Chaotic Battle

Just as Aoi was about to be swallowed by Roku's dark tornado, from behind her, a demonic tornado of almost equal size shot forth. The two tornadoes collided not far in front of Aoi, erupting in a powerful maelstrom of demonic energy, slicing gashes into nearby peaks and causing rocks to tumble. The immense wind pressure blew Aoi far away, and she barely managed to stabilize herself by spreading her wings.

"Who is it!"

For the first time, seeing his own Great Tengu attack blocked, Roku exclaimed in astonishment. His gaze, along with those of the other Tengu, shifted towards the direction from which the demonic tornado had come.

Suspended in mid-air amidst the peaks, a magnificent, bright yellow giant bird hovered, beating its wings. Atop the giant bird, a figure cloaked entirely in black robes extended a bandaged hand, wielding a massive blade overflowing with demonic energy. From within the shadow of the hood, crimson eyes stared directly at Roku.

Who could this be? Someone capable of blocking an attack from Roku, who had already seized Tengu-do? Countless bewildered eyes turned towards the mysterious figure that had just appeared.

"Thank you... Lord Owl..." Aoi, narrowly escaping danger, took a few breaths, then sincerely looked at Miketsu as she spoke. Her words also revealed the mysterious newcomer's title to the other Tengu, and some well-informed Tengu immediately recalled the many rumors recently spread from Heian-kyo.

"Hmph! Aoi... I can't believe you've brought outsiders into the affairs of Sugo Ungo. Eliminate this traitor who colludes with external enemies!" Seeing Aoi's actions, Roku said viciously, then waved his hand, ordering his loyal subordinates to launch a new wave of attacks. Aoi's subordinates and some Tengu who were originally participating in suppressing the rebellion immediately retaliated. However, a significant number of Tengu were still awestruck by the Great Tengu power Roku had previously displayed; they stood frozen, unable to attack. For a moment, the battle on the field reignited.

"You despicable wretch, how dare you accuse me of colluding..." Hearing Roku's words, Aoi's teeth chattered with rage. She gripped her naginata tightly, preparing to charge at Roku once more, but Miketsu stopped her with an outstretched hand.

"Lord Owl..."

"This fellow is not someone you can handle. Leave him to me; you go deal with the other troubles." Miketsu said slowly, her tone utterly serious.

Roku, having seized Tengu-do, had his power greatly boosted. Even if he hadn't reached Kakuhanbo's level, he was far stronger than an ordinary yokai general. He was undoubtedly the strongest enemy Miketsu had encountered so far. Facing such a being, Miketsu knew she had to deal with him personally; anyone less capable getting involved would only create distractions and prevent her from focusing on the enemy.

She would first engage Roku in a major battle, let Aoi join the Tengu ranks to quickly eliminate Roku's subordinates. Once other threats were removed, luring a group of Tengu to gang up on Roku would also be a good option.

With the battle plan set, Miketsu, riding Makoto, charged directly towards Roku. Roku instantly slashed out a wind blade, which Makoto dodged with a sideways flight. Miketsu's demonic blade was once again wreathed in demonic energy.

"Wind Scar!"

A solidified blade of demonic energy was unleashed from Miketsu's demonic blade. However, as these demonic energy blades approached Roku, the whirlwind surrounding him suddenly surged, automatically intercepting the Wind Scar, cancelling each other out. This situation was identical to when Roku had previously defended against the White Wolf Tengu's arrow rain.

A self-targeting whirlwind shield? And it could even withstand attacks like Wind Scar!

As Miketsu observed the situation, she immediately made a corresponding judgment in her mind. She instantly abandoned the idea of engaging Roku in close combat, and had Makoto widen the distance between them again. In close quarters, his shield would be tantamount to him having countless automatic attack points.

"Hmph, trying to run? Is this all the leader of Heian-kyo's Hundred Demons is capable of?" Facing Miketsu's sudden move away from him, Roku mocked her without reservation.

"You barking thief..."

Miketsu responded to Roku's words without hesitation. Roku was clearly enraged by Miketsu's use of "thief." He immediately spread his wings, stirring up a storm, and chased directly after Miketsu, who was moving away from him.

