Chapter 83: Undercurrents Stirring

"Oh?" Zhou Yan asked, "Then what method is required?"

Long hesitated for a moment. "It requires... the blood essence of a powerful demon as the main material for drawing spirit ink. The stronger the demon, the greater the capacity to absorb demonic energy, the more effective it is at condensing demonic blades and strengthening oneself..."

"I see..." Zhou Yan nodded in understanding.

"Lord Yan, powerful demons are hard to find..." Long lowered her head, feeling a little guilty. "And even if we do find one, we might not be able to defeat it."

Zhou Yan smiled and waved his hand gently. "No need to worry, Long. The journey ahead is still long; who knows, we might run into some great demons."

With that, Zhou Yan took the initiative to end the topic.

There was no need to hurry. He was bound to encounter these so-called "great demons."

After all, one of the tasks on his panel was to "slay three renowned great demons."

If his golden finger recognized them as great demons, they would not be weak. Their blood would surely suffice for drawing that so-called "Long Seal."

Freed from the burden of ceremony, the two traveled faster.

Before dusk, they had already arrived in the area known as East Castle County.

"Lord Yan, since it's still early, let's find a place to stay," Long suggested nervously as they walked along the county town’s street.

"To stay... you mean at an inn or a guesthouse?" Zhou Yan nodded in agreement.

"Um..." The girl faltered, embarrassed. "Lord Yan, we don't have much money and probably can't afford to stay at inns for long. I suggest we save what we have for travel expenses, and look for abandoned temples or empty houses outside the city to make do..."

Seeing the girl's troubled expression, Zhou Yan immediately understood. He was a transmigrant and had no money to begin with.

Long's family—her foster parents—were already old, with no able-bodied adults at home. They looked quite impoverished, so she probably couldn't bring much money from home either.

"I was being overly optimistic," he admitted with an apologetic smile to the girl. "No problem—let’s find an abandoned house outside the city. I saw quite a few on the way here."

After making her suggestion, Long kept watching Zhou Yan’s expression anxiously. Only after confirming he wasn’t angry did she finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Lord Yan really is so gentle—even last night...

A smile appeared on the girl's face, and she saw Zhou Yan looking ahead.

He raised his hand curiously and pointed. "Long, there are so many people over there—what's happening?"

Long looked in the direction he pointed, observed carefully, and guessed hesitantly, "It seems to be the county's announcement wall, where the feudal guard posts notices. Normally, there shouldn’t be so many people."

Zhou Yan grew interested and took the girl's hand. "Come, let's go see what's going on."

"Yes, Lord Yan." Long felt Zhou Yan’s strong hand and her cheeks flushed as she hurried to keep up.

Zhou Yan was nearly two heads taller than most people of this era, and beside him was a stunning girl bearing a sword. The pair looked extraordinary.

With the townsfolk casting fearful glances and making way in a fluster, they easily reached the announcement wall.

A huge sheet of paper was posted there, written in characters Zhou Yan could understand—somewhat like a blend of Japanese and Chinese script—with large sections of text.

{Reward! Subjugate the Ippon-Tatara!}

{A terrifying demon called Ippon-Tatara has appeared in the Ogasayama mountains, causing injuries and deaths among woodcutters and herbalists. The Demon-Slaying Bureau is stretched thin elsewhere, so a generous reward is offered to anyone who can defeat it. Interested parties please speak to the county governor.}

A demon subjugation bounty issued by the authorities?

He immediately checked the reward—five koban.

Turning to Long, whose eyes were wide with surprise, he asked, "How much is five koban?"

"That’s a huge amount!" Long replied urgently. "My parents run a teahouse and after so many years they haven't even managed to save one koban. Five koban is enough for an ordinary family of three to live comfortably for a year."

Zhou Yan smiled, "See, Long? This money is coming right to us."

Long paused in surprise. "Lord Yan, aren’t you in a hurry to travel?"

"It’s not so urgent..." Zhou Yan squeezed the girl's hand. "Most importantly, without money, we can’t get far. I can’t bear to let you follow me and endure hardship all the way."

Long’s cheeks turned pink, and she hesitated, "Ippon-Tatara—I’ve heard my parents talk about it. It’s a terrifying demon deep in the mountains, maybe even more dangerous than the Red and Blue Oni. I’m worried for your safety..."

"No worries," Zhou Yan comforted her with a smile. "You must trust me, Long."

The girl obediently lowered her head.

