Tokyo, but I'm a deceitful scumbag.

"Huh!"

The long-haired man shouted and raised his knife to slash at the girl in the karate uniform.

Although it was a wooden knife, the blade flashed with the cold light of metal as it was swung, making one wonder if the knife was enough to split a cow's leg bone in two.

However, the girl, or rather, Asuka Tendo, calmly stepped back half a step, letting the knife graz her nose by the hair.

She then delivered a swift and deadly straight punch, striking the man's hand holding the knife squarely. He cried out in pain, loosened his grip, and dropped the wooden knife to the ground.

Having landed a successful blow, Asuka Tendo did not relax at all. Instead, she turned around and stomped heavily on her own shadow with her snow-white foot.

A golden light suddenly appeared, and the next second, a middle-aged man rolled out of the shadows, raised his hands, and begged for mercy.

The exchange has now come to an end.

"You've made great progress, Miss Tendo!"

The person emerging from the shadows took a couple of breaths and sincerely praised, "I thought I could fool you, but I was seen through so easily..."

"You flatter me, it's all just luck..."

Despite winning against two senior members of the Countermeasures Office, Tendo Asuka remained humble.

But deep down...

Hahahahaha!

Little Asuka stands tall with her head held high, hands on her hips, exuding arrogance.

This genius has been studying diligently for half a month, eating while watching anti-fraud propaganda videos every day, and staying up late at night to study the Thirty-Six Stratagems and One Hundred Common Scams. He has long since become a master in the field of anti-fraud!

How could a mere shadow trick possibly fool me!

I have said goodbye to my past self!

Even if I encounter that smiling fox again, I can just smile and I will never fall for it!

"If only all of this were a dream, so that I could still meet you in my dreams...?"

In the locker room, the sudden ringing of a cell phone pulled the girl back to reality.

Asuka Tendo picked it up and took a look.

An unfamiliar number.

Ok……

It's very likely a scam call!

The knowledge she had just learned suddenly flooded into the girl's mind:

Japan is a country where online fraud involves nearly 500 billion yen annually... These fraudsters cleverly disguise themselves to gain your trust...

The girl took out strawberry milk from the closet, took a big gulp, and then answered the phone.

Let me expose your many disguises, you fraudster!

"Moses Moses..."

"Ah, Miss Tendo, hello there! Do you remember me? I'm the con artist who tricked you at the Abe Department Store last time~"

puff!

The girl couldn't hold it in and sprayed out milk, covering the white liquid on the coat she hadn't yet put on in the closet.

"you you you!"

"I me me!"

On the other end of the phone, Hideyuki Hoshino walked up the temple steps while laughing as he answered the call.

Asuka Tendo was stunned for two seconds before she came to her senses.

Is it a prank?

No, not many people in the countermeasures team know the details of how they were tricked, and they aren't the type to play pranks randomly.

So, the person on the other end of the phone really is a cunning fox?!

He just called like that? Without even pretending?!

How did he... oh yes, he took my phone... no, none of that matters now!

The girl took a deep breath.

Regardless of why he came to me, this is a good opportunity to gather information about him!

First, we need to keep him calm, then find someone to help track and locate him...

"Oh, by the way, just a heads-up, don't try to track or locate this phone. I took it from a stranger, and I'm returning it later, so don't scare them!"

"..."

"Also, don't go looking for anyone else. I'll only contact you. If I find out that you've found outside help, I'll disappear immediately. You know I'm very good at that."

The girl inwardly scoffed, deciding not to act rashly for the time being.

"So, what's the purpose of your call? Are you trying to lie to me again? I'm warning you..."

"Because I need your help with something."

Hideyuki Hoshino was very frank.

Lie? Lie about what?

This time, I, Uncle Fox, am just telling the truth!

Asuka Tendo's lips twitched: "Huh? Why do you think I'd help you?"

"There are two reasons. First, you owe me a favor."

Hoshino Hideyuki said slowly, "If I hadn't taken care of you that day, you would have inevitably been in a car accident. Even if you were alright, what about the driver?"

Asuka Tendo remained silent.

Although I hate to admit it, it's true.

From a young age, her grandmother had always taught her to be a sensible and grateful child, so she couldn't deny what the fox said.

Ugh, so annoying...

The girl answered somewhat incoherently:

"Even if I owe you a favor, it doesn't change the fact that we're on opposing sides! You lawless scoundrel, you've violated nearly a hundred laws and regulations combined, I'm not helping you! As for that favor... I'll find another way to repay it..."

"What method? Sell me your socks?"

"No, no, that won't do!"

"Haha, just kidding~"

Hoshino Hideyuki smiled and interrupted her, saying, "Let me continue with the second reason. That is, the reason I came to you this time is not for myself, but to save innocent people."

"what?"

"I recently encountered a strange vengeful spirit, and I'm not sure how to deal with it..."

As the saying goes, a gentleman deceives others with his own methods.

Hoshino Hideyuki recounted everything he had seen and heard over the past two days.

Of course, the background was omitted to ensure that Asuka Tendo could not trace the clues back to Kaito Kasuga.

Nevertheless, the information revealed is enough to demonstrate the wickedness of his opponent.

“An unknown book… a controlled vengeful spirit… golden chains that can unleash black lightning…”

In an instant, Asuka Tendo realized something.

If everything the Smiling Fox said is true, then this is indeed an evil act that desecrates the soul of others, and she should intervene, whether as a member of the Countermeasures Office or as an Onmyoji!

however……

On the other end of the phone, Hideyuki Hoshino continued coldly, "I'm telling you this not so you can take over the whole thing, otherwise I could just report it."

“I do feel a little sorry for those vengeful spirits and want them to be able to attain Buddhahood smoothly, but this compassion has its limits. If you don’t want to help or insist on involving other members of the countermeasures office, then I will still choose to eliminate them.”

Asuka Tendo hesitated.

Reason told her that she could not agree to this request and should abide by the regulations of the countermeasures office and report the whole matter.

But this would definitely give the countermeasures office an opportunity to catch the fox.

If a fox senses anything amiss, it will absolutely strike hard and then run away.

So, the whole thing turned out like this:

Secretly helping the fox can repay a favor and do a good deed, but it violates the rules.

Not helping the fox or pretending to help and then reporting it to the authorities upholds the rules, but it's repaying kindness with enmity and most likely won't lead to anything good.

what……

What kind of Onmyoji tram problem is this?!

Why do I have to face this choice when I've just turned sixteen?!

The girl squatted in the corner, scratching her head frantically, her originally cute face scrunched up like a steamed bun.

"Why are you silent? Don't tell me you don't know anything about that vengeful spirit?"

Hoshino Hideyuki sighed softly, "Alas, I thought the orthodox Onmyoji were all-knowing, but it seems they're nothing special after all..."

Damn it, they actually used such a crude provocation tactic!

Asuka Tendo pouted, annoyed, "Of course I know their background, but..."

"But you still feel you shouldn't have helped me?"

Hoshino Hideyuki's tone was very sad:

"Waaaaah, I never imagined Miss Tiantong could be such a heartless woman, completely disregarding my kindness in saving you and the safety of the girl's soul..."

"me……"

"It's okay, I understand you. After all, there's a lack of basic trust between us."

Hoshino Hideyuki changed the subject, saying, "In that case, I'll just offer myself to the tigress."