I'm a demon in Tokyo!

Chapter 181 The craftsman is... a Zashiki-warashi?! Affection level up, Mountain Whale King - 3.5 stars (6.4k
The night was deeper.

Finally, the approaching dark clouds swallowed the silver moon from the sky, leaving behind a thick, impenetrable darkness that blanketed the earth.

Not to mention, Goro the Whale, carrying a torch, had already left.

But this had no effect on Uesugi Tetsuya, who, with the Hannya mask around his waist, saw the night as if it were day.

After using his internal energy to quickly remove the dust from the room, he had Imagawa Yoshimoto sit on the dry bamboo mat.

This room is more like a small storage room than a living room, so there is no distinction between earthen walls and earthen rooms, nor is there a kang (heated brick bed) for cooking.

The girl is removing her armor.

Even in the darkness, Imagawa Yoshimoto was able to use his past experience to remove the complex worldly tools he wore one by one and neatly place them aside.

After removing the heavy kimono, the cotton-padded silk sleeves underneath were revealed to keep out the cold.

The small sleeves are designed to prevent direct friction between the feet and the skin, so the body is covered very tightly and snugly.

Therefore, the curve is obvious.

However, Yoshimoto Imagawa didn't care about any of that. Anyway, at this point, even she needed to put her palm in front of her nose to see clearly.

"Lord Yiyuan, please get some rest."

Uesugi Tetsu took off his large priest's robe and handed the edge of the sleeve to Imagawa Yoshimoto.

He stood up and said, "I'll go out for a walk to check things out, just in case something unexpected happens."

"Thank you for your hard work, Che-jun."

After responding, Imagawa Yoshimoto pulled on his still-warm robe and covered himself with it.

—The concept of "quilt" did not exist during the Warring States period, so most people took off their everyday clothes and covered themselves with them when they slept.

—It was not uncommon for retainers to take off their warm clothing and give it to their lord.

Uesugi Tetsu didn't say much, but simply walked out the door so that Imagawa Yoshimoto could hear him.

Then I held my breath and controlled my steps, not letting myself make even the slightest sound.

In less than half an hour, Uesugi Tetsuya, who moves extremely fast, circled around the village of Yamajima twice.

Apart from a few watchmen carrying torches, including Goro Kujira, no other unusual circumstances were found.

However, the defenses of Shanjing Village are quite complete, probably thanks to the presence of "Shanjing Mountain" not far away.

It was for this reason that Goro Kujira said they were able to defeat the few sick and suffering relatives.

Uesugi Tetsu quietly returned to the door of the small house.

But they found that Imagawa Yoshimoto was still tossing and turning on the straw mat, making a rustling sound as his robe rubbed against the mat.

The girl's eyes were still open, and she seemed lost in thought, showing no signs of sleepiness whatsoever.

"Lord Yiyuan, are you still awake?"

!

Uesugi Tetsu could clearly see the girl wrapped in his robe suddenly tremble, and even the worried expression on her small face froze for a moment.

However, after only a moment, she let out a soft sigh with a slightly annoyed expression.

Only then did he realize that he had come here quietly.

His sudden outburst probably startled Imagawa Yoshimoto.

But Uesugi Tetsu did not apologize, because Imagawa Yoshimoto seemed unaware that he could see clearly in the dark.

He simply sat cross-legged on the outside of Imagawa Yoshimoto.
"Lord Yiyuan, go to sleep now. The pressure will only increase every day... It will take at least a month to get rid of the illness and the great demon."

Uesugi Tetsu said, "So it's important to ensure good sleep quality so that you can conserve your energy and face these powerful enemies."

He leaned against the wall, preparing to close his eyes for a short nap—spending so much time with Ririko always taught him a thing or two about her sleep techniques.

In this situation, a sleeping method that allows you to hear the wind and grass is suitable.

Imagawa Yoshimoto responded with a "Okay".

But when Uesugi Tetsu turned his head to look, he found that she hadn't closed her eyes at all; she had just stopped rolling around.

After a long while, he saw Imagawa Yoshimoto open his mouth slightly and murmur in a barely audible voice,
"Che-jun... I feel a little guilty."

Although she said this, her expression did not change at all; she remained cold, aloof, and unapproachable.

Only those eyes were filled with regret.

"Why did I fail to save so many of my people...? Why didn't I take this to heart sooner..."

