Mechanical Alchemist-Chapter 320 - 319: The Grand General Arrives Personally

Su Lun and Qian Tian returned to Grandma Xia’s Bathhouse.

The charming spring scenery at the mountain cliff hot spring was just a minor episode; neither of them genuinely cared.

By the time they got back to the bathhouse, the sky had already darkened, and the orange glow of lights shone from the wooden houses scattered across Tea Crying Mountain.

The two climbed from the back mountain into the house through the courtyard, where Lolota was spreading out the bedding. Shinfuku Mitsuko sat beside the oil lamp with an ancient thread-bound book, engrossed in reading.

Seeing them enter, Lolota came over with a radiant smile, "Teacher, Mr. Su Lun, you’re back."

With that, she pointed to the other side of the room where a table was set with an array of delicate small dishes and said, "We’re having hot pot tonight. Teacher, shall I start the charcoal in the copper pot?"

Qian Tian nodded, "Mm."

Fresh and invigorated from the bath, both of them looked very pleased.

Shinfuku Mitsuko put down the book she was holding and glanced at Qian Tian’s arm with a smile, asking, "Has Miss Qian Tian’s seal been resolved?"

"Yeah."

It was indeed a cheerful matter for Qian Tian as well.

As she spoke, she walked over to Shinfuku Mitsuko and nonchalantly sat down beside her, casually putting an arm around her shoulders, "But now, there’s something else where I need Miss Mitsuko’s help."

Shinfuku Mitsuko blinked, "Oh?"

Qian Tian took the Demon Blade "Onimaru Hyakumekusou" from her waist and placed it on the table, saying, "I plan to fully tame this demon blade. When the demonic aura leaks out, it might attract some demons. So, I need Miss Mitsuko to set up some barriers..."

These past days, nurturing it continuously with her own Sword Qi, but to completely control the demon blade was still a long way off.

Now that the seal on her arm was lifted, naturally her first thought was to handle the blade.

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If she could indeed utilize the full power of this demon blade, it wouldn’t be outclassed by other professionals who possess a "sealed artifact". This was a temptation that no swordsman professional could resist.

In dealing with demons, none was more proficient than a Shinto Shrine Maiden, and Shinfuku Mitsuko knew what she had to do. Although she considered it a risky move, she readily agreed, "Okay!"

Su Lun remained silent on the side.

He naturally would support whatever decision Qian Tian made.

But trying to forcibly tame the demon blade was risky; the slightest carelessness could turn one into a "slave of the blade."

However, Su Lun had now advanced to the fourth rank, and if that demon blade wanted to act up, it wouldn’t be so easy.

...

Before long, Shinfuku Mitsuko had set up the Shinto barrier in the room. Straw ropes were tied on the doorway, with white "之" shaped talismans hanging from them. Shinto talismans were also affixed to the windows and lattice doors.

These were things that demons greatly feared.

Su Lun also made some necessary preparations in the room using silk threads.

After all this, the broth in the brass pot was boiling merrily away.

The four of them then gathered around and began to enjoy the lively hot pot.

Su Lun, Shinfuku Mitsuko, and Lolota squeezed into one side, while Qian Tian occupied the other three sides by herself.

This was simply because, at that moment, the spectacle surrounding Qian Tian was too astonishing.

From the moment she decided to tame "Onimaru Hyakumekusou", the demon blade sensed something and became restless.

Even though the blade was still sheathed, the surging demonic aura leaked out, like a tsunami threatening to engulf the few people in the room.

If last time was just a touch-and-go,

This time, it was a fight for their lives.

Both the person and the blade.

Qian Tian could only emit more and more energy to suppress it, with increasingly fierce Sword Qi swirling around her. Her entire being was like a slowly unsheathed sword, edge fully exposed.

Behind her, the ghostly figure of a wrathful spirit had appeared, glowering and contending with the hideous centipede with a hundred eyes writhing around her.

