Chapter 147: Onmyoji Toru: The Name of Toru, The Wheel of Fate, Five Thunder Technique Mastery

"The Imagawa Clan Head—could the one seated in the hall be the famed Military Strategist Lord Taigen?"

I never expected Uesugi Toru to mention Taigen Sessai, seated deepest in the Gozen Hall.

Imagawa Yoshimoto was slightly startled, then nodded: "Lord Toru has a keen eye."

Uesugi Toru shook his folding fan, his eyes narrowing slightly.

——【Fatty Ghost (Two-Star)】.

The yokai clinging to Taigen Sessai's back was actually Two-Star?

It felt to Uesugi Toru like only about Half-Star; if not for the Fatty Ghost's appearance being too conspicuous and ugly, relying solely on aura sensing, Uesugi Toru might have overlooked it.

And in the Spirit Qi-scarce Sengoku Period, the vast majority of people had no Spirit Vision, so they simply could not see spirit-type ghosts.

Even warriors who cultivated Breathing Techniques were the same.

Like the solid-bodied Tailorbird before, finding some samurai would suffice to deal with it, but this Fatty Ghost clinging to Taigen Sessai's body could not be discovered by anyone.

Cultivating Breathing Techniques to a profound level could only guarantee one was not invaded by ghosts.

At most, one could rely on one's own Blood Evil Qi to shock and dissolve some weak ghosts.

Thinking of this, Uesugi Toru understood.

——The Fatty Ghost's aura was so weak so as not to cause instinctive discomfort in the warriors beside Taigen Sessai, thereby better absorbing Taigen Sessai's Jing Shen.

Thus he spoke very sharply and directly: "Imagawa Clan Head, I see Lord Taigen may not have long to live."

Uesugi Toru stood before Imagawa Yoshimoto, sighing under the gaze of the many warriors: "Perhaps if this continues, Lord Taigen may not live past one month."

This sentence was like a stone falling into still water, stirring a thousand waves, causing the surrounding warriors from all over the Tokaido to slightly change their expressions.

Even Takechiyo seated in the Gozen Hall showed a startled expression, unable to help but turn back, looking at his teacher whose hair was half-white but whose spine remained straight.

——The Imagawa Clan's Military Strategist was critically ill, and it was spoken aloud by Onmyoji Toru, recognized by Imagawa Yoshimoto, before everyone's eyes.

This was absolutely shocking news.

Imagawa Yoshimoto's expression turned cold in an instant, like ice.

She stared fixedly at Uesugi Toru, her pupils trembling slightly.

——Taigen Sessai's physical condition was indeed worsening day by day, an undisputed fact, and the surrounding families had more or less heard this news.

So today having Taigen Sessai, whose body was actually extremely weak, attend the Genpuku Ceremony was to shatter the rumors that "the Imagawa Clan's Military Strategist was already seriously ill."

But Uesugi Toru's words not only caused Imagawa Yoshimoto's plans to come to nothing, but also confirmed from another direction the fact that Taigen Sessai was seriously ill.

"If today's matter spreads, the Mikawa Region will surely cause trouble again. Thus, various reforms will be delayed, and the original plans will have to be suspended."

Imagawa Yoshimoto clenched her fist beneath her sleeve, her gaze cutting across Uesugi Toru's smiling face like a knife.

So I too have times when I misjudge people...

For a moment, she even wanted to draw the nonexistent tachi at her waist and behead this person spreading heresy before her.

But disbelief and anger lasted only an instant.

She calmed down in that instant, and just as she was about to ignore Uesugi Toru and turn to speak, Taigen Sessai in the Gozen Hall stood up.

The old man, whose Jing Shen was almost entirely devoured by the Fatty Ghost, rose with a steady complexion and spoke with full vigor,

"Onmyoji Toru says I may not have long to live, but this old man feels his body is still quite hardy... living another ten years is no problem!"

Even though his life was about to be swallowed by that demon ghost, he could still erupt with such astonishing spirit.

