Pottery clay?
Ryosuke was stunned. Could it be that this demon was a "master of breaking defenses" obsessed with perverted art, just like that ugly mug Gyokko?
If that were the case, it would indeed be hard to deal with!
Plus, Shota hadn't recovered from the injury he sustained on his last mission.
There was a high probability that only he and Uzui Tengen would be going on this trip.
Tsk, tough luck...
Ryosuke was just about to say a few words, but Uzui Tengen had already packed his things and was ready to depart.
Looking at the eager-to-fight expression in his eyes, Ryosuke felt helpless.
After bidding farewell to Jigoro and the others, they set off on their journey.
Outside and on a mission, Uzui Tengen toned it down a bit. After all, his silver hair, appearance, and physique were too conspicuous.
Several days later, a village shrouded in gloom appeared before them.
It was evening.
This should have been the time for fishing boats to return to port and cooking smoke to rise, but the entire fishing village was terrifyingly dead silent.
Every household had their doors and windows tightly shut. The air was filled with lingering fear and a strange smell mixing sea stench and kiln fire.
"Split up to investigate. Be careful." Ryosuke whispered.
"Don't worry."
Uzui Tengen nodded, his whole body turning into a streak of silver light, skimming towards several houses on the west side of the village.
Ryosuke walked alone towards the back of the village near the sea, where the smell was strongest.
The hummingbird on his shoulder chirped uneasily in a low voice.
Turning past a pile of reefs eroded by the sea wind, a cleared sandy ground suddenly appeared before his eyes.
On the open ground, dozens of human-sized objects stood densely!
Ryosuke was instinctively vigilant, gripping his long sword.
However, upon closer inspection, he discovered that they were not living creatures, but pottery figures!
Rough clay had been fired into human shapes with stiff and eerie postures, both male and female.
Most of them maintained terrified expressions and struggling movements from when they were alive, lifelike as if they had been sealed in clay while still breathing!
The sea wind carried a salty stench. They stood there crookedly, staring emptily and desperately at the path they came from, like a creepy painting of the underworld at night!
And that strong smell of burning clay and malice from the depths of the soul were emanating right from here!
Ryosuke stepped into the area vigilantly.
But then, rustling sounds came from behind him.
Ryosuke turned around abruptly. Behind him was silence, only the sea wind blowing.
Ryosuke frowned tightly, gripping the blade in his hand even tighter.
He absolutely did not hear wrong just now!
And these pottery figures behind him seemed to have moved...
At this moment, a burst of explosions came from the distance!
Boom!
Fire soared into the sky, and the earth trembled slightly.
Explosives!
It was Uzui Tengen's explosives!
Just as Ryosuke came back to his senses, a figure rushed over from the distance.
"Ryosuke! Run! Get away from there!"
Uzui Tengen roared.
Ryosuke was alarmed. As he turned around, dozens of pottery figures seemed to come alive, pouncing straight at him!
Roar roar roar!
The moment the roaring sounded, Ryosuke's figure was submerged by the pottery figures.
"Ryosuke!"
Uzui Tengen was shocked. Just as he wanted to rush forward, a trembling thunderclap exploded!
Thunder Breathing · Third Form · Thunder Swarm!
Thunder light surged. As the sword momentum exploded, dozens of pottery figures were torn into fragments.
Uzui Tengen arrived quickly, asking with concern.
"Are you okay?"
"..."
Ryosuke shook his head.
At this moment, a mass of black shadows appeared in the distance.
Those figures struggled and twisted, constantly running towards the two.
"Damn it!"
Uzui Tengen gripped his dual swords tightly, his eyes fierce: "I was attacked by these pottery figures in the village just now. It's very ominous."
"Blood Demon Art!"
Ryosuke concluded: "I'm afraid the whole village has already fallen victim!"
He stood with his sword, rushing over instantly.
"Clear the small fry first, and look for the main body while we're at it!"
"Mhm!"
Uzui Tengen roared and followed closely behind.
Thunder Breathing · First Form · Thunderclap and Flash!
The two were like fierce tigers pouncing into a flock of sheep; wherever they went, sword whistles and thunder rumbled.
Countless pottery figures cracked one after another, turning into dust.
Just as Ryosuke swung his sword to sever the neck of a pottery figure, the numbness on its face faded, turning into a burst of terror.
The severed head fell to the ground, emitting a wailing cry.
"Save... save me..."
Ryosuke froze. Looking again, most of those pottery figures actually showed fear on their faces and shed tears!
Uzui Tengen also noticed the anomaly, standing back-to-back with Ryosuke, greatly alarmed in his heart.
"Th-these pottery figures aren't right!"
Ryosuke went cold all over, a chilling thought flashing through his mind.
"These... are the villagers of this village!"
"..."
Uzui Tengen was stunned.
Ryosuke held his sword, the killing intent in his eyes growing even stronger.
"It should be that demon using a Blood Demon Art to seal them in clay and control them, thereby absorbing their flesh and blood!"
"That damned evil demon!"
Uzui Tengen forced back several pottery figures.
He couldn't kill them, but he couldn't let them be; he ran out of ideas for a moment: "What do we do?"
"I'll hold them off, you go find the main body!"
Ryosuke said, leaping over to attract the attention of most of the pottery figures.
He knew Uzui Tengen had excellent hearing and was more suitable than him to find the demon's main body.
Uzui Tengen didn't say much, quickly leaping out of the encirclement and looking around into the distance.
The thicket at night was unusually quiet, with only the sea wind blowing causing swaying.
Ryosuke was still circling in the rear. This kind of battle where he dared not kill was the most grinding and consumed the most stamina.
There wasn't much time left for Uzui Tengen.
He took a deep breath, his Breathing Style circulating invisibly.
Calm down!
Calm down, Uzui Tengen!
You are the God who masters flamboyant festivals!
Uzui Tengen bent down and pressed his ear to the ground.
As his breath flowed, his already keen hearing was enhanced.
Countless subtle sounds echoed in his ears.
Suddenly!
Movement came!
It was underground in the depths of the jungle, carrying a disgusting sneer.
Uzui Tengen's eyes were cold as stars, locking onto the target instantly!
His figure was like electricity, rushing over in an instant. The dual swords in his hands smashed down fiercely like thunder!
"Get! Out!"
Boom!
An explosion sounded, dust rose, and the ground cracked.
A short, thin, and withered figure drilled out from within.
The demon had grey-yellow skin, ten spread fingers, a pointed head, and sharp teeth—extremely ugly.
"Ho-how did you find me!"
The demon, Wangmian Fang (Delusion Face Monk), exclaimed.
The only answer he got was Uzui Tengen's slashing dual swords!
Shing!
The blade edge was extremely fast and extraordinarily sharp!
Wangmian Fang retreated in panic but was still slashed in the chest, blood flying.
Uzui Tengen threw several kunai, piercing its limbs, followed closely by several round spheres.
Boom!
The bombs exploded, and Wangmian Fang retreated several steps, looking wretched.
Uzui Tengen stood with his swords, speaking coldly.
"Your filthy blood scent and laughter are truly ugly!"
"Tch! Hearing, is it?!"
Wangmian Fang scoffed. As he raised his hand, three pottery figures in the distance shattered, turning into smoke and dust.
Wisps of blood energy floated over and merged into his body.
The injuries on Wangmian Fang's body actually healed instantly.