Chapter 71 The Onmyoji Appears!
Upon witnessing the immense power displayed by the Ninja Emperor, Xiao Yu could not help but smile, murmuring softly, “This is more like it. Show me your true strength, and let us have a fierce, satisfying battle. It’s been far too long since I’ve felt the hand of the Ninja Emperor.”
As the cracks spread beneath his feet, Xiao Yu flickered and leapt into the air. The moment he ascended, a blade’s gleam followed swiftly behind. Sensing this, Xiao Yu swung his longsword, sending a burst of sword energy racing forth.
With a thunderous clash, blade and sword collided, unleashing a violent stream of energy that scattered in all directions. Both figures darted aside in midair after the impact, only to reengage instantly. Xiao Yu spun through the air, his sword infused with murderous intent as he thrust toward the Ninja Emperor.
A clear, ringing sound echoed as the Ninja Emperor blocked Xiao Yu’s strike with his long blade. Xiao Yu’s right hand trembled, channeling immense power into the sword, forcing the Ninja Emperor to retreat repeatedly in midair.
“What incredible strength! Judging by your appearance, you’re barely my equal, so why is your power so overwhelming?” The Ninja Emperor steadied himself, frowning deeply as he muttered at Xiao Yu. But Xiao Yu was not one for mercy. He remained silent, raising his longsword and charging at the Ninja Emperor once more.
The Ninja Emperor’s expression shifted, but he did not hesitate, wielding his blade as he pressed forward. The two stood together in midair, locked in battle, exchanging blows with fierce abandon. As they neared their hundredth exchange, Xiao Yu seized an opening: his left hand gathered formidable energy and struck the Ninja Emperor’s chest with a powerful palm.
The Ninja Emperor felt a suffocating force in his chest as he was sent flying through the air. Blood arced gracefully from his mouth, and before he could land, Xiao Yu—hovering in midair—appeared above him in a flash, pressing his palm down upon the Ninja Emperor.
With a boom, the Ninja Emperor’s body was slammed into the ground, raising clouds of dust. He braced himself with one hand, coughing up more blood before slowly rising.
“Ninja Emperor? Seems you’re not so formidable after all. Compared to Feng Qingge, you’re still far behind,” Xiao Yu remarked calmly, landing opposite the Ninja Emperor.
At the mention of Feng Qingge’s name, the Ninja Emperor trembled. Feng Qingge was one of the undisputed top masters in the martial arts world of the Cherry Blossom Country. Not yet fifty years old, he had reached the pinnacle of martial cultivation, but after his breakthrough, he vanished from the martial world as if he had evaporated.
“Hmph! If Feng Qingge were here, you wouldn’t dare to act so arrogantly!” the Ninja Emperor spat blood, glaring at Xiao Yu.
“Unfortunately, you are not Feng Qingge. And you will never witness the battle between me and him.” With that, Xiao Yu advanced, sword in hand.
The Ninja Emperor seemed resigned to his fate, offering no resistance and slowly closing his eyes. Xiao Yu shook his head, raising his sword high to finish him off. Just as he was about to strike, something changed.
As Xiao Yu prepared to attack, a dangerous aura began to rise, one so powerful that even he felt threatened. Xiao Yu swore: never before, neither now nor in the past, had he sensed such overwhelming energy. It made him tremble.
He paused, instinctively turning toward the tall tree behind Ye Xuemei. At its summit stood a black-clad figure, motionless. Xiao Yu saw that the figure appeared even younger than himself, yet the aura emanating from him was shocking.
The youth hovered silently atop the tree, the breeze lifting his long hair, lending him an air of deep mystery.
“Who are you?” Xiao Yu asked warily, frowning.
“Ampei Haruka. From the Cherry Blossom Country. Others call me the Onmyoji,” the youth replied with a faint smile. His form faded from the treetop, and when he reappeared, he was less than five meters from Xiao Yu.
“Onmyoji?” Upon hearing Ampei Haruka’s claim, Xiao Yu, the Ninja Emperor, and the distant Yamamoto Yoshiko all shuddered involuntarily.
The arrival of an Onmyoji was most shocking to Yamamoto Yoshiko and the Ninja Emperor.
The role of Onmyoji originated in Yanxia. Those who bore the title possessed knowledge of astrology, physiognomy, directionality, omens, geomancy, talismanic arts, and ritual incantations.
Today, Onmyoji are rare in Yanxia, but their tradition thrives in the Cherry Blossom Country.
When the imperial capital moved from Nagamamo to Heian, the four-hundred-year era of Heian began. Yet Heian was no paradise: the city was plagued by demons and vengeful spirits, monsters lurking not only in distant forests and mountains but also quietly coexisting with humans, even under the same roof. The capital was devoured by supernatural forces, becoming a nest of phantoms—and the stage upon which Onmyoji flourished.
Onmyoji used their talents to exorcise these demons and spirits, earning recognition from the nation’s ruler and becoming part of the official institutions. Through the passage of history, Onmyoji were finally incorporated into the Onmyo Bureau, making them an official force of the Cherry Blossom Country. Controlling the Onmyo Bureau meant wielding the power to interpret all mysteries.
Over time, Onmyoji evolved into the country’s dark arbiters, wielding absolute power over life and death—masters of the shadows.
This profession was always low-profile, never involved in disputes. They were even more patient than the ninja, for not only were they arbiters of darkness, but also served as the ruler’s council of strategists.
If the imperial ninja corps were royal watchdogs, then these Onmyoji were reapers, clad in black robes and wielding scythes.
Reapers of supreme intelligence.
“Onmyoji… truly a troublesome figure,” Xiao Yu thought.
He was well aware of the Onmyoji, having faced one in battle three years prior—a match that ended in a draw. That was the first true master Xiao Yu had encountered in five years of war.