My and Their Anime-Style Otherworldly Survival Adventure

As he spoke, a sly glint flashed in Jiu Xiao's eyes, but it vanished in an instant, replaced by an expression of utter loyalty. He knew that to eliminate the Five Flying Society's influence in Tokyo, he first had to gain Zi Yuan Xian Yi's complete trust. And this step was a crucial link in his plan.

Upon hearing Jiu Xiao's words, Zi Yuan Xian Yi's doubts lessened slightly. He patted Jiu Xiao's shoulder and said earnestly, "Mr. Yuan, the future of the Five Flying Association depends on you. As long as you remain loyal, I, Zi Yuan Xian Yi, will never treat you unfairly."

Jiuxiao nodded repeatedly, feigning gratitude. Inwardly, however, he sneered. Mistreated? By the time you discover the truth, it will be too late. But now was not the time to completely break with Ziyuan Xianyi. He had to continue to endure and wait for the best opportunity. As long as he dared to gather everyone together, Jiuxiao would not hesitate to eliminate them once and for all.

After that, things became much simpler. Jiu Xiao simply wanted the Five Flying Clans to play the "coerce the emperor to command the princes" trick. Then, they would control several high-ranking officials in Tokyo, and place Five Flying Clans members in key positions, thus secretly controlling Tokyo.

After hanging up the phone, Jiu Xiao began preparations. He first secretly contacted the Holy Emperor at the Holy Residence, revealing the entire plan. Upon hearing this, the Holy Emperor felt a wave of dizziness. She hadn't expected that not only did Tokyo have such a black sheep as the Tian Tong family, but there was also a vast and well-hidden force secretly coveting control of Tokyo. Most importantly, she was completely unaware of all this. If Jiu Xiao hadn't told her, she wouldn't have known about an organization called the "Five Flying Association" in Tokyo.

With a heavy heart, the Holy Emperor listened to Jiu Xiao's story. She immediately felt unsteady on her feet and was about to fall to the ground. But Jiu Xiao, with quick reflexes, caught her around the waist and held her firmly.

"Your Majesty, are you alright? Should I take you to the hospital for a check-up?" Jiu Xiao asked worriedly, feeling a pang of sympathy for the young woman before him, who wasn't much older than him. She considered protecting Tokyo her top priority, yet her subordinates were a bunch of incompetent parasites. How could Tokyo be governed properly with such incompetent people around?

The Holy Emperor blushed slightly upon being suddenly embraced by a man. However, she quickly dismissed the feeling, knowing full well that this was not the time for sentimentality. She shook her head, gesturing for Jiu Xiao to place her on the sofa in the conference room. At the same time, she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. This was not the time to panic; the fate of Tokyo might be in her hands.

The Holy Emperor looked into Jiu Xiao's eyes, which were filled with unease and worry. After hesitating for a moment, the Holy Emperor asked weakly, "Mr. Yuan, as the supreme commander of Tokyo, have I done something wrong? Why have I allowed Tokyo to fall into such dangerous situations time and time again?"

Upon hearing this, Jiu Xiao's gaze became complex. He slowly sat down on the sofa beside the Holy Emperor and said in a calm yet firm tone, "Your Majesty, you need not blame yourself. The situation in Tokyo is complex and volatile, beyond the control of any one person. A force like the Five Flying Association is extremely well-hidden; even you would find it difficult to detect its existence. This is not your fault."

Hearing Jiu Xiao's words, the Holy Emperor's unease subsided slightly. However, her brows remained furrowed, and she said worriedly, "But the situation in Tokyo is now extremely precarious. The Five Stars Society wants to control Tokyo, and I must find a way to stop them."

Jiuxiao nodded, his expression grave, and said, "That's right, we must take action. However, we cannot act blindly. The Five Stars Society has a huge influence in Tokyo, and we must formulate a meticulous plan to ensure that our attack is successful."

The Holy Emperor looked up at the heavens, her eyes gleaming with hope. She asked, "Mr. Yuan, what are your plans?"