Qian Tian’s eyes shone with a crimson glow, the rippling light reflecting a vision of hell. With her arms unsealed, her domineering presence was even more overwhelming, with the indiscriminate aura of violence and rage seeping out, heedless of others.

Even Su Lun and the other two nearby felt the constant danger of being cut to pieces by her at any moment.

Su Lun and Shinfuku Mitsuko were still fairly composed,

While Lolota, overwhelmed by the aura, was pale but gritted her teeth and persevered.

Watching the increasingly agitated demonic aura, Shinfuku Mitsuko asked worriedly, "Miss Qian Tian, are you alright?"

After all, no one knew the past of this demon blade better than her.

Countless gifted swordsmen had tried to wield it, but all of them became victims under its blade.

This act was no different from betting one’s life, and the odds of winning were not great.

"I’m fine."

Qian Tian’s face was expressionless, but the veins on her forehead betrayed how uncomfortable she was, though her gaze remained resolute.

She managed a weak smile, "Everyone just eat, don’t mind me."

This was something no one else could help her with; she had to do it herself.

Su Lun looked at her hand as she stiffly picked up food and, without saying much, silently added a slice of cooked meat to her bowl.

Qian Tian glanced at him; they had already developed a tacit understanding. Just a simple exchange of looks was enough for them to grasp each other’s meaning; what Su Lun wanted to say was: You still have me.

And this was one of her sources of unhesitant confidence.

The red glow in the thousand eyes dissipated in an instant.

....

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A few people were eating and chatting.

"By the way, Princess Mitsuko, what’s the situation in Edo now?"

"It’s not too ideal. This ’Black Sun Grand Festival’ could bring a major upheaval..."

"..."

Since he planned to accompany the Princess to Edo Castle, Su Lun naturally had to ask more about the situation in the Mountain Hermit nation—about the Takeda Shogunate, the Imperial household of Shinfuku, the Black Dragon Society...

Only by understanding the situation could he predict in advance who might be potential enemies and prepare accordingly.

The Princess didn’t avoid any topics, elaborating on many secrets that outsiders of the Mountain Hermit had no qualification or means to learn.

She said, "The ’Black Sun Grand Festival’ happens only every few decades, or even centuries. At that time, the sun will be obscured by darkness, and the land will lose its light. That is when Amaterasu Omikami will leave the mortal realm, and it is also the most challenging time for our Ise Grand Shrine. Without the suppression of divine power, all kinds of demons and spirits will cause chaos. Those with ulterior motives will definitely choose that time to act. Because the main source of power for our Shinfuku household comes from Amaterasu Omikami, we will also be at our weakest. Therefore, it will be the most dangerous time. Historically, there have been several rebellions by domain lords during this period..."

This was definitely a royal secret.

Hearing this, Su Lun knew that the Princess didn’t regard them as outsiders.

These few sentences pointed to the crux of the matter—the "Black Sun Grand Festival."

The Princess’s gaze was firm as she said, "I am the current Saio, so I must return. Only I can bring about the descent of Amaterasu Omikami anew."

....

"The rebellions all happened during the ’Black Sun Grand Festival’?"

As Su Lun heard this, his thoughts began to diverge.

He also felt fortunate that he had perused many texts about the Mountain Hermit nation before coming and had coincidentally heard about that legend.

The legend says that the eclipse (Black Sun) occurs because Amaterasu Omikami leaves in displeasure for some reason. Once she leaves, the Black Sun descends, and there is no light on the land. Then, grand worship ceremonies will be held across the Mountain Hermit nation, shrine maidens will dance the Kagura, and only then will Amaterasu Omikami return.

And as the top-ranking Shinto shrine maiden, the "Saio" Shinfuku Mitsuko was crucial.

She plays the most important role in the rites.

If she is killed, the sun might still rise, but perhaps Amaterasu Omikami might not return?

Could it be that the Shinfuku household that represents the divinely sanctioned imperial authority might collapse on its own?

Intuition told Su Lun that this was definitely possible.

