Sayu and Bai Luo were originally members of intelligence departments belonging to different factions.
It's just that neither of them liked to do serious work.
However, their sensitivity to intelligence was still quite sharp.
So Sayu immediately pulled out the water-soaked document from the arms of this Kujou family servant.
But before she could read it, Bai Luo snatched it from her hands.
Signaling Tatyana to deal with the aggressive Sayu, Bai Luo began flipping through the document.
Perhaps because this person had been soaking in the sea for a long time, much of the text was already unreadable, but some parts could still be made out.
"The phenomenon of frontline troops on Yashiori Island fearing battle is extremely severe and has drawn the attention of the family head..."
"Lord Masahito once sent a letter detailing the disturbances caused by the [Tatarigami] on the island, but the family head was unmoved and instead flew into a rage."
"Thus, he dispatched us to investigate the situation on the island and report the truth, urging Lord Masahito to press forward in one vigorous effort and storm the rebel stronghold."
The first half of the document was relatively normal, simply recording why they were here and what they were doing.
The reason why the Shogunate army bombarded the refugee ship was also recorded here.
"So it was you, you old fox Kujou."
After mentally noting Kujou Takayuki's name, Bai Luo continued reading.
Further down... things became stranger.
"Started bleeding from the nose at noon, experiencing dizziness. Such weakness is truly disgraceful to the Kujou warrior lineage."
"My head hurts, especially at night—so much it feels like it's splitting open. Some team members have started coughing up blood, and nightmares plague us every night."
"Had a nightmare—dreamt of a small island west of the sea being buried in quicksand. Very eerie."
"It's whispering again... feels like ears are growing in my brain. Want to escape but can't."
"Bleeding... bleeding everywhere. Feels like I'm melting..."
"..."
Beyond this point, the content was completely ruined by bloodstains and seawater, making it impossible to discern what was originally written.
Under Sayu's eager gaze, Bai Luo stuffed the document back into the Kujou servant's clothes and kicked him back into the sea.
Bai Luo knew very well that the man was beyond saving.
Rather than letting him suffer, it was better to end his misery.
After exchanging a glance with Tatyana, Bai Luo picked up Sayu again, and the two continued forward.
Some things were better not seen by children—they could leave bad memories.
Tatyana sighed softly. Though she could "see" Bai Luo's actions through other means, his act of signaling her with his eyes seemed somewhat...
Well, he was her superior, after all.
Under Tatyana's control, the water currents dragged the floating Kujou servant into the depths.
Soon, crimson blood bubbled up from below.
After dealing with the Tatarigami-afflicted Kujou servant, the group pressed onward.
Along the way, Bai Luo finally understood why the document had mentioned "we."
Corpses lay strewn across the ruins in various poses—some lying down, some sitting, some curled up.
Among them were Shogunate soldiers, rebel fighters, and even a few dressed as fishermen.
Some had died maddened by the Tatarigami's curse, while others had wandered in and been sacrificed as offerings.
In any case... the scene was so gruesome that Sayu shrank into her tumbler form, letting Bai Luo carry her like a sack.
Past the corpses, the view suddenly opened up, revealing a semicircular shield formed of water.
Tatyana stepped forward first, attempting to control the water.
But she failed—the water refused to obey her.
Bai Luo handed Sayu to Tatyana and approached the shield, cautiously reaching out.
Splash—
Ripples spread across the water's surface, and he was abruptly sucked inside.
[Trial Unlocked: The Severed Karma of the Oni]
[In the ruins west of Yashiori Island, a self-aware humanoid puppet swordsman wanders.]
[It carries three segments of karma.]
[Trial Requirement: Defeat at least one segment of karma.]
[Trial Rewards: Random exclusive equipment, random high-tier item, random job change book.]
The darkness before his eyes suddenly cleared, replaced by these prompts, and Bai Luo's expression brightened.
He had originally thought the only reward this ruins could offer him was a piece of exclusive equipment.
Unexpectedly, there were also high-tier items and a random job change book.
He wasn't sure what the high-tier item was—probably something like an experience card.
But the random job change book was something he couldn't pass up.
More skills never hurt, and no matter what job he rolled, it would be an upgrade.
However, judging by the system's description, to obtain the latter two rewards, he would at least need to defeat the other two segments of the Maguu Kenki's karma.
Speaking of three segments of karma, Bai Luo recalled something.
In his memory, the Maguu Kenki did indeed have three forms, though they had only appeared in certain events.
Was he about to face those three forms?
To be safe, Bai Luo switched to his "Hei" state.
Hei's quantum form could evade most damage, and even if he couldn't win, he could use his ultimate skill to warp back to Sayu or Tatyana.
Thus, it was the safest state.
[Begin the first trial: Original Karma?]
"Yes."
[First trial successfully initiated. Defeat the founder of the Iwakura school, the famed swordsman known as "Douin the Blade"—Mikoshi Michihiro—within 10 minutes.]
"Huh? Who?"
Gripping his dagger tightly, Bai Luo looked surprised.
Hadn't the one who challenged him last time been the Maguu Kenki?
Why was he now facing some lofty swordsmaster instead of that puppet?
The dark mist dissipated, and the surroundings were no longer the oppressive, ruined remains of the fortress but a small rural courtyard.
At the center of the yard knelt a man who seemed somewhat dull-witted.
His physique was robust, and even with his eyes closed, he exuded an intimidating presence.
"Challenger?"
Sensing Bai Luo's presence, Mikoshi Michihiro slowly opened his eyes.
His gaze held no good or evil, no joy or anger—only a blazing will to fight.
"Mikoshi Michihiro?"
Bai Luo tightened his grip on the dagger, testing the waters.
"Mn."
Mikoshi Michihiro was exactly as he appeared—wooden in demeanor and sparing with words.
Since their meeting, he had uttered only four syllables.
Then, he drew his sword.
When Hakuen Michimitsu Amenoma left its sheath, Michihiro's aura underwent a transformation.
If he had seemed like an emotionless block of wood earlier, he was now a razor-sharp blade.
"Mikoshi Michihiro. please teach me."