Chapter 452
When Imagawa meets Ririko, it's like Mars colliding with Earth! The Underworld, a p
Chapter 452 When Imagawa meets Ririko, it's like Mars colliding with Earth! A place teeming with demons... the Secret Land of the Underworld
"To be able to associate with historical figures from 500 years ago, Uesugi-kun, you're really amazing."
After listening patiently to Uesugi Tetsuya's complicated, tortuous, and lengthy "experience," Ririko chuckled and exclaimed, even clapping her hands in the process.
"What do you mean by 'getting together'... that's such a nasty way to put it."
Uesugi Tetsu rubbed his forehead and reiterated, "That's called choosing a master, supporting someone, a good bird choosing a tree to perch on, and a wise minister choosing a master to serve!"
"Okay, okay, I know."
Ririko chuckled softly: "Anyway, you'll definitely be supporting that Imagawa Yoshimoto while Nishi and Kaga Kiyomitsu are away."
"No wonder she was able to overpower all others and become the first person to rule the world during the Warring States period... I always felt that something was strange before, it was like her life was completely cheated."
Ririko said, "So, her 'cheat' is you, Uesugi-kun."
Uesugi Tetsu: "..."
It seems that stereotypes cannot be changed.
Ririko continued counting on her fingers.
"The mastermind behind it all, the regent of Imagawa, and that 'Great Onmyoji Tetsu' who is almost like a myth, is actually you, Uesugi-kun."
The girl clicked her tongue twice, her mood becoming somewhat strange.
—Her opponents are shikigami like Erchi, or even people like Ye Chun who are connected to ghost stories.
As a result, an ancient "heavenly plum" that lived five hundred years ago suddenly appeared halfway through the journey!
What kind of nonsense is this?
If she were to use the method she had learned to distinguish between "childhood sweethearts and philanderers," wouldn't she inexplicably become a "philanderer"?
What a joke!
Isn't this cheating?!
However, Ririko then realized that the man named Imagawa Yoshimoto was already a "person from ancient times" from five hundred years ago. Unlike Uesugi-kun, he was not a "walker" and could not travel through time.
So, he died a long time ago.
Just like the ending of the story Uesugi-kun told, Imagawa Yoshimoto was just an ordinary person.
There is a deep and insurmountable chasm between mortals and the extraordinary.
Now, Yoshimoto Imagawa has been buried in a small box under that cherry blossom tree, so he can no longer do anything, let alone oppose her.
As for the idea of someone rising from the coffin... of course, that's impossible.
If that were possible, Imagawa Yoshimoto would probably have been resurrected long ago and would be standing right in front of her.
Thinking of this, Ririko felt a subtle resentment, but also a strange sense of superiority tinged with mockery.
Ririko suddenly became magnanimous: "In short, I am very grateful to Imagawa Yoshimoto for everything he did for you, Uesugi-kun, and I can understand the friendship between you two."
Otherwise, Uesugi-kun, you'd also be troubled when facing the Eight Sufferings Incarnation, or that Demon Guild.
"Of course."
Then, Ririko changed the subject, staring intently at Uesugi Tetsuya, and said...
"While I am very grateful, it doesn't stop me from wanting to chop Imagawa Yoshimoto in half with one stroke—if she were still alive."
"—It's not a difficult problem to sincerely thank them first and then cut the price."
Listening to Ririko's seemingly genuine and earnest words, Uesugi Tetsuya understood something.
That is,
Ririko Tokugawa and Yoshimoto Imagawa could not meet.
We absolutely cannot meet.
—Although Ririko and Nichi sometimes clashed and the atmosphere was often strained, that was about it. Before this, their relationship was actually quite good, and even when Ririko was unhappy, she would still make Nichi a children's meal.
As for Ye Chun, he is naturally gentle and spent a long time with Lili in the dream without any conflict, so it seems unlikely that there will be any major problems.
But if Imagawa Yoshimoto were to come, and she were to encounter Ririko, it would be an absolutely explosive scene, like Mars colliding with Earth.
First of all, the two were not familiar with each other at all.
Secondly, given Imagawa Yoshimoto's personality, it would be wishful thinking, and utterly impossible, for Uesugi Tetsu to make her back down.
Not to mention the information I heard from Nanjo Aimi before, Imagawa Yoshimoto has now practically become the overlord of the Tokoyo Sengoku period, a true "ruler of the land".
One sentence from her can mobilize an incredible amount of power.
And would you get Ririko to take a step back?
That's an idea with a probability of "0%". It's like Kenshin Tōmei, who has reached the other side, is just messing with you.
Uesugi Tetsuya reasonably guessed that even if Ririko died because of this, he would not back down even an inch.
Fortunately, things are far from being that bad.
Currently, Ririko is in the present world, while Yoshimoto Imagawa is deep within the eternal world.
