Hell's Paradise (地獄楽)

The situation is complicated,

but what we need to do hasn’t changed.

First, obtain the elixir.

Second, survive and leave the island.

For now, let’s confirm only the information we need.

We won’t worry about the island’s mysteries at this point.

What matters most

is how to escape the island.

So, what’s the plan?

Mei knows the method.

I see.

Horai is a vast fortress,

modeled after the China’s Epang Palace.

It was built to complete the elixir

and welcome the First Emperor to the island.

In other words, entering and leaving the island itself isn’t impossible.

However, there are monsters in the surrounding sea.

They serve as sentries, preventing the island’s creatures from leaving.

Like that huge one I saw.

Compared to the Tensen, aren’t they less dangerous?

Humans can’t compete with sea beasts, and in a small boat at that.

Neither killing them nor escaping is possible,

no matter how skilled a swordsman you are.

To begin with, the assumption is that we don’t fight the Tensen.

We swiftly steal the elixir without being noticed

and leave the island by ship.

The goal is solely to escape the island.

There are ships and floodgates beneath Horai,

and the monsters are said to be trained

not to attack ships that depart from there.

Floodgates… That presence I felt near the shore?

Do you know where the elixir is?

Probably.

In the laboratory I shared with Rien.

Either way,

the route passes right through enemy territory.

We don’t have much time, but I want to prepare as much as possible.

That’s why Gabimaru and Yuzuriha will…

teach us stealth techniques.

Huh? Me?

What, seduction tactics?

No. I'm talking about Tao.

All right, first…

I’ll teach you a technique to dilute your Tao for substitution techniques.

What for?

Give back Sen-chan’s keepsake!

Now, now, my students.

Nothing beats seeing for yourself. Watch.

KAWARIMI

See? If you talk, it’s over.

Diluting Tao is the same as thinning your very existence.

It even worked on the Tensen.

Perfect for infiltration, right?

All right, everyone, deep breaths and focus.

Ow!

-What are you doing? -Your Tao is disturbed.

No matter what happens, keep your mind calm.

Tao is surprisingly physical.

Like sumo or jujutsu, you can redirect force

and even use your opponent’s Tao.

I’ve also thought of certain countermeasures based on attributes.

To begin with, in martial arts, fa jin and Tao are…

He's pretty theory-heavy, isn't he?

-Maybe he's a nerd? -…there's a high chance you can do it…

Now then, first dislocate the neck bones…

You think we can do that?!

Those who can’t do it die first.

That’s how it was in village training.

All right, focus, focus.

No matter what’s done to you, don’t react.

Relax by dislocating every bone in your body.

Don’t react, don’t react.

Stop your heart without dying.

How the hell do you guys not get tired?

If you handle Tao well, fatigue is minimal.

Why can you suddenly use it so well?

Who knows. Talent?

Since it happened, I feel like something about my senses changed…

From where you stand now, I could probably take you down easily.

Oh? Really?

You’ve got some nerve, man-woman.

It’s strange.

We started out on opposing sides,

yet now we’re cooperating toward the same goal.

And that I can find myself…

wishing that no one here will die.

If you can’t take me down, I’m putting you in a Chinese dress too, man-woman.

Want to die?

The same…

Interesting. Think you can do it?

You?

-If you can, then try. -Wait, wait.

Huh?

Let’s decide the teams first.

Kenryu, stand over there.

Huh? Don’t order me around!

Stop resisting!

Gabimaru, you too.

Yuzuriha and Toma, over there.

Okay, okay.

Lovely braids, young lady.

I’ll kill you.

Fuchi.

Mei.

In case we encounter a Tensen,

let’s understand our own Tao attributes.

Sagiri has the same wood attribute as me.

Gabimaru and Kenryu are fire.

And water, metal, and earth.

These attributes influence one another.

MUTUAL GENERATION

MUTUAL OVERCOMING

MUTUAL OVERCOMING MUTUAL GENERATION

Strengthening another’s Tao is called mutual generation.

Weakening it, on the other hand, is called mutual overcoming.

Do you know the Tensen's attributes too?

I do…

I remember.

Ju Fa, fire. Tao Fa, wood.

Zhu Jin, Ran, water.

Gui Fa, metal. Mu Dan, Rien, earth.

If your attribute restrains the enemy’s, your techniques will work.

However, if it’s the opposite… you have no chance.

Abandon everything… and run.

The teams were decided based on compatibility.

One to secure the escape route and one to seize the elixir.

The elixir team needs speed and stealth.

Only those who can use Tao.

-What? -A small number is better.

Hey, are you serious?

-The elixir team is way more dangerous! -No objections.

The escape team must secure the ship underground

and open the floodgates.

Three people for each of the three roles makes sense.

-Sensei. -Hm?

I just…

Um…

It’s all right, Nurugai.

I haven’t forgotten.

Yeah…

From what that bonsai guy said…

Not bonsai.

You want to leave the island too, don’t you, miss?

Then we could just let her leave on her own

without waiting for the elixir team, couldn't we?

-Wait. -Huh?

Are you really okay with this?

Oh! Gabi!

That's right. The elixir team is dangerous, isn't it?

Do you wish to just leave the island like this?

Isn’t there something you’d regret before leaving the island?

You could have escaped on your own.

But you didn’t.

I couldn’t hear everything last time.

Let me hear it now.

I’ll translate.

I…

think it's bad what Rien is doing.

He's killed so, so many people.

Why didn’t Master Xu Fu stop it?

I want to leave the island quickly. Everything is scary.

But! Just once more…

I want to see Rien and the Master.

I want to ask why they changed.

Long ago, the two of them were kind.

They were kind, and yet…

Risking danger just to talk to the Tensen…

What will you do after that?

And then…

And then I'll leave the island

and live a normal life.

Let’s protect what’s normal.

Peacefully, properly.

I know it’s dangerous.

But just seeing them is enough.

I miss them.

Then let’s go.

If you just want to see them, it might be possible.

But…

Otherwise, your "normal" life can’t begin, can it?

Leave the journey to me. I will get you to your destination.

Okay!

With this, the "Rite of Ascension" is over.

So? Big fancy ritual, but does it mean anything?

Who knows?

It’s an old custom.

Newly born Doshi,

or anyone permitted into the castle, everyone does it.

This feels better after all.