Chapter 196: Return to the Capital

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Minamoto Kiyomoto entered a strange state.

Without himself, he could feel nothing, and even the delusions of life and death were completely annihilated.

He saw fate.

Fate was like a broken hemp rope, no, it was a growing vine, but it just looked like it was broken.

Figures flashed by—

Himself, the bright-smiling Himegami Izayoi, Kamibayashi Miko by his side, the Hokkaido Miko, the Taiko, the Myriad Scrolls Monk…
The scenes were like a slideshow—

Tokyo Daijingu, Koyasan, an unknown mountain range, a frozen sea…
The vines grew, chasing and intertwining with each other, rolling forward, spreading and growing towards the infinitely distant future.

Fragments of the future, from those vines, flowed into his mind like plants transporting water.

Suddenly, it stopped.

It should be a spring in a certain year. He saw a tall magnolia tree like a canopy.

The wind blew, and the white magnolias in the sky were like a flurry of heavy snow.

The petals danced. Some of them, like small boats, rowed into the corridor of Hakusan Shrine. He saw himself taking a nap under the wind chimes, a book on his chest.

As if he knew, “he” opened his eyes and looked at him.

“He” smiled and was about to say something when a call came from inside the house, “Kiyomoto.”

“Here…” he and “he” subconsciously replied at the same time.

Hearing this call, Minamoto Kiyomoto suddenly came back to his senses and returned to his real, physical, and delusional body.

“Kiyomoto.”

Minamoto Kiyomoto opened his eyes. The sky was clear for thousands of miles, and the dazzling morning sun of the Seto Inland Sea shone into the window, stepping on his face without any politeness.

Kamibayashi Miko was already dressed neatly, in a shrine maiden’s attire, with white magnolias embroidered on her sleeves.

“What time is it?” Minamoto Kiyomoto sat up from the floor.

“Eight o’clock,” Kamibayashi Miko said. “This is the first time I’ve seen you sleep in.”

Minamoto Kiyomoto’s right hand was on his forehead, as if he were chasing a train that had already left the station, running desperately on the platform, trying to hold on to everything in his dream just now.

A frozen sea? The Taiko?

The Myriad Scrolls Monk came to find him? It seemed to be something.

And the last, clearest image, his future self lying in the corridor of Hakusan Shrine, with white magnolias all over the sky. What did he want to say to himself? When was that? Why could he see his future self?
And why did he see the future?
The unexpected effect of the fusion of a human and a complete yokai?

Or did his self, who had walked out of the underworld, do something at that time?
“What’s wrong?” Kamibayashi Miko saw him frowning in thought and couldn’t help but worry.

“Last night, I…” Minamoto Kiyomoto raised his head. “Was I knocked out by the two of you?”

“You slipped and fainted on your own,” Kamibayashi Miko looked away.

“Is that so,” Minamoto Kiyomoto nodded, then suddenly got up, picked her up by the waist, and threw her down.

Kamibayashi Miko felt her body float up, her long hair flying in the air. She was thrown onto the bed.

Just as she was about to get up, Minamoto Kiyomoto pressed down on her again, his hands on her slender arms.

She frowned and glared at him, signaling him to move away.

“Just a kiss,” Minamoto Kiyomoto didn’t, and looked down at her beautiful and fair face with a smile.

Kamibayashi Miko struggled a little.

Minamoto Kiyomoto let go of his hands, but he didn’t get up. Instead, he held her face and touched her long hair, which was as smooth as black silk.

Kamibayashi Miko pressed her hands on his shoulders, trying to push him away.

“Miko, just a kiss,” he murmured.

The hands on his shoulders suddenly weakened, and Minamoto Kiyomoto kissed her.

The bed was surprisingly soft, the air became humid, and there was a faint fragrance.

“Kiyomoto, are you not awake yet?” After an unknown amount of time, a knock came from the door.

Kamibayashi Miko suddenly came back to her senses. Her hands, which were wrapped around Minamoto Kiyomoto’s neck, pressed on his shoulders again, trying to push him away.

