Encountering Izayoi; Suiko Battles the Seven-Man Squad

Flame Hoof ran through the air, crossing dozens of miles in an instant.

Suiko followed close behind, lightly tapping the void with her toes, her figure like a streak of white light.

She was anxious.

The old man's words kept echoing in her ears.

"Princess is a good person... She treats us common folk very well..."

"She shouldn't die here..."

Suiko clenched her longsword as Spiritual Power circulated through her body at full force.

Faster.

Faster still.

Chiyo sat upright on horseback, his scarlet eyes fixed on the distance.

That city had already appeared at the edge of his vision.

Its walls were towering, far grander than the ruined city from before.

Yet at this moment, a dark mass of people had gathered outside its gates.

There were cries, pleas for mercy, and desperate screams.

And also...

Unrestrained laughter.

"We're here."

Chiyo said calmly.

Flame Hoof halted in midair a hundred zhang outside the city gates.

Suiko descended and stood beside him, her gaze falling below.

The city gates were tightly shut.

Yet hundreds of civilians knelt outside them.

Old and young, men and women, they had been driven together like lambs awaiting slaughter.

Before them stood seven figures.

Seven people.

Seven weapons.

Seven different auras.

Every one of those auras carried a bloodlust and killing intent so thick it could not be dispelled.

Suiko's gaze swept over the seven, and her pupils narrowed slightly.

These people were strong.

At their head stood a young man who looked barely over twenty, with a purple star-shaped mark on his forehead.

A black braid hung behind his head.

He wore white outer robes and armor, with a red cloth sash tied around his waist.

His face was handsome, and a teasing smile rested at the corner of his mouth.

He carried an