Chapter 175: Returning to Tokyo Bay

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The banquet lasted until late at night. Some people went back, while others planned to continue drinking until dawn.

Minamoto Kiyomoto got rid of Minamoto Nagatoku, Amatsumara, and the others. Reeking of alcohol, he walked out of the great hall, went up to the ship’s tower, and prepared to return to his room.

Looking up, the cold moon was high in the sky, and the sea was as quiet and beautiful as mercury.

Pushing open the door and entering the bedroom, Himegami Izayoi was half-lying on his bed, holding a copy of “The History of the Ocean” from the bookshelf.

“Men always have to drink when they get together. It’s boring,” Minamoto Kiyomoto said, taking off his haori. He put his thumbs in his belt and swayed over.

“You have to drink when you’re with me too,” Himegami Izayoi turned a page of the book.

“Drink now?”

“Didn’t you say it was boring?”

“That’s with men. Drinking with you, I can’t think of anything more interesting.”

Minamoto Kiyomoto reached the bedside, said, “It’s so cold,” and his upper body burrowed into the quilt.

Himegami Izayoi, through the quilt, laughed as if she were ticklish and patted his back.

“Don’t mess around. I didn’t come here to do this with you,” she pulled her legs back from Minamoto Kiyomoto’s hands and wrapped herself in the quilt.

‘Why is she in your room? What about Miko?’ Tamahime questioned.

Minamoto Kiyomoto rubbed his head, and the alcohol subsided a little.

“Headache?” Caterpillar Izayoi asked.

“It doesn’t hurt. It’s just a little messy.”

Himegami Izayoi came out of the quilt, knelt on the bed, patted her leg, and ordered him, “Come here.”

Minamoto Kiyomoto lay down and sighed contentedly.

“Is your alcohol tolerance so bad? Or is it because of the Coral Demon Moth?” Himegami Izayoi gently stroked his cheek and asked softly.

“Let’s say it’s the Coral Demon Moth,” Minamoto Kiyomoto closed his eyes, smelling her sweet fragrance and feeling the softness of her thighs.

“Is it serious?”

“I’ll get used to it.”

After lying down for a while, Minamoto Kiyomoto opened his eyes and asked her with a smile, “You didn’t come to serve me in bed, so what did you come for?”

“Who’s serving in bed?” Himegami Izayoi stared into his eyes.

“I’m serving Your Majesty in bed,” Minamoto Kiyomoto, who was lying on Himegami Izayoi’s lap, said with a smile.

Himegami Izayoi pinched his face and said, “I came to get the mirror back.”

“Oh,” Minamoto Kiyomoto nodded, then opened his mouth with a smile.

Himegami Izayoi pursed her lips and smiled, then leaned down.

After a sound of water, Himegami Izayoi raised her head, wiped the corners of her watery lips with the back of her hand, and asked with feigned dissatisfaction but a very charming voice:
“Where’s the thing?”

“What thing?” Minamoto Kiyomoto had a look of reminiscence.

Himegami Izayoi gave him a charming glare.

“I remember now. The mirror, right? I was too engrossed just now and forgot. Want to do it again?”

“No,” Himegami Izayoi turned her face away and said petulantly, “Spit it out.”

“Spitting it out is so dirty. Kissing is common, but have you ever seen someone eat saliva?”

“Didn’t you eat the saliva I spat out?” Himegami Izayoi said with a triumphant sneer.

“A man is born between heaven and earth. How can he not eat a woman’s saliva? What’s more, a beauty like you.”

Minamoto Kiyomoto sat up with a smile and pressed Himegami Izayoi onto the bed.

“Is this how a man bullies a girl?” Himegami Izayoi’s hands were held down. She bit her lower lip as if she were resisting but also welcoming it, her eyes full of smiles.

“Who’s bullying? I’m just returning the thing to its original owner, being honest and trustworthy,” Minamoto Kiyomoto, as if he were about to eat her, fiercely attacked.

“Ah! You idiot, you bit my nose!”

“Who told you to move around?”

“Wait, let me see.”

“I’ve seen it. It’s fine. We’ll look at it later.”

