Inside the demon nest, the demons were somewhat disarrayed. Demonic carvings along the walls would burn occasionally.
âThatâs enough. Miss Uesugi, then letâs talk about business.â Shuten Dojiâs eyes let out a terrifying shockwave, silencing the entirety of the demon nest.
âI wonder what business you are referring to?â
âYouâre asking the obvious. Youâre so smart since you already know how to present wine to His Majesty. Do you want to keep pretending? Take it off. Let us see your beauty.â Akahime swayed her snake tail and approached Rei.
All the demons also stifled their breaths and stared at her.
However, Rei only smiled casually. âIâm sorry. When it comes to taking off my clothes in front of men, Iâm not interested.â
âHahahahaha!â The Lord of Mount Hiei pointed at Rei. âNo woman would be willing to take off their clothes in front of broad daylight. However, do you think you can resist in front of Lord Shuten?â
Rei ignored him and only stood silently.
Shuten also looked at her with his ominous eyes. Based on his strength, he could simply remove her clothes forcefully. However, he didnât do so because this woman was unique when compared to every other womanâ she wasnât afraid of him at all. Shuten had ruled over Mount Ooe for several centuries and tasted countless women, so he wasnât in a hurry. He felt very interested in observing Rei and looking forward to observing her further actions.
Yet, Rei waited as the demons hollered for a long time, before flicking a strand of silver hair and kneeling down on one knee. âLord Shuten, Iâd like to become a Demon Commander under your wing.â
âWhat?â The demons became rowdy.
âWhat is this joke? A mere woman! You should become a slave since youâre taken to Mount Ooe!â
âDoes this woman think she can keep her chastity? She must be out of her mind!â
The demons mocked relentlessly.
âHahahahaha! Hahahahahahahahaha!â Shuten laughed loudly, causing the entire cavern to tremble. His laughter deeply terrified Rei and all demons, forcing them to stay silent. âMiss Uesugi, youâre very interesting as a woman. Although I understand this is your final attempt to struggle, Iâve ever seen such a move before.â
âLord Shuten.â Rei deliberately examined the crowd of demons and said without fear, âThere are many demons here, your Majesty. But most of them are no match to me.â
âWhat?â All the demons were furious.
Yet, Rei ignored them and said, âIncluding the few Archdemons under you, like these two gentlemen. Iâm sure I can win over them, one on one. Since Iâm this capable, wouldnât it be a waste if I only became one of your female slaves, instead of your subordinate?â
âThe audacity, Sword Miko! I will duel you!â Aokiba Takamizu was enraged after being humiliated by Rei in front of Shuten.
âTakamizu, Calm down!â Ibaraki warned.
Pakuzan said, âgirl, youâre capable. Y-you can face Takamizu head-on despite being on the Permanence Stage. However, y-y-you are human. Why should us demons work with you, a human?â
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âLord Shuten, may I use my sword for a moment?â Rei stood up and said.
âWhat? What are you playing at?â Takamizu sneered.
âItâs fine. Then why donât we appreciate the performance put on by Miss Uesugi in an attempt to preserve her purity?â Shuten laughed. âGive her the blade.â
Rei waved her hand and her sword flew away from those two demons and into her hands.
Clangâ! Upon unsheathing, the long sword, Nameless, emanated powerful Resentment Energy and displayed ominous patterns on the blade.
âBlade Maiden?â Ibaraki was also shocked. âUesugi Rei is a Blade Maiden. Why didnât you tell us before?â
He glared at Takamizu furiously.
Takamizu was terrified. âYour Excellency, chasing this woman was too tiring so I forgot.â
All those demons were also surprised.
Shuten didnât seem to be surprised and said, âturns out youâre a Blade Maiden. Indeed, a Blade Maiden is somewhat between a demon fighter and a female samurai. There are cases of Blade Maidens turning into complete demons. However, just because of that, am I going to let go of a beauty in my grasp? Do you want me to pay you a salary as well?â
âLord Shuten.â Uesugi said, âwhile I was being pursued by your underlings, I accidentally came close to Mount Ooe since I lost my direction. I once killed a messenger crow crossing my path and came to own this.â
Uesugi Rei took out a letter.
Upon examination, it was a communication letter between Mount Ooe and the Fujiwara Clan. After all, in places like Mount Ooe, aside from the rare few Archdemons like Shuten and Ibaraki who could use special voice transmission orbs, most voice transmission orbs would fail to work.
However, since codenames were used, Rei didnât know the letter was sent by the Fujiwara Clan. However, she could read the contents inscribed within.
Rei said, âYour Majesty, you just lost a powerful subordinate. At the same time, you are also dealing with the pincer attack from Sunoâs demon fox and the Imperial Army. Iâm afraid that youâre not in a good situation, arenât you? Could it be that you plan to indulge in yourself and completely ignore your territory in Tanba? Even if they couldnât conquer Mount Ooe, by then, Iâm afraid most of the territory in Tanba will fall into the hands of the Empire and Tamamo-no-Mae. Once Tamamo-no-Mae has established himself in Tanba, Iâm afraid sheâll be a much tougher enemy than the Empire, no?â
âB̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲! How did this letter fall into her hands?â Ibaraki didnât expect it to happen.
Shuten laughed. âThe Empire and Tamamo-no-Mae. Even if they come together, Iâm not afraid! Besides, based on your strength alone, what can you change?â
âYour Majesty, you are wrong. Firstly, based on my personal strength, Iâm comparable to any Demon Commander under you. Besides, Tanba is under your rule. Aside from demons, there are also numerous vagabond factions. Although they mightâve submitted to you, Iâm afraid youâll find it very hard to control them. If I were to lead these vagabonds on your behalf, wouldnât we have another powerful army?â
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âCan you lead the vagabonds?â Shutenâs eyes lit up. No matter what, he knew having an Archdemon leading the vagabonds would not cultivate any loyalty. Moreover, Archdemons didnât know how to lead humans into battle and couldnât fully utilize the combat strength of the vagabonds.
