Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Spring arrives, and Tomita Maru continues to grow and attract more people.
• The Oni Family gains attention from the Izumo Country's lord, the Iyo Family.
• A Ninja army, over a hundred strong, launches a surprise attack on Tomita Maru.

Character Developments

• Onimaru Takeshi, at just ten years old, has already reached martial arts level one, Yin and Yang techniques level one, and is dabbling in other scrolls.
• Shota Matsushita and Kenichi Matsushita demonstrate their strength and loyalty, fighting against the Ninja invasion.

Significant Themes

• The growth and expansion of Tomita Maru and the Oni Family.
• The threat and danger posed by the Ninja attack, highlighting the importance of security and vigilance.

Character Interactions

• Wu Ming interacts with Onimaru Takeshi and Amakusa Shirō, showing concern for their safety and training.
• Shota Matsushita and Kenichi Matsushita work together to defend Tomita Maru against the Ninja invasion, showcasing their loyalty and teamwork.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Kihō Gan (Shingoku Yukinosuke), manipulated by Wu Ming, faces an Iga Ninja attack led by Jonin Ishikawa Goemon.
• Kihō Gan demonstrates exceptional swordsmanship, killing numerous Ninjas, but is ultimately defeated by a Level 4 scroll used by Ishikawa Goemon.
• Wu Ming, disguised as Kihō Gan, confronts and defeats Ishikawa Goemon, extracting information about the person who hired the Iga Ninja.
• Wu Ming travels to Aki Country, targeting the Mōri Family, where he believes the instigator resides or is hiding.
• Wu Ming infiltrates a tavern run by Iga Ninja, killing them and deciding to form his own ninja force.

Character Developments

• Wu Ming shows his prowess in combat and intelligence gathering, demonstrating his cunning and ruthlessness.
• Kihō Gan (Shingoku Yukinosuke) proves to be a powerful swordsman, but his death highlights the danger of facing powerful enemies.
• Ishikawa Goemon, despite being a Jonin, is defeated by Wu Ming, showing the power gap between them.

Significant Themes

• Power and its consequences: The use of powerful weapons and techniques leads to significant losses on both sides.
• Manipulation and deception: Wu Ming manipulates Kihō Gan and uses deception to defeat Ishikawa Goemon.
• Information and intelligence: The quest for information drives Wu Ming's actions and gives him an advantage.

Character Interactions

• Wu Ming and Ishikawa Goemon: Their interaction is brief but intense, ending with Wu Ming's victory and Ishikawa Goemon's death.
• Wu Ming and the Iga Ninja: Wu Ming's interaction with the Iga Ninja in the tavern is one-sided, with Wu Ming slaughtering them without mercy.
• Wu Ming and the unknown instigator: Wu Ming's pursuit of the instigator drives the plot forward, with Wu Ming determined to find and confront them.

• Key Plot Points: Wu Ming, an Authority Holder, battles Ye Bai, who has transplanted a Soaring Serpent's bloodline. Wu Ming uses a powerful lightning bead to seemingly destroy Ye Bai, but he doesn't receive a quest completion prompt, suggesting Ye Bai might have a resurrection method.
• Character Developments: Wu Ming demonstrates his strength and resourcefulness, using a powerful lightning bead to counter Ye Bai. Ye Bai, despite his divine beast bloodline, is nearly defeated by Wu Ming's attack. Wu Ming decides to strengthen his forces on Tsukimi Mountain to better face Ye Bai in the future.
• Significant Themes: The theme of power and its consequences is highlighted as Wu Ming and Ye Bai's battle causes significant destruction. The theme of resilience is shown through Ye Bai's potential resurrection method. The theme of strategic planning is seen in Wu Ming's decision to strengthen his forces.
• Character Interactions: Wu Ming and Ye Bai's interaction is one of hostility and mutual respect for each other's power. Wu Ming interacts with his Samurai, rewarding those who died in battle and establishing a hierarchy within his forces.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Ming promotes Shota Matsushita and Kenichi Matsushita to Ashigaru Generals due to their performance, leading to concerns about the clan's koku (financial resources).
• Wu Ming decides to expand the clan to address the koku issue and counter Ye Bai, focusing on developing the Oni Family and forming a ninja force.
• Five years pass, and the Oni Family's power grows significantly, with a Chikō (domain) of five thousand koku, hidden clans in Iishi District, and constant friction with the Yamada Family.
• The Oni Family implements the 'separation of soldiers from farmers' policy, creating a full-time Ashigaru training system.
• Wu Ming appoints Onimaru Takeshi as a Hatamoto Samurai and selects him for the clan's army, with Amakusa Shirō and Hōjōmaru serving under him.
• Wu Ming holds a monthly review meeting, where he learns about the domain's resources, military strength, and other aspects, expressing his confidence in his retainers.

