Chapter 191: Mountain God’s Heartstone, Hidden Effect Void Qi Sea! This One Item Alone Surpasses All!
Within Yoshida Castle, the news of Great Onmyoji Shangshan Che slaying the demonic ghosts spread rapidly among the people, like lightning streaking through the streets and alleys.
From the castle gate, to the streets and alleys, and then into the Matsudaira Clan home.
Shangshan Che, who was temporarily waiting, began clearing the “prompt red dots” one by one.
First was the item dropped by Kufuku, who inexplicably walked into the Sorrow of Parting’s domain at the start of the battle and was instantly killed by a single slash.
【You obtained Penance Binding!】
Shangshan Che shifted his gaze to the Storage Bag, using his thoughts to click on the item to bring up its panel, but he did not manifest it.
In his vision, a narrow bandage dozens of meters long floated in midair.
Wasn’t this the yellow-black bandage wrapped around Kufuku’s body… except this one was brand new and pure white, completely different from the centuries-unwashed bandages coiled around Kufuku’s body.
But when Shangshan Che looked further down, he understood.
【Penance Binding】
【Quality: Rare】
【Effect: Wrap the Penance Binding around your entire body; as a long time passes, the cultivation enhancement effect from the binding will slowly increase.】
【Note: If the binding is removed midway, the time will be interrupted, and the effect enhancement calculation will restart from the beginning.】
【—What is penance? Only those who persist unyieldingly on the long road.】
No wonder the bandages on Kufuku’s body were black enough to rot and stink, yet he never took them off.
Turns out they couldn’t be removed.
Shangshan Che stared at the keywords “long” and “slowly” for a moment, knowing deep down that this item was probably not suitable for him.
Normally, the panel would use the modifier “gradually,” but this time it used two direct terms indicating an especially long activation time.
By the time this bandage showed major effects, it might take years.
“But this binding would indeed be quite good for people in the Sengoku Period…”
Shangshan Che thought to himself.
After all, the Sengoku Period was a full five hundred years away from the mortal realm.
With five hundred years of accumulation, this binding’s cultivation enhancement effect would likely be stronger than similar epic, or even legendary grade items.
But who to give it to was an important question.
Ordinary people’s lifespans were only a few decades; if given to a monster—King Kujira didn’t seem like the type to be bound by it for long either.
Not to mention the issue of trust…
“Forget it, no rush in these one or two days; I can think about it later.”
Shangshan Che shifted his gaze from this somewhat redundant binding for himself toward the prompt behind it.
【You obtained Fine Steel Pestle!】
Seeing the dropped item’s name, Shangshan Che was stunned.
Because this iron pestle was exactly the weapon held by Kaibōzu just moments ago.
Identical.
【Fine Steel Pestle】
【Quality: Rare+】
【Effect: Extremely durable.】
【—Heavy, sturdy, reliable.】
Countless weapons turn to dust in the corrosion of time, yet it endures ever new.】
This effect… truly simple, direct, and brutal.
But what it said was indeed correct.
Even Kaga Kiyomitsu, coated with Sorrow of Parting, could only scrape at this iron pestle for a moment.
Shangshan Che, whose lower jaw had been shattered by this iron pestle not long ago, pondered.
But it still wasn’t quite suitable for him.
Regardless of how heavy this iron pestle was or how hard it was to wield, whether it fit his body type.
If he used this iron pestle, his sword technique and spear technique would have to be set aside.
“Such a durable iron pestle would make an excellent forging base material; it could fully adapt to secondary or tertiary forging with any spirit core or metal afterward.”
It was just that Kaibōzu was foolish, only using a blank blacksmithing pillar.
Shangshan Che blinked and thought—if he sold this iron pestle to Katsumi, he should get a good offer, since the other party had wide connections.
A massive iron pestle like this with limitless future quality would definitely be needed by someone with exceptionally strong physique.
—But no matter how much he supported the future, the fact remained that the equipment and items dropped by Kufuku and Kaibōzu were unsatisfactory.
