At midnight, Jin Jianglang watched until Yanyanluo fell asleep, then slowly walked to the center of the village.
He lifted his head to gaze at the moon. His eyes were deep crimson, and an eerie yokai aura radiated from his body.
Just then, a wine flask flew toward him, and Jin Jianglang reached out to catch it.
He looked up and saw Shuten sitting on a rooftop.
Shuten frowned and asked, "Did something happen to you?"
"I'm fine. I just had an awakening." Jin Jianglang took a sip of Shuten's wine and said, "I'm going to kill Tsuchimikado Itsuki."
"That sounds like a good idea." Shuten jumped down from the roof, an earth-shaking yokai aura erupting from him as well. "Those 'Tsuchimikado' are the bastards who injured Xiao Xiang and Yanyanluo, aren't they?"
"That's right." Jin Jianglang nodded. "The Shiranui Household raised me, and I owe them for that. I won't attack the clan head this time, but if he refuses to leave Yanyanluo and me alone, I'll have no choice but to show him no mercy."
Shuten smiled faintly and said, "It seems I can finally invite you to join the Armed Monster openly."
"Is that so?" Jin Jianglang replied noncommittally.
The enormous wine gourd on Shuten's back slowly swelled until it stood as tall as a person, releasing the fragrance of wine steeped in yokai aura.
Then he curled his fingers, put them in his mouth, and whistled.
At the whistle, numerous monsters slowly emerged from the houses, their eyes shining with a terrifying light beneath the moon.
Shuten smiled faintly and said softly, "Midnight Demon Hour!"
At those words, the monsters erupted with tremendous yokai aura, whipping fierce winds through the peaceful village.
"Let's slaughter the Tsuchimikado together," Shuten said. "The thought that someone dared injure my