“I’m awake!” Minamoto Kiyomoto took the time to reply and kissed her again.

“Mmm! Mmm!”

A passionate kiss for five or six seconds.

Kamibayashi Miko no longer struggled, nor did she close her eyes as she had just now. She stared at Minamoto Kiyomoto without blinking.

She let him tease her and did not respond.

Minamoto Kiyomoto had no choice but to kiss her on the face, get up, and then reach out to pull her up.

“If you don’t listen, don’t think about having a next time,” Kamibayashi Miko said in a low voice, tidying her hair.

“I… was… wrong,” Minamoto Kiyomoto replied with a cheeky smile, tidying her collar for her.

Just now, he had wanted to try the feel of her breasts several times, to invade this sacred mountain that had never been touched, but she had stopped him.

If he had forced it, he could have done it with his strength, but after trying a few times, she had refused, so he didn’t insist.

After tidying their clothes, they also put away the quilt on the floor.

When leaving the room, Minamoto Kiyomoto remembered one thing. He ground the record of the female celebrity’s abortion in “The History of Absurd Medicine” into dust and threw it out the window.

“When Izayoi is really pregnant, my mother will move to Tokyo. She might move my things. Just in case,” he said in a low voice to Kamibayashi Miko, who was looking at him.

“Don’t do anything that weighs on your conscience,” Kamibayashi Miko said with a smile, scolding him.

She remembered what had happened last night.

In fact, the two of them hadn’t looked at that abortion record. After confirming that it was that kind of book, Himegami Izayoi had said, “What’s so interesting about looking at this,” and then excitedly—showing off—retold her personal experience to her.

“I was shocked. Guess what happened to him? He stood up like an iron tower! It was like he was going to breathe fire!”

“Breathe fire?” Kamibayashi Miko was also shocked.

She had basic common sense and knew that humans could never breathe fire, but Minamoto Kiyomoto’s eyes could shoot red light, and it was still debatable whether he was human or not.

If he really breathed fire, how could a person stand it?
As if she knew her worries, Himegami Izayoi immediately explained, “He didn’t breathe fire. It was more like coconut milk, ah, hotter than coconut milk.”

After listening to Himegami Izayoi, just as she was subconsciously imagining slightly hot coconut milk, Minamoto Kiyomoto came in.

That was probably the most tacit understanding she and Himegami Izayoi had ever had. They both thought at the same time—Minamoto Kiyomoto has very good hearing.

At that time, Minamoto Kiyomoto was flustered, and the two of them were even more flustered.

If it weren’t for the fact that both sides were flustered, something might have really happened last night.

The two of them left the room. Everyone was chatting in the living room. Even Noi was dressed neatly and was playing a game in a corner of the living room.

They were leaving today.

“Mother, you should just come with me,” Himegami Izayoi urged.

Ayako’s face was hesitant. She was also reluctant to part with Kiyomoto.

“Forget it,” after thinking for a moment, she still refused. “You’re not married yet. I’d be disturbing your… three-person world. And you still have a lot of things to do, don’t you?”

“Then when I’m pregnant and resting, mother, you must come to Tokyo to accompany me,” Himegami Izayoi held her arm.

Ayako stroked her head and smiled gently.

Minamoto Kiyomoto, who had walked out of the room, wanted to persuade his mother, but after hearing the conversation between the two, he didn’t speak again.

“You don’t have to wait until you’re pregnant,” he sat down on the sofa. “When Koyako and I get married, mom, you can move over.”

“Hmm—, okay,” Ayako actually didn’t think, but she still subconsciously put on a thinking look.

“When are you getting married?” At this time, Itomi Sayaka asked.

“I’m thinking about how to propose,” Minamoto Kiyomoto showed a look of headache. “But at the latest, it will be in March.”

Himegami Izayoi held Ayako’s arm and looked at him with a smile, full of anticipation and happiness. It was a happy smile.

