Inner Destroyer

　The firelight flickered, casting shadows of six heavy faces on the rock wall.

　……

　"Don't worry. At this point, I have certainly prepared a plan for you all."

　Until, a familiar and elegant female voice suddenly sounded, echoing in the cave.

　The six family heads present all knew this voice. Because they all knew this voice, they couldn't help but be surprised at this moment.

　Because this is the voice of someone who is supposed to be dead.

　The person with white hair, white clothes, golden eyes, and gorgeous kimono who walked into the cave with a smile, isn't he the shrine maiden who was just killed by "Leip Zhenren" yesterday, the first of the three noble sons of "True Buddhism", Ise Amaterasu?

　How could someone who had just had his head shattered by a punch from "Leip Zhenren" yesterday, and whose body was taken away by the Onmyoji Bureau for examination, appear here alive and kicking now?!

　"Don't be so surprised."

　The white-haired witch smiled slightly, not taking it seriously.

　"The sun is immortal. Even if it sets today, it will rise again tomorrow morning."

　"That 'Master Leipu' might have some brute force, but how could he possibly kill me with just his fists?"

　That being said, several family heads who had seen her many times, especially the Arawaki family who were good at martial arts, could vaguely feel that the white-haired woman seemed a little different from before.

　"Everyone is very anxious at this point, so I won't waste any more time on nonsense. I'm here today to give you one last chance to win."

　victory?

　The imperial court has already come to suppress the rebellion, and there are also two incredibly powerful gods, Jin Gorin and "Lepu Zhenren". Even surviving is almost hopeless, so how can victory be considered?

　"Actually, the solution is very simple."

　Ise's smile remained unchanged as he slowly took out a gourd from his kimono sleeve.

　"First of all, if everyone in the clan becomes immortal, then even if we can't win the battle against the official demon exorcists, we won't be defeated, right?"

　"As long as we can inflict enough casualties on the public demon warriors and make them realize the loss outweighs the gain, then the central government will eventually give up on the forceful approach due to cost considerations."

　Huh? Is immortality something that can be achieved just by saying it?

　The six family heads here had all done shady business with True Buddhism and received large sums of money from Amaterasu Ise. But the look they gave the white-haired miko now was filled with obvious disbelief.

　The white-haired miko could only helplessly continue, as if patiently explaining something to ignorant children: "The contents of this gourd are transmutable water—I think everyone will understand now, right?"

　Several family heads' pupils suddenly trembled again. This was because "Transformation into Water" was indeed a very famous thing in the Japanese magic world.

　Thanks to Hidetaka Miyazaki, many people think of Sekiro when they hear the term "water transformation." However, this isn't a word invented by Miyazaki; it's a real concept in Japanese legend, recorded in the ancient texts Manyoshu and Continued Nihonki.

　It's a bit tedious to explain in detail, so let's just say this: Transmutation Water is a sacred item bestowed by Tsukuyomi, one of the Three Gods. Drinking or bathing in it can turn gray hair back to black, cure chronic illnesses, and heal wounds.

　Because "Tsukuyomi" means "calculating time," the water is actually a magical object that can reverse time and make things that are washed by it "rejuvenate."

　It's not just about rejuvenation, but if it were used in combat, you can imagine how powerful it would be!

　"I will provide you with a large amount of Transfiguration Water. If you don't believe me, you can test it first."

　"I will also continue to provide you with sufficient funds. Not only that, I can also arrange for the elderly, weak, women, and children in your clan who are not fit for fighting to leave Japan. Even if you cannot win, the family heritage will not be cut off."

　The conditions she offered were really good.

　So good it's obviously suspicious.

　So the head of the Juyaku family spoke first, his voice low and full of caution: "What is the price, Ms. Ise?"

　The white-haired witch smiled slightly, with a hint of sarcasm on the corner of her mouth.

　"You six families must cooperate with my plan to defeat Raipujin and Kamigorin."

　"Don't think it's impossible. They are not truly invincible. They have only obtained some insignificant fragments of the true gods and Buddhas."

　“And the True Buddha, the White God, is with us.”

　"As long as you cooperate with my arrangements, we can defeat them completely with the power of the True Buddha."

　089: We’re sure to win!

　March 9th. A light drizzle fell from the sky.

　The elite public service demon fighters encountered difficulties for the first time during their search.

　When searching the ancestral home of the Shiyao family in Lingshan, the public demon exorcists encountered a strong obstruction for the first time.

　"immortal?"

　Gojo Masamichi got out of the back seat of the limousine, glanced at the raindrops bouncing on the asphalt road, and opened his favorite fan with a "click".

　He is the captain of the Onmyoji team that will lead the demon-killing team this time, and his official title is "Onmyoji".