Jiu Xiao smiled slightly, a glint of wisdom flashing in his eyes. He said, "Don't worry, I already have a preliminary plan. First, you need to pretend to be completely unaware and hire them, opening Tokyo's external defenses to them. Then, host a banquet for them, having them all at the banquet..." As he spoke, Jiu Xiao made a throat-slitting gesture.

Upon seeing this, the Holy Emperor hesitated and said, "But, wouldn't doing this seem too despicable... What if the other party doesn't take the bait?"

Jiuxiao gently shook his head, his gaze firm and profound. He understood the Holy Emperor's concerns, but circumstances were beyond his control. Sometimes, in order to achieve his goals, he had to resort to extraordinary measures.

“Your Majesty, extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. The Five Flying Gang poses an imminent threat to you. If we do not take action, the entire Tokyo may be plunged into utter ruin. As for whether they will take the bait, you need not worry too much. Since the Five Flying Gang dares to secretly covet control of Tokyo, they will inevitably take action. We only need to wait patiently, find the right opportunity, and wipe them out in one fell swoop.”

"But, but..."

"Alright, alright, no more 'buts'. I'll take care of everything, so don't worry." Jiu Xiao forcefully interrupted the Holy Emperor's hesitant words, pressing her lips to make her shush.

Chapter 124 Purple Yuan Immortal One: I'm going to work at 8 AM!

In the days that followed, Jiu Xiao and the Holy Emperor began to prepare their plans in earnest. Although the Five Flying Soars Society was powerful, it was insignificant in Jiu Xiao's eyes, mainly because he couldn't find any trace of them.

That day, Jiu Xiao received a call from Zi Yuan Xian Yi. On the other end of the line, Zi Yuan Xian Yi's voice carried an undisguised excitement: "Mr. Yuan, I've registered a police agency called 'Wu Xiang Law Firm.' When can you arrange things on your end?"

Jiu Xiao was overjoyed. This old guy's efficiency was truly terrifyingly low; it had taken him over a week to finally register the company. And he had directly borrowed the name of the Five Flying Association, calling it the Five Flying Firm. Anyone with even a slight understanding of that organization would immediately recognize the connection between the two. Good grief, they're not even bothering to pretend anymore, are they?

From the perspective of the Five Flying Stars Association, it's always better to go all the way when putting on an act. Jiu Xiao feigned concern and said, "Mr. Zi Yuan, isn't what you're doing a bit too risky? Using the name 'Five Flying Stars Agency' directly tells everyone about your relationship with the Five Flying Stars Association, doesn't that contradict the association's strategy of developing in a low-key manner?" Jiu Xiao's words carried a hint of reproach, but a subtle smile was hidden in his eyes.

Ziyuan Xianyi chuckled on the other end of the phone, seemingly unconcerned about Jiuxiao's "worries," and explained, "Mr. Yuan, you're overthinking it. Very few people know about the Five Flying Association. Apart from its members, most outsiders only know about it through legends and rumors. As long as we don't cause too much of a stir in Tokyo, it won't attract much attention."

Seeing that the other party was adamant, Jiu Xiao stopped insisting on his opinion; continuing the act would seem contrived. He went straight to the point, saying, "Since that's the case, let's finalize the company's location as soon as possible. The Holy Emperor will definitely come to inspect the company first. Remember to bring out all our resources in the Tokyo area and let the Holy Emperor see our strength. That way, the Holy Emperor will feel at ease entrusting Tokyo to us safely, right?"

Ziyuan Xianyi thought about it and felt that Jiuxiao's words made some sense. It wasn't that he trusted Jiuxiao so much, but that he felt he had Jiuxiao's life in his grasp and believed that Jiuxiao wouldn't dare to joke about his own life.

A few days later, a new police company quietly opened in Tokyo. While described as low-key, its scale was unprecedented; it had rented an entire office building. On the opening day, the Holy Emperor attended the opening ceremony with a group of officials, and Jiu Xiao naturally followed.

