I lowered the Black Umbrella and looked ahead.
Only then did I realize that the road ahead had already been blocked off.
The Saiō I had encountered at the Abyssal Moon Soul Shrine, along with several elderly onmyoji—a total of seven or eight people—had long since blocked our path.
Saiō had blunt bangs and an icy expression.
She still held a Japanese staff resembling a funeral rod and wore a long green robe.
The elderly onmyoji beside her all held Japanese longswords of varying lengths, watching us coldly.
"Saiō!"
I stopped in my tracks and called out instinctively.
Holding her funeral-rod staff, Saiō spoke in stilted Chinese:
"Chinese Daoist, hand over the Eight-Foot Jade Magatama, or every one of you will have your souls scattered."
"Humph! Now that it's in my hands, how could I possibly hand it over? Keep dreaming!"
"Baka! You will die without even a place to be buried!"
"..."
As soon as she finished speaking, she waved her staff, and the seven or eight elderly onmyoji around her charged at us.
"Baka!"
"You will pay the price!"
"The gods' hatred must be repaid!"
"..."
Amid their shrill roars, the eight of them launched their attack in an instant.
Every one of them was powerful, all at the early Vitality Soul Realm. Some were even nearly on par with my cultivation.
It could be said that these were essentially Japan's strongest fighting force.
Since they had blocked our way, I would make sure they all died here.
"Perfect timing. Then all of you can die here!"
As I spoke, I raised Evil-Slaying Flowing Cloud and began killing.
Brother Wang, Eldest Senior Brother, Second Senior Sister, and the others also charged forward.
"Take them down!"
"Don't think we're made of water!"
"We'll show you what we can do!"