[You left the barracks and stepped into the corridor, just as the Ogiwara Clan Retainer erged from inspecting the next chamber.]
[The sliding door of the barracks had not yet closed. Inside were several samurai and craftsn.]
[The Ogiwara Clan Retainer saw you standing there away from your post, frowned, and was about to scold you loudly…]
[How will you respond?]
[1. “Honored Retainer, I urgently need to relieve myself. If you don’t mind, perhaps you’d care to accompany ?”]
[2. “Honored Retainer, just now that craftsman’s identity seed suspicious. May I request you personally question him again?”]
[3. “Honored Retainer, please take a look at this fine new tachi I purchased. Might I test its sharpness on your vulnerable neck?”]
Lin Xun was just about to press the third option out of habit when he suddenly snapped awake.
He hurriedly moved his finger away and pressed the second option instead, silently thinking how close he’d co.
“Almost let this damned ga screw over again.”
[You quickly interrupted the Retainer’s scolding, your expression grave as you reported that the craftsman you were watching had acted highly suspicious, secretly whispering with another craftsman as if plotting sothing…]
[You said you did not dare to execute him on your own, fearing there might be so trendous conspiracy hidden behind it, and humbly requested the Retainer to question him in person!]
[The Ogiwara Clan Retainer was startled at your words and promptly turned to return to the barracks with you.]
[The one who had attempted to assassinate the castle lord during the day was the Ninja Master, whose na shook all of Sakura Falls. Even with the Tenshukaku’s tight defenses, it was like having no walls at all before the Ninja Master. Though the lord had not laid bla, the Retainer still felt deeply ashad.]
[Now, hearing of craftsn possibly conspiring to assassinate them again, how could he suppress his fury?]
[He drew the sword at his waist, yanked the sliding door wide open, and strode inside…]
[The barracks were empty. The three samurai and two craftsn were nowhere to be seen.]
[The Ogiwara Clan Retainer paled in shock, about to whirl around and question you, but saw that at so point the sliding door behind him had silently shut tight, and your figure had vanished!]
[A flash of cold sword light!]
[He only felt searing pain pierce through his chest. Looking down, he saw a length of gleaming blade thrust clean through his heart from behind.]
[He tried to open his mouth to cry out, but an aged hand clamped firmly over his nose and mouth, preventing any sound from escaping…]
[Before him appeared an aged face, the Ninja Master, like a deathless phantom.]
[Until the mont he died, the Ogiwara Clan Retainer never managed to make a single sound.]
[You have defeated the Fire-Worshipping Retainer of the Ogiwara Clan. Experience increased slightly.]
[You have obtained the Tenshukaku Barrier Talisman (Key).]
[You looked down at the lifeless elder in his ornate robes…]
[Fire-Worshipping Retainer of the Ogiwara Clan: One of the Ogiwara Clan’s chief retainers, most trusted by the castle lord. He was responsible for all of the Tenshukaku’s defensive arrangents, from posting patrols to overseeing weapon maintenance. Even the castle lord’s personal guards were selected by him. He died from a fatal blow piercing his heart. Compatibility: 120% ( 55%).]
[Would you like to possess this shell?]
Lin Xun smiled faintly and pressed the possess option.
The Retainer’s stats were higher than an ordinary samurai’s, but even so, he could not withstand a backstab from the Ninja Master.
With the Mask of Diabolos granting 1.5 tis critical stealth attacks, Weak Point Insight revealing deadly openings, and the Epic assassination skill Moonlit Sixteenth Night for damage, not to ntion the Legendary weapon Dragon Sword Masamune, there were few foes outside of bosses who could survive a Ninja Master’s ambush.
Wearing the Retainer’s body, he left the watchtower. All the samurai he passed bowed deeply.
Lin Xun returned to the Tenshukaku, but this ti, he did not go inside right away. Instead, he first approached one of the watchtowers.
[…]
[The samurai posted at the watchtower’s base all bowed to you without the slightest thought of stopping your ascent.]
[The watchtower was a hollow structure with no stairs, only a platform hoist operated by hand-pulled ropes.]
[You stepped onto the platform in the center of the tower. As the samurai atop called down orders, the platform began to rise slowly…]
[Before long, you arrived at the top level.]
[The cold night wind howled. To allow the ballistae an unobstructed field of fire, the tower’s upper level had no railing. The torches of dozens of samurai illuminated six massive ballistae.]
[Each ballista was loaded with bolts as thick as tree trunks, their tips viciously sharp. Just lifting one bolt to load required three samurai working together.]
[Before firing, the samurai would imbue each bolt with their own Calamitous Fallen Karmic Fire, vastly increasing its power.]
[This was a true fortress-killing weapon. Under the sights of a dozen such ballistae, even the legendary great yokai could only retreat.]
[You swept your gaze across them and commanded the samurai to remove all bolts from the ballistae and transport the entire stockpile to the armory.]
[At this order, the samurai looked at each other, baffled.]
[In such a tense ti, for the Retainer in charge of all defensive arrangents to give such an order was almost beyond comprehension.]
[Seeing them hesitate, you widened your eyes and barked that this was a direct order from the castle lord himself, who dared disobey?!]
[You declared that the lord felt the bolts’ power insufficient and had ordered them sent to the armory to be poisoned for greater effect. As loyal retainers, their only duty was to obey.]
[Though the samurai still harbored doubts, the command ca from both the Retainer and the castle lord. They had no choice but to comply.]
[Before long, your orders were passed to the other three watchtowers as well.]
[Soon, the hoists were rising and lowering nonstop. The samurai worked themselves to exhaustion, hauling the enormous bolts away to the watchtower armory…]
[You looked down at the busy scene below. With a few simple commands, you had successfully neutralized the Tenshukaku’s most lethal threat.]
“Next…it’s ti to kill the castle lord.”
Lin Xun left the watchtower and walked to the Tenshukaku.
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