Chapter 1 Divine Palace

　　The Heian Shrine wasn't too far from Honnoji Temple.

　　So, the great changes that occurred within Honnoji had long been known to the Shintoist Heian Shrine. Moreover, compared to Honnoji, which was kept in the dark, the Heian Shrine had some understanding of what was being nurtured beneath Honnoji.

　　This was one of the privileges granted by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, not only because the Heian Shrine was an important place for Shintoism, but more importantly because the way of the ghost gods (kishindo) itself was a variant derived from the fusion of ancient Shintoism and Buddhism.

　　Moreover, shrines (jinja) and grand shrines (jingu) were different. That is, the grand shrine itself existed as the Emperor's "garden," and only the ancestors of the Emperor's lineage were enshrined there, each enshrined in different places in the form of various grand shrines.

　　The road in front of the grand shrine was already ablaze with fire on both sides. A large number of Shintoist believers discovered the two people walking towards them. The person leading them was actually the head priest of Honnoji Temple, which made them look serious and sternly shout to stop them!

　　"Stop! Head priest of Honnoji Temple, who exactly is that person beside you!"

　　They were on high alert, of course, not because they had recognized Ji Xiang's identity.

　　Seeing the various expressions on their faces, the old head priest suddenly seemed to understand the current situation and couldn't help but feel annoyed:

　　"It seems these people know a lot."

　　"They must think that the great demon is the resurrected Lord Nobunaga."

　　That feeling of being deceived was not pleasant. Only now did the old head priest realize an important point, namely that the grand shrine knew the inside story, while Honnoji Temple itself did not. It seemed that his entire temple of monks had long been regarded by Hideyoshi as food to feed the demon god.

　　When Ji Xiang saw those Shintoist cultivators coming out to meet the enemy, his eyes began to glow.

　　The strong scent of incense. Although the incense on each person's body was insignificant, it seemed like a lot when gathered together. This was a grand shrine that enshrined ancient emperors, different from shrines that anyone could visit. It was a place of secluded cultivation for Shintoist cultivators, and only members of the imperial family and various officials would come here to worship.

　　Emperor Kanmu was the main deity enshrined in this grand shrine, and his origins were Shintoism and Onmyodo. He adopted a repressive attitude towards past Buddhism. Although he had vigorously supported the Hokke sect, it was only a concession made to suppress the existing Buddhist forces.

　　"Although the incense is not constantly prosperous, it is better because it is constant and long-lasting."

　　"If I eat it, I can recover twenty to thirty percent of my magical power. I wonder if there will be more incense inside the grand shrine, in that statue of the Emperor?"

　　Ji Xiang commented on the power of incense floating in the world, completely disregarding the Shintoist cultivators in front of him. To them, Ji Xiang's words were as blasphemous as blaspheming Jehovah in front of Christians. Immediately, many people's faces became twisted and fierce, and they gradually approached Ji Xiang, but they still did not dare to act rashly.

　　At this time, they whispered to each other:

　　"Is this person the great demon under Honnoji Temple?"

　　"Earlier, a shocking change occurred in Honnoji Temple, and demonic energy surged. I'm afraid it's him...."

　　Some of the grand shrine's cultivators only knew that a great demon was imprisoned under Honnoji Temple, while some of the grand shrine's elders were more aware of the situation.

　　"Everything in the universe, all the gods in the world. This is the origin palace of Heian-kyo, the place where Emperor Kanmu rests. How can it be disturbed by a great demon? Quickly summon the gods and subdue this demon!"

　　An elderly Shintoist priest sternly shouted at this time. A dozen other Shintoist cultivators with profound cultivation also appeared with him. Ji Xiang glanced at them roughly, and they were all at the Xiantian realm and the Lianshen realm.

　　However, at the end of the Shinto path, in the depths of the grand shrine, in the place where the incense was the most prosperous, there was still a big shot who had not appeared, not knowing whether it was the peak of the mortal world at the pure Yang level, or a fake immortal who had damaged his form and spirit.

