"Let them go."
Kyoaki Hashimoto didn't want to cause trouble, especially for a member of the Yukinoshita family.
This family was the first to surrender to Lord Mizunotsuki. So after thinking for a while, he decided to do them a favor.
It's not a big deal to let them visit the Back Mountain.
Although the Back Mountain of the Old Onmyoryo is a historical site that many tourists want to see, it is strictly not open to the public. Of course, this rule is for ordinary people. People connected to the Yukinoshita clan could naturally be accommodated.
Speaking of which, shouldn't Miss Yukino be studying at school at this time of day?
Hashimoto had heard that Yukino was quite talented and disciplined, but now it seemed that it was just a rumor.
In the eyes of an old traditionalist like Hashimoto, skipping school was basically not a good thing.
Is she thinking that because her family has the support of Lord Mizunotsuki, she can start letting herself go?
His brows furrowed deeper.
If all the Yukinoshita members were becoming this arrogant, then perhaps he should notify the other dignitaries.
Shaking his head, Hashimoto decided he wasn't very interested in Yukino's behavior.
After all, she was ignorant of the political tightrope her family was walking. She didn't even know how many factions were staring at her.
Do people really think the rich and powerful are all living in harmony?
It was just that the Yukinoshita family took the initiative and got a head start. Hashimoto was not old and blind. He knew that the other elites who knew the Truth were waiting.
Waiting for the "Queens" of the Yukinoshita family (Reiko and Haruno) to make a mistake.
As long as they made a mistake, it would prove that the Yukinoshita clan was not worthy of their favored position and could be dragged down. The "Number One" always attracts everyone's jealousy.
This is inevitable.
Thinking that there was no real danger in the Back Mountain, Hashimoto put the matter behind him with peace of mind. He waved his hand, unwilling to see the face of his disciple again.
"Get out! Don't let anyone disturb me!"
Sitting cross-legged on his mat, his eyes moved to the Zhanshi Luejue again.
But the "inspiration" he had just experienced could not be pulled back so easily.
He grabbed his hair tightly, his eyes slightly red with frustration.
It's impossible…
How could I not think of it…
Wind. Xun. People. Hexagrams.
What do they represent?
The Back Mountain
"Miko-san, can you see anything?"
Sniffing the earthy smell in the air, Michiko Nishikiori looked a little puzzled.
This was indeed the place where the "Smell" of the Treasure was the strongest. But she just couldn't pinpoint the exact location.
This "Smelling" of magical artifacts was her unique talent. Otherwise, she wouldn't have made a name for herself as a woman in a cutthroat, evil faction like the Jiuju Sect in her home world.
So it was right to bring Miko Yotsuya with her.
But Miko was also confused by the "cleanliness" of this place.
Nothing.
There was absolutely nothing.
Even the omnipresent resentful spirits that Miko usually saw everywhere in Tokyo could not be seen here.
It was as if this place was a sanctuary where evil spirits dared not tread.
No wonder the Onmyoryo was built nearby, Miko thought. She automatically filled in a reasonable explanation in her mind, wondering if she should go back down to the shrine to ask for a peace amulet later.
"I didn't see anything. It seems very clean here," Miko replied nervously.
This sentence made Michiko look unhappy.
Standing right on top of a treasure mountain, yet unable to pinpoint its hiding place?
Such a strong "Smell" must belong to an extremely extraordinary divine object!
At least, she had never smelled such a strong "fragrance" of power even in her original world.
After a moment of silence, she looked at Miko and Yukino. Her eyes darkened as she calculated her next move.
Yukihime and Koyuki Yagyu shifted their stances, intentionally or unintentionally blocking Miko's retreat down the mountain path.
But Yukino was not worried yet. She asked for her reward calmly.
"We have brought you here as agreed. Now it's time for you to fulfill your promise."
"...No hurry. I haven't gotten what I want yet," Michiko replied dismissively.
