Destiny? Destiny!

Every cloud of evil energy high in the sky poured into the Evil Sword, Slay Gods and Demons, and the blade's power condensed into a dense, blood-red aura.

"Return."

Mingye reached out, and Slay Gods and Demons pierced through the sky to land in his hand.

After absorbing Sōunga's evil energy, Slay Gods and Demons exuded an even sharper edge than before. That evil energy could actually temper the blade!

Mingye's eyes flashed. He could feel that Slay Gods and Demons had improved in both quality and power. This was an unexpected windfall.

"Lord Mingye's sword is becoming more sinister and powerful by the day!"

Chongli was shaken, his face full of admiration. His eyes shone, with a trace of envy in them as well.

I have to collect some yokai bodies during this war and have Hairinbō forge a weapon that suits me!

With that thought in mind, Chongli stared fixedly at Slay Gods and Demons, his gaze unwavering.

Just then, Tōga emerged from his command tent, looking somewhat weary. Sōunga rested on his back, while Tessaiga and Tenseiga hung at his waist.

"That was Sōunga's evil energy just now, wasn't it? It really is powerful!"

As Mingye spoke, his gaze fell on the evil sword on Tōga's back. It gave off no evil energy at all, looking just like an ordinary longsword.

"That's right. Sōunga is too powerful. Even I struggle to control it, but I must borrow its power for this battle..."

Tōga concealed nothing and admitted it outright.

"The Sword of Earth, Sōunga, can open the gates of the Underworld and command its yokai spirits. The power of the Underworld..."

Sōunga was the Sword of Earth among the Three Swords of Heaven, Earth, and Man. It represented the earthly realm-the Underworld. This evil sword's power was simply inconceivable: it could open a gateway to the Underworld and unleash its warriors to fight on its behalf!

But the Underworld's power was extraordinarily difficult to control. At the very least, Tōga could not control it.

To fully unleash Sōunga's power, one had to subdue the ancient evil spirit within the blade and truly become its master.

Unfortunately, even a Greater Yokai like Tōga could hardly accomplish that.

"Opening the gates of the Underworld and controlling its power-even the sword's creator couldn't accomplish that."

Tōga shook his head slightly. Sōunga had first appeared in ancient times, forged by a maker of evil swords who sought to control the power of the Underworld.

But Sōunga's power was so sinister that it killed its own smith on the very day it was born.

Afterward, the sword passed through the hands of many yokai, but almost all of them met gruesome deaths.

Such an evil sword was truly strange, and many yokai called it a cursed blade.

Anyone who possessed it would come to no good end, ultimately dying young.

Tōga slowly recounted Sōunga's origins. Every time it appeared, endless bloodshed followed.

Though it was a cursed sword, its power captivated humans and yokai alike. Almost none could resist its temptation.

"All its wielders die young. An ill-omened curse?"

Mingye fell silent. Throughout history, every being who possessed this sword had died young. Now it was in Tōga's hands, and in the original course of events, Tōga had also died rather young.

After all, Tōga was only a little over two hundred years old, which was exceedingly young for a yokai.

Seen that way, Sōunga really did seem somewhat ill-omened.

"What did you come to see me about?"

Tōga asked. He had been preparing for the coming war, so he had ordered that no one disturb him unless it was important.

Yet Mingye had come at such a time. He must have had something important to discuss.

"I heard you sent Red Evil Ogre and Qitian to Musashi Province to kill Setsuna no Takemaru, General?"

Mingye drew his attention away from Sōunga and spoke.

"That's right. What is it?"

Tōga nodded as he replied.

"Don't you think they've been gone too long, General?"

Mingye reminded him.

"Hm?! You're right. With their speed, they should have completed the mission and returned by now!"

Tōga's expression shifted. The three Greater Yokai had occupied his thoughts earlier, but Mingye's reminder brought him to his senses at once.

"They may well have met with disaster!"

Mingye spoke gravely. That was the worst possible outcome, but he always planned for the worst.

"But apart from you and me, no one knew their whereabouts. What exactly happened?!"

Tōga narrowed his eyes. Many at the base had seen Red Evil Ogre and Qitian leave the camp, but that was all they knew. No one knew where the two had gone.

Yet something had gone wrong!

"Setsuna no Takemaru has someone backing him!"

Mingye spoke abruptly. He had been thinking it over throughout his walk to Tōga's tent and had finally reached this conclusion.

He knew how strong Red Evil Ogre and Qitian were. A human general could not possibly have been a match for them.

For neither of them to return-or even have a chance to escape-there could only be a powerful being behind Setsuna no Takemaru.

Someone powerful enough to kill Red Evil Ogre and Qitian with ease, without giving either of them a chance to send word.

"Was it Michinaga of the leopard cats? Flying Moth? Or Ryūkotsusei?"

Tōga quickly caught on as well, immediately linking everything to those old adversaries of his.

"Perhaps the three of them have already joined forces!"

Mingye's eyes flashed as that possibility occurred to him.

This change had not existed in the original course of events, yet now it had appeared.

Was this merely an unexpected turn, or was the force guiding fate's course truly that powerful?

Mingye pondered it. Even though he had warned Tōga, something had still gone wrong. Setsuna no Takemaru might still be alive.

Is this fate's power to correct itself...?

Or was this destiny's design?

Whenever someone made a change, destiny changed in response, steering events back to their original point.

Destiny! What is my destiny, then?

For a moment, Mingye lost his bearings. Countless memories swirled through his mind, every trace connecting together.

"If that's really the case-no, Izayoi!"

Tōga's expression changed drastically. If their deductions were right, Dog Castle would likely soon come under attack by Setsuna no Takemaru.

Izayoi and his unborn child could be in mortal danger.

"Mingye, my boy, with war upon us, I can't leave this place. You're the only one who can save my wife, my child, and the men of Dog Castle!"

Tōga spoke gravely. If he made any move, his three old adversaries would act immediately. He could not leave now.

Tōga's voice jolted Mingye awake. He had just fallen into confusion and begun doubting his own path.

Had Tōga not shouted, Mingye might have sunk even deeper, unable to regain his senses.

That was close!

Cold sweat had already soaked Mingye's back. Meeting Tōga's gaze, he nodded firmly.

"Leave this to me!"

"I'm counting on you to save my wife, my child, and the men of the Dog Tribe!"

Tōga felt helpless. At a time like this, he could only place his hopes in Mingye.

Mingye nodded, gave him a reassuring look, then turned and left.

"Ah, Lord Mingye, wait for me!"

Chongli snapped out of his daze. Their analysis had left him utterly bewildered. Seeing that Mingye had already gone some distance, he hurried after him.

Tōga watched Mingye's retreating figure. Though they had known each other only a short time, he believed he understood Mingye's character.

That was also why he had placed his hopes in Mingye. This young man's future achievements would surely be no less than his own!