“Adult, we have already discovered the trace of the mountain spirit…”
Deep within the mountains, Ito Kagehide, wearing the ceremonial robe of an onmyoji, listened solemnly to a report from one of the on-duty retainers.
“Excellent! First, seal the mountain spirit’s shrine, and then we can subdue it…”
Holding a string of prayer beads, Ito Kagehide gazed at the dilapidated small shrine ahead. After a moment of silence, he affixed a yellow talisman onto it.
Slap!
Instantly, a barrier expanded outward, exuding a force that repelled deities and contaminated spiritual ground.
“This shrine of the mountain spirit can no longer be salvaged… Notify the ninja squad and the Oni First Unit to intercept the mountain spirit, and afterward, we onmyoji shall go there for the sealing ritual!”
Ito Kagehide withdrew his hand, his every movement exuding the dignified grace of an aristocrat. However, inwardly, he couldn’t suppress his astonishment: “The talisman bestowed by Lord Oni First truly possesses incredible power… Such techniques specifically designed to counter deities…”
Thinking thus, he dared not delve further into the matter.
“Hai!”
The on-duty retainer, however, was visibly delighted, for this was a feat of merit. Perhaps in the future, he could gain the qualification to study onmyōdō based on this achievement. Immediately, he dashed off to deliver the message.
“Once the mountain spirit is sealed or subdued, the yōkai and spirits of Mount Mikatsuka will be almost entirely subdued as well?”
Ito Kagehide murmured to himself, “Not only to become the ruler of all under heaven, but also to dominate all yōkai and spirits? The magnanimity of Lord Oni First…”
What he had been doing these days was essentially the Japanese version of “clearing mountains and destroying temples!” Investigating the yōkai and spirits within his territory, crushing them one by one. Those who agreed to submit were directly assigned a rank and confirmed with a Yasakani no magatama, becoming yōkai or spirits under the Oni First banner. Those who resisted were either killed or sealed, with their shrines abandoned entirely!
Such a major undertaking naturally required the full mobilization of Wu Ming’s Oni First Unit, ninja forces, and the Onmyō Bureau, taking turns in action. By today, the operation was nearly complete.
The mountain spirit they were now targeting was a type of yōkai dwelling in the mountains. Legends claimed it was born from the grudges of defeated samurai. However, it only possessed the strength of the first or second level. By the time Ito Kagehide arrived, it had already been surrounded by the Oni First Unit, grievously wounded, and was sealed without much difficulty.
“Lord National Preceptor, the yōkai and spirits of Mount Mikatsuka have now completely submitted to our clan!”
Upon completing the mission, Ito Kagehide immediately returned to the main residence to report.
“Excellent! Only now can our rear truly be considered secure…”
Wu Ming stood at the city gate, seemingly preparing to depart, with many samurai from the Oni First Unit following behind. Upon seeing Ito, he offered slight commendation.
“Lord Oni First, are you…”
Ito Kagehide asked in puzzlement.
“Oh… I’m going to visit Yoshida Koriyama Castle… It seems my army has encountered some difficulties!”
Wu Ming gazed into the distance, saying gravely.
“…Previously using Yoshitsune’s dragon energy to weaken the divine power of the god Hisakawa, now he faces this crisis. Every action has its consequence; indeed, everything is predestined…”
Given the implications for the Oni First clan’s future, Wu Ming naturally could not allow Oni Yoshitsune to leisurely continue his siege. Moreover, if this crisis were not resolved, even Susanoo might grow secretly furious.
…
“Report!”
In the midst of the army, a personal soldier of Oni Yoshitsune—a black-robed monk rode swiftly forward, knelt, and cried, “My lord… the navy of the Ōuchi clan has broken through the blockade of the Kunishima forces and has already landed at Hidakatsu Port!”
“What?!”
Oni Yoshitsune stood up in shock from his camp stool: “What about Murakami Takehisa? Has he been killed or has he surrendered?”
Knowing the strength of the Ōuchi clan well, he was the one most unwilling to see the Ōuchi and Mōri clans unite.
“My lord! Please allow me to immediately lead the troops to confront the Ōuchi clan!”
A general immediately stepped forward and requested.
“Fool!”
Sakenokami Katanosuke shouted angrily: “If our army now turns to confront the Ōuchi clan, and the Mōri clan sallies forth to attack, our clan will immediately find itself in a pincer movement!”
Boom!
At that moment, cheers erupted from Yoshida Koriyama Castle across the way. Evidently, they had received the same news, and their morale soared.
“My headquarters and the matchlock unit will remain in position! The rest of the forces will gradually withdraw to the rear cities!”
Oni Yoshitsune, displaying the demeanor of a great general, decisively issued orders amidst the crisis.
“My lord! Please entrust me with the rearguard mission!”
Tachibana Shisiro, Baoumaru, and Sakenokami Katanosuke, among other retainers, knelt and shouted loudly.
During a retreat, the commander’s skill was most tested.
Especially in such a critical moment, without capable generals and elite ashigaru serving as the “human pillars” in the rearguard, if the enemy pursued relentlessly, it would result in a devastating defeat in an instant!
Hence, Oni Yoshitsune had to commit his headquarters and the matchlock unit!
Clang! Clang!
At that moment, the gates of Yoshida Koriyama Castle opened, and a group of ashigaru charged out. Clearly, the Mōri clan had received the news and was now emerging to engage, intending to coordinate with the Ōuchi clan to annihilate the Oni clan entirely at this location!
“Ahh… We are all samurai! Are we not brave enough to confront them in open battle?”
Instantly, several generals stood up eagerly.
Seeing this, Oni Yoshitsune’s heart stirred: “Now that the Mōri clan has come out to fight a decisive battle, this is actually an opportunity! If we can defeat the main Mōri force and capture Yoshida Koriyama Castle before the Ōuchi clan arrives, we can still achieve a great victory in this campaign!”
