Divine Wind Annihilation

Acrid smoke and the stench of burning hung over the scorched earth.

The lingering shock waves from clashing yokai power still rippled through the air, making everything around them seem both unreal and vividly real.

Chi Yan slowly collapsed, his alluring, graceful body like a shattered porcelain doll, blood spilling relentlessly from his wounds.

His eyes, once blazing like fire, were now dull and lifeless, like candles that had burned out.

As he looked at the Great Elder, his gaze was filled with defiance and regret.

As his humanoid body fell from the sky, it transformed into a fiery-red leopard cat seven or eight meters long and slammed into the scorched ground, sending up a cloud of dust.

It marked the end of the battle.

The Great Elder slowly put away the Fang Sword. As the blade slid into its sheath, it rang out with a crisp sound, especially clear across the silent battlefield.

He landed on the ground with a pleased expression. His steps were somewhat unsteady, but he could not hide his elation.

His clothes had been shredded by the impact, and his hair was disheveled, a few white strands whipping freely in the cold wind.

Slaying a high-level Panther Cat was undoubtedly an event worthy of celebration throughout the tribe.

In more than fifty years of fighting between the Dog Yokai and the Panther Cat, this was the first time one of the Panther Cat leaders had died in battle!

Excitement surged through the Great Elder. Had he not needed to preserve his usual imposing image before the tribe's young "pups," he would have thrown back his head and howled.

"Awooo!"

The Second Elder, more impulsive and uninhibited by nature, had none of the Great Elder's concerns about appearances.

He thrust his only arm toward the sky and let out a roar brimming with pride and exhilaration.

Looking at the dead Fifth Elder of the Panther Cat, he tugged at his empty left sleeve, and some of the fierceness in his eyes faded.

But this was also a grave event that required the Dog Tribe to remain vigilant against retaliation from the Leopard Cat!

With a high-level yokai dead, the Leopard Cat would never let the matter rest.

Another great battle was already rumbling faintly on the horizon, like the low thunder before a storm, ready to erupt at any moment.

Joy merely flashed across the two elders' faces, as brief and brilliant as a shooting star crossing the night sky.

Their gazes slowly swept over the Dog Yokai howling excitedly around them.

Every young, spirited face shone with the joy of victory. More reassuring still, not one of their own had been seriously injured or killed.

A softness unconsciously appeared in the two elders' eyes at the sight-the heartfelt relief of seeing their tribe safe and thriving after a battle.

Then they turned toward Tōga and Ringetsu.

With a gentle gaze, the Great Elder said, "Let's talk inside the outpost."

They assigned Qitian to lead the Dog Yokai in clearing the battlefield, killing all the surviving Panther Cats and leaving some of the bodies behind.

Tōga approached Ringetsu and tried to take her little hand, but the quick-witted girl gave a soft huff and deftly slipped away.

Walking ahead, Ringetsu turned her head slightly. Beneath thick lashes, her starry eyes blinked with lively mischief, visible against her lovely profile.

The slight upward curve of her lips seemed to insist, Don't think you can take liberties with me. Her adorable expression left Tōga itching with desire.

Tōga answered with a subtle expression that said, I'll deal with you later.

Before long, the four reached the inside of the outpost and took their seats.

The Great Elder spoke in a tone that brooked no argument.

"After that explosion, there's no hiding this from the Panther Cat. Both of you will return to the tribe with me."

"The Second Elder will take the remaining tribesmen and pull back the defensive line. You'll join the Third Elder and garrison the second line of defense."

Perhaps worried that his arrangements might be mistaken for emboldening the enemy and diminishing their own morale, the Great Elder explained them to Ringetsu. As for Tōga, he had no such concerns.

"The land we occupy now was territory the Leopard Cat seized from other yokai in the first place. When we took it, we were prepared to abandon it at any time."

"I understand, Great Elder."

Ringetsu nodded obediently and said softly, "Tōga often talks to me about these things. As long as the Dog Tribe survives, we'll reclaim the land we've lost someday."

Apart from the Fifth Elder who had just died in battle, the Leopard Cat still had five high-level yokai.

Two of them were stationed on other borders, each responsible for dealing with one of the other two powers within the Western Country.

After Chi Yan's death, the Leopard Cat would very likely redeploy one or both of them.

Five high-level yokai might then launch a surprise attack together and teach the Dog Tribe a bloody lesson.

The first border defense clearly could not hold against that. Everyone had to withdraw into the carefully prepared Dog Tribe Fortress.

Ringetsu could naturally figure that out. But with her strength nearly at the level of a high-level yokai, she did not want to watch her tribesmen fight on the front lines while she cowered in the rear like a coward.

Even an order from her elders left her restless.

But when she saw the Great Elder's uncompromising expression, Ringetsu swallowed the words she had been about to say about joining the fight.

She could not help glancing at Tōga beside her, who seemed lost in thought. Her beautiful eyes shimmered with both reluctance and a trace of anticipation.

I want to go cut people down!

Don't rush!

Noticing Ringetsu's gaze, Tōga knew exactly what his first wife was thinking. He gave her a look telling her to be patient and listen quietly to the two elders' orders.

In truth, he did not agree with letting Ringetsu, who had yet to attain the strength of a high-level yokai, remain in Dog Tribe Fortress when a large-scale battle was about to erupt.

Though she was almost unmatched among mid-level yokai and could have been called a half-step high-level yokai in a fantasy cultivation novel, Ringetsu still fell short against a genuine high-level yokai.

If a Panther Cat elder found an opening against her, the result would be something the Dog Tribe's leaders absolutely did not want to see.

Besides, Dog Tribe Fortress did not lack fighters of Ringetsu's strength. Even Tōga himself was dispensable; neither of them could affect the overall course of the battle.

If they actually joined the fight, the Dog Tribe's elders would instead be hampered by concern for them. Ringetsu's status as the Dog King's only daughter would also tempt the Panther Cat Oyakata to act.

If that provoked a battle between great yokai, the consequences would be unpredictable.

With Tōga keeping Ringetsu in line, I can rest a little easier. I'll remind our king later not to let these two do anything dangerous.

The Great Elder's thoughts moved quickly. He first looked at Tōga, who, like a double agent, returned a smile that said, Leave everything to me. Then the Great Elder turned to the Second Elder.

Having already decided what to say, the Second Elder sat up straight, fixed Tōga with a serious look, and asked succinctly.

"Tōga, I noticed earlier that half the Dog Yokai in your squad had taken human form. Has that secret transformation technique you were working on succeeded?"

"It's mostly complete. With a little more refinement, it can be taught throughout the Dog Tribe."

Tōga's answer left the Second Elder momentarily dazed. Only a reminder from the Great Elder brought him back to his senses.

Looking at the handsome Tōga and the radiant Ringetsu, he could not help declaring with heartfelt emotion.

"Heaven truly favors our tribe!"