The various directors of the Onmyo-ryo have gathered today at the iji Shrine.
Chairman Hoshimi sat by the window in the corner, her gaze fixed on the sky.
The rolling storm clouds seed to have plunged the world into night prematurely, turning day into darkness. Her long black hair was tousled by the wind, and she felt the surging demonic power, her gentle and elegant face displaying an undeniable concern.
The monk sitting cross-legged chanting sutras, the priest fiddling with talismans, the shrine maiden checking her bell... everyone felt the terrifying aura, causing an involuntary skip of the heart, faces turning serious.
In the center of the grand hall, the dignified and imposing Chairman Kasahara discussed strategies with those beside him.
"Look, sothing is coming out..."
Suddenly soone shouted.
Everyone once again looked out the window, gasping in astonishnt.
The clouds enveloping the entire sky began to tumble, revealing countless small yokai erging from the cloudbank.
There were mountain spirits, kappas, tengu, cat demons, fox demons, and ghost clans... The entire Tokyo sky turned into a live picture of a Hyakki Yagyo. Ordinary people witnessing this could do nothing but kneel and pray.
No defense possible.
No escape route.
Even the directors who had rushed here from various branches felt a sense of unease and trepidation.
Above, the storm clouds surged powerfully, gradually forming three distinct blocks. Led by the Heavenly Dog Clan, seven powerful tengu appeared at the forefront, gazing down arrogantly at the colossal tropolis of Tokyo.
"Amidaba Buddha!"
Koubun Master recited a Buddhist mantra quietly.
He smiled wryly.
The weakest of these great tengu had already set foot into the terrifying realms of venerable beings. Such Great Demon Kings were beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators, and even the slightly weaker among the twenty-five national directors could not match them.
Mrs. Kasahara showed no emotional fluctuation.
Her eyes were as clear as rain-washed mountains, exuding nobility.
Although the Heavenly Dog Clan boasted impressive montum, sending all seven great tengu, she didn’t regard them as a threat. Her focus was more on the ghost and fox clans, whose leaders had yet to reveal themselves.
One was Yoshitsune, the Great Jianshan Ghost King, the most formidable warrior.
The other was Tamamo no Mae, the legendary fox demon, the most destructive monster.
Compared to Yoshitsune and Tamamo no Mae, the Heavenly Dog Clan’s king... Mrs. Kasahara deed that fellow too young to be taken seriously. If he acted recklessly, she wouldn’t mind sacrificing herself to let the Heavenly Dog King take the lead.
"Look, a great tengu is coming down..."
Amid exclamations, everyone looked up.
Indeed, a white-robed great tengu descended from the sky, slowly landing on the iji Shrine.
Wearing a ghost god mask and wooden clogs, with a nacing aura, the long red nose clearly marked his tengu identity.
"How dare you trespass into the iji Shrine! Identify yourself!"
Inside the grand hall, a director from Hokkaido shouted.
His voice was deep and resonant, like ancient bells clanging, entrancing the soul.
In the face of the Onmyo-ryo’s wrath, the great tengu slowly removed the ghost god mask, revealing the face beneath. His skin was very pale, and his deep eyes radiated a compelling intensity.
With one hand clenched at his waist and the other behind him, he looked down at the Divine Palace, half smiling.
In the past, he would never have dared to be so brazen.
But tis had changed, and with the advantage on his side, he thought he might as well take this chance to flaunt his power.
The director from Hokkaido eyed him deeply and said in a low voice, "Izunaga Saburo, what do you want today?"
Isn’t this the one who fled in disgrace from Hidden God Town... Mrs. Kasahara looked at the great tengu with interest, her fingers tapping a slow rhythm.
Mrs. Hoshimi edged closer, gently tugging her friend’s sleeve: "Hiko, I have a bad feeling they’re going to use our relationship with Mr. Fujiwara against us..."
What happened on the cruise had spread by morning.
Not only the Onmyo-ryo but also the yokai clans had learned who the specific target of the Shodokan heirs was. This ti the seven great tengu gathered; their aim might be to find and eliminate Fujiwara Reya.
"No need to rush." Mrs. Kasahara reassured her worried friend, patting her hand gently.
The darkened sky cast a shadow over Mrs. Hoshimi’s face. She bit her lip, whispering, "How can I not be worried? Mr. Fujiwara just beca the Ghost King. How can he possibly confront all seven of them...?"
"He’s already the Demon Venerable." Mrs. Kasahara said calmly.
Mrs. Hoshimi paused.
Soon, a clear and beautiful smile blossod in the dim light.
Mrs. Kasahara regarded her friend with amusent.
Miss Yako’s deanor was serene, as graceful as a lotus erging from water. As she cald down, her quiet elegance of a well-bred young lady was more pronounced, as if with her smile, the world would fall under her charm.
The Izunaga Saburo on the Divine Palace was about to land on the eaves.
The director from Hokkaido looked at him and said indifferently, "This is Tokyo, not Mount Takao, doesn’t allow you to act recklessly."
In response to the reprimand, Izunaga Saburo suddenly smiled and said, "This king didn’t co to trouble you today, just seeking a fellow clan mber. Once found, this king will naturally leave."
"You dare to call yourself king?" Mrs. Hoshimi sneered.
Izunaga Saburo looked at her and sneered, "Oh, it’s a woman from the Hoshimi family. No wonder she’s so harsh."
"There’s no need to be polite to you!" Mrs. Hoshimi retorted coldly.
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