Campione 06

by Flying Phoenix of Divine Mountain

  ...Suddenly, the [Boar]'s movements stopped, was it time already?"

  Godou took a deep breath, and surveyed the pitiful state of the ruins from behind the divine beast's back.

  Luo Hao was buried within the remains of the palace, but the overall shape was still there. The [Boar] should have continued wreaking destruction, but the fearsome divine beast was not moving.

  It was screaming at the rubble before its eyes, its ferocious teeth and snout aiming in that direction. As if preparing for a charge, its rear heels were kicking against the ground audibly.

  There was basically only one possible existence that could prevent this guy from beginning its task.

  That's right, things couldn't have ended so easily.

  If it was Salvatore Doni, then he could withstand that level of collapse using his steel body, and then cut open the mountain of debris with his crazy magic sword and escape. Voban would probably survive by transforming into that giant wolf.

  Thus Cult Leader Luo Hao's escape from her predicament was only expected -- !

  Though Godou was certain Luo Hao had broken free, he was still completely shocked by the following developments, for he never expected her to employ such a method.

  "Hah -- !"

  Luo Hao's beautiful voice was heard.

  The building materials of the palace ruins were being blown into the sky piece by piece.

  The one performing this task, was a rapidly spinning beauty. Maintaining a stance with both arms outstretched, the cult leader was spinning like a top! Not only that, this human top was sending the debris flying as it hovered in the air!

  Impossible! Godou stared in shock and was rendered speechless.

  An authority of monstrous strength, the flying magic witnessed in the sky just now, and a physical technique that allowed high speed spinning like a top.

  How did all this combine into such a strong body, that doesn't even lose to the hardness of timber and stone, this kind of technique should not exist!

  Completely different from the escape scenarios Godou considered, the sight before him totally exceeded common sense.

  Cult Leader Luo Hao was floating in the air as if hung by a stunt wire? Unbelievable.

  "King Kusanagi, I really have to praise you well! There are few in the world who can soil with dust the clothes of I, Luo Hao. You have achieved it -- hohoho, just like that Salvatore whatever, and the stubborn one from England. For there to be three devil kings able to accomplish this monumental feat within the past decade... As a senior along the path of domination, I am most pleased!"

  Stopping her spinning and hovering, the cult leader praised Godou as she landed upon the ruins.

  That's right, her white Han clothing was soiled with dust, but her slender body was virtually unharmed, and not even her hair was messed up.

  And using some kind of magic, her clothes instantly transformed. It was a robe reminiscent of the ladylike attire of enlightened female immortals[78], a luxurious outfit similar to a mandarin gown.[79] Though the opening at the chest offered a view of her jade-like skin, thoughts of desire did not enter Godou's mind.

  She was preparing to make her move, so she changed into more mobile clothes!

  "...I was originally planning on give you a three-move advantage."

  Smiling was the one named Cuilian with style name Hao.

  Innocently adorable, a very wonderful smile of a maiden. But as the thought of the extremely twisted personality of this stubborn person emerged turbulently in Godou's mind, staring at that facial expression like a blooming flower made him feel like vomiting.

  -- To be honest, he was certain even without proof.

  That innocent and adorable look was evidence that the cult leader was getting serious. No mistake about it!

  A Campione's sixth sense could feel danger, Godou was absolutely sure of that.

  "But I am not going to go easy any more, if I let you have two more moves, I might very well end up in defeat. So as your senior, I can only grant you the free move just now... Starting now, Luo Hao will go all out and show you the perils of martial arts."

  These words said in such an adorable, cautious and ladylike manner.

  Compared to the condescending tones before, the current Luo Hao was even more terrifying.

  "You have already witnessed my authority [Divine Might of Vajrapani]. Now I shall demonstrate the [Dragon's Roar and Tiger's Howl]. Thanks to these two grand techniques, I have become the Ruler of the Martial Realm."

  Cult Leader Luo Hao took a deep breath, and expelled it together with her beautiful voice.

