start

"What...?"

"What nonsense are you spouting...!"

As soon as Yue Ren spoke, the two absent-minded girls couldn't help but get angry, their eyes filled with a desire to tear Yue Ren to pieces on the spot.

The only thing that stopped them from making a move was Xia Youjie's outstretched hand, signaling them not to move.

After seeing that his two little followers had calmed down, Xia Youjie turned to look at Yue Ren, his face still bearing the same smile, but the feeling he gave off had undergone a complete change.

How should I put it? It felt like we were being targeted by some unknown ferocious beast.

"So, what are your thoughts, Kawasaki Echito-kun?"

Yue Ren could feel the pressure coming from the other party, but how could he be afraid of such a thing?

"The world of sorcerers? Don't be ridiculous. Putting everything else aside, I'll just ask you one question. As someone born of what you call a monkey, you should know that there is no fundamental difference between sorcerers and non-sorcerers. According to your logic, if you succeed, decades later, what will you do if the offspring of you, and all of you, with another sorcerer you love, are non-sorcerers? Will you betray your own family for the greater good?"

Pointing at Xia Youjie and the people behind him, Yue Ren immediately started criticizing.

Faced with his question, the people opposite him were speechless for a moment.

After all, this is a clash of ideologies, and they cannot lie. Imagine if the possibility the boy mentioned were to actually come true, they would be irrevocably caught in a dilemma—blood ties and ideologies would clash.

"..."

"Can your doctrine be self-consistent? The difference between sorcerers and non-sorcerers isn't a racial issue; we're all human. Do you really think that you, alone, and with the few people behind you, can fight against humanity's greatest instinct and emotion?"

"Sorcerers and non-sorcerers are one and the same. Sorcerers are ultimately a minority. For sorcerers, non-sorcerers are more like family and friends. You think you can sever such bonds with just a few words? What makes you think people will listen to you then?"

"We're all just being..."

"Even an immature saint knows that eliminating basic conflicts requires the salvation of all mankind. You, a half-baked opportunist, shouldn't be pretending here."

"True great achievements, whether righteous or evil, require overcoming hardships and difficulties that are beyond the reach of ordinary people."

"You can't even let go of such vulgar personal feelings as hatred and disgust. You haven't even overcome the malice of mere humans. You can't think from the perspective of the species. You're just a coward who cowers and retreats in the face of true despair. What are you pretending to be, you big shot? You're a disgrace."

"..."

"Finally, don't tell me it's for some greater good that the basic interests of individuals who should be under its protection can't be protected. It only proves one thing: either this 'greater good' is flawed, or the so-called 'greater good' is complete bullshit."

His words were reasonable and well-founded, yet they left both sides speechless. Not only did the other side look grim, but Maki and the others also seemed to be rethinking their perception of Yue Ren.

This guy has a really sharp tongue, and the thing is, what he says actually makes a lot of sense. He's being insulted like that, and he can't even utter a single word.

Look at him, the man who was so arrogant just now has a blank look in his eyes now, and his eyes have become much clearer.

The pandas secretly vowed never to argue with the Yue people again, otherwise being attacked like that would leave them with a psychological trauma they would never forget.

As for Yue Ren, if he knew what everyone was thinking, he would definitely scoff. This is nothing. Chinese culture is profound and extensive. He is just an apprentice. If a master were to come, it would be too lenient for the other party to be completely shut up.

"Hey, Jay, long time no see."

A sudden, familiar voice shattered the tranquility created by the Yue people. Everyone turned to look and saw the principal, teachers, and many sorcerers gathered there, ready for battle.

The familiar Qi Hai and Ming Ming were also there. Both of them unconsciously focused their gaze on Yue Ren, their faces showing more complex emotions. They really didn't expect that the seemingly most normal boy would have such a side.

However, if you look closely at their expressions, you'll find that everyone is behaving strangely. The reason is simple: they have heard some of the Yue people's arguments.

Well, they were truly amazed. They never imagined that language could be so sharp and mentally aggressive. They even felt a little sorry for the man who was being verbally abused by the boy.

These words are more terrifying than curses; they're practically dark energy that destroys the spirit.

