Crimson Mist

Under an autumn sky, clear and bright, the air crisp and refreshing, the previously vibrant green forest was beginning to take on shades of burnt yellow.

Several rapidly moving dark figures streaked high above the trees, their sharp passage tearing through the existing silence as the rushing wind swept up large swaths of leaves along their path.

Aoi and her Black Crow Corps were currently returning to Sugo Ungo. Unlike their outward journey, these Karasu-tengu brought others with them on their return.

Miketsu sat atop Makoto, who had transformed into a soaring bird, flying alongside the Tengu. Behind them, Seimei closely followed, riding a White Crane. To bring Slippery Nura and his companions along, he had released an additional White Crane Shikigami.

Miketsu had agreed to Aoi's request to escort them to Sugo Ungo, to prevent any unforeseen incidents along the way. The conspiracy orchestrated by the masterminds threatened not only Sugo Ungo but also Heian-kyo, where Miketsu resided, and she would not simply let the matter go.

Miketsu decided to accompany Aoi, but what she hadn't anticipated was Seimei proposing the same idea. His reasoning was that he found the matter quite interesting, and since it concerned the safety of Heian-kyo, he wished to go along. Aoi did not refuse, as in the current situation, an extra person meant an extra measure of fighting strength.

Makoto and Seimei's White Cranes could not match the flight speed of the Karasu-tengu, forcing the Karasu-tengu to slow down and wait for them. This meant their return to Sugo Ungo would take longer than usual. However, another member of Miketsu's party solved this issue: Yamausagi.

Yamausagi did not seem to be a particularly skilled combat yokai, but she possessed a remarkably useful ability: group acceleration. As long as one was affected by Yamausagi's demonic energy fluctuations and recognized as an ally, both humans and yokai would experience a significant increase in their movement speed. Thus, after parting ways with the Mountain Frog, Yamausagi sat on the back of a White Crane, continuously providing acceleration to the entire party, greatly increasing Miketsu and the others' speed.

During their flight together, Miketsu further inquired about the situation in Sugo Ungo from Aoi. In the process, they understood why Aoi and the others' faces had darkened so much upon hearing that Roku was a traitor.

“You said… that Roku is a Great Tengu's confidant?” Miketsu asked, a hint of surprise in her expression, looking at Aoi flying ahead.

“It's not just a matter of being a confidant; Roku and the Great Clan Leader… grew up together since childhood, as peers. They are the closest of friends, and within Sugo Ungo, Roku is the one the Great Clan Leader trusts the most,” Aoi replied slowly, her face solemn as she continued flying.

The leader's closest childhood friend, a confidant entrusted with boundless faith, was actually a traitor? What severe consequences would such a traitor cause if he intended to wreak havoc? Miketsu could now somewhat understand Aoi's feelings at that moment.

“A Great Tengu and a Karasu-tengu… were childhood friends?” On the other side, Seimei, seated on a White Crane, couldn't help but stroke his chin in contemplation after hearing Aoi's words.

“I once heard that the Tengu's hierarchical order is very strict. In such a situation, could a Great Tengu, who holds the highest position, become friends with an ordinary Karasu-tengu?” Seimei asked Aoi, his tone perplexed.

“Yes, you're right. Tengu are only cared for together when they are very young hatchlings. Once they grow a little, they are assigned to their respective ranks. Cross-rank friendships are indeed rare. However, the Great Tengu's situation is special…” As she spoke, Aoi's eyes subtly glanced at the small Tengu riding on a Karasu-tengu's back.

“Special?”

“Indeed… the existence of a Great Tengu is special…”

Following this, Aoi explained the situation to Miketsu and the others.

Strictly speaking, a Great Tengu is not a specific rank like the White Wolf Tengu or Karasu-tengu, but rather a mutated individual among the Tengu. All Tengu ranks have the potential to produce Tengu with the Great Tengu's innate qualities, though this is extremely rare. Typically, in any given era, besides the openly acknowledged Great Tengu leader, there are only one or two such potential Great Tengu within the clan. Furthermore, only the incumbent adult Great Tengu can identify and distinguish this quality; other Tengu have no way of knowing.

These Tengu, harboring special innate qualities, are regarded as successors to the Great Tengu. From childhood, they are raised and trained just like other Tengu. It is only when the previous Great Tengu experiences old age and weakness, illness or injury, or accidental death, that the potential Tengu is informed of their status as an heir. After passing a special trial, they inherit a power called Tengu-do from the previous Great Tengu, thereby becoming a true Great Tengu.

In the demon realm of this world, the birth of a Yokai Lord is often filled with randomness. A yokai species often rises due to the sudden emergence of a Yokai Lord but quickly declines after the Yokai Lord's demise. The Tengu clan, however, maintains its high-tier combat strength for extended periods through this unique method of inheritance, ensuring its permanent foothold in the demon realm.

A transferable Yokai Lord-level power… this was Miketsu's direct assessment of the Tengu's unique characteristic. To consistently possess Yokai Lord-level combat capability was indeed far superior to clans like the Leopard Cat Clan.

Yet, there seemed to be a problem within this system.

“Only Tengu who possess these innate qualities can ultimately become Great Tengu?” Miketsu asked Aoi, her voice grave.

“Yes… because only Tengu with the innate qualities can withstand the Tengu-do. This is a prerequisite for becoming a Great Tengu. Without this condition, no matter how hard a Tengu strives or how exceptional they are, they are destined never to bear the title of Great Tengu…” Aoi spoke slowly, a subtle darkness in her eyes. Her words made everyone present realize a stark truth.

The path of a Tengu, so to speak, was decided from the moment of their birth…

After Aoi finished speaking, silence descended upon the scene. Besides the howling wind, there was no other sound, and the atmosphere became somewhat subdued.

All the Tengu present wore extremely grim expressions; it was evident from their appearance alone that they were consumed by anxiety.

After a long while, Seimei slowly spoke, offering words of comfort to Aoi and the others.

“You should still rest assured. Kakuhanbo, after all, is a Yokai Lord. There is a vast power disparity between a Yokai Lord and a yokai general. With him presiding over Sugo Ungo, Roku won't be able to stir up any real trouble, no matter what he tries.”

When Seimei finished speaking, Aoi's expression did not relax; instead, it grew even more solemn.

“No… it's not as you think. With the Clan Leader presiding, others certainly cannot cause any trouble, but Roku is different!” Aoi's tone became extremely serious as she spoke.

“You might not know this, but ten years ago, Sugo Ungo suffered a strange attack. A mysterious and terrifying monster broke into Sugo Ungo! It wrought widespread destruction, and only after immense effort did the Great Clan Leader manage to repel it. However, in his efforts to protect us, he was hampered and successfully ambushed by the monster, getting bitten.”

“Since then, he has carried severe poisonous wounds, his body rapidly deteriorating. For more than ten years, he has relied solely on medicine to maintain his strength, and the one who prepared this medicine… was none other than Roku!”

“Cough, cough cough cough… cough cough…”

Within Sugo Ungo, atop a steep and towering peak, the Great Tengu Kakuhanbo was clutching his chest, bending forward as he coughed violently. Unlike usual, this bout of coughing seemed even more agonizing, causing Kakuhanbo's body to tremble.

“Cough cough… This, this is… Ugh…”

Amidst the intense pain, an extremely sinister dark red mist slowly seeped and steamed from beneath Kakuhanbo's skin, enveloping his body and gradually growing denser.

Shrouded by the sinister crimson mist, Kakuhanbo's eyes beneath his mask were tinged with an unusual crimson glow.

Meanwhile, Roku stood coldly to the side, silently observing everything before him.