I am a female swordsman.

He shouted loudly, and the next moment Ying felt a strong force blowing on his forehead. The stinging air instantly sent goosebumps all over his body! At this moment, in front of He Xiu Yingji's forehead, a tiny wisp of red magic energy, barely perceptible to the naked eye, was blooming and withering. The scene was extremely eerie!

“Go on.”

“One of them came from the White Day Court and used the Washuu family’s contact information to contact me and help me break away from the Washuu family… It’s a very long story.” The sense of crisis that could take his life at any moment finally disappeared, and Ying knew that he was not in any immediate danger.

"No problem, we have plenty of time to listen to your long story."

Huang Quan lowered her raised right hand, confident that this long story would not disappoint her. He Xiuyingji organized his thoughts and began to tell his story, a not-so-happy past.

He Xiuyingji.

He was the most insignificant illegitimate son in the Washu family, and his father was merely a minor figure in the Washu branch family. Unlike the other Washu members, Washu Eikichi was not a ghoul or a half-human; he was human. A human born under extremely low probability.

That's why he became even less noticeable in the Hexiu family.

Without strength, talent, or bloodline, one is destined to remain unknown within the mansions of wealthy and powerful families, and no one will spare any attention.

Lonely people are good at observing, and young Eikichi saw through the eyes of the Washu family a twisted and morbid scene beneath their seemingly happy and joyful exterior. The Washu family, which had existed for hundreds of years, was a cannibalistic ghoul family. Beneath their seemingly evergreen and lush tree, the roots representing close relatives were intertwined and tangled, a gruesome sight of decay and decay. In this environment, one day news of his father's death suddenly arrived.

Although he had very little affection for his father, when Washu Eikichi accidentally discovered that his father's body had been eaten by the Washu family, he couldn't help but wonder if he would one day be eaten by his own cold and twisted clansmen!

run away!

Escape from this insane family!

Young Washuu Eikichi discovers the Washuu family's deepest fear—the Dragon King who died in underground Tokyo—through his father's belongings. He uses the hatred of the 24th Ward ghouls towards the Washuu family to plan an attack, and then uses the opportunity to escape from the Washuu family home.

However, something unexpected happened at the last minute.

Someone within the Washuu household had long been aware of Washuu Eikichi's subtle actions, but instead of exposing him, they fueled his schemes from behind. This unseen person filled the gap in Washuu Eikichi's identity issue, granting him a freely usable identity and a note.

The note read: I hope you can live a normal life.

"...From that moment on, I completely severed ties with Washuu and have lived as Hideyoshi Nagachika until today." Standing on the bridge in Tokyo's 11th ward, Washuu Eikichi drank the last sip of cola. Then he threw the empty bottle away with a thud! With a splash, the bottle hit the water, creating tiny droplets before disappearing completely from the calm river surface.

“I have been secretly watching and repairing it, and I have also tried to find the people who helped me back then.”

Standing beside Washuu Eikichi, Yomi, expressionless, watched the river rush towards its estuary. In this night, the dazzling lights adorning both banks of the river resembled a city that never sleeps, filled with a unique, dreamlike, and enchanting atmosphere.

"They have connections with the Joker, I'm still confirming it."

"【clown】……"

Hearing this familiar yet unfamiliar code name, Huang Quan couldn't help but marvel at how small the world was. After going around in circles, they had somehow ended up back on the "Clown."

Perhaps this is fate—invisible and intangible, yet undeniably real. Its threads connect all things in this world, weaving a series of absurd and hilarious comedies whether you resist or not. Huang Quan has already performed in many plays on the Tokyo stage, but she knows it's not over yet.

Huang Quan suddenly glanced meaningfully at He Xiuyingji beside him.

His account of the "Clown" was extremely brief, suggesting he was still hiding something, but it paled in comparison to what he had revealed. Huang Quan had clearly realized that the young boy, Xiu Yingji, possessed a will and drive far exceeding that of ordinary people, along with a remarkably intelligent mind.

"Are you satisfied with these, Senior Huang Quan?" The last part of the address was noticeably emphasized, and He Xiuyingji turned around, resuming his usual sunny and cheerful smile.

