Chapter 113: Epic Grade Four-tailed Fox, A Soul Seal That Inspires True Loyalty
“Non-taboo Onmyōdō or Breathing Technique scriptures can be browsed freely… Historical Scrolls should be included as well.”
Shangshan Che asked the Nakajima Onmyoji, whose attitude had completely changed.
Nakajima nodded, hesitated for a moment, and said: “In theory, yes.”
The reason he said “in theory” was because of Nanjo Emi’s existence in Arakawa Ward. If it were in another administrative district, those three words could be completely omitted.
Ever since the Five Person Council decided to designate Arakawa Ward as a pilot area and grant Nanjo Emi unprecedented power, she could almost be said to have the final say in Arakawa Ward.
It was precisely because of this that Arakawa Ward had fully restored order with extremely exaggerated efficiency within a short week.
It could even be said that disaster recovery was almost complete by the third day, with the remaining days just for wrapping up.
Purging Demons, soothing hearts, conducting comprehensive search and rescue, rebuilding ruins, resettling victims…
None of these tasks were simple; each required massive manpower and resources.
If it were before the Tide, the Arakawa Ward government wouldn’t know how long it would take to debate and bicker before making a decision, and even longer for it to reach the grassroots level.
Not to mention a week—even with help from other districts, it might not restore order in Arakawa Ward within a month.
But Nanjo Emi had decisively completed everything within a week and formally put Arakawa Ward back on a normal track on the seventh day, handing the Five Person Council an almost perfect report on efficiency.
Therefore, the original Onmyo Major Official Kondo Yuya was safely transferred by the Five Person Council to a more frontline location—as per his request.
However, although Arakawa Ward seemed stable, Demons or Supernatural Phenomena lurking in the shadows definitely existed, and in numbers not too few—at least more than before the Tide.
This was inevitable.
So, to minimize the harm from Demons as much as possible and prevent the Demon Guide Association’s Nue from sending just two Living Beings out of the district to cause tens of thousands of deaths, dementia, or memory loss, the Special Affairs Office pushed even harder for the trend of universal cultivation.
This way, even if they couldn’t fight Demons, ordinary people would at least have some early warning and self-protection ability.
“In theory, huh.”
Shangshan Che chewed on the word for a moment, recalled what he had seen and heard after the Tide, and roughly understood Nakajima’s roundabout meaning.
Sister Nanjo’s prestige was surprisingly high; even her subordinates didn’t dare mention her name directly.
He asked again: “What about besides that?”
“It’s said you can also select your own Teacher?” Nakajima’s tone carried some uncertainty. “I don’t know the finer details, Shangshan. You might need to ask Lord Nanjo yourself, after all, she recommended you.”
Shangshan Che didn’t press; he shook hands with Nakajima: “Thanks, Mister Nakajima, for clearing that up.”
“No, no—if my words can help Shangshan, that’s good.”
Nakajima smiled, exchanged contact info, and bid farewell to Shangshan Che and the other two—the first Onmyōdō Class wasn’t over yet.
Watching Nakajima and his assistant leave, Shangshan Che saw several Special Affairs Office staff greet them before tidying the Classroom used earlier for measuring Spiritual Energy absorption speed.
Taking Lili Zi and the somewhat dazed Kitano Runa to a quiet, secluded spot, Shangshan Che took out his Mobile Phone and dialed Nanjo Emi’s number.
Kitano Runa startled upon seeing the contact’s name,
“Eh? Is it really okay to call Lord Nanjo directly?”
If it were before, she wouldn’t have reacted much; back when Kitano Runa was at the Special Affairs Office, she often saw Nanjo Emi alone at the Doorway smoking.
They had even chatted idly a couple times.
But these past few days, news and TV were filled with Nanjo Emi.
Corrupt embezzlers, deadbeats in office, those abusing power for personal gain… if unwilling to give up what they’d gained, their outcome was just one word.
And for the more serious cases, not even that chance.
Shangshan Che puzzled: “It’s almost noon twelve now. Her Superior who made her work overtime is gone—Sister Nanjo wouldn’t still be sleeping at this hour, right?”
That’s not what I meant…
Kitano Runa laughed it off and said no more.
Soon, the call connected.
But the voice that came wasn’t Nanjo Emi’s, but one very familiar to all three:
“Hello, what is it?”
Lili Zi leaned close to the phone and asked loudly: “Hey hey hey? Is that Manatsu?”
