#90Chapter 90: Taishan Mansion Lord Ceremony (4K third update, 10,000 words today, please subscribe)AI Model: gemini-2.5-flash
[Your actions have been appreciated by the plot character Kenjaku, your reputation with Kenjaku has increased]
[Current: Indifferent (78/100)]
Tsk, Bai Cangshu curled his lip, feeling much disdain for this 'thousand-year old schemer' hiding in the body of Yosuke Itadori.
The opponent is indeed a powerful Jujutsu Sorcerer, one who has abandoned human reason and ethics, even capable of actions such as occupying a woman's body, finding Ryomen Sukuna's reincarnated twin brother, Jin Itadori, marrying him, and giving birth to Yuji Itadori, a vessel specifically prepared for Ryomen Sukuna.
From a certain perspective, he is sufficiently insane, a powerful Jujutsu Sorcerer with enough 'emotion'.
But on the other hand, Kenjaku is far less straightforward than Ryomen Sukuna and Gojo Satoru.
Whether it is Ryomen Sukuna or Gojo Satoru, they have always firmly believed that they are the strongest; that invincible belief is complementary to their own strength.
For Jujutsu Sorcerers, that strong emotion of [Throughout Heaven and Earth, I Alone Am the Honored One] is precisely the reason these two reached the peak of strength.
Kenjaku is clearly lacking in this regard.
He has fear, he has worry, he has... a psychology of seeking advantage and avoiding harm.
Even with a thousand years of planning and mastering knowledge and techniques far beyond ordinary sorcerers, he still chose to hide behind the scenes, in someone's shadow, when facing Jujutsu Sorcerers from a thousand years later.
Even when facing a junior like himself, he still plays these deceptive tricks.
Bai Cangshu raised his head, confirming that judging solely by his aptitude within the rather 'subjective' system of Jujutsu Sorcerers, he was superior to the opponent, even if... he, an outsider Reincarnator, didn't even know if he was qualified to use an Innate Technique.
In the power system of [Jujutsu Kaisen], a very important point is that almost everyone's Technique is actually an Innate Technique, an ability they are born with.
But being born with it doesn't mean you can use it.
Even possessing Cursed Energy that allows one to see Cursed Spirits, and possessing an Innate Technique, the structure of the brain determines whether one can use the Innate Technique.
It can be said that this is a very special setting in this world, which is that these natural Jujutsu Sorcerers are indeed similar to two different species compared to ordinary humans.
There is an essential difference in brain structure.
It's like mutants and ordinary people in the world of American comics.
This makes Xia Youjie's 'monkey theory' indeed possess a slight degree of persuasiveness.
"Now, do you know who is leading the remaining forces of the Jujutsu world, attempting a final struggle?"
Bai Cangshu thought for a moment; Gojo Satoru is dead, and the Jujutsu world forces within Tokyo have been almost completely eradicated. What remains is nothing more than the group in Kyoto.
Whether it is the Kyoto Jujutsu High or the ancient noble families rooted in Kyoto that have existed for hundreds of years.
As Bai Cangshu thought of this, his eyes became strange; in his backpack, that special crest was still present.
[Crest · Shinto], in addition to increasing Mental and Energy attributes by 1 point each, also has the effect of increasing additional Shinto reputation.
In the Demon Slayer World, he had gained considerable reputation within the hidden faction Shinto and among the ancient Onmyoji noble families like the Tsuchimikado.
Bai Cangshu was very curious about how those old stubborn individuals in Kyoto would view him if he were to take out that crest now.
"Is it that group in Kyoto?"
Kenjaku nodded and added,
"To be precise, it is the so-called Star Religious Group led by Xia Youjie, organizing those who have survived, dreaming of nuking Tokyo to exorcise the spiritual disaster."
"But many people know that after that nuclear explosion, a new Special Grade Cursed Spirit will definitely be born, one far more powerful than a typical Special Grade."
"A Cursed Spirit based on this country's fear of nuclear explosions, which has been unable to dissipate for decades."
[You have triggered a side quest: Stop the Nuclear Explosion]
[Quest Description: The Japanese high command has decided to bomb Tokyo with a nuclear missile, but Kenjaku deems this ineffective and believes it will cause other negative consequences. Prevent the nuclear explosion from happening]
[Quest Reward: c-rank special point*1, 3000 dimensional points]
Bai Cangshu saw the triggered quest; both the reward and the quest content were quite normal.
But one thing was not logically sound.
For Kenjaku, whether a nuclear explosion occurs or not, and even whether the 'Nuclear Explosion Cursed Spirit' is born, actually has nothing to do with him.
The absolute predicament on this land right now is only one: [Silent Capital · Tokyo].
Within that area, once the most prosperous in Asia, terrifying Cursed Spirits are being born that have never been seen before, and there is also a terrifying Reincarnator hiding behind the scenes who caused all these events to happen.