　It may sound a bit strange at first, but the title of "Onmyoji" is not something that anyone can be called. Just like in the Ming Dynasty, not all eunuchs could be called "eunuchs". Only eunuchs of the fifth rank and above could be called "eunuchs".

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　. "

　From Yin Yang Sheng to Yin Yang De Ye Sheng, Yin Yang De Ye Sheng to Yin Yang Minor Attribute, Yin Yang Minor Attribute to Yin Yang Major Attribute, and finally to the seventh rank, you are qualified to call yourself an "Onmyoji." Those who dare to call themselves "Onmyoji" by dropping two shikigami in the comics are mostly neither civil servants nor on the payroll; they are just fakes.

　The official rank of seventh may sound a bit low, but considering his youth, a seventh-rank official is actually not low. In the next district, the county magistrate is only a seventh-rank official.

　Moreover, the size of your power comes from your distance from the center of power, not the literally defined rank.

　"How could there be any immortality in a place like this? No matter what kind of evil demon it is, it can be killed with the right method."

　With that, Gojo Masamichi stepped out of the car. The spotlessly clean black limousine reflected his figure as he walked forward like a mirror.

　At just twenty-four, he had a handsome face, fair complexion, and regular features. His slender eyebrows and narrow eyes gave him a sense of calm intelligence. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, revealing a faint, confident smile. His white hunting robe and blue hakama were embroidered with the pentagram of Abe Seimei, and his clothes were neatly arranged without a single wrinkle.

　That kind of calmness and solemnity were clearly not the aura of an ordinary Yin-Yang Master. He stepped out of the car, yet it seemed as if even the rain from the sky dared not fall on his shoulders.

　The exorcist's assistant, who followed behind, quickly held up an umbrella from behind, maintaining it at a perfect angle, in order to prevent any rain from getting on his boss's shoulders and shiny black hair.

　Gojo Masamichi is the young genius of the Onmyoji Headquarters.

　Born into the Gojo clan and raised in Kyoto, at the age of twelve he defeated a high-ranking evil shikigami in actual combat using the "Shinka no Myōo" technique. At the age of sixteen, he was included in the national system as a Yin-Yang student. At the age of seventeen, he participated in the "Deep Mountain Ghost Fetus" case that sealed off the old land of Nagano. At the age of twenty-one, he was promoted to Yin-Yang Senior and was granted actual command authority, even before he officially graduated from university.

　The last time, when suppressing the rebellion of the Shikoku local magic group, although he might have been able to force a surrender through negotiation, he only flipped through a page of his on-site notes before immediately ordering everything to be burned, leading a dozen demon exorcists to forcibly clear the entire building with a single strike.

　"Genius and hard work are more than just bloodlines."

　The contemporary Yin Yang Head (the highest official of Yin Yang Bureau) once commented on him like this:

　"The technique of transforming spiritual energy into a flaming dragon that devours hundreds of monsters is truly remarkable. With continued practice and a breakthrough, you will surely reach the pinnacle."

　Calm, precise, unshakable—like a paper fan in the rain, it conceals its edge but is also ready to kill.

　Some people might ask after hearing this: "Is his surname really Gojo? Is it the Gojo clan that was beheaded?"

　In reality, there was indeed a branch of the Gojo family among Sugawara no Michizane's descendants, and they did play a role in the field of sorcery. Akutami Gege was indeed very good at getting caught up in strange details.

　After all, not every sorcerer with the surname Gojo will be beheaded.

　"and then?"

　Gojo Masamichi squinted his eyes and looked ahead at the looming Lingshan old house. The house was hazy like a ghost in the rain and fog.

　"How many people died?"

　There was no fear in his eyes, only a hint of contempt and boredom.

　The assistant immediately reported, "It's not a shocking number. There are five Zhiding, three Yin Yang students, and one external investigator."

　"Enough."

　He spoke in a low voice, but the five Yin-Yang assistants accompanying him all looked solemn.

　The Shiyao family's ancestral home sat at the end of a secluded mountain valley, shaded by ancient pines, cypresses, and wild medicinal herbs. Shrouded in mist and rain, only rows of houses, their roofs covered in moss, could be seen winding along the mountainside.

　If one is not in the know, no one would ever connect this secluded house in the mountains with the refining of medicinal poisons and living transformation.

　The closer they got, the more eerie the demon exorcists felt.

　"The main house is ahead."

　A Yin-Yang student approached to clear the way and reported at the same time.

　However, just as his boots touched the bluestone floor, everyone suddenly heard a strange "click" sound under their feet.

　In an instant, clumps of insects, wriggling like mud, emerged from the broken bluestone slabs. Their red skin flashed, and as if a mechanism had been activated, they exploded in mid-air.

　Bang!Bang!Bang!

