Su Lun and Chiyo returned to Granny Ga's bathhouse.

The charming spring scenery at the cliffside hot spring was just a small interlude, and neither of them really paid it any mind.

When they returned to the bathhouse, it was already dark, and the wooden houses all over Chaming Mountain were lit with orange lights.

The two climbed into the house from the back mountain of the courtyard. Lolota was spreading out bedding. Mikoto, the Shinto Shrine Maiden, was beside the oil lamp, buried in a thread-bound ancient book.

Seeing the two enter, Lolota greeted them with a bright smile. "Teacher, Mr. Su Lun, you're back."

As she spoke, she pointed to the delicate dishes of food still on the table on the other side of the room, and added, "We're having hot pot tonight... Teacher, shall I go light the charcoal in the copper stove?"

Chiyo nodded, "Yes."

They both looked refreshed and happy after the hot spring bath.

Mikoto put down the book in her hand, glanced at Chiyo's arm, and asked with a smile, "Has Miss Chiyo's seal been resolved?"

"Yes, it has."

Chiyo was also very happy about this.

As she spoke, she walked to Mikoto's side and sat down, casually putting an arm around her shoulder. "However, I still need Miss Mikoto's help with something."

Mikoto blinked. "Oh?"

Chiyo took off the demon sword "Onimaru Hyakume Soze" from her waist and placed it on the table, saying, "I plan to completely tame this demon sword. When the demonic energy leaks out, it may attract some monsters. So I need to trouble Miss Mikoto to set up some barriers..."

She had been nourishing it with her own sword energy all these days, but the day when she could completely control this demon sword was still far away.

Now that her arm was unsealed, her first thought was naturally to "use" this sword.

If she could fully utilize the power of this demon sword, it would be no less than having a [Sealed Object] in hand for other professionals. This was an irresistible temptation for any swordsman profession.

Dealing with monsters was naturally best left to a Shinto Shrine Maiden, and Mikoto understood what she had to do. Although she thought this was a risky move, she agreed without hesitation, "Alright!"

Su Lun didn't say anything.

He would naturally support what Chiyo decided.

But trying to forcibly tame this demon sword was not without risks, and she could easily become a "sword slave" if she wasn't careful.

However, now that Su Lun had advanced to Fourth Order, it wouldn't be so easy for the demon sword to cause trouble.

...

Before long, Mikoto had set up Shinto barriers in the house. Straw-woven shimenawa (sacred ropes) were tied to the door curtains, with white zig-zag-shaped gohei (paper streamers) hanging on them. Shinto talismans were also pasted on the windows and lattice doors.

These were things that demons were very wary of.

Su Lun also made some necessary preparations in the room with silk threads.

After all of this was done, the broth in the brass pot was already bubbling.

The four of them sat around together, happily eating hot pot.

Su Lun, Mikoto, and Lolota squeezed together on one side, while Chiyo occupied the other three sides alone.

This was because Chiyo's aura was too astonishing at this moment.

From the moment she decided to tame the "Onimaru Hyakume Soze", the demon sword seemed to have sensed something and immediately became restless.

Even with the sword still sheathed, the surging demonic energy leaked out, threatening to engulf everyone in the house like a raging storm.

If the last time was just a test...

Then this time, it was a desperate struggle.

For both the person and the sword.

Chiyo could only release more and more energy to suppress it, with an increasingly thick, frigid sword energy surrounding her. She was like a sharp sword slowly being drawn from its scabbard, revealing its full sharpness.

The Rakshasa phantom behind her had already appeared, glaring angrily, confronting the hideous hundred-eyed centipede that was entwined around her.

Chiyo's eyes shone with a red light, the flickering light seeming to reflect the scenery of hell. With her arms unsealed, her domineering aura was even more intense, and that violent killing intent was released indiscriminately, regardless of others.

Even Su Lun and the others beside her felt a constant sense of danger that she might draw her sword and shatter them into pieces at any moment.

Su Lun and Mikoto were still relatively calm, their expressions fairly composed.

Lolota's face paled from the pressure, but she gritted her teeth and persevered.

Looking at the increasingly restless demonic energy, Mikoto asked with concern, "Miss Chiyo, are you alright?"

After all, no one knew the past of this demon sword better than her.

Countless talented swordsmen had tried to control it in the past, but all had died by its blade.

This action was no different from gambling with her life, and the odds were not in her favor.

"I'm fine."

Chiyo's expression was blank, but the veins on her forehead showed that she was not at ease, though her eyes were still firm.

She forced a smile. "Everyone, eat, don't just look at me."

No one could help her with this matter; she had to do it herself.

Su Lun looked at her slightly stiff hand as she picked up food, and without saying much, silently placed a piece of cooked meat in her bowl.

Chiyo glanced at him. They already had a tacit understanding, and even with a simple exchange of glances, they immediately understood each other. Su Lun wanted to say, 'I'm here too.'

This was one of the reasons why she acted so resolutely.

The red light in Chiyo's eyes vanished for a moment.

