Chapter 126: Rikishi Talisman, Satisfied Lili Zi
After the door opened, a huge plaque with a single bold and vigorous character “Martial” crashed into Shangshan Che’s view.
In just a moment, Shangshan Che’s mind quickly calmed down.
He thought this character might not be from an ordinary person’s hand.
Shangshan Che looked around the empty surroundings and found that the decoration on the first floor of the villa was extremely minimalist.
Because in the first floor, which covered about three hundred square meters, except for the wooden boards, walls, and windows, nothing else could be seen.
It was completely a home dojo.
And Tokugawa Ririko, dressed in revealing clothes, sat in the center of this family dojo, lightly closing her eyes and sitting cross-legged under that “Martial” character.
She only wore black shorts about a finger long and a thin tube top simply covering the key parts, with the rest boldly exposed.
The girl’s breathing was even and long.
Well-trained muscles outlined distinct lines, with clearly defined rectus abdominis and external obliques intertwining, letting the grooves on both sides extend toward the tighter lower abdomen.
If looked at closely, one could see that the girl’s entire body was covered in fine sweat beads, making the distinct muscle textures refract a marble-like sheen under the sunlight.
If not careful, the gaze would automatically follow bead after bead of sweat across Lili Zi’s healthy and full body, from the face, neck, underarms, lower abdomen, thighs, all the way down, finally quietly seeping into the dojo’s wooden floor.
The reason for wearing black instead of white clothes was probably also considering the sweat amount.
In deep meditation?
Seeing Lili Zi seemingly in seated meditation without noticing his arrival, Shangshan Che gently closed the door, took off his shoes, and silently stepped onto the wooden floor, slowly walking over.
He was quite curious about what Student Kitano had just said, so he didn’t deliberately make noise to disturb Lili Zi, wanting to get closer and observe.
“However, Lili Zi without using Spirit Condensing Technique and Jade Heart Art to hide her spirit, energy, and vitality is really hard to look away from.”
Halfway there, Shangshan Che couldn’t help but glance at the girl twice—now Lili Zi was like the sun in this dojo; once you entered, you would subconsciously be drawn to her radiance.
If estimated by charm value, Shangshan Che felt she was almost catching up to his succubus Four-Tailed Fox Incarnation.
But Lili Zi didn’t win with flesh and bones, but with this unique temperament that subdued people’s minds.
Quietly coming before the girl, Shangshan Che began seriously scanning her, wanting to analyze the meaning of Student Kitano’s words.
Soon, Shangshan Che made a discovery.
“She even has the Calming Amulet I gave her before worn on her waist…”
Shangshan Che’s gaze fell on the girl’s elastic waist, seeing the Calming Amulet and a mini kendo small pendant hanging together.
—Looks like the gift I gave with purpose is really helpful for cultivation.
Shangshan Che nodded inwardly, about to continue the scanning plan, but met Lili Zi’s stunned gaze as she opened her eyes.
“Sha, Shangshan Jun?”
Lili Zi blinked, and it took a good while before these words popped out of her mouth.
She seemed to remember something, so a slight redness quickly burned from her cheeks, temperature soaring.
But in just an instant, this tension and panic was suppressed by her deep breath.
The redness disappeared.
“Shangshan Jun, how did you come in without making a sound, you scared me.”
Lili Zi tightly clenched her legs, casually asking.
She quickly and inconspicuously glanced at her chest, confirming the tube top there was thick enough that even if tight against the skin, nothing would be exposed, then silently withdrew her gaze.
Seeing the plan failed with nothing discovered, Shangshan Che honestly sat back down, unhesitatingly betraying Student Kitano: “Student Kitano said you were on the first floor, and if I came in quietly, I might discover a surprise.”
Though not the exact words, Student Kitano’s meaning was undoubtedly this.
Lili Zi’s face stiffened, she laughed in anger, clenching her fists with a series of cracks: “Fine… I see she’s itching for a beating…”
Seeing Lili Zi’s reaction, Shangshan Che became even more curious.
He threw out a straight question like chatting with a good bro: “So what is the ‘surprise’ Student Kitano mentioned?”
Lili Zi said expressionlessly: “No, actually there’s nothing.”
Really nothing or fake nothing?
Shangshan Che pondered for an instant; after his willpower attribute increased, his thinking speed sped up a lot, so in a flash he had an idea, pointing at Lili Zi’s white and tender cheek: “Then why is Lili Zi’s face so red.”