Initially, when the Emperor proposed transferring some defense tasks to the newly established "Five Flying Strategies Agency," unsurprisingly, it was met with opposition from many officials. Before the Gastrea outbreak, defense was already being interfered with by the fungal forces; now, with the sudden appearance of the Five Flying Strategies Agency after the outbreak, wasn't the Gastrea outbreak a waste? Moreover, the annual military budget is already pitifully small; if someone else takes a piece of the pie, how will they make money from it?

Several meetings were held along the way. After the death of Tendo Kikunojo, all the officials who had previously been affiliated with the Tendo family naturally switched sides to other factions, severing all ties completely. Now, anyone associated with the Tendo family was essentially doomed. Of course, this was all thanks to Kusho's covert machinations; having cultivated connections in Tokyo for two years, he naturally had his own network.

The Holy Emperor had several squabbles with her officials, and what chilled her to the bone was that what they truly cared about wasn't Tokyo's security, but rather the allocation of military funds. In an instant, the Holy Emperor saw things more clearly. She realized that in this political arena where power and interests intertwined, those who truly possessed ideals and beliefs seemed so laughable and powerless, just like herself. At that moment, the Holy Emperor remembered a phrase Jiu Xiao often used, and in a fit of anger, she blurted it out: "How can Tokyo be governed well with a bunch of insects like you?"

Leaving these words behind, the Holy Queen rose and left the meeting room. Her voice echoed within, carrying a hint of helplessness and resolve. The officials exchanged glances, none daring to utter a word of objection. The Holy Queen's voice struck them like a heavy hammer, making them realize that although this young queen was usually gentle, she also had her own temper.

Jiuxiao didn't have the patience to waste on their wrangling. Upon learning his plan was thwarted, he resorted to his old tricks, employing the same method he'd used against Bao Xiezhuoren. He had several officials who had led the opposition to the Holy Emperor's proposal commit suicide in different places, and Jiuxiao even "thoughtfully" chose times when they were alone to avoid harming innocent bystanders. Seriously, I'm devastated.

In those days, the news of "Tokyo officials committing suicide" repeatedly trended on social media, causing a public outcry. People speculated about why these officials would choose such an extreme way to end their lives, and various conspiracy theories began to circulate online.

The officials weren't fools. They watched as those who opposed the Holy Emperor "died," some even filmed on camera, the flames seemingly erupting from their bodies without any warning. Moreover, no method could extinguish the fires; even cutting off oxygen didn't work. The flames would only go out when the victims' vital signs completely disappeared.

This bizarre phenomenon left them without a suitable excuse to confront the Emperor. Everyone felt an unprecedented fear, and those officials who had initially opposed the Emperor's proposal became as meek as quails, submitting petitions to express their support for the Emperor's decision and transferring some defense tasks to the "Five Flying Offices."

Upon learning of this, the Holy Emperor felt a mixture of joy and worry. She was pleased that the plan had finally been successfully implemented, allowing her to wipe out all the members of the Five Flying Gang in the Tokyo area in one fell swoop. However, she was also worried, not knowing why this had happened, nor how Jiu Xiao had managed it. This extraordinary method both shocked and unsettled her.

But it didn't matter. These officials who died embezzled huge sums of public funds every year; their deaths might not be such a bad thing for the people of Tokyo. The Holy Emperor comforted herself with this thought, even though it was somewhat cold-blooded, but given the current situation, she had to make a choice.

This led to the scene described earlier—the Holy Emperor arriving with a entourage of officials to attend the opening ceremony. Unfortunately, that old codger, Ziyuan Xianyi, didn't show up. It was truly a pity that Ziyuan Xianyi couldn't witness the demise of the Five Stars Society's power in Tokyo.

Ziyuan Xianyi: I'm at 8 AM!

After the opening ceremony, the Holy Emperor hosted a grand banquet, inviting all the officials who attended the ceremony and members of the Five Flying Stars Agency to share the feast. Apart from Jiu Xiao and the Holy Emperor, no one knew that this was a long-planned trap.

