Kenjaku was amused and said with a chuckle, "Since you know what you're doing, old friend, I won't say more." Kenjaku then turned to Mahito and added:
"Ashiya-san was also a Jujutsu Sorcerer who participated in the Ryomen Sukuna subjugation battle back then. He faked his death to escape, wanting to preserve his useful life for revenge, but he never expected that after that battle, the jujutsu higher-ups would be exposed."
"They took the initiative to sue for peace with Ryomen Sukuna, offering tributes, practically treating Ryomen Sukuna as a living god. From that moment on, Ashiya-san established his ambition to reign over the jujutsu world and has persisted until now."
So, it wasn't just jealousy, but also the hatred of having all his comrades die. Mahito nodded slightly.
Ashiya Magon, however, said despondently, "Kenjaku, I'm glad you're trying to protect my reputation, but there's no need. After all these years, I've realized it—I'm just jealous!"
"My talent for Cursed Energy is simply not up to par. To keep moving forward, I had no choice but to embrace swordsmanship; swordsmanship is my everything."
"But that battle back then crushed my pride completely. The swordsmanship I devoted everything to was inferior to the Innate Techniques others were born with as naturally as breathing. How could I not despair?"
"If I were defeated by another Cursed Technique, I would still have a reason to keep going. But it just so happened that Ryomen Sukuna's technique is a slashing attack… Ten years of human tempering cannot compare to a single moment of the Dao's favor…"
"How can I not feel despair?"
Talk about a worker's hatred for the rich; it was so damn relatable!
Mahito's heart stirred slightly as he asked, "Can you still use Simple Domain?"
Ashiya Magon looked at him in surprise, then suddenly laughed. "Your comprehension ability is indeed astounding."
Mahito sighed and said with rare sincerity, "Ashiya-sensei, if you could face Ryomen Sukuna in battle again, even if you only grazed his skin, you would surely soar to the heavens like a fish leaping over the Dragon Gate."
"Simple Domain is an extension of the will. Its core has no other choice but to move forward with indomitable spirit, which requires an extremely powerful will to sustain. But an old man who blames others and harbors hatred—how can he possibly maintain such powerful willpower?"
He could even say that if he truly faced Ryomen Sukuna, he would be as loyal as a dog—of all those who can learn "Simple Domain," who would be so humble when facing a certain-death situation?
Kasumi Miwa, Kusakabe Atsuya, Kokichi Muta, Yuki Tsukumo, Aoi Todo, and even Ui Ui—none of them would. With Ashiya Magon's current mindset, even if he could use Simple Domain, he wouldn't be able to improve it further; his resolve is broken.
"If I were still the same person who met you yesterday, I would definitely be indifferent to those words. Because back then, I lived by absorbing my disciples' lifespans. My frail body made living itself a form of pain. I lived for my ambition, my heart like stagnant water, motionless."
Ashiya Magon gave Mahito a deep look. "But now, although I am still old, my lifespan is no longer a concern. While I may not be in my prime, I can still swing a sword."
Mahito twitched his mouth. Great, this old man understands things better than anyone. As expected of a thousand-year-old monster like Kenjaku. It seems he can not only use Simple Domain but even wants to use it to challenge Ryomen Sukuna!
Ashiya said impatiently, "How long have we been off-topic? Quick, quick, tell me how you did it? Could it be that your 'evolution'—"
"—isn't just physical, but also works on concentration and mental aspects? How is that possible?!"
Mahito was about to speak when someone suddenly ran over in a hurry.
"Mahito! We have trouble." The newcomer was Kinji Hakari; his expression was solemn and his pace hurried.
Ashiya Magon said dissatisfiedly, "I believe I said that training should be in an absolutely quiet place, and absolute concentration should be maintained during instruction. During this period, unless Gojo Satoru is attacking, we shouldn't be disturbed."
Kinji Hakari glanced at the old man, his voice cold. "Fortunately, the person coming isn't Gojo Satoru."
Ashiya Magon was stunned.
Kenjaku also became nervous and quickly asked, "What's going on?"
"Yuki Tsukumo personally called me." Kinji Hakari took a deep breath. "She… hopes to meet with Mahito."
Ashiya Magon and Kenjaku said in unison, "Refuse her!"
Kenjaku spoke clearly, but his tone was very urgent:
"Mahito, I know your pride. You don't refuse anyone who finds your tracks and asks for a meeting, not even the Zen'in Family."
"But Yuki Tsukumo is different. She is a Special Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer!"
"Without another Special Grade Sorcerer to stop her, she could sweep the entire jujutsu world alone if she wanted to! You haven't even figured out your combat system yet; fighting her is certain death!"
"Unless you use the multi-fusion soul."
"But that's a trump card meant for Gojo Satoru; you must not use it now!"
"Because you can't guarantee you'll kill Yuki Tsukumo, and she might expose your hidden cards to Gojo Satoru! A jujutsu battle is an information war. When your information is fully exposed, you're not far from death!"
"Everyone in the world knows Gojo Satoru's information—his Six Eyes, his Limitless, and his Unlimited Void." Mahito asked with a smile, "Who dares to say they can defeat him?"
"That's why he's not far from death," Kenjaku said seriously. "He can't maintain his dominance for a lifetime. He will grow old, he will have bad luck… Just like us, aren't we plotting against him? The unknown brings fear, while the known only stirs up greed."
Mahito performed a sword flourish, slowly sheathing the bamboo sword at his waist, as if performing iaido. "What time? Where?" he asked.
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