Chapter 246: Time Flies (Part 2)

The world was still, murderous intent was silent. The memory of her last defeat flashed through her mind, and Qingye froze in the pain of the memory. Subconsciously, she wanted to use Thousand Nights' Flashing Stars, relying on a burst of willpower to break through time, but her warrior's instinct prevented her from taking action.

Not yet.

Thrown aside by the sudden attack, how could I be considered at my prime? Even if I used the Instant Star, it would only produce a dim light. Now I'm applying...!

She stood frozen, letting the dagger slash through her head. Her body, just before the blow, transformed into an impenetrable mist, the Mist Transformation Technique ensuring she remained unscathed. Meanwhile, Miansheng shifted in a short arc from the impact of the blow. Qingye, relying on a ray of light, accelerated time, securing freedom of movement.

She twisted sideways in the light, shifting position with the ease of walking on cement. Then, stagnant time began to flow. The dagger grazed Qingye's ear, and the concentrated killing intent brought the illusion of being pierced. Qingye rolled on the ground in a panic, dodging the blow, but Ye Xing's slash came mercilessly.

She raised her crown, barely blocking the blow, but the overwhelming force sent her flying backward. Qingye used her shadow line to pull the castle's bulge back toward the battlefield. Just as she was about to begin, Ye Xing severed the shadow line. She slashed, darting through accelerated time to a safe position, but Ye Xing, with foresight, spun and slashed. Qingye hurriedly swung her sword, her wrist trembling as the long and short blades clashed.

Ye Xing's will flowed along the blade, like an invisible rage. That rage solidified the scattered sword path, and at this moment, Ye Xing was as terrifying as a ghost!

"As expected of Mr. Nightwalker...!"

"Shut up!" Ye Xing roared, "Why are you still saying that now? Didn't your last defeat make you understand the truth?!"

"I completely understand." Qingye tried to maintain his composure, "That's why I—"

"I thought you'd grown up, but you're still so foolish..." Ye Xing's voice trembled with anger. "If you've taken the wrong path, what's the point of achieving even the highest level of success?"

"Guang Shi Qing Ye, you really disappoint me!!!"

The slash fell like a meteor, and the crown tilted weakly.

In the face of Ye Xing's all-out effort, Qing Ye's defensive stance was easily shattered. The blade slashed towards the girl's brow, carrying with it the wielder's regret, sorrow, and anger. The girl's gaze was reflected in the blade's flowing, like water.

Then, the intersecting gazes were cut off by the shadow, and the second dagger slashed down in the air, hitting Ye Xing's weapon right on the target!

"——Mr. Night Walker, you are the one, give me some attention!!"

The shadow blade, gripped in Qingye's hand, shattered instantly upon impact. The Sinner's Black Blade technique couldn't compare to the Discipline Knight's Shadow Blade; at best, it was a disposable, emergency weapon. Qingye grasped a new black blade, her long and short blades slashing in a diagonal cross. She faced Ye Xing's fury head-on, unyielding, confronting him with her emotions.

"It's okay now, right? Hundreds of years have passed! The Nightmare King is long dead, you're an ancient figure in history books, and even Lord Mingwu is a respected patriarch!" Qing Ye shouted excitedly, "You could have... forgiven yourself a long time ago!"

"You don't understand anything!"

"I see!"

Qingye shouted with a superior momentum.

"I saw it during the transformation. The crown is... your sword!"

The black blade was shattered once again, and Ye Xing slashed out, creating a stillness in time. There was still no way to break it, but Qing Ye would not allow himself to retreat.

So she used all her strength, slashing out in an accelerating arc. In a space that was about to come to a standstill, the stagnant black and the vibrant white collided with tit-for-tat wills.

Strong emotions raced on the edge of a knife. Long-dormant longing was awakened by the will of both parties.

Thus, at the moment when their own time and space collided, memories of the past surfaced in their minds.

——That was a horrific sight of mountains of corpses and rivers of blood.

The secret souls that are regarded as the hope of the future die the moment they come into contact with it.

The backbone of the army, who prided themselves on their endurance and mental strength, cried out for mercy amid its wild laughter.

The spirit was shattered. The courage was extinguished. In the face of unreasonable power and the madness that dominated it, even the mere existence of a mere individual was a luxury.

The hymn of the Kingdom of Despair sounded, and the devil stood on the top of a mountain of corpses, laughing at them who were deliberately left behind.

"It's worth the wait, everyone. I've come all this way, and to have persevered this far is truly worthy of being one of these up-and-coming Zanshin!"

"Can you unleash more power? Can you stand up again? Can you challenge me again?

This is how it should be, why are so many people crying?

This won’t do, this won’t do!”

It, that thing, magnified in everyone's eyes, like a terrifying beast crawling out from the bottom of the abyss.

“I just had to be the bad guy for once.

If no one challenges me in three seconds, I'll kill half of you.

If not all members stand up after six seconds, your beloved family members will also take the test.

Spread nightmares, release killer ghosts, conduct fun little experiments, whatever you imagine, you will see it with your own eyes. Don't doubt it, I am the Lord of Killing Ghosts, I am everywhere.