　　But no matter what....

　　"At the beginning, a master does not directly fight the enemy, but tries to let his disciples come forward to die. This is a big taboo. As a strong person, one should have a way to judge the opponent's strength, otherwise, wouldn't one's disciples die in vain?"

　　Ji Xiang's voice spread throughout the Shinto path, and the dozen or so cultivators with profound Taoism stared at Ji Xiang. Hearing this, some people couldn't help but chuckle.

　　"The reason why the strong are strong is to guard the rear to stabilize the morale of the army. Since ancient times, if you want to test the other party's strength, you must send a group of people with high magical power, but definitely not the strongest group. It is impossible for a general to come up and be a pioneer. If there is any mistake, and he accidentally dies here, wouldn't he be laughed at by the world?"

　　"You don't even understand this simple principle. You are really a stupid demon."

　　The cultivators laughed, and the Shinto path was filled with a happy atmosphere.

　　But Ji Xiang also chuckled:

　　"You didn't understand.... I said, you shouldn't let your disciples step forward before you."

　　The dozen or so great Shintoist cultivators looked at each other, but they didn't take Ji Xiang's words to heart at this time, and ridiculed him:

　　"Now, you can only say such arrogant remarks at this moment. Otherwise, when your demonic head is scattered, nothing will be left, let alone speak."

　　At the same time, the old Shintoist who had spoken before said to the other great Shintoist cultivators around him with a firm tone: "This person's body is not Lord Nobunaga's corpse. Although it has been more than ten years since we last saw the corpse, I can still recognize whether it is Lord Nobunaga or not."

　　"Whether it's the appearance, the appearance of the corpse, or the aura on his body, they are very different. There is not a single point that can correspond to the past Lord Nobunaga."

　　A great cultivator on the side moved his eyes slightly and whispered: "Didn't they say that they used the corpses of Mitsuhide Akechi and others for stitching..... Reversing aging is just reshaping the face. For a corpse spirit who has been resurrected, it should not be difficult."

　　"It's better to be cautious! If he is really a monster born from Lord Nobunaga's corpse, we also have countermeasures. If he is not, let the surrounding disciples test his magic first, so that we can prescribe the right medicine."

　　After the great cultivator finished speaking, he scolded the surrounding disciples again. Those disciples did not dare to continue waiting. They saw them forming seals with their hands, chanting incantations, their eyes glowing, and smoke rising from their ears and noses.

　　"Supreme Yuan Venerable God, inside and outside are pure and clean, Kuninotokotachi-no-Mikoto ...... The god is the inner certificate of the sovereign, showing compassion and joining the dust; the sovereign is the outer use of the god, showing frugality and governing the country...."

　　As they recited, strange forms and spirits appeared on the pillars on both sides of the Shinto path, including in the fire, shadows, sky, clouds, clothes.... Wherever there was a flow of aura, all of them appeared.

　　"Gods of heaven and earth, eight million gods!"

　　The old Shintoist cultivator stared at Ji Xiang: "Use the power of the gods to subdue the great demon."

　　The floor tiles of the Shinto path were also lifted up, and the mud surged as if it had life. Those Shintoist cultivators took out two treasures from their bodies, one was a mirror, and the other was a wooden doll.

　　After that, those strange forms and spirits that changed their aura attached to the wooden doll, and then, a halo appeared on the mirror, and these halos shone on the wooden doll.

　　Suddenly, a drizzle began to fall in the world.

　　However, the incense swayed in the drizzle, and the lights flickered, not going out, but becoming brighter.

　　The old head priest looked at this scene and explained to Ji Xiang:

　　"This is misogi harai. Shintoism does not have scriptures or classics. All their magical power comes from 'divine sacrifices'."

　　"The so-called misogi harai originated from the Han and Tang Dynasties in China. In essence, it refers to the ritual of washing away dirt by the river in March. In the divine sacrifice magic, when the summoning of gods begins, a drizzle will fall in the world."

　　"Then.... look, they are starting to dance."

