How did I, an Onmyoji, become the Lord of Yokai?

Before him stood an absolutely stunningly beautiful woman.

She wore a brightly colored twelve-layered kimono, had a pair of clear, glassy eyes and long, brown hair, and her smooth, delicate skin was the color of ivory.

The woman gives off a gentle and approachable feeling, just like the purest Yamato Nadeshiko, making people feel comfortable.

But now, this gentle woman was looking at the big man with a 'kind' expression.

She didn't speak, but simply watched quietly. Her silent presence accentuated her 'kindness,' and the burly man dared not move an inch under her gaze.

His face looked bitter, and just like his face, his heart was also filled with bitterness.

Seeing his wife's obvious anger, the big man felt an urge to cry.

He thought Ibuki-doji was trustworthy, but to his surprise, the other party sold him to his sister after entering the Shimizu family.

Ugh, damn it! I'm your uncle! How could you sell me, Ibuki!

The big man was inwardly lamenting Ibuki-dōji's 'betrayal'. He had finally found a place where he could drink to his heart's content, but before he could even stay for a few more days, he was dragged back. His heart ached terribly.

And my sister, how could she do this? She actually thought of writing to Qidao, asking him to come and take me back!

Isn't this just a childish tattletale game?!

Ugh... This is just too much! Chapter 166, Section 169: Do Mr. Shimizu and Miss Qingnvfang want a marriage?

"Ugh......"

In the quiet and elegant courtyard of Izumo Taisha Shrine, a mournful sigh suddenly rang out.

The burly man sat cross-legged under the eaves, shaking a white porcelain wine cup that could be easily held in one hand, his expression utterly miserable.

"This is so little, it's not even enough for me to drink. Ugh, Qidao is so mean, so mean... I'm just introducing a wife to my brother, why are you so angry?"

For this big man who was addicted to alcohol, drinking was his greatest joy every day. Even if he was confined to his home, he didn't care about anything as long as he had alcohol to drink.

However, this time Qidao not only confined him to his quarters, but also withheld his daily supply of fine wine, which was the cruelest punishment he could receive.

When Qidao announced his decision and forbade him to protest, his heart was bleeding. The confiscated fine wine was his source of energy for the day. Without it, how could he get through these days?

Thinking of this, the burly man, a man of seven feet tall, felt like crying.

Ugh, why am I always the one who gets hurt?

Feeling utterly exhausted, the burly man couldn't help but raise his wine cup and pour all of today's fine wine into his mouth.

He drank all the wine in one sip.

When the wine was empty, not a drop was left, he suddenly realized that he had drunk his entire serving of wine in one gulp!

"I.....!"

This time, he really wanted to cry...

......

Just as the burly man was facing the empty wine bottle, preparing to burst into tears, Izumo Taisha welcomed three special guests.

Following the black-haired girl's footsteps, Shimizu Asahi and Aonobo passed through the long stone steps and the tall red torii gate, arriving at the legendary Izumo Taisha Shrine.

"Wow, it's huge... Is this Izumo Taisha Shrine? It's amazing."

Standing at the shrine gate, the black-haired boy couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

Izumo Taisha was enormous, larger than any shrine he had ever seen before. Even Ise Grand Shrine, which enshrines Amaterasu Omikami, was not as grand as Izumo Taisha.

—The massive main hall, nearly fifty meters high, and the grand yet simple palace instantly filled his field of vision.

"This should be even bigger than the Ise Grand Shrine."

Beside him, Qingnvfang, who had the same expression as Shimizu Asahi, also said this with a slight shock.

“Mr. Shimizu, Ms. Aonobo, Izumo Taisha is indeed the largest shrine in Yamato Province. Even Ise Grand Shrine is not as large as our Izumo Taisha.”

The black-haired girl leading the way proudly raised her head and replied with pride, "The Grand Shrine has 125 shrines, including 14 annexes (two main shrines), 43 subsidiary shrines, 42 secondary shrines, and 42 subordinate shrines. In terms of quantity, it may not be comparable to Ise Grand Shrine, but the land used by the Grand Shrine is definitely more than that of the shrine."

"One hundred and twenty-five temples and shrines, that many?"

Qingshui Chaoyang was somewhat frightened.

Although he had visited Ise Grand Shrine, he was just an ordinary citizen and could not enter the depths of the shrine. Therefore, he only visited two main halls and some side halls.

This is why he projected his understanding of Ise Grand Shrine onto Izumo Taisha Shrine, and subconsciously assumed that Izumo Taisha Shrine was about the same size as the shrine he knew.

But it seems he still doesn't know much about the shrine.

"Of course."

The girl begins to explain information about Izumo Taisha to Shimizu Asahi.

“Mr. Shimizu, Izumo Taisha is not only the resting place of Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the lord of the land, but also the place where the gods of Izumo discuss divine rituals.”

"You see, the nineteen small shrines next to the main hall are used to entertain the gods of Izumo."

“The annual rituals… ah, you mean the gods perform sacrifices, right?”

