Tokyo Sword Saint Online Dealing

but

If you add a sword that has no taboos and can control all ghosts.

But it's hard to say.

Chapter 291 The Four Gods

The convoy gradually entered the downtown area. Perhaps because the school was on spring break, the streets were bustling with more pedestrians than usual.

Uesugi Kiyoshi took a quick look around and felt that the scenery of Kyoto was slightly different from that of Tokyo.

The atmosphere here has a stronger ethnic flavor.

Suddenly, a thought struck him.

The demon hand and the demon cleaver in the mirage twitched slightly at the same time, bringing him back to his senses.

The view outside the window was nothing special. Kyoto's roads were somewhat narrow, which made it easy for him to take in every little thing around him.

"Ueno-senpai, where are you?"

Uesugi Kiyoshi asked casually.

Ueno Mitsuishi was a seasoned veteran, and seemed quite familiar with Kyoto. He glanced at the surrounding roads and smiled, "Oh, we've arrived at Nakagyo Ward. Young Master Akutagawa should be staying in Kamigyo Ward. We'll be there soon."

“If we go back a few hundred years, this place we are in now is the border of Heian-kyo, the site of Rashomon. The area inside and outside the city is like two different worlds.”

"Of course, those living near Rashomon are all poor people."

“If you follow this road, you will reach the city gate of the former Imperial Palace, which was equivalent to the palace at that time. That was the place of luxury.”

"This road was originally called Zhuque Avenue, modeled after the layout of Chang'an, the capital of the Celestial Empire. At the end of Zhuque Avenue is Zhuque Gate, the south gate of the imperial palace."

"The Suzaku Gate remains there as a historical site. Would you like to visit it, Uesugi-kun? It's quite famous in Kyoto."

Ueno Mitsuishi was just saying that casually; they weren't there for sightseeing, so their mission was the priority.

Unexpectedly, Uesugi Kiyoshi slowly nodded.

"If it's on your way, please stop by and take a look, Ueno-senpai. Thank you for your help."

Although surprised by Uesugi Kiyoshi's answer, Ueno Mitsuishi did not raise any objections, but simply smiled and nodded, continuing to drive smoothly forward.

A thousand years ago, crossing Heian-kyo might have taken several hours, but now, a few tens of minutes' drive is enough.

From a distance, Uesugi Kiyoshi could see the vermilion-painted pillars, white walls, and dark eaves. It was a tall city gate with carved beams and painted rafters, exuding an imposing aura and an architectural style reminiscent of the Tang Dynasty.

This place has been protected as a tourist attraction. The presence of izakayas and wagashi shops next to it makes the city gate look somewhat out of place, but its profound and magnificent aura has not been diminished in the slightest.

Uesugi Kiyoshi glanced at the city gate, and his expression changed slightly.

"Pull over, stop the car."

With a brief utterance of four words, Ueno Mitsuishi slammed on the brakes, the sudden feeling of weightlessness even waking the two girls who were practically huddled together in the back seat.

Kyoko woke up groggily, rubbing her sleepy eyes, while Azuma Maki, as if sensing something, opened her eyes warily, her hand already on the reverse-blade ship placed to the side.

Uesugi Kiyoshi remained silent, simply opening the car door and walking to the roadside, gazing at the city gate from afar.

Seeing this, Ueno Mitsuishi also stopped his car and followed closely beside Uesugi Kiyoshi.

"Uesugi-kun, this is Suzaku Gate, the south gate of the imperial city of Heian-kyo back then."

"Legend has it that Kyoto has a history of thousands of years and that the city is protected by the Four Gods."

"The Black Tortoise of the North governs hills, the Vermilion Bird of the South governs low-lying areas, the White Tiger of the West governs major roads, and the Azure Dragon of the East governs rivers."

"The Four Gods in Harmony" refers to the fact that different guardian deities are in charge of the terrain and waters of their respective areas, and the area surrounded by them can be said to be a place of peace and security. Heian-kyo, surrounded by Funaoka Mountain in the north, Kyorochi Pond in the south, Kamo River in the east, and Kijima Ōji in the west, can be described as a place of "the Four Gods in Harmony".

"Beyond these folk tales, the secret history treasured by the association does indeed record that since the establishment of Heian-kyo, the Onmyoji here have strengthened and consolidated the formations protecting Heian-kyo for generations to resist the attacks of rampant monsters and spirits at that time. They arranged the shapes and symbols of four divine beasts in various parts of Kyoto as ritual implements to enhance the capital's ability to defend against vengeful spirits."

"The north is Xuanwu Gate, and the Xuanwu Shrine was established on Funaoka Mountain in the north. Funaoka Mountain is known as the land of Xuanwu."

"The Vermilion Bird Gate in the south is also regarded as a phoenix. A major road leading south from the palace is called the Vermilion Bird Avenue, which extends directly to the Vermilion Bird Gate."

"The west is guarded by the White Tiger, which protects the main streets such as Kijima-oji in the west. There is a Matsuo Taisha Shrine there, which enshrines the White Tiger."

"The Azure Dragon governs the East. The Azure Dragon is also known as the Dragon King and Water God. It corresponds to the waterways, namely the tributaries of the Kamo River."

Ueno Mitsuishi explained some Kyoto anecdotes and information about the Collectors Association to Uesugi Kiyoshi in a clear and organized manner. Uesugi Kiyoshi just nodded and did not respond. His eyes were fixed on the sky directly above the Suzaku Gate.

There was nothing there, at least in Ueno Mitsuishi's eyes, it was completely empty, and you could see the clear sky at dusk.

But Uesugi Kiyoshi's expression became increasingly amused.