  "Last year we fought where the Sang-kan flows / This year it was Onion River Road. We’ve washed our swords in the Eastern Sea / Grazed our horses on Tian Shan's snowy side. A thousand miles are not enough for this war / Our armies grow old in their armor."[80]

  It was a beautiful singing voice. However, everything in the cult leader's surroundings were blown away entirely.

  Debris, remains of the building, as well as intact palace walls and slabs of stone were blown away by the strong wind. Her song had turned into magical wind that obliterated everything in its path.

  "Husbandmen of slaughter, the Huns / Have sown the yellow desert with our bones. Long ago the Qin built the Great Wall / Now it’s the Han who light the signal beacon. All night long the flames flicker / Year in year out, the war lingers."

  Singing with great passion, the magical wind grew ever stronger, blowing things further and further away.

  There was nothing left in Cult Leader Luo Hao's vicinity, save for the gigantic [Boar].

  No! She can't be allowed to sing any longer!

  In the instant that realization struck Godou, the [Boar] charged at the cult leader.

  "Bright swords flash, brave men fall and die / Riderless horses whinny at the sky. Kites and crows pluck out the guts / Hang them high on the withered trees."

  The heavy pressure of the magical wind changed.

  The smooth ballad was like a lullaby to the [Boar]'s ears, and pressured by the wind fluctuation, the black divine beast halted in its steps. Luo Hao had suppressed the charge.

  To think that someone other than Perseus who possessed Mithra's light could subdue the [Boar] that never yielded to any other deity!

  "Soldiers' blood on the dry grass stained / While generals map the next campaign. Wise men know a war having won / Is no better than losing one."

  The heavy wind pressure became a shockwave.

  The [Boar]'s solidly built and giant body floated upwards for an instant, and then the follow up shockwave sent the off-balance divine beast flying off its feet.

  "Waaaaaaaah!"

  Godou lost his balance on the beast's back, and fell towards the ground.

  Though he had hit the ground a number of times just now, this time it was not one of Luo Hao's merciful throws. Fearing for his life if he hit the ground directly like that, Godou struggled to grab the black fur, and just barely made it.

  The moment of crisis was averted for now, but the divine beast was lying fallen on the ground, so falling off was just a matter of time.

  Using the [Boar]'s fur, Godou jumped and descended back onto the ground.

  Back on that nostalgic ground surface, Godou noticed. Luo Hao had stopped singing!?

  During this opening, the [Boar] started to get up.

  Ooooooooooh!

  Entering a battle state, the divine beast roared, but the serious Cult Leader Luo Hao was just beginning to show her true skills.

  "Glowing sun, brilliance of scorching lightning! Spirit of the heavens, spirit of the earth, Grand Supreme Elderly Lord[81], make haste as commanded!"

  She leisurely approached the giant pitch black body as she chanted the spell words.

  It wasn't magic but the use of her authority. As a Campione, Godou could tell, but which one was she going to use? The monstrous strength, or the song of the shockwave?

  ...Most likely the former, but Godou could not have expected the manner it would procee
d in.

  As magical power in Luo Hao's body continued to rise, it gave off a wavering image like a desert mirage.

  The [Boar] on the side, was struck by this illusionary body.

  Ooooooooooh!

  Unbelievably, she made the [Boar] cry, like a hurt little puppy running around in pain.

  And then once again, the boar was hit. Was that succinct motion what they called a middle punch in karate?

  The [Boar] roared once again. There was an effect, it received damage! Watching the illusion before his eyes, Godou was rendered speechless.

  This wavering illusion like a desert mirage, gradually took on a clear form --

  Transforming into a half-naked muscular giant.

  A very cleanly shaven head, solemn expression, giant bulging muscular body, the lower half was clad in rough clothes, while the entire body shone with golden light!

  Godou had seen this appearance in photographs.

  The Buddha Guardians at the southern gates of Toudai-ji[82]! Come to think of it, Luo Hao did mention it.

  Her monstrous strength authority was usurped from an Om pair of Benevolent Kings. Benevolent Kings are basically Buddha Guardians!

