However.
No yokai paid attention to the battle between Shuten Doji and Shinra, especially the yokai of Shuten's faction. They were all struggling to fend for themselves. The oni kings were outnumbered, and the spectacled ones were slaughtering them relentlessly.
At this moment, they could only pray that Lord Shuten would end the battle quickly. Once he emerged victorious, the tide of the battle would completely turn.
However.
It wasn't that no yokai were paying attention to Shinra and Shuten Doji.
Aside from high-ranking officials of the Shinra Division like Fatty and Tailor who were engaged in combat, two other high-ranking officials stood by, like spectators. They were observing the battle of Fatty and the others, as well as the fight between Shuten Doji and Shinra.
They were Yin Yang and Gardener.
Rather than mere spectators, they were essentially holding the formation.
To eradicate Shuten Doji's faction and prevent any unforeseen circumstances, Shinra had instructed Yin Yang and Gardener not to engage in combat. They were to remain on standby, ready to intervene should any sudden developments occur, such as the presence of hidden powerful entities, allowing them to strike back.
As it happened.
Yin Yang, utilizing his ghost energy, hovered in the air, gazing into the depths of the distant forest where Shinra's battle was taking place. He couldn't help but remark:
"Shinra's strength has improved again."
Gardener, standing beside him, looked over:
"If he didn't improve, how could he keep us high-ranking officials in check? Who wouldn't want Shinra's position."
As he spoke.
Gardener yawned listlessly, picked up a YSL lipstick, and reapplied it. He then took out an expensive compact powder and patted his face, saying:
"Shinra's assigned task is so boring. Being stationed here is not as good as trying out my newly bought SK-II essence and getting a laser skin rejuvenation. But speaking of which... when did Shinra find such a powerful high-ranking official? His strength is immense; I'm feeling a sense of crisis."
As he spoke.
Gardener, holding the powder compact, his gaze fell upon the old willow tree elder leaning on his cane nearby. His eyes sparkled with light:
"Plants are so good. His skin looks a bit wrinkled, but the texture is really good. His skin looks very nourished."
Yin Yang glanced sideways at Gardener. Knowing Gardener's personality, he ignored the latter part of his statement and said directly:
"That old willow tree joined recently. His role might not be as significant as yours, but his strength is not inferior to yours. It's not impossible for him to replace you in the third position of power."
"Don't try to provoke me with that trick; I won't fall for it."
Gardener chuckled lightly.
Just as Gardener was about to say something more.
The next second.
Both Gardener and Yin Yang sensed something and turned their heads in the same direction, exchanging glances.
Gardener's eyes immediately lit up:
"It seems the task Shinra gave us won't be boring anymore."
Yin Yang nodded and simply replied:
"Let's go. It's not for others to interfere when the Shinra Division makes its move."
"Here they come, here they come."
Gardener quickly patted his face with the powder compact.
...
At the same time.
On a highway at the edge of the forest in Shuten Doji's territory.
At this moment.
This mountain road was blocked off. Only black business vans were speeding in and parking at the edge of the forest. From them, numerous onmyoji and miko alighted.
It could be seen.
These onmyoji and miko were powerful. Each of them was at least capable of dealing with a red-clothed vengeful ghost. Even Vice-Chief Abe had arrived, a top-tier oni king level onmyoji who had reached the True Dragon Guard level!
Yet, even so.
Vice-Chief Abe was not the focus of attention among the onmyoji and miko. After they disembarked, their gazes, including Vice-Chief Abe's, were fixed on an old man, who became the center of attention. Even Vice-Chief Abe showed him utmost respect.
In this regard.
No one found anything amiss, solely due to the old man's identity and strength. He was the current pillar of the 'Abe Family,' the most powerful onmyoji lineage in Sakura Country, and a national guardian onmyoji of the True Dragon Guard level!
Not long ago.
