Chapter 427: Chapter 47: Nine-Tailed Fox Belief is indeed a fascinating thing.
Due to Shintoism’s animism, Fusang has left a bit of soil for the survival of many mountain spirits and wild monsters in the context of the great retreat of mythology.
If this were Europe, all the tree spirits, immortal spirits, fairies, etc., would have declined and perished.
The role of nymph fairies in Greek mythology was quite significant. They were subordinate divine maidens, hidden in mountains and rivers, but they gradually disappeared before the Common Era. However, now it’s the 9th century AD, and Fusang still has a soil for mythical creatures to live in, even managing to pull off the Night Parade of Hundred Demons during the Heian Era, with mountain spirits and wild monsters dwelling everywhere.
Similar belief systems, like Celtic beliefs, only lasted until around 100 BC.
Their ritual stones were used for worshiping natural spirits.
"This way, my lord."
"Please follow me."
In front of Duncan’s avatar, the Slippery Ghost was already drenched in cold sweat at some point. His luxurious black haori was gone, replaced by a thin white garment. He shivered pitifully in the cold wind, still having to lead the way for Duncan.
Japanese yokai are still Japanese; no need to be too polite.
At this moment, Duncan’s attire somewhat resembled a hidden character from the Taiko Chuanqi game. Though he was a foreigner with blond hair and blue eyes, he wore traditional samurai attire. There have been foreign samurai in Fusang’s history, apparently even a British one loyal to the Tokugawa Shogunate.
He once served as Tokugawa Ieyasu’s diplomatic advisor and held a 250-koku fief.
The protagonist of the game "Nioh" is based on him.
This guy possesses abilities from both the East and the West.
Active during Japan’s Sengoku period, he’s considered a somewhat legendary figure, having slain many yokai in the game.
In this world, yokai don’t actually have that many spells; they’re more like enhanced versions from the Strange Tales, or perhaps they belong to the Black Myth Soul series of combat styles. Ordinary yokai spells are just that—they’re not much stronger than early Anya’s tricks, and many Fusang yokai are simply cut down with a blade.
Even in Eastern lands, it’s the same.
What spells?
The Daoist, when pushed to the limit, directly raises a sword to strike down people; there’s no need for so much fiddling with spells!
The back-and-forth spellcasting duel scenario doesn’t exist; a Daoist can cast a spell one second and swing his sword the next.
Sometimes, it’s much more convenient to cut someone down than to use spells.
When encountering a Daoist with exceptional swordsmanship, people disdain the need for spells, at most chanting a spell buff, cutting down mountain spirits and wild monsters, zombies, and ghost souls one by one.
The current Daoists follow the style akin to Master Uncle and Daoist Qianzhi, each with remarkable skills; anything short of mastering both magic and martial arts isn’t up to standard.
It’s the same in Fusang.
Yin-Yang School, sorry, regardless of being from the Hundred Schools of Thought or novelists, everyone has to know how to fight.
Because that way, it’s not so easy for others to cut you down.
The branch of Yin-Yang Dao in Fusang later evolved into ninjutsu and gradually became active during Japan’s Sengoku period. However, as of now, ninjas haven’t yet emerged, though their origins trace back to the Asuka Era in the 6th century.
The Slippery Ghost’s home was a rather luxurious noble residence.
This guy radiated familiarity.
Even while arranging for a servant to pour tea for Duncan, he had already changed into some luxurious attire, though it looked somewhat awkward and didn’t fit well.
——Zashiki Warashi (Fortune) (One-star Silver Gray).
Pouring tea for Duncan was a six or seven-year-old girl in red clothes, a Japanese yokai, also considered a type of spirit, residing in homes and warehouses as a god.
This yokai is alright; Duncan liked her very much.
He felt around for a bit and produced a handicraft from Great Britain, a Celtic ritual stone, with a smile, handed it to the little girl in front of him, saying, "It’s for you."
The Zashiki Warashi looked a bit frightened, cautiously taking it, then turned to glance at the Slippery Ghost behind her.
The Slippery Ghost was a renowned great yokai throughout Fusang.
It was the first time she saw the great Slippery Ghost in such a cautious, respectful demeanor; this peculiar-looking foreigner was who knows what kind of person.
"Since it’s a gift from the lord, Nafu, you may take it."
The Slippery Ghost sat respectfully in front of Duncan, bowing his head as he spoke, "My lord."
"I wonder what brings you to Fusang?"
Nafu?
Is that the name of this Zashiki Warashi?
Good name! Not bad!
Duncan sat cross-legged, drinking a sip of tea, and said lightly, "Just passing through, thought I’d take a look."
"I heard you have quite a few great yokai here?"
Great yokai.
Listening to Duncan’s indifferent tone, the Slippery Ghost instantly broke into a cold sweat, as he was one of the great yokai here.
As they say, in a mountain without a tiger, the monkeys rule. The Slippery Ghost was well aware of the actual weight and measures of these great yokai; not speaking of those far away, even those nearby didn’t really take them seriously. But being an overseas island country, not many came here anyway.
In recent centuries, Buddhism brought quite a few spirits and monsters.
Things like Yaksha and Asura were quite active.