Uesugi Toru gazed at the Fatty Ghost, which had shrunk its head uglyly, as if frightened by Taigen Sessai, and couldn't help but smile: "No, no, no, perhaps everyone present has misunderstood my meaning."

Uesugi Toru slightly circulated his Internal Qi, making his words spread like a broadcast across the entire Broad Square and Gozen Hall, causing many warriors to change their expressions.

"What I mean is—if this Fatty Ghost is allowed to continue clinging behind Lord Taigen and absorbing Jing Shen, then Lord Taigen will truly not have long to live."

Hearing this, Imagawa Yoshimoto subconsciously bit her lip, while Taigen Sessai's expression remained unchanged, merely staring fixedly at Uesugi Toru.

Uesugi Toru: "Now, Lord Taigen's physical condition should naturally be better than ordinary warriors."

He shook his folding fan and began pacing in place: "If I am not mistaken, this Fatty Ghost should be a curse placed by someone close when Lord Taigen was off guard."

After speaking, Uesugi Toru deliberately paused, and thus heard the voices of doubt constantly coming from the surrounding warriors.

"Fatty Ghost? If there were ghosts, why can't I see them? My eyes can see flying insects hundreds of meters away, worthy of being called Eagle Eye!"

"This baseless claim—won't it be someone the Imagawa Clan hired to confuse the public..."

"Talking about curses... true curses vanished without a trace a hundred years ago."

Only Imagawa Yoshimoto stared at him silently; the murderous intent and coldness in her eyes had faded, but she still said nothing, not knowing what she was thinking.

As the environment was about to become noisy, Uesugi Toru closed his folding fan and spoke again,

"——And I can see this Fatty Ghost and exorcise it!"

He finally turned back, meeting Imagawa Yoshimoto's dark eyes, and slowly said,

"As long as this Fatty Ghost is exorcised, supplemented by my treatment, Lord Taigen can live at least another ten years or more."

Imagawa Yoshimoto gazed at this handsome and peaceful face for a moment, as if having made up her mind, then closed her eyes and asked: "I wonder, Lord Toru, what method will you use to exorcise this Fatty Ghost?"

Uesugi Toru nodded to her: "Please have the Imagawa Clan Head clear an area for Toru."

Imagawa Yoshimoto said nothing, merely raised her hand.

Thus the Black Armor Samurai behind her all turned around, ignoring the family crests of the surrounding nobles, merely pushing the dissatisfied warriors to the back, stirring up angry words.

Fifteen seconds later, an empty space of about thirty square meters was cleared.

Imagawa Yoshimoto extended her hand and said lightly: "Please."

Uesugi Toru then threw out the Shiraishi shrunk in his long robe, and took out a pale gold Komainu Bell from his waist: "Please do not be alarmed, everyone; what appears next will be my shikigami."

After speaking, Uesugi Toru slightly shook the Komainu Bell.

Ding ling ling~

The next moment, in the shocked eyes of the surrounding warriors.

Two majestic, fully armored Komainu emerged from the air beside Uesugi Toru like a magic trick.

A lithe figure, limbs narrow and powerful, eyes extraordinarily lively — the moment it appeared it began circling Uesugi Toru while vigilantly watching the surrounding samurai.

This was the Two-Star Komainu Group Leader that Uesugi Toru had already summoned several times.

The other Komainu's shoulder height reached nearly one point two meters, practically equal to the shoulder height of most samurai present.

Its four limbs were thick, fur glossy, pupils stern and silent; its whole body draped in heavy chain mail, a vertical flag standard planted on its back, it sat silently at Uesugi Toru's side like an iron-cast guardian.

The moment this giant Komainu, whose might rivaled or even surpassed the Tiger of the Northeast, touched ground, it nearly scared the nearest batch of samurai into drawing their blades.

Uesugi Toru also froze for a moment, then immediately looked toward the crown of this never-before-seen Komainu's head.

——【Komainu Hatamoto (Two-Star Half)】.

Ho, this is an unexpected delight.

