The Yellow Springs, a sinking cold, as if something slumbered within. Countless souls, drawn by an unseen summons, walked the path of Yomotsuhirasaka.
Yomotsuhirasaka, the road to the underworld in Japanese mythology, the boundary between the living and the dead. Beyond Yomotsuhirasaka lay Izanagi's final destination, the land of Izumo.
A great stone blocked the path, the Chihayabushi, also known as Michikaeshi-no-Kami.
Amidst the swirling mist, souls, and彼岸花 (higanbana, red spider lilies), the cold of the Yellow Springs seeped from beneath the stone. An armored samurai looked up, spotting a young Taoist priest in black robes, and then…
The Chihayabushi turned to dust under the lightning in his hand.
The young man's face was indistinct, quickly transforming into…
…
Uesugi Kagekatsu's eyes snapped open. The chilling aura of the Yellow Springs permeated his body, making the entire room feel like a realm of crimson inferno, cold, eerie, and terrifying.
"A nightmare."
Undoubtedly, it was the manifestation of his deepest fears, a reflection of his own uncertainty about his power.
The key to the land of the Yellow Springs, the Chihayabushi, was now Uesugi Kagekatsu himself. But even if he opened the Yellow Springs, could he truly contend with immortals?
"The Ming Dynasty immortal in my dream, yet his face was that of Emperor Jinmu… From the beginning, the path of immortality has suppressed the mortal realm, granting me the position of Michikaeshi-no-Kami, the guardian of the Yellow Springs. Emperor Jinmu does not fear my rebellion."
"Even a false immortal is so fearless. What of the mere power of the Yellow Springs?"
"If I faced a true immortal, what then?"
Uesugi Kagekatsu could not fathom why he had such a terrifying dream. He felt as if he were ensnared by some force, unable to recall what had happened before.
How had he fallen asleep?
How had this dream begun?
As dawn broke, Uesugi Kagekatsu donned his armor and went outside. He found the third son of the Shimazu family, the young samurai, waiting by his gate, alongside his own guards. His shadow stretched long across the wall, reaching almost to his doorway in the dawn light.
"Lord Uesugi, you are awake. Nothing happened last night, no intelligence was relayed."
"Word from the Royal Palace is that you are to attend a council upon waking to discuss our army's counterattack against the Ming forces."
The young samurai, named Shimazu Tadatsune, bowed respectfully to Uesugi Kagekatsu. Hearing the report of no incidents overnight, Uesugi Kagekatsu was unsure whether to feel relieved or angered and suspicious.
"The Ming army is as good as dead. After taking Kaesong, they have made no move for at least five days."
"There has been no sign of Ming troops leaving their fortifications, no trumpets of counterattack, not even scouts have been sighted."
Something is amiss when things are too quiet!
"You worry too much. After a fierce battle, the Ming army needs time to rest. Five days of inactivity does not signify anything."
Shimazu Tadatsune listened to Uesugi Kagekatsu's muttering and followed him to the council hall, offering timely "comfort."
"Five days is not enough to do anything. Mobilizing troops, restoring morale, replenishing elite soldiers, conducting basic drills, constructing defenses, ensuring supplies, formulating strategic plans – these are numerous tasks, none of which can be completed in five days."
"There is no need for such tension. Simply reinforce the Royal Capital with more troops to prevent the Korean national destiny from being reclaimed."
Uesugi Kagekatsu did not turn back, listening calmly to Shimazu Tadatsune's advice, and slowly analyzed: "What you say is indeed reasonable."
"Five days is a considerable rest period for the Ming army after a hard-fought battle."
"Although the power of immortals is immense, there is only one immortal. The Ming army that captured Kaesong received no support from Gyeongsang and Hwangju, many strongholds along the route have been abandoned, and supplies can only be obtained from Haizhou City. They should be busy establishing logistical transport… that should be correct."
A war involving hundreds of thousands of men is not comparable to a war of hundreds or thousands.
