I planted a sacred tree in Tokyo.

Chapter 310 The Director's Knife
"Master Monzaemon, why are our heads so pointy?"

In the courtyard of the Hanakain family, a talisman containing a soul is found inside an open chest cavity; among the 'Onmyoji' wearing identical puppet heads, someone couldn't help but step forward, cautiously asking questions as the puppet's jaw opened and closed.

“Your heads have been smashed.”

The white-haired, white-bearded 'puppet master' interrupted him with a blank expression.

"I can only offer a makeshift solution: you'll have to figure out the appearance issue yourselves."

".All right,"

The several 'puppet onmyoji' were helpless.
Their heads were damaged by 'Oda Nobunaga', it's already a miracle that their bodies were brought back.

Since this master craftsman wasn't interested in giving them 'refined' facial features, then:
"Contact a mask manufacturing company and have them make us a face."

With today's technology, 3D masks have reached a point where they are indistinguishable from real people; by hiring a professional company to make a mask or headgear, one can look exactly like they did in life.

"You should test the Yin-Yang technique first to see if it can still be used normally."

Ryuji Hanakain interrupted the guys' boring discussion, saying, "Does appearance really matter that much?"
In this era, the most important thing is power!

"Yes, Lord Long Er."

Possessing their puppet-like bodies, the Onmyoji stopped worrying about their heads and began chanting incantations and forming hand seals:
"Spirit Spell: Wall Coating!"

"Spirit Spell: Lantern Light!"

"Summoning Technique: Zashiki-warashi"

As each 'traditional' shikigami was summoned, they first looked around in confusion, and then immediately moved closer to their respective masters.

They all have identical bare wooden puppet heads on their surface, but the different 'spiritual power' within these Onmyoji is all too familiar to the 'Shikigami'.

It's the master, that's right!

"My work is finished."

After packing up his wooden crate and tools, the 'puppet maker' Monzaemon prepared to leave.
"Use this body with care; if it's damaged, you'll have to replace the parts."

"And, your strength will hardly improve in the future: cultivation and combat can only enhance the strength of your spiritual body, and human puppets will eventually become a burden."

After giving his instructions, the 'puppet master' pushed open the door and left, ignoring the pleas and thanks from those behind him.

"Such a body"

The dozen or so Onmyoji familiarized themselves with their 'own' bodies while discussing what would happen next.

"Hearing and vision are almost exactly the same as when she was alive,"

"However, the senses of touch and smell are weakened, and the sense of taste is completely lost;"

"Now that my physical strength is fixed, how can I become stronger?"

"A poisoned katana embedded in the arm?"

"I think we should just go for a machine gun."

"Um,"

Just as a group of 'human puppet' Onmyoji were discussing the future, Yu, the head of the family, shook his head slightly.

"This technology for modifying corpses."

It still challenges people's psychological and physiological endurance.

Compared to 'human puppets', forging seems quite normal: although both are about creating weapons of mass destruction.

Thinking this, Yu pressed his fingers to his temples, his thoughts instantly falling on another 'shadow clone': recently he had been researching the secret techniques of the 'Mountain Clan' to link his own thoughts with those of the shadow clone, so that he could know what was happening anywhere at any time.

In a sense, it can be considered a low-end version of 'incarnation'; one can truly grasp the situation in the island nation and the world without leaving home.

His attention was now focused on the extraordinary swordsmith who called himself "Daodaozhai".

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Mount Fuji,
As the temperature drops, snowflakes have begun to fall here.

That's right, Mount Fuji starts to snow from mid-September to October every year and doesn't stop until May of the following year.

During this time, the mountaintop will display different colors due to the effects of the sun and clouds, such as 'Diamond Fuji', 'Pearl Fuji', and 'Red Fuji', bringing endless surprises and beauty to people.

However, Mount Fuji is a place that can only be viewed from afar and not seen up close.

Because it snows for most of the year, it's a completely white expanse; and in July and August, when you can climb up, you can only see basalt rocks of all sizes, completely barren and devoid of any birds or animals, so it can be said that there is no 'aesthetic appeal' whatsoever.

That's why island nations have the proverb, "Climb Mount Fuji once in your life": Under normal circumstances, you'll never come a second time!

"Ok?"

Walking again on the mountain path that had begun to accumulate snow,
Director Zhu Ya, dressed in a thin suit, looked up at the mountaintop and adjusted her non-prescription glasses.

"Is there still 'Kasagumo' (clouds over Mount Fuji) at this time of year?"

A huge, disc-shaped cloud hangs over the summit of Mount Fuji; from a distance, it looks like a 'hat,' hence its name. However, although the cloud appears still, the wind is actually very strong, making climbing a mountain extremely dangerous.

Of course, with Director Takeya's strength, the wind that could shake him was enough to blow countless rocks off Mount Fuji.

"Oh, this isn't a cloud."

