I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

To put it simply... it feels like there's an invisible switch inside your body.

With just a slight mental movement, one can unleash their "power".

Kondo Shusuke once told Aoto that martial artists with different personalities and life experiences release different kinds of "momentum".

For example, a person who has killed countless people and regards life as worthless will have an aura as sharp, violent, and bloody as a blood-stained sword.

Rakshasa belong to this category.

A person who has no intention of killing and only wants to study martial arts will have an "aura" as vast as the sky, making people feel that they are too high to look up to and that they themselves are insignificant.

Chiba Eijiro, Chiba Michizaburo, and Souji are typical examples.

In contrast, Qingdeng's "momentum"... is truly hard to describe.

Coincidentally, the moment Qingdeng unleashed his "power," everyone present... including Qingdeng himself, thought of the same thing—the sea.

It possesses both the power of raging waves and the profound weight of a vast expanse of blue.

Let's set aside the fact that Souji is a country girl.

Ever since Chiba Shusaku founded the Hokushin Itto-ryu school, making the Chiba family the number one martial arts family in Japan, martial artists from all over the world have traveled to Edo specifically to become his disciples or learn from him, almost wearing down the doorframes of the Genbukan and Kochiba Kenkan.

Thanks to this, Sanako has a wide range of knowledge and a broad perspective.

In Sanako's memory, she had seen no fewer than 10 strong individuals who had reached the level of "momentum".

Although Rakshasa did not have a distinguished background, he had traveled all over the country and risked his life for many years in order to punish the evildoers, and he also had considerable experience.

However, neither the well-informed Sanako nor the worldly-wise Rasetsu had ever seen a "power" like Qingdeng's...

The sense of uncertainty about the situation, which was beyond his control, caused a restlessness to rise uncontrollably in Rakshasa's heart.

At this moment, Qing Deng quietly held the knife in front of him, his eyes filled with a piercing cold light, exuding a sharp and intimidating aura.

Upon seeing this, the Rakshasa remained silent—and there was no need for him to utter a word.

In such a situation, language becomes superfluous.

He silently raised his right arm, which was holding the knife, and assumed a fighting stance.

At the same time, the commander joined the standoff.

Her "momentum" intersected with Qingdeng's.

The harmonious unity of "sky" and "sea" suppressed the rampant "blood wind".

Immediately afterwards, Sanako, carrying her naginata, stood on the other side of Aoto.

Sanako, with her exceptionally high self-esteem, was naturally immune to phrases like "sitting idly by and waiting to die" or "surrendering without resistance."

While Luosha was relentlessly trying to persuade Qingdeng to surrender, she quickly tore off the fabric from her right arm, revealing her right shoulder, which was stained red with blood. Then, she took out a piece of burlap from her "medical kit" and gave her right shoulder a simple bandage.

Although he lost a lot of blood, fortunately his arteries and bones were not injured, and he could still wield the knife.

The situation is on the verge of exploding; neither side is backing down, and either could be the first to strike.

The atmosphere was extremely tense, as if even the air itself had frozen.

Just as the tension was building, a short figure suddenly appeared behind Rakshasa.

"Lord Rakshasa."

"Oh, it's a kappa... Is there something you need?"

Without turning his head, Rakshasa asked.

Although he was talking to the dwarf behind him, his gaze did not leave Qing Deng and the others. His spirit remained high and his posture was still flawless.

If Qingdeng and his men were to attack at this moment, they would surely be met with a fierce counterattack from the Rakshasa.

"Lord Rakshasa..."

The kappa stood up, tiptoed, and brought his lips close to the racha's ear, whispering something in a thin, piercing voice.

This person must be quite skilled at lowering their voice, because even Qing Deng, who possesses the abilities of "Gathering Spirit" and "Sensor of the Wind," couldn't hear a single word.

The Rakshasa listened like a stone Buddha statue in a temple, indifferent and unmoved.

A moment later, the kappa stopped whispering, flattened its tiptoe, lowered its head, and stood respectfully to the side.

Luosha looked around thoughtfully at Qingdeng and the others.

Under the watchful eyes of Qing Deng and the two women, Luo Sha slowly withdrew his "power," and his soaring spirit was abruptly cut short.

"...Ju Qingdeng, let's each take a step back today. I'll withdraw my troops here, and you can go back to where you came from."

Rakshasa's sudden suggestion really took Qingdeng and the others by surprise.

However, Qing Deng merely raised an eyebrow before returning to his normal expression.

Instead, it was the commander-in-chief who indignantly shouted:

"Hey! Are you trying to run away?!"

Upon hearing this, Rakshasa chuckled and gave a look that said, "You're making me laugh."

"Hey, young man, don't you understand? We both made concessions, and it's obvious that you two benefited more!"