The Hokkaido Miko looked at her, thinking about something.

With the reluctance and sadness of parting, they discussed where to hold the wedding and who to invite. The atmosphere was quite pleasant.

After lunch, they prepared to go back to Tokyo.

“Mother, thank you,” by the seaside road in front of the inn, Minamoto Kiyomoto hugged his mother.

“Be careful,” Ayako’s eyelashes were stained with tears.

“Hmm.”

Minamoto Kiyomoto reluctantly let go of his mother.

“Koyako, please take care of him,” Ayako bowed to Himegami Izayoi, Kamibayashi Miko, and Itomi Sayaka.

Minamoto Kiyomoto looked at his mother and remembered everything she had done for him.

Ayako had left Kyoto and lived in seclusion on Shodoshima Island because she was tired of the life of a large family, rejected the blind pursuit of power, and did not want to live that kind of utilitarian life.

Now, for the sake of her son, she had to use a certain method to “show goodwill” to the Ise Miko, the Divine Medium, and the Hokkaido Miko.

Minamoto Kiyomoto suddenly felt that he was so selfish and so ruthless last year!

His mind was full of himself, and he had adventured again and again without any regard.

He wanted to say something, to promise his mother that he would never take risks again, but his throat was blocked, and he couldn’t say a word.

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Tokyo Daijingu

This shrine was originally named ‘Hibiya Daijingu’, and later renamed ‘Iidabashi Daijingu’. When Minamoto Kiyomoto became the Honshu Shinto Lord, it became the Tokyo Daijingu.

The corridors were winding, and the beams were carved and painted.

Every corridor was wiped smooth and clean. A preparatory shrine maiden in a shrine maiden’s attire walked by, as if walking on water, reflecting her figure.

A dragon-shaped lighting window, a spacious courtyard. The courtyard was managed by a gardener from the Kyoto Imperial Garden, once a day.

Besides the preparatory shrine maidens, there were also a larger number of maids, all dressed in kimonos, coming and going in the corridors or palaces.

Of course, there were also practitioners who had been dispatched.

On a long corridor adjacent to the courtyard, many practitioners were relaxing during their lunch break.

The courtyard was right in front of them, for play and leisure, but before the master of the shrine returned, these people did not dare to take a step in.

“He should be back soon, right?” Ishikawa, who was wearing a suit, said as if chatting.

“Who?” Kuwayama, who was well-built, asked back.

“Lord Shinto,” Ishikawa said with a laugh.

“I guess so. Someone will come to inform us to welcome him when he returns in the afternoon,” Kuwayama replied.

“To think that a Honshu Shinto Lord would appear in our generation. It seems there will be another storm,” Ishikawa said with emotion.

“The storm has never stopped. It may not be a bad storm,” Kuwayama said.

“Hmm. By the way,” Ishikawa smiled. “You speak Kanto dialect quite well.”

“When I was in the practitioner’s academy, I had a Kanto girlfriend. My Kansai dialect was led astray by her,” Kuwayama remembered the past, a smile on his lips.

“We should be in the same class. What’s your girlfriend’s name? Maybe I know her,” Ishikawa became interested.

Kuwayama smiled and didn’t answer. He had only met Ishikawa a few times and was not familiar with him.

He lowered his head and continued to read the book. It was the outer chapter of “Guiguzi” in full Chinese.

Unfortunately, the main text of “Guiguzi,” which involved cultivation and spells, was a secret that was not passed down, not to mention in Japan, but even in China.

But the Honshu Shinto Lord had it.

With the Honshu Shinto Lord’s style of handling the “Dainichi Nyorai Spell,” if he read the outer chapter in front of him, he might be taught the main text.

It was with this thought that Kuwayama came to the Tokyo Daijingu from Kansai and read “Guiguzi” every day.

“Don’t be so cold!” Ishikawa was still pestering. “Just right, I have our graduation photo. Take a look, is your girlfriend in it?”