"Hmm, I'm very satisfied, so..."

His heart skipped a barely perceptible beat. Washu Eikichi knew that what Yomi was about to say was likely to be, "Then you are worthless now, sink into Tokyo Bay!" or "Die! You bastard, Washu!" Either way, it was not good news for Washu Eikichi.

Huang Quan's scarlet eyes, so bright that one dared not look at them for too long, revealed emotions that Xiu Yingji could not understand.

“…Yagaki-kun, I want to make a deal with you.”

She pointed to the document that He Xiuyingji had been protecting to his chest the whole time, the meaning of which was self-evident.

Suddenly, the way they addressed each other reverted to their previous forms of address. Although he didn't understand Huang Quan's intention, he figured it was a positive sign. But with Huang Quan's casual suggestion, He Xiuyingji's eyes widened in shock, his hands trembling with anger!

"Senior Huang Quan! You're being way too...shameless! You take what I prepared and then give it to me as a reward? And you expect me to be grateful to you?!"

"Yes."

"!"

This was truly an irresistible deal. After only a few seconds of stubbornness, Washuu Eikichi lowered his head in dejection, signifying his submission.

Chapter 157 is an antique

Live more gently than anyone else.

Like a warm sun, he bestows this precious gentleness upon those around him. Kaneki Ken's gentleness has given others indescribable happiness and fulfillment. You can never know how terrifying the obsession that erupts from someone wandering in twisted darkness after finally feeling warmth from the outside world can be!

Like an unstoppable volcanic eruption!

When this tenderness might be lost, the obsession that transforms into a volcano can turn the entire world into a hellish inferno.

This gentleness is not wrong...

Only by striving to maintain self-control can one avoid madness. One can't help but question the gods: is it a sin to not resist in such a distorted world?

Kaneki Ken lowered his head.

His mind and body had completely separated, entering a mysterious state. Watching his body mechanically repeating ornate phrases, while a large vat beside his body was filled with things twisted and torn from his own body, it seemed to be telling the story of what genuine plunder was.

"You're about to die, Kaneki-kun."

The malicious voice instantly pulled Kaneki into a field of blooming flowers.

Kaneki had seen this scene before, when he was very young, after his father died. Flowers, gifts from mourners, carpeted the ground, their color representing death, decay, and withering filling Kaneki's vision. Once again, he was embraced by a warm, soft body, the other woman nuzzling him like a cat, the unspoken invitation palpable. Rize Kamishiro's crimson eyes gleamed against the white blossoms.

'The CCG's attack is imminent. My body and mind are at their limits. Kaneki-kun, what are you waiting for?'

Outside the Aogiri Tree's stronghold, gunshots and shouts of battle rose and fell, and even Kaneki Ken, who was locked in the torture chamber by Jason, could hear the noise from the outside world.

'Ms. Rize, I will not accept you. Give up.'

Kaneki Ken's inner voice has undergone a noticeable change, and compared to his previous shy and gentle tone, it now carries a strange sense of unwavering resolve.

'So how are you going to escape?'

'escape?'

In the shadows beneath Kaneki's black bangs, something seemed to leap out at the word "escape." The body might escape, but could the soul and will? Compared to the visible and tangible "Jason" in the outside world, the truly terrifying thing must reside deep within his own spiritual world.

That's right!

Kaneki is trapped in this spiritual world because there is always an insurmountable mountain blocking his path. If he cannot defeat her, he can never become the complete Kaneki Ken.

call--!

A gentle breeze swept by, scattering a shower of petals. A lifelike figure appeared before Kaneki Ken, wielding a sword, her expression tinged with sorrow, like a beautiful woman amidst the rain-soaked alley. She was to be admired from afar, not to be touched. She gently raised her hand, as if to catch the dazzling yet poignant rain of petals.

However, just as the white petals were about to touch her, they all broke neatly into several beautiful pieces!

It was as if unseen blades were constantly moving around her, repelling and killing anything that didn't belong to her. That sharpness, transcending faith, was innate, like the dawn tearing through the darkness. The underworld within Kaneki Ken's spiritual world seemed to have undergone some inexplicable changes, and had completely spiraled out of control.

A swordsman who cannot even accept the white spider lilies.