The rise and fall of a divine nation directly relate to its revered deities.

If someone wanted to shake the imperial power of the Shinfuku household, this was indeed the best opportunity.

The previous assassination attempts made sense now.

And those people had not dared to act at other times, probably out of fear that the Shinfuku household was "divinely sanctioned imperial authority."

Despite the current Princess’s personal strength not being too formidable, she truly couldn’t be judged by ordinary standards.

If there was anyone in the Mountain Hermit nation who was closest to the gods,

It was her.

The strength of a divine follower is not merely about their own rank.

Previously, the ’demon’ Abe Yasukazu came to pursue her. His strength was formidable, yet he didn’t dare show his face. Besides not wanting to reveal his identity, it’s likely he feared some of the Princess’s desperate "trump cards."

....

The Princess’s expression grew more solemn, "I thought initially that only the Takeda Shogunate was a threat, but now it seems the matter is more complicated... After returning to Edo, the troubles might be more than anticipated, and the situation could be more dangerous."

Su Lun remained silent and didn’t speak.

He also had a clear grasp of the entire event’s chronology in his mind.

The Shogunate had almost absolute control over the Mountain Hermit nation; assassinating the Grand General Takeda Nobuyasu could solve part of the problem. And the Princess’s attempt to assassinate him could only be realized by recruiting experts outside of Mountain Hermit, which is how she met Chekhov and got involved in the subsequent events.

However, the abrupt emergence of the "third-party force" represented by Anbei Taiwa made the situation more complicated.

Suddenly, Su Lun thought of something and asked, "Is there any movement from King Oleg of the North Sea?"

Su Lun had not asked before, so naturally, the Princess wouldn’t have brought it up on her own initiative. Now hearing this, she said, "The news I’ve just received is that King Oleg of the North Sea’s Ninth Fleet has set sail from Pirate City towards the Mountain Hermit. The fleet, led by ’Gluttonous Grand General’ Yixier Peion himself, will arrive at Edo shortly."

"Oh..."

Su Lun frowned as he listened.

He wasn’t too surprised that Oleg would send more people.

The previous fifteenth tax collection vanguard team was essentially sent as "cannon fodder" to probe the situation.

Now that the entire army has been wiped out, naturally, an even stronger fleet would come.

A fleet led by a Class 7 professional indeed had the military strength to suppress Mountain Hermit.

He was just puzzled whether King Oleg truly was the "third-party force" meddling in Mountain Hermit affairs.

If not, then who could it be?

As they discussed this, the Princess looked at them again, "I am very grateful that Mr. Su Lun and Miss Chekhov plan to accompany me. If things become impossible, please ensure your own safety..."

Chekhov raised an eyebrow and glanced at her as if she hadn’t really taken in what the Princess said.

Impossible?

First strike, then talk.

Su Lun also wore an indifferent expression.

No matter how intense the battle, his ability to protect himself was not weak.

If things really became unmanageable, he at least had some chance of keeping Princess Mitsuko, this newly befriended ally, safe.

....

As they chatted, the hot pot meal came to an end.

Lorota tidied up the room and sat down with her long sword to begin meditation.

Although staying inside the room pressed by Chitose’s aura was quite uncomfortable, it was also the best opportunity to gain insight.

The Demon Blade, now possessing a significant spiritual nature, was fiercely contending with Chitose’s fierce Sword Intent, wrapped in the demonic aura of its previous users.

It was like two peerless swordsmen sparring, a rare chance to observe.

Even Su Lun, a layman in this regard, passively perceived insights into the way of the sword.

He didn’t sleep, always vigilant of Chitose succumbing to demonic possession, sitting beside her while flipping through the scroll of Magician lineage.

Princess Mitsuko was also nearby, surrounded by divine instruments like the Kagura bells, Bat Fan, taiko drums, and bamboo flute, ready to help immediately if something went wrong.

Unconsciously, the night deepened.

Looking out the window, the moonlight was like silver, casting mottled black shadows in the courtyard.

