Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The woman stood on the stage, her gaze sweeping over the increasingly agitated crowd. Her tone was gentle yet firm. "Why not settle this with a duel that is fair and honorable, allowing both sides a chance to release their grievances? Such a confrontation, conducted under the watchful eyes of the gods, could pave the way for peace. I believe the people would accept it, even be grateful."
Though her voice was not loud, it was clear and powerful, like a stone dropped into water, quickly creating ripples. A murmur of discussion erupted among the crowd; some showed signs of excitement while others expressed concern over this method. Nevertheless, all eyes remained fixed on the stage.
The man across from her maintained his polite smile, his tone laced with calmness and a hint of mockery. "This proposal is simply splendid. Wu Jing has always pursued peace; our vision aligns with the will of the gods, all for the tranquility of the continent."
As soon as he finished speaking, laughter erupted from the crowd, derisive and scornful. Someone couldn't help but sneer softly, "Wu Jing's peace? They mean to trample on others' peace with iron boots!"
"Exactly, peace? Don't make me laugh."
These remarks intertwined in the noisy crowd, forming an unmistakable wave of sarcasm. The mood seemed to shift from anticipation to anger, with some stepping forward as if to vent their frustrations up close.
However, the Fog City Guard standing behind the man leaned slightly forward, their sharp gazes sweeping over the audience like blades, instantly silencing the commotion in the square. Those who had been complaining or mocking immediately fell silent, bowing their heads and retreating back into the crowd as if an invisible force had pressed them down.
The man continued to smile, his hands gently opening as if oblivious to the stir below. "Then let us reach a consensus. An honorable duel for peace."
For a brief moment, the woman locked eyes with him before nodding lightly, a faint cold smile playing at her lips. The tension between them intensified, more palpable than that of the upcoming Cyber Samurai.
The man's smile turned stern as he raised his hand decisively. "Clear the area!"
The Fog City Guard sprang into action, forming neat lines with their gleaming spears. Their movements were synchronized and imposing as they advanced toward the edges of the square. The onlookers were quickly driven away; some attempted to complain but fell silent under the guards' piercing gazes. They were pushed back outside the square, leaving behind an empty square area littered with offerings and petals from earlier rituals.
The man walked slowly toward the East Side and elegantly knelt on the silk-covered ground. His movements were fluid and deliberate; he now held a delicate porcelain cup from which steam wafted fragrant tea into the air. He took a gentle sip, his demeanor relaxed as if what was about to unfold was not a life-and-death duel but rather a refined tea gathering.
The woman across from him was strikingly different. She strode confidently towards the West Side and casually sat cross-legged on the ground. The damp earth stained her military uniform, but she seemed completely unfazed, exuding an undeniable air of nonchalance and determination. She reached for the hilt of her sword at her waist and whispered a few words to the samurai beside her, her tone carrying a hint of unyielding decisiveness.
The two figures formed a stark contrast. The man sat upright like a bamboo stalk, his gaze seemingly drifting beyond the scene, taking everything in; the woman, on the other hand, radiated an aggressive aura, like a fierce beast poised to pounce on its prey.
The two Cyber Samurai stood silently before their respective masters. They remained motionless, resembling two statues, yet the tension in the air had already begun to permeate between them. The samurai from Yang Chuan drew his long blade adorned with dark red patterns, lightly brushing his hand along the edge, causing it to glimmer in the sunlight as if flames were gathering strength. Meanwhile, the samurai from Wu Jing bowed his head to adjust the joints of his wrists, producing a series of faint mechanical clicks. His Double Blade remained quietly sheathed, yet it felt like two venomous snakes waiting for a lethal strike.
The square's central area became the focal point of everyone's attention, as if this patch of land was destined to witness an irreversible confrontation. Nearby, drones had already positioned themselves, their red lights flashing in preparation to document this extraordinary duel, ensuring it would become part of history.
The duel drone slowly ascended into the air, its four turbines emitting a low hum as it stabilized directly above the center of the square. A bright red beam shot down to the ground, projecting a massive virtual screen that nearly enveloped the entire square's duel area. The screen quickly displayed the names and affiliations of both combatants.
"Representing Yang Chuan is Flame Blade Master Mako Nakagawa, nicknamed 'Crimson Flame Blade.'" The mechanical voice of the drone echoed clearly above the square, its tone cold and devoid of emotion. "Combat experience: participated in thirteen battlefield duels, directly killed enemy commanders eight times, repelled Wu Jing invasion forces four times, and is the only active master of Yang Chuan's Flame Blade technique."
A low murmur of astonishment rippled through the crowd; many began to whisper in awe at Mako Nakagawa's impressive record. Someone quietly remarked, "Crimson Flame Blade? She's a true ghost of the battlefield..."
The drone's projection switched seamlessly to display information about Wu Jing's samurai.
"Representing Wu Jing is Sano Kagehisa, heir of the Shadow Sword Sect, nicknamed 'Shadow of the Mist Blade.'" The drone's voice remained consistent, carrying an undeniable authority. "Combat experience: thirty-two duels without defeat, completed twelve solo assassination missions, infiltrated enemy territory five times to obtain crucial intelligence, and is a top user of Wu Jing's optical camouflage technology."
This time, gasps of astonishment were even louder; some in the crowd even inhaled sharply in surprise. A young spectator couldn't help but whisper, "Shadow of the Mist Blade? That invisible samurai! This... this duel is going to be incredible!"
The drone paused for a few seconds until the crowd quieted down slightly before finally asking, "Do both parties agree to engage in combat?"
At that moment, both samurai in the duel arena simultaneously lifted their heads, their gazes crossing through the air and locking onto each other. Their expressions bore no excess emotion—only silent resolve and icy determination. Almost simultaneously, they nodded slightly without uttering a sound; yet this simple gesture felt like a pronouncement that instantly solidified the atmosphere around them.
After receiving the confirmation signal, the drone projected a massive red light that sliced through the air, forming a virtual countdown: "5... 4... 3..."
The two warriors immediately moved fluidly into their stances. Mako Nakagawa drew her long sword, its dark red blade shimmering slightly under the sunlight, resembling flames that were ready to ignite. Her feet were firmly planted, the tip of her sword pointed directly at her opponent, as if it could cleave through anything that stood in her way.
Sano Kagehisa slowly unsheathed his double blades, their surfaces as deep and dark as the night, faintly glowing with a green hue that exuded a deadly aura akin to that of a venomous snake. He stood with an incredibly light posture, as if he could vanish into thin air at any moment. His gaze was locked onto Mako Nakagawa, calm to the point of being chilling.
As the final countdown reached "1," the red light vanished. The square fell silent, everyone holding their breath, their eyes fixed on the impending life-and-death duel about to unfold.
Comment 0 Comment Count