Chapter 70: Where Is Shangshan Che
Shangshan Che’s Qi Barrier erupted around him, directly shattering the broken Glass into glistening shards.
Amid the cracking sounds from the ground beneath his feet, he shot toward Horse-Brained Music like a cannon shell blasting out of its barrel.
Shangshan Che stared at the stunned short demon, unable to hold back a wild laugh toward it: “Us, it’s really been a long time!”
That said, Shangshan Che still remained vigilant of every strand of hair on the floor, wary that this might just be an Opening feigned by the opponent.
But even after half a second passed and he reached Horse-Brained Music, this cowardly demon whose true form was a raccoon dog remained completely motionless, as if scared silly.
“You really are as timid as a mouse!”
Shangshan Che continued to Taunt Horse-Brained Music. With the skill “Greed, Anger, Ignorance,” the more Negative Emotions like Fear or Anger the enemy felt, the more damage he could inflict.
So, practicing the skill of trash talk was essential.
Kaga Kiyomitsu appeared in Shangshan Che’s hand out of thin air.
The Blade Thrust forward, illuminating the dark, deep abandoned building like pale white lightning.
Only when his field of vision was filled with this Sword Light did Horse-Brained Music frantically realize that the scene before it was no Illusion, but stark Reality!
—Transform! Hurry and transform into something!
In the instant Kaga Kiyomitsu descended, accompanied by a puff, Horse-Brained Music transformed without resistance into a Laughing Hannya identical to Shangshan Che.
The Blade sank deeply into the Mask, drawing a shrill scream from Horse-Brained Music.
The immensely powerful Hannya thrashed wildly in the corner, effortlessly shattering the surrounding Concrete walls and even slightly bending the Steel Tendons within.
Unfortunately, this did nothing to shake the Kaga Kiyomitsu that was steadily pushing downward bit by bit.
Because Shangshan Che, who had Mastery of Ki-Gong Technique and could precisely control every ounce of power in his Body, was far stronger and more powerful than this impostor.
Shangshan Che looked down from above at Horse-Brained Music, which could only scream in resistance without mounting any decent counterattack, and let out a deep sigh.
“So ugly…”
The Hannya was too lazy to make any extra expressions: “Wearing my appearance yet only able to crawl on the ground, emitting meaningless cries—truly—”
“Unbearable to watch!”
With another eruption of Ki-Gong Technique, Kaga Kiyomitsu blasted through Horse-Brained Music’s crown, shattering the illusory Mask inch by inch.
The massive Hannya body under Shangshan Che’s feet vanished, revealing Horse-Brained Music’s true form—a short yellow-black raccoon dog—on the ground, slowly emitting its final plea for help toward him.
“Begging the enemy for mercy, no less.” Shangshan Che sneered. “Just as laughable as that Kitsune-dog.”
Kaga Kiyomitsu swung once more, silencing Horse-Brained Music’s intermittent cries.
Shangshan Che sheathed his Blade.
Only then did he realize that opponents like the Foreman, who could ignore the Fear of Death and go all-out in their final moments, were rare.
Even demons like Twisting and Turning, who followed instinct and tried to take him down with a Death Rattle, were few and far between.
He sighed softly: “Foreman, what a shame.”
【You Slayed the One-and-a-Half Star demon “Horse-Brained Music” and obtained 151 Soul Ash!】
【You used Kaga Kiyomitsu Replica to Slay the One-and-a-Half Star demon “Horse-Brained Music.” Kaga Kiyomitsu Replica’s Quality has slightly improved.】
【Your skill, Ki-Gong Technique Fragment’s Proficiency +31!】
【Your skill, Natural Reason School Proficiency +16!】
【By Slaying Horse-Brained Music, Progress in Main Quest Three has increased!】
【You obtained a Mist Generator!】
“No Item related to illusion transformation dropped, and only this much Soul Ash.”
Shangshan Che kicked Horse-Brained Music’s corpse again. For a special demon like it, though it lacked a Body in the conventional sense, it wouldn’t dissipate between Heaven and Earth upon Death like an ordinary Vengeful Spirit.
“Take it back to the Special Affairs Office to keep shining.”
