Female Swordsman Training Dojo

But the opportunity had already passed, and Hayashi Emon had recovered from his brief slump and once again assumed his standard mid-stance.

This time, however, he didn't launch a preemptive attack. Instead, he looked at Qingxin with a questioning gaze: "Kid, aren't you already pursuing the purification of your mind? How come your use of your mind is still so crude?"

"Wait a minute... all those things you've been doing lately, it's not really just to stand up for your wives, is it? I thought you were trying to purify your protective heart by doing such extreme things. Interesting."

Lin Youmen continued talking to himself, then suddenly laughed happily: "Looks like I really have a chance to win today! Kid, use your body to feel what the Thunder God's Sword is—"

It was as if it had also become happy, wrapping itself around Lin Youemon, and the bluish-white lightning on the sword became more active, with the flickering and exploding amplitude significantly increased.

This gave Harunobu a bad feeling, and that feeling was soon confirmed.

Hayashi Uemon's speed and strength have increased again!

Harunobu cautiously switched back to a mid-stance, adopting a defensive posture. Meanwhile, Hayashi Uemon, already coiled in lightning like a humanoid bolt of lightning, launched a frenzied attack on Harunobu from all angles, each strike accompanied by one or even several bolts of lightning!

For a moment, the situation on the field resembled that when Harunobu used Thunder Breathing to fight the demon. The difference was that Harunobu relied on his superior speed and strength to suppress the demon, while Rin Uemon transformed into a lightning spearman, constantly bombarding Harunobu from a distance.

Having personally confirmed it twice, Harunobu certainly dared not take the lightning bolts head-on again. Although Mind's Protection could indeed remove the paralysis, it couldn't heal the injuries. Moreover, dispelling the paralysis also consumed energy, though not much, but seeing Hayashi Uemon's lightning spears flying like they were free, Harunobu didn't dare to engage in a war of attrition.

As for a sudden burst of power to directly kill Hayashi Uemon, that's not so easy either. If it were just a normal attack, like using the Fire and Thunder God technique, the lightning coiled around Hayashi Uemon would be a problem. Harunobu didn't think they were just pretty special effects; those lightning spears were actually launched from within those bolts of lightning.

Of course, Harunobu could also pull off a miracle with sheer force, ending the battle directly with Fire Thunder God: Overload, but that would be a waste of such an excellent opponent. Harunobu was very interested in the Purified Mind at Lin Youwei's door. Although the literal meaning seemed easy to understand, things involving the mind and will were more terrifying to be half-understood than completely ignorant.

Play along with him for now; it's not like there's absolutely no way to deal with it.

Lightning flashed in Harunobu's eyes as he looked around, searching for an opportunity to retaliate!

Chapter 278: Skipping the Mechanism (4/6)

SR-rank swordsmanship, Lightning Returns. A unique technique from the game *Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice*, originally a niche technique used to counter the lightning attack "Tomoe no Rai" (Thunder of the Toad). However, it has now become an extremely versatile ultimate move effective against all ranged lightning attacks.

However, it's not so easy to execute. Just like in the original story, it requires precise timing and identifying weaknesses to be effective. Fortunately, Harunobu isn't a beginner; he has a wealth of experience in his mind. This experience helps him find the weaknesses in Hayashi Uemon's lightning spear and the opportunity to counterattack and return it to its original form.

It's now--

A glint flashed in Harunobu's eyes, and he suddenly swung his Asaka to deflect Hayashi's slash—of course, Ashina style can also parry—then he skillfully used Mind Guard to dispel the paralysis that had just taken effect and jumped up.

Hayashi Uemon was surprised, but he didn't stop. He quickly gripped his longsword again and slashed at Harunobu, who had leaped into the air. Although he didn't know what Harunobu was trying to do, since he was so confident in deliberately putting himself in a state where he couldn't move smoothly during the battle, he certainly couldn't miss the opportunity!

Especially since a lightning spear was flying towards the direction he jumped!

If he doesn't make a move now, then he can forget about winning!

Thunder!

With his momentum surging once more, Hayashi Uemon swung a seemingly ordinary sword strike, yet one imbued with his entire being's strength. And, unsurprisingly, it aimed for Harunobu's calf...

But at that moment, Harunobu had already grasped the incoming lightning spear.

Without even touching the ground, lightning will strike back!

