Chapter 145: The Name Of Onmyoji Che, The Wheels Of Fate, Five Thunder Technique At Proficient Level!
“Imagawa Head of the Clan, is that renowned Strategist Lord Taiyuan sitting in the hall?”
Unexpectedly, Shangshan Che mentioned Taiyuan Xuezhai, who was seated at the deepest part of the Audience Hall.
Imagawa Yoshimoto was slightly taken aback, then nodded: “Lord Che has a keen eye.”
Shangshan Che shook his folding fan, his eyes narrowing slightly.
——【Sickly Ghost（Two-Star）】.
That demon on Taiyuan Xuezhai’s back was actually Two-Star Rank?
It gave Shangshan Che the sense of only about Half-Star; if not for the Sickly Ghost’s overly conspicuous and ugly appearance, Shangshan Che might have overlooked it based solely on qi sensing.
And in the spiritually barren Sengoku Period, the vast majority of people lacked spiritual sight, so they simply couldn’t see spirit-bodied monsters.
Even those warriors who cultivated breathing techniques were the same.
Like the previous Well Woman with a physical form, which could be dealt with by gathering more samurai, but no one could detect this Sickly Ghost on Taiyuan Xuezhai’s body.
Even cultivating breathing techniques to a profound level could only ensure one wasn’t invaded by monsters.
At most, one could rely on their own blood qi to intimidate and dissolve some weak monsters.
Shangshan Che understood upon thinking this.
——The Sickly Ghost’s qi was so faint to avoid triggering instinctive discomfort in the warriors around Taiyuan Xuezhai, allowing it to better absorb Taiyuan Xuezhai’s spirit, energy, and vitality.
Thus, he spoke sharply and directly: “Imagawa Head of the Clan, I see that Lord Taiyuan seems to have little time left.”
Shangshan Che stood before Imagawa Yoshimoto, sighing under the gaze of the crowded warriors: “If this continues, Lord Taiyuan might not live past a month.”
These words were like a stone dropped into stagnant water, stirring up endless waves, causing the warriors from various parts of the Tokaido to subtly change their expressions.
Even Takechiyo, seated in the Audience Hall, showed a stunned expression and couldn’t help turning back to look at his teacher, whose hair was half-white but whose back remained straight.
——Imagawa Clan’s strategist was critically ill, confirmed aloud by the Onmyoji Lord Che, acknowledged by Imagawa Yoshimoto, in front of everyone.
This was an enormous shocking revelation.
Imagawa Yoshimoto’s face suddenly turned icy cold, like ice.
She stared fixedly at Shangshan Che, her pupils trembling slightly.
——Taiyuan Xuezhai’s physical condition was indeed deteriorating, an indisputable fact, and surrounding clans had more or less heard the news.
So today, having the actually extremely frail Taiyuan Xuezhai attend the Coming-of-Age Ceremony was to dispel rumors that “Imagawa Clan’s strategist is gravely ill.”
But Shangshan Che’s words not only shattered Imagawa Yoshimoto’s plan but also confirmed Taiyuan Xuezhai’s serious illness from another angle.
“If today’s events spread, the Mikawa Region will likely stir trouble again. Thus, various reforms will be delayed, and the original plan halted.”
Imagawa Yoshimoto clenched her fist under her sleeve, her gaze cutting like a knife across Shangshan Che’s smiling face.
To think I also misjudged someone once…
For a moment, she even wanted to draw the non-existent tachi from her waist and behead this slanderous man before her.
But disbelief and anger lasted only an instant.
She calmed in that instant and was about to ignore Shangshan Che and turn to speak when Taiyuan Xuezhai in the Audience Hall stood up.
The old man, whose spirit, energy, and vitality were nearly devoured by the Sickly Ghost, rose with a steady expression and full vigor,
“Onmyoji Lord Che says I have little time left, but I feel my body is still sturdy… Living another ten years is no problem!”
Even with life about to be swallowed by that demonic ghost, he could still erupt with such astonishing might.
Shangshan Che gazed at the ugly, cowering Sickly Ghost, seemingly frightened by Taiyuan Xuezhai, and couldn’t help laughing: “No, no, everyone present might have misunderstood me.”
