"That woman..."

Chang Long pointed to Marika, who flinched and turned pale instantly.

"Hmm... You have good taste. Come here, Marika."

The master praised her before beckoning Marika forward. The other beautiful women, relieved that Marika was chosen, quickly left the room.

"Master Garasu, please, don't harm Tokura-san anymore!"

Suddenly, Marika cried out, causing the master, or Garasu to cover her mouth swiftly.

"She's too troublesome to be your servant. I'll call another for you to choose from."

Garasu glared at Marika's paled face with an emotionless expression, preparing to wave his hand to summon the other women back.

"No, I want this one. I won't choose another!"

Chang Long responded quickly. She would never let an important witness like Marika slip away.

"I don't think that's wise, kid. Choose someone else!"

Garasu's voice turned cold, with a hint of menace.

"No, I insist on my choice. I want her to serve me during the quest. I'm confident I can complete your quest successfully!"

Chang Long's firm stance surprised Garasu's subordinates, who began sweating nervously. Was this kid too brave, or just too well-off, to challenge Garasu in his own territory?

"Hehehe, very well. But if you fail to deliver!" The unspoken threat, perceivable on both sides hung in the air. Garasu stared intensely at Chang Long, then handed her the Soul Sealing Orb.

"You won't be disappointed!"

Chang Long smiled defiantly at Garasu.

"Good!! Saemon, escort this kid and Marika to the Samurai Cemetery. Finally, the time when I will be the strongest samurai is near!"

Garasu declared triumphantly. Saemon, a samurai with the Sanada clan insignia on his back, nodded and led Chang Long and a resistant Marika out of the room.

'Davy-chan, stay and eavesdrop on Garasu's conversation with his subordinates, then follow us. I'll walk slowly to buy you some time.'

Chang Long communicated telepathically with Davy-chan.

'Got it.'

Davy-chan responded briefly and lingered in Garasu's room.

"Okami..."

Garasu called one of his close subordinates after Chang Long had left.

"Yes, Master Garasu."

Okami approached and bowed respectfully.

"Follow them. Regardless of whether they complete the mission, kill them and bring the Soul Sealing Orb back to me!"

Garasu ordered with a deadly tone.

"Yes, sir!"

Okami acknowledged before swiftly disappearing.

"Hehehe, Tokura, with half of your power sealed in the Soul Sealing Orb, and with that kid sealing the rest of your spirit for me, I'll become the greatest samurai in your place. Hahaha!"

Garasu laughed maniacally as he disappeared behind the crimson curtains behind the plush mattress where he had been sitting. Soon, his dream of becoming the number one samurai would come true—if the one taking on his mission was not Chang Long.

Meanwhile, Chang Long's friends, who had been celebrating since morning, began to wonder why she had been gone for so long. They decided to go to the Sanada Clan's castle to look for her. Oliang and Wet Trash Can had to shake their head to ward off their drunkenness to regain their senses.

When they arrived at the Sanada Clan's castle, they found no trace of Chang Long. Only players of various occupations crowded around the mission board, checking the available tasks.

"Where could Chang be!"

Valentine muttered, about to call Chang Long.

"What are you doing?"

Kitsune asked, noticing Valentine's action.

"I'm calling Chang to find out where she is."

Valentine replied.

"Calling? The thing that goes beep-beep and then someone answers from it?"

Kitsune asked, pointing at Valentine's wristwatch.

"Yes."

Valentine nodded, wondering if Kitsune was messing with her.

"That might not be a good idea. If the master is unable to answer the telphon, the teleephone whichever! If she's unavailable, what will we do then?"

Kitsune asked seriously.

"Wow! The boss is good at everything but can't pronounce telephone correctly!"

Kimhant laughed at Kitsune for not being able to pronounce telephone.

"If it's as Kitsune says, we'll have to split up to find Chang Long."

Siegfried suggested, looking worried.

"That's right! Let's divide into groups to find Master Chang."

Peach Blossom agreed with her brother.

