He was an ancient god originating from China's Shang dynasty, one who had existed for four thousand years.
He was a deity passed down through Taoism and introduced to Japan through Onmyodo, a god worshiped as the central divine aspect of the Hasshōjin, governing auspicious and inauspicious directions.
In ancient astronomy, there was a planet established as Jupiter's mirror image, the "planet of the underworld." He was the divine personification of that planet.
Because Jupiter took roughly twelve years to circle the sky once, it symbolized the "Heavenly Emperor" who ruled the heavens. The planet that mirrored it represented the earthly sovereign—that is, it was regarded as the planet symbolizing the "emperor."
As the star of rulers, any offense against it would bring dreadful calamity, and thus it was feared. It was the representative of baleful gods, the most dreaded "incarnation of the stars."
The one who had appeared at Kubizuka Daimyojin, before Xu Fu and the others, was none other than the fiercest and most terrifying baleful god, calamity god, and star god—Taisai Seikun!
"Outside the plan... major crisis."
The moment she saw Taisai Seikun, Yayoi Hozuki's heart sank.
According to the plan, they were supposed to finish setting up the Regicidal Bellflower grand formation first, then go to the hospital to visit Ai Kamiyo and begin the decisive battle against Taisai Seikun.
Instead, Taisai Seikun had not waited at the hospital for them to come challenge him at all. He had come straight to them. This was the equivalent of the final boss not sitting in the boss room, but coming directly to camp the starter village!
Could they not play the game properly anymore?
He had even brought Ai Kamiyo out of the hospital. She was still wearing a hospital gown, making it obvious at a glance that she had not been discharged through any proper procedure.
Ai Kamiyo's head hung low. Although her eyes were open, she seemed to have lost consciousness, unable to control her own body by her own will. The pentagrams in both her eyes shone with dazzling, sacred light.
A huge mass of flesh covered in eyeballs bound Ai Kamiyo's limbs. These eyeball-covered pieces of flesh were called Seer Flesh, and were essentially Taisai Seikun's reserve energy. Taisai Seikun could consume them to recover from wounds and strengthen himself. Put simply, however many eyes this "Seer Flesh" had was how many health bars he possessed.
"Kid, you've got more pull than I imagined. To think you could even invite Xu Fu here as outside help."
Taisai Seikun raised his eyes toward Yayoi Hozuki and spoke with interest.
"Ever since you arrived in Kyoto, you seem to have been making all kinds of little moves I didn't know about. I was originally planning to ignore it. After all, I was rather curious what sort of methods you would bring out to deal with me... But since you even invited Xu Fu, I can't very well keep waiting around like an idiot!"
Realizing that Taisai Seikun's unexpected action was entirely because of Xu Fu's existence, Yayoi Hozuki immediately looked at the culprit with a strange gaze.
A careless god and a serious god were on completely different levels of difficulty in a fight. It was like how Emiya Shirou could cut off Gilgamesh's elbow when Gilgamesh underestimated him, but if Gilgamesh pulled out Ea and got serious from the start, Shirou could be cheating with all the protagonist halo in the world and still would not beat that damned author's favorite.
Xu Fu scratched the back of her head and awkwardly turned her face aside, somewhat unable to meet Yayoi Hozuki's gaze.
"Uh... don't look at me like that. How was I supposed to know this god would take me this seriously?"
Xu Fu was baffled too. Wait, hold on, buddy? You're the great Taisai Seikun, the absolute ceiling of the whole series' combat power, and yet you're making this huge a move over one human like me? Does that make any sense to you?
"You two know each other?"
"I don't know. As far as I remember, this should be the first time he and I have ever met."
Xu Fu was puzzled too. This should only be her first meeting with Taisai Seikun, right? What was with that tone, like they were old friends reunited after a long separation?
"Yes, of course, this is our first meeting. The one who truly met you should have been my main body... But I could never forget you!"
Taisai Seikun said slowly, "Although it was that boy Seimei who brought me to Japan, that was also because after you crossed east to Japan, you spread Taoist culture and faith in me here. Thanks to that, I was able to be born as the bunrei of my main body in Japan. Your contribution was no small thing, Xu Fu!"
Taisai Seikun's words could be considered a complete acknowledgment of Xu Fu's identity.
It was not a shared name. It was not coincidence. She was Xu Fu—the famous fangshi and Taoist of China's Qin dynasty, who, by order of Qin Shi Huang, set sail in search of the Elixir of Immortality. In 210 BCE, she led three thousand boys and girls, craftsmen, and seeds of the five grains on a second voyage, ultimately remaining in Japan and never returning. In Japan, she spread and taught agriculture, weaving, medicine, pottery, and other technologies on a large scale. Some Japanese texts even linked Xu Fu with the legend of Emperor Jimmu, and many of the three thousand boys and girls, as well as the others Xu Fu brought to Japan, settled down there and became ancestors of many modern Japanese people.
