Clay?
Ryosuke was startled. Could it be that this demon, like the ugly Gyokko, was a master of breaking defenses, obsessed with twisted art?
If that were true, it would indeed be difficult to deal with!
Plus, Shota hadn't recovered from his injuries in the last mission.
This time, most likely, only he and Uzui Tengen would be going together.
Tsk, this is tough...
Just as Ryosuke was about to grumble a few words, Uzui Tengen had already packed his things and was ready to depart.
Seeing his eager eyes for battle, Ryosuke sighed helplessly.
Then, after bidding farewell to Jigoro and the others, he embarked on the journey.
Out in the field, with a mission at hand.
Uzui Tengen had reined himself in a bit; after all, his silver hair and striking appearance were too conspicuous.
Days later, a village shrouded in gloom and misery appeared before them.
It was evening,
A time when fishing boats should be returning to port and cooking smoke should be curling upwards, yet the entire fishing village was terrifyingly silent.
Every household had its doors and windows tightly shut, and the air was filled with an lingering fear and a strange smell that mixed fishy brine with kiln fire.
"Let's investigate separately, be careful," Ryosuke whispered.
"Don't worry."
Uzui Tengen nodded, and his entire being, like a flash of silver light, darted towards a few houses at the west end of the village.
Ryosuke, on the other hand, walked alone towards the seaside behind the village, where the scent was strongest.
The Hummingbird on his shoulder chirped uneasily.
Turning past a pile of reefs eroded by the sea wind, a cleared sandy area suddenly appeared before his eyes.
On the open ground, dozens of human-height objects stood densely packed!
Ryosuke instinctively tensed, gripping his long sword.
However, as he got closer, he realized that they were not living beings, but clay figures!
Rough clay had been fired into human forms, with stiff and eerie postures, both male and female.
Most maintained their terrified expressions and struggling movements from when they were alive, lifelike, as if they had been sealed in clay embryos while still living!
The sea breeze carried a salty tang, and they stood there, crooked and twisted, staring with hollow despair at the path, like a chilling, ghostly painting in the night!
And that strong smell of burning clay and the malice originating from the depths of the soul were emanating from here!
Ryosuke cautiously stepped in.
But then, rustling sounds came from behind him.
Ryosuke spun around abruptly; behind him, there was silence, only the sound of the sea wind whistling past.
Ryosuke frowned deeply, gripping the blade in his hand even tighter.
He definitely hadn't misheard just now!
And those clay figures behind him seemed to have moved slightly...
At this moment, a booming sound came from a distance!
Boom!
Flames shot into the sky, and the earth trembled slightly.
Explosives!
It was Uzui Tengen's explosives!
As soon as Ryosuke regained his senses, a figure rushed over from afar.
"Ryosuke! Hurry! Get out of there!"
Uzui Tengen roared.
Ryosuke was greatly alarmed; as he turned, dozens of clay figures seemed to come to life, charging straight at him!
Roar, roar, roar!
The moment the roars sounded, Ryosuke's figure was engulfed by the clay figures.
"Ryosuke!"
Uzui Tengen was shocked; just as he was about to rush forward, a vibrating thunderclap erupted!
Thunder Breathing, Third Form: Gathering Thunder!
As the thunderous lightning surged and the sword strike exploded, dozens of clay figures were torn to shreds.
Uzui Tengen quickly arrived, asking with concern.
"Are you alright?"
"..."
Ryosuke shook his head.
At this moment, a dark, dense mass appeared in the distance.
Those people struggled and twisted, continuously rushing towards the two of them.
"Damn it!"
Uzui Tengen gripped his twin swords, his eyes fierce: "I was attacked by these clay figures in the village earlier; they're very sinister."
"Blood Demon Art!"
Ryosuke concluded: "It seems the entire village has already fallen victim!"
He stood with his sword, and instantly charged forward.
"First, clear out the small fry, and then look for the main body!"
"Yes!"
Uzui Tengen roared, following closely behind.
Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!
The two of them plunged into the crowd like tigers into a flock of sheep; wherever they went, there was the whistling of swords and the roar of thunder.
Countless clay figures shattered one after another, turning into dust.
Just as Ryosuke swung his sword to cut off the neck of a clay figure, the numbness on its face faded, replaced by a look of terror.
The severed head fell to the ground, letting out a whimpering cry.
"Save... save me..."
Ryosuke froze, and looking again, he saw that most of the clay figures actually showed fear and shed tears!
Uzui Tengen also noticed the anomaly; leaning his back against Ryosuke, he was greatly alarmed.
"These, these clay figures are not right!"
Ryosuke felt a chill run through him, and a cold thought flashed through his mind.
"These are all the villagers from this village!"
"..."
Uzui Tengen was stunned.
Ryosuke held his sword, his killing intent even stronger in his eyes.
"It must be that demon using its Blood Demon Art to seal them inside the clay figures and control them, thereby absorbing their flesh and blood!"
"This damned demon!"
Uzui Tengen forced back several clay figures.
He couldn't kill them, and for a moment, he was at a loss: "What should we do?"
"I'll hold them off, you go find the main body!"
Saying this, Ryosuke leaped over, drawing the attention of most of the clay figures.
He knew that Uzui Tengen had excellent hearing, making him more suitable for finding the demon's main body.
Uzui Tengen didn't say much either; he quickly jumped out of the encirclement and looked around in the distance.
The jungle at night was unusually quiet, with only the sea breeze causing rustling movements.
Ryosuke was still maneuvering in the back; this kind of battle where you couldn't kill was the most grueling and energy-consuming.
Time was not on Uzui Tengen's side.
He took a deep breath, his Breathing Technique operating invisibly.
Calm down!
Calm down, Uzui Tengen!
You are a god who masters flamboyant festivals!
Uzui Tengen bent down and pressed his ear to the ground.
As his Breathing Technique flowed, his already keen hearing was further enhanced.
Countless subtle sounds echoed in his ears.
Suddenly!
An anomaly came!
It was from deep underground in the jungle, accompanied by a disgusting sneer.
Uzui Tengen's eyes were like cold stars, instantly locking onto his target!
His figure was like lightning, rushing over in an instant, his twin swords striking down like a thunderclap!
"Get out!
Boom!
A loud bang, smoke and dust rose, and the earth cracked.
A small, withered figure emerged from it.
The demon's skin was grayish-yellow, its ten fingers spread wide, its head pointed, and its teeth sharp, making it extremely hideous.
"You, how did you find me!" Mōmenbō exclaimed.
His only answer was Uzui Tengen's twin swords, striking at him!
Hiss!
The blade was extremely fast, exceptionally sharp!
Mōmenbō retreated in a hurry but was still cut in the chest, blood splattering.
Uzui Tengen took the opportunity to throw several kunai, piercing his limbs, followed by several spherical objects.
Boom!
The bombs exploded, and Mōmenbō retreated several steps, looking disheveled.
Uzui Tengen stood with his sword, speaking coldly.
"Your filthy bloodlust and laughter are truly ugly beyond compare!"
"Hmph! Hearing, huh!"
Mōmenbō scoffed; as he raised his hand, three clay figures in the distance shattered, turning into dust.
Several wisps of blood qi floated over, merging into his body.
Mōmenbō's injuries instantly recovered!
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