âYour Majesty, when it comes to leading and training human soldiers. Iâm afraid thereâs no one else comparable to me in this place, no?â
âUesugi Rei, the so-called Land of Snowâs Goddess of War. I suppose youâre right.â Shuten said, âBut, I just donât understand, why would you want to serve me? Why betray the humans?â
âHehehehe!â Rei laughed uncontrollably. âYour Majesty, you think Iâm a kind person? Need I explain? Nobody would disregard their reputation and serve an Archdemon for no reason, no? However, I fell into your schemes and was forced to this place due to Minamoto no Kenkiâs lies. In desperation, Iâll naturally choose to live.â
âIf you become my woman, Iâll still let you live. And Iâll make you enjoy life.â Shuten said lecherously.
Rei grinned. âEven a three-year-old child in Heian-kyo knows how you treat women when youâre in a good mood. If thatâs the case, I might as well die straight away.â
âNo. Miss Uesugi, Youâre different. I can even make you my Demon Consort! In this place, Iâll grant you authority one step below my Demon Queen.â Shuten said.
âDemon Consort? If I may ask, your Majesty, whoâs the Demon Queen?â Uesugi Rei asked with a slight frown.
âThe position of Demon Queen is reserved for another woman1. Stop asking.â Shuten said.
âYour Majesty, I, Uesugi Rei, am not interested in worldly affairs and politics. My sights are set higher than all people in this world. Politics do not last long. Only strength remains eternal.â Rei looked up to the ceiling of the cave and continued, âI only care about my strength! I just want to ascend to the heavens! As for who I should offer my loyalty to, I donât care. It would be best if I can preserve my moral integrity. But if I canât, I choose to preserve my life.â
Rei added, âHowever⌠If you want me to have relationships with men, then my path of ascension will end! I, Uesugi Rei, will never accept any man. Absolutely not at all. Your Majesty, I only want to continue improving myself and preserve my dignity. Otherwise, whatâs the point of desiring strength as a woman if I have submitted myself like a weakling? If you really want to force me into doing those things, then I might as well die here and turn myself into an icicle. Iâd rather ruin myself, than to surrender myself to you as a woman!â
A bone-chilling intent that would damage the soul started manifesting around Rei.
She glanced at Shuten without any fear and worry. Her determination to die was obvious in her eyes.
Shuten had experience with countless women. He knew that Rei would definitely kill herself if he forced himself onto her. To deal with someone like her, he had to find the true weakness in her heart, which was anything but her life. Otherwise, it would be impossible to conquer this woman. And it wouldnât be fun.
This woman would immediately commit suicide the moment she was humiliated. That wasnât what Shuten wanted.
âYour Majesty!â Seeing that Shuten was probably swayed, Rei stood up and said, âCould it be that your underlings have never considered the fact that if I became your subordinates, Iâll be much more valuable to you in light of the current situation?â
âYouâre probably exaggerating. Why donât you say what value you have?â Ibaraki Doji asked.
âMy Uesugi family is an important force under the Minamoto Clan, which is one of the pillars of the Empire. What if I lead the vagabonds and disguise as Imperial soldiers, and assault the demon fox army from Suno from the flank? What will happen by then?â Reiâs eyes glistened under her silver hair.
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Ibaraki also realized something after hearing those words and looked at Shuten. âYour Majesty, this woman means toâŚâ
If an important subordinate under the Minamoto Clan attacked Tamamo-no-Maeâs army, this would shatter the relationship between the Empire and the already paranoid Tamamo-no-Mae, and nullify the threat of the pincer attack on Tanba! Shuten Doji naturally knew it as well.
Shuten reevaluated Rei and couldnât help but think, âHehehe, Uesugi Rei, I thought the woman I desired the most within the Heian Dynasty is Kagami Lily. However, it seems like youâre quite interesting too. First of all, using you to stop one of them will alleviate my troubles. Secondly, this will ruin the trust between the humans and the demon foxes! As expected of the Land of Snowâs Goddess of War. I almost got tempted by your long legs and big breasts. You, woman, are both beautiful and intelligent! Based on strategy alone, youâre much smarter than Kagami Lily!â
Shutenâs gaze became complex and unreadable.
He stood up and indulged in alcohol. âUesugi Rei, your plan is definitely great! And your reasoning, although itâs nothing deep, itâs selfish and pragmatic! You act more like a demon. Iâm impressed! Iâll give you an exception. You have the right to negotiate with me. However, how can I be sure that you wonât betray me the moment you leave me?â
âYour Majesty, if there comes a day where Iâve accomplished great feats, please grant me the Blood Spirit Magatama. Thatâs a critical item for my path of ascension!â Uesugi Rei knelt down on one knee and said.
âHmmph. Why are there always women who want to work with me for my Blood Spirit Magatama? The Blood Spirit Magatama is very valuable. We can talk about that later. It depends on what merits you earn!â
âIâm not in a hurry anyway.â Rei replied.
âHowever, I canât trust you completely based on that alone.â A purple vial appeared in Shutenâs hand and he tossed it to her. âThis is a very common item. Iâm sure you understand what this is. Once you drink it, youâll have to retrieve the antidote from me once a month and youâll be fine. But if you betray me, then based on your intelligent mind, Iâm sure I donât need to tell you what will happen to you after a month, yes2?â
References
Robinxen: Fascinating⌠I wonder who that could be.Robinxen: How will this one be overturned, find out next week!