Nohime kept her right hand on the hilt of her sword. Following Han Zhiqi's instructions, she maintained her muscle density at the sixfold limit, ready to draw her blade at any moment.
Seeing the Water Demon pounce head-on at Han Zhiqi, she instinctively wanted to rush over and help. The next second, she saw the Water Demon's head separated from its body.
Han Zhiqi's clean, decisive swordsmanship was as pleasing to the eye as ever.
As Nohime's unease faded, she also felt fortunate that she had not rushed in just now. If she had charged forward and killed the Water Demon, that would have been fine. But if she had failed to kill it and instead let it escape, then she could only take the Water Demon's place and die.
Just as Nohime was secretly congratulating herself, she suddenly caught a strange fragrance in the air. She remembered that, on the way here, Han Zhiqi had mentioned that demons had two abilities. One was invisibility, and the other was releasing a scent that could leave one's entire body limp and powerless.
She was just about to cover her mouth and nose when she raised her hand and discovered, to her horror, that she had already fallen victim to it. Not a trace of strength remained in her body. Her Nichirin Blade clattered to the ground, and her legs gave out beneath her as she collapsed face-first onto the floor.
Nohime stared at Han Zhiqi in the distance, filled with regret and despair. Han Zhiqi had clearly warned her to stay alert, yet she had still fallen for it.
She was not despairing because she was about to be eaten by demons, but because she had disappointed Han Zhiqi again and held him back.
*He won't come save me again, will