Female Swordsman Training Dojo

The red dragon, hurtling through the sky, unleashed a massive rolling motion, muttering resentfully, "So, you invited me out here just to avenge your wives?"

Harunobu stood firmly on the dragon's back, his skin as thick as a city wall: "Hmm...you can think of this as a side trip or a picnic?"

King Arthur turned his head and opened his ferocious dragon mouth towards Qingxin, from which a tiny but absolutely scorching flame spewed out: "If you hadn't just done me a great favor, I would have breathed a dragon's breath on you and killed you right now."

It was clear that King Arthur did not like Harunobu's suggestion.

This is understandable, though. Any woman who accepts a date invitation from a man only to find out it's just for another… group of women would inevitably feel angry. King Arthur's attitude was remarkably restrained, fully demonstrating her noble character as a knight-errant.

At least she didn't abandon Haruno or simply cancel the date.

Of course, this is largely due to the fact that Harunobu explained the details immediately after the invitation was successful. King Arthur could tolerate a little emotional issues and misunderstandings, but he never accepted deception.

However, all of that is in the past now. Harunobu and the Red Dragon have reached a consensus, but that doesn't stop the Red Dragon from verbally attacking Harunobu, this bastard who has defiled the hearts of young girls.

However, King Arthur's aggression was still too low. Not only did he not use any foul language, but even his sarcastic remarks seemed perfectly justifiable, and they couldn't hurt Harunobu's thick-skinned face that he had been honed over time.

Harunobu even shamelessly added: "Then what do you think about calling it a commemorative trip and public announcement of our first collaboration, something worth remembering?"

This was the first time the Red Dragon had encountered such a shameless creature. Her noble chivalry prevented her from uttering any profanities, so she could only sharpen her fangs and use her dragon instincts to intimidate: "Oh? Is that so? You mean you deliberately dragged me out here so that all the local powers would consider me one of your comrades? Is that something I should remember?"

"We're friends, aren't we?" Harunobu said calmly.

The red dragon breathed two streams of fire from its nostrils, offering no rebuttal but instead asking, "Really? Then why don't you try to pursue me again? Is that a kind of polite rejection?"

Harunobu no longer hides his scumbag nature and looks up at the sky: "Humans usually start by getting to know each other as friends."

The red dragon finally managed to display a perfect mocking expression, and its laughter was deafening.

The noise made Izanami roll her eyes.

She truly admired these two people. They had clearly explained everything from the beginning and reached a consensus, yet they kept managing to keep talking about this issue throughout the journey, which was incredibly frustrating to watch.

Especially this Arthur, who's clearly a dragon, yet so rule-bound. Couldn't he just go for it and beat Haruno to his knees, showing his strength and power? Forget about winning or losing; if King Arthur was fighting Haruno with that intention, Izanami believes Haruno would definitely lose, and lose quickly—after all, he needs to prepare for the next battle.

King Arthur was unaware of Izanami's inner turmoil, and even if he had, he wouldn't have cared. Her main reason for agreeing to the pilgrimage and supporting Harunobu was to repay his kindness, help the girls she was close to, and help eradicate the man-eating monsters.

That's right, that's all!

After all, just as Harunobu said, those monsters dared to attack his wife! They're no ordinary monsters! We must strike hard!!!

The crimson dragon, in high spirits, flapped its wings and accelerated once more—

"We've arrived!"

Qingxin quickly called out to the red dragon, which was flying off into the distance. A swirling black mist spread out, blocking the incoming spells and bullets.

The monsters below had already spotted the enormous creature in the sky and launched the first attack.

"As expected of the demons of Mount Ooe, they are truly warlike."

Qingxin waved away the black mist and looked down at the large number of evil spirits with skin colors that were red, blue, green, cyan, and even purple and gold, marveling at the sight.

Upon seeing such a colossal creature as the Red Dragon, their first reaction wasn't to flee or warn, but to launch an attack. Qingxin didn't know whether to praise their bravery or scold them for being foolish. But that was fine; it saved him the trouble of continuing his verbal sparring with the Red Dragon Queen.

