Swallow Return

Takenaka Shigeharu squinted at the sky and said, "I have done some calculations and roughly figured out the cause of this matter."

The phrase "calculated by counting on one's fingers" seems to contain some supernatural element.

That's quite intriguing.

Upon hearing this, Liu Yun bowed respectfully and said, "I would like to hear the details."

Takenaka Shigeharu suddenly coughed a few times, then slowly exhaled and said slowly, "I guess the abbot of Kosho-ji Temple intended to take revenge on you. He used some kind of tool to summon or release a demon. Unexpectedly, the demon did not obey his orders. Instead, it controlled and killed all the monks in the temple, and then left and wandered around the nearby countryside."

Liu Yun, sensing the subtle meaning behind the music, immediately understood the implication of Takenaka Shigeharu.

Then it dawned on him: "So, now it's not just a matter of me being wrongly accused of being the murderer. Besides, that terrifying monster may still be lurking nearby, posing a serious security threat. In order to maintain the peace of Sasaki Village, I should also cooperate with you to defeat this monster."

Takenaka Shigeharu clapped his hands and chuckled: "It's so much easier talking to someone as intelligent as you. Defeating this demon is urgent; if we delay, too many things might change."

After saying this, the handsome but sickly man coughed several more times.

Liu Yun pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "So, this matter does indeed have something to do with me. I do have a good reason to go with you to subdue the demon, but... why Lord Takenaka, and why didn't you bring more soldiers?"

Shigeharu Takenaka sighed and slowly said, "Based on the current intelligence, that monster is not only powerful but also cunning. It will not fight people fairly and squarely, so ordinary soldiers probably won't be able to do much in this matter, and may even alert the monster and do more harm than good."

Liu Yun said, "Then we can bring a few elite fighters."

Takenaka Shigeharu smiled wryly, “Our Lord Kinoshita of Yokoyama Castle rose from humble beginnings and has very little power. He doesn’t have many capable men under his command. Although Lord Kinoshita himself is skilled, he is often tied up with other tasks. Apart from him, we only have Lord Hachisuka available, but his abilities are unique and not suitable for the current situation. As for Maeno, Miyata, and Oto, I’m afraid they are not up to the task of dealing with the ferocious yokai. I’ve heard that you have a strong man named Ao who is quite brave, but from what I’ve heard, I think he might not be enough today either.”

When Maeno Nagayasu was told to his face that he was "not up to the task," he showed no sign of resentment and stood respectfully beside him like a primary school student.

He clearly had great respect for Shigeharu Takenaka.

Hayami Seibei, on the other hand, looked extremely distressed, a distress stemming from a sense of helplessness.

Liu Yun felt that Takenaka Shigeharu's words were very sincere.

As expected, Kinoshita Tokichiro himself is quite capable, and Hachisuka Masakatsu also has some special abilities, which is consistent with previous predictions.

Liu Yun accepted this explanation and concluded, "So, it's just the two of us?"

"Yes. Chang Kang only brought me here; he will return to Yokoyama Castle on his own later." Takenaka Shigeharu coughed a few more times, pressed his chest, and smiled slightly. "I will use magic to slowly find the whereabouts of that monster, and then I will ask Lord Ryuun to take action."

Liu Yun asked, "Shall we set off tomorrow morning, or travel tonight?"

Takenaka Shigeharu hesitated for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Originally, from our standpoint, we wouldn't be in a hurry for even a moment, but considering that every hour that passes could mean the suffering of countless people..."

Liu Yun remained silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "That's very true! Allow me to make some preparations, and I'll set off with you immediately!"

"I am deeply grateful." Takenaka Shigeharu bowed in thanks, while simultaneously coughing repeatedly.

This time it was especially serious; his face turned deathly pale, and he even became unsteady on his feet. Maeno Nagayasu quickly helped him up.

Judging from his appearance, he seems to be seriously ill and could die at any moment. How could he possibly exorcise the demon overnight?

However, based on his experience, Ryuun could sense that Takenaka Shigeharu possessed an extremely powerful force.

However, this force seems to have no benefit to health and may even have side effects.

Chapter Twenty-Five: On "Gods and Buddhas" and "Demon Kings"

Ryuun agreed to Takenaka Shigeharu's request, told his family that he had to go out with Takenaka-sama on business, and then planned to fight through the night to defeat the demon.

Some family members were slightly worried, while others were used to it, and no one said much.

In particular, Iori showed great respect and appropriate concern, but was also considerate enough not to ask why, making him a model of proper conduct for a samurai.

It seems that everyone thinks this will make them look good.

However, Liu Yun also felt a bit distant at the same time.

Only Hayami Seibei said regretfully, "I consider myself to have some knowledge of martial arts, but in a situation like today, I am completely of no help."