Shangshan Che sighed lightly in his heart.
He could only hope that Ootama Hoshi, who was stronger than both Affliction Kin combined, would drop a couple of items that satisfied him.
【You obtained Mountain God’s Heartstone!】
Hm?
The deep purple glow made Shangshan Che’s eyes widen slightly.
Epic grade.
The item dropped by Ootama Hoshi indeed matched its strength.
【Mountain God’s Heartstone】
【Quality: Epic】
【Effect One: Directly consume to drastically increase skin toughness, greatly increase physical body strength, substantially increase fire element resistance, and greatly increase earth element affinity.】
【Effect Two: Forge with a weapon to drastically increase that weapon’s durability and toughness.】
【Effect Three: Forge with armor to drastically increase that armor’s strength and defense effect.】
【—The giant falls into eternal sleep, yet the mountains still breathe.】
Before Shangshan Che’s eyes, a fist-sized crimson-brown crystal phantom floated in midair, its rough stone surface covered in delicate gold-veined patterns like blood vessels.
Even more, this crystal was slowly pulsing, with the patterns on its surface emitting faint, intermittent glows, as if hot blood still flowed within.
Just like it was still alive.
Jackpot.
These three words flashed through Shangshan Che’s mind.
Effects two and three aside, Shangshan Che had no armor except for his pair of Cold Steel Armguards.
Kaga Kiyomitsu, who could now evolve independently using Soul Spirit Points, had no need to steal resources meant for his master.
So he focused his gaze on Effect One.
Leaving the latter two elements aside, the first two effects would definitely greatly aid cultivation in the Palace of Flesh stage of the breathing technique…
While Shangshan Che was calculating when to consume this chewy-looking Mountain God’s Heartstone, a new prompt suddenly appeared before his eyes.
With prior experience, Shangshan Che was startled.
Had he met the conditions and triggered some hidden effect?
He quickly scrolled through the prompts—
【Detected that you cultivate Corona Breathing Technique and have reached the “Palace of Flesh” stage…】
【Detected that you cultivate Spirit Control Technique: Qi, with extremely special perception of life breathing and natural pulses…】
【You have triggered the special effect of “Mountain God’s Heartstone”!】
As expected, a hidden special effect.
And it was the special effect of this already powerful Mountain God’s Heartstone!
Shangshan Che held his breath slightly and looked downward.
【Special Effect: Secondary Breathing: Directly consume to activate the primal qi that even the Mountain God itself had not discovered, opening a scalable “Void Qi Sea” within the body!】
Sea of Qi?
The familiar term unlocked Shangshan Che’s memories, reminding him of the prompt he encountered while browsing those nine breathing techniques in the quiet room of the Imagawa Residence not long ago.
——”【Sea of Qi（Incomplete 60%）】”.
In other words, the Sea of Qi was likely the final form of cultivation in the first major stage of breathing techniques.
Shangshan Che’s pupils contracted.
And now, this Mountain God’s Heartstone skipped over the 60% incompleteness chasm of that breathing technique and all the countless minor stages within.
As long as he consumed it, it would open his Sea of Qi for him!
Currently, Shangshan Che had not even fully completed the Palace of Flesh stage.
Who knew how long it would take to go back and complete the “Sea of Qi” stage later.
—Just the “opening Sea of Qi” effect alone was completely worth it, worth far more than thousands of Soul Ash and Soul Spirit Points.
How long had it been since his luck was this good?
Shangshan Che glanced at the small gold bell lining his clothes… was it its effect?
After taking a moment to calm his emotions, Shangshan Che used his thoughts to click on the faintly glowing “Void Qi Sea” to view its specific effects.
【Void Qi Sea: An utterly empty Sea of Qi, waiting to be filled.】
Sounds impressive despite being unclear.
A Sea of Qi that is completely empty—what’s strange about that?
Shangshan Che set this question aside in his mind, planning to ask Lili Zi or Sister Nanjo when he returned to the mortal realm.
