Chapter 217 - Whispers of the Wild

The modest hall in the martial compound was a haven of quiet, its tatami mats soft underfoot, walls adorned with flowing calligraphy that spoke of balance and resolve. A single lantern cast a warm, golden glow, its light dancing across the low table where Jin and Haruka knelt, the air calm but heavy with the weight of her earlier revelations about the Heralds. The sanctuary's silence amplified their words, each syllable carrying the promise of answers. Jin leaned forward, Muramasa resting beside him, its hum a steady pulse in the stillness. Haruka's reverence for him as the legendary "Muramasa" was a tool he couldn't ignore, a chance to press forward in the quest. His eyes met hers, sharp with purpose. "The Heralds," he said, voice low but direct. "You mentioned their locations. Which one's closest? I need to know where to go next."