"How's it going? Are you scared?"

"Then stand up."

"Stand up."

"Fight me with all your might!"

He knelt on the ground, looking at the crazy shadow, listening to the self-satisfied laughter. Deep in his bones, he squeezed out a little anger, but the anger was crushed by the terror that overwhelmed it. His mind was still standing pale, but his flesh was already howling in a pool of blood.

Can't do it.

There is no way.

That was definitely not an opponent they could defeat. His mind told him he had to move, but his heart trembled and retreated. 1, 2, 3, the time was up. He couldn't make a sound.

However, a brave man stood up, holding his two swords, and once again stood on the opposite side of the demon king.

"——Mingwu, do you still remember your idea?"

He heard his brother's calm voice.

"Bring everyone along and use your technique."

Of course he remembered the casual conversation he had with his brother not long ago. The accelerating light and the still shadow, if the contradictions were fused through the circle of will and energy, could unleash a force beyond all bounds. It was, as always, a fantastical thought, a joke he didn't even take seriously, but his brother remembered it; he was truly thinking about it.

"Win or lose, it's all about death. Let's make one last bet!"

Mingwu stood up. The rest of his companions wanted to join the fight, but they had lost the strength. His sword shattered, so his brother threw another one to him. The demon king laughed excitedly, as if expressing his expectation. He didn't listen. He grasped his brother's sword, determined not to let down this expectation even if it meant death.

He slashed out a brilliant arc, its light sweeping across the battlefield. Time flowed a thousand times faster, and the overly active photons swept everyone back. He slashed out with all his might, creating a skewed circle. In the fleeting light, he ran towards the Demon King.

But he couldn't reach the Demon King. He struck a dark line. His brother's final blow struck behind him, forging a barrier of time. Outside the barrier, time flowed a thousand times faster, while within it, time slowed to a near standstill.

That time that is infinitely magnified makes the moment eternal.

"Brother..." he muttered to himself, "Brother!! Night Walk!!!"

From the untouchable edge of time, Night Walker smiled quietly at him. He then noticed that Night Walker was carrying a short sword. How could he not have noticed? A long sword was used to kill the enemy, a short sword was used for self-destruction. He heard the demon king's roar, and even outside of time, he could sense the rage of being fooled.

He looked at Ye Xing and turned around, then raised his sword and slashed at the demon king.

He heard his brother's voice for the last time in his life.

“—Come, Nightmare King.

I will be your opponent! !”

Regret, failure, sacrifice, bravery—everything faded with time, becoming a story from a distant past. Only the blade remained as bright as ever, sealed with the cries of regret from a man hundreds of years ago.

So, the two swords separated.

Crystal clear tears fell, dissipated and blurred in the muddled time.

"Lord Mingwu once said that Lord Yexing, as a general, did not achieve victory in the war, and as a remnant, he did not die with honor.

But he gave everything to save everyone's lives. He is the best brother I will always respect and love! "

Qingye clutched her long knife tightly, not even a tear wiping away her tears. Yexing gripped his short knife tightly, seemingly still wanting to rebuke, but ultimately swallowed his words silently. He clutched his mask, the back of his pale hand trembling slightly.

"You saw it," Ye Xing sighed. "You were moved. You admired the general's sacrifice. But you only saw that scene, and didn't know what happened afterwards."

"Zanshinsha Hikari Yagyo saved 543 people that day."

"And the lives slaughtered by the Messenger of Terror during his night stalks are simply incalculable!"

He gripped the hilt of the knife tightly, roaring at Qing Ye and at himself.

"How can you yearn for such a stupid decision!

That’s the opposite side you must learn from, Qingye!!”

What responded to him was the crisscrossing sword lights.

Without saying anything, the tearful girl simply swung her sword. Ye Xing slid past the strike, sidestepping, the hilt of the blade striking Qing Ye's flank. Qing Ye dodged, but Ye Xing gained the upper hand. The regretful dagger slashed down, but Qing Ye held the blade with his palm, stubbornly withstanding the force of the blow.

"Yes, life is more important than dignity. As long as you're alive, you can find a way out. This idea is certainly correct. But have you ever thought about why the elders taught you meaningless 'dignity' and why they advocate the idea of ​​dying on the battlefield?!"

"Because in this cruel world, even survival doesn't mean there's hope! If you want to survive, you'll destroy the lives of others. You think sacrificing yourself can save more lives, but you'll only become a new butcher out of malice!!"

"Self-righteous choices and self-righteous sacrifices lead to mistakes that cannot be made up for even a thousand deaths!"

Ye Xing's voice was hoarse, his anger tinged with deep sorrow. He understood Qing Ye's character too well, knowing what kind of heart this girl carried beneath her immature exterior.

We value life, but we also value the safety of our companions.

Don't mind sacrificing your own life for the survival of others.

This is correct. Even noble. But they are also the last people to appear on the battlefield. If you want to win, you must be ruthless. If you are a canxin, you must fight to the end. You cannot have empathy, you cannot be blinded by sacrifice. The only one who can defeat the heretics is the madman who dares to lead everyone to hell.