Lili Zi subconsciously replied: “From anger.”
See, there really is something.
My guess was right after all.
But Lili Zi would rather lie to her bro than say it, what to do.
Shangshan Che outwardly hummed, but inwardly his curiosity itched like a little cat scratching.
“By the way, Shangshan Jun, how did you break through in state of mind cultivation after just going out?”
Lili Zi stared at him, extremely awkwardly and abruptly changing the topic.
But Shangshan Che quite ate this up—because he originally wanted to consult Lili Zi on state of mind cultivation.
So he set curiosity aside, seriously saying: “Went to Yokohama and chopped a Three-Star Demon, so a slight breakthrough is normal, right.”
Is this normal?
Lili Zi was somewhat puzzled—when did fighting make state of mind breakthroughs possible?
If it was really that easy to breakthrough, then the Special Affairs Office agents who deal with demons year-round, teetering on the edge of life and death multiple times, should all have achieved unity of man and sword by now.
Whatever, Shangshan Jun can’t be measured by common sense.
Lili Zi naturally accepted this fact, then grinned: “Then Shangshan Jun, do you suddenly find you can’t predict my actions now?”
She didn’t use a question, but a statement.
Shangshan Che was slightly stunned: “I was just about to mention that. According to Sister Nanjo, since my strength is greater than yours, I should easily predict your next actions.”
But in reality, in Shangshan Che’s eyes, Lili Zi was completely unreadable like Sister Nanjo, as if this ability failed.
“Shangshan Jun, these are tricks I played with ten years ago.” Lili Zi spread her hands, but immediately retracted them to hug her chest, saying, “Prediction is essentially the reflection of everything around in the ‘Clear Mirror’ in your heart.”
“So when someone’s objective strength is overwhelmingly superior, or their state of mind cultivation far exceeds yours, prediction can’t exert its proper effect.”
No wonder.
Shangshan Che looked at the girl with Clear Sword Heart before him; after his originally still-as-water state of mind turned into a Clear Mirror, he could slightly glimpse Lili Zi’s Sword Heart.
He stared at the inadvertent corner of that Sword Heart leaking out, couldn’t help sighing how beautiful it was.
Brilliant, pure, and powerful.
“Hey! What are you looking at!”
Lili Zi abruptly stood up in her weird pose of arms hugging chest and legs together, leaving a dark sweat stain on the wooden floor.
She turned her head away: “I’m going upstairs to take a bath first!”
“Right, Shangshan Jun.”
Lili Zi sat down only after quickly reaching the nearby stairs, turning back to say,
“In these two days, I tidied up the house a bit, but most things weren’t moved, only active in the first-floor dojo.”
This successfully drew Shangshan Che’s attention again: “Then where did you sleep these two days?”
“Of course sitting in the dojo meditating.”
She matter-of-factly raised a finger: “This is Shangshan Jun’s home, so where I live, where I can go or not go, is all up to you to decide.”
“—Before the house master returns and gives permission, not casually wandering or touching things is basic etiquette, right.”
He never thought of such minor details; could only say as expected of a former great clan daughter, she grasped etiquette and rules perfectly.
Shangshan Che smiled and sighed: “We’re all bros, such small things don’t matter.”
Seeing Lili Zi still standing there expressionless, Shangshan Che helplessly said: “All areas are open, for living, wherever you like.”
Truth be told, Shangshan Che himself didn’t know what places this villa had besides the super-large dojo on the first floor.
But Lili Zi was just one person, even if she picked the biggest room, it didn’t matter.
The girl nodded in satisfaction, patting her chest: “Also, as rent for staying in your home—daily chores and cleaning, and three meals a day, leave them to me!”
Shangshan Che was about to thumbs-up and say you’re the one, but saw the girl’s patting hand suddenly stiffen, quickly returning to arms-hugging-chest pose.
?
“Lili Zi—”
“Alright! I’ll go up, bathe, change clothes, and come back down!”
She abruptly stood up.
Shangshan Che unthinkingly asked: “Are you still cultivating later?”
Lili Zi: “Of course I have to cultivate.”
Shangshan Che puzzled: “Then why go up now to bathe and change; can’t we change together after training later?”
Lili Zi was speechless for a moment.
Seeing this, Shangshan Che pretended to stand: “Come on, how about we spar first, just to test my progress.”
“Don’t come over!”
Lili Zi turned and fled upstairs.
