Chapter 238: Gambling Match Begins! The First Battle’s Contender, The Projection Suppressing A Millennium, Hojo Clan’s 【five-color Backup】
Above the firmament, one figure after another emitting powerful spiritual power fluctuations sped forward amid sonic booms, trailing long, pale white shockwaves.
Then, a large portion of them slowly descended from the sky, landing in the grand and massive City of Disorder.
Shangshan Che’s face twitched slightly at the sight.
He couldn’t help but ask,
“With so many powerhouses landing in that city together, if one of them can’t hold back and starts fighting, won’t they just flip the entire City of Disorder upside down?”
Flipping it upside down would still be putting it mildly.
If two Ghost God level beings truly went all out against each other, in three to five minutes they could absolutely reduce that entire row of ancient, towering city walls to dust.
In less than half an hour, the whole city would turn to ruins.
Not to mention Ghost God level—even if two Shangshan Ches who had activated “Wrath” went all out, it would take just a few extra days to achieve the same.
But the key issue was that this City of Disorder had existed for at least a millennium or more, yet it remained intact and undamaged before Shangshan Che’s eyes.
“Rules.”
Tamamo placed her hands on her hips, showing an expression of “You wouldn’t get this, huh,” raising a finger and laughing in a Kansai accent,
“Inside the City of Disorder, including the surroundings, fighting is prohibited.”
“If you insist on making a move anyway, your hand might not even fully extend.” Tamamo stuck out her tongue to one side, rolled her eyes, and posed as if dead. “You’d just drop dead on the spot in a very miserable way.”
Tamamo huffed lightly: “Otherwise, why would we dare come to a place swarming with great demons!”
So that’s how it was.
Shangshan Che nodded thoughtfully and followed behind the four into the unguarded city gate towering hundreds of meters high.
In that instant, he clearly sensed the omnipresent “rules” permeating heaven and earth.
—Make a move, and you die.
This was an indisputable iron law.
As for how exactly this “making a move” was defined…
Shangshan Che felt it best not to play word games with rules that no one had found a loophole in over a millennium.
The city walls were very thick, over a hundred meters long, and the front was blocked by some lesser demons.
So it took two or three full minutes for Shangshan Che to pass through the city gate boundary and truly enter the City of Disorder.
Just as he stepped out from the city gate, fragmented yet lively chatter came from all directions, flooding into Shangshan Che’s ears.
He looked around and couldn’t help raising an eyebrow.
In Shangshan Che’s eyes, just the buildings in this immediate circle already encompassed architectural styles from the Heian Period, Edo Period, Taisho era, and several ancient eras he couldn’t recognize.
Crude gassho-zukuri, stately tall wooden houses, concrete buildings full of near-modern style, and scattered primitive structures.
It was hard to imagine these buildings arranged together.
It was a complete mishmash.
Some even housed people or demons from those eras.
Tamamo stared wide-eyed and quickly pulled out the small camera hanging from her neck, snapping away at the shutter,
“Ho ho ho, this really is a spectacle…”
“I’ve already found lodging for these few days.”
The Apprentice Master deliberately paused to wait for Tamamo, and only after she contentedly put down the camera did he slowly say,
“Check in first. Afterward, except during the gambling matches, you can wander freely in the City of Disorder.”
“Yay!”
Among the group, only Tamamo immediately cheered and raised her hand.
A few seconds later, seeing Akiyama Mei with a grave expression beside the Apprentice Master, as well as Tsuchiya Yu, she shrank back: “Sorry…”
She had almost forgotten that the other three besides herself were staking their lives on the arena against opponents from the Eternal World.
But thinking of this, Tamamo glanced back at Shangshan Che, who was breathing steadily and equally curious about his surroundings.
—With Elder Brother Uesugi here, those blind fools are gonna get a thorough beating!
Rip their hoods right off!
Elder Brother Uesugi, so reassuring.
After being inexplicably patted on the back, the puzzled Shangshan Che turned his head and heard Tamamo warn him: “Though you can’t beat people up in the City of Disorder, there are plenty of scammers…”
“Elder Brother Uesugi, don’t get tricked.”
“Thanks for the reminder.”
