novelraw Chapter 264-2: The Daimyo Lord of the Tenshukaku, Heaven and Earth Flash (2)
Chapter 264-2: The Daimyo Lord of the Tenshukaku, Heaven and Earth Flash (2)
[The uppermost level of the watchtower, normally a place of surveillance and protection, had been cleared out. No giant siege weapons such as ballistae were in sight, only two sword-bearing samurai standing guard at the door.]
[The watchtower’s top floor had no enclosing walls, only a wooden railing around the perimeter. The cold wind at this height was piercing, and when you stepped to the edge, you could look through the great barrier and see the entire panorama of Thousand Orchid City.]
[In front of you stood a table laden with fine dishes and wine. A tall, gaunt figure stood with its back to you, drinking and admiring the view.]
[Your arrival drew its attention. The tall, lean figure turned around, and the face full of wrinkles and withered white hair stood out starkly.]
[You have discovered the Fire-Worshipping Head of the Ogiwara Clan!]
[The Head of the Ogiwara Clan saw you and revealed a faint smile. It gestured toward the countless sights below the Tenshukaku and began to speak…]
[“Lord Genichi of Iya Palace, these countless beings below appear to bustle about, some for wealth, some for power, some for love… Yet life is but a few decades, a hundred years at most passes in a flash, and in the end, all becomes a handful of yellow earth.”]
[“Even the Great Shogun in Kyoto, whose martial arts have reached the realm of the transcendent, cannot escape the bonds of lifespan, how much less could I…”]
[“I have trained bitterly in my martial skill for many years, only to realize now that martial arts are but the petty path of slaughter. Onmyo arts alone are the secret method of longevity.”]
[A glimmer of clarity burst forth in the Head of the Ogiwara Clan’s clouded gaze. Slowly, he asked, “Lord Genichi, we have not met for many days. Have you perhaps found the secret medicine of Rejuvenation?”][You looked at the old man before you. At his waist, over the black kimono, hung an ancient sword. Though his body was withered and gaunt like a dying candle in the wind, even in such decline, the martial skill of a hatamoto samurai was not to be underestimated.]
[How will you respond?]
[Will you deceive him, claiming to have acquired the secret medicine, and try to strike when performing the Art of Rejuvenation?]
[Or will you evade, saying the medicine is not yet fully gathered, and more time is needed?]
Plans could never keep pace with change. Lin Xun had originally intended to use the Ninja Master Shell to slip into the Tenshukaku and silently assassinate the Head of the Ogiwara Clan.
But now it seemed this boss-level daimyo lord would not fall to a mere backstab in the dark.
This appeared to be a perfect chance to strike, would it not be too great a waste to let it slip away?
As Lin Xun weighed his options, he chose the first course.
[You nodded slightly, indicating that you had indeed gathered the secret medicine of Rejuvenation. Now, with the medicine and your secret onmyo art combined, you could restore the daimyo’s youth.]
[The Fire-Worshipping Head of the Ogiwara Clan was overjoyed. He stepped forward and gripped your hands, his withered palms surprisingly powerful, squeezing your knuckles until they ached.]
[He took a deep breath to steady himself, then solemnly declared that since Lord Genichi could help him regain his youth, he would surely honor his promise.]
[When he raised an army to seize Kyoto, he would grant you the Tenmei Grand Shrine. At that time, all the Saio and miko within it would be your materials for secret medicines.]
[With such fine ingredients, even after a hundred more years, you and he would remain in this world, sharing the life of heaven and earth!]
[There is no time to lose. Please begin the Art of Rejuvenation at once!]
[The Head of the Ogiwara Clan could not wait. He pulled off the upper part of his kimono, revealing a withered chest…]
[You glanced sidelong at the two samurai still standing guard at the door and slowly shook your head.]
[You explained that this art was more complex than previous Rejuvenation methods.]
[He must not only remove the upper garments but be completely unclothed, without a single stitch.]
[Because the true Art of Rejuvenation was a secret technique to defy the heavens, stealing lifespan from the world itself. It could not be heard, seen, or sensed by any mortal.]
[During the ritual, the daimyo would have to keep his eyes shut and all senses sealed, or else tremendous backlash would occur if the secret was revealed.]
[Hearing this, the Head of the Ogiwara Clan’s expression turned hesitant. But after long consideration, he could not resist the lure of immortal life.]
[He dismissed the two samurai guarding the door. Now only you and he remained on the Tenshukaku’s top floor.]
[The Head of the Ogiwara Clan removed the sword from his waist and cast it aside, took off the black kimono and the underclothes, and soon stood before you completely naked.]
[Under your guidance, he sat cross-legged and slowly closed his eyes…]
[You could sense the powerful qi in his body circulating, covering his eyes, ears, nostrils, and so forth, he had sealed all five senses…]
[The Head of the Ogiwara Clan sat motionless, waiting for you to cast the art that would return his youth…]
Lin Xun took a deep breath. Success or failure would be decided in this moment!
[You have possessed the Shell of the Fire-Worshipping Heartless Ninja Master!]
[You reached out and tried to touch the Head of the Ogiwara Clan, but saw that he gave no reaction at all…]
“It must be a single, fatal strike. If this fails, the samurai will surely come. Even with the Ninja Master Shell, I will likely be defeated under arrows and bolts.”
[You opened one pale eye…]
[Special Skill Weak Point Insight activated!]
[Judgment successful!]
[Your next attack will have a high probability of striking the enemy’s weak point, dealing massive damage!]
[You held your breath, focused your mind, and lowered your stance slightly. Your left hand gripped the scabbard, while your right hand clutched the hilt.]
[A fierce flash of sword light erupted!]
[You did not notice the black tattoo on the Head of the Ogiwara Clan’s chest, spreading across his heart like tree branches and leaves…]
[In that instant, swift beyond words, the moment the blade flashed from its sheath, the overwhelming killing intent seemed to stir the branch-like tattoo.]
[The tattoo writhed, and its host awoke abruptly, eyes snapping open to see the blade hurtling toward him!]
[The Fire-Worshipping Head of the Ogiwara Clan’s face twisted with ferocity. With a thunderous shout, powerful qi surged from his body. The tachi lying on the floor sprang into his grasp by itself.]
[The dazzling sword light illuminated the entire top floor of the Tenshukaku.]
[When the light finally faded…]
[The Head of the Ogiwara Clan before you was drenched in blood. His right arm, which had held the sword, had been severed from his body, and the ancient tachi had shattered…]
[His face was ashen as he coughed blood uncontrollably, dropping to one knee.]
[Just then, dense footfalls came from the stairway, the clash atop the Tenshukaku had clearly alerted the samurai.]
[A host of armed, armored warriors rushed in, surrounding you in tight ranks. Countless arrows and bolts were aimed at you, waiting only for the daimyo’s command to execute you on the spot!]