Lancer heart was filled with a complex mix of emotions as he looked down at the White Wolf Tengu uncle he had pinned beneath him, who was still writhing and struggling to resist.
His purpose this time was to find the Tengu clan to gather intelligence. If he were outside, he might have opted for a more "assertive" method of information gathering. However, the problem was that being too excessive in someone else's stronghold might make matters even more complicated. Who knew if the Tengu would swarm out in full force?
Even if he could make a clean getaway then, the clues might be severed. After all, this kind of news wasn't something an average Tengu would know. If he continued to strike at the Tengu clan, they might end up as mortal enemies, which was not the outcome he desired.
But just as he was pondering how to handle the situation, he heard a strange sound. Through his "Eagle Eye," he saw several white figures rapidly approaching from the distance.
At Lancer speed, a 20-meter burst was instantaneous; even a White Wolf Tengu couldn't react in time. However, as guards of the Youkai Mountain, they possessed their own unique traits—such as exceptional vision, hearing, and sense of smell.
After discovering that their captain had lost contact, the remaining three members of the squad rushed over, only to witness the scene of their captain being pinned to the ground.
Without a moment's hesitation, the three drew the blades at their waists and surrounded Lancer.
"Intruder, release the captain at once!"
"Surrender now, and we will allow you to come with us to the Youkai Mountain for trial!"
"If you don't let go, we're taking action!"
As the security force of the Youkai Mountain, they frequently dealt with trespassers and troublemakers. It could be said that the members of the guard possessed decent combat strength and will. The problem, however, was that their opponent was no ordinary person.
They didn't even see what happened before three ice spears instantly pierced through their collars, pinning them to the trees.
"I believe I have already proven through my actions that I mean no ill will. However, I hope you do not mistake my tolerance for indulgence. If you cannot make a decision, then bring out someone who can!"
Lancer goal was to reach the Youkai Mountain. Although he could have slipped in by pretending to be captured, there was no need for him to do so.
If pushed to the brink to complete a mission or for certain reasons, he could certainly pull it off, but the question was: had it really come to that point yet?
Perhaps Lancer strength forced them to believe his words for the time being, or perhaps they realized that they alone couldn't deal with him. The three White Wolf Tengu exchanged glances; one remained to keep watch on Lancer, while the other two left together.
In reality, the one who stayed was more of a symbolic presence than a practical one. After seeing the trick Lancer had just pulled, they knew they posed no threat to him. How could they resist when they couldn't even see the enemy's movements?
However, Lancer seemed to have underestimated the friction between the Oni and the Tengu. He had originally expected a Tengu of slightly higher status to arrive, but to his surprise, barely ten minutes passed before several Crow Tengu appeared in the sky, flapping black wings and holding leaf fans, surrounding him. Then, numerous white figures emerged from the forest—unquestionably White Wolf Tengu.
By Lancer visual estimate, over a hundred Tengu of various types had appeared, and it seemed the main figure had yet to arrive.
A few more minutes passed, and a middle-aged man wearing monk's robes and holding a shakujo staff walked toward him.
The man didn't say a word, but his gaze alone made Lancer realize that this individual was a Great Youkai on par with the previous "Dainichibo Zenki," or rather, a "Great Tengu."
Lancer was observing the man, and the man was observing Lancer.
Due to a long-standing grudge, most Tengu disliked the Oni, and there were even signs of latent hostility. Fortunately, because this man had closer ties with the Onmyoryo, he knew some details—for instance, the circumstances behind why the "Red Oni" had gone to Onigashima in the first place.
Taking a close look at Lancer now, he indeed didn't look much like an "Oni."
Setting aside the lack of iconic "horns," based on his understanding of the Oni clan, they were a bunch of battle maniacs. By all logic, they should have charged in by now; why was he just waiting there?
Moreover—
He glanced at his subordinate, who was pinned to the ground by Lancer. The subordinate's clothes were filthy, but he was actually uninjured. The Great Tengu nodded.
"Mr. Red Oni, I shall lead you to the Youkai Mountain myself."
The man's steady, almost emotionless voice caused the surrounding Tengu, the unlucky fellow pinned to the ground, and Lancer himself to freeze for a moment.
Seeing such a massive formation, Lancer had thought a fight was inevitable. Who would have guessed the other party would let it slide so easily?
Seeing Lancer release his subordinate with a look of surprise, the Great Tengu's expression remained calm, but he couldn't help but doubt his previous assessment. Looking at Lancer expression, was he... planning on having a fight?
He was now starting to doubt whether the man was an "Oni" at all, but since the matter had been temporarily settled, there was no need to probe further.
Furthermore, by bringing him to the Youkai Mountain, if the opponent truly intended to strike, they might cause some damage, but it would also make the Tengu more certain of their ability to subdue him.
As for attacking directly? They weren't crazy. Why would they?
Though the Tengu clan had more ordinary members and Great Youkai than the Oni, and even possessed the powerful "Tenma" who had survived for over a thousand years, going to war with the Oni made no sense.
Even if they wiped out the Oni, their losses wouldn't be small. And what would they gain? Reputation? Do they lack it? Alcohol? What would they do with that stuff?
Thus, regarding Lancer—the human publicly recognized by the "Oni Clan" as the fourth Oni King—they chose to turn a blind eye.
They wouldn't restrict him because of his status, nor would they overreact.
Under the gaze of the other subordinates, the two walked toward the Youkai Mountain. Everyone was stunned, but the Tengu clan was a race with a very clear hierarchy; each type of Tengu had its duties. Though they found their superior's decision strange, they did not question it.
After walking for a while, the Great Tengu spoke again.