The lightning spear crashed down, landing on Hayashi Uemon's sword. The two bolts of lightning, of the same color and with the same aura, collided, unleashing a violent conflict.

Countless bolts of lightning erupted from the point where the two forces intersected, illuminating the faces of Harunobu and Hayashi Uemon with crystal clarity. Harunobu's face was filled with excitement, the result of a fierce battle.

Chapter 300

Satisfaction, and the elation of impending victory over a formidable foe. In contrast, Hayashi Uemon's face was blatantly bewildered; his previously high fighting spirit and unwavering determination to win had vanished.

The reason is simple: these lightning bolts are Lin You'emon's thoughts.

Their existence and their effects are maintained by consuming Hayashi Emon's mental energy, and their strength is maintained by Hayashi Emon's confidence in their existence.

To put it simply, Hayashi Uemon's existence depends on whether you believe in it or not.

Right now, Harunobu's actions are like grabbing Hayashi's imagined wife, not only attacking her fiercely in front of him, but also letting his imagined wife beat him up. If he continues to attack with his mind, it's tantamount to admitting that his imagined wife is being played with by Harunobu at will, and if he doesn't believe it... then the lightning on his sword and body will also disappear, and given the strength Harunobu has shown, he's doomed to lose.

As for only acknowledging what he used and not what Harunobu possessed… you must understand that the hardest thing for a person is to deceive their own heart, especially for a samurai whose mind has been purified. Doing so would be tantamount to a cultivator destroying their own Dao heart, causing the magnetic field to malfunction and completely destroying their realm. It's not impossible, but that's no different from suicide, or even worse.

The difference between a corpse and a zombie.

It's not worth it for a mere sparring match.

Hayashi Uemon stopped using his mental powers.

The lightning spear and the lightning dissipated simultaneously, and Harunobu's loosely clenched fist slammed heavily onto Hayashi's sword. Fortunately, when the lightning spear struck, it was deliberately aimed at the blade, so this punch landed on the surface of the blade. Otherwise, it would have been rather ridiculous to have injured himself while the opponent had surrendered, even though no blood had been drawn during the most intense fight.

Hayashi Uemon, who was nearly knocked to the ground by Harunobu's sword, shook his head helplessly: "I lost. Seriously, what kind of monster are you anyway?"

"I retract my previous statement. It seems your two disciples are no match for you... They shouldn't be as strange as you, right?"

Harunobu, who was just about to teach Hirako a lesson in retaliating with lightning, smiled and changed the subject: "What is this 'purification of mind' you were talking about? I've never heard of it before."

"You haven't heard of it?" Lin You'emon was a little surprised, but then he thought of Harunobu's orphan status and was no longer surprised. "It's a long story, and you don't need to anyway. Let's talk about it when you have time."

As he spoke, he rubbed his aching back, which had almost been kicked open by Qingxin: "As for the reward for teaching you this, can you tell me how you controlled my lightning just now?"

Harunobu followed suit: "That's a long story, let's talk about it another time—but your lightning is quite good."

Your wife is so voluptuous.JPG

Lin Youweimen looked strange. Ignoring his aching back, he quickly took a few steps back and said, "Speak first. I don't have any of the hobbies of the cult. Don't do anything reckless, kid."

?

Qingxin typed a question mark, then several black lines appeared on his face.

Lightning was Lin Youemon's thought, and what he just said... wasn't that tantamount to praising Lin Youemon's inner thoughts as very... ugh.

Harunobu vomited.

The strange state of the two men, who had suffered heavy losses on both sides, sparked a discussion among the onlookers, who debated whether the great swordsman of the Lin Yin Pavilion or the Dragon Slayer of the Qing Kong Pavilion had won. After all, Lin Youmen hadn't deliberately raised his voice when he conceded defeat, and those onlookers who had hidden more than ten meters away didn't have the excellent hearing of Harunobu and his companions.

However, the argument stopped abruptly as the disciples of Aozorakan crowded around Harunobu.

Clearly, Harunobu won regardless of the circumstances.

Lin Youemon felt a little envious. He wiped the vomit from the corner of his mouth and pleaded with Harunobu, who was being hurriedly cleaned up, "Although the loser has no right to say that, please don't go too easy on my cousin if you can."

Harunobu was stunned for a moment before realizing that Hayashi Uemon was speaking in Japanese.

"Didn't you just say he saved your life?"

