In the face of Suzuki Makoto's words, Isshin Ashina once again fell into silence. After meeting this young man, the Sword Saint, who was once revered throughout the land and whose word was law, seemed to be growing more and more accustomed to responding to questions with silence.
"But I'm still a little curious. Can this blade alone really resurrect a spirit from the underworld?"
Suzuki Makoto placed the black Mortal Blade horizontally on the table. He had used this blade to slay many things, and it was indeed highly effective against the [Undying], but as for resurrection, he only faintly sensed that it had power yet to be unleashed, as if something was still missing.
"To resurrect the dead, one needs not only the Mortal Blade, but also the blood of the Divine Heir."
"I recall you've already sent the Divine Heir to the Interior Ministry, haven't you?"
"Yes, but I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Genichiro had some of the Divine Heir's blood in his possession—you ask these things... do you also have someone you wish to resurrect?"
"I have no interest in pulling people out of the underworld. What I'm interested in is whether I can enter the underworld through this blade."
A dangerous arc formed at the corner of the man's mouth.
If he could go on a killing spree in the underworld, then the [Undying] nature of any foe should no longer pose a problem for him, right?
The old man looked at the young man before him, whose murderous intent was so openly displayed, finding it somewhat difficult to comprehend Suzuki Makoto's train of thought.
"For a man like you, so steeped in slaughter, to not be stained with a single trace of a Shura's aura... it is truly strange."
"A Shura's aura? You people of Ashina are really interesting. All sorts of bizarre things keep popping up one after another. Tell me, where is this Shura now?"
The moment Suzuki Makoto heard of another strange thing, his spirits lifted.
"A so-called Shura is one who has abandoned everything to live only for slaughter. Ashina once nearly gave birth to a Shura, but fortunately, his mind was still intact. After letting this old man sever one of his arms, he finally returned to his senses."
Isshin Ashina's expression was solemn; he clearly held a considerable degree of awe and respect for the concept of a Shura.
"Now, he relies on carving Buddha statues day after day to soothe the anger and killing intent in his heart. Unfortunately, this only treats the symptoms, not the root cause. If he were to engage in slaughter again, he would immediately fall into the path of a Shura."
"Let me just ask, is the Shura you speak of living over there?"
Suzuki Makoto pointed, and the Sword Saint's expression froze.
"You know where the Shura is?"
"That aura is too conspicuous. I could smell the scent of blood even from the castle town—do you want me to help you people of Ashina take care of him?"
Saying this, Suzuki Makoto eagerly reached for the Mortal Blade, clearly intending to act immediately.
Isshin Ashina reached out and pressed down on the sword's body, his face filled with helplessness.
"This old man was merely mentioning it, and incidentally advising you not to indulge in slaughter, not asking you to go kill an old friend of mine."
"But you yourself know his current method only treats the symptoms, not the root cause. Why not let me help you deal with it?"
Suzuki Makoto was still somewhat interested in the so-called Shura. Having to stay in Ashina Castle for these few days was getting a bit boring. After all, he had already learned the techniques of the strongest man, Isshin Ashina. As for Genichiro Ashina, one could only say that he was a stereotypical samurai—a high stance was a high stance, a low stance was a low stance. The boy was truly honest in his use of techniques.
"Do you really have a way?"
"I really have a way."
"Without killing him?"
"I'll use the scabbard. No blood will be spilled."
Isshin Ashina hesitated for a moment, then withdrew his hand.
"Do you need Emma to take you there?"
"No need, I can find it."
Suzuki Makoto picked up the Mortal Blade and vaulted down directly from the Castle Keep, habitually taking a shortcut.
Only then did the Sword Saint's female disciple emerge, her face filled with worry.
"Lord Isshin, letting this person approach Lord Monkey, is it really..."
"It is fine. Since he has promised me he will not take his life, he will certainly not go back on his word."
How could Isshin Ashina not know the Sculptor's current situation? But he was helpless to do anything. Since Suzuki Makoto said he had a way, then let him try.
While the old Sword Saint was lost in melancholy, Suzuki Makoto had already walked into the small hut where the Sculptor resided.
"Who are you?"
"Someone who has come to help you find release."
The Sculptor froze, put down the chisel in his hand, and looked at Suzuki Makoto.
"So be it. Do it."
Suzuki Makoto offered the Mortal Blade to him. The man started, instinctively wanting to reach out and take it, but then trembled and drew his hand back.
"What are you doing!"
"I told you, I'm helping you find release."
"I cannot hold a sword again! Otherwise, the demon of Shura will surely reappear in this world!"
"What a coincidence—I happen to come from a line of demon slayers."
Suzuki Makoto pushed the Mortal Blade forward another inch.
"Restraining your abilities after losing an arm was indeed a clever move, but it will only make the vengeful spirits you bear more agitated. One day, you will be driven into a true demon by their resentment. You cannot escape this resentment. Even if you die, the next Shura will use your weapon and once again stir up a sea of blood."
"You can't stop me, not even Isshin Ashina could!"
The young man sighed in disappointment. The stubbornness of these people had reached a point where they wouldn't listen to reason at all.
He put the Mortal Blade down, stared at the Sculptor, and unleashed a killing intent that poured out like mercury, instantly filling every inch of the air.
Caught off guard, the Sculptor's eyes instantly turned blood-red. His one remaining hand immediately gripped the hilt of the sword, but he still strained not to draw it.
The next moment, Suzuki Makoto's blade swung down, sweeping away all the surrounding talismans and Buddha statues in one go!
Hiss!
The Mortal Blade was unsheathed, slashing viciously toward Suzuki Makoto. But the one being attacked revealed a satisfied smile. As expected, speaking with blades was more his style.
At this moment, the Sculptor's humanity had been completely suppressed. His eyes were crimson, and the stump of his severed left arm was entwined with red resentment, clearly about to create a brand new arm.
This was why Suzuki Makoto was prepared to deal with him. Of course, he didn't know what a Shura was, but so many dead and vengeful spirits coalescing on one person was something he had seen before while traveling with his master.
These people were themselves murderers who had killed without number. Compounded by their participation in various wars, the resentment of those they killed would gather, and this resentment would absorb other ownerless resentments, ultimately coalescing to create a Demon of Resentment that knows only slaughter.
It could be said that every horrific, bloody battle had the potential to create such a demon. The reason Suzuki Makoto was so eager to deal with this one was purely because the Demon of Resentment, among all demons, possessed the most intricate and comprehensive set of techniques—it could be said that it could perform all the techniques of the vengeful spirits it carried.
____
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