A deathly silence enveloped the Ikedaya.

At this moment, if a pin dropped to the ground, you could hear it clearly on the floors above and below.

Kondo Isami's face was full of shock, his eyes glanced down at the shadows entwining his body.

They didn't look thick, just as wide as a frog's back in the fields.

However, the power possessed by the shadows was terrifying.

With Kondo Isami's physical strength, he couldn't move his arms freely, only his fingers slightly.

He couldn't even turn his neck. Who on earth did this?

He had a bold guess in his heart.

Even though he couldn't see the person, the voice was somewhat familiar, like the youth sent by the Shogunate.

Kondo Isami thought of what Okita Soji said last night, either it was an ordinary person's illusion, or it was a monster.

He had thought it was the former; now thinking back, he was wrong.

Okita Soji's thought was correct.

The opponent was indeed a monster.

A Yokai?

Kondo Isami desperately tried to recall Aozawa's appearance and didn't think the opponent was a Yokai, their hair color wasn't different from theirs.

Moreover, he hadn't heard of Yokai having such abilities.

Even a Demon Warrior couldn't do such things.

They were just physically stronger than ordinary humans, but didn't possess the supernatural abilities described in legends.

A strong doubt arose in Kondo Isami's heart, yet he couldn't find the truth.

But he was very clear, this Ikedaya Incident, which originally belonged to the Shinsengumi, was likely to have its glory and merit seized by this Shogunate youth.

A month's work and plans by the Shinsengumi were all for naught.

Upon drawing this conclusion, the thoughts rising in Kondo Isami's heart also calmed down.

Nan Yunlian was unsettled, gritting his teeth hard, wanting to break free from the shadow's restraints.

As the King of the Ghost Tribe, he possessed extremely powerful strength, believing himself to be at the top of the biological chain.

The so-called Western Ironclad Ships and Powerful Cannons were nothing before him.

The sturdy body bestowed by the Ghost Tribe could withstand cannons.

How could such a seemingly non-substantial shadow restrain him?

Break it for me!

Nan Yunlian roared inwardly, veins bulging on his forehead, neck, and hands, like a dragon trying to break free of gravity and soar to the sky.

Watching this, one would worry if his blood vessels would burst and cause death.

Aozawa shook his head, speaking to Yukimura Tsuruko, who was sitting on the floor in a daze, "Look, these people talk about the law of the jungle, but when it's their turn to become prey, they become extremely unwilling and want to resist."

Yukimura Tsuruko gave no response, her small mouth wide enough to catch a chicken.

She was stunned.

Her little brain couldn't process it.

The strength of Nan Yunlian had just been deeply experienced by her, almost completely overwhelming her, like an adult overpowering a child.

Yet, that very Nan Yunlian became as weak as a little girl before Aozawa.

Even the invincible Okita Soji in her heart was constrained by that mysterious shadow.

Who exactly was this person from the Shogunate?

Her mind was in chaos.

Aozawa, seeing her blank expression, didn't expect her to respond. He approached Nan Yunlian, "According to what you previously said, you should stop resisting now, obediently kneel and kiss my toes, begging for forgiveness.

What do you think?"

Naturally, Nan Yunlian wouldn't do that, a king had his pride, "Who are you?"

"Why does everyone ask who I am before they die?

I have no obligation to answer your questions."

Aozawa shook his head, a thought moved, and under his control, the shadow slowly twisted the man's neck backward.

Nan Yunlian resisted desperately but still, under the shadow's power, his head slowly turned bit by bit.

A cracking sound echoed from his neck, yet it couldn't stop the shadow from twisting backward.

With a crisp snap.

Nan Yunlian's head twisted from front to back, blood gushing from his mouth with a metallic taste.

As the King of the Ghost Tribe, for the first time in his life, Nan Yunlian felt terror and the chilling presence of death on his back.

But he didn't plea for mercy, only his eyes filled with violent killing intent, growling, "Bastard!"

This shout woke Yukimura Tsuruko. Seeing his current expression, his handsome face had lost its former composure and elegance, exposing a ferocious nature.

If I don't act now, it'll be too late!

She gritted her teeth, enduring the abdominal pain, quickly picked up the katana from the ground, and shouted, "Go to hell for me!"

Holding the hilt tightly with both hands, she stabbed forward fiercely.

With a thrust, the tip of the blade pierced Nan Yunlian's abdomen, only going in two centimeters.

"Ha, a bastard like you can't kill me."

Nan Yunlian spat a mouthful of blood, showing disdain.

Aozawa used the Sky-reaching Fabrication ability: "Your abdomen cannot withstand her revenge blade."

As soon as he finished, the blade exited through his back waist, and Yukimura Tsuruko looked up, the anger in her eyes dissipating.

Nan Yunlian was dazed, "No."

He had no strength to continue speaking, his startled expression replaced the reply.

He obviously didn't believe his body was penetrated by a bastard's blade.

Yukimura Tsuruko calmly withdrew the blade, bowing, "Lord Aozawa, I truly don't know how to repay your life-saving grace and the aid in avenging an enemy."

Unlike Nan Yunlian, the girl knew well that she hadn't unleashed any special power.

It was merely using the power she already had, the opponent's body suddenly becoming soft, not so hard, that allowed her to pierce through with one stab.

And all of this was evidently done by the young man before her, Yukimura Tsuruko didn't know how Aozawa accomplished it, yet she understood he had helped her immensely.