Chapter 309 “In person! ”

Magnifying the seriousness on his face after that lecture, Rodriguez appears troubled at first before making a deep bow with his head after acknowledging the truth of those words. “Thank you for your guidance. Indeed, this form of thinking is something I never came across. If there’s a chance in the future then I would surely dive deeper into it for self-cultivation. However….” His complexion becoming gloomier as he raised his voice: “The fact remains that you are still trying to kidnap his dukeship in front of me. Even if I know I am not your opponent, I must fight you regardless! No matter the desperate struggle, I firmly believes that so long as I go all out then its still within the realms of possibility that I can injure you!”

Instead of getting angry at that outburst, White River only replied in a mild tone like he’s known the outcome all along: “This is your duty so it’s not strange or surprising for me. I don’t like to take advantage of others so I’ll tell you the truth. I am currently in a special state the way I am right now. That little cut I did earlier, it’s an ability I created by myself called Dimensional Slash. Its definitely beyond the grasps of yourself, but it’s also very demanding on the body, meaning I cannot freely control it as I please in my current state. So, though my level of comprehension is higher than you by many levels, the current I cannot muster the true powers within me. If you do go all out with your absolute strength, its definitely within your means to confront me. Go ahead, fight to your hearts content for there won’t be many chances to do the same in the future.”

Sure enough, Rodriguez was definitely a bit more at ease after being told the truth. He may be a saint class warrior of the highest standard, but not even he can pull off an attack that rips apart the very fabric of reality itself! Now to learn such a power can’t be wielded at the user’s will repeatedly, it meant there’s still a glimmer of hope.

“Saving his dukeship is the most important here. Everyone attack together!” Gnashing his teeth, Rodriguez roars out the order to the rest of his companions.

It wasn’t only the saint knight who’s very uptight here, even Joanna too had completely withdrawn her haughty temperament and replaced it with a serious one. She may be rash at times but she’s no fool, she can tell the foe across from herself held powers far beyond even her own teacher. To stand before someone so powerful, how can she still play around?

With her heart decided now, there’s no need to hold back at all here as she mustered up a sweltering level of Dou Qi around her divinely fit body. As the spell rang out from that delicate hands of hers, a stream of roaring water gushed forward, whistling towards its intended target like it wanted to devour the very man’s existence. Yet, instead of getting serious or fazed by the attack, White River only revealed a faint smile like the torrent of water mattered not to him. Sure enough, he proved once again he was the superior one with that wisp of Flaming Dou Qi he flicked over.

Though the spark itself was small, miniscule even, but how can it be compared to an ordinary flame? Just like how he did with Mr. Blue Ocean during their fight, this small tiny fire completely decimated the torrent of water, evaporating it upon contact like a one-man army against thousands. To make matters worse, it didn’t just stop there after dispelling Joanna’s spell, it continued to chase after her through the stream of residual magic in the air!

Shocked by the returning attack, the haughty girl was now at a loss on what to do. She dodged and dodged, but wherever she moved so did the flame. Now there’s only inches of space between her sleeve and that horrific flame….

Fortunately for the woman, just when all hope was lost, a silvery sword of slender construction had stretched over and blocked the igniting blast through sheer will.

This abrupt interruption was the action of Cybuster, the young general from the Northwest Army who’s been heckling the party all this time. The youngster had only intended to have a taste of the Shaman King’s power to measure his own; however, the end result was far more devastating than he could have ever imagined. There were no delays in his decision. On the very second that the blade of ice contacted that fire, he immediately released the full force of his Dou Qi to repel the invading force against his body. Sadly, even then that wasn’t enough. As a last-ditch resort, Cybuster could only slam his sword forward and shoot it at the man responsible for it all.

A metallic sword of exceptional construction that’s covered in freezing ice, this should’ve been a huge threat for any who were unfortunate enough to stand in its wake. In light of this fact, White River didn’t dodge or swing his head around to move, rather a puff of flame suddenly flew into existence before his very figure and vaporized the sword into nothingness.

There’s no residue matter left from this, nothing at all, not even a puff of smoke!