The Red Dragon Queen, already humiliated in front of Seishin, roared and swooped down to the top of the lush trees of Mt. Ōe. The intense air pressure from her rapid flight snapped off the tops of many trees, and her cold, violent dragon might brought the demons within range. But before the demons could even feel the mysterious power of the West, scorching flames rained down from the sky!

The Red Dragon Queen's furious breath nearly solidified, its temperature so high that even Qingxin, standing on the dragon's back, felt the heat, let alone the mere group of patrolling demons. Wherever the flames touched, whether they were red demons, water demons, wind demons, rock demons, or gold demons... they all eventually turned into dead.

What was once a picturesque and beautiful mountain forest was transformed into a scorching wasteland covered in lava after the Red Dragon Queen's breath attack ended.

"As expected, the dragon is really handsome, isn't it, Xiao Yi?" Qingxin clapped his hands excitedly, spewing out words of praise, "Powerful, fit, handsome, a creature born at the top of the food chain, truly..."

Harunobu's genuine expression made the Red Dragon Queen slightly raise her head, two bright streams of fire shooting from her nostrils, giving her a rather smug look… Thinking this, Izanami suddenly felt a bit amused and exasperated. It seemed she had truly been spoiled a bit by Harunobu, by her husband. Otherwise, how could she possibly see such a human-like sense of smugness in a dragon whose entire being was brimming with ferocity and killing intent?

Chapter 508

Normally, when she sees such a ferocious beast, she would only be on guard and would not think about such things at all—just like those evil spirits that she treats as if they were facing a formidable enemy.

Izanami suppressed the sentimental side that Harunobu had gradually cultivated and unearthed, and the Mother of the Underworld looked coldly and mercilessly at the demons that emerged from the void.

Chapter 473: Unleash Your Potential, Shuten-dōji! (3K)

When Shuten-dōji discovered he had been attacked, he didn't believe it was Taira no Harunobu, because he clearly saw that the attacker on Mount Ōe was a red dragon, a Western monster. This kind of situation was not uncommon since the Tokugawa Shogunate was forced to open the country; Westerners oppressed the Japanese, and Western monsters tried to imitate them.

But Shuten-dōji was no weakling. What red dragon? Just a giant winged lizard! He might not dare say that elsewhere, but on Mount Ōe, he was—

Before Shuten-dōji could finish his boastful words, Izanami's signature corrupting power appeared in the detection spell's image, along with the figure of Taira no Harunobu.

"..."

Grand pronouncements turned into silence.

A single red dragon was enough to put Shuten-dōji on high alert, let alone adding Hiraharunobu and Izanami? It would be fine if his army of gods and humans were already built, but the problem is that even the one he uses is only in its infancy!

How can we fight this? This is impossible!

But if he doesn't fight, how can he continue as the Demon King? Will he still be able to use the title of Shuten-dōji?

Feeling the gazes cast upon him by his subordinates, and savoring the diverse emotions within them, Shuten-dōji still picked up his demon staff and stood up from his throne: "Ibaraki, the household is in your hands now."

He is the king of the demons; even if he dies, he will die standing!

The three-meter-tall demon king walked out of the main hall step by step, entered the void, and appeared on Mount Ooe, which had been scorched into a magma wasteland by dragon breath. Dense demonic energy appeared with him, forming a stalemate with the chaotic and corrupting power, preventing Izanami's unparalleled killing spree.

"This generation's Shuten-dōji? But where are your Four Heavenly Kings?"

Izanami's cold eyes flashed with murderous intent as she unabashedly prepared her spell.

The Demon King Shuten-dōji straightened his back, looked up at Hirahara Harunobu and Izanami who were still standing on the red dragon, and said calmly, "I didn't expect you to come so quickly, Hirahara Harunobu. I thought you were busy fighting against Amaterasu and couldn't spare any time."

If it weren't for this judgment, he would have been a fool to provoke Hiraharu.

Harunobu looked at Shuten-dōji: "I didn't expect this matter to spread so far. But compared to Amaterasu, my disciples are of course more important. I thought you were instigated by someone to come and cause me trouble, but now it seems that it was just your own initiative?"