Shangshan Che shifted his gaze again and noticed that the city wasn’t just full of demons… There were also plenty of people like them who had come from the Mortal Realm.
But unlike the tense atmosphere in the Mortal Realm where you’d draw your sword at the sight of a demon, in the City of Disorder, few cared whether you were a demon, supernatural phenomenon, or human.
Because it didn’t matter much.
In the City of Disorder, everyone only cared about benefits, benefits, and more benefits.
Transactions were the main theme here.
After walking for several minutes, Shangshan Che heard countless demons and humans trading weapons, intelligence, someone’s life…
And so on, innumerable.
During this, some demons saw they were tourists and tried to peddle “local specialties,” but they all backed off sensibly under the Apprentice Master’s cold glare.
By the roadside, an exasperated voice drew Shangshan Che’s attention.
“Once sold, no returns or exchanges. Signed and sealed, fair to young and old.”
“—Selling fakes and still spouting this crap! Believe I’ll rip you apart alive!”
It was a Meiji-era style clock shop.
The boss was dressed in a suit and tie with a slicked-back hairstyle, even sporting a signature bowl on his head.
The boss flashed the contract, with the label above his head as such.
—【Kappa（Half-Star）】.
At the clock shop doorway stood a Blue Ghost general clad head to toe in fine steel heavy armor, glaring furiously with bulging muscles and emitting a terrifying aura.
—【Blue Ghost General（Four-Star）】.
The Blue Ghost general stared deathly at the kappa boss, hot steam billowing from his nostrils, his might making even Shangshan Che instinctively place a hand on his hilt.
But the mere Half-Star kappa boss just smiled ingratiatingly, reciting meaningless scripted lines like a customer service rep from some shopping app.
Utterly unafraid of the Blue Ghost general’s threats.
In the end, the Blue Ghost general, scammed by the contract and having shelled out big money for a fake watch, could only swallow his rage and slink away from the clock shop with heavy, stomping steps.
Shangshan Che, who had watched the whole thing: …
—A Half-Star lesser demon daring to speak to a Blue Ghost general—who wasn’t even weak among Ghost Gods—like this was a massive shock to his worldview.
In the normal Eternal World or Mortal Realm, even if this kappa had a clan of five figures, it wouldn’t be enough for the Blue Ghost general to kill with one hand.
Tamamo sighed: “This is the City of Disorder.”
On the way to the lodging next, Shangshan Che witnessed more than once great demons new to the place getting conned.
Usually, after some smooth-talking, they’d buy high-quality fakes indistinguishable from the real thing at a glance, only noticing something wrong after trying to use it or after some time.
But by the time they returned, the great demons unable to fight had no recourse.
They could only swallow their broken teeth.
“Moreover, soul ash seems to be a widely circulating currency here.”
Shangshan Che walked while observing, stroking his chin in thought: “So many great demons get scammed, but I won’t…”
As soon as he touched something, he could see the detailed panel of the item for sale, and even just by looking, he could roughly discern its quality to tell real from fake.
This way, not only could he snag some useful items for himself, but starting an “appraisal business” could earn a tidy sum of soul ash here too?
Shangshan Che felt his idea had real potential.
But first, he had to wait for the gambling matches to end.
Shangshan Che’s gaze swept over those familiar Sengoku Period banners and clan crests; he’d already spotted plenty of Sengoku ashigaru and samurai.
He narrowed his eyes.
If time allowed, he could ask these warriors who lived through the Sengoku Period about the Great Onmyoji Che.
Ask why, after he left, the Great Onmyoji Che left no trace in history, and what became of the Imagawa Clan.
—What method could be clearer than asking eyewitnesses from that era directly?
The Apprentice Master spoke up, interrupting his thoughts,
“You four wait outside first; no need to come in.”
The old man entered the near-modern inn alone, his voice carrying out before the glass door closed: “Later, I’ll take you to scout this gambling match’s venue.”
…
“Ugh, why are there so many people here?”
Tamamo grabbed Kaga Kiyomitsu’s tail with both hands and finally squeezed out of the crowd, then looked up to see a massive green plaque.
It was carved with five ancient characters in wood grain.
Tamamo couldn’t read them, nor could Shangshan Che.
Most of those present had just come over because of the crowd to join the fun and take pics, clueless about the place’s name or purpose.
