Chapter 11: The Prison Gate and the Fifth-Order Life Armament

[You have obtained "Rune Factors—Physique, Acuity, Spirit, Grace, Recovery"]
[You have obtained "Tengu Wings—Modified"]
[You have obtained "Minor Essence of Life" ×20]
[Slain three renowned great yokai (2/3)]

Hmm. This time, no Rune Circuit Core dropped, but two items did. I’ll inspect their effects later.

Holding the remnant of the great tengu, which, after being blasted apart, transformed from a spirit into a long-nosed red mask, Zhou Yan glanced at its attributes.

[Great Tengu]
[Type: High-tier Yokai]
[Description: Infected by the source of calamity, spontaneously born in the world as a high-tier yokai; sometimes transformed from humans. Wears a long-nosed red mask, commands fierce winds with its yokai power, possesses swordsmanship rivaling a master, neither wholly good nor evil, ambiguous relations with humans.]
[Rank: 0-Star, 4th Tier]
[Attributes: Physique 42, Acuity 45, Spirit 41]
[Note: Never did I expect, in my greed for the Yagyu clan’s fortune, to die so wretchedly.]

Hmm. It’s not much stronger than Ibaraki-doji, just as the tengu itself admitted. Zhou Yan mused silently while floating down with the tengu mask in hand.

He ignored the corpse of the Yagyu burial man beneath his feet, already stone cold, and leapt down from the arena, striding directly toward Omemon-in Seimei.

Tap tap tap tap.

His footsteps echoed rapidly, and the demon slayers seemed intent on guarding Kangi, even though Zhou Yan’s overwhelming strength was on display. They quickly jumped down as well, surrounding him and watching closely.

Except for Oboro, everyone regarded him as a formidable foe. At this moment, though Zhou Yan no longer appeared as towering and monstrous as the tengu had, his black robes, white hair, and blossoming eyes still set him apart, not quite human—indeed, it was hard to say who was more terrifying, man or monster.

Zhou Yan was unfazed by their fearful gazes. Facing the wary Seimei, he laughed aloud, “Seimei, at this point, there’s no need for further ceremony. Tell me the location, and I’ll settle it all at once!”

Upon hearing this, Omemon-in Seimei immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

He no longer acted as if facing a deadly threat, setting aside his talisman and addressing Zhou Yan earnestly, “Lord Yan, may I ask—are you man or yokai? Do you stand with humanity or the monsters?”

Zhou Yan chuckled, “I am myself.”

Seimei pressed, “Then, what is your purpose?”

Zhou Yan smiled faintly, though his mask concealed it, conveying only his calm gaze, “To seal the Gate of Hell.”

Omemon-in Seimei finally smiled, “Good. With Lord Yan’s word, we are certain to succeed!”

He glanced at everyone present, moved to the general’s side, whispered a few words, and, upon the general’s slight nod, turned back to announce loudly to the assembly, “Oboro-style Swordmaster Yan, by unrivaled martial prowess, has subdued all contenders. Witnessed by the general, he is proclaimed peerless in the land. This audience for the extermination of monsters is now concluded!”

“Honored guests, please remain. The general has prepared a banquet within the city; after the celebration, I will arrange the assembly, and tomorrow we set out to vanquish our target!”

With that, Omemon-in Seimei looked again to Zhou Yan.

“Sir Yan, please step aside for a discussion.”

Zhou Yan nodded slightly.

*

Within the Demon-Slaying Hall.

Zhou Yan, having reverted from his fused form, sat cross-legged, a gentle maiden nestled at his side.

This time, unlike before, he and Seimei sat together at the head of the hall, while to either side sat several formidable figures who had witnessed his power.

Mikami Mio, the bow priestess; Yura Aya of the Thunder Shrine; Aranmaru, the male ninja of Storm Village; and Fudo Mine, the warrior monk of Myo'o Temple.

“The Gate of Hell is located within the crater of Mount Fuji.”

Facing the curious gazes of all present, Omemon-in Seimei spoke directly, revealing the answer Zhou Yan most desired.

Zhou Yan’s expression flickered; the location was surprising, yet made sense.

Seimei, not waiting for comment, continued swiftly, “Centuries ago, among the ancients of the Genroku nation, there were those who fell into chaos, driven by the pursuit of forbidden knowledge, losing their minds and initiating the ritual to summon the Gate of Hell. Thus, at Mount Fuji’s crater, the Gate was summoned—since then, the calamity began, foul miasma descended, and countless monsters, once mere figments of imagination, emerged from the darkness and invaded Genroku.”

“The line of Onmyoji, beginning with Abe Seimei, has ever sought the Gate’s location, rallying heroes to slay monsters and ghosts, hoping to seal it shut.”

Omemon-in Seimei looked at Zhou Yan, “Yet monsters are long-lived, their power grows over time, while human champions age and die, dwindling away. In our generation, we cannot match the prowess of our predecessors. Even monsters like the great tengu, once easily handled, now require all of humanity’s strongest to unite for a chance at victory.”

While speaking, he surveyed the hall; the priestesses and monks nodded quietly, deeply agreeing.

Zhou Yan nodded, “So, to the point please.”

