Chapter 189: Hundred-eyed Demon’s Upgrade Materials, Ghost God’s Might, Crushing Three-and-a-half Star! Daruma’s Master!
The midday sun was scorching, yet within Yoshida Castle, it was as secluded as the night.
Like a ghostly realm.
A faint smell of decay drifted through the city’s streets and alleys from an unknown source, seeping into every resident’s home through every crack.
The marketplace, which should have been bustling at this hour, was now almost devoid of open shops—even those that were open were just a couple of stores selling daily necessities, and the front desk staff looked listless.
Because of the plague.
Ever since those grotesque and terrifying demons appeared in Yoshida Castle a few days ago.
Diseases of all sizes, with unknown causes, unknown prevention, and unknown treatments, began to spread fiercely like ink dropped into clear water.
There were common, recognizable illnesses such as pustules that caused the body to erupt in sores and high fever, and measles that made children cough incessantly…
There was also dysentery, and even edema, which should not have appeared in the city.
And as one could foresee, after a large number of residents died from these diseases, the resulting epidemics would trigger a series of even more terrifying chain reactions.
The faint smell of decay currently permeating the city was a harbinger.
Yet, although most of the residents in Yoshida Castle had contracted at least one illness, the number of deaths so far was not high.
This was not because the illnesses were not high-risk, but because the Affliction had deliberately weakened their lethality.
Of course, this was not due to the Affliction’s benevolence.
For what the Affliction sought was “disease” and “everything born from disease,” not wholesale “death.”
If people died too quickly, it would contradict the Affliction’s purpose.
Sparse villages were of no consequence; the Kin could play as they pleased…
But if the mortality rate in densely populated cities reached a certain level, the number of deaths would explode exponentially.
Kufuku and Kaibōzu had been strictly controlling the mortality rate these past few days, which was also a major reason why they occasionally did not intervene when Daruma was saving people.
But the residents of Yoshida Castle did not know this.
They only knew that they, their families, and those they knew, and everything they were familiar with, were slowly marching towards death.
Oppression, silence, despair.
A similar atmosphere permeated the Matsudaira residence, guarded by swarms of Kin.
Except for the samurai who had achieved Qi Circulation, who still maintained their health, even the direct descendants of the Matsudaira family had not escaped contracting illnesses.
Under the plague, all beings were equal.
“Lord Honda… are we just going to sit here and wait for death, watching Yoshida Castle and the entire Matsudaira family perish!
If Lord Motoyasu were here, he would never wish to see this scene!”
In a side room of the Matsudaira residence, after Kufuku and Kaibōzu had left, a young man in a robe bearing the Matsudaira family crest said hoarsely.
Opposite him, Honda Tadataka, cradling a young boy who was coughing incessantly with a flushed face, cast a faint glance at him.
“If you draw your sword and charge out of this door now, what will you do after slaying this few stray monsters?”
He retorted, “Go to your death?”
The young man’s face contorted as he wanted to retort, but after gripping the hilt of his sword for a long time, he could not utter a single word.
Because… Lord Honda’s words were the truth.
Even if he slew the hundreds of monsters guarding the Matsudaira family, what good would it do?
Within and outside this city, there were tens of thousands, even more terrifying monsters more powerful than Lord Honda.
But he was unwilling…
Boom!
Rumble!
Just as the young man was thinking this, a deafening bolt from the blue suddenly sounded from outside the room.
The young man was slightly stunned and, along with Honda Tadataka, turned his gaze towards the open window.
Then, the young man witnessed a scene he would never forget in his life.
In the sun-drenched azure sky, a large patch of dark clouds, as if alive, was surging—but in an instant, it was annihilated and swallowed by a roaring, coiling lightning dragon.
The lightning was purplish-blue, and even from more than a thousand meters away, it stung his eyes.
Amidst the thunderous roar, the father of the future Tokugawa Four Heavenly Kings, Honda Tadakatsu.
The man who was currently in charge of the Matsudaira family and resisting the infiltration and encroachment of the Imagawa clan, showed a subtle smile amidst his astonishment.