Thumping footsteps came, Lili Zi’s figure vanished up the stairs in a flash, only her voice echoing down,
“Anyway, don’t ask too much! I’ll be right back!”
Looking up at the multi-layered stairs, Shangshan Che rubbed his chin, recalling Lili Zi’s various behaviors just now, vaguely understanding what Student Kitano meant.
This guy… watches too much two-dimensional manga and novels, actually pranking her best friend like this.
Quite a bit of mischievous fun in it.
Shangshan Che thought, with compensation in mind, shouted loudly: “I brought back a good thing, you’ll definitely like it!”
“Then I’ll wash faster—”
Hearing the reply, Shangshan Che sat back in his original spot.
He stared down at the nearly vanished dark sweat mark on the wooden floor nearby, inwardly sighing luckily this floor is big enough with great ventilation.
Otherwise with Lili Zi’s sweat amount, this dojo floor would soon smell strong without needing extra salt.
As for why the ventilation is good.
Shangshan Che calmly withdrew his gaze.
See, in just this short time, the details are gone.
……
Shangshan Che collected his thoughts, exhaled.
—Lili Zi said she’d wash quickly, but based on his past experience, her baths take at least five minutes.
Five minutes isn’t enough for other things, but absolutely plenty for a gacha pull.
Opening the gacha pool page, 【Edo Castle Suburbs】 four big words jumped out again.
The Edo city district in drizzling rain and the demons’ gacha pool background first did a face zoom, then gradually faded.
The Edo Castle gacha pool page was once again dominated by that black-haired Hundred-Eyed Demon loli hugging her knees, seemingly in deep sleep.
Piles of treasure mountains even taller beside the black-haired loli, numerous treasures shining brightly, hard to look away.
Shangshan Che’s gaze didn’t linger on the black-haired loli for even a second—he knew hoping for the impossible draw was pointless.
Draw a Demon Incarnation in twenty pulls?
Shangshan Che wouldn’t dare dream that.
He shook his head, using thought to click “Summon Ten Times” wrapped in its deep crystalline blood-red shell.
1500 Soul Ash flowed away like water.
In the Edo Castle background gacha pool, the black-haired loli originally floating mid-air hugging knees suddenly opened her eyes as if stimulated, shooting a violent gaze from her crimson pupils.
She landed under the tall treasure mountain, frowning tightly, her porcelain doll-like little face surging with intense dissatisfaction.
Hm?
Shangshan Che remembered last ten-pull wasn’t like this?
New version gacha animation?
The black-haired loli looked around, snorted coldly heavily after finding nothing, lifting her little feet spotless even stepping into mud.
Then, without looking, a spinning back kick hit the treasure mountain, kicking a pile of junk toward Shangshan Che.
After that, the black-haired loli kicked the mud underfoot several more times, anger gradually fading, before returning mid-air curled into a ball, hugging knees and closing eyes.
Ten items uncharacteristically fell at once.
Prompts popped out together—
【Soul Incense Ash（Tiny）×2】, 【Soul Incense Ash（Small）×3】, 【Rikishi Talisman】, 【Soul Incense Ash（Large）×1】, 【Essence of Ashigaru】, 【Hundred-Eyed Demon’s Single Eyeball】, 【Ashigaru Armor】.
Shangshan Che first quickly scanned to confirm no Demon Incarnation.
Then looked over the ten drawn items again; besides the redrawn 【Hundred-Eyed Demon’s Single Eyeball】, no other impressive items from before.
“How did I get a bunch of junk, this luck is too bad… could it relate to the gacha animation change?”
Shangshan Che smacked his lips, thinking does gacha pulling require asking the Divine Fortune Stick Cylinder, picking an auspicious day and time?
He sighed, first sorting the usual Incense Ash by type—this thing pollutes the pool but is very necessary.
Not only upgrades Demon Incarnations, but also helps daily cultivation.
Thinking this, Shangshan Che looked at 【Soul Incense Ash（Small）】.
His willpower just rose 15 points, so using this instead of Soul Incense Ash（Tiny） should be fine now.
Shangshan Che decided to use one during cultivation with Lili Zi later, then eyed the remaining items.
First, still 【Hundred-Eyed Demon’s Single Eyeball】.
Shangshan Che flipped through the description several times, took out the other one, found their descriptions identical like from the same mold, no difference.
He played with the two eyeballs in hand, hm, cool and slippery like jelly.
Generally, repeatable items in a pool are like Soul Incense Ash or Spell Scrolls, common consumables with broad uses.
