"Kamo Kenichiro, thank you so much this time."
The Pope of the Star Plasma Cult, shedding his previous gloomy expression, now had a radiant look on his withered, tree-like old face.
Highly agitated, he drained the teacup in his hand and then cupped his hands in greeting to the elegant old man in a black kimono sitting opposite him.
"My younger brother here, I've finished this tea as if it were wine."
This old man, who originally referred to himself as 'this old one,' now voluntarily lowered himself to a secondary position.
However, there was no shame in it, because the Pope of the Star Plasma Cult was bowing to the Grand Elder of the Kamo Family, Kamo Kenichiro.
His status was exalted, incomparably more influential than the leader of his own small, insignificant faction.
Initially, the Pope of the Star Plasma Cult found it somewhat strange that his old friend, whom he hadn't seen in many years, inexplicably had a long, stitched scar on his head.
It added a hint of ruthlessness to the otherwise refined Kamo Kenichiro.
For Jujutsu Sorcerer, getting injured was perfectly normal, but Kamo Kenichiro was, after all, the Grand Elder of the Kamo Family, one of The Big Three Families.
From certain perspectives, his getting injured again seemed to devalue him too much. After all, the current next head of the Kamo Family was still just a child of a few years, so it could be said that Kamo Kenichiro was in charge of the Kamo Family now.
Was it that the Kamo Family had no young talent left? That he, an old man, had to step up?
However, after Kamo Kenichiro agreed to provide a certain degree of private and material assistance to the Star Plasma Cult, the Pope of the Star Plasma Cult's attitude did a complete 180-degree turn.
What scar, what devaluing! It was clearly a mark of his brother, refusing to grow old, still young, fighting on the front lines against Cursed Spirits, it was glorious.
"Don't be so agitated. Our transaction is only between you and me."
"Kamo Kenichiro" calmly took a sip of tea and slowly said,
"Do you understand?"
It was a private transaction, unrelated to the Kamo Family.
"Also, the items I requested, deliver them to the designated location within three days."
"Isn't it just a few people? The Star Plasma Cult has no shortage of believers."
As the representative family of the conservative faction within the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association, the Kamo Family wielded immense power, controlling many seats. Their involvement could significantly alleviate the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association's suppression of the Star Plasma Cult.
Furthermore, Kamo Kenichiro would personally provide a check for 150 million yen, as well as some forbidden resources and Jujutsu products rarely seen even in the black market.
Although the other party made an exorbitant demand for 1800 people, the Pope still agreed without hesitation, not pausing for a moment.
The Star Plasma Cult indeed had no shortage of believers. Taking advantage of the name of Tengen, they had accumulated a large number of followers since the Nara period. The initial, most loyal believers had multiplied to this day, their descendants countless.
With just a single phrase, "For Lord Tengen!" these believers would brave any danger.
"No problem, my younger brother here will take care of everything."
The Pope patted his chest, settling the deal. As for such a shocking large-scale disappearance of people, it was of no concern in his eyes.
The Star Plasma Cult, because it was indeed somewhat connected to the Jujutsu World, enjoyed a certain degree of immunity in its actions. Moreover, they had good relations with some high-ranking Japanese Government officials, who would also act as a protective umbrella.
The people he sought would undoubtedly be those who were absolutely obedient to the Star Plasma Cult, with clean backgrounds.
"Oh, and one more thing, don't blame me, your younger brother, for speaking out of turn."
The Pope of the Star Plasma Cult gritted his teeth, remembering what Kenmyo had done. Now that he had finally found someone who could deal with him, he couldn't help but speak ill of him.
"Kamo Kenichiro, the young man I found for you is truly a good prospect."
"It's just that he needs to be thoroughly disciplined. Not having heard your teachings all these years while he was outside is the greatest loss for that brat."
"If you hadn't made the decision back then to let him gain experience outside, how would he be where he is today?"
"So, for that kid to become a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer at such a young age, it's all thanks to you."
Kamo Kenichiro had served as the Grand Elder of the Kamo Family for over a decade or two, even when the previous Kamo Family head was still alive.
Therefore, it was a reasonable inference that Kenmyo and Isayama Sakura were expelled from the family because they lacked Jujutsu Sorcerer talent, and this was likely the doing of the old man before him.
"He must be properly educated!"
"You don't need to worry about this matter."