After all, his understanding of the Sea of Qi was limited to its name.
—Once the demons in the castle are fully exorcised and the situation stabilizes, he’ll consume this Mountain God’s Heartstone right away.
Having decided this, Shangshan Che closed the Storage Bag panel.
He glanced again at the Soul Ash now enough for two ten-pulls, and the rapidly rising Soul Spirit Points.
【Soul Ash: 3149】
【Soul Spirit Points: 421】
The reason Soul Spirit Points were rising so quickly was that Shangshan Che had just communicated with Kaga Kiyomitsu via heartstring.
He used lightning to guide Little Jia, then electrocuted those Affliction Kin to numb them, and finally let Kaga Kiyomitsu slit their throats.
This way, Little Jia wasn’t too happy, but the Soul Spirit Points acquisition efficiency had indeed risen tremendously.
Within his perception circle, achieving this level of precise lightning control was no difficulty for Shangshan Che, who was still in the “anger” state.
Besides that, Natural Reason School was only about a hundred proficiency points away from breaking through to Expert Level.
Shangshan Che exhaled softly.
In the next one or two days, his strength should see a significant surge.
Closing all prompts and panels, Shangshan Che listened to the discussions that first grew heated, then gradually quieted.
Countless gazes peered out from myriad crevices, falling upon him.
Shangshan Che could sense that even behind Imagawa Yoshimoto, the number of gazes on him far exceeded hers.
It was about time to speak.
“Residents of Yoshida Castle.”
This time, Shangshan Che did not make his voice appear in everyone’s ears; instead, he infused it with Qi Barrier, letting it bloom in midair and fall.
“I am Onmyoji Che, sent here by order of the Lord of Mikawa Province, head of the Imagawa Clan, Lord Yoshimoto.”
He paused, then continued,
“Perhaps many of you heard the thunderous booms outside the castle just now and think I exorcised those terrifying great demons.”
Under the gazes of the numerous residents, Shangshan Che shook his head directly and denied, “But that is not the case.”
In an instant, Shangshan Che clearly sensed the confusion, shock, and incomprehension from near and far.
He deliberately waited a moment for these emotions to ferment before saying loudly: “It was Lord Imagawa Yoshimoto, ruler of Suruga, Totomi, and Mikawa—the Lord of Three Kingdoms before me—who slew them with her own hands.
Those thunderbolts just now were merely insignificant aids.”
“—Even without me, this lord could have effortlessly slain all those demons clean and liberated Yoshida Castle!”
Shangshan Che pointed at Imagawa Yoshimoto before him, wrapped in majestic black Modern Armor, her face indifferent and full of dignity.
The surrounding residents were shocked; following his finger, they could no longer look away.
Shangshan Che subtly raised an eyebrow.
He had only slightly used the power of his Four-tailed Fox Soul Seal talent to subtly guide these ordinary folk, yet the effect was this good.
It seemed due to his current Spiritual Power and Charm attributes combined being too high.
If he pushed a bit more, these residents might instantly be brainwashed into fervent believers of Imagawa Yoshimoto.
In Yoshida Castle, the residents who heard these words nearly abandoned thought, showing various expressions of shock, even worship.
In the Matsudaira Clan home, Honda Tadataka, who also heard this, frowned.
He knew there was probably not a single true word in what this onmyoji said.
Because he had spent considerable time with Imagawa Yoshimoto and knew full well that this lord had never shown powerful personal strength.
But it was also a fact that Great Onmyoji Che had slain several terrifying demonic ghosts in the castle.
Honda Tadataka furrowed his brow deeply, not understanding the meaning behind Shangshan Che’s words.
But after thinking for a few seconds, he didn’t bother with pointless speculation.
Because even though those terrifying demonic ghosts were dead, and the remaining lesser ghosts in the castle were quickly eliminated by that onmyoji’s methods…
Even if all the demonic ghosts in the castle were slain, the plague on the people would not disappear because of it.
The afflicted people would still die.
