Conan: Death is Watching Me

Chapter 291 Ancient Sword Theory and Scripture
Yulong Temple.

A group of sword-wielding men wearing demon masks and dressed as ancient ronin hurried along.

Only Saijo Taiga was visible in front of the main hall, his hawk-like eyes scanning the surroundings. His demeanor was completely different from that of the bookstore owner in public, as if he were exuding a menacing aura.

"Master, we've searched everywhere, but just like before, we haven't found anything!" A masked demon ran up to Saijo Taiga.

"Still not?"

Saijo Taiga frowned and stroked his chin.

"That painting should be pointing to this place, so why isn't it here? If it was moved afterward, I have no reason not to know... What's wrong?"

In fact, he suspected from the beginning that the Buddha statue was at Gyokuryu-ji Temple, because it was the stronghold of the Genji clan, and Yoshitsune, as the leader, had been the abbot of Gyokuryu-ji Temple for a long time. Even after the temple was abandoned, he still controlled the place.

It is most likely that the leader hid the Buddha statue in the temple before his death.

"Master!"

A masked man ran from the temple gate.

"Someone's coming from outside! It's a strange fellow, and he's carrying a bamboo knife!"

"A bamboo sword? Looks like we're kindred spirits, haha," Saijo Taiga's eyes were dangerous, as if he'd heard a joke. "Our guests must have arrived. Stop looking for them, hide them all... Wait, someone go and get the demon sword!"

"Master, why are you taking out the demon sword now?"

"It all depends on what our famous detective thinks."

Saijo Taiga casually rested his fingers on the hilt of his sword at his waist.

"If he's willing to cooperate, I wouldn't mind using the demon sword as an exchange... Of course, whether he can actually take it depends on his ability."

"call--!"

Yulong Temple, nestled deep in the mountains, occupies a considerable area with intricate bracket sets and cherry blossoms fluttering all around. It is completely devoid of any trace of modern civilization, as if one has traveled back to ancient times.

Gao Mo pushed open the old wooden door.

The temple was deserted, yet one could sense a menacing aura, like flames of malice.

Despite being an abandoned temple, there were hardly any weeds around it, suggesting that people were frequently active there.

Along the path leading to the main hall, there were many used bonfires, and one could vaguely see many people practicing kendo.

“Come out, no need to hide anymore,” Gao Mo said, slamming his bamboo sword on the ground. “Mr. Saijo Taiga, or should I call you Musashibo Benkei, I brought my white sword with me.”

A swordsman wearing an old man's mask emerged from the main hall: "As expected of the famous detective Kindaichi, I should have been well hidden. Why would they suspect me?"

"You say you can't shoot arrows, but your posture and the marks on your hands clearly show that you are an archery expert. In comparison, the others are all novices." Gao Mo watched as the dual-wielding swordsman removed his mask, revealing a fierce and arrogant face.

"Was it that Mr. Kido who told you?" Saijo Taiga sneered. "I'm not happy at all, even though I was praised. Mr. Detective, tell me how I killed Mr. Sakura. The police found nothing, and the murder weapon wasn't at the scene. It's a classic case of an outsider committing the crime..."

"You just used the river behind the teahouse, put the dagger and tracker together in a plastic bottle or something, threw it into the river, and then retrieved it downstream later."

Gao Mo remained calm.

"The reason why he left the dagger after attacking Hattori Heiji was to mislead the police, making them think that the murderer took the murder weapon immediately after the killing, thus clearing himself of suspicion."

"Clap!"

Saijo Taiga clapped her hands with a smile: "Great job, but you don't have any proof that I'm the murderer, do you?"

“There’s no direct evidence, but there is indirect evidence,” Gao Mo shook his head. “If the police investigate you, they’ll soon find out that you’re Benkei from the Genji clan.”
If I'm not mistaken, it was Mr. Sakura who initially sought your cooperation, but unexpectedly ended up being killed by you. Do you think he left any evidence as a precaution?

"Humph."

Saijo Taiga's expression turned cold.

"Because I found a suitable channel again. The internet age is so convenient. Sakura thinks she's very important. It's hilarious!"

"So it seems you admit it," Gao Mo said, tossing Hattori's purse in the air. "Aren't you afraid I'll report this to the police?"

"Hmph, since the famous detective came here alone, he must have a backup plan, right?"

Saijo Taiga's gaze followed the movement of the purse.

"Did you know? Long Yuan and I were originally training at a kendo dojo. One day, we learned that there was an ancient swordsmanship school in Kyoto called Yoshitsune-ryu. I started learning Yoshitsune-ryu on my own, and then two years ago I left the kendo dojo and became the successor of Yoshitsune-ryu!"
The original intention was to use this place as a training ground to promote the Yoshitsune school, but the head monk passed away three months ago, and the temple will soon be demolished. There will be nowhere left for them!

Saijo Taiga's face was contorted.

"My reason for wanting to possess the Buddha statue is not for personal gain! It's because I want to use the money from selling it to establish a Gijō-ryū Buddhist temple in Kyoto! Do you understand my feelings? What does it matter if a few robbers and criminals die for this? In fact, it has greatly helped the police!"

