Mechanical Alchemist

Su Lun sighed in relief when Fujiwara Hayato said there was a way.

Although he knew the cost would not be small.

He calmly asked, "May I ask, to resurrect my friend, what must I pay?"

Fujiwara Hayato glanced at him and answered directly, "Although your friend died in a dimensionally reduced novel world, which requires a relatively smaller price, reversing life is still taboo. Thus, you must still offer your soul to the 'demon'."

"Oh."

In the eyes of an alchemist, everything requires an equivalent exchange. Upon hearing this, Su Lun showed no surprise.

He even felt fortunate to have the qualifications to trade with a demon.

In the end, he was not powerless.

He asked, "What must I do?"

Fujiwara Hayato responded, "Since you managed to escape from this novel space, your soul has gained value to be claimed by a demon. Have you heard of the 'Cursed Ship'?"

"I have heard of it."

Su Lun nodded, recalling a story well-known among seafarers, "Sometimes on foggy nights, fortunate souls might encounter a ghost ship drifting on the sea. The ship is loaded with gold, silver, fine wines, and beautiful women, all of which you can freely take and enjoy. However, one must disembark before midnight, or they'll never be able to leave, and once the ghost ship vanishes, they must join the crew of spectral beings."

Fujiwara Hayato said, "I know an ancient secret technique for offering one's soul in a trade with a demon. You could naturally use it to resurrect your friend. The price is, at a specific time, you must board that 'Cursed Ship' and journey to its final destination. Put simply, you are paying your 'future' to the demon to fulfill your current wish."

"Is that all?"

Su Lun was quite surprised.

He thought it would involve sacrificing his soul and dying on the spot...

Was it just a matter of boarding a ship?

In his view, given his current physical condition and not knowing how long he would live, this was an ideal "price."

Su Lun also guessed that the "Cursed Ship" was no ordinary ghost ship. It seemed to involve some great secret.

"Yes. Do not underestimate this 'price'. The things you receive through equivalent exchange, what you get and what you must pay, are surely equally precious..."

"Thank you, Mr. Fujiwara. Please tell me that method."

"..."

Fujiwara Hayato revealed the method, and Su Lun carefully wrote it down.

Now he finally saw hope for the resurrection of the two women, and it lightened his heart.

He curiously asked, "Mr. Fujiwara, have you been on that ship?"

"Of course. I too have traded with demons for certain matters. But..."

Fujiwara Hayato appeared to struggle with a failing memory, stopping mid-sentence, "Sorry, my limited memory cannot offer you more explanations. This world holds too many secrets. If you wish to explore them, take a look for yourself. Being an adventurer is quite an interesting experience."

"Yes."

Su Lun nodded, not pressing further, as he had learned all he needed to know.

He glanced at the man before him and stood up saying, "I must take my leave, Mr. Fujiwara."

Fujiwara Hayato smiled, a look of satisfaction in his eyes, "Yes. Farewell, young man."

...

This cursed space could no longer confine Su Lun. As his thoughts shifted, the surroundings rapidly changed.

The uniquely bleak realm of the underworld gradually receded and the view brightened.

Su Lun saw the long-missed sunlight, warm on his skin.

Having been in the dark for so long, he was slightly unaccustomed and squinted his eyes, taking a good while to adapt.

Su Lun looked around and found himself back in Edo Castle, on the same desolate hill where he was previously swept up.

To his surprise, there were no sounds of war from within the city.

The "Black Sun Grand Festival" seemed to have passed, and the eclipse had ended, leaving fairly good weather.

Looking around, the city bore some signs of bombardment and battle scars.

"Wonder how long it's been outside..."

Su Lun murmured to himself, heading towards the city.

On inquiring casually, he discovered that they had spent a month in the cursed space, while five days had passed outside.

Moreover, the situation in Mountain Hermit had changed dramatically.

"The Emperor of the Sun forced to abdicate?"

Su Lun felt a pang of sorrow hearing this.

Through further inquiries, he understood the whole course of events.

Because the "Great God Tsukuyomi" had appeared and the current Imperial Princess's whereabouts were unknown, the battle a few days ago met almost no resistance except from the imperial dynasty, and the Takeda government seized the throne, becoming the new "Moon Emperor."

The divine right of kings meant that even the followers of the Shinto religion and all the inhabitants had to obey the divine will.

There were naturally no voices of opposition within the country.

