With the Blade

Chapter 303: Chapter 254: Last Words

"Alright, stop fighting, or it’ll really turn deadly."

Du Chengfeng stood up, leaning on his broadsword, and stopped the frantically destroying wooden figure.

It’s not that he had any mercy for this Yin person Wu Zhao, mainly because the possessed wandering swordsman was innocent. Moreover, he had already said he would let this Yin person Wu Zhao say his final words, and naturally, he wouldn’t go back on his word.

Of course, he wouldn’t leave any chance for the Yin person Wu Zhao to escape. The Bladeless Sword and Brass Magic Sword were already floating in mid-air. If the Fine Steel Hairpin dared to fly up, it would be shattered instantly.

It’s just steel, even if it’s tough enough, its strength is ultimately limited. And that Bladeless Sword had already broken countless Fine Steel Longswords when Ruan Shantao was young.

"So, do you have anything you want to say?"

Out of respect for his enemy, Du Chengfeng used his still-powerful right arm to help Yin person Wu Zhao up.

The strongest enemy, the most formidable opponent, often also understands oneself the best. Just as he understood Yin person Wu Zhao, Yin person Wu Zhao must also have a similar feeling. Being able to fight to a stalemate indicates they are evenly matched, and with similar skill levels, they naturally have some common language.

"Talk about it, anything unfinished, any regrets... I may not help you complete it, but for both, it serves as a reference."

"No need."

In Du Chengfeng’s arms, Yin person Wu Zhao gave a wry smile.

"Since you’re asking like this, you should know that people like us, even if there’s something, would only do it ourselves. After all, that’s our own experience, our own sustenance... As for regrets you mentioned, I have none. Meeting an opponent like you in later life—regardless of whether I’m truly myself—this journey, this disintegration, was worth it."

"..."

Du Chengfeng silently gazed into Yin person Wu Zhao’s eyes.

Actually, he had many questions, whether about Yin people or the so-called disintegration, but upon seeing Yin person Wu Zhao’s eyes, he suddenly felt those issues didn’t seem so important anymore.

Just like Yin person Wu Zhao said, people like them would only seek answers themselves, as it’s their experience, also their sustenance.

Actually, with a different perspective, he and Yin person Wu Zhao might truly have become friends.

No, compared to friendship, being opponents is better.

Even with a different perspective, he and Yin person Wu Zhao would still end up fighting. They are such people, always seeking stronger adversaries... Regardless of the way they meet, they would choose battle and fight to the death.

Perhaps this is their way of exchanging ideas.

"Moreover, if there’s anything regrettable, it isn’t entirely absent."

Just as Du Chengfeng was about to give Yin person Wu Zhao a swift end, Yin person Wu Zhao spoke again.

"What may be regrettable, you might also sense, are the unknowns—about me, about will, consciousness, this world... Some things both of us saw, but some you haven’t."

Speaking of this, Yin person Wu Zhao strained to lift his hand, pointing to the direction he just flew from.

"My study holds the books I’ve collected over the years, concerning the destruction of the Yin people and the manipulation of hearts... If you’re interested, you can look into it. Of course, you might not care, but these things also lead to the source of power."

"I will look."

Du Chengfeng nodded.

He won’t merely look; he’ll take Yin person Wu Zhao’s memories to view them. If Yin person Wu Zhao doesn’t plan to escape, he naturally wouldn’t damage the Fine Steel Hairpin—of course, Yin person Wu Zhao must still be killed, but by refining the Fine Steel Hairpin, he should obtain all of Yin person Wu Zhao’s memories.

Understanding more about the world means becoming stronger, and once stronger, he would better enforce his will.

Even if his desires aren’t that vast, being somewhat stronger is never a disadvantage.

"Also..."

As Du Chengfeng was pondering, Yin person Wu Zhao continued speaking.

"Moreover, if one day, another version of me appears before you, defeat him, then give him what I’ve left behind for you, let him continue the research, let him find an answer..."

"I will... wait, what?"

Just ready to nod, Du Chengfeng suddenly knitted his brows.

"Wait? What do you mean by another version of yourself?"

"What do you mean by another version of myself? Why ask when you know?"

Yin person Wu Zhao started laughing, even coughing up blood from the corners of his mouth.

"With your reaction, you couldn’t have not realized it, right? Of course, the original me didn’t foresee this, but after seeing him... I understood, I completely understood."

Saying this, Yin person Wu Zhao raised his hand, pointing to the wooden man beside him, and the cudgel in its hand.

"I am me, you are you, am I really myself? Are you truly yourself?"

"Speak properly, why resort to insults?"

Unable to lift his left hand, Du Chengfeng simply spat on Yin person Wu Zhao’s face.

"Are you yourself, I don’t know. How could I not be myself?"

"You..."

Spit covering his face, Yin person Wu Zhao was quite annoyed. He had earnestly been talking about his last matters, yet was met with such treatment.

But suddenly, he became stunned.

"You... still you?"

"Is dying causing you to speak in riddles?"

Du Chengfeng spat again.

Though he understood, after all, if it were him lying there, he’d likely vex Yin person Wu Zhao with riddles too. But due to deep mutual understanding, Yin person Wu Zhao’s words didn’t confuse him—after all, considering the situation, another Wu Zhao would not be the wandering swordsman, but the previous Li family elder son, since only these two had been possessed by Wu Zhao, only they had carried Yin person Wu Zhao’s memory.

Faced with Yin person Wu Zhao’s massive and weighty memories, these ordinary individuals might truly be brainwashed, transforming entirely into another Wu Zhao.

"But those are matters for the future, as for you, this time death is certain."

With that, Du Chengfeng placed the exhausted Yin person Wu Zhao on the ground.

Then he reached out with his right hand and pulled out the Fine Steel Hairpin embedded in the other’s head.