I unleashed a Hundred Demons Parade in the Ninja World

They were streaks of azure light, with a familiar outline: a robust physique, a proud chest, and rugged beast horns...

It seems that the power of the Nether Butterfly not only brought out the last remaining faith in the Giant Deer Statue, but also influenced the Deer People who were obsessed with it.

"I never expected that the person I would see at the end would not be the Deer Man, but you, human."

The voice emanating from the Giant Deer statue was complex, containing surprise, bewilderment, anger, and countless other emotions. But the most palpable quality in its gentle tone was tenderness, the tenderness of an elder.

However, the spirits of the deer-man race in the surrounding wilderness were not so friendly.

Even if they were only in the form of souls, even if their remaining consciousness was blurred, they still couldn't help but feel a strong sense of rejection and hostility towards the humans in their field of vision.

Even worse, some have already raised their hooves and stomped the ground fiercely, pointing their illusory, thick antlers at the tribe that betrayed them in the past.

The forests have turned into wastelands, and the deer-people have dwindled to this extent, all of which are inextricably linked to human greed and betrayal.

"Yes, I can sense the lingering resentment here."

"Therefore, I have taken the liberty of using Yin-Yang techniques to awaken you once again."

Ignoring the hostility of the surrounding deer-people spirits, Huang refocused his attention on the giant deer statue in front of him.

After all, those intangible souls posed no threat to him.

"Yin-Yang magic?"

"You are... an Onmyoji?"

Upon hearing the reason for her reawakening, a clear and palpable surprise appeared in that gentle voice.

"Ah."

Huang nodded slightly.

After receiving a positive response, the Giant Deer statue fell into a brief silence, with faint green hues emerging from the surrounding vegetation, as if it were silently sensing something, still harboring resentment.

"Perhaps it really is a preordained guidance."

A moment later, a murmured monologue echoed in this small world. Then, a shallow ripple of energy spread outwards like the antlers of a World Tree, dissipating upon touching the boundary of the ruins.

The deer-man souls manifested all around also stopped their rioting upon sensing this energy. In fact, their slightly bowed heads conveyed a sense of respect.

This is not a sign of respect for the statue of Giant Deer.

It is a sign of respect for human visitors before a statue of a deity!

Such a change inevitably added a hint of doubt to Huang's eyes.

It understands the entanglement between humans and the deer-people, so it's not a big deal that the deer-people's souls who returned here are hostile to it, just like the little deer-man it met at first.

After all, his reason for using the Secret Technique: Nether Butterfly wasn't to gain anything from it, but rather because he sensed the lingering resentment on this land, which prompted his actions. As the former guardians of this land, the resentment of the Deer-Man race deserved to be vented.

"Humans, they are thanking you for everything you have done for the forest and for your fellow forest dwellers along the way."

"The ones they previously opposed were those greedy individuals who attempted to seize the Heart of the Forest, not all humans."

"I've been waiting for you too."

The moss-covered giant deer statue spoke again, explaining the reason for the change in the attitude of these deer-man spirits.

However, this explanation did not dispel the doubts in Huang's eyes. He felt that he had not done anything special along the way, especially that inexplicable "waiting for me" at the end.

It should be noted that using the Dark Butterfly was really just a whim.

He could have simply followed the footprints on the ground to continue searching for the deer-man.

"I apologize; I was too hasty and may have puzzled you. However, fellow Onmyoji from afar, would you mind listening to a story I tell you?"

As if sensing the confusion of the humans before him, the giant deer statue continued.

Moreover, one could sense the careful restraint in her voice, as well as the excitement that was about to burst forth no matter how much she suppressed it.

"If you don't care that the last of your people are still trapped in the clutches of monsters, then I don't care either."

Ara deliberately brought up the safety of the deer-man.

Because he truly did not know what intention the giant deer statue he had awakened was trying to express.

"I knew I hadn't misjudged you, Onmyoji."

"Even though that kid, Deer Boy, is still deeply mired in past hatred, haven't you ever thought about giving up on him?"

"Don't worry, I've already met the child. He has the resilience of the deer people and a group of trustworthy companions. He will definitely be able to overcome the predicament set up by the monsters."

"And the story I'm about to tell is equally important; it's about the revival of the forest."

At this point, the gentle voice gradually became serious, showing no trace of joking.

"In that case, I'm all ears."

After sensing the former's seriousness, Huang simply pulled Quan to sit on the ground.

He no longer paid excessive attention to the safety of the deer boy, because the token given by the monsters of Seven Horns Mountain, and the person secretly following him, would surely cut through the thorns blocking his path.

The story told by the Giant Deer statue is not very long, and can be roughly divided into two parts: the origin of the land's prosperity and the reasons for its desolation.

Long ago, human villagers rescued a deer-man couple who had collapsed in the snowstorm. The humans then taught the deer-man how to use tools and how to keep warm. After enduring the cold winter, the deer-man couple chose to stay and live peacefully with the humans.