The Takeda shogunate quickly stabilized the situation with strength and the will of the gods.

Moreover, due to the method of polluting the sun, the Takeda shogunate's Black Sun Grand Festival almost completely eradicated all the "foreigners" lurking in Edo Castle, making the domestic faith purer and almost free from any hidden dangers.

Even if the King of the North Sea's fleet were to come, they had to weigh whether they could afford to lose another fleet.

...

After gathering information, Su Lun walked out of the teahouse and strolled along the streets of Edo.

What surprised him more was that after the Takeda shogunate seized the throne, Ote Himeya was still working as a geisha in a geisha house?

"Is she continuing to hide her identity and then manipulate everything from behind the scenes?"

Su Lun guessed something.

He now knew that Ote Himeya was an alchemic artificial person, so he was sure she played a decisive role in the chaos at Mountain Hermit.

However, what he did not understand was that "the Great God Tsukuyomi" had truly descended.

Su Lun thought of "Izanami" that he had encountered in the underworld, although these personified gods did not possess real divine tiers, they also had certain inexplicable powers.

"But this is also good. Since she's not in the imperial palace, it's easier for me to get close to her."

Su Lun thought and then walked toward the Ginza district in the west city area.

He didn't know how long his physical condition could hold out. While he hadn't yet "mutated" into a monster, he had to get things done.

In the world of the novel, Fujiwara Hayato, the author, was waiting to rewrite the ending, and time was limited. If delayed any longer, that lingering regret might not last much longer, and the princess and Senjo might never return.

...

The post-war Edo Castle seemed much lonelier.

The Takeda shogunate had become the new emperor, and it seemed that the student movements had also been suppressed. The "New Learning" students, who were frequently seen marching in black school uniforms, were no longer visible on the street.

The current situation in Mountain Hermit was leaning toward completely shutting the country off from the outside world.

The people remain ignorant, the information secluded—does this create purer faith and more consolidated royal power?

Su Lun was not surprised.

He stepped into the street that used to be a bustling geisha district. He hadn't walked far when he passed in front of a geisha house with a sign that read "One Foot Interval."

The names of geisha houses usually had some poetic flavor. This name stemmed from a rather famous haiku from Mountain Hermit: "The light breaks continuously, brightening and dimming at one foot interval, how can one bear the solitude?"

The geisha houses remained the same, but the scenery had changed.

Local people in Mountain Hermit were mostly very poor. Without foreigners and pirates to bring business, the entertainment industries in the west city's Ginza also declined, presenting a dead and depressing sight throughout the streets.

Black crows fluttered in the sky, perching on high eaves to survey their surroundings.

Su Lun, holding a rune-decorated black umbrella disguised as a walking cane, and with a black scythe wrapped in a canvas behind his back, passed by without attracting any notice.

Sensing around, there were some ninjas and ronin mingled on this street, but none were particularly strong.

After some consideration, he could understand why.

Now the entire Edo Castle was controlled by the Takeda shogunate and the Black Dragon Association, and there were no treacherous foreigners present; naturally, there was no need to be overly cautious.

Moreover, the fact that Ote Himeya was the leader of the Black Dragon Association had nearly been hidden from everyone. If strong bodyguards constantly followed her, she would have revealed flaws long ago.

Furthermore, her inherent battle strength was not weak. It was nearly impossible for someone in Edo to harm her.

According to information previously mentioned by Senjo, Ote Himeya's inherent battle strength was not strong, around the level of a fourth or fifth-tier professional. But because she was an alchemic body, immune to both physical and magical attacks, almost no conventional methods could harm her.

Su Lun held the black scythe in his hand and currently could still use it without worrying about curse rebounds, which was an opportunity to try.

But there were other methods of Ote Himeya's to be concerned about.

For instance, that method of polluting the sun.

It was still early, not time for entertainment.

The geishas had not opened for business yet, and since there were hardly any customers, they gathered in small groups outside.

Su Lun did not directly enter the "One Foot Interval" geisha house; he wandered around nearby, intending to see if there were other breakthroughs besides a direct confrontation.

Ironically, just as he was passing by, he suddenly sensed a familiar "soul fire" in a tavern.

....

"How could this guy be here?"

To Su Lun's surprise, he found 'the demon' Abe Yasukazu, disguised as a drinking customer in the tavern.

Last time, this fellow had tested Ote Himeya, fought a big battle, and then disappeared.

This guy is really audacious...