Shangshan Che circulated internal qi slightly, letting his words broadcast across the entire plaza and Audience Hall, causing many warriors to change expressions.
“What I mean is—if this Sickly Ghost continues clinging to Lord Taiyuan’s back, absorbing spirit, energy, and vitality, then Lord Taiyuan will truly have little time left.”
Imagawa Yoshimoto bit her lip instinctively upon hearing this, while Taiyuan Xuezhai remained expressionless, staring intently at Shangshan Che.
Shangshan Che: “Currently, Lord Taiyuan’s physical condition is even better than that of ordinary warriors.”
He shook his folding fan and paced in place: “If I’m not mistaken, this Sickly Ghost is a curse placed by a close associate when Lord Taiyuan was unguarded.”
After speaking, Shangshan Che paused deliberately, hearing doubts rising from the surrounding warriors.
“Sickly Ghost? If there was a ghost, why can’t I see it? My eyes can spot flies hundreds of meters away—true hawk eyes!”
“Baseless claims—surely hired by Imagawa Clan to confuse us…”
“Curses? Real curses vanished a century ago.”
Only Imagawa Yoshimoto stared silently at him; the killing intent and icy chill in her eyes had faded, but she remained wordless, lost in thought.
In the increasingly noisy atmosphere, Shangshan Che snapped his folding fan shut and spoke again,
“—And I can see this Sickly Ghost and exorcise it!”
He finally turned, meeting Imagawa Yoshimoto’s dark eyes, and said slowly,
“Exorcise this Sickly Ghost, plus my healing, and Lord Taiyuan can live at least ten more years.”
Imagawa Yoshimoto gazed at this heroic, composed face for a moment, then closed her eyes as if resolved: “What method will Lord Che use to exorcise this Sickly Ghost?”
Shangshan Che nodded to her: “Please have Imagawa Head of the Clan clear an area for Che.”
Imagawa Yoshimoto said nothing, just raised her hand slightly.
Her black-armored samurai behind her turned in unison, ignoring the clan crests around them, pushing the dissatisfied warriors back amid rising angry voices.
Fifteen seconds later, about thirty square meters of empty space was cleared.
Imagawa Yoshimoto extended her hand calmly: “Please.”
Shangshan Che tossed Shiraishi, tucked in his robe, out, then drew the pale golden Koma-inu Bell from his waist: “Please don’t panic, everyone—what appears next are my shikigami.”
With that, Shangshan Che shook the Koma-inu Bell lightly.
Ding-a-ling~
The next instant, under the shocked gazes of the surrounding warriors.
Two majestic, fully armored Koma-inu emerged from thin air beside Shangshan Che like a magic trick.
One sleek and agile, with long, powerful limbs and unusually lively eyes, circled Shangshan Che alertly while watching the surrounding warriors.
This was the Two-Star Rank Koma-inu Kumigashira that Shangshan Che had summoned several times before.
The other Koma-inu stood nearly 1.1 or 1.2 meters at the shoulder, almost matching most warriors’ heights.
Its limbs thick and fur glossy, eyes stern and silent, clad in heavy chainmail, with a vertical flag on its back, it sat silently beside Shangshan Che like an iron guardian.
This mighty, tiger-surpassing giant Koma-inu, upon landing, nearly scared the nearest warriors into drawing their blades.
Shangshan Che was also stunned briefly, then looked at the head of this unfamiliar Koma-inu.
——【Koma-inu Hatamoto（Two-and-a-Half Star）】.
Ho, what an unexpected boon.
Shangshan Che hadn’t expected the Koma-inu Bell to summon a Two-and-a-Half Star Koma-inu… unsure if it was pure luck.
“You two.”
At Shangshan Che’s words, both Koma-inu sat simultaneously, turning their gazes to him.
This sight eased the warriors not far from the two Koma-inu—after all, a armored giant beast as tall as you would frighten anyone.
Especially such a massive beast, unheard of in this era’s Japan.
“Go drag that Sickly Ghost from behind Lord Taiyuan.”
Shangshan Che patted Koma-inu Hatamoto’s head, eliciting a comfortable hum: “Remember, harm no one, and don’t tear the Sickly Ghost apart.”