Liu Yun's anger hadn't completely subsided when she gave him a disapproving look and said, "Since you know that, you should work even harder!"

"Yes!" Hayami Kiyobei ​​seemed to take it seriously, kneeling down solemnly and asking, "My lord, how should I practice to improve?"

Liu Yun paused upon hearing this.

He possesses such martial arts skills mainly due to his talent, without any special training methods.

Faced with Hayami Seibei's expectant and puzzled face, and too embarrassed to say it directly, he thought for a moment, then suddenly had an idea and made up a story: "Do one hundred push-ups, one hundred sit-ups, and one hundred squats every day, all in one go, and then run one hundred cho (about 11 kilometers) without holding back. That was my daily practice in the temple back then. You should stick to that first."

Upon hearing this, Hayami Kiyobei ​​was taken aback at first, then seemed to understand something and fell into deep thought: "Does the lord mean that we should not touch swords for now and focus on training our own bodies? Although they sound like very simple movements, there must be some profound reason behind them."

……

Liu Yun ordered his servants to prepare some gold, silver, valuables, dry food, ropes, and the like, and then, carrying his sword, he set off with Takenaka Shigeharu.

The sun had already set, and it was getting late.

Takenaka Shigeharu was still dressed in a blue robe, carrying a bamboo staff, and wearing a straw hat.

Liu Yun asked, "Where are we going?"

Takenaka Shigeharu crossed his hands in front of his chest, silently recited a few complex incantations, closed his eyes and meditated for a moment, then slowly opened his eyes and said, "If I am not mistaken, that monster should be in the southeast direction now."

In just a few seconds, he appeared extremely tired, and his face looked even more sickly, as if he had used some kind of mentally exhausting technique.

Liu Yun followed his instructions and headed southeast.

After leaving the territory of Sasaki Village, another quarter of an hour passed, and we arrived at the desolate wilderness, where there was not a single person in sight.

Liu Yun suddenly asked, "Lord Takenaka, I brought back the head of the black-clad anti-demon ninja. I heard it's very important. Has it been delivered to you yet? Has it been put to use?"

Upon hearing this, Takenaka Shigeharu stopped, a subtle expression on his face, and said in a low voice, "Indeed, through the head you brought back, I have discovered some clues about the 'Anti-Demon Ninja,' and I am deeply grateful for that. However... there are some things that should not be known by too many people."

Liu Yun wasn't surprised at all: "I guessed that was the case, so I didn't ask at home just now."

Takenaka Shigeharu was silent for a moment before asking a seemingly irrelevant question: "I heard that you became a monk at a young age and were only brought back last month to inherit the Sasaki family?"

Liu Yun nodded: "Indeed. A month ago, I was still a monk."

Takenaka Shigeharu's expression turned serious, and he tentatively asked, "Then, you must know a great deal about the story of the Holy Monk Jianzhen sealing the Demon King and saving the world hundreds of years ago, right?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yun sensed that the other party's intentions were quite complex and difficult to fathom. After pondering for a moment, he decided to speak frankly and truthfully: "I've only heard about it in general terms, but I can't say I have any detailed information."

Shigeharu Takenaka breathed a sigh of relief, saying with satisfaction, "It seems there's no need for further persuasion."

Liu Yun frowned: "Is this question important?"

Takenaka Shigeharu smiled wryly and said, “For samurai and common people, it may not be that important. But for the imperial family, court nobles, monks, and Onmyoji, it is extremely important. Many disputes in the world are caused by different interpretations of that story. I have carefully studied the head you brought back and found that it may involve very deep historical secrets and very sensitive issues.”

"Interpretation method?" The word "flowing clouds" was puzzling.

Shigeharu Takenaka explained: "It is universally acknowledged that when Japan was facing annihilation, it was the holy monk Jianzhen who saved the world, and no one questions this. However, there was more than one person who claimed to be the successor of the holy monk. They all claimed to follow Jianzhen's will, but their ideas were very different, and they argued with each other endlessly. The resulting disputes even triggered several wars."

Liu Yun didn't quite understand, and at the same time, he was somewhat dismissive: "In my opinion, later generations may not really be fighting over ideologies. Perhaps they are just using ideologies as a pretext to compete for interests!"

Takenaka Shigeharu was taken aback by this, then shook his head and chuckled, “That makes a lot of sense. I think it was indeed possible that initially they were using ideals as a pretext to fight for interests. But over the years, the original pretext has gradually been believed to be true and has become an unquestionable golden rule. For example... those ‘anti-demon ninjas’ who are our enemies probably genuinely believe that they are performing acts of justice.”