Su Lun thought.

Having witnessed the technique of "Tainting the Sun" and the method that summoned the "Moon Reading God," he became even more convinced of Ote Himeya's inscrutable tactics and schemes.

This Abe Yasukazu now dared to appear in Edo Castle, his courage and methods naturally impressive.

"This guy must know Ote Himeya is here, could he also be here for her?"

Su Lun knew he was from the Kachusha family, naturally not an enemy.

What purpose?

Thinking this, he walked straight in.

The moment he entered, the cautious guy noticed him.

Abe Yasukazu sat by a second-floor window, a position perfect for observing everyone in the bar.

Su Lun's approach almost made this demon jump out the window to escape.

Fortunately, it seemed he recognized him too.

Su Lun sat across from him. Abe Yasukazu stared at him incredulously as if he had seen a ghost, "You actually came out on your own?"

However, at the same time, it seemed as if he had accomplished some task, he sighed with relief as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

Su Lun didn't plan to explain much, "Mr. Abe, what are you doing here?"

Listening, Abe Yasukazu's tone was a bit odd, "What am I doing? I'm here for you, of course."

Despite the disguise, the bewitching look in his eyes made Su Lun very uncomfortable. He asked, "For me?"

Abe Yasukazu nodded and said, "That lady heard about the situation in Mountain Hermit and asked me to confirm your whereabouts. You were sucked into the Black Sun Grand Festival previously, and I was trying to find a breakthrough to save you..."

"..."

Su Lun also felt a strange sensation in his heart.

Kachusha is so afraid I'm dead?

Although grateful, Su Lun always felt that the girl's motives weren't so pure. Wanting him alive seemed not just for friendship, but mixed with some other factors.

Abe Yasukazu didn't continue, he sighed deeply, "Well, since you're safe, I can report back now."

The tone of relief was evident, one could imagine the pressure he had been under.

The Divine Royal Family had been overthrown by the Takeda Shogunate, and he, all by himself, however powerful, would find it difficult.

However, Abe Yasukazu seemed to discover something and asked, "Why do I feel like you've turned into a 'ghost'?"

He was adept at the Yin Yang Secret Technique, naturally sensing something aberrant in Su Lun's body.

Su Lun, without explaining his experience in the underworld too much, simply asked, "Can you fix it?"

Abe Yasukazu frowned, seemingly seeing a tough challenge, and instead of answering, asked, "May I check?"

Su Lun extended his hand.

Abe Yasukazu, like feeling the pulse, carefully sensed it.

But the more he saw, the stranger the expression on his face became. Looking back at Su Lun, he seemed not to see a person but a monster, his eye corner twitched violently, "How are you still alive in this state?"

"..."

Listenting to this, Su Lun gave him a glance, but said nothing more.

He now had several negative states such as mental and physical mutations, underworld Qi contamination... It was truly a miracle for a normal person to survive.

He was probably still alive because of the "X Serum."

But the reasons weren't important anymore, the result was whether he could be saved.

Abe Yasukazu shook his head, "Becoming a 'ghost' is irreversible. Your condition is very special, not only your body but your soul has been demonized."

At this point, he seemed somewhat pained, then added, "I can only suppress a bit with the Yin Yang Secret Technique. Moreover, I can only transfer a portion of the ghost Qi. For the rest, I am powerless."

Abe Yasukazu took out something that looked like a weather doll and placed it on the table.

Su Lun inspected it and found it to be a rare treasure.

[Onmyoji's Weather Doll]

Detailed Explanation: An Abe Familial Yin-Yang Dao inherited instrument, containing a hint of Yin and Yang power; when carried, it can transfer some of the continuous negative states the body suffers; it wards off evil and balances Yin and Yang, greatly restraining ghostly bodies;

This item, counted as an alchemical object, was also a rare "dark gold quality" treasure.

He exclaimed in surprise, "For me?"

"Yes."

Abe Yasukazu's expression changed slightly.

He didn't say it aloud, but he thought to himself that the lady had instructed him to protect your life at any cost.

"Oh. Thank you."

Although Su Lun didn't say it, he could guess as much.

The two weren't particularly familiar with each other, but this fellow had given such a valuable item for the sake of Katya.

Last time in Cursed Valley, he was still haunted by that "corpse soldier," and here it was again.

It seemed like the debts of gratitude were accumulating...

Since it was a lifesaving item, he didn't hesitate to take it.

