Chō-Senjiryakketsu!
The work of Hao Asakura, recording his philosophies and theories while elucidating the mysteries of Shamans.
Within Japan's mystic side, this text represented the ultimate taboo.
Even copied reproductions of this forbidden knowledge were prohibited, having been ordered destroyed by Japanese authorities a decade prior.
Only a handful retained copies, predominantly among Onmyou Agency lineages.
The Asakura family was not among them.
For the Asakura family possessed the original Chō-Senjiryakketsu, handwritten by Hao himself.
Consequently, their version represented the most complete information and potent artefact.
By SDS evaluation standards, it ranked as at least a Grade 3 Hero Rank inheritance artefact.
Merely contacting it risked contamination by its contents.
Now, Abe no Yoshihira suspected Yuiyui had encountered this very object.
To this, Yuiyui offered no denial, even nodding with a smile:
"Miss Anna turned out to be quite agreeable. When she learned of my interest in the Chō-Senjiryakketsu, she lent me the original without hesitation~~"
As Yuiyui Gokadoin spoke, she recalled Anna Kyōyama's cold words from that time.
"You're also one of Hao's followers?"
"If you want to make contact, remember to choose your grave site in advance. Don't forget to pay the cremation fees to the temple beforehand. By the way, reading it once costs 10 million yen."
"...You actually survived? Didn't get poisoned by the knowledge? It seems the Hao in the book took a liking to you."
"At the same time, congratulations on being marked by Hao."
"Before he finds you, struggle desperately like an insect."
"Hmm, she really is quite a woman," Yuiyui Gokadoin said with a radiant smile.
Yet her smile only made Abe no Yoshihira frown.
"Yuiyui, you should know Father has forbidden the Gokadoin Family from contacting the Chō-Senjiryakketsu."
"Oh my, did our ancestor actually stipulate that? I don't seem to recall," Yuiyui Gokadoin replied with a smile.
This attitude displeased Abe no Yoshihira greatly, but he merely gave Yuiyui Gokadoin a deep look before saying:
"Father has ordered us to investigate Grandmother's recent activities. Yuiyui, you'll be in charge of this."
Yuiyui Gokadoin didn't resist the assignment, because judging by the spiritual presences hidden in the shadows, many past heads of the Gokadoin Family were secretly observing.
If she refused now, it would practically confirm her betrayal of the Gokadoin Family, and she might well be eliminated on the spot.
After all, though she'd accessed the Chō-Senjiryakketsu, she wasn't the only one in the Gokadoin Family who'd touched this taboo.
Take Abe no Yoshihira, for example - when he presented a copy of the Chō-Senjiryakketsu to their ancestor Abe no Seimei, could he really have avoided reading its contents?
Anyone could see that it was impossible.
'But ancestors... could you ever have imagined that the original Chō-Senjiryakketsu contained remnants of Hao's consciousness, guiding its readers?'
'Though we study similar content, in essence, they're completely different!'
Maintaining her smile, Yuiyui Gokadoin tacitly accepted Abe no Yoshihira's assignment as she listened to his arrangements.
"Father has issued instructions."
"Cooperate with Grandmother and Minagoroshi Jizō to bring Nue back into this world."
Pairs of eyes emerged from the darkness - past heads of the Gokadoin Family or their Familiars observing the proceedings.
"The third head, Abe no Orochi, will monitor the Onmyou Agency director and Divine Generals' movements."
"The fourth head, Abe no Ariyuki, will surveil Tokyo's official forces."
"The seventh head, Tenkai Gokadoin, will maintain Kyoto's barrier to ensure Grandmother's safety during delivery."
"The rest will join me as mobile forces to handle potential enemies."
Having finished, Abe no Yoshihira declared solemnly:
"For the time of purification!"
"For the time of purification!" came the echoing response.
Powerful Onmyoji vanished into the darkness, some leaving traces so faint even Yuiyui Gokadoin could barely detect them.
This was the accumulated strength of the millennium-old Gokadoin Family.
Except for the fifth head, who left to establish the Tsuchimikado branch, causing the Abe lineage to be renamed Gokadoin thereafter.
From the second to the eleventh heads, all had obtained extended lifespans through the Taizan Fukun Ritual technique.
Although only one person in each generation could compete for immortality, this very process ensured that every head of the Gokadoin Family, regardless of innate talent or ability, reached a certain pinnacle through the tempering of time.
"Speaking of which, according to the newly disclosed SDS information, it seems every head of the Gokadoin Family could be evaluated as Hero Grade?"
Yuiyui Gokadoin narrowed her eyes slightly and said with a smile:
"'Initially grasping the essence of sorcery, mastering conceptual power, causing one's spirituality and physique to evolve'... Hmm, though the wording is rather vague, it does allow for some distinction of a sorcerer's strength."
"Evaluation? Since when does our Gokadoin Family need outsiders' evaluations?"
A man with numerous thin braids and wearing a black kimono appeared beside Yuiyui Gokadoin.
The ninth head of the Gokadoin Family, Hiruko Gokadoin, glanced sideways at Yuiyui and sneered:
"~You've been doing a lot of unnecessary things lately, old woman."
"Always sending the family intelligence about various world powers, praising those mere mortals' strength. Hah, how could ordinary humans ever compare to the greatness of the Gokadoin Family?"
Yuiyui merely turned her gaze slightly, giving Hiruko a sidelong look before remarking coolly:
"Blind arrogance isn't a virtue, little brat."
"Hmph." Hiruko snorted coldly and walked away without another word.
Gazing at the empty underground hall, Yuiyui inwardly mocked.
'A thousand-year-old Gokadoin Family, greatness?'
'How laughable~'
Common, Excellent, Elite Rank, Hero, Demigod... Just how many people in the SDS actually meet their own grading standards for each level?
How many Guardian Spirits has the Asakura family accumulated over its thousand-year history?
The Onmyou Agency, composed of major shrine lineages, selects twelve Divine Generals every thirty years, each possessing Hero Grade strength—how many such individuals exist?
Among the twelve families of the Bujin-shū, the Akabane, at least ten clan heads have reached Hero Grade.
And this is merely the strength of Japan.
The behemoth of East Asia, with its myriad sects and immortals walking the earth.
The holy wars waged by the executors of Central Asia's religious institutions.
The struggle for supremacy among Europe's Golden Dawn, Truth Astronomy, and the Knights Templar.
The arcane sciences pursued by the emerging factions of the Americas.
And the demonic realm of Australia, isolated behind the Wailing Wall.
This world is vast, so vast that even a powerhouse like the Gokadoin Family is merely a dominant force on a regional stage.
Yuiyui Gokadoin turned around, her lips curling into a slow smile:
"I can feel it again... the nostalgic air of the Warring States era..."
"Heh, so I'm to investigate Hagoromo Gitsune?"
"Fine. I wouldn't mind contacting the SDS either—let's see what gives them the confidence to establish such ratings!"