The man's complexion gradually returned to normal, but judging from the bulging veins on his forehead, the verbal abuse from the Yue people had not been easily undone.

"...Long time no see, Satoru. I never expected you could teach such a unique student. It's truly beyond my expectations."

Well, actually I didn't expect him to have this kind of skill. You've suffered, Jay!

Gojo Satoru felt quite strange. At this moment, he was even somewhat glad that he hadn't provoked the Yue people too much, otherwise... well, the consequences were something he didn't dare to think about.

Even Gojo Satoru, the strongest among them, couldn't help but shudder when he thought of this possibility.

"Since you know they're my students, stay away from them, Jay."

"Yes, yes, I've already seen it: a top-tier cursed person, a suddenly mutated cursed corpse, a descendant of a spellcaster, a newcomer with level one strength, and... the bottom of the Zen family."

His mocking expression immediately angered Maki, who had been stunned for a moment.

"You bastard, you better watch your mouth..."

"Hey! Looks like I need to update my opinion of you, Xia Youjie, you're really brainless."

The familiar voice spoke again, and everyone fell silent as if a pause button had been pressed. Everyone had a bad feeling, and sure enough... to everyone's horrified gaze, Yue Ren started again.

"I'll tentatively acknowledge your perception abilities, as you discovered that Maki has very little cursed power. However, I'm genuinely worried about your analytical skills and intelligence."

"Are you someone who never learns from mistakes? What kind of qualities did the guy who spared your life last time have that you've completely forgotten? Fine, to prevent you from getting dementia, I'll reluctantly remind you, 'Heavenly Curse'."

Upon hearing the name, Xia Youjie's eyes widened considerably, and a memory surfaced in his mind.

"...Could it be!"

"Yes, Maki is just like that guy, she's bound by that bondage. How about it, do you remember the pain from back then? So I advise you to say less, otherwise, what if she gets upset and causes you trouble someday? How do you plan to deal with that?"

"..."

Xia Youjie fell silent, and everyone else was also bewildered. The people behind Xia Youjie were wondering what the boy was saying and why Xia Youjie had fallen silent after hearing it.

Among the people at the vocational high school, some knew the truth, while others were confused, but none of them spoke up, each with their own thoughts. The only one who seemed to understand was Maki, who thought of the story the boy had told her about her uncle yesterday.

This guy in front of me, he was spared by that uncle too?

"Don't be ridiculous. Can she reach his level? Besides, I'm not necessarily afraid of him now."

"Then why do you think she won't be better than him in the future? You should be well aware of the potential of a sorcerer, shouldn't you?"

"..."

"So watch your mouth. Stop calling me 'monkey' all the time. Be careful what you say. As a curse master, you should know this better than I do, shouldn't you?"

"..."

The real Garen builds Infinity Edge, silencing and critically striking. You can vaguely see that the opponent's face is turning blue, but he can't utter a single word of rebuttal.

Maki, in particular, looked at Etsuto with an indescribable complexity in her eyes. He said he would treat her as a partner, and he truly meant it.

Gojo Satoru knew things couldn't continue like this. If a battle really broke out on their doorstep, as a former comrade, he knew best how troublesome the opponent's techniques were. He couldn't let him ruin the high school...

"You're going to comfort her with these kinds of words? Kindly telling her 'you're actually very special' and 'you also have potential'—what's the essential difference between that and those family members and relatives who look down on her with pity? The price of being bound by fate is irreversible. The hope you give her is just a crueler placebo."

"Brother Yue never meant that!"

Yi Gu, who had been silent all along, clenched his fists.

Xia Youjie looked at him, Yi Gu's shoulders trembled slightly, but he did not back down, looking at the other person with serious and hostile eyes.

"Brother Yueren isn't that kind of person. He's never used 'potential' to comfort anyone, and he's never thought Maki needed comforting." The boy's voice trembled slightly from the effort. "Every word he said was true."

"He never lies," said Yigu. "That's his strength."

"Therefore, I reject your offer. I will not help someone who insults my friend."

Yue Ren turned his head to look at Yi Gu, said nothing, but the corners of his mouth curved up slightly.