He immediately issued orders: “Prepare the entire army for battle!”
“My lord! This is unwise!”
Upon hearing this, Sakenokami Katanosuke was greatly alarmed: “In the time of the late lord, although his military tactics were unconventional, he fundamentally adhered to orthodox strategies. Now that the enemy is upon us in an instant, yet we still intend to engage the Mōri clan, this is indeed unwise…”
These were indeed prudent words from an experienced general. However, to Oni Yoshitsune’s ears, they always carried an undertone of Katanosuke attempting to assert authority over him using the name of Oni First.
Especially since Katanosuke was an old retainer of the clan, and compared to Tachibana Shisiro and Baoumaru, he lacked a sense of closeness, at this moment, a haze clouded Oni Yoshitsune’s mind, and he immediately felt displeased: “My formation of matchlocks and cannons is unmatched under heaven! The Mōri clan only has less than five thousand men, so where is the possibility of defeat?”
He immediately ordered: “Mount up and join the matchlock unit!”
“Men! Today is the day for a great victory!”
Seeing their supreme commander personally arriving at the front line, the matchlock ashigaru were excited and their morale soared.
“Banzai!”
“Charge!”
Opposite them, the Mōri clan’s ashigaru, clad in armor, charged forward under the command of a general.
“Fire!”
Bang! Bang!
The matchlocks fired in unison, and after a burst of white smoke, dozens of the Mōri ashigaru immediately fell. The Mōri ranks instantly became disordered.
“Hahaha…”
Oni Yoshitsune laughed aloud while riding his horse: “With these matchlocks, how can the Mōri clan not be destroyed? How can the warring states not be pacified?”
Boom!
However, he laughed far too soon. On the walls of Yoshida Koriyama Castle, several priests dressed in Yomi ceremonial robes exchanged glances, nodded, sat cross-legged, placed scrolls in their mouths, and the light of rituals began to glow.
A massive ritual array suddenly appeared before the city gate, within which was a priestess of Tsukuyomi who committed ritual suicide with a wakizashi, her face bearing an eerie expression of satisfaction.
As the blood fell, the entire ritual array emitted a thunderous roar, the ground trembled, and a crimson light shot into the sky!
“Life Sacrifice – Spirit Summoning Technique!”
The priests and shamans around the array roared loudly and slammed their hands onto the ground.
Boom!
A massive cloud of smoke emerged from the center of the array, within which a gigantic serpent’s body was vaguely visible. Its two eyes resembled red lanterns, and clouds and mist swirled around it. Even a single exposed scale radiated an immense demonic aura!
Shishi!
Thick white mist rose from the serpent’s body and ascended into the air, even forming a small rain cloud.
Mystic Art – Teng Snake Summoning Mist!
“Shishi… The Oni First Army is the cornerstone of the Oni clan’s rule. If they are utterly destroyed here, let’s see what you, Oni First, will rely on to stabilize Izumo. Without Izumo, the national preceptor loses his status, and you are nothing more than a minor cultivator. How could you ever hope to contend with my true form as the Tengshe?”
The colossal serpent raised its head and roared, seemingly spewing a bolt of azure lightning from its mouth into the rain cloud above.
Splash!
Large raindrops immediately poured down, instantly transforming the battlefield into a stormy downpour.
“The enemy’s matchlocks are useless in the rain! Follow me and attack!”
A Mōri samurai immediately shouted: “With the great serpent’s assistance, we will surely defeat the Oni clan!”
“Ha!”
Even in the rain, the Mōri ashigaru’s morale surged, charging toward the incapacitated Oni forces.
In an instant, the bright sun turned into a torrential downpour! The enemy had the aid of the great serpent, their strength surging! Their own impending victory had transformed into a crushing defeat! This sudden change left even Oni Yoshitsune momentarily stunned, his heart aching so severely that he nearly fell from his horse, as he bitterly cried: “Gods and Buddhas… Do you intend to destroy me, Yoshitsune?”
“Quickly, my lord, retreat!”
At this critical moment, Tachibana Shisiro and Baoumaru immediately protected Oni Yoshitsune, fleeing toward the rear.
“My lord!”
A unit of armed ashigaru, led by Sakenokami Katanosuke, also rushed over: “Protect the lord!”
“Katanosuke…”
Seeing this, Oni Yoshitsune felt immense shame and regret for not heeding Sakenokami Katanosuke’s advice.
“You protect the lord and retreat first. I will serve as the rearguard. We must also organize the matchlock unit and wait for the unfavorable weather to pass!”
With a roar, Sakenokami Katanosuke brandished his katana and charged toward the Mōri army.
“We’ll retreat and gather the traditional ashigaru… to reinforce Sakenokami Katanosuke…”
Oni Yoshitsune galloped away, yet inwardly he truly had little confidence. After all, those local lords and daimyos had only obeyed out of fear of the Oni clan’s reputation for invincibility and formidable military strength. Now, their loyalty was indeed uncertain.
In this era of warring states, although there were loyal warriors like Sakenokami Katanosuke, there were also countless rebellious clans who overthrew their lords.
“When it comes to military tactics and the ability to command various clans… I am truly inferior to my adoptive father! I am still far from mastering the essence of The Book of Five Rings…”
In this moment, amidst the rain soaking his face, Oni Yoshitsune’s thoughts drifted to this realization.
“My lord!”
Upon reaching the rear, Matsushita Ken’ichi was already waiting: “Lord National Preceptor anticipated the lord’s danger and has already arrived with the Oni First Unit and reinforcements. Other daimyos have also submitted, and we now have a force of five thousand men. Please, my lord, lead us to turn the tide of the battle!”
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