Chapter 81 The Present of Guardianship

After a brief moment of astonishment, the Saniwa who witnessed the battle between the gods immediately posted on the forum, sparking numerous discussions.

The surviving Saniwa discovered that some of the Saniwa they knew who had abused swords had vanished without a trace. However, the Honmaru and those swords remained, and were no longer under the control of the local government.

Meanwhile, the survivors of the three families all received their due punishment. In an avalanche, no snowflake is innocent.

Han Zhou and Yu Yuwu sat together in the corridor. Han Zhou's long white hair was tied into a high ponytail, and her light golden eyes seemed to shimmer.

"Although I have repaired the broken time reversal, the vengeful spirits and obsessions roaming through different times still need time to be dealt with." Han Zhou's voice was gentle, and her gaze fell on the pond in the courtyard, where the koi carp were still there.

“I will reorganize the political situation,” Miyugiri replied, glancing at the entity she believed in before looking away. “As for those Honmaru that were purged, I will also communicate with the surviving swords, but… the choice is in their hands.”

Whether to stop going back to the past to erase the Time Travel Army and stay and live in the citadel, or to regroup and go to the battlefield, the choice is in the hands of the swords.

"But... if the Time Travel Army completely disappears," Yu Yuwu said hesitantly, "what will become of the swords?"

Most of the swords found suitable lords, but human lifespans meant they couldn't stay with the swords for long. Even Yu Yuwu understood that one day she too would part ways with Qingye.

As a divine messenger, her lifespan has surpassed that of humans and is even comparable to that of the demon race.

Hearing this, Han Zhou turned her head. When those golden eyes gazed at her, she felt as if they could see right through her. She understood that Yu Yuwu, who had just become a divine envoy, still needed to gain experience, but what she needed even more was to change her way of thinking.

"Yu Yuwu, no one has the right to make choices for them. The final outcome should be decided by them."

Whatever choices the swords make, she has the power to make them happen. Besides... the swords don't ask for much; they simply want a place to live and freedom.

"...I understand," Yu Yuwu nodded, regaining her senses.

The sound of footsteps came from around the corner of the corridor. Ranluo peeked out from the corner and, after meeting Hanzhou's gaze, chuckled awkwardly, as if she had been caught, before running over and sitting down beside him.

"Let me tell you, the remaining Saniwa have all submitted their pledges of allegiance," Ranlu said, her tone carrying a hint of seeking praise and recognition.

Looking at Ranluo's childlike behavior, Yu Yuwu couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh, but her curved eyebrows and eyes already revealed her true feelings.

What do you want?

Han Zhou looked at her descendant, or rather, her family member, who had grown so rapidly in such a short time. Her already aloof features became even colder after she became the Heavenly Dao. However, Ran Luo felt no resentment whatsoever.

No matter what happens, she knows that Hanzhou will always be a family member she can rely on, her safe haven.

She affectionately hugged Han Zhou's arm and nuzzled her neck: "How about we go for a stroll in the real world together?! I've always wanted to go, but the government has never allowed it before."

Born in the citadel, Ranluo has never been to the mortal world. She has always wanted to go, but has never had the chance. Moreover, she really wants to go with Hanzhou!

Han Zhou did not reject Ran Luo's affection; she nodded slightly in agreement to Ran Luo's suggestion.

"Yes, after the political situation is reorganized."

Upon hearing this, Yu Yuwu and Ran Luo exchanged a glance. They realized they needed to deal with current affairs now, and they had to drag Qing Ye along too!

"Then we'll get back to work!" Ranlu said hurriedly, before Yuyuwu could say anything, she grabbed her and left in a rush.

Watching them leave in such a hurry, Han Zhou's lips curled up slightly.

She took out the jade flute given to her by an old friend from her spatial storage. Two semi-transparent orbs of light emanated from it. Han Zhou lowered her eyes and looked at the orbs of light in her hand that carried a familiar aura.

These are fragments of her parents' souls.

Unexpectedly, after becoming the Heavenly Dao, he was able to find this in the river of time. Perhaps... this is exactly what he hoped for.

The Heavenly Dao, which should not have created a rift in time and space, intervened, granting the swords the power to shatter the statue of the evil god, and also the words she had heard from her parents that night.

Regardless, she was grateful to see them again, even if only as fragments of their souls.

Han Zhou slightly raised her hand, and golden power lifted the soul fragments into the air, finally disappearing into this world. Let her provide a new ending for that destined fate in countless worlds.

"Cough cough, Tsurumaru Kuninaga! What did you put in the soup again?!" Hasebe's familiar roar came from the kitchen, accompanied by a series of clanging and clattering sounds, as well as Shokudaikiri's attempts to dissuade him.

"I didn't expect this chili oil to be so spicy!!!" Tsurumaru Kuninaga stared in astonishment at Hasebe Shikiri, who was crying from the spiciness, and immediately poured him a glass of water.

Hearing the commotion, Han Zhou caught Ran Toushirou, who was lunging at him, his short hair and bright blue eyes shining.

"My lord! Look at my new hair clip, isn't it cute?"

Golden sunlight streamed through the eaves, illuminating Hanzhou's white hair. The familiar clamor of the citadel seemed to serve as perfect background music, softening the awe-inspiring, inviolable aura emanating from her.