Shizuma Manatsu on the other end was clearly stunned by Lili Zi for a moment but quickly reacted: “Lili Zi, you can tell me anything. Lord Nanjo is working; I’ll pass it on later…”
Before Shizuma Manatsu finished, she exclaimed in surprise a few times, then said: “Hold on, Lord Nanjo is taking the call.”
Moments later, Nanjo Emi’s voice approached: “Miss Tokugawa and Shangshan Jun? I figured you’d call about that Potential Evaluation System.”
Shangshan Che smiled: “Sister Nanjo is truly prescient. I just learned I’m a so-called ‘Seed,’ so I wanted to ask what kind of benefits this thing can get.”
Keyboard clacks echoed briefly, then Nanjo Emi oh-ed: “So you’ve already talked to Nakajima. I’ll keep it brief then.”
“First, for Shangshan Jun, the Special Affairs Office will arrange a new Residence for you. You’ve felt the Spirit Gathering Barrier’s effect; your house will have advanced Spirit Gathering Barriers, Calming Barriers…
Of course, a gym and spacious enough Dojo will be set up too.
In short, Astronomy Path Onmyoji will turn your new house into a cultivation treasure land while making it airtight.”
Nanjo Emi: “This way, you and Miss Tokugawa will have enough space to cultivate after school.”
Lili Zi’s eyes lit up, pinching her voice: “Thanks, Sister Nanjo~”
New house.
That’s nice… Sister Nanjo even remembered that glimpse of eye contact with Old Man Ghost.
Though Shangshan Che had planned to buy a house with his extra money, now with arrangements, he’d save quite a bit.
Plus, Astronomy Path Onmyoji setting up various buff Barriers—he might even steal a trick or two.
After the Tide, Shangshan Che had returned to his Old Home and found Old Man Ghost suddenly gone, who knows where he went to haunt others as a new dad.
Though regrettable not settling scores with Old Man Ghost in time, the threat gone was still good.
Even so, Shangshan Che had no plans to return to his original Old Home.
Not just the small space inconvenient for cultivation, but Zero-Star Eternal World Demons occasionally spawning on the Balcony was unstable.
As time passed, the distance between Eternal World and Mortal Realm would only shorten; if a high-star Demon spawned on the Balcony mid-Eternal World exploration one day, it’d be disastrous.
But he’d reported this Balcony “monster spawn cage phenomenon” to the Special Affairs Office—hoping they’d fix it.
Nanjo Emi: “You can request other things too; Special Affairs Office will try to meet them—this system needs your input to perfect.”
Shangshan Che agreed, thinking it good he wasn’t working for Special Affairs Office, but them for him—otherwise time wasted on Commissions and so-called contributions.
That’d be too unworthy.
“Of course.” Nanjo Emi slightly emphasized: “With rights and benefits come equal responsibility.”
Shangshan Che blinked: “Like a monthly quota of Demon exorcisms?”
“—No, get stronger.”
Nanjo Emi said flatly: “Get stronger in the shortest time at the fastest speed. You needn’t worry about most else—this is the Potential Evaluation System’s purpose.”
“—Before the next Tide, maybe a full Tide, Special Affairs Office needs more standalone Great Onmyoji and Sword Masters, not just small-fry fighters.”
Shangshan Che and Lili Zi exchanged glances, both seeing undisguised joy—such an open-minded official group was rare.
Nanjo Emi continued: “Thus, monthly strength assessments naturally.”
“From C-grade to S-grade, then district Seeds—content’s simple: everyone fights once, done.
Strong rise, weak fall. Simple as that.”
Shangshan Che nodded: “Only right.”
Enjoy more resources, must become stronger—or it’s wasting cultivation resources.
How to fight, specific Rules—he trusted Sister Nanjo and Special Affairs Office to handle properly.
“Right.” Nanjo Emi as if suddenly recalling: “Almost forgot—I recommended Miss Tokugawa as S-grade. Can’t push two Seeds at once, so please effort it yourself next month, Miss Tokugawa.”
Lili Zi rubbed her fists eagerly: “Got it.”
Eh? Fight Lili Zi?
Nearby, Kitano Runa gaped, looking lifeless—she figured her cargo S-grade who couldn’t even grasp Basic Spirit Absorption Method would be brutally eliminated next month.
Shangshan Che pondered.
If clashing with many strong sword or Onmyōdō practitioners, would his skill Proficiency rise much faster?
Shangshan Che had often battled Demons before but rarely sparred.
One clear phenomenon: stronger Demons he fought yielded more Proficiency.