During Japan's Sengoku period, battles involved as few as dozens, or hundreds, or thousands of men. For most renowned generals, battles with fewer than ten thousand men allowed them to fully display their abilities. Beyond that number, their command capabilities declined exponentially.
More people indeed made control difficult. Take Konishi Yukinaga, once a renowned general, but after encountering the Ming army, he became practically a designated failure. Kato Kiyomasa initially faced little resistance fighting the Korean army in the east, but once he returned to the western front, he could only defend cities, being forced from an offensive general into a defensive turtle.
Although there were many demons assisting, which was the key to turning the tide recently, the Ming army… had cannons.
What of demons? Even illusory beings shaped by willpower would dissipate upon being hit by gunfire. While willpower could be created endlessly for free, it severely impacted the progress of sieges, that was a fact.
However, it was better than not being able to capture the city at all.
Arriving at the council hall… this was the first meeting after retreating to the Royal Capital and the arrival of reinforcements from the surrounding areas.
The man at the head, dressed in opulent robes, carried an arrogant demeanor. He merely nodded as Uesugi Kagekatsu entered.
At this moment, they were discussing further reinforcements. It seemed they had not yet begun formal deliberations, and even the casual discussions before the official meeting had them arguing fiercely.
Most of them agreed to send more troops to the Royal Capital and to devise plans to counter the Ming army's impending reinforcements. The legion commanders in the Royal Capital each voiced their opinions, with everyone offering different suggestions, completely unable to reach a stable, unified decision.
Similarly, some expressed that the Ming army's movements did not require specific attention, holding the same opinion as Shimazu Tadatsune, believing the Ming army was now depleted and could only hold Kaesong while awaiting improved logistics. Of course, they were inactive, as people were not made of iron.
The man in opulent robes spoke dismissively, "What can be done in a mere five days? Should cities not be defended, roads not be repaired, logistics not be secured, morale not be trained, and strategic deployments not be made? There is no need to worry too much…"
"People are not made of iron? How ridiculous!"
At this moment, a chilling voice emerged, rudely and forcefully pushing open the council hall doors! The doors let out a resounding clang as they crashed to the sides. The newcomer, clad in pitch-black heavy armor, his entire suit a gleaming black, wore a helmet with a large crescent moon. He carried four katanas and strode in with great authority.
"Date Masamune! Why are you only arriving now! You were ordered to rendezvous with Tachibana Muneshige, but Tachibana Muneshige has been dead for over ten days!"
Upon seeing the newcomer, someone immediately jumped out and shouted angrily, "Baka! We thought you were dead!"
The speaker, dressed in opulent robes, was very young, only sixteen or seventeen years old, with an arrogant and unruly expression.
"Rendezvous with Tachibana Muneshige? He is already dead, why rendezvous with him? Of course, I was out scouting the Ming army. You ungrateful wretches dare to speak to me so disrespectfully."
"Kobayakawa Hideaki, do not think that because you were the adopted son of the Grand Minister and stationed here as the supreme commander, you can speak to me like this! Whether you possess the talent of a supreme commander, everyone present is well aware! You are merely a figurehead, do not think too highly of yourself."
"Am I not right, Mr. Yamaguchi Masahiro? Without your assistance, he is nothing but a waste!"
"Yet, for your great contributions, you have not become an independent daimyo until now, all because of following this incompetent fellow!"
Beside Kobayakawa Hideaki, another samurai holding a sword watched Date Masamune in silence. Date Masamune's mockery continued:
"While you slept soundly in the Royal Capital, I was out risking my life and working hard!"
Kobayakawa Hideaki's expression turned cold, "You dare speak to me like this! You are merely a legion commander under the Grand Minister, a mere subordinate who bows to the Grand Minister, where do you get off being so proud!"
Divine power began to emanate from him, and Date Masamune was not to be outdone. A giant black dragon appeared behind him, its mouth boiling with lightning and fire, the "Kurikara Great Dragon King" in Buddhism, specifically designed to break evil and ward off demonic powers, a divine position meant to slay demons.