Character Developments

• Wu Ming maintains his cultivation and ambition, focusing on expanding the Oni Family's power and countering Ye Bai.
• Shota Matsushita and Kenichi Matsushita are promoted to Ashigaru Generals, demonstrating their loyalty and capabilities.
• Onimaru Takeshi, Amakusa Shirō, and Hōjōmaru grow in strength and are appointed to key positions within the Oni Family.
• Tachibana Mosuke, now a Samurai, gains confidence and composure, contributing significantly to the domain's resources.
• Yamanaka Shikanosuke, a "wise general," is valued by Wu Ming for his military prowess and strategic abilities.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and power: Wu Ming's desire to expand the Oni Family's influence and counter Ye Bai drives the story's events.
• Loyalty and trust: Wu Ming's confidence in his retainers and their loyalty to him are essential themes, as seen in their promotions and appointments.
• War and preparation: The Oni Family's focus on military strength and preparation for war is a central theme, with the 'separation of soldiers from farmers' policy and the monthly review meeting highlighting this aspect.

Character Interactions

• Wu Ming interacts with his retainers, promoting and appointing them based on their performance and loyalty.
• Onimaru Takeshi, Amakusa Shirō, and Hōjōmaru form a bond, with Onimaru Takeshi serving as their leader and mentor.
• Wu Ming and Yamanaka Shikanosuke share a mutual respect, with Wu Ming valuing Yamanaka's military prowess and strategic abilities.
• The Oni Family's retainers express their excitement and solemnity at the prospect of the long-awaited war, demonstrating their unity and determination.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Onimaru Takeshi completes his Genpuku (coming-of-age) ceremony, adopting the name Oni Yoshitsune.
• The Oni Family's war council discusses the growing threat from the Yamada and Iyo Families.
• Wu Ming decides to hold a military review to identify loyal families and prepare for war.
• Wu Ming secretly orders Oni Yoshitsune and Yamanaka Shikanosuke to capture Numata Castle during the military review.

Character Developments

• Oni Yoshitsune gains a formal name and status as Wu Ming's successor.
• Wu Ming demonstrates his strategic prowess and willingness to deceive enemies.
• Kenichi Matsushita reveals his bloodthirsty nature and eagerness for battle.

Significant Themes

• The importance of alliances and loyalty in Japanese feudal politics.
• The use of deception and strategy in warfare.
• The struggle for dominance and power in chaotic times.

Character Interactions

• Wu Ming bestows the name Oni Yoshitsune upon Onimaru Takeshi, indicating his status as a successor.
• Wu Ming, Oni Yoshitsune, and Yamanaka Shikanosuke discuss and plan their strategy for capturing Numata Castle.
• Kenichi Matsushita expresses his desire for reckless slaughter, contrasting with Wu Ming's strategic approach.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Yamada Family, led by Torimori, is threatened by the growing power of the Oni Family.
• Naito Takamasa, a merchant, secures the help of the Iyo Family, including a Shinto Priest group, a Sword Master, an Upper Ninja, and three thousand troops led by Lord Akiue Inosuke.
• The Oni Family, led by Yamanaka Shikanosuke and Oni Yoshitsune, launches a night raid on Numata Castle, breaching the Third and Second Bailey with minimal casualties.
• Oni Yoshitsune leads an elite team to assault the Castle Keep, using an Onmyō array to create dense fog for cover.