"Excuse me? I have to remind you that this is the Back Mountain of the Onmyoryo. All the historical artifacts here belong to the government and the Shrine."
Ha…
Michiko admired Yukino's naive nonsense.
Knowing that I am a practitioner, she still uses this tone?
As for the Onmyoji in this world… Michiko had already deduced they were just a group of ordinary people. She hadn't seen any real cultivators.
Even the so-called "Great Onmyoji," Kyoaki Hashimoto, whom they saw from afar earlier, was just a frail old man with weak blood.
Michiko did not entirely look down on the ordinary people of this world. She knew they had created "Technology." Their heavy firepower, missiles, and nuclear weapons were almost unstoppable compared to the armies of her world.
But she also knew that against a Sorcerer who targets the soul, technology means little if the user can't see the attack coming.
To Michiko, ordinary people without guns in their hands were just lambs to be slaughtered.
That indifferent and arrogant attitude… Yukino noticed it.
Therefore, Yukino mentally commanded the Black Crow—which was following secretly in the trees—to move closer and guard them.
If the other party did not keep their promise and wanted to do something ruthless, Yukino did not mind teaching them a lesson.
After all, the Black Crow had supernatural powers granted by Seiran.
However, Yukino noticed something alarming.
These three women did not seem to be aware of the Black Crow's existence.
This made some weird ideas in Yukino's heart take shape.
They can't be just empty shells…
They shouldn't be. They saw Miko's eyes. They must have some real skills.
But their attitude is very arrogant. It's the natural arrogance of someone who thinks they are dealing with helpless mortals.
But they can't sense the Crow. Are they... weak?
"Ms. Yagyu, please stand guard," Michiko announced suddenly, breaking Yukino's train of thought. "I am going to perform a Ritual to force the Treasure out."
A Ritual?
Thinking of the terrifying, sky-altering power of Grandma Mitsue's "Call to the Gods" or the recent rumors of the Kyoto incident, Yukino stepped forward and suggested cautiously:
"It's better not to make a big fuss. If you can't control the outcome..."
Knowing that the other party was about to use magic, Yukino spoke in a much more tactful tone, trying to de-escalate.
This "arrogant at first, respectful later" attitude made Michiko feel puzzled, but she assumed Yukino was just scared.
This is a good thing.
At least the girl won't cause trouble or call the police.
Michiko had been in this world for too short a time; understanding modern firearms was already her limit. She didn't want to deal with SWAT teams right now.
"Please rest assured," Michiko sneered. "I can control the situation perfectly."
No.
Yukino thought she might have miscalculated.
If these women triggered a massive magical event, the Black Crow might not be enough to protect them from the fallout. The power of the Extraordinary had left a very terrifying and majestic impression on Yukino.
Pulling the already frightened Miko to the side, Yukino did not dare to make too many sudden movements under the watchful eyes of the two Yagyu swordswomen.
But… what is the Treasure they are looking for?
The Foot of the Mountain
Down below, at the Onmyoryo.
Hashimoto's eyes were bloodshot, staring at the drawing of Abe no Seimei without blinking.
Seimei Fan… Seimei Fan!
What does it metaphorically mean?
What kind of secret is hidden in the Zhanshi Luejue?
Calm down.
Hashimoto knew that his current state of mind was very wrong. He had gone a little crazy with jealousy and desperation.
There was nothing he could do about it.
Not to mention the absolute power of Grandma Mitsue and Lord Mizunotsuki… recently, even the old priest Yoshitomi Kamo had been showing off his "magic power" in front of Hashimoto intentionally or unintentionally.
And now there was even Abbot Ryōgen, who seemed to have gained the protection of the Wisdom King for his temple.
Everyone is ascending. Everyone is finding the Truth.
Except me.
Hashimoto grabbed the scroll, his breathing ragged. He needed to solve the riddle of the Fan. He had to.
.....
.....
.....
Support me and read advance chapters on patreon.com/ImmortalDaoWriter