Chapter 172: The Sole Onmyoji Favored By One, The Future Toyotomi Hideyoshi, The Oda Clan’s Archenemy!
The bustling streets of Sunpu Castle were filled with surging crowds.
“By the way, isn’t this ‘Che’ an Onmyoji? The one who publicly slain the demonic ghost with lightning at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony a few days ago?”
“Yeah. This matter has spread fiercely these days, causing many people to rush to Sunpu Castle from out of town just to catch a glimpse of that person.”
“But since he’s an Onmyoji, what is he intending by going to the Trial Cut Ground now?”
“Now that you mention it… that’s true, that person isn’t a samurai who cultivates breathing techniques.”
The gathered crowd paused, seeing doubt and confusion in each other’s eyes.
Right, Che controls lightning, commands mysterious shikigami, and is the Great Onmyoji renowned throughout much of the Tokaido, so why is he learning from those samurai to do trial cuts?
Could it be just a simple desire to try something novel?
But since he’s already an Onmyoji, in terms of physique, he definitely can’t compare to those samurai who train with swords day in and day out, even going into battle to kill enemies.
Won’t that Onmyoji Che end up at the Trial Cut Ground…
Making a fool of himself?
Two-Foot Adult, who was eating a steaming flatbread, felt gazes from all directions carrying various emotions and undertones, and uncomfortably shrugged her shoulders a bit.
She followed behind Shangshan Che and softly asked,
“Che Adult, why are so many people watching us this time when we came out?”
Because clearly, last time when they went out with Imagawa Yoshimoto, no one had noticed them.
“Clothes.”
Shangshan Che tugged at the extremely conspicuous Priest’s Robe on his body and plucked the strings: “Plus, this time I didn’t ‘fix my face,’ and with this height, I naturally stand out in the crowd.”
“But one of the purposes of coming out this time is to boost my fame a bit more, so in the future, this kind of being watched will probably happen a lot.
You need to get used to it.”
The girl thoughtfully nodded.
He pointed to Shiraishi behind, who was striding forward with a gait that recognized no kin, completely unaffected: “In this regard, learn from Shiraishi.”
Shangshan Che patted the small white hat on the girl’s head: “After all, Two-Foot, you will be appearing frequently as Onmyoji Che’s shikigami in the future.”
“Po!” Two-Foot Adult clenched her small fist, “I’ll do my best, Che Adult!”
Shangshan Che said no more and walked slowly straight toward the Trial Cut Ground.
Naturally, along this not-short journey, people who knew Onmyoji Che and the Trial Cut Ground followed expectantly and curiously behind the large crowd.
Of course, a large group of meddlesome onlookers who didn’t know much also crowded over.
Crowding around for excitement, especially excitement that has no danger but is topical, has always been human nature.
After a small half hour, Shangshan Che, who had deliberately slowed his pace, arrived within the range of the “Trial Cut Ground” designated by Imagawa Yoshimoto.
The Trial Cut Ground was an expansive outdoor venue built by Imagawa Yoshimoto with her Samurai Zantetsumaru at its core.
The entire Trial Cut Ground was also divided into three major areas: “Trial Cut Area,” “Waiting Area,” and “Audience Area.”
Normally, there were two ways to enter the Trial Cut Ground.
One was samurai rōnin and the like who heard the news and wanted to do trial cuts; they just needed to register at the doorway with the record keeper, then turn back to join the long queue.
The other was audience members who were curious about the trial cuts and wanted to watch from the side.
But audience members had to pay a full thirty mon to enter and watch once, to deter troublemakers and prevent overcrowding in the Trial Cut Ground.
Even so, the Trial Cut Ground had been packed these past few days, with even the outskirts crowded with curious passersby.
This made Imagawa Yoshimoto feel she should have raised the “entrance fee” to fifty mon or even higher earlier—because now even the samurai sent to maintain order numbered quite a few.
Beside the silent and stern black-armored samurai, the sweating record clerk shouted at the top of his lungs,
“First-time Adults! Please register one by one, and line up along this path!”
The record keeper thought that at least the Head of the Clan had sent two fully armed hatamoto to stand by his side, or else he would probably have been kicked flying by those muscle-bound samurai long ago.
He blinked, about to call the next one forward, when he suddenly heard a noisy commotion from not far away.
The record keeper was stunned.
The Trial Cut Ground side was already so noisy that his ears hurt for a long time at night… how much noisier could it be over there?
The record keeper tiptoed and craned his neck, opening his mouth in astonishment.
Because the street that had still allowed normal passage was now crammed full of heads!
And these people seemed to be following the one at the front…
The record keeper lightly tapped the hatamoto’s shoulder armor with his hand to signal him to look that way.
The hatamoto turned his head, and upon seeing the situation, his face immediately darkened.
