Chapter 210: Ice Lantern Festival (Part 1)

---

The ordinary person’s Ice Lantern Festival was in Sapporo city, with the main venues being Odori Park and Makomanai Park.

The practitioners’ Ice Lantern Festival was outside Sapporo city.

On the peak of Mount Bankei, magnificent palaces were all carved from complete, huge ice blocks.

If you came early, you could see the setting sun shining on them, sparkling like a pile of gold.

The palace shapes were strange and varied. Guests could even use their divine artifacts to process them themselves.

The only requirement was that they must face Sapporo city—after the banquet officially began, there would be a performance in the sky above Sapporo city, which was also the arena for the Kasen battle, and also the fireworks show for ordinary people.

“Kasen—Lord Date Masamune!”

“Kirishima Shrine Miko—Kirishima Miko!”

“Minamoto Clan Leader—Minamoto Nagatoku!”

With each announcement, the empty ice sculpture complex gradually became lively. The lights were lit, making it even more dreamlike.

Countless snow woman shikigami, wearing white kimonos, carried fine wine and delicacies, gliding through the white mist.

After the sun went down, Sapporo, which had been sunny all day, began to snow lightly. Pure white snowflakes drifted in the dim night sky.

Sapporo was brightly lit and crowded with people. Tourists from all over the world rushed to participate in the annual Ice Lantern Festival.

The ice sculpture palace complex on the high mountain was like a huge, bright yellow egg wrapped in the night, transcendent and otherworldly, as if a banquet was being held by heavenly beings, with the human world as the scenery.

“The Ogosho has arrived—!”

The lively ice palace gradually quieted down after this announcement.

A huge pillar of light that reached the sky enveloped one of the three palaces at the top.

The pillar of light slowly disappeared. The Ogosho, with a smile on his face, waved kindly to the crowd who had stood up.

Minamoto Nagatoku, the Fujiwara clan leader, the Ichijo clan leader, and the Abe clan leader were chatting and drinking lightly.

“I heard that Lord Shinto bestowed a spell on you. This Kasen battle must be a sure thing?” the Abe clan leader asked Minamoto Nagatoku with a smile.

“How is the cultivation of the spell?” the Ichijo clan leader asked with concern.

“With Lord Shinto’s experience, this guy will definitely be fine!” the Fujiwara clan leader laughed.

“Thank you all for giving me this opportunity!” Minamoto Nagatoku said gratefully.

The families that followed Minamoto Kiyomoto would not have anyone participating in the battle this time. This was the intention of Minamoto Nagatoku telling Minamoto Kiyomoto that he wanted to participate in the Kasen battle.

During this time, he was both proud and anxious.

After Minamoto Kiyohiro’s accident, he came out of seclusion and became the Minamoto clan leader again.

While he was excited and happy, the pressure was even greater. He was worried that if he did not win the Kasen battle, Minamoto Kiyomoto would think that he was not worthy of being used.

“Uncle Nagatoku, look!”

The four of them followed Minamoto Kiyomi’s lively voice and saw a group of children carving the palace into the coral horns of the ‘Coral Demon Moth’.

Such coral horns were everywhere in the palace complex, as well as the Hakone Fire Dragon and the Red-Gold Dragon.

The fanatical followers of the Honshu Shinto Lord regarded the three yokai as divine beasts, and even the ‘Mountain Wind Cave’ was loved by some people.

For example, through the crystal-clear “coral horn” jungle, the Suitengu Shrine on the left was a model of the ‘Mountain Wind Cave’ valley.

The Suitengu Miko, as gentle as water, had the black scepter that could summon the ‘Mountain Wind Cave’ inserted in her kimono belt, which attracted frequent glances from the crowd.

Some were really looking at the black scepter, and some took the opportunity to peek at her slender waist.

“I heard that Lord Shinto caught another yokai at sea in Hokkaido. I wonder whose turn it is this time,” the Fujiwara clan leader lowered his voice.

