Chapter 199: The Train

---

Two days later, on January 4th, the result of the Ibuki Kasen’s son’s case was placed in a pile of documents.

Kamibayashi Miko was also present at that time. She was selecting the targets for the first half of the year.

She was a divine medium, Minamoto Kiyomoto was a Shinto lord, and Himegami Izayoi was an Ise Miko. They couldn’t do nothing and stay in the Daijingu every day, like the industrialists of today, who from morning to night, were in air-conditioned offices and company employees having meetings, their moods fluctuating with the numbers, and then deciding everything based on the numbers.

They had to go to the battlefield, and the most dangerous battlefield, similar to Shikotsu Lake, a strange incident that ordinary practitioners could not solve.

In the past, it was decided to be once a month, but now it was restored to twice a year—whether it was Minamoto Kiyomoto or Kamibayashi Miko, they both wanted to live hard and had a happiness they wanted to cherish.

“Kiyomoto, look at this,” Kamibayashi Miko took a document and handed it to Minamoto Kiyomoto.

Minamoto Kiyomoto put down the judgment of the Ibuki Kasen’s son, took the document she handed him, took a sip of tea, and looked at it.

It was written on it that a sightseeing train from Nagano Prefecture to Gunma Prefecture had overturned on an iron bridge when it was crossing a mountain range and a deep valley.

The first incident occurred on December 26th of last year. One hundred and twenty-one people died. Everyone on the train, not a single one survived.

Some had their heads cut off, some only found a thigh full of leg hair, some only had a piece of clothing with a pool of blood and mud inside, and some had an arm that no one knew whose it was.

When dealing with the accident, the Onmyoryo of Nagano Prefecture and Gunma Prefecture both sent practitioners to investigate.

There was no trace of divine energy, and it was treated as an ordinary accident…

After the bodies were collected, the wreckage of the train was salvaged from the bottom of the valley, and the relatives of the deceased had finished the memorial service, the second train set off again.

The time was January 3rd, which was yesterday. At the same location, when passing the iron bridge, the train overturned again.

Because the accident had just happened, there were only thirty-two passengers on this train.

“…All thirty-two people died, a total of one hundred and fifty-three people. After my personal investigation, I found residual divine energy. The situation is complicated. It is preliminarily speculated that the yokai will only appear when the train passes. I am weak and dare not act rashly. Please decide, Lord Shinto.”

“January 3rd, Akagi Kasen.”

The level of this Akagi Kasen’s writing of documents obviously did not meet Himegami Izayoi’s requirements.

Minamoto Kiyomoto said nothing and let this trend go.

If he directly said, “From now on, you all speak in plain language,” he would not dare. Himegami Izayoi would not agree.

“Let’s do this. We’ll set off tomorrow,” he put down the document and muttered to himself, “one hundred and fifty-three people.”

Kamibayashi Miko nodded and looked at the judgment of the Ibuki Kasen’s son.

The matter was very simple. The son of the Ibuki Kasen, that Ibuki Manjiro, liked high school girls, but he did not dare to do anything to high school girls, so he targeted the 18-year-old female practitioners who had just come out of school.

After actual investigation, it was indeed found that there was coercion and inducement.

Those female practitioners, as Ueno Chizuko said, easily succumbed to power, wealth, and authority—men were the same. After getting practical benefits, they all succumbed one by one.

During the trial, these female practitioners all forgave Ibuki Manjiro.

I don’t know if it was because they took the benefits of the Ibuki Kasen, or because they were worried about being threatened, or perhaps both.

The victim forgave him, and it was a matter between a man and a woman. There were no actual casualties. Ibuki Manjiro was sentenced to participate in three subjugations, one at the county level and two at the village level.

The number of subjugations sentenced for a crime was based on twice a year.

It was noon. Kamibayashi Miko was reading the document. Minamoto Kiyomoto was looking at her side face. Her lips looked very tender.

Tongue, under the tongue, teeth, saliva. Every time they kissed, Minamoto Kiyomoto wanted to taste all of her.

“Eyes,” Kamibayashi Miko reminded someone without raising her head.

“Cough,” Minamoto Kiyomoto coughed lightly—recently, many people thought there was something wrong with his body and sent letters to inquire. In ancient times, it would be a memorial of greeting.

He said to the divine official of Gunma Prefecture:
“Go and reply to Akagi Kasen. The Divine Medium, the Ise Miko, the Hokkaido Miko, and I will go over tomorrow morning. Before we go, let him stay at the scene of the incident and pay attention to the situation at all times.”

