865——————==

True Martial Home

Miyamoto Musashi headed to Honganji. To be precise, it was Higashi Honganji, the location hinted at by Fuma Kotaro. This place was situated to the east of the divided Honganji, established in opposition to the western Honganji known as Nishi Honganji.

The reason for its establishment was during a chaotic time when the formidable Oda Nobunaga, known as the Six-Headed Demon King, shattered the Honganji forces and, after the death of the previous head priest, Honganji Kenyo, the powers of his sons, Kyonyo and Junyo, split apart. The largest Buddhist faction in Dongyoung was split due to a rivalry between the two sons.

Step sound

Miyamoto Musashi stood in silence on a hill overlooking Honganji and softly spoke.

“Where is that Honganji Jounoshin guy?”

In the darkness, Fuma Kotaro chuckled and replied.

“I’ve already sent a letter. You need to go to a small temple behind Higashi Honganji at midnight tonight.”

Fuma Kotaro had completed his reconnaissance mission and followed Musashi. While he couldn’t grasp Tokugawa Ieyasu’s true intentions, it was enough to know he had a good relationship with Yododono and Hideyori. Curious about Musashi’s actions, Fuma Kotaro decided to assist him.

That night at midnight.

Musashi restored his strength and headed to the meeting spot. There, with his back to the door, a monk was chanting before a Buddha statue inside the small temple.

Mmm…

Is that chanting?

It sounded less like chanting and more like a beast’s howl.

As Musashi opened the door and stood in silence, the monk slowly rose and spoke.

[Are you the warrior who wanted to see me?]

It felt less like words and more like a resonance.

Swish

“……!!”

In that moment, Musashi instinctively drew his sword.

A monster!!

The monk’s face was not human. It resembled a ghastly spirit, something beyond mere evil—an abominable form. Even Musashi, known for his killer instincts, was taken aback by such a horrific appearance; any ordinary human would surely faint or lose their mind upon seeing that face.

Finally, Musashi collected himself and replied.

“Indeed. Are you Honganji Jounoshin?”

[I am Jounoshin.]

“My name is Miyamoto Musashi. I have but one question for you.”

[…….]

“Do you know the Lunar Kill Technique?”

Honganji Jounoshin remained silent, standing still. Then he spoke.

[That’s a word I’ve seen in ancient texts….]

Found it!

Finally, I’ve stumbled upon a clue regarding the Lunar Kill Technique!

Honganji Jounoshin gestured to Musashi.

[Follow me, mask-wearing warrior!]

“Mask-wearing?”

[Those like you are referred to as having the talent of a demon mask….]

Musashi understood that his opponent before him couldn’t physically match him. Yet strangely, he didn’t feel the urge to kill this figure. It was evident that the opponent held a clue to the Lunar Kill Technique and possessed vast knowledge and wisdom.

The two exited the narrow temple, now standing in front of Higashi Honganji. This enormous temple was recognized as the most massive structure in Dongyoung and was a pride of the Shinshu Otani Sect.

Moments later, as Jounoshin recited an incantation, the empty space began to ripple like water.

Ripple…

As Jounoshin stepped into the rippling void, he mysteriously vanished into the seemingly vacant spot. Even though there was no side entrance at Higashi Honganji, he had disappeared like a ghost! Musashi, bewildered by this bizarre sight, eventually realized it was a type of sorcery and followed him inside.

Sure enough, the interior of the space appeared not as a temple but rather as part of an enormous library. Mountains of gigantic tomes extended to the horizon! Having never seen such a massive collection of books before, Musashi looked around in astonishment while Jounoshin sat atop the mountain of books, resting his chin on his hand.

[Miyamoto Musashi…. I can tell you about the Lunar Kill Technique. But what will you give me in return?]

“Return?”

Creak, creak, creak

As he raised his hand, arcane scriptures moved as if alive on the monster’s fingers. He was a formidable sorcerer and a demon sorcerer at that.

[I am the true dark head of the Shinshu Otani Sect. Aside from Abe no Seimei, I am the closest to the world’s darkness…. So what will you offer me?]

“What about Honganji Kenyo and Kyonyo?”

[…They are nothing but humans.]

“Then does that mean you are not human?”

[Indeed. I am a hybrid of a god and a human.]

In that moment, glowing light gleamed in Honganji Jounoshin’s eyes.

