Tokyo: The Player Behind the Scenes

He didn't know if he was the only one who could feel it, or if he was too timid and lacked the courage to resist.

In contrast, the new player Yui is as calm as a robot.

“Shima is right. Now that we know the Doman family’s purpose and the information about the items, the remaining information is not a high priority for us,” Yui agreed with Shima.

Originally, the Iwasaki squad's initial plan was for Oshima to be in charge of 1220, Yui to be in charge of 1500, and Iwasaki to be in charge of 1602.

However, after each player had used up two play opportunities, Iwasaki made an adjustment, taking charge of 1220 and dedicating all his play opportunities to it.

Although Iwasaki wasn't particularly good at this kind of game, he only started building his own family a day later than Nobita.

"Okay, the official game requires all three games to be completed before it can be unlocked. Completing one game first doesn't have any special effect, so the best way is to complete them simultaneously."

"Next, I will continue to be in charge of the 1220 timeline, but I will only use one play opportunity per day. The rest will be assigned to you. Yui will be in charge of 1500, and Oshima, you will be in charge of 1602."

Iwasaki has played 1602 twice and knows that the timeline is more difficult, so it would be more appropriate to assign it to Oshima, who has more gaming experience.

Oshima

"Perhaps I can handle the final timeline; I've learned enough information from you these past few days."

Yui suddenly spoke up and volunteered herself.

Iwasaki wasn't too surprised, he just looked at Oshima.

"I have no opinion."

Oshima could even be said to have breathed a sigh of relief, as he had never been good at taking on important positions and was afraid of letting others down.

Chapter 213: The Warring States Period

The Warring States period was marked by chaos and turmoil across the country.

[Mingying Ninth Year]

The viewpoint descends from above, piercing through the clouds, landing on a devastated battlefield.

Corpses lay strewn about, broken spears and tattered flags were stuck in the mud, and several vultures circled low in the air, emitting piercing cries.

A pixelated figure stands at the edge of the battlefield, with Dao Manzhongxing displayed above his head.

Am I too late?

Daoman Tadashi's gaze swept over the corpses, his eyes showing no pity, only a barely perceptible solemnity.

The battlefield was eerily silent; not even the laborers collecting the corpses could be seen. Only a few ragged refugees, like hyenas, rummaged through the bodies, stripping off clothing or scavenging scraps of money.

Upon catching a glimpse of Daoman Zhongxing, who was neatly dressed and had an impressive bearing, they panicked like startled birds and hurriedly hid in a more distant corner.

Oshima asked Tadashi to find the others and ask if anyone knew what had happened here before.

"Sir, I've only heard that the Demon Blade has reappeared." A slightly knowledgeable refugee knelt on the ground and said cautiously, "He broke into the Ikko-shu camp and killed many believers. In the end, it was the Lord of the Dharma who intervened and repelled him."

In the early Warring States period, the Ikko-ikki uprising flourished. Under the leadership of the Ikko-ikki sect, peasants gathered together to resist the expulsion of daimyo and to implement so-called autonomy. However, this was just one of the many chaotic phenomena of the Warring States period.

The game doesn't have explicit mission instructions, but clues are already emerging.

Since the Dharma Master and the Sword Demon, who is also Daoman Tadashi's father, have fought, they should know something about it.

I hope nothing bad has happened to my uncles.

Tadashi had this thought in mind and headed in the direction where the Ikko-shu had retreated.

After several twists and turns, he found the exhausted Ninth Dharma Master Shiru in a somewhat chaotic temporary camp.

"Amitabha, benefactor, you have also come for the Knife Demon?" Shi Ru seemed to have expected this, looking calmly at Zhong Xing.

【also?】

Because of the clues from the first timeline, Oshima can get Tadakyu to give a suitable self-introduction.

"I am from the Urabe family of Nara, a family that practices Yin-Yang arts. I heard that there are demons causing trouble here, so I came to help. Did you also encounter other people who came for the sword demon, Master?" Tadashi asked.

"The Urabe family. Before you, two Onmyoji who also claimed to be from the Urabe family came here. It was they who helped me and allowed me to safely repel the sword demon. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable." Shiru shook his head and sighed, "Those two must be elders of your family."

It must be my uncles!

“That must be my uncle. May I ask where they are now?” Zhongxing asked anxiously.

Shi Ru pointed in a direction: "The two benefactors relentlessly pursued the Knife Demon, heading towards the Guandong region. This humble monk was seriously injured at the time, so I did not continue to follow."

"Thank you, Dharma Master."

Zhongxing didn't stop; after getting a general idea of ​​the direction, he rushed off without stopping.