Then, Shangshan Che looked to Imagawa Yoshimoto: “Imagawa Head of the Clan, may they enter the Audience Hall?”
Imagawa Yoshimoto, eyes sparkling, sighed in relief; after exchanging glances with Taiyuan Xuezhai, she replied: “Of course.”
“Woof!”
Koma-inu Hatamoto barked lowly, then called to Koma-inu Kumigashira to follow.
Thus, everyone saw these two obedient, slow-stepping Koma-inu, waiting for warriors ahead to yield the path before proceeding to the Audience Hall.
A warrior who had just stepped aside turned dazedly: “This dog understands human speech? Bro… pinch me, am I dreaming?”
Shangshan Clan samurai fell silent: “Shaking a bell summons two heavily armored giant beasts—he’s truly the legendary Onmyoji.”
The warriors grew restless at this unprecedented sight, but none dared block the Koma-inu— their size and strength were terrifying.
Soon, Koma-inu Hatamoto reached the ornate Audience Hall doorway.
It woofed softly first, then stepped onto the Audience Hall floor, approaching Taiyuan Xuezhai.
Taiyuan Xuezhai looked down.
He saw the silent Koma-inu before him, like a battle-hardened, reliable Hatamoto.
For a moment, even this worldly Imagawa Clan strategist was at a loss for words.
Taiyuan Xuezhai, struggling just to stand, asked: “What should I do?”
Koma-inu Hatamoto shook its head, then raised a paw to signal Koma-inu Kumigashira to stay alert.
It moved behind Taiyuan Xuezhai, its sharp eyes fixed on the qi-less, feigning-death Sickly Ghost on his back.
Koma-inu Hatamoto swept behind Taiyuan Xuezhai like a black whirlwind.
Before the Sickly Ghost could react, it was seized in its jaws.
Long, sharp canines sank deep into the Sickly Ghost’s obese, oily belly.
The latter shrieked, pounding Koma-inu Hatamoto’s face with its massive arms.
Koma-inu Hatamoto remained silent.
Such feeble attacks weren’t even worth an itch.
Taiyuan Xuezhai felt a sudden lightness on his back, his whole body easing several times over.
The old man closed his eyes, taking a deep breath after so long.
He hadn’t felt this freedom and ease in ages.
Warriors proficient in breathing techniques noticed the sudden surge of spirit, energy, and vitality from Taiyuan Xuezhai, showing shock.
——So this so-called Sickly Ghost truly exists!
They simply couldn’t see it!
“Woof.”
Koma-inu Hatamoto barked softly, dropping the soul oil-leaking Sickly Ghost not far from Shangshan Che.
“Good work.”
Shangshan Che patted both heads, then waved to dismiss the two Koma-inu.
He glanced at the ground-bound Sickly Ghost, wriggling its fat, emitting low roars, with grotesquely distorted proportions.
This thing really drains sanity.
But its weakness made it easy to wrap in spiritual power, letting Imagawa Yoshimoto and the warriors see it.
——The principle for letting ordinary people without spiritual sight see ghosts is simple.
Just costs a ton of spiritual energy.
Shangshan Che raised his fingertip crackling with fine lightning and called loudly: “Everyone, watch closely! I’ll make this Sickly Ghost visible now!”
Hundreds of gazes turned.
With his words, spiritual power surged from Shangshan Che like floodgates opening.
Fine lightning wrapped the Sickly Ghost rhythmically with his breathing, making it convulse, roar, and wail like a butchered pig.
Ten-odd seconds later, Imagawa Yoshimoto frowned slightly first.
She stepped back half a pace, disgust in her brows.
Retching sounds followed from the crowd—mostly from the women.
Warriors stared at the lightning-tormented Sickly Ghost with disgust, tension, or gravity.
But all were shocked, as if beholding a new world.
Only Shiraishi blinked confusedly, squinting curiously at the empty space, seeing nothing.
He scratched his head, looking around, realizing it was his issue.
Fully half a minute later, Shangshan Che calmly asked everyone before him,
“Did you see it clearly?”
No one shook their head.
Snap!
Folding fan opened; the Five Thunder Pearl in Shangshan Che’s left hand flashed simultaneously.
Crimson-purple lightning crashed down, blasting the Sickly Ghost to bits in an instant!