[The previous head priest, Honganji Kenyo, summoned a dark presence from another dimension when things turned dire during his war against Oda Nobunaga, the Six-Headed Demon King, and mingled his blood with that of his woman…. Thus, I am a semi-divine being.]

“…….”

[You seem unfazed…. You have likely encountered the world’s darkness before. That’s why you have been searching for the Lunar Kill Technique, right?]

“What I want to know is whether the Lunar Kill Technique truly holds the power to slay gods.”

[You are hasty. There’s no reason for me to divulge that before receiving my payment!]

“What is it that you desire?”

In response to Musashi’s inquiry, Honganji Jounoshin stated.

[I want half of your lifespan.]

“…….”

[Ordinary human lifespans hold no value, but you, with the talent of a mask-wearing warrior…. You possess boundless potential and fortune. That seems a worthy price for a bargain.]

Half of my lifespan?

Miyamoto Musashi pondered for a moment.

‘My lifespan….’

He hadn’t given much thought to living a long life. He didn’t even know why he was born into this world. He’d only grown stronger because he could, living as life came. It was possible that his reckless plan to storm Tokugawa Ieyasu’s main base stemmed from his lack of attachment to life. But eventually, Miyamoto Musashi spoke.

“I won’t give it.”

He simply didn’t want to make a deal with a sorcerer. Once he decided against something, he found it hard to change his mind.

[Oh…. You will forever remain unaware of the Lunar Kill Technique? Just so you know, this knowledge has been hidden in the depths of darkness, and even Abe no Seimei wouldn’t know it. You will regret rejecting my offer.]

“Regret….”

Blood-red rage radiated in Musashi’s eyes. Thoughts of killing Jounoshin and seizing information flooded his mind.

“Won’t I feel it after you die?”

Phew!

In that instant, Musashi leaped forward and attempted to behead Honganji Jounoshin. However, the moment he thought he’d cut off his head, Jounoshin’s entire body transformed into paper, and two colossal demons emerged from each side.

Boom!

[Foolish wretch…. I had already prepared for this with Origami sorcery. Zenki, Goki! Eliminate him!]

Six demon entities, with serpent and giant toad forms, lunged at Musashi simultaneously. As Zenki, the serpent, coiled around Musashi, he tried to slash at its neck, but it was too hard to cut through.

Ting!

“……!!”

Incredible hardness!

Facing a summoned beast for the first time, Musashi found himself flustered.

‘Is my sword technique ineffective? In that case, I’ll just ramp up my strength….’

Fwoosh!

At that moment, Goki, the toad-like creature, unleashed a massive fan-shaped flame from its mouth. Musashi managed to roll away just in time but felt the terrifying power behind it. Having never imagined sorcerers could be this strong, he became dizzy but soon focused and began to fight calmly.

‘Here I go!’

Piying!

With the momentum of the Unity of Body and Sword, Musashi soared and thrust at the serpent’s uvula. He sensed that was where its weak point lay.

Meanwhile, from somewhere in the shadows, Jounoshin laughed at him.

[Hahaha!! You think you can defeat my summoned beast with a sword that doesn’t even ensnare my magic? Well… not!]

Boom!

[That’s… Sword Qi.]

As Musashi’s thrust shattered the serpent’s head, Jounoshin muttered in shock. The shattered head soon turned into paper and scattered away. Zenki and Goki were from the same Origami magic.

Sword Qi!!

Proof of a Peak Expert!

Indeed, before true power, even the strongest summons couldn’t stand a chance and would retreat. Because it was an embodiment of a high-level Mind Control Technique.

However, on this land of Dongyoung, there were hardly ten who could wield such power, and only a few top-tier swordsmen possessed even a rudimentary level. Could this kid have achieved that transcendent realm despite living his life solely for the sword?

Pff!

As Musashi charged toward Goki again, that creature faltered and fell. Musashi then caught a flash of Jounoshin’s hiding spot and glared intensely at it. Feeling his concealment noticed, Jounoshin hurriedly revealed himself and said.

[Very well. Musashi. Your skills are impressive. How about this then?]

Step

Musashi began to step closer. Jounoshin desperately pleaded.

[Half of your lifespan is a fair deal. Just hand over the book containing the Lunar Kill Technique and retreat. I no longer wish to fight you.]

Musashi scoffed at that.

“You expect me to believe such a claim when we were just moments away from killing each other?”

[It’s true. I’ll give it to you right away.]