Honda Tadataka murmured,
“Such lightning… it’s Che, the Great Onmyoji Che has arrived.”
Not just him, and not just within the Matsudaira family.
At this very moment, countless people in Yoshida Castle, suffering from the plague, looked up, reflecting the coiling lightning in their eyes.
The widely circulated rumors and reputations from before took effect, causing most of those who witnessed this scene to subconsciously murmur,
“Che.”
“The legendary Great Onmyoji, Che.”
“Now, only he can eradicate the demons and save Yoshida Castle.”
…
“Taking all the civilians in Yoshida Castle hostage, and then having the Half-dead Birds spread this information to the Onmyoji, will surely put immense pressure on him.”
Kaibōzu’s face, covered in sores, pulled into a sinister smile.
“It might even be possible to have the Onmyoji surrender without a fight and kill him with little effort.”
Daruma listened quietly.
He took a step forward and said faintly, “This monk will not obstruct the two benefactors… after all, this is something novel that has not been seen before, and it is beneficial to my cultivation.”
“As long as the two benefactors believe it can be done and will be effective, that is enough.”
Daruma said indifferently to the two Affliction Kin behind him.
Regarding such trivial matters, Daruma was always indifferent.
How the people in Yoshida Castle were living, how many lived and how many died, whether the Affliction’s goals were met, what the consequences of following His words would be…
Daruma never cared about these trifles.
He only cared about what he himself thought and saw.
For example, rescuing those about to be dragged into death by the plague and observing the changes in their physical bodies and spirits, or giving a meal to a despairing pregnant woman and receiving her gratitude.
Saving, killing, or saving and then killing…
These immediate matters were what Daruma cared about.
For these were all worldly experiences, a part of his process of completing himself and cultivating.
Afterward, Kaibōzu said more beside Daruma.
The monk, with a wooden expression and clad in poor clothing, listened without a word, and as soon as Kaibōzu finished speaking, he nodded.
“Then let us do as the two benefactors suggest.”
Kaibōzu couldn’t help but show a venomous smile and left after bowing to Daruma.
Kufuku continued to follow behind Daruma, walking silently.
As they walked, he would notify the Half-dead Birds waiting nearby, and then have them notify the Shijie Worm swarms, as well as other usable Kin.
The horde of demons slowly advanced towards the west gate of Yoshida Castle.
…
“Lord Yoshimoto, please wait here for a moment with Your Excellency Kujira San.”
Shangshan Che did not mount his horse either. He stood at the feet of the King Kujira and looked up, saying, “The enemy’s numbers and strength are unknown, so I do not have absolute confidence in protecting you.”
Imagawa Yoshimoto’s hand, resting on the hilt, pressed down forcefully, but with an expressionless face, she closed her eyes and said,
“Indeed, it should be so.”
Shangshan Che nodded. “When the time comes, please wait for me to eradicate all the demons within Yoshida Castle, and then I will return to pick you up, Lord Yoshimoto.”
Having said that, Shangshan Che, fully geared, turned and walked alone towards Yoshida Castle.
“Tetsu-kun.”
Shangshan Che paused his steps, turned back, and saw Imagawa Yoshimoto bow her head deeply.
“Martial Fortune.”
He did not reply, merely fastening Kaga Kiyomitsu to his waist and starting to walk.
Ten minutes later.
Shangshan Che, who had walked to the wide open ground in front of Yoshida Castle, silently looked up and saw the swarms of Half-dead Birds pouring out from the city.
Pale white and black feathers intertwined, forming a spiral into the sky before quickly dispersing.
It seemed they had learned a lesson from the large number of them being wiped out by the lightning earlier.
Shangshan Che twitched his nose slightly and smelled the strong despair and stench emanating from the city.
Wait, a feeling of despair…?
Shangshan Che was slightly taken aback—does the “Qi” of Spirit Control Technique also include this?
Before he could ponder further, the somewhat crude city gate of Yoshida Castle opened directly before his eyes.
