Just as Xu Yanwu was studying how to use harmless power to recharge souls in the courtyard of Yae Shrine, he suddenly heard the sound of a branch snapping nearby.
Xu Yanwu looked toward the sound and immediately saw Higu Maru frozen with one foot raised.
And in Higu Maru's mouth was a blade.
A crimson blade.
Though it was covered in dust and some blackened grime, Xu Yanwu felt that the blade looked strangely familiar.
It was not Yae Sakura's blade... or rather, not either of the two blades Xu Yanwu had given Yae Sakura.
And the reason Xu Yanwu found it familiar did not seem to be because he had seen it here with Yae Sakura.
"..."
"..."
After Higu Maru and Xu Yanwu fell silent at the same time, they suddenly took off running, one after the other.
Higu Maru bolted through the shrine on all fours, while Xu Yanwu gave chase right behind her.
"Stop! You fat Higu Maru! Put down whatever you're carrying in your mouth!"
Xu Yanwu shouted.
But Higu Maru clearly did not intend to surrender so easily. Instead, she sped up.
She looked blatantly guilty.
"?!"
Seeing that Higu Maru had no intention of giving up, Xu Yanwu raised his hand, pressed his index and middle fingers together, and slashed fiercely upward.
At once, a wall abruptly rose from the ground in front of Higu Maru, directly blocking her path.
Still holding the blade in her mouth, Higu Maru crashed straight into the wall.
When Higu Maru tried to flee elsewhere, she discovered that several more walls were slowly rising around her, sealing off every direction. Even the ground beneath her feet became solid, and as for the ceiling, that went without saying.
"Hoh? Little fox, weren't you acting pretty cocky just