"Would things have been better if I had taken it more seriously earlier?"

"If I had listened to your advice immediately, would fewer people have died?"

Imagawa Yoshimoto regrets it.

But she wouldn't say such things in front of anyone; she could only tell them to herself in the pitch-black night.

Because Imagawa Yoshimoto was always arrogant, confident, and perfectionist.

Uesugi Tetsu stared at those disappointed eyes for a moment, then softly said, "Although I really want to comfort you by saying yes."

"But Lord Yiyuan, now that things have come to this, regret and remorse cannot save anyone."

When Uesugi Tetsu saw the girl's face, she immediately showed a surprised expression, as if she was surprised that he was still awake and had heard such a vague murmur.

He continued, "The only thing we can do now is to figure out the purpose of those demons as soon as possible, and then exorcise their followers one by one, so that we can tell the people of the Three Rivers Kingdom that you have arrived."

Finally, all those great demons and the suffering of disease will be slain.

"Yes, that's the only way."

Imagawa Yoshimoto held his fist out in front of him and clenched it silently: "I'm sorry... Che-kun, for complaining to you so much."

"It doesn't matter."

Uesugi Tetsu touched the trembling hilt of his sword and replied,

"I will become the sword and blade in your hand, cutting down all those evil spirits and monsters that dare to cause trouble."

He heard Imagawa Yoshimoto chuckle.

So pleasant.

"That sounds really reliable."

The girl, feeling suffocated by the current situation in Mikawa Province, pursed her lips, curled into a ball, and wrapped the priest's robe even tighter.
"Then I'll have to trouble you even more from now on."

Uesugi Tetsuya withdrew his gaze and closed his eyes.
"My pleasure."

Nothing more was said that night.

The next morning.

The sounds of rustling conversations and footsteps could be heard from all over the village of Mountain Whale; a rough count suggested there were at least a hundred different places.

Just as Uesugi Tetsuya, who had been feigning sleep, opened the half-closed wooden door, he saw Kujira Goro approaching from a short distance away, bowing respectfully to him.

"Lord Che, we will be leaving the village today and heading towards the country of Totomi."

As Uesugi Tetsu looked around, all he saw were villagers carrying their belongings in cloth bags.

The villagers of Shanjing Village do whatever they are told, and the long-term high pressure they are under has indeed made them very efficient.

"Do you have any amulets or other small items?" Uesugi Tetsu asked.

Goro was taken aback at first, but he didn't ask any further questions. Instead, he nodded and said, "Yes, sir, yes!"

The village chief took out several roughly made amulets from his cloth bag—he was going to give them to some of the children.

Uesugi Tetsuya took the amulet and, after a few deep breaths, infused it with a small amount of lightning power.
"I have already blessed these amulets. In case of emergency, just throw them at the demons, and it will be no problem to kill the weak demons."

He returned it to Goro Kujira: "Consider it payment for sheltering us for one night and providing information."

Goro lowered his head and, upon seeing the amulet in his hand emitting tiny sparks of lightning, seemingly emanating a righteous aura, quickly bowed.
"Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!"

“It’s just a matter of mutual benefit, no need for thanks.” Uesugi Tetsu turned around and left with these words, “We’re leaving now too… Good luck, Village Chief Kujira.”

Goro Kujira, however, maintained his ninety-degree bow and spoke loudly,

"—Whale Goro, I will never forget your kindness today!"

……

After saying goodbye to Goro Kujira, Tetsuya Uesugi waited for Yoshimoto Imagawa, who was dressed in full protective gear inside the house.

He took out a convenience store rice ball from his storage backpack, unpacked it, heated it briefly with his internal energy, and then handed it to the other person.

"This is quite delicious."

Imagawa Yoshimoto took a bite of the soft, chewy seaweed-smoked salmon rice ball and his eyes widened slightly.

"If Lord Yiyuan wants to eat, there are still plenty left."

Uesugi Tetsu figured that the sauce for rice balls probably couldn't be made in this era, so he attributed it to his non-existent hometown: "This is a specialty from my hometown."

After finishing her meal, the girl patted her lower abdomen and said, slightly embarrassed,

"Then, let's have one more."

After a quick breakfast, the two mounted their horses and left Shanjing Village, where a large crowd was flowing out from the other side.

Imagawa Yoshimoto turned around, a hint of doubt in his eyes, and asked, "Why are some villagers still not leaving?"

