Kiana and the Captain's Bizarre Adventure

Chapter 119 Shadow and the Nine-Jo House

Following the address on the letter, the group arrived at a secret base located in Shadow Mountain. The guards at the entrance, seeing that it was General Thunder, had no intention of stopping them; in fact, under Shadow's imposing presence, they didn't even bother to go in and announce their arrival.

Thus, Ying arrived unimpeded at the door of the room where Kujo Kamaji and the head of the Takatsukasa family were meeting. There were some things she planned to question the Takatsukasa family about face to face. She sensed an aura that did not belong here, and she wondered why a base would be set up so secretly, with numerous traps and mechanisms inside. She wanted to have a good talk with the Takatsukasa family about these things.

So Kage pushed open the door and went in. The first person he saw was Kujo Kamaji. After Kujo Kamaji said "Shogun," Takatsukasa Susumu, the head of the Takatsukasa family, realized that someone he couldn't afford to offend had come to his base.

Without further ado, Ying stepped forward and questioned Takatsukasa Susumu directly: "Tell me about the situation here, descendants of the Takatsukasa family."

"We were just discussing some trivial matters that have recently occurred within the Heavenly Territory Magistrate's office; it's not worth the General's concern..."

Even now, Takatsukasa Shin is still being stubborn, and Kage is too lazy to play along with him.

"For this reason, they specifically chose such a secluded place and even hired a group of wandering samurai and sea monsters to guard it?"

"That's because things have been quite turbulent lately, and we need to consider security issues..."

Having lost his patience, Kage didn't want to listen to Takatsukasa Susumu's excuses any longer. He interrupted her and turned to face Kujo Kamaji, asking him to explain the situation to him.

After obtaining the Shadow's permission, Kujo Kamaji began to explain what had happened.

“Okay. I originally came here with the purpose of negotiation, but all they want is a confession from the Kujo family.”

"Confession?"

Ying glanced at Ying Sijin beside her, who was instantly terrified and broke out in a cold sweat. He had no choice but to close his eyes and stop paying attention to what was happening beside him to avoid losing his composure.

“Yes,” Kujo Kamaji continued, “It recounts the numerous crimes committed by the Kujo family since the Eye-Hunting Edict, including various derelictions of duty during this period…”

"All statements are based on facts, and there is no fabrication or fiction."

Takatsukasa Susumu forcefully interrupted Kujo Kamaji's explanation, knowing that if Kujo Kamaji continued, everything would be over. However, with Kage's support, Kujo Kamaji felt emboldened and continued explaining to Kage.

"Indeed not, but the confession repeatedly emphasized the contributions of the Takatsukasa family, mentioning that the Takatsukasa family remained calm in the face of danger and tried to turn the tide. But all of these are completely fabricated."

"Who said that? How could you suddenly change your tune and go back on your word!"

Kujo Kamaji also countered Takatsukasa's rebuttal.

"I am merely stating the facts, and the General will make his own judgment. The Takatsukasa family's idea is simply to establish a positive image and seek to replace the Kujo family! Otherwise, why would they emphasize non-existent merits in the Kujo family's confession and force me to sign my name through house arrest?"

"What are you talking about? Who put you under house arrest! This is negotiation! This is completely different from what we just discussed!"

At this moment, Ying also came to her own conclusion.

"I have a general idea of ​​the situation."

Takatsukasa Susumu hurriedly said to Kage, "Don't listen to this kid's nonsense. The Shogun should know how big a mistake the Kujo family made before. Don't believe a word they say!"

"Hmph, I have no interest in your disputes," Kage said with his arms crossed, seemingly uninterested. "But you, descendant of the Takatsukasa family, aspire to become the Heavenly Territory Magistrate, don't you think?"

"Uh, this... yes, to serve the General wholeheartedly is the eternal pursuit of every member of the Heavenly Territory."

One second he was arguing heatedly with his junior, the next he was displaying a devout attitude and expressing his loyalty after hearing Shadow's words. Kiana was truly disgusted by Takatsukasa's behavior.

“There’s no need for such trouble. After all, I am the one who appoints the Tenryo Magistrate. Whoever can defeat me in a duel will be the new Tenryo Magistrate.” Then, Kage recounted the origins of the first Tenryo Magistrate: “The first Tenryo Magistrate proved his will with the sword in his hand, which is why the Kujo family has been passed down to the present day. If you want me to acknowledge a new name, then you must naturally undergo my test again.”

Looking at Takatsukasa Susumu, who was already showing signs of retreat, Ying asked expressionlessly, "Don't you know swordsmanship? Or have you lost your confidence because of old age and poor health? You keep saying you'd give your life for me, but you don't dare face my blade?"

