Demon Hunter and His Cabin
Chapter 671 - Chapter 671 Chapter 568 The Secret from Twenty Years Ago_2

Chapter 671: Chapter 568: The Secret from Twenty Years Ago_2 Chapter 671: Chapter 568: The Secret from Twenty Years Ago_2 Upon hearing his words, Ran’ei Divine Master understood the full stance of Sword Master Cold Crow, and began to slowly retreat.

“Change will happen soon, more and more people will join us, you have no chance of winning against longevity, it won’t be long before the person who will kill you flattens Hankawa!”

“Let them come.”

“I’ll be waiting!”

Sword Master Cold Crow waved his sleeve, and the door opened, snowflakes flooding into the room alongside the night.

The night was so deep that it seemed as though it could swallow up the entire room and all the people within.

Ran’ei Divine Master left.

Roger lowered his head, pondering in silence.

It seemed that even 20 years ago, Sword Master Cold Crow already knew about his teacher, the so-called Tengu Divine Master, and his entire plan to defy the heavens and change fate.

However, due to a clash of philosophies, they not only failed to come together but fiercely fought against each other.

The outcome was that Sword Master Cold Crow killed the Tengu Divine Master, and perhaps he was also seriously injured, which is why he had been hiding in Hankawa ever since, not taking any action.

But evidently, the Tengu Divine Master had been prepared, and somehow he managed to divide his power and spirit, extending his life and continuing his research.

For various reasons, Sword Master Cold Crow was clearly unable to take action again, or rather, the cost of doing so would be quite heavy; if he were to kill the other, he might lose his own life.

Yet at the same time, although he survived by chance, the Tengu Divine Master also lacked the means to truly kill Sword Master Cold Crow.

The two, understanding each other’s reluctance, neither had complete confidence, and so the battle from 20 years ago remained unresolved, dragging on to the present.

It continued until the Tengu Divine Master’s plan achieved a breakthrough of great importance, through which he might quickly amass a large force with those who rely on his results.

Based on Michihiro Morita’s description, the so-called Spirit Sword or Living Sword methods planned by Sword Master Cold Crow, although inhumane, paled in comparison to the Tengu Divine Master’s scheme.

And was indeed much better.

Roger thought of the various changes he saw in the desert and Oasis, as well as the so-called monsterization from insect eggs, and the pile of rotting flesh that Ishii Shinichi had become in the end.

All signs indicated that the Tengu Divine Master’s plan involved a great deal of research on monsters, to survive or to solve the world’s chaos as he claimed.

He intended to utterly destroy that which belongs to humans, to give humans and monsters the same attributes.

Roger could hardly imagine, when all cities in the world have vanished, when all people become half-human, half-monster, and the power of Everworld leaks out.

What about Sunrise in this world then?

Or rather, the entire outside world?!

While not a saint or sage by any means, the thought of such actions leading millions, tens of millions, or even billions to perish made Roger shudder.

With the results in hand, countless cultivators will join, Ran’ei Divine Master, no, it should be said, the Tengu Divine Master, who is either lurking in the background or trapped in slumber.

To join his ranks.

By that time, how could Sword Pavilion alone withstand attacks from all sides?

Even if Sword Master Cold Crow was incredibly strong, he couldn’t possibly kill everyone, or rather, Ran’ei Divine Master just wanted to force him to take action.

At Sword Master Cold Crow’s age at this time.

Moving into action, he might just die!

Roger quietly lifted his head to glance at that aged figure.

His expression was calm, and the corners of his mouth even wore a faint smile, as if his good mood had not been disturbed by the earlier conversation.

“Is it the composure of a strong man, or does he truly have some ace up his sleeve?”

Roger thought back to his previous guess, the resources and inheritance of Sword Pavilion were far too inferior compared to Tengu Shrine; Sword Master Cold Crow’s personal strength was formidable, but seemed somewhat insufficient alone.

So, he might have known about the betrayal of the Ishii Family all along but chose to remain silent.

Because compared to the benefits the Shrine got from the Ishii Family, could he get even more?

Roger didn’t know.