Kamo Kenichiro shook his head and said,
"I've already sent four Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerers and four quasi-Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerers, a total of eight, to welcome him."
"As we speak, they might already be on their way back with him."
"Kamo Kenichiro, the Kamo Family truly has an abundance of talent."
Because the Star Plasma Cult was an irregular residential organization, it was not allowed to possess armed forces.
Every Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer who voluntarily joined the Star Plasma Cult would receive very high treatment. They were all considered high-level reserves for assessment, and if they passed, they would automatically become insiders and be given real power.
For example, the leader of the Vessel and Soul Society branch of the Star Plasma Cult, which was destroyed by Kenmyo, was born through this process.
"Hahaha, it seems that kid is in for big trouble."
Upon hearing that the Kamo Family attached such importance to it, sending eight Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerers,
he first gasped, and then the Pope's heart bloomed with joy.
Eight Jujutsu Sorcerer with First Grade strength against one young man with First Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer strength, the outcome was very clear.
Kenmyo would naturally be no match.
After the two continued to discuss some matters, the Pope of the Star Plasma Cult left.
This meeting had already far exceeded the profits he desired; to continue talking would make him look greedy.
"I hope next time I come, I can see that brat tamed. That would be even better."
As the Pope of the Star Plasma Cult quietly left the ancient-style room, the lively atmosphere suddenly grew quiet.
"Kamo Kenichiro," sitting in the grand armchair, his gaze swept over Kenmyo's portrait, his expression very peculiar.
"This young man should be dead."
The old man with the stitched scar on his head murmured,
"Why is he still alive?"
Due to the passage of too much time, the Grand Elder had forgotten what he had done and the arrangements he had made back then.
In his eyes, Kenmyo was not someone he would bother to scheme against, so he didn't think much of it.
"We'll know once we bring him back."
A figure suddenly appeared behind Kamo Kenichiro.
"My Lord, the location of the previous Gojo Family head's remains has been found."
Kamo Kenichiro nodded.
"Hm, I understand."
As beautiful as they imagined it, reality was just as cruel.
Beyond their expectations, of the eight Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerers on whom both old men had placed high hopes, only the squad leader, Kamo Kenka, was barely clinging to life.
Apart from him, all the others were now kneeling before Kenmyo, not one left standing.
Kamo Kenka was also on the verge of collapse. With 30 years of experience in Cursed Spirit subjugation, he had never witnessed such an outrageous scene.
Kamo Kenka's eyes were devoid of light, lifeless, fixed on Kenmyo, who held a sword.
The Imperial Martial Saint's technique, its terrifying killing skill could be roughly summarized in one sentence:
When you see me raise my blade, it might be faster than your perception of death.
Kenmyo, almost in an instant, raised his blade and directly annihilated seven First Grade or quasi-First Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer from the Kamo Family.
Seven heads were severed by Kenmyo almost simultaneously, leaving no time to even use Blood Manipulation.
"Impossible! Why!"
But the most outrageous thing wasn't even that; what truly made Kamo Kenka unable to accept was the seven figures now standing beside Kenmyo.
"What exactly have you done?"
Kamo Kenka loudly questioned Kenmyo, his tone revealing that he had completely broken down.
Without even needing to look at their forms, Kamo Kenka knew that the seven figures standing beside Kenmyo were his comrades with whom he had fought side by side.
These people had just died; how were they now resurrected beside Kenmyo?
Illusion?
Throughout the process, Kamo Kenka saw that at Kenmyo's feet, within a five-meter radius, it was as if there was a boundless, deep projection of a sea of blood. His colleagues slowly emerged from this sea of blood.
These monsters were also mixed with a strong smell of blood, their clothes mostly soaked in blood. Their eyes were crimson, looking like ghouls from a movie.
They looked extremely terrifying.
Kamo Kenka didn't understand why his perfectly fine companions had turned into these ghastly forms.
They were very aggressive, possessed an intense thirst for blood, and most fatally, their physical abilities had not only increased, but they could also use Jujutsu.
The injuries on Kamo Kenka's body all came from the Blood Manipulation released by the ghouls.
Kenmyo hadn't even made a move after his initial strike.
Kamo Kenka's body was covered in scars and penetrating wounds. The blood on the ground stained the earth. These were the consequences of the clash of the Kamo Family's Blood Manipulation, looking more horrifying than a major murder scene.