“I don’t know who it is, but it can’t be me,” Minamoto Nagatoku, who had just obtained a spell, said.

“Even you can’t. It’s even more impossible for us,” the Abe clan leader said with regret.

The Abe clan was famous for its rich variety of spells, but they were also eager to control a yokai.

“I guess it’s that Itomi Sayaka.”

“The Izumo Miko of the Izumo-taisha is also possible.”

“Lord Shinto trusts women the most, no, I said it wrong, it should be—women all trust Lord Shinto!”

The four of them laughed and drank a cup together.

“As long as the sealing stone slab is still in the Tokyo Daijingu,” Minamoto Nagatoku took a sip of wine, “it doesn’t matter who takes it.”

“Why hasn’t Lord Shinto come yet?” the Abe clan leader glanced out of the hall.

At this time.

“The Lord of Kyoto has arrived—!”

The nobles and practitioners of Kansai all stood up and bowed to the snowy night sky.

The night sky turned red, and a sound like a jade chime was heard.

Whether it was the snow woman shikigami or the shikigami brought by the guests themselves, in the cry, they were all so scared they stood still.

A beautiful and sacred bird, carrying two blurry figures, landed in the building on the left of the three palaces at the top.

“Greetings, Your Majesty,” the people of Kansai, facing the ice-carved Shishin-den, fell like straw in the wind.

“Rise,” a pleasant and majestic voice came from inside the palace.

Through the blurry light and shadow of the ice, two figures could be vaguely seen. They should be the Lord of Kyoto and the Ise Miko.

As for the Suzaku that had just cried out, one of the figures pulled out a hairpin, and the Suzaku turned into a purple-red light, flowing into the hairpin like a mist.

Soon, not a minute after the Lord of Kyoto arrived, the master of Hokkaido, the Taiko, also arrived.

“Is everyone here?” the Taiko asked the Hokkaido Shinto Lord.

The Hokkaido Shinto Lord, who was burly and as tall as an iron tower, replied respectfully:
“Master, the Honshu Shinto Lord, the Divine Medium, and the Hokkaido Miko have not yet arrived. Shall we start now?”

“Then let’s wait a little longer,” the Taiko ordered and sat down in the crab-shaped palace, curled up in his seat as if he were afraid of the cold, looking as if he had fallen asleep.

At this time, the Hokkaido practitioners who were kneeling on the ground dared to get up.

In the palace complex, the drums and music played again.

“Hahaha, everyone, I’m sorry, I’m late!” Before the human voice had boiled, a voice came in.

The crowd looked towards the source of the voice.

In the crystal-like ice corridor, a few people came.

The person in the lead was wearing a black robe and a golden crown. His face was handsome, and his eyes were full of spirit. He was indescribably confident and at ease. It was the current number one in the world, Minamoto Kiyomoto.

The girl following behind him was beautiful and otherworldly. Walking in the ice mist, her kimono sleeves fluttered, like a fairy from the moon palace.

On the other side of Minamoto Kiyomoto was the Hokkaido Miko, with a cold expression, silver hair like snow, and like an exquisite doll.

There was also a pair of beautiful and outstanding sisters. The one with short hair had an elegant and fashionable temperament. She should be the older sister, Itomi Sayaka, the former leader of the nine groups of the Shinto sect.

The younger sister had long hair and was a little nervous in the face of the crowd’s gaze, but it could not hide her outstanding quiet temperament.

Behind them were the golden-haired, noble princess-like Noi shikigami, the cute and slender Shirako earth spirit, and the Little Butterfly shikigami, also known as the ‘Demon Butterfly’.

The beauty of these few people had long been spread in Japan. Seeing them in person today, the crowd felt that the rumors did not do them justice.

The young girls and young wives in the hall also stared at Minamoto Kiyomoto, feeling as if he was about to walk into their hearts.

“Why is Kiyomoto so late?” the Lord of Kyoto, behind the ice wall, asked with a slight smile.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, when I came, I saw a ten-meter-high ice sculpture in Sapporo city in the sky. I couldn’t help but go for a spin,” Minamoto Kiyomoto replied.