The old Abe onmyoji received a request from the Onmyo Bureau, asking him to come to Shikoku because foreign ghost forces had invaded the area.
Upon hearing the news, the old Abe onmyoji was enraged. He would never allow foreign ghost forces to contaminate his homeland. He immediately boarded a plane and flew over. Currently, tracking the ghost forces along the way, he had arrived at this forest.
At the same time.
The oni king-level onmyoji, including the old Abe onmyoji, all felt the surging ghost energy from within the forest, an unprecedented magnitude. It was hard to imagine how many terrifying yokai were inside.
Even.
They could sense Shuten Doji's aura.
"There's no mistake, it's Shuten Doji's aura. Is it fighting those foreign yokai?"
Vice-Chief Abe's pupils contracted, and his scalp tingled. Shuten Doji had even made a move? As expected, this foreign ghost force had a terrifying entity of the True Dragon Guard level.
However.
Although he knew there was a True Dragon Guard level yokai inside, thinking of Shuten Doji fighting against it, and then recalling that the old Abe onmyoji was on their side, Vice-Chief Abe breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, they had called the old Abe onmyoji.
Immediately.
The old Abe onmyoji was about to lead the onmyoji towards the forest.
However, before they could walk a few hundred meters...
Without any warning.
The old Abe onmyoji suddenly stopped and gestured for everyone to halt. Following his actions, everyone saw two figures emerge from the forest ahead.
A man and a woman, both ghosts.
Many onmyoji were stunned and almost burst into laughter. Which ignorant yokai dared to block them? Did they think they were ordinary people? In fact, they were all onmyoji, and one of them was a national guardian level onmyoji.
Thinking of this.
They instinctively looked towards the old Abe onmyoji. Then, before their laughter could escape, they couldn't laugh the next second. They all saw the furrowed brow on the old Abe onmyoji's face and his solemn gaze.
It was at this moment.
The male ghost of the two yokai slowly spoke, uttering a simple sentence:
"The Shinra Division is handling this. Don't get in the way."
As soon as he spoke.
His gaze was fixed directly on the old Abe onmyoji. It was evident that the latter knew who the strongest person present was, who the leader was.
Yin Yang's actions put Vice-Chief Abe and the others on high alert. The previous jesting was gone, and their scalps tingled… If that person knew the old Abe onmyoji's strength and still dared to be so arrogant, then what did that imply? Even a fool would understand.
A Great Oni King?!
Just then.
Compared to everyone being intimidated by Yin Yang's strength, the old Abe onmyoji's brows twitched, his attention fixed on Yin Yang's words:
"Shinra Division? I seem to have heard of it somewhere."
Following that.
As if recalling something, the old Abe onmyoji exclaimed in surprise:
"You are the Shinra Division from Great Xia?"
In response.
Yin Yang silently confirmed his thoughts.
The old Abe onmyoji frowned. He knew of the Shinra Division. The recent events in the northeast of Great Xia had caused a sensation internationally. He couldn't help but frown, fearing that the Shinra Division intended to use Sakura Country as a location for refining national guardian level artifacts:
"What are you doing in my Sakura Country? This is Sakura Country's territory, and it's not for your Shinra Division to..."
Before he could finish speaking.
Boom!!
The terrifying strength of both Yin Yang and Gardener was unleashed, dominating the scene and completely disregarding the old Abe onmyoji's demeanor.
At this moment.
The old Abe onmyoji's brows were tightly furrowed, and Vice-Chief Abe and the other onmyoji trembled.
Just as they had thought…
That male ghost was a Great Oni King of the True Dragon Guard level.
Not only that.
The female ghost was not bad either, her strength nearly reaching the True Dragon Guard level.
At this moment.
They finally understood.
Why the old Abe onmyoji had gestured for them to stop. It was because… the two blocking their path were Great Oni Kings!
It was also at this moment.
Yin Yang's voice reached them:
"What my Shinra Division does is not for you to question."
...