Chapter 17: "If You've Memorized enough, You Too Can Wield Authority."
As soon as the two ascended into the air, Luo Hao had already flung Hikigaya away.
In fact, if one were to be picky about word choices, perhaps "threw" would be more appropriate. But in terms of effect, Hikigaya didn't feel any sense of violence.
He was first lifted to several thousand meters high, then fell straight to the ground at an even faster speed, yet felt no impact at all.
Hikigaya could also throw people like that, but he couldn't match Luo Hao's effortless grace.
The balance of hardness and softness in her movements was perfect, able to switch at will, and even without physical contact, there was no issue.
The distinction between "motion" and "stillness" that practitioners in the Yomi usually emphasized had become meaningless to Luo Hao.
Even compared to the "One with Stillness and Motion" that Okabe researched, hers was at a completely juvenile level by comparison—Luo Hao probably maxed out this path a hundred years ago.
From a martial arts perspective, this woman had truly reached the pinnacle. Her only opponent on this path may well be herself.
But even so, that slap earlier, and this entire combo of blows, weren't something Hikigaya endured for nothing.
God Slayers are the most adept race in this world at learning—bar none.
Fighting a fellow God Slayer or a god yields the same benefits.
A broader and more effective path of blending martial arts with authorities (divine powers) had already opened before him.
In the Yomi arts, jujutsu experts study control over energy, including absorbing the opponent's force—what ancient Chinese martial arts refer to as "four ounces deflect a thousand pounds."
In contrast, hard martial arts pursue maximizing direct damage, and only opportunistically utilize the opponent's strength. But both require physical contact with the opponent.
Luo Hao, however, had completely abandoned the need for contact—accomplishing both principles from a distance.
While this was certainly enabled by the God Slayer's massive and unnatural reserve of magical power, it was also clear that her techniques bore the mark of authority.
She saw this as the foundation of the "ultimate realm."
In other words, the conventional "path" meant nothing to her.
Compared to human techniques, the greatest trait of authorities was their disregard for common sense.
And common sense was the biggest barrier for human techniques trying to enter the divine realm.
"As expected, if we're going to spar, we should've picked a wide open place. Brother, this is just a light punishment. If you can realize what mistake you've made, then I'll forgive you."
Luo Hao's body seemed weightless, drifting down like a feather on the wind.
Hikigaya, standing on the ground, had to look up.
Facing an opponent from this angle was always unpleasant.
"I don't think so," he muttered first, then said aloud, "Don't use words like 'punishment' on me. I'm not one of your subordinates."
To be honest, the difference in style between Luo Hao and Voban—the two ancient God Slayers—was pretty significant.
Voban was irritable, sure, but at least he didn't degrade others.
Even during his time as a God Slayer, he had friends from his human days and never formed any organizations—more like a big boss you only needed to deal with occasionally.
Luo Hao, however, directly imposed her absolute power over the entire martial arts world of China, seeing all under heaven as her slaves.
The Five Prisons Sacred Sect she founded had essentially swept up the majority of China's sects, becoming synonymous with the Chinese mystic side itself.
Compared to Voban, even though she wore Hanfu, her mentality fundamentally followed the Manchu master-servant ideology.
Chinese people might still qualify as "servants" in her eyes, but foreigners? They were nothing but barbarians and monkeys.
This would explain why she acted superior even to her own kind.
What did ancient China call barbarians? Not humans—but monkeys!
And then Luo Hao spoke again.
"Truly pitiful—just as the saying goes, 'An elder brother is like a father.' Since you're my younger brother, that makes me like a mother to you. Defying my decree—if that's not a crime, then what is?"
This instantly shattered the momentum Hikigaya had just built up.
How the hell did I become her younger brother?!
Not just a little brother—apparently also a part-time son now?!
Hikigaya felt like the plot had gone completely off the rails.
How the hell did the whole "mother" thing come about? Where did this relationship spring from?
If they were going to be relatives, he should've been the older brother. Or even the father, damn it!