“Perhaps it’s because of the attachment to one’s homeland and the fear of the unknown.” Uesugi Tetsu opened the map and checked it again. “If people could live a stable life forever, how many would want to venture into the unknown?”

Imagawa Yoshimoto responded and silently noted down what he had said.

—Chejun, you always manage to utter such philosophical sentences.

No strange demons suddenly appeared at this moment, and the group from Mountain Whale Village left safely.

Following the map, Uesugi Tetsuya and his companion arrived at the edge of Mount Sanjiu, where they had to dismount and tie their horses to the foot of the mountain.

Because this mountain, Whale Mountain, is not only surrounded by mist, but also has extremely rugged roads just by looking at the outermost edge.

If they encounter demons along the way, both horses could perish if they are not careful.

Although it hadn't been long since they parted, Uesugi Tetsu was already missing the presence of the two-foot-tall man.

Without saying much, the two stepped into the mountains.

As predicted, there were no mountain whales—that is, wild boars—in the mountains of the mountain whales.

—Regarding the issue of this form of address, Imagawa Yoshimoto had already discussed it with Uesugi Tetsu when they first entered the mountains.

Moreover, not only were there no mountain whales, but the entire mountain was almost devoid of the chirping of insects and the calls of birds. Since Uesugi Tetsu had entered, he had not seen a single living creature.

It was eerily quiet.

The sound of him snapping a tree branch could be heard for more than ten meters.

As the saying goes, something unusual must be a sign of trouble, so Uesugi Tetsu felt that the probability of the Celestial Craftsman living in this quiet mountain was quite high.

Without saying much or making a sound, the two continued upwards along the rugged and steep natural path.

More than an hour later, Uesugi Tetsuya suddenly stopped and clenched the small hand in his hand—it was a normal thing to do to prevent them from getting separated in the thick fog and having an accident.

Imagawa Yoshimoto looked at him.

Uesugi Tetsu held his breath and listened intently.

Because he could already hear the faint, continuous sound of hammering.

Uesugi Tetsu couldn't help but smirk slightly: "The destination should be at the very top."

He pulled Imagawa Yoshimoto upstairs.

Before long, a somewhat dilapidated temple came into view of Imagawa Yoshimoto.

This must be the legendary location of the Heavenly Craftsman that the blacksmith of Junfu City and Chejun mentioned.

She raised her fingers and clenched her fists twice more.

Uesugi Tetsu nodded knowingly.

But just as he took a step, Uesugi Tetsuya stopped abruptly again.

He slowly turned his gaze, meeting the pair of enormous, car headlight-like crimson eyes that shrouded the thick fog.

……

Meanwhile, the two-foot-tall man, who had been lost for a long time, finally used the thermal imaging device he had conjured to spot the army that was resting at noon in the mountains.

"Thank goodness." She patted her chest, thinking that she was lucky to have only been a few hours late and hadn't made a big mistake.

Otherwise, she wouldn't know how to explain it to Lord Che.

—But who can blame them when these two mountains and these two official roads look almost exactly the same!
When the Second Master went to the other side but found nothing, he was suspicious for a long time, wondering if the army led by Okabe Motonobu could travel hundreds of miles a day and arrive at Mikawa overnight.

"That's right."

The two-foot-tall man found the main camp, put down the thermal imaging device, and then manipulated the levitation board to slowly descend, finally crashing down from the sky.

With a thud, it landed in the center of the main formation.

Soon, it aroused the vigilance of the Red Armor Bannermen who were guarding the main camp and patrolling.

Swish swish!
Before the two-foot-tall man could speak, the neatly arranged spear tips were already aimed at her.

Only a few warriors have ever seen a two-foot-tall man.

"Uh……"

The man with the two feet quickly raised his hands and shouted in a clear voice, "Brothers, don't kill me! I am the shikigami of Onmyoji Che! I'm here to deliver a message to Lord Okabe!"

But the moment the words "Onmyoji Che" were uttered, the hatamoto began to look at each other in bewilderment, and the tips of their spears moved up slightly.

After all, the fact that this girl in the white dress inexplicably fell from the sky is indeed something that only legendary shikigami can do.

But the flag bearers still did not let their guard down.

The squad leader, his body surging with inner energy, narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Then you stay here and don't move. I'll go call..."

"Little boss, you're only two feet tall!"

Before the squad leader could finish speaking, a cheerful voice came from a nearby corner.

