Volume One, Chapter 129: The Onmyoji. (Additional Update One)

“Shh! What nonsense are you talking about?” Jiang Chen hurriedly pressed his hand over Ye Zhi’s mouth.

“I’m not making it up. We used to sleep… in the same cave,” Ye Zhi insisted.

Before she could say more, Jiang Chen covered her mouth and said, “Don’t say silly things. We never did that. Back then, I stayed with you just to save you from being snatched by wild beasts. That doesn’t count, and besides, how old were we at that time?”

Ye Zhi pouted, “I don’t care. You said you would marry me back then.”

Jiang Chen replied, “I never said that…”

“Why are you so guilty then?” Ye Zhi teased.

“I didn’t!” Jiang Chen denied firmly.

“Hmph, whether you said it or not, I came down the mountain this time to make you marry me,” Ye Zhi declared.

“Uh… excuse me, you two, sorry to interrupt. How about coming down to eat? We haven’t finished yet,” Li Changsheng awkwardly suggested.

Ye Zhi blushed and lowered her head. Jiang Chen nodded. “Let’s go downstairs to eat. Don’t tell anyone about this, alright?”

“Got it,” Ye Zhi whispered softly.

“Can you put on your shoes by yourself?” Jiang Chen asked.

“No… I’m injured,” Ye Zhi admitted.

Jiang Chen exclaimed, “Why didn’t I notice when I just checked your pulse?”

“It’s a heart wound,” Ye Zhi said quietly.

“Alright, fine. I’ll help you put them on…”

“Hehe, Brother Jiang Chen, you’re the best,” Ye Zhi giggled.

After Jiang Chen helped Ye Zhi down, he found the three of them pondering how to proceed.

Ye Zhi ate quietly as Li Changsheng said, “We thought it over and feel it’s best to enter the mountain as a tourist group. Since we don’t know where the little tribe is, nor the location of the dragon vein, it’s better to go in and take a look. Even if they spot us, they won’t realize our true intent.”

Jiang Chen immediately shot down the idea. “You’re giving them too much credit as if they were human.”

“Those bastards are fanatics who bite on sight. They won’t care if you’re a tourist group or not. They came this time with no intention of leaving. If they sense anything wrong, they’ll strike immediately. Then we’d be the ones on the defensive.”

After hearing Jiang Chen’s analysis, they understood the danger. Such an approach would be like openly announcing their arrival to the little tribe.

You can’t alert the snake by rustling the grass. You have to strike at its vital spot—no chance for counterattack. If you fight, you must kill with one blow.

“Senior sister, do you have a better plan?” Liuli looked toward Shen Huaizhu, who was staring at Ye Zhi. Liuli suddenly realized something.

A war without gunpowder was about to begin.

“Huh? I… don’t have a good idea. Let Jiang Chen speak,” Shen Huaizhu said, bowing her head lost in thought.

Jiang Chen said, “Tomorrow night, Li Changsheng and I will scout inside the mountain. If we encounter the little tribe, we strike immediately—kill as many as we can. This will catch them off guard. They’ll definitely go on defense afterward, giving us the initiative.”

“But isn’t that similar to the previous plan?” Li Changsheng pondered.

Since the plan was laid out, Jiang Chen had naturally prepared the follow-up.

“We only need to wait in ambush. I’ll position myself at the closest point to you—the center. The moment you discover any movement, notify me immediately. I’ll come rushing over, and we’ll launch a surprise attack.”

Jiang Chen’s plan placed himself in the most dangerous position, but he wasn’t worried about failure because he alone could uphold the entire strategy. The others just needed to keep watch.

“Brother Chen, won’t that be very dangerous for you?” Ye Zhi asked, her mouth full of rice but still speaking.

“Eat first. Talk after you finish eating,” Jiang Chen said.

“Oh, alright,” Ye Zhi obediently nodded.

Li Changsheng thought for a moment. “I think it’s a good plan. I agree.”

Liuli nodded as well, but Shen Huaizhu asked, “What if the rest of us fall into an ambush? How will you rescue us?”

Jiang Chen replied, “No plan is foolproof. But we came prepared to face death, so we must be mentally ready for any sudden situation—even the possibility of not returning.”

...

“What’s with your lazy work attitude? Can’t you understand something this simple?” A middle-aged man in a black robe, sporting a distinctive patch of facial hair on his philtrum, barked orders inside a misty cave.

Around him, several Onmyoji in similar robes busily worked.

“Yamamoto Fifty-six, do you really insist on splitting up?” Fujita Dama asked.

Yamamoto Fifty-six stroked his beard. “The Daxia people are exceptionally cunning. We must not underestimate them. Splitting up balances our strength and allows us to react quickly if we meet someone too strong. It speeds us up!”

“I don’t think the Daxia are that clever. That’s just your illusion. They’re definitely unprepared since we came suddenly. Watashi wa saikou da!” Fujita Dama proudly declared.

“Don’t get cocky. The Daxia know exactly what we’re after. Even if they haven’t realized it yet, it won’t be long before they do. Don’t slack off. You are a warrior of the Empire, but the Empire isn’t short of fools. I expect you to be smart,” Yamamoto Fifty-six warned.

“I’m the smartest samurai in the island nation,” Fujita Dama retorted.

“Enough. Patrol the area carefully. Make sure no Daxia are nearby. If you find any, kill them all—leave no survivors, and no one to raise the alarm. Understood?” Yamamoto Fifty-six ordered.

“Rest assured, Lord Fifty-six. I will complete the mission!” Fujita Dama replied immediately.

“Call me Lord Yamamoto!”

“Yes, Lord Fifty-six.”

Yamamoto Fifty-six’s face darkened completely. He couldn’t understand why the Onmyoji organization had assigned him such a straightforward, inflexible man for this critical mission.

But the orders from above were not his to change. He could only accept it. Though Fujita Dama was obstinate, his strength was formidable—among the younger generation of Onmyoji, he ranked near the top. If only he were a bit smarter, his future would be limitless.

After a long moment, Yamamoto Fifty-six gazed into the distance. “This time, the Daxia dragon vein is mine to claim. You Daxia people, just wait to be praised and sung about!!!”

...