Uesugi Toru hadn't expected the Komainu Bell could even summon a Two-Star Half Komainu... just didn't know if this was purely good luck or something else.

"You two."

The moment Uesugi Toru spoke, both Komainu sat down simultaneously, directing their gazes at him.

This scene also made those samurai not far from the two Komainu breathe a sigh of relief — after all, a hulking armored beast standing before you at about your own height, who wouldn't be frightened for a moment?

Moreover, a giant beast of this stature was unheard of in Japan of this era.

"Go drag that Fatty Ghost behind Taigen Sessai over here."

Uesugi Toru patted the head of the Komainu Hatamoto beside him, making it emit a comfortable hum: "Remember, do not harm anyone, and do not tear that Fatty Ghost to pieces."

Having spoken, Uesugi Toru looked toward Imagawa Yoshimoto: "Imagawa Clan Head, may they enter the Gozen Hall?"

Imagawa Yoshimoto, her beautiful eyes full of wonder, exhaled; after exchanging a glance with Taigen Sessai she replied: "Naturally permissible."

"Woof!"

The Komainu Hatamoto responded in a low voice, then barked at the Komainu Group Leader, signaling it to follow behind.

Thus everyone saw these two Komainu — who understood human speech, moved with slow steps, and even specially waited for the samurai ahead to clear a path before continuing forward — walk toward the Gozen Hall.

A samurai who had just cleared the way turned his head dazedly: "This dog actually understands human speech? Brother... pinch me, I'm not dreaming, am I?"

The Uesugi samurai remained silent: "Shaking a bell summons two giant armored beasts — he truly is the legendary Onmyoji."

The samurai were stirred into commotion by this unprecedented scene, yet no one dared block the two Komainu's path — their height and build, one look and you knew they were terrifyingly strong.

Before long, the Komainu Hatamoto arrived at the entrance of the gorgeous Gozen Hall.

It first gave a soft woof, then moved its paws, stepped onto the Gozen Hall's floor, and walked to Taigen Sessai's front.

Taigen Sessai lowered his head.

He looked at this Komainu standing silently before him, as if truly seeing a veteran of countless battlefields, a silent and reliable Hatamoto.

For a moment, even this knowledgeable and experienced Imagawa Military Strategist didn't know what to say.

Taigen Sessai, for whom merely standing was quite strenuous, asked: "What should I do?"

The Komainu Hatamoto shook its head, then raised a paw to have the Group Leader stand guard.

It itself came behind Taigen Sessai, a pair of sharp pupils fixed dead on the Fatty Ghost crouching behind him — breathless, playing dead.

The Komainu Hatamoto flashed behind Taigen Sessai like a black whirlwind.

Before that Fatty Ghost could react, it had already seized it in its jaws and dragged it out.

Long, sharp canines sank deep into the Fatty Ghost's massive abdomen, so fat it oozed oil.

The latter suddenly shrieked, its huge fat arms laboriously pounding the Komainu Hatamoto's face.

The Komainu Hatamoto said not a word.

Such feeble attacks weren't even worthy of giving it an itch.

Taigen Sessai only felt a sudden lightness behind him, and his whole body relaxed several times over.

The old man closed his eyes, taking a deep breath for the first time in a long while.

He didn't know how long it had been since he felt this freedom and ease.

Those samurai with considerable achievement in Breathing Technique noticed the sudden surge of Jing Shen on Taigen Sessai, and all revealed astonished expressions.

——So this so-called Fatty Ghost truly exists!

Only they couldn't see it!

"Woof."

The Komainu Hatamoto gave a soft bark, tossing the Fatty Ghost dripping Soul Oil onto the ground not far before Uesugi Toru.

"Good work, you two."

Uesugi Toru patted both their heads in turn, then waved his hand to make the two Komainu disperse.

He glanced at that thing lying on the ground, constantly writhing its fat flesh, emitting low roars, its body proportions extremely distorted — the Fatty Ghost.

Looking at this thing really drops sanity.