In the room, the phantom of Raksasa and the Hundred Eyes Centipede were still in a stalemate, and Chitose’s condition remained stable.

Part of Su Lun’s attention was always on her, while his eyes quickly scanned the text on the scroll.

Before, the content of the scroll had been abstruse and difficult to understand, but now it seemed clear and straightforward.

The predecessors of the Magician lineage had summed up these highly practical rune Secret Techniques over countless years, which were priceless treasures.

In the outside world, such a systematic body of lineage knowledge would be impossible to purchase.

As Su Lun looked at the Secret Techniques, his eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.

From first order to second order, third order... all the way to sixth order, countless epic rune knowledge unfolded before him completely.

Having assimilated the "Imitation of Primeval Runes," even the most arcane secret techniques were instantly understandable to Su Lun.

Linguistic runes were swiftly digested, integrating into his mind and adding lush leaves to his already dense skill tree.

This systematic rune knowledge completed an vital part of Su Lun’s work on puppetry, alchemy, mechanical research, and combat.

Beyond the technical aspects of rune knowledge, what Su Lun coveted most was the Rune Old Man’s signature move—[Runic Flesh].

Treating one’s flesh like a crafted object, inscribing runes into skin, flesh, veins, and bones, until reaching the state of a "human-shaped curse artifact."

"This [Runic Flesh], combined with the [Vajra] secret technique, to create a [Rune Vajra], would skyrocket defensive power by many times over..."

"And it is not just the metal series, there are also wind, fire, water series... matched with various elemental techniques, all of which would enhance power."

"Blood runes directly amplify the toughness of muscles, meaning I could even consider initiating hormonal outbursts on the fourth or fifth levels, as my body would be able to handle it. Why do I feel like I am straying further and further onto the path of melee combatants..."

"..."

Su Lun’s thoughts raced through his mind.

Not to mention anything else, his life-preserving ability had taken a substantial leap forward.

Then another thought occurred to him.

"Oh, right, the living dead!"

Su Lun remembered those top-level rune-inscribed living dead in the cursed space of [Havier’s Morgue of Grudges] in Old Lington.

Now that he thought about it, weren’t they of the same origin?

With this scroll as a "textbook" in his possession, along with the research notes of the resurrection madman Tillmido M. Chekhov on the living dead, everything he needed was at hand.

Those high-level rune secrets that were once beyond reach were now finally within his grasp for in-depth study.

If he managed to create those top-tier living dead, sheesh...

Su Lun’s thoughts soared wildly.

....

Chitose’s process of subduing the Demon Blade was somewhat like enduring a trial, a test of who would give in first.

She didn’t leave the house, and neither did Su Lun and the others.

But the situation seemed quite good, and after enduring for a day and a night, Chitose hadn’t fallen behind.

The situation was much better than the previous time.

Su Lun was happy to stay indoors, as he was indeed very busy.

After completing his rune knowledge, he had so many things to do.

Inscripting [Runic Flesh] upon himself, creating advanced decoys, the living dead, and finally having a lead on the [Hand of Silver]...

As for the required materials, with Princess Mitsuko, the Mountain Hermit, they scarcely lacked anything.

In the room,

Chitose engaged in meditation with the Demon Blade, while Su Lun busied himself with other tasks.

Because of the advancement in rune knowledge, his mind suddenly opened up.

Inspirations bubbled up like a spring.

He needed to turn too many thoughts into action, and the sinister eight-armed spider lance behind him was incessantly busy.

Some were carving puppets, others tinkering with machinery, some dealing with silver arms in petri dishes, and still others drawing runes onto his skin.

The room, too, was made to resemble a spider’s den, with various reference materials and alchemy ingredients hanging from threads, densely arranged...

Since Su Lun had grown accustomed, he didn’t avoid others and displayed his multitasking abilities to the fullest.

This scene had long left the Shinfuku Mitsuko and Lollota speechless.

