The Onmyou Agency is digging up Tōga's grave?
Upon hearing this news, Luo Shu couldn't help but wonder if the Onmyou Agency had forgotten to check their almanack before setting out.
After all, from what Luo Shu knew, Tōga's tomb was located in the Underworld—the borderland between the human world and the true realm of death.
Usually, one couldn't reach the Underworld without special methods.
Judging by how Onmyou Agency members briefly lost contact after entering the Abyss,
They must have arrived directly in the Underworld upon entering this Abyss Warring States.
In other words, they stepped into a prison the moment they entered, immediately trapped there.
This went beyond mere misfortune. Luo Shu somewhat suspected the Onmyou Agency might have fallen victim to a trap.
But to ambush the Onmyou Agency during their teleportation into the Abyss...
At this thought, Luo Shu couldn't help but look to the right of Kikyo's shrine, gazing at the towering sacred tree as he fell into deep contemplation.
While Luo Shu was lost in thought, Inuyasha, upon hearing that the Onmyou Agency was excavating Tessaiga, looked utterly bewildered:
"Someone from the Onmyou Agency is digging up the old man's grave?"
"Why would those guys leave Kyoto to go dig up the old man's grave?"
It wasn't that Inuyasha thought the Kyoto Onmyou Agency incapable of grave-robbing, but in his understanding, they'd always served Japan's emperor and rarely left their Kyoto stronghold.
Moreover, the Western Country's Dog Tribe and the Onmyou Agency had maintained peaceful coexistence - their relationship wasn't bad enough to warrant grave desecration.
"No, young master Inuyasha, you've misunderstood. This isn't the Onmyou Agency you know."
Perched on Inuyasha's shoulder, Myōga said with some frustration:
"Tōtōsai verified - there's been no movement from Kyoto's Onmyou Agency, and they've denied any grave-digging."
"According to the Dog Tribe's investigation, Kyoto's Onmyou Agency is currently collaborating with temples to deal with that fool from Owari, Nobunaga Oda. They clearly have no energy to spare provoking us..."
"So the Dog Tribe suspects someone is impersonating the Onmyou Agency."
Hearing about non-Kyoto Onmyou Agency members impersonating them, Kikyo calmly glanced at Luo Shu.
Probably, it was indeed the Onmyou Agency - just not this world's version.
Everyone present, except Myōga and Inuyasha, understood the Onmyō Agency's actual situation perfectly.
Seeing so many capable individuals gathered, Myōga immediately proposed:
"Young master Inuyasha, according to Hōsengki, the guardian of the tomb and Lord Tōga's former friend, the Onmyou Agency currently has few personnel stationed at the burial grounds. Their defences are at their weakest."
"If we take this opportunity to enter the tomb, with everyone working with Hōsengki to hold off the Onmyou Agency's forces while you retrieve the sword, the risks would be minimised."
Myōga might as well have written "using others to eliminate threats" on his forehead when he made this statement.
After all, with so many people present, they wouldn't be able to protect Tessaiga if it were truly stolen.
But if Luo Shu genuinely kept his promise—willing to only claim nominal ownership of Tessaiga while granting its usage rights to Inuyasha—then in Myōga's eyes, Luo Shu's group would be an invaluable asset.
The best-case scenario would be reclaiming Tessaiga with the help of these unexpected allies.
The worst-case scenario? Tessaiga being seized by the Onmyou Agency.
Even then, young master Inuyasha would gain Luo Shu as a powerful backer, at least freeing him from a life of constant hiding.
And as for Myōga himself, this would still count as fulfilling his duty to Lord Tōga.
Considering this, while Myōga was eager for Inuyasha to retrieve the sword, he wasn't in too much of a hurry.
At this moment, Fumonshichi stroked his chin and interrupted Myōga:
"Based on what you're saying, that tomb of the Great Dog General must be quite special."
Narrowing his eyes with a hint of amusement, Fumonshichi continued:
"After all, from what I understand, that place has been giving the Onmyou Agency trouble for quite some time."
'These people know about the Onmyou Agency's background? And judging by their tone, they don't seem to be on good terms with them?'
Myōga's eyes darted as an idea formed in his mind:
"According to Lord Tōga's arrangements before his death, his tomb was built at the boundary between life and death—the legendary Underworld."
"Using his remaining Demon Power, Lord Tōga carved out a space in the Underworld to preserve his remains, ensuring they wouldn't be disturbed after his death."
"There are only a few safe methods to travel there."
At this point, Myōga suddenly leapt up, aiming directly for Inuyasha's eye.
"ARGH!!"
Inuyasha screamed in pain as the attack landed, clutching his eye and rolling on the ground:
"Damn it, Myōga! What the hell was that?!"
Meanwhile, Myōga landed on the ground, his four hands cradling a massive Black Pearl three to four times his size. Panting heavily, he said:
"Exhausting... extracting this thing really drains one's Demon Power."
Holding up the Black Pearl, Myōga turned to Luo Shu:
"This is the key to the Underworld. Activate it, and it will open a passage between the human world and the Underworld that lasts for twelve hours."
"The other end of the passage leads to Lord Tōga's remains—where Tessaiga is sealed."
With that, Myōga exerted strength in all four hands and hurled the Black Pearl toward Luo Shu.
Luo Shu's right hand flashed out, catching the Black Pearl effortlessly before turning his gaze back to Myōga.
Myōga's heart pounded wildly as he said:
"I'll give you the passageway in exchange for young master Inuyasha's safety. That should be a fair trade, no?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu gave Myōga a somewhat surprised look.
This Small Yokai might have his little schemes, but judging by how he only sought Inuyasha's safety in return, his loyalty was undoubtedly genuine.
Tōga hadn't misjudged this yokai.
Luo Shu casually tossed the Black Pearl into the air, letting it emit waves of inky black light.
As the gate to the Underworld opened, he smiled at Myōga:
"I've never gone back on my word once given."
"I'll take Tessaiga, and I'll keep this little pup, too."
With that, Luo Shu turned to Chisato Nishikigi and Takina Inoue:
"Come, let's go greet the Onmyou Agency."
Hearing this, Takina and Chisato simultaneously lifted their silver metal cases and replied in unison:
"Yes, Director!"