"With such wishful thinking, even if you become stronger, it will be meaningless!"

"--some."

The blade trembled violently.

Not just because of my own anger.

Moreover, it was because of the rising will coming from the opponent's weapon.

“It makes sense, Mr. Night Walker.

I know this better than anyone else. So, I will never allow you to slander yourself like this!"

The heel slammed into the ground violently, the bones briefly fusing together under the impact.

Using this powerful support, Qing Ye knocked the night-walking blade away. A new black blade instantly emerged, its black and white blades carving intricate paths. He no longer worried about whether it would hit, or whether he could achieve no damage. He simply swung the blade stubbornly, driven by his own will, carving a decisive blow.

"Among the 543 people you saved, there were patriarchs who later became famous, there were coaches who taught and educated people, and there were soldiers who are still fighting on the front lines of the battlefield today, fighting for the lives of others.

There were many more, unremarkable people, unrecorded in history books. They returned to that small island, and their descendants formed the vast family we have today. One of those ordinary people was my ancestor.

Night Walk took a step back.

With no clear path to a perfect breakthrough, he could only retreat and seek the next opportunity. However, Qingye seized the opportunity, striking down with his brilliant Miansheng at breakneck speed. He had never seen such a sword technique, nor had any of his former companions. Was this her own self-developed "I-ryu" style, or was it simply a flurry of attacks, lashed out in the heat of the moment?

But, I can't resist it.

Just like the last duel.

Even a master skilled in swordsmanship cannot block such a sword.

"Without your sacrifice, there would be no Guangshi Qingye today.

Anyone killed by the Messenger of Fear will surely curse your existence.

But as someone born from this, I can never deny your actions!"

Forehead, arms, heart, neck, waist, legs. Eight unconnected sword beams slashed out simultaneously. Walking among the eight beams of light, Qingye drew his sword, stabbing out simultaneous slashes in real time.

There was still no chance to dodge. Still no way to break her sword's momentum.

Therefore, Ye Xing responded with a slashing blow.

All the "locks" within him ripped open, his concentrated will sealed within his blade, merging the blade with the stillness of time. The moment the eight rays of light touched his clothes, he silently drew his sword. The essence of Thousand Nights' Flashing Stars was fused within this single strike, blurring consciousness and reality in the blade's radiance.

It was an irresistible thrust, like an inescapable death. Even at its current state, the profound secrets that Guang Shi Ye Xing had cultivated throughout his life were still enough to be called a fatal sword technique.

Wuxiang goes against the flow of the mind and kills the sword.

The swirling blade light was resolutely pierced by the thrust, like a spear piercing a shield, like a blade slicing through flesh. The prison of the eight slashes was resolutely broken, and even the fog could not stop the fatal blow. Qingye stared at the blade, slowly lowered the long sword, and placed Miansheng to the side. The flying blade light shattered into streams of light before her. The moment the last blade light shattered, Qingye rushed towards the magic sword!

A blinding light emanated from the crown, and the shattered blade light swirled and danced, returning to its original blade. The superphoton acceleration zone was superimposed, and the passage of time reached its limit in this single strike. She thrust forward, unleashing a dazzling blade light towards the death line!

The thoughtless flow against the mind, the reincarnation sword.

A secret sword passed down personally by Takeru. A brand new sword art born in the afterlife of Ye Xing.

Then, the light and shadow faded, leaving only the sound of the wind.

The two sides stood back to back.

Qing Ye clutched her abdomen and fell to her knees. She hadn't completely dodged the demonic sword, and Ye Xing's sword finally struck her, though only slightly off target. She gritted her teeth, struggled to her feet, and turned to look at the man with his back to her.

Ye Xing sighed softly.

"Which is more important, swordsmanship or technique?"

"Equally important." Qingye said.

"Which is more important, life or dignity?"

"Life is important." Qingye said.

"What is the profound meaning of Wuxiang Nixinliu?"

"Listen to unpleasant words and use them to sharpen yourself." Qing Ye blinked vigorously. "Stick to your heart's desire and move forward fearlessly."

Ye Xing released his weapon, and the short sword, "Long Yu," rolled down the eaves and landed at Qing Ye's feet. His back was still turned to Qing Ye, so it was impossible to tell what the man's expression was. The mask, symbolizing fear, shattered and fell to the ground.

His figure disappeared in the light, leaving only his last gentle words.

“You are on your own path…

Be well, and move forward.”

Qingye picked up the dagger and wiped away her tears. Dark shadows surged on the blade, carrying the lingering thoughts of those who had once been broken-hearted. She clearly felt that the flames of war throughout Nightmare City had subsided, and her comrades, some seriously injured and some exhausted, were rushing to the single building.

She pierced the roof, and beneath the black stone lay a bottomless abyss. She leaped into the castle at night, rushing towards the final battlefield.

The fourth battle of the Dawn Operation, the night against the night.

The winner will be the one who wins the night.

(End of this chapter)