Chapter 112: Plotting Against the Japanese Underworld

"Hehe, you are quite bold. Aren't you afraid that loose lips might bring trouble?" Akiko pursed her lips and smiled.

Zhang Kai replied, "Oh? Is it a crime to express my admiration for a beautiful woman I like?"

Akiko said, "Whether it's a crime depends on how my Great King judges it. After all, I am merely a concubine."

"It doesn't matter. It is you I like, and that has nothing to do with your so-called Great King."

"Are you sure?"

Just then, a voice rang out, and a phantom figure materialized out of thin air. It solidified into an old demon with bull horns on its head, covered in coarse hair, and possessing a hulking build.

Zhang Kai recognized it instantly as a projected avatar, a high-level technique. He hadn't expected to encounter such a demon in Japan.

"I am sure. Everyone feels admiration; is it forbidden to express such natural beauty? What does the Great King think?" Zhang Kai looked at the single-horned demon.

The old demon grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellowed teeth.

"You are a man from the Heavenly Dynasty. I have always admired the scholars of your land. If you can discuss literature and philosophy with me and convince me, then whatever you say goes, and you may do as you please." The old demon smiled, showing no signs of anger.

Zhang Kai asked, "Really?"

"My word is as heavy as a mountain."

Zhang Kai lunged forward and threw a punch, slamming it directly into the old demon's face.

The force behind the blow was terrifyingly powerful, shattering the old demon's face instantly. Its body dissipated into nothingness, leaving only a single hair drifting to the ground.

Akiko: "???"

The other attendants: "..."

Zhang Kai blew on his fist and chuckled, "We scholars of the Heavenly Dynasty prefer to reason with people. You really walked right into that one, didn't you?"

"Who, who exactly are you?" Akiko was no ordinary demon. Seeing her Great King obliterated by a single punch left her trembling with fear and anxiety.

Zhang Kai smiled. "Miss Akiko, that question is redundant. As the saying goes, 'A lonely shadow on a cold river, an old friend in the world of martial arts—why must we have known each other before to meet?' Let us enjoy ourselves, and when we are satisfied, we shall go our separate ways. That is life."

Akiko fell silent. She realized she had encountered a powerhouse—a perverse and ruthless one at that.

Facing such a terrifying individual, submission was the only path to survival. Akiko pursed her lips into a smile, leaned her supple body against Zhang Kai, wrapped her arms around his neck, and cooed, "Then, sir, I hope you will be gentle."

Zhang Kai laughed heartily, squeezed her, and said, "Don't worry, in my great Heavenly Dynasty, we are known for cherishing the fair and tender. Now, come, let us talk about the local customs of this place."

Akiko paused, then said, "The Underworld is all the same; it's desolate everywhere. It's not as fun as the mortal realm, but unfortunately, we cannot go there anymore."

"Oh? Have you been restricted too?"

Akiko sighed, "You are powerful, sir, but we started avoiding disaster hundreds of years ago. Anyone who couldn't resist and went to the mortal realm never returned."

"Then who is in charge here? How many experts are there?" Zhang Kai inquired.

"The Underworld is, of course, ruled by the netherworld authorities, with the Yama King as the master. However, the Underworld is not solely his domain; there are many factions. My Great King, along with the Tengu, Yuki-onna, Matara, Shuten-dōji, Tamamo-no-Mae, and others, are all renowned great demons who rule their own territories, lawless and untamed." Akiko answered everything without hesitation.

Zhang Kai said, "I have been to the Underworld in the East, and I found it quite different from here. Besides not being able to enter the mortal realm, are there no other restrictions?"

"Is the Eastern cultivation world heavily restricted?" Akiko blinked her large eyes, looking amazed.

Zhang Kai laughed, "Of course. For example, our immortals used to be able to roam freely, but not anymore. In the past, a single spell could move mountains, drain seas, cover the sky, shatter the earth, or reverse time. Now, we can barely destroy an island or trigger a tsunami. The heavens have stripped the immortals of the capital to be arrogant."

Akiko: "???"

*Are you teasing me?* Even before the restrictions, immortals weren't as legendary as you describe. *Reversing time? Keep on dreaming.*

"What? You don't believe me?" Zhang Kai asked.

Akiko said, "How could that be? The Japanese demon realm has always admired the Eastern cultivation world. The legendary gods and Buddhas are our idols. I even went to the Heavenly Dynasty to study once, but alas, I was too plain for anyone to notice."

Zhang Kai smiled, "It's fine. I can teach you."

Akiko's eyes lit up. Although he liked to boast, he clearly possessed real power. If he could teach her a few spells, that would be a pleasant surprise.

"Really? Thank you so much, sir. You are such a kind person."

"Hahahaha, indeed. Since you are so obedient, let me tell you this: my ancestors once studied Japanese cultivation and summarized a set of 'Japanese Cultivation Arts.' Although they are not top-tier, they should be quite good for you." Zhang Kai smiled.

Akiko grew even more excited. A cultivation method tailored to Japan would be perfect.

"Sir, what must I do to receive your teachings?" Akiko looked at Zhang Kai with longing and shy anticipation.

Zhang Kai said, "You can try out your techniques. Didn't you say you were very skilled at 'sucking'? Let me see."

Akiko cast a shy glance at Zhang Kai and obediently lowered her head.

*Hiss!*

That was incredibly cold, and it even split in two.

After playing in the palanquin for over half an hour, they finally arrived. Zhang Kai stepped out and saw a complex of buildings in the style of the Japanese Warring States period. He stood before the gate of a building resembling a brothel.

"Sir, this is my residence. Here, you will surely receive treatment fit for an immortal." Akiko followed behind him.

Zhang Kai smiled, "Then I shall stay here for a while. As I said, I will teach you the 'Eight Slashes of Heaven and Earth,' the ultimate martial art summarized by my elders. But you must follow my requirements. From today on, you are the seventeenth-generation successor of the Absolute Killing Path. I have two other disciples in Japan; once the restrictions are lifted, you must help me mentor them. In the future, don't refer to yourself as a demon or monster. You are a person of heritage. If you do well, I may teach you the path to immortality."

Akiko said excitedly, "Thank you, sir! Rest assured, your disciples are my disciples, and I will treat them well."

"Hahahaha, good. You have a keen eye, and I like that. Let's go; I'm tired. Help me loosen my muscles." Zhang Kai walked into the brothel with a smile.

Akiko followed, eager and compliant. At this moment, she had become Zhang Kai's first pawn in Japan, a piece he would find many uses for in the future.

As Zhang Kai entered, many demons lurking nearby watched him, then quietly retreated. Zhang Kai's single punch that shattered the Great King had already shocked the entire region. After all, the Japanese Underworld was no match for the Eastern netherworld—the difference was that of a vast ocean versus a small pond. In a small pond, any disturbance would quickly be known to all the loaches in the mud.