Shangshan Che spoke, snapping Imagawa Yoshimoto from her trance: “Imagawa Head of the Clan, Che has exorcised this Sickly Ghost.”
Several prompts popped up before his eyes.
【You killed Sickly Ghost（Two-Star）, gaining 260 Soul Ash!】
【Your skill, Five Thunder Technique·Qi Union proficiency +70!】
【Your skill, Five Thunder Technique·Qi Union has broken through to Proficient Level!】
【You obtained, Broken Token of Love.】
【Current Walker of the Eternal World influence on history: 0.15%→0.35%!】
【Your Muromachi End·Sengoku Period reputation +500!】
“Good!”
Imagawa Yoshimoto nodded immediately, her icy expression gone.
She laughed: “Tetsu-sensei’s methods are truly extraordinary! Yoshimoto and everyone here are enlightened!”
Noting Imagawa Yoshimoto’s shift in address, Shangshan Che smiled and cupped hands, reciprocating,
“Lord Yoshimoto overpraises; today’s technique is mere trifle.”
Imagawa Yoshimoto basked pleasantly in the envious, grave, jealous gazes around her.
She stepped closer to Shangshan Che, wanting to pat his shoulder familiarly.
But upon raising her hand, she blinked, realizing her height fell short.
Shangshan Che subtly crouched, letting the tiptoeing Imagawa Yoshimoto pat him, then cough awkwardly.
The girl adjusted her expression upon turning.
Smiling broadly, she raised both arms to her vassals, allies, enemies, and future enemies: “Everyone, don’t forget—the Coming-of-Age Ceremony hasn’t started yet!”
Her words reminded many that today’s protagonist was the silent Takechiyo still seated in the Audience Hall.
Takechiyo sighed inwardly in relief, moving his nearly numb legs.
He glanced at the heroic youth in priest’s robe holding a folding fan, etching the face forever in his heart.
Next, Shangshan Che had nothing more to do.
Imagawa Yoshimoto returned to the carpet, entering the Audience Hall.
Under everyone’s gaze, she placed the symbol of adulthood, the eboshi, on Takechiyo, marking his departure from childhood.
“For your name, I grant you ‘Motoyasu’!”
Immediately, Imagawa Yoshimoto bestowed upon the now-renamed Matsudaira Motoyasu the title of “Mikawa Guard”—ruler of the Mikawa Region.
With Matsudaira Motoyasu’s thanks, the Coming-of-Age Ceremony formally ended.
Warriors from other lands, wanting to court or befriend Shangshan Che, left with dark faces, saying nothing to him.
That pre-ceremony exchange confirmed Onmyoji Che was beyond them.
Better to rush today’s bombshell back to their lords.
Before today, few believed Onmyoji existed, let alone wielded such power.
After today, history’s wheel had quietly shifted direction.
Even if infinitesimally.
……
Coming-of-Age Ceremony ended, crowd dispersed.
Shangshan Che and Shiraishi were asked to wait briefly in a side hall.
Shiraishi, eating unseen pastries, poked Shangshan Che’s waist: “Boss, what did you all see after that lightning? Why couldn’t I?”
Shangshan Che’s thoughts broke; he asked puzzledly: “You didn’t see…”
But before finishing, Imagawa Yoshimoto in her Juni-hitoe appeared at the door.
He paused, looking at the smiling-lipped Imagawa Yoshimoto.
“Lord Yoshimoto.”
“Tetsu-sensei, and this… Shiraishi, follow me.”
The girl nodded to each.
Shangshan Che assented; Shiraishi stuffed remaining pastries from his small plate into his pockets, then hurried after in big steps.
Soon, they followed Imagawa Yoshimoto to a serene chamber.
As Shangshan Che opened his mouth, the ahead Imagawa Yoshimoto preempted: “This is my daily residence, used only for important guests.”
Then, Shangshan Che entered the chamber.
He saw Taiyuan Xuezhai, spirited, already seated at a wooden table.
Upon seeing Shangshan Che, he rose immediately, bowing slightly in thanks: “Tetsu-sensei’s grace today, I will remember.”
Shangshan Che shook his head: “No need; it was effortless.”
Taiyuan Xuezhai chuckled, looking to Imagawa Yoshimoto beside Shangshan Che: “You know I mean more than myself.”
