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

But... a series of bland words followed after he finished speaking.

“Protecting Kyoto? That has nothing to do with me. All I want to protect is this pure land. Anything else outside of this pure land is none of my business.”

"If you think you can sway me this way, you're mistaken."

Without a trace of emotion, as if discussing something insignificant, the Lord of Arakawa remained unmoved.

This guardian deity of Arakawa, in the end, only wanted to protect this land.

"...So that's how it really is..."

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly. When he made this decision, Shimizu Asahi had already prepared himself for rejection, but when he was actually rejected, he still couldn't help but feel a little regretful.

If only we could just let the Lord of Arakawa reveal the news like this.

However, it doesn't matter. If the Lord of Arakawa isn't interrupted by his words, then he still has one last move.

Taking a deep breath, Qing Shui Chaoyang raised his head, a hint of fighting spirit flashing in his dark eyes.

"Lord of Arakawa, perhaps you simply don't believe me, or perhaps you don't think we can have friendly talks with the Sea Kingdom, but in any case, I will definitely go to the Sea Kingdom."

"So, can we make a bet? Lord of Arakawa."

"bet?"

The words were completely unfamiliar to the Lord of Arakawa. He looked at Shimizu Asahi with a hint of amusement on his face.

"Interesting. You want to fight me? Interesting. Fine, human. I agree. Perfect, let me experience the strength of the continent's experts!"

No matter what kind of monster it is, it must have a warlike side. Although the Lord of Arakawa now gives people the feeling of a gentle gentleman, he once sailed the ocean and fought in all directions a hundred years ago, which is enough to show that he also has the desire to compete with the strong.

A hundred years ago, he fought a fierce battle with the ruler of the Sea Kingdom, Ōtakemaru, in the sea. That battle was the most exhilarating battle he had ever fought, and it was that battle that gave him his best opponent and his best friend.

But after that, he returned to Arakawa and never fought against a monster of the same level again.

Even after his temperament had changed, he still longed for the day when he could have a proper fight with a strong opponent again.

And now, a battle that will satisfy him is about to begin.

The Four Demon Kings of Mount Ooe are qualified to fight him!

Filled with such excitement, Arakawa no Nushi called out somewhat impatiently, "When can we begin?"

Seeing the Lord of Arakawa's anticipation, Shimizu Asahi secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't sure if the Lord of Arakawa was willing to make a bet with him, so he had prepared an excuse and reason before coming. Now it seemed that he wouldn't need it.

After letting out a sigh of relief, he immediately replied, "We can do it now, but not us, just me alone."

"you alone?"

The excited look vanished instantly, and Arakawa no Nushi frowned.

"Human, I have no interest in joking with you here. You are no match for me, or do you think the Demon King is nothing special?"

“Lord of Arakawa, I do not mean to look down on you. On the contrary, it is precisely because I know that even if we all come together, we are no match for you that I have come here alone.”

"What do you mean?"

Instead of easing, the area between his brows tightened even more, leaving Arakawa no Nushi bewildered by Shimizu Asahi's actions.

Even all four of them combined couldn't defeat him.

He could clearly sense that the seemingly petite Ghost King possessed a power that even excited him.

Let alone all four of them attacking together, he didn't have the confidence to defeat Ibuki-dōji even in a one-on-one fight.

It could be said that Ibuki-douji was Shimizu Asahi's power leveler; as long as she was there, they could come and go freely, even in the Sea Kingdom.

Even if he gives it his all, the best he can hope for is a draw, with both sides suffering heavy losses.

Of course, his willingness to agree stemmed from his confidence in achieving a draw against the combined attack of the four of them. This was Arakawa, his territory, and the faith of the people and the yokai was all embodied in him. Even if he couldn't win, he would never lose!

But now, Shimizu Asahi has actually abandoned his power leveling service and is facing him alone?

This operation is perplexing. (Chapter 210, Chapter 207: True Shimizu Asahi vs. the Lord of Arakawa)

"I want to take a gamble, and you, Lord of Arakawa, can decide what to gamble on."

"Whether it's fighting, drinking, calligraphy, or painting, I'm ready to accompany you to the end."

"I'll accept any conditions as long as you bet with me."

Finally, under the watchful gaze of the Lord of Arakawa, Shimizu Asahi revealed his ultimate purpose.

"Just want to gamble once... I see, is that what you mean? Human, you really have guts!"

After a moment of silence, the Lord of Arakawa suddenly narrowed his eyes and laughed somewhat arrogantly, "While betting on me to bet with you, you're also betting that I'll choose a fair bet for both of us, hahaha... Handing the outcome to me, I must say, human, you are the boldest person I've ever seen!"

"Lord Arakawa, you flatter me. We were already at a disadvantage, and the outcome was never in my hands from the beginning... I already said when I came that I wanted to ask for a chance."