“No, it hurts. Get up.”

“Good sister, bear with it, okay?”

“No, ah! Wait, my clothes!”

“Wear them today!”

“You pervert!”

The charming fragrance emanating from Himegami Izayoi’s body, and the whispers she made when she was excited, gave Minamoto Kiyomoto a dreamlike and wonderful feeling.

---

It was just past midnight on December 21st, ten days before the New Year.

The foghorn sounded, and the demon-hunting ship rode the wind and broke the waves. It was not far from Japan. After dawn, they would be able to see Tokyo Bay.

The deck was full of people. A village-level yokai that looked like an octopus sea monster had entangled the demon-hunting ship in the fog, trying to drag it to the bottom of the sea.

At this moment, this octopus sea monster was wrapped in black light, golden light, flames, ice and snow, and azure, five colors, and was suspended above the deck.

Wrapped in the five divine powers, the octopus yokai subconsciously resisted.

The gushing scorching light was sucked away by Minamoto Kiyomoto, who was standing on the ship’s tower.

The magnificent neon light was like an aurora, and also like a colorful river, reflecting the demon-hunting ship in a kaleidoscope of colors, like a mirage.

Reflected on the faces of the crowd were faces of surprise, admiration, and fear.

‘A village-level yokai is so troublesome, and it can only replenish a little bit. I told you to use less force in the first place.’

‘So many yokai, and the group leaders of the Shinto sect. I didn’t dare to hold back.’

“Just aim for the Shinto sect. The yokai on the sea are fine. You should have saved more strength to deal with the yokai on the shore. You’re so reckless.”

Minamoto Kiyomoto listened to Tamahime’s nagging, thinking about when he could transfer this burden to Kamibayashi Miko.

Kamibayashi Miko probably wouldn’t be happy either.

Even if they were mother and daughter, they wouldn’t let the other stay in their head and know everything about them.

Not to mention the head, probably most people wouldn’t be happy to let their parents touch their phones.

I can only think of a way to create a body for Tamahime.

But that would have to wait until he had completely subdued the “Coral Demon Moth” and found a way to separate them.

The octopus sea monster’s howls became smaller and smaller. After its divine energy was sucked dry, it turned into a pile of particle-like light spots, not even leaving behind any remains.

The demon-hunting ship passed through the rain of firefly-like light spots and continued to move forward.

The “Coral Demon Moth” did not actively cooperate, and it was very troublesome to replenish its divine power. Even a village-level yokai, with so many people attacking, wasted a whole night.

It could also recover automatically, but the time was slower.

At this time, a white horizontal line had already appeared on the horizon. Tokyo Bay was right in front of them.

---

Practitioners and shikigami could communicate over long distances, and Japan had already received the news.

‘Minamoto Kiyomoto has turned the Coral Demon Moth into a demon body’—not to mention Japan, the practitioners of the whole world were discussing this matter.

Before dawn, Tokyo, no, including Chiba Prefecture and Kanagawa Prefecture, every coast bordering Tokyo Bay was crowded with practitioners.

Tokyo, Wakasu Seaside Park, the Ogosho with silver hair, wearing a straight suit, looked at the sea, not knowing what he was thinking.

Not far from him was the Shikoku Shinto Lord. Beside the Shikoku Shinto Lord was Ayako, whose long hair was elegantly coiled up.

“Ayako, congratulations,” the Shikoku Shinto Lord said with a smile.

Ayako smiled, did not speak, and her eyes kept looking at the entrance of Tokyo Bay.

The wife of the Ichijo clan leader also congratulated, “Kiyomoto has the Coral Demon Moth. His strength is already the strongest in Japan. He is also the Honshu Shinto Lord who is above ten thousand people. You will enjoy happiness in the future.”

Ayako said, “What happiness? If he is safe, I will be happy even if I stay on Shodoshima Island.”

“Aunt Ayako, you can’t say that,” Ichijo Shinya said. “Living a common life with money and living a common life without money are different.”

“Yes, even if you don’t want it, Ayako, you’ll be happy to see Kiyomoto so successful,” Minamoto Nagatoku’s wife was also on the side.

