I'm a demon in Tokyo!

Chapter 189 The upgrade materials for the Hundred-Eyed Demon, the power of the demon god, crushes a three-and-a-half-star! The Master of Bodhidharma!

The midday sun was intense, yet Yoshida Castle was as quiet as night.

Like a ghost realm.

A faint stench of decay permeated the city's streets and alleys, seeping into every resident's home through every crack and crevice.

The market, which should have been bustling with activity at this time, was almost deserted – and even those that were open were only two or three shops selling daily necessities, with the receptionists looking listless.

Because of the epidemic.

Several days ago, after those strange and terrifying demons appeared in Yoshida Castle.

Diseases of all sizes and with varying symptoms, whose causes, prevention, and treatments are unknown, begin to spread rapidly, like ink dropped into clear water.

Even just some of the common, recognizable diseases include herpes, which causes pustules all over the body and high fever, and measles, which makes children cough violently day and night...

There was also dysentery, and even edema, a disease that shouldn't have appeared in the city.

It is foreseeable that after a large number of residents die from the disease, the resulting epidemic and other events will trigger a series of even more terrible chain reactions.

The faint stench of decay that permeates the city today is a harbinger of something.

Although most people in Yoshida Castle have contracted at least one disease, the number of people who have died from it is not high.

This is not because people contracted diseases that are not high-risk, but because suffering deliberately reduces the mortality rate of these diseases.

Of course, this is not an act of kindness born out of illness and suffering.

Because what the suffering of the sick seeks is "illness" and "everything that arises from illness," not swathes of "death."

On the contrary, if people die too quickly, it would contradict the purpose of suffering.

It didn't matter much for sparsely populated villages; they let the families have their fun as they pleased...

However, if the mortality rate in a densely populated city rises to a certain level, the number of deaths will explode exponentially.

The Bitter Bound and the Scabies Master have been strictly controlling the mortality rate these past few days, which is also an important reason why they did not intervene when they occasionally saw Dharma saving people.

But the residents of Yoshida Castle were unaware of these things.

All they knew was that they, their families, and everyone they knew were slowly moving toward death.

Oppressive, deathly silent, despairing.

The same atmosphere permeated the Matsudaira household, which was guarded by a large group of family members.

Apart from the samurai who had mastered the Qi circulation and thus retained some health, even the direct descendants of the Matsudaira family were not immune to the disease.

Under the pandemic, all beings are equal.

"Lord Honda... are we just going to sit here and wait to die, watching Yoshida Castle and the entire Matsudaira family perish?"

If Lord Motoyasu were here, he certainly wouldn't want to see this scene!

In a side room of the Matsudaira family's residence, after the two men, who had been bound and tied up, left, a young man wearing a robe with the Matsudaira family crest spoke in a hoarse voice.

Across from the young man, Honda Tadakatsu, holding a coughing, flushed-faced boy, glanced at him indifferently.
"Now that you've drawn your sword and rushed out of this door, what should you do after you've killed these few remaining monsters?"

He countered, "Are we going to our deaths?"

The young man's face contorted as he tried to retort, but after gripping the hilt of the knife at his waist for a long time, he couldn't utter a single word.

Because... what Lord Honda said is true.

Even if we kill the hundreds of demons guarding the Matsudaira family, what difference will it make?

Inside and outside this city, there are tens of thousands of terrifying monsters, some even more powerful than Lord Honda.

But he was unwilling...

Boom!

Rumble!
Just as the young man was thinking this, a deafening thunderclap suddenly came from outside.

The young man paused for a moment, then turned his gaze, along with Honda Tadakatsu, toward the wide-open window.

And so the young man witnessed a scene he would never forget.

Above the bright, azure sky, a vast expanse of dark clouds, seemingly alive, was surging—but in an instant, they were annihilated and swallowed up by a winding, roaring thunder dragon.

The lightning, a bluish-purple hue, pierced his eyes even from a distance of over a thousand meters.

Amidst the thunderous roar, Honda Tadakatsu's father, one of the future Four Heavenly Kings of the Tokugawa clan.

