Chapter 67 Ranluo's Determination

Humans pray to the gods for wealth, health, power, love, family affection... but who would have thought that even the gods would sometimes feel utterly powerless?

Does Han Zhou feel powerless? The answer is: Of course.

Before becoming a god, she was unable to save her parents and missed the chance to save Feng Qingyuan. After becoming a god, Han Zhou was also unable to interfere with the fate of mortals, and could only watch her friends bloom and wither one after another like ephemeral flowers over the long years.

Just when she thought she was used to walking the world alone, she encountered her friends and the spirits (tsukumogami) that had appeared from the swords she once used. Her experiences in the citadel truly lessened the loneliness in Hanshu's heart.

Han Zhou landed lightly from the tree, glanced at the other person lightly, and left Wan Ye Ying without saying anything more.

When they reappeared, it was in the main hall. Han Zhou sat at the head of the table, the atmosphere around him somewhat subtle. This made the swordsmen who entered later hesitant to speak; they had already guessed that their lord knew about the Heavenly Dao.

The atmosphere in the hall was heavy. Even the usually lively short swordsmen sat upright, not daring to make a sound. Han Zhou glanced at the swordsmen, and only after confirming that everyone was present did he calmly and directly ask, "What did Tiandao say to you?"

"That power originates from the rules of the world, not yours. What deal did you make with the Heavenly Dao?" Han Zhou's golden vertical pupils met the swords' gaze, and that soul-piercing gaze made them instinctively look away.

"My lord! We didn't mean to hide it. The Heavenly Dao pulled our consciousness into a pure white space and told us how to break the seal!" Hasebe said anxiously.

"Everything we did was to help our lord!" Kashuu Kiyomitsu hurriedly added, "We didn't want to watch you be sealed away, yet be powerless to do anything about it."

"We know that contacting the Heavenly Dao without permission is somewhat presumptuous, but the situation was urgent at the time," Yagen pushed up his glasses, trying to explain calmly.

"Hahaha," Mikazuki laughed as always, his words carrying a hint of barely perceptible seriousness. "However, I believe that's a way to break the deadlock. It's just that you, my lord, are used to solving everything on your own; sometimes you should rely on us, the tsukumogami, too."

Tsurumaru Kuninaga scratched his head, unusually without his usual joking expression. "Although the process was quite a scare, wasn't the result good? And... we also witnessed some precious moments." He was referring to Kanshu's childhood memories of playing with his parents.

The swords, one after another, recounted the events of the previous night, including the memories revealed by the Heavenly Dao and its request to "keep her here."

Han Zhou listened quietly, her face revealing neither joy nor anger. When she heard the images of her parents and the Heavenly Dao's words, "fearing she might find a place to rest at any time," Han Zhou's fingers holding the cup tightened almost imperceptibly for a moment.

Silence fell over the hall once more. Han Zhou remained silent for a long time. Just as the swordsmen exchanged hesitant glances, about to speak, they heard a sigh.

"I'm not angry," Han Zhou put down his teacup, looking at the shocked expressions on the swordsmen's faces. "I sensed the aura of the Heavenly Dao long ago. My questioning wasn't to accuse you of concealing anything."

"Just to confirm one thing: what is the price Heaven paid for granting you this power?"

"There is no cost," Higekiri said with a smile. "The Heavenly Dao wants us to break the evil god statues worshipped by the three major families, in order to help you break the seal."

"I understand." Han Zhou looked at the swords in the vast space. Their expressions were different, but they all expressed the same meaning: fighting for their lord.

"The three major families aren't so easy to conquer; you need help," Han Zhou calmly pointed out the key point, having visited the three major families before. Heaven granted the swords the ability to shatter statues of evil gods, but it couldn't help them overcome the obstacles in their path.

The formations within the three major families are intricately linked, with endless variations. Among them are illusion formations, making it easy to lose one's way. Furthermore, these formations require a master to interpret them. Therefore, Han Zhou sent a message to Yu Yuwu and the others.

Yu Yuwu and the other two were shocked when they received Han Zhou's message. After all, based on Han Zhou's previous performance, he didn't need their help. The important question was whether their abilities would be of any use.

They arrived quickly, and upon seeing Han Zhou, their expressions shifted from initial worry to joy. They were finally able to do their part and were no longer excluded by Han Zhou.

Ranlu was the quickest; upon seeing Hanzhou, she rushed over and gave her a hug. She snuggled against her, a comforting, cool fragrance lingering in her nostrils, and Ranlu didn't want to let go. Yuyuwu and Qingye, a step slower than Ranlu, witnessed this scene, gentle smiles playing on their lips.

Han Zhou looked helplessly at the junior clinging to him, refusing to let go. His light golden, divine eyes, without the junior's awareness, revealed a gentle, doting expression. "Ranluo, why are you suddenly being so affectionate? Let go of me."

Upon hearing this, Ranluo rubbed against him reluctantly before slowly letting go. Her orange eyes were filled with dependence and a hint of embarrassment. "What do you need us to do?"

She felt her head being rubbed, and Ranlu looked up at Hanzhou in a daze, but he avoided her gaze.

"Follow me," Han Zhou led them into the large hall.

Han Zhou revealed all the information about the Heavenly Dao's actions and the evil god statues worshipped by the three major families. Ran Luo sat calmly, her eyes filled with an inscrutable expression, as if she were contemplating a serious matter.

"Lord Hanzhou, I want to remove the seal on my body," Ranluo said firmly, her bright orange eyes meeting Hanzhou's gaze. "If they need me to lead them to break through the formation of the three major families, I need that power!"

"Besides, there's no need to hide it anymore, right?" Ranlu crossed her arms, her confident demeanor amusing Yuyuwu and Qingye. They weren't mocking her, but rather sighing with admiration.

In front of Han Zhou, Ran Luo truly acts like a child who never grows up. But if Han Zhou needs her help, she will calmly handle the situation and do her best.

Han Zhou was slightly taken aback upon hearing Ran Luo's request. She silently stared at the tea in her cup, not immediately agreeing. Even with her demonic power sealed, Ran Luo possessed the strength of an A-rank Saniwa. If released, it would undoubtedly be S-rank, her innate keenness, characteristic of the white fox clan, allowing her to directly see through the array's core.

It was indeed beneficial to their plan, but... Han Zhou hoped that Ran Luo made this decision to accept herself completely, rather than to help her deal with the three major families.

"Ranluo, I..." Han Zhou's words of dissuasion were interrupted by Ranluo, who had anticipated this.

"I've made up my mind! This is for myself, and helping my family and elders is no problem!" Ranluo's bold words faltered for a moment, but everyone understood what the sudden change of words meant.

'family'

Ranluo has already come to regard Hanzhou as family.

Noticing this, Han Zhou chuckled softly. Things had been quite hectic lately. The three major families had sacrificed their spiritual power to seal her away; the Heavenly Dao itself had indirectly intervened to help her; and then there were the real voices of her parents from last night. It seemed that ever since she came into contact with the Time Government, she hadn't been able to find a moment of peace.

"Alright, I will help you break the seal and help you master that power."