“Yes!”

Minamoto Kiyomoto gave another order to the Bugyosho, asking them to mobilize people to go to Gunma Prefecture with him tomorrow.

After this person left, Minamoto Kiyomoto asked Kamibayashi Miko, “What do you think about your father’s matter?”

He had told her everything about the Ogosho.

Tamahime’s matter, respecting her opinion, he said she had died after giving her last words.

Kamibayashi Miko sighed and put down the judgment.

She looked at the winter sun outside the hall for a while, then turned around, tilted her head, and asked Minamoto Kiyomoto:

“The Ogosho can sacrifice all his feelings in exchange for his love for the Divine Medium. Why can’t you?”

“…You’ve been thinking about this all day?”

“You can’t do it, can you?”

“That love is false.”

“You’ve already fallen in love with me. It’s not false.”

“Uh.”

Kamibayashi Miko looked bored, as if she were saying, ‘I know you’re only at this level.’

She was very cute when she was teasing people.

Minamoto Kiyomoto hugged her, put her on his lap, and wrapped his arms around her.

Kamibayashi Miko looked at him with a bad temper. Minamoto Kiyomoto also looked at her, and their eyes met at a close distance.

Feeling the intimacy between them, she was a little moved. Minamoto Kiyomoto kissed her directly.

Kamibayashi Miko turned her face away, avoiding his lips. Minamoto Kiyomoto teased her and was about to untie her clothes.

Kamibayashi Miko finally got angry. She picked up a red pen and wrote ‘pervert’ on the left side of his face and ‘scum’ on the right side.

“Lady Divine Medium, what great mistake have I made to deserve the punishment of tattooing?” Minamoto Kiyomoto said, not moving, letting her write.

As she wrote, Kamibayashi Miko laughed in his arms and then used the red pen to cross out the words—this was also teasing him.

“You like to write, don’t you? This Shinto Lord will punish you by making you write for me,” Minamoto Kiyomoto freed a hand and took the judgment.

“I’ll say it, you write it,” he ordered.

Kamibayashi Miko did not move. In his arms, she spread open the judgment.

“‘Very good, I am pleased to see it. Order all the Kasen in Honshu to copy it and take a look,'” Minamoto Kiyomoto said.

Kamibayashi Miko, who was about to write, turned her head to look at him.

Minamoto Kiyomoto understood the meaning of her eyes—do you have to talk like this?
“I can’t help it. The Ise Miko won’t let me speak properly,” the Honshu Shinto Lord was also very aggrieved.

But the Divine Medium’s attention was no longer here. Seeing the ‘pervert’ and ‘scum’ on his face, and the slashes on the words, she burst out laughing.

She laughed so much that her body went soft in Minamoto Kiyomoto’s arms.

Minamoto Kiyomoto also laughed softly, hugged her, and kissed her on the lips.

It was noon. After they finished eating, they took a walk in the courtyard.

Shirako, Little Butterfly, and Noi were also there.

Shirako and Little Butterfly wanted to come and play, while Noi didn’t want to go back to Hakusan Shrine. Someone was serving her here, and she was a princess again. She didn’t have to deal with affairs and could play games in peace.

In the garden, there was a newly built Western-style palace-style pavilion, surrounded by various roses.

‘You haven’t asked Miko how she’s going to deal with her father yet!’ Tamahime reminded.

‘She changed the subject. She must not have thought it through yet. What’s the hurry.’

‘I was deceived. I’m dead. Of course I’m in a hurry!’

‘You’re already dead. What’s there to be anxious about.’

Minamoto Kiyomoto dealt with Tamahime in his heart, and walked lazily in the garden with Kamibayashi Miko, basking in the sun.

Shirako was riding a deer, and Little Butterfly was riding a calico cat. The two of them patrolled the Tokyo Daijingu with a majestic air.

The calico cat bared its teeth at Minamoto Kiyomoto. Little Butterfly patted its head and said, “Good kitty, good kitty,” and then it became leisurely again.

When passing by the dojo, Itomi Sayaka was training with her sister, Rabbit, Yuka, and the others.

“A spell seal is not a simple copy. It has divinity.”

“Divinity?”

“For example, the tea ceremony. It is actually an art of action. The taste of the tea is the least important thing in the tea ceremony. To learn a spell seal, just like the tea ceremony, you have to understand what is truly important in it to be able to exert the full power of the spell seal.”

Itomi Sayaka sat in the front, and Itomi Yuki and the others sat below like students.

The sound of questions and answers, heard from the outside, was like the sound of a class coming from a classroom, making people nostalgic.