"You are too strong and too willful, and your weaknesses are too obvious, so we will definitely try to find your weaknesses; unfortunately, your weaknesses are also stronger than those of the useless people under my command. I really don't know how you trained so many strong people."

"You've got some guts, huh?" Qingxin nodded casually, jumping down from the red dragon's head. "Then, come on up and face your death!"

The atmosphere, which had just softened, was replaced by a chilling stillness. Izanami, clutching her half-finished spell, warily watched the demons around her. Although they were just small fry, the worst thing in battle was underestimating the enemy, and the Mother of the Underworld wouldn't make such a basic mistake, especially when the one facing her directly was her only love.

The Red Dragon Queen also lowered her head, intently watching the human and demon who had closed to within ten meters of each other. The over three-meter-tall Shuten-dōji wielded a gold-inlaid iron staff with barbs at both ends, a sight that sent chills down one's spine. Coupled with his towering stature, he was practically a demon king reborn.

While Harunobu's height of nearly two meters was already among the top in the human class, he still appeared slightly inferior to Shuten-dōji. His not-so-sturdy build looked even more frail next to Shuten-dōji, whose fists were bigger than casserole dishes; his thin katana looked even more vulnerable compared to the iron rod. By all accounts, he was the weaker party.

Even the most naive and innocent demons on the scene could see that their king, the invincible Shuten-dōji, was at a disadvantage in terms of momentum.

Taira no Harunobu didn't even draw his sword; he simply rested one hand on the hilt and strolled forward leisurely. Shuten-dōji, on the other hand, gripped his staff with both hands, his body slightly hunched, displaying extreme vigilance, like a rabbit ready to flee at the slightest disturbance.

"Hmm, I acknowledge your courage, Shuten-dōji; now, let me see your strength."

The word "ba" had barely left his lips when a thunderous sound echoed from the sky, which had been darkened by the smoke from the raging flames of the burning mountain... No, that's not right, it didn't come from the sky, but from right in front of him!

Shuten-dōji thrust his demon-golden staff forward, aiming directly at Harunobu's chest. Even though it was a hasty attack, Shuten-dōji had been preparing with all his might before the battle even began. If this strike landed on Harunobu, it would surely pierce right through his flesh and blood!

So Harunobu bent over and leaned back, avoiding the sudden thrust of the stick, and at the same time summoned a strong wind—the back-animation canceled steel flash!

Having mastered the Eight Leaves One Blade Style: Gale and the Wind Control Sword Technique, Harunobu no longer needs to attack twice before summoning the small tornado.

Shuten-dōji, attempting to give chase, collided head-on with the tornado. His powerful physique allowed him to avoid being knocked away, but he was still inevitably injured and, more importantly, slowed down. However, when his demon golden staff fell again, Harunobu had already regained his standing posture, observing Shuten-dōji with great interest.

"They actually figured it out. Looks like I was a bit too complacent. I've gotten a little too arrogant lately."

After saying that, Harunobu did not wait for Shuten-dōji's reply and once again assumed the stance for the Iaijutsu.

Shuten-dōji nervously put away his staff, preparing to regroup. Having deliberately gathered information on Taira no Harunobu, he knew very well that Harunobu's strongest skill was Iaijutsu, and that he had initially made a name for himself through Iaijutsu! Therefore, when he saw Harunobu adopt this stance, he was already on high alert.

Just as he was about to regain his footing, Harunobu rushed in front of him.

Thunder Breathing - First Form: Thunderclap Flash!

Like a bolt of lightning tearing through the sky, Harunobu appeared before Shuten-dōji, stepping on thunder, and swung Tenpūmaru from its sheath. At that moment, Shuten-dōji's exceptional reflexes and dynamic vision, honed through countless battles, seemed to merge into one; the life-threatening crisis unleashed his greatest potential!

At that moment, time seemed to stand still.

The silver blade moved slowly through the air, its trajectory towards Shuten-dōji's head so clear and straight. Shuten-dōji's already muscular body bulged in that instant, and his Oni-gold staff, though arriving late, blocked Tenpūmaru's path.

Blocked!

Can fight!

If we add the power of the Demon Realm!!!

