Chapter 1486 - 1448: Wuming, [Guardian Spirit]

The heavy steel vibrated!

The scythe blade, initially pulled back to inflict a tearing wound, suddenly snapped straight due to a mechanical trigger, transforming directly into a straight-edged weapon resembling a long-handled chopper!

This change in force direction and weapon structure caused Lann’s original grip on the scythe blade to become ineffective.

This weapon was not a clumsy, heavy scythe, but rather a sophisticated transformable weapon similar to those in the hands of the Yan Nan Hunters!

In an instant, it felt like seeing Kikuchi Daisuke banish the "World of the Living" before.

The attacker’s stamina, significantly depleted by the forceful and rapid blow earlier,

was recovered in just a breath.

"Whew~"

The steady breath was concealed within the wind noise caused by movement, and the technique of "Residual Heart" allowed her to regain most of the stamina expended earlier in an instant!

Seizing the brief and precise timing of "Residual Heart," she completed the weapon’s transformation!

"Glaive Scythe: Transforming Blade"!

This exquisite coordination of technique and weapon made even Lann take notice.

The weapon, turned into a straight-edged razor, smoothly slipped out from Lann’s arm bend, and in the attacker’s hand, it traced a direct circle.

Taking advantage of the force generated by pulling the weapon out from the opponent’s constraint, the attacker also fixed the glaive-turned weapon’s handle at her waist.

She then lightly jumped up, the razor blade creating a sharp wind as it spun three times in an instant!

The fixed razor at her waist transformed into a rapidly spinning blade wheel!

"Glaive Scythe: Three Thousand Wind"!

The blade wheel, whistling as it spun in mid-air, even without actually touching the ground, sent out cutting winds that directly shredded the dirt floor of the small room!

Leaving behind grim and chaotic cut marks.

If she were to unleash her full force carelessly, this entire house might be dismantled in an instant!

But fortunately..."Clang, clang, clang!"

Three consecutive strikes!

Amidst the blade wind, Lann, with silver hair flying, maintained a calm and focused expression.

As he watched the fierce blade pass before him, he skillfully lifted his left hand, extending the outer edge of his arm armor to intercept at three critical points!

Each collision between blade and arm armor exploded into a ring of sparks!

"Water-shaped Sword: Climbing Carp" three consecutive strikes!

The fierce assault, like an eagle caught by the neck, was intense but ineffective.

Even under external pressure, the attacker’s originally smooth technique appeared slightly uncoordinated.

After performing the "Three Thousand Wind," the attacker unexpectedly found herself unable to smoothly connect her next move!

Her body automatically stalled!

But a bright silver light was drawn by Lann’s free right hand from his left waist!

Like mercury flowing, the Lady of the Lake’s Sword slashed upwards!

The attacker’s heart nearly stopped!

For at this moment, her judgment of the exquisite and beautiful long blade’s length made her realize.

If the slash were smooth, the blade could cut into her chin, slice vertically up to her skull, and cleanly bisect her head and face!

But with a sudden fright, the attacker’s peculiar transformable weapon once again emitted a mechanical ’click’ sound!

The long-handled glaive-like weapon abruptly retracted with the mechanical noise.

The handle shortened, the blade folded back.

It transformed directly into something resembling an undeployed saw cleaver of the Yan Nan Hunters, resembling a folded spring knife.

In this state, although the weapon’s weight remained, its reduced size also meant easier handling.

Wielding the oversized folding knife, the attacker’s movements suddenly became more agile and light.

A well-timed pivot and slide, her evasive ability was almost on par with the Yan Nan Hunters’ rapid dodges!

The ascending Aron Dite only left a silver fan shape in mid-air.

Meanwhile, the attacker herself had already widened the distance, dodging beyond the blade’s reach.

In the rapid exchange of blows, the sparks and sharp blasts erupted in an extremely short time.

Rong Buqiu was only momentarily stunned, and Lann and the attacker had already distanced themselves and faced off.

The volume in the room sharply dropped, leaving only the gentle scraping of the hanging corpse’s belt on the ground.

The Lady of the Lake’s Sword, just drawn from its scabbard, in Lann’s hand, showed no further aggressive intent; on the contrary, Lann’s stance with the blade was slightly relaxed.

Because he could see that it seemed the attacker, who was filled with anger and intent to kill just moments ago, now also appeared to calm down slightly.

"You just..." The voice behind the demon mask indeed sounded slightly hesitant, "blocked my blade to prevent damage to the corpse?"

As she spoke, the attacker relaxed her lowered posture and grip on her weapon.

"What else?" Lann glanced at the swaying corpse beside him, "We’re too close, and this house is too small. The wind from your scythe could peel a layer of her skin."

The attacker’s stance finally completely turned into a normal posture, and with a swift move, she pushed the demon mask on her face up to her head.

Her face underneath was indeed beautiful, with a beauty mole at the corner of her mouth.

Staring at Lann, her expression was one of indignation, though seemingly unable to argue back.

Behind her shoulder, the spirit body also fully revealed its form.

It was a mermaid, blindfolded, gracefully dreamlike, wearing a large, lightweight transparent jellyfish as a hat.

"Meow!"