“Free and unrestrained,” the Lord of Kyoto reprimanded. Her voice was gentle and pleasant. Although she was not smiling, one could feel her closeness.

“Your Majesty is right,” Minamoto Kiyomoto replied with a smile.

“Sit down.”

“Yes.”

When Minamoto Kiyomoto was being reprimanded, the Divine Medium had already sat down in the palace closest to the top. The Hokkaido Miko’s palace was opposite her.

Although the Honshu Shinto Lord had great power, his reputation and status were below the Divine Medium, so Minamoto Kiyomoto’s palace was below the Divine Medium, and opposite was the Hokkaido Shinto Lord’s palace.

Itomi Yuki followed her sister to catch up with the people from the nine groups.

In the end, the only one who followed Minamoto Kiyomoto into the Honshu Shinto Lord’s ice palace was the golden-haired princess Noi.

After everyone arrived, the Ice Lantern Festival immediately began.

Hundreds of snow women danced gracefully in the night sky, and the sound of drums and music was endless.

The practitioners drank and chatted, and sometimes enjoyed the singing and dancing.

All year round, they were under the high pressure of yokai. Such a relaxed banquet made everyone have the desire to speak freely.

The Honshu Shinto Lord’s hall, which was empty with only Minamoto Kiyomoto and Noi, was immediately filled with some Kasen, shrine maidens, and nobles after the banquet began.

The crowd surrounded Minamoto Kiyomoto. No matter what Minamoto Kiyomoto said, they would laugh and cheer. The atmosphere was relaxed and lively.

At this time, Himegami Izayoi, holding a glass of wine, walked out of the palace at the top and came to the Honshu Shinto Lord’s hall.

“Lord Shinto,” her stunningly beautiful and noble face had a smile on it. “This is a reward from His Majesty.”

Minamoto Kiyomoto did not look at her. He faced the palace at the top and bowed respectfully, “Thank you, Your Majesty!”

After thanking him, he turned his gaze to Himegami Izayoi.

“And thank you, Lady Ise Miko,” he smiled and went to take the wine glass.

“Hmm—” the Ise Miko made a seductive negative sound, pushed his hand away, and brought the wine glass to his lips, slowly feeding him.

Minamoto Kiyomoto drank and looked at Himegami Izayoi. Himegami Izayoi also looked at him with a smile.

On her fair skin, there was a touch of cherry blossom pink, and her bright red lips were very alluring.

After feeding him the wine, Himegami Izayoi gracefully returned to the palace belonging to the Lord of Kyoto.

After the Ise Miko left, the crowd once again complimented him.

In this lively atmosphere, there was a small group of people who could not calm down. They were the practitioners who were preparing to participate in the Kasen battle.

At 9:30 at night, which was the time for the Sapporo fireworks show, the Hokkaido Shinto Lord, after reporting to the Taiko, the Lord of Kyoto, and the Ogosho, finally announced:
“Since the Noryo Festival, two more Kasen positions have been vacant. I, the Shinto Lord, in accordance with the orders of the Taiko, the Lord of Kyoto, and the Ogosho, will hold a Kasen battle!”

“It’s a擂台system, one-on-one. The winner will be the Kasen. Begin!”

The ice palace complex fell silent. The low-level practitioners were full of anticipation, while the high-level practitioners looked at Ashiya Doman.

Ashiya Doman walked out. As expected, as one of the thirty-six Kasen selected from the medieval period, after recovering to his peak, no one dared to challenge him.

“Congratulations, Lord Doman, on returning to the Kasen position,” the people of the Ashiya clan were the first to congratulate him.

Ashiya Doman ignored them, only drinking and looking at the graceful snow woman shikigami, patting his leg and singing a medieval song.

“The Kasen battle continues!” the Hokkaido Shinto Lord said loudly.

The atmosphere in the group of halls stagnated.

