A person in Japan, a sword that soars to immortality.

The Ox-Demon is a legendary monster with a head like an ox, a body like a spider, and a deadly poison.

And those targeted by it will fall into hallucinations.

The origin of the Ox-Demon Legend is this land beneath Taiichi and Aya's feet, called Yamatoyamabe County, which was originally part of the Yamato Province.

"What a coincidence?"

Taiyi stood at the village entrance, gazing at the village shrouded in poisonous fog, his mind racing with various thoughts, and he hesitated to take a step.

One can only imagine how powerful the Upper Moon Two, Crying Gyūki, must have been to create such a large-scale Blood Demon Technique.

Despite his high attributes, Doma gave Taichi a strange and sinister feeling.

But the scene before him made him realize the absolute power of the Weeping Ox Demon, who controlled a region and suppressed everything.

Before coming, he had done his best to gather information about the Heavenly Principle Sect.

However, this place was too far from Edo, and the religion's fame did not spread widely.

The main reason he didn't seek help from the daimyo to send troops was that he couldn't explain why.

Arquebusiers are one thing, but do they really think cannons are so easy to deploy? Unless there's a peasant uprising or a band of mountain bandits attacking the city.

Otherwise, those powerful figures would never have taken out their trump card weapons to protect his life.

"The original plan was to infiltrate the village first, gather evidence, and then seek help."

"But now it seems that no matter how many people come, once they come into contact with this large-scale toxic fog, they will all die on the spot."

"so......"

Taiichi frowned, his hand gripping the hilt of the sword tightening unconsciously, his mind in turmoil.

"How about we leave? This place feels a bit creepy."

Ah-Xia stood still, twisting her body repeatedly, as if she were being burrowed into by insects.

Upon hearing that she had been poisoned, she immediately examined herself again, but the result was that nothing was found.

The principles of ninjas' actions require them to ascertain the enemy's strengths and weaknesses before taking action.

Otherwise, one must preserve oneself and make a temporary retreat.

Completing the mission is a ninja's top priority, not to recklessly charge into battle like a samurai.

Upon hearing A-Xia's suggestion to retreat, Tai-Yi felt a surge of irritation, as if two conflicting thoughts were clashing in his mind, leaving him unable to make a choice.

But just then, he glanced casually and noticed that a cicada nymph was emerging from the ground near the base of a tree and slowly climbing up the trunk.

"What are we going to do? Just tell me..."

A-Xia's voice rang out, but Tai-Yi's attention was completely drawn to the cicada nymph.

Even from dozens of meters away, his keen eyesight allowed him to see a life struggling within the brownish-brown molted shell.

For what seemed like a minute, or perhaps a quarter of an hour, Taiyi stared blankly until the cicada broke through its molt and successfully emerged.

The newly hatched insect's emerald-green body seems to represent the color of life, and at the same time, it proclaims to the world that only after breaking out of the cocoon can one be reborn.

"Hehe." Taiyi lowered his head and chuckled softly, as if mocking himself. Then he opened his hand that was holding the knife and carefully looked at the lines on his palm: "It seems that I am bound by fear."

"What? What's binding you?"

A-Xia stared wide-eyed at Tai-Yi, who was muttering to himself in front of his palm like a madman, and couldn't help but be full of questions.

Buzz~!

Before Taiyi could speak, the cicada, which had already molted and spread its wings, suddenly vibrated its wings, making a buzzing sound.

In the stillness, the cicadas suddenly chirp.

"Though I have lived two lives, my name at this moment is Yamada Asaemon Taichi, and I am also a samurai."

Taiichi raised his head, gripped the hilt of his sword again with greater force than ever before, and then lifted his leg, taking a firm step forward.

"Hey... wait for me!"

Ah-Xia reached out to his shoulder, but only managed to grab air.

"The way of the samurai, the way of the demon."

"Death is terrifying, killing is ugly, but at the end, you can see the ultimate beauty."

"so......"

"How could I possibly be bound by mere fear and unable to move forward?"

"Even if there are a thousand difficulties and obstacles, I will overcome them with the sword in my hand!"

The Crying Demon? Although I haven't seen its true face yet, I'm already looking forward to the glint of alluring red that seeps out after the blade slices across your neck.

