Tokyo: The Player Behind the Scenes.

Chapter 156, Section 154: A Two-Faced Blade
Muramasa Taki found the inspiration to break through the barrier while recalling the contents of "The Tale of Subduing Demons with Wonderful Method".

This book records the stories of the third and fourth Muramasa and the demon sword, but there is a gap in the timeline.

After Facheng clashed with the demon sword, the story jumps abruptly to him returning to Kuonji Temple with the third-generation corpse for burial, and then living a secluded life, researching ways to break the demon sword's legacy.

Then he embarked on a new journey to find the demon sword, witnessing the fourth generation's madness in 1630, and finally joined forces with the Koga ninja to help him pass on.

From then on, Hosei took away the demon sword and the direct descendants of the Muramasa family, and arranged methods to escape the contract, allowing them to live peacefully through generation after generation of new Muramasa.

The texts do not specify how the Third Generation died, or who had the demon sword at that time. Why did Hosei deliberately avoid this part?

Of course, it's also possible that he didn't deliberately avoid it, but rather that later generations deleted this section for some unknown reason.

The inspiration lies here: since the content is sensitive, it may indicate a close relationship with Hosei. Therefore, the first thing to do when you arrive near Edo Castle in the game is not to think about how to break in, but to find Hosei.

This is the answer to this route.

As for how to find Facheng, Takii recalled the feeling of being followed and had a general idea.

A bamboo grove near Edo Castle.

Takii knelt in the clearing surrounded by bamboo grove, silently resisting the indistinct whispers of the demon sword.

She couldn't hear what the demon sword was saying, but there was a strange rhythm in its words. Once you became engrossed in it, you could easily lose your true self and be willingly manipulated.

Amidst the rustling of bamboo leaves, the person she was waiting for arrived.

"Have you come to a realization, benefactor?"

It's springtime in the game, but it feels a bit colder than springtime in reality, possibly due to the Little Ice Age.

Facheng knelt before Takii, his palms pressed together, his face filled with compassion.

"Throughout this journey, you have resisted the allure of the demonic blade, repelling wave after wave of attacks, yet you have remained true to your principles and have never indiscriminately killed a single person. This truly amazes and shames me."

Taki looked at him without exchanging any words or intending to communicate by writing. She simply stared at him with her eyes as firm as possible.

"."

The two sat facing each other in silence for a long time before Fa Cheng finally let out a soft sigh.

"This humble monk understands."

"I have come here on behalf of Lord Tokugawa to deliver a message to you, my benefactor."

"He extended an invitation to you, saying that if you could kill Hattori Masashige, whom he had sent, he would accept a fair duel with you as a samurai."

“If you trust me, I will act as your guarantor and lead you into the city.”

I see, that's how the progress should be made.

Clearly, the three generations of Muramasa in history did not succeed, so can she succeed?

Takii nodded without hesitation.

"Don't worry, benefactor. You haven't killed a single person on your journey. The demon sword, though a weapon, has not been able to drink blood and devour souls. You are no match for the Third Hattori Hanzo now."

"According to the notes left by the founder, the demon sword has two sides and is not completely uncontrollable, but it requires a certain method."

After speaking, Fa Cheng took out a small box, opened it, and plucked out a little white powder with his fingers. He then extended his hand towards the demon sword and smeared it on the inscription of the Lotus Sutra, which emitted a faint white light.

Suddenly, the demonic whispers gradually lost their evil aura and became clearer, revealing that it was actually the repeated chanting of "Namo Myoho Renge Kyo".

This sword has a very deep connection with the Nichiren sect.

But the problem is, shouldn't this sword have been forged by the first Muramasa, Senji Muramasa? Hosei's ancestor is Nichiren, right? That doesn't match up chronologically. Unless the demon sword wasn't forged by Senji Muramasa at all, but was simply used to form a contract with him.

"In that case, this sword is indeed a miraculous way to exorcise demons, and the records are true. Namo Myoho Renge Kyo. Master, you can rest in peace now."

Fa Cheng seemed to be seeing this scene for the first time as well, and his expression showed some surprise.

Taki looked surprised, but quickly concealed it.

In her field of vision, the progress bars on both sides were filled with platinum-gold light, and the seven red dots on Fa Cheng's body had disappeared. Was this the reward for her earlier restraint in not killing him?

She could feel an unprecedented power, and it was completely under her control.

Taki's gaze fell on Hosei's box of white ash.

"These are the ashes of my master. It was because my master firmly believed in the existence of the Myobo Muramasa that I was able to find the Myobo Muramasa in the ruins of your house by following the clues. Unfortunately, I arrived too late and was unable to find your family. Even the Myobo Muramasa was stolen by thieves due to a moment of carelessness."

“Since that person handed the knife to you, he must have hoped that you would use it to slaughter people. Fortunately, you have kept your conscience in mind, so this humble monk will not be ashamed of the common people.”

Fa Cheng noticed her gaze and began to explain.

“Please, benefactor.” Fa Cheng stood up.

Taki silently followed behind, leaving the bamboo forest and heading towards Edo Castle.

At this time, Edo Castle was still in the early stages of expansion and was not very large. The two quickly entered the castle.

Inside the city, at the warrior training ground.

"Lord Oyagata, he is the third Muramasa, Muramasa Masaji."

Tokugawa Ieyasu, clad in armor, sat on a raised platform, surrounded by many samurai. Their gazes toward Takii were complex.

Many of them participated in the encirclement and suppression during this period, but this guy always managed to escape. What's even more humiliating is that when he could have killed them, he chose not to.

This is simply a great humiliation.

"Please keep your promise, Lord Miyagi." Hosei stood fearlessly in front of Takii, meeting the gaze of the dignified Tokugawa Ieyasu.

"Hahaha, Master Hosei, it seems you have little faith in my people. Well then, he is the third Muramasa, and you are the third Hattori Hanzo. Don't bring shame to your family."

Tokugawa Ieyasu did not act too formally, as if he were simply watching an ordinary samurai duel performance.

"Yes, Lord Ieyasu."

Hattori Masashi accepted the order and was about to leave when Tokugawa Ieyasu stopped him.

"This time, you are permitted to use the Muramasa sword."

"Yes!"

Hattori Masashi sensed Tokugawa's perverse sense of humor, stepped down from the stage, and took an Ise Muramasa from his attendant.

Because of Tokugawa Ieyasu's taboos, he hadn't used this family-inherited sword for quite some time.

If he remembers correctly, this sword should be the work of Senji Muramasa.

"Use Senji Muramasa's sword to kill the third Muramasa; that is the fate of the cursed sword."

Facing Taki, he drew his sword, his tone defiant.

In Takii's eyes, white dots appeared on Hattori Masashige's sword and body. Unlike the previous red dots, these white dots did not need to be connected. As long as they were destroyed one by one within the time limit, the effect of the previous consecutive sword strikes could be achieved.

However, each time she swings her sword, the white light on the sword-shaped progress bar decreases.

Once the knife-shaped progress bar is empty, a portion will be subtracted from the humanoid progress bar to make up for it.

In other words, she doesn't have a true basic attack; every basic attack consumes her "mana bar".

Furthermore, as the humanoid's progress bar (level) decreases, its attack power will also decrease.

She must defeat her opponent within a limited number of attacks.

　There were a few odds and ends to take care of at home today, that's all (feeling guilty).

　　Wishing everyone a happy May Day in advance! Happy May Day!

　　Strive to resume 10,000 daily ( ) tomorrow

　　
　　
　
(End of this chapter)