—As time passed, the Yoshida Castle residents, who had just recovered from their joy, also realized this problem.
Because it was an indisputable fact that only two people had entered Yoshida Castle.
No physicians, no medicine, no logistical supplies…
For those infected with the unknown disease, with bodies worsening day by day, was there any salvation?
Thus, Shangshan Che sensed that amid the positive emotions filling the castle, bewilderment and despair gradually rose.
“Cough cough, do we still have, cough cough, salvation…”
“That’s the Great Onmyoji who controls lightning; there must be a way to save us.”
“A Great Onmyoji isn’t a physician, and he’s only one person—how could he save everyone in the castle?”
“In the end, are we still going to die?”
“Mama, I don’t want to die…”
Two not particularly tall horses ambled slowly toward the Matsudaira Clan home.
This was to let as many people around see him and Imagawa Yoshimoto clearly, to get an impression of their appearances.
Hearing the endless sighs in the castle, Shangshan Che suddenly surged his Qi Barrier and inexplicably said,
“My Lightning Magic is also authorized by Lord Imagawa before I can use it—because my ability to control lightning is borrowed from the Divine Lord.”
Imagawa Yoshimoto saw the thunder in her peripheral vision suddenly brighten after passing by her side, a trace of doubt in her eyes.
Tetsu-kun, what are you doing?
At this moment, she heard Shangshan Che proclaim loudly: “And Lord Imagawa Yoshimoto is the Blessed by the Gods!”
Imagawa Yoshimoto’s hand on the reins froze in midair.
Blessed by the Gods?
Tetsu-kun had never told her such a thing.
She had never known herself to be some vague blessed one.
Though puzzled inside, Imagawa Yoshimoto did not show it now; she maintained her cold demeanor of not speaking or turning her head, silently gazing ahead.
“—This scene is the best proof.”
In the residents’ eyes, the faint, barely visible electric lights originally emanating from around Shangshan Che.
After passing by Imagawa Yoshimoto, they immediately transformed into nearly blinding serpentine thunderbolts, rumbling as they raced toward the Affliction Kin.
It was as if soldiers only fully arming themselves after receiving permission.
The ordinary people witnessing this were dumbfounded.
Under the dual influence of reality and Soul Seal guidance, the folk lining the streets instantly believed Shangshan Che’s words without doubt.
And facing the legendary “Blessed by the Gods,” who was also their ruler Imagawa Yoshimoto, many immediately ran to their doorways, bringing family members to kneel in places she could see.
The populace believed without doubt.
But even disbelief changed nothing.
Because they were about to march toward death under the torment of multiple diseases.
Now that this sole hope appeared before them, what else could they do but grasp it?
Thus, Shangshan Che and Imagawa Yoshimoto, escorted by kneeling folk on both sides of the road, took a full forty minutes to reach the Matsudaira Clan doorway.
His plan had succeeded greatly.
In this brief less-than-an-hour period, few Yoshida Castle residents still cared about Shangshan Che; instead, they all muttered things like “Lord Imagawa bless us.”
Shangshan Che dropped his hand, making the electric lights fade, and stopped the Five Thunder Technique.
He could already see at the Matsudaira Clan doorway a group of over a dozen people in clothes emblazoned with the unified clan crest, led by a middle-aged man.
Those were probably the Matsudaira Clan vassals come to receive them.
He transmitted via Qi Barrier: “Lord Yoshimoto, say something to your subjects.”
Imagawa Yoshimoto pulled her reins, sitting on horseback and thinking for a moment.
As lord of Mikawa, she naturally knew what to say and how.
But as some blessed by the gods… tch, daring to spout such big words.
She didn’t know what Tetsu-kun was thinking; this was practically forcing her onto the fire.
She glanced back at Shangshan Che displeasedly before saying,
“People of Yoshida Castle, no need to worry. The demons have been exorcised today; from tomorrow onward… the afflicted will be healed.”