She looked down at Ran Toushirou in her arms and gently tapped the cute rabbit hair clip with her fingertips.

"Perfect for you"

Ran Toushirou happily nuzzled against her before skipping away, probably to show off his new hair clip to his brothers. Han Zhou's gaze followed that bright spot until the small figure disappeared around the corner before returning to the courtyard.

The koi carp swam leisurely in the pond, creating ripples. Her fingertips unconsciously tapped on her knee, where the faint touch of her parents' departing soul fragments seemed to linger.

The kitchen area was still in complete chaos.

"Mr. Hasebe! Quick, use water! Water!"

"Mr. Tsuru, please be sure to next time... Sigh!"

"I really just wanted to make the soup have more layers of flavor!"

Han Zhou listened, a subtle glint in his pale golden eyes. This bustling, vibrant atmosphere was perhaps the final refuge those broken souls and lingering obsessions yearned for—

A "home" where one can return in peace and full of life.

She got up and headed towards the kitchen; if she didn't go soon, no one would be able to stop that mischievous white crane.

-night-

Han Zhou strolled leisurely along the corridor. The bright moonlight illuminated the courtyard, and the chirping of insects could be heard. She sat under the eaves, gazing up at the moon, suppressing the emotions that had just arisen in her heart.

The Way of Heaven demands absolute fairness and the rejection of superfluous human nature. But Han Zhou doesn't want that. She doesn't want to lose her "human" side—her emotions like joy, sorrow, helplessness, and anger.

She still doesn't have a solution.

Suddenly, she heard soft footsteps.

It was the Five Tigers Retreat.

The little dagger was carrying one of his little tiger cubs, while the other four followed behind him, rubbing their sleepy eyes and timidly approaching her side.

"My lord... I... I can't sleep. May... may I sit here for a while?"

Han Zhou slightly turned to the side, making room for him.

"Can"

Wu Hu Tui carefully sat down, placed the little tiger in his arms on his lap, and the other four also found a good place to curl up, with three of them huddled together in Han Zhou's arms.

The last one couldn't squeeze in, so it lay down next to Hanzhou.

Wu Hutui gently stroked the little tiger in his arms, then secretly glanced at Han Zhou's profile, which appeared exceptionally serene and aloof in the moonlight, and whispered:

"My lord, can't you sleep either?"

Han Zhou looked down at him, the moonlight reflecting in her pale golden eyes like scattered stars.

“Retreat,” she whispered, “I don’t need sleep.”

This was true when they were gods, and it remains true now that they have become the Heavenly Way.

She raised her hand and gently stroked Goko's head. Looking at his bewildered expression, the warmth she felt vanished in an instant, as if it were merely her imagination.

"Don't worry, I'll always be here."

Having received Han Zhou's promise, Wu Hu Tui's eyes lit up slightly. He then leaned against Han Zhou's side with a sense of relief and softly hummed in agreement. Before long, the little guy fell into a deep sleep, nestled in the familiar and comforting scent of the tiger cub.

The cold boat did not move, letting the five tigers retreat and lean against it.

Han Zhou's fingertips twitched slightly, and a wisp of extremely faint golden light, like a thin veil, gently covered Wu Hu Tui's body, shielding him from the coolness of the night dew.

After an unknown amount of time, a hesitant, soft call drew Han Zhou's attention back.

"...My lord?"

It was Yagen Toushirou. He pushed up his glasses, his gaze sweeping over his younger brother who was fast asleep beside Kanshu. His voice was even softer: "It's late. Do you need to rest? I can prepare some calming tea for you."

Han Zhou shook his head slightly, gesturing for him to come over.

Yagen approached quietly, glancing at the sleeping Gokotai, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes. He then looked at Kanshu, his tone returning to its usual calm and composed manner:

"As for the current affairs, it seems that Lady Yuyugiri and Lady Ranluo have already drafted a preliminary plan for rotation of leave and the duties that the Saniwa should fulfill in the future."

"In addition," Yagen continued, his voice low, "According to Lord Seiye's initial confirmation, about 30% of the swords have lost their Saniwa and have clearly expressed their wish to stay in the citadel and no longer go into battle."

The remaining ones are still willing to continue fulfilling their duties and clear out the remaining Time Retrograde Army.

Seventy percent of the swords were still willing to go into battle, which was higher than Miyugiri had initially expected. It seems that for many swords, fighting and protecting have long been integrated into their souls, becoming one of the meanings of their existence, and not merely because of the Saniwa's orders or the existence of the Time Retrograde Army.

"The choice is in their own hands," Han Zhou repeated what she had once said to Yu Yuwu, her voice calm and undisturbed.

"Yes," Yagen nodded. He understood that what the general had given him was not an order, but a choice and the ability to bear the consequences of that choice.

A night breeze rustled through the cherry trees in the courtyard. She looked up at the boundless starry sky, where countless worlds, countless possibilities, and the future of millions of lives she had to protect.

"Take it back. It's late. Get some rest."

Han Zhou gently placed Wu Hutui into Yao Gen's arms, and then slowly walked towards the Tenshukaku.

And at this moment, in this small, once bustling but now tranquil citadel, under these eaves, lies the "now" she has chosen to protect.

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Author's Note: Haha, classes during the day, writing at night. I'm a little nervous! [Hands clasped in prayer]