Master of Kaidan
Chapter 170

Chapter 170: Chapter 170

Chapter 170: Companion Phantom Object

After obtaining the Kaidan entry, Feng Xue received two companion phantom objects, one of which was the small bell he was now holding—

Phantom Object: Pardon Bell

Elements: [Execution], [Punishment], [Death], [Tool]

Description: The magical copper bell held by the Swearer often rings with his appearance, and only sinners can hear the sound that seems to come from the Netherworld, a shocking tone. It’s not just a sound, but also a ritual, at the moment the sound is heard, one’s very being is marked by the bell of death.

Note: Pardoned by death, granted release.

...

The introduction to the phantom object was somewhat vague, but after some trials, Feng Xue had discerned its characteristics—

Simply put, when Feng Xue rang this small bell, all the "guilty" within the range of the sound would be marked. Afterward, anyone with the identity of "Executioner" or "Swearer" would be able to visually see the "severity" of their crimes.

But this was not the end; on the contrary, it was only a precursor.

The point lies in what happens "after" the marking.

All who were marked would be at a "disadvantage" when facing Executioners and Swearers, and depending on the seriousness of their crimes, this disadvantage would increase.

If it were just petty theft, it might just mean feeling more pain when being hit, but if it were a serial psychopathic murderer, getting a fingernail clipped by the Executioner could lead to immediate death.

In short, it grants the effect of "special targeting by the Executioner" to sinners.

However, for Feng Xue, who possesses the combination skill of Filter × Disassembling Holy Mother, the greatest effect of this small bell was not the amplification of harm...

...

"Duang—"

The small copper bell, which resembled a large bell more so than a clock, emitted a spine-chilling yet impossibly profound sound.

Amid the deafening bell toll, the already oddly behaving man froze, and then, a man with a skull mask, dressed in a black suit, emanating an ominous aura, suddenly materialized within his line of sight.

Across from him, Feng Xue was sizing up his target; above the man’s head was a conspicuous dark red mark.

Judging from the depth of the mark, the man was not merely an imitator; based on previous experiences, to reach such a color, he must have had at least five or six lives on his hands.

However, what caught Feng Xue’s attention wasn’t just that; in the corner of his eye, the marks, some light, some dark, clearly indicated that he had unknowingly entered an encirclement—

Indeed, the primary use of the Pardon Bell in Feng Xue’s hands was to reveal ambushes.

"Tsk!" Feng Xue let out a light tssk and ignored what the trembling man not far away was trying to say. His figure suddenly disappeared, and the next moment, he had already arrived behind the "copycat criminal". However, it was precisely during the instant of his flash that a strong sense of crisis surged in his heart.

The Arrow Avoidance Protection instantly triggered, and Feng Xue twisted his body in a way that defied common sense, avoiding a bullet that had come from who knows where. He wanted to continue his pursuit, but found that the man in front of him had vanished without a trace.

"The opponent used a phantom object?" Feng Xue immediately speculated in his mind, realizing that this trap might very well be the work of the officials.

"It seems they’ve guessed that I ’cannot leave until I have killed the execution target’, but that’s far too naive!"

At this moment, a faint blue light suddenly flashed in the eyes of the skull mask on Feng Xue’s face, and the next moment, his body transcended dozens of meters, arriving directly behind the "sinner" who just a second ago, he had no idea where he was.

This was his second Companion Phantom Object—

Name: Phantom Object·Oathkeeper’s Appearance

Elements: [Demon], [Concealment], [Assassin], [Execution], [Intimidation], [Tool]

Description: A mask with a skull appearance that doesn’t seem to differ much from a Halloween mask, but because it is worn on the face of the Swearer, it has a special significance. It can perfectly conceal the Swearer’s appearance, and sinners who face it will feel an immense fear. When a sinner makes eye contact with the wearer of this artifact, they will be completely locked down, never able to escape.

Remarks: Run as much as you like, but when you look back, I’ll be right behind you.

...

The ability of the Oathkeeper’s Appearance was simple, aside from instilling fear, its most direct effect was teleportation.

As the description stated, as long as the execution conditions were met (including sinners not properly punished by the law and Executioners who have breached their creed), and made eye contact with Feng Xue wearing the mask, Feng Xue could instantly teleport behind them at any time and place, until either one of them died.

Although it seemed to be the same type of ability as the Opera Phantom Suit’s ability to magically appear and disappear, there was actually an essential difference. The suit’s ability was similar to [Instantaneous Teleportation] which allowed freedom in choosing the teleportation destination, but was limited in distance. In contrast, the Oathkeeper’s Appearance effect was [Chase], fixing the destination behind the locked target, but without any distance restrictions.

...

Feng Xue’s teleportation across a distance without line of sight was clearly unexpected. Before the sense of crisis could hit once more, the blade that sprung from his wrist had already stabbed into the man’s lower back, and in the rotation of his wrist, the man’s kidney was completely destroyed, sending him into life’s countdown.

Without any intention to stay, Feng Xue’s gaze turned toward the ambusher who had just come to his senses and was ready to pull the trigger. But under the power of Arrow Avoidance Protection, before the ambusher could fire, Feng Xue clearly understood the trajectory and endpoint of the bullet, easily avoiding the first shot, and immediately after, a streak of blood light followed.

The agent’s hands were severed by Feng Xue’s Sleeve Sword as easily as tofu, and only after the blood gushed wildly did the agent, now realizing he had lost both hands, manage to let out a horrendous scream.

"Bang bang bang..."

A series of gunfire followed, but such attacks truly meant nothing to Feng Xue. With a light tap of the Sleeve Sword in his hand, like wiping a water droplet from the edge of a glass, he effortlessly flicked the bullets away. Now, however, he had returned to the side of the "sinner" who had already gone into shock, and he stomped down on that head.

Current World Rules are a very flexible thing. Feng Xue could prolong the Descent through careful teaching, or even conclude an Execution within ten minutes through a Contract. It was the same for an Execution.

The appearance of someone who should be executed allowed the choice of Descent, and when the person to be executed died completely, the Descent would also come to an end.

Looking in the direction where the mark of sin was the deepest, Feng Xue placed one hand on his chest, bowed slightly, and the next moment before the bullets could hit him, the head under his foot burst like a watermelon falling from a great height...