Dragon Tribulation of All Realms

Chapter 388 The Promised Guide

Wu Chen chose the Takeda faction.

On this land, the Takeda were merely powerful in an ordinary and mediocre way—yes, this force did indeed possess high-caliber generals and abundant troops. However, the problem was that what they possessed was power limited to humans.

There are no powerful monsters, and no ancient treasures.

There were no demons helping them, nor were they involved with the ancient monsters or gods of Jepan.

They are just mortals, nothing more than mortals.

Even Takeda Shingen, the commander, was already plagued by illness at this point, or perhaps even dead. Only his massive red armor remained, serving as the banner of the force to maintain unwavering morale.

The lower limit was actually quite low, and the upper limit wasn't very high either. Wu Chen's choice even elicited a sneer from the white whale. Then, the sneer turned into a suspicious look.

What are you planning? What are you scheming?

It posed a question, but Wu Chen remained silent. Chess was about winning and losing, not about teaching or answering questions. He simply extended his hand to his opponent, indicating that he could place his piece.

The beluga whale let out a low, dissatisfied growl.

But in the end, it obediently devoted its strength, pushed the piece it had chosen, and moved forward.

........................

The war has begun.

The conflict on the land of Jepan erupted in a way that caught everyone off guard. No one knew that rumors of the Shimazu family colluding with monsters would suddenly spread across the land. Similarly, no one understood why news like 'Takeda Shingen is dead, and what lives on is merely a suit of armor' was circulating.

No one believed it until someone verified it. When the ninja on a mission returned to Iga, the land of ninjas, with the information that 'the Shimazu people have indeed colluded with demons,' the Mori forces closest to the Shimazu immediately mustered their troops and deployed them to the battlefield.

This was a correct decision, forcing the Shimazu clan's composite monster force to launch a surprise attack on the Mori's fiefdom without adequate preparation. A fierce battle ensued outside the city walls, leaving behind a large number of corpses and causing even more deaths. Two of the four fiefdoms held by the Mori forces were subsequently captured.

The composite monster army did indeed demonstrate formidable power in conquering territories. However, before they could successfully defeat the Mori, or even carve a path through Mori territory to the heart of Jepan, they were halted by the Mori forces' desperate resistance.

The arquebusier support force from Tanegashima arrived first. Meanwhile, the Akashi family, who had always been subservient to the Mori clan, were unexpectedly exposed to information about ancient biological weapons hidden within their territory. The former was obtained by the Mori at great expense, while the latter was acquired through coercion. Ultimately, these two powerful new forces enabled them to successfully resist the Shimazu's composite monster army.

The initial advantage can only achieve so much. The pieces laid out by the white whale cannot have a significant impact on this land. It is therefore powerless and enraged, only able to inflict greater casualties on the Shimazu faction's army. This is how the strength of those monsters is increased until enough sacrifices are accumulated, allowing the yet-to-awaken Demon King to join the battlefield.

It was held back.

However, the situation was similar for Wu Chen—the rumors thwarted the Shimazu's ambitions, but also exposed the Takeda's secrets. Even though the Takeda clan took the initiative and inflicted considerable casualties on their neighboring countries and their most direct rival, the Uesugi forces, the internal stability was successfully shattered when rumors erupted within their territory. The Hojo clan, which had always maintained a defensive stance, launched a propaganda offensive to the east of Takeda, inciting the unsuspecting lower-ranking Takeda members to demand an audience with their leader, Shingen.

As a result, Takeda failed to conquer Uesugi's fiefdom. Their situation was worse than that of the Shimazu.

At least the Shimazu have gained something, turning the initial four provinces into the current six. However, the initial two provinces held by the Takeda remain unchanged.

The white whale smiled. It continued to maneuver its pieces, influencing Jepan in other ways. The Akashi family, stripped of their treasure, was gradually filled with resentment, a desire to rebel against the Mori. Meanwhile, on the other side, Tanegashima, facing sudden economic problems, was considering raising its hiring rates. [You can't win.]

As it spoke, it carefully observed the battlefield on Wu Chen's side. Although the Takeda forces, manipulated by Wu Chen, were using various superior tactics to drive Uesugi and Hojo back one after another, this side, whose weakness had been exploited, had never been able to successfully conquer even a single fiefdom of the opposing forces.

It relaxed a little as a result.

Wu Chen completely ignored it.

Because Wu Chen's Origin Theory interferes with this land. And within the Origin Theory, all sacrifices will be rewarded.

A request has been triggered.

..............................

"I agree to be your guide."

The innkeeper of the "Rock Candy" inn, named Horikawa Nami, widened her eyes slightly. She didn't know why she was in this strangely familiar place. She only remembered that she seemed to have made a promise, that she had agreed to a request. And the result was that she suddenly appeared in this familiar land.

What... what was the request again?

She straightened her clothes; her exquisite red kimono remained untouched by the dust and sand on the ground. What came into view appeared to be an unfamiliar fiefdom belonging to the Tokugawa shogunate. And within this country, tanuki (raccoon dogs) roamed freely.

She remembered.

“I want to...be Mr. Dust’s guide.”

The voice spoke.

Above the sky, the chess pieces were still being placed in Wu Chen's hands. However, the moment Horikawa Nami spoke, an inconspicuous shadow belonging to him silently appeared on the chessboard.

He didn't break the rules, because the origin of this commission dates back to the time when Leah was punished. It was something that should have been done long ago and was meant to be done. And this matter wouldn't be hindered by Wu Chen's theory of origins.

"You remembered, Nami."

Wu Chen's shadow transformed into Wu Chen's appearance. He wore a cloak, preventing the world from seeing his face.

"I entrust you with being my guide in Jepan, and in return, I offer you your safety and a place to stay," Wu Chen said, sensing the power that his vessel could unleash. The white whale's gaze had been deceived, and the area he could manipulate was quite large.

“I understand…” Nami didn’t raise any questions, but nodded slightly. “So, Mr. Dust, where do you plan to begin your journey through Jepan?”

“Of course, we’ll start here.” Wu Chen smiled gently. “As far as I know, the Tokugawa family has been taken over by tanuki, and almost all of the original family members have been killed. However, there is still one princess of the Tokugawa family who is still alive, and she is being imprisoned in the dungeon.”

"How about we visit her as our first stop?"

(End of this chapter)