Character Developments

• Yamada Torimori: Struggles with the threat posed by the Oni Family and is ultimately unable to defend his castle.
• Naito Takamasa: Proves his loyalty to the Yamada Family, securing the help of the Iyo Family, and is rewarded with a promotion to Samurai status.
• Oni Yoshitsune: Proves his combat prowess and strategic thinking in his first battle, earning praise from Yamanaka Shikanosuke and gaining more support as a potential heir to the Oni Family.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and political intrigue among feudal families.
• The importance of strategic alliances and military strength in maintaining power.
• The coming-of-age of Oni Yoshitsune and his growth as a leader and warrior.

Character Interactions

• Yamada Torimori and Naito Takamasa: The lord relies on the merchant's connections to secure aid, and in return, rewards him with a promotion.
• Yamanaka Shikanosuke and Oni Yoshitsune: The strategist and the young warrior work together to execute the night raid, with Shikanosuke showing approval and mentorship towards Yoshitsune.
• Oni Yoshitsune and the Oni Seven Samurai: Yoshitsune leads the elite team in the assault on the Castle Keep, demonstrating his ability to command and work with his peers.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Yamada Family, the ruling clan of Iishi District, is overthrown by the Oni Family led by Wu Ming.
• Yamada Torimori, the senior retainer of the Yamada Family, commits seppuku after accepting defeat.
• Kenichi Matsushita, a Samurai of the Oni Family, leads the massacre of the Yamada Family, including women and children, to prevent any future rebellion.
• Wu Ming, the lord of the Oni Family, consolidates his power by executing or forcing submission from other powerful families in the district.
• The Fortune of the Wu Family grows stronger as it absorbs the energy from the district, signifying Wu Ming's new status as the master of Iishi District.

Character Developments

• Yamada Torimori: Accepts defeat with composure and commits seppuku, displaying the resolve of a Martial Artist.
• Kenichi Matsushita: Shows no mercy towards the defeated Yamada Family, reflecting his ruthless and sinister nature.
• Wu Ming: Demonstrates his power and ruthlessness by ordering the complete annihilation of the Yamada Family and imposing his will on other families in the district.
• Oni Yoshitsune: Discovers the Yamada Family's plot against the Oni Family and vows to bring peace to the chaotic world, showing his determination and ambition.

Significant Themes

• The ruthless nature of war and the consequences of defeat.
• The importance of complete annihilation to prevent future rebellion.
• The fickle nature of public sentiment and the need for a strong display of power to maintain control.
• The transfer of legitimacy and the absorption of energy from a conquered territory.

Character Interactions

• Yamada Torimori and Kenichi Matsushita: Their interaction highlights the difference in resolve between a defeated lord and a victorious conqueror.
• Wu Ming and the clan heads: Wu Ming's interaction with the clan heads demonstrates his power and willingness to punish those who defy him.
• Wu Ming and Oni Yoshitsune: Their interaction, though not directly shown in this chapter, is implied through Oni Yoshitsune's vow to bring peace, reflecting his loyalty to Wu Ming and his ambition to serve under a powerful lord.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Ming enters the Yamada Family's shrine, confronts and suppresses the ancestral spirits, and claims the shrine for the Oni Family.
• Wu Ming summons the powerful clan leaders and kokujin of Iishi District, burns the letters of loyalty to the Yamada Family, and grants them positions and certificates of peace in the Oni Family.
• Wu Ming orders the extermination of the Sakuragi and Toda families for their defiance and prepares to face the Iyo Family's Senior Retainer, Akiue Inosuke, with a combined army of five hundred regular banner troops and two thousand Ashigaru from the powerful families.

Character Developments

• Wu Ming demonstrates his power and ruthlessness, suppressing the Yamada Family's ancestral spirits and imposing his will on the powerful families of Iishi District.
• Oni Yoshitsune is appointed Ashigaru General, showing Wu Ming's trust in him, and his Fortune solidifies, indicating growing loyalty and recognition from the Oni Family members.
• Kojima Masataka, the successor of the Kojima Family, shows decisiveness and loyalty to the Oni Family.
• Yamanaka Shikanosuke is appointed Samurai General, demonstrating his merit and potential as a leader.

Significant Themes

• Power and authority: Wu Ming asserts his dominance over the Yamada Family's ancestral spirits and the powerful families of Iishi District, establishing the Oni Family's rule.
• Loyalty and submission: The powerful families and kokujin submit to the Oni Family, receiving positions and certificates of peace, but Wu Ming's ruthless policies remind them of the consequences of disloyalty.
• The use of force and intimidation: Wu Ming employs the threat of force and the display of power to maintain control and obedience.

