Chapter 53 Special Investigation 5

Just as Han Zhou was about to tell Ran Luo some things about the White Fox Clan, the fluctuations from the contract with the Tsukumogami crossed time and space and reached Han Zhou.

The sudden turn of events caused Han Zhou to instinctively furrow his brow.

"My lord? Has something happened?" Horikawa Kunihiro stepped forward and asked, a hint of worry in his azure eyes.

"There's been a problem on Mutsu-kami's side."

"How could this be?! With the Time Retrograde Army under special investigation, Mutsu no Kami should be more than capable of dealing with them," Miyuki said, her expression filled with disbelief.

If even Lord Hanzhou encounters an unexpected situation, what will happen to the team I dispatched for this mission?

"Lord Hanzuru, I need to return to the citadel now. I need to forcibly summon the party back."

"Me too. This time, it seems the three major families are using the special investigation as a pretext to target us."

Faced with Qingye and Yuyuwu's request, Hanzhou was not surprised and thoughtfully opened a time-space passage back to the Honmaru for them.

Ranluo understood that today's conversation would likely have to end here, but her original objective had already been achieved. She stood up first and bid farewell to Hanzhou.

"Then, I'll be leaving now."

"Wait," Han Zhou called out to the other party.

An orange sachet appeared in the air and slowly flew towards Ranluo's side.

"Keep this for self-defense; it can also be used to change your shikigami. You can contact us through the sachet afterwards."

Hearing Han Zhou's words, Ran Luo's eyes lit up, and she instantly understood what he meant. She had already been wary of Kitsune-no-Suke, but the operation of the citadel couldn't do without this shikigami. She had been troubled by this matter.

Just when I was feeling sleepy, someone brought me a pillow.

"Thank you! I will select the A-rank Saniwa as soon as possible!"

After watching Ran Luo smile and wave goodbye, Han Zhou grabbed one of the two thousand-year-old elders of the Ren family standing beside him and vanished in a flash.

Seeing this, even Han Zhou had a helpless smile on his face.

"This energetic and whirlwind manner is just like Mr. Ken's," Horikawa Kunihiro said with a teasing smile.

"Hey! I didn't say that!" Izuminokami Kanesada crossed his arms and gave Horikawa Kunihiro a warning look.

"My lord, something unexpected has happened with Mutsu no Kami. Should we also take some action?"

Faced with Izumi no Kami Kanesada's attempt to change the subject, Horikawa Kunihiro smiled without saying a word. His gaze, too, was fixed on his lord, though he was worried about his companions.

However, they all carried protective charms improved by their lord, which could instantly heal any injury, eliminating the possibility of their blades shattering.

"Go check on Mutsu no Kami's situation," Han Zhou said, rising from his seat, recalling the anxious voice coming from the other end of the contract. "If there are any unforeseen circumstances, I will seal off that world."

If forced to choose between the abandoned world and the spirits of swords, Hanshu would undoubtedly choose the latter.

An abandoned world won't cause any problems even if left unattended. After she repairs the [Time Reversal], these abandoned worlds will return to normal.

After determining the spacetime coordinates, a black vortex appeared before Han Zhou. She led Horikawa Kunihiro and Izuminokami Kanesada into the vortex.

——

"teacher!!!"

Hizen Tadahiro quickly arrived at the side of Nankai Taro Asahiko, who was injured in the attack by the Time Retrograde Army.

The amulet in his arms was glowing faintly, quickly healing Nankai Taro Asahi's injuries.

"I'm alright, all thanks to Lord Hanzhou's protection." Nankai took a couple of breaths, picked up his main body, and stood back-to-back with Hizen Tadahiro, warily guarding against the Time Retrograde Army that surrounded them.

They had only recently been summoned by the government, and were no match for Mutsu no Kami and his men in terms of strength or combat experience. If it weren't for their protective amulets, they would likely have already lost their swords in this encirclement.

"But if this continues, we'll be overwhelmed by the Time Retrograde Army!" A few beads of cold sweat appeared on Hizen Tadahiro's forehead, and his arm supporting his body trembled slightly.

There were already signs of exhaustion.

Damn it! That woman, Han Zhou, can still cause him so much trouble even though she's not here! Are these just some insignificant tsukumogami worth all this trouble?!

A special protective charm that can heal the spirit at any time, and can even break through its spiritual energy shield!

The formation he set up was completely useless against the God of Death!

Without the advantage of the spiritual energy array, he was just an ordinary person; how could he possibly defeat a sword spirit?

"How pathetic~" A teasing female voice echoed in the man's ears.

"Hmph, more trouble than good."

He was no longer the dashing figure he had been when he set out; his body was covered in knife wounds, and his clothes were soaked in blood.

"What are you doing here?!"

Xiaoye warily watched the man and woman who appeared behind the man.

“You’ve taken too long. The higher-ups sent us to check on things.” The woman crossed her arms, her narrow, fox-like eyes glancing at the tsukumogami dressed in a blue kasaya.

"I didn't expect you to be held up by a short-sword spirit," the woman said sarcastically, looking at the man's disheveled appearance. "And you've gotten yourself into such a sorry state."

"Bai Ran! Don't push your luck!"

"Oh, Chali. Getting angry already?"

A woman named Bai Ran reached out and placed her hand on Cha Li's shoulder, but the latter slapped it away. The woman shrugged, just about to begin healing her companion's injuries.

But she found something hindering her power. She immediately suppressed the playful smile on her face and stared at Cha Li for a while.

"Hmm... there's nothing I can do. It seems that woman Han Zhou still has a backup plan; I can't help you with your injury."

"Tsk!" Cha Li glared irritably at the indifferent white-haired man beside her. "Hey! Gui Yu, aren't you going to make a move?"

Your mistake has nothing to do with me.

Damn it! These two people had no intention of helping at all; they were just here to laugh at us and kick us when we're down!

"It's not that we don't want to help, but... we can't help you~" Bai Ran smiled and walked to Gui Yu's side, ready to watch this farce unfold.

suddenly--

A powerful, clear force instantly swept across the entire world, crushing all the Time Travel Army in the blink of an eye with unstoppable momentum. A pale golden light rapidly spread, forming a massive protective barrier.

This familiar power relaxed the spirits, but for Bai Ran and her two companions, it was already making it hard to breathe.

"The three major families have truly given me a great gift," Han Zhou said leisurely as he stepped out of the teleportation portal, his sharp gaze instantly locking onto Bai Ran and the other two.

"Han Zhou, I advise you not to act rashly. If all three of us disappear, your citadel will definitely attract an investigation." Gui Yu appeared relaxed, but only he knew the immense pressure he was under.

The powerful force permeating the air seeped into his bones, making him feel as if he were submerged in the deep sea, unable to breathe.

"Threats? You've got some nerve, but none of you are leaving today."

Han Zhou's gaze didn't linger on them for long. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that the tsukumogami who had come to carry out their mission were otherwise unharmed except for their exhaustion.

"Thank goodness you're all alright."

"My lord, what should we do with them?" Izuminokami Kanesada asked, his hand still gripping the hilt of his sword, watching the three men who were not to be acted upon rashly.

"Well... we'll set up an illusion and send it back to the three major families as spies."

What?! Bai Ran was shocked to hear Han Zhou's words. Did Han Zhou actually possess illusion magic that could control people?

but……

"You're going to be disappointed, our souls are protected by arrays."

Seeing Bai Ran's confident and fearless demeanor, Han Zhou let out a rare sneer, as if mocking her ignorance.

"Reiko Morikawa, your understanding is like that of a frog at the bottom of a well. You've been so influenced by the three major families that you're completely ignorant."

How did she know my real name?!