Maya Kawai, who was leading the way, began to introduce...
"This is the smoke exhaled by that old gentleman 'Daodaozhai'."

Kawai Mai is in charge of supernatural affairs in the Mount Fuji area: ordinary people are completely unaware of this, but how could the supernatural community, especially the supernatural beings in Tokyo, not know about the Kengan Association's newcomer, the famous 'Shura'?
That bandaged man, with the 'decapitation sword' in his hand, has already become a Tiger-level powerhouse!
It's something that makes others envious.
It is important to know that many extraordinary individuals emerged victorious during the bloody battle at Mount Koya;
Whether it's the samurai class, the Extraordinary Countermeasures Division, or the Self-Defense Forces Army, the majority of them have only just reached Wolf-level.

That bastard became a Tiger-level expert in just one or two months thanks to his extraordinary sword. How could those in the know not be envious, jealous, and hateful?
Since then, many extraordinary individuals have attempted to secretly ascend Mount Fuji and commission 'Totosai' to forge an extraordinary sword for them—these individuals were naturally all stopped by the Extraordinary Countermeasures Department.

It has thousands of extraordinary individuals.
The Countermeasures Department, comprised of hundreds of Wolf-level Superhumans who have mastered the 'Uranium Light Wave Fist', is not something that just anyone can ignore.

"Smoke?"

Director Zhu Ya shook her head, imagining the old man puffing out smoke and soaring into the clouds.

"let's go."

He came here today to ask 'Daodaozhai' for a sword.

"You want me to forge a knife for you?"

Beside the giant volcano, after listening to the request of Director Zhuya, who was kneeling on the ground;
Holding a pipe and puffing out smoke, the wisps of smoke condensing and expanding into a giant canopy-like cloud in the sky, 'Daodaozhai' tilted his head, glanced up and down at Director Zhuya, and exhaled two puffs of smoke from his nostrils.

"Just you?"

Not far away, Mayi, who was also kneeling amidst the rubble, pursed her lips.
That's right~~
Director, you're a high-ranking cabinet official, how could you possibly have anything to do with 'swordsmen'?
The fact that the person didn't turn hostile on the spot when he suddenly came to ask for the sword shows his good temper—other powerful demons would have killed him on the spot long ago.

"Exactly,"

Director Zhu Ya placed her hands on her knees, her face serious and focused.

"At the time, I was the Commissioner of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and Minister of Extraordinary Countermeasures; if compared to the official positions of the Heian period, it was roughly equivalent to the 'General of the Imperial Guard'."

"In order to protect the precarious island nation, I have no choice but to don my armor and go into battle."

"Please, sir, do not hesitate to bestow your gift—"

After saying that, he bowed deeply, his forehead touching the gravel.

"I see~~"

Daodaosai, who was lying on the rock chair smoking, tapped his pipe and stood up.

"Get up and talk."

"Yes,"

stand up,

Director Zhuya stood respectfully to one side.
We await the decision of this extraordinary swordsmith.

"Given your status, it's not unreasonable to forge a knife for you."

Holding a pipe, he walked around Director Zhuya once; the old knifemaker with a mustache, wearing a blue robe, barefoot and bent over, nodded slightly.

"I've also just gotten into the mood, so let's start forging a sword!" After saying that, 'Totosai' didn't waste any more words. He tucked his pipe into his belt and reached out to grab the crater at the summit of Mount Fuji.

"Come--"

As he contracted his five fingers
In the massive crater, the lava that had been quietly radiating heat suddenly began to churn!
As if grabbed by an invisible hand, a large amount of crimson magma shot into the sky; then, as it fell, it continuously gathered, contracted, and was tempered, finally falling into the hands of the old man in the green robe.

Even though tens or hundreds of tons of magma surged out, it turned into a rectangular metal block in the hands of 'Daodaozai'.

"Hmm, what should we build?"

As he muttered to himself, the old knifesmith stroked his chin, clutching the lava-like 'iron block' that was about 1.5 meters long and half a meter wide.

"I have——"

As 'Totosai' seemed to have made a decision, he grabbed at the air with his other hand.

A hammer landed in his hand, and he cautiously slammed it down on the 'semi-liquefied' scorching hot iron block.

Ding ding ding ding,

The hammer slammed down on the iron block like a storm!
Each strike triggered a perfectly timed spiritual energy shock, causing a wondrous change in the iron block's material that no modern metallurgical industry could achieve: it wasn't just a simple change in its material; with each strike, strange characters appeared on the molten iron block, as if inscribing a magic array or performing a blessing spell.

Director Zhu Ya and Mayi, who were not far away, witnessed the entire process.

The two held their breath and bowed their heads respectfully; they dared not make any movements or even glance at each other.

This forging method is someone else's secret technique; this "Daodaozhai" makes no attempt to conceal it, but who knows what he's really thinking?

Besides, they wouldn't be able to learn how to use lava to forge iron even if they tried!
Ding ding ding ding,

As the hammer continued to fall...