At the banquet, after several rounds of drinks and dishes, everyone felt dizzy, as if drawn by an invisible force, gradually falling into a deep sleep. Even the officials brought by the Holy Emperor were no exception. This was a "sleeping potion" that Jiu Xiao had purchased at a high price from the system store—a special drug that could induce a deep sleep without the person realizing it. It was colorless, odorless, and had no side effects. Only Jiu Xiao and the Holy Emperor, who had taken the antidote beforehand, remained unaffected. This stuff is truly an essential item for home, travel, and even robbery!

The potion was extremely potent; even with the powerful physique of the Cursed Child, he couldn't regain consciousness for a short time. As the last person slowly collapsed, the entire banquet hall fell into a deathly silence, broken only by faint breathing and the occasional snore.

Looking at the crowd of unconscious people, the Holy Emperor looked troubled and asked apologetically, "Shouldn't we have informed my officials of the plan beforehand? Now that everyone is incapacitated, won't there be some side effects?"

Jiuxiao gently shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. He reassured the Holy Emperor, "No need to worry, Your Majesty. This sleeping potion, though powerful, only puts people into a deep sleep; it doesn't cause any real harm to their bodies. They'll naturally wake up once the effects wear off. Just consider it a break for them. As for revealing the plan to them? Let's forget about it. Who knows if there are any Five Flying Society spies among them? Your Majesty, you don't want your long-planned scheme to fall apart, do you?"

The Holy Emperor nodded slightly, his concerns lessening somewhat. He then left her outside the hotel and summoned all his personal guards to the banquet hall. Upon seeing the "horrific scene" inside, the guards were shocked, thinking something unexpected had happened, and their faces showed fear.

Ignoring the reactions of the crowd, the Holy Emperor ordered, "Now, immediately send my officials home to rest. At the same time, tie up the rest of them and lock them in prison; they are spies from other places."

Although the guards were full of doubts, the Emperor's orders were not to be disobeyed, so they acted swiftly. One group carefully carried the unconscious officials onto the prepared vehicles and sent them home; another group began to tie up the members of the Five Flying Stars Agency one by one, their movements swift and ruthless.

As the last person was locked in a cell, the banquet hall returned to silence. The Holy Emperor walked to Jiu Xiao's side and said softly, "Mr. Yuan, thank you. Without you, I wouldn't have known that such a potential threat existed in Tokyo."

Jiu Xiao smiled slightly, patted the Holy Emperor's shoulder gently, and said, "Holy Emperor, this is what I should do. Helping you is helping myself. I have long wanted to eliminate the Five Flying Society's influence in Tokyo. They used the cursed child I adopted in the outer regions to threaten me, which is simply unforgivable."

The Holy Emperor was a little embarrassed by Jiu Xiao's sudden intimate gesture. She rarely had experience interacting with men her own age, let alone such an intimate act as patting someone's shoulder. For a moment, she was a little distracted. After she came to her senses, she quickly thanked Jiu Xiao: "Mr. Yuan, I will remember your kindness. Leave the rest to me. Don't worry, these people will not have the chance to cause trouble again."

With the matter settled, Jiu Xiao prepared to leave the hotel, but noticed that the Holy Emperor seemed hesitant to speak. So, he took the initiative to ask, "Your Majesty, please speak freely. I will absolutely not refuse to help you if I can."

The Holy Emperor's lips moved slightly, and she made up her mind, saying, "Actually, I plan to rebuild the Self-Defense Forces. After the Third Kanto War, the Self-Defense Forces were practically defunct. Tokyo's security defenses have become extremely vulnerable as a result. I have no one I can trust, and I'm also short of funds. I can figure out the money issue slowly, but regarding manpower, I hope Mr. Yuan can serve as the commander of the new army. Your achievements and abilities are evident to all, and I feel at ease entrusting the army to you." The Holy Emperor's eyes revealed earnestness and expectation. She knew how rare it was to find someone as capable and trustworthy as Jiuxiao in this turbulent era.

