News of That Japanese Bastard Yamamoto

On Big Yellow's third day on the job, Wen Ning was crouching by the entrance, brushing his fur.

Big Golden Retriever had slipped out again that day. According to him, his owner was working overtime and no one was home, so he had come to inspect the new employee's work.

Big Yellow remained sprawled by the entrance, enjoying Wen Ning's attention and basking in the sun with his eyes half closed. He showed no interest whatsoever in Big Golden Retriever's so-called inspection.

He was a dog with an owner now, too. He had to keep up appearances.

Wen Ning's phone suddenly began chiming.

Someone was calling.

He pulled it out and checked. It was Meng Jiang.

It was the Underworld's dedicated line. The moment he answered, Meng Jiang's voice came through, a little faster than usual.

"Wen Ning, we've uncovered Yamamoto's background. He wasn't just some ordinary Japanese soldier. He was a core member of Unit 731, specializing in human experiments with biological weapons. You know about Unit 731, right?"

Wen Ning's grip on his phone tightened slightly as he listened.

As a Chinese man, of course he knew: vivisection, frostbite experiments, bacterial injections.

The atrocities those Japanese soldiers had committed, recorded in history textbooks.

The details that chilled people to the bone just from reading about them.

All of it had been the work of those inhuman monsters.

And after World War II, because the United States wanted their experimental data, most of Unit 731's key personnel had been granted immunity from prosecution. They had escaped trial—and the Underworld's punishment.

Meng Jiang said that after Japan's defeat, Yamamoto had been unable to accept losing and committed seppuku. He had been far too cunning, and Japanese Onmyoji had intervened as well, so the Underworld had never managed to obtain accurate information on them.

"He's still in the north."

Meng Jiang paused.

"But during their investigation, Xie Bi'an and the others found signs that another group of Japanese Onmyoji is involved with Yamamoto and his people now. I suggest you come to the Underworld first. The Special Investigation Team will hold a case briefing so we can explain everything in person."

At that, Wen Ning said immediately,

"I'll be right there."

He hung up, patted Big Yellow's head, and told him to watch the shop.

Big Yellow hadn't heard the conversation, but when he saw his owner's expression, he opened one eye to look at Wen Ning and lightly swept his tail across the ground, acknowledging the instruction.

When Wen Ning arrived in the Underworld, the Ghost Gate was a little quieter than it had been before.

There were far fewer souls lining up to pass through it, too.

According to Meng Jiang, the Underworld had recently streamlined its entry procedures.

Wen Ning didn't linger there. Meng Jiang was already waiting for him.

Today, Meng Jiang wasn't wearing her Thunder Department uniform, but the Underworld's formal official robes.

Holding that token in her hand, she came forward to greet Wen Ning when she saw him.

She led him through an internal staff passage and into a meeting room.

The room wasn't large. A long table stood in the middle, with a map covered in densely packed red dots spread across it. Xie Bi'an stood on one side of the table, holding a telescopic pointer. He nodded when Wen Ning entered and began the briefing without much small talk.

He pointed to a spot on the map.

"Yamamoto's main remnant soul is in this area. He won't be moving anytime soon. The problem is that we now know for certain that Onmyoji from Japan have become involved. Our biggest issue is that we in the Underworld cannot directly reveal ourselves to mortals, so we need to plan this operation carefully."

Wen Ning studied the red dots Xie Bi'an had marked on the map.

"What distinguishing traits do these remnant souls have? How have they managed to stay at large for so long?"

Xie Bi'an sounded somewhat helpless as he explained what had happened back then.

"Normally, we can track down the dead very quickly. But when Yamamoto killed himself, Onmyoji helped conceal their auras. That prevented the Underworld from tracking them immediately, and the matter dragged on."

Zhong Kui interrupted them.

"That's why we called you in. You'll deal with those Japanese sorcerers this time, while we personally apprehend Yamamoto and his people. That's the reason we asked you to come."

Wen Ning didn't answer Zhong Kui immediately.

Instead, he lowered his head to study the area circled in red on the map, then looked up, shifting his gaze from Xie Bi'an to Zhong Kui.

"All right. I'll handle the Onmyoji from Japan. Yamamoto is yours."

When Wen Ning agreed, a hint of scrutiny appeared in Zhong Kui's eyes, their sharp light held in check.

"Have you ever fought Japanese Onmyoji?"

Wen Ning answered honestly.

"Never met any. I've only seen them in anime."

Zhong Kui didn't know what to say to that.

"Onmyoji aren't the same as that lieutenant's ghost in the old mansion last time. Ghosts form from resentment after death. Onmyoji are living people, and the living are more cunning than the dead. They command many different kinds of Shikigami. Some can conceal auras, some can create illusions, and some are resentful spirits from a hundred years ago that were forcibly sealed and refined into puppets. When Yamamoto killed himself, several Onmyoji worked together to erect a barrier. That was what prevented the Underworld from tracking him immediately."

"Your Five Thunder Righteous Method is a Thunder Art of utmost yang and unyielding power. It naturally counters yin and evil." Zhong Kui's tone remained brisk and decisive.

"But Onmyoji don't just use sinister methods. They dodge, hide, and use mortals as cover. You're with the Thunder Department, and you're at the mid-stage Earth Immortal level. All you need to remember is not to hold back. With your cultivation, no one in the mortal world is a match for you."

Wen Ning nodded. Of course he wouldn't hold back. This time, he was going to give those Japanese bastards a proper dose of electrotherapy.

Once Zhong Kui had finished, Xie Bi'an continued.

He circled several locations on the map with his telescopic pointer.

"According to the Special Investigation Team's intelligence, we've confirmed that at least three Onmyoji have entered the country as tourists. They're operating in the north. Their objective is most likely to help the remnant souls under Yamamoto relocate to new hiding places, so we need to end this quickly."

"You can use that method you used to electrocute the Japanese ghosts in the old mansion last time. But your opponents this time are living people. You can't strike them directly with the Five Thunder Righteous Method."

Xie Bi'an looked at Wen Ning as he spoke, a subtle undertone entering his voice.

"However, if they attack first, you may act in self-defense. The Heavenly Court has clear regulations on supernatural incidents involving foreign parties. Matters beyond the jurisdiction of mortal law are handled according to the Heavenly Court's rules."

Wen Ning immediately caught Xie Bi'an's meaning.

The mention of self-defense fired him right up. With all the referees on his side, what was there to fear? One look from you counts as intimidation. No-holds-barred combat it is.

Seeing Wen Ning's eager expression, Xie Bi'an said nothing more.

Then he glanced at Zhong Kui, who was seated below, and saw that he had nothing else to add either.

He addressed everyone.

"Then it's settled. Go back and prepare. We'll meet at the Thunder Department Office first thing tomorrow morning and head straight out."