The Slippery Ghost led the way in front.
Duncan slowly followed behind, accompanied by a little girl about five or six years old, wearing a red kimono with little hair buns. Nafu was now less afraid of Duncan but still didn’t dare to get too close, fearing to offend this distinguished gentleman.
The Slippery Ghost was quite famous in Japan’s ghost world, considered a leader of yokai. He led the way, and the mountain spirits and wild monsters they passed trembled with fear.
"Who is that person?"
"Why does he command Master Hua Piao as if he’s commanding a servant?"
While passing through a forest, the vague shadow of a woman appeared, not daring to co any closer. She cast a distant glance, "We must report imdiately to Master Hongye."
--- Sakura Demon (Spirit Monster) (Two-star Silver Gray).
Duncan rely glanced over, and the Sakura Demon felt an icy chill all over, trembling until the man retracted his gaze, after which she cautiously fled into the forest.
"On par with the Tree Spirit in strength."
"Not a great demon."
Duncan took a single look and lost interest. An average Tree Spirit here was equivalent to a hundred-year-old monster, and a thousand-year-old great demon was akin to the Nymphs of Greek mythology, which were the maidservants of divine-level beings.
In the mist-covered Avalon, he was served by several Tree Nymphs, which here would equate to a power close to a thousand-year-old demon.
Such entities generally fall between three and four stars.
If they hadn’t enjoyed sacrificial offerings, they typically had few special abilities, as ordinary cultivation growth is very slow.
It is even harder for mountain spirits and wild monsters to cultivate.
"Sir."
"This way."
The Slippery Ghost led the way, quickly entering a rugged mountain path, which seed to be an ancient site, showing traces from hundreds of years ago. After so distance, a shrine torii appeared ahead; according to Fusang’s sayings, stepping past the torii ant entering the deity’s domain.
The Slippery Ghost stopped and said, "That esteed one does not like to be disturbed. Shall I not go in further?"
Duncan maintained a calm expression and patted Nafu’s head beside him, saying lightly, "It’s fine."
"Since we’re here, let’s go in together."
Even if it were an incarnation of Amaterasu here, a bit of face had to be given to Duncan.
The Slippery Ghost wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, actually planning to slip away quietly, but since Duncan didn’t speak, he dared not leave. Even if this body’s power was inferior to that of the great demon, he dared not show any disrespect.
Bear in mind that the Britain Kingdom is preparing to conquer India at this ti.
To put it bluntly, the Indian Pantheon would need to bow to Duncan in the real world; even in the small Fusang land, even the highest deity in Shintoism would have to politely call him ’Your Majesty.’
anwhile.
In the depths of this secret shrine, two stunning won were playing a ga of Go, with several equally beautiful maids serving behind them. A young and beautiful maid was dressed as a shrine maiden, while another nearby wore a white long robe, resembling a ghost.
At so point, this realm, attached to reality, trembled slightly, and then a giant’s silhouette mirrored in the sky in the distance.
"A noble guest has arrived."
The beautiful woman playing Go was dressed luxuriously, appearing godlike yet akin to a worldly emperor. She wore a palace gown similar to the Great Tang Dynasty, her long black hair pinched up with a jade hairpin, around thirty years old. Based solely on her regal attire and deanor, one would be reminded of a stunning female emperor, Wu Zetian.
"Lord Yama."
This dignified woman in palace attire looked up at the enchanting figure before her and said, "Will you go with to welco them, or will you stay out of sight?"
Sitting opposite her, leisurely sipping tea, was an alluring woman in a red and white kimono. Her long, jade-like legs lazily propped up next to the Go board, her expression seed slightly helpless as she softly said, "With such a significant figure visiting."
"How can I, humble Yama, dare to avoid eting? Wouldn’t that be seeking trouble!"
Hearing Yama’s words, the beautiful girl resembling a ghost was shocked; it was the first ti she had seen the arrogant Lord Yama refer to herself this way.
As for the shrine maiden serving beside her, there was a legend about Queen Himiko being an earthly incarnation of Amaterasu.
That is, so mythological existence reflected in reality, but there was no evidence, just insubstantial rumors.
Mythology isn’t necessarily true.
Just like the figure Duncan saw above him in another world, one might call Him the Tathagata Buddha, but here He is called the Enlightened One - Shakyamuni.
These two stunning won rose to welco the honored guest entering the shrine torii.
The woman in palace attire changed into a costu resembling that of a shrine deity, appearing even more dignified and noble.
A soft chi echoed.
As Duncan passed the Slippery Ghost and entered the shrine, rows of servants soon respectfully greeted him at the entrance, including Yin Yang Masters and shrine maidens, most of whom were two-star and three-star in strength, far more formidable than those outside.
Ahead was a noble and beautiful woman wearing an elaborate golden kimono, with an enchanting woman standing behind her, looking seemingly nonchalant but her eyes narrowed when they fell upon Duncan.
"Your Majesty."
The leading woman nodded respectfully and said, "Welco to Fusang."
Unknowingly.
The upper echelons of this world, as well as the Immortals, had heard of a : ’You won’t even honor with the call of ’Your Majesty.’’
Though never eting face-to-face, they knew of each other’s existence through the long river of human history.