Jiuxiao pondered for a moment, then slowly shook his head and said, "Let's forget it, Your Majesty. I appreciate your kindness, but rebuilding the Self-Defense Force and taking on such a heavy responsibility is simply beyond my capabilities. I've always been used to freedom and don't like being tied to a fixed position. Besides, I have many other things to take care of, and I'm afraid I can't devote myself fully to the management of the army."

"Are you kidding me? Make Yuan Jiuxiao work for the Holy Emperor? Even if the other party is a beautiful woman, it's no way. He'll never work in this life; he'll only ever be someone else working for him." Jiuxiao thought to himself, but his face remained gentle, trying not to make his refusal seem too harsh.

The Holy Emperor's face showed disappointment, but she understood Jiu Xiao's character and way of doing things; she couldn't force him. So, she sighed softly and said, "Since Mr. Yuan insists, then I won't force him. Mr. Yuan has already given enough; I was being greedy..."

Jiuxiao smiled and nodded, then changed the subject, saying, "However, if you really don't have a suitable candidate, I do have a friend who I can recommend to you."

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of hope flashed in the Emperor's eyes. "Oh? Who is this friend that Mr. Yuan is referring to?"

"His name is Akimaru Nagasawa, he's my senior, and he made significant contributions in the previous defense of Tokyo. Moreover, he's an upright man, hates evil, and doesn't have much desire for power. He's a qualified soldier, and he could be a qualified general in the future. If you trust me, I can introduce you to him."

Upon hearing this, the Holy Emperor's face showed a thoughtful expression. She knew all too well how difficult it was to find a general who was both capable and loyal in this chaotic world. The general recommended by Jiu Xiao, Tsuzawa Akimaro, seemed to be exactly the kind of person she needed. Moreover, he was Jiu Xiao's senior brother, so he must possess some real skills.

P.S.: Self-immolation is a sensitive word, so I changed it to self-grave.

Chapter 125 Yes, I'm here

“Mr. Minamoto, then I would like to trouble you to inquire about Mr. Tsubasa’s wishes. If he is willing, it is not too late to introduce him to me.” The Holy Emperor said sincerely, without asking for more details about Tsubasa Akimasa.

Jiuxiao smiled and agreed, "Of course, Your Majesty, rest assured, I will arrange for you to meet as soon as possible. Senior Brother Tize is a straightforward person. As long as the situation is explained, if he is willing, he will definitely go happily. Even if he is not willing, I will persuade him. Just wait for my good news."

After bidding farewell to the Holy Emperor, Jiuxiao arrived at the office alone, where he found Shojiro Tsubasa already there. Jiuxiao pushed open the door and entered. Inside, Shojiro Tsubasa was engrossed in a document, his brow furrowed, seemingly lost in thought. Hearing the door open, he looked up and saw Jiuxiao. A smile appeared on his face, but it quickly faded before he regained his composure.

"Hey, Junior Brother Jiuxiao, what brings you here? Shouldn't you be attending some opening ceremony with the Holy Emperor today?" Tsuzawa Akima put down the documents in his hand and asked.

Jiuxiao sat down opposite Tsuzawa Akimaro and told him in detail about the Holy Emperor's desire to rebuild the Self-Defense Forces and his invitation to him to serve as its commander. After listening, Tsuzawa Akimaro remained silent for a moment, his face showing hesitation.

"The Holy Emperor came to me because she had no one else to rely on. I know you're in a difficult position, but as you've seen, there are very few Self-Defense Force personnel left after the last major war. Lacking a usable army, other forces might covet Tokyo," Jiuxiao explained.

Akira Tsuzawa nodded in understanding, but then shook his head: "I understand the Holy Emperor's difficulties, but you also know my personality. I don't like being restrained; I prefer fighting freely. Besides, I haven't received any relevant education, so this position is probably..."

"Senior Brother Akimasa, I understand your concerns. But none of that matters. It doesn't matter if you can't manage an army; your subordinates can. In such a large place, surely you can find a few capable managers? And you only need to manage these people. Most importantly, you don't want Tokyo to be affected by the chaos, and then you just watch as Midori and the others become homeless, do you?"