Having convinced his little companion, Zhou Yan was about to inquire how to take on this task.

However, his towering stature—unusual for this era, like a giant—had already caught the attention of local officials stationed nearby.

When Zhou Yan examined the bounty and showed clear interest, before he could ask, a shrewd-looking middle-aged man approached, bowing warmly. "Esteemed warrior, are you interested in our county’s demon subjugation reward?"

"Indeed."

Zhou Yan smiled and sized up the middle-aged man. "And you are?"

"I am Okamura Kazuki, a samurai serving the county governor," the man replied amiably, then got straight to the point. "I’ve been observing you, sir. You are imposing and extraordinary, with a female samurai by your side—surely you are of distinguished status. Would you care to meet our governor?"

"Certainly, just what I intended."

*

The governor's residence was fairly grand.

But one shouldn’t expect too much grandeur from ancient Japan, especially as this was merely a county under a "feudal domain," not even the size of a modern city.

The governor was an old man named Osuga—his full name was so long that Zhou Yan couldn't remember it, so he simply called him Governor Osuga.

Upon seeing Zhou Yan, the governor was amazed—tall and strong, with a missing hand and a single eye, handsome and clearly remarkable.

He welcomed Zhou Yan warmly into the parlor and explained the situation and location of the demon Ippon-Tatara.

"The Demon-Slaying Bureau is busy handling disturbances in other counties and can't come here soon. That terrifying Ippon-Tatara has already cost me many samurai, so I have no strength left to send more men. Hence this bounty." Governor Osuga frowned. "Many farmers in East Castle County depend on the mountains. Now, because of this demon, many have died. If it isn’t handled soon, it’ll be trouble."

He looked sincerely at Zhou Yan. "Mr. Yan, would you be willing to go into the mountains and rid us of this demon, for the sake of the people?"

"Of course," Zhou Yan replied heartily, waving his hand. "Governor Osuga, there’s no need to praise me—I’m not doing this for the people but for my own reasons."

The governor’s face brightened. "Please, speak freely."

Zhou Yan glanced at Long and smiled, "First, I need the reward. I really need money."

"No problem!" The governor agreed quickly. "That’s only right. As soon as you subjugate the Ippon-Tatara and bring proof, I will immediately give you the reward."

"Good." Zhou Yan nodded, smiling. "My second request—Governor Osuga, I noticed some nice boats docked by the sea. I plan to go to Musashi Province, and traveling by land is troublesome..."

The governor understood. He smiled, "That can be arranged. Our official ship was scheduled to depart in a few days, but as I said, once you return victorious, I’ll arrange an early departure and reserve a comfortable cabin for you. How about that?"

"Agreed." Zhou Yan smiled and clinked cups with the governor.

Long watched Zhou Yan quietly, her eyes full of admiration.

Lord Yan was unlike anyone else—always dignified and calm.

The troubled young men from the village couldn’t compare to him; nor could the samurai and gentry of the city.

Even the powerful governor paled next to Lord Yan’s presence.

...

Zhou Yan and the governor’s conversation was highly efficient.

Afterward, as Zhou Yan left with Long, Okamura Kazuki, who had been sitting quietly, came forward looking perplexed.

He hesitated and asked the governor, "Sir, I thought you would tell him that there are already Demon-Slaying Bureau swordsmen who failed and died on Ogasayama, which suggests there might be an even greater demon than the Ippon-Tatara. But you didn’t mention it—is that wise?"

The governor laughed and waved his hand. "Mr. Yan is tall and impressive, a rarity in the world—he must be extraordinary. I’m sure he can handle it."

Seeing that the governor had his own plans, Okamura Kazuki wisely fell silent and withdrew.

The governor's previously cheerful face gradually returned to calm.

"After all, these two may be disciples of the legendary Invincible Sword School."

"Long School... surely they can defeat that great demon?"

"Of course!"

At that moment, the door on the other side was pulled open, and a young man strode out, dressed in white fitted clothes with a black cloak patterned with flames.

He carried a blade larger than a standard katana. A long scar ran from his right brow down across his nose to his left cheek, turning his once-handsome face fierce.

His smile, highlighted by the scar, appeared twisted.

"As long as it’s not one of those legendary demon kings, slaying ordinary great demons is effortless for them."

"After all, that’s the peerless Long School!"

His wild, resentful laughter echoed softly in the governor's mansion.

Outside, in the garden, a black locust rested silently on a leaf, weighing it down until it bent.

***