Having previously witnessed Su Lun’s accomplishment in Alchemy and his extraordinary combat capabilities, they were already quite amazed. Now, seeing his endless variety of "fancy moves," they were lost for words.

This near-madness of multitasking was dizzying. It was already quite something for a normal person to do well in one activity, yet Su Lun was managing several simultaneously without a single mistake.

What’s key is, he still had time to chat with the Princess, exchanging knowledge.

In the midst of the busyness, time flew by.

....

Finally, a breakthrough occurred in the deadlock between Senjo and the Demon Blade.

At noon the following day, Lollota was meditating, the Princess was reading, and Su Lun was still engrossed in his various research endeavors.

Each was busy with their own activities.

Suddenly!

The Princess noticed something and exclaimed in surprise, "Eh... The ’Zongzheng’s’ demonic energy is weakening, it seems like Miss Senjo is showing signs of taming it."

Su Lun, who had been monitoring Senjo’s situation, naturally noticed the anomaly as well.

His hands paused for a brief moment as he glanced over.

Senjo was still meditating with closed eyes, and though her aura was much weaker than the previous day, the six-armed Asura phantom behind her clearly had gained the upper hand. The Hundred Eyes Centipede’s ferocity was contained, showing faint signs of submission.

Seeing this, Su Lun also felt it was strange.

Could it really go so smoothly?

At least the first time Senjo got her hands on this Demon Blade, she almost became demon-possessed.

The Princess was naturally puzzled, murmuring to herself, "Eh... That’s strange. The hardest part of mastering this Demon Blade is to tame the sealed Hundred Eyes Demon King inside. Such a mature great demon can sense a person’s fate. Under normal circumstances, except for gods and spirits, humans can hardly gain its recognition."

Being a Shinto Shrine Maiden, she clearly knew much more.

This was also why the ’Onimaru Zongzheng’ had never been tamed before.

With a puzzled face, the Princess thought of something, "Miss Senjo’s state of mind seems much more resolute than before. Could it be because the seal on her arm was lifted? But that can’t be right... The Demon Blade did not recognize her fatal potential before, so why would it submit now?"

Su Lun, too, understood why it was going so smoothly this time.

It seemed Senjo’s fate had grown stronger?

The Princess’s eyes shifted, suddenly thinking of something. She looked at Su Lun and asked, "Mr. Su Lun, could something have happened at the cliffside hot spring earlier? Looking back, I also feel that Miss Senjo’s fate seems to have changed since then..."

All these days, they had been together constantly, the only time out of sight being the day they went to the hot springs on the cliff.

"Nothing happened..."

Su Lun did not understand these matters of fate.

But listening to the Princess, he also reminisced for a moment.

That day, soaking in the hot springs, there seemed nothing special.

Just lifting the seal, and then...

Oh,

Right,

He also took a little advantage of the gambler’s wife.

Su Lun figured that probably wasn’t the reason, right?

Seeing Su Lun’s expression, the Princess blinked, as if guessing something, but did not pursue further, merely smiling.

It was then that a sudden, extraordinary event occurred.

As soon as the Demon Blade’s defeated momentum was revealed, it suddenly collapsed like a landslide.

Senjo, meditating with her eyes closed, suddenly opened her eyes, and an invisible aura instantly swept across the entire room.

In that instant, her eyes blazed with a red light, yet they were also crystal clear.

The surging demonic energy mingled with the Asura phantom behind her, enveloping her entire being in an eerie atmosphere!

"Did it work?"

Su Lun’s eyes sharpened with a hint of anticipation.

He distinctly sensed Senjo’s exaggerated and somewhat alien demonic aura, but did not detect any chaos in her body.

This meant that she might have tamed the Demon Blade?

The Princess and Lollota also looked on expectantly.

Just then, the bizarre aura on Senjo retracted abruptly, and despite her tired appearance, she could not conceal her excitement.

Her gaze focused as she looked at them and said solemnly, "I have mastered the blade!"

Upon hearing this, all three of them heaved a sigh of relief.