Chapter 334: Qing, Willingly Subservient! Using The Mask Of Wrathful Hannya, Red Hannya’s Legendary Evolution Path!
In just an instant, all the Minamoto Family elders in the reception room turned to look at Shangshan Che, whose expression remained completely unchanged.
Especially those few who had arrived here earlier and hadn’t said a single word—elders whose advanced age was obvious to any discerning eye.
This group of old folks, with an average age exceeding two hundred years, knew Qing—or rather, Spider Cutter’s attitude toward its former masters… all the way up to everyone except that great Lord Yorimitsu.
Even those connected to Qing by bloodline, bound by life-and-death contracts for several years, a dozen years, or even decades, until death!
Qing’s attitude toward the masters who once wielded it to slay demons was merely indifferent.
For it to go from those masters obeying its every word to the two being equals was already a tremendous change.
Some elders thought to themselves—if put in modern terms, it would be called… a contract worker? A part-timer?
Qing’s relationships with its previous masters had all been more or less like that.
But this time, it was different.
Truly different.
Any elder who had even a slight understanding of Spider Cutter and still possessed a sound mind could glimpse, from that earlier remark, the nature of the relationship between Qing and this young junior Shangshan Che.
Shangshan Che was the one in control.
And Qing willingly submitted.
Even Shinsui, who had so easily passed the trial yet rejected Spider Cutter, probably couldn’t achieve this level…
Some Minamoto Family elders subtly glanced at Shangshan Che before shifting their gazes away, lost in thought.
What magical charm did this boy named “Shangshan Che” possess… to actually win over【Qing】, this elder revered by everyone in the Minamoto Family.
Don’t even mention something like “Seed Battle Champion.”
Honors like that, such titles—who among the old-timers present couldn’t dig up a dozen from their youth?
Which one of them here wasn’t a super genius in their youth, outshining all peers and making contemporaries pale in comparison?
“What are all you Minamoto Family seniors looking at me for?”
Shangshan Che met each elder’s gaze one by one, then smiled amiably: “If you want to chat with Qing about the old days, then I’ll step aside for now…
Of course, provided that Qing is willing.”
None of the elders in the room changed expression, but many cursed inwardly—whether Qing is willing or not, isn’t that just up to you, you little brat?
Shangshan Che looked toward Spider Cutter at his waist.
It remained utterly still, silent as a rock.
So Shangshan Che spread his hands, showing a helpless smile: “Everyone knows, and you’re all aware that Qing is the sword worn by Lord Yorimitsu from the Heian Period a thousand years ago.”
“The demons he has slain are probably more than I’ve even seen, so in his presence… I really can’t say much.”
The reception room fell silent for three or five seconds, before an elder burst out laughing,
“Young friend is right. If Your Excellency Qing is unwilling, then we won’t say anything!”
Then another elder chimed in from the side: “We can chat anytime, but Your Excellency Qing has just emerged from the bamboo forest and surely needs some time to adjust.”
“Home is a rare quiet place.”
The elders bantered back and forth with laughter, instantly rationalizing everything Shangshan Che had said.
“I recall, Young Friend Shangshan, that this seems to be your first time in Kyoto.”
Amid the many voices that carried weight yet didn’t make the reception room noisy, an elder suddenly spoke: “How about having Shizuka show you around…”
Minamoto Shizuka, who had minimized her presence to near zero since entering, furrowed her brow almost imperceptibly, then calmly replied,
“Alone, I’ve barely stepped out of the Minamoto Family gates a few times, so my familiarity with Kyoto is probably about the same as Shangshan Jun’s.”
Minamoto Shizuka shook her head gently and refused outright: “If I were to guide Shangshan Jun, I’m afraid it would just waste both our time.”
This straightforward response left the proposing elder’s face stiff.
But unusually, no one in the reception room spoke up for him—anyone who knew even a little about the family’s younger generation knew that Minamoto Shizuka spent every day single-mindedly chasing after Minamoto Shinsui’s footsteps.
In this generation of the Minamoto Family, the Shinsui-Shizuka sisters were actually like the “twin stars.”
It was just that the former’s brilliance was so immense, so dazzling, that all the latter’s achievements seemed simple, insignificant.
That’s why Minamoto Shizuka abandoned everything, desperately chasing after Minamoto Shinsui.
Normally, Minamoto Shizuka often went out to slay demons, undertaking life-and-death training.
But her outings always had escorts, delivering her directly from the Minamoto Family doorway to the target location.
Even with Kyoto’s bustling city at her feet, in over a decade, Minamoto Shizuka had rarely taken a proper look.
Let alone “playing tour guide.”