“Ring of Ages Arena.”
The Apprentice Master said slowly: “Its core feature, standing out among the City of Disorder’s many fighting arenas, is【being able to leave your own projection for later challengers】.”
Hearing this explanation, Shangshan Che thought, isn’t this a Projection Secret Realm?
He examined the ancient tree stump by his feet, etched with dense growth rings—at least two thousand rings, by his count.
The Apprentice Master led them into the fighting arena surrounded by towering ancient woods: “As your projection’s years of existence and wins against challengers increase, your ranking rises higher.”
“Are there rewards?”
Shangshan Che’s eyes lit up.
The Apprentice Master shook his head.
He paused, then said: “But there is remuneration thousands of times more important than rewards usable in life.”
Unbeknownst, a crowd of demons with eager, thirsty expressions, plus people from various eras, had gathered behind them.
They listened silently to the Apprentice Master, this free old tour guide, explaining the place.
“Traces.”
After winding around, the Apprentice Master stopped before a rough wooden stele and said: “The Ring of Ages Arena lets you leave a trace in this world.”
Shangshan Che, who had been watching the arena transmitting earth-shaking noises, turned back to look at the several steles standing before him.
The characters on them were ancient, but soon transformed into forms he could read and understand.
The shortest stele said【New Star】.
This shortest stele’s surface had ninety-nine names from top to bottom.
Followed by an explanation Shangshan Che could easily grasp—【Below Ghost God】.
In plain terms, this【New Star stele】 preserved the【traces】 of the ninety-nine strongest beings below Ghost God level from ancient times to now.
Whether human, demon, or supernatural phenomenon.
Subconsciously, Shangshan Che looked up.
Toward the name at the stele’s top.
【Abe no Seimei】
Staring a bit longer revealed his race beside the name, and the age at which he left his trace on this New Star stele.
Abe no Seimei had come before this New Star stele at eight years old, leaving his name on it for over a millennium.
Shangshan Che couldn’t help furrowing his brow deeply.
This damn eight years old?
The demons behind mimicked Shangshan Che’s action.
But upon seeing a human name at the very top, many self-proclaimed powerful demons snorted coldly and directly challenged.
The next instant, Shangshan Che heard a series of muffled grunts from behind, followed by the clatter of bodies hitting the ground.
Tamamo giggled, hiding in front of Shangshan Che to snap the scene with her phone.
Shangshan Che was speechless: “No one’s gonna hurt you.”
Tamamo shivered: “Elder Brother Uesugi, you wouldn’t know—folks like me, if stared at too hard by demons and monsters, get nightmares when sleeping at night.”
Ignoring the photo-obsessed Tamamo, Shangshan Che walked rightward and saw a taller stele than the New Star one.
【Brilliant Moon】.
Followed by a rank division familiar to Shangshan Che—【Ghost God】.
And on this much taller stele bearing 499 names, the top name was still one Shangshan Che recognized.
【Ashiya Doman】
The legendary great onmyoji, lifelong rival to Abe no Seimei in the Heian Period.
At this moment, to Shangshan Che, it was as if the two had agreed—one occupying the top of each stele.
Ashiya Doman had left his trace on this Brilliant Moon stele at… eleven years old.
Over a millennium, countless great demons and great onmyoji had passed this aged stele, yet no Ghost God level being had defeated the eleven-year-old Ashiya Doman…
“Wait, no.”
Shangshan Che looked a bit longer and noticed, after【Ashiya Doman】’s name amid the vast win count, a stark new line of data.
—【Losses: 9】.
He glanced back at the New Star stele—no such data there.
Meaning, losing even once on the New Star stele erased your name.
But not on this one.
Shangshan Che was speechless for a moment.
No wonder that youth in the secret realm said to lay low… Emerging in the same era as these two monsters would fill anyone with despair.
“Over there is the independent arena that won’t affect the outside.”
The Apprentice Master said calmly: “If you’re interested, pick a couple matches to watch before the fights… You still have half a day to adjust anyway.”
“No need.”
Akiyama Mei shook his head: “Right now, we should adjust ourselves to face the opponents in peak condition.”
Tsuchiya Yu grinned: “Same for me!”
