Gu Mo felt he had comprehended the true essence of a mage, especially regarding the core concept of being a "combat mage."
Oh, calling it "combat mage" might not be accurate. After all, as the saying goes, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Considering his current mastery of Yin Yang techniques, the formal title for a magic user is Onmyoji, so the accurate term should be...
——Yin Yang Martial Artist!
——That’s right! It’s this!
Gu Mo’s expression was very subtle. He thought of some strange things and couldn’t help but feel that he had known the right path all along; he just hadn’t reacted immediately. Indeed, history spirals upward, with humanity always repeating the paths walked before.
Yes, he was very familiar with the path of the Yin Yang Martial Artist, and could even say he was quite adept.
The most typical Yin Yang Martial Artist in the game, Saito Risaburo, left a very deep impression on people... Say he was an Onmyoji, but his Great Tachi had a faster attack speed than a Tachi, delivering dominant, instant combos; say he was a warrior, yet he could unleash infinite instant Yin Yang techniques, firing light cannons when drawing distance, and often throwing a Yin Yang technique into your face amid close combat.
Moreover, the Protective Talisman constantly reduced damage, with high health, defense, and stamina. Competing in attrition with him was a self-destructive path; the Wind-Repelling Talisman deflected all ranged attacks, not to mention bows and muskets, even cannons would rebound on the spot.
All in all, in the game, he was an incredibly annoying immortal humanoid monster. Countless players lamented under this Yin Yang man’s hands multiple times, dying until they became conscious, smashing keyboards, throwing controllers, and then raging online——
Then...
The answer in the later version, however, gave a very subtle result.
Master every weapon, with two Secret Techniques, break all! Minor in Yin Yang, proficient in magic, endless endurance!
——Everyone hated the Yin Yang Martial Artist. But in the end, everyone became a Yin Yang Martial Artist, even more exaggerated than Saito Risaburo.
But there was nothing to be done. That version’s answer was just this; this path was strong, was the universal solution... People were double standards anyway; disliking the enemy being a Yin Yang Martial Artist to annoy them didn’t conflict with themselves being a Yin Yang Martial Artist to annoy the enemy.
Gu Mo felt he gradually understood everything.
So, it turns out this was indeed the version’s answer! Wasn’t it already revealed in the game? Truly, art comes from life!
The battle, under one-sided slaughter, was nearing its end rapidly. With someone like Hidechika leading the charge, not only did they deliver over ninety percent of violent output damage, they also always maintained high-speed and efficient killing while keeping a continual eye on other battlefield movements, ready to rescue the field.
So the soldiers too unleashed their hands, and after the Iron Cannon dealt surprise damage in the first wave, they temporarily had no use for it, so they straightforwardly engaged in close contact with cold weapons. In normal times, this would inevitably require a significant sacrifice, but it was different now.
Even Fujikichiro held a Tachi and rushed to the front, shouting very loudly. With such enthusiasm, it was hard not to notice.
There are always reasons why such people can stand out.
Gu Mo tugged at the corners of his mouth, slashing a small Hungry Ghost viciously lunging at his face in mid-air. But in the gap, a Demon Ghost on the other side, baring its teeth and claws, was angrily charging at him, like a crazed bull!
This was no joke; with a robust body larger than a normal person by a circle, its skin red like tanned leather, filled with bulging veins and muscles, arms almost as thick as an adult’s thighs, such a Demon Ghost’s forceful and fierce impact didn’t lose much to a heavy cavalry’s charge.
Gu Mo didn’t have time to withdraw his blade, being in a small post-swing stiffness moment. If it were the previous him, he might have been extremely flustered, but not now. Yesterday’s one-hour beating... cough, cough, one-hour practical training held significance.
He perhaps hadn’t truly mastered those skills, but at least his body firmly remembered one thing.
Back then, Minamoto no Yoshiie’s attacks were like a storm, quick, urgent, and fierce. In the midst of blades and saber sparkles, hearing the harsh sounds resonate near his ears, feeling attacks seemingly brushing past his face and nose, watching shadows always seem to whistle by his eyes... one couldn’t help but be very flustered.
Instinctively wanting to close his eyes, back off a bit, raise his arms to protect his body, only to get beaten more harshly and painfully.
Following chaotic instincts and conditioned reflexes would lead to more beatings, and particularly painful ones; whereas, overcoming instincts, forcing oneself to calm down, observe carefully, look for opportunities to counterattack, surprisingly led to fewer beatings... Pain truly was the most effective bodily memory.
Panic-driven instinctive dodging and blocking were meaningless, only disrupting his movements. Closing his eyes was akin to a suicidal act, a self-deception ostrich mentality, handing opportunities to the enemy... What Minamoto no Yoshiie wanted to impart was such a simple truth.
So Gu Mo, at this moment, didn’t immediately panic, lost his composure, and didn’t know what to do. Instead, instinctively, he quickly pondered how to counterattack.
This Demon Ghost’s offensive seemed reckless and fierce, but compared to that petty Minamoto no Yoshiie, it was too straightforward and childish, simply presenting itself.