Character Interactions

• Wu Ming interacts with the ancestral spirits of the Yamada Family, suppressing them and claiming the shrine for the Oni Family.
• Wu Ming interacts with the powerful clan leaders and kokujin, granting them positions and certificates of peace, but also reminding them of the consequences of disobedience.
• Wu Ming interacts with Oni Yoshitsune, demonstrating his trust and confidence in him by appointing him Ashigaru General and entrusting him with the Arquebusiers and Great Cannon Unit.
• Wu Ming interacts with Mochizuki Kotaro, ordering the extermination of the Sakuragi and Toda families for their defiance.
• Wu Ming interacts with Yamanaka Shikanosuke, appointing him Samurai General and acknowledging his merit in battle.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Iyo Family attacks the Oni Family's main camp with a large force, including the formidable 'Blue Guard Unit' cavalry.
• Oni Yoshitsune deploys arquebus and heavy cannon corps, inflicting heavy casualties and causing the enemy to break.
• The Oni Family's army charges, routing the Iyo Family's forces.
• The Yagyu Sword Master, a Shinto Priest, and a Ninja from the Iyo Family are cornered by Oni Group One and Mochizuki Kotaro's ninja army.
• Kenichi Matsushita, one of the Oni Seven Samurai, transforms into a Shuten Doji-like form, and the Oni Seven Samurai engage the Yagyu Sword Master.

Character Developments

• Oni Yoshitsune: Demonstrates strategic prowess by effectively using arquebuses and cannons, turning the tide of battle.
• Kenichi Matsushita: Transforms into a powerful, yokai-infused form, showcasing his newfound strength and resolve.
• Yagyu Sword Master: Reveals his skill and techniques, but faces overwhelming odds against the transformed Oni Seven Samurai.

Significant Themes

• Power of Modern Weapons: The arquebuses and cannons demonstrate their devastating potential, instilling fear and causing the enemy to break.
• Yokai Infusion: The Oni Seven Samurai's transformation highlights the power and danger of yokai, challenging the Yagyu Sword Master's skills.
• Sacrifice and Resolve: The Shinto Priest's decision to invite Yachimata-hiko God showcases the lengths one might go to in battle.

Character Interactions

• Oni Yoshitsune vs. Iyo Family: Oni Yoshitsune's strategic deployment of firearms leads to the Iyo Family's defeat.
• Oni Seven Samurai vs. Yagyu Sword Master: The transformed Oni Seven Samurai engage the Yagyu Sword Master in a fierce battle, showcasing their newfound power and resolve.
• Mochizuki Kotaro and Ninja Army vs. Iyo Family Shinto Priests and Ninjas: Mochizuki Kotaro's ninja army engages the opposing forces, aiming to capture or eliminate them.

Key Plot Points

• The Shinto Priests and Miko are pushed back and slaughtered by Oni Group One.
• The Great Shinto Priest commits suicide to summon Yaochi-hiko God, who defeats some Oni Group One samurai.
• Oni Yoshitsune arrives with Arquebusiers and turns the tide of the battle, defeating Yaochi-hiko God's avatar.
• The Iyo Family suffers a heavy defeat, with over 2,000 casualties, and their general, Akiue Inosuke, is slain.

Character Developments

• Yaochi-hiko God, a deity from Izumo Grand Shrine, is summoned but ultimately defeated.
• Oni Yoshitsune demonstrates his prowess and importance, revealing his divine lineage and defeating Yaochi-hiko God's avatar.
• Wu Ming reveals his ambition to expand his family's influence and crush the Iyo Family.

Significant Themes

• The struggle for power and influence between families and deities.
• The use of divine beings and supernatural forces in warfare.
• The consequences of underestimating one's enemies.