“That’s right, that’s why we’ve always shared both the good times and the bad.” Lin Youweimen said, his voice full of self-righteousness. “I even took this beating for him, if he got away with it, wouldn’t that mean we didn’t share the good times?”

Okay, that makes sense.

You two aren't actually cousins, you're brothers, right?

"I will definitely help," Harunobu said earnestly. Hayashi Uemon also made way for the Shiba Inu that was obediently squatting by the roadside and muttered to himself, "Sigh, I was really beaten badly this time, and by a little guy who has just awakened his mind. It's so embarrassing, especially in front of so many people."

"But it's okay, someone else will be in a worse situation than me soon, hehe."

Lin Youemon, who was rubbing the dog's head with a smile, stood up and cast a cold and indifferent glance at the reporters who surrounded him. After successfully scaring away the paparazzi, he caught the Shiba Inu that jumped up and slowly followed Harunobu.

My cousin got beaten up, I have to rush over there immediately to laugh at him!

Chapter 279: Because I'm Willing (5/6)

On the way to Linyou Pavilion, Qingxin slowed down a bit, asking his disciples what they had seen while watching the battle. Because after the fight, he felt the atmosphere among the onlookers didn't seem like they had just witnessed a battle between Thor and the God of Thunder.

Surprisingly, yet not entirely unexpectedly, he received three different answers.

One type was the disciples like Hirako and Amu Hosho, who had already mastered mind control. The situation they described was exactly what Harunobu had seen. Lightning flashed everywhere, and every strike was as sharp as lightning—it was like something out of a legend.

Another type is disciples like Yamashita Mieko, Inoue Shibaya, and Sanjo Saori, who haven't yet touched upon the mind's intent. What they see is Taira Harunobu and Hayashi Uemon constantly engaging in swordplay attacks and defenses, but there are always many movements in between that they cannot understand.

Of course, in their view, there must be some reason why they went to teachers' college; in any case, teachers' college can't be wrong!

The last type is like Hanazawa Nana, who hasn't awakened her inner thoughts yet, but has already been touched upon them. Although she didn't see the radiating lightning, she could vaguely sense something hidden in Harunobu and the others' strange movements during their battle. It was like something invisible, seemingly present yet not quite present.

No wonder the onlookers couldn't tell; they were probably just surprised by how strangely Harunobu and Hayashi Uemon were fighting... But more likely, they would just be amazed at how fast Harunobu and Hayashi Uemon were.

Unfortunately, it seems there are no time-stopping narrators in this world.

However, considering the first time he sensed Lin Youemon's mental energy, perhaps it wasn't that ordinary people were completely unable to see mental energy, but rather that Lin Youemon deliberately refused to let ordinary people observe it. Was it because the Heavenly Examination was imminent, so he had to keep his trump card a secret? Or was he focusing his mind to influence me with his mental energy, thus leaving no room for it to affect ordinary people?

Harunobu pondered for a moment but could not come to a conclusion, so he put it aside.

After a while, the Aozorakan convoy stopped in front of a grand manor. This place was only slightly smaller than the Aozorakan in size, and even just looking at the outside, it was clear that its decoration was far superior to that of the Aozorakan.

The manor's gate was a black steel gate, behind which stood two men dressed in kendo uniforms, carrying wooden swords and iron bars. Beyond that was a straight stone path, flanked by colorful flowerbeds filled with all sorts of fashionable flowers.

At the end of the stone-paved path stood a classic Japanese dojo, complete with a stilted corridor, white lanterns, and paper sliding doors. Through the snow-white paper coverings, one could see figures diligently practicing swordsmanship, clearly engaged in their daily teaching.

Harunobu stopped the car and walked to the gate under the scrutinizing gazes of the two gatekeepers: "Open the gate, I need to see Nagasaki Oichi."

The two gatekeepers exchanged glances, then one of them cautiously spoke.

Chapter 301

"Master Ping, Senior Brother Nagasaki is off today—"

boom!

Harunobu kicked the iron gate, interrupting the gatekeeper. He shook his head, his tone full of regret: "Wrong answer. I was going to give Hayashi Uemon some face—take action!"

Hirayukiko and Hosho Amu attacked simultaneously, their demon swords, forged from the spirit body of a demonic dragon, easily slicing through ordinary iron and breaking open the sturdy gate. As for the two gatekeepers, Harunobu didn't bother to see if they had the courage to resist and simply knocked them unconscious.

