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

His expression stiffened, and his happy mood turned tense.

Oh no, how could he forget something so important? He's doomed...

A mocking smile crept silently onto the boy's face. He stiffly turned his head and said in a final, desperate attempt, "Um, I think I can explain. Can you give me a chance?"

"Hehe, I'll just listen quietly here, but we won't accept any excuses like not wanting to involve us or thinking it's okay for one person to be alone."

"..."

The boy's mocking face turned into a crying face, and he gave up struggling.

"Um... is it too late for me to apologize now?"

......

......

Well, in the end, Shimizu Asahi couldn't escape the fate of getting a scolding.

It's fortunate that the outcome was good this time; if the outcome had been bad, it probably wouldn't have been resolved with just a scolding.

After all, he hadn't listened to what Qingnufang had told him before, which was to try to rely on them.

After giving the boy a good scolding, the girls began their own preparations, while the boy, who had been scolded, scratched his head and started preparing again with an embarrassed smile.

Their preparations went very smoothly, and they were back on the ship in less than an hour. Shortly after they returned to the ship, Kamo no Ito and his party, having received the news, also returned to the sails.

While making preparations, Shimizu Asahi let the sailors who had never been out before relax for a while, as if giving them a short break.

After all, they were about to embark on a month-long voyage.

However, Shimizu Asahi was unaware that while he was making all these preparations, Izumo Taisha was receiving an unexpected guest...

A black-haired girl dressed in ordinary blue robes stood before the torii gate of Izumo Taisha Shrine. Looking at the massive shrine, a hint of nostalgia flashed in her black pearl-like eyes.

"It must have been a thousand years. I never imagined I'd be back here again..."

"You should be prepared for punishment, right, Third Brother..." Chapter 213, Section 216: You really know how to think of your younger brother.

Deep within the Izumo Grand Shrine, in that secluded courtyard, Shimizu Mio and Kinai sat under the eaves, chatting and laughing softly.

Perhaps because they hadn't seen each other for a thousand years, the two seemed quite happy, and their conversation never stopped.

From life over the past thousand years to interesting family stories, they can talk about anything they can think of. But of course, what they talk about most is Shimizu Asahi.

"Speaking of which, sister, why did you suddenly decide to adopt Chaoyang? When you went to the human world to relax before, you saw many homeless little ones, but even when they were in front of you, you were not moved at all. But when it came to Chaoyang, you were moved?"

After discussing many topics about Shimizu Asahi, Kijima suddenly became curious about the reason why Shimizu Mio adopted Shimizu Asahi.

Over the past millennia, Shimizu Mio has witnessed countless wars, from the struggles for supremacy among nations thousands of years ago to the power struggles of three hundred years ago. She has seen every war humanity has waged. Similarly, she has naturally seen the countless human infants who have been displaced.

However, at that time she was arrogant and compassionate, and even when an infant starved to death in front of her, she remained unmoved.

Yet, this same woman not only adopted Shimizu Asahi sixteen years ago, but has also gradually changed over the past sixteen years.

She is no longer aloof or incapable of compassion; now, she is more like a human being.

A person who is willing to change for the sake of her younger brother... that is, a person with her own feelings.

Qidao is really curious about how Shimizu Asahi changed Shimizu Mio, and what Shimizu Mio's mentality was in adopting Shimizu Asahi.

Not only her, but the big man was also very curious.

Sixteen years ago, when Da Han learned that Shimizu Mio had adopted Shimizu Asahi, he was terribly shocked and even wondered if his sister had been too indifferent for too long and that this had caused her to lose her mind.

"Hehe... I don't know the answer to that question either. I just felt that I had a special connection with this child, so I adopted him."

"But looking back now, it was really great that I adopted him sixteen years ago."

A gentle tenderness flowed from the girl's eyes as she smiled softly, her face radiating happiness.

"If it weren't for the rising sun, I'd probably still be the same as before."

"Indeed, I still feel more close to older women nowadays."

Kito also smiled. Although she used to sit and chat with Shimizu Mio like this, she never dared to relax at all, and she had to think carefully about every word she said.

At that time, Shimizu Mio was too imposing.

Of course, this doesn't mean that Shimizu Mio is no longer imposing; it just means that she knows how to restrain herself and how to consider others.

Everyone who has had contact with her now has the same feeling.

Well...except for the big men who are facing the wall in their rooms reflecting on their mistakes.

"By the way, sister, Yu'er has recently woken up from her deep sleep. Have you gone to see her?"

"Yu'er...you mean that little one? Has she woken up yet? I really didn't notice. I'll find a chance to go see her when I get back to Heian-kyo."

A slight hint of surprise flickered across her face, and Shimizu Mio responded with a smile.

As Yu'er's niece, and since she lives in Heian-kyo, it's only right and proper for her to go and visit her.

In fact, Yu'er went to Heian-kyo a thousand years ago. However, she stayed in Heian-kyo for two hundred years, exhausting her power to suppress a monster that had gone mad because of certain things, and fell into a deep sleep.

Before she fell into a deep sleep, Shimizu Mio had only seen her once, and that was for work... This was clearly unacceptable for an aunt.

So, she decided to make it up to her little one.

“That’s perfect. I’ve been thinking about going to Heian-kyo to see Yu’er sometime. Sister, I’ll go with you when you go back.”

Qi Dao clapped his hands lightly and said this with a little joy.

"Sure, the house is much more spacious because of someone, so you can even choose a dedicated room."

