Legend Management Bureau Chapter 462

[ … words ]

Ibaraki felt that the man in front of him was simply too arrogant, but given his astonishing aura, he certainly had the right to be.

Yamabiko pulled Ibaraki back a bit and said to Jin Jianglang, “Sir, we do not intend to fight. Please retract your killing intent.”

Jin Jianglang gave a slight nod, though he did not let his guard down.

Yamabiko could only offer him a slight bow before slowly leading Ibaraki Doji away.

After they had walked a fair distance, Ibaraki finally spoke up, “What exactly happened? Yamabiko, why didn’t we duel that Onmyoji?”

“He must be a member of the Shiranui family,” Yamabiko muttered to himself. “I have heard that the magical weapons of the Shiranui family are mostly scissors.”

“Oh?” Ibaraki nodded. “But even so, I cannot forgive him. He actually slandered the Demon King, Shuten Doji, by calling him a Shikigami…”

“No, I have a vague feeling… that his description of Shuten is also true.”

“Why?”

“Are you saying…” Ibaraki seemed to realize something. “The so-called Demon King truly doesn’t eat humans?”

“Isn’t that even more terrifying than eating humans?” Yamabiko smiled bitterly. “Making a name for ourselves among humans is something both you and I can do, but to make all demons bow in submission… just what kind of man is he?”

Ibaraki also nodded. “Very well. We will bring some wine and go meet this Demon King who became a Shikigami. If he is nothing but a fraud with an empty title, I wouldn’t mind taking his place.”

Holding their torches high, the two figures gradually disappeared into the pitch-black forest.

…

“Senior, is that really you?” the Blind Maiden turned her ear carefully toward Jin Jianglang’s direction, calling out cautiously. “Are you alright?”

After speaking, she released another wisp of sweet-smelling smoke.

“I am fine.” Jin Jianglang waved his hand to dispel the smoke in front of his eyes. “Why haven’t you left yet?”

“I-I was just about to leave,” the Blind Maiden said with a hint of grievance. “But a demon said he was going to seek revenge against you, and I was a little worried…”

“Relax.” Jin Jianglang sighed. “I chased that young kid away.”

“Really?! Are you that amazing, Senior?”

Hearing this, Jin Jianglang slowly furrowed his brows. “Tell me, why exactly are you so worried about me? We’ve only met once… No, you haven’t even seen what I look like. What does it matter to you whether I live or die?”

“S-Senior…” The Blind Maiden pulled up her clothes and spoke softly, “You dropped these clothes on the ground, didn’t you?”

“I…!” Jin Jianglang was instantly at a loss for words.

“I was truly freezing at the time. If it weren’t for your clothes, Senior, I might have frozen stiff by now.”

Jin Jianglang pondered for a moment before declaring, “Those clothes will get you killed. I advise you to throw them away as soon as possible.”

“Ah…?” The Blind Maiden was stunned. “T-Throw them away right now?”

“Uh… well, you don’t have to throw them away right this second.” Jin Jianglang shook his head helplessly. “Anyway, stop running around aimlessly. This is Shuten Doji’s territory, and many demons roam these parts. Now that night has fallen, find a place to build a fire and hide. Wait until dawn to leave.”

“Ah, I don’t have to throw them away right now… That’s wonderful…” The Blind Maiden’s voice sounded closer and closer, as if she was approaching Jin Jianglang.

“Although Shuten won’t harm you, there are many demons nearby who have come to challenge him, and none of them are the kind sort,” Jin Jianglang continued.

“Thud.”

A distinct sound echoed out, causing Jin Jianglang to pause slightly.

But it was far too dark all around, and he could not see a thing.

“Blind Maiden, are you listening?”

Silence.

“Blind Maiden?”

Feeling a bit perplexed, Jin Jianglang took a step forward, only to find that he had stepped on something.

“Hey, hey!”

He leaned down and brushed against the Blind Maiden’s collapsed body on the ground. She was burning hot.

“Woman! Are you alright?”

It seemed she had been wandering through this forest for days and had fallen ill some time ago.

Jin Jianglang gathered her into his arms, but accidentally cut his hand on something in the process.

Instantly, fresh blood began to flow.

Without time to overthink things, he could only pick the Blind Maiden up and get a rough bearing of his direction.

His lips moved slightly, and several talismans flew from his waist, floating into the air around him.

The talismans slowly lit up, emitting a brilliant glow.

Lighting up such a bright radiance in this pitch-black forest would make him a walking target, but he couldn’t afford to care about that right now.

The talismans hovered beside Jin Jianglang, continuously illuminating the path ahead.

In no time at all, the nearby demons were alerted.

Hidden silhouettes constantly gathered within the dark woods.

Yet they all seemed somewhat fearful of the man before them, choosing to observe from the shadows rather than approach.

“I am Jin Jianglang of the Shiranui family!” Jin Jianglang bellowed. “Demons, disperse!”

The reputation of the Shiranui family was indeed loud enough in this forest. Upon hearing those three words, some of the demons could only leave in reluctance, but the ones who stayed behind were far more dangerous.

Most of them harbored a deep-seated hatred for the Shiranui family, and they were currently plotting how to strike.

“Must you force my hand…” Jin Jianglang furrowed his brows, constantly calculating tactics in his mind.

In a one-on-one fight, there were few in these woods who could rival him.

But if the enemy launched a sneak attack from the shadows while he still had to protect the Blind Maiden, the situation would be reversed.

He could feel the Blind Maiden in his arms already shaking with fear, ethereal smoke constantly drifting from her body.

“I…” The Blind Maiden slowly opened her eyes, looking somewhat dazed.

“It’s alright, Blind Maiden,” Jin Jianglang said softly, looking down. “If you are feeling unwell, get some sleep.”

“Put me down,” the Blind Maiden whispered. “You will die.”

“Then you truly underestimate me.” Jin Jianglang pondered for a moment before pulling a folded origami crane from his robes. His lips twitched as if he were murmuring something, and then he tossed the origami crane into the air.

The origami crane instantly transformed into a fiery bird, soaring into the sky and disappearing to who-knew-where.

“Don’t worry, everything will be fine soon.”

Jin Jianglang continued his trek through the forest. Before long, a demon with the head of a human and the body of a monkey leaped out, blocking his path.

Before the demon could even speak, a talisman flew from Jin Jianglang’s waist and slapped onto its body. Still holding the Blind Maiden with one arm, he swung his scissors with his free hand, cleanly severing its head.

Though he had demonstrated swift and ruthless methods, a battle was triggered in an instant.

A horde of demons darted out from the forest, lunging toward Jin Jianglang in an ambush.

Visibility was already poor in the dead of night, and paired with the cunning attacks of the demons, Jin Jianglang instantly sustained a minor injury.

“You demons sure are bold,” Jin Jianglang said through gritted teeth. “Angering me will not end well for you.”

The moment his words fell, a stone portal slowly materialized by his side.