Feathered Departure

Dense demonic energy gathered, causing the temperature of the entire space to drop sharply. In the pitch-black darkness, countless howling, frenzied yokai surged out from the forest, forming a tide that crashed towards Fangshan Castle. The mortal flesh and blood bodies were utterly unable to withstand the fierce onslaught of these yokai.

Because they were all born in the forest, these yokai were essentially transformed from wild beasts. They possessed strength far beyond that of humans, capable of easily leaping over moats, scaling high walls, toppling fences, and tearing human bodies apart. Coupled with the countless bird-shaped yokai dominating the skies, Fangshan Castle's defenses were utterly incapable of resistance at this moment, quickly breached with devastating force. The human soldiers stationed there, whether they resisted or fled, were easily torn apart and devoured by the yokai.

Screams, wails, and roars echoed throughout Fangshan Castle in a short amount of time.

Within a few minutes, the surging tide of yokai broke through several defenses and pressed directly towards the Honmaru. It was at this critical juncture that the Taira clan's samurai made their move. They swallowed pills, affixed talismans, and drew their spirit blades, resisting the yokai's assault. More than ten Taira samurai, amidst flashes of blades and sword energy, continuously slew seven or eight of the leading yokai, pushing the front line back.

Seeing this, many of the fleeing soldiers regrouped and returned to the defensive line, taking high ground to support the Taira samurai's battle with bows and arrows. Meanwhile, the Foreign Onmyoryo Specialists who had arrived from Heian-kyo that morning appeared, releasing shikigami and talismans to join the fight against the yokai horde.

Ultimately, the wave of yokai attacks was stalled at several narrow passes, barely resisting the massive assault by relying on the remaining defensive structures.

However, despite the aid from soldiers and specialists, the number of Taira samurai, who formed the main resistance, was indeed limited. Facing the ceaseless tide of yokai surging up from the mountain, they quickly became overwhelmed, and their resistance grew increasingly difficult.

Hearing the clamor outside, Taira no Kageyori, who was staying on the top floor of the Main Residence, quickly went to the window. Thanks to the residence's elevated position on the mountaintop, he quickly saw the multitude of yokai surging up from the foot of the mountain, clashing with his samurai.

"Yokai attacking the castle… Itsumaden!?"

Upon seeing the frenzied yokai army attacking, Taira no Kageyori's first reaction was not to rush down and lead the battle or support his samurai, but immediately to think of Itsumaden, who was being held under strict confinement!

What was the purpose of such a massive yokai assault on Fangshan Castle? Undoubtedly, it was for Itsumaden! The frontal attack was probably just a diversion; he had to confirm Itsumaden's safety immediately!

Thinking this, Taira no Kageyori quickly turned, preparing to go to the underground location where Itsumaden was imprisoned. Whether this castle could be defended was one question, but even if it couldn't, he had to take Itsumaden and leave alone. If it was just the two of them, those yokai wouldn't be able to stop him.

Itsumaden must be safely sold to the buyer! Her value was higher than that of the entire castle and all the lives within it! No matter what happened, Itsumaden always came first!

Taira no Kageyori, filled with anxiety and urgency, hadn't taken many steps when a sharp cry cut through the dark sky outside the window. A six-eyed, pitch-black giant bird, with sharp talons extended, plunged straight down, smashing through the doors and windows of the Main Residence's top floor and lunging at Taira no Kageyori. Sensing the danger, Taira no Kageyori immediately drew his blade, turning to block in front of him, stopping the bird's talons and holding them at bay. The wooden floor beneath his feet groaned under the immense force, cracking into countless fissures.

"Good evening, young master of the Taira clan."

Behind the black bird, Minamoto no Yorimitsu, clad in black and with his face obscured, smiled as he looked at Taira no Kageyori in his defensive stance below.

"Audacious rogue! State your name! Do you know you have committed a grave crime!" Taira no Kageyori shouted, his face filled with rage, looking at the man atop the black bird.

"Heh, you don't need to know my name. Tonight, no one in this castle will escape!" Minamoto no Yorimitsu said with a scornful gaze, looking at the armored samurai below.

...

"What's going on? How could so many yokai suddenly appear!"

Using the vision provided by paper cranes spread throughout the city, Miketsu clearly and intuitively perceived the sudden siege by the yokai army. She was now more aware of the gravity of the situation than anyone else in the castle.

For some unknown reason, these yokai had no rationality, knowing only slaughter. They were numerous and ceaseless, and although the Taira samurai barely held them back, it was clear they couldn't last much longer!

However, this was not the only point of crisis.

Fangshan Castle was built on a mountain with a gentle southern slope and a steep northern slope. Therefore, most of its defenses and garrison forces were concentrated on the south side, while the north side was sparsely defended due to its natural terrain advantage.

And now, not only was the south side under heavy assault from the yokai army, but many yokai were also climbing the northern cliff. Soon they would reach the mountaintop, launching a surprise attack on the Main Residence and flanking the defending samurai, soldiers, and specialists. At that moment, everything would be lost…

Originally, Miketsu had thought she might be able to use the chaos to free the yokai and rescue Itsumaden, but given the current situation, if left unchecked, everyone in this entire castle would die. Judging by the frenzy of the yokai horde, even if the imprisoned yokai were released, they would likely be slaughtered by these bloodthirsty creatures.

Why were there so many frenzied yokai? Were they being manipulated by someone? What was their purpose in attacking the castle?

All sorts of thoughts flashed through Miketsu's mind, but she had no time to dwell on them now. She had to act immediately, or else everyone would face a terrible end once the castle fell!

As she thought, Miketsu picked up the blade, tightly wrapped in bandages, and released Tsuruha from her sleeve.

"Tsuruha."

"Understood, Lady Uka."

The gray-black divine messenger returned to its original size, and Miketsu directly mounted it. She then unwrapped the bandages around the blade, grasping the hilt and drawing it out. The Blade of the Three Realms gleamed coldly under the moonlight.

Then, spiritual energy overflowed from the blade, and a dazzling light of spiritual power enveloped the entire blade.

"Rihane!"

As the spiritual power dissipated, the katana Miketsu had held vanished, replaced by a nearly two-meter-long Jumonji Yari. The main blade of the spearhead was long and wide, with side blades extending like a bird's wings. Exquisite patterns spiraled down from the spearhead.

This was the Spirit Blade mode of Miketsu's Blade of the Three Realms. Unlike the gigantic blade form of the Fangs of the Yokai, it took on the appearance of a cross-shaped spear!

Because this mode originated from the spiritual flames within the Vermilion Bird Seal, Miketsu named it Rihane.

Holding the cross-shaped spirit spear, which appeared heavy but was actually light, Miketsu took a deep breath, then mounted Tsuruha and leaped out the window, charging towards the attacking yokai horde in the distance.