This should apply even more to human cultivators whose Technique levels often outstripped attributes.
He craved more worthy opponents!
At that thought, Shangshan Che grew a bit expectant of these unseen rivals. He asked: “So, will we spar with all Tokyo, even national Seeds later?”
Nanjo Emi typed while replying: “Tokyo yes, nationwide tougher…”
Lighter flick sounded; she seemed to light a smoke first, then slowly said displeased,
“Special Affairs Office developed and pushed this system, recommended to Onmyo-ryo but they don’t buy it—let alone bloodline-obsessed clans or inheritance-focused Dojos.”
“—An Imperial Grand Competition coming; whether this spreads depends on your performance.”
Old era remnants and dregs, huh.
Shangshan Che and Lili Zi both thought it simultaneously. He sighed: “Business about done… Sister Nanjo, speakerphone on?”
“Earphones in, speak.”
Shangshan Che: “How’s Manatsu?”
“Good, serious work attitude, hardworking with overtime. Still green in spots but adapting well overall. Don’t worry, I’ve got her—no workplace bullying.”
Shangshan Che nearly laughed; bullying Nanjo Emi in current Arakawa Ward? They’d think their nine clans too many—rows of cautionary graves’ grass not even grown yet.
He thanked Nanjo Emi, hung up, and turned to see dazed Lili Zi.
“Nothing.”
Lili Zi smiled: “Just suddenly remembered Manatsu saying she’d rather work Convenience Store than office… Everyone’s changed.”
Kitano Runa shrank behind her, tempted to say “me? I haven’t changed!”
But she didn’t break the slightly sentimental mood.
It lasted just over ten seconds before Lili Zi shattered it herself.
She clapped hard: “Superfluous stuff done—Shangshan Jun, let’s start today’s cultivation!”
Cultivation.
Hearing those words, Shangshan Che felt phantom pains all over—these days, no telling how thrilled Lili Zi was beating him.
Since mastering so-called “Domain” Technique on Tide day, Lili Zi could strike freely within about ten zhang around her.
Shangshan Che didn’t grasp this mind-based ability’s mechanism; he just knew Lili Zi honed it by constantly beating him.
Up down front back left right—any direction possible for Lili Zi’s attacks.
Thus now Shangshan Che could go all-out, matching Lili Zi tit-for-tat without Spiritual Power.
And in training, Lili Zi even coached like a sidelines Teacher, constantly pointing out his Sword Technique flaws.
Both pressured each other, mutually boosting progress speed.
Just, Lili Zi spent Mental Strength, Shangshan Che took body blows.
Shangshan Che cracked his neck, strode to Dojo: “Come on!”
—But for fast Sword Technique and Breathing Technique Proficiency gains, this pain was nothing!
Kitano Runa followed them, having downloaded Special Affairs Office APP, ready to check her S-grade benefits.
……
Soon, Shangshan Che and Lili Zi reached the lively Kendo Dojo.
Unlike earlier cultural class emptiness.
Post-Tide, these accomplished or talented Kendo students could choose Dojo training times freely.
The Bamboo Sword clashes, upon their appearance, mixed with gasps.
Someone paused: “President! President’s here to cultivate!”
A Beginner eyes shining: “Gonna see Tokugawa Goddess air-slash beat the Punching Bag King again?”
“No air-slashing.” Guiding Beginner Kondo Hideya chopped his head: “It’s ‘Sword Domain’—legendary ancient Sword Master ultimate skill.”
Kondo Hideya eyed the greeting girl complexly.
The Tokugawa who once bowed for lessons had far outpaced him.
“Shangshan Jun’s no Punching Bag King!” A girl upset: “Who else can spar with President? You? Step up!”
The Beginner grinned sheepishly: “Nah, pass.”
The pair at discussion center didn’t even turn, ignoring the talk.
Soon, crowded Dojo cleared a spacious area for them.
Dojo edges lined with students sitting to observe Shangshan Che’s Sword Technique.
Why not better Lili Zi? Her moves too advanced to follow—and lately she rarely acted personally.
Shangshan Che differed.
His Natural Reason School at Mastery Level suited these mostly Beginner/Proficient-level students perfectly for study.
Dressed in Dōgi, gripping special-material new Bamboo Sword, Shangshan Che took Soul Incense Ash（micro）, glanced current Proficiency—
【Natural Reason School（Mastery 720/3000）】
【Corona Breathing Technique（Proficient 1050/3500）】
One long session with Lili Zi gave about 100 Proficiency to each skill.