Character Interactions

• Wu Ming interacts with his subordinates, including Yamanaka Shikanosuke, Oni Yoshitsune, Kotaro, and Kenichi, discussing strategies and making plans.
• Yaochi-hiko God interacts with the Shinto Priests and Miko, attempting to protect them and defeat the Oni Group One samurai.
• Oni Yoshitsune interacts with Yaochi-hiko God, revealing his divine lineage and defeating the deity's avatar.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Ming openly expresses his ambition to unify Izumo Country, planning to attack the Iyo Family's main base, Kawa Nagare Castle.
• He decides to deal with the 1500 prisoners by screening them, using some as guides, sending docile ones for hard labor, and releasing the rest after cutting off their thumbs.
• The Oni Army, now 3000 strong, enters Ono District, facing numerous wooden blockhouses defended by local powerful clans.
• Wu Ming deploys his secret weapon, a Fire Unit Ninja armed with catapults and fire oil bombs, to destroy the wooden blockhouses with minimal casualties.

Character Developments

• Wu Ming demonstrates his strategic prowess, ruthlessness, and willingness to use unconventional methods to achieve his goals.
• Yamanaka Shikanosuke shows concern for his lord's ambitious plans but ultimately follows his orders.
• Oni Yoshitsune reveals his tactical prowess but also his caution and awareness of potential losses among his troops.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and Ruthlessness: Wu Ming's ambition drives him to take bold actions, but he also shows no mercy to those who stand in his way.
• Unconventional Warfare: Wu Ming's use of fire oil bombs highlights his willingness to employ innovative tactics to gain an advantage.
• The Broken Terrain and Local Power Struggles: The terrain and local power dynamics in Izumo Country pose significant challenges to Wu Ming's plans.

Character Interactions

• Wu Ming consults with his subordinates, particularly Yamanaka Shikanosuke and Oni Yoshitsune, about his plans but ultimately makes the decisions.
• Wu Ming demonstrates his authority and willingness to act decisively, even in the face of his subordinates' concerns.
• The interactions between Wu Ming and the local clan leaders, such as Kobayashi Shigeshi, highlight the power dynamics and conflicts in Izumo Country.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Oni Army, led by Wu Ming, continues its conquest of Ono District, burning wooden forts and defeating resisting families without losses.
• Wu Ming's forces target Guangli Castle, ruled by the Ikeda Family, who prepare to defend it to the death.
• Wu Ming sends the newly defected local lords' legion to attack the castle first, with Arquebusiers and Great Cannons in reserve to suppress defenses and prevent desertion.
• The siege of Guangli Castle lasts for two days, with heavy casualties on both sides.

Character Developments

• Wu Ming demonstrates strategic thinking, using the defected local lords as cannon fodder while keeping his main forces intact. He also shows no remorse for the heavy casualties, prioritizing his goals.
• Oni Yoshitsune grows more fearful of the fanaticism in his Ashigaru's hearts, understanding the power of continuous victories in instilling confidence and reverence.
• Yamanaka Shikanosuke becomes increasingly concerned about the growing power and influence of the local lords under Wu Ming's command.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of unchecked power and fanaticism.
• The strategic use of allies and the importance of maintaining one's main forces.
• The struggle between loyalty and self-preservation among the local lords.

Character Interactions

• Wu Ming, Oni Yoshitsune, and Yamanaka Shikanosuke discuss strategies and the future of the conquered territories.
• Wu Ming orders Oni Yoshitsune to use the Arquebusiers and Great Cannons to suppress deserters from the local lords' legion.
• Wu Ming and Yamanaka Shikanosuke discuss the potential threat posed by the growing power of the local lords.

In the chapter "Two Districts," Wu Ming, the leader of the Oni Family, successfully captures Guangli Castle in Ono District, marking his control over two districts in Izumo Country. Here's a concise summary:

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Ming's army, despite heavy losses, manages to take Guangli Castle after a strategic decision to burn it down, leading to the annihilation of the Ikeda Family.
• Wu Ming orders the influential families of Ono District to pay homage, displaying the severed heads of the Ikeda Family and their supporters as a warning.
• Wu Ming grants fiefs to the loyal families and reduces those who previously supported the Ikeda Family, demanding they send Ashigaru to his army to earn merits.

Character Developments

• Wu Ming demonstrates his strategic prowess and ruthlessness, earning the respect and fear of the influential families in Ono District.
• The family heads of the influential families in Ono District show their submission to Wu Ming, fearing his power and the consequences of defiance.