"I'll cut off your tongue!"

Miketsu turned to look at Roku, who was rapidly approaching from behind, and conveyed a message to Makoto beneath her through their contract.

'Lead him away from here, Makoto.'

'Understood, Lady Uka!'

Makoto's speed was clearly no match for Roku, who was a Karasu-tengu and had acquired Tengu-do. As they moved away from the battlefield, Roku, flying at high speed, quickly caught up from behind. Demonic wind power already wreathed his fan.

Roku waved his fan, unleashing a Whirlwind Blade, while Miketsu, without hesitation, retaliated with an Explosive Current Wave. The two tornadoes collided in mid-air once more. Due to their close proximity, the resultant demonic energy turbulence affected both parties simultaneously.

Makoto was buffeted and swayed in the air by the fierce currents, and could only sacrifice speed to stabilize herself. Roku, however, capable of controlling wind and possessing stronger wings, was completely unaffected. He seized this opportunity to suddenly accelerate, closing in on Makoto in an instant, arriving directly in front of Miketsu. Demonic energy was already condensed on his fan.

At such close range, the opponent would be utterly unable to dodge! This was Roku's thought, and coincidentally, Miketsu thought the same.

Moving faster than Roku, Miketsu, who had long been prepared, extended the hand hidden beneath her black robes. On her fingertips, powerful spiritual energy had been gathered for a long time, poised to strike.

From the moment Makoto turned to lure Roku, Miketsu had already begun silently chanting incantations, concealing the Golden Light Spell for some time. Now, her direct strike would undoubtedly surpass Roku's speed.

"Divine Golden Light Demon Subjugation Spell!"

A thick beam of light burst forth from Miketsu's fingertip, piercing through Roku's storm shield, directly perforating his entire abdomen, creating a large gash.

In terms of penetration alone, the Golden Light Spell was far superior to Explosive Current Wave and Wind Scar. The torrent of spiritual energy wouldn't be easily blown away like demonic energy techniques. With Roku actively closing the distance, Miketsu wouldn't miss.

Facing Roku, Miketsu absolutely could not rely solely on demonic energy techniques to counter him. Therefore, she led Roku as far away from the Tengu battlefield as possible, intending to defeat him with all her might.

Due to the sudden intervention of Miketsu and Aoi, the Tengu, who had been suppressed by Roku and were gradually losing morale, now reignited their fighting spirit. Under Aoi's leadership, they once again clashed with Roku's rebels and gradually gained the upper hand.

Atop a mountain peak, the Divine Messenger in ancient armor watched the battlefield below, a look of displeasure in his eyes.

"Owl? How did someone from Heian-kyo end up here? Hmph... What an endless string of surprises..." The Divine Messenger said, drawing the Demonic Sword from his waist.

Originally, he had only intended to observe from the sidelines, watching Roku deal with the disobedient Tengu to establish deterrence, but after this series of unexpected events, he could no longer stand by idly.

"Kotodama — Bind!"

Just as the Divine Messenger was about to act, a clear voice echoed. A five-pointed Kikyo Seal appeared beneath him out of thin air, then five spiritual energy chains shot out from the seal, shackling the Divine Messenger's neck and limbs. "An Onmyoji?"

Facing the sudden situation, the Divine Messenger seemed unfazed. He turned his head to look in the direction of the voice, and saw a white-haired young Onmyoji standing in the nearby forest, forming hand seals, gazing at the Divine Messenger warrior before him.

The Divine Messenger's eyes narrowed. The Demonic Sword in his hand erupted with purplish-red energy, enveloping the Divine Messenger's body. He was just about to use this to break free from the shackles, when a wound suddenly tore open on his chest. Nura Rihyon, wielding a blade, appeared before him. The blade in his hand pierced the Divine Messenger's chest, its tip plunging directly into his heart.

At the same time, the Tanuki's figure descended from the sky, the sake flask in his hand suddenly growing immense as he fell. The Tanuki, holding the enormous sake flask, smashed it violently onto the head of the Divine Messenger warrior. With a roar, the Tanuki raised a cloud of dust.