""I will let you have three moves.""

Jingliu's voice was like a needle prick, causing Yanqing's neck to involuntarily feel cold, and he instinctively tightened his grip on the sword in his hand.

...He slowly looked back, his pupils dilating in an instant.

Was that... her sword?

Yanqing could see that the sword was not forged from ordinary iron, but condensed from a section of solid ice. The sword body glowed with a faint cold light, as if holding a sliver of moonlight in his hand.

"What are you waiting for?" The battle was about to begin, and Jingliu seemed impatient, urging coldly from the side, "Draw your sword. It is very impolite to keep a senior waiting."

Emiya Household—

"Can solid ice also be used as a sharp sword?" Emiya Shirou was puzzled. In his impression, although ice could be very sharp and pointed, its hardness was ultimately not as good as ironware and it could easily shatter upon impact.

Even though Emiya had only just begun to learn swordsmanship, he knew that the quality of the sword was also extremely crucial to the swordsman himself. In battles between strong individuals, there could be absolutely no mistakes with the weapon.

"If viewed by worldly standards, this move is indeed risky."

Sasaki Kojiro extended a finger and said leisurely, "But there is a prerequisite for this – if a person can reach the realm of man and sword as one, then this move is no longer risky. Because his realm is no longer confined to the sword itself, but grass, wood, bamboo, and stone, all can be swords."

"So, according to Mr. Kojirō... Jingliu has reached the realm of man and sword as one?"

"No..." Kojirō gently shook his head, "In my humble opinion, her realm is even above that."

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned for a moment, casting puzzled glances at him.

"Although not many people have reached the realm of man and sword as one, in that era of war hundreds of years ago, I was fortunate enough to have seen a few."

Sasaki Kojiro smiled slightly, "But ever since Jingliu appeared, I have found that the sword is not only a part of her body, but also the tension and relaxation when walking and sitting, the breathing when walking, sitting, and lying down. Her sword... is not bound by the body, but returns to nature."

"In short... her sword has long been one with heaven and earth."

"When one reaches this realm, every move and form is no longer marked by artificial effort, but is a natural flow." Kojirō looked at the white-haired woman holding the sword in one hand and couldn't help but let out a long sigh, "...This is also the realm that I have spent my entire life wanting to reach."

—

"Just as Yanqing launched his attack with his sword, six flying swords, like meteors crossing the wilderness, instantly inflicted considerable damage on the Mara-Struck."

"This strike had enough force, but unfortunately, it wasn't a fatal blow."

"Jingliu's harsh and sharp evaluation quickly sounded in his ears: 'Hesitant and weak. Where did your confidence just now go?'"

"Yanqing secretly cursed 'Damn it' in his heart. Since his debut, other than the General, he had rarely encountered such a master. Under the stimulation, the sword energy in his hand became even more vibrant."

"'Again!'"

"Only a series of crisp 'clang clang' sounds could be heard. Several flying swords directly struck the armor of the Mara-Struck, making sounds like striking metal and cracking jade, with the force of a raging storm. The sharp trembling sound of the sword blades echoed throughout the Artisanship Commission."

"'...It's my turn.'"

"Along with the fading sound, Yanqing heard a gust of wind by his ear."

"The smell of blood seemed to be carried on the wind."

"By the time Yanqing came back to his senses, the previously imposing Mara-Struck had already fallen to the ground, transforming into countless ginkgo leaves that drifted into the air. He didn't even have time to make a sound before he forever lost the chance to vocalize."

"'It should be like this, the sword drawn with no return, a fatal blow.'"

"When she said the words 'fatal blow', Jingliu emphasized them heavily, her killing intent seemingly unable to be suppressed."

Demon Slayer World—

"This sword... doesn't seem as fast as I imagined?"

Shinazugawa Sanemi scratched his head in confusion. Compared to the battle between Jingliu and Jing Yuan... her attack speed today was much slower, as if she deliberately wanted a certain Little Brother swordsman to clearly see her movements.

Compared to Yanqing's storm-like offensive, Jingliu's sword had no unnecessary movements. And it was very quiet... so quiet that it was as if a snowflake had landed on a plum branch. Everything happened naturally, and even the death of the Mara-Struck was a harmonious part of it.

If killing were a piece of music, then the piece she composed had no discordant notes at all, flowing like water.

Thanks to Yanqing, the Pillars finally saw her sword, which had been tempered a thousand times and then simplified.

"Fortunately, Miss Jingliu had the intention of guiding Yanqing, otherwise we would still not have had the chance to see her sword."

Mitsuri Kanroji sat on the ground and said with some relief.

Iguro Obanai nodded, "Hmm, I hope this ancestor teaches her disciple a couple more moves so that we can also benefit. But I just heard her tone... it seemed a little off?"

"After eliminating the Mara-Struck, Jingliu turned her back to Yanqing and slowly spoke: 'Only with that sword just now, I am not completely disappointed.'"

"Yanqing finally saw the gap between them and lowered his eyes in disappointment, "...I lost."

"'The match is not over, because my final sword has not yet been thrust, and there is no opponent left on the field...'"

"The atmosphere suddenly solidified. Large beads of sweat rolled down Yanqing's forehead. He stared intently at the white-haired woman in front of him. The oppressive feeling almost materialized into a tangible large hand, gripping him tightly, making it impossible for him to breathe a single breath."

"'Hehe... A sword drawn without success, blaspheming the divine will of the Reignbow Arbiter, is extremely inauspicious.' Jingliu looked up at the sky, her laughter seeming to carry a hint of madness."

"Yanqing tightened his grip on his sword: 'You...'"

"'With your strength, even if you met Blade, it would only be a dead end.' Jingliu said indifferently, 'Compared to dying instantly, I will give you a more dignified choice – after witnessing my thousand-tempered sword, die as a swordsman.'"

"Having said this, Jingliu's lips curled up slightly."

"'Little Brother, do you want to take a sword from me?'"

"Nooooooo—!"

Darkness's voice rang out like a bomb in the tavern. Her high-pitched voice almost burst the eardrums of the adventurers. The tragic wail was as if she was about to face the pain of losing her husband.

"Jingliu, he's your disciple, boohoohoo! Shouldn't a talented junior be cherished?"

"Yanqing is so cute, how can you do it!"

"Didn't you say you had a special bond with your grand-disciple? Why are you going to cut Yanqing after cutting Jing Yuan? General Jing Yuan, save him! Boohoohoo..."

"Hey, hey, hey, is that how you use'special bond with grand-disciple'? If you don't know how to use it, don't use it!" Kazuma complained helplessly. He looked around the tavern and quietly leaned towards the blonde girl, "By the way, Darkness, can you lower your voice? Many people here are looking at us..."

"Let them look." Darkness wiped away a tear. Although she was crying so hard that she couldn't speak clearly, she still didn't forget to make a hoarse plea:

"Jingliu, please don't cut Yanqing, cut me instead!"

Kazuma: "???"

So this is your real purpose?!

A super beautiful white-haired, red-eyed older sister doing the cutting herself, aren't you, this perverted masochist, having a blast??