The Apprentice Master nodded, then turned: “What about you, young friend Shangshan?”
“I’ll give this a try.”
Shangshan Che pointed at【Abe no Seimei】’s name, curious: “No cost to challenge legendary figures? How could I not?”
The Apprentice Master smiled and gestured “please.”
Shangshan Che stared at the name a moment, then poured a speck of spiritual power into the【Challenge】 characters behind it.
His vision flashed.
Then flashed again.
Slightly headachy, Shangshan Che opened his eyes to see the unchanged stele.
Recalling that fleeting instant, he realized he’d been instantly killed before reacting.
Shangshan Che couldn’t hold back a laugh.
This Heian Period eight-year-old was actually far stronger than Kamizumi Ken-sei.
That big brother in the secret realm had spoken true…
He even suspected Abe no Seimei’s projection could take on many Ghost God levels.
Otherwise, how could it one-shot him without even time to activate “Wrath”!
“Head spinning, huh?”
The Apprentice Master rarely showed a wistful smile: “Back in my day, I got one-shot out by this Heian Period old codger before I could react too.”
Shangshan Che glanced at the wailing demons scattered around.
“All beings are equal…”
He shook his head, deciding to return here before ascending to Ghost God.
By then.
He’d make the top spot on this stele change hands.
…
Said to be half a day, but only hours had passed since Shangshan Che’s second visit to the Ring of Ages Arena.
Taking the wooden entrance ticket from his backpack, Shangshan Che entered the access tunnel to the ancient arena as a【competitor】, lifted and enclosed by dozens of towering ancient woods.
With several Ghost God great demon gambling matches happening simultaneously, the audience seats around the arena were sparse; not many spectators for this one.
And most were there for the names “Hojo Clan” and “Yagyu Dojo.”
No one cared about the competitors’ names.
No one wanted to know no-name small fries, nor did many know Sengoku history spanning just decades or centuries.
Shangshan Che followed the tough yet flexible vine stairs to the waiting area, stood behind the Apprentice Master, and spotted the opposing “Three-Tier Scales” clan crest.
Last time he’d seen this crest was at the old turtle’s coming-of-age ceremony.
A subtle familiarity stirred in Shangshan Che’s heart; he looked toward the handsome youth in the main seat, fanning himself with a folding fan.
Shangshan Che asked softly: “Hojo Soyun?”
—After all, historically, Hojo Soyun was the first head of the Hojo Clan; it made sense he’d unify the Hojo forces in the Eternal World.
The Apprentice Master shook his head: “No, Hojo Ujiyasu.”
Hearing this, Shangshan Che grew serious.
Because Hojo Ujiyasu was the Hojo Clan head from five hundred years ago, same era as him and Imagawa Yoshimoto.
So their ally back then was the toughest Hojo head in history…
Shangshan Che looked further back and saw three warrior figures behind the smiling Hojo Ujiyasu, each with【Three-and-a-half Star】 tags overhead.
One was short and barrel-like, wearing a noh mask, cold gray eyes, back hair in a chasen-mage, clad in gray armor.
Likely Hojo Clan’s【Five Colors Reserves】 white—Kasahara Yasukatsu.
One was hunched and gaunt, long narrow face etched with wrinkles like gullies, sparse nearly absent brows, hair nearly gone, black-inked armor.
The old man noticed Shangshan Che’s gaze, grinned toothily, revealing nearly fallen black-yellow teeth.
Black Reserves—Tamome Mototada.
Shangshan Che thought, shifting gaze to the last baby-faced warrior.
This one relatively tall, front hair to brows, back in snake-tail braid, abnormally thick index finger joints.
Unquestionably, one of the Five Colors Reserves—Blue Reserves·Tominaga Naoshige.
For a mere gambling match, three of Hojo Clan’s ace Five Colors Reserves were already here.
Even without the most renowned and strongest Yellow Reserves·Hojo Tsunashige, Hojo Ujiyasu was clearly taking it seriously.
A lion uses full force against a rabbit, nothing less.
“Lord Saionji.”
Hojo Ujiyasu’s voice carried clearly over a hundred meters despite the thick accent.
“Well? Have you selected the first match’s fighter?”
Shangshan Che stayed silent, feeling the Apprentice Master’s gaze shift to him.
