At this moment—
All Adventurers
felt a deep sense of vindication.
Genichiro Ashina was undoubtedly the number one villain at this stage.
Some admired his resilience and iron will.
Some thought he was stubborn to the point of madness.
Others saw him as a pure villain willing to stop at nothing.
He was controversial both within Ashina and among the Adventurers.
From the very beginning, the main storyline of Ashina had revolved around rescuing the Divine Child.
And Genichiro had always been their greatest obstacle.
From the prologue onward, he had brought immense pressure to everyone.
Defeating him was a milestone that had to be achieved.
Now, after countless hardships and struggles, they finally stood at the threshold of victory.
This was a historic breakthrough.
---
When Genichiro stood up again,
Large portions of his body were scorched by lightning, yet they healed at a visible speed.
However—
The corruption from the Young Water Sediment was accelerating.
Genichiro stared at Bihua unwillingly.
"You've mastered… Lightning Reversal."
"Stop!" Bihua said. "Your body is about to lose control."
Although she had successfully performed Lightning Reversal, she knew how extremely difficult it was.
It was even harder than a perfect Mirror Counter, which reflected an enemy's power in close combat.
She wasn't confident she could deflect every strike.
If the fight continued, the outcome was still uncertain.
She spoke partly to buy time.
Even one or two seconds could matter.
"Ashina is everything to me," Genichiro said hoarsely.
"To save this country, I'm willing to abandon my humanity."
In his current state, he possessed an immortal body. Bihua had no way to deal fatal damage, and now that the Adventurers had mastered Lightning Reversal, Genichiro himself no longer had confidence in securing a quick victory.
This battle—
Had lost its meaning.
Genichiro knew that if he continued, he would eventually lose his sanity completely, turning into a monster. And now was not the time to cross that final line.
Though unwilling—
He had no choice but to retreat.
The Divine Child wasn't his only hope. He still had Senpou Temple.
"I'll see you again."
In a flash of lightning, Genichiro leapt from the watchtower of the Castle Keep and vanished.
He escaped?
Bihua froze.
His voluntary retreat made the battle far easier than expected.
She sheathed her blade and didn't pursue.
She couldn't kill him anyway, and even if she chased him, she wouldn't catch him. Genichiro was faster.
---
Footsteps sounded behind her.
Bihua instantly gripped her sword again and turned.
"It seems you won… Divine Child's shinobi."
Emma looked relieved.
"Thank you. I've finally completed my master's task."
Bihua frowned. "Who… do you serve?"
"Ashina Isshin."
"What?"
All the Adventurers were stunned.
No one expected such a direct answer.
Even less did they expect that Emma served Isshin Ashina himself.
Emma continued calmly, "I wasn't lying. I really am a physician—Lord Isshin's personal doctor."
Confusion only deepened.
"Then why did Isshin want you to help me?"
"Because Lord Isshin refuses to use the Dragon's Heritage. That power can't change the situation. Instead, it only invites greater disaster. But Genichiro is obsessed… and too deeply trapped."
Bihua immediately asked, "So the letter sent to the dungeon back then—was that also Isshin's order?"
"Yes," Emma admitted. "Lord Isshin hoped you would take Kuro and leave Ashina. But Genichiro discovered it."
Bihua pressed on, "Then what's wrong with Genichiro? Why can't my blade kill him?"
"That's the power of the Young Water."
"What is Young Water?"
Emma explained, "It's said to flow from the Fountainhead Palace. Those who drink it gain red eyes, madness, and monstrous transformations—but also unnatural vitality."
"What Genichiro used wasn't ordinary Young Water, but Young Water Sediment, accidentally refined by my mentor, Doctor Dogen, during his experiments."
"It's hundreds of times stronger. It grants a body that ordinary weapons can't kill—but it also accelerates the transformation into a monster. Genichiro… is beyond saving."
---
Young Water.
Young Water Sediment.
Fountainhead Palace.
These keywords sent ripples of excitement through the Adventurers.
"So many mysteries are finally connecting," Wind in Sleep said.
"I never expected the letter in the prologue to be Isshin's will. He wanted us to take Kuro away."
Lonely Swordsman nodded.
"Even Isshin underestimated Genichiro's resolve. That man won't stop until he reaches his goal—even if he has to use something as terrifying as Young Water Sediment."
Cat Meow Meow asked, "Then what exactly is the Fountainhead Palace?"
Nancilia thought aloud, "Didn't the Tengu mention ancient demons who wielded divine lightning from a source god? Could that be connected to the Fountainhead Palace?"
Moonlight Shines on Snow said, "If Young Water truly exists, then the Fountainhead Palace and the source god probably exist too."
"How fascinating!"
"Indeed!"
"Headless, the White Serpent God, parasitic centipedes, Young Water, ancient gods, lightning power, Dragon's Heritage… these clues aren't random. They're all pointing toward a single origin."
"This feels like an ancient secret buried deep within Ashina itself!"
---
The Adventurers loved this process—slowly uncovering the truth and piecing together the world's secrets.
The Eastern Lands were only a small corner of the world, and Ashina was merely a small province within them.
Yet in such a limited place—
So many bizarre phenomena existed.
How could they be unrelated?
Once again, everyone was stunned by the depth of the Ashina storyline.
They also gained a new appreciation for Qi Ji's ability to construct Secret Realms. His worlds felt less like games and more like living histories.
---
After speaking with Emma for a while and gathering more information,
Bihua followed her downstairs.
There, she saw Kuro Hirata.
Finally—
Quest complete.
Bihua felt a surge of excitement.
She could also feel the Wolf's emotions.
Ever since the battle at the Buddha Hall, the Divine Child had ceased to be merely his young master. Protecting this boy had become his faith.