Amplified by Qi Barrier, her indifferent voice reached every corner,
“I, Imagawa Yoshimoto, in the name of the Blessed by the Gods, guarantee to all that after the next sun rises, no one will die from the diseases brought by these monsters.”
She deliberately emphasized “Blessed by the Gods” heavily.
With that, Imagawa Yoshimoto shut her mouth again.
Then, Shangshan Che heard earth-shaking cheers erupt from every corner of Yoshida Castle, accompanied by countless sobs, screams, and incredulous exclamations.
And if she couldn’t deliver…
Naturally impossible.
Without confidence, how could he let Imagawa Yoshimoto say such words.
Shangshan Che nodded to the girl whose eyes showed displeasure, making her turn back with a hint of surprise.
Nearby, Honda Tadataka, stunned for a moment after hearing this, approached with some disbelief,
“Lord Imagawa, Che Adult.”
As Imagawa Yoshimoto’s gaze fell on him, she saw him and that group of vassals drop to their knees with a thud, showing utmost remorse,
“We are deeply sorry!!!”
Honda Tadataka bowed his head deeply at the doorway, saying word by word: “We accomplished nothing and handed Yoshida Castle to the enemy!”
“Now…”
But Imagawa Yoshimoto shook her head, interrupting: “Lift your head.”
She said flatly,
“This is not your fault; those plague-carrying demons appeared too suddenly. Even I didn’t take them seriously at first.
So, atone through merit.”
Looking down at the Matsudaira Clan vassals who luckily hadn’t been slaughtered clean by the demons, Imagawa Yoshimoto instructed: “In the coming days, the army led by Motono will take over Yoshida Castle and handle subsequent matters.”
“I and Onmyoji Che will continue advancing toward Western Mikawa to end this as soon as possible.”
Leaving in a few days?
Honda Tadataka opened his mouth: “Then these plagues…”
“Tomorrow morning, I will distribute the healing medicine and talismans on Lord Yoshimoto’s behalf.”
Shangshan Che said calmly,
“Relieve first, resolve later.”
Honda Tadataka looked at this mysteriously renowned Great Onmyoji in shock.
Healing diseases in a day— it wasn’t a lie?
This, this is what kind of…
Before anyone could speak, Shangshan Che continued: “Can you prepare a quiet room first? I need to quickly prepare medicine to treat those afflicted; time waits for no one.”
—The one-hour limit of Four-tailed Fox talent “anger” was almost up, with only three or four minutes left.
This weakened state was best not exposed before others.
The kneeling Honda Tadataka repeatedly agreed, showing genuine joy.
After getting Imagawa Yoshimoto’s nod, he quickly stood and led the way,
“Your Excellencies, please follow me.”
Shangshan Che followed briskly behind him.
Imagawa Yoshimoto felt Shangshan Che suddenly acting odd but followed silently behind him without comment.
In just over a minute, Honda Tadataka slid open a door, revealing a spacious quiet room long unoccupied.
“Your Excellencies, is this place suitable?”
Shangshan Che glanced with his peripheral vision at the timer about to end and hummed: “This will do.”
Honda Tadataka bowed again: “If you need anything, just call for me anytime.”
After Honda Tadataka left, Shangshan Che spoke to the miniature pig by his feet,
“Your Excellency Kujira San, could you stay at the doorway for now?”
Kujira San from the Mountain Whale Dynasty rolled his eyes and sauntered toward the nearby courtyard doorway: “Guarding the door? I’m very familiar with that.”
“Thank you.”
Shangshan Che stepped over the threshold just before the time limit ended, closing the sliding door behind him.
But as he closed the door, he realized that Imagawa Yoshimoto, who had removed her helmet, had silently followed inside at some point.
He opened his mouth, looking down at the girl who had raised her head to look at him, about to say something,
“Lord Yoshimoto, why did you follow in…”
Before he finished, the powerless Shangshan Che collapsed headfirst toward Imagawa Yoshimoto.
Not in great shape today, only 6.1k
Back at it tomorrow