Who is Kage? She is the source of all Inazuma's swordsmanship, the embodiment of ultimate martial arts. Defeating her in a duel is simply impossible. Kage glanced at the listless Takatsukasa Susumu, then looked at everyone present.

"Very well, what about you? Whether it's Takatsukasa or anyone else, Yao Yao has someone who can defeat me, and that person will be the new Tenryo Magistrate."

To be honest, Kiana was actually quite interested, but she wasn't from this world after all and would eventually leave. Besides, becoming a Tenryo Envoy would mean dealing with a massive amount of paperwork every day, so defeating the Shadow and becoming the new Tenryo Envoy was probably out of the question.

After waiting for a long time without any response, Kage began to feel disappointed. It was at this moment that Kujo Kamaji, who had made up his mind, stepped forward.

"I want to challenge you, General!"

"Descendant of the Kujo family, I regret to inform you that even if you defeat me, the mistakes made by the Kujo family cannot be erased."

To prevent Kujo Kamaji from using this method to escape the mistakes made by the Kujo family, Kage spoke up to remind him. But Kujo Kamaji didn't think so; he stepped forward and looked at Kage with a firm gaze.

“No, I don’t think I have a chance of winning. I know perfectly well that the Kujo family’s lineage under the Tenryo Magistrate should end after the patriarch committed such a mistake. When carrying out the Eye Hunt Order, I always had doubts about my father’s intentions, and I also felt that I was doing the wrong thing…”

"But I kept doubting and reflecting. Even though I understood everything, I didn't take any action or save anyone. The current state of the Kujo family's decline is my punishment. It's not that I did nothing, but that I did nothing."

The shadow stood to the side and said quietly, "To be blunt, your power is not enough to do anything."

"Yes, my strength is weak. My father doesn't listen to me, my elder brother can't help me, and sometimes even Ippei can teach me a lesson. It's always been like this...! But at least now, in the final days of the Kujo family, I am the Kujo family's meidai! To fulfill the same duties as my father! Just as the shogun said, my ancestors proved their will with the sword..."

"Then please let me, Kujo Kamaji, end things this way! This is my last chance [to do something]!"

The silent room echoed with Kujo Kamaji's powerful and resolute voice. Even though Kage didn't think much of Kujo Kamaji, she had to start to take this insignificant person, whom she had considered powerless, seriously.

“It’s pointless,” Ying said, walking to the center of the room. “But I accept it. Come forward.”

Before long, the entire room was emptied, and Kujo Kamaji and Kage stood facing each other on opposite sides of the room.

"The glory of the Kujo family begins with boldness, is celebrated by sincerity, and transcends life and death."

As he twirled his sword and placed the naginata behind him, he took a step forward, stood still, and turned to look at Kujo Kamaji opposite him, saying, "Let me see if your sword can bear this weight."

"General, please enlighten me."

After saying that, Kujo Kamaji rushed forward towards the shadow and then swung his sword at it.

Smash, swipe, flick, cut, and smash again—these are all basic movements of Inazuma swordsmanship, and Kujo Kamaji's proficiency in using them demonstrates that he is not without martial arts background. However, against the Kage, the originator of Inazuma swordsmanship, these basic moves are clearly insufficient.

Facing Kujo Kamaji's attack, Kage calmly dodged each move, casually striking Kujo Kamaji on the back of the neck with the hilt of his naginata. The immense force instantly threw Kujo Kamaji off balance, causing him to stagger a few steps before falling to the ground in a sorry state.

But Kujo Kamaji did not give up. He struggled to his feet, got into a fighting stance, and charged at the Shadow once again.

Seeing Kujo Kamaji's flawed posture, this time Kage did not choose to counterattack on the spot. Instead, he took the initiative to step forward and deflect Kujo Kamaji's sword. Then, he flashed behind Kujo Kamaji and, before Kujo Kamaji could react, used his body as a pivot, drawing a beautiful arc in the air with his naginata and slashing at Kujo Kamaji.

If that attack had actually hit, Kujo Kamaji would probably have been cut in two. Fortunately, Kujo Kamaji reacted at the critical moment, turned around and placed the sword in front of him, narrowly blocking the attack.

However, the force, far exceeding Kujo Kamaji's tolerance, still sent him flying, sliding several meters across the floor before coming to a stop. Having absorbed the force, Kujo Kamaji collapsed to his knees, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Even so, he didn't give up. His eyes, hidden beneath his gaze, showed no fear. Wiping the blood from his mouth, Kujo Kamaji rose again to face the shadow.

However, the gap in strength between him and Shadow was beyond description. After only a few moves, he was once again repelled by Shadow. He got up and charged again, only to be repelled once more.