The former is unlikely to wander around, while the latter, given Uesugi Tetsuya's understanding of her, is also unlikely to take action against the mortal world in the face of this second wave.
There is absolutely no chance that the two of them will meet in the foreseeable future.
This is a good thing...
Ririko, who had listened to the story, calmed down and became unusually calm.
she thinks,
"Becoming a ghost or god isn't so urgent. Let's wait for the second wave and take advantage of it to pass through naturally."
Before that, you can first bring forth the "spirit" within your body.
As for the other protagonist in the story, "Imagawa Yoshimoto," she didn't care that much.
After all, Imagawa Yoshimoto is no longer alive.
So it doesn't matter how good her relationship with Uesugi-kun was before she died, or what Uesugi Tetsu did for her.
"Uesugi-kun."
Ririko said, "If you go to pay respects at Imagawa Yoshimoto's grave in the future, you can take me with you. I'll light two incense sticks for her and bring some fruit."
Uesugi Tetsuya's expression was somewhat unnatural, and for a moment he didn't know how to answer.
In the end, he could only laugh and say "okay".
"Oh, right, Uesugi-kun."
"Hmm?" At this moment, a hundred thousand thoughts of changing the subject and delaying the conversation had already arisen in Uesugi Tetsu's mind.
Ririko looked Uesugi Tetsuya up and down: "I feel like you've changed a bit since you came back. How should I put it... like you have more 'qi'? Or more vitality?"
So that's what it was about.
All the jumbled thoughts vanished in that instant, and Uesugi Tetsu nodded: "As expected of Ririko, you noticed the change in my breathing technique right away."
He briefly explained to Ririko that his Corona Breathing Technique had entered its third chapter, "Nourishing the Spirit," which could condense the three flowers of essence, energy, and spirit.
However, I haven't fully mastered it yet, so I can only figure it out on my own.
"So when Ririko sees the gods without being corrupted, we can verify each other's identities."
He spoke to Ririko, whose eyes showed considerable interest.
"Okay, then it's settled."
If she had any questions or wanted to know, Uesugi Tetsu had already answered them all, so Ririko didn't have anything more to say. She wasn't usually the talkative type.
Moreover, Ririko is currently more interested in "Imagawa Yoshimoto" than in chatting with Uesugi Tetsu.
She took out her phone and, humming a little tune, slowly read about the life and deeds of this now-deceased "powerful rival" and "childhood sweetheart."
Seeing this, Uesugi Tetsu opened his mouth but didn't say anything more.
He looked at Erchi, sensing the faint aura of the Evil Eye of the Desolate God on her, and asked, "How much have you refined so far?"
“A little over 80%,” Er Chi said.
"Not bad, not bad."
Uesugi Tetsu gave her a thumbs up.
Once Erchi completes the "Wish Power Protector Manual" using the remains of this desolate god, his strength will noticeably rise to another level. —The second wave isn't far off, but it's highly unlikely to arrive within the next three to five days.
This much time is more than enough for him to complete the Asura's Heavenly Path. It would be best if he could find a place with many demons and obtain the tens of thousands of soul ash he needs.
This matter...
Uesugi Tetsu first flipped through the [Demon King's Map of the Mortal World], but after searching, there were so many answers that it was overwhelming.
—Let's ask Ye Chun.
She's a "local" in this world, and if there's still no answer, it's not too late to try each point on the map one by one.
Taking out his phone, Uesugi Tetsu sent a message to Ye Chun on Line.
[Moon Sand: Miss Ye Chun, I'm looking for a place where there are many demons below the level of Aragami, but where I can kill them without provoking the forces of the mortal world. Do you have any suitable recommendations?]
Instead of sending "Are you there?", they directly got to the point.
Because asking "Are you there?" is such a waste of information communication efficiency...
To Uesugi Tetsu's surprise, Ye Chun replied within two seconds.
[Ye Chun: Yes, yes, Uesugi-kun.]
"The internet in Tokoyo is that good?" Uesugi Tetsu was surprised at first, but then he understood. "Kisaragi Station's business is growing bigger and bigger, so what's wrong with giving the boss some good internet?"
[Ye Chun: But the location is in the mortal world, and it's quite dangerous.]
[Moon Sand: Danger is a minor issue; I have plenty of life-saving items, enough to make me die fifteen, sixteen, or seventeen times over.]
These words put Ye Chun at ease.
[Ye Chun: When are you going, Uesugi-kun?]
[Tsuki-suna-chan: Is tomorrow morning okay?]
[Ye Chun: Yes, of course. You can go to the nearest bus or tram stop at 8:00 AM tomorrow and just wait for the train with your VIP card.]
[Tsuki-suna-chan: Thank you.]
Ye Chun: You're welcome.
After putting down his phone, Uesugi Tetsu's expression was slightly strange.
Why does it always feel like my conversation with Ye Chun is like two office workers talking about work, or... like two machines having a conversation?