So this Hundred-Eyed Demon’s eyeball should be similar, probably usable only after drawing Hundred-Eyed Demon Incarnation.
For now, playing it like a walnut feels pretty good.
So Shangshan Che played with the eyeballs while looking at other items.
—【Ashigaru Armor】.
“Haha, can Ashigaru wear armor? That’d be invincible.”
Shangshan Che took out this so-called “armor”.
As expected, this Ashigaru Armor only had chest/back protecting “dō”, waist-hanging skirt-like “kusazuri”, plus a helmet-like “jingasa” no different from thin iron.
As for other parts?
Sorry, none.
Ancient Japanese Ashigaru wore this or even worse gear to battlefields, life or death depending on enemy accuracy.
Looking at its attributes—
【Ashigaru Armor】
【Quality: Normal】
【Effect: Can defend to some extent against iron weapon slashes and thrusts, but that’s it.】
【—Common armor everywhere; go to an uncleaned battlefield at night scavenging, might harvest hundreds in one night.】
Shangshan Che couldn’t help laughing.
This thing and previous rōnin or samurai would sit at the same table, all fated for Katsumi recycling.
Besides Ashigaru Armor, there was also a 【Essence of Ashigaru】.
Shangshan Che was familiar with and fond of essences.
After all, previous Essence of Cong Yuan Huo plus Blue Ghost’s essence added a rare “Blazing” effect to his Kaga Kiyomitsu.
But now looking at this dull glass ball in hand, Shangshan Che was speechless.
【Essence of Ashigaru】
【Quality: Normal】
【Effect: After injecting spiritual power and using on specified weapon item, adds “extremely minor random bonus attribute”.】
【—Essence of one of countless Ashigaru; on battlefield, might dig one from the mud underfoot.】
Looks like essences have differences too.
Ashigaru equivalent to battlefield cannon fodder, Shangshan Che estimated its strength no more than One-Star, so drops common and ordinary.
This Ashigaru essence only brings extremely minor bonus, Shangshan Che wanted to wait for another blacksmith or Zashiki Warashi to see if it could turn trash to treasure.
So no rush to use later.
Shangshan Che was about to helplessly close the gacha panel and Storage Bag, then suddenly remembered one item he hadn’t checked.
He shifted gaze to that inconspicuous yellow talisman, pupils slightly contracting, body shaking.
Whoa, hit the jackpot.
Good stuff so unassuming!
【Rikishi Talisman】
【Quality: Epic】
【Effect: After inputting small spiritual power, immediately summons 12 red-turbaned black-armored projections of Yellow Turban Rikishi strong enough to lift tripods, impervious to blades; lasts one hour. Destroys after one use.】
【—Force crushes enemy lines, like sunlight breaking clouds!】
Epic grade item?!
Shangshan Che remembered not seeing this talisman when clicking the pool before, and highest quality items in pool were only Rare or Rare+.
Meaning this Rikishi Talisman is a hidden pool item?
Shangshan Che recalled last gacha the black-haired loli carefully selected and placed items one by one, but this time kicked ten over without looking.
Could gacha animation really affect jackpots?
Because Shangshan Che always saw normal animations before, never drew items beyond pool Demon Incarnations.
“Didn’t think of that…”
Carefully taking the Rikishi Talisman from Storage Bag, Shangshan Che pinched a corner of the cold yellow talisman, instantly feeling thick baleful qi from it.
The baleful qi rushed into his body via fingertips, making his blood boil.
Worthy of Epic grade item.
Potent!
Shangshan Che examined the complex incantations on the talisman, gave up after struggling to read, just memorized how the cinnabar was drawn for future use.
Wait, cinnabar?
Shangshan Che sniffed close, smelling faint blood scent from the talisman.
Seems like a talisman drawn with someone’s own blood.
But Shangshan Che not proficient in talisman drawing didn’t understand big differences; he just needed to know how to inject spiritual power.
Just then, upstairs came the “slide” sound of bathroom door opening.
Shangshan Che stowed the Rikishi Talisman, stood up, found a good spot on the dojo’s right not directly sunlit.
Then tossed out the Samurai Zantetsumaru that couldn’t be put back in Storage Bag once taken out.
Thud!
The all-black, eyes-closed Samurai Zantetsumaru landed on dojo floor, swaying slightly.
A wondrous feeling immediately emanated from it, linking with the “Martial” character in the dojo.
