Campione! - Volume 17 - Chapter 7.3

Part 3 

Luo Cuilian was performing palm strikes using her pubescent body.  

Recognized as the supreme treasure of Chinese martial arts, the Twelve Divine Palm Strikes of the Flying Phoenix was a set of ultimate techniques consisting of 

twelve moves: Fengchudengmen, Fengyanchuanlian, Fengzhuataoxin, Feifengzhuiluo, Danfengchaoyang, Jinfengliangchi, Qunfenglianhuan, Xiongfengqianjin, Fengyitianxiang, Fenglongyinyang, Fenghuangshuangfei, Dafengwutian.  

This set of ultimate techniques were originally taught as the Five Immortal Palm Strikes of the Flying Phoenix.  

Adding seven additional strikes of her own invention, Luo Cuilian created the Twelve Divine Palm Strikes.  

Nevertheless, she had not been able to bring out these palm techniques readily the whole time.  

Hanuman was using unarmed techniques from ancient India.  

This was a rather peculiar type of martial arts. The wind god’s son was using his agile body of a monkey’s to jump with speed and lightness, unleashing flying kicks from the air incessantly. Or suddenly leaping behind Luo Cuilian, he would attack with punches from blind spots.  

In addition, he was extremely fast.  

No sooner had one concluded he was suddenly about to unleash four or five punches consecutively, it would turn out to be a barrage of strikes as closely spaced as rosary beads. Using a forward kick to contain the opponent first, followed by a mid-level kick intended to halt rather than defeat the enemy, he finally aimed a spinning kick at her head for a critical blow.  

Meanwhile, he kept launching straight punches, swinging his arms sideways as follow up attacks even when the punches were dodged.  

When these types of attacks failed to work, he would suddenly jump up to attack the opponent's jaw with knee strikes.  

Truly monkey-like in style, an extremely peculiar and swift set of martial arts.  

Luo Cuilian succeeded in defending against the vast majority of attacks.  

Making superb use of her prided movement skills, she dodged using the minimum necessary motions. Or using mysterious footwork, she would instantly pull away to distances out of reach from Hanuman's limbs.  

In this manner, she would block, deflect and push away unavoidable attacks using her right or left palm.  

However—  

There were also punches and kicks that got past her defenses.  

Initially, they were only on the level of brushing past Luo Cuilian's beautiful face. But including his arms and legs, Hanuman's entire body was as hard as steel. A glancing blow against the face would be like a cut from a blade.  

Furthermore, Luo Cuilian's movements were gradually slowing down as expected.  

Punches and kicks that initially brushed past her—They were starting to land solid hits.  

Luo Cuilian's pubescent body was showing bruises all over her body and limbs— the exposed parts being the upper arms, the thighs, calves, etc, whereas places like the abdomen were covered up by her mandarin gown.  

Even so, she was still able to barely defend the critical vulnerability of the head.  

Her face, young and beautiful, was unscathed. However, she could hardly conceal signs of fatigue while her breathing was beginning to grow irregular. Large beads of sweat dripped. An expression appeared on her face, one that did not suit the beautiful demonic cult leader, the peerless beauty who wandered fantastical realms.  

Were her loyal believers to witness her now, they would probably suffer an intense shock.  

Nevertheless...  

Hanuman scowled.  

Despite being a monkey, he was staring at Luo Cuilian with obvious displeasure.  

"I see now... To think you were harboring such intentions."  

"Hohoho. Looks like my plan is finally discovered. You have truly impressive eyes of wisdom."  

A sweet smile appeared on Luo Cuilian's young and beautiful face.  

"If possible, I would have hoped for slightly more... But such a demand would seem to be a little excessive. I suppose my wish shall not be granted."  

"I was feeling suspicious already."  

Hanuman sighed  

"It was unbelievable that one of the lowly godslayers did not take a desperate gamble to make a dramatic comeback. Instead, choosing to fight me in a rather indifferent manner—In other words, you planned this ahead of time."  

"Yes. I secretly rejoiced as soon as I learned that unarmed combat is your specialty."  

Luo Cuilian's breathing suddenly became smooth and unimpeded. Her breathing and circulation returned to normal, she straightened her back and faced the monkey god squarely.  

"In fact, I was also fighting King Rama with the same purpose. However, trying to find openings in his swinging blade was very difficult and the lightning of salvation was also a hindrance... So challenging to strike him with my palms, I certainly spared no effort."  

Facing the white monkey god,she swiftly pushed her right hand forward.  

Then the qi stored in Luo Cuilian's energy center beneath the navel—the magic power absorbed from Hanuman's body using her palms as media—erupted violently.  

The energy center beneath the navel was precisely the human body's storage of qi, i.e. magic power.  

What transported qi from this place to the rest of the body was the meridian network as it was known in oriental medicine. Qi and meridians were analogous to "blood and blood vessels."  

After several days, Luo Cuilian's body was finally filled with massive magic power as befitted her Campione title. As a result, all the bruises covering her body became perfectly healed.  