Significant Themes

• Power and Consequences: Wu Ming's actions, while effective in securing his rule, also accumulate Calamity Qi, foreshadowing future retribution.
• Loyalty and Punishment: Wu Ming rewards loyalty and punishes disloyalty, setting an example for the influential families in Ono District.
• The Human Path and Immortal Path: Wu Ming contemplates the balance between worldly power and spiritual cultivation, understanding the implications of using the Human Path's Fortune for cultivation.

Character Interactions

• Wu Ming interacts with the influential families of Ono District, displaying his authority and demanding their submission.
• Wu Ming's vassals congratulate him on securing Ono District, and he shares his thoughts on the future with them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Ming's army enters Oyu District without resistance due to letters of allegiance from local families.
• Wu Ming demands hostages and military support from these families to ensure their loyalty.
• The Iyo Family, with an army of 8,000, challenges Wu Ming's 5,000-strong army in Kawa Nagare Plains.
• News arrives of an attack on Iishi District by Mōri Family ninjas, killing Onoe Hayayoshi and severely wounding Tachibana Mosuke.
• Wu Ming decides to press on with the battle, using the news of the Mōri Family's defeat in the rear to boost morale.
• The battle begins, with Wu Ming's army initially gaining the upper hand due to arquebus and cannon fire.
• The Iyo Family's Blue Guard Unit cavalry charges, prompting Wu Ming to lead Oni Group One cavalry to counterattack.

Character Developments

• Wu Ming demonstrates strategic thinking and decisiveness in handling the situation with the local families and the Mōri Family's attack.
• Oni Yoshitsune proves his worth as a military commander, leading the arquebusiers and great cannons effectively.
• Yamanaka Shikanosuke is entrusted with full command of the army while Wu Ming engages in the cavalry battle.

Significant Themes

• The power of unity and centralized command vs. divided power and authority.
• The importance of morale and news of victories in the rear to boost the army's confidence.
• The role of personal strength and martial prowess in battle, as demonstrated by Wu Ming.

Character Interactions

• Wu Ming and Yamanaka Shikanosuke work together to command the army, with Yamanaka taking charge of the main force and Wu Ming leading the cavalry.
• Wu Ming and Oni Yoshitsune collaborate in the cavalry charge against the Iyo Family's Blue Guard Unit.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Ming, now a peak Level 2 expert, dominates the battlefield against the Iyo Family's Blue Guard Unit.
• A Great Sword Master and a Level 3 Onmyoji ambush Wu Ming, using a curse and a powerful sword strike. Wu Ming counters with his thunderous speech and a new five-element generative Creation Divine Thunder, defeating the Onmyoji.
• The Iyo Family's army collapses after their commander, Iyo Hidetada, flees. Wu Ming decides not to immediately attack Kawa Nagare Castle.
• That night, Iyo Hideji, with the support of several Senior Retainers, assassinates Iyo Hidetada and takes over the family. He surrenders Kawa Nagare Castle to Wu Ming.

Character Developments

• Wu Ming's martial arts and magical abilities continue to grow. He integrates his martial and magical arts, creating a powerful five-element generative Creation Divine Thunder.
• Iyo Hidetada accepts his fate and performs seppuku when faced with certain defeat. Iyo Hideji takes over the Iyo Family and surrenders to Wu Ming.

Significant Themes

• The theme of power and its consequences is explored as Wu Ming's growing strength affects the political landscape of Izumo Country.
• The theme of loyalty and betrayal is shown through Iyo Hideji's actions and the support of Senior Retainers in his coup.

Character Interactions

• Wu Ming faces off against a Great Sword Master and a Level 3 Onmyoji, showcasing his ability to handle powerful enemies.
• Iyo Hidetada and Iyo Hideji's interaction highlights the theme of loyalty and betrayal, as Hideji takes over the family and surrenders to Wu Ming.

Summary of "The Grand Shrine" Chapter

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Ming and his troops arrive at the Izumo Grand Shrine, the main sanctuary of Yachimata-hiko God.
• Wu Ming subjugates Yachimata-hiko God, signing a divine contract with the deity to maintain its faith in Izumo Country.
• Wu Ming summons the powerful families of Izumo Country to Kawa Nagare Castle, rewarding meritorious retainers and promulgating the laws of the Oni family.