The black-haired boy gently exhaled a breath of stale air. He sat up straight, his eyes fixed straight ahead, just as he had always believed: if he didn't succeed, he would die trying!

"..."

Seeing his posture, the Lord of Arakawa also slowly became serious.

In his eyes, Shimizu Asahi's action was tantamount to telling him that he would no longer bother or disturb him.

Yes, it was an irrational and hopeless decision.

But he had to admit that it was the right choice.

Getting information from him was virtually impossible, so he wouldn't betray his friend. No matter how much Shimizu Asahi tried to persuade him, even if Heian-kyo were to fall tomorrow, he would never speak.

However, "almost" does not mean "absolutely".

Just like Shimizu Asahi is doing now, he proposed a bet.

If he agrees and loses to the other party, he must honor his bet and tell the other party about the Sea Kingdom.

"...Alright, human, I sensed your decision. Although I felt it wouldn't matter if I didn't respond, this time, I agree!"

The Lord of Arakawa responded with the same serious expression, a smile playing on his lips. "Don't disappoint me!"

The deep, resonant voice made Qingshui Chaoyang clench his fist, and a look of joy appeared on his handsome, sunny face.

"I will do my best!"

"Very well, let's get started!"

Arakawa no Nushi stood up and said, "Let me see your strength!"

"Eh?"

However, faced with Arakawa no Nushi's straightforward actions, Shimizu Asahi was quite surprised and stood there stunned.

"Start now? Don't we need to consider what we'll be competing in?"

"Heh, there's only one thing I care about, and that's strength! In the world of monsters, the strong are respected. If you want to conquer me, then show me strength that even I can't help but admire!"

"But don't worry, since I've agreed, I won't bully you. I'll suppress my strength to be the same as yours. As long as you can satisfy me in this state, then you'll win this bet."

The man opened the wooden door to the room and responded without hesitation, calling out, "Come on!"

"Phew... Good!"

With a soft exhale, the boy immediately followed the Lord of Arakawa.

A short while later, the two of them came out of the house.

Arakawa no Nushi arrived at the clear pool beside the house. He pointed to the pool and said, "This is the arena and area for our battle. We will determine who is superior here, and there are no rules for this one-on-one duel."

"As long as they don't leave the venue, any means are allowed."

"Even killing someone or launching a sneak attack is acceptable?"

Shimizu Asahi immediately asked a question.

"Yes, all of this is within the rules."

"I see... I understand."

The black-haired boy looked thoughtful at that moment.

However, the Lord of Arakawa did not give him much time to think. After explaining the rules, the Lord of Arakawa stepped into the clear pool first. He stood on the surface of the clear pool, his deep blue eyes revealing excitement.

"It's your turn to come up, human!"

Hearing the words that reached his ears, Shimizu Asahi was immediately brought back to his senses. Without having time to think about the deeper meaning of the rule that allowed everything, he composed himself and finally stepped into the clear pool!

But... the moment he stepped into the clear pool, his body froze!

"What's this...!?"

My fingers went numb, my body trembled uncontrollably, and I couldn't move... I couldn't move!

The invisible force sweeping in from all directions was as terrifying as a boundless abyss. His body was ruthlessly imprisoned, and his fighting spirit was extinguished by coldness. The feeling that he could not win, that he could not win no matter what, spread in an instant!

Is this the aura of the Lord of Arakawa?

Of all the battles that Shimizu Asahi has fought so far, the most terrifying and the most unyielding is the aura of the Serpent God Yamata.

High above, looking down upon all living beings!

Even if he had experienced it once, he would never want to go through it a second time.

But now, the aura unleashed by the Lord of Arakawa is no less than that of the Serpent God.

The towering waves and the bottomless abyss, the power that could shatter a person in an instant, were deeply imprinted in his mind!

too strong!

"What, are you scared already? If that's all it takes to stop you from attacking me, then you've really disappointed me."

A heavy voice came from the side, and Shimizu Asahi, who was so overwhelmed by the imposing aura that he could hardly move, stubbornly turned his head.

The great demon was laughing. He stood still, laughing excitedly, as if he were looking forward to the arrival of an opponent worthy of fighting him.

Looking at the demon king, who resembled a raging storm, the boy couldn't help but clench his fists, and a pure smile unconsciously crept onto his face.

Fighting spirit can be passed on, just as emotions can be passed on. Shimizu Asahi deeply felt the fighting spirit and expectations of the Lord of Arakawa.

He desperately wanted to fight, to fight to his heart's content; that heartfelt desire ignited the boy's passion!

"I will not lose this battle!"

Soaring fighting spirit transforms into boundless motivation. A bottomless abyss? Even if there is a bottomless abyss before us, so what!