Demon Hunter and His Cabin
Chapter 849 - 656: Tragedy_2

Chapter 849: Chapter 656: Tragedy_2

Sword Master Cold Crow made a clear choice.

But Roger obviously wasn’t planning to give up just like that.

Having left the space of consciousness, without the support of the Hunter’s Cabin, he was no match for Sword Master Cold Crow in the real world.

So he had to deal a heavy blow to Sword Master Cold Crow here and now.

Even if he couldn’t kill him, he at least had to ensure that Sword Master Cold Crow wouldn’t have the ability to interfere with his return to the Shadow World.

"You’re not leaving yet!"

Roger’s force continued to drive forward.

"I’ve said before, we don’t have to be enemies."

"We have similar experiences, both escapees. I admit your strength here is overwhelming, but that doesn’t mean anything."

"Because I can always..."

Before his words could finish, the expression on Sword Master Cold Crow’s face suddenly froze.

He stiffly lifted his head, gazing at the unyielding presence of Roger.

"You..."

"I underestimated you!"

"Your strength leaves me no choice."

Roger replied gravely.

...

Hankan Mountain Summit.

Sizzle!

Kensumi opened his eyes to see the crimson blood melting into the snow, like red plum blossoms blooming in the heart of winter.

He saw a pale hand, clutching a Black Sword.

And standing before him was Roger, looking vacant and hollow.

As the Sword Bearer, his consciousness hadn’t been entirely obliterated—after all, this body belonged to Kensumi.

When Sword Master Cold Crow took control, Kensumi’s consciousness was forced into a narrow cage, unable to act or even feel anything.

Like a mere observer.

The solitude and helplessness exceeded any imaginable bounds.

Even though it was only for a brief period, to Kensumi, it felt like an eternity.

So when he regained his freedom, he didn’t even care to check his severed arm but instead took a deep, satisfying breath of frigid air.

"To choose death of my own free will has become a luxury!"

Exhaling deeply, Kensumi’s gaze landed on Roger’s face.

"I told you, the life I owe you, I’ll repay it sooner or later!"

He revealed a carefree smile and, without hesitation, pressed the Sword of Destiny in Roger’s hand against his own chest.

Without a trace of reluctance, Kensumi took a step forward.

But just then, an icy aura surged from behind him, freezing his body in place. Without the strength of the Guardian Spirit, Kensumi was only marginally stronger than an ordinary cultivator.

Yet the power striking from his rear not only immobilized his body but froze his thoughts as well.

"What are you planning to do?"

A voice as venomous as a snake hissed in Kensumi’s ear—it was Yatagarasu Akiryu.

Kensumi’s neck was gripped by a coarse hand, straining his will and rendering him powerless—it felt as though the world itself had been locked away.

"Yatagarasu Akiryu!"

Kensumi sighed, "Roger should have killed you."

"Haha, indeed, he was so close—just a little more, and I’d have been dead!"

"But this is destiny."

"Like every time before, it’s always me who survives until the end."

Akiryu’s hand tightened bit by bit; blood from Kensumi’s severed arm grew frozen solid.

When Sword Master Cold Crow’s consciousness was being torn into submission, Roger instantaneously issued one final command to his own body:

Strike.

Then, his entire consciousness was drawn into the same peculiar space as Sword Master Cold Crow.

Sword Master Cold Crow hadn’t fully taken over Kensumi’s body—Kensumi was, after all, at the heart of the true Spirit Sword Project.

He was Black Moon.

Kensumi witnessed it all, though he didn’t understand Roger’s combat within the consciousness realm. He did know one thing: if he—the Sword Bearer—were to be lost, Sword Master Cold Crow’s might would diminish significantly.

This, in turn, created countless unseen opportunities for Roger.

Kensumi didn’t know the odds, but for the sake of his promise, he was willing to try one last time—even with his life.

But now, his act of self-destruction had been thwarted!

"Pick up that sword!"

Akiryu commanded coldly. Kensumi, however, showed no response.