These were all people who had seen Ayako. Some had a good relationship with her before. More people who wanted to build a relationship were crowded in the back and couldn’t get a word in.

Just as Ayako was about to say something, she suddenly saw dozens of practitioners flying from the entrance of Tokyo Bay and shouting to the shore:

“They’re here! The demon-hunting ship has entered the port!”

The entire Tokyo Bay was silent for a moment, then it exploded with discussion.

Ayako’s heart pounded. She didn’t care about the “Coral Demon Moth” or what Honshu Shinto Lord. She only cared about her son’s safety.

I heard that his face is not good. I wonder what’s wrong. Is he injured, or is it a side effect of the “Coral Demon Moth”?
Sometimes she really hated Kamibayashi Miko.

Because of her, her son, whom she had worked so hard to raise, had to go through so many dangers, making her worry every moment.

She had also thought about finding her and asking her to leave Kiyomoto.

But she also knew that Kiyomoto liked her and would risk his life to accompany her to subjugate yokai.

And Kamibayashi Miko also liked Kiyomoto, was good to him, and cared about him more than her own life.

Tokyo Bay was 922 square kilometers. It would take some time for the demon-hunting ship to enter the port and approach Tokyo.

Amidst the anxious waiting of the crowd, finally, standing on the land of Tokyo, with the naked eye, they could see the huge flag fluttering.

The sun was rising, reflecting a golden yellow on the sea surface. The microwaves swayed, and the vast expanse was full of golden light. The demon-hunting ship seemed to be sailing from the light.

The “Coral Demon Moth” embroidered on the flag had many traces of wind and rain, but there were no bloodstains of an “X” drawn on it.

Among the people who came to welcome them, there were also some who doubted the authenticity of the matter.

They believed that the demon-hunting operation had failed, but for the sake of face, the people on the ship were ordered by the Ogosho and the Lord of Kyoto to say that they had been turned into a demon body by Minamoto Kiyomoto.

But whether it was true or false, as long as Minamoto Kiyomoto turned into the Coral Demon Moth, it would be fine.

If he made an excuse, saying that he hadn’t completely mastered it, then the matter would be suspicious.

---

The cheers on both sides of the shore were like a tide, and the demon-hunting ship seemed to be floating in the cheers.

Near the end of the year, the air was cold. Minamoto Kiyomoto only wore a simple kimono and haori and stood on the ship’s tower.

The practitioners on the deck enjoyed the cheers, their faces full of smiles.

This was not Japan’s first demon-hunting operation, but no matter how many times, it was enough to be recorded in history.

Not only that, but in the world of ordinary people, they would be known to the public as “captains, naval officers, scientists, navigators, boatswains, mechanics, sailors, chefs,” and so on.

“What are your plans after this?” Minamoto Nagatoku asked Amatsumara.

The two of them considered themselves the most trusted confidants of the Honshu Shinto Lord.

“I’m going back to forge my iron,” Amatsumara said.

“You’re not staying by the Shinto Lord’s side?”

“Whether it’s the Shinto sect or the Shinto Lord, my only goal is to forge the ‘Worldly Vessel.'”

Amatsumara sighed and said again:
“Actually, it would have been great if I had died at sea. I could have lived a secluded life in the Yellow Springs. There, there would be no official orders to harass me, and no trouble to disturb my peace.”

Minamoto Nagatoku had nothing to say to this old man.

One was because he only knew how to bury his head in refining weapons; two, he actually believed that he could continue to maintain his rationality after death.

‘Whether it’s true or false, I should also ask. I’ll just use the excuse of continuing to serve the Shinto Lord after death.’ Amidst the cheers, Minamoto Nagatoku also began to plan for his own death.

The closer the ship got to Tokyo, the louder the cheers became.

“When you get the other half of the divine seal, you can try to subdue the Yatagarasu,” in the morning light, Himegami Izayoi, who was in a very good mood, turned her face and said to Minamoto Kiyomoto with a smile.

“It’s best if I can subdue it. If I can’t, then forget it.”

“Why are you so desireless now?” Himegami Izayoi asked curiously.