Jiuxiao unleashed a double secret technique: moral blackmail combined with a special attack on Japanese people. For the sake of the Holy Emperor, Jiuxiao went to great lengths, to the point that it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he'd abandoned all sense of shame.

Akimaro Tsuzawa was drenched in sweat. He couldn't understand how this had suddenly gotten dragged into the conversation with Midori Fuse and the others. He desperately wanted to ask, "Are you even thinking straight?" But he also knew that Kushou was right to some extent; the stability of Tokyo was directly related to the lives of many people, including Midori Fuse. So, it seemed he had no choice but to intervene?

Brothers, you all saw it, right? This is the benefit of moral blackmail. If someone has a high enough moral standard, they'll find it hard to refuse a request that prioritizes the greater good. Conversely, the less morally upright a person is, the more they like to use morality to blackmail others. Jiuxiao just wanted to create some fun; he absolutely had no intention of being malicious, absolutely not!

After a moment of silence, seemingly weighing the pros and cons, Jiu Xiao didn't disturb him, simply waiting quietly. After quite a while, Tsuzawa Akima finally spoke, "Alright, Junior Brother Jiu Xiao, I can agree to let you meet the Holy Emperor and hear her specific thoughts. But let me be clear: if I feel it's inappropriate, I will still refuse."

Upon hearing this, Jiuxiao was overjoyed and quickly nodded in agreement: "Of course, Senior Brother, don't worry, I won't force you to do anything you don't want to do. Moreover, I believe that the Holy Emperor will respect your decision."

After the two reached an agreement, Jiu Xiao got up to say goodbye and prepared to go back for dinner. Back home, the children all applied to live permanently in that other world, where schools had been built, and since they were all children of the curse, they got along well. Jiu Xiao thought that since the children were willing, they should go. After all, that world was vast and rich in resources, much better than being crammed into this small Tokyo area.

Without Yanzhu and the others, the house became quiet, and Jiuxiao was a little unaccustomed to it. Little angel Fate was naturally quiet and didn't talk much, and now that the lively little ones were gone, she was even quieter.

To keep Fit from feeling lonely, Jiu Xiao held her as they sat on the sofa watching a Japanese variety show. Although the shows were mostly comedic and entertaining, for Jiu Xiao, it was simply to keep Fit company and prevent her from feeling isolated. He occasionally laughed at the jokes, but he paid more attention to Fit's expressions, hoping she could also find enjoyment in the show.

Fate nestled in Jiu Xiao's arms, feeling incredibly happy. She was so glad he doted on her like that. Having been in this world for two years, Fate considered herself a grown woman, and she'd grown quite a bit taller. She believed that Jiu Xiao would eventually notice her growth, just like Xiao Yuan and Sania...

At this moment, Tendou Kisara came out of her room expressionlessly and sat down next to Jiuxiao without saying a word. Jiuxiao was startled, thinking that he had offended her in some way he didn't know, and quickly asked, "Um, Kisara-nee, what brings you here?"

Kisara Tendo glanced at Fate nestled in Kushou's arms, but it was a feint before she changed the subject to something unrelated.

“My grandfather just contacted me, saying he wants to see me.” Tendo Kisara’s tone was neither happy nor sad, as if she were talking about someone who had nothing to do with her.

Seeing that the two were about to discuss serious matters, Fate quietly broke free from Jiu Xiao's embrace and returned to her room alone, demonstrating her obedience and understanding.

Jiuxiao narrowed his eyes, immediately understanding what that old man, Tendo Kikunojo, was plotting. His desire to see Tendo Kikunojo was probably a pretense; his real target was himself. Jiuxiao asked calmly, "Oh? So what do you think? If you want to see him, I can accompany you back."

Tendo Mu scratched his head in frustration, struggling with the thought, "I don't know. Should I see him? Or not? What good would it do if I saw him? I still can't forgive what they did. But if I don't go, it feels like I'm running away, and I'll never be able to let go of this knot in my heart."

