Chapter 1499 Loyalty and Righteousness

[Fragmentation of Spirit].

As a means of utilizing a guardian spirit, Wuming really hasn’t seen much of it.

Mainly because she hasn’t encountered other heroes possessing guardian spirits.

The connection between a guardian spirit and its host is very close. Generally, unless the original host actively and completely abandons their guardian spirit, these two cannot be separated.

So-called [Fragmentation of Spirit] is neither the original host abandoning their guardian spirit nor truly splitting the guardian spirit in half and giving part to someone else.

It’s more like granting a temporary usage permission.

The main permission still resides with the original host of the guardian spirit, an unfaltering foundation.

The usage permission granted to others comes at the cost of somewhat diminishing the functionality of the guardian spirit.

For example, Wuming’s [Eight Hundred Waves]. Even if she fragmented the spirit to others, the blessing of longevity granted to the host isn’t so easily spread.

On the other hand, the permission for [Fragmentation of Spirit] gradually disappears over time, unless the original host renews it for others.

But even if renewed, it remains just a temporary permission.

Honestly speaking, guardian spirits aren’t easy to bear.

These extraordinary beings shaped from connections between beliefs and the world intertwine with the host’s spirit, will, and soul, hence forming such a tight bond.

Due to this closeness, most people, if lucky enough to get one guardian spirit, are already at their limit.

More guardian spirits would only become an overwhelming burden.

With Bai Ze appearing on his shoulder, a series of blurred images seemed to flash before Lann’s eyes.

The images recorded how a young boy from the Takeda family was incredibly intelligent and was chosen by the guardian spirit, after which he formulated his own thoughts from extensive reading.

And thereafter, witnessing the chaos of the world, he conceived his deep resolution.

—He yearned for a peaceful era.

The images fleetingly flashed before his eyes, crude as they were, but the emotions and resolve contained within were so real it was unmistakable.

[Fragmentation of Spirit] not only simply shares the power of the guardian spirit but also allows the sharing of a person’s aspirations and emotions through the close connection between the host and the guardian spirit.

The human heart is a mystery; even among the closest of individuals, no one dares say they fully understand each other.

However, using the guardian spirit as a bridge, people can at least ascertain a part of each other’s true intentions.

"Teacher isn’t good at fighting."

With Bai Ze now appearing on Lann’s shoulder, Takeda Hanbei solemnly spoke.

"But as the legend describes, teacher has profound knowledge and insight into demons and ghosts. I hope this little bit of strength can be of help."

He didn’t show any sign of exhaustion or fatigue, which also illustrates that [Fragmentation of Spirit] isn’t a tiring or painful task for the original host of the guardian spirit.

"Thank you, Hanbei. Sometimes knowledge is more useful than brute force."

Lann nodded, but he soon felt something and asked again.

"But... hmm, I don’t seem to feel my thought speed increasing."

"Ah," Takeda Hanbei scratched his head awkwardly, "this is the limitation of [Fragmentation of Spirit]. The mental enhancement teacher brings cannot be shared out."

Afterwards, Lann felt the operational speed of his bio-brain which, after Bai Ze’s possession, had begun to steadily increase, steadily decreasing again.

Way to go, Mentos, not even trying to pretend, huh!

The Demon Hunter ignored the indifferent whistling from his bio-brain.

He ’clank’ fastened the last buckle on his armor.

Amidst a series of heavy-sounding, sturdy armored components mildly clashing, his muscular frame slightly expanded his chest for activity.

Like a strong beast, his joints crackled with movement.

Standing beside him, one could feel the pressure.

"Since it concerns Saito Dosan’s inclinations, Lord Ando Shouji probably wouldn’t dare act recklessly, right?"

Lann said while pulling open the sliding door wide and inviting Wuming to walk out with him.

Habu, originally seated on the ground, hurriedly stood and followed behind.

The three walked briskly within the Tenshu.

"Exactly." Takeda Hanbei laughed bitterly.

But he soon returned to his calm and gentle demeanor.

"But don’t worry, I’ll do my best to delay my father-in-law’s report to Lord Dao San after you leave."

"However, I hope you’ll forgive me; loyalty to the lord is a warrior’s duty. Ultimately, Lord Dao San will probably come to know the whole story."

At this moment, Bai Ze spoke with a goat-like tremor in its voice: "These [Residuary Impurity], I’d say if they have no anchor tethering them to the current world, they couldn’t be so troublesome, nor would they spread."

"Having connections with Changzai Temple... might be some kind of twisted Buddhist Technique activated as Demon Technique."