"No need for that. I'll try to contact the master myself."

Kitsune quickly offered, drawing everyone's attention.

"How will you contact Chang Long, Kitsune?"

Wet Trash Can asked, watching Kitsune focus intently.

"I'll contact the master telepathically."

Kitsune replied, moving to a quiet corner by Sanada's clan castle wall to concentrate.

Kitsune sat in a comfortable position, closed his eyes, and focused on reaching Chang Long. The others watched curiously but refrained from asking questions, not wanting to disturb him.

'Master, master.'

Kitsune called out mentally once he could sense Chang Long's presence.

'Kitsune?'

Chang Long responded telepathically.

'It's me, master. Where are you? Everyone is waiting for you at the Sanada Clan's entrance.'

Kitsune reported.

'Go wait for me in the Samurai Cemetery. I'll explain everything when I get there. Go ahead without me; it's best if no one sees us entering together.'

Chang Long instructed firmly.

'Understood. I will take everyone to wait for you inside the Samurai Cemetery right away, master.'

Kitsune replied, ending the telepathic communication.

"How did it go?"

Oliang asked excitedly when he saw Kitsune open his eyes.

"Master wants us to wait at the Samurai Cemetery. It seems there is another problem. Master's tone was very serious."

Everyone's expressions grew tense at Kitsune's words.

"Let's hurry then!"

Siegfried nodded solemnly, and they all left the Sanada Clan's castle, heading straight for the Samurai Cemetery.

Meanwhile, Saemon was struggling to drag Marika, who was resisting fiercely, along the path. Both were exhausted. Chang Long watched, unsure whether to laugh or feel sorry for them. Hisa-chan, however, seemed more despondent than ever, remaining silent and constantly casting confused looks at Marika.

"Shall we take a break?"

Chang Long asked Saemon, who was tiredly pulling Marika along.

"Huff... That would be good. I can't go on. This woman is really strong!"

Saemon agreed, dragging Marika to a bench by the roadside.

"Uncle Saemon, why don't I take my servant ahead, and you can catch up later?"

Chang Long suggested, noticing Saemon looked ready to collapse.

"No, no. That would be against Master Garasu's orders. I don't want to die yet!"

Saemon refused immediately, fearing Garasu's punishment.

"We're not breaking any orders. Marika and I will just go ahead, and you can catch up at the Samurai Cemetery when you've rested."

Chang Long shrugged.

"No way. Master Garasu has eyes and ears everywhere. I won't risk it. Let me have some tea to rest first, then we'll continue!"

Saemon waved to follow him to a nearby teahouse, leaving Chang Long to hold onto Marika as he had no more energy to fight her.

"Let me go, you scoundrel. How can you disturb the peaceful spirits in the cemetery!"

Marika shouted at Chang Long, struggling to break free.

"How do you know Tokura Hisa is at really peace...?"

Chang Long pulled Marika close and whispered in her ear, making Marika blush and freeze.

"I... I!"

Marika stammered, unsure how to respond, as she did not know if Tokura Hisa had forgiven her.

"Whose side are you on? Tokura Hisa's or Garasu's!"

Chang Long whispered again.

"I... I want to atone for what I did to Tokura-san. I want to free his spirit..."

Marika's eyes filled with tears, guilt overwhelming her.

"Then prove it. Come with me into the Samurai Cemetery."

Chang Long said coldly. She found it hard to believe Marika's intentions given her conflicting actions and words.

"Why should I prove myself to a scoundrel like you? You're going to harm Tokura-san's spirit on Master Garasu's orders, aren't you!"

Marika hissed back quietly.

"I would never harm him, whether you believe me or not. On the contrary, if you follow me into the Samurai Cemetery, he might forgive you."

Chang Long whispered softly in Marika's ear for the last time before releasing her.

"Aren't you going to drink tea? Hey, you idiot! Grab her before she runs away!"

Saemon turned and shouted in panic, seeing that Chang Long had let go of Marika.