"What cursed technique exactly have you awakened, you bastard?!"
Although the events that happened back then were very secretive, who in the entire Kamo Family didn't know that Kenmyo and Isayama Sakura were wastes with no Cursed Energy talent, unable to inherit the family's cursed technique?
That's why they were all sent away in childhood, discarded.
But now, Kenmyo, through some stroke of luck, possessed such a bizarre and unpredictable cursed technique effect.
As far as Kamo Kenka knew, Kenmyo's strength was clearly based on powerful ice-type Jujutsu. Who would have thought he also possessed such superb close-combat skills, and such a blasphemous, evil cursed technique that played with the souls of the deceased?
Kamo Kenka truly wanted to curse the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association, asking, "How are you vetting new recruits lately?"
This newly judged Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer's cursed technique was even more evil than a Curse User's.
Most of the penetrating wounds on Kamo Kenka's body were inflicted by his own clan members, who, under Kenmyo's control, attacked wantonly. Seven or eight chunks of flesh had been bitten off his body by these companions turned ghouls.
Kamo Kenka had never thought of using the word 'evil' to describe a Sorcerer.
In his opinion, Kenmyo's Jujutsu was truly very evil, completely unrelated to anything righteous. There was no more fitting adjective than "evil."
It reminded Kamo Kenka of their Kamo Family ancestor, hailed as the most evil Sorcerer in history.
Kamo Noritoshi
The things this guy did were so extreme that the Kamo Family dared not even acknowledge him as part of their own, an existence active over a thousand years ago.
Kamo Kenka had already assumed Kenmyo was the reincarnation of Kamo Noritoshi, the most evil Sorcerer, returning to the world after the erosion of ages.
"Don't worry, you'll become like this too."
Kenmyo simply explained the current situation to him. After killing the entire vanguard unit dispatched by the Kamo Family, he knew that he and his former family were now on opposing sides.
"Not just you, the entire Kamo Family will become like this."
Kenmyo already had no great affection for the Kamo Family. Now, with his greatly increased strength, his only thought was to turn all the Jujutsu Sorcerer of the Kamo Family into his fallen victims, filling the void of the River of Death.
Although the transformed forms appeared neither human nor ghost, Kenmyo could actually use psychic spells to help conceal and subtly modify them, making them indistinguishable from ordinary people in the end.
Moreover, because his Holy Blood power was a fusion of psychic and Cursed Energy, the monsters created by it, their energy composition was naturally also determined by Kenmyo.
In other words, Kenmyo could make these ghosts, reborn in the sea of blood after being killed by him, appear no different from their usual, normal state. They even possessed cognitive abilities, though they could not betray Kenmyo.
"You damn monster, what do you take life for!"
"I already know who you are."
Kamo Kenka gasped, saying fiercely.
"You damnable Kamo Noritoshi, I, Kamo Kenka, would rather die than be used and toyed with as an experiment by you."
After saying this, Kamo Kenka immediately pulled out a small knife from his pocket, seemingly intending to commit suicide.
Kenmyo paused for a second upon hearing the name Kamo Noritoshi.
This momentary dazed further confirmed Kamo Kenka's suspicion.
Kamo Noritoshi, the most evil Sorcerer in the history of the Jujutsu World.
In the history of the Jujutsu World, some figures who left a significant mark often revived through various means.
So, it wasn't uncommon to sometimes encounter old monsters who had lived for a thousand years.
Kenmyo suddenly felt a bit exasperated. How could his cursed technique compare to their ancestor's?
That was the creator of the Cursed Womb: Death Painting.
"Slandering me, and still wishing for peace?"
Kenmyo, having been slandered, raised an eyebrow.
"You're really dreaming."
The next second, Kamo Kenka's arm was bitten off by his good friend Kamo Noritoshi, and his heart was pierced by the finger of Kamo Misaki, whom he secretly admired.
The sounds of gnawing and screams merged, creating a truly terrifying scene.
His enhanced body easily subdued him. Also, those killed by the beings in the River of Death would also be dragged into the River of Death, becoming the same kind of being.
So, shortly after.
"Master" X8
Eight figures appeared beside Kenmyo, all kneeling on one knee.
"Let's go, we're going 'home'."
Kenmyo walked past them, not even glancing at them.
This 'home' referred to the Kamo Family.
Kenmyo was preparing for a "glorious return to his hometown."