Shimizu Mio readily agreed, and as she did so, she glanced at the door behind her.

The gentle gaze turned extremely dangerous the moment it fell on the wooden door. Qi Dao outside was completely unaware, but the burly man inside broke out in a cold sweat.

"I'm just staying temporarily, it won't take too long. Besides, Yu'er has rooms, I can stay there directly... Oh right, sister can stay with me too. Chaoyang and the others have gone out to sea to find the Yasakani no Magatama, sister must be very bored by herself. It would be good for you to have company if you stay with us."

"That seems like a good suggestion. I wonder if the little guy will welcome me."

"How could Yu'er not welcome his elder sister... Then it's settled. We'll go back to Heian-kyo together in a while."

"Ah."

Mio Shimizu and Ina chatted and laughed as they finalized their upcoming trip, their laughter echoing into the house behind them.

At this moment, in that elegant room separated only by a door, a burly man was kneeling on a cushion, facing the wall and with his back to the door.

Hearing the cheerful laughter reaching his ears, the very strong man revealed a trace of sorrow and fear.

He naturally guessed why Shimizu Mio had come, and similarly, he knew how to appease her anger.

But he couldn't do it. He had gone to great lengths to create an opportunity for that little guy, Ibuki. If he confessed now, wouldn't all his previous efforts have been in vain?

"Sigh... If only I had been more careful earlier, now my sister has blocked the door... Orochi, this time I've really risked my life for you."

The very next second after he said those words, a cool and slightly tense voice came from outside the door.

"Stop yelling, come out now, there are some things I need to confirm with you."

Upon hearing this, the burly man who was facing the wall in contemplation froze, then took a deep breath.

He knew that his real test had arrived. If he couldn't satisfy Shimizu Mio or deceive Orochi during the sealing, then he and Orochi would truly be doomed.

With a hint of nervousness and trepidation, the burly man opened the wooden door and sat down next to Qi Dao with an awkward smile. Then, he cautiously greeted her, "Sister, it's been a long time. How have you been?"

"You have the least right to ask this question. Not only did you secretly keep an eye on me and Chaoyang, but you also lured the Ghost King into our home without permission. You really know how to think of your brother!"

A cold snort rang out, and Shimizu Mio's gaze grew increasingly hostile, as if she might rush up and beat him up at any moment. Chapter 214, Section 217: The Friendship Between the Great Man and Hachimata (True Love)

The oppressive gaze made the burly man tremble with fear, and his smirk deepened. He even shrank his strong body behind his wife.

Seeing her husband's earnest actions and expression, Qidao couldn't help but roll her eyes at him. Then, she looked at Shimizu Mio and advised, "Alright, sister, don't scare him. Didn't you come to confirm some things? Once you've confirmed them, I'll take you to see the surroundings. Don't be so unhappy."

"...Hmph, fine, rather than watching him suffer, it's better to let him be punished alone."

After taking a breath, Shimizu Mio barely managed to suppress the urge to beat up her younger brother, who was already married and had children.

After suppressing her dissatisfaction slightly, the girl's expression became serious.

"Tell me, Ox-Head, is it true that Yamata is about to be resurrected and plans to attack Heian-kyo?"

"How could it be true, sister? I personally cut off Hachimata's head back then. You know how powerful I am. Even if you reattached all his severed heads, he could never come back to life."

When Hachimata made his move against Shimizu Asahi, the Great Han had already considered this point, so he prepared an excuse well in advance.

I didn't expect Shimizu Mio to come in person for this matter.

Well, of course, Da Han thinks that Shimizu Mio's main purpose this time is not to ask if Yamata will be resurrected or if he will attack Heian-kyo. Her main purpose is probably to personally scold him.

Yes, personal feelings take precedence over important matters. This is his sister's nature, which even the most discerning woman cannot change—extremely willful.

"It's precisely because you were the one who cut off his head that I'm not at ease."

However, Shimizu Mio responded to his explanation with a cold laugh.

“When the verdict was handed down to Yamata, you were the first person to stand up and speak for him, and the first person to dare to stand up and take over from the original executioner during the execution.”

"No one knows whether you showed him any mercy..."

“Bullhead, I strongly suspect that you volunteered to take the execution in order to save him.”

"thump!"

Mio Shimizu's words made the big man's heart skip a beat. Here it comes, he knew his sister would bring this up. Fortunately, he was prepared.

Having guessed what Shimizu Mio meant, the burly man subtly revealed a wronged expression, as if he had been wronged.

He blinked and said sincerely, "Sister, you can't just say things like that. I did it in front of you. You all know whether I used my full strength or not."

"Moreover, to prevent Yamata from being resurrected, didn't you seal him in the rift between the Yin and Yang realms, sister? There's nothing there, so even if he survives by chance, he can't possibly come out."

Shimizu Mio was right; the reason he stepped forward was to save Hachimata's life.

Although he was the only one who could confront Yamata head-on, when Yamata was brought to the execution platform, he wasn't the only one who could end Yamata's life. Everyone wanted Yamata dead, and no one except him would show mercy. So, he had no choice but to do it himself.

In order to save Hachimata in front of everyone, he went to great lengths, and even his only close friend Hachimata did not realize that he had held back.

Yes, even now, Hachimata still feels that he was lucky to have survived the great man's clutches.

As for why the big man didn't explain to Hachimata... he probably felt guilty for not being able to speak up for Hachimata.