The demon the candidates found so difficult to handle had actually started fighting the middle-parted examiner.
Oh, the examination equipment and the staff weren't on the same side.
But however furious the demon was, it was no match for Murata.
After seven or eight quick exchanges,
he knocked it to the ground.
Relying on its Immortal Body, the demon tried to get up and keep fighting, but Murata swiftly cut off both its legs.
Now, aside from continuing to curse, it settled right down.
The middle-parted Swordsman glanced at candidate number 20, who was trembling on the ground, and asked in some confusion,
"Um, are you hurt?"
The candidate shakily climbed to his feet, but his words were incoherent. He had completely lost his composure.
Murata sighed and pointed him in a direction.
"Head east. You'll reach the Torii at the perimeter in about an hour."
"Once you get out of there, you'll be safe."
"But if you do that, you'll be considered to have failed the selection."
Losing to a demon once was no big deal.
There was still plenty of time left in the Final Selection. He could pull himself together and fight again later.
If that really didn't work, choosing a weaker demon to fight was fine too.
It would just mean a lower score.
He might still pass the selection...
But candidate number 20 wasn't doing as well as Murata had thought. He merely stared blankly at the demon.
"Fight me properly if you've got the guts, you bastard!"
The demon at his feet was still cursing furiously.
It annoyed Murata so much that he thrust his sword into its mouth.
Yes, Xia Xi had taught him that.
When a demon blustered without knowing its place, a sword in the mouth would shut it up.
As