Jiuxiao gently took Tiantong Mugeng's hand, tenderly pulled her into his arms, and comforted her, "Actually, when you were hesitating about this, didn't you already have the answer in your heart? Let's go, let's go see him, it's only a matter of time anyway."

Tian Tong Mu Geng nestled in Jiu Xiao's arms, silent. She had come to Jiu Xiao seeking reassurance; the true answer already resided in her heart. It's like when your girlfriend asks if she's gained weight; no matter your answer, she already knows the answer in her heart. At this moment, she needed an answer that would put her at ease.

What? You say you don't have a girlfriend? Never mind then. (Just kidding!)

The next day, Tendou Kisara brought Jiuxiao to the Tendou family's ancestral home. Gazing at the long-lost grand mansion, countless memories flooded Tendou Kisara's mind like a tide. This was where she had grown up, bearing witness to her laughter and tears, and also the rift between her main family and her own. Every step she took trod on fragments of memory, making her heart bitter.

Jiu Xiao quietly stayed by Tian Tong Mu Geng's side, sensing her inner struggle and unease. He gently held Tian Tong Mu Geng's hand, offering her silent support and encouragement.

The servants of the Tendo family had already been notified and rushed forward to greet the two upon their arrival. Tendo Kikunojo, dressed in a long-sleeved kimono with a samurai sword hanging at his waist, stood upright in front of the door, his face aged and serious, his eyes revealing an imposing aura, and a calm yet subdued presence emanated from him.

"You've come." Kikunojo Tendo's voice was deep and powerful, seemingly able to penetrate one's soul. It was unclear whether he was speaking to Kisara Tendo or to Kushou.

Kisara nodded, his face expressionless, and said, "Yes, I've come."

A moment of silence fell over the scene. At this point, even Jiuxiao couldn't figure out what Tendo Kikunojo was really up to, and could only wait and see. He tightened his grip on Tendo Kisara's hand as a gesture of reassurance. Then, he met Tendo Kikunojo's sharp gaze, trying to glean some clues from the old man's eyes.

Kikunojo Tendo slowly raised his hand, drew his katana from his waist, and casually tossed the scabbard to the ground.

Jiuxiao pulled Tiantong Mugeng back tactically, fearing that he might suddenly attack and hurt someone at any moment.

However, Kikunojo Tendo's action was not an attack. Instead, he held his katana horizontally in front of his chest, assuming a standard Tendo-ryu starting stance, and said, "Kisara, draw your sword. Defeat me, kill me, and you will be the next rightful heir of the Tendo family."

Upon hearing this, Kisara Tendo's pupils contracted sharply. She stared at her grandfather in disbelief, her voice trembling as she said, "You...do you know what you're saying?"

A resolute glint flashed in Kikunojo Tendo's eyes as he said indifferently, "I'm not so old and senile as to be confused. I know very well that your elder brothers and uncles are no longer capable of inheriting the Tendo family. But the Tendo family cannot be without an heir. I know you have some complaints about some of the family's practices. If you can defeat me and kill me, you can inherit all of the Tendo family's assets. At that time, you can do whatever you want with those people, and you can change the Tendo family according to your own wishes."

Jiuxiao listened with trepidation. He never expected that Tendo Kikunojo would have such courage. For the sake of his family's rise and fall, he was actually willing to gamble with his own life. This... this was simply too crazy.

Tendou Kisara's body trembled slightly, her eyes filled with struggle, as if weighing the weight of this decision. She knew that once she drew her sword, it meant she would embark on a path full of thorns. Tendou Kisara looked to Jiuxiao for help, but Jiuxiao pretended not to see it; he did not want his will to sway Tendou Kisara's decision.

Seeing this, Tendo Kisara was furious but helpless. After hesitating for a moment, she finally agreed. She had her own reasons for agreeing. First, she still carried the blood of the Tendo family; even if she didn't care about the family name, her father, if he were alive, wouldn't stand idly by and watch the Tendo family decline. Second, she wanted to help Jiuxiao; her own strength was too weak, and with the Tendo family's assistance, things would undoubtedly be much easier. This was also a bit of a selfish reason for Tendo Kisara; unlike Madoka and Sania, she didn't possess magical abilities that could greatly help Jiuxiao. She wanted to stay by Jiuxiao's side but didn't want to be just a pretty face; inheriting the Tendo family was undoubtedly one of the best options.