An elder shook his head silently—using worldly niceties on Minamoto Shizuka was truly misplaced.
Shangshan Che said nothing, but felt Minamoto Shizuka was completely right.
Having this cultivation fanatic who seemed “untouched by the mortal world” show him around would be less useful than using Google Maps or having Little Qing tell him about Kyoto’s thousand-year history.
At this moment, Minamoto Kiyohiro, who hadn’t spoken in a while, smiled and waved his hand,
“Whether to tour Kyoto or who should guide— that’s not for us old folks to worry about… Let the young ones decide for themselves!”
This exceptionally kindly-looking head of the Minamoto Family cast a warm gaze toward Shangshan Che: “Young Friend Shangshan, the key is… that Sword Saint.”
“Sword Saint?”
Shangshan Che blinked, not expecting this head to mention the Sword Saint looming over the Three Great Families in such a public setting.
“Yes, His Excellency the Sword Saint.” Minamoto Kiyohiro said with a cheerful smile, “In a few days, won’t you be meeting him as the Seed Battle Champion?”
Shangshan Che nodded.
“Then, let me offer a suggestion.”
Minamoto Kiyohiro said casually, as if offhand: “In front of this Sword Saint, speak as little as possible—best not to speak at all. Less talk means fewer mistakes.”
Why is that?
Shangshan Che pondered puzzled.
Minamoto Kiyohiro continued: “In any case, the current His Excellency the Sword Saint likes geniuses, and you naturally are one… and exceptional among them, so be extra careful.”
This baffling logic left Shangshan Che confused.
Can’t speak in front of the Sword Saint.
And the Sword Saint likes geniuses, but the more genius, the more caution needed…
Had he stumbled into the set of some rules-based supernatural phenomenon?
Though filled with doubts, Shangshan Che still nodded: “Thank you, Head, for the advice.”
At the same time, he mentally asked Qing if she knew the reason.
Qing: “I don’t know.”
“Is that ‘don’t know’ or ‘can’t say’?”
Qing sighed: “Lord Shangshan, I really am unfamiliar… Think about it, the Sword Saint’s average tenure is just a century, some even change after a few decades.”
“After so long, the Sword Saint definitely isn’t the same one.
In the Edo Period, the current Sword Saint might not even have been born yet, off by a century or two—my experience has no reference value.”
“Alright.”
Shangshan Che hesitated but didn’t ask Minamoto Kiyohiro directly on the spot.
An old head who’s lived decades or centuries wouldn’t say it without reason.
Next, Shangshan Che chatted casually with these Minamoto Family elders, fended off a couple remarks, and left the reception room, with Minamoto Shizuka following quickly behind.
In the reception room, the elders silently watched the direction Shangshan Che left, each with their own thoughts.
A moment later, an elder spoke,
“This Young Friend Shangshan Che seems amicable on the surface, but his mind is profoundly scheming.”
“Not thinking that much.”
The black-haired elder Gen Kiyomasa glanced at him and snorted lightly: “He’s just too lazy to bandy words with us Minamoto Family old fogies—every topic takes ten thousand twists and turns.”
An elder not of Gen Kiyomasa’s generation asked why.
“Because I am.”
Gen Kiyomasa brushed off his robe and likewise left the reception room.
……
“Shangshan Jun, I have daily sword practice soon—want to join?”
Minamoto Shizuka nodded toward another fork in the path.
“No, I have something to handle later.”
What Shangshan Che meant was heading to the Eternal World to incarnate as Red Hannya, using the Mask of Wrathful Hannya obtained from Shuten Doji yesterday.
Seeing they were still some distance from the fork, Shangshan Che casually said,
“This trip to Kyoto, besides meeting the Sword Saint, I’m also interested in Fushimi Inari Shrine.”
He asked: “I heard that during the First Wave, it was the Onmyo-ryo cooperating with Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kyoto’s many temples to suppress the demons?”
Minamoto Shizuka nodded: “Yes.”
Shangshan Che recalled that during the First Wave, the netizen【Work to Die】 had even told him on Line that there were friends at Fushimi Inari Shrine who could shelter him.
Even “deities.”
Surely, there must be something real among them.
Shangshan Che continued: “These next couple days, if I’m free, I might go take a look.”
“Once out of the Minamoto Family, without someone to bring you, it won’t be easy to return.”
Minamoto Shizuka’s implication was that she didn’t want to go out.
“No problem.” Shangshan Che shrugged. “I won’t be staying long anyway before going to meet that Sword Saint Adult whose voice we’ve heard but never seen.”
“Then, Shangshan Jun, I’ll be off.”
At the fork, Minamoto Shizuka headed straight the other way.
Shangshan Che returned to the guest room and, through the open room door, saw Two-Foot Adult and Karuta still there.
