Infinity, The Arcade Age-Chapter 373: Ambush and Counter-Ambush

Outside a luxurious villa owned by the Kagura family, a motorcade swiftly approached and was let through by the guards stationed at the gate.

Just as the convoy entered the courtyard, a shadow flashed across the sky and landed quickly in a corner.

Qin Ming, carrying Kasamoto Eri on his back and equipped with a flight pack, successfully infiltrated the Kagura residence from above.

Looking at the grand mansion surrounding him, he couldn't help but click his tongue in awe, repeatedly marveling at the Kagura family's wealth.

The Three Sacred Artifact Families were once equals in status—strictly speaking, they weren't even truly three separate families, but rather two. The Yagami family was originally a branch of the Kusanagi, created by fusing with the Orochi's blood in hopes of defeating the main line.

The Kagura family had once been shrine maidens serving the gods, while the Kusanagi were samurai retainers—one civil, one martial—working in tandem since ancient times.

And the god they once served was none other than the very being currently sealed: the Earth Will, Orochi!

Why did these once-loyal servants rebel? The reason was quite simple: they just couldn't go on like that anymore.

Imagine you're diligently renovating your house, and suddenly your father storms in, goes insane, and insists the house is ugly and must be burned down. Wouldn't you try to stop him?

That was the relationship between the Three Sacred Artifact Families and Orochi. They had served faithfully alongside the Hakkesshu. Orochi brought prosperity and balance to the elements, and in return, they offered their unwavering loyalty.

Then one day, Orochi suddenly declared that humans were useless beings—destructive parasites to the Earth—and insisted on exterminating them to create a new species. No amount of reasoning could stop it.

The Hakkesshu, the eight human leaders of the time, sided with Orochi and attempted to commit the ultimate betrayal in the name of righteousness by assisting in humanity's annihilation.

The Three Sacred Artifact Families chose to stand by humanity, attempting to unite all of mankind to resist the god.

The end result was a great battle. The god was defeated—ironically, by the very powers and artifacts it had bestowed. Overwhelmed by sheer numbers, Orochi was sealed away.

The Hakkesshu were wiped out, beginning their endless cycle of resurrection and reincarnation.

With the god sealed and the Hakkesshu slain, life didn't exactly improve. The Three Families drifted apart, their alliance shattered.

Thousands of years later, the Three Sacred Artifact Families still existed—but their fates had diverged dramatically.

The Kusanagi clan, once the head family, now barely survived by running a dojo. Life wasn't great, but it wasn't unbearable.

The Kagura family, on the other hand, had gone overseas and entered the business world. Their lifestyle was prosperous and flourishing—they were now commercial titans.

And the Yagami clan? Let's just say... the so-called "clan" now consisted of just four people. Their only remotely notable asset was a sushi restaurant. You can guess how well they were doing.

As for Iori Yagami, a martial arts prodigy, he had once been nothing but a street punk and wandering singer. He only rose to fame through fighting in tournaments. His personal motto was actually "I hate violence."

One could say that the current Three Sacred Families were now worlds apart.

Their successors were even more mismatched in social standing:

Chizuru Kagura, a powerful businesswoman.

Kyo Kusanagi, a lazy heir mooching off his family.

And Iori Yagami, a freelance singer and part-time ring fighter.

In terms of status? Chizuru Kagura could utterly outclass the other two.

That's exactly why she had the confidence to summon the two and suggest an alliance against the Hakkesshu. She had money.

Even if they didn't care about their ancestors, they couldn't ignore the sheer weight of the Kagura family's current power.

After all, Chizuru had recently invested in the Yagami family's sushi business, and even cut a deal with the Kusanagi to open a dojo branch.

And the convoy from earlier? It was on its way to pick up Kyo Kusanagi.

Carefully weaving through the enormous courtyard, past the gardens and artificial hills, Qin Ming finally managed to locate the main hall after a long search.

With Kasamoto Eri still on his back, Qin Ming peered around cautiously. His mission was clear—find Kyo Kusanagi and start a fight.

Of course, fighting wasn't the only goal. The main objective was to display techniques from the Yagami style—such as the Triple Kyo Flame Combo or even the Ya Otome—and leave a strong impression.

Kyo and Iori already hated each other due to a long-standing family feud and their pride as martial artists. They fought on sight.

So if Qin Ming, posing as a Yagami, ambushed Kyo for no reason and beat him up, it would surely infuriate him. Their cooperation would naturally fall apart.

What? There are barely two people left in the Yagami clan? And Qin Ming isn't even one of them?

So what?! Does Kyo Kusanagi carry the Yagami family registry on him?

Besides! Even if Kyo doesn't fall for it, there's still Iori!

Qin Ming couldn't perfectly mimic the Yagami clan's blue flames, but he could use red ones!

With blood absorption and the Kusanagi gloves—he was Kyo's long-lost cousin: Kusanagi Yoru!

Having already devised a detailed plan, Qin Ming continued searching the courtyard for signs of Kyo Kusanagi, hoping to ambush him and flee afterward.