The man who currently holds power in the Matsudaira family and has been resisting the infiltration and erosion of the Imagawa family revealed an indescribable smile amidst his astonishment.

Honda Tadataka murmured.
"Such thunder... It's Che, it's the great Onmyoji Che who has arrived."

It wasn't just him, and it wasn't just the Matsudaira family.

At this moment, countless people in Yoshida Castle, suffering from the plague, raised their heads and saw the winding, roaring lightning.

The widely circulated rumors and reputation had taken effect, causing most people who witnessed the scene to murmur involuntarily.
“Che”.

"The legendary great Onmyoji, Che."

"Now, only he can rid the demon and save Yoshida Castle."

……

“By taking all the civilians in Yoshida Castle hostage and having the half-dead birds spread this message to that Onmyoji, we can put immense pressure on him.”

A sinister smile stretched across the face of the scabies shop owner, which was covered in festering sores.
"It wouldn't be impossible to make the Onmyoji surrender and kill him without lifting a finger."

Bodhidharma listened quietly until the end.

He took a step forward and said calmly, "This humble monk will not stop the two benefactors... After all, this is a novel thing that I have never seen before, and it is beneficial to my cultivation."

"As long as the two benefactors believe it can be done and will be effective, that is enough."

Bodhidharma spoke indifferently to his two ailing relatives behind him.

Bodhidharma was never concerned about such trivial matters.

How are the people in Yoshida Castle faring? How many have lived and how many have died? Has the purpose of suffering been achieved? What are the consequences of doing as He instructed?

Bodhidharma never cared about these trivial matters.

He only cares about what he thinks and sees.

For example, rescuing those on the verge of death from the epidemic and observing their physical and mental changes; or giving a meal to a pregnant woman in despair and receiving gratitude.

It could be saving someone, killing someone, or saving someone and then killing them...

These are the kinds of things right before Bodhidharma's eyes, and that is what he cares about.

Because these are all worldly experiences, a part of his self-improvement and spiritual cultivation.

Next, the scabies master spoke quite a bit more beside Bodhidharma.

The monk, who appeared dull and dressed in poverty, listened silently until the moment the scabies vendor stopped speaking, then nodded.

"Then let us do as you two benefactors suggest."

The scabies shop owner couldn't help but reveal a sinister smile, bowed to Bodhidharma, and left.

Kuva continued to follow Bodhidharma in silence.

As he walked, he would notify the half-dead birds waiting around, and then have them notify the swarm of Vision Insects and other usable companions to prepare.

The group of demons slowly made their way towards the west gate of Yoshida Castle.

……

"Lord Yiyuan, you and Lord Jingsan will have to wait here for a while."

Uesugi Tetsuya also did not mount his horse. He stood at the foot of the Mountain Whale King and looked up, saying, "Because the number and strength of the enemy are unknown, I am not absolutely certain that I can protect you."

Imagawa Yoshimoto pressed down hard with his hand on the hilt of his sword, but kept his eyes closed without changing his expression.
"That's how it should be."

Uesugi Tetsu nodded: "At that time, please wait until I have exorcised all the demons in Yoshida Castle before I come back to fetch you, Lord Yoshimoto."

After saying that, Uesugi Tetsuya, having finished putting on his gear, turned around and walked alone toward Yoshida Castle.

“Che-jun”.

Uesugi Tetsuya paused slightly, turned around, and saw Imagawa Yoshimoto bowing his head deeply.
"May your military fortune flourish."

He didn't reply, but simply swayed his hips and took a step.

Ten minutes later.

Uesugi Tetsu, who had already reached the wide open space in front of Yoshida Castle, silently looked up and saw the flock of half-dead birds constantly pouring out of the castle.

The pale white and black feathers intertwined, spiraling up into the sky before quickly dispersing.

It seems they learned their lesson from the earlier annihilation of a large number of their troops by the Thunder.

Uesugi Tetsu twitched his nose slightly, catching a strong smell of despair and decay emanating from within the city.