“Well then, do you also intend to get involved?” The man asks, intrigued by the power portrayed by the young general just now.

As stoic and unyielding as Cybuster was, not even he can remain unfazed in front of that daunting gaze from the Shaman King. Showing a flicker of fear, he was actually fumbling for a correct response: “My father often told me about you and of how you are the strongest being in this world. Please do not misunderstand my intentions. My journey out into the world this time is to meet exceptional individuals like you so I can further hone my skills. Shame though, I was hoping you would….” He pauses, letting his tongue correct itself: “Out of consideration for my father, you wouldn’t kill me during the fight now would you?”

“Haha, very well, you can join in too if you please.” In spite of the affirming nod, White River’s voice didn’t sound like he wanted to spare the person at all.

As for Joanna, she was ready to have another go at the bastard who embarrassed herself in front of everyone. Without the flaunting of any flashy moves like she did earlier, she quickly chanted her binding spell and swung it forward without a second thought.

Towards this foolish attempt by the girl again, the man himself only laughed: “Didn’t I say it already? I am a being standing beyond the realms of this world. The rules and laws of this dimension cannot bind me.”

With that said, the Shaman King was now done with Joanna and shifts his gaze over to the saint knight instead. The burden now completely lies on Rodriguez now, meaning other than him, everyone else here was nonexistence to the man’s eye!

Its not like the knight wanted to stand idly by when his companion was under assault earlier, just that he knows far too well the opponent had completely locked onto him. If he so much as moved there, even an inch, it would give the foe the opportunity to strike. That’s not something he can afford, not here in front of this peerless master who can take a life with a single blow.

Furthermore, there were no lies in White River’s word. Though the person didn’t continue to use that Dimensional Slash like he said, but just the pressure exuding from his presence alone was enough to make the knight falter. If Rodriguez had to describe his current situation, it would be equivalent to when he faced off against that warrior during the coup d’état, only difference here was that his position was being reversed to the losing end.

Knowing there’s no other options left, Rodriguez can only revert back to the basics and become reckless. It was but a flash, but that’s all he needed to muster up the pinnacle of his powers to freeze over the space itself and attack three times in that split second.

I’ve got you!

That’s the only thing Rodriguez could think about when the attack was about to land. Sadly, what came next completely destroyed the small glimmer of hope inside the knight’s heart, thrusting him into the abyss.

Originally the knight’s Ice Dou Qi had already slammed straight onto the Shaman King’s chest, evident by the contact on that clothing, yet things weren’t turning out as the way it should. There’s no impacting blow, no sound, nothing…. Furthermore, Rodriguez can distinctly feel his own powers being overwhelmed by another force from the other side. Now that’s when his eyes came face to face with something so horrific that he never thought possible – the Ice Dou Qi that he released, the essence of frost and cold, was being frozen over like a popsicle!!

How can Dou Qi be frozen too???

For a second there Rodriguez actually thought he was hallucinating there. Yet everything too real that he can’t deny the facts.

To makes matters worse. In light of White River also using his own form of the Ice Dou Qi to counter the knight’s attack by freezing it over, the retaliation didn’t just end there. Like an infection during a plague, the frost continued to penetrate across the air like a malicious virus before entering into Rodriguez’s body. First was the fingertip the knight used, it practically imploded from within at the structural bone level. Afterwards everything was free game since the initial entry point has been made.

Coughing hard at the damage rampaging across his innards, Rodriguez didn’t even know where to start in fending for his life. In fact, he can already see patches of blood seeping out of his pores at every angle, making his appearance dreadfully frightening like a character from a horror story. But who was this knight? A saint level warrior! The damage was but a physical one, not a spiritual one. With an immense burst of his will and a blinding level of light, he forcefully expels the foreign matter out of his flesh through raw power!

Surprised by the capability of the youngling, White River clearly didn’t think the knight could do that. Elevating his foe’s standing using his eyes, the Shaman King approves the man using those meaningful eyes of his: “Very good, very good indeed. You are far stronger than your teacher Blue Ocean. If he was in your position now and at your age, I can say for certain he wouldn’t have been able to do the same as you.”