  "The swimming dragon rushes to the heavens, attack from close quarters, close in rapidly from the eight directions, spinning double kick!"

  As if teaching unarmed martial arts, Luo Hao was rapidly reciting mantras.

  In coordination, the Buddha Guardian that appeared before her also moved rapidly in response.

  An upper cut, at the same time stepping and kneeing, followed by a series of short punches, knee strike, middle punch, and then a spinning aerial kick, a two-hit combo without touching the ground!

  As swift and fluent as a fight scene from a kungfu movie. The one being hit was of course the [Boar].

  Oooooooooh! Oooooooooh! Oooooooooh!

  The divine beast's roars were akin to weeping cries.

  "That guy always sounded so dauntless when rampaging and showing off, but I never knew it sucked so much at taking hits..."

  Godou watched in shock, as the Buddha Guardian raised the giant body of the [Boar] up high.

  On one hand. What terrifying strength.

  Directly sending it into the sky, it was Luo Hao's throwing skill that Godou already tasted many times.

  So this Buddha Guardian could actually use the Luo Hao's martial arts...!?

  Godou's fears were confirmed, as the [Boar] fell with a resounding crash and ground tremor, the giant body of the black divine beast disappeared like a puff of smoke.

  "-- Now that your avatar has vanished, King Kusanagi, your person follows next."

  Luo Hao's intelligent pupils locked on to Godou.

  Finally realizing the state of emergency, Godou couldn't help but swallow hard...

  "G-Godou-san! Are you fine!?"

  The adorable Hime-Miko was yelling with all her strength.

  From Godou's side, Mariya suddenly appeared, carrying Hikari whose eyes looked empty. This was likely the mobility method called transfer.

  "Mariya! What happened to Hikari? Is she OK!?"

  "A-After using the ritual of the treasured sword, the monkey divine monarch used divine power on her... Though she is still conscious, she is in a dazzled state and unable to converse, I... I believed it was dangerous to continue staying in the stable, so I used spirit vision to find Godou-san's location and transferred here...!"

  This report shocked Godou, for he had completely forgotten about the monkey divine monarch. Furthermore, their most pressing concern now was the demonic cult leader whose slender and elegant brows were now frowning at the sudden intruders.

  "...To enter the battlefield between two devil kings, what impudent miko."

  Coordinating with her complaint, the giant Buddha Guardian raised his fist.

  Faced with challenge after challenge, Godou stepped in front to protect Yuri, whose face had turned pale, behind his back, and yelled:

  "Wait a minute! Are you planning to attack Mariya and me together!?"

  "If the frail little girl intruded into our duel, she must be prepared to sacrifice herself and die together with her lord. Then I, Luo Hao, must respect her act of loyalty. King Kusanagi, if you don't wish for the girl to die in battle, defeat my special move!"

  This woman was entirely incomprehensible! Watching the fist in the sky, Godou clutched his head in his arms.

  In actual fact, that would be the same punching impact as Luo Hao. If Godou cannot evade it, his outcome would be the same as the battle just now. What could he do? Sit there and die?

  "Also, I must make myself clear to the miko. Even if you wish to transfer your lord, it will be useless for it requires preparation beforehand and a clear and serene spirit. There is no time for you to transfer now, and you will be killed before you can escape."

  Due to Yuri's appearance, Luo Hao reminded solemnly.

  Godou could clearly feel the breathing of the Hime-Miko behind him pause because her thoughts were read.

  I see, if there was more time to prepare then transfer could be used to escape. Seeing the moving golden fist, Godou clenched his teeth in reluctance. Was it too late? --No!

  If this continued he would die, and the Mariya sisters behind his back will also die, they will definitely die.

  In the instant that the fist descended like lightning, thoughts rushed through Godou's mind like spinning revolving door.

  He had to put up some final resistance. He cannot die here for such a silly reason, and he definitely could not let Yuri and Hikari die along with him. How could he permit such things to occur!