He circulated his internal Qi and asked loudly,
“Hey! What are you trying to do, bringing so many people…”
Not even two seconds later, the record keeper saw the previously stern-faced hatamoto reveal a stiff expression.
“What’s wrong?” the record keeper asked.
The hatamoto didn’t reply to him, but immediately changed his expression, squeezing a smile onto his originally unsmiling face,
“Che Adult! Why have you come here?”
Che Adult?
The record keeper blinked, not yet reacting, but upon seeing the figure in the Priest’s Robe, he immediately straightened up: “Che Adult!”
“No need for that.”
Shangshan Che glanced at the somewhat crude sunshade and the record keeper and black-armored hatamoto standing before him, thinking this was probably the entrance to the Trial Cut Ground.
He shifted his gaze and spotted the not-too-long registration queue and the long dragon of samurai on the other side, each surging with internal Qi.
It seemed he still needed to queue for a long time.
The record keeper instantly discerned from Shangshan Che’s shifting gaze what he had noticed, so he immediately said,
“If Che Adult wants to enter and watch, please follow this hatamoto directly…”
Shangshan Che shook his head: “No, I’m not here to watch.”
The surrounding queuing samurai and record keeper were all stunned, then they heard him say,
“I’m here to do a trial cut.”
Instantly, the whole area fell silent.
At this moment, inside the Trial Cut Ground.
“Slash attack power, fourteen thousand eight hundred twenty-six kan—of say!”
Over the past three days, Samurai Zantetsumaru slowly announced the slash attack power number for the samurai with the greatest backward lean.
In the Trial Cut Area specially covered with soft river sand.
The man who claimed this slash was just a warm-up slung his tachi over his shoulder, yawned, and had already closed his eyes to enjoy the cheers from around.
But the man waited a good while without hearing the shocked voices from around as he had hoped.
Only the record keeper standing not far away was gripping his slightly trembling pen, slowly recording this five-digit number at the top of the ledger in his hand.
“Hm? Why is it silent when it’s my turn?”
Who had stolen his spotlight?
Shibata Katsuie raised an eyebrow and looked around, only to find that the audience who should have been cheering for him were all looking in the same direction.
The commotion from that direction was incredibly loud, shaking the ground slightly.
He listened carefully for a moment and heard the words “Che Adult.”
Che Adult?
Who was that?
It sounded a bit familiar…
“Shibata Adult, Shibata Adult!”
Before Shibata Katsuie could swing his remaining two slashes, a short figure crawled under the wooden fence and hurriedly pulled him away from in front of Zan Maru to the sidelines.
Shibata Katsuie, forcibly pulled out of the Trial Cut Area and sheathing his sword to blend into the crowd, frowned deeply.
But only after the person pulling him stopped did Shibata Katsuie condense his Qi into a line and coldly ask the youth who was just over 1.4 meters tall with a slightly unusual face,
“Monkey! Why did you pull me out? There are two more slashes, or there won’t be another chance later!”
The youth called Monkey looked around left and right, and after confirming no one was paying attention to them, first took out a conical hat from his cloth bag and urgently said,
“Shibata Adult, put this on first.”
Shibata Katsuie didn’t throw a tantrum.
He knew Monkey had pulled him out so anxiously for a reason, so it was best to listen first.
Moreover, before setting out this time, Lord Nobunaga had specifically instructed him to listen more to Monkey when out and about before acting.
This guy might not be strong, but he’s quick-witted with plenty of tricks; though not as good as Chōhime, he can serve as a temporary strategist.
What’s more, they were now in the enemy’s stronghold.
So Shibata Katsuie first put on the conical hat, then continued asking: “What happened?”
Monkey—that is, the youth who would later be called Toyotomi Hideyoshi but was now still Kinoshita Tōkichirō—lowered his voice again and said,
“Che.”
“Che?”
“Yes, that Onmyoji Che who’s become famous in the Tokaido recently!”
“Che… alright.”
Shibata Katsuie’s hand on the hilt tightened, finally understanding what that sense of familiarity was.
He took a deep breath, feeling a bit scared.
Damn! He had actually forgotten something so important just now!
If Monkey hadn’t pulled him back into the crowd and given him the conical hat, he definitely would have caused trouble!
Because they had only passed through Sunpu Castle with a merchant caravan; it was Shibata Katsuie who heard there was this magical Trial Cut Ground and entered the city on a whim to try it.
If he drew attention, even if they got back unscathed, Lord Nobunaga would surely scold him harshly.
Not to mention, if he were noticed by that Onmyoji Che during the trial cut, whether they could leave Sunpu Castle would be questionable!
Thinking of this, Shibata Katsuie immediately dropped his desire for attention and nodded to Kinoshita Tōkichirō,
“Thanks just now, Monkey.”
“It was just that Adult was immersed in the trial cut for the moment; at other times, you probably wouldn’t need me.”