　　At this time, the Shintoist cultivators were dancing, and at the same time, bursts of divine sounds rang out in the world, appearing out of thin air, making it difficult for people to concentrate, and even their aura was disordered. If cultivators with low cultivation were shaken by the Shinto music and dance that appeared at this time, they would lose their fighting will.

　　"Bang!"

　　A gunshot rang out, and the power of gunpowder disappeared without a trace when it approached those Shintoist cultivators. At the same time, small wooden tablets appeared in front of those Shintoist cultivators, with traces of gunpowder smoke on them.

　　This made Ji Xiang a little surprised, and the old head priest was even more surprised.

　　People are casting spells in the front row, how can you old man be so unethical, suddenly attacking people unprepared.

　　"It's useless to shoot a shot. The firearms actually failed. Is it because it's raining? No, my firearms can be used even when it's raining."

　　Ji Xiang patted the Five Thunder Divine Machine, thinking that the small pistol was broken. The old head priest coughed lightly and explained:

　　"Although the power of firearms is strong, they are useless in some situations..... Although the firearms in your hand seem to be advanced products, but..... In short, this is a powerful magic called 'omamori'."

　　Ji Xiang understood at once.

　　"So that's how it is, a body protection magic performed with the help of the spirit's aura."

　　Omamori is actually a amulet, and its essence is a body protection magic performed with the help of divine power. One person's body protection magic is insignificant, but the joint protection of a group of people and a group of gods is very powerful.

　　The power of a pistol is still too small.

　　Ji Xiang thought to himself, if he brought a Hongyi cannon, he didn't know if he could blow these people into the sky with one shot.

　　The front swing of the ultimate move is so long, it really has some defensive methods. Firearms are a bit lacking in hitting gods.

　　The old head priest said again:

　　"This is kagura. It is a song and dance used to worship the gods. Shintoism pays special attention to praying for victory in war. Therefore, whenever there is a war, a large number of Shintoists will perform this dance and music to pray for victory."

　　Heavy step, the music and dance stopped!

　　The old head priest was shocked, put his hands together, and immediately retreated behind Ji Xiang.

　　"The gods... are coming."

　　In the blink of an eye, hundreds of "gods" appeared in front of Ji Xiang!

　　In just an instant, the place where the incense was strong became a place where hundreds of ghosts roamed at night!

　　Countless shadows suppressed Ji Xiang in the drizzle and fire, accompanied by hundreds of gods who manifested themselves with wooden dolls and divine mirrors as media. Their momentum sealed off this world for a time.

　　"Starting with the gods seen in the classics, birds, animals, plants, mountains, seas, etc., all extraordinary things are called gods. Not only those who are excellent, kind, and meritorious are called gods. All those who are fierce, strange, and extremely terrible are also called gods."

　　The old Shintoist cultivator felt that he was sure of victory when he saw this formation, and they didn't need to do anything anymore.

　　Hundreds of gods manifested, hundreds of ghosts roamed at night. What is the difference between gods, demons, ghosts, and monsters in essence? Those who can be controlled and driven by people are gods.

　　Snake God, One-Eyed God, Long-Sleeved God, Flying Head God, Mask God, Earth God, Forest God, Dark God, Firewood God, Palace God, Brick God, Monkey God.... and the most famous Fox God, which is Inari Okami.

　　However, Ji Xiang did not take these gods seriously. Facing these hundreds of spirits pressing up, he pulled out his hand at his waist.

　　A large number of swords gleamed coldly!

　　"They are gods, they have incense sacrifices, right?"

　　"Yes...."

　　The old head priest heard Ji Xiang ask this, and answered with an affirmative tone, and Ji Xiang had already sensed that the bodies of the spirits in front of him contained incense!

　　Wooden dolls and mirrors are the media, and the gods must rely on incense to descend into the world. Even the Thirty-Six Heavenly Gods must rely on incense to continue their existence. The small gods of the people are even more no exception. Whether it was a ghost, a monster, an elf, or a demon before it became a god, as long as it is a god, it must have incense on its body!