...

The group ate and chatted.

"By the way, Miss Mikoto, what is the situation in Edo now?"

"Not too ideal. There may be major changes during this 'Black Sun Festival'..."

"..."

Since he planned to accompany Mikoto to Edo Castle, Su Lun naturally wanted to ask more about the situation in Yamihime, about the Takeda shogunate, the Shinto Shrine Maiden Imperial family, and the Black Dragon Society...

Only by understanding the situation could he anticipate who the potential enemies might be and prepare in advance.

Mikoto didn't avoid anything, and explained in detail many secrets that outsiders in Yamihime were not qualified to know, nor had the channels to learn.

She said, "The 'Black Sun Festival' only occurs once every few decades, or even centuries. At that time, the sun will be obscured by darkness, and the earth will lose its light. Amaterasu Omikami (sun goddess) will leave the human world at that time, which is also when our Ise Grand Shrine faces the greatest challenge. Without the suppression of divine power, all kinds of demons and monsters will come out to wreak havoc, and those with ulterior motives will definitely choose to act at that time. Because the main source of power for us Shinto Shrine Maiden clan is Amaterasu Omikami, that will also be our weakest time. Therefore, it will also be the most dangerous time. Historically, there have been several rebellions by feudal lords at this time..."

This was already an absolute imperial secret.

Hearing this, Su Lun knew that Mikoto didn't treat them as outsiders.

These few words pointed the key to the "Black Sun Festival."

Mikoto's eyes were firm as she said, "I am the current Saiō (High Priestess), so I must return. Only I can allow Amaterasu Omikami to descend again."

...

"Rebellions all happened during the 'Black Sun Festival'?"

Hearing this, Su Lun's mind began to race.

He was also glad that he had read many books about Yamihime before coming, and happened to have heard that legend.

The legend was that the Black Sun (solar eclipse) was when Amaterasu Omikami left in a huff for some reason. As soon as She left, the Black Sun descended, and the earth was without light. Then, grand sacrificial ceremonies would be held throughout Yamihime, and the shrine maidens would perform Kagura dances, and Amaterasu Omikami would return again.

As the top shrine maiden, the Saiō Shinto Shrine Maiden Mikoto was very important.

She was the most important figure in the sacrifice.

If she was killed, the sun might still rise, but Amaterasu Omikami might not return?

The Shinto Shrine Maiden clan, which represented the divinely ordained imperial authority, might collapse on its own?

Intuition told Su Lun that this was definitely possible.

The rise and fall of a god's nation was directly related to the god it worshiped.

Someone wanted to shake the imperial authority of the Shinto Shrine Maiden clan, and this was indeed the best opportunity.

The previous assassination attempts also made sense.

And the reason why those people didn't dare to act at other times was probably because they were afraid of the "divinely ordained imperial authority" of the Shinto Shrine Maiden clan.

Don't look at this Mikoto's physical strength isn't too strong, but in fact, she cannot be judged by common sense at all.

If there was anyone in Yamihime who was closest to the gods,

Then it was her.

The strength of a believer was not only their own level.

Before, that "demonic man" Abe Taiwa came to assassinate her, and was so strong, but he didn't dare to show his face. Besides not wanting to expose his identity, he might have been afraid of some of Mikoto's desperate "trump cards."

...

Mikoto's expression became more and more solemn. "Before, I only thought that the Takeda shogunate was a threat, but now it seems that things are very complicated... After returning to Edo this time, there may be more trouble than expected, and the situation will be more dangerous."

Su Lun was silent.

He also had a clear understanding of the entire incident in his mind.

The shogunate had almost absolute control over Yamihime. Assassinating the General Takeda Nobuno could indeed solve some problems. And if Mikoto wanted to assassinate him, she could only recruit experts from outside Yamihime, which was how she met Chiyo, and there were some follow-up things.

But the sudden appearance of that "third party force" represented by Abe Taiwa made things complicated.

Suddenly, Su Lun thought of something and asked, "Is there any movement from Oleg, the King of the North Sea?"

Su Lun hadn't asked before, so Mikoto naturally didn't want to mention it. Now that she heard this, she said, "I just received news that Oleg, the King of the North Sea's Ninth Fleet has set off from the Pirate City to Yamihime. The fleet commander 'Gluttonous General' Iksil Peon is personally leading the team, and will arrive in Edo soon."

"Oh..."

Su Lun frowned.

He wasn't too surprised that Oleg would send someone again.

The previous Fifteenth Squad was actually a "cannon fodder" sent to test the waters.

Now that the entire army had been wiped out, a stronger fleet would naturally come.

A fleet led by a Seventh Order professional indeed had the strength to suppress Yamihime by force.

He was just wondering, was this King of the North Sea really the "third party force" interfering in Yamihime?

Speaking of this, Mikoto looked at them again. "I am very grateful to Mr. Su Lun and Miss Chiyo for planning to accompany me. If things are not feasible at that time, please be sure to take care of yourselves..."