"Although the outside world calls you the 'Red Oni,' I believe both you and we are well aware of your status as a 'human.' Might I ask why you have come to the Youkai Mountain? After all, this is not a territory governed by humans."
Lancer original excuse for entering the Youkai Mountain was to "have a drink with Dainichibo Zenki." While a bit strange, given that person's personality, it wouldn't have been a huge issue. However, facing someone who seemed equal in strength to Zenki, Lancer hesitated for a moment before deciding to state his true purpose.
After all, if he wanted to find information, he had to rely on the power of the Tengu clan. If he hid it now, it might lead to unnecessary trouble later.
"In truth, when I visited the Oni clan previously, I was informed by Hoshiguma-doji and the others that the one responsible for the Oni clan's anomalies seems to be a strange youkai called the 'Youkai Sage.' However, there are no records of her among the Oni. I thought the Tengu clan might have records of her, especially since Zenki suggested I try the Oni clan before..."
As soon as Lancer finished, the previously calm Tengu stopped in his tracks and pinched his brow.
"Him again..."
There was no doubt that when "Zenki" became the Tengu Dainichibo, it had excited many Tengu. But in reality, they had been too optimistic.
First, he wasn't purely an "Oni." After being subdued by En no Ozuno, his status as an "Oni" was ignored by most; people's first reaction was "En no Ozuno's Shikigami." In fact, even the Oni clan had significant friction with him back then.
Secondly, though he had turned into a Tengu, he had no intention of changing his personality or habits. Many Tengu claimed the guy was "just an Oni with wings, not a Tengu at all." But the problem was that his strength was right there. Could they really drive him away?
While he didn't cause too much trouble, it wasn't exactly a small amount either. Just thinking about the messes he created gave the other Great Tengu a headache.
As for the "Youkai Sage," the man didn't say anything directly, but he did point out a lead for Lancer.
"This matter is not something we can handle. I will report this to Lady 'Tenma' for you. In the meantime, please stay in the guest room we have prepared..."
Although he didn't end up fighting the "Red Oni," the current situation seemed even more troublesome.
Lancer appearance could be described as receiving the "cold treatment." First, the White Wolf and Crow Tengu who had seen Lancer were told to keep his presence a secret for the time being. Secondly, just as that Great Tengu—whose name Lancer still didn't know—had gone to report, the mysterious "Lady Tenma" seemed to have given no reply. Lancer even began to suspect he had been forgotten.
However, from the observers he occasionally spotted by the roadside, he knew he was under constant surveillance. Lancer was essentially a walking bomb—one they couldn't defuse, couldn't ignore, and couldn't detonate early. It was a frustratingly helpless situation.
The only relief was that he didn't cause trouble or do anything strange; he simply strolled through the marketplace composed of ordinary youkai at the base of the Youkai Mountain.
Yes, he was just window shopping.
Besides the Tengu, other youkai lived on the mountain. Most of these were youkai who disliked living with humans for various reasons—some didn't want to be seen as outsiders, some feared being captured by humans, and some simply hated humans. After accepting the management of the Tengu clan, they gained the right to live on the Youkai Mountain.
A lifestyle similar to humans yet possessing a curious difference left Lancer somewhat amazed.
In the taverns, all sorts of youkai gathered to drink and chat; strangely shaped youkai strolled together on the streets; and even weak youkai could openly run shops...
The strength of the Tengu clan ensured that no youkai dared to cause trouble here. Everyone performed their duties, which was admirable. Lancer even felt that, aside from the "people" being different, there was no difference between this place and the outside world.
Lancer journey had been filled with battle. From his initial confusion to his later acceptance and determination to face challenges head-on, it didn't mean he hated peace. In fact, it was precisely because he understood the cruelty of the world that he cherished the peace before him even more.
He didn't hunt youkai because he hated them, but simply because those youkai attacked humans. To him, if both sides could live independently without friction, that would be ideal. If that were the case, he might have spent the remaining six months of his time enjoying the life of the Oni clan.
A fight, then a banquet.
But then he shook his head, knowing that was impossible. The positions and worldviews of the two sides were vastly different; how could there ever be true peace?
In the eyes of some youkai, humans were just food. How could there be no friction?
Even this harmonious scene before him existed only because there were no humans here, and because the youkai's desire to live this way was suppressed by the Tengu. Otherwise, in a world of youkai where the strong preyed on the weak, how would they survive?
Everyone has the right to choose their way of life, but they must pay the price for it.
As for Lancer, in the end, he was just a Spearman passing through. He could never belong here. The only thing he needed to do was maintain his convictions and walk forward without hesitation.
He rubbed his brow, pulling his wandering thoughts back from the harmonious scene.
'Why think so much? This world has its own "protagonists," and I only need to ensure I have a clear conscience.'
How long had it been since Lancer had just gone for a stroll? He had forgotten. Usually, it was either battle or training; even during his rare breaks, he was accompanying someone else.
And now, because he was in someone else's territory, Lancer had to conserve his strength just in case. He couldn't train recklessly like usual. Being idle, he decided to buy some "souvenirs."
Coincidentally, Fujiwara no Mokou birthday was coming up in a month.
However, when he planned to get everyone souvenirs, he ran into trouble...
As for the Boat Captain, giving him something made by youkai felt a bit strange, but he remembered that certain youkai materials could be used to strengthen Shikigami, so that shouldn't be a problem.
The problem lay with the others.
Whether it was Kaguya Houraisan—who looked like a Yamato Nadeshiko but had secretly become a gaming otaku—the three "wine barrels" (Oni), or Fujiwara no Mokou, he didn't seem to know what to give them for a moment...