Grabbing Horse-Brained Music’s Tail, Shangshan Che leaped down from the sixth floor. In the few seconds mid-air, he glanced at the new Item’s Attribute—
【Mist Generator】
【Quality: Excellent】
【Effect: Creates a thick fog with extremely low visibility in a certain range upon use, lasting fifteen minutes. Remaining uses: 5/5.】
【—Said to be one of Horse-Brained Music’s life-saving moves, though it requires a brief activation time.】
Shangshan Che, who had crouched slightly from the impact, stowed away this Item resembling Horse-Brained Music’s Tail, stood up smoothly, and felt no discomfort in his legs.
Releasing the Hannya Incarnation state, Shangshan Che carried the thoroughly dead Horse-Brained Music back to the Van.
“Horse-Brained Music has been exorcised. This is its remains.”
Shizuma Mafuyu’s eyes widened in shock. After bagging it with a special black bag, she eyed Shangshan Che, whose Clothes were nearly intact, and said,
“Shangshan Jun, it seems I’ve somewhat underestimated you.”
“Not at all.” Shangshan Che leaned back in the Seat. “I was just smarter and seized the initiative.”
“That’s still your Strength.” Shizuma Mafuyu gave him a thumbs-up. “So, what’s next? Send you back, or grab a bite outside together?”
She smiled: “My treat.”
What? Free dinner?
Free dinner tastes great!
Shangshan Che was about to agree when his pocket Mobile Phone suddenly vibrated.
Hm? Old Zhou?
He answered the call, but before he could exchange greetings, a voice from the other end interrupted.
Shangshan Che held it quietly to his ear and listened.
After a while, he put down the phone and turned to Shizuma Mafuyu:
“Ms. Shizuma, which is the nearest subway entrance to Tomioka Hospital?”
Shizuma Mafuyu, who had memorized the Arakawa Ward map, subconsciously replied: “Nippori…”
“Then head there.”
Shangshan Che said calmly: “As fast as possible, please.”
Shizuma Mafuyu met his gaze for two seconds, asked no more, and decisively released the handbrake while stepping on the clutch.
The Van roared to life and charged into the pouring rain.
……
Five minutes earlier.
“It’s raining.”
Zhou Zhenyu entered the subway entrance, looked back at the gloomy sky, and shook off the raindrops and chill from his shoulders.
He didn’t linger, as that would block the people behind.
Swiping his card familiarly to enter the Train Station, Zhou Zhenyu followed the crowd toward the waiting area.
Halfway there, he accidentally bumped into an oncoming pedestrian’s shoulder and quickly forced a smile to apologize,
“Ah, sorry…”
The off-duty pedestrian didn’t respond, blending into the crowd and vanishing soon after.
“Tokyo really is a city without warmth.”
He sighed.
But thinking that he was about to leave this city for good, Zhou Zhenyu inexplicably felt a warm filter over it.
It felt like Tokyo actually had some pretty nice spots.
The next Sky Express train arrived in ten minutes.
This time, he didn’t take the Normal Train.
Zhou Zhenyu figured since he was leaving Tokyo soon anyway, he might as well splurge and burn through his remaining yen.
He was about to scroll videos to kill time when an unexpected call took over the screen.
“Mom?”
Zhou Zhenyu hesitated a moment, then held the phone to his ear: “Hello? What’s up?”
“Mm, oh, okay, I know to wear more layers… Hey, don’t worry, it’s just a little cold, nothing to fret over. I’ll be home the day after tomorrow.”
“Whoa, no need to trouble yourself coming to pick me up from the airport.”
“Save some room for a feast of my favorites that day, got it… Alright! Whatever you say!”
“That’s it, hanging up.”
Zhou Zhenyu smiled and ended the call, relieved there was no pressure as expected.
Otherwise, if things soured with his family again, he wouldn’t know what to do—couldn’t exactly stay home with a thick face after being unwelcome.
Finding a place outside would be tough…
Closing LINE and opening WeChat with its 99+ red dot, Zhou Zhenyu was about to message his childhood friend “Got time to hang out?” when he felt a pat on his shoulder.
Zhou Zhenyu turned around to see a pale-faced man with a fleshy jowly grin smiling at him, baring beastly white fangs.
“Where’s Shangshan Che? Tell me, and maybe I’ll spare your life…”