The Affliction Kin voluntarily opened the gate, which was somewhat unexpected.
In the next moment, a dense swarm of insects, the size of an infant’s fist, with scarlet compound eyes, surged out like a tide.
However, this did not frighten Shangshan Che; instead, his eyes lit up.
Because these Affliction Kin, with their large compound eyes, which were likely called “Shijie Worms,” were one of the materials marked on the “map” by Hundred-Eyed Demon!
He hadn’t expected these Shijie Worms to come to him voluntarily.
This was truly effortless!
As for the abilities of these Shijie Worms, they were inconsequential—they could only interfere with one’s mind and, in turn, distort the target’s visual perception.
But how strong was Shangshan Che’s mind?
Not only was it protected by the Technique: Afterimage, making him immune to most control and charm effects, but he had also reached the realm of Clear Mirror, and was on the verge of forging his own Heart Embryo.
How could such a realm be affected by these mere insects?
Because Shangshan Che’s gaze was entirely focused on the Shijie Worm swarm, he didn’t even notice Kufuku and Kaibōzu slowly emerging from the city gate.
It wasn’t until the swarm of Kin dispersed like a tide, leaving a wide avenue in the middle, that Shangshan Che shifted his attention.
Amidst numerous small prompts, three large ones stood out.
——【 Kufuku （ Three-Star ）】.
——【 Kaibōzu （ Three-and-a-Half Star ）】.
——【 Wooden Fish Daruma （ Two-and-a-Half Star ）】.
Among them, Kufuku’s color was slightly deeper than Gyōbyōō’s, but they were roughly comparable; the name of Kaibōzu, a Three-and-a-Half Star, was dyed a bright red, the most dangerous prompt he had encountered since entering the Sengoku Period.
And finally…
Shangshan Che narrowed his eyes in confusion, gazing at the monk walking at the very center of all the Kin, his face as impassive as wood.
What was this “Wooden Fish Daruma”?
Wasn’t this a tsukumogami from Buddhism?
It seemed that this Wooden Fish Daruma was not under mental control—and there was no need to control a mere Two-and-a-Half Star.
So why was he mingling with these Affliction Kin?
Also, the color of the characters “Wooden Fish” in “Wooden Fish Daruma” had become very faint, as if about to disappear.
These subtle anomalies caught Shangshan Che’s attention.
But he immediately dismissed these superfluous thoughts.
Because by now, none of this mattered.
Since he was already with the Affliction Kin and had become an enemy demon, there was no need for further discussion.
Slay, eradicate, eliminate… the wording didn’t matter, as long as this bunch of devils turned into soul ash.
Shangshan Che surveyed the scene ahead.
Half-dead Birds, Shijie Worms, Miasma Demons, Rotting Corpses, translucent beings filled with turbid pus, and many more unrecognized stray Kin.
With such a large number, it would be difficult to maintain the Four-Tailed Fox Incarnation state.
Because in the previous lightning strike, Shangshan Che had expended too much spiritual power.
Even in his Four-Tailed Fox Incarnation state now, he could only unleash some ineffectual lightning.
Thinking this, Shangshan Che reached for the fierce and ferocious White Hannya Mask that had been hanging at his waist for a long time.
“Caw—! Great Onmyoji Che, listen—!”
In the sky, the hoarse cries of the Half-dead Birds made his movement pause slightly.
Shangshan Che heard hundreds and thousands of Half-dead Birds say in unison: “The plague seeds have been planted in all the people of this city, of Yoshida Castle!”
He was initially confused, but as the Half-dead Bird flock spoke their next words, Shangshan Che showed a look of realization.
“If you insist on resisting, the plague seeds will all erupt!
At that time, even if you slaughter us all, you will only obtain a dead city!”
“But if you surrender now, we will withdraw from Yoshida Castle within ten days, leaving you a sliver of hope!”
The Half-dead Birds repeatedly recited the above words, which reached the city, into every household, into the ears of every person who was still awake.