Missed the brief clash just now, Rong Buqiu immediately ran to Lann’s side, baring its teeth fiercely at the attacker.

The Elu Cat bared its small tiger-like teeth, and alongside Rong Buqiu, appeared a big cat ball bouncing around in a shimmering light.

The big cat ball joined Rong Buqiu, both assuming fierce stances at the adversary.

"An armored cat... Ninja Cat?" The attacker spoke with a bewildered voice, more confused with each word, "And a cat’s [Guardian Spirit]??"

[Guardian Spirit]? A local term for this type of spirit possession?

Lann pondered in his heart, but as he looked up, he saw the woman opposite holding a big scythe.

She was hanging the scythe on a hook on her back, her muscles relaxing, and she began to rummage through her small waist pouch.

This was an obviously non-hostile act, so Lann just waited to see what she would do.

Then, he heard a ’swish’.

A white and yellowish granular substance was pulled from her pouch and cautiously tossed towards the Demon Hunter and the small cat.

The stuff landed on the armor of Lann and Rong Buqiu, making a continuous and subtle sound of collision.

The pair glanced down confused, then looked back up.

"Uh, is this... salt?"

Lann spoke uncertainly.

Salt with low purity often appears yellowish and clumpy, significantly different from fine salt in appearance.

Using salt to ward off evil was a common belief, even in the magical middle ages, Demon Hunters often shared this tip with employers they found agreeable.

After tossing a handful of salt at the pair and seeing no adverse reaction, the woman with the [Guardian Spirit] appeared noticeably more at ease.

"Of course it’s salt, it’s for exorcism, it’s expensive!"

She mumbled, looking a bit embarrassed yet trying to maintain an air of denial.

"Sorry, I mistook you for..."

"A demon attracted to the [residual impurity] causing harm?"

"Exactly." Her gaze wandered bashfully, "After all, you two look completely abnormal."

She mumbled, knowing she was wrong but too embarrassed to say so loudly, prompting Lann to slap his forehead.

"I’m Lann, and this is Rong Buqiu, we haven’t asked your name yet...?"

The Demon Hunter looked somewhat speechless.

"Wuming."

"...Is that your real name?"

"Of course!"

Wuming, who looked rather attractive, argued with Lann, chin up.

"Wuming, the leader of the Chuye Arrow Clan hunting demons! I came here to clear the [residual impurity] and demons from Iwamura Castle and Castle Town, that’s why I saw you two entering."

"Well, that’s really..." Lann had a speechless expression, "Lann, Demon Hunter, I guess we’re in the same line of work then. I came here because I was hired too."

Knowing she was in the wrong, Wuming lowered her head in silence, her steps stiff as she walked past Lann.

She reached out to carefully lower the still swaying old woman’s corpse.

The movements were quick yet gentle, seemingly wanting to express remorse she couldn’t verbalize by working in silence.

Though impulsive and stubborn, she seemed unexpectedly honest.

Lann accepted this silent yet stubborn apology, sheathing the Lady of the Lake’s Sword and helping her with the task.

They laid the old woman’s body down, and though she stopped shaking, the terrifying expression on her face never faded.

Lann took a few steps back. He assumed that the local Demon Hunter would surely have the means to eliminate the [residual impurity], given they dared to do this job.

After all, if they killed so many demons, wouldn’t they be ’contaminated’ on a mystical level too?

He stepped back, wanting to give Wuming space to perform a ritual.

He was curious to know if Wuming, like the Priest Village Chief of the Thirteen Cherry Blossom Village, carried a bunch of items for exorcism rituals.

But the result was a bit different.

Wuming merely lowered her head in silence, then made a hand sign. But through Lann’s [Spiritual Vision], this hand sign seemed more like self-suggestion or habit, lacking real power.

The truly effective one was her mermaid [Guardian Spirit].

The mermaid swam gracefully in mid-air, circling above the corpse, then returned to Wuming’s shoulder and disappeared.

And the once eerie and heavy atmosphere around the corpse seemed to have cleared significantly with the mermaid [Guardian Spirit]’s presence, appearing more like an ordinary corpse.

It appeared that the [Guardian Spirit] efficiently exorcised the [residual impurity], much more conveniently than a priest’s or monk’s ritual.

Yet Lann watched Wuming’s ’job done’ demeanor and frowned.

"Wait, is that it?"

"That’s it." Wuming looked puzzled, thinking Lann was still complaining, "You can let your Ninja Cat’s [Virtuous Roll] circle her if you’re not confident in my work."

"No, it’s not that I doubt you, I mean: Are you treating this [residual impurity] with the same standard as an ordinary one?"

"Wha-what do you mean?" Wuming was confused by Lann’s question, "Isn’t it just an ordinary [residual impurity]?"

Upon hearing this from the demon hunter in front of him, Lann’s brows furrowed deeply, as if realizing something troubling.

He tentatively inquired of Wuming: "Let me be sure, Wuming..."

Those cat-like eyes seriously studied her.

"Did you come specifically to investigate the [residual impurity] this family was tainted with?"

"This family? No, not at all." Wuming pointed northeast, "Wasn’t the trouble in this residential area at House No. 16 in the Bing section? This is already House No. 20 in the Ren section."

Upon hearing this, the Demon Hunter’s face turned completely serious.