Whirling

Jounoshin used telekinesis to throw five tomes towards Musashi. As Musashi deftly balanced the five books on his blade, Jounoshin couldn’t help but admire that divine skill. Despite his young appearance, Musashi had clearly surpassed the level of an expert.

[…The five tomes are interconnected. Their origin lies in Goryeo, authored by a man named Bi-ryu, who was the half-brother of Onjo.]

Jounoshin, aware that he had stepped into Musashi’s range of attack, urgently began spilling information to divert his attention.

“Goryeo? What’s that?”

[Thousands of years ago, it was an ancient nation located on the peninsula where present-day Goryeo lies. Back then, the peninsula was divided into three powers during the Three Kingdoms Period of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla, and Bi-ryu was the founder of Baekje.]

“…….”

[It is said that Bi-ryu was a divine being who descended from heaven. He briefly crossed over to Dongyoung and mingled with the divine beings known as Kotoamatsukami, passing these five tomes to them.]

“How did you come to possess such books?”

[Are you familiar with Emperor Godaigo? When he declared Kenmu Restoration, chaos erupted, resulting in the imperial palace being destroyed, and the darkness and treasures contained therein were scattered across various locations. Most of them ended up right here, in the Shinshu Otani Sect’s library of shadows.]

“…….”

Godaigo Restoration.

Upon hearing that term, Miyamoto Musashi recalled the scene he had witnessed long ago.

The day he offered sake and offerings to the sacred tree— the day his father died.

Back then, he distinctly remembered seeing the red inscription of Kenmu Restoration behind the sacred tree. No, not just that time.

The three shrines where his father performed human sacrifices had all carried the inscription of Kenmu Restoration. Musashi’s curiosity spiked, leading him to ask.

“What kind of being was Emperor Godaigo?”

[He was the emperor who fought to protect the imperial authority against Ashikaga Takauji, the founder of the Muromachi Shogunate. During his last battle, he held the three divine tools, and while he deceived Takauji with a fake, he secretly kept the real ones for himself, splitting the world between the North and South dynasties.]

After saying that much, Jounoshin paused for a breath before continuing.

[Emperor Godaigo’s true three divine tools are said to be with the current imperial residence. However, they’ve actually crossed over to Goryeo. It’s because the divine tools were seized from Emperor Godaigo.]

“There are divine tools in Goryeo?”

[Indeed. One day, in a bold move, a divine being from Goryeo invaded Emperor Godaigo’s palace and seized all the divine tools. The emperor, hardly able to uphold his era with the divine power of the divine tools, panicked and made a grave mistake… he chose to borrow the sealed power of Amatsukami.]

“…….”

[With the awakening of Amatsukami and the world sinking into chaos, dark seals began to etch themselves across the world, while a ‘gate’ was created facilitating the descent of old entities and dark deities into this realm. Dimension Doors also appeared… Somehow, the tumult of that era was eventually calmed, but the world plunged deeper into chaos.]

“Jounoshin, do you have any idea what’s going on?”

Musashi recounted his experience of the human sacrifice rituals he had undergone to Honganji Jounoshin. Speaking after hearing the full account, Honganji Jounoshin stated.

[Without a doubt, that shrine serves as a conduit for the divine summoning of Amatsukami established by Emperor Godaigo. Your father must have conducted those rites to unlock the knowledge of opening that gate.]

“Why were the words Kenmu Restoration engraved on that shrine?”

[That’s likely a symbol of the alliance, suggesting that should Amatsukami gain a mortal offering, he would wholeheartedly assist Emperor Godaigo’s rule.]

“…….”

[Are all your curiosities satisfied now?]

“Not quite yet. Does that five tomes truly contain martial techniques for slaying gods?”

[Not at all, I think….]

Jounoshin hesitated as he spoke.

[Those texts are called the Five Wheels of Heavenly Books. They record conversations between Bi-ryu of Baekje and the Kotoamatsukami, in which the term Lunar Kill Technique is mentioned, but it does not detail a technique for slaying gods….]

“Can I read them?”

[They were originally in ancient script, but I translated them myself since I have an interest in that book.]

“If I come across something I don’t understand, I’ll come back and ask.”

Swish!

[……!!]

In that instant, as Musashi swung his sword, the space itself split, and he nonchalantly slipped through.

Stepping outside, Musashi contemplated.

‘Why were the gods discussing the Lunar Kill Technique?’

Everything must lie within this Five Wheels of Heavenly Books.