The Created Shikigami

In the forests west of Heian-kyo, the great yokai Tsuchigumo, revived after its seal was broken, continued its frantic rampage. Menreiki and Mokou were doing their best to pin it down, but as the Tsuchigumo’s carapace grew harder with every cycle of destruction and regeneration, their attacks became increasingly ineffective. Gradually, they could no longer hold the beast's attention.

Elsewhere, Nura Rihyon led a host of yokai, escorting the Onmyoji of the Onmyoryo to positions around the Tsuchigumo. Their goal was to establish a grand array to suppress the monster. However, they were ambushed mid-route by Minamoto shikigami controlled by Yorimasa, and the entire plan was severely delayed. Just as Yorimasa succeeded in thwarting the Onmyoryo's efforts, someone he never expected appeared before him.

Gritting his teeth, Yorimasa looked at his elder brother, Minamoto no Yorimitsu, with a gaze full of resentment. Seeing Yorimitsu’s usual unshakeable expression, a nameless fire ignited in his chest. After taking two deep breaths to steady himself, he finally spoke.

"Cleaning house? Hmph... You and Father are both fools who know nothing. What I am doing is the true destiny of the Minamoto Clan! I am the chosen one, not you!"

"The destiny of the Minamoto? Heh... Is that your excuse for betraying Heian-kyo and the human realm? Utterly nonsensical and ignorant. I don't recall the Minamoto ever having such a destiny." Yorimitsu’s tone turned sharp and stern.

"Surrender now, Yorimasa. Although you have committed a grave crime, few in Heian-kyo know of it yet. That is why I have come alone. Father fears a scandal if word gets out. If you submit now, you will only face the clan's private discipline."

"Surrender? To you alone? Hahaha!" Yorimasa burst into laughter, glancing at the shadow guards surrounding him.

Yorimitsu replied flatly, "Do numbers decide everything?"

"Heh, they certainly don't decide everything. I know you're a once-in-a-century genius of the main house. Combined, my subordinates and I might not be your match. But you seem to have forgotten one thing—I have a large number of 'Beasts' brought from the main house!"

As he spoke, Yorimasa and his men pulled several new demon control tokens from their robes. Channeling their spiritual power, they activated them. Suddenly, the dark woods began to stir. Several massive yokai emerged from the shadows with heavy, thudding footsteps. They were all beast-like monsters, four to five meters tall. Though they suppressed their demonic energy, their sheer size made it clear they were no ordinary creatures. The Minamoto Clan did not turn weak yokai into shikigami.

"Brother Yorimitsu, did you think I sent out all my shikigami to obstruct the Onmyoryo and Owl’s subordinates without keeping anything for myself? Did you forget that our clan's shikigami can perfectly conceal their demonic energy? They’ve been hiding here, guarding me, waiting for someone to take the bait. I never expected the one to walk into the trap would be you..." Yorimasa spoke with a triumphant smirk. In his eyes, Yorimitsu had made a fatal miscalculation. No matter how strong Yorimitsu was, he couldn't possibly defeat so many powerful shikigami while being besieged by Yorimasa’s men.

Looking at the shikigami surrounding him, Yorimitsu’s expression remained unchanged. He looked at his brother and spoke indifferently.

"The clan's 'Beasts'? Hmph. Like certain old fossils in the family, they are nothing but stagnant, decaying relics. I warned them more than once that continuing this method of shikigami production would eventually lead to disaster. Today proves it. If they had listened to me sooner, such losses wouldn't be happening."

Seeing Yorimitsu completely disregard the surrounding shikigami and himself, Yorimasa’s suppressed rage flared up again. This time, he gripped his control token and shouted mercilessly.

"It seems you still don't understand your situation. I intended to spare your life for the sake of our blood, but I've changed my mind. Die with your arrogance, Brother!"

Yorimasa surged his spiritual power into the token. Under the command of the spell, the poised yokai suddenly lunged, claws and fangs bared, pouncing toward Yorimitsu.

Surrounded by over a dozen massive monsters, Yorimitsu looked incredibly small, as if he would be torn to shreds in an instant. Yet, facing the threat from all sides, he remained unmoved.

Before the pack could reach him, a figure as fast as lightning streaked through the woods, interposing itself in front of Yorimitsu. Then came the sharp, ear-piercing ring of steel and the blinding flash of white blades. The attacking yokai were sliced into countless chunks of flesh mid-leap, crashing to the ground. Blood of various colors sprayed everywhere, and not a single one managed even a dying scream.

"What!" Yorimasa’s eyes widened in fury and shock. Before Yorimitsu, a young man now knelt respectfully on the ground.

The youth had smooth, purple-black hair and a resolute, handsome face. He wore the attire of a personal attendant emblazoned with the Sasa Rindo crest, with a white headband tied across his forehead. His most striking feature, however, was the three samurai katanas hanging at his waist.

"Master..." The young man, who had just slaughtered a dozen yokai in an instant, spoke with deep respect.

"Well done, Onikiri," Yorimitsu said with a faint, calm smile.

"Onikiri... Is this... your shikigami!?" Yorimasa stared at the man in shock.

Yorimitsu answered directly, "Of course. Onikiri is a shikigami I created—the brilliant result of my exploration into the path of the shikigami within Onmyojutsu."

"Created... You mean, you made that guy?"

"Exactly. I was never satisfied with the stagnant, traditional techniques of the clan elders. Long ago, I began my own exploration into the way of the shikigami. Finally, I found the answer: artificial shikigami. This is my path, and the new path for the Minamoto Clan. With this, I shall bring a new destiny to our name!" Yorimitsu declared, a hint of fervor in his eyes.