Shuten-dōji thought excitedly, his scarlet eyes bloodshot and terrifying.

The next second, Tenpu Maru's scabbard landed on Shuten-dōji's Oni-golden staff, and the two powerful forces collided, producing a loud bang.

Flying Sword Style: Twin Dragon Flash!

"Do not--"

Before the monotonous syllables could even be uttered, Shuten-dōji, unleashing his full power, had already pierced through Harunobu's ordinary scabbard and was about to smash into Harunobu's head.

Life for life!

Shuten-dōji's eyes were filled with mad rage; he was clearly completely out of control and had no regard for life or death.

But Harunobu deftly turned around, dodging Shuten-dōji's club. However, this also caused Thunderclap Flash to drift away from Shuten-dōji's head.

"Interesting, two bursts of power in a row?"

Harunobu shook his head, then assumed a mid-range stance.

"Since that's the case, then I'll use all my strength to deal with you. Feel honored, you demon."

"Roar!!!"

Chapter 509

Shuten-dōji was speechless, only letting out a shrill roar. Then, raising his demon golden club high, he launched his first attack on Harunobu.

During the charge, Shuten-dōji's already robust body grew even larger, his crimson skin being stretched and cracked by his muscles, even creating a cloud of blood mist; a crimson ghost fire ignited at the tip of his demon horn, radiating scorching heat.

In this state, Shuten-dōji truly deserves the title of Demon King.

Harunobu's expression also became more serious. He slightly adjusted the direction of the Tenpu Maru in his hand, and then stepped forward!

He took the initiative to meet Shuten-dōji, who had grown to a height of five meters!

The evil spirits inside and outside the demon realm of Mount Ooe, and all the various beings hidden in the shadows, all focused their attention on the two of them, on the blow that would determine the outcome of the battle!

Then, they felt as if they had seen a dragon.

A divine dragon!

A divine dragon formed from the wind!

Flying Sword Style - Ultimate Technique: Heavenly Soaring Dragon Flash! (Modified!)

Wind Blade - Wind God Dragon!

An invisible yet incredibly sharp divine dragon emerged from the void as Harunobu dropped the Tenka-maru, coiling around the charging Shuten-dōji, binding him tightly, and then biting down on his head!

With a snap, the Wind God Dragon's teeth collided violently with the suddenly appearing transparent barrier. Meanwhile, Shuten-dōji's body gradually became ethereal and vanished from the spot in a flash.

"This must be the Demon Realm?" Harunobu looked at Izanami with no particular surprise and received an affirmative answer.

"Hmm, it must have been someone from within the demon realm who rescued Shuten-dōji. It seems he is indeed quite beloved by his subordinates."

Izanami waved her hand, and a thick black mist immediately surged up, clearing away the dazed demons and monsters.

Then, she looked at Qingxin: "Teacher's College, should we continue?"

After this battle, Mount Ōe's reputation is ruined and its strength severely weakened. The basic deterrent objective has been achieved; the question remains whether Harunobu can accept this outcome.

Qingxin didn't really care, but then he said, "Since we've come all this way, we can't go back empty-handed, can we?"

The Red Dragon Queen nodded in satisfaction. To deal with such cannibalistic monsters, one must eradicate them completely! Mercy is not something these creatures deserve!

However, how will Harunobu break through this demiplane?

He doesn't seem to have that ability, does he? Swordsmanship won't help in this area, and he's not a dragon, so he doesn't have that kind of cheat-like, massive magical power.

The Red Dragon Queen pondered for a moment, then heard Qingxin's voice: "Little Yi! Open the door!"

The author says:

Author's note: Update progress +24~ I'm experiencing writer's block again...

Chapter 474: Unexpected Gain

Izanami slightly raised her hands, and a black mist that blotted out the sky surged towards the spot where the demons had just emerged. The seemingly ordinary space rippled under the impact of the corrupting power, like water being buffeted by a storm.

The Red Dragon Queen fell silent for a moment. Yes, Harunobu didn't have that much magic power, but Izanami did. And the most brutal way to invade a demiplane was to use a massive amount of magic power to impact the connection between the demiplane and the material plane—essentially smashing down the castle gates.