"Don't forget that you are a criminal yourself, not to mention that you laid a hand on Hattori Heiji."

Ignoring Saijo Taiga's murderous gaze, Gao Mo put his purse away again.

"And killing the other Genji members wasn't just for the Buddha statue, right?"

"Hehe, Detective, you understand me. Before the leader died, he said that whoever could decipher the code and find the Buddha statue would become the new leader. I couldn't decipher it, so I could only send them on their way! With the Yoshitsune-ryu swordsmanship, of course I should become Yoshitsune! The code name Benkei is not worthy of me at all!"

Saijo Taiga grinned and waved behind him. Immediately, a masked man appeared, carrying a wooden box.

"This is Sakura's treasured Muramasa sword. Although it can't compare to the Buddha statue, it's still quite valuable. How about it? If you tell me where the Buddha statue is now, I can give it to you. Judging from your appearance, you're a fellow swordsman."

"Fellow kendo enthusiasts? I just practice kendo for fun by myself."

Gao Mo took out a voice recorder from his pocket.

"What era are we living in? They still admire ancient sword techniques and even consider themselves Yoshitsune? The police will be here soon, so you'd better watch yourselves."

"Damn it!"

Saijo Taiga winked to the left and right, and immediately a group of masked men hidden in the shadows blocked Gao Mo's retreat.

"Mr. Kindaichi, I'll ask you one more time: where exactly is the Buddha statue hidden? Why can't we find it even after searching the entire Yulong Temple?!"

"How stupid! Didn't you notice the structure of this Jade Dragon Temple?"

Gao Mo looked around, and as the buildings were constructed in the temple of thought, his perspective instantly shifted to mid-air.

The entire Yulong Temple has been transformed into the Chinese character "玉" (jade).

The dot on the character "玉" (jade) is exactly in front of the main hall, which is the bell tower on the right side of the Saijo Daigawa River.

He recognized me immediately when I arrived.

"What do you mean?" Saijo Taiga's expression grew increasingly hostile. Seeing that Gao Mo remained silent, she drew her katana menacingly. "Looks like I'll have to make you suffer! Do you think the police will be able to save you in time?"

Gao Mo did not respond. He simply picked up the bamboo sword from the ground, unfolded his mind net, and his eyes flashed a faint light among the falling cherry blossoms. The masked man and Saijo Taiga around him seemed to be seen through, their muscles, flesh, and bones all displayed before Gao Mo's eyes.

Killing techniques, an ancient swordsmanship style.

I wonder how different it is from the kendo he learned from Yuji Suwa.

"Want to try my Yoshitsune-ryu style?" Saijo Taiga licked his lips cruelly, took a step forward, and drew his sword with lightning speed. "As you wish! The strongest swordsmanship in the world!"

"Keng!"

Gao Mo swung his bamboo sword, but instead of meeting the blade head-on, he slightly deflected it and precisely struck the weak point in Saijo Taiga's technique.

The moves were indeed swift, and even the probing attacks concealed a great deal of deadly intent.

Like a raging storm, the combination of fast and slow blades is impossible to defend against.

In his past life, when he played the game of Soul Travel, he hated fast and slow sword strikes the most, as he could easily lose his composure.

However, with the Mind Network and the Transparent World at this moment, his opponent's body and swordsmanship were completely transparent to him.

Ultimately, they are carbon-based life forms, and no matter how sophisticated their attacks are, they still have to exert force through their muscles.

"Shhhhh!"

Saijo Taiga's rapid series of slashes appeared as slow motion to Gao Mo, whose body, completely under the control of the Transparent World, left numerous afterimages like a swimming dragon.

"how is this possible?"

Saijo Taiga, who had originally only wanted to test his skills and teach Taiga a lesson, completely changed his expression, and sweat began to pour from his forehead without him realizing it.

How could someone who had practiced the Yoshitsune school for many years be unable to defeat an amateur who was just "practicing for fun"?

"Master!" The masked men around them sensed something was wrong.

"Get out of my way!" Saijo Taiga Tsubame took a step back, and after catching her breath, she drew another katana from her waist with a shout. It was shorter but more dangerous.

"You're far superior to those skilled swordsmen for making me use my true abilities! Tell me where the Buddha statue is! Swords have no eyes, and I can't hold back!"

Dual sword strikes!

Yan returns!

Sweep kick!

Another strike!
"True swordsmanship is the art of killing! Kindaichi, you forced me to this!!" Saijo Taiga, his eyes bloodshot, slashed horizontally with his sword, completely abandoning his defense and roaring as he cut through a bamboo sword, "Die—!"

……

Ma'anshan Ancient Road.

With Kazuha's help, Hattori Heiji finally saw the eaves of Gyokuryu-ji Temple peeking out from the mountainside.

"Found it! Hurry!"

"Heiji!" Kazuha said anxiously, "Let's go back, your health..."