Perhaps Kage lost patience or was overwhelmed by Kujo Kamaji's will, this time she swung her naginata and knocked Kujo Kamaji's weapon out of his hand.

Looking at the weapon that had slipped from his grasp in mid-air, Kujo Kamaji lay on his back on the ground, struggled to pick it up, and got up again.

But just as he got into position to go forward again, his body finally gave way and he fell to the ground unconscious.

Looking at the unconscious Kujou Kamaji behind him, Kage lowered his weapon and couldn't help but sigh, "Is this also a variable within eternity...?"

"However, that glory seems to still linger in their blood."

After collecting all the weapons, Kage officially announced her decision.

"Kujou Kamaji is injured. You descendants of the Takatsukasa family are responsible for taking good care of him. You may not have the courage to take on challenges, but you can certainly manage this small task."

Kage glanced at Takatsukasa Susumu behind him and continued, "I've heard about the Kujo family's current predicament. Finding a successor for the Tenryo Magistrate is indeed the most urgent task, but after this duel, I think we can postpone dealing with the Kujo family. In the meantime, let the Takatsukasa family continue to provide assistance to the Kujo family as before."

"If you still think you can replicate the Fools' strategy by providing false information to make me make wrong judgments, then I will reappear as I have today, and my sword will show no mercy."

Sensing the terrifying aura emanating from the shadow, Takatsukasa Susumu was unwilling and dared not utter a word, and could only respond respectfully.

"Understood, thank you, General! You are wise, General!"

"Alright, I'll have the people of Otsu's group handle the rest of the investigation. You all come with me to a quiet place; I have something to say to you."

After saying that, Ying left, and everyone else, knowing that this was not a place to stay, simply followed her out.

Arriving at a secluded hillside, Shadow gazed quietly at Inazuma Castle not far away, while Paimon's words echoed in her ears.

"When Ying handles matters, he still has the air of a general, and he is particularly dignified."

"Is that so? I think I'm quite adaptable. If it were the shogun, he might very well... cut down Kujo Kamaji without any mercy."

“He was lucky,” Kiana said, stepping forward. “But Shadow’s appearance just now did resemble Mei’s from before.”

"Kiana, can we not talk about the past?"

Mei naturally knew which period of her past Kiana was referring to, and quickly interrupted her. Although Ying was curious about what Kiana and Mei were talking about, considering that it might involve Mei's dark history and that she had a strong desire not to let others know, she suppressed her curiosity and did not ask any further questions, thus bringing the topic back on track.

“I think he was prepared for this. I could see it in his eyes. The Kujo family has undergone an unimaginable and enormous change from its glory to its decline. Kujo Kamaji was not a good successor, but... he made me see things that have not changed amidst the huge changes.”

Ying turned to the crowd and said, "I owe it all to you. It was while I was wandering the streets that I realized this."

"What will happen to the Kujo family next? Is it possible they will continue to be the magistrates of the day?"

Paimon asked the question that everyone present was concerned about, and Shadow gave his answer.

“That still won’t work. Even if this successor has some merits, it can’t erase the mistakes made before. But… let’s give them some more time. After all, they’re not the only ones who made mistakes.”

“It seems you understand now,” [Mei] said.

Kage looked at Mei, her eyes filled with tenderness and relief. For some reason, looking at Mei now reminded Kage of the time when Shin was still alive, and she responded softly.

“I have a clear vision of the future. I will leave the rest to the general. The greatest threat to eternity is the wear and tear brought by time. I have said that the general has a self-protection mechanism, which means that he anticipated that I would change because of time. But since I have already figured it out, I will do it no matter how difficult it is.”

Ying turned and looked up at the sky, sighing, "This period of time is indeed worth remembering."

"In that case, how about we take a picture together to commemorate the occasion?" Kiana suggested.

"Taking a photo?"

Shadow asked in confusion, and with everyone's explanation, Shadow understood the meaning of taking a group photo. With Bronya's help, they completed a group photo of everyone.

And so the matter ended. Sora and Paimon returned to Narukami Shrine and reported the results to Yae no Miko. Then, when Yae no Miko mocked Kage for being a country bumpkin, Kage happened to arrive and caught them red-handed. Originally, Kage had planned to leave the bill issue to the Okuzume Clan, but now she thought it would be better to leave it to Narukami Shrine.

Kiana and the others returned to the castle tower to await the return of the Kage, where Kiana finally got to eat Mei's cooking again.

Afterwards, Shadow finally made up his mind to return to the Pure Land of One Heart and begin planning to change some of the rules governing the Thunder General's operations.

At the same time, the isolation order was finally lifted. Along with the lifting of the isolation order, an invitation traveled from Liyue across the ocean to Kiana and Sora.

The invitation was signed by Liyue Qixing, and the contents of the invitation were…