The Blade Mender

By the time the two of them got out of the car, they had arrived at a remote village. The surrounding land was desolate, with only a few low houses scattered about. There was not a single passerby in sight.

"So remote?" Lin Qiye asked in surprise.

"He's a bit of a loner and doesn't like living where there are lots of people." Amamiya Haruki led the way as he spoke. "We got out here because the driver only dared to go this far. Beyond this point are barren mountains and graveyards. We still have to walk deeper into the mountains."

"Just who is this blade mender?"

"Legend has it that when the Earthly Gods led by Okuninushi forged the nine Magatsu Blades, in addition to several Earthly Gods skilled in the craft, they specifically invited the most accomplished swordsmith in the human world, Koyue Yuki.

After Koyue Yuki and the other Earthly Gods joined forces to forge the nine Magatsu Blades, he believed they were the most astonishing works of his life. So he asked Okuninushi to let him become the blade soul of the final sword, hoping to coexist eternally with the Magatsu Blades in that form and become completely one with his own creation.

Later, Okuninushi granted his request.

After Koyue Yuki bestowed blade souls upon the first eight swords, he used the ninth sword to pierce his own heart and fell into the lava with it. Through some ritual, he fused his soul with the blade and ultimately became the blade soul of the ninth sword."

Lin Qiye pondered this. "In other words, the creator of the Magatsu Blades became the blade soul of the ninth sword, which is why the ninth sword has the power to repair the other Magatsu Blades?"

"That's right, but only