Just as Shi Ru reached out her hand, her mouth slightly open as if she wanted to add something, Zhong Xing had already disappeared.

"Before I finished speaking, someone from the Nichiren sect also came to ask the same question."

Tadashi couldn't hear this message, but Oshima, from God's perspective, saw it.

Following the direction, Zhongxing tracked the monsters in the dense forest for two consecutive days, encountering and killing some monsters along the way. The battles were conducted in turn-based mode.

Finally, he found his two uncles, leaning against an old tree and covered in blood, in a clearing in the woods. They were barely breathing and clearly at their last gasp.

"My brother's strength has been amplified to an extremely terrifying level by the Holy Blade. We are full of flaws in front of him. Zhongxing, give up. Cough cough, take care of your younger brother. Our family can still continue, and there may still be a chance in the future."

The youngest uncle grabbed Zhongxing's arm and said with difficulty.

"Shut up!" another older uncle interrupted sharply, grabbing Zhongxing's other arm with all his might, his eyes burning with obsession. "Zhongxing! We absolutely cannot let the Holy Sword fall into the hands of others in this state."

"Even if the out-of-control Holy Blade kills two hundred thousand people, it will be completely useless to us. We have painstakingly planned and instigated this chaotic world with the efforts of several generations, and we absolutely cannot give up now! Remember, this is the mission of our Daoman family. A mission that we must absolutely complete!"

Oshima felt a chill run down his spine.

So you guys were behind the scenes causing all the chaos during the Warring States period!

"You can't send Zhongxing to his death!" The uncle was so agitated that he tried to stand up.

Another uncle smiled, his face contorted in a sorry state. His blood-soaked hand was outstretched, revealing an amulet and a tuft of hair.

“I’ve taken the snake bone amulet. My brother isn’t immune to spells now, and in his current state, he can’t resist them either.”

The uncle slumped down, showing little joy: "Can you still cast spells?"

“Of course.” The uncle placed the snake bone amulet into Zhongxing’s hand, then put a strand of hair into his mouth along with the blood. “Zhongxing, I’m entrusting this to you. Don’t let me, don’t let our ancestors who put in so much effort for this, down.”

Zhongxing nodded with difficulty: "I understand, Uncle."

The uncle smiled with relief and drew an arrow on the back of Zhongxing's hand.

Then he bit the tips of all ten fingers and used his blood to draw talismans on his internal organs.

"Ghostly Disease Imprisoning Demon Dark Ferocity Destroys Corruption!"

"Feed me with my flesh, and I will make your blood boil forever, turning your internal organs into a burial cauldron."

The uncle's expression changed slightly; he sensed a distinct resistance: "Impossible, I've already taken the snake bone amulet."

“It’s not surprising. The Holy Sword itself has the ability to resist curses.” The uncle smiled bitterly and looked at Zhongxing. “Zhongxing, go. Don’t look back. From now on, the Daoman family is in your hands.”

Zhongxing nodded emphatically and ran wildly in the direction the arrow on the back of his hand pointed.

After watching Zhongxing leave, the uncle sighed and picked up the broken knife from the ground.

Is this really our mission?

Having said that, he used a broken knife to cut open his abdomen, removing his internal organs to help his brother strengthen his spell.

A beam of red light pierced through the forest and shot straight up to the cloud top.

Zhongxing paused, turned around, and looked up through the gaps in the leaves.

Oshima also had mixed feelings.

These people were also his ancestors.

Zhongxing continued on his journey and, after half a day, arrived at a village.

The village was eerily quiet, without a single sound of chickens or dogs, and a thick, pungent smell of blood seeped out.

At the village entrance, a monk who had been sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed slowly opened them. He was wearing an old monk's robe, holding a tin staff, and his sharp gaze fell on Zhongxing.

"Namo Myoho Renge Kyo, I am Rihong, and you, benefactor, are also practitioners. Have you come to slay the demon of swords?"

Zhongxing stopped and nodded slowly, his gaze sweeping warily into the depths of the village: "Indeed. Master Rihong, the Knife Demon... is inside?"

“That’s right. The Blade Demon is incredibly ferocious. I alone am no match for him. I can only set up a barrier around him to prevent him from leaving, but I cannot destroy him.” Ri Hong carefully examined Zhong Xing. “Your spiritual light is emanating from you, indicating that your cultivation is not shallow. Would you be willing to join this humble monk in eliminating the demon for the sake of all living beings?”

“Alright, that’s exactly why I came here.” Zhongxing took a deep breath and drew his Demon-Slaying Sword.