Wait, a feeling of despair...?
Uesugi Tetsuya was slightly taken aback—so the "qi" in spirit control techniques also includes this?
Before he could think any further, the rather simple gate of Yoshida Castle opened right in front of him.

His family members, suffering from illness, opened the door on their own initiative, which was somewhat unexpected.

The next moment, a dense swarm of insects, each the size of a baby's fist and with scarlet compound eyes, surged out like a tide.

But this did not frighten Uesugi Tetsuya; instead, it made his eyes light up.

Because these sick and suffering creatures with huge compound eyes, probably called "vision worms," ​​are likely one of the materials that Hyakume-ki marked on the "map"!
Unexpectedly, these vision-stealing insects actually came to him on their own.

That's really something, it came to me without any effort at all!

As for the abilities of these visual insects, they are insignificant—they can only interfere with a person's mind, thereby distorting the target's visual perception.

But how strong is Uesugi Tetsu's mind?
Not only is it protected by the skill and the remnant heart, making it immune to most control and charm effects, but it has even reached the state of clarity and stillness, and is about to forge its own heart embryo.

Such a realm is beyond the influence of these tiny insects.

Because Uesugi Tetsuya's gaze was entirely focused on the swarm of Vision Insects, he didn't even notice Kubu and Scabbard Monk who were slowly strolling out of the city gate.

Only after the surging crowd of relatives dispersed, clearing a wide path in the middle, did Uesugi Tetsu turn his gaze back to the present.

Among the densely packed small prompts, three large prompts stood out.

——【Bound by Suffering (Three Stars)】.

——【Scabies Master (3.5 stars)】.

——【Wooden Fish Daruma (Two and a Half Stars)】.

The color of the Bitter Bond is slightly darker than that of the Karmic Illness Elder, but they are about the same. The name of the Three-and-a-Half Star Scabies Master is stained bright red, which is the most dangerous warning he has seen since arriving in the Warring States period.

Finally...

Uesugi Tetsu narrowed his eyes in confusion, gazing at the monk with an emotionless, wooden expression who was walking in the very center of all the family members.

What the heck is this "wooden fish daruma"?

Isn't this a Buddhist tsukumogami (神物)?

It seems that this wooden fish dharma is not under mind control—and there is no need to control it at only two and a half stars.

So why would he mingle with these sick and suffering relatives?
Furthermore, the color of the characters "木鱼" (wooden fish) in "木鱼达摩" (wooden fish Dharma) has become very light, as if it is about to disappear.

These subtle anomalies tugged at Uesugi Tetsu's heartstrings.

But he immediately dismissed these superfluous thoughts.

Because at this point, none of that matters anymore.

Since we're already with the sick and suffering, and since we've become hostile demons, there's no need to say anything more.

Slay, exorcise, annihilate... it doesn't matter what words you use, just turn these bastards into ashes.

Uesugi Tetsu looked around ahead.

Half-dead bird, vision insect, miasma demon, rotten beak, translucent swollen creature filled with turbid pus, and a few more unrecognizable retinues.

With such a large number, it would be difficult to deal with them if they maintained their four-tailed fox form.

Because Uesugi Tetsu had already expended too much spiritual energy on that lightning strike.

Even while maintaining its four-tailed fox form, it could only unleash some insignificant lightning.

Thinking this, Uesugi Tetsu reached for the ferocious and menacing white Hannya mask that had been dangling at his waist for a long, long time.

"Gah—! Great Onmyoji Che, listen up—!"

In the sky, the hoarse cries of the half-dead bird made him pause for a moment.

Uesugi Tetsu heard hundreds of half-dead birds say to him in unison, "The people of this city, this Yoshida Castle, have all been infected with the disease!"

He was puzzled at first, but when the half-dead birds uttered their next sentence, Uesugi Tetsuya suddenly realized.

"If we insist on resisting, the seeds of the plague will all break out!"
Even if you slaughter us all, you will only gain a dead city!

"But if you surrender now, we will withdraw from Yoshida Castle within ten days, giving you a chance to survive!"