Liu Yun glanced at the other party and said lazily, "You're just trying to imply that we shouldn't judge good and evil with worldly eyes. You're overthinking it. I prefer to believe my own eyes. Although seeing is not necessarily believing, it's still better than hearsay. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gone to cause trouble for Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei, a famous temple with a thousand-year history."

Takenaka Shigeharu was slightly surprised, then bowed solemnly and apologized: "I was overthinking it! With your perspective, you certainly wouldn't be limited by the literal meaning of 'gods and Buddhas' and 'demon kings'."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yun turned his head and said, word by word, "When we first met, Lord Kinoshita told me that the enemy's claim that the Oda family was called 'demon' was just a misunderstanding and a rumor. It seems that what they said is untrue."

Takenaka looked helpless and explained with a wry smile, "In public, I have no choice but to stick to this line, otherwise it would cause quite a commotion!"

Liu Yun shook his head again and said, "I will slowly use my eyes to judge the matter of 'gods and Buddhas' and 'demon kings'. It is too early to draw conclusions now. Instead of talking about that, why don't you tell me what characteristics the monster we are about to encounter has?"

"The monster we're about to encounter... if it were hundreds of years ago, the question of whether to call it a 'monster' or a 'demon' would have sparked a riot," Takenaka Shigeharu remarked, but didn't dwell on it further, immediately shifting the topic to what Ryuun had asked: "I speculate that this monster is elusive, extremely fast, and possesses the ability to induce drowsiness and dizziness, as well as to block out light and create darkness. However, its exact appearance and form are unknown. Furthermore, its weaknesses remain a mystery, so I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you."

“You already know quite a lot of information.” Liu Yun nodded, then frowned in confusion: “You know so much, and can even calculate directions, but you don’t know the shape?”

Shigeharu Takenaka replied, "The characteristics and abilities of this monster were deduced by observing the scene of the Koshoji massacre and questioning nearby witnesses. As for its location, it was determined by using a strand of hair found by chance to perform divination."

The two walked southeast as they talked.

Liu Yun's physique and senses far surpassed those of ordinary people, and he walked effortlessly through the countryside on this cold, dark autumn night.

Takenaka Shigeharu, however, appeared frail and was out of breath after walking only a short distance.

He then took out a cattail-woven animal-shaped doll from his pocket and threw it down.

The doll landed on the ground and instantly grew to the size of a cow or horse, even able to walk on its own. However, its body was still made of woven cattails, shimmering with a strong green light, which was quite eerie.

Takenaka Shigeharu then rode forward on the back of this green beast.

Liu Yun exclaimed in amazement upon seeing it: "Is this what is called a 'shikigami'?"

Shigeharu Takenaka coughed and said quietly, "Shikigami, Shikigami Oni, Shikigami, spirit servant... these terms all refer to the same thing. But hundreds of years ago, each sect believed that the name they chose was the only correct one, and if someone accidentally used the wrong name, they could be killed."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yun shook his head: "That's ridiculous."

Then a thought suddenly occurred to him, and he wondered, "Lord Takenaka, are you deliberately trying to make me laugh by repeatedly bringing up these things?"

Takenaka Shigeharu smiled but did not answer, nor did he deny it.

Liu Yun found the other party's rhetoric interesting. They didn't show any obvious bias; they seemed to be simply recounting ancient tales, but in reality, they were subtly conveying a certain viewpoint.

A few days ago, that woman named Igawa Asagi, the so-called "head of the Anti-Demon Ninja First Group," also tried to persuade him. But her eloquence was far inferior to Takenaka Shigeharu's; she only knew how to list grand principles and had no persuasive power whatsoever.

She completely fails to utilize her natural advantages as a beautiful woman!

Conversely, when Shigeharu Takenaka speaks in this way, it doesn't offend people; instead, it can inspire a desire to learn more.

What exactly is the story behind the "Sacred Monk Jianzhen sealing the Demon King"?

What does this have to do with gods and Buddhas?

What about the disputes that arose from this in later generations?

Liu Yun was slightly curious.

But if you ask the question at this moment, wouldn't you be playing right into their hands?

Shigeharu Takenaka used rhetoric to increase credibility, but whether what he said is actually credible remains unknown.

It's better not to ask for now.

Liu Yun feigned a lack of interest in ancient matters, saying, "We can discuss the matter of 'gods and Buddhas' and 'demon kings' another day. I am more concerned about the monsters wandering in the wilderness right now."

Takenaka Shigeharu nodded and said nothing more.

Contrary to Liu Yun's expectations, the other party did not show any disappointment on their face.

The two walked southeast into the mountains and forests.

All that could be seen were overgrown vines, wild animals roaming about, roads cut off, and no human trace.

Takenaka Shigeharu used that divination method once again to point out the direction.