After giving his praise, the next course of action from the Shaman King was absolutely astounding. Without so much as an blink or even eye contact, White River only needed to will it to dispel the sneak attack coming from Cybuster. This time there were no sparks of flame like the last, in fact it was purely his will manifesting into reality that knocked the young general back and across the inn.

As for Du We, the cause of all this fighting, he only stood there on the sideline waiting. Unlike Joanna who knew nothing of the incredible powers wielded by this man, he’s already seen it first hand the other night. So, in order to bring his chances of success to the maximum, he’s been waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike with his Nirvana’s Bow!

No matter what its still a sacred relic, it should be able to cause him some trouble right?!

But in front of this daunting scene, the boy himself cannot help but have second thoughts about moving. Its Joanna, Cybuster and Rodriguez here, that’s a force to be reckoned with at any place across the lands. For the trio to be destroyed with ease, it begs to wonder what level of success can he pose with a single bow.

This White River…. is he really impossible to match?

Even if I can locate Green hat Gandalf in the future, I fear….

Nevertheless, the fact remains that the Shaman King was turned against him with the back wide open. With a whisk of his sleeve, Du Wei finally makes his move!

Sadly for Du Wei, in light of his continuous firing, none of the fireballs were hitting. It’s as if an unknown force now shields the man and kept them from landing. Before long, his control over the flames were lost like the kites in the wind.

Aware of what the boy was doing by now, White River turns to face Du Wei using an almost amused smile on that face: “You are quite interesting you know. Is this your mages so called ‘instant cast’? Hmm, it’s not the real thing is it? You used some kind of means to achieve said result. What a joke! If it was truly an instant spell then maybe, just maybe it would’ve caused me some trouble. Let me teach you something, a true instant cast is creating something from nothing! No matter how little movement you used there for this hail of fireballs, you still moved, meaning you still left traces of your bodily movement in the air! Such a travesty. A fine ability like instant casting is now tarnished by the half-hearted attempted by the likes of you.”

Finished with his reprimanding, the Shaman King only needed to give a small blow of his breath to extinguish the flames like its nothing. “Now then, what else do you have up your sleeve? Go ahead, show me.”

Exhaling a sigh at how easily his spell was dispersed, Du Wei figured he might as well forget the part about bringing his Nirvana’s Bow out at this point. Smiling bitterly: “I yield, I am not your opponent.”

“Good,” White River nods, already expecting said reply. “I said I will give you an opportunity. Now you’ve used it. Since you recognize now of the facts, let us continue on our journey.”

With that said, the Shaman King finally gets up from his seat. And as a form of consolation, he also whispered something while passing the talented Rodriguez’s side: “Your talent has surpassed your teacher, but your current powers are still inferior to his.”

This greatly vexed the saint knight. Gnashing his teeth, Rodriguez wanted to continue the fighting only to be stopped by Du Wei in the nick of time: “Mr. Rodriguez, there’s no more need to fight. I’ll go with him.”

Pausing to let his mind collect itself, the boy sighs and offers the best plan he can come up with: “He is not someone you can deal with. Go find the others. Maybe with everyone together then maybe, just maybe we would have a chance at defeating him without senseless sacrifice.”

Going white in his face, the saint knight gives a heavy nod after exhaling a sigh of regret: “Yes Duke! I will definitely come back and save you!”

As bitter as this was for Du Wei, he didn’t want to drag this out. Following White River out the door of this inn – which was mostly destroyed with the roof gone and half the walls collapsed – he didn’t want to postpone their departure anymore than it needs to be. There’s already a huge gathering of civilians outside. If the local soldiers also got involved then it would become a bloodbath.

It didn’t take long for the two to leave town, but instead of riding fast like normal people would under these circumstances, White River had in fact deliberately slowed down their paces as if the act alone would make the world understand he doesn’t fear anyone!

Towards this level of arrogance, Du Wei was absolutely speechless. He was starting to seriously doubt if he will ever get away from this madman because nothing seems to work.