"Do you think that woman will be safe after leaving Hankawa?"

"Father’s actions have often been limited by too many rules. He shouldn’t have agreed to your terms, but it doesn’t matter—I’ve been prepared for this all along."

"Maybe soon, you’ll see your beloved woman."

"And your child!"

"So pick up that sword!"

Lowering his head, Kensumi let out a bitter sigh. "Akiryu, your desperation reeks of ugliness."

"Shut up! You have no right to judge me—you have no idea what I’ve endured in my life!"

"Pick up that sword, or else..."

"Or else what?"

At that moment, from the far reaches of the wind and snow, a distant, cold voice emerged. Moments later, Ice Butterflies swirled together, forming a graceful figure not far from the two.

"Lord Kensumi, I’ve returned."

Yuuki Nao appeared, drenched in blood—some of it hers, some from her pursuers.

Akiryu froze momentarily, then soon broke into ecstatic laughter.

"Ha! Didn’t expect you to come back willingly!!"

"You foolish woman."

Kensumi said nothing upon seeing Yuuki Nao because, in her gaze, he already understood everything.

"I imagine you already know what decision must be made now?" Akiryu hissed coldly, hiding himself behind Kensumi while cautiously watching Yuuki Nao from afar.

He was gravely injured—his body on the verge of collapse.

But then, a snowstorm suddenly surged behind him. As the snowflakes fell, they coalesced rapidly, each shard of ice glinting like meticulously honed blades, striking into Akiryu’s body at blinding speed.

Only then did Akiryu realize—the distant figure was merely an illusion, before dissolving into swirling snow.

"Surprised, are you?" Yuuki Nao’s voice came from behind Akiryu.

Her slender hand plunged into his wounded side, piercing his internal organs and emerging through his chest!

"I’ve waited for this day for so long!"

Her voice carried immeasurable hate—as if it had embedded itself into her soul. Akiryu was already at his limit, managing only to use Kensumi as leverage for a desperate standoff.

But Yuuki Nao had laid her trap long before, deceiving Akiryu’s senses with illusion techniques and attacking from behind.

Under normal circumstances, such a simple plan wouldn’t have fooled Akiryu—but now, it had become the scythe of his demise.

"Die!"

Abandoning Onmyoji Techniques, Yuuki Nao’s wings unfurled behind her, her hands cloaked in Ice Armor with razor-sharp edges.

Each finger resembled a blade.

Akiryu’s body was torn apart entirely, his previous injuries worsening until his form fell into total collapse.

Blood splattered, staining Yuuki Nao’s face crimson. She vented furiously, her hatred for Akiryu surpassing everything.

It was only long after that Yuuki Nao’s frenzied state gradually subsided.

Wiping the blood from her face, she lifted her head and smiled.

"Lord Kensumi, we can leave!"

"Splk!"

But what answered her was the sound of flesh being pierced.

The Sword of Destiny had run through Kensumi’s heart, hanging him upon its blade as blood poured from his mouth and his vision blurred.

Yuuki Nao covered her mouth, tears streaming uncontrollably, yet she bit her lip savagely, refusing to let herself cry aloud.

"I’m glad." Kensumi smiled.

"You didn’t stop me."

In comparison to Yuuki Nao, at that point, Kensumi was almost as powerless as an ordinary man—but as he drove the Sword of Destiny into his chest, Yuuki Nao chose not to intervene.

She simply let it happen.

"Any choice you make represents my will." Yuuki Nao responded with a trembling voice.

"Whether in life or death, I’ll support and follow you!"

She declared boldly.

"Live on. Promise me you’ll live on."

"That’s an order!"

Blood sprayed, life seeping from his body rapid and unchecked.

Kensumi sighed. "If I remain alive, you’ll never truly be safe."

"Besides, I owe him this too."

With one final glance at Roger, Kensumi lowered his head, a faint smile gracing his lips as he closed his eyes forever.

Ice Butterflies danced in the air.

Yuuki Nao broke down in anguished sobs.