The squad leader was slightly taken aback, but didn't say anything more.

Because he could clearly hear that it was the voice of the boy who led Okabe-sama's horse.

Moreover, Okabe-sama was very kind to him, suggesting that he held a high position.

Within two seconds, Shiraishi's little head emerged from the encirclement of the Red Armored Bannermen, its big eyes blinking as it looked around.
"Where's the boss? Has the boss arrived yet?"

Upon hearing this, the squad leader immediately raised his hand and said, "Put down your weapons and go do what you're supposed to do."

The flag bearers put away their weapons, said nothing more, and continued to perform their duties.

The squad leader smiled upon seeing this—if he didn't send these colleagues away, his chances of contacting that person would be greatly reduced!
He also sheathed his katana and quickly turned his eyes, trying to find Uesugi Tetsuya's presence.

"—Hey? Where's the boss, Little Two-Foot Boss?"

In front of the two-foot-tall man, two identical white stones were speaking in the same tone.

Wow... when did this little guy learn to create clones?
Moreover, there is absolutely no difference.

Erchi-sama shook his head: "I was sent by Lord Che to deliver a message alone. Shiraishi, quickly bring me to Lord Okabe."

"Ugh……"

Before her eyes, two white stones sighed together, then shattered with a crack and vanished as phantoms.

Suddenly, Erchi Daren felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and saw Bai Shi, who had a worried look on his face, beckoning to her and walking towards a tent.

The two-foot-tall man blinked.

She seemed completely unaware of the footsteps approaching from behind.

The girl gazed at Shiraishi as he swaggered off, and smiled.

This little rascal is working very hard!

The squad leader, who was standing not far away and kept turning his gaze around but dared not listen to their conversation, became more and more puzzled.

—Even the shikigami have appeared, so where is that great onmyoji? Why didn't he show up?
Main business is in front of the tent.

Shiraishi was stopped by two hatamoto.

He explained for a while, but Hatakemoto ignored him, letting the noise of the unruly child go in one ear and out the other.

So Baishi stood at the door with his hands raised, jumping up and down anxiously: "I already said! I have something urgent to report!"

Hatamoto, whose face was covered in armor, replied coldly, "Lord Okabe is conducting a sand table exercise and outsiders are not allowed to disturb him."

Shiraishi was going crazy: "Waaaaah! You two!"

But the two-foot-tall man who came from behind ignored the two bannermen and barged into the tent as if he couldn't see them at all.

"Be bold!"

The expressions on the two flag bearers' faces changed drastically, then they froze on the spot at the sound of the cold voice coming from inside the tent, cold sweat instantly soaking their backs.
"—Didn't I say that during the sand table simulation, no one should be allowed into the camp?"

Okabe Motonobu, whose thoughts had been interrupted, turned his gaze and saw a completely unexpected figure.

Che's shikigami?

She narrowed her eyes, suppressing her anger for the time being, and wanted to ask a question.

But Lord Erchi was faster, pulling a crumpled letter from his robes: "It's an urgent letter from Lord Imagawa!"

The displeasure and indifference on Okabe Motonobu's face immediately vanished.

She strode over, carefully took the letter from the two-foot-tall man's hand, and quickly but meticulously scanned it.

Then, he stood there in a daze.

A full minute later, Okabe Motonobu frowned deeply and muttered to himself, "Could such a thing really exist in this world?"

She nodded to the two-foot-tall man, then shouted outside.

"Summon all generals and officers of the rank of Attendant General and above!"

"Now! Immediately!"

……

——【Mountain Whale King (3.5 stars)】.

A huge notification with a hint of red popped up.

Three and a half stars?

Uesugi Tetsu released his grip and placed his palm on the hilt of Kaga Kiyomitsu's sword, but did not draw it immediately.

He called out loudly, "Your Excellency King of the Mountain Whales, I mean no harm."

This Mountain Whale King was arguably the strongest demon he had encountered since arriving in the Warring States period.

It's so easy to encounter monsters of a higher rank than those on the map... It seems that high-star monsters appearing in hidden maps are indeed not uncommon.

The color of the label above his head was different from the other high-star prompts he had seen before.

The tags on characters like Love and Separation, and the Ten Hatchlings Night Walker at the time, were blood red, while the Mountain Whale King, which was also a three-and-a-half-star character, only had a slight red tinge.

