109: Chapter 109 Onmyoji

Would Japan dare?

They definitely wouldn't dare.

Where would those Japanese guys find the confidence to challenge us now?

Moreover, this kind of behavior itself cannot be brought into the open. Much like cracking down on crimes like espionage, one basically just has to suffer a major loss in silence, because everyone tacitly does the same and won't bring such shady matters to the table; they let their skills do the talking.

Han Jingyang and Liu Jing stepped over the corpse of the Japanese man, Abe Tamakane, and continued down the mountain.

Halfway down, they encountered Monk Kongyun, who was rushing up the mountain.

Seeing the blood on Monk Delin's chest, Monk Kongyun paled in shock. "Master..."

Monk Delin waved his hand. "It's fine. These two benefactors saved me."

Monk Kongyun hurriedly thanked them. "Mr. Han, Ms. Liu, thank you both."

Then he asked urgently, "Where is the Japanese man?"

"Dead."

"Amitabha, Master's realm is indeed profound and your cultivation is superlative."

"These two benefactors killed him."

"Huh?" Monk Kongyun looked at Han Jingyang and Liu Jing in disbelief. "You... you two are actually this strong?"

Han Jingyang smiled. "The Japanese man was just too weak, not much stronger than you. It was just a matter of one slap."

"No, that Japanese man was far stronger than me. His Onmyodo were quite powerful, and he had a formidable shikigami. He also practiced kendo and was a renowned expert in Japan. He definitely wasn't someone who could be dealt with in a single slap."

"That impressive?"

"His record is even more impressive. This Japanese man traversed Southeast Asia without a single defeat, invincible wherever he went. Countless masters of various schools died at his hands. Even in our country, he's considered a first-rate expert. Only an expert like my master could stand against him."

Old Monk Delin sighed. "Even I was no match for him. I was defeated in a single exchange and nearly lost my life. If not for these two benefactors, I would have already passed away."

"What?" Monk Kongyun was shocked again. "Master, even you weren't his match?"

"Abe Tamakane's shikigami was even more powerful. Not only that, he had even cultivated a second shikigami. Combined with Feng Shui Arts and kendo, he was even harder to deal with," Monk Delin sighed. "In fact, his kendo alone could have easily killed me."

"Then... then how did they win?"

"You'll have to ask these two benefactors."

Han Jingyang said nonchalantly, "I used a powerful dharma instrument."

"A dharma instrument?"

"Yes."

"A single dharma instrument killed the powerful Abe Tamakane on the spot?"

"To be precise, it was one move. But after that one move, the dharma instrument is effectively useless for a short while."

Monk Kongyun's expression became even more colorful. After a long while, he spat out one word: "Absurd."

Monk Delin agreed. "It is indeed absurd. I've personally experienced Abe Tamakane's terror. I didn't expect these two benefactors to kill him so easily without a scratch. The youth are to be feared."

Xingguo Zen Temple.

With Monk Kongyun's help, Monk Delin changed into a clean cassock and solemnly pressed his palms together to Han Jingyang and Liu Jing. "This old monk, Delin, thanks you both once again for your life-saving grace and for ridding the people of this evil."

Han Jingyang waved his hand. "Grand Monk, I'm only curious about your fight with the Japanese man."

Monk Delin fell silent for a moment. "Actually, our confrontation began the moment Abe Tamakane started climbing the mountain. I used Buddhist divine powers to channel the various Buddhas of Thousand Buddha Mountain for my use, striving to block and repel him. However, Abe Tamakane transformed himself into a sword, breaking through my defense at a single point. After finding a flaw, he forcibly ascended. The process is hard to describe, but with your high cultivation, Benefactor Han, you naturally understand."

"And then?"

"Failing to stop him from climbing, I could only borrow the Power of Maitreya to face him. Abe Tamakane summoned two shikigami to battle while simultaneously unleashing a sword strike from afar. I was no match and was severely injured and defeated."

Han Jingyang narrowed his eyes.

The old monk's account was brief, but likely factual.

It was just a bit mystical. Things like 'divine powers channeling the Buddhas' or 'borrowing the Power of Maitreya' sounded impressive, but judging from Monk Kongyun's moves, it was still a contest on the level of consciousness—using consciousness to leverage the aura and energy of the surrounding mountains, rivers, and buildings for offense and defense.

Monk Delin was just more powerful; his methods were the same.

However, this kind of technique was indeed quite ordinary, with no clever tricks. It was a head-on style of fighting. Although powerful, it lacked versatility.

No wonder he lost to Abe Tamakane.

Although rumors say the Japanese Onmyoji only learned the basics, after so many years of development, they shouldn't be underestimated.

At least the so-called shikigami is a unique inheritance.

It's a pity I acted too hastily earlier and didn't give Abe Tamakane a chance to summon his shikigami.

Otherwise, I really could have seen what those legendary shikigami look like.

Whether they're powerful or not doesn't matter; it's mostly about the fun.

If I could learn it and summon a few easy-on-the-eyes shikigami as servants, how great would that be?

At critical moments, I could also summon them to face enemies.

But I've heard that some Taoist sects have similar inheritances. I'll look into it later.

Han Jingyang waited for Old Monk Delin to finish his rambling and then comforted him, "Grand Monk, there's no need to be dejected. Actually, that Abe Tamakane was also seriously injured. He was staggering and extremely weak when he went down the mountain. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had the chance to succeed in one strike."

Monk Delin shook his head. "Benefactor Han, there's no need for modesty. A duel is not a sparring match. Even if Abe Tamakane was depleted, as long as he wasn't dead, he was still that powerful Onmyoji. He shouldn't be underestimated. The fact that you could kill him so easily is enough to prove your strength."

Han Jingyang smiled and didn't explain further, instead getting up to take his leave.

Old Monk Delin did not try to keep him.

Monk Kongyun escorted him to the door. "Mr. Han, please forgive our poor hospitality. I will come to apologize and thank you properly later."

Han Jingyang said softly, "Monk, there's no need for anything else, but one thing must be made clear."

"Please speak, Mr. Han."

"When we arrived at the Maitreya Victory Garden, your master was already at his last breath. I saved him using a dharma instrument. Your master is saved, but that dharma instrument is now ruined. Do you understand what I mean?"

"Rest assured, Mr. Han. After cleaning things up, I will personally visit with a generous gift to thank you."

"Then I won't disturb you. Goodbye."

Monk Kongyun watched Han Jingyang's car leave and then quickly returned to the meditation room. "Master, Han Jingyang has left."

Monk Delin breathed a sigh of relief. "This Han Jingyang truly lives up to his reputation."

"Master, did he really save you?"

"Yes. When I was struck down by Abe Tamakane, I already had the thought of passing away. My true nature was almost extinguished. But at the critical moment, I saw Guanyin Bodhisattva. The willow branch in the Bodhisattva's hand emitted a great light, with Buddha's light radiating everywhere, just like the legendary 'Buddha's Light Illuminating All'. Under the radiance of that all-encompassing light, my nearly vanished true nature gradually recovered, and my six senses slowly returned. Even my injuries improved significantly. At that time, I almost thought it was a true manifestation of the Bodhisattva. Only later did I realize the light originated from a guanyin statue in Han Jingyang's hand."

"That was close."

"It was indeed close. If Han Jingyang had been a few minutes later, I wouldn't have made it back," Old Monk Delin was much more casual when chatting with his disciple, using words more like an ordinary person. "Go pick out a few high-value dharma instruments and send them over, plus some cash. Don't be stingy. Compared to cultivation, divine powers, dharma instruments, and life itself, money is truly just a worldly possession."