Countless scarlet eyes fell upon him, as if waiting for his decision, or as if the gazes of the people brought an invisible, heavy pressure.
Amidst the repetitions of the Half-dead Birds, Daruma was about to say something when he saw Shangshan Che, a hundred meters away, take off his white robe and remove a Hannya Mask from his waist.
Then, he slowly covered his handsome face with it.
Click.
The mask was fastened.
Transformation—Demon Incarnation: White Hannya!
Instantly, an icy, majestic, and mysterious aura emanated from Onmyoji Che, sending chills down Daruma’s spine.
In the sky, the words being repeated by the Half-dead Birds faltered.
Instead, the Half-dead Birds instinctively began to look away, but due to their orders, their sightline was not entirely shifted back, creating a conflict.
The Shijie Worm swarm also began to stir, some of them even activating their abilities on Shangshan Che, only to die from the backlash on their own.
“Ghost God…”
Kufuku slowly spoke, a trace of shock appearing in his turbid eyes beneath the yellow and white cloth strips.
His voice trembled slightly, “I have traveled the four seas with His Excellency, but only on Ghost Gods have I seen such a presence.”
The Kaibōzu also sensed this presence, but he forcefully dismissed it, “It’s merely a human, how could he be associated with the mysterious Ghost Gods?”
“In my opinion, he’s just wearing a tiger’s skin,” the Kaibōzu sneered. “We’ve seen these little tricks of Onmyoji before.”
At this moment, Kufuku said faintly, “But what if he isn’t?”
“The spiritual energy between heaven and earth is already extremely scarce, and the Onmyoji among humans are merely performing parlor tricks… I’ve never heard of the rise of a Great Onmyoji who could control lightning before.
This Great Onmyoji just seemed to sprout from the ground, isn’t that strange?”
After Kufuku finished speaking, the Kaibōzu looked back at the grim-faced White Hannya, who had already drawn the pale blade from his waist.
“You mean, Great Onmyoji Che is a Ghost God disguised as a human?”
Under the shroud of this presence, Kufuku felt his body stiffen considerably, “I’m afraid he might have lived for several hundred years or more.”
“But if Che is a Ghost God, why would he assist that human named Imagawa Yoshimoto…”
Upon reaching this point, even the strongest Kaibōzu couldn’t help but feel a desire to retreat.
Ghost Gods.
They were beings of terror to whom even the esteemed His Excellency would show some deference.
Kufuku shook his head, “How can we possibly fathom the thoughts and intentions of Ghost Gods?”
“Enough, both benefactors.”
Daruma spoke calmly.
“The enemy hasn’t attacked yet, and merely changing their attire has made both of you tremble in fear?”
He calmly stared at the silent White Hannya, who was holding his blade towards them.
“Benefactor Affliction instructed the two of you to take Yoshida Castle, and Che wants to retake Yoshida Castle, meaning he intends to fight that person to the death, is that not so?”
“That is so…”
“Then why do you still hesitate and discuss?” Daruma asked, puzzled. “Will Che show you mercy because of your hesitation and fear?”
“Master Daruma, you haven’t seen Ghost Gods, you don’t understand…”
Kufuku saw the pale domain continuously expanding, now almost reaching their feet.
Daruma slowly said, “This humble monk only knows that if you two benefactors face the battle with such a mindset, the outcome is self-evident.”
“Enough!”
Kufuku’s entire body shook violently, and he stepped into Kaga Kiyomitsu’s Sorrow of Parting domain.
Amidst fierce burning, Kufuku rasped, “Kaibōzu, Master, I’ll go up and negotiate first and then…”
“No, there’s no need.”
Shangshan Che’s indifferent voice rang out.
The roar of lightning and the whistle of wind followed, turning a large swathe of Shijie Worms in the distance into dust.
A pale blade light appeared from the upper right to the lower left on Kufuku’s exceptionally resilient physical body, bisecting his remaining words and his body.
Blazing Qi, Pale Color, formless fire, and indigo lightning all rapidly spread from the wound, engulfing Kufuku, who hadn’t finished speaking.