“I’ve had enough of a life of fighting to the death. Now I just want to be with you, graduate from the medical department peacefully, and open a hospital.”

“A hospital? Isn’t there one ready-made here?” Itomi Sayaka said.

“Sister!”

“Then I’ll just be a shrine priest,” Minamoto Kiyomoto changed his words.

“Which one? Hakusan Shrine? Hokkaido Shrine? Or my Ise Shrine?” Himegami Izayoi pressed.

“The priest of Suitengu Shrine is also about to retire.”

“The… the priest of Izumo-taisha, hmm, should also be about to pass away.”

“Which one do you choose?” Himegami Izayoi asked Minamoto Kiyomoto.

“Is being a priest so troublesome? I’d rather be a Shinto Lord.”

“Isn’t it troublesome? You’re so likable. What can you do?” Himegami Izayoi said with a smile.

“…”

Himegami Izayoi glanced at the land. The ship was about to stop. “Master Kiyo, it’s time for you to perform.”

“I like to fight, but I don’t like to show off,” Minamoto Kiyomoto sighed.

He coughed again and then said, “It’s not that I like to fight, it’s that I’m competitive.” Kamibayashi Miko was looking at him.

“Go,” Kamibayashi Miko laughed. “This will make you fight less.”

In the eyes of the crowd, Minamoto Kiyomoto slowly rose into the air.

When his height surpassed the mast, the crowd quieted down, as if waiting for the New Year’s bell, and looked at him.

Standing in the sky, Minamoto Kiyomoto saw the Ogosho.

‘Humph,’ Tamahime expressed her opinion coldly.

Minamoto Kiyomoto carefully sized up his silver hair. It was just the right amount of white, giving people the impression that he was old and had enough experience, but also that he was still young and had plenty of energy.

He saw his mother again, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

He took a deep breath, and a three-colored divine light flowed and surged around his body.

Tokyo Bay hummed. In the blink of an eye, it became dark. Countless neon waves surged in the sky.

The crowd held their breath, their hearts pounding. The rolling qi wave was like the sea hanging upside down, about to fall at any moment and sweep everyone away.

His whole body swelled, and a powerful force filled his body. Minamoto Kiyomoto couldn’t help but let out a long cry to the sky.

Amidst the clear and soaring cry, he turned into a three-colored divine light and rushed into the rolling qi wave.

The fierce sea breeze, the fluttering flags crackled, but it only served to highlight the silence of the world at this moment.

The crowd watched with concentration, but they couldn’t see even a shadow of Minamoto Kiyomoto.

The strong wind roared, and the sky was full of surging neon qi waves. The whole world flickered between light and dark.

Just as Ayako was getting more and more worried, the world suddenly became quiet.

The strong wind stopped, and the neon qi wave also flowed slowly like a gurgling stream.

Only the seawater of Tokyo Bay, which had been lifted by the wind, was still slapping the shore on its own, and then shattered.

“Mmm—” a strange hum, like a church choir.

“Boom!” The dark sky suddenly opened.

Huge wings, magnificent coral horns like a crown, the Coral Demon Moth descended over Tokyo Bay, like a god accepting the worship of the crowd.

“Long live Lord Tsukushi-no-Kimi!” On the ship, Minamoto Nagatoku seized the opportunity, flew to the mast, and shouted.

The sound rolled like thunder and spread throughout Tokyo Bay.

The crowd finally came back to their senses.

“Long live Lord Tsukushi-no-Kimi! Long live Lord Tsukushi-no-Kimi!”

The world seemed to be boiling.

The people of the Minamoto and Ichijo clans were so excited their bodies trembled.

Ayako’s heart was full of worry. At this time, it all turned into happiness and pride. For a moment, she couldn’t even breathe smoothly.

On December 21st, at eight in the morning, the sun was rising in the east.

Minamoto Kiyomoto, who was only twenty years old, in front of a million practitioners in Tokyo Bay, turned into a demon body, the Coral Demon Moth, and became the ninth and youngest Honshu Shinto Lord in history, in charge of all practitioner matters in Honshu.