The half-dead birds repeated the above words over and over, spreading throughout the city, to every household, and to the ears of everyone still awake. Countless scarlet gazes fell upon him, as if awaiting his decision, or as if the gaze itself brought an invisible, heavy pressure.

As the half-dead birds recounted their story, just as Bodhidharma was about to say something, he saw Uesugi Tetsuya, a hundred meters away, take off his white robe and then remove a Prajna mask from his waist.

Then, it was slowly applied to his handsome face.

Click.

The mask is fastened.

Transformation – Demon Incarnation: White Prajna!

In an instant, a chilling, majestic, and mysterious aura emanated from the Onmyoji Che, making Daruma feel a chill run down his spine.

In the sky, the half-dead birds' words faltered.

Instead, the half-dead birds began to subconsciously look away, but due to orders, they did not count the conflicting commands to look back.

The swarm of Visionary Insects also began to stir, some of which had even activated their abilities on Uesugi Tetsuya before dying alone from the backlash.

"spirits……"

Ku Fu slowly opened his mouth, and a look of shock appeared in his cloudy eyes beneath the yellow and white cloth.

His voice trembled slightly: "I have traveled the world with Your Majesty, but I have only seen such an aura in ghosts and gods."

The owner of the scabies shop also sensed this aura, but he forced a dismissive attitude, saying, "How could a mere human possibly be associated with mysterious and unpredictable ghosts and gods?"

"In my opinion, it's just a tiger in disguise." The scabies master sneered. "We've seen the little tricks of Onmyoji before."

At this moment, Ku Fu said softly, "But what if he isn't?"

"The spiritual energy between heaven and earth is extremely thin, and the Yin-Yang Masters among humans are nothing more than playing tricks... I have never heard of the rise of a great Yin-Yang Master who can control thunder before."

This great Onmyoji seems to have sprung up from the ground; isn't that strange?

After Ku Fu finished speaking, the scabies master finally met the gaze of Shiro Hannya, whose face was cold and stern, and who had already drawn the pale blade from his waist.
"You mean, that great Onmyoji Che is a demon disguised as a human?"

Under the influence of this aura, Ku Fu felt his body stiffen considerably: "He might have lived for hundreds of years."

"But if Ruoche is a demon, why would he assist that human named Imagawa Yoshimoto..."

At this point, even the strongest scabies master couldn't help but have second thoughts.

Ghosts and gods.

That is a terrifying existence that even the most esteemed monarch must show some deference to.

Ku Fu shook his head: "How could we possibly fathom the thoughts and ideas of ghosts and gods?"

"Alright, both of you."

Bodhidharma spoke calmly.

"The enemy hasn't even attacked yet, they've just changed their clothes, and yet you two are already so terrified?"

He stared calmly at Shiro Hannya, who remained silent but had raised her blade towards them.
"The ailing benefactor instructed the two to capture Yoshida Castle, while Che wants to reclaim it. Does this mean he's destined to fight that person to the death?"

"That's right..."

"Then why are you still hesitating and negotiating?" Damo asked, puzzled. "Do you think that Che will show mercy because of your hesitation and fear?"

“Master Bodhidharma, you have never seen ghosts or spirits, you don’t understand…”

Ku Fu watched as the pale area continued to expand, now almost reaching their feet.

Bodhidharma slowly said, "This humble monk only knows that if the two benefactors approach the battle with this kind of mentality, the outcome is self-evident."

"All right!"

Kubo trembled violently as he stepped into Kaga Kiyomitsu's domain of sorrowful farewell.

Amidst the intense burning sounds, Ku Fu hoarsely said, "Master Jiefang, let me go up and negotiate first before we proceed..."

"No, no need."

Uesugi Tetsuya's indifferent voice rang out.

The roar of lightning and the howling of wind followed, turning a large number of Vision Burrowers not far away into dust.

A pale blade of light emerged from the upper right to the lower left on the incredibly resilient body of the Bitter Bound, cleaving his remaining words and body in two.

Intense heat, a pale color, invisible fire, and indigo lightning all rapidly spread from the wound, completely engulfing the Bitter Bond who had not yet finished speaking.

