Where the heart lies

The surrounding soldiers stared in disbelief at the scene; their eyes were simply not enough to capture what had just happened. In their eyes, it was just that Kenshin had fallen down.

"Does he... have some kind of unseen guardian spirit?"

Completely baffled by what had happened, it was clear that as soldiers of the Uesugi Clan, they were obligated to rescue Kenshin, yet not a single one dared to step forward.

If even she can't beat someone like that, wouldn't we be courting death if we went?

Bai Mo ignored the others, only looking at Uesugi Kenshin, who was curled up in a ball, and frowned, saying:

"So what's gotten into you? Not only do you not want your weapon, you've even taken off your armor?"

As he charged, Uesugi Kenshin removed all his armor, charging forward without any protection.

Bai Mo could sense that the armor possessed a protective power; if worn, it wouldn't be so fragile that one couldn't withstand even a single blow without using Magnetic Field Power or magic.

Uesugi Kenshin's face was deathly pale, but he still managed a bitter smile as he spoke:

"Since you're not wearing armor or carrying any weapons, I naturally can't carry any either for a fair duel. Ouch, that hurts! I should have given you a full set of armor and a sword. Ugh, it feels like a rib is stuck in my lung."

"Alright, stop talking."

Seeing Uesugi Kenshin struggling to breathe while still trying to answer, Bai Mo bent down helplessly, and streams of dark energy slowly flowed into Kenshin's injured area.

"It's definitely stuck in there. Wait, I'll take it out and then treat you."

The current number of horses is insufficient to activate the Asura Way, but the Asura Art from the Martial God Era is already enough to handle it. Kenshin felt this power and said weakly:

"So, you also possess the same power as that ninja. You said I'd give up my armor, but you didn't use that power just now either."

"Say less."

Bai Mo channeled his power, and as the skin was torn apart, a broken rib was removed from his Bai Mo.

Immediately afterwards, he activated the power of the Asura Art, and soon Kenshin alveoli began to grow rapidly, and his broken ribs healed as if molten iron.

"Wow, that's amazing! Even though they have the same power, that ninja is nowhere near as good as yours." Kenshin touched her brand-new ribs, her face full of curiosity. She continued:

"But isn't this treatment too fast? Generally, shouldn't we confirm that the prisoner is in shackles before we can treat them?"

"You... don't usually have many people who like to talk to you, do you?"

Looking at Uesugi Kenshin, Bai Mo's expressionless words only made her look hurt, as if the words hurt her more than a broken rib.

"Isn't that how war works? Even if it was a fierce battle, once the outcome is decided, shouldn't we capture the enemy who has lost the ability to resist?"

Although I was just waiting for my soldiers to come to my rescue, I felt the chances of success were slim. By the way, how is the food and treatment of your prisoners? Do you provide alcohol regularly?

Uesugi Kenshin's words were devoid of emotion, as if a teacher were discussing facts in class. Bai Mo looked at her bright but lifeless eyes and couldn't help but sigh, "This blessing from the gods isn't easy to bear."

She has lost all humanity; rather, because of some deity, she is incapable of understanding humanity and acts entirely according to the rules—whether the rules of duel or the rules of the battlefield.

"I have no interest in taking prisoners, and I suggest you don't be too rigid about the rules; your soldiers are so scared they can barely lift their swords."

Upon hearing Bai Mo's words, Kenshin turned around and looked back. Yes, those Uesugi Clan members didn't dare to take a single step forward. Just now, they had the courage to raise their bows and arrows at Bai Mo, but now, staying here without running away was already the limit.

"Hey! The duel is over, now it's time for war." Uesugi Kenshin said to the group. She was indifferent to death, but that didn't mean every Uesugi Clan soldier was like that, especially when they saw their pillar of support crumble.

Seeing that the group of people were still standing there motionless, Uesugi Kenshin seemed to want to say something, but Bai Mo gave her a sharp rap on the head.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch."

Ignoring the men behind him, Bai Mo walked step by step toward the Uesugi Clan soldiers. As they watched him approach, the soldiers felt as if their hearts were in their throats.

At that moment, they deeply understood the helplessness of insects trapped in pitcher plants, forced to watch themselves being digested bit by bit.

"No... don't come any closer!"

The leading soldier raised his knife at Bai Mo, but Bai Mo didn't even glance at it. With a flick of his finger, the knife in the soldier's hand shattered into pieces.

The leading soldier was so frightened that he sat down on the ground, his eyes filled with helplessness and despair. He wanted to run, but reason told him that he had no chance of escaping.

Looking at the group of soldiers, Bai Mo slowly spoke, "Your master is in danger, and as his servants, you must go to his rescue, right?"

Hearing Bai Mo's words, the samurai closest to him trembled involuntarily. He tried to grasp the samurai sword at his waist, but his violently trembling hands could not hold it at all.

"Since you lack the courage to fight and are not prepared to abide by the Uesugi Clan's rules, why not simply draw your bows and fire a few arrows around you, throw away your armor, or roll around in the mud a couple of times to make the most of the provisions the Uesugi Clan has given you, and then leave? What do you say?"

Upon hearing the words "rations and pay," the soldiers looked at each other, then simultaneously picked up their tools and began firing arrows wildly in all directions. Some even removed their armor and grabbed knives, hacking away several times.