Instead of running, Marika felt as if her feet were nailed to the ground by invisible spikes. She could not even walk, weighed down by the guilt in her heart. These invisible spikes were the pain and shame she felt towards Hisa-chan. She wanted to escape this guilt and hoped for his forgiveness.

'He shouldn't know the true circumstances of Tokura-san's death, but his words seem like he does... like he knows that I poisoned my own lover...'

Marika thought, tears streaming down her face, as she watched Chang Long walk away. She wanted to believe Chang Long's words, as she was on the verge of breaking down, drowning in pain and guilt.

"Hey!"

Saemon exclaimed in astonishment when he saw Marika following Chang Long willingly.

"What's wrong, uncle?"

Chang Long asked, sitting down next to Saemon.

"H... h... how did you do that?!"

Saemon was shocked to see Marika calmly sitting at the table.

"Maybe she's fallen in love with me!"

Chang Long joked, causing Saemon to glance nervously between Chang Long and Marika. In the short time he had looked away, Marika's behavior had changed drastically.

"I'll have chrysanthemum tea."

Marika said, unable to stand Saemon's curious gaze any longer.

"O... Ok. And you, kid? What tea do you want?"

Meeting Marika's annoyed gaze, Saemon asked, stuttering as he turned to Chang Long.

"Green tea with milk."

Chang Long replied. Saemon then ordered the teas from the teahouse owner.

After a brief rest and tea, Davy-chan, still invisible, approached Chang Long as they had moved more than fifty meters away from Crow Group. Davy-chan quickly reported what he had overheard from Garasu. As expected, Chang Long was not surprised, having anticipated such a scenario.

"Alright, let's continue our journey!"

Saemon said after paying for the tea. Chang Long and Marika got up and followed him quietly, with Davy-chan and Hisa-chan floating behind, keeping an eye out for Garasu's assassin.

The latter part of the journey was swift, and they reached the Samurai Cemetery within half an hour. Saemon pointed out Tokura Hisa's grave and the time when his spirit would appear, then left immediately, having completed his task.

"Let's go in!"

Chang Long suggested once Saemon was out of sight. Marika, Davy-chan, and Hisa-chan all nodded in agreement, making Chang Long nearly laugh.

"Master!"

Kitsune called out upon seeing Chang Long approach. Marika flinched, thinking the word master referred to Garasu.

"Let's go deeper inside!"

Chang Long instructed her friends once she joined them. Marika seemed startled to see others waiting in the cemetery but followed without protest. They found a suitable hiding spot, out of sight from Garasu's assassin.

"What is this? Where did you gather so many people from?!"

Marika asked in confusion before anyone could speak.

"These are my friends. Kimhant!"

Chang Long, who was speaking, quickly scolded Kimhant for raising his camera to take a picture of Marika.

"Aww, master, but she's so beautiful."

Kimhant pouted like a child when scolded by Chang Long.

"She's an AI. No need to take her picture. Everyone, this is Marika, Hisa-chan's former lover."

Chang Long introduced. Everyone looked at Marika with interest, but Marika looked more like someone who had seen a ghost.

"H... how did you know that!"

Marika asked, her voice trembling.

"Remember what I told you? I would never harm Tokura Hisa. But before you find out how I know, you have to tell me the whole truth without hiding anything. And you need to tell me what the Soul Sealing Orb is."

Chang Long said, her tone demanding.

"Why should I..."

"Do you want to help Tokura Hisa or not?"

Chang Long interrupted before Marika could finish. Marika paused, then slowly nodded. She began to recount her past with Hisa-chan to everyone.

"...At that time, Tokura-san and I had just met. He was friendly and very handsome. After just a few conversations, we fell in love. But Tokura-san was a free spirit who loved the sword, while I preferred a quiet life without battles. I pleaded with him for the sake of our love to settle down and live a simple, ordinary life together..."

Marika began speaking with a smile, her face showing happiness as she reminisced about the past.

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