Natural Rinpoche Style - Second Stage (Lower)!

Uesugi Tetsuya, who hadn't expected the first kill to be so easy, frowned in confusion.

He thought it was a trap.

Because how could any demon, having clearly noticed the realm of the sorrow of parting, still step into it?
I don't understand.

However, a dead demon is a good demon.

Just as Uesugi Tetsu was about to retreat to avoid being surrounded, he was shocked to find that his physique had suddenly increased by a large margin!

I'm afraid it's as much as a quarter!
The White Fear actually worked?
And the effect is so good?
Uesugi Tetsuya was truly confused now.

Although it is true that many of these sick relatives are intelligent, they are numerous and powerful, and with a three-and-a-half-star scabies master leading the charge, what reason is there to be afraid?
"Never mind, it's all good news."

Hakuhannya grinned gleefully, raising the equally excited and trembling Kaga Kiyomitsu towards the nearby Scabies Master: "What, aren't you going to attack?"

Damn it...

In an instant, the intensely vital force of the Bitter Bond was reduced to nothingness. Could it be a genuine ghost or deity?

The owner of the scabies shop had a ferocious expression, but his heart was filled with the desire to retreat.

Then let alone him alone, even if you include all the families in the city, it probably wouldn't be enough to fight... Wait, aren't there still so many hostages in the city?

Suppressing his fear, the scabies shop owner said grimly, "Che, if you make another move, all the residents of the city will be infected with the plague. If they are infected..."

Without a second thought, Uesugi Tetsu nodded: "Oh, then all of you can die."

The scabies shop owner's face froze.

incredible.

"Do you think you'll let Yoshida Castle go if I kneel down and surrender?"

Is there any reason in the world to turn down meat that's been delivered right to your mouth?

Bai Banruo revealed a mocking smile: "Since everyone in the city is going to die anyway, why don't I choose to avenge them and comfort their souls in the afterlife?"

The circulation of his inner energy suddenly expanded, repelling the half-dead bird that was trying to obscure his vision, as well as the pus that filled the sky.

Feeling the gentle swaying of the lake within his heart, Uesugi Tetsu extended his five fingers.

Azure lightning bolts burst forth like thousands of threads, bypassing the scabies master and hurtling towards the swarm of insects.

In that instant, Hyakume's urgent notification popped up, only to be quickly hidden by Uesugi Tetsu.

"So you're also a demon with a powerful physical body."

Uesugi Tetsuya chuckled as he saw the scabies lord who had simply conjured an iron pestle from nothingness.

"That makes things easier..."

"Che! Don't think that just because you're like a ghost or a god, I'll be afraid of you!"

The scabies master roared, stomping his foot into the ground, creating a crack that stretched for dozens of meters, and then transformed into several phantoms as he rushed forward.

Uesugi Tetsu stood still, slightly turning his body so that the iron pestle could only scratch his skin, further enhancing his physique.

"Your anger is clearly disordered."

With a flick of his wrist, amidst Kaga Kiyomitsu's cheerful shriek, the blade pierced deep into the scabbard's steel-like back.

Naturally Soothing Flow - Toothbrush!
The four layers of aftershock damage erupted instantly at the wound, causing the scabies master to groan.

But that's all.

He instantly realized what was happening and roared at the sky, "Damn it! You're not some kind of ghost or god! You're not!"

"I have never claimed to be any kind of ghost or god..."

Uesugi Tetsu raised an eyebrow, and the long-accumulated sorrow of separation surged up like a tide, enveloping the scabies master.

boom!
The solid iron pestle, its surface corroded away, smashed through the pale waves, revealing the scabies lord's scarlet, furious eyes.

"Damn it... damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it!"

As the scabies master continued to mutter angrily, the iron pestle hurtled towards Uesugi Tetsuya like an iron-colored missile.

The force of this strike was so great that it created a pure white shockwave in the atmosphere!
If it hits, let alone the circulation of Qi, even Uesugi Tetsuya himself would probably be scattered into a large area.