Bihua stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and said softly,
"I've come to welcome you."
Kuro sighed.
"Genichiro… When did he stray so far? He's lost now. I'm afraid he can never return."
"Thank you, Wolf, for everything you've done for me."
Bihua replied, "Ashina Castle could fall at any moment, and Genichiro could return at any time. This place isn't safe anymore. Please leave Ashina with me, Master."
However—
Unlike at the Moonview Tower,
This time, Kuro refused.
"My blood carries the Dragon's Heritage. You already know this, don't you?"
"Yes."
"That power isn't a blessing—it's a curse. Back then, I only wanted to save you. Even now, I'd do the same."
Kuro sighed deeply.
"All immortality brings terrible consequences."
"Each resurrection fueled by the Dragon's Heritage drains the life of this land."
"In time, it spreads the Dragonrot plague, killing countless innocents and warping the lives of entire regions—possibly for generations."
"That's why I can never give this power to Genichiro."
So the Dragon's Heritage was even more terrifying than Young Water Sediment.
Young Water corrupted only its user.
Dragon's Heritage corrupted the entire land.
Now the Adventurers finally understood Isshin's and Kuro's choices.
But Bihua was puzzled.
Why was Kuro telling her this now?
Sensing her confusion, Kuro said,
"Wolf, I want to sever immortality. Will you help me?"
Bihua was stunned.
She didn't know how to do that.
But it meant Kuro would have to stay in Ashina—
Which was incredibly dangerous.
She refused immediately.
"Protecting you is my highest duty. I can't let you remain in danger."
Kuro looked at her seriously.
"How many times have you died for me? Once? Twice? Countless times?"
Bihua answered calmly, "As long as I can protect you, I won't hesitate—no matter how many times."
"But I don't want you to suffer this endless curse anymore," Kuro said.
"And I don't want innocent people to die because of me."
He knelt before her.
"Please help me. Let's sever immortality together—and end this endless disaster."
He was barely in his teens.
Yet he showed compassion and resolve far beyond his years.
Bihua was moved.
"At your command," she said quietly. "But I don't know how."
Kuro's eyes lit up.
"I found records in the Castle Keep library."
"According to ancient texts, to sever the Dragon's Heritage, one must travel to the Divine Realm and obtain something called Dragon Tears."
Bihua asked, "Where is the Divine Realm? And how do we get there?"
"Look at this incense burner."
An ancient incense burner stood enshrined in the hall.
"I heard that Ashina once had a Dragon's Heritage Divine Child named Zhang, who passed away long ago," Kuro said.
"He left this relic behind, along with a final message: 'Only through the scent of origin can one return to the Immortal Palace.'"
Bihua's eyes narrowed.
"So the scent of origin is the key to reaching the Divine Realm?"
"Probably… but we'll have to uncover the method together."
---
Bihua felt a surge of excitement.
So did the Adventurers.
White Crane Hermit commented,
"If our core objective was rescuing the Divine Child before, then now it's severing immortality."
Blackstone Hammer King grinned.
"Severing immortality? That sounds epic."
Moonlight Shines on Snow praised,
"The Ashina storyline is layered and interconnected. It's logical, emotional, and keeps getting better."
White Little Deer nodded.
"It's thrilling. We're uncovering Ashina's secrets while shaping its future."
"As expected of the Lord."
Nancilia said admiringly,
"He's woven history, war, mystery, and fate into one cohesive story."
"When we explore the plot, we're learning Ashina's past, understanding its present, and shaping its future."
"I truly believe Ashina once existed."
---
Kuro headed toward the Castle Keep library to search for more clues.
Besides reaching the Divine Realm, they also needed to learn how to sever immortality itself.
Kuro mentioned someone who might know the answer.
That person was—
Isshin Ashina.
The Adventurers were shocked.
They could meet Isshin directly?
They had just badly injured his grandson and caused chaos in the Castle Keep!
Still—
Everyone was curious.
They all wanted to see what kind of person this legendary figure truly was.
Emma had said Isshin was in seclusion in a nearby watchtower due to his failing health.
Without hesitation, they headed there.
---
Bihua entered the room and immediately saw an old man with silver hair, thin limbs, and a face covered in wrinkles and age spots.
He looked as though he might die at any moment—
Yet he sat casually on the floor, pouring himself wine.
This was Isshin Ashina?
The Adventurers were stunned.
Cat Meow Meow complained,
"What kind of ruler drinks alone while his castle is falling apart?"
Pig King said,
"What else can he do? The outcome's already decided."
Blackstone Hammer King laughed,
"I think this old man has a free and open mind."
Wind in Sleep suddenly narrowed his eyes.
"Wait… look closely. Doesn't he resemble the Tengu we met at the Great Hand Gate?"
"Could Isshin Ashina be that Tengu who taught us Lightning Reversal?"
"What?!"
"No way!"
"We should've realized earlier!"
Lonely Swordsman said,
"In all of Ashina, only the Sword Saint could massacre an entire group of Lone Shadow elites alone."
Moonlight Shines on Snow added,
"He's already at death's door, yet he still possesses this kind of strength. How terrifying must he have been at his peak?"
"Then why did he help us?"
"Without his guidance, we'd never have learned Lightning Reversal. The battle atop the Castle Keep would've been nearly impossible."
---
While the Adventurers discussed,
Isshin looked up.
"Huh? A guest."
Bihua said respectfully,
"I've come at the Divine Child's request to seek guidance from Lord Isshin."
Isshin laughed loudly.
"Before that, have a drink. This is your reward for beating my useless grandson!"
"…Huh?"
"You're not angry?"
Isshin snorted.
"Genichiro is a stubborn fool who fell so low he resorted to Young Water Sediment. At this point, he can't turn back anymore…"
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