Chapter 195: Why Are the Oni Kings

Northwest of the capital lies a mountain range towering into the clouds.

In contrast to the overall steepness of the peaks, their summits are remarkably flat, as if sliced clean by a single blade, abruptly sheared away.

The mountain's surface is coated with persistent demonic energy; the ridge line bulges in eerie, segmented ridges like a spine—the legendary core territory where the Oni dwell—

Oyama.

At the mountain's base, blood-red mist churns endlessly; within it, weathered, jagged boulders half-rotted into grotesque shapes rise, studded everywhere with rusted, broken naginata and shattered armor, the dark brown substance congealed on the blades still exuding the stench of blood.

Legends say the spirits of samurai who fell in the campaign against the Oni remain imprisoned within these broken blades; under such thick demonic energy, they may soon transform into sentient armored demons or bone-wielding swordsmen.

So, what exactly is a demon?

Literally speaking, they are phenomena, entities, or beings describable by mysterious, wondrous, inexplicable, or even chilling terms.

This is the broadest definition of demons.

Through further classification, they can be divided into "Demon-Induced," "Spirit-Monster," "Aberrant Beast," "Aberrant Human," "Wraith," and so on.

In short, anything on this land that is neither human nor divine—call it a demon.

And towering above this host of demons born from human fear stands the Oni race!

This race, which calls itself "Oni," is born with strength and speed far surpassing humans, for from the moment of birth, they exist as the antithesis of frail humanity.

Those monstrous beings with horns atop their heads may stem from humanity's concrete fears of natural disasters, disease, or foreign invaders—born from the dread of ultimate violence, they naturally possess the fiercest brutality among all demons.

Thus, every Oni is towering in stature, bloodthirsty, combative, and ferocious beyond measure; their favorite pastimes are drinking and fighting Qiangzhe.

To other lifeforms, this is a great injustice—but nature is inherently unjust; some creatures are born vastly stronger than others.

It is said that long ago, humans and the Oni made a pact.

After humans challenged the Oni, the victor could demand one wish from the defeated.

The Oni love drinking, love fighting, revere the strong—they are a race born for battle.

The Oni are generous, straightforward, and never refuse a challenge; they uphold their promises absolutely.

But how could weak humans, faced with ferocious great Oni, even think of challenging them—running away was already a feat?

From base to summit, only one path exists; the massive stone steps alone reveal this was no human feat—it was carved straight through by brute force from some entity.

A common mortal would need to expend every ounce of strength just to reach the peak.

Add to that the countless great Oni watching from the path's edges; climbing from foot to summit would be as impossible as ascending to heaven.

Yet today, a challenger to the Oni race has arrived.

…………

"Kwaah, so stuffy!"

A woman with golden hair and crimson eyes, heavy manacles bound to her wrists, dragging a long iron chain, wore a blue yukata with gold-threaded patterns at the opening; she downed a massive sake bowl in one gulp, her movements carefree and bold, the manacles and chain clashing with metallic rings.

Though her attire was not particularly revealing, her motions exposed vast stretches of snow-white skin—especially her full, high breasts and long, muscular thighs—each radiating unmistakable feminine allure.

Yet neither human nor demon would dare lay a hand on her, for she is—

—"The Oni King of Strength, Xiong Yongyi."

A great Oni King even demons fear.

"Come out, Yagyū Zi."

Her companion on the right spoke toward empty air ahead.

A girl with flowing pink hair and two brown, pointed horns frowned; her long front robe bore a flower carved in the same hue as her hair, styled like a qipao—with white short sleeves, a pink peony on the chest, and a green skirt adorned with willow-leaf patterns—but her aura was fiercely cruel.

She is "The Oni King of Chaos, Ci Mu Hua Shan."

A crescent-shaped rift opened, its purplish-red fissure pouring out unrestrained demonic energy, deeply unsettling; within it, countless eyes glowed with crimson malice—a nightmare vision.

"Yagyū Zi, no matter how many times I see it, your gap still gives me the creeps…"

The Oni King's face twisted slightly as she drank, as if suppressing something unpleasant.

"Oh my."

A pale arm reached out from the rift.

"I don't think so…"

But unexpectedly—

The first thing to emerge from the rift was not the golden-haired maiden who looked seventeen, but someone else.

That jade-like hand gestured, hurling a massive shadow out of the rift, accompanied by a powerful gale.

Boom.

The shadow crashed to the ground like a meteor, and a man's unfamiliar voice cried out:

"Cough… Cough… What's the situation?"

The dust cleared.

Fast. So fast.

With the cheat skill of the gap—teleporting instantly across thousands of miles—Jia Ji had barely blinked before he went from the Saimonji residence to the summit of Oyama, skipping the whole battle with minor demons.

The moment he appeared, he sensed four intertwined, unconscious demonic auras—powerful, oppressive, like fire, like torrential rain, like a mountain flood, like a tidal wave: scorching, wild, majestic, colossal, crushing, annihilating.

"This is the surprise I prepared for you—Guai, Li, Luan, Shen—the Four Oni Kings! Their status among the Hundred Demons is like…"

Yagyū Zi flashed instantly beside the Four Oni Kings, as if she belonged with them; her crescent-shaped eyes gleamed with fox-like cunning.

"Hey, Yagyū Zi, what are you scheming now?"

One of the Oni Kings asked coldly.

But Jia Ji could not hear them.

Seeing these four Oni Kings—each with different appearances, different builds, yet all radiating undeniable power—he couldn't help but stare at their prominent horns, and before he could stop himself, he asked:

"Why are their heads so pointy?"

(End of Chapter)