It looks big, but it's not very scary.

After a brief silence, a deep, halting voice with a thick accent broke the sound of hammering and slowly emerged from the thick fog.

"I've warned you several times."

After these words, Uesugi Tetsu felt a gaze, like a high beam, sweep over him warily several times, and then he felt the fierce killing intent around him gradually subside.

The Mountain Whale King said calmly, "Since you have nothing to do with that disgusting fellow, leave quickly."

Disgusting guy?
Uesugi Tetsu guessed, "You mean that guy who spreads plague-infected demons everywhere?"

A loud hissing sound rang out.

"It seems you humans have encountered those things before," the Mountain Whale King said in a deep voice. "Alright, I have little interest in you. Let's go down the mountain."

"Going down the mountain now is probably not a good idea."

Uesugi Tetsu cupped his hands in greeting: "I have come here to find the master craftsman in that temple who forges weapons. I hope the Mountain Whale King will grant my request..."

"roll!!!"

As if a sore spot had been touched, the Mountain Whale King roared, even temporarily dispelling the thick fog around it.

Then, the enormous body, as tall as a small mountain and two or three stories high, came into view.

The Mountain Whale King was over ten meters tall when it stood up, its two pale, winding fangs gleaming coldly, and its body covered with countless scars of all sizes.

It lowered its head, coldly looking down at the insignificant humans in comparison.

Uesugi Tetsu tapped the hilt of his sword.

—It's good that the Mountain Whale King has intelligence and consciousness, but it's not good if it gets in my way.

But considering its three-and-a-half-star rating and the possibility of it becoming an ally in the fight against disease, it wouldn't hurt to say a few more words.

He patiently explained, “The source of that plague and monster is called ‘sickness and suffering.’ If left unchecked, everything on this mountain will wither and die within a month.”

I came to Sanhe to deal with that illness.

With that, Uesugi Tetsu extended an invitation to the Mountain Whale King: "I wonder if you, sir, can understand this simple principle and lend me a hand?"

"It can be used to deal with the plague demon."

The mountain whale king, who had lived for an unknown amount of time, opened its mouth to reply, but before Uesugi Tetsuya could even exhale, it emphasized,
"But Master Tiangong will not let you see him!"

Master Tiangong...

Uesugi Tetsu tilted his head, sensing a deeper connection between them.

But that's not important.

The important thing is that the wild boar still tried to stop him despite being warned.

"So it seems we can't reach an agreement?"

Uesugi Tetsu calmly drew his sword, pale blood dripping from the tip, drawing the wary gaze of the Mountain Whale King.

"Human, if you sheathe your swords and step back now, we can still discuss cooperation."

It spoke in a cold voice, the sound waves echoing through the mountains, lingering for a long time.
"If not..."

Before it could finish speaking, Uesugi Tetsu felt fierce gazes coming from the surrounding mist.

With a casual glance, he could see rows of notifications for "Mountain Whale" popping up.

Although most of them are half-star and one-star, such a number is indeed not to be underestimated in the mountains.

Uesugi Tetsu shook his head, his body radiating blinding lightning: "Really, you don't know what's good for you."

Imagawa Yoshimoto remained silent, and drew his own twin swords.

"My little ones..."

Just as the Mountain Whale King was about to speak, the sound of hammering suddenly disappeared completely.

The next moment, a loud voice came from the dilapidated temple.

"--stop!"

Uesugi Tetsu raised an eyebrow, finding the voice surprisingly familiar.

Strange things.

Upon hearing this voice, the Mountain Whale King's fierce expression immediately softened, even becoming ingratiating.

It ignored Uesugi Tetsuya and the other person, and knelt down in the direction of the dilapidated temple, bowing its head deeply, and said in a trembling voice,
"Master Tiangong...it's been a long time!"

But the voice ignored it, instead filled with doubt and disbelief.
"Mr. Prajna?"

Mr. Prajna?

Who would call themselves that?

Uesugi Tetsuya was stunned. He first looked at the Hannya mask at his waist, which had changed its appearance, and then looked in the direction of the sound.

Then, behind the threshold of that dilapidated temple, I saw a face that was both familiar and somewhat unfamiliar, but which, in any case, should absolutely not be there.

is her?

But how is that possible?

Uesugi Tetsuya sheathed his sword and remained silent for a long time. Finally, he gazed at her intently and tentatively replied,

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

(End of this chapter)