Of course, if the chance arose to kill him, that would be ideal—but Qin Ming wasn't holding his breath.

A top-tier martial artist wasn't someone easily dealt with.

Arriving at the hall and finding no sign of any Kusanagi clan member after a thorough search, Qin Ming had no choice but to change direction and continue exploring.

Eventually, he did stumble upon someone alone.

In the distance, a woman was facing away from him, carefully tending to the plants. She wore the signature blazing sun uniform of the Kusanagi family.

Qin Ming's eyes lit up.

After a quick glance around to confirm there were no witnesses, he immediately put on his special sunglasses.

After scanning her data and confirming her identity—a woman named Kusanagi Raku—Qin Ming got ready to strike.

Couldn't find Kyo? No problem—beating up another member of the Kusanagi family would work just as well.

He could beat her half to death with Yagami-style techniques—that alone would be enough to blow up any prospect of cooperation.

With a single motion, flames roared to life in his palm. In the next instant, Qin Ming burst forward at high speed.

First, he unleashed a blast of earthfire, rocketing it toward his target.Imitation Technique – One-Eightsy-Style: Dark Hook Hand!

Then he leapt forward; blazing flames curled around his hand as he reached to grab her throat.Imitation Technique – Two-Hundred-Twelve Style: Moonlit String!

Qin Ming's rapid two-strike combo was both brutal and swift, perfectly echoing Iori Yagami's signature style of opening with the Dark Hook Hand.

Facing that ferocious double blow, the woman—still turned away—didn't even have time to react before the attacks landed squarely.

But...

With a whoosh, Qin Ming's body crashed into hers—and, to his shock, passed right through her as though she were a phantom.

He skidded to a halt, turning to see her image shatter into afterimages and vanish. His pupils constricted.

Before he could fully process what had happened, a figure flashed out of the nearby woods, moving like a ghost.

As she pounced, Qin Ming instinctively raised his arms to block—but even before his forearms could meet her, that midair figure flickered... and split, creating a second clone that attacked from below!

Because his arms were raised, his guard was wide open; he took a palm strike to the chest and staggered back several paces.

Steadying himself, he hooked his arms into a guard. The two images merged back into one as she stood before him. Without hesitating, Qin Ming threw a punch in return.

Skill Activated – Imitation: Tyrant's Roar Fist!

As he mobilized his blood energy to unleash this move, his eyes suddenly went wide. The blood that should have scorched outward from his fist remained trapped within his arm—unable to burst free.

His skills... they wouldn't work![Status: Eight-Yata Seal][Effect: All internal energy is sealed; no active skills can be used.][Remaining Duration: 5 seconds][Description: Magic Suppression!]

Staring at the new debuff on himself, Qin Ming was stunned.

Across from him, the woman who'd struck him cast off the Kusanagi sun-robed jacket she'd been wearing, revealing casual clothes beneath—and an astonishingly voluptuous figure.

Her long black hair fell freely, held back by a white headband. This beautiful woman, with her perfect features and extraordinary curves, was not a member of the Kusanagi clan at all—

She was one of the Three Sacred Families' heirs, the current wielder of the Yata Mirror: Chizuru Kagura!

Crap!

Seeing Chizuru Kagura's true form, Qin Ming's face drained of color. Realizing he'd been set up, he reflexively activated his flight pack and prepared to escape upward.

But before he could lift off, Chizuru's body shimmered with light—and a second image split from her and dove down to intercept him from above.

As one clone pushed him back to the ground, another appeared from below and delivered a crushing palm strike.

S-Rank Super Move: Zero Foundation!

Bang!Struck squarely, Qin Ming was blasted flying once more.

Because his abilities were sealed, he couldn't mount any real defense. His Magic Suppression debuff was immediately refreshed and horrifyingly extended.

For the next full minute, Qin Ming would be unable to use any of his skills.

Before he could even land and regain his footing, white light flashed again—and Chizuru Kagura was already in pursuit.

This time, she didn't hold back.

A-Rank Super Move: Three-Lament Array!

Her clone's arms spun relentlessly, each strike sending shockwaves through the air. Qin Ming, despite his formidable size, could only endure them until the clone finally dissipated after more than twenty hits.

With her dual super moves, her sealing technique, and the relentless barrage, Chizuru Kagura finally paused, her brows drawn tightly together as she watched Qin Ming.

At last given a moment to breathe, Qin Ming lowered his smoking arms and looked up at her with a grave expression.

Her mirror-splitting clones, her lightning speed, and her sealing strike—all were devastating. He had to admit: Chizuru Kagura's techniques had left him momentarily stunned. He had no clear counterattack.

But that was where her strength truly lay! Strength alone, however powerful, was not enough to defeat him!

Because, despite absorbing her entire combo, Qin Ming realized something unexpected: Chizuru Kagura's raw power was actually surprisingly low.

To be precise: shockingly low.

How low? Here's how: She'd used multiple signature moves on him... and utterly failed to break through his guard!

Her Strength stat... was not even 35 points!

(End of Chapter)