Behind Duncan, the Slippery Ghost glanced at the alluring woman in red, instantly breaking into a cold sweat and respectfully bowed, saying, "Lady Himiko!... Lord Yama!..."
Behind them, the Zashiki Warashi was too frightened to speak, completely stunned.
Duncan smiled in return and, with a sweep of his gaze, focused on the alluring woman in red.
You won’t even call ...
As if realizing sothing, the alluring woman retracted the arrogance on her face, with a hint of reluctance, saying nonchalantly, "Your Majesty. Heard of your fa for a long ti."
— Queen Himiko (Ghost God) (Golden Skull Mark).
— Yama (Underworld) (Rakshasa) (Blood-colored Skull Mark).
Duncan entered the shrine, and Queen Himiko raised her hand in an invitational gesture. Soon, maids at the side served fragrant tea.
He smiled and sat down, his gaze sweeping over the languid Yama, whose charming figure half lay on the long table. Her gorgeous face exhaled clouds of smoke, holding a smoking pipe, which was actually transford by a demon like Yanyan Luo.
"Rakshasa?" Duncan raised his eyebrows and asked.
According to legend, male Rakshasas are extrely hideous, but females are very beautiful.
Yama exhaled a puff of smoke, softly chiming, "Yes, Your Majesty."
From India.
Assimilation was quite fast, huh.
But she looks delicate and soft, with a full chest, slim waist, and long legs. Probably a Brahmin.
Duncan didn’t stand on ceremony, raising his hand slightly, and the alluring Yama reluctantly handed over the pipe she was holding. Duncan took a puff from Yanyan Luo, not bad, the taste was rich, slightly fragrant, with a hint of demonic aura, a unique flavor.
He exhaled a plu of smoke, his expression also becoming languid, and said lightly, "How long have you been in Fusang?"
The alluring Yama thought for a mont and said, "About three hundred years."
"I don’t quite rember."
So, she ca to Fusang after the year 500 AD, around the ti Buddhism was being introduced to Fusang, making her a senior figure of sorts.
Duncan took another puff from Yanyan Luo, and you have to admit, it was quite enjoyable. He curiously asked, "Why not compete for the position of Ten Halls of Yama in the Eastern Land?"
"Wasn’t the Underworld just taking shape at that ti?"
The Slippery Ghost cowered in the corner, too scared to even speak, trying to minimize his presence, fortunately being his special ability.
The alluring Yama sighed, taking back Yanyan Luo handed over by Duncan, red lips gently parting for a puff, exhaling clouds of smoke, saying, "When would the Great Tang of the Eastern Land ever let a minor demon like touch the position of Yama?"
"I had no choice but to follow along to Fusang, find an overseas place, to make a living."
Duncan listened and pondered, gently sighing, "Such incessant wandering, indeed not easy."
This statent imdiately stunned the alluring Yama opposite him.
Buddhism originated in India but flourished in the Eastern Land. Going back several hundred years, Tang Sanzang was still alive when Buddhism spread eastward, bringing with it the likes of Yakshas, Rakshasas, Asuras, etc., making them wanderers.
It was said most Rakshasas were almost extinct, and the alluring Yama before him was likely alone when she ca to Fusang.
Duncan didn’t mind her languid attitude and continued, "How’s the Yellow Springs around here?"
The alluring Yama softly sighed, "Replying to Your Majesty."
"Not easy to manage."
Even in the Eastern Land, the Underworld isn’t easy to govern, with all top figures. This Rakshasa woman couldn’t aspire to be Yama in the Eastern Land, so she could only settle down here, Fusang being a concept of Yellow Springs, considered a branch evolution of the Underworld.
Duncan nodded in understanding, with so many mountain spirits and wild monsters around here, the Yellow Springs must be a ss too.
On the other side, Queen Himiko elegantly watched, these two seed like old smokers, taking turns with the pipe, puffing so much that the white jade smoking pipe ford by Yanyan Luo started to feel a bit short of demonic aura.
At this mont, Duncan suddenly said, "I plan to set up a large barrier here."
"Would you two be willing to help?"
He was here for a serious matter, not just to look for the Nine-tailed Fox.
Even though Nine-tailed Fox Daji is the standard for corrupt rulers, was Duncan soone who strayed from his duties?
Upon hearing his words, the two beautiful won in front of him appeared solemn, slowly saying, "Willing to hear the details."
Duncan looked at the smoking Yanyan Luo which was a bit short on demonic aura, took a small puff, exhaling clouds of smoke, and said, "No hurry. Can’t be done in a short while."
"I heard there’s a Nine-tailed Fox here?"
The alluring Yama’s spirits were lifted upon hearing this, looking up she asked, "Does Your Majesty plan to deal with her?"
"Recently, she’s been causing quite a stir in the Yellow Springs."
"She even stole my Three Lives Stone."
Indeed, it felt different when soone needs a favor, this Yama even referred to herself as ’this humble one.’
Duncan raised an eyebrow and said, "Not that I can’t."
"However, did she get chased here by soone?"
Yama clearly knew more, her expression cautious, she softly said, "Seems there’s such a saying."
Duncan curiously asked, "Who was it?"
Yama’s expression beca cautious, saying softly, "Not too clear, just heard the surna was Lu, a Great Divine Power User."
No need to guess.
Duncan already knew which great figure it was.
.........
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