　　"Arrogant, wanting to kill gods with an ordinary weapon?"

　　The Shintoist cultivators all showed anger. Someone opened his mouth, his expression twisted: "The gods are here, why don't you kowtow? You dare to wave your sword at the gods, you are really bold and should be executed!"

　　"He is really a demon, disrespecting the gods!"

　　Someone on the side said again: "This demon is arrogant. I'm afraid it is really transformed from the demonic energy on Lord Nobunaga's body."

　　The great cultivators talked here.

　　Many Shintoist disciples urged the gods forward!

　　The gods moved forward.

　　To be beheaded by one sword!

　　A sword light cut through the sky, just waving it made the gods blind, and the next moment, a dog-headed god was split in two by a sword!

　　A large amount of swords even if they can't be activated, are also artifacts, even if it is a hammer, it is not an ordinary thing, and with one blow, the dog's head of a rushing god was blown up. Waving Lei Che in his backhand, two or three gods were immediately killed on the spot!

　　And several gods died.

　　A smile appeared on the corner of Ji Xiang's mouth.

　　Boom!

　　A sudden gust of wind swept away the other gods, and the gods who were beheaded began to gush out incense from the gaps in their bodies!

　　Ji Xiang opened his mouth and sucked!

　　The incense turned into a strong wind and all entered his mouth!

　　"Huh! Wonderful!"

　　Sensing the gradual recovery of his magic power, Ji Xiang showed a grim smile, and this sudden change caused a commotion among the Shintoist disciples in front, and even the dozen or so great cultivators looked at each other in shock, not knowing what happened.

　　"He killed the gods and swallowed the incense?"

　　The old Shintoist cultivator stared at the battlefield and suddenly shuddered, shouting: "Quickly take back the gods!"

　　"Too late!"

　　Although he didn't know what happened, the judgment made by the old cultivator was correct, but Ji Xiang naturally couldn't let him have his way. The moment his magic power recovered....!

　　This straight Shinto path suddenly split a long line from beginning to end.

　　The earth was split straight open, like the dividing line between morning and dusk.

　　The old cultivator dodged the blow.

　　But the great cultivator in the Xiantian realm did not care, and his whole body was also divided into two parts in a silent blow.

　　No, it was not silent, but when the sword was swung down, people and all things had been cut open, and the speed of the sword was faster than the sound.

　　So....

　　The explosion swept across the world!

　　The old cultivator was frightened by the strong wind and waves, and his face turned pale. He shouted loudly at the moment when the world changed drastically and the roofs turned into ruins!

　　"Ame no Murakumo!" (Sword of Gathering Clouds of Heaven)

　　How could this ancient divine weapon that went to the front line be in this place....

　　No, the other party is not transformed from the demonic energy on Lord Nobunaga's body. The devil who owns the Sword of Gathering Clouds of Heaven..... The person in front of me is....!

　　The Demonic God crossing the sea from Ming Dynasty!

　　Ji Xiang laughed loudly, the first sword was a vertical slash, and the second sword was a horizontal slash! Two swords cut through the world!

　　Hundreds of gods were destroyed, and incense poured into Ji Xiang's body, and his magic power began to recover!

　　The slash of the Ame no Murakumo stopped at a palace in the depths of the grand shrine, and a vast Yang energy rushed out from it, already possessing the power of immortality!

　　The real big shot was forced out by these two swords. Ji Xiang saw the Yang energy rushing towards him, and touched his waist again with his left hand.

　　A golden light suddenly waved down.

　　"Universal Salvation of Heaven and Man!"

　　The Yang energy was knocked away into the distance with one blow!

　　The golden light flowed, and Ji Xiang showed a sinister smile:

　　"The Golden Strike only works best when used at its weakest!"

　　"I'll see where you hide in the next blow!"

　　Ji Xiang threw the Golden Strike out, and the golden light flickered. The figure in the Yang energy was obviously stunned, and was hit in the head by the Golden Strike in the next moment!