Shao Yun spoke casually to Teppei beside him, "Teppei, you and the others wait here. Don't move. Once I've cleared out everyone inside Kujou Encampment, then you can go in. Understand?"
He turned and was about to leave the southern cannon platform of Kujou Encampment, preparing to storm it alone.
Teppei's eyes widened. He quickly grabbed Shao Yun's hand and asked urgently, "General Shao Yun, are you really going to charge Kujou Encampment on your own? There are so many enemies there!"
Shao Yun smiled faintly, gently removed Teppei's hand from his wrist, then tenderly patted Teppei's cheek, reassuring him, "Don't worry, Teppei. I'll be fine. You all just focus on your task."
"Remember this—once I've eliminated all enemies in Kujou Encampment, I'll return to let you know. Then you guys rush in and collect the food. Time is tight; we must act fast."
He then pointed to the dilapidated Kamuijima Cannon beside them and continued, "Also, if you're capable, you can try repairing this cannon. It might give us unexpected help. But be careful."
Now, Shao Yun's suggestion carried the weight of a command.
Teppei nodded solemnly and replied with determination, "Yes, General Shao Yun. I'll lead everyone to do our utmost to figure out this cannon. Rest assured."
As Shao Yun descended the cannon platform, he suddenly paused and turned back to remind Teppei, "If you genuinely figure out how to operate the cannon, remember—fire it into Kujou Encampment immediately. Don't worry about me. It's far more likely I'll choke on my food than be killed by it."
Teppei hurriedly tried to protest, "But—"
Shao Yun interrupted him, expression grave: "That's an order."
With that, he walked off the platform without looking back, mounted Boadicea, gave the horse a soft kick, and it galloped toward Kujou Encampment.
As he rode, Shao Yun pulled an arrow and an explosive from his Legend of the East satchel.
Staring at the two items, he murmured, "If I remember correctly, this is how one makes an explosive arrow."
He swiftly and skillfully bound the explosive to the arrow—creating a simple but lethal makeshift explosive arrow.
Compared to throwing explosives by hand, these arrows could travel much farther.
On the way to Kujou Encampment, he repeated this process until he had crafted a dozen explosive arrows—enough for the upcoming battle.
…`
Under the faint sparkle of stars, Shao Yun rode along the riverbank's shallows. Hooves whispered softly on damp sand.
He opened his satchel, took out chewing tobacco, placed a pinch in his mouth, and began to chew, savoring the spicy, bitter taste.
At that moment, a system prompt appeared:
[Core Deadeye fully restored and enhanced. Core Deadeye value slightly reduced.]
Shao Yun felt no particular reaction—only that his reflexes seemed faster.
He spat out the tobacco and his eyes glinted with ferocity.
On the watchtower at Kujou Encampment's main gate, a Shogunate sentry spotted Shao Yun riding toward them. He shouted sharply, "Who are you? Stop!"
Shao Yun tightened the reins, halted Boadicea, and drew a bow from beneath his saddle.
The bow looked ordinary—less impressive than a one-star Hunter's Bow—but had one unique advantage: it required no maintenance.
He lit the explosive on the arrow and nocked it.
Just then, a strange voice sounded in his ear:
"I saw the lamb open the first of the seven seals…"
Shao Yun froze, loosening his grip. The arrow flew like a meteor and struck the center of the sentry tower.
A deafening explosion followed. Light burst from the arrowhead, and a massive fireball erupted.
The shockwave ripped the wooden tower apart in an instant, debris flying everywhere.
The sentry inside was obliterated. A fragment of flesh even struck Shao Yun.
Staring at the shattered tower, he thought wryly, "Was that even explosive? Too powerful…"
At that very moment, chaos erupted across the Shogunate encampment.
An ordinary Tenryou Commission officer yelled, "Attack!"
His cry thundered through the courtyard, sending untrained officers into panic. They scattered in all directions.
Some dropped their weapons; others kicked open crates, spilling supplies in their haste and hiding among the wreckage.
Kujou Masahito, managing logistics, stepped forward and called out, "Stay calm! Hold your ground—"
But before he could finish, Shao Yun had already notched and fired another explosive arrow at the main gate.
With a piercing whoosh, the arrow struck, igniting in a burst of fire that shattered the massive wooden door. Fragments scattered in all directions.
Dust billowed as the gate blew open. Guards near the entrance were knocked to the ground by the shockwave, spitting blood as their bodies involuntarily curled from internal injury.
Shao Yun frowned. This explosive's way too strong… Why?
His mind drifted back to that strange voice he heard when he fired the first arrow…
…
Inside the command tent, Kujou Sara heard the explosion and soldiers' screams. Instantly recognizing the danger, her Tengu wings unfurled. With a rush, she burst through the roof and ascended into the air.
From above, she saw chaos—untrained Tenryou officers screaming and scrambling in disarray.
Yet Masahito, commanding the scene, managed to maintain order amid the panic.
Sara narrowed her eyes, thinking: Could this be the Resistance? But how would they have such powerful explosives? All smuggling boats were destroyed lately…
She scanned the compound, searching for the enemy.
Meanwhile, outside the entrance, Shao Yun saw Sara in the sky, a small smile curling at his lips. He stowed his bow and waved lightly, calling out with calm tone, "Kujou Sara—long time no see."
Sara froze at the familiar voice. Her eyes widened. She turned, and saw Shao Yun standing before her.
She stared for several seconds, disbelief etched across her face.
Slowly, her wings flared, carrying her down to the entrance.
Looking down at Shao Yun, her eyes cold and hard, she said icily, "You are… Shao Yun! I never expected you to dare attack Kujou Encampment alone!"
Shao Yun sat astride his horse, a disdainful smile on his lips. Spitting disdainfully at the ground, he tilted his chin and replied, "I killed the Raiden Shogun—what's Kujou Encampment to me?"
At the mention of "Raiden Shogun," Sara's rage flared. Her glare grew fiercer.
"Fine. If you're delivering yourself to death, at least you save me the trouble."
With that, her right hand flicked, summoning a black feathered Tengu fan.
The Vision at her waist glowed purple; a surge of Electro energy crackled from her wrist like electric snakes.
Focusing her gaze on Shao Yun, she said with resolve, "I know your ability. So—I will give my all!"
Unfazed, Shao Yun calmly drew his revolver.
A confident smile curved on his lips as he said, "When you go to war, spare me the chit-chat."
Sara caught sight of his gun and felt an inexplicable fear—instinctive dread of death.
In that moment of hesitation, Shao Yun's Vision on his hip flared. A brilliant light flashed.
He pulled the trigger.
Bang. A bullet shot from the revolver with burning firepower—a scorching meteor racing toward Kujou Sara.
Its speed was instantaneous, unstoppable.
Sara's eyes widened in shock as the bullet struck her midsection. She couldn't react—she felt searing pain in her abdomen.
The bullet ripped through her body, leaving a charred hole. Blood gushed, staining her clothes.
Sara collapsed from the pain. Sweat beaded her forehead.
The burning fire energy surged through her body like a storm of embers through her veins.
She folded her wings and fell uncontrollably to the ground.
Her body slammed into the hard earth, kicking up dust. The collision echoed through the air.
Shao Yun rode Boadicea forward, dismounting next to the writhing Sara.
Looking down at her, surprise flickered in his eyes. He remarked dryly, "I expected your body to explode—didn't think Inazuma youkai are so resilient. Lucky you, I guess."
Sara lay trembling on the cold ground, feeling the fire energy raging within with every heartbeat.
Shao Yun shook his head and crouched beside her.
"When I'm done with your comrades, I'll deal with you."