Natural Reason School – Second Tier!
Shangshan Che, who never expected to get the first kill so easily, frowned in confusion.
He thought it was a trap.
Because, how could any Demon willingly step into the domain of Sorrow of Parting after clearly noticing it?
He didn’t understand.
However, a dead demon is a good demon.
As Shangshan Che was about to retreat to avoid being surrounded, he was astonished to find that his physique had suddenly increased by a considerable amount!
It was probably by a quarter!
Did Fear of White actually take effect?
And with such good results?
Shangshan Che was truly bewildered now.
Although many of these Affliction Kin had intelligence, they were numerous, and with the Three-Star Kaibōzu leading the charge, what reason was there to be afraid?
“Never mind, it’s all good.”
White Hannya grinned happily, raising Kaga Kiyomitsu, also trembling with excitement, towards the very close Kaibōzu. “What, aren’t you going to attack?”
Damn, damn it…
To instantly turn the extremely vital Kufuku into nothingness, could he be a genuine Ghost God?
The Kaibōzu’s face contorted in ferocity, but his heart was already filled with the desire to retreat.
Let alone him alone, even with all the Kin in this castle, they probably wouldn’t be enough to fight… wait, there are still so many hostages in the castle.
So the Kaibōzu suppressed some of his fear, his face grim, and said, “Che, if you continue to attack, all the residents in the castle will have the seeds of plague planted in them. If they are planted…”
Shangshan Che nodded without thinking, “Oh, then they can all die.”
The Kaibōzu’s face froze.
Unbelievable.
“If I kneel and surrender, will you spare Yoshida Castle?”
“In this world, is there any reason not to eat meat that’s delivered right to your mouth?”
White Hannya let out a mocking smile. “Anyway, everyone in the castle is going to die, so why wouldn’t I choose to avenge them and appease the spirits below?”
The Qi Barrier suddenly expanded, repelling the Half-dead Bird that attempted to obscure his vision and the sky full of pus.
Sensing the slight ripple on the lake of his heart, Shangshan Che extended his five fingers.
Azure and blue lightning erupted like myriad threads, bypassing the Kaibōzu and rushing towards the swarm of insects.
At this instant, a frantic prompt from Hundred-Eyed Demon popped up, and was quickly dismissed by Shangshan Che.
“So you’re also a Demon with a strong physical body.”
Shangshan Che said with a light laugh upon seeing the Kaibōzu conjure an Iron Pestle from the void.
“Then it’ll be easy…”
“Che! Don’t think that just because you’re similar to a Ghost God, I’ll be afraid of you!”
The Kaibōzu roared, stomping the ground beneath him, creating a crack extending dozens of meters, and charging forward in several phantom forms.
Shangshan Che stood still, shifting slightly, allowing the Iron Pestle to graze his skin’s surface, further strengthening his physique.
“Your Qi is chaotic, it’s very obvious.”
His wrist flipped, and amidst Kaga Kiyomitsu’s joyful shriek, the blade deeply embedded itself into the Kaibōzu’s fine steel-like back.
Natural Reason School – Tusk Thrust!
Four layers of aftershock damage erupted at the wound, causing the Kaibōzu to grunt.
But that was all.
He reacted instantly and roared at the sky, “Damn it! You’re not a Ghost God at all! Not at all!”
“I never said I was a Ghost God…”
Shangshan Che raised an eyebrow, and the long-accumulated Sorrow of Parting surged like a tide, enveloping the Kaibōzu.
Boom!
The solid Iron Pestle, its surface corroded, shattered the pale tide, revealing the Kaibōzu’s pair of blood-red wrathful eyes.
“Damn… damn damn damn damn!”
Accompanied by the Kaibōzu’s continuous angry muttering, the Iron Pestle shot towards Shangshan Che like an iron missile.
This blow was so powerful that it had already created pure white shockwaves in the air!
If it hit, forget the Qi Circulation, Shangshan Che himself would likely be scattered into a large puddle.