In the Minamoto clan’s palace, Minamoto Nagatoku clenched his wine glass. His daughter, Minamoto Kiyone, and his niece, Minamoto Kiyomi, also nervously clenched the hem of their kimonos.

After a short pause, a person stood up.

“Uesugi Yoichi,” Uesugi Yoichi announced his name and flew into the sky above Sapporo city.

The fireworks show there had already begun.

Before the crowd could react, a yellow light flew out of the Ito family’s palace and rushed into the sky full of fireworks.

At the same time, in the broadcast of Sapporo city, the host of the fireworks show said excitedly:
“The desolate history of Hokkaido, bit by bit, is all melted in the water of Hokkaido. This water containing history has been carved into ice sculptures today. Next, please enjoy the fireworks—Yoto!”

“Boom—”

The dazzling fireworks exploded in the night sky, lighting up most of Sapporo.

The citizens raised their heads and couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.

The two fighting practitioners fought in the night sky. Divine power surged, and spells roared.

The powerful shockwave made the snowflakes flee in all directions.

“Sister Sa, who do you think will win?” In the palace carved into a rabbit, Yuka asked Itomi Sayaka.

“That Uesugi,” Itomi Sayaka’s tone was casual and leisurely.

She thought of the dark days in the Shinto sect, and then thought of the open and honest life now. She felt that people should still stand on the side of justice.

“By the way, Sister Sa, are you participating? With your strength, you can definitely win this Kasen position!” Rabbit was very excited.

“That’s right! If you become a Kasen, you can manage a county! At that time, we’ll all move to your territory!” everyone said one after another.

“It’s not as simple as you think,” Itomi Sayaka shook her head. “Who knows if another Ashiya Doman will appear, or a practitioner who can revive Ashiya Doman?”

“Hmm, that’s true,” Yuka nodded.

Itomi Sayaka was very powerful, but the masters who could compete for the Kasen position were not bad. The upper limit was even invisible.

Minamoto Kiyomoto and Ashiya Doman were definitely not the strongest contestants in the Kasen battle.

“Besides—”

Before Itomi Sayaka could finish, the battle in the sky above Sapporo city had already ended. As expected, Uesugi Yoichi had won.

Ito was unconscious, but Uesugi Yoichi was not in a good state either. His whole body was covered in blood.

In the Kasen battle, the injured winner could first recover from his injuries, but once the injuries were healed, he had to immediately choose to go on the擂台or choose to admit defeat.

While Uesugi Yoichi was receiving treatment, two more practitioners flew into the sky above Sapporo.

One was a body spell practitioner who turned into a thirty-meter-tall giant. The wind from his fist blew all the way to the ice palace.

The other was a native of Hokkaido, holding a giant axe, roaring and fighting the giant.

The fist was like the hand of God, and the giant axe was like the will of a defiant person. The two collided fiercely in the air, like the pioneers of Hokkaido, fighting against the dangerous nature.

The battle went on round after round. Many winners were injured. After being healed, they went on the擂台again. Uesugi Yoichi, who was the first to defend the擂台, won two more rounds and was finally defeated by Minamoto Nagatoku.

After that, Minamoto Nagatoku also had a tragic victory and had to heal his injuries first.

There were fewer and fewer challengers. In the end, only three people were left, and all three were healing their injuries, including Minamoto Nagatoku.

The other two were the daughter of the Akagi Kasen—Akagi Mayumi, and a man named Abe.

“Wonderful! Too wonderful!” the crowd couldn’t help but drink heavily and stuff delicious food into their mouths.

This fierce battle was quite appetizing for the practitioners.

The person named Abe was the first to heal his injuries, followed by Akagi Mayumi.

Minamoto Kiyomi and Minamoto Kiyone couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief for Minamoto Nagatoku.

Abe and Mayumi stood in the sky above Sapporo city. The crowd put down their chopsticks, held their side dishes, and looked at the two of them.

“…Please enjoy the fireworks—Manabe!” the broadcast for the ordinary people said excitedly.