However, its own strength is this weak, so it's also convenient for me to wrap it in Spirit Power, then let Imagawa Yoshimoto and the surrounding samurai all see this Fatty Ghost.

——The principle of the method to let ordinary people without Spirit Vision see ghosts is actually very simple.

Just costs a tiny bit of Spirit Power.

Uesugi Toru raised fingertips surging with fine electric current and declared loudly: "Everyone watch closely! I will now make this Fatty Ghost manifest!"

Several hundred gazes, each different, therefore turned over.

As his voice fell, the Spirit Power within Uesugi Toru surged out like a floodgate opening.

Then, those fine streaks of lightning, within a rhythmic breathing cadence, tightly wrapped the Fatty Ghost, making it continuously sob and roar, emitting pig-slaughter-like miserable howls.

After a dozen-odd seconds, Imagawa Yoshimoto first slightly furrowed her brows.

She retreated half a step, a trace of disgust showing in her brows and eyes.

Immediately after, continuous retching sounds came from the crowd — mostly from the ladies.

The many samurai stared at this Fatty Ghost being tormented by the ceaselessly surging lightning — some with disgust, some nervous, some solemn.

But without exception, they were shaken as if they had seen a whole new world.

Only Shiraishi blinked in confusion, squinting curiously at the empty space not far away, yet saw nothing.

He scratched his head and looked around, discovering it seemed to be his own problem.

A full half minute later, Uesugi Toru asked everyone before him lightly,

"Did you see clearly?"

No one shook their head.

Slap!

The folding fan opened, and the Five Thunder Orb held in Uesugi Toru's left hand at some point flashed simultaneously.

Crimson-purple thunder crashed down, blasting the Fatty Ghost into dregs in an instant!

Uesugi Toru spoke, bringing Imagawa Yoshimoto back to his senses from being engrossed: "Imagawa Clan Head, Toru has exorcised this Fatty Ghost."

Several prompts suddenly popped up before his eyes.

【You killed, Fatty Ghost (Two-Star), gained 260 Soul Ash!】

【Your skill, Five Thunder Technique: Kiai proficiency +70!】

【Your skill, Five Thunder Technique: Kiai has broken through to Proficient Level!】

【You gained, a broken token.】

【Current Constant World Walker's historical influence: 0.15%→0.35%!】

【Your Muromachi Late Period Warring States Period reputation +500!】

"Good!"

Imagawa Yoshimoto immediately nodded, sweeping away his previously icy expression.

She laughed and said: "Mr. Toru's methods are truly extraordinary! It has truly opened the eyes of Lord Imagawa and everyone present!"

Hearing Imagawa Yoshimoto's slight change in how she addressed him, Uesugi Toru also smiled and clasped his hands, likewise changing his address,

"Lord Imagawa flatters me; today's technique is merely a minor path."

Imagawa Yoshimoto happily received the envious, solemn, and jealous and fearful gazes from all around.

She then walked two steps closer to Uesugi Toru, wanting to pat his shoulder to show closeness.

But when this Imagawa Clan Head raised her hand and blinked, she discovered her height seemed insufficient to perform this action.

Uesugi Toru, seeing this, subtly squatted slightly, allowing Imagawa Yoshimoto, who was likewise standing on tiptoe, to cough twice somewhat embarrassedly after patting his shoulder.

The girl had already adjusted her expression by the time she turned around.

She smiled broadly and raised both arms toward her retainers, allies, and enemies and future enemies: "Everyone, don't forget, the Genpuku Ceremony has not yet begun!"

Only after these words did many suddenly remember that today's protagonist seemed to be the silent Takechiyo who had been sitting formally in the Gozen Hall until now.

Takechiyo, upon hearing this, secretly sighed in relief and moved his legs, which had almost lost feeling.

He glanced at the heroic youth wearing the Chief Priest Robe and holding a folding fan, and engraved this face forever in his heart.

Afterward, it had nothing to do with Uesugi Toru.

Imagawa Yoshimoto returned to the carpet and walked into the Gozen Hall.