Just then, Uesugi Kagekatsu stepped forward to mediate. Without a word, he simply stood there, and the chilling aura of the Yellow Springs gradually filled the air. Date Masamune and Kobayakawa Hideaki immediately exchanged glances and slowly withdrew their surging divine powers.
However, Date Masamune still sneered and mocked Kobayakawa:
"What can be done in five days? Heh, decades ago, Qi Jiguang could march two hundred and twenty li in a single night, and his Qi family army fought for two days and two nights without rest. Although they were fighting pirates and ronin, the enemy numbers were often two to three times that of the Qi family army!"
"Kaesong is only a hundred li from the Royal Capital!"
"Five days? That's enough for him to run from Kaesong to the Royal Capital and back ten times!"
Date Masamune furiously berated the legion commanders here, especially Kobayakawa Hideaki, who naturally refused to be outdone, saying coldly:
"Lord Qi Jiguang's fame was from decades ago. What relevance does it have to mention it now? Where are such figures in the Ming Dynasty?"
"The only one to be wary of now is that immortal. Therefore, you two false immortals, and General Uesugi, are waiting here! To protect the Royal Capital! And if that immortal comes, so what? Two entries and two exits, that means he escaped quickly!"
Upon hearing this, many burst into laughter. Date Masamune's sharp gaze swept over them, "Underestimating the enemy, proud soldiers will surely be defeated, especially after just suffering a defeat, yet you all appear so jubilant and nonchalant?"
"Those who have not witnessed the might of the immortal path, who have only conquered cities with the help of demons, if you truly possessed talent, you would not have been so miserably beaten by the Ming army before."
He silenced the crowd. Just as the crowd was becoming agitated and about to erupt into an argument, Date Masamune's words brought all the excited legion commanders to a halt.
"I have come here to tell you that not long ago, we saw that immortal. He appeared less than ten li from the Royal Capital!"
"It is likely that he will make his move soon!"
This statement caused a stir. Kobayakawa Hideaki began to argue with Date Masamune again, but his expression was also uncertain. After all, this intelligence might not be false. With the appearance of immortal-level power, between life and dignity, he knew which was more important.
"Lord Uesugi, is that the supreme commander?"
"Yes, he is only two or three years older than you, about the same age, a young hero."
Uesugi Kagekatsu answered Shimazu Tadatsune's question, and the young samurai's eyes flickered with demonic light.
"Is that so… he is… the supreme commander."
"He is indeed very young."
"But with his attitude, I can't help but wonder, please forgive my disrespect…"
"It's alright, I know what you are thinking."
Uesugi Kagekatsu shook his head. He knew very well what the young samurai was thinking, likely that if such a person lost their power, they would be nothing but dog shit. But there was nothing to be done about it, given his background.
"Without cultivation, one can obtain immense power. Once this power disappears, the individual themselves will become prey, at the mercy of others."
"But that is impossible. The immortal who can strip divine positions of power would never have had a chance to enter."
…
As night deepened, the halls remained brightly lit. All Japanese soldiers and generals stood at full alert, not daring to be negligent.
Uesugi Kagekatsu was no different. He wore his armor and dared not sleep, with Shimazu Tadatsune guarding him, ready to sally forth from the city at any moment.
The flickering lamplight cast their shadows onto the screen.
"Enemy attack!"
Suddenly, a fierce alarm blared. Instantly, countless men seized their weapons! Following the alarm, they ascended the city walls, and the two false immortals appeared above the city at the same time!
Under the moonlight, not far away, Ji Xiang hovered in the sky!
"It's a Ming Dynasty immortal!"
The two false immortals, standing ready, immediately rose into the air! Two vast immortal auras erupted, shaking the heavens with thunder, churning the rivers, resonating the earth, and stirring up a great wind!