Chiyo raised her eyebrows and looked at her, as if she hadn't heard a word of this.

Things are not feasible?

She'll cut them down first.

Su Lun also had a nonchalant expression.

No matter how big the battle was, his ability to protect himself was not weak now.

If things really became unfeasible at that time, he would at least have a chance to protect his new friend, Mikoto.

...

The group chatted and ate the hot pot.

Lolota cleaned up the house and then started meditating with her long sword in her arms.

Although staying in the house was very uncomfortable because of Chiyo's domineering aura, it was also the best opportunity to gain insights.

This demon sword already had a high level of spirituality, and the majestic demonic energy was wrapped in the sword intent of generations of users, and was fiercely confronting Chiyo's Rakshasa sword intent.

It was like two peerless swordsmen were fighting, and this was a rare opportunity to observe.

Even Su Lun, as an outsider, gained a lot of insights into swordsmanship under passive perception.

He didn't sleep either, and was always on guard against Chiyo becoming possessed, so he sat next to Chiyo, reading the scroll of the Rune Alchemist's inheritance.

Mikoto was also not far away, with Kagura bells, bat fans, taiko drums, bamboo flutes... all kinds of Shinto magical instruments placed around her. Thinking that if something really happened, she could immediately help.

Before I knew it, it was already late at night.

Looking out through the window, the moonlight was like silver in the sky, casting mottled shadows in the courtyard.

In the room, the Rakshasa phantom and the hundred-eyed centipede were still in a stalemate, and Chiyo's condition was still stable.

Su Lun kept some of his attention on her, and quickly read the words on the scroll.

Before, there was a lot of abstruse knowledge in this scroll, but now, it was suddenly clear.

The predecessors of the Rune Alchemist lineage had summarized these extremely practical rune secret methods through countless years, and these were priceless treasures.

Outside, this kind of systematic inheritance knowledge was impossible to buy at all.

Looking at those rune secret methods, Su Lun's eyes sparkled.

From First Order to Second Order, Third Order... all the way to Sixth Order, countless "epic" rune knowledge appeared completely before his eyes.

Because he had digested the [Replica of the Primordial Rune], even the most mysterious secret arts were easy to understand in Su Lun's eyes.

One rune language after another was quickly digested and integrated into his mind. The lush skill tree in his mind opened up with dense leaves.

This systematic rune knowledge supplemented Su Lun's puppet making, alchemy, mechanical research, combat... a very important link!

In addition to some technical rune knowledge, Su Lun was most interested in the old rune man's famous stunt - [Rune Flesh Body].

Treating one's own flesh body as an object to be refined, engraving runes on the skin, flesh, meridians, and bones, and finally reaching the level of a "humanoid cursed object."

"This [Rune Flesh Body] plus the [Vajra] secret technique, creating a [Rune Vajra], the defense power will increase exponentially..."

"Not only the metal system, but also the wind, fire, and water systems... Runes with each system's techniques can all increase their power."

"Flesh runes can directly increase the toughness of muscles, so I can even consider opening the fourth and fifth stages of [Hormone Overdrive], and my body can support it. Why do I feel like I'm going further and further down the path of a close combat professional..."

"..."

Su Lun's mind was racing.

Not to mention anything else, his ability to save his life in a head-on confrontation had directly taken a big step forward.

Then he thought of something else.

"Eh... that's right, there are also living corpses!"

Su Lun remembered the living corpses painted with top-level runes in the cursed space of [Havier's Resentment Morgue] in Old Lingdun.

Now that he thought about it, wasn't this from the same source?

He had this scroll of "textbook" in his hand, and also had Tyr Mido, a research madman who could revive corpses.

"Nothing happened..."

Su Lun couldn't feel anything about the fate, so he listened to Mikoto's words and recalled it.

When they were in the hot spring that day, it didn't seem like anything special happened.

It was just that the seal was lifted, and then...

Oh,

That's right,

He also took advantage of the gambling-addicted young woman?

Su Lun felt that this shouldn't be the reason.

Mikoto looked at Su Lun's expression, blinked, as if she had guessed something, and didn't ask further, just smiled.

Just at this moment, an abnormality occurred.

The demon sword's decline was revealed, and it suddenly collapsed like a mountain.

Chiyo, who had been closing her eyes, suddenly opened them.

In that instant, the red light in her eyes shone brightly, yet was incomparably clear.

That surging demonic energy mixed with the Rakshasa phantom behind her, and her whole body was shrouded in a strange aura!

"Did she succeed?"

Su Lun's eyes narrowed, and he was faintly expectant in his heart. He clearly sensed Chiyo's exaggerated and slightly unfamiliar strange aura, but didn't sense any signs of confusion in her body.

That is to say, she seemed to have tamed this demon sword?

Mikoto and Lolota on the side also looked expectant.

Just then, the strange aura on Chiyo's body suddenly disappeared, and her tired expression could not hide her excitement. She focused her eyes and looked at the others, and said calmly, "I got this sword!"

Hearing this, Su Lun and the others breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.