Character Developments

• Wu Ming demonstrates his power and authority, successfully subjugating a major deity and gaining the support of the powerful families.
• Oni Yoshitsune is recognized as the successor of the Susano bloodline and plays a significant role in the divine contract.
• The heads of the powerful families in Izumo Country acknowledge Wu Ming's authority and submit to his rule.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between gods and humans in Fusang Shinto, with divine contracts determining the ranks and jurisdictions of deities.
• The importance of Fortune in cultivation and its karmic implications.
• The establishment of a new order under the Oni family's rule.

Character Interactions

• Wu Ming interacts with Yachimata-hiko God, successfully signing a divine contract and gaining its support.
• Wu Ming rewards and promotes his retainers, solidifying their loyalty and establishing the Bugyō system.
• The powerful families of Izumo Country submit to Wu Ming, acknowledging his authority and accepting his rule.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Ming discovers he cannot use the dense fortune without causing trouble due to his outsider status.
• He decides to abdicate and hand over power to Oni Yoshitsune to avoid heavenly attention and punishment.
• Wu Ming hosts a grand banquet for the visiting clan heads and announces his abdication, causing relief among the attendees.
• Tachibana Mosuke, who rushed to Izumo, supports Wu Ming's decision and discusses the strategy of 'conquer with the Hegemonic Way, govern with the Kingly Way'.

Character Developments

• Wu Ming: Realizes the risk of using the dense fortune and decides to abdicate to protect himself and the Oni Family.
• Oni Yoshitsune: Accepts the position of family head and Governor of Izumo, feeling both sorrow and joy.
• Tachibana Mosuke: Shows understanding of Wu Ming's strategy and is promoted to Land Survey Bugyō and Samurai General.

Significant Themes

• The tension between Wu Ming's outsider status and his desire for power, leading to his decision to abdicate.
• The strategy of 'conquer with the Hegemonic Way, govern with the Kingly Way', reflecting Wu Ming's long-term plan for the Oni Family.

Character Interactions

• Wu Ming and Oni Yoshitsune: Wu Ming decides to abdicate in favor of Oni Yoshitsune, who initially refuses but eventually accepts.
• Wu Ming and Tachibana Mosuke: They discuss Wu Ming's abdication and the strategy for the Oni Family's future, leading to Tachibana Mosuke's promotion.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Ming appoints Oni Yoshitsune as the new Governor of Izumo and head of the Oni Family.
• Upon taking office, Oni Yoshitsune gains a significant portion of Izumo's Fortune, and his Destiny and vital energy erupt.
• Oni Yoshitsune appoints Wu Ming as the 'Imperial Advisor,' granting him a vast expanse of Fortune and Dragon Qi, enhancing his Supernatural Powers.
• Wu Ming decides to use this opportunity to experiment with the method of the Imperial Advisor and to cultivate his Dao Foundation.
• Wu Ming learns that Goryu Castle in Aki Country has fallen, and the Mōri Family is unifying Aki Country with the help of a powerful yokai, possibly Ye Bai.

Character Developments

• Oni Yoshitsune: Proves himself a capable ruler, maintaining order and making decisions that benefit the Oni Family. He shows ambition and aptitude for governance.
• Wu Ming: Demonstrates his strategic thinking and understanding of the Imperial Advisor's role. He plans to use this position to cultivate and experiment with its powers. He remains focused on his primary objective of killing Ye Bai.

Significant Themes

• The power of titles and positions in governance.
• The use of external Fortune for cultivation and combat.
• The entanglement of Karma and calamity with rulers and cultivators.
• The potential of the Imperial Advisor position for cultivators.

Character Interactions

• Wu Ming and Oni Yoshitsune: Wu Ming guides and supports Oni Yoshitsune's succession, while Oni Yoshitsune respects and values Wu Ming's advice, appointing him as Imperial Advisor.
• Wu Ming and Mochizuki Kotaro: Mochizuki Kotaro serves as Wu Ming's messenger and provides him with intelligence about the ongoing conflicts and Ye Bai's whereabouts.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Ming arrives in Iishi District, promoting Aoki Naomasa to Samurai General and guardian of Numata Castle.
• Wu Ming discovers a trap set by the enemy, including a powerful Sword Master from the Yagyu family and a deity, Kaguya-son, the Guardian God of Aki Country.
• Wu Ming uses his Supernatural Power to annihilate the enemy's forces, leaving only three: Ye Bai, Kaguya-son, and the Yagyu Sword Master.
• Wu Ming defeats the Yagyu Sword Master with a single strike, demonstrating his immense power.