To be clear though, he doesn’t hate the Shaman King for his own predicament, he hates himself for being so useless. Du Wei understands full well how fortunate his life has been: He’s the son of a powerful aristocrat in the empire. He’s the student of a legendary mage. And he himself was a reincarnated soul from another world! Matching all these factors together, he should’ve been able to stand at the very height of this world. But what does he do? Squander away the opportunities all because he was a little clever in the head. Now, to make matters worse, he got lazy, lazy after being bestowed with a position of power and has nearly forgotten that true strength will overturn everything!

If I had worked hard from the beginning, pursued the strength that I should’ve, would I have fallen into this state? If it was anyone else, they would’ve have at least put up a fight with the help of a saint knight. And what did I do? I can’t even hold a single blow….. For the first time ever in his life, Du Wei never felt such craving for power.

Not missing the self-reprimanding face of the boy while they rode along the road, White River was the first to break the silence: “I hope your people wouldn’t bring any weakling along the next time they find us, otherwise it would be quite boring.” Talk about giving off the final blow. Because of that casual remark, Du Wei almost couldn’t control himself and nearly started a panic attack.

With the event behind them, nothing special occurred for the next while. However, they did eventually arrive at a part of the road where it’s exceptionally rugged due to the two mountain slopes on each side of the path. But that’s not the most defining feature of this part of the landscape, it’s the ruins up ahead. Called the “Lonely Mountain Pass”, this used to be a major military checkpoint that shielded the empire from the Northwest.

But as development of the Grand Canal took aim across the central parts of the empire, this once major structure had become effectively useless overtime and was thus abandoned at some point. Now from afar, there’s nothing but weeds and crumbling rocks, evident of the passage of time on this place.

“I remember back when the Roland Empire was at war with the prairies, this was the very spot where our warriors would constantly dream of breaking through. Now look at it, the once great Lonely Mountain Pass has fallen into a state that could barely be recognized anymore. How the times have changed since then.” Sighing at the sight, White River was oddly sentimental here.

Sneering aloud, Du Wei had other views in mind: “Since when did the great Shaman King have things they couldn’t come to terms with!”

Scoffing a laugh at the sarcastic comment, White River had wanted to say something back when his senses picked up someone else nearby. No longer playful in his eyes, he exposed a level of seriousness never before seen on that face.

“Good! Good! Very good!!” Inhaling deeply, he excitedly cackles a laugh like he’s extremely pleased by the newcomer: “To think there would be such a powerful figure aside from myself here. How wonderful!”

After saying that, he then suddenly dismounted from the horse and faced the ruins: “I am White River, the current Shaman King of the Snowy Mountains, pleased to meet you!”

Stunned by the abrupt greeting, Du Wei follows that line of sight to soon locate a scrawny looking elder hiding in plain sight. The person didn’t just appear out of thin air, nor did he try to hide his presence with some sort of spell. All this person did was stand there like he had merged with the surrounding environments, truly astonishing.

“Greetings to you Shaman King of the Snowy Mountains. It’s good that I didn’t come too late and finally managed to intercept you here.” The old man’s voice seems to carry magic in there. Though hoarse and rough like he’s about to kick the bucket at any time, it’s very gentle to the ears.

Narrowing in on his eyes, White River wasn’t pleased though, “Hmm, for someone like you to wait for me here, it can’t be just to meet me now is it? Tell me, what’s your name?”

“Me…” The old man sighed as if he’s only talking to himself: “My name is… let me think on it. For many years now there hasn’t been anyone who would address me by my name…. Hmm, my name is Saint Igor Paul … Yes, that is it.”

While the Shaman King remains unmoved by the name, Du Wei on the other hand was literally popping his eyes in absolute shock!!

In the entirety of the Roland Empire, even an idiot would know this point: no matter how influential, no matter how powerful you are, the only person to ever have the right to add the prefix “Saint” to their name was only one!

That person would be the Temple of Light’s very own Pope – Saint Igor Paul XVI (16)!