Horrifying speed; solo sword swings would be half or less.
Evident from Corona Breathing Technique’s extra Proficiency—Shangshan Che cultivated it nonstop in personal time.
Yet even maxed, only ~300 more than Sword Technique.
He shook head, suppressing fatigue: “Pure mental and physical torment.”
Opposite, ponytail Lili Zi asked: “Shangshan Jun, what?”
“I said…”
Shangshan Che flexed arms, Internal Qi surging at nerve ends then swiftly suppressed into stronger drive.
He ghosted forward sword raised,
“—Great having you!”
—Nearby first-timers stared.
“That draw speed, dodge… why can’t I see anything?!”
Kondo Hideya saw newbies—clear-eyed fools—rubbed temples, patiently explained for nth time,
“Shangshan Che—that boy—cultivated Breathing Technique to ‘strengthen five viscera, Qi through four limbs’ Realm, freely controlling Internal Qi anywhere on body.
Thus his turns and Sword Techniques shift abruptly mid-way, impossible for normals to parry.”
Kitano Runa numbly scrolled phone—she same grade as these two onstage? Joke, no real sense!
Better see benefits first.
“Whoa!”
Tapping “Basic Monthly Salary,” Kitano Runa gasped mouth covered, then carefully counted zeros on phone.
“Four zeros, five… six!”
Kitano Runa fidgeted fingers, shocked inwardly: “Eight million?! 8 million yen a month?!”
Eight million… how many figures, luxury supreme Bents, clothes for mom and them?
Instantly, Kitano Runa decided.
—Grip this S-grade tight.
—Lifetime life-changer chance.
Unbeknownst to Kitano Runa, at her resolve, surrounding Spiritual Energy flooded her body.
Even without Basic Spirit Absorption Method.
……
Two hours later, Dojo compartment.
Breeze blew through window.
Post-fierce battle, Shangshan Che and Lili Zi Dōgi open, casually leaning or lying resting, sweat dripping from temples.
Aching Shangshan Che puzzledly looked up,
“Weird, why’s Spiritual Energy Concentration here in Dojo so low?”
Lili Zi didn’t reply; prolonged Sword Domain use exhausted her Mental Strength, couldn’t even simulate battles mentally.
Shangshan Che ignored, took Divine Fortune Stick Cylinder from Storage Bag—remembered yesterday he should’ve divined “what happens using Walking Assembly Token.”
For unused unknown-effect Items, better Divine Fortune Stick Cylinder predict first.
Forgot from cultivation fatigue.
“Lost a day.”
Shangshan Che closed eyes, slowly shook cylinder, bamboo Fortune-Telling Sticks clacking crisply inside.
Soon, slender Fortune-Telling Stick fell to floor, drawing Lili Zi’s curious gaze.
She panted twice, eyed【Lesser Fortune】two chars: “Shangshan Jun, what’s this?”
No question on cylinder appearance; Lili Zi used to Shangshan Che pulling Items—Yin-Yang Arts normal.
“Fortune-Telling Stick. Said to bring good luck blessings.” Shangshan Che picked【Lesser Fortune】stick, eyes narrowing.
【Fortune-Telling Stick·Lesser Fortune】
【—Sealed land, unlit fuse.】
Lili Zi weakly pointed at fortune char: “Doesn’t this mean good things coming?”
Shangshan Che shook head: “No, not good.”
Lesser Fortune: lowest good-luck tier, near neutral or “ill.”
Meaning immediate Walking Assembly Token use might bring unforeseeable results—not bad, but not ideal timing.
Use weekly one-time redraw?
Shangshan Che pondered, nixed it—plenty undone, Walking Assembly Token not urgent.
Draw【Great Ill】would suck.
Waiting fine.
Pocketed【Lesser Fortune】stick in Storage Bag, Shangshan Che asked Lili Zi staring at Divine Fortune Stick Cylinder,
“Lili Zi interested in divination? If needed, use once in few days fine.”
But Lili Zi firmly shook head: “No, I won’t.”
“Never believed in fortunes, luck’s vague fluff. Just found odd you seem to trust this cylinder.”
Shangshan Che looked up, met Lili Zi’s eyes in dim light, heard her earnest:
“Fates by people, not heaven or nonexistent Deity.”
Shangshan Che thoughtfully touched Divine Fortune Stick Cylinder, memorized Lili Zi’s words, stood: “Got stuff to do first. You?”