But Shangshan Che, who remained in place, was merely a lifelike afterimage.
Three straight sword slashes from Kaga Kiyomitsu merged midway and pierced through the Kaibōzu’s most resilient chest.
“I told you, your Qi is too chaotic.”
Shangshan Che’s indifferent voice echoed.
The Evil Spirit’s pupils were as cold as his expression.
“I thought this would be a hard-fought battle. Unfortunately.”
Unfortunately, this rare whetstone was tainted with too much unnecessary emotion during the fight, making it inferior to even a stubborn rock.
The Kaibōzu, whose insides had been ravaged into a pulp, struggled to turn, his face twitching as he let out his final roar, swinging the Iron Pestle with all his might once more.
Bang!
The Qi Barrier on Shangshan Che’s body shattered under this terrifying force, and even the lower half of his mask, along with a small portion of his face, exploded into blood mist, scattering into the air.
The pain, unbearable to a normal person, tormented Shangshan Che’s consciousness through his nerves.
But it ended here.
Shangshan Che, who had calculated the distance precisely, drew his blade with a blank expression after receiving a confirmation hum from Kaga Kiyomitsu in his heartstrings.
【You have killed, Affliction Kin · Kufuku （ Three-Star ）, and obtained 552 points of Soul Ash! 】
【You have killed, Affliction Kin · Kaibōzu （ Three-and-a-Half Star ）, and obtained 711 points of Soul Ash! 】
【You used Kaga Kiyomitsu · Blade of Parting to slay Kufuku and Kaibōzu, Kaga Kiyomitsu’s Quality has significantly increased! 】
【Your skill, Five Thunder Technique · Qi Gathering Proficiency +194! 】
【Your skill, Natural Reason School Proficiency +84! 】
He didn’t even glance at the heavily fallen Kaibōzu, shifting his gaze, which was now covered in a faint blood-red hue.
He looked towards the Daruma, the Wooden Fish, who was still standing there watching everything without showing any extraneous emotion, like a distant, detached observer.
Even the surrounding Affliction Kin were either fleeing or scattering, yet this Daruma remained motionless.
He was only Two-and-a-Half Star.
Shangshan Che could defeat him with a single strike.
While pursuing the surrounding Affliction Kin with the Five Thunder Technique, Shangshan Che indifferently asked, “Daruma, aren’t you running?”
“Why should I run?”
Daruma, who had been protected by the demons moments ago but was now alone, clasped his hands together. “If I simply move my legs, will I be able to outrun Benefactor Che?”
The wooden monk gazed at Shangshan Che with calm eyes, showing no fear.
Neither towards the Hannya, nor towards death.
“A bite for a bite, a life for a death, a move for a stillness, all is cultivation, all is destiny.”
Daruma said with a hint of curiosity,
“And is death not also a new form of cultivation?”
This demon is truly strange…
If he were to draw his sword and strike now, wouldn’t he unleash a hidden BOSS?
Shangshan Che felt the violent surge and quiet flow of lightning within him, almost bursting from his body, and grinned.
“Never mind, so what if it’s a hidden BOSS.”
Shangshan Che took a deep breath, condensed his Spirit, Energy, and Vitality, and adjusted his state to its peak.
Then, in front of Daruma, who was still calmly watching him, he assumed the Three-stage Thrust stance.
—Even a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit, let alone facing this unknown demon with full confidence.
In a single breath, Kaga Kiyomitsu merged with the sunlight descending from the heavens and flowed towards Daruma!
Pang!
The expected kill did not complete.
Instead, a smooth Wooden Fish flew out from Daruma’s Kesa, precisely blocking the blade’s path and taking the blow for him.
“No.”
An ancient, resonant voice emerged from the cracks of the shattered Wooden Fish, growing louder and louder.
The Wooden Fish vibrated intensely, emitting a rumbling sound powerful enough to make ordinary people bleed from their seven orifices.
“Daruma—for my sake as your master, for the Demon Guide Association, you must flee!”
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