And they discovered that the Ming Dynasty immortal opposite them had also noticed them. Thus, their actions of preparing to summon lightning were abruptly halted. Then, without lingering, they turned and swiftly departed, carried by the wind and clouds!
"I didn't expect General Date to be right!"
"We almost got killed by the lightning!"
The samurai on the city walls had all felt an immense pressure. Fortunately, their side also had two immortals, which had deterred the opponent. The two false immortals exchanged glances and nodded.
"Indeed, there was an immortal-level pressure."
"I cannot discern his realm! However, to retreat so decisively… it seems he is a cautious immortal, unwilling to take risks like entering enemy territory alone."
Those who transformed into shadow spirits naturally had no discernible realm, and their auras could only be imitated. But to the two false immortals, this was an incredibly real "immortal"!
"The Royal Capital must not fall. It seems this immortal intends to retake the Royal Capital with lightning speed and seize the destiny of Korea to weaken our nation's strength. This is indeed something an immortal would do. After all, with such powerful strength, it would be a waste not to carry out a decapitation strike."
"He will return. We must remain vigilant!"
The two false immortals looked at Uesugi Kagekatsu, who nodded with a solemn expression.
"Hey! Why aren't you attacking proactively! Are you even considered immortals of the same level like this!"
"That was such a good opportunity to kill him, and you just let him go!"
An angry and arrogant reprimand came from behind. Kobayakawa Hideaki, fully dressed, arrived late, but he also saw the scene of the immortals confronting each other and the sudden change in the sky.
…
"What foolish creatures, not attacking proactively, wasting such a great opportunity!"
Kobayakawa Hideaki returned to his residence in a fit of rage. This was the former Korean Royal Palace, now his lair. While the generals had to guard outside, he, as the supreme commander, naturally had to retreat indoors to "strategize."
"Damn it, everyone looks down on me! But no matter how much you look down on me, I possess the vast power of heavenly gods! You incompetent fools…"
He sat on the throne, his shadow stretching across the screen in the lamplight.
His back was to the screen, and he did not notice his shadow beginning to writhe, stand up, and extend two slender arms.
*Thump!*
The anesthetic powder was instantly applied to his nostrils. Before Kobayakawa Hideaki could react, his eyes instantly lost their luster. Then, a decisive stab pierced through his heart.
Blood splattered onto the shadow on the ground, disappearing without a trace.
After a while, the shadow completely engulfed Kobayakawa Hideaki, merging with him. Kobayakawa raised his head, his eyes regaining their luster, as if nothing had happened.
…
Shimazu Tadatsune's demonic light gradually faded.
He had succeeded.
Moving the body was simple, requiring only the essence, a method akin to controlling a zombie.
As for thought, it was imitated by the shadow soldiers.
The anesthetic powder granted by Lord Ji Xiang indeed possessed unfathomable power, similar to the effects of Tongtian Mingyan, capable of temporarily disabling divine positions and making them subservient. Simultaneously, using the methods of heavenly demons to eliminate the divine and ghostly powers within him prevented any backlash, thus completely absorbing the opponent's legacy.
This way, even shadow soldiers, which had no offensive capabilities, could refine Qi and kill ascending immortals with just a blessed ordinary weapon!
After all, shadow soldiers had no aura; they were merely shadows.
This technique was a divine and wondrous art passed down from the Tang Dynasty. Now, this shadow-stepping art had long been lost with the decline of the Tang immortals.
As for Lord Uesugi… whether to assassinate him.
Shimazu Tadatsune had observed him for many days and found that the power within him was extraordinary. Moreover, from various conversations, he vaguely discerned that the lord's divine power might be related to death. A rash attempt to kill him would likely result in his own death while the other party remained unharmed.
However, it was not important. With the position of supreme commander replaced, although most of the orders issued by this Kobayakawa were largely ignored by the daimyo and generals, there were still subordinates who would obey.
How important is a useless teammate?
Even if others ignored him, if he constantly spammed garbage messages in the chat channel, and you couldn't even block him, it would be enough to ruin everyone's morale!