As Kuro and Yami continued on their journey, they walked along the bridge, making their way toward the Western side of the region known as Huanwu. The region was famous for its skilled assassins, and the air seemed to hum with a sense of danger and intrigue. Kuro's eyes remained vigilant, his senses attuned to their surroundings, while Yami walked alongside him, her expression focused.
Suddenly, a guard stationed at the bridge approached them, his expression stern and questioning. He stepped forward, blocking their path, and spoke with an authoritarian tone. "Halt!" he commanded. "Where are you going, and what is your business here in Huanwu?"
Kuro and Yami came to a halt, their gazes meeting the guard's intense stare. Kuro, maintaining his composure, replied with a calm voice, "We are traveling through the region and merely passing through Huanwu. We have no ill intentions or business in this place."
The guard, having spotted the bounty sheet, studied it intently. A sly smile curled on his lips as he looked up at Kuro and Yami. "Ah," he drawled, his voice laced with curiosity. "Are you two here to claim the bounty on Kanji Naein?"
Kuro and Yami exchanged glances, their expressions cautious. Kuro spoke up, his voice steady. "Yes, we are," he confirmed. "We are here to hunt down Kanji Naein and claim the bounty."
The guard's smirk widened, and he nodded, seemingly satisfied with their response. "Very well," he said, gesturing for them to pass. "You may proceed. Just be careful Huanwu is not a place to be taken lightly."
Kuro glanced at Yami as they continued their journey through Huanwu, a hint of puzzlement on his face. "Well" he mused, his voice curious. "It's puzzling why Kanji would be here in Huanwu, when he should be near the Northern side, in the Zhīshān Mountains. This region is famous for its assassins and not necessarily a place one would go to hide."
Yami nodded in agreement with Kuro's observation, her eyes scanning the surroundings. "You're right," she replied, her voice filled with thoughtful. "It's odd that Kanji's not in the Zhīshān Mountains, where he was last seen. If he's hiding here, there must be a reason why."
As Kuro and Yami walked through the devastated streets of Huanwu, the destruction and flames around them painted a grim picture. The once-thriving town was now in shambles, reduced to ash and ruin. And amidst the chaos, they came across the Lord of Huanwu, Jaiha, who lay wounded and on the brink of death. The sight shocked Kuro, his old friend and rival in his younger days in a dire state.
Kuro's heart clenched with a mix of sadness and worry as he approached Jaiha. He knelt down beside his former comrade, his voice filled with concern. "Jaiha," he gasped, gently lifting his friend's head. "What happened here? Who did this to you?"
Jaiha opened his eyes, his voice weak but still full of determination. He tried to speak, but the effort seemed to exhaust him. "Kanji Naein..." he managed to utter, his words labored. "He did this... He's the one behind this destruction..."
Jaiha's voice grew weaker as he spoke, recounting the rumors he had heard. "Yes... I had heard about his plan to avoid divine entities..." he murmured, his words coming out as a labored whisper. "He would come here first because Huanwu is the nearest region to WasteLand... the only place where he can truly fight anyone without restrictions because the first Emperor War was fought there."
Kuro's thoughts raced as he absorbed this new information. "So that's his plan," he mused, his voice growing tense. "He's seeking the safety and freedom of WasteLand to carry out his plans without interference from divine beings. It all makes sense now."
Kuro's attention was grabbed as he noticed Yami approaching in a hurried manner. He turned to face her, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity. "What is it?" Kuro asked, his voice tinged with a hint of worry.
Kuro listened intently as Yami shared the information she had discovered. His eyes sharpened with determination as she revealed the sign of Kanji Naein's whereabouts. "The river of Huanwu," she spoke, her voice firm. "He's there, resting near the river. We have a chance to catch him off guard if we hurry."
Kuro's expression hardened, his mind already planning their next move. "Then let's go quickly," he said, his voice filled with urgency. "We have an opportunity to catch Kanji Naein unawares while he's resting. We can't waste any time."
Jaiha, mustering all his remaining strength, slowly rose to his feet, steadying himself with his hand, which was badly cut. The effort seemed to drain him, but his determination was evident in his eyes.
Jaiha, his voice filled with determination despite his weakened state, spoke up, his eyes meeting Kuro and Yami's gazes. "I'm coming with you," he declared, his words firm despite his labored breathing. "I can't stay here while that man responsible for this destruction is still out there. I may not be at my best, but I can still fight."
Jaiha turned his gaze towards Yami, his eyes studying her with a mixture of curiosity and disbelief. He seemed to recognize something in her, and a flicker of recognition crossed his face. "You..." he mumbled, his voice low. "Are you the swordmaster of the 'Yami No Hikari'?"
Jaiha's question hung in the air, filled with a sense of awe and fascination. His wounded body trembled slightly, his attention fixated on Yami, awaiting her confirmation.
"Yes," Yami replied firmly, her voice filled with a mix of pride and responsibility. "I am the swordmaster of 'Yami no Hikari'."
Jaiha's expression turned solemn as he spoke, his voice filled with a deep sense of concern for his daughter. "Please," he implored, his eyes locked on Yami's. "Look after my daughter, Hikari. She's all I have left. I know my time's up, but I can't leave her alone."
The weight of Jaiha's words hung in the air, the gravity of his situation clear. He knew he was facing his own demise, leaving his daughter behind. His eyes, filled with a mix of sadness and hope, pleaded with Yami to take care of his precious child.
Next chapter "Personality Underwent"