"So, what you’re saying," Lann summarized, "if we thwart the Demon Technique, then those [Residuary Impurity] will become ordinary ones that can naturally disperse, even if left alone, right?"

"By then, we’d be long gone." Wuming said nonchalantly, "Hanbei, you don’t have to worry so much."

Bai Ze, wearing small round glasses, displayed an expression that suggested a teachable child.

Lann also agreed, "Let’s be straightforward, although I’m not too familiar with your local techniques, I’ll need your help when the time comes, Teacher Bai Ze."

The long-eared goat’s ears twitched actively, "Naturally, it’s my duty."

The three of them happened to turn a corner in the Tenshu, and at the bend, two samurai who seemed to be patrolling appeared.

Lann, clad in armor, seemed like a wall pressing forward as he walked through the Tenshu.

These two samurai were visibly stunned.

They knew this was their lord’s guest, but didn’t expect the guest to be so... terrifying.

Taking advantage of their brief moment of shock, Lann had already walked steadily up to them.

With a dull thud.

Lann bent slightly, his fist already sunk into a samurai’s stomach.

The force wasn’t great, but still enough for the samurai to feel as though his intestines were about to spill out instantly.

He emitted a sound resembling a water-choking cough, then his whole body suddenly weakened.

Lann, as if his fist were carrying a paper, had a samurai propped on his fist, swaying feebly with his footsteps.

The other samurai visibly panicked, wanting to shout an alarm while his hand was already on the handle of his sword at his waist.

Sadly, a whistling wind!

A large hand suddenly appeared, like a frame drop in a video, around his neck, encircling it entirely, and slightly pressing down on the side with the thumb.

The carotid artery was compressed, and within seconds, the brain experienced insufficient blood supply, falling into unconsciousness.

Placing the two incapacitated samurai on the ground, Lann opened the room door.

"Meow?"

"Huff~"

Qilin and Rong Buqiu simultaneously lifted their heads from the wooden floor.

The cat craned its head out, then looked at Lann, "Boss, did you offend someone again, meow?"

"Offend someone? Not quite," Lann said while Rong Buqiu nimbly and dexterously helped him put the magic horse harness on Qilin.

"We just need to hurry up and retreat."

Next, the Demon Hunter directly mounted the horse, and Elu Cat skillfully climbed up the rune cloth.

Wuming hesitated slightly facing Lann’s extended hand.

Not for any other reason, but because Qilin itself made her feel uncertain.

However, recalling what she and Lann had jointly discovered, she no longer hesitated, grabbing Lann’s hand to mount.

"Habu, just do it as planned!"

The Demon Hunter called out one last time, then two jets of hot air spewed from Qilin’s nostrils!

"Huff! Boom!!!"

The outer wall of the Tenshu seemed like a piece of window paper before Qilin.

Lightning crashed forth, instantly creating a huge hole in the exterior wall. Accompanied by heavy hoofbeats, it shot out amidst the busy and startled cries of Iwamura Castle’s morning inhabitants.

The stationed samurai and ashigaru in other parts of the Tenshu were also urgently bustling around like boiling pots.

Ando Shouji’s surprised and irritable voice shouted from downstairs.

Ever since he learned the investigation results from his son-in-law overnight, he’d been blocking the entrance of the Tenshu.

Though assured in his mind that Lann must be an eminent figure, he wouldn’t dare casually offend his lord, Saito Dosan.

Thus, he hoped to find an opportunity to stall Lann and his group at the door.

But now it seems... they hadn’t planned to take the front door at all.

The chaotic and dense footsteps transferred up the wooden stairs.

And Takeda Hanbei stood at the Tenshu’s breach, gazing outward at the streak of lightning rapidly extending into a line.

In terms of loyalty, acting this way would undoubtedly earn disdain.

Yet here in Mino, Mino Country’s samurai, due to Saito Dosan, naturally contemplate and wrestle more with the concept of warrior spirit than others.

Samurai elsewhere only need to focus on loyalty and courage in battle, but Mino Country’s samurai have more to consider.

Yet it is precisely due to this contemplation that they have a unique perspective on what warrior spirit signifies.

"This action may lack loyalty, but... it is the greater good!"

After a low murmur, Takeda Hanbei turned around, entering the Tenshu.

"Panic and disorder, what’s the meaning of this?! Do not disgrace the Mino samurai demeanor!"

Though Hanbei generally treated people kindly, when he scolded those lower-ranked samurai and ashigaru soldiers rushing upstairs chaotically, they were immediately stunned.

No one dared act recklessly again, and only then did Hanbei turn downstairs to discuss with his father-in-law.