“This injury is nothing,” Hattori said firmly. “Besides, Master Kindaichi might be in danger. If I don’t come, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life!”

"Didn't Officer Shiratori and the others say they would come to help?"

"The problem is that the Kyoto police simply don't believe us..."

"Hattori-kun!"

Just then, shouts came from behind them from the mustache group.

Aside from Ran and Conan, who secretly followed along, there were only three police officers: Takagi, Shiratori, and Otaki.

The Kyoto Prefectural Police are still searching for suspicious individuals and have not immediately provided support.

"That's Yulong Temple up there!"

"There seems to be shouting, and it's not just one person! Does Genji Hikari have other groups?"

"Oh no, we have to get up there right now!"

……

The open space in front of the main hall of Yulong Temple.

Gao Mo tossed aside the bamboo knife that was now only half intact. It has to be said that the bamboo knife was rather cumbersome and not suitable for actual combat. It was much easier to throw it away.

Saijo Taiga, who had been slashing for half a day, was panting heavily. He stared at Gao Mo as if he had seen a ghost. Gao Mo, who was unarmed, seemed even more formidable.

karate?
"Who exactly are you?" After nearly having his katana snatched away by Gao Mo, Saijo Taiga retreated behind his disciples in shock and anger.

How can a famous detective know so much?

His swordsmanship and karate skills are both a bit over the top.

"catch him!"

Saijo Taiga gave the order to his disciples, and the masked men around them swarmed forward. At the same time, several archers on higher ground to the side were also aiming and waiting for orders.

"No matter how powerful you are, you're still just one person!"

"Shh!"

Gao Mo didn't feel much pressure. While chasing Saijo Taiga, he threw the masked man beside him with a back throw. By the time Saijo reacted, the demon sword Muramasa, which was in a wooden box, had already fallen into Gao Mo's hands.

"Fuck you!"

Watching Takamori clash with Muramasa and his apprentices, Saijo Taiga's heart bled; the clanging of metal felt like a hammer blow to his head.

Such an expensive knife, used as an ordinary weapon!

Ignoring the fact that they hadn't found the Buddha statue yet, Saijo Taiga became completely enraged and turned to shout at the archer, "Kill him!"

"shoot!"

"Shhhhhh!"

The archers on higher ground received instructions and fired their arrows simultaneously.

However, Gao Mo seemed to have eyes in the back of his head, easily dodging the arrows. At the same time, the Muramasa sword in his hand swept across, using the back of the blade to break through the defenses of all the masked men in one go.

One slash!
"Keng——!"

"what?"

Mustache and Hattori rushed to the gate of Yulong Temple. After dealing with the few masked men who were blocking the way, they rushed into the temple and found that the sound of blacksmithing had suddenly stopped.

"Kkindaichi?"

"Master Kindaichi?"

Heiji Hattori and Conan both froze, while the man with the mustache was also dumbfounded.

Xiaolan was somewhat confused.

Kido couldn't possibly have that kind of strength, so who exactly is Kindaichi?

"Is that Mr. Saijo Taiga?" Hattori Heiji exclaimed in surprise. "How could it be him?"

A group of masked men lay scattered on both sides, while in the middle, Saijo Taiga, his face filled with terror, was held at the neck by Muramasa. The two samurai swords he used to defend himself flew backward and stuck into the door panel and pillar, their hilts still trembling.

"Gulu!"

Feeling the coldness on his neck, Saijo Taiga could no longer stand. The arrogant light in his eyes turned ashen, and he slowly knelt down.

too fast.

It's as if we're not facing a human being at all.

"What sword style is this?" Saijo Taiga swallowed hard, his voice hoarse.

There are no schools of thought.

Gao Mo noticed the group of men with the mustache who had come to provide support.

He didn't know what school of martial arts Suwa Yuji belonged to, and after watching some random TV tutorials, he had long since lost sight of any fixed school of martial arts.

However, in terms of swordsmanship, he is indeed no match for the Yoshitsune school here.

The ability to completely overwhelm them is simply due to superhuman strength that is too abnormal.

The Transparent World plus the Mind Network is no different from cheating. Even if he were placed in those truly extraordinary worlds, he would probably still have a place.

【"Saijo Taiga Yoshitsune-ryu Kendo Guide" 4 stars】

[Storage Pool: +100 Stars]

Huh?
Gao Mo had just retrieved the Muramasa and was preparing to see where the demon was when new data suddenly appeared on the notebook projection.

I don't know if it's just my imagination, but Muramasa seems to have dimmed a lot.

"Master Kindaichi!"

Heiji Hattori snapped out of his shock and, while the others went after the escaped masked man, rushed to the front of the main hall despite his injuries.

"What kind of swordsmanship is this? Can I learn it?"

"Cough, you can't learn the Flying Sword Style."

Gao Mo's attention remained focused on Muramasa, a hint of reluctance in his eyes.

It seems there's quite a bit of stuff involved in this famous sword.

It felt like the knife hadn't been drained dry by him yet.

"Officer Shiratori, may I take this knife?"

(End of this chapter)