“Father…”

Yatagarasu Kensumi spoke, “If Ran’ei Divine Master has come here, it sufficiently indicates that their plan has reached a critical stage.”

“We must act first, before the news spreads or the results fully materialize…”

“No.”

Sword Master Cold Crow shook his head.

“He came here only to see me, to see how many years I have left.”

“If there’s still a long time, he’ll be somewhat relieved, having time to arrange more things.”

His tone then shifted, growing somber.

“But if my time is running short…”

“Heh, then he’ll have to consider whether I’d go mad before dying and drag him down with me!”

As soon as the words fell, Yatagarasu Kensumi’s face drastically changed, scrutinizing his own father closely.

“Don’t worry, although I don’t have much time left, I should be able to hold out… to hold out until our plan is successful.”

Sword Master Cold Crow’s gaze calmly swept over the three people.

“Stepfather, you will definitely succeed!”

Yatagarasu Akiryu said in a deep voice, “For your goal, I will spare no cost, whoever it is, whatever force stands in our way, I will crush them completely!”

The immense aura flashed and vanished.

“Me too!”

Yatagarasu Kensumi raised his head and chimed in.

Roger remained silent.

One is a biological son, the other a sworn son; he’s only here by chance, so naturally, he wouldn’t foolishly jump out to pledge loyalty.

“Father, what should we do next?”

Yatagarasu Kensumi asked.

“We can only accelerate the pace of our research. Everyone has different principles; we are their enemy but not entirely so in the full sense.”

Yatagarasu Akiryu started speaking.

“Our common enemy is out there, in that darkness, and time is also our enemy!”

“If our plan succeeds first, the stepfather’s life can be extended; nobody will dare approach Hankawa then, and only at that time will the internal strife truly begin.”

“But if time is on their side, if they manage to demonstrate their achievements to the other shrines and the Sword Pavilion first, and the situation becomes one-sided, then Hankawa at that time…”

Yatagarasu Akiryu stopped speaking, but the result was clearly self-evident.

Time, always time.

The Tengu Shrine, with its eight major branches, although not all branch shrines have Divine Masters of great strength holding the fort.

But their combined strength is absolutely incomparable to the recently risen Sword Pavilion, as Sword Master Cold Crow, through his personal power, forcibly elevated the overall strength of the entire force.

If he dies, the rest are completely unqualified for battle.

“So our plan should be to quicken our own pace while suppressing the other side’s progress, striking on two fronts — only then can we secure the slightest chance of survival!”

Yatagarasu Akiryu added.

Roger didn’t speak but silently glanced at Yatagarasu Kensumi sitting next to him.

“Brother, no offense, but apart from your arduous cultivation and of course your bloodline’s boon, you’re completely outclassed by that big brother across from you…”

Of course, the most core contradiction now facing everyone in the Sword Pavilion is not internal strife, but survival.

Only if Sword Master Cold Crow survives, can the foundation of the Sword Pavilion be preserved, and the issue of succession be meaningful.

Yatagarasu Kensumi’s lips slightly moved as if he intended to say something, but after thinking it over, he realized he had nothing to add.

In the pursuit to get close to, or even surpass, that father he could only look up to, Yatagarasu Kensumi had devoted all his energy to cultivation.

From Roger’s perspective, the guy indeed possessed the qualifications of a supreme genius in cultivation, with his only disadvantage being his age.

Given another 10 or 20 years, surpassing Yatagarasu Akiryu would be no problem at all.

As for Sword Master Cold Crow… what was needed wasn’t just talent and comprehension.

It involved a bit of luck too.

“Let’s leave it at that for now,”

Sword Master Cold Crow said, “Such a night should be spent drinking, what a pity.”

“Everyone can go back!”

He waved his hand.

As everyone stood up and Roger was about to leave from behind Yatagarasu Kensumi, an unexpected voice came from behind him.

“Hm, Roger.”

“You stay.”

Roger was slightly taken aback, turned around, and Sword Master Cold Crow’s gaze was fixed on him.

A lengthy night ahead, what could this mean?

Amidst the doubtful looks of the others, Roger sat back down anyway.