Tōkichirō scratched the back of his head and smiled plainly.
“Mm, then we can take this chance to see for Lord Nobunaga just what kind of person this Onmyoji Che is…”
Before queuing, Shangshan Che first walked into the Trial Cut Area and curiously asked the dazed record keeper who had suddenly lost sight of someone,
“Excuse me, what has been the highest slash attack power in recent days?”
The record keeper sized up Shangshan Che’s attire, combined with the ongoing noisy commotion, and realized in just a few seconds who was before him.
He hurriedly bowed and said,
“Replying to Che Adult, it was the slash just now: fourteen thousand eight hundred twenty-six kan.”
Fourteen thousand kan?
That much?
Shangshan Che was somewhat surprised to hear this number.
After a pause, the record keeper added: “It’s said that was still just that samurai adult’s warm-up.”
Still a warm-up?
Shangshan Che smiled in surprise.
This was truly unexpected.
He curiously asked: “Who was it?”
The record keeper looked around, didn’t find the person, swallowed, and whispered: “That adult was just here… but suddenly he’s nowhere to be seen.”
Shangshan Che wasn’t surprised.
Because anyone who could slash over ten thousand kan must at least have completed Qi circulation, and usually had considerable fame.
Hiding just now was probably to avoid meeting him directly.
Moreover, nearly fifteen thousand kan as a warm-up.
This was almost as strong as Okabe Motonobu’s slash attack power—because at full power, she absolutely had at least twenty thousand kan or more.
Shangshan Che lightly exhaled.
But I’m stronger.
Now, having completed the skin tempering stage of the Palace of Flesh, refined his Qi circulation again, reached proficient level in Five Thunder Technique: Qi Union, and with the Hannya Mask and epic-grade Kaga Kiyomitsu in hand.
With all that stacked, slashing a mere twenty thousand kan should be effortless.
Just didn’t know the upper limit.
He politely nodded to the record keeper and asked: “I also want to do a trial cut here, so do I go queue at the end now?”
Onmyoji Che, wants to do a trial cut?!
And he’s asking if he needs to queue???
The record keeper was shocked, nearly dropping the pen in his hand.
He knew that a few nights ago, the Head of the Clan had made a huge fuss, lighting up the Imagawa Residence until dawn, and even knocking on many shops in Sunpu Castle.
It was said that was for Onmyoji Che!
And even earlier, the elder and demonic ghost incident…
This person was now a key figure in the Imagawa Clan!
But before he came, the Head of the Clan had specifically instructed him to strictly maintain order at the Trial Cut Ground—even giving him command over the hatamoto left here.
So how should he answer this life-risking question?!
Shangshan Che blinked, noticing the conflicted record keeper as he turned to leave, and spoke up,
“I’ll just go queue at the end.”
He patted the record keeper’s shoulder,
“I won’t put you in a difficult position.”
The record keeper looked at the smiling Shangshan Che, dazed for a moment before bowing his head and replying,
“Thank you, Che Adult.”
This time, the gratitude was especially sincere.
With that, Shangshan Che left the Trial Cut Area and boldly queued at the end of the long line, once again stirring up puzzled voices.
So many people feeling puzzled at the same time naturally created a huge commotion, drawing dissatisfaction from many queuing samurai.
But now in the Imagawa Clan’s main castle, where they still had to do free trial cuts on the Imagawa Clan’s “Zan Maru.”
Thus, even the most indignant samurai had to give the Imagawa Clan some face and couldn’t start a street fight.
Shangshan Che also frowned and turned back, speaking flatly, his calm voice precisely and clearly reaching everyone’s ears,
“Since everyone came to watch me, please follow the rules here.”
The originally noisy environment fell abruptly silent at these words.
Then, the loud shouting turned unanimously into whispers.
Because if Onmyoji Che could send his voice to their ears, he could similarly send lightning there!
This casual display awed the vast majority.
Shangshan Che nodded in satisfaction,
“Mm, that’s more like it.”
Letting the two little ones browse freely in nearby shops, Shangshan Che began the long queue.
Actually, a longer queue time suited him perfectly.
Because during this time, news of Onmyoji Che’s trial cut would spread wider, drawing more people to watch him.
This way, the effect after his trial cut would be even better.
Whether to intimidate others or gain reputation.
And things unfolded just as Shangshan Che expected.
As time passed, not only local passersby, but merchants and rōnin from the Tokaido, even Kinki and Higashiyama Road, gathered around the Trial Cut Ground.
At first, most people’s attitude was anticipation, expecting what astonishing result Onmyoji Che could achieve.
But as more half-informed people joined, discordant—or rather, majority—voices emerged.
A merchant from a Higashiyama Road gully scratched his head: “Onmyoji…? You Tokaido people still believe in these outdated legends?”
A local sighed: “Sigh, classic non-believer in Onmyoji.”