The boy was taken aback for a moment, and then replied with some anticipation, "The day when the gods of Izumo gather is wonderful. If I have the chance, I would like to participate once."

"If you wish to participate, sir, you can stay in Izumo for two more months. Two months later, it will be the annual Kami-sai Festival."

“If you would like to stay, my father would be very happy.”

The black-haired girl—no, perhaps it would be better to call her Princess Yi.

Although Kyogoku Munemitsu was unable to travel with them due to the Snake Mound incident, his daughter, Kyogoku I, had ample time to accompany them.

Yes, the eldest princess of Izumo was one of his entourage members.

"Hehe, if there's still time after completing the task."

Shimizu Asahi thought for a moment, then gave a half-answer.

Unlike the Sea Harvest Festival in Xingyuan Castle, the God-Slaying Festival in Izumo Province is a nationwide celebration, and its scale must be larger than that of the Sea Harvest Festival.

Therefore, if possible, he would consider staying here for another two months.

To be honest, he was still quite disappointed that the Sea Harvest Festival was interrupted by Genji. It was supposed to be a procession for him and his sister to create shared memories, but it ended in that way.

So, he wanted to make it up to his sister.

"Well, then we'll wait for Mr. Shimizu's good news."

After a brief conversation, Shimizu Asahi and the other two arrived at the main hall.

This time, he was right. The main hall of Izumo Taisha was just as majestic and imposing as the main hall of Ise Grand Shrine. Just by stepping inside, one could feel the absolute majesty permeating the air.

Especially when he looks into the deepest part of the main hall, at the nearly five or six-meter-tall golden statue, a sense of reverence from the bottom of his heart fills his whole body.

"As expected of a shrine, even a single main hall is filled with such a powerful aura."

Qingshui Chaoyang sighed slightly.

"This is, after all, the main shrine of the Shinto priest, so it's normal for the atmosphere inside to be like this. Hmm... although the atmosphere is somewhat inconsistent with the duties of the Shinto priest."

Kyogoku I responded with a slightly embarrassed tone.

If people unfamiliar with Izumo Taisha come here, they will surely mistake it for a shrine that prays for peace or a good harvest because of its imposing presence. In reality, Izumo Taisha has nothing to do with these things, because it is a shrine that governs marriage.

Yes, one of the main reasons why many people in Izumo visit shrines is to pray for marriage.

Is it hard to believe that the shrine of Susanoo-no-Mikoto, who is the god of war and the strongest god above eight million gods, is famous for matchmaking?

In fact, when Shimizu Asahi and Aonoboshi first learned of this, their initial reaction was disbelief, but after Kyogoku I's explanation, they had no choice but to accept the fact.

"By the way, since you're here, Mr. Shimizu and Miss Aono should also pay their respects to the shrine and pray for a marriage. The shrine is very efficacious, you know."

Chapter 167, Section 170: The Great Han: It's Time for Me to Show Off My Skills Again

"Seeking a marriage partner?"

Upon seeing Kyogoku I suddenly say these words, Shimizu Asahi and Aonobo exchanged a glance.

They both saw a hint of surprise in each other's eyes.

"Yes, Mr. Shimizu and Miss Aono are not young anymore. Aren't they worried about their marriage prospects?"

Kyogoku I gently clasped her hands together and said with a smile, "My father arranged a marriage for me when I was thirteen, and Mr. Shimizu is now sixteen. It's time for him to consider his own marriage."

"Getting engaged at thirteen...isn't that a bit too early?"

The girl's words made Shimizu Asahi blink in surprise, then she spread her hands and laughed, "No, even if you're thinking about marriage at sixteen, I still think it's a bit too early."

"It's too early, sir. In ordinary families, children can get married at fifteen or sixteen. Many people start thinking about marriage as early as eleven or twelve so that they can get married as soon as possible."

"Besides, since we're already here, it would be a bit of a shame not to make a request."

The girl opened her bright eyes and persuaded him with great interest.

"What you say... is indeed true. Since we're here, let's offer our prayers."

After pausing to think for a moment, Shimizu Asahi felt that Kyogoku I's words made sense, so he nodded in agreement.

In fact, even if Kyogoku I hadn't said anything, Shimizu Asahi was already planning to pay homage to this strongest god.

After all, he personally really likes this great artist.

"By the way, Qingnvfang, would you like to have your fortune told too?"

"No need, I'm not interested in these things."

"Hehe...I thought so too." The expected answer made the boy chuckle softly.

"Then, please wait for me for a moment."

"Ah."

After exchanging a few words with Qingnvfang, Shimizu Asahi began his worship.

The way of worshiping at Izumo Taisha Shrine has been passed down for thousands of years, but the general procedure is no different from that of other shrines. It is a process of "two bows, two claps, and one bow". However, the clapping at Izumo Taisha Shrine is done twice more than that of other shrines, that is, two claps become four claps.

Since clapping was not troublesome, the people did not mind the extra two claps.

Well, or rather, these four claps have become one of the unique symbols of Izumo Taisha Shrine.

Kneeling on the soft cushion, the young man quickly completed the rituals, and then he began to sincerely pray for a good marriage.