Under everyone's gaze, she placed the "Eboshi Hat" symbolizing adulthood on Takechiyo, marking that he had henceforth shed his child's identity.

"As for your name, I shall bestow upon you 'Yasutomo'!"

Immediately afterward, Imagawa Yoshimoto directly granted Takechiyo, who had already changed his name to "Matsudaira Motoyasu," the title of "Mikawa Governor"—that is, the title of ruler of the Mikawa Region.

With Matsudaira Motoyasu's thanks, the Genpuku Ceremony officially ended.

The samurai from other countries who had originally wanted to win over and make friends with Uesugi Toru all left with blackened faces as quickly as possible, not saying another word to him.

Because of those words before the Genpuku Ceremony began, it could almost be confirmed that this Onmyoji Toru had nothing to do with them anymore.

Since that was the case, they might as well hurry back to bring today's major news to their own lords.

Before today, few believed Onmyoji truly existed, and no one would think an Onmyoji could possess such powerful power.

And after today, the wheel of history had quietly changed direction a little.

Even if insignificant.

……

After the Genpuku Ceremony ended and everyone dispersed,

Uesugi Toru and Shiraishi were ordered to stay specially in a Side Hall to wait for a while.

Shiraishi, eating pastries never seen before, poked Uesugi Toru's waist: "Boss, after that lightning was released earlier, what did you see? I couldn't see anything."

Uesugi Toru's train of thought broke, and he asked very puzzled: "You say you didn't see……"

However, before he finished speaking, Imagawa Yoshimoto's figure appeared at the doorway, still wearing the Twelve-Layered Robe.

He had to interrupt his words and look at Imagawa Yoshimoto with a smile on her lips.

"Lord Imagawa."

"Mr. Toru, and this…… Shiraishi, please come with me."

The girl nodded to the two of them one by one.

Uesugi Toru responded, and Shiraishi only after scooping several uneaten pastries from the small plate into his pocket did he hurry after them in quick steps.

Soon, the two followed Imagawa Yoshimoto to a quiet residence.

Uesugi Toru was about to speak, but Imagawa Yoshimoto before him seemed to have anticipated it and answered: "This is my daily residence, only used when receiving important guests."

After understanding, Uesugi Toru walked into the residence.

And saw Taigen Sessai already sitting before a wooden table, spirited.

He stood up immediately upon seeing Uesugi Toru, then slightly bowed his head to express thanks: "Today's grace of Mr. Toru, I shall certainly keep in mind."

Uesugi Toru shook his head: "No need for that, merely a trivial effort."

Taigen Sessai laughed after hearing this, and he looked at Imagawa Yoshimoto standing beside Uesugi Toru: "You should know I wasn't talking only about myself."

He sat down and pushed the tea he had just brewed over.

Uesugi Toru did not decline, immediately sat down, and drank the hot tea in one gulp.

Seeing this, Taigen Sessai likewise raised his teacup, and after drinking it in one gulp said: "Mr. Toru is indeed as Lord Imagawa said, refined in conduct yet magnanimous at heart!"

What an evaluation...

Uesugi Toru looked at Imagawa Yoshimoto already seated opposite, paused for a moment, then asked: "Lord Imagawa, inviting me at this time, surely there is an important matter to inquire about."

"Mr. Toru sees clearly."

Imagawa Yoshimoto pressed her lips,

"Regarding what you said before, that my teacher, under your careful care, could still live more than ten years..."

"It is false."

Uesugi Toru shook his head before she finished: "Lord Taigen has been entangled by that Fatty Ghost for at least ten-odd months, and over time his Jing Shen has already been emptied; this is an irreversible matter."

Ten years or such is merely words I use to deceive outsiders."

Imagawa Yoshimoto lowered her eyes, and could not help but reveal a disappointed expression.

"But if she rests with all her might," Uesugi Toru continued, "at least within one year there will be no danger to her life."

One year.

Light surged once more in Imagawa Yoshimoto's eyes—this was far more than what Taigen Sessai had told her a few days ago, at most a few weeks.