Omemon-in Seimei answered promptly, “Tomorrow we depart for Mount Fuji, defeat the super yokai guarding the crater, and seal the Gate of Hell!”

He looked to Zhou Yan, “Lord Yan, you are our main force. I and these four demon slayers will support you in battle. Is this arrangement satisfactory?”

Zhou Yan laughed, “No problem. However, since my objective aligns with yours, and as I’m facing the greatest danger, some extra compensation isn’t too much to ask, is it?”

Seimei nodded, “What does Lord Yan require?”

Zhou Yan’s smile broadened as he scanned the room, “Simple. I want to learn your Onmyoji arts.”

As expected!

Omemon-in Seimei’s mouth twitched. Zhou Yan had previously shown interest in learning his arts, and now, with overwhelming martial skill, pressed his demand openly.

Seimei gazed at Zhou Yan helplessly for a moment, “I’ve told you: affected by Oboro-style yokai power, even if you learn Onmyoji arts, you won’t be able to gather spiritual energy to use them.”

“That’s your concern, not mine. I just want to learn.” Zhou Yan smiled nonchalantly.

Left with no choice, Seimei could only nod, smiling wryly, “Since Lord Yan insists, how can I refuse? However—”

He looked to the representatives below, conceding, “After this meeting, I’ll come find you later. Is that acceptable?”

Zhou Yan wasn’t impatient. He stood, taking Oboro’s hand and heading outside, “Fine, you all discuss. I won’t join. Just inform me once the plan is set.”

Behind him, Seimei wore an expression of resignation.

*

Zhou Yan brought Oboro, guided by attendants, to the room arranged for them.

No sooner had they entered, Oboro could no longer restrain herself. Worry etched her face as she looked at Zhou Yan, “Lord Yan, do you truly intend to seal that Gate of Hell?”

Zhou Yan patted her head, “Yes, my purpose in coming to this world is just that.”

“And after you accomplish your goal?”

Suddenly, the girl asked, her eyes widening in alarm as she stared at Zhou Yan’s left eye.

Zhou Yan paused, meeting her gaze in silent seconds. “Oboro, I’ve told you before.”

“I won’t accept it!” The girl threw herself into Zhou Yan’s arms, “Oboro will follow Lord Yan forever, don’t abandon me. I have no family left in this world.”

Zhou Yan sighed, holding her waist, “I like Oboro too. If possible, I wouldn’t want to...”

Such misfortune!

Had I known, I wouldn’t have met this child on the day I arrived.

Yet Zhou Yan immediately shook his head—if he hadn’t formed a bond with Oboro, would she have perished the next day at the hands of the Red Oni?

His gaze grew resolute.

No more pointless hesitation. Having reached this point, he must find a way forward.

Did not his golden finger finally respond, telling him that he might fulfill his purpose through the “Life Gear” function?

Then continue striving for the one-star rank, activate the function, and see what it reveals!

With this in mind, Zhou Yan began to tally the spoils from slaying the great tengu—enough to advance his Life Gear once more.

Nothing much to say about the rune factors.

The “Minor Essence of Life”—one portion equals five of the “micro” variant, quite good.

The most valuable loot was the “Tengu Wings—Modified.”

[Tengu Wings—Modified]
[Type: Cloak (Wings)]
[Description: Tengu possess traits of dog, bird, and human. Their wings, purified and modified, can be equipped by a Calamity Realm Traveler to soar through the air.]
[Effect: Equipped on shoulders, grants a black feather cloak. When descending, the cloak transforms into wings, greatly reducing fall speed and enabling efficient gliding (in wing state, Life Gear durability drains 5/sec).]
[Rank: 0-Star, 4th Tier]
[Note: Named ‘soaring through the void,’ but in truth it’s just gliding—don’t think you can actually fly like a bird!]

It’s an auxiliary item, offering little combat enhancement.

Yet very practical.

Zhou Yan steadied himself, reconfigured his rune setup for advancement.

After all, he was in the Calamity Realm, and had confirmed the world posed minimal threat to him.

He therefore made no effort to conceal his secrets.

In front of the girl, he completed all rune adjustments—2 physique, 2 acuity, 2 spirit, 1 curse, 1 grace, 1 destruction. The circuit core was the powerful damage boost “Destruction.”

Then, advancement!

[Advancement complete]
[Physique +50, Acuity +44, Spirit +40]

In the next moment, Oboro was startled by the radiant light emanating from Zhou Yan’s Life Gear.

Soon she saw his attire transform anew.

He was now quite different from when she first met him.

Zhou Yan’s Life Gear now bore no resemblance to a “bodysuit.”

Indeed, it was no longer apt to call it “clothing”—it had become a set of sleek black armor with distinct modern, even futuristic, style.

Black armor plates, perfectly fitted to his physique, distributed precisely across his muscles, interconnected and layered to provide comprehensive protection without impairing movement.

Zhou Yan touched his face, discovering that the lower half—nose, chin, cheeks, even the back of his head—was encased in a metallic framework.

In other words, apart from his eyes and crown, nearly every part was armored.

With a thought, the facial armor shifted mechanically, exposing his face.

He smiled reassuringly at the girl.

Then, several lines of information flowed before his eyes.

[Life Gear has advanced to “0-Star, 5th Tier”]
[Star-level upgrade requirements triggered]
*