Kuwayama found him long-winded and ignorant.

He was expressionless, with a polite smile, and looked at the phone that Ishikawa had taken out.

“You’re from Hokkaido”

In an instant, Kuwayama’s heart almost stopped.

He tried his best to remain calm. His smile first disappeared almost completely, and then suddenly became thicker.

“Where’s the photo?” he seemed to be teasing Ishikawa for taking the wrong one.

Ishikawa looked at his phone and said “ah,” saying “sorry,” and swiped the screen again.

“This is it,” he showed the phone screen to Kuwayama again.

“Hokkaido, Engaru Town, Engaru Town Junior High School”

Kuwayama finally couldn’t control himself, “You…”

“Is it her? Hahaha, I guessed it! I’ve seen you two on a secret date!” Ishikawa laughed and interrupted him, swiped the screen again, and actually changed to another photo.

“Is it her?” Ishikawa looked like he was teasing a friend in love.

“Control your expression! Don’t talk nonsense! Minamoto Kiyomoto will hear and see you!”

Kuwayama stared at the screen in silence for a while and replied, “Yes.”

“I said we were in the same class. My memory is not bad, right? I thought you looked familiar the first time I saw you!”

“Lord Shinto is back!” At this time, a preparatory shrine maiden ran over and informed them.

The group quickly walked towards the main hall, tidying their appearance as they walked, adjusting their ties, tidying their official robes, and putting on their official hats.

“Let’s exchange contact information. We’ll chat again when we have time.”

After exchanging emails, Ishikawa hurried towards the crowd.

Kuwayama followed behind, guessing who Ishikawa was.

According to the previous information, he was a Kanto practitioner. Was he the Ogosho’s man? Or the Lord of Kyoto? Or a remnant of the Shinto sect?
And what was his purpose?
As his thoughts raced, his phone suddenly rang. He looked down and saw that it was the first email from Ishikawa.

“Pay attention to the crows”

‘Crows?’

He subconsciously looked at the majestic roof of the shrine. There were many crows standing there scattered.

Crows were everywhere in Japan, even in the cold Hokkaido. Since ancient times, there had been no mention of a crow shikigami being born. Kuwayama had never paid attention to them.

Now that he was reminded by Ishikawa, he suddenly discovered that these crows seemed to be randomly landing on the roof, but they could actually see every part of the Daijingu, every corridor.

Minamoto Kiyomoto can control crows?

Kuwayama’s heart pounded.

To prevent exposure, Hokkaido rarely contacted him. But not long ago, someone from above had informed him to go to the Tokyo Daijingu to gain Minamoto Kiyomoto’s trust, and if necessary, even sacrifice Hokkaido’s interests.

He was not sure if there were any crows present at that time.

No!

If I’ve already been exposed, Ishikawa wouldn’t have risked coming to find me!

Kuwayama’s rapid breathing gradually calmed down.

As long as the Honshu Shinto Lord didn’t know, he would be safe for the time being.

And Ishikawa, this guy of unknown origin, from his words and actions just now, it could be seen that what he wanted was not his life, but something else.

What could it be? Hokkaido’s intelligence? To get a handle on me and turn me against them?
Just as his thoughts were racing, a hundred-meter-long black and red fire dragon, with a huge aura of power, swooped down from the clouds and circled above the Daijingu.

The Divine Medium, the Ise Miko, the Hokkaido Miko, and a few others fell from the dragon’s back.

The giant dragon roared, and its body suddenly contracted as if a black hole had appeared.

Black light rolled, and a tall and handsome figure with a golden crown appeared.

The Honshu Shinto Lord, the master of the Tokyo Daijingu, was back.

“Greetings, Lord Shinto!” a shout came from the main hall square.

Kuwayama remembered the Coral Demon Moth that seemed to have descended from the heavens on Tokyo Bay half a month ago.

His heart pounded again, and the hand holding his phone felt a slight numbness.

He took a deep breath, collected his thoughts, and walked quickly towards the square.