Chapter 148: Melee of the Four Supremes: The Funeral of the Scarlet Eyes-Infinite Immortal(His given name was Qi, and his courtesy name was Fangyuan.)

Mahapadma shattered into pieces, and Esdeath's face showed a look of sheer disbelief. This was the first time in her life that someone had broken through her Mahapadma. Moreover, the punch that struck her was not only immensely powerful, but the subtle, exquisite force within it had also begun to invade her entire body, sealing every single acupoint capable of stabilizing her posture.

Suspended in mid-air, Esdeath plummeted straight down, completely unable to even blink her eyelids.

"Defeated in a single move. My judgment was indeed correct. Before we fight, I'd like to talk to you about something," Qi said, seemingly entirely devoid of panic.

"Speak your mind if you have something to say. I've never lacked time. Whenever I used to encounter talkative people while guarding the gate, I'd always be very happy," Hong Meiling said, chasing after the falling Esdeath with a carefree, bubbly smile.

"Since you've come to spar with me in martial arts, let's lower our strength levels a bit. If we keep our power and speed roughly matched, we can have a genuine sparring match. Otherwise, knocking me out in a single blow defeats the purpose, doesn't it?" She landed on the ground and smiled.

"That makes sense. Just like in Gensokyo, even though I'm the only one who knows martial arts, powerful demons who know no martial arts can still beat me half to death with sheer might. So when we spar, we must only use techniques, not brute-force attacks."

Hong Meiling nodded approvingly, her long red hair swaying along with her twin ponytails as she broke into a broad smile.

"That being said, let us fight." Qi assumed a stance, adopting a standard martial arts posture.

"Oh, I can't wait! I haven't sparred in martial arts for over four hundred years." Hong Meiling casually set Esdeath down on the ground, went through a set of graceful preparatory movements, and then the two locked gazes. Their auras collided, and they charged at each other simultaneously.

Both of them completely ignored Tatsumi, who was standing nearby as a mere spectator, leaving him utterly speechless. Though he desperately wanted to step in and separate the two, he simply lacked the strength right now. Suddenly, his body jolted. He pulled out a strange metal device and pressed it against his ear.

"How is the situation? Did Meiling make a move?" The voice coming from the metal device was unexpectedly that of the Little Emperor.

"Miss Meiling is indeed extraordinary. She defeated General Esdeath in a single strike." Initially, when Tatsumi heard the Little Emperor say this young girl was going to wipe out everyone all by herself, he hadn't believed his own ears.

After all, that was Esdeath, the strongest person in the Empire, and Qi, the equally monstrous peer of hers.

"Is that so? Just as I thought. The plane of Gensokyo is vastly superior to that of Akame ga Kill; even Meiling alone could sweep through this entire world. What about the others? Have they all been knocked out?" The Little Emperor's voice sounded somewhat excited.

"There was a slight accident. Miss Meiling and Qi are sparring with matched strength, using techniques that trace circles and sounds resembling roaring dragons and howling tigers. It looks intensely impressive, anyway." Tatsumi's gaze remained fixed on the two figures in the arena.

"Did that Qi recognize Meiling, or say anything strange?"

"No, he just asked Miss Meiling to lower her strength so they could spar, and nothing else. To be honest, standing alone on the sidelines watching, I wouldn't even dare to intervene." Tatsumi said with a wry smile.

"That's fine then. Your task, Tatsumi, is simply to make sure Meiling isn't snatched away by Night Raid, and to constantly remain vigilant for a man who uses a spatial-type Teigu. He might be hiding nearby, waiting for an opportunity."

"Understood."

"Who said I was defeated?" Esdeath suddenly stirred, rose to her feet from the ground, and glanced indifferently at Tatsumi. Without a single word, she joined the fray between the two. Even without her ice-manipulation abilities, Esdeath remained terrifyingly powerful.

She was someone who could hunt dangerous beasts at the age of ten, a person evaluated as being born purely for war. Even without formal martial arts training, the combat experience she had accumulated through countless life-or-death struggles was something Hong Meiling simply could not match.

"Hahahaha, how could a martial arts spar be complete without this old man? Though I am aged, learning knows no bounds, and this old man will shamelessly join these young ones for a bout." The Martial Emperor unexpectedly rushed up from the bottom of the valley as well, joining the chaotic battle and turning it into a four-way martial arts melee.

The Empire's top expert, the Empire's foremost martial artist, a youth who had achieved perfect mastery over his own body, and a maiden who had practiced martial arts for centuries—here, using purely physical bodies with comparable strength and speed, they traded blows, parrying and countering move for move.

"Wahahahahaha, sparring with true masters is indeed refreshing. Ever since coming to Gensokyo, I haven't fought this freely and heartily in over four hundred years. The only pity is that this is after having our power suppressed, which leaves a tiny bit of regret."

Amidst the intense combat, Hong Meiling's laughter was crisp, filled with both exhilaration and slight regret.

"Once I grow further, I will have a genuine martial arts spar with you. Although my techniques are smooth and rounded, they lack innovation and fluidity. This battle has given me profound insights."

Not a single opponent he had encountered in the past could be considered a true martial arts master; most relied on arcane arts for offense and defense. This meant his close-quarters combat either resulted in direct suppression by sheer force, or rendered his martial arts useless because the opponent's power and speed vastly exceeded his own.

"Hahahaha, this old man feels the exact same way. How exhilarating!" The Martial Emperor laughed heartily, his voice booming like a giant bell.

"It is indeed a rare and magnificent battle. However, Kaitian won't be able to hold out much longer, will he?" Esdeath looked toward Qi, still addressing him by the name Kaitian.

"Just strictly fighting like this, I can last a few days—provided I don't get injured."

...

"Big sister, you've become much stronger than before. It seems I won't be able to turn you into my puppet after all. What a pity." Akame now had no choice but to rely entirely on parrying and blocking, her aura rapidly weakening.

"Yatsufusa takes a heavy toll, doesn't it? Your body cannot hold out much longer. Let me make things a little easier for you," Kurome said softly, her voice lingering and melancholic, completely devoid of any detectable emotion.

"I have one final request. Please turn me into a puppet of Yatsufusa. That way, we can be together forever. When we were little, big sister protected me; from now on... let me protect big sister." Kurome stopped her movements, supported her forehead with one hand, and coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"Kurome, won't you come over to my side? Join us in Night Raid; the Empire is already finished." Akame stepped closer and closer to her younger sister.

"No, there must be a conclusion between us. This is a destined duel; either I turn big sister into a puppet, or big sister slays me. Since I have already lost, I must accept this outcome. Judging by big sister's appearance, you don't seem to have any intention of turning me into Yatsufusa's puppet. What a pity, I wanted to be with big sister forever."

Coughing up another mouthful of blood, Kurome raised Yatsufusa, broke into a brilliant smile, and charged forward with her blade.

A ripple stirred within Akame's calm gaze. She raised Murasame and said, "Execution."