However, the Uesugi Tetsuya who remained in the same spot was merely a lifelike phantom.

The three straight sword beams unleashed by Kaga Kiyomitsu merged halfway through their trajectory, piercing through the most resilient part of the scabies master's heart.

"I told you long ago, your qi is too disordered."

Uesugi Tetsu's indifferent voice came through.

The demon's eyes were as cold as his face.
"I thought this would be a tough battle with all our might, but unfortunately..."

Unfortunately, this rare testing stone was tainted by too many unnecessary emotions during the battle, making it even less valuable than a stubborn rock.

With his body already ravaged into a mass of flesh, the scabies master struggled to turn around, his face twitching as he let out a final roar and swung the iron pestle with all his might once more.

boom!
The protective energy circulation around Uesugi Tetsuya's body shattered under this terrifying force, and even the lower half of the mask, along with a small portion of his face, exploded into bloody foam, dissipating into the air.

The pain, which was unbearable for ordinary people, continued to torment Uesugi Tetsu's consciousness along his nerves.

That's enough for now.

Having already calculated the distance, Uesugi Tetsuya drew his blade expressionlessly only after receiving confirmation from Kaga Kiyomitsu through the buzzing sound in his heartstrings.

[You have killed the Sickly Companion - Bound by Suffering (3-star), gaining 552 Soul Ashes!]

[You have killed the ailing and suffering scabies master (3.5 stars), and gained 711 Soul Ashes!]

[You used Kaga Kiyomitsu: Blade of Parting to slay the Bitter Bond, Scabbard Lord. Kaga Kiyomitsu's quality has been moderately improved!]

[Your skill, Five Thunder Method: Qi Combination Proficiency +194!]

[Your skill, Natural Rational Flow proficiency +84! ]

He didn't even glance at the heavily collapsed scabies shop owner before shifting his gaze away from the faint bloodstains.

The gaze was directed at the wooden fish daruma, who remained standing there watching everything unfold without showing any emotion, like a detached observer who seemed indifferent to the situation.

Even the sick and suffering relatives around him began to flee or scatter, but Bodhidharma remained motionless.

He only has two and a half stars.

Uesugi Tetsu could finish him off with a single slash.

While using the Five Thunder Technique to hunt down the sick and suffering relatives around him, Uesugi Tetsu asked indifferently, "Daruma, aren't you going to run?"

"Why run?"

Just moments ago, Bodhidharma was protected by a group of demons, but now he was all alone. He clasped his hands together and said, "Does this mean that if I just start running, I can outrun Benefactor Che?"

The taciturn monk stared calmly at Uesugi Tetsuya, showing no fear.

Whether it is about Prajna or about death.

“Every drink and every bite, every life and death, every movement and every stillness, are all forms of cultivation, all are predetermined.”

Bodhidharma asked with a hint of curiosity,

"Moreover, isn't death also a completely new form of spiritual practice?"

This demon is really strange...

If he were to swing his sword now, wouldn't he unleash a hidden boss?
Uesugi Tetsuya felt the violent, surging, and tranquilly flowing lightning within him, almost bursting forth from his body, and he grinned.

"So what if it's a hidden boss?"

Uesugi Tetsu took a deep breath, focused his energy and spirit, and adjusted himself to his best state.

Then, he assumed the three-stage thrusting stance before Bodhidharma, who was still calmly watching him.
Even a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit, let alone when facing this confident and unknown demon.

With each breath, Kaga Kiyomitsu merged with the sunlight falling from the heavens, flowing towards Daruma!

Pong!
The intended kill was not completed.

Instead, a perfectly smooth wooden fish flew out from Bodhidharma's robe, landing precisely in the path of the blade and blocking the attack for him.

"Do not."

An old, deep voice emerged from the cracks in the broken wooden fish, growing louder and louder.

The wooden fish vibrated violently, emitting a rumbling sound powerful enough to make an ordinary person bleed from all seven orifices.
"Dharma—for the sake of your master, and for the sake of the Demon Guide Association, you must escape!"

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(End of this chapter)