Chapter 19 What do you know if you haven't lost anything...?

The swordsmen were all on guard against Fudo Yukimitsu, who lay in the courtyard. As the fastest-moving short swordsmen, they stood beside Hanshu, ready to react immediately should anything happen to Fudo Yukimitsu.

Golden light continuously entered Bu Dongxingguang's body, expelling the black, polluted spiritual energy and negative energy, which condensed into a jet-black snake.

It flicked its tongue at Han Zhou, wriggling its body, waiting for the moment to attack. Han Zhou, however, didn't take it seriously. Did it really think the tsukumogami beside her was just for show?

The moment it launched its attack, Yagen's sword had already killed it.

They watched as the white skeleton on Fudo Yukimitsu's body faded, even the black markings on his cheeks disappeared completely. He now looked no different from an ordinary "Fudo Yukimitsu."

Han Zhou, having completed the purification, exhaled a breath.

"My lord, are you alright?" Hasebe wanted to help him up, but Hanshu wasn't that exhausted. He waved his hand and declined.

After the corruption disappeared, Fudou Yukimitsu quickly awoke. He vaguely sensed his condition, his body filled with pure power.

The missing horns and coccyx

"The Dark Corruption... has vanished?"

Han Zhou took a step forward, and the sound of his footsteps instantly snapped Bu Dongxingguang out of his daze, making him look warily toward the source of the sound.

"Fudou Yukimitsu, would you like to stay in my citadel?"

Fudo Yukimitsu thoroughly disliked the Saniwa (master), especially after the original Saniwa learned that he had fought against the swords in the party to protect Oda Nobunaga.

He was completely abandoned in this era, along with his fellow soldiers, Hasebe, Yagen Toushirou, and Soza Samonji.

They were rendered unable to return to their citadel by having their time-space converters malfunction. Their prolonged stay here attracted the attention of the Kenbishi.

In order to protect Fudo Yukimitsu, the other three swords were all shattered on the battlefield.

This is intelligence provided by the government, and the swords of Kanshu Honmaru are also aware of it.

"Ha... I failed to protect Lord Nobunaga, and my comrades perished while protecting me. This useless sword of mine... let me fend for myself."

Fudo Yukimitsu was already resentful about not being able to protect Oda Nobunaga, and now that a comrade had died because of him, he was finding it difficult to cheer up.

"You bastard!" Seeing the other man's dejected appearance, Hasebe almost rushed up and punched him twice.

Han Zhou looked at Bu Dongxingguang sitting on the ground, not surprised by his current state. In these endless years, she had seen many people like him.

"In that case, you bear the weight of your comrades' lives on your shoulders. You must carry their share and move forward."

"Instead of dwelling on a painful past."

Fudou Yukimitsu looked up at the indifferent Kanshu, unable to believe how the other could be so nonchalant. He had long been blinded by anger and disgust for the Saniwa.

"You can only say something like that if you've never lost anything!"

"What do you know if you haven't lost anything! You have no idea what the sorrow of loss is!!!"

Clang—

No sooner had Fudo Yukimitsu finished speaking than several sharp blades were pointed at him. Only a few tsukumogami did not draw their swords, but even they had lost their usual gentle expressions.

This is not a place for laughter.

They knew their lord was not human. He had remained ageless for over a thousand years and possessed immense power. During this long period, their lord would likely encounter humans worthy of their friendship.

For example—Okita Souji

How can one walk through this world without leaving behind any ties? But as time passes, those ties have long since vanished into the river of history.

"Even if his appearance has returned to normal, his inner self is still a demon. Master, perhaps we should just execute him?"

Higekiri's blade tip moved forward a fraction more.

"How dare they say such things to their lord! They must be executed!!!"

"You know nothing about our lord, so what right do you have to say such things!" Ran Toushirou gripped his short sword, ready to teach this ungrateful man a lesson.

It was clearly our lord who went to great lengths to purify you from your corruption, and not only are you ungrateful, you actually said such things!

Han Zhou reached out and pulled back the somewhat out-of-control Ran Toushirou. Even after being attacked by such sharp words, her tone remained calm.

That's enough.

"But my lord! He..."

Ran Toushirou and Kanshu stared at each other silently, and in the end, Ran Toushirou was defeated. He reluctantly returned to Kanshu's side, but even so, he didn't sheathe the short sword in his hand.

"You can't leave now. My mission is to kill you. You can go wherever you want after the political situation is confirmed."

She looked at Tsurumaru Kuninaga, a hint of weariness lurking in her voice.

"I'll leave the rest to you."

This usually jovial white crane was unusually serious at this moment. He nodded and stopped joking.

"Leave it to me with confidence."

After something like this happened, he was no longer in the mood for pranks.

After watching Han Zhou leave, they turned their attention to Fudo Xingguang in the courtyard. Although his power originated from Han Zhou...

But... these are not the companions they approve of.

"Well... then I'll trouble Yagen and Hasebe to keep an eye on him." Tsurumaru Kuninaga glanced at the two swords belonging to Oda Nobunaga.

While it's called "looking after" or "taking care of," it's essentially surveillance.

"I understand," Yagen glanced at the dejected Fudo Yukimitsu and sheathed his drawn dagger.

The two swordsmen, renowned for their demon-slaying exploits, both looked rather grim. They sheathed their drawn swords, for without the clan head's orders, they could not act rashly.

Higekiri knew that Yagen Toushirou was a short sword known for its loyalty, but during the time Kanbune possessed him, he had also slain countless yokai.

Related anecdotes are still circulating today.

He trusted Yagen's judgment, especially with Hasebe by his side. Even Fudo Yukimitsu couldn't cause any trouble.

"We'll be going now." Higekiri glanced at Fudou Yukimitsu with his upturned golden cat-like eyes, a smirk playing on his lips, his canine teeth flashing as he spoke.

"Watch your mouth, or I'll chop you up with one stroke."

Before leaving, Hizamaru gave Fudo Yukimitsu a warning look.

Ran Toushirou was furious just looking at this guy, so he dragged his brothers away. The swordsmen of the Date group, though all gentle people...

However, they are now finding it difficult to harbor goodwill towards this [Immovable Light].

"Grandpa, I think I'll go have some tea instead."

The swords gradually departed, leaving only Hasebe, Yagen Toushirou, and Tsurumaru Kuninaga, who would be his attendant for the day.

Han Zhou, having left, returned to the castle tower. She activated the defensive array that had never been activated before. Transparent walls enveloped the entire castle tower.

Reject all visits from swords and spears.

Hirano looked at Ran, who had just been gently pushed aside by the power of the barrier, and softly comforted him, "Perhaps our lord wants to be alone for a while. We'll come back to find him later."

"This is the only way..."

Ran Toushirou looked at the snacks he had just taken from the kitchen and lowered his head in disappointment.