The 'iron block' formed by the compression of a massive amount of lava gradually took the shape of... well, a blade prototype?

Director Zhuya couldn't help but pause, her eyes glancing at the 'knife' that was about to become hers.

To be fair, this Mr. Daodaozhai has excellent taste.
It can only be described as bizarre!

Leaving aside the decapitation sword, which was practically a door panel, the 'blade blank' that has been forged is no less impressive, looking just like a giant scroll!

Yes, it's a cylindrical scroll: the scroll is partially opened, and this part looks like the 'blade'.

Ah this
As 'his' own knife gradually took shape...

Director Zhu Ya didn't care about avoiding the topic; she looked up, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopped herself.

"What? Don't like it?"

With the physical construction complete, 'Daodaozhai' extended his fingers and began to write and draw on the crimson 'blade,' outlining the shapes of talismans.

"No, no, no, it's just... this knife is too..."

Just as Director Zhuya was at a loss for words, 'Daodaozhai' slapped the blade.

"Quenching—"

He uttered a low shout, and a massive amount of spiritual energy, visible to the naked eye, surged into the blade.

The crimson color on the 'knife' vanished rapidly, turning into the color of black iron; the 'blade', like an unfurled scroll, was left with only black and white.

White is the bright silver base color of the 'blade' of this knife; black are the pictures of 'talismans' on it.

Overall, this 'knife' looks exactly like a giant scroll!

The unrolled scroll was covered with:
"Explosion talisman?"

Further away, Kawai Mai blurted out the words without thinking, then quickly covered her mouth with the back of her hand.

"That's right, it's an explosion talisman."

He swung his sword, sending up plumes of white mist.

"forming!"

He let the heat dissipate from the longsword and casually tossed it aside.

"take it."

"Thank you,"

Director Zhu Ya immediately raised her hand and caught the long knife, which felt heavy in her hand.

Good weight!

This is a matter of course.
After all, it was meant for superhumans: With a burst of strength in her arms, Director Zhu Ya gripped the 'scroll longsword' tightly in her hand.

"Sir, may I try the knife?"

As 'Totosai' raised his hand to signal him to start smoking, Director Takeya gripped his sword and slashed at the ground beside him.

Pfft

The seemingly heavy longsword fell, easily splitting the rocks on the ground and almost completely disappearing into the earth.

"So sharp!"

Amidst Kawai Mai's surprised exclamation, Director Takeya closed her eyes and sensed the surroundings.

Do not,
It's not just sharp,

"burst!"

boom----

As soon as Director Zhu Ya had a thought, the scroll-shaped longsword in his hand exploded open!

No, it wasn't the 'scroll longsword' that exploded; rather, the 'explosive talisman' on the longsword was activated.

An explosive talisman is as powerful as a hand grenade, and the blade of this long sword is covered with countless layers of talismans: its explosive force is no less than that of a heavy artillery bombardment!
"Hey?"

Facing the whistling debris flying from the explosion, Kawa and Mai braced themselves with their arms outstretched:
"Uranium Light Wave Fist - Powered Armor!"

Ding ding dang dang

The emerging blue-green light shone on the young policewoman.
It covered her with a layer of defense like 'powered armor', which blocked the shotgun attacks.

Director Zhuya, located at the epicenter of the explosion—

"Hahaha, what a fine knife!"

Director Zhu Ya, her suit tattered, her body covered in bruises, and her glasses gone, held a knife in her hand with a look of delight.

This sword can release an "explosive talisman" when infused with "spiritual power": this talisman is a basic creation of the "Onmyoji" family, and is an item carried by formal members of the Kakaiin family and the Isoya family.

Even those Onmyoji families could only discard them one by one.

The knife in his hand can detonate dozens of cards in one go: no prior preparation is needed, no consideration of accuracy is required, all that is needed is to inject spiritual power.

Adding to the slashing damage of this longsword itself, just imagine the scene where an enemy blocks his weapon and is then covered in dozens of explosive talismans at close range—Director Zhuya is overjoyed! And the biggest advantage of this sword is that it doesn't require any special training.

As long as you have enough spiritual energy, you can use it indefinitely!
Director Zhuya may not have much else, but she has plenty of spiritual energy 'trained' through working overtime day and night.

"As expected of Lord 'Totosai', the sword you forged is very suitable for me."

After the joy,

Director Zhu Ya bowed respectfully to the old knife maker to express her gratitude.

"This knife is not just about 'spiritually' summoning explosive talismans; it has even greater abilities waiting for the user to discover."

Daodaozhai waved his hand and began to shoo people away.

"Remember its name—"

"Exploding Blade - Spray!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

P.S.: Wow, what a bull market! One author made 300 million yuan from stocks and just stopped writing. These past few days, the writers' group has been filled with stock market discussions, causing many to take time off work to trade stocks. (Speechless, looking up at the sky)
(End of this chapter)