Karuta was obediently kneeling beside Two-Foot Adult in her “Two-Foot Form,” her whole body almost pressed to the ground.
She held a steel pen and notebook from who-knows-where, diligently taking notes, looking every bit the good student.
As Shangshan Che approached, Karuta’s ears twitched slightly.
She capped the pen, stood from the ground, walked to the doorway, stood to the side, and bowed slightly to Shangshan Che, revealing a gentle and charming smile,
“Lord Shangshan, welcome back.”
She then familiarly crouched to help Shangshan Che remove his shoes and change, but was immediately stopped by him,
“No need, no need, I can do it myself… Karuta, you know it’s not the Edo Period anymore. I don’t need my friends, or my potential future shikigami, to serve me like this.”
Shangshan Che stepped back half a pace and smiled at the somewhat disappointed Karuta.
Karuta pursed her lips gently, her eyes brimming with a touch of sorrow: “I simply wish to do more for Lord Shangshan, who saved my life…”
“Eh? Che Adult, when did you get back?”
Two-Foot Adult was intently lecturing on modern common sense midway through when she suddenly noticed two new voices.
She turned and saw that Karuta, who had been sitting beside her, had vanished!
Two-Foot Adult looked toward the doorway, trying to recall what important situation she had overlooked…
The moment she thought it, she nearly crushed the mobile phone in her hand.
Fine, Karuta!
—Here I am, not holding grudges, dutifully teaching this fox spirit tirelessly, and the moment I’m not watching, she runs off to seduce Che Adult!
Shangshan Che removed his shoes, comforted Karuta a couple more times, and walked in.
Qing detached from his waist, wanting to continue listening to Two-Foot Adult’s lesson.
Karuta likewise bowed to Qing and greeted her warmly,
“Lord Qing, welcome back.”
Qing didn’t reply, merely floated to Two-Foot Adult’s side and nudged her hilt twice, signaling her arrival.
Two-Foot Adult grinned and bumped Qing’s hilt with her fist.
The rebuffed Karuta showed no expression, simply picked up the pen and notebook from the floor nearby, and sidled up to Two-Foot Adult, who was eyeing her with narrowed eyes.
“Che Adult ordered me to teach you modern common sense. Once you’re done learning, stay away from us, got it?”
Two-Foot Adult tsked irritably in a tiny voice: “Seeing you this heaven-sent fox spirit annoys me—don’t go adding a childhood friend attribute later…”
“We already have the Great Demon King, Nanjō Great Officer, and that Imagawa Yoshimoto causing enough trouble, and now this fox spirit who has nothing but her looks comes to compete for the sole shikigami spot.
The key is, even this close, already first-floor-by-the-water, Che Adult this iron wall remains unbreached… utterly impervious to both soft and hard approaches!”
Two-Foot Adult vented inwardly.
She began pondering whether to find some allies, engage in distant alliances and nearby attacks or something.
After all, splitting half with someone was still better than being the eternal good shikigami, eternal good friend, but ending up with nothing.
“Little Jia, you play with them. I have something to do alone.”
“Yay!”
Shangshan Che went to the inner room, didn’t wait long, closed his eyes, and entered the Eternal World.
Qing saw Kaga Kiyomitsu slip out alone and thoughtfully glanced toward the inside.
Could this be… Lord Shangshan entering the Eternal World without a sound?
This was the Walker’s ability?
Lord Shangshan truly had many secrets.
But Qing didn’t care.
Because this lord meant it when he said he would destroy the Eternal World, and he had the qualifications, a sliver of possibility to achieve it.
That was enough.
……
Shangshan Che opened his eyes and surveyed his surroundings.
He saw no changes in the wasteland of Kisaragi Station.
It seemed the previous Rift Valley was a low-probability event.
Incarnating as Red Hannya, Shangshan Che then took out the purple Mask of Wrathful Hannya from his Storage Bag.
Sure enough, held by Red Hannya, the entire Mask of Wrathful Hannya glowed, its eye sockets becoming even more vivid.
Immediately, a purple-red prompt popped up.
【Discovered key evolution item for “Red Hannya”— “Mask of Wrathful Hannya”!】
【Use it?】
“Yes.”
【Detected use of key evolution item “Mask of Wrathful Hannya” on “Demon Incarnation·Red Hannya”!】
【Please choose the subsequent evolution path for “Demon Incarnation·Red Hannya”!】
【Note: This choice will affect the future potential and upper limit of “Demon Incarnation·Red Hannya”. Choose carefully!】
【Evolution Path One（Super Epic）: Wrathful Hannya】
【Evolution Path Two（Legendary）: …】