“Samurai Zantetsumaru’s cultivation speed bonus talent is enhanced?”
Shangshan Che opened its panel, saw a small “+” after the original “One-Heart Dedication” talent.
This character is absolutely extraordinary.
Wonder who Sister Nanjo asked to specially write it.
Shangshan Che pondered, placed hand on Samurai Zantetsumaru’s surface—due to its unique talent design, contractor just needed to input some spiritual power to complete contract.
And without any cost.
This design in Edo… even farther eras where shikigami contracts cost dearly was light-years ahead.
In less than twenty seconds, Shangshan Che felt a faint bond with the Samurai Zantetsumaru before him.
Though not as close as with Two-Foot Adult, fine for communication or ensuring loyalty.
—Though Shangshan Che unclear what loyalty from a Zantetsumaru meant.
“Lord.”
In the silence, Samurai Zantetsumaru slowly opened eyes.
It leaned forward toward Shangshan Che, bowing.
“Mm.”
Shangshan Che nodded to it, casually patting its top: “From now on, stay here as townhouse shikigami in this dojo; with that cultivation maniac around, your days won’t be boring.”
“Cultivation maniac?”
Curiosity showed in Samurai Zantetsumaru’s dignified pupils.
Shangshan Che didn’t speak, stared at it for a good while, slightly regretting after confirming this wasn’t the same Zantetsumaru he chopped in Bakumatsu.
If he could bring out the one from Slash Trial, probably learn many Bakumatsu secrets.
He stepped back two steps, glanced at hanging plaque and majestic Zantetsumaru, thinking from now this floor really starting to look like a dojo.
Less than two minutes later, Lili Zi with single ponytail, changed into proper dōgi, came down the stairs.
This time she could finally walk normally, raise hand to greet Shangshan Che: “Shangshan Jun, I’m here.”
Samurai Zantetsumaru always wondering who the “cultivation maniac” was immediately turned gaze, showing disappointment upon seeing Lili Zi female.
Its eyes slowly closed, drowsily saying,
“Lord, how can a mere woman be called a cultivation maniac…”
Lili Zi hearing this lightly raised brow, met eyes with Samurai Zantetsumaru.
The former stunned briefly, then uncontrollably showed joy.
The latter horrifiedly widened eyes, stammering: “Sword… sword sword sword master, Sword Master Your Excellency?! Young Sword Master?!!!”
Hearing Samurai Zantetsumaru’s title change three times in one sentence, Shangshan Che couldn’t hold back laughing.
But Lili Zi as if not hearing the laugh, eyes sparkling, carefully approached Samurai Zantetsumaru, tugging Shangshan Che’s sleeve asking,
“Shangshan Jun! This is Zantetsumaru, real deal Zantetsumaru right!”
Shangshan Che didn’t expect Lili Zi knew Zantetsumaru too: “Uh… you know it?”
“Of course I know!”
The girl couldn’t contain her joy, tiptoeing in place.
She carefully poked Samurai Zantetsumaru’s surface, showing reminiscence,
“When little, I often sneaked to yard side watching Eldest Brother and Third Sister slash Zantetsumaru with true swords in the yard.
And every slash, the blue Zantetsumaru would joyfully report a power number.”
Thinks joyful not punchable? As expected, Lili Zi back then was still a child… didn’t understand taunt.
Shangshan Che imitated beside: “Slash power—three thousand kan—of saying, right?”
“Yes yes yes!”
Lili Zi nodded like pecking rice, feeling qi from Samurai Zantetsumaru: “I even thought it was high-tech like mobile phone.”
“Didn’t expect it to be shikigami.”
The girl sighed: “But sadly, back then I wasn’t allowed to hit Zantetsumaru, so watched long time without chance to touch it.”
“—But now finally chance to try the feel!”
Lili Zi patted her cheeks, sweeping away prior loss.
Tyrannical yet joyful aura filled the dojo.
She picked up bamboo sword from dojo corner, came over, seriously staring into Shangshan Che’s eyes: “Shangshan Jun, thank you, really thank you for bringing me this surprise.”
The girl stepped forward, kissing Shangshan Che’s cheek lightning-fast.
Immediately after, Lili Zi turned without lingering.
She grinned, raising the slightly worn bamboo sword at Samurai Zantetsumaru, but felt like holding a divine weapon that cuts all.
Samurai Zantetsumaru finally recovered from shock.
It slowly said,
“Sword Master, please slash.”
