Chapter 73: The Onmyoji, Part 3

Ampei Seizuka shed his earlier cavalier attitude, slowly raising the serpentine sword in his hand, its tip pointed straight at Xiao Yu. Instantly, a surge of sinister, dark energy swept toward Xiao Yu.

“Hahaha!”

Sensing Ampei Seizuka’s power, Xiao Yu couldn’t help but burst into laughter. It had been ages since he last felt such a formidable aura. The sensation transported him back to the days of his years on the battlefield.

“Ampei Seizuka, the foremost master of the Onmyoji Bureau in Sakura Country. At just twenty-three, you’ve perfected the art of illusion to an unrivaled degree. Across the entire Bureau, only you possess such skill. The people of Sakura Country know of the Mistress of the Mirror Moon Stream as a great expert, but few realize that within the imperial family lies a once-in-several-centuries prodigy.”

“Three years ago, on the day I fought alone against the seven sect leaders, you, too, stepped out from the royal family, challenging the renowned martial artists Feng Qingsong and Dizang. That battle ended in a draw. The two, for the sake of their reputations, never made it public, and so the world remained unaware of your prowess as a young master.”

“Am I right, Lord Ampei Seizuka?” Sword in hand, Xiao Yu gazed calmly at his opponent. “Three years have passed since then. I imagine your martial arts have grown even more profound. I wonder what realm you’ve now attained.”

“Remarkable, truly remarkable. Who would have thought a man from Yanxia could investigate me so thoroughly? Even things unknown to my own countrymen you have uncovered. Since that’s the case, do you think I can defeat you?” Ampei Seizuka tapped the blade of his sword lightly, speaking with studied nonchalance.

“Why not try and see?” Xiao Yu’s fighting spirit was ablaze. Facing such a master was an exhilarating prospect, one that truly excited him.

To surpass himself, he needed to constantly battle the strong, to break through by facing defeat and rising anew. That was Xiao Yu’s belief.

Ampei Seizuka merely smiled in response, then, with a seemingly casual wave of his sword, unleashed a violent surge of energy toward Xiao Yu.

Unfazed, Xiao Yu’s lips curled into a faint smile. His body trembled, and a powerful aura erupted, clashing head-on with Ampei Seizuka’s sword energy. The air around them instantly grew heavy and oppressive.

“Enough of these tricks. Draw your sword. Let me see the true strength of the Onmyoji Bureau’s greatest.” Xiao Yu spoke coolly.

At these words, Ampei Seizuka’s gaze sharpened. Without another word, he charged at Xiao Yu, sword slashing. He knew well the extent of Xiao Yu’s strength—a man who had outmatched the seven sect leaders and escaped under the noses of the three High Priests could never be dismissed as a mere weakling.

To the strong, the only real adversary is one more powerful than themselves. In Ampei Seizuka’s mind, Xiao Yu was already an equal. In a clash between masters, seizing the initiative was everything.

Ampei Seizuka’s form flickered as he advanced, and, without warning, his signature illusions came into play. In Xiao Yu’s eyes, Ampei Seizuka was no longer a single figure but three, each identical in appearance and aura.

All three phantoms lunged at Xiao Yu, brandishing their swords. Yet Xiao Yu remained calm, unruffled by the triple sword strike. He’d encountered Onmyoji illusions before, and at a glance recognized the three figures as mere shadow arts.

A smile appeared on Xiao Yu’s lips. In a flash, he darted past the illusions, thrusting his sword at Ampei Seizuka’s real body.

In the blink of an eye, Xiao Yu’s blade pierced Ampei Seizuka’s chest—but there was no spray of blood.

Ampei Seizuka looked down at the sword running through his chest, then lifted his head and sneered at Xiao Yu. At that moment, Xiao Yu’s heart clenched. Even with his caution, he’d fallen for Ampei Seizuka’s illusion. The body he pierced was yet another conjured shadow.

Quickly withdrawing his sword, Xiao Yu tried to retreat, but he was a moment too late. As he moved, a cold chill swept up behind him, and a razor-sharp gust slashed through his robe.

Without hesitation, Xiao Yu spun and struck out with his palm. At the same instant, Ampei Seizuka’s attack arrived.

Their palms collided, and a violent shockwave erupted from the center, rippling outward. Both men poured their power into the clash, and, with a forceful shove, they were sent flying back from each other.

“Lotus Hand Seal! They say you, Ampei Seizuka, have mastered countless martial arts from multiple nations. It seems the rumors are true.” Xiao Yu, having barely steadied himself after several steps back, regarded his opponent with a wry smile.

“The feeling is mutual.” Ampei Seizuka smiled faintly, then raised his sword once more, fighting spirit blazing. “Again!”

With that, his figure vanished from sight. Xiao Yu, too, flickered and disappeared.

Clang!

The sound of their collision rang out once more. Under the force of their blows, both men were hurled backward. This time, the contest ended in a perfect draw.

Suspended midair, the two men faced each other with grave expressions. Neither made a move. The scene seemed frozen in time, shrouded in utter silence.

To both, the day had brought a shocking revelation of the other’s strength. Ampei Seizuka’s power far exceeded Xiao Yu’s expectations; if not for the healing elixir delivered by Yao Bugui, Xiao Yu doubted he could have withstood even a single move.

Meanwhile, Ampei Seizuka was equally astounded. He had heard of Xiao Yu’s reputation, but never imagined his strength would be so formidable. Now, a powerful murderous intent began to well up in Ampei Seizuka’s heart.

As the saying goes, two tigers cannot share the same mountain, unless one is male and the other female. In this world, Ampei Seizuka believed that one such as he was enough. Anyone capable of threatening him should be eliminated while still in the cradle.