Anyway, with the onlookers, reporters, and Hayashi Uemon following behind, there's no need to worry about them fainting here.

"Find that idiot, and beat up anyone who tries to stop him!"

The Qingkong Pavilion disciples, who had been eagerly anticipating their attack, cheered and drew their swords, rushing into the flower-filled Linyou Pavilion. It was like wolves entering a flock of sheep, or dragons returning to the sea; screams and shouts echoed from all directions.

Then it turned into the sound of swords clashing.

The only place where no one was disturbing them was the main dojo, where sword practice seemed to still be going on.

Harunobu waited patiently for ten minutes, and soon Sanada Maya came over with a man whose head had been broken: "Master, it's been checked, this guy is Nagasaki Oichi."

The kitten, who was lounging around next to Qingxin, glanced at him and nodded: "That's right, it's this idiot."

"Hmm," Harunobu responded, without saying anything more. Sanada Maya, on the other hand, released Nagasaki Oichi with a disgusted expression, wiped her face with a handkerchief, and threw it on the ground.

Even after regaining his freedom, and seemingly with no one paying attention, Nagasaki Oichi still didn't dare to move an inch, simply curling up on the ground, trembling. There was no way around it; news of what Harunobu had done yesterday had already spread, and he had absolutely no confidence in escaping from Harunobu's grasp.

As long as you don't get killed, you win!

Soon, the other disciples also returned to Qingxin's side, bringing back some who were clearly seriously injured.

"I just happened to stumble upon these idiots saying those stupid things, and I couldn't help myself." Yamashita Mieko scratched her head and gave Harunobu an embarrassed smile, which Harunobu couldn't help but pinch.

"Hey hehe~"

Harunobu looked at Nagasaki Oichi, and those idiots who talked behind people's backs but were caught red-handed: "So, right hand or left hand? Or do you want to choose your foot?"

Nagasaki Oichi let out a long breath and shouted, "Left hand! I choose the left hand!"

"Hmm." Harunobu nodded, then chopped off his right hand with a single stroke. Blood splattered, landing all over Harunobu and soaking his black khaki.

Harunobu frowned, and Nagasaki Oichi, who was wailing and about to question Harunobu about whether he had said it was his left hand, immediately fell silent.

Harunobu regretfully shook off the bloodstains on Asada and looked at the other fools and unlucky guys: "What about you guys?"

A rather burly man, who looked rather stubborn, retorted defiantly, "We didn't provoke your Qingkong Pavilion, so why are you attacking us?"

“Because…” Harunobu thought for a moment, then said seriously, “I don’t like you guys, and I have the ability to do so. Or is it because I want to?”

The burly man stared at Harunobu, his once nimble lips trembling, opening and closing repeatedly but unable to utter a sound. After all, he was just a rich kid who had never even killed a chicken in his entire life, and it was only natural that he couldn't withstand the killing intent emanating from Harunobu, who had actually taken hundreds of lives.

Qingxin then looked at the other Linyou Pavilion disciples who were already silent with fear: "The way you're acting makes it seem like I'm doing something bad. I'm clearly just doing what you've all done, aren't I? And I'm much more aboveboard than you are; at least I'm doing it openly, not secretly behind your backs."

"Forget it, there's no point in talking to you about this."

Harunobu pointed the asparagus at those unlucky fools, tracing its path across their limbs: "Choose, or I'll choose for you?"

"me……"

The trembling fools couldn't utter a complete sentence for a long time, and Qingxin lost his patience and didn't want to play anymore.

"Alright, you can..."

"Enough! Taira no Harunobu! Don't you have any mercy?!" A furious shout came from the main dojo. Hayashi no Sawa, the instructor of Hayashi Yukan, Hayashi Uemon's cousin, Tenshin Shinden Kaguchi Shindo-ryu no Menko Kaiden, made a dazzling appearance.

Harunobu scoffed, "Mercy? When have samurai ever made such a demand? The Minamoto clan slaughtered the entire Taira clan, and Tokugawa Ieyasu rebelled and bullied the orphans and widows of the Toyotomi family. Not to mention the daimyo who fought against each other during the Sengoku period, your Hayashi clan was among them, wasn't it?"

"Fine, in the end we'll have to convince them with force anyway—Sachiko, it's up to you."

Hirako nodded slightly, walked past Harunobu to the front, and slowly took a breath.

Chapter 280: Susanoo's Battle Against Susanoo (6/6)