Hmm... if Luo Hao wanted to be his obedient, body-checkable little sister, then maybe he'd consider it—but clearly that wasn't happening.
So, with unrivaled dignity, he shot back:
"Elder sister? I only have a younger sister! And the 'mother' slot is already taken, try again in your next life!"
"Oh? Such bold words," Luo Hao laughed heartily, though her gaze looked incredibly dangerous—by the way, after floating around for so long, she finally landed.
And promptly stomped a massive crater into the ground.
"Brother, didn't you ask earlier what technique I used?" Luo Hao approached Hikigaya step by step with a casual gait, her smile as radiant as a flower.
She was stunning beyond words, but to Hikigaya, she seemed to be emanating dark, menacing energy.
"It was the Great Vajra Strength Divine Art. Now, I shall demonstrate the Dragon Roar Tiger Howl Grand Method.
Back in the day, it was with these two divine arts that I became the martial arts sovereign, uniting the martial realms of both Central Plains and the Western Regions."
Could she get any more like a wuxia novel?!
Before Hikigaya could even spit out a retort, Luo Hao began to chant the incantation that triggered her authority—her beautiful voice uttering the words of poetry.
"Last year we fought at the Sanggan River's source, This year we battle down by Onion River's course. Warships bathe in the waves of Tiaozhi Sea, Horses graze in snowy Tianshan fields free. Ten thousand miles long march we tread, The three armies grow weary, nearly dead."
This poem sounds so familiar... Hikigaya thought, as strong winds rose around Luo Hao.
The wind was fierce from the outset, whistling sharply. Nearby buildings caught in the range were instantly torn apart, and the ground was stripped of its topsoil.
"The Xiongnu till their fields with blood and sword, White bones in yellow sand—seen times untold. The Qin built forts to guard from Hu's incursion, Han beacon fires still burn with fierce assertion. Blazing signals never cease, And war offers no release."
I've definitely heard this poem before...
Thinking this, Hikigaya summoned the divine wind of Seth—pure destruction and slicing force—which clashed against Luo Hao's gusts.
Unfortunately, it had no effect on Luo Hao. That's because Hikigaya had no idea what the origin of her authority was.
In truth, against an opponent like Luo Hao, Seth's authority to sever divinity wasn't very useful. Martial arts and divine authority were different things—even martial arts elevated to divine level wouldn't change that.
"Combat in wild fields brings only death, Defeated horses cry to heaven in breath. Black kites peck out intestines raw, Hang them on dry branches in dreadful awe."
Finally figured it out—it's "Battle at the South City"!
"The soldiers vanish in grass and weeds, Generals' glories now empty deeds."
As the poem neared its end, the wind around Luo Hao had fully formed—clearly this was the tornado Hikigaya encountered before returning.
The surroundings had descended into chaos. Dust and debris from ruined buildings filled the air—a disaster comparable to a flood. Any human caught in it had no chance of survival.
"And thus we know: arms are tools of ill omen, Only a sage would use them with reluctance!"
Luo Hao finally recited the final verse. At that moment, her figure could no longer be seen with the naked eye.
Her wind wasn't just a storm—it carried immense pressure. Hikigaya could hear the earth groaning beneath it.
But at last, Hikigaya caught a trace of her aura.
It was exceedingly faint—perhaps originating from some emotion.
"Found you." Hikigaya launched himself like a cannonball from the ground.
Activating "One With Stillness and Motion" learned from the shrine of Okabe, he simultaneously used Hongo Akira's Spiral Piercing Strike—among his "Nine fist" set, it was the most brutally straightforward.
This style, used in the dark as a trial method for disciples aiming to unify movement and stillness, was merely a concept for Hikigaya to study.
Now, having gained inspiration from Luo Hao, he brought it out.
This Spiral Piercing Strike carried the flames, destruction, and slicing of Seth; the quake of Poseidon; and the solar wrath of Emperor Jun's ten suns.
This was, by far, the most complete fusion of martial arts and divine authority Hikigaya had ever achieved—and he believed it would be effective.
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