In addition, her torso and limbs lengthened. Her face also matured.  

In terms of appearance, Luo Cuilian had been a pubescent girl roughly twelveyears-old for the past few days.  

But now, she was back to being a young woman at her prime, roughly eighteen or nineteen years of age as before, an appearance that no one could disapprove even if she were to call herself "Kusanagi Godou's sworn elder sister"!  

As the transcendent beauty instead of the adorable child, Luo Cuilian smiled delightfully.  

"Fufufufufu, the Soul-Stealing Palm of Astral Absorption is capable of drawing qi out from a target's body through palm contact—An evil faction's martial arts technique. Were it not for an opportunity like this, I would never have had a chance to use it again."  

The human body contained what were known as the Twelve Principal Meridians as well as the supporting Extraordinary Vessels.  

By emptying the Eight Extraordinary Vessels of the qi flowing within them, one could absorb qi from external sources—in order words, steal qi from other people.  

Qi—or equivalently, magic power—was something gradually cultivated through daily training.  

The key principle of this martial arts technique was absorbing this precious energy from others to claim as one's own. Instead of using Hanuman as a target, absorbing the same amount of qi from ordinary humans such as martial artists or magi would result in the deaths of hundreds from depletion of life force. That was how much qi was involved.  

On the other hand, precisely because her target was a god, he had failed to notice immediately.  

"To think you have mastered this evil art... Truly, one must not judge by appearances alone."  

"Since I am the one known as the Ruler of the Martial Realm, it is only natural for me to be well-versed in both the techniques of the light, passed down by the orthodox sects, as well as the techniques of the shadow taught by the unorthodox. 

Furthermore..."  

Puffing out her voluptuous chest, Luo Cuilian spoke:  

"Besides, how could one lay claim to the martial pinnacle without mastering the essence of both the orthodox and the unorthodox sides of the martial realm? I, Luo Hao, achieved my present position not by reputation alone but through power and ability as well!"  

The pubescent girl's body, lacking in undulating curves, was a thing of the past. The earlier mandarin gown was bursting at the seams everywhere, about to break apart.  

This was the result of recovering her maidenly body. However, the damaged mandarin gown instantly transformed into elegant Han clothing, apparently a replacement garment conjured using Daoist arts.  

Exuding a haughty aura as befitted the Ruler of the Martial Realm, this was the instant of Her Eminence Luo Hao's complete revival.  

(Regarding Her Eminence—Please do not worry.)  

Godou was puzzled by Yuri's whispered words of assurance.  

But soon, he understood. The Hime-Miko in the Netherworld had called upon spirit vision about Luo Cuilian to confirm that she was safe and sound. This news was also transmitted to Godou through the connection of psychic sensing.  

"Let alone safe and sound, she even managed to absorb the enemy's power."  

This absurd feat was truly impressive, nothing less expected from Luo Cuilian.  

Godou felt surprised while relieved at the same time. Even so, by staying in the Netherworld, Yuri was truly serving as an all-seeing clairvoyant. This made him feel worried instead.  

"Although it's very amazing that your powers have reached this level, Mariya, I'm a bit worried. I'm expecting a backlash in the near future."  

(You have... a point. I agree too. After all, the Netherworld is not a domain suited for human residence—To become overly accustomed to this side would mean losing one's body as a human.)  

Yuri's whispers carried calm and quiet conviction.  

She probably sensed danger through the power of spirit vision. As expected, he must settle things as quickly as possible and tell Yuri to return.  

Just as Godou made his decision, Liliana pointed at the eastern sky.  

"Kusanagi Godou, look at that."  

Outstanding in eyesight and spirit vision, the silver-haired knight had noticed the enemy's arrival earlier than anyone else.  

A minute or two later, Godou also noticed.  

A tiny black dot was approaching from the eastern sky. This black dot was gradually getting bigger. He could now see that it was a female knight mounted on a white horse.  

The war god of the lance and Amazonian queen, Lancelot du Lac had arrived.  

Godou signaled to his companions with his eyes.  

Erica, Liliana and Ena. The trio understood his message and instantly dispersed.  

Lancelot's charging attacks carried power on the level of meteor crashes.  

Even if they wanted to support Godou, it would be quite risky if the girls stayed too near.  

Hence, Kusanagi Godou was left alone again.  

Meanwhile, Lancelot and her horse also landed unaccompanied near Godou. On further thought, Godou recalled how she had always appeared with the other two heroes ever since her resurrection.  

This was his first time meeting her alone since their reunion at Sardinia that time.  

"Yo."  

"Greetings again, Kusanagi Godou."  

Formerly enemies in the same boat at one point, the two of them were able to greet each other quite naturally.  

In addition, Godou was struck by a sense of dissonance. This Lancelot—seemed a little strange. In front of the doubting Godou, Lancelot descended lightly from her white horse. At this moment, the sense of dissonance felt even more intense.  