Later, famine struck, and food became scarce. There was only one solution: to revive the withered forests.

Therefore, the deer-man couple used a secret technique to channel the power of the entire forest into the first tree that was healed.

From then on, [Heart of the Forest] came into being.

The forests gradually recovered and the famine was successfully overcome, but this strength also amplified the greed in people's hearts.

They recklessly began cutting down the forest in an attempt to find the "Heart of the Forest" hidden within. Vast swathes of trees collapsed, and some even turned their knives on the deer-people who wanted to protect the forest. Finally, in a torrential downpour, a raging flood destroyed all life and the conflicts that had taken place.

"The power of the deer people alone is insufficient to protect the forest. Even if the little deer man finds the location of the [Heart of the Forest] using the bronze drum score, it will be of no use."

"The erosion of miasma and the collision of monsters have almost completely drained the spiritual energy of the Forest Heart in order to provide the forest with its last protection."

"That's why I feel resentful, even though I finally waited for the last deer-man to return..."

The gentle voice suddenly became excited.

Even though the giant deer statue in front of them was an inanimate object, the sensitive Ara and Izumi could still feel a burning heart beating incessantly within the other's cold body.

They did not speak rashly, but waited quietly for the former to calm down.

"The role of the Deer People is to use the sound of drums as a guide, beating drums and playing songs to gather the spiritual energy of the forest."

"But protecting the forest requires the joint efforts of the deer people and humans."

"Not long ago I waited for the last deer man, and now I have waited for you, human Onmyoji."

"That child must still harbor hostility towards humans and towards you, but I implore you to set aside past grievances and help the little deer man, and help this forest return to its former prosperity."

The deer statue, now calmer, continued speaking, and in its voice, the surrounding deer-man spirits all bowed their heads, as if making the same plea.

"No, it can't be said that you're asking me to forgive and forget,"

"Little Deer Man and the Deer Clan did nothing wrong to me."

"Those who are truly at fault and should truly atone are the butchers who were greedy and tried to seize the Heart of the Forest."

"I will help the deer boy, but why me?"

Huang now understands that the Giant Deer Statue tells its story so that he can wholeheartedly help the Deer Boy and the forest.

But she was still somewhat concerned about why the other party was so certain in choosing her.

Benefiting from his status as an Onmyoji?

He doesn't think so.

"The forest does not speak, but it watches over everything in secret."

"Onmyoji, I have already learned from the forest about your actions of taking care of your yokai companions and fighting against monsters along the way."

"Therefore, I am willing to believe you, the deer people are willing to believe you, and this forest is willing to believe you."

As they spoke, a blue-green aura slowly burst forth from the antlers of the giant deer statue. However, instead of spreading outwards as before, it split into two pure energies that gently landed in the palms of Huang and Quan.

Then, emerald green veins meandered up their arms, like ivy that likes to climb walls.

After the energy-emitting light cluster disappeared, the unique plant-like patterns also slowly faded beneath their skin.

"This is a blessing from the forest and the deer people. It will guide you in the forest and also represents the deer people's recognition of you."

"I believe that when you meet that child again, he will understand everything."

"Onmyoji Master,"

"I'll leave the deer boy and the forest to you."

As the giant deer statue finished speaking, Huang's vision began to shift like a dream. The pink, fluttering butterfly slowly disappeared, and the deer-men's souls that had manifested around him gradually faded away. Even until the very end, they all maintained a bowed posture, as if they were asking for something.

And after the last bit of light and shadow faded, the lingering resentment on this 'island' also vanished completely.

"shortage."

At this moment, Quan reached out her delicate hand and took her beloved's large hand in hers. Although she only called his name, there was no need to say anything more.

"Yes, let us offer our strength to fulfill their last wishes."

Ara gripped the girl's hand tightly, then got up and walked in the direction where the little deer man's kick marks had disappeared.

【The Heart of the Forest】is hidden in the first ancient tree that the deer-man couple healed.

That was their shared destination with the deer-man.

After stepping outside the 'island' area, the monsters began to reappear, and the mindless creatures seemed to receive some kind of guidance at this time, all rushing towards the depths of the forest.

Huang could not stop all the monsters from running rampant, but he burned all the monsters that dared to attack him into smoke with his black flames.

The Deer Man's trail failed once again. Judging from the energy remaining in the spot, it was the power of the Owl Feather that allowed him to escape danger.

However, this time, they did not stop because they lost track of the former.

On the remaining trunks of the giant trees, unique spiritual patterns lit up one by one, heading towards the deepest part of the forest.

Until they came into view a pair of stone statues of a deer-man couple, and between these separated statues was a winding path leading downwards, with four kick marks on the path.

Undoubtedly, those lit-up spirit patterns were the forest guidance that the Giant Deer statue had previously mentioned.

"Just keep walking."

After gently touching the stone statues of the deer-man couple, Huang said.