Kenjaku, Xia Youjie, and all other surviving figures in the Jujutsu world, regardless of their previous stances, should now only be considering this enemy.
Bai Cangshu did not point this out; he nodded and accepted the quest, then proposed that Yuji Itadori drive him to Kyoto.
"Yuji is still young, he's too inexperienced for that kind of long trip. I'll arrange for someone else to take you."
As expected, Kenjaku refused this request and proactively arranged for a man to take Bai Cangshu.
Bai Cangshu and Kenjaku exchanged glances, both with smiles in their eyes, seemingly having seen through each other's intentions.
Then, Bai Cangshu casually wiggled his finger and turned to leave.
He had already understood Kenjaku's purpose.
This quest to stop the nuclear explosion was, in essence, meant to send him to Kyoto, to the front line facing the spiritual disaster.
Whether he successfully prevented the nuclear explosion or was captured by Xia Youjie, it would make him come into contact with the faction fighting against the Curse Spirit King.
Bai Cangshu speculated that perhaps the main storyline of this world revolves around Xia Youjie and the Cursed Spirit Gojo Satoru, and the forces of various hidden factions would ultimately mix their strength into these two sides in some form.
"Hello, Mr. Tao Bai Bai, I am Shi Yu, here to take you to Kyoto."
Waiting downstairs for Bai Cangshu was a man in a black suit with Short Hair and a calm expression.
He was driving a black Honda sedan and invited Bai Cangshu to get in.
When Bai Cangshu heard the name Shi Yu, combined with some clues from the plot, he became even more certain of his previous speculation.
Shi Yu was a very 'coincidental' character; he first acted as an intermediary for the Star Religious Group, contacting Toji Fushiguro to assassinate the [Star Plasma Vessel] Riko Amanai, which led to Gojo Satoru's first death and awakening.
Then, after Xia Youjie defected, he helped Xia Youjie violently integrate the Star Religious Group and become its leader.
He even showed signs of attempting to have Gojo Satoru assassinated when Gojo Satoru was young.
This guy is basically openly Kenjaku's man, and his appearance at this time just proves it.
Furthermore, it also confirms from another perspective that Xia Youjie is still under Kenjaku's control.
What Xia Youjie wants to do, or is passively made to do, now is Kenjaku's will.
"Tsk, does the esteemed Lord Kenjaku not have a Cursed Spirit that can directly fly me to Kyoto, instead needing a monkey like you to use the primitive method of driving?"
Bai Cangshu sat in the back seat, his lips curled, deliberately provoking Shi Yu.
But Shi Yu merely smiled indifferently, started the car, and drove off.
Bai Cangshu observed the contraction frequency of Shi Yu's heart and lungs and the rhythm of his pulse; the other party was indeed not affected at all by this verbal provocation.
This guy is a smart person.
But... I don't like this kind of smart person.
Shi Yu suddenly felt a chill from behind; he subconsciously tensed his back and looked in the rearview mirror, only to see that Tao Bai Bai was staring at him intently.
That gaze made his hostility completely undisguised.
This guy... might actually be a lunatic.
Shi Yu had traveled between the surface and hidden worlds and had done many things that could not see the light of day, so he had naturally come into contact with all sorts of people, whether killers or Jujutsu Sorcerers, and few were mentally stable normal people.
But this Tao Bai Bai still made him feel somewhat overly dangerous.
The other party's gaze and thoughts were unrestrained; he neither feared the power of that great lord in the hidden world nor seemed to fear the laws of the surface world.
Due to the drastic changes in Tokyo, the Japanese people were panicking, and large areas of the streets appeared quite desolate.
The rich had long since fled to other countries, and most of those who remained in Japan had also fled to the farthest ends from Tokyo.
The car sped along, and in a state of inexplicable tension, Shi Yu took just over three hours to deliver Bai Cangshu into Kyoto territory.
Bai Cangshu suddenly shattered the side window, leaned out, and felt the gusting wind in the vehicle traveling at nearly 140 kilometers per hour.
He saw that familiar yet unfamiliar scenery again.
The Kyoto of the Jujutsu world was much more prosperous than that of the Taisho era.
Beyond the cover of ancient Shrines, there were also steel and concrete skyscrapers.
"Shi Yu, you know, I've always had pretty bad luck."
Inside the car, Shi Yu could only vaguely hear what the lunatic was saying outside the car, but he couldn't help but be distracted and glance behind the car.
That lunatic had almost his entire body sticking out of the car; at this speed, if he were to have a car accident, the other party would definitely turn into a puddle of flesh.
Bai Cangshu didn't feel any danger; on the contrary, he enjoyed the thrill.
He held up his left hand; the curse mark left by Inari God was particularly conspicuous in the sunlight.
