Chapter 83: The Frenzied Takagi Aki

Cang Haiyan's expression darkened at these words, her eyes cruel as she spat, “You’re at death’s door, yet you still dare to be so arrogant? Since you refuse to see reason, don’t blame me for resorting to harsher measures.”

Takagi Qiu sneered, his face twisted, “Torture me? Are you hoping to force a confession? Do you think I’ll be afraid? I warn you, if you dare lay a hand on me, the moment I break these shackles, you’ll be the first to die.”

Cang Haiyan’s face grew even uglier. She barked at Zhou Shiqin, “Well? Go and invite the head of the Lan family, Lan Fangtian, in.”

“Yes.” Zhou Shiqin nodded and immediately withdrew.

At the mention of Lan Fangtian, Takagi Qiu’s expression changed dramatically, hatred flashing in his eyes. In her field of vision, the iron door swung open and a middle-aged man in blue, led deferentially by Zhou Shiqin, entered the room.

Takagi Qiu’s reaction was near-madness. She thrashed against her chains so violently that the iron rattled, her eyes bloodshot as she bellowed, “You demon! I’ll kill you—I’ll kill you and avenge my mother!”

Lan Fangtian gave a cold, mocking laugh. “So Takagi Feng has become a useless wreck, and still you dream of revenge? Do you honestly believe a mere slip of a girl could ever challenge my Lan family? How naive.”

He paused, his eyes narrowing. “No, you’re not as naive as you seem. You know how to borrow power. You tried to use the Ghost Emperor’s strength to strike at my family—if my daughter hadn’t warned me in time, perhaps you might have succeeded. But now your hopes are dashed. I’ve come today to eradicate you completely, to wipe out the Ghost Emperor within you, so that your Takagi clan will never rise again.”

Suddenly, Takagi Qiu’s face twisted, revealing a different countenance. She laughed maniacally, “You think you can kill me? You’re dreaming if you believe you can slay the Emperor.”

Lan Fangtian grinned. “The Ghost Emperor’s fame echoes far and wide, but today I’ve come well prepared.” With a flick of his hand, a compass appeared in his palm.

The compass was shaped like the ancient yin-yang eight trigrams, radiating an aura of antiquity and power—clearly a formidable magical artifact.

Takagi Qiu’s face contorted in shock at the sight. “That’s the ancient artifact—the Mirror of Heaven and Earth! You plan to use it against me?”

“Exactly. I suspect you exist now only as a spirit, otherwise you wouldn’t be hiding in this girl’s body. But under the Mirror of Heaven and Earth, let’s see if you can stay hidden.” Lan Fangtian’s eyes gleamed as he turned the artifact toward Takagi Qiu.

Bathed in a cold, white light, Takagi Qiu’s features began to shift. She roared, “Ah! I’ll kill you all—you will not leave here alive!”

Lan Fangtian scoffed, “You’re already a dying wraith. Under the Mirror of Heaven and Earth, your soul will be scattered before an hour is out. How do you propose to kill me? Foolish dreams!” He poured even more power into the artifact.

A scream tore from Takagi Qiu as the white light flared brighter. Her whole body convulsed, her face drained of color and twisted in agony. The cries were so harrowing that any who heard them would feel a pang of pity—save for Lan Fangtian, whose cruel smile only widened, as if the suffering before him was music to his ears.

At that moment, a man’s pleading voice echoed through the chamber. “Let me see my daughter, please, I beg you—just let me see her!”

All eyes turned as Takagi Feng, supported by a middle-aged man in a black coat, entered. Takagi Feng looked gaunt, as though years had been carved from his life.

The sight made Takagi Qiu’s heart ache. She cried out, “Father, I’m sorry!”

“No, it is I who failed to protect you. I let you suffer,” Takagi Feng lamented, beating his chest in grief as tears welled in his eyes.

Lan Fangtian burst out laughing. “What touching fatherly devotion! How amusing!”

“That’s enough, Lan Fangtian,” the man in black interjected coldly. “You already ruined Takagi Feng, and secured your own seat on the council. The Takagi clan poses no threat to you—must you torment them further?”

Lan Fangtian snapped, “Ouyang Yunfeng, stay out of this. Don’t think your brother’s position as vice president will shield you from me. One more word and I’ll cripple your cultivation right now.”

“You—” Ouyang Yunfeng’s anger was evident, but he knew better than to press further.

Takagi Feng crawled to his daughter’s feet, urging, “Child, just admit your guilt. It’s not too late to turn back. President Ouyang has promised—if you confess, your life will be spared.”

Takagi Qiu shook her head. “Father, I can’t turn back. I will have my revenge. If you cannot do it, your daughter will fulfill Mother’s dying wish—to wipe out the Lan family.”

Her eyes burned with murderous resolve.

She howled.

A vast, spectral energy erupted from within her, shattering the chains that bound her.

Lan Fangtian only sneered. “Still you resist, even with death upon you?”

“If you seek death, I will grant it.”

“Eight trigrams open yin and yang—destroy the phantoms and specters!” Lan Fangtian’s gaze hardened as he turned the Mirror of Heaven and Earth on her once more. Bathed in its light, Takagi Qiu recoiled as if scorched by the sun, her hands raised in vain defense, her ghostly aura dissolving amidst her shrill screams.

“No! You can’t do this to my daughter!” Takagi Feng threw himself in front of her, shielding her from the light.

“So you wish to die as well? I’ll oblige you both!” Lan Fangtian snarled, turning the artifact on Takagi Feng. A blood-red beam shot forth.

With a thunderous crack, the ray pierced Takagi Feng’s chest. His eyes flew wide, and he crumpled to the ground, life extinguished.

“Father!”

Takagi Qiu’s hair flew wildly, her face contorted in demonic rage. She unleashed a wave of force that sent Lan Fangtian staggering back. Dropping to her knees, she gathered her father’s body in her arms, streaming tears falling from her eyes.

“Father, I’m so sorry. But rest assured, I will avenge you.” She gently closed Takagi Feng’s eyes, then rose, fixing Lan Fangtian with a feral glare. “Killing you will not suffice to quench my hatred. I will string your soul together, make you suffer in the torments of the underworld. No, I will string up the souls of your entire family, and offer them as tribute to my father and mother.”

A chill ran through Lan Fangtian; he involuntarily stepped back. The darkness in Takagi Qiu’s eyes was that of a devil, and it made his blood run cold.

“No… She’s just a girl, why should I be afraid?” Lan Fangtian shook his head, forcing composure. “That’s if you even get the chance.”

“Today, I will destroy you!” His eyes narrowed as he once again turned the Mirror of Heaven and Earth upon her.

The crimson beam swept toward Takagi Qiu, driving her to desperation. She snarled, “Even if I become a vengeful spirit, I’ll never let you go!”

“Still mouthing off at the end? How laughable.” Lan Fangtian smirked, pouring more power into the artifact, intent on annihilating her.

Just then, the space behind Takagi Qiu shimmered, and a man in a blood-red cloak appeared. With a sweep of his sleeve, he whisked Takagi Qiu away.

In a flash, she vanished from sight. The onlookers were too stunned to react.

Lan Fangtian recovered first, shock written all over his face as he stared into the void and roared, “Who are you? Who dares to snatch her from my hands?”