With her cherry-colored sleeves fluttering, Maki Azuma stood guard on Uesugi Kiyoshi's right side. Her left hand gripped the ship's hilt tightly, her body tense, while her right hand held the sword hilt, making her look like an arrow ready to be released.

Only Xingzi seemed unaffected, still somewhat dazed, following behind the others, looking around in confusion. When she finally focused her gaze on the Vermilion Bird Gate in front of her, her big eyes widened in surprise, and she covered her mouth and gasped.

"Uesugi-kun, what's that?"

"What a beautiful bird!"

"May I take a picture? Hmm... I wish I could have such a beautiful bird as my pet."

Ueno Mitsuishi glanced suspiciously at Kyoko, then at the direction the little girl was pointing, pursed his lips, and wondered if she had forgotten her reading glasses, causing her vision to be impaired—there was nothing there.

Uesugi Kiyoshi patted Nohara Kyoko's head and chuckled softly.

"Xingzi wants to get a pet?"

"I'll buy you one when we get back to Tokyo, either a cat or a dog, but let's skip this little bird."

"I have some grudges against it."

He paused, took a few steps forward, suddenly raised his head, and with a flick of his wrist, Dorijikiri Yasutsuna solidified from nothingness and was firmly grasped in his hand.

Their group was quite eye-catching, attracting the attention of many pedestrians and tourists. Seeing this magical scene, many people couldn't help but gasp in surprise and start recording.

Uesugi Kiyoshi remained indifferent and unmoved.

He stared at the eaves of the Vermilion Bird Gate and exhaled a breath of stale air.

"Hey, it's been a long time."

Uesugi Kiyoshi patted his right chest, held his sword in his right hand, and pointed it diagonally at the sky.

"About a thousand years ago, you stung this spot. It didn't kill me, but it hurt a lot, do you remember?"

"It's okay if you don't remember."

"I'll do that to you in a bit, so you can remember it properly!"

Chapter 292 Vermilion Bird's Startle

The point that Uesugi Kiyoshi's sword tip was pointing at was certainly not empty space.

Shaped like a white crane or golden pheasant, with short beaks and claws, long wings, colorful feathers, and a crimson hue, it was clearly a divine bird, perched atop the Vermilion Bird Gate.

Above the Vermilion Bird Gate, a Vermilion Bird lies horizontally.

This aura was very familiar to Uesugi Kiyota.

In his previous memories, he was ambushed by the Kamo family's Onmyoji using the Four Symbols Spirit Compass, and a crimson light pierced through his chest. The culprit was that divine bird.

The Four Spirits that protect Heian-kyo, and the Vermilion Bird that guards the south!

For some reason, ordinary people cannot see the Vermilion Bird, not even Ueno Mitsuishi, but Higashima Maki, Nohara Kyoko, and Uesugi Kiyoshi himself can see it clearly.

Seeing Uesugi Kiyoshi draw his sword, Higashima Maki also made no attempt to conceal her killing intent. She drew her sword three-tenths of the way from the ship, her eyes flashing with a red light, and her aura gradually increased.

A single disagreement can lead to being attacked with a sharp blade.

The crimson divine bird stared at Uesugi Kiyoshi, it was unclear whether it had understood Uesugi Kiyoshi's words, but its vermilion eyes gradually began to shine.

Indifference, astonishment, contemplation, sudden realization, shock, fear.

Like performing a mime, the dignified Vermilion Bird, one of the Four Divine Beasts, vividly demonstrated his inner thoughts and changes in expression to Uesugi Kiyoshi, which looked somewhat comical.

A clear bird's cry resounded through the sky. The divine bird spread its wings, and the sky changed with the wind and clouds, with dark clouds pressing down overhead.

The air around the entire Vermilion Bird Gate seemed to become much hotter, and the temperature suddenly rose.

Uesugi Kiyoshi merely smiled cruelly, his aura surging around him, the pale white sword light rolling and surging on the Dojigiri sword, like a white snake spitting its tongue.

The Vermilion Bird flapped its wings and soared high above, looking down at Uesugi Kiyoshi and his group. It let out a few angry cries, and the flames on its body grew brighter and brighter, as if it was about to unleash its fury at any moment.

Then, just as Uesugi Kiyoshi was about to strike first, the divine bird Suzaku in his eyes suddenly increased the speed of its flapping wings, its altitude suddenly increased by tens of meters, and it turned around and flew away in a flash. By the time he reacted, all he could see was a tiny red dot.

"."

Uesugi Kiyoshi and Higashima Maki exchanged a glance, both speechless.

Was that arrogance just an act? Is this thing some kind of all-powerful but ultimately ineffective mascot?

It shouldn't be.

Having lived for thousands of years, one must have some hidden skills.

Why did they run away?

Only Xingzi remained carefree, though she sighed with a hint of regret.

"Ah! The red bird has flown away."

"Unfortunately, I didn't have time to take a picture yet."

"Uesugi-kun, it keeps looking at you. Do you recognize it?"

Uesugi Kiyoshi clicked his tongue, feeling as if he had punched cotton, and felt a little uncomfortable, but he just nodded.

"Hmm, maybe it recognizes me."

"Forget it, I was planning to take revenge, but since it got away, I'll let it go for now."

"Anyway, the four guardian spirits of Heian-kyo can't leave Kyoto, right?"

"You can run away, but you can't hide! It'll be time for me to settle accounts with you later!"

After muttering a few words under his breath, Uesugi Kiyoshi had no choice but to give up.

The dark clouds in the sky dispersed, and the sky returned to its clear state.

However, things seem to be getting unsettled in some places.