“Alright, I agree.” Tendou Kisara’s voice was unusually firm. She slowly drew the Snow Shadow sword from her waist, the tip pointing to the ground, assuming a fighting stance, her aura no less imposing than that of Tendou Kikunojo.

Seeing this, Kikunojo Tendo's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile. He knew that at this moment, Kisara Tendo had made a choice, and that choice would determine the future of the Tendo family.

Without referees or rules, the battle erupted instantly. The two moved with lightning speed, sparks flying as their swords flashed. Kikunojo's moves were steady and powerful; it was clear that he had a slight edge in technique. No matter how talented Kisara was, even though she was hailed as a once-in-a-century sword prodigy, the time she had spent practicing swordsmanship was probably less than a fraction of Kikunojo's. Therefore, from the very beginning, Kisara was firmly suppressed.

Jiuxiao watched the battle intently from the sidelines, his heart pounding with each clash of swords. Having trained in swordsmanship with Tentou Musara for some time, he could clearly see the situation and couldn't help but feel a pang of worry for her. After all, swords have no eyes; if anything were to happen to Tentou Musara, the Tentou family would have to pay with their lives.

The other members of the Tendo family felt a chill run down their spines, as if they were being stared at by a venomous snake, and couldn't help but shiver.

As time went on, the battle gradually intensified. While Kikunojo Tendo was strong, his age meant his stamina was ultimately inferior to that of the youthful Kisara Tendo. Slowly, Kikunojo Tendo's strength waned, and the two eventually fought to a draw.

Kikunojo Tendo knew he couldn't afford to delay, or he would surely be defeated. He swung his sword, knocking Kisara back, then swiftly changed his stance, unleashing the Tendo style's strongest technique—the Awei Double-Headed Sword. The single strike was both a single blow and a double strike, for the second strike exceeded the speed of sound. To the average person it appeared as a single attack, only masters like Kusho could discern its true power.

Tendo Kisara neither dodged nor evaded, but instead unleashed the same technique as Tendo Kikunojo—the Ferula Double-Headed Sword. With a single swing, the sword struck first, and the two swords clashed, producing a deafening clang of metal against metal. In that instant, the air surged, causing the surrounding space to tremble. Tendo Kisara and Tendo Kikunojo, two successors of the Tendo school, displayed the full extent of their family's legacy in this moment.

Chapter 126 I offered my heart to the bright moon, but the bright moon shone on the ditch.

Their swords clashed for a moment, then with a snap, the sword in Kikunojo's hand was shattered by Kisara's blow! The broken tip, propelled by inertia, grazed Kisara's cheek, leaving a thin line of blood. But Kisara seemed oblivious to the pain, pressing Yukikage against Kikunojo's neck...

Oh my god, what a loving father and filial daughter!

In an even more dramatic turn of events, the broken sword tip, after grazing Tendo Kisara's cheek, sliced ​​the scalp of a Tendo clan member who was watching from the sidelines. The man was instantly terrified, his face turning ashen, his legs going weak, and he collapsed to the ground. A pool of unidentified liquid spread beneath him, gradually emitting a pungent ammonia odor.

The scene was deathly silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. No one paid attention to the terrified direct descendant of the Tendo family; all eyes were on Tendo Kisara and Tendo Kikunojo.

Kikunojo Tendo stared blankly at the broken sword in his hand, his face ashen. For a swordsman, the sword was as precious as his life; a broken sword meant defeat, even the end of his life. He never imagined that the swordsmanship he had honed throughout his life would be so easily defeated by a young junior.

Kisara Tendo's breathing was erratic, the snow shadow in his hand feeling as heavy as a thousand pounds, trembling as it hovered for a moment on Kikunojo Tendo's neck. Yet he couldn't bring himself to strike, his cold eyes showing no trace of victory.