He had actually long thought of someone who could heal his bodily deformity, and that was Danny's father, Dr. Banks, a top expert in the field of biotechnology with a high level of skill in researching biological deformities. If he couldn't solve it, it was doubtful anyone else in the world could.

But now, in his condition, he probably couldn't leave Mountain Hermit alive, so having this "Fair Weather Doll" was just the solution to his urgent problem.

....

Although he had lost a treasure, the mission was finally completed. Anbei Taiwa suppressed his depression of several days, and finally felt relieved, saying, "Well, now I've done all I can. I'll arrange for you to leave Mountain Hermit."

Since Su Lun had come out alive, he no longer needed to find a way to approach Ote Himeya.

After several probes, he had completely lost the spirit to confront that woman. The more he understood about her, the more mysterious she became.

Upon hearing this suggestion, Su Lun remained silent.

He didn't respond to the matter of leaving, but instead said, "Mr. Abe, I would like to consult you about a secret technique."

Upon hearing this, Anbei Taiwa looked slightly perplexed, "Armor Escape Secret Technique?"

Although it was a closely guarded secret, it wasn't a big problem for this individual.

But why?

A strange light suddenly flashed in his eyes.

Su Lun nodded, "Yes, if it's convenient."

Previously in the underworld facing Shuten-doji, he had almost perished alongside him during a four-stage hormone rampage fight.

Upon reflection, he realized there was a slight flaw in his technique.

Now in his "Rune Vajra" state, his physical strength was sufficient to support that level of combat, indicating that generally, there was no problem.

However, some organs still suffered from fatigue damage, indicating detailed issues.

The secret technique "Hormone Rampage" wasn't about how much more hormones were better but the precise control of them. Specific hormones needed to stimulate specific bodily organs, and the precision of hormone secretion directly affected physical combat abilities.

This secret technique originated from Gerald, the leader of the Old Lington umbrella organization and a forensic doctor. But due to the limitations in professional rank in Old Lington, the great talent interested in studying corpses only researched up to the "third stage."

This fourth stage was something Su Lun was exploring on his own, still a "half-finished" technique.

Originally, with ample time for attempts, he could slowly improve this technique, but now, he couldn't wait.

Now isolated and without support, facing Ote Himeya, the only desperate measure he could think of was this "Hormone Rampage" secret technique.

And now, he was only half-aware of the "fourth stage," and the "fifth stage" was completely unknown.

Blindly unlocking the "fifth stage" without considering combat, he would most likely die on the spot.

Therefore, he needed a shortcut to perfect the "fourth stage" or even to try reaching the higher level of the fifth stage!

And now, there was an opportunity right in front of him.

Su Lun had studied the Armor Escape Secret Technique of Mountain Hermit, which essentially also stimulated the body's potential to bring forth stronger combat power.

Although fundamentally different, some theories were similar, such as how to handle the body's excessive stress, energy flow, how to protect the meridians, and high-pressure combat techniques...

The royal family only had some incomplete texts. Princess mentioned that Ninja and Yin-Yang Dao each had their top-level Armor Escape Secret Techniques.

The person in front of him, Anbei Taiwa, just happened to be the most orthodox inheritor of Mountain Hermit's Yin-Yang Onmyoji.

....

"What... what are you planning to do?"

Upon hearing this, Anbei Taiwa was asking, but he had already guessed that the person in front of him was probably up to some mischief.

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His face became very gloomy as he hurriedly urged, "Don't be rash. I must tell you, that Ote Himeya is very special and has some mysterious methods. Even seventh-tier professionals from your alchemy system have no chance of winning against her! And I suspect that one of the three divine artifacts of Mountain Hermit, the Yata Mirror, is in her possession, very powerful..."

"Mhm."

Su Lun listened with an undoubtedly indifferent expression and nodded his head, neither happy nor sad. He didn't insist further and immediately stood up, saying, "Then, I shall take my leave, Mr. Abe."

His mind was made up. Regardless是否有人帮,他都是要去的.

"You..."

Anbei Taiwa watched Su Lun preparing to leave, his expression turning very troubled.

Although he didn't understand why Su Lun wanted to do this, his attitude was already very clear.

If it were someone uninvolved, Anbei wouldn't care about his life and death under such circumstances.

But this was the person that the young lady had explicitly requested him to protect!

Finally, seeing Su Lun really about to leave, Anbei resignedly waved his hand, "Wait a moment!"