Just as Minamoto Kiyomoto was listening intently, Kamibayashi Miko suddenly said, “I have a doubt about the case of the Ibuki Kasen.”

“Where?”

“That son of the Ibuki Kasen is the same age as you. Aren’t men of this age interested in shrine maidens? Why do they like high school girls?”

“…Where did you get this conclusion?”

Minamoto Kiyomoto didn’t know if she was hinting at Itomi Yuki.

“The conclusion, of course, is from observation and summary.”

“When did you observe?” Minamoto Kiyomoto asked subconsciously, and then reacted, “You only observed me?”

Kamibayashi Miko smiled and nodded, teasing him again.

“You’re repeatedly teasing this Shinto Lord. It seems I must let you know my power today!” Minamoto Kiyomoto began to roll up his kimono sleeves.

“Power?” Kamibayashi Miko tilted her head. “I will win. Miss Kamibayashi, save me?”

“I!” Minamoto Kiyomoto was angry and ashamed, and went to tickle her slender waist.

Kamibayashi Miko laughed and ran away. Minamoto Kiyomoto chased after her. One was like a butterfly, and the other was the person chasing the butterfly.

The next day, Minamoto Kiyomoto, Kamibayashi Miko, Himegami Izayoi, the Hokkaido Miko, as well as Itomi Sayaka and her subordinates, plus the people from the Bugyosho, all rushed to Gunma Prefecture.

It was snowing moderately in Gunma Prefecture.

Fluttering, the mountains were all dressed in winter clothes in this cotton rain.

A meteor shower of dazzling light landed in the mountains.

The practitioners who were guarding nearby quickly gathered around.

The black light faded. Minamoto Kiyomoto waved his hand, and the people who had gathered quickly dispersed.

Only Akagi Kasen remained.

He was wearing clothes the color of withered leaves and was short. It was said that he was good at kendo. When competing for the position of Kasen, no opponent could withstand his secret sword.

“Lord Shinto,” Akagi Kasen’s face had a smile that was not fawning, but had a bit of respect.

“Thank you for your hard work, Lord Akagi,” Minamoto Kiyomoto returned the smile.

“Lord Shinto, this way,” Akagi Kasen was not good at talking and directly led Minamoto Kiyomoto to the scene of the accident.

The people who came with Minamoto Kiyomoto, besides the shrine maidens and Itomi Sayaka, the others all dispersed and lurked in various places. Yuka and the others were no exception.

The snow fell silently. Minamoto Kiyomoto followed Akagi Kasen to the head of the iron bridge.

The iron bridge was well-preserved, displayed between two mountain peaks with an indestructible posture.

Under the iron bridge was a deep valley that could be described as distant.

The bottom of the valley was already covered with snow. The wreckage of the train could be vaguely seen, like the ruins of the end of the world.

“My lord, according to my test, only when the train passes can this yokai be drawn out.”

After a pause, Akagi Kasen continued, “If we just reroute the tracks and avoid this place, we might not have to fight this yokai head-on.”

“Reroute,” Minamoto Kiyomoto said with confusion. “If this situation happens again on the newly laid tracks, what should we do?”

Akagi Kasen opened his mouth but said nothing.

“Actually, I’ve also thought about it. If everyone gathers together, won’t that reduce the sacrifice?” Minamoto Kiyomoto said as if talking to himself.

“But if we all gather together and build a high wall, won’t we become livestock?” he looked at Akagi Kasen. “Japan is not small, but it’s not big either. There’s no place for yokai to stand.”

“Lord Shinto is right,” Akagi Kasen nodded.

“Have someone send a train over.”

“It’s already prepared. It’s parked at the previous station. As soon as my lord gives the order, it will come over immediately.”

“Since it’s prepared, you haven’t tried it?” Minamoto Kiyomoto asked.

“I’m the only Kasen who’s free recently. I dare not try it rashly. I’m afraid of sacrificing the practitioners with low cultivation,” Akagi Kasen explained.

Perhaps there was a bit of selfishness in worrying about his own safety and not wanting to take responsibility, but that was not important.

“Okay!” Minamoto Kiyomoto nodded. “Let it come over. Everyone, be on guard.”

“Yes.”

The group raised their guard. The mountains were silent for a moment, only the heavy snow falling.

Soon, they heard a clanging sound. A train, like a snake, shot out from the silver-clad mountain.

“Boom—”

The train sped past, stirring up snowflakes. Nothing happened.

Akagi Kasen, whose hand was on the hilt of his sword, was full of surprise.