Whether Xu Fu was Japan's founding emperor Jimmu or not, he held an exalted place in the hearts of Japanese people. In Kyushu and other parts of Japan, Xu Fu shrines, memorial monuments, and other remains still existed, and places such as Saga Prefecture and Wakayama Prefecture still preserved relics of Xu Fu's landing.
Japan also worshiped Xu Fu as a god of agriculture, medicine, sericulture, and navigation. That was also why the Alter Ego-class Xu Fu possessed part of Shennong's, the Five Grains Immortal Emperor's, power.
The reason Eiko Hozuki and the others had never thought in that direction was because the Xu Fu of history was far too great. They simply could not accept that a great person from their textbooks was right there beside them and had become a very cute girl—and not only that, an extremely narcissistic and willful girl.
No one would believe it if they said it aloud. Why not claim that the historically debauched Roman emperor Nero Claudius was actually a girl too while they were at it? It was absurd beyond belief.
So even though Xu Fu had shown plenty of suspicious traits before, and even though many characteristics matching that great historical figure had appeared, Eiko Hozuki and Keitaro Gentoga had only ever told themselves that those were all coincidences.
They had not even been willing to ask directly.
To directly ask, "Xu Fu-chan~! Are you our ancestor? Are you that great Taoist who crossed east to Japan during the Qin dynasty and brought agriculture, weaving, medicine, pottery, and other technologies to Japan?"... Just imagining that scene felt awkward.
Both of them had been worried that after asking, they would receive a look of concern for the mentally disabled.
But Taisai Seikun's words proved that those absurd guesses of theirs had actually been correct. As a god who had lived for at least over a thousand years, his words were absolutely credible.
...But they still found it hard to accept.
Yayoi Hozuki looked expressionlessly at Xu Fu. Whether it was because her emotions were faint or because she had already prepared herself mentally was unclear.
"So... you really are Xu Fu? The Taoist who came across the sea from China to Japan over two thousand years ago?"
"Hmm... Barring anything unexpected, what you said is correct~."
"But... wasn't the Xu Fu of history male?"
"Does something like that really matter?"
How could that not matter—?!
"Hahaha! What's this? Did you really never tell them your true identity, Xu Fu?" Taisai Seikun laughed as if watching a good show.
"Why exactly did you turn into such a ridiculous form? Is it a side effect of immortality? Or did you actually die, and after reincarnating, just so happen to become a little girl? Come on, come on, can you tell me? Which one is it?"
"Hmph~! Is Xu Fu-chan that close to you~? If I answered whatever you asked, wouldn't that make me look like I had no face at all~? Bleh, bleh, bleh~~~!"
Xu Fu stuck out her tongue and made a face at Taisai Seikun.
Even though the other party was a god, Xu Fu did not feel the slightest reverence. After all, she was purely Chinese, and the Chinese attitude toward gods was pragmatism.
If a god could bless me and give me some help, then you were a good god. It was fine if I worshiped you now and then, or occasionally offered incense. But if you could not provide any help, then I could not even be bothered to pay attention to you... And if you wanted to harm me on top of that, then I would have to teach you what it meant when people said, "My fate is mine, not Heaven's!"
"What disrespectful words. But that's fine. I have long since grown tired of listening to lowly prayers."
Taisai Seikun was not angered by the offense in Xu Fu's tone. On the contrary, he found it very interesting.
Although the surroundings were filled everywhere with a sacred aura, it carried the sense that some ill omen was brewing. The air seemed to have solidified, heavy and oppressive.
"With you here, it looks like this battle will be worth anticipating." Taisai Seikun split his mouth in a grin. "I can hardly wait. Make sure you don't disappoint me!"
Clearly, with Xu Fu as an opponent worth anticipating, Taisai Seikun no longer wanted to bring Ai Kamiyo back to the hospital and continue waiting. He intended to begin this decisive battle right here, right now.
That was extremely unfavorable for Xu Fu's group. Their greatest trump card, the Regicidal Bellflower grand formation, had not been completed yet.
"Honestly, what a pain~."
Xu Fu scratched the back of her head and slowly took one step forward.
"Looking at the current situation, this god who refuses to play by the rules was drawn here by me. Since that's the case, Xu Fu-chan has to take responsibility too... The rest of you, keep doing what you're supposed to do. I'll figure something out here."
She had to work overtime again. Xu Fu hated overtime the most, too... There really were just that many things in this world people could do nothing about. Expecting everything to go one's way really was impossible.
"Can Xu Fu directly defeat this god?" Yayoi Hozuki suddenly asked.
The other party's true identity was a Taoist from the Qin dynasty. Although they did not know whether she had reincarnated or had lived from more than two thousand years ago until now, there was one thing they could be sure of: Xu Fu's combat power absolutely surpassed that of ordinary gods.
