Chapter 54: Tamamo, Ghost God, Sengoku Ruins
He circulated the Ki-Gong Technique, dispersing the chilling sensation on his back. Shangshan Che quietly watched the one that had given him an immense sense of danger,
——blind-eyed girl?
That’s right. This Kujo Tsubaki, who called herself a Two-Star Operations Specialist of the Onmyo-ryo, seemed to be holding a guide cane in her hand, and she had never opened her eyes.
But Shangshan Che had no intention of underestimating her in the slightest. Setting aside her supposed “Two-Star Specialist” status, the pressure that emanated from her in that instant was something he had only felt from Old Man Ghost.
This one is definitely not simple.
In the brief silence, Kujo Tsubaki tapped her guide cane and then spoke: “From experience. I’ve been on this train for a week already.”
——Strength sufficient, and smart too.
The reason Shangshan Che hadn’t spoken up to ask why was to see if she could read his doubts.
This wasn’t something just anyone could do—in the presence of Hannya’s Ghost God’s Might and Ghost God’s Appearance, most normal people couldn’t even think straight.
Just like Kitano Runa and Two-Foot Adult.
Both of them had their heads bowed, unable even to look directly at Shangshan Che’s face, while Miyamoto Ryo nearby was trembling all over in fear.
Only Hattori Ayako, whom he had just saved, and Makiya Hitomi, whose excited face was flushed red for some reason, could barely manage to look at him.
As for Kujo Tsubaki…… it was less like successful resistance and more like no reaction at all.
Shangshan Che was about to step forward when he heard Hattori Ayako beside him imitate the gesture by bowing to him: “Mr. Hannya, you saved me! If there’s any way I can be of use, please tell me!”
The Hannya Mask showed no joy or sorrow: “Even if the request is for your life?”
Hattori Ayako’s gaze was resolute: “Even if it’s my life.”
“Hm, good.”
Shangshan Che nodded, then silently returned to his seat and patted the back of Two-Foot Adult’s extremely tense hand: “Don’t be afraid. I’m not going to eat you.”
As soon as these words came out, it made Kitano Runa, who was sitting beside him, feel a chill down her spine, her legs trembling——if he wasn’t going to eat that girl, didn’t the implication mean he would eat me?!
“I, I believe Adult wouldn’t do such a thing.”
Two-Foot Adult smiled dryly, causing Shangshan Che to sigh inwardly.
He had just discovered that the effect of this “Ghost God’s Appearance” was to forcibly reduce his charm to “0” points. No matter who saw this mask, they would surely be startled by the ferocious Ghost God.
“And you few, sit back in your seats honestly. That monster won’t lay a hand on you.”
Kujo Tsubaki spoke again.
Hearing this, Hattori Ayako hurriedly pulled her remaining two classmates to sit beside her.
Mere moments later, the Dean with his protruding big gut slowly boarded the train, and his appearance rapidly changed the instant he stepped on.
His suit reformed, his ferocious face became plump and amiable, and the exaggerated gut dragging on the floor turned back into an ordinary beer belly.
He casually found a seat and sat down steadily.
But even so, it couldn’t change the fact that the passenger count had jumped back to three.
——Kitano Runa had noticed this too, so she was absolutely certain that the Hannya sitting beside her was not some human in disguise, but a genuine Evil Spirit.
It was an Evil Spirit that could kill her just like that White Hannya if it got in a bad mood.
At this thought, Kitano Runa’s fingertips trembled uncontrollably, but she quickly took two deep breaths to calm her body, lest she anger the Hannya beside her.
“Mr. Hannya, I have a question.”
The train started moving again, and Kujo Tsubaki’s clear voice broke the silence once more: “Why are you protecting humans?”
This woman sure talks a lot……
However, if she really was that Two-Star Specialist from the Onmyo-ryo, it would be good to exchange a few words and extract some information he didn’t know.
For instance, why the Onmyo-ryo still existed now that there was the Special Affairs Office.
Of course, he could also feed her some false information.
“Because of my disciple.”
The Hannya’s hoarse voice emerged: “My sword technique disciple is human. That’s all.”
Kujo Tsubaki remained expressionless, but a scoff only she could hear echoed in her mind,
“The future King of Hannya taking humans as disciples. How truly rare.”
Kujo Tsubaki asked inwardly: “What does King of Hannya mean?”
“It means he has the potential to break through to Four-Star. Little Kujo, you still can’t even see that much?”
Kujo Tsubaki froze, instinctively gripping her cane tighter.
The so-called Four-Star was “Ghost God.” Below it was “Ghost,” and above it was “God.”
Japan was once said to have eight million Ghost Gods, but the vast majority were merely Ghosts, far from qualifying as Gods.
For an unknown Ghost God, even the radical Onmyo-ryo would first opt for appeasement, building a shrine for it……
And as everyone knew, Hannya, this common type of Demon, had an upper limit that barely touched the edge of Three-Star. Even the most vicious Red Hannya among them could be called a disgrace to Evil Spirits.
But this Hannya before her actually had a chance to become a true Ghost God.
Kujo Tsubaki said inwardly: “Tamamo, what’s your thought?”
“——While it’s weak, kill it, skin it, draw its tendons, take its mask. Do that, and your strength might just touch Two-and-a-Half Star.”
The Nine-Tailed Fox’s laughter was pleasant to the ear, carrying a faint, barely detectable greed.
Kujo Tsubaki frowned, using her surging mental power to block her Mind’s Eye, cutting off this Great Demon’s laughter once again.
“I understand, Your Excellency Hannya.”
Kujo Tsubaki nodded to him: “I will report your situation and try to ensure no one from the Onmyo-ryo conflicts with you. Beyond that, could you tell me who your disciple is…”
“No comment.”
Shangshan Che said coldly. He thought removing the mystery too early wasn’t a good choice.
Amid their conversation, the train had slowly arrived at the next stop.
“Next stop, Sengoku Ruins.”
“Next stop, Sengoku Ruins…”
Shangshan Che looked outside and saw a desolate wilderness strewn with weapons and corpses everywhere.
Even the Sengoku Period from hundreds of years ago had come. Sure enough, the train was now running through the Eternal World.
For only the Eternal World would have the wondrous spectacle of different eras falling upon the same land.
“Your Excellency Hannya, this stop might see many Samurai and Ashigaru boarding. If seats fill up, please be ready to get off at any time.”
Kujo Tsubaki paused, then emphasized loudly: “Once full, something extremely terrifying will happen inside the train.”
“Got it.”
Shangshan Che picked up Two-Foot Adult and placed her on his lap: “If we have to go out later, don’t let go.”
Two-Foot Adult nodded nervously, pressing down on the small white hat on her head, suddenly feeling that Shangshan Che’s Hannya visage had its own unique charm.
It felt…… like a majestic beauty unique to an Evil Spirit.
Two-Foot Adult was not well-read and didn’t know what adjective to use.
But in any case, she found herself starting to like even Che Adult in this appearance.
Kitano Runa glanced sideways at Two-Foot Adult in Shangshan Che’s arms, fidgeting restlessly as she rubbed her knees.
Th-then what about me?
If Mr. Hannya doesn’t hold me tight, won’t I get a hot steaming bento the moment we get off?
The sound of the train braking was already clearly audible. Kitano Runa mustered her courage and stammered softly: “Mr., Mr. Hannya…”
Scrrch.
The door-opening sound completely drowned out her plea.
Shangshan Che cast a glance over.
At the doorway, a majestic Samurai with a tachi at his waist and clad in deep red armor was preparing to step through.