After an unknown amount of time, Bai Mo turned around and saw that the soldiers did not hesitate at all, wishing they could flee from there by any means necessary.

Bai Mo waved to Uesugi Kenshin, whose eyes were glazed over, but her eyes remained motionless, like a sculpture.

After a while, Uesugi Kenshin and Bai Mo sat on the fire, where sizzling pork chops were roasting. Kenshin still looked somewhat lost, until the aroma of the seasonings reached her nose.

Kenshin sniffed, then Bai Mo handed her the pork chop and said, "What's wrong? Can't you understand?"

Kenshin nodded and said, "I can't understand. Since they've gone to the battlefield, they should have been fully prepared. They are all people who hold their families in high esteem and possess courage, but... why?"

"Because it's not worth it," Bai Mo said to Kenshin while grilling the best piece of pork tenderloin.

"For them, saving you is a doomed act of suicide. Glory and rules are just weights on a scale, and nothing in that sense is immovable."

You might find it shameless, but that's human nature. Humans can't completely abandon emotions and live solely according to the rules.

For Uesugi Kenshin, following the rules to achieve his goals was the most important thing. Therefore, if the roles were reversed, and she faced something that was of great importance but meaningless or even suicidal, she would not hesitate to do it.

But a normal person with desires wouldn't let themselves die in vain.

"I see. Ha, the first three tenets of the Uesugi Clan precepts are 'no desires in the heart, no selfishness in the heart, no greed in the heart.' They say it every day, yet they can't seem to put it into practice..."

It seems that family precepts are not suitable for people.

After a pause, Kenshin a self-deprecating smile. She didn't blame those people. All rules are made for people, but if people still choose not to follow them in a life-or-death situation, then the rules don't apply to people.

"Looks like you still have some humanity left."

"How rude of me. I just don't understand, but I'm still very clear about the rules of sequence. You've taught me a lesson this time. But why are you being so kind to me, even grilling pork chops for me?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Mo's gaze darkened, and he shook his head, saying:

"I guess I just can't stand it. Maybe it's because I've had some free time lately and I keep thinking about what happened before. There was once a very powerful hero who was innocent, but was forced to participate in trials to atone for his sins."

During the trials, humanity gradually diminished until it ceased to be human. And I was unable to prevent this tragedy, which is a regret.

Consider it a moment of reflection; becoming a god isn't a good thing, and people should live their lives as human beings.

Kenshin didn't understand what Bai Mo was saying, and found it difficult to comprehend. She slowly began to speak:

"It feels very complicated..."

"It's okay if you think it's complicated. This isn't something you should be worrying about. You should focus on what's in front of you right now, like how to explain things when you get back, or what your lunch is like."

Looking at the pork chop in front of him, the contents of which he couldn't tell what seasoning had been added, Kenshin lowered his head and took a big bite.

He decided to stop thinking about it; those distant things were too complicated, but the pork chop in front of him smelled delicious. With that thought, Kenshin suddenly felt a sense of relief.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony! By the way, do you have any wine?"

Bai Mo reached into the Gate of Babylon and took out a jug of fruit wine. As soon as she took it out, her action of eating a pork chop froze, the aroma of the fruit making her mouth water.

After drinking the clear wine, Kenshin exclaimed with delight:

"Ah--that's wonderful! To be able to drink something like this, I'd die happy. Why don't you just treat me as a prisoner of war? I'd be perfectly content with just one sip of this a week."

"No, just this one pot. Finish it and leave quickly."

"You're such a cheapskate! You must have a lot of good stuff hidden away. What's wrong with sharing some with your friends?"

Bai Mo frowned and said, "Who said you're friends?"

Kenshin took a swig and said, "Do you still say things like that now? We became friends through a fight, you know? I felt an instant connection with you the moment I saw you. Now we're drinking and eating heartily together, so at least we're drinking buddies, right?"

"Oh, that piece looks delicious, can I eat it?"

"This isn't for you; I'm taking it back for my benefactor's lunch." Bai Mo patted Kenshin's restless hand, and upon hearing this, Kenshin withdrew his paw like a cat.

"That's definitely not something I can touch. In that case, I need to drink my fill. This cup is too small, do you have a larger one?"

"No."

Finally, Bai Mo watched as Uesugi Kenshin raised his hand, held the golden wine jug, and drank heartily, and deeply suspected that the reason she was mistaken for a man was probably mainly because of her drinking capacity.

"Hiccup, I have no regrets in my life."

"Those who idolize Uesugi Kenshin will deafen themselves upon hearing your words."

Qianxin, his face Kenshin of alcohol, smiled and mumbled incoherently:

"Indeed... This is truly troublesome, so troublesome, whether it's Uesugi or Takeda, it's all troublesome..."

After an unknown amount of time, Uesugi Kenshin put down the empty sake bottle, his eyes still slightly bleary with drunkenness, and reached out his hand to Bai Mo, saying:

"Kagetora."

"Um?"

"Nagao Kagetora, you can call me by that name from now on. That way, those who idolize Uesugi Kenshin won't have to worry..."

Before he could finish speaking, Kagetora fell asleep right in front of Bai Mo.

"Looks like he really drank too much." Bai Mo shook his head, set up a few beast-driving Runes, then packed up the best part of the wild boar meat for roasting, along with two wild boar tusks, before disappearing into the forest.