“Secret Sword: Broken Stone,” Mayumi’s left eyelid drooped.

It was not completely closed.

The half-open, half-closed eye could only vaguely sense the illusory world, and the texture was like ink in water, which would disperse at a touch.

Abe’s combat experience was extremely rich. He had already seen from Mayumi’s previous battles that her ‘secret sword’ was not yet proficient.

Only by fighting head-on could she accurately hit the opponent’s texture, and she could only see the shallowest level of texture.

Abe’s body exploded, and he actually split into five figures. If it were the Akagi Kasen, he could easily tell which one was real by the difference in texture.

But in Mayumi’s eyes, the texture on these people was no different.

Five figures pounced on Mayumi from five directions.

Mayumi pressed her hand on her sword and concentrated.

One blow. Both of them bet the victory on one blow.

The fireworks were not very dazzling. The tourists in Sapporo city only saw a bright light parallel to the ground, as if the moon had been flattened.

Mayumi put down the sword in her hand, her face pale and sad.

On her left, the real Abe was unharmed. His palm was aimed at her temple, and his divine power could rush into her temple at any time and blow her head off.

“Abe wins!”

After the Hokkaido Shinto Lord announced the result, the crowd remembered to breathe and let out a clamor.

They threw the side dishes they had been holding in their hands into their mouths and discussed the blow just now.

“It’s a pity. Mayumi chose the Abe in front. Is this a habit of people who practice kendo?”

“If it were me, I would kill the one behind.”

“I should have chosen the left side. Oh, no, I don’t know which side I would have cut until the critical moment!”

The guests enjoyed the fresh delicacies brought by the snow women and discussed the battle just now.

“Abe, you can choose to continue or first recover your divine power,” the Hokkaido Shinto Lord informed Abe.

“Continue,” Abe’s eyes looked at Minamoto Nagatoku in the Minamoto clan’s main hall.

“Uncle Nagatoku, go for it!”

“Father—”

“Don’t worry. I haven’t used the spell that Lord Shinto taught me yet,” Minamoto Nagatoku comforted them, but he was very nervous in his heart.

This was not only related to his personal dream of becoming a Kasen, but also determined his status in Minamoto Kiyomoto’s eyes.

When Minamoto Nagatoku flew into the sky above Sapporo city, Abe suddenly said, “Lord Taiko, Lord Ogosho, Lord of Kyoto, I have a request.”

“Let’s hear it,” the Ogosho showed a friendly smile.

“If I win, please allow me to challenge the Honshu Shinto Lord. I want to know the gap between myself and the number one in the world.”

Minamoto Nagatoku almost cursed, “Insolent! You’re not worthy!” but thinking that if he said so, it would be detrimental to Minamoto Kiyomoto’s reputation, he tried his best to hold it in.

Minamoto Kiyomoto’s followers did not feel that this was an offense. They were not nobles like Minamoto Nagatoku and did not feel that Abe was provoking him.

On the contrary, they felt that Abe saying that Minamoto Kiyomoto was the number one in the world was a compliment, a reverence.

And as the number one in the world, Minamoto Kiyomoto accepting the challenge of a newly promoted Kasen and giving him pointers was also a good story.

“Honshu Shinto Lord, what do you think?” the Ogosho asked.

Everyone looked at the Honshu Shinto Lord’s hall.

“Okay,” Minamoto Kiyomoto nodded with a smile.

“Thank you, Lord Shinto!” Abe was extremely excited and then said with some embarrassment, “But, if the Honshu Shinto Lord turns into a Coral Demon Moth, I won’t have any strength to fight back.”

Could Minamoto Kiyomoto, who had not turned into a Coral Demon Moth, win against a newly promoted Kasen?

“Kid, wait until you win against me!” Minamoto Nagatoku saw through this guy’s thoughts, and his anger surged.

The earth-colored divine power surged, like a yellow earth wave, and hit Abe head-on.

Minamoto Kiyomoto glanced at the amiable Ogosho, sneered, and brought the wine glass to his lips.