"What's wrong? You seem a bit weird, you know?"  

"This knight? Refrain from uttering nonsense. Though raised from the dead, this knight's soul has not changed the slightest. This is still Lancelot du Lac, the same one who engaged you in a deathmatch in the past."  

Waving her honey-colored hair, the female knight smiled gently.  

"Fufufu. One ended up reaping benefits from yielding the first opportunity to take to the field to Perseus and the Great Sage. Not only has this knight gained the chance for a one-on-one duel against you but also monopoly over the blessings of the Arrowhead's Discus."  

The three heroes enjoyed greater combat power when manifesting alone.  

Godou recalled his sworn sister's past teachings. Furthermore, preferring to showcase her own valor instead of relying on a three-against-one advantage, this truly befitted the militant war god's style.  

But if that really were the case, why would she—?  

Godou discovered the reason for his sense of dissonance. It was the fighting mindset and resolve ever present on the battlefield.  

Although Godou had greeted Lancelot, the [Storm Bringer] still continued to spin overhead, gradually approaching critical point. Verethragana's holy swords also remained as well.  

In order to use these weapons any moment, he did not relax at all.  

However, the knight of the lake had currently landed with her trusty partner, the white horse, smiling with the same expression as she had shown when chatting in that seaside cafe in the past.  

Another odd thing that Godou noticed was how she had yielded the vanguard position to others despite her zeal for charging straight at the enemy to attack head on.  

Harboring these thoughts, Godou repeated his comment.  

"You really did change after all."  

"Fufu. Perhaps."  

A smile surfaced on the corners of the female knight's lips. This time, she admitted it ambiguously.  

"In fact, confusion is currently what this knight feels."  

"What do you mean?"  

"Rather... This knight is simply entering the fray due to the vanguard, the two heroes, retreating in haste. However, an issue still eludes understanding the whole time. Is the current battle truly what the 'King of the End' wishes for?"  

At this moment, the name of the great hero of the orient, Rama, had already been revealed.  

Nevertheless, Lancelot probably still considered the name of her lord to be the "King of the End." Also, Godou could understand the reason why she felt lost.  

"That's right. Inexplicably, that guy has a lot of common sense and he even avoids battle."  

"Kusanagi Godou, as someone who knows this point clearly, why do you fight His Majesty?"  

"Well, since a god with the ability to destroy the world has shown up, even someone like me feels compelled to intercept and oppose him in the spirit of volunteerism. Also, there's—"  

After touting his sense of public morality, Godou stared straight at the female knight.  

"Maybe it's possible to tell through fighting? I found out the method to viciously crush what's forcing him to endlessly repeat these battles of Devil King extermination... this thing called destiny."  

Call it destiny, call it fate.  

Call it guided by destiny, or call it bound by fate.  

There are many who preferred these ostentatious descriptions. However, this was what Godou thought: Bound by something like that—Was that really a good thing?  

It should be the opposite instead. It would be much better to crush so-called destiny and fate, to ignore them.  

Although Godou felt no attraction at all to words like these, he was inspired with a strong opinion lately after witnessing the experiences of the man burdened by the destiny of Devil King extermination.  

Hence, Godou shared his thoughts indifferently.  

"Although I don't understand what those gods are thinking, I honestly feel that destiny or whatever should just go to hell. What do you think?"  

"Hahahaha!"  

Lancelot suddenly burst out in laughter, but not in mockery. She looked like she was laughing quite heartily. Laughter straight from the heart. However, what had provoked to laugh so much?  

Suppressing her laughter, the war god of the lance spoke to Godou who was staring in puzzlement:  

"Oh dear, pardon this rudeness. Actually, there is another cause for this knight's confusion."  

"What is it?"  

"You. After all, one still owes a debt to you, the victor of our duel. It is most displeasing, this feeling of tainting one's pride as a warrior."  

"You owe me something?"  

Godou had no idea at all. The female knight explained to the baffled Godou:  

"Indeed. You are the man who fought this knight, Lancelot, and obtained victory, fair and square. The deserved reward is still currently in forfeit."  

"Reward...?"  

"Mm-hm. On the verge of my death, the late beloved child, Guinevere, used the 

Arrowhead's Discus, thereby taking in this knight's soul."  

Lancelot suddenly approached Godou.  

However, she did not draw her weapon. Neither did she give off any intent to fight or to murder. Instead, she walked over at a leisurely pace. Unbelievably, right before Godou's eyes, she also—  

Suddenly kneeling down, she bowed her head reverently.  

An action that Erica would perform on occasion, this was precisely knightly etiquette.  

"What are you doing?"  

"Kusanagi Godou, here is what this knight believes. To uphold loyalty towards one's lord of old in the truest sense, yet simultaneously offer compensation to the respected foe—This knight is convinced it is possible. For this purpose, one believes that you ought to be entrusted with the lance of Lancelot du Lac."  "!?"  

"Will you listen to this knight's wish?"