Rihong bowed solemnly to Zhongxing: "This humble monk thanks the benefactor."

Holding a tin staff, he walked ahead, leading Zhongxing toward the center of the village.

The closer you get to the center of the village, the more horrifying the scene becomes. Corpses lie scattered among the broken walls, their deaths gruesome, and thick blood has soaked into almost every inch of the ground, the pungent stench of blood almost suffocating.

In the central open space, a tall, dark red figure, leaning on a long sword, knelt in a pool of blood.

A chaotic, violent, and terrifying aura, as if it were about to tear everything apart, swept over us. The holy sword stuck in the ground swirled with an eerie red light and emitted a low hum. The surrounding space was slightly distorted by this pure ferocity.

"The Demon Blade's aura has weakened considerably for some reason. This is a good opportunity. Let's attack together, benefactor!"

Ri Hong let out a low shout, his body radiating a bright Buddhist light. The staff in his hand instantly transformed into a golden stream of light, carrying the power to ward off evil, and pierced straight into the heart of the demon!

The battle erupts instantly, and the screen switches to turn-based combat mode.

Chapter 214: Passing Through the Three Gates

The battle visuals are quite rudimentary, similar to Pokémon, but from the pixelated style of Pokémon.

But you can still see a lot of details.

Daoman Zhongxing stood on the edge of the pool of blood, forming an equilateral triangle with Rihong and Daogui.

He has many skills and items, from the Demon-Slaying Sword to the Demon-Slaying Arrow, and he can also use a blessing spell to buff himself.

It can also summon the shikigami Chasing Shadow to help, creating a three-on-one situation.

The corpses scattered on the ground can also be used. The core idea is to use the puppet to avoid being selected by the demon sword, because there is a chance of being instantly killed.

Rihong's Buddhist teachings are profound, possessing both shields and offensive capabilities. When these two work together, he can rival the Blade Demon, who is under a curse, has uneven health, and weakened power.

The only downside is that the margin for error isn't high; the Demon Blade can replenish its health through the Demon Blade, making its endurance terrifying.

When health is low, it will enter the second phase of the classic attack, unleashing a powerful sweeping attack. Each parry requires a significant cost.

However, perhaps due to the curse, the healing effect would gradually weaken. Even so, Oshima tried several times, but all attempts ended in failure.

It wasn't that we ran out of cards, but rather that the opponent's ability to instantly defeat us was too strong.

Even if it's not a true instant kill, it can render him completely incapable of fighting, making him practically dead.

But whether or not the Demon of the Blades still retained a sliver of reason, knowing that Tadakatsu was his son, he prioritized targeting Hirohiro with most of his attacks.

If Ke Rihong dies, it will be difficult for him to fight alone.

The island was stuck here for several days.

Fortunately, with the help of Iwasaki and Yui, he finally managed to figure out the trick, discover the pattern of the sword demon's attacks on the two of them, remind Hirohiro to defend in advance, and use the corpse puppet to block the sword himself.

Finally, the Demon Blade's health bar was depleted, and the battle scene switched to the present, showing Tadashi's Demon-Slaying Sword piercing his father's heart.

The knife demon's body stiffened abruptly, and the frenzied, surging aura of ferocity abruptly stopped.

He slowly raised his head, and beneath his disheveled hair, his blood-red eyes, almost devoid of human emotion, seemed to regain a fleeting sliver of clarity.

That gaze pierced through the blood and madness, landing on Zhongxing's face, carrying an indescribable complexity.

"Zhongxing, do not get involved."

Leaving behind this advice that only Zhongxing could clearly hear, the demon sword fell to the blood-soaked ground, and the father's body, like a sandcastle scattered by a strong wind, quickly turned into fine black dust.

Flesh, bones, clothing—everything crumbled and scattered in the wind. In the blink of an eye, the terrifying figure that had stood there had completely vanished into thin air.

Only an inconspicuous old cloth bag remained, the standard demon-slaying bag of the Dao Man family, lying quietly next to the demon sword.

Zhongxing's body stiffened as he slowly picked up the demon-slaying bag and the demon sword.

The instant his fingertips touched the hilt of the knife, a strong negative killing intent swept over him, mixed with a viscous, frenzied killing intent as thick as mountains of corpses and seas of blood, like the floodwaters of the Styx bursting its banks, instantly rushing down the hilt into his palm.

Negative emotions surged into his mind along the meridians of his arm, and he seemed to see the distorted faces of countless tragically deceased beings and hear the desperate cries of millions of wronged souls.

Zhongxing's face turned deathly pale. He groaned, veins bulging on his forehead, and his body swayed, but he managed to suppress it.