"So, Shi Yu, be careful when you act with me, Hey"
Bang!
The car body violently shook, and Shi Yu instantly felt a leak from the car; he subconsciously slammed on the brakes and looked back to see what the lunatic was doing now, but the other party was already getting further and further out of sight.
That lunatic actually jumped out of a car traveling at 140 kilometers per hour?!
"You..."
Before Shi Yu could curse, a huge shadow suddenly enveloped him; he looked up and instantly felt a chill all over, his spine aching as if pricked by needles.
A giant Cursed Spirit descended from the sky.
Boom!
The vehicle crashed into the Cursed Spirit's body, twisting and then exploding.
Shi Yu managed to push open the car door and jump out at the last moment, but the strong inertia sent him tumbling wildly on the road, instantly breaking several bones, and his muscles were also extensively bruised.
"Mr. Shi Yu, you really are unlucky."
The curse brought by [Secret Rite: Inari God's Strike] would cause Bai Cangshu to suffer additional malice; even walking on the street normally, people would look at him with displeasure and provoke him.
Much less in this world with many Cursed Spirits.
Bai Cangshu placed himself outside the car; the high-speed vehicle was like a constantly moving signboard attracting jealousy, and encountering a Cursed Spirit attack was the likely outcome.
Shi Yu tried to get up from the ground, but amidst the roar of the Cursed Spirit, he could only slightly turn his head to look at the lunatic.
He didn't understand at all; he had followed orders, intending to take the other party near the Star Religious Group's territory, with no arrangements specifically targeting the other party.
Why would the other party suddenly do such a thing?
Bai Cangshu did not look at the massive bird-like Cursed Spirit; its huge beak and rather bloated body made this Cursed Spirit not very agile.
He walked directly towards Shi Yu.
The Cursed Spirit suddenly raised its head and pecked down.
Chirp!
The sound of a lightning flash rang out; Bai Cangshu instantly moved at high speed, arriving beside Shi Yu, and with a single hand, grabbed this 'black glove' who had done quite a few things.
"I just don't like a smart person following me."
Yes, Bai Cangshu did not intend to follow Kenjaku's wishes and join Xia Youjie's side; whether a nuclear explosion occurred or not had nothing to do with the main quest.
Or rather, if stopping the nuclear explosion was necessary, then with so many Reincarnators in this world, someone would naturally carry out this 'simple' quest.
What Bai Cangshu wanted to do was truly touch and understand the core essence of this main quest - the spiritual disaster!
The fundamental nature of the ability that caused Gojo Satoru's demise and turned Tokyo into the [Silent Capital].
And the answer to this question was probably best understood by the noble families and religious figures in Kyoto who had also been passed down from the Heian Era or even earlier.
And by doing so, Bai Cangshu naturally did not want a troublesome person like Shi Yu following him or being behind him.
The Cursed Spirit pulled out its beak, leaving a meter-deep pit in the solid concrete road.
Bai Cangshu held Shi Yu by the neck, and his hand suddenly exerted force.
Crack.
The clear sound of a throat being squeezed and crushed rang out; Shi Yu twitched weakly twice, then fell silent.
[You have killed Shi Yu, gaining 50 dimensional points]
[Milestone: Killer progress updated, Current: 19/1000]
Bai Cangshu grabbed Shi Yu, tossed him high into the air, then turned and jumped off the highway, sprinting towards a distant Shrine.
The bird-shaped Cursed Spirit raised its head, swallowed Shi Yu's corpse, and by the time it looked for Bai Cangshu again, Bai Cangshu had already sprinted two kilometers away.
...
After several hundred years, Bai Cangshu stood beneath the mountain gate of the [Fushimi Inari Shrine] again; this Shrine in this era had much more worldly energy.
Unlike in the Taisho era when it lost trust and favor due to Kibutsuji Muzan, the Fushimi Inari Shrine in this era had even become a famous tourist spot.
While being worshipped, shallow believers and those who simply came for curiosity would also come to add some incense.
Bai Cangshu quickly ascended the mountain path formed by thousands of torii gates; he didn't know if it was his illusion, but upon arriving at this Shrine, he could feel the curse mark on his left hand emitting a faint light.
Kyoto was also affected by the fall of Tokyo; there were very few people in the Shrine at this time, not even many Shinto Priests.
Bai Cangshu came to the courtyard in the middle of the Shrine and saw an Old Man dressed in a Shinto Priest robe, diligently sweeping Hongye.
He turned around, and the moment he saw Bai Cangshu, he suddenly stiffened.
"You are..."
Bai Cangshu deliberately held the crest and spoke,
"I have some matters I would like to inquire about with the Shinto Priest, I wonder if he is available?"
The Old Man bowed respectfully.
"Is the God's Messenger asking about the matter of the [Lord Taishan]?"
Bai Cangshu frowned, [Lord Taishan]?