She clenched her fists, both cheeks puffed out as she silently exhaled: "Teacher, could you please leave for a moment?"

Hearing this, Uesugi Toru patted Shiraishi's knee under the table, and the latter, without a word, ran out of the doorway with a thump-thump-thump.

He had been worrying about not being able to eat sweet pastries.

In the blink of an eye, only Uesugi Toru and Imagawa Yoshimoto remained in this Quiet Room.

Silence quietly spread.

Imagawa Yoshimoto rarely stroked her fingertips.

She was thinking what opening words she should say to strike straight at Uesugi Toru's heart, making him willingly lower his head and become her Retainer...

Wait, no.

This idea seemed fundamentally wrong from the root.

—Toru is the one and only Onmyoji under Heaven; today, if he leaves the Imagawa Residence first, he will surely be fiercely contested by all Daimyo afterward.

And if she wanted to recruit him, she would definitely have to pay a price utterly different from recruiting anyone else.

In the stillness, Imagawa Yoshimoto looked straight at him, then spoke extremely concisely and forcefully,

"Mr. Toru, please become my Imagawa Yoshimoto's Retainer."

Uesugi Toru's fingers tapping his knee stopped.

He knew Imagawa Yoshimoto was probably thinking about what to say, but he had not expected her to open her mouth and say this to him.

This was no different from a man and woman still in the ambiguous stage meeting, and then the woman, upon meeting the man offline for the first time, says: "I like you, date me."

Such words, if spoken by anyone else, would undoubtedly have ended the topic.

But Imagawa Yoshimoto was different.

She smiled faintly: "Saying Retainer, actually Mr. Toru need not perform Retainer rites toward me, nor need show me any loyalty."

Imagawa Yoshimoto placed both hands on her knees, her eyes bright and fervent, as if the entire Tenka had already been grasped in her hand:

"I only wish to cooperate mutually with Mr. Toru; you help me become Tenka-bito, and I will expend all of the Imagawa Clan to protect you, help you Cultivate, spread your fame..."

She stood up, the wide shadow of her Twelve-Layered Robe blocking the light shooting from behind the girl:

"And after I become Tenka-bito, whether you wish to Gekokujo, wish to leave the Imagawa and establish an Independent School, or wish to make me bow down beneath Mr. Toru, letting you take these achievements into your pocket, all are completely viable options!"

"Everything is left for you to Go Do."

"Naturally!"

Imagawa Yoshimoto braced both hands on the Wooden Table, overturning the Teacup; she did not care at all, leaning forward, her Nose Tip almost colliding with Uesugi Toru.

Scorching breath struck Uesugi Toru's Face, and the girl said Word By Word,

"—However, Mr. Toru, you will not do these things in the future."

Uesugi Toru's Complexion was calm: "How do you know?"

"—Because I am Imagawa Yoshimoto."

Imagawa Yoshimoto extended a Finger, gently lifting Uesugi Toru's Chin, letting him see through her eyes without omission the surging thoughts within her own heart.

The black-haired girl who trusted she would absolutely become Tenka-bito in the future smiled,

"Because I am, Imagawa Yoshimoto."

Uesugi Toru helplessly Sighed, raised his hand, and grasped Imagawa Yoshimoto's Palm.

He sighed: "Lord Imagawa, I see you are no whit inferior to that Oda Nobunaga; except for being too confident and arrogant, one simply cannot see any flaws."

Imagawa Yoshimoto, not expecting to be compared with that Lord of Owari, was stunned for a moment, revealing a look of astonishment.

Then, she felt the man before her solemnly grasp her Palm.

With such force.

Imagawa Yoshimoto, seeing him speak, seemed to hear the Rivet of a gear named Destiny,

"If so, please let me temporarily be Loyal to you."

"Lord Imagawa."

【You have chosen to join Great Daimyo · Imagawa Yoshimoto's Under Command.】

【Your Main Quest first ring · Entry Ticket has been Completion!】

(End of Chapter)