  The fist must be blocked somehow. Should he use the [Raptor] after all? But Salvatore Doni was able to defeat it in the past. Will it be any use against Luo Hao? His right arm felt scorching hot, as if burning up. Where could he escape? How should he defend? Fight? When did his arm begin to get hot? No, let's put these questions aside, and consider how to escape certain death before them. Flee as much as possible with the [Raptor] --

  Time's up. Mariya Yuri at this time still continued to hold the mesmerized Hikari in her arms, and the Buddha Guardian's fist was coming down fast. It was the instant Godou attempted his last struggle.

  His right arm hurt greatly, and for some reason, the thoughts of the lustre of steel and the flash of the sword entered his mind.

  In the next instant, Godou and the Mariya sisters' bodies vanished like the clouds of dawn.

  "They escaped? That was undoubtedly the technique of transfer just now... But they are no longer within the city."

  Luo Cuilian puzzled over the unexpected result.

  Before the punch of the open-mouthed[83] Benevolent King she summoned could connect, King Kusanagi and the miko had vanished.

  That was the technique of transfer used for journeying within the Youmingjie (the Japanese called it the Netherworld), but there were two problems. First of all, this city was within a barrier, and furthermore, that technique could not be used without time to concentrate.

  Using investigative Daoist arts, Luo Hao confirmed they were not within the city and could not be located. King Kusanagi had somehow broken the barrier and transferred to the outside.

  Or perhaps he possessed a treasure that could be used during such a time?

  "That youth has great potential... To finish him off immediately would be too hasty. Let me give him some respite for now."

  'Hoho, you love to cause a ruckus too.'

  What suddenly sounded was the voice of her old enemy the monkey king.

  With just a voice, it meant that he still had not fully awakened.

  'I too, would like to hurry back to the real world for a duel -- but let's wait a while. Breaking past the spell of the [Keeper of the Horses] needs a bit of time.'

  With things settled on this side, Luo Cuilian began to consider the situation on earth.

  And she was very concerned about the conditions of the real world, for she'd better watch her disciples lest they slack off.

  "
I know, I shall return to the real world first, and await the time for us to duel again."

  'Ah, I will surely satisfy your anticipation. Just wait for me to get there with your eyes peeled. God-slayer!'

  Giggling with laughter, the monkey king's voice was filled with pomposity.

  The Ruler of the Martial Realm had demonstrated her might. Restoring the heretical monkey through the sacred snake's sacrifice, no one could have predicted what kind of pandemonium this unfolding scene would unleash.

  Chapter 6 - Outcome of the Chaotic Battle

  Part 1

  The stone monkey in the Netherworld stable was waiting to be revived.

  Currently his name was still the monkey divine monarch, with the position "Keeper of the Horses."

  His true mighty name that once shook the world had yet to be restored, but a fair proportion of his divine power had recovered, and his body above the chest had returned to flesh. The monkey god will once again be reborn from a stone monkey.

  His arms had also recovered from petrification. In that case—

  Moving his left hand, he placed it on his right shoulder. No problems at all.

  Casually plucking a few strands of golden fur, he threw them in the air.

  The ten-odd strands of fur transformed, turning into ten-odd tiny monkeys.

  Even though they were weak little fellows, it was sufficient for them to play the role of "it" in a game of tag. They were immediately sent to pursue the escaped miko, and the tiny monkeys were all released from the stable to the outside.

  The target miko had been taken outside the barrier by the god-slayer.

  But the monkey hasn't been taking the post of the [Keeper of the Horses] in vain. He knew one or two small paths to get out of the city from inside.

  If he used these small paths personally, he would be caught by the binding spell of the [Keeper of the Horses].

  However, as divine messengers the little monkeys did not have that problem. Just like small fish slipping through a large net intended for a large fish, the god-sealing spell could not stop divine beasts or messengers.

  "...Oh my, who is watching me from afar?"

  The stone monkey noticed signs of being peeked at. In order to let the other party hear, he deliberately said it very loud.