Transcending life and death and time...

How many years has it been?

Suddenly, in Kaneki Ken's mental world, Yomi sighed softly. Her tone carried the weariness of time and the dust of life, and she directly broke free from the control of Kaneki Ken, the master of this world.

'It's such a nostalgic feeling. I've almost forgotten what happiness feels like.' Those clear, smiling crimson eyes fell on Kaneki. Just moments ago they were worlds apart, but now Yomi was right in front of him. Kaneki involuntarily took two steps back, his mind gripped by fear of this being.

'Senior Sister Huang Quan.'

'Let me think... Ah! That's right, it's Kaneki. Do you want to eat me too?' The sword in her hand swung seemingly unintentionally, emitting a dazzling yet deadly light. Her indifferent smile held a hint of cunning teasing.

It is the Yellow Springs, yet it is not the Yellow Springs.

Kaneki Ken didn't know how to describe this out-of-control Yomi. She was so different from the Yomi he knew. Her beauty possessed an intellectual charm, a grace refined by time, like... Yomi many, many years from now. Her beauty was no longer breathtaking, but a subtle, understated feminine allure.

"I... I don't want to. I want to surpass Senior Huang Quan." Kaneki frankly stated his wish.

After becoming a ghoul, he experienced confusion, sadness, and aimlessness. It was Yomi who gave him purpose, showing him that even in the worst of times, he could live authentically. All the hardships that couldn't defeat him would only become whetstones, sharpening his edge to unparalleled power!

"I see."

Huang Quan reached out to touch Kaneki's face, her subtle expression carrying a hint of approval and kindness, but she gave up the gesture.

'Kaneki, actually I wanted to kill you. Because if you died... never mind, that's too complicated, too absurd. Anyway, I've given up on that idea. Now it's time to study.'

Thank you, you have always guided me.

Kaneki now held a wooden sword. Before he could even get into position, Yomi's whip had already pierced his forehead. He wanted to surpass Rize Kamishiro! He wanted to surpass the ghoul within him! He wanted to surpass Yomi-senpai! He wanted to surpass the invincible power he had always perceived! The difficulties the world presented to Kaneki were merely shaping him; to forge a divine weapon required not only external force but also internal factors!

At this moment, the blade named Kaneki Ken is about to take shape.

And who will be the first to drink the blood when this sharp blade is drawn?

………………

Bronze Tree Outpost

"...By the way, which group are you in?"

"It's an antique!"

With a crash, the ghoul's head flew high into the air, and Touka Kirishima's tunic seemed to burn, shimmering with magnificent colors. Behind her followed a large group of people; almost all the members of [Antiques] were now present! They were there to reclaim their comrade, Ken Kaneki, who had been abducted by [Aogiri Tree]!

Touka didn't believe that the idiot Kaneki was dead as others said. That idiot was definitely still working hard somewhere within Aogiri Tree, and they would rescue Kaneki before the CCG destroyed Aogiri Tree.

Not just Kaneki!

According to the information provided by the mysterious person, they can take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to not only rescue Kaneki, but also Lady Ryoko!

Chapter 158 Born to be Human

"So your crime isn't just protecting ghouls, but also leaking CCG operational plans. Nagachika-kun, I have to say I admire you a little."

"Don't say that. I just wanted to protect Kaneki."

【Bronze Tree】Outside the stronghold, in the dense forest.

Two figures blended perfectly into the darkness; if they hadn't spoken, no one would have noticed them standing there. The tall figure, with half-closed eyelids, watched the intense prelude between the CCG and [Aogiri Tree] with an unusually calm and indifferent expression.

It was as if all of this had nothing to do with her.

You know she's a CCG "Sword Demon," shouldn't she be rushing in with her sword and taking down all the ghouls in this situation? What's the point of you just standing here watching?

Hideyoshi Nagachika silently complained to himself as he stood beside Yomi.

Anyway, it wasn't just once or twice; Huang Quan repeatedly shattered his perception of her. After revealing the identity he didn't want to remember, she addressed him as Yongjin-kun as if nothing had happened. Beneath that beautiful, expressionless face, there must be many unimaginable things hidden.

"Observation complete, let's go."