He sat, pushing freshly brewed tea over.
Shangshan Che didn’t refuse, sitting and downing the hot tea.
Taiyuan Xuezhai raised his cup, drank it down: “Tetsu-sensei is as Lord Yoshimoto said—refined in manner, bold at heart!”
What kind of evaluation is that…
Shangshan Che looked to the opposite-seated Imagawa Yoshimoto, pausing before asking: “Lord Yoshimoto summoning me now must be for important matters.”
“Tetsu-sensei sees clearly.”
Imagawa Yoshimoto pursed her lips,
“Regarding what you said earlier, that Teacher under your care could live ten more years…”
“False.”
Shangshan Che shook his head before she finished: “Lord Taiyuan has been haunted by that Sickly Ghost for at least ten months; accumulated loss of spirit, energy, and vitality is irreversible.
Ten years was just to fool outsiders.”
Imagawa Yoshimoto lowered her eyes, showing unstoppable disappointment.
“But with full rest,” Shangshan Che continued, “at least no life threat within a year.”
A year.
Light returned to Imagawa Yoshimoto’s eyes—far better than Taiyuan Xuezhai’s recent “mere weeks.”
She clenched her fist, cheeks puffing as she exhaled silently: “Teacher, please leave us.”
Shangshan Che patted Shiraishi’s knee under the table; the latter dashed out without a word.
He was glad to eat the sweet pastries.
In an instant, only Shangshan Che and Imagawa Yoshimoto remained in the quiet room.
Silence spread quietly.
Imagawa Yoshimoto unusually fidgeted her fingertips.
She pondered what opening line would strike Shangshan Che’s heart, making him willingly submit as her vassal…
Wait, no.
That thinking was fundamentally wrong.
——Che is the world’s unique Onmyoji; after today, leaving Imagawa Residence means all daimyo will vie fiercely for him.
To recruit him, she’d pay a price utterly unlike for others.
In the quiet, Imagawa Yoshimoto met his eyes, speaking simply and forcefully,
“Tetsu-sensei, become my vassal, Imagawa Yoshimoto’s.”
Shangshan Che’s tapping fingers on his knee stopped.
He knew Imagawa Yoshimoto was mulling words, but not that she’d say this outright.
It was like ambiguous lovers meeting offline, her first words: “I like you, date me.”
Such words from others would end the topic.
But Imagawa Yoshimoto was different.
She smiled slightly: “As vassal, Tetsu-sensei needn’t perform vassal rites or pledge loyalty to me.”
Imagawa Yoshimoto placed hands on knees, eyes bright and fervent, as if the world was already hers:
“Just mutual cooperation: you help me become ruler Under Heaven, I devote all Imagawa Clan to protect you, aid your cultivation, spread your fame…”
She stood, Juni-hitoe’s vast shadow blocking light from behind the girl,
“Once I rule Under Heaven, whether you usurp me, leave to found your own house, or make me submit to you, taking these fruits— all viable!”
“Everything up to you.”
“Of course!”
Imagawa Yoshimoto leaned on the table, spilling tea, uncaring as her nose nearly touched Shangshan Che’s.
Hot breath hit his face; the girl enunciated,
“—But Tetsu-sensei, you won’t in the future.”
Shangshan Che calm: “Why so sure?”
“—Because I am Imagawa Yoshimoto.”
Imagawa Yoshimoto lifted his chin with a finger, letting him see her surging inner thoughts through her eyes.
The black-haired girl, confident of ruling Under Heaven, smiled,
“Because I am Imagawa Yoshimoto.”
Shangshan Che sighed helplessly, raising hand to grasp hers.
He marveled: “Lord Yoshimoto, you’re no less than that Oda Nobunaga, flawless save excessive confidence.”
Imagawa Yoshimoto, stunned at comparison to the Owari fool, showed surprise.
Then, she felt the man before her grip her hand solemnly.
So firmly.
As he spoke, she heard fate’s gears click,
“Then, let me serve you for now.”
“Lord Yoshimoto.”
【You have chosen to join Great Daimyo·Imagawa Yoshimoto’s service.】
【Your Main Quest first ring·Entrance Ticket completed!】