Ding!

The notification sounded, and Taiyi was immediately taken aback.

[Spiritual sublimation]

[Spiritual Energy +30]

At the same time, Taiichi clearly felt that he had become more proficient in using breathing techniques.

What surprised him even more was that he vaguely sensed that his speed in extracting essence from spiritual energy seemed to have increased considerably.

"Heaven is on my side! Since that's the case, there's no way I'll retreat!"

Taiyi's lips curled up, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

A-Xia stood there, staring blankly at Tai-Yi's retreating figure. After her lips moved slightly, she uttered only two words:

"madman."

But after saying this, her eyes lit up, and without caring whether she was poisoned or not, she quickly followed after him.

In the village.

Once the two had fully entered, they realized that what was called Shoyashiki Village should actually be called Shoyashiki Town.

The entire village covers a vast area, with many shops even located on both sides of the main road in the middle.

Rice shops, izakayas (Japanese pubs), vegetable shops, general stores, and clothing stores were common shops in Edo.

Furthermore, there were many people coming and going on the streets. Although it wasn't as crowded as Asakusa, it was still quite bustling.

However, the two noticed that everyone seemed to be heading towards the center of the village, and all of them had excited expressions on their faces.

Upon seeing this, Taiyi grabbed a walking man.

Before speaking, I suddenly noticed that the other person's cheeks were sunken and their eyes were dark-rimmed, but asking questions was more important, so I had to suppress my doubts and speak:

"Excuse me, we are merchants from Edo, passing through this area. We noticed everyone is heading in that direction. Could you tell us what's going on?"

The man wasn't angry when someone suddenly grabbed him; instead, he glared with bloodshot eyes and said excitedly:

"Someone is about to be blessed by the leader of the sect, Michiko, and is going to the holy mountain!"

"You're so lucky to have such a wonderful experience on your first visit."

Hearing this, A-Xia sneered and asked, "That's his good luck, what does it have to do with us?"

"Hey, you!" The man gave A-Xia a disdainful look, his lips twitching slightly, but he still explained in the end, "When the blessing is bestowed, it's not just for him alone. Everyone who watches can share in the blessing, and it will improve their health and cure their illnesses!"

After the man finished speaking, he pried Taiyi's hand away and hurriedly left.

"I think this guy is already so fat, he doesn't have any illness, he should lose weight."

Ah Xia pouted and said irritably.

Hmm? Fat?

Taiyi was also taken aback. He looked at the man's back again, then at Axia, and then slapped his forehead, revealing a look of sudden realization.

You've all forgotten that you're still in a hallucination.

But I couldn't help A-Xia just now, so who knows now.

From a perspective unseen by ordinary people, Taiyi simply flipped his hand, instantly condensing a pale blue ball of energy.

Then, from a distance, he threw it at Ah-Xia.

The latter immediately shuddered, then her legs involuntarily clamped together, and her pretty face turned bright red.

"What the hell? What's going on? Why do I suddenly feel so comfortable? What kind of curse did I get... Taiyi, what's wrong with the people here... um."

Just as she was about to shout, Taiyi quickly covered her mouth.

It turns out that once your spiritual power exceeds 50 points, you can let your Qi leave your body.

So... I have sword energy now?

After making a few hand gestures, A-Xia instantly understood that Tai-Yi must have used some method to help her get rid of the so-called poison and escape the illusion.

At the same time, she thought to herself, "So I really am poisoned! And how come Taiyi even knows how to detoxify!"

The two exchanged glances and then understood each other's meaning. They then pretended nothing had happened and followed the crowd toward the center.

When Taiichi arrived at his spot, he saw a beautiful woman with a curvaceous figure, dressed in hunting clothes, dancing around a seated samurai.

"This person doesn't seem like an ordinary person. The Nijo clan? A member of the Five Regents, what are they doing in such a remote place..."

Taiyi opened the system and said with a frown.

Name: Nijo Tadatoshi

Age: 28

【Lifespan: 74】

[Essence: 217.3]

Qi and Blood: 194.6

【God Soul: 17.4】

"You're right, Taichi, the believer, he's the Water Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps!"

A playful voice suddenly rang softly in Taiyi's ear.