　A series of explosions followed, and minced flesh and goo flew everywhere, instantly poisoning the demon exorcist who was exploring the path ahead and falling to the ground! The protective amulet on his body was corroded and emitted black smoke!

　"Big earthworm. You guys back off."

　Gojo Yadao said in a deep voice, and waved the fan in his hand, gently blowing up a strong wind, and the air blade struck and split several red insects in half.

　These things, as thick as a grown man's arm and shaped like long ropes, continued to writhe even after their slime-covered bodies were cut in half, even attempting to launch further attacks. So terrifying!

　"The Shiyao family buried these demonic insects in the front courtyard and even altered the earth veins. This was set up in advance, waiting to be triggered when we come to search."

　He looked at the pile of curious meat, fanning himself gently, his eyes as calm as a mirror.

　These earthworm-shaped monsters are often encountered in places like sewers. While their strength is no more than that of a minor demon, their sheer numbers and reproductive capacity are truly formidable. While they lay eggs, they can reproduce sexually or asexually through fission and parasitism. Furthermore, they can employ various methods to overcome reproductive barriers, regardless of whether their prey is from the same or different species. Even a single individual can multiply in the blink of an eye. While ordinary Yin-Yang creatures can be instantly defeated, they are no match for their sheer numbers and their ability to launch surprise attacks.

　Once entangled, they will not only spit out

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　The mysterious paralyzing fluid that dissolves clothes will also penetrate all the holes on the body, and then deliver a whole set of breathtaking combination punches, from nerve-stimulating touch to ah█ ...

　"Do you want to change the route?"

　The assistant asked urgently.

　“The same goes for changing routes.”

　Gojo Masamichi spoke in a flat tone.

　He looked up at the eaves of the main house not far away. A curious round insect the size of an eyeball was trembling slightly. It was obvious that the Shiyao family had noticed the changes here.

　"It's inconvenient to delay any longer. Prepare the 'Acala Fire Mantra'."

　He spoke softly, his voice not loud, but the words were like a heavy hammer hitting him in the rain.

　Hearing the three words "Fire Realm Curse", the four Yin-Yang students behind him immediately drew out the talismans from their arms and stood in the four directions of east, south, west and north, forming a pentagram array surrounding the five lines.

　They are practical demon-killers employed by the state. Even the lowest-ranking civil servants in the Onmyoji Bureau move in unison without a trace of hesitation.

　"I pay homage to all Tathagatas, and to all the words spoken by the Buddhas."

　Wu Tiao Yadao stood in the center of the formation, slowly raised the folding fan in his hand, and flicked his fingertips. A series of folded talismans scattered into the air, automatically unfolding like lotus flowers, and then a ray of spiritual flame like the scorching sun rose up.

　"May the wrathful deity destroy all obstacles with his supreme wrath."

　The sound of the incantation echoed in the mountains, stirring up layers of spiritual energy ripples. A circle of golden-red fire patterns outlined by the incantation extended from the feet of the Five Elegant Paths, instantly connecting the four positions of the formation to form a blazing flame.

　The four Yin-Yang students each opened their mouths and exhaled a breath of true energy, which was then injected into the talisman in their hands. They chanted in unison: "Swallow! Swallow! Burn all difficulties!"

　The talismans immediately rose from their hands, flew into the air and spun, connecting with each other to form a blazing fire barrier.

　Gojo Yadao narrowed his eyes, formed a seal with his right hand, and suddenly slashed out with a palm -

　"Hum! Duh! Ha! Si (May this mantra be accomplished)!"

　A blazing white arc of light immediately exploded!

　A hand, a huge arm formed by red lotus flames, suddenly rushed out from the formation. Indistinctly, one could see the angry eyes of Acala, which turned into a raging storm of fire that burned everything. All the evil insects and poisonous poisons hiding under the bluestone slabs in the front yard were burned to death in the flames, their body fluids evaporated, and their corpses turned into slag!

　"Squeak-"

　Screams, not human, yet remarkably human, emanated from the depths of the earth, a mix of laughter and tears, heartbreaking. A multitude of demonic insects leaped from the ground, attempting to escape the fire realm. However, as soon as they emerged, they were devoured by the fire lotus, reduced to charcoal.

　From the front yard of the main house to the main gate, in just a dozen seconds, the ground was already covered with charcoal scorch marks, as if it were a pure land swept by the wrath of the Ming King.

　Even after the flames died down, the air still lingered with the stench of heat and the burnt corpses of poisonous insects.

　"keep going."

　Gojo Masamichi spoke in a normal tone, put away the folding fan that was dissipating the remaining heat, and gently adjusted the sleeves of his kori.

　In front, the door of the Shiyao family's main house slowly opened after being burned by flames.

　——Click, click.