Tokyo: Starting with the Shrine Maiden

Haruhiko quickly noticed a group of psionicists about thirty meters to his left.

There were four people in total, constantly circling around; they were probably on patrol.

Their strength is average; they're all at the third tier.

He continued to expand the area and found that there were quite a few patrol teams; there were six teams on his side alone.

Four of them are of the third order, and the rest are of the third order.

But apart from that, Haruhiko did not discover the existence of Abe no Seimei or any other Onmyoji.

It's normal that Abe no Seimei, who was more powerful than him, couldn't detect it.

What about the other Onmyoji?

"Excuse me, can I sit here?"

Just then, a pleasant sound rang out.

Haruhiko looked up and saw a young woman wearing a kimono.

She had long black hair, a quiet demeanor, and a touch of melancholy.

"Sit anywhere."

Haruhiko said with a faint smile.

"Thank you."

The young woman sat down opposite him and asked, "My name is Fujiwara no Riko, and I am skilled in waka poetry and prose."

"I am Kitahara Shin, and I know a little about waka poetry."

Haruhiko paused for a moment, then asked, "Are you from the Fujiwara clan?"

He felt the name sounded familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before.

"No."

Fujiwara shook her head and said, "Perhaps we are related by blood."

"I see."

Haruhiko thought for a moment and asked, "I wonder if Miss Fujiwara has any major works?"

"It's not a masterpiece."

Fujiwara no Yoriko smiled modestly and said, "I wrote 'The Tale of Genji' before, which is why Master Michiko valued me and invited me to join his household as a retainer."

Haruhiko's eyes widened immediately.

No wonder it felt familiar.

It turned out to be the famous Murasaki Shikibu.

In ancient times, it was extremely difficult for a woman to gain fame for her talent.

Murasaki Shikibu is renowned in Japan as one of the Thirty-Six Poet Immortals.

It's roughly equivalent to the fame of Li Qingzhao.

Haruhiko knew about her because of a mobile game from his past life, in which she had a character.

Murasaki Shikibu's real name was Fujiwara no Genko.

Because in this era, women actually had no names or were not valued.

The character "紫" (purple) comes from Murasaki, the heroine of The Tale of Genji.

The Shikibu was an official position.

Murasaki Shikibu followed in his footsteps and even entered the palace, becoming the empress's tutor.

It is worth mentioning that this was precisely Fujiwara no Michinaga's arrangement.

Haruhiko suddenly had an idea.

Perhaps we can use her to get close to Fujiwara no Michinaga.

Because it was an illusion, he didn't have much of a mental burden.

Chapter 280. The Two-Faced Sukuna

Murasaki Shikibu was a renowned writer and poet of her time.

Because Fujiwara no Michinaga frequently employed the harem route, he needed everyone to act as his teachers, and he placed great importance on Murasaki Shikibu.

In other words, it was easy for Murasaki Shikibu to get close to him.

Of course, Haruhiko and the others did not intend to get close to Fujiwara no Michinaga, but rather to take advantage of a break in the banquet to go to his room.

To be honest, this method is not reliable enough.

Even if they managed to break through the guards, enter the room, and obtain their personal belongings.

However, the extent of its effectiveness remains questionable.

The effectiveness of curses cast remotely often depends on the medium.

It's not just about personal items; it also depends on whether they hold emotional significance and are valuable.

For example, commonly used pillows and jade pendants.

The latter is naturally more effective.

But it's impossible to keep anything valuable in the room.

Unless they are extremely lucky.

Controlling Murasaki Shikibu is undoubtedly the best solution.

More importantly, Haruhiko does indeed have the corresponding methods.

He received four curses at the previous Inugami Ruins, originally intended to be used against Mina Utsunomiya.

However, thanks to the help of Tsuchimikado Mari and Jinguji Fuyumi, it was not needed.

These four curses are all fourth-order spells, and one of them is particularly suitable for the current situation.

[Mind Stealing & Manipulation: Fourth-tier spell, 10,000 points of spiritual energy. Casts a curse, allowing the user to control the body of a specific target at any time.]

As long as the target's strength does not exceed the fourth tier, it will be difficult to escape.

Murasaki Shikibu was an ordinary human, not a psychic, so there was virtually no possibility of her being discovered.

"Lord Kitahara?"

Fujiwara no Riko called out, somewhat puzzled.

Why did you suddenly start spacing out?

"I'm sorry, I was just too surprised."

Haruhiko snapped out of his reverie and said with a smile, "Ms. Fujiwara's name is truly renowned."

"That's all overpraise."

Fujiwara no Riko remained very humble.

"Then I'll wait to admire Ms. Fujiwara's masterpiece."

Haruhiko stopped flattering him and changed the subject, asking, "I wonder what the theme of this banquet is?"

Since it's a banquet for literary exchange, it's definitely not about drinking and eating, but about composing poems and exchanging verses.

At each banquet, Fujiwara no Michinaga would prepare a theme and ask the guests to compose poems based on it.

The one who is recognized as the best will receive a generous reward.

First, he became a guest of honor of the Fujiwara clan, and his status rose sharply thereafter.

Secondly, they can grant you any request or wish, as long as it's not excessive.

"I don't know this either."

Fujiwara no Riko watched him fiddling with the paper and ink, and explained, "To prevent the questions from being leaked, Master Dao will not inform a second person in advance."

"I see."

Haruhiko had already spread out the papers and said, "No matter the topic, with Fujiwara-san's level of expertise, it should be a piece of cake."

"Lord Kitahara, aren't you going to write it?"

Fujiwara no Riko glanced at him, somewhat curious, and asked, "Everyone attending this banquet wants to gain the favor of the Fujiwara clan. You don't seem interested?"

"I'm just here to join in the fun."

Haruhiko casually said, "I know my limitations; I don't have that ability. I just wanted to see everyone's new works."

Fujiwara no Yoshiko was slightly taken aback, but not surprised.

Such people do exist in this era.

More accurately, this is true for most people.