I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"Only genius martial artists whose talent and diligence are unlike those of humans have the opportunity to reach this realm."

At this point, Kiryu paused, giving Aoto and Kinoshita Mai time to process what he had said.

Then, he spoke again:

"Let me continue with the story I just told you."

"After personally experiencing the power of the 'Selflessness Realm', the swordsman could never forget it."

"Therefore, the swordsman devoted himself to researching methods to freely enter the 'state of selflessness'."

"Ultimately, he developed a truly great combat technique—the Breathing of the Source."

Qingdeng blinked—breathing technique, just hearing the name makes it sound so awesome.

He had previously heard of the "state of no-self".

But this breathing method is truly unheard of.

Engrossed in the conversation, he listened even more attentively, his upper body unconsciously leaning slightly towards Kiryu.

"The essence of the 'selfless state' is the extremely high concentration of the mind."

"In other words, as long as one can control one's own mind, one can enter the 'state of no-self' at will."

"The principle of the Source Breathing is to give the brain a suggestion through a special breathing rhythm, so as to enable the mind to concentrate."

"When you first learn the Source Breathing, it only makes your mind a little more focused."

"However... once you've mastered it, you can enter a state of extremely high mental concentration anytime, anywhere, and then freely enter the 'state of no self' without any restrictions."

"Unfortunately, while the Breathing of the Source is very powerful, the learning threshold is very high."

"Very few people are able to successfully learn the Source Breathing."

"This genius swordsman who developed the Breath of the Source... happens to be an old friend of mine, and we have a deep connection."

"Under his hands-on guidance, I was very fortunate to learn and master 'Fountain Breathing'."

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng suddenly remembered: during the fight just now, Kiryu-sensei had been using a very strange breathing method...

"Mr. Kiryu!"

Qingdeng said quickly and impatiently:

"Could it be that the breathing method you were using just now was the Source Breathing?"

Kiryu smiled and nodded.

“That’s right. In the battle just now, I was using the ultimate version of the Source Breathing. The one you were facing just now was a martial artist who had entered the ‘Selfless State’.”

"So? After fighting a martial artist who has entered the 'Selfless Realm,' what are your thoughts?"

"So strong."

Qing Deng answered without hesitation.

"Incredibly strong!"

"If you think it's strong, then you're right."

Kiryu grabbed the bamboo sword beside him and stood up.

"The powerful thing I'm going to teach you today is the Breath of Source."

"Now, take up your bamboo sword and continue fighting me."

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng was startled.

"Continue fighting? Didn't you say you were going to teach me breathing techniques?"

"My personal experience tells me that you can't learn the Breathing of the Source by just talking about it. You have to feel and experience my breathing method little by little in the heat of battle. If you're lucky, you can get a basic grasp of the Breathing of the Source in just three months."

"...Mr. Kiryu, please allow me to confirm—you're really not taking revenge for personal reasons? Because I previously boasted that I would marry three wives, so you're taking this rare opportunity to teach me a lesson..."

"How could that be!"

No sooner had Qing Deng finished speaking than Mr. Kiryu righteously denied it.

"Tachibana-kun, do you think I'm that kind of person?"

"I have never thought of beating you up legally and legitimately, especially while in a state of 'selflessness'."

"Stop talking nonsense and bring your bamboo sword here."

Qingdeng's lips twitched repeatedly.

Left with no other choice, he gritted his teeth and reluctantly left Kinoshita Mai's side, carrying his bamboo sword, and stood directly opposite Kiryu Boss.

"Oh, right. Kiryu-sensei, before we start fighting, please allow me to confirm something."

"What's the matter?"

"Are you... really going to pass on Vairocana to me?"

To be honest, although it was almost two months ago that Kiryu gave him the sword under the moon, Aoto still feels a sense of unreality—is Kiryu's family heirloom sword, this cool sword that shimmers with purple light, really his to keep from now on?

Perhaps not expecting Aoto to ask this question, Kiryu's face showed surprise.

However, the surprise quickly turned into a smile.

A knowing smile appeared on his wrinkled, weathered face.

“King Tachibana, haven’t I already said it? You are now fully qualified to hold Vairocana.”

"Therefore, there is no need to feel uneasy or unworthy of this knife."

“I think… Vairocana would be very happy to have a new master like you.”

Upon hearing Kiryu's words, Aoto subconsciously lowered his gaze and looked at the ancient sword with a dark purple hilt and a large curve that he was wearing at his left waist.

His face was like the sky after sunrise, the black veil gradually disappearing.

"Well, I see!"

"Alright... let's get back to the main topic. Let's go, Tachibana-kun!"

Before the sound faded, the person had already arrived—Kiryu, whose chest rose and fell in a peculiar rhythm and whose eyes once again shone with a magnificent light, appeared in front of Aoto.

The white leather rapidly magnified in Qingdeng's field of vision.

Bang!Bang!Bang!Bang!

Above the Senjiya, the lingering sound of flesh being brutally slapped echoed once more...

……

……

In Edo, somewhere, at the cemetery of a certain temple—

Three men of different ages stood side by side in front of a tombstone.

Who are you?

Suddenly, a young male voice came from behind the three of them.

They looked in the direction of the sound—a boy who looked about 5 or 6 years old was giving them a sharp look that was not typical of a child his age.

"Are you... Nishino-kun's son?"

Ebina asked.

The boy paused for a moment, then quickly recovered and, in a childish yet resolute voice, said loudly:

“Yes! I am Nishino Chotaro, the eldest son of Nishino Hosoejiro! Who are you? State your names! Why are you standing in front of my father’s grave?”

Akutsu chuckled softly, his tone carrying a hint of amusement.

"Although you are not very old, you speak quite eloquently."

Ebina turned around, faced Nishino Chotaro, and bowed slightly in greeting.

"Greetings, Mr. Nishino. My name is Ye Zong. We... let's just say we were your father's comrades-in-arms."

“战友？”

“We were all by your father’s side when he died.”

"?!"

Chōtarō Nishino's eyes widened, his face filled with surprise.

"You... are officials of the shogunate?"

Ebina smiled noncommittally.

“Nishino-kun, I think you already know, right? Your father tragically died from his injuries while carrying out a top-secret mission. We were also among those who carried out that top-secret mission. For certain reasons, our identities cannot be revealed, so please don’t mention our existence to anyone else.”

Chōtarō Nishino nodded slightly.

"Well, I see."

"We have come here today to pay our respects to your father."

"I see... then please go ahead."

Chotaro Nishino extended his hand, gesturing for him to enter.

However, Ebina shook his head.

"No, we have already paid our respects. We have said everything we wanted to say to your father. We will take our leave now."

Ebina raised his straw hat, then led Ichinose and Akutsu behind him and strode away.

Just as they brushed past Nishino Chotaro—

"...Please wait a moment."

Ebina raised an eyebrow, stopped in his tracks, and turned around.

"Nishino-kun, what's wrong?"

Chotaro Nishino turned his head, raised his eyes, and met Ebina's gaze without flinching.

"Since you were by my father's side when he died, then... can you tell me—was my father's death heroic? Did he die a death worthy of the name of a warrior?"

As soon as Nishino Chotaro finished speaking, Ebina and the others looked surprised and exchanged glances.