Girl rolled eyes: “Lying, rest more.”
Shangshan Che quirked lips: “Rare hearing that from you.”
Left Dojo, rinsed in school public bath, changed, lay under secluded Cherry Blossom Tree, closed eyes.
Eternal World, activate—!
Smoothly passing slightly stronger water pressure, Shangshan Che reopened eyes before Kisaragi Station, snapped into three… no, Four-tailed Fox form.
“Inhale—”
As Four-tailed Fox, Shangshan Che felt pores blissfully opening to surging Spiritual Energy.
“If prior absorption was standard 499, now at least doubled.”
Four fluffy tails swished in cold dry air; Shangshan Che gazed at mini Spiritual Power Tide from normal breathing.
Even heard overcompression Spiritual Energy pops in Tide.
“Ordinary Four-tailed Fox do this?”
Shangshan Che eyed panel【Spiritual Arts: 57】, sensing Spiritual Arts Attribute maybe not just “Spiritual Power amount, reserves”?
“Maybe affinity, absorption speed etc. all boosted in Spiritual Arts gains? Like Physique boosts all-round, not just power?”
Shangshan Che couldn’t hold subtle expression.
Scanned new panel post Three-tailed to Four-tailed—
【Four-tailed Fox（Youth Body）】
【Quality: Epic】
【Rank: One-and-a-Half Star】
【Rank Cap: Three-and-a-half Star】
【Talent: Thousand Faces, Soul Seal, Spirit Roaming, Rage】
【—Myriad Faces, Illusory Reality.】
【Thousand Faces: Spend Spiritual Power, shape face/height arbitrarily.】
【Soul Seal: Spend Spiritual Power, induce temporary loyalty. Stronger with your Charm/Spiritual Arts Attribute.】
【Spirit Roaming: As Four-tailed Fox, spend Spiritual Power to detach Demon Incarnation for external control; cost rises over time.】
【Rage: On, all Attributes double, skill cooldowns half, 1 hour. Post, 48h all Attributes fixed at 5.】
Three-tailed promotion only brought “Attribute boosts,” “Four-tailed Fox Jade Pendant,” plus new Talents “Soul Seal” and “Rage”—but Shangshan Che saw huge gains.
First two obvious; original “Bewitchment” to “Soul Seal” improved way beyond one-and-a-half stars.
Conveniently, a mindless Half-Star Chi passed vision edge.
Shangshan Che eyed it, activated Soul Seal with minimal Spiritual Power.
Instantly, felt tough “soul thread” linking to Chi in heart.
Couldn’t sense puppet’s thoughts via thread, but while existing, puppet in “absolute temporary loyalty.”
Mind moved, translucent Chi quadruped-ran wildly toward him.
Shangshan Che ordered “run like beast,” infused “how beasts run” knowledge via command.
Mindless Chi did it.
So Soul Seal versatile; Shangshan Che just no chance for deep dev yet.
Patted arrived obedient Chi head, crushed it.
As for “Rage”?
—Beauty in numbers as always, plus halved all skill cooldowns.
His Sword Technique, Breathing Technique, Onmyōdō—all skills.
“Exhale—”
Exhaling turbid qi, refilled Spiritual Power felt, Shangshan Che summoned Two-Foot Adult from Ksitigarbha Statue—as she insisted.
“Yay—!”
Voice before sight.
Why no sight…
Tail base itched again; Shangshan Che twitched face, pulled shrunken Two-Foot Adult from four fluffy big white fox radish tails.
Two-Foot Adult grinned silly: “Hehe, Che Adult long time no see.”
—Since seeing Three-tailed Fox form on Tide day, she demanded release every Eternal World trip.
Ostensibly “air out,” really grab chances to pet ears/tails.
Four-tailed Fox—high Charm, ranged—summoned before White Hannya Incarnation.
After futile scoldings, Shangshan Che treated as daily task: yank Two-Foot Adult from tail clump, set aside.
Shikigami pets no loss; plus she perfectly key in Ai Bieli fight that day.
She not mention reward, but he must give.
Principle.
Shangshan Che turned, saw beaming Two-Foot Adult behind tails.
Fisted hand, forced amiable smile,
“Two-Foot Adult, without Shikigami Contract, how do you usually promote?”
“I know that basic, Che Adult.”
Tiny Two-Foot Adult hugged tail seriously,
“Roughly three types.”
“Roughly three types.”
8k words! Monthly votes beg at month start!
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Future updates around 10pm; 8pm too rushed meow
