Chapter 51: Resolution, the Nine Chrysanthemum Family Minister

Mori Mariko, who was in the middle of a magical duel with Lingyunzi, borrowed the force of the clash to retreat. She saw Zhang Sheng standing beside Sister Alin and her eyes were filled with vigilance. However, she took out a new cold chrysanthemum in her hand; she intended to cast a spell to immediately control Sister Alin, so that even if Sister Alin became a Ghost King later, she would still be under her control.

Zhang Sheng naturally would not let her have her way.

Seeing Mori Mariko's actions, Lingyunzi immediately cast a spell and said, "You dare to be distracted while dueling with this Daoist? Take this move from me!"

Mori Mariko risked being wounded by Lingyunzi just to borrow the momentum to rush toward Sister Alin, and Zhang Sheng, who had been motionless all this time, finally made his move.

The Seven-Star Copper Sword flew out from nowhere, piercing straight through Mori Mariko's heart and pinning her to the ground.

Mori Mariko wore a look of disbelief, her beautiful face still frozen in an expression of shock.

Because the Seven-Star Copper Sword had the effect of suppressing evil, Mori Mariko could not transform into a demonic body. As soon as her ghost emerged, it was grabbed by Zhang Sheng and could not move.

Lingyunzi was greatly astonished. Although sword-controlling techniques were nothing rare at Dragon Tiger Mountain, he was curious that this person, who was about his own age, actually knew how to control a sword; after all, he was one of the top geniuses at Dragon Tiger Mountain and had not yet learned this technique.

He hurried over, took a look at the Seven-Star Copper Sword, understood in his heart, and asked, "Is fellow Daoist from the Shangqing Sect?"

Maoshan is another name for the Shangqing Sect, so called because the Shangqing Sect is located on Mount Mao.

Zhang Sheng nodded and said, "That is correct. Greetings, fellow Daoist."

Lingyunzi smiled and said, "Many thanks for your assistance, fellow Daoist. You rest for a moment; I will go and exterminate this female ghost."

Zhang Sheng bowed and said, "Fellow Daoist, this woman is also a pitiful person. Why must you beat her until her soul is scattered? Let me have a chat with her."

Lingyunzi frowned and said, "Her resentment is growing heavier. Once she becomes a Ghost King, the consequences will be unimaginable. It is only safe to destroy her immediately while she is not yet strong enough."

Sister Alin, who was nearby, hurriedly knelt and said, "This Daoist priest, I have never harmed anyone."

She then kowtowed to Zhang Sheng and said, "Sir, take me to see my A-Mao. After I see A-Mao, I am willing to die immediately."

Zhang Sheng's expression was somewhat sorrowful. He pointed at Sister Alin on the ground and said, "Look, even if she became a Ghost King, it wouldn't be of her own volition. She is a pitiful person. That Nine Chrysanthemum Sect member, and you—why do you like to bully a pitiful person?"

Lingyunzi said angrily, "Hmph, she is already dead. This poor Daoist does not care what she was like before. Subduing demons and eliminating devils is what this poor Daoist is supposed to do. If she harms people, that would be this poor Daoist's dereliction of duty.

Fellow Daoist, where in the world is there a perfect solution? If you can provide one, this poor Daoist will certainly not interfere, but you must know that this poor Daoist is not wrong."

Zhang Sheng sighed slightly, bowed, and said, "Apologies, I was out of line just now."

Seeing that Zhang Sheng had apologized, Lingyunzi returned the gesture and said, "Fellow Daoist, let things take their natural course."

Seeing that the two Daoist priests had finished talking, Sister Alin continued to ask, "Sir, can you take me to see A-Mao?"

Zhang Sheng nodded and said, "Very well. Once this wish is fulfilled, you must go to be reincarnated in peace."

Sister Alin's expression was somewhat agitated, and her face instantly blossomed into a smile; the wind and snow stopped all at once.

She hurriedly bowed and scraped, saying, "Good, good, good. I will listen to you, I will listen to you..."

Zhang Sheng stomped on the ground to summon Liu Yongquan and said, "Impermanence Liu, ten merit coins. Take this person to see her reincarnated son, and then send her to be reincarnated."