Forget it.
Uesugi Tetsu didn't care about such a trivial matter.
Nothing more was said that night.
The next morning, just before Uesugi Tetsuya was about to step out of his room, Ririko's voice sounded behind him.
"Leaving again?"
"Yes?"
Can I keep up?
"No, you don't have any way to protect yourself in the mortal world, it's too dangerous."
"it is good."
The two completed their conversation efficiently and concisely, as always.
Uesugi Tetsuya, with two swords at his waist, called for Erchi to follow—Erchi now possessed the Pure Lotus Embryo Treasury, which greatly enhanced his endurance, and even without that, she was still a formidable demon.
The present world is relatively friendly to those below the level of ghosts and gods when it comes to cultivation, but once one breaks through to the level of ghosts and gods, one will feel "numerous obstacles".
This is the second reason why Uesugi Tetsuya brings Nisha instead of Ririko.
Uesugi Tetsu entered the world of the dead and waited at the abandoned Kisaragi Station platform until exactly eight o'clock.
woo-
The warm, bright yellow headlights illuminated the surrounding mist that had risen sometime earlier, and a deep hum came from not far away.
This is a simple train with only one locomotive and one carriage.
The little train is entirely dark and matte, adorned with touches of gold, giving it a calm, understated yet grand appearance.
chi chi...
The heavy, gold-trimmed car door opened, revealing a genuine leather sofa, a transparent refrigerator, and a projection screen; the car was empty.
Clearly, this was a "special train" that Ye Chun had specially prepared for him.
"Wow...Master, this is different from the one you've ridden before!"
Xiao Jia exclaimed in surprise, "If I had a phone, I would have already snapped a bunch of photos and posted them on WeChat Moments."
Uesugi Tetsuya was a little embarrassed.
No matter what, building a private train for oneself is a bit too much.
How should I repay this favor?
Uesugi Tetsu couldn't think of anything for the moment, so he thanked Ye Chun on Line and sent a few "Boss is so generous" emojis.
Ye Chun then replied with three emojis: "I'm glad you're satisfied," "Happy fireworks," and "Anime character holding a heart."
Sitting on the soft leather sofa, Uesugi Tetsu watched Ye Chun describe the destination of this trip on Line.
Simply put, that desolate and remote undeveloped land, inhabited only by a large number of mindless, vicious demons, was the place Ye Chun found when he was planning to open up a "new route".
Ye Chun had considered clearing out this large open space, but there were simply too many unsavory characters and monsters he couldn't communicate with.
In addition, it would be inconvenient for her to hire too many people to "clean up" the mess, otherwise the news would leak out and attract the attention of the factory owners, which would be like doing someone else's work for them.
So Ye Chun had been having some headaches, and simply left the place vacant, since it wasn't a necessary stop anyway.
Uesugi Tetsu flipped through the Demon King's map of the underworld and found that the destination was not actually included in the map, which meant that the area was indeed sparsely populated.
Outside the window, the scenery flashes by.
Many sites that Uesugi Tetsuya was familiar with rushed by.
At several moments, Uesugi Tetsu even saw in the distance a line of black-armored soldiers, their discipline impeccable, stretching to the horizon as if they were about to go to war.
"Making such a big scene... it seems there are quite a few people who have ideas about the present world."
Uesugi Tetsu casually remarked, seemingly oblivious to the fact that the black-armored soldiers' armor was actually somewhat familiar in outline and style to some armor he remembered.
Several hours later, the special train, which boasted terrifying speed, finally came to a slow stop.
We've arrived at our destination.
At this moment, what was displayed in front of Uesugi Tetsu was a platform that was clearly built by Ye Jun, but looked like it hadn't been used for a long time.
And from this center, an endless expanse of rotting flesh and bones piled up.
Under the gaze of a thousand eyes, on this desolate sandy land, beneath the yellow sky, amidst piles of white bones.
Twisted, long-lost human forms of black shadows writhed and rose, tearing and devouring each other with the skin-covered, bone-and-blood, terrifying half-humanoid demons.
"What the hell is all this...?"
Having already transformed into a demon and possessed a thousand eyes, Uesugi Tetsu narrowed his eyes, stepped out of the special train carriage with a hint of wariness, and crushed a pile of fragile white bones on the ground.
Then, not far away, he saw a road sign that looked old and decaying, and was on the verge of collapse.
It reads "...Secret Land".
However, the front was so corroded that it was difficult to see clearly, so even Uesugi Tetsu spent quite a while trying to decipher the two somewhat ancient characters.
A dozen seconds later, Uesugi Tetsu read those four words aloud in his mind—
"The Underworld... a secret realm?"
The Underworld?!
The words that had left a deep impression on him despite their brief contact resonated like a thunderclap in Uesugi Tetsuya's mind.
(End of this chapter)