The terrifying evil god from National Route 1 had been reduced to nothing by Xu Fu before their very eyes, without even the slightest chance to fight back. The gap in strength had been that enormous.
There had not been many visible mechanics or counters. It had practically been pure, ultimate violent aesthetics.
If Xu Fu could kill this god before them with absolute violence, the same way she had dealt with the evil god last night, that would be ideal.
"I'm deeply gratified that you trust my ability this much... But unfortunately, no." Xu Fu poured cold water over Yayoi Hozuki's hopes. "This guy is on a completely different level from ordinary gods. On top of that, he has accepted offerings from this land and can directly draw power from Kyoto's leyline. He's a very troublesome opponent who can't be killed."
Hearing that, all three of them tensed, their hearts rising into their throats because of Xu Fu's words.
Even their ancestor, the great Taoist from two thousand years ago, was not this god's match?
Just what kind of sacred being had they angered?
Yayoi Hozuki's brows drew tight, her expression difficult.
"Xu Fu... will you lose?"
If this truly was a battle she was certain to lose, Yayoi would regret dragging Xu Fu into it. After all, Ai Kamiyo was only a friend of the three of them. Xu Fu had no need to fight this god in the first place. She had only come because of the three of them.
Xu Fu, however, indicated that she was worrying too much.
"Nah, I'd win."
A declaration of victory before the battle had even begun.
Just as Verethragna established his future victory with words of power before battle.
"As long as you can place the remaining Graduates, I'll definitely win."
Xu Fu's expression was so relaxed and confident that her smile, brimming with certainty, even infected Yayoi Hozuki and the others, as though the powerful enemy they were about to face was actually not worth fearing at all.
Yayoi Hozuki had not known in advance that Taisai Seikun could directly draw spiritual power from the leyline to repair and strengthen himself. Yet the Regicidal Bellflower grand formation she designed just so happened to break that enormous advantage of his. Once the grand formation activated, not only would Taisai Seikun be unable to draw spiritual power from the leyline, he would also have to constantly endure the resentful curses of five Graduates, preventing him from using his full strength.
There were still two nodes left: F Park and T Tunnel.
From here on, they had to race against time. Before Xu Fu was defeated by the god, they had to clear those two nodes, place the Graduates, and complete the Regicidal Bellflower grand formation.
"Have Red Hood go with you. The evil spirits at the two remaining places definitely can't compare to the revived Shuten-doji or the sealed evil god, but if you're careless, there's still a risk you'll get wiped. Good luck~."
Xu Fu did not have Red Hood fight Taisai Seikun alongside her. Instead, she had Red Hood protect Yayoi Hozuki and the others.
Even though the enemy Xu Fu had to face was the most terrifying and troublesome one, she was still worrying about them and letting Red Hood stay by their side.
Yayoi Hozuki and the other two felt awful inside, as though they owed her something... What could they do for Xu Fu?
As if encouraging her, as if wanting to convey her feelings, Yayoi Hozuki patted Xu Fu on the back.
"You have to win, Xu Fu. Show that lolicon god what you're made of!"
Xu Fu froze for a moment. Then the corners of her mouth lifted in a confident curve.
"Of course I will~. Have you forgotten who I am?"
It was that familiar question again, and Yayoi Hozuki knew exactly what kind of answer the other party wanted.
"The cutest beautiful girl in the whole world!"
Even after understanding that Xu Fu's true identity was the Taoist who had crossed east from China to Japan two thousand years ago, the ancestor of many Japanese people, and the god of agriculture, sericulture, and medicine worshiped in many places throughout Japan, her answer remained the same.
"That's right, that's right~! Xu Fu-chan is the cutest beautiful girl in the whole world! And at the same time... Xu Fu-chan is also a ve~ry, ve~ry amazing Taoist~~!"
With a knowing smile, Eiko Hozuki also patted Xu Fu on the shoulder.
"Good luck! Xu Fu-chan."
"...Do I have to do it too?"
Keitaro Gentoga awkwardly scratched his cheek.
Yayoi Hozuki and Eiko Hozuki had both already done it. If he alone did not, it would make him seem out of place. And Xu Fu did not mind, so continuing to hesitate would only make him look overly self-conscious.
Left with no choice, Keitaro Gentoga also lightly patted Xu Fu on the shoulder, sending his blessing in that way.
"All right~! Watch Xu Fu-chan win this duel beautifully~!"
Taisai Seikun watched the whole thing from the side, taking it all in, the corners of his mouth rising with anticipation.
He had already caught the scent—the unique scent of a powerful foe.
The battle between the strongest god and the strongest human was about to begin.
He would surely obtain satisfaction from this battle unlike anything he had ever felt before.
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T/N: NOOOOOOOO XU FU NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DONT SAY NAH I'D WIN