Speed was essential.
Worried that the master of the Thousand-Gated Void Vessel might soon return, the three factions quickly pooled their intelligence. In less than fifteen minutes, all known information about the mechanisms inside was compared and compiled.
Coincidentally, each group possessed different fragments of knowledge.
When pieced together—
They formed a relatively safe route through the interior.
"The pavilion's master just left not long ago," the pirate leader declared confidently. "She shouldn't return soon — but we must act quickly. Move out!"
His face flushed with anticipation.
This was a treasure of the tengu clan.
The tengu were no longer the mighty yokai aristocracy they once were. Their numbers had dwindled. Most of their treasures likely rested in the hands of that single remaining descendant.
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"Let's go!"
The treasure hoarders eagerly followed. One by one, they boarded their small boats.
Only three kairagi remained behind.
Though few in number, they were the strongest present — seasoned swordsmen, possibly inheritors of ancient schools.
That was why the pirates and treasure hoarders had gathered in large numbers.
No one wanted to be betrayed.
Treasure tempts the heart.
But life matters too.
"Move."
The three kairagi boarded.
Moments later, over a dozen small boats shot across the water like arrows released from a bowstring.
The Thousand-Gated Void Vessel
The tengu pavilion floated silently beyond Jinren Island, gently rising and falling with the waves, sustained by some mysterious force.
Within half an hour, the raiding party arrived.
Without hesitation, they leapt from their boats and landed at the entrance.
A faint white membrane shimmered around the structure — barely visible unless examined closely.
The pirates ignored it.
It was merely a basic barrier to keep seawater out.
"Inside!"
They stepped through.
The moment they crossed the threshold—
The space changed.
Though technically indoors, the courtyard beyond was vast — several hundred square meters at least.
Scarlet sakura trees lined the area. Blue-violet flora glowed softly in the dim environment, illuminating the entire chamber without any external light source.
The pirates stared in awe.
From outside, the pavilion looked no larger than a standard two-story structure.
Inside, it was something else entirely.
"As expected of a tengu treasure…"
Their eyes burned with greed.
Confidence swelled.
But caution remained.
A single wrong step could trigger unknown mechanisms — and wipe them out instantly.
The pirate leader, the treasure hoarder captain, and the three kairagi led the way according to their combined map.
Passing through the courtyard, they entered a narrow corridor.
"Wait — what's that?!"
Someone spotted a faint blue-green glow drifting in a corner.
Tension shot through the group.
Then—
"It's a Seelie!" the treasure hoarder leader exclaimed, eyes shining.
"Legend says the Seelie were a noble race that guided humans in ancient times. Those who follow them may be led to treasure."
Instantly, everyone's gaze burned hotter.
Treasure guided by a Seelie was often valuable beyond measure — Mora, ancient relics, rare artifacts.
There were even tales of a great adventurer who followed a Seelie to a map of a forgotten treasure, gaining wealth beyond imagination.
Greed spread rapidly.
The pirate leader's expression darkened slightly.
Three factions.
One treasure.
He would need to eliminate the others eventually.
Better one person claims everything than divide it three ways.
Silently, he followed as the Seelie guided them deeper into the pavilion.
Mt. YougouThe Former Tengu Settlement
Meanwhile—
On Mt. Yougou, halfway up the mountain, lies what was once the domain of the Yougou Tengu.
Five hundred years ago, many clan members lived here.
Now—
It is desolate.
Wooden buildings, weathered by wind and time, stand empty. Moss blankets the steps. Insects crawl across abandoned thresholds.
In the stillness—
Soft footsteps echo.
A tall woman approaches slowly.
Her expression is cool and distant. Her beauty is breathtaking.
She wears a pale moon-white kimono with a fur-lined shawl. A tengu mask rests at the side of her head. Her long hair flows down to her waist. The hem of her kimono is cut at an angle, revealing smooth calves as she walks in measured, precise steps — each movement deliberate.
She pauses often, gazing at one building after another.
Remembering.
Half an hour passes before she reaches the inner sanctum — a weathered shrine surrounded by ancient seals and fading talismans.
The structure is simple, but heavy with history.
Standing before it, she murmurs softly:
"I'm back."
And steps inside.