Liu Yongquan's face instantly blossomed into a smile, and he said, "No problem, Daoist Zhang, rest assured. I will handle this properly. If there are any more such matters next time, come find me again!"

Zhang Sheng took the opportunity to hand Mori Mariko's soul over to Liu Yongquan, telling him to take it to the eighteenth level of hell for punishment.

Lingyunzi was greatly astonished. It cost him quite a bit of paper money just to summon a ghost messenger, and he never even got a pleasant look in return, yet an Impermanence was so amiable in front of Zhang Sheng—it was truly enviable!

Not long after, Liu Yongquan came to tell Zhang Sheng that Sister Alin had seen her child growing up healthily and had now gone to the Bridge of Helplessness.

Liu Yongquan added, "By the way, Daoist Zhang, that Japanese female ghost you gave me has a mark on her soul body. You should be careful."

Zhang Sheng asked in confusion, "What does that mean?"

Liu Yongquan explained, "It's likely something like a life tablet."

Zhang Sheng suddenly realized that he might have killed someone of very high status within the Nine Chrysanthemum Sect this time.

Shanghai, Hongkou District, basement of the Japanese Marine Corps Command Headquarters.

As one of the Nine Chrysanthemum Family Ministers, Fukada Miko watched as the life tablet of her disciple, Mori Mariko, shattered directly. Her beautiful face lost its composure and became terrifying.

"Who is it that killed my disciple!"

Fukada Miko was furious. She immediately took out a cold chrysanthemum to cast a spell to sense Mori Mariko's soul, but she gained nothing.

Her expression became grave.

"Yokoyama Nobumitsu is located at the base camp of the Maoshan Southern Sect, but how did Mariko lose her trail in Nanchang? That is hundreds of miles away. If I send more people, I fear they will never return. I can only entrust this to the people of the Nancheng Agency."

Having made up her mind, Fukada Miko left her dojo. She took the elevator to the first floor of the headquarters and then took a car to the location of the Nancheng Agency on Sichuan Middle Road.

A moment later, Fukada Miko arrived at the Nancheng Agency, where the Agency Chief, Takeda Nobuo, received her personally. Takeda Nobuo smiled until the crow's feet appeared at the corners of his eyes, and he said very cordially, "Ah, I didn't expect Miss Miko to come. I apologize for not welcoming you sooner; please, sit."

Fukada Miko was dressed in a proper kimono, with a bright red small jacket over it. She sat very gracefully on the leather sofa and said in a gentle voice, "Many thanks for your hospitality, Takeda-kun. Miko does not visit without a reason; I have come to ask a favor of you."

Takeda Nobuo leaned close to Fukada Miko and smiled, "If there is anything, Miss Miko, you could have just sent someone to say so. Why trouble yourself to come in person?"

Fukada Miko leaned into Takeda Nobuo's ear and said, "Only this way does it show sincerity."

Takeda Nobuo felt tickled by her breath and hurriedly asked, "I wonder how I can be of service to Miko?"

Fukada Miko then explained the situation regarding Yokoyama Nobumitsu losing contact in Guangdong Province and her disciple Mori Mariko going missing in Nanchang.

After speaking, she began to undress to comfort Takeda Nobuo. Having been satisfied, Takeda Nobuo patted his chest and said, "Miko, rest assured, I will definitely handle this matter well."

Do not be fooled by the fact that Fukada Miko was one of the top Nine Chrysanthemum Family Ministers in the Nine Chrysanthemum Sect; in reality, the Nine Chrysanthemum Sect was just a dog for the Japanese. To the Japanese, Onmyoji and sorcerers were all trash; the most powerful things were naturally guns and cannons.

Moreover, it was the tradition of the Nine Chrysanthemum Sect to act as a lackey for the powerful; comforting a master was just a small matter. It was merely a body, after all.

Fukada Miko smiled and said, "Then I will leave it to you, Takeda-kun. Once the matter is accomplished, Miko will come to comfort you again."

Takeda Nobuo was very excited. After seeing Fukada Miko off, he immediately called his subordinates to send out men to investigate the news.

Seeking support for my new book! The following chapters will mainly focus on the protagonist dueling with Onmyoji and the Nine Chrysanthemum Sect. The content is purely fictional and cannot withstand scrutiny.

(End of chapter)