"Admittedly, fighting three against one... two of them are masters who have reached the level of 'momentum'. Even I, facing such an extremely unfavorable battle situation, would not be able to escape unscathed."

"But don't forget—in this pitch-black forest, there lurks a 'hunter' who is skilled in archery and can kill enemies unseen from several towns away!"

The hunter... Rakshasa is probably referring to that "sniper" with superb archery skills—Nue.

Upon hearing Rakshasa's words, the commander-in-chief finally realized something and his expression darkened.

“I have no chance against three of you. But with Nue’s help… even if I can’t kill you all, I can at least take one of you down with me.”

"For example...this beautiful young lady."

At this point, Rakshasa glanced sideways at Sanako.

Upon hearing Rakshasa's words and feeling her gaze, Sanako's pupils constricted sharply, and her delicate body trembled slightly.

Why did Rakshasa not mention Aoto and Souji, but only mention her name?

Although the other party did not say it explicitly, Aoto, Souji, and Sanako all understood the reason.

Not only because Sanako was the only injured one among the three, but also because... she was the weakest...

Despite her efforts to keep a straight face, Sanako couldn't help but bite her lower lip.

He gripped the knife handle tightly with both hands, his knuckles turning white, but he didn't loosen his grip.

In fact, compared to the Rakshasa, the Nue lurking in the distance made Qing Deng feel more apprehensive.

Whether in ancient times or in modern times... even in video games, enemy targets skilled in ranged attacks are the most annoying and must be eliminated immediately.

Nue's abilities are simply heaven-defying.

It was nighttime, and the forest was shrouded in darkness. Unless one possessed the extraordinary ability to see like Qingdeng, entering the forest would render one half-blind.

The forest is full of tall trees and boulders that provide excellent visibility and are ideal for shooting.

In short, the Nue had all the advantages of timing and location.

As long as he was present, Qingdeng and the others would feel like they had thorns in their backs, as if at any moment an arrow would be shot from the woods behind them, making it difficult for them to concentrate on dealing with Rakshasa.

Even if Qingdeng and the others abandoned Rakshasa, or sent someone into the forest to deal with Nue, Nue, who was hundreds of meters away from the battlefield, would have enough distance and time to slowly make a response. He could calmly fight as he went, engaging in guerrilla warfare with Qingdeng and the others.

Moreover, Rakshasa would not allow Qingdeng and the others to cause trouble for Nue; he would definitely do everything in his power to make things difficult for them.

Sanako is injured, and Nue is lurking in the distance... This is not a one-sided battle of "one against three" with an easy advantage, but a bloody battle of "two against two and a half" where the opponent has the advantage of timing and location, and someone is bound to be seriously injured or killed.

Even if you told Sanako to retreat immediately and find a safe place to hide, it would be of no use—the other party is a master archer who can launch precise sniping from hundreds of meters away. As long as he is there, there is no such thing as a safe place.

Although saying this might hurt Sanako's pride... if war breaks out, she will most likely be the first to die.

"Young man, if you're not afraid of your companions being killed, then go ahead and attack!"

Having said that, Rakshasa sheathed her sword and then led the kappa away.

Upon seeing this, the commander instinctively stepped forward to give chase.

But as soon as she took half a step forward, she saw a large hand blocking her way.

"Don't be anxious, calm down."

"Qing Deng said softly."

"But, but..."

The commander hesitated.

"The current situation is very unfavorable to us. If we start a war now, even if we win, it will only be a hard-fought Pyrrhic victory."

As Qingdeng spoke, he withdrew his "momentum" and disengaged from his fighting stance.

"Anyway, there's plenty of time in the future, and we'll settle accounts with them someday."

As soon as Qingdeng finished speaking, Luosha suddenly stopped in her tracks.

"Heh...you're right."

Rakshasa turned around, her venomous gaze fixed straight at Qingdeng.

"Ju Qingdeng, I've remembered all those boasts you just made."

"I have high hopes for your future performance."

"I sincerely look forward to our next showdown."

"Let's see if your blade cleaves through the darkness... or if my blade will sever your head!"

After speaking, Rakshasa raised his right hand, his five fingers together, and made a hand-blade motion, making a horizontal "cut" across his own neck, his facial features contorted in a ferocious expression.

"...I'll give you a piece of advice—quickly mobilize all your forces deployed in Kanto. Whether it's the Shimizu clan, or any other Yakuza group or secret society, mobilize as many people as you can wield a sword. Otherwise, you and your men will suffer a terrible death."

Qingdeng's response was just as forceful as Luosha's.

Rakshasa sneered, then fell silent and lingered no longer.

He turned his gaze back to the front and strode away without the slightest hesitation.

Before long, the auras of the Rakshasa and the Kappa disappeared into the distance.

Tranquility enveloped the surroundings, and the mountains and forests returned to peace.