“Try putting people on the train,” Himegami Izayoi suddenly said.

“Put people on?” Akagi Kasen subconsciously repeated this word.

Himegami Izayoi did not answer. She looked at the pondering Minamoto Kiyomoto and waited for him to make a decision.

“We’ll go up,” Minamoto Kiyomoto said.

He reached out and grabbed the train, which had not yet completely slowed down, and pulled it back, putting it back on the original track.

The practitioners participating in this mission watched this scene as if a child were playing with a toy train.

No one was surprised. This realm of lifting something heavy as if it were light was certainly amazing, but the feat of Minamoto Kiyomoto moving mountains and filling the sea on the Pacific Ocean had already spread far and wide.

Minamoto Kiyomoto and the others boarded the train.

Akagi Kasen also wanted to follow, but to be on the safe side, Minamoto Kiyomoto asked him to stay.

The decoration in the carriage was old. It looked like an old carriage that was about to be retired.

The train rushed out of the mountain again and headed for the iron bridge.

“Clang, clang,” still nothing happened.

“It seems it has to be an ordinary person,” in the carriage, Himegami Izayoi tapped her palm with her fan and frowned slightly.

Minamoto Kiyomoto sighed. He had already expected this in his heart.

The yokai in the world were simply divided into two types. One was the simple and crude type like the Hakone fire dragon, and the other was the skill type like the red-gold dragon.

As a town-level yokai, the red-gold dragon was slightly weaker than the Hakone fire dragon, but for humans, besides the three divine artifacts, almost no one could deal with the red-gold dragon.

Many yokai similar to the red-gold dragon showed different strange abilities, which was the most troublesome thing for practitioners.

There were pros and cons. These yokai also brought many strange divine artifacts to the practitioners.

Minamoto Kiyomoto had to consider Akagi Kasen’s initial proposal to abandon this place.

In the next moment, this thought was thrown away by him.

“Go find an ordinary person who knows about the world of practitioners and see if anyone is willing to cooperate,” he said to Akagi Kasen.

Akagi Kasen nodded, called a woman who was also wearing clothes the color of withered leaves, and gave her a few instructions.

Half an hour later, the woman brought a middle-aged man in a suit in his forties.

“What’s your name?” Minamoto Kiyomoto asked him.

“Reporting to Lord Shinto, I am Akagi Akio,” Akagi Akio replied.

Minamoto Kiyomoto looked at Akagi Kasen.

“This is my son,” Akagi Kasen replied. “In order to inherit the secular property, he did not cultivate.”

Minamoto Kiyomoto was not puzzled by his identity, nor by why he did not cultivate.

“Is it really okay for him to come?” he confirmed.

In an unknown situation, no one could guarantee safety.

When Minamoto Kiyomoto entered Shikotsu Lake, if it weren’t for Himegami Izayoi, the people who entered would either die or become Noi’s slaves.

“Lord Shinto, Lord Divine Medium, Lord Ise Miko, Lord Hokkaido Miko, and this Lord Itomi, you can risk entering the carriage. My son can also sacrifice!” Akagi Kasen replied.

“Are you willing?” Minamoto Kiyomoto asked Akagi Akio.

“I am willing!” Akagi Akio was wearing an exquisite suit and was trembling a little in the snow, but his expression was firm, and he was obviously prepared.

“Do you have any requests?” Minamoto Kiyomoto asked.

Akagi Akio’s calm eyes suddenly had color. He opened his mouth to say something, and then as if remembering something, he looked at Akagi Kasen.

“Lord Shinto is asking you. Say whatever you have to say,” Akagi Kasen waved his hand.

“Lord Shinto!” Akagi Akio knelt down. “Please let my youngest son join the main family and become a practitioner!”

“I can agree to you becoming a practitioner, but joining the main family—” Minamoto Kiyomoto’s gaze turned to Akagi Kasen.

“I’ll have someone bring him back to the main family when I get back,” Akagi Kasen nodded.

“Thank you, Lord Shinto. Thank you, father!” Akagi Akio kowtowed, his neatly combed hair stained with white snow.

Watching Akagi Akio walk into the carriage, Minamoto Kiyomoto, who was drenched in snow, thought about this person’s child. Did he know that his father, who had suddenly left, might never come back?
He thought of his mother again, and of many mothers, fathers, and children.

After becoming a Shinto Lord, he had seen the real world of practitioners.

In the past, he had followed Kamibayashi Miko and flown too high, beyond the clouds.

There was no wind, frost, rain, or snow there. It was always sunny.