Character Developments

• Aoki Naomasa: Promoted to Samurai General, guardian of Numata Castle, and granted a Chikō of one thousand koku. He is grateful and determined to serve Wu Ming loyally.
• Wu Ming: Shows his immense power and confidence, using brute force to break through the enemy's traps and curses. He reveals his Supernatural Power of observing Qi and his ability to combine Fortune and Supernatural Power.
• Ye Bai: Despite his powerful abilities, he is no match for Wu Ming's strength. He is shocked and desperate when faced with Wu Ming's power.
• Kaguya-son: Brings her true form out of the Shrine to destroy Wu Ming, showing her determination to kill him at any cost. She uses her Divine Power to protect Ye Bai and the Yagyu Sword Master.

Significant Themes

• Power and Dominance: Wu Ming displays his immense strength and confidence, using brute force to overcome the enemy's traps and curses. He shows that he can break through cleverness with brute force and stop killing with killing.
• Determination and Will: Kaguya-son brings her true form out of the Shrine to destroy Wu Ming, showing her determination to kill him at any cost. Ye Bai, despite his powerful abilities, is desperate and shocked when faced with Wu Ming's power.
• Loyalty and Gratitude: Aoki Naomasa is grateful for Wu Ming's promotion and is determined to serve him loyally. He sees Wu Ming's appointment as a leap from a low-ranking Samurai to the middle ranks and a chance to increase his Chikō through battlefield achievements.

Character Interactions

• Wu Ming and Aoki Naomasa: Wu Ming praises Aoki Naomasa for his service and promotes him to Samurai General. Aoki Naomasa is grateful and determined to serve Wu Ming loyally.
• Wu Ming and the Enemy Forces: Wu Ming uses his Supernatural Power to annihilate the enemy's forces, leaving only three. He defeats the Yagyu Sword Master with a single strike, demonstrating his immense power.
• Kaguya-son and Ye Bai: Kaguya-son brings her true form out of the Shrine to destroy Wu Ming, showing her determination to kill him at any cost. She uses her Divine Power to protect Ye Bai and the Yagyu Sword Master. Ye Bai is desperate and shocked when faced with Wu Ming's power.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Ming, as the Imperial Advisor of Izumo Country, crushes Yagyu Jūkenrō with a massive lightning-stone mountain.
• Kaguya-son and Ye Bai, injured, are trapped in a cage of wood and lightning by Wu Ming.
• Kaguya-son uses a song with Zen intent and Yellow Springs power to attack Wu Ming, but he counters with sweet dew, causing her to be severely injured.
• Wu Ming refines Kaguya-son to death using Yamata no Orochi and Dragon Qi, and Ye Bai's split spirit is destroyed.
• Wu Ming decides to conquer Aki Country, as Kaguya-son's destruction has weakened its national destiny.

Character Developments

• Wu Ming demonstrates his immense power and ruthlessness, consuming Dragon Qi to refine Kaguya-son to death.
• Kaguya-son shows her divine abilities and resilience but ultimately falls to Wu Ming's power.
• Ye Bai's split spirit is destroyed, affecting his main body, and he has only one split spirit left.

Significant Themes

• The power of divine abilities and the consumption of fortune and Qi.
• The impermanence of life and the pursuit of longevity.
• The ruthlessness and determination of Wu Ming in achieving his goals.

Character Interactions

• Wu Ming vs. Kaguya-son and Ye Bai: Wu Ming demonstrates his overwhelming power, refining Kaguya-son and destroying Ye Bai's split spirit.
• Wu Ming and his subordinates: Mochizuki Kotaro and the other Genin watch Wu Ming's rampage with awe and fervor.
• Wu Ming and the Main God Hall: Wu Ming guesses Ye Bai's cultivation method based on his knowledge from the Main God Hall.