The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS-Chapter 1161 - 186: A Choice of Life or Death

"It is just like this..."

Takahara Bocchuan assumed a stance, "The massive Divine Hand crushed the Great Sun Tathagata True Body in one grasp, and Great God Amaterasu thus perished at the hands of Lord Qing Yu."

The scattered rain of fire still lingered in his mind, sending shivers down his spine just to think about it.

The audacity of gripping the Great Sun, etched that figure deeply into his heart, becoming an invincible shadow.

"Amaterasu was the strongest in Japan, and even he fell under the hand of Lord Qing Yu. Us invading the Central Plains, it seems we're not here to conquer new territories but to march to our deaths."

Takahara Bocchuan's eyes showed weariness he couldn't hide, "Suzan Ming Venerate fled back to Japan in disgrace without even caring for the troops encamped here. If we don't leave, we may not even have the chance to return to Japan."

With that, he walked out of the camp.

"Where are you going?" Toyotomi Hideyoshi asked.

"To report to Lord Yueyejian in East Province, then back to Japan." Takahara Bocchuan halted his steps, replied.

Yueyejian stayed stationed in East Province, not going to meet Suzan Ming Venerate like Amaterasu did, thus avoiding calamity. With Suzan Ming Venerate returning to Japan alone, Yueyejian was the highest authority Japan had in the Central Plains.

"Also inform Lord Yueyejian of Great God Amaterasu's death, East Province over there probably doesn't know this news yet."

He thought for a moment and then said to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, "You should also quickly withdraw your troops, that place three hundred miles away..."

Takahara Bocchuan recalled that catastrophic scene, molten lava scorching the earth, turbulent winds clashing, and the gigantic demonic eye in the heavenly vault, illuminating the world with its light of destruction...

"That place... is nothing short of doomsday..."

He sighed, his voice filled with caution and fear.

Such emotions were inappropriate for a Divine Communication Expert, yet they appeared and etched deeply in his heart, impossible to erase.

Actually, Takahara Bocchuan was relatively fortunate, for he hadn't experienced it firsthand. Compared to him, Suzan Ming Venerate had it much worse. Defeated by Qing Yu, Suzan Ming Venerate's broken Mental State would likely never erase the Heart Demon.

Takahara Bocchuan finished speaking and was about to step forward when he suddenly felt something amiss.

'Qi Mechanism disorder?'

Behind him, Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Qi Mechanism was extremely chaotic, as if in great fear. The intense emotional fluctuation was perceivable to Takahara Bocchuan even without looking back.

"Toyotomi?" He asked while slowly placing his right hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Takahara, I think you're not leaving..."

The dry voice from behind weighed down on Takahara Bocchuan's heart.

The right hand gripping the katana loosened and tightened, tightened and loosened, mirroring Takahara Bocchuan's tumultuous emotions.

"Sigh—"

Finally, he sighed, removed his hand from the hilt, and turned to face the other.

In front of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a pure white silhouette appeared at some unknown time, with heterochromatic eyes watching quietly this man as thin as a monkey, with a bitter face, and the samurai struggling within.

When Takahara Bocchuan saw this figure, the thought of "just as expected" occurred to him.

It was indeed this individual who came.

He hadn't expected that after discussing this person earlier, they'd appear right before him.

"Lord Qing Yu," the two called out the name of this figure.

"Takahara Bocchuan, the Sword Saint of Japan, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, confidant of Suzan Ming Venerate."

The indifferent gaze swept over the two, exerting no pressure, yet these two felt the utmost pressure from within.

Qing Yu, who slew Amaterasu with a single hand, had surpassed the realm of Divine Demons to them. Who wouldn't feel pressured in his presence?

"Submit to me, or die," Qing Yu offered the choice as always.

Submit, or die?

This question resounded in their minds.

Two paths lay ahead: the path of life and the path of death, each requiring its corresponding price. Choosing the path of death naturally required the sacrifice of life, whereas the price for choosing life was unknown, though it would certainly entail more than mere loyalty.

"Will Lord Qing Yu be disadvantageous to Japan?" Takahara Bocchuan's expression shifted, but quickly steadied. He asked Qing Yu.

"It seems you choose to die for your country," Qing Yu's gaze turned to Takahara Bocchuan.

Facing those heterochromatic eyes, Takahara Bocchuan's body trembled uncontrollably, instinctually sensing that he was now confronting death.

Qing Yu didn't directly answer Takahara Bocchuan's question, but the answer was clear in Takahara Bocchuan's heart.

Yes, he would be disadvantageous to Japan.

Takahara Bocchuan, who asked the question, undoubtedly cared for Japan. When Qing Yu said Takahara Bocchuan chose to die for his country, he was admitting he'd be harmful to Japan.

Since that's the case...

"Pa—"

Takahara Bocchuan firmly grasped the hilt, drawing his sword.

If that's the case, then let him shatter for Japan here.

"Heavenly True Transmission Kagari Shinto School, Takahara Bocchuan requests guidance."

Grasping the katana with both hands, Takahara Bocchuan challenged Qing Yu.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi also stepped back timely, allowing Takahara Bocchuan to directly face Qing Yu.

"Interesting, challenging me," Qing Yu stood with hands behind his back, "Then come, let me see what your supposed Japan's Sword Saint is capable of."

In Japan, the title of Sword Saint isn't particularly valuable; both Takahara Bocchuan and Shangquan Xingang bear this title. And before them, there have been many Sword Saints.

In Japan, several known Divinity Realm warriors of the same era could all be called Sword Saints.

The Sword Saint, Ninja God, Sun God — it seems this country has a particular fondness for high-ranking titles, its style rather unique.

(PS: That's true even in reality, like "Empire's Furious Tiger," "Destruction Dragon" and so forth (ノ￣▽￣)）

This time, Qing Yu also desired to witness how much this Japan's Sword Saint, unfamiliar with Ten Thousand Gods Tribulation, was worth.

"Hoo—"

Takahara Bocchuan focused his mind, uniting with his sword.

Drawing his sword against Qing Yu, only death awaited; no other result was possible. Yet for Takahara Bocchuan, death wasn't something to fear.

As a martial artist, one might fear death but must have the courage to face it directly.

More daunting than death, Takahara Bocchuan feared he would become the gravedigger of Japan's destruction.

Qing Yu would undoubtedly harm Japan, this was evident, and he did not even bother to hide it.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi, with his disposition, would likely choose to submit, Takahara Bocchuan knew this well.

Precisely because he feared death, Toyotomi Hideyoshi remained in the True Pill Realm, daring not to challenge further. The risk to break through to Divinity was perilous, with failure equating to death, leaving no room even for Deviation.

'May my sacrifice awaken Toyotomi Hideyoshi's unyielding spirit.'

Takahara Bocchuan harbored no intent to kill Toyotomi Hideyoshi—not for lack of desire, but lack of ability. He could only hope his sacrifice might ignite a sliver of national spirit in Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

"Secret Technique: One Sword."