“Even if the rumors are true, an Onmyoji who only casts Onmyōdō in legends probably can’t even hold a sword!”
A burly samurai with two swords at his waist rationally commented: “This Onmyoji Che is very famous in the Tokaido, so he won’t embarrass himself by not holding a sword, but two or three thousand kan is probably his limit.”
At this point, the rōnin who had gotten lost in Sunpu Castle midway finally squeezed to the front of the crowd relying on his fairly robust build.
He happened to see in the Trial Cut Ground a samurai with even larger muscles slowly sheathing his sword.
Then hearing that egg-like black figure announce the slash attack power in its strange but captivating tone,
“Slash attack power, five thousand six hundred twelve kan—of say!”
The rōnin panted twice, narrowed his eyes, and carefully sized up the samurai bowing to Zan Maru and leaving the field, concluding he was stronger than himself.
But not by much.
Meaning, his own slash would probably be around four or five thousand kan.
The rōnin looked again at Shangshan Che, who was tall but whose robe didn’t even bulge.
He thought:
This Onmyoji Che looks much scrawnier than me; two thousand kan might even be too much!
Shibata Katsuie thought the same.
Others hadn’t seen Onmyoji, so they couldn’t gauge an Onmyoji’s physique well.
But Shibata Katsuie had seen before.
Just based on that Onmyoji’s scrawny frame, he couldn’t even hold an ordinary tachi.
Though this Che was tall, he was just tall, nothing more.
“I’d say two thousand kan is probably too much.”
Shibata Katsuie shook his head: “An Onmyoji who pours all his mental strength into Onmyōdō cultivation might not even reach one thousand kan.
This Che is completely reckless.”
He thought for a moment, then asked Tōkichirō beside him,
“Monkey, what do you think?”
Because Lord Nobunaga often asked Monkey this when making decisions, Shibata Katsuie, who frequently stood by, had picked up the habit.
Tōkichirō was silent for a long time.
He rubbed his chin and slowly voiced an opinion starkly different from the vast majority present: “Shibata Adult, this Onmyoji Che’s slash attack power could be over twenty thousand kan.”
Twen…ty thousand kan?
Shibata Katsuie silently repeated it twice in his mind, confirming he hadn’t misheard, then elbowed Tōkichirō: “Monkey, are you trying to make me laugh?”
He casually manipulated his Qi barrier to prevent any sound from leaking,
“If even an Onmyoji can slash twenty thousand kan, then all these other samurai here have lived in vain?”
Shibata Katsuie hadn’t detected the Qi circulation on Shangshan Che.
One reason was the distance kept to avoid detection.
The second was that after completing skin tempering, Shangshan Che’s control over Qi circulation was more precise, able to fully retract and compress the Qi to the body surface.
Tōkichirō shook his head: “I’m not speculating from emotional angles, Shibata Adult.”
The youth still called Monkey said seriously,
“But through observation, meticulous observation!
If Onmyoji Che could only slash one or two thousand kan, there’d be no need to come to the Trial Cut Ground with such fanfare, much less deliberately queue at the end.
What he wants is for all these people here to spread his ‘trial cut result’!”
Tōkichirō closed his eyes, recalling the scenes: “Also, that Che deliberately came in to ask about the highest slash attack power and showed relief upon learning of your slash attack power, Shibata Adult!”
“All these signs prove this Onmyoji Che’s strength is formidable, and he’s come to trial cut with a very clear purpose!”
He clenched his fists, emphasizing each word: “He’s a great enemy of the Oda Clan, Shibata Adult. We must report to Lord upon return and eliminate him early!”
Shibata Katsuie didn’t reply for a moment.
Because hearing it this way, logically, Monkey did seem to have a point.
But ultimately, Shibata Katsuie shook his head firmly: “So Monkey, your cultivation is still shallow, and your understanding of breathing techniques too superficial!”
He extended his hand, showing the knotted muscles on his palm and wrist, the worn calluses, and deep dark red scars.
“Whether Onmyōdō or breathing techniques, both require vast time, sweat, and effort for even the tiniest return!”
Shibata Katsuie: “I’ve trained in martial arts since childhood, contacted breathing techniques at five, and despite being praised for exceptional talent, it took countless hardships to complete Qi circulation six years ago.”
He said,
“From my observation, completing Qi circulation is the absolute minimum standard for slashing ten thousand kan.”
“Naturally, I believe this Che excels in Onmyōdō, or how else could he be called ‘Great Onmyoji’?”
“So think, Monkey, how much time does this Onmyoji have left for breathing technique cultivation?”
Shibata Katsuie withdrew his gaze from that young handsome face and sneered,
“Unless he’s already over fifty now!”
Tōkichirō listened, then carefully looked up, sizing up that attention-grabbing face.
How does it feel like a unique gaze is watching me?
Sensing something, Shangshan Che suddenly turned his head.