Xia Youjie smiled, but not the gentle, elder-like smile he had given earlier; it was a genuine, chilling smile.

"I see. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."

He nodded, as if finally confirming something, "It seems today isn't a good time to talk, so..."

"What exactly are you doing here?"

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Gojo Satoru, who suddenly appeared between the two of them.

Seeing this, Xia Youjie took one last look at Yue Ren. There was no hostility in his gaze, but there was something complicated in it, perhaps scrutiny, or perhaps some kind of interest that he himself might not be sure of.

Then he looked at Gojo Satoru and spoke.

"Of course, it's a declaration of war!"

「!」

"Everyone gathered here, please clean your ears and listen carefully!"

"On December 24th, at sunset, we will hold the 'Night Parade of One Hundred Demons'!"

"The locations are at the center of the curse—Shinjuku, Tokyo, and the holy land of sorcerers—Kyoto."

"We will release thousands of cursed spirits in various locations, and the order is naturally to 'kill them all.' If you don't want to see that scene, then do everything in your power to stop it."

"Let's...curse each other to our hearts' content."

The man revealed a cruel smile, but the next moment, he switched back to his usual gentle demeanor.

"Well then, everyone, farewell. Yue Ren-kun, I will think carefully about what you said, but a monkey is a monkey, and I believe I did nothing wrong!"

"Do you think I'd just let you go like that?"

Looking at his former best friend, Gojo suddenly spoke.

Xia Youjie paused for a moment, then slowly turned his head.

"...You should save your breath, after all..."

Suddenly, countless powerful cursed spirits of varying sizes appeared around them, forcing them to be on high alert.

"Your lovely students are all within my attack range."

"Well then, everyone... let's meet on the battlefield."

The curse masters departed on giant birds, just as they had arrived.

The oppressive cursed power receded like a tide, and the school gate at dusk suddenly fell silent. The surrounding cursed spirits also disappeared in an instant, leaving only the faint cawing of crows in the distance.

Yi Gu let out a long breath, his hand slipped off the hilt of the knife, and he realized that his palms were covered in sweat.

"...Let's go." Panda lowered his voice; what had just happened was indeed a bit frightening.

Yi Gu watched her retreating figure, then looked at the Yue people.

"Brother Yue..."

"Um?"

"What you said to Xia Youjie just now..." Yi Gu hesitated for a moment, "Was that something you had already thought about beforehand?"

"No," he said. "I was just thinking about it."

Yi Gu paused for a moment, then laughed.

The panda leaned closer and lowered its voice: "So what exactly is going on today? A declaration of war? A test? Or is it simply an attempt to poach talent?"

"Both are," the Yue man said, "and neither are."

He looked in the direction Xia Youjie had left. Dusk had completely enveloped the campus, and those people had long since disappeared from sight.

"Yes, it's all about confirming Yuta's attitude and also confirming the general level of this year's students at the vocational high school." Yue Ren paused, "And also, he was actually trying to convince himself."

"Convince yourself?" The panda didn't understand.

"The path he chose is lonely, so he needs to believe that 'all sorcerers will eventually realize that he is right.' Today, Bone rejected him, and I refuted him. He will digest all of this and turn it into new fuel. Perhaps he will go even further."

The Yue man's tone was calm, yet it gave the listener a strange sense of heaviness.

"Xia Youjie can't turn back now," he said. "So he has to believe that there's something ahead that's worth sacrificing everything for. He has nothing else but this path. Ha... he's quite determined, I'm giving him a little more credit."

"..."

Now, I actually think that you are more terrifying than him in some ways.

"Aren't you afraid he'll hold a grudge against you for provoking him like that? After all, he was once a top-tier sorcerer."

"Then let him do it. 'Spirit Manipulation Technique,' there must be thousands of spirits on him, and I just wanted to burn all that 'firewood' on him."

Well, so these two are evenly matched and have taken a liking to each other?

Everyone couldn't help but laugh and cry inwardly. There had been so many surprises today, but who would have thought that the biggest surprise would come from their classmates?

The unique aspects of the Yue people are truly surprising and refreshing.