The Yamata no Orochi looked at the stunned Qing Lianzi and Nan Shanzi, its lips curving upwards into a satisfied smile.
"Now, let me grant you the supreme glory of death!"
With that, the Yamata no Orochi's belt-like appendages flew out from its waist, sweeping towards Nan Shanzi and the other.
But as the Yamata no Orochi's appendages "tore through" Nan Shanzi and Qing Lianzi, it sensed something was wrong.
The expected blood and gore did not appear; instead, they vanished as if turning into smoke, dissipating into wisps of vapor.
"This is wrong! It's a trap!"
The Yamata no Orochi quickly scanned its surroundings, searching for the two figures.
"What are you looking at? I'm here~"
The Yamata no Orochi froze, then hastily turned to locate the enemy, a flash of scale glinting across its body.
*Bang!*
Rage and Resentment simultaneously kicked out, sending the Yamata no Orochi flying several meters away, crashing directly into the tall, dark red wall.
"Aaaah!!"
The red wall immediately disappeared, and the Yamata no Orochi's back suffered unbearable pain (taking massive magic damage). The haori on its back instantly turned into tatters, and its once smooth, unblemished back became as dark as scorched charcoal. Upon closer inspection, patches of semi-transparent scales were slowly peeling off.
Under the influence of [Netherworld Hell], the Yamata no Orochi's speed was reduced by 99%, and all its actions were heavily restricted.
Though unsure why the Yamata no Orochi was in this state, it didn't stop Nan Shanzi and Qing Lianzi from striking while the iron was hot. The two unleashed their respective abilities, bombarding the immobile Yamata no Orochi with relentless attacks.
With no other choice, the Yamata no Orochi reverted to its serpent form, its massive body shielding its vital areas, enduring the onslaught.
"Junior Sister... don't use your abilities for now. Circulating your spiritual energy will only accelerate the spread of the poison within you," Nan Shanzi warned, noticing Qing Lianzi's unsteady breathing.
"Senior Brother, but how can you suppress this demon alone?"
"Listen to me!"
Seeing the decrease in their offensive power, the Yamata no Orochi poked its head out again, only to find its speed had returned to normal.
"Hahaha! Heaven aids me! Both of you shall die!"
The Yamata no Orochi's six heads attacked simultaneously, closing in on the two in a pincer formation.
Nan Shanzi was about to dodge when he noticed a faint, verdant energy emanating from the top of the Yamata no Orochi's heads.
*Boom—*
Within seconds, before the Yamata no Orochi could even touch Nan Shanzi and Qing Lianzi, a surge of immense energy exploded within its body. Its soul felt as if it were being scraped by a dull knife thousands of times over. The intense pain caused it to crash uncontrollably into another dark red wall.
"Aaaah!!"
The same skill, a different kind of torment.
This time, the Yamata no Orochi was more direct, instantly passing out from the pain.
Its massive body fell into the dust, then was slowly engulfed by the dark red flames that appeared on its form, eventually turning into a pile of ashes.
...
Mo Chuan, carrying the Soul Guiding Lamp and dragging the Soul Hook, walked step by step towards the dying Shuten Doji.
"You... who are you..." Shuten Doji, enduring the coppery taste in his throat, spoke with difficulty.
"As I said..." Mo Chuan said, his crimson eyes staring, "I am your greatest fear..."
"You are... toying with me... I am the Oni King! I... fear nothing!"
"Don't be so sure of yourself~" Mo Chuan pierced Shuten Doji's body with his hook, lifting her off the ground. Ignoring her wails and screams, he brought the Soul Guiding Lamp close to her face. "Tremble like a fish~"
Shuten Doji's soul was directly siphoned out by the Soul Guiding Lamp. The dark red soul struggled to break free from its physical form, much like an ordinary mortal, then screamed as it entered the lantern, showing no difference from any common specter.
Mo Chuan watched Shuten Doji slowly turn to dust, feeling an ancient power stir within his soul.
It seemed to convey a message: "From this moment on, you are the King of a Hundred Oni."
He climbed out of the ruins and saw people slowly waking up, soldiers clearing the battlefield, buildings ablaze, the jungle reduced to scorched earth, and reinforcements arriving from afar.
"Alright... Lord Oni King, cleaning up the battlefield isn't as glamorous as you might imagine."
A voice, tinged with charm and seduction, came from behind Mo Chuan. Turning, Mo Chuan saw Su Daji's smiling, pretty face.
"Let's go~"
"Go where?"
"You'll know when we get there."
"I want to see Mo Fei first."
"Of course~ Who told you you're already the Oni King?"
...
Mo Chuan looked at Mo Fei sleeping peacefully in the medical tent, his heart finally at ease.
"Let's go..." As Mo Chuan turned to leave, before he could even finish his sentence, he collapsed into Su Li's arms.
"Mmm... you're exhausted... this is my fault too..." Su Li looked at Mo Chuan with a hint of distress, gently stroking his head. Seeing no one around, she snapped her fingers.
The two then vanished from the spot.
...
"Hiss... Where is this..." Mo Chuan opened his eyes, his head throbbing. He slowly sat up, surveying the unfamiliar surroundings.
"This is the instructor's dormitory, silly."
Mo Chuan looked at the source of the voice, utterly bewildered. Su Li, dressed in a white loungewear and a pink apron, walked over carrying a plate of sliced fruit.
"Teacher Su Li... no... you are..." Mo Chuan said, his head pounding.
"Who I am is not important. Su Li, Su Daji, Tamamo-no-Mae, it's all me," Su Li said, narrowing her eyes and placing a piece of fruit into Mo Chuan's mouth. "What's important is, who are you now?"
"I have to admit, classmate Mo Chuan, you always give me peculiar surprises... even frights... but this only increases my interest in you~ Don't spit it out, the Yang Shen Orange is very sour, but it can effectively alleviate the effects of overusing your abilities."
Mo Chuan swallowed the Yang Shen Orange with difficulty and said, "Teacher Su, you have quite a few secrets too. How about an exchange? I ask you one question, and you ask me one question."
Su Li maintained her smile, seeming to hesitate for a moment before replying, "Deal~ It's just that my little Mo Chuan is getting more cunning, starting to negotiate with his Teacher Su~ You weren't like this before~"
"Teacher Su, please just communicate as you always have. I can't stand this seductive tone."
"Oh? Classmate Mo Chuan likes aloof, mature women? But it's okay~ Teacher can fulfill your little wish~"
Mo Chuan quickly began eating the Yang Shen Orange, attempting to ignore Su Li's topic.
"Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore. I'll ask you, where did your power come from? Is that Hannya mask real?"
"You asked two questions."
"Answer quickly!"
...
Jibei City passed its first peaceful night after the Hyakki Yako.