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

After a moment of subtle hesitation, Cangzi couldn't help but smile helplessly and start thinking about the problem from a different perspective.

Although I've been working so hard, at least I didn't miss my husband's wedding, and the wedding gift has been sent. As long as I prepare in advance, I'm sure I can make a timely appearance at Izumo Taisha Shrine on my husband's wedding day.

In other words, this is actually good news.

Yes, good news.

After silently repeating the words to herself a couple of times, Kurako calmed down and said, "Thank you for informing me, Ms. Tamura. We will make preparations in advance and will definitely not miss any more news about Mr. Tamura's wedding. By the way, Ms. Tamura, may I stay here for a while? I would like to see Mr. Tamura."

"Yes, of course. After all, guests are guests, and our Tamura family isn't so domineering as to kick them out." Yoko nodded with a smile, adding a joke as she did so.

"Hehe...Ms. Tamura is joking."

"By the way, Miss Celestial Maiden, how did Izumo Taisha find out that Asahi and her sister were getting married?"

At this moment, Ye Zi suddenly became curious. Although her father had indeed invited many people to the wedding, most of them were nobles from the Mountain City Kingdom. Those from slightly more distant places were nobles from a few nearby countries. He would not even consider places as far away as the Izumo Kingdom.

Moreover, her older sister Reiko did not have a good impression of Izumo Taisha, and considering her daughter's feelings, she would naturally not inform Izumo Taisha. So why did they still receive the news?

"Regarding this... I'm ashamed to say, we actually received this news unintentionally."

With a slightly embarrassed smile, Tenjo Kurako replied, "The Tamura family once sent people to Izumo Province to look for a person named 'Shimizu Mio.' Although they didn't find the shrine, perhaps because the name of the master was too well-known in Izumo Province, some of the people who knew about it informed us. It was only because of this that we were able to barely obtain the news of the master's marriage from the common people."

"But when we received this news, the servants who were looking for 'Shimizu Mio' had already left, and the master's wedding was already over. The priestess, who didn't have time to think too much, immediately sent me with a congratulatory gift."

"In order to save time, I walked a long way through the mountains and occasionally went to towns to rest, but I was always in a hurry. So I didn't get the news that my husband's wedding was postponed."

"I see. Miss Tiannv is really serious, arriving in such a short time."

Ye Zi, having learned what had happened, couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

"Well... although it's not quite appropriate for me to say this, actually, if the person congratulating me wasn't you, sir, I would probably have traveled at the normal time. After all, I'm already late, so a little later wouldn't have mattered."

Kurako gently shook her head and said in a gentle but serious tone, "Precisely because you are a teacher, I don't want to waste my time."

"Eh...I see. Miss Tiannv really cares about the rising sun."

Ye Zi was quite surprised. She didn't expect that Shimizu Asahi had such a high status in Izumo Taisha. Not only did he rush to send people over as soon as he received the news, but he also traveled for days in order not to waste time. What happened between Asahi and Izumo Taisha two years ago?

She suddenly became curious.

Afterwards, Yoko talked to Kurako about many things related to Shimizu Asahi.

Since he left Izumo, the Izumo Grand Shrine has not received a single piece of news about him. Therefore, Kurako was very interested in what he had encountered in the past two years. Especially after Yoko's deliberate description, Kurako couldn't help but yearn for that feeling of wandering the world.

He even exclaimed in front of Ye Zi, "How wonderful... If I could, I would like to wander around with you like this, becoming a wandering ronin with no fixed abode."

Perhaps because these words resonated with Ye Zi, she didn't immediately notice the inappropriateness of them. In fact, she nodded in agreement, saying, "Wandering around with someone like Chao Yang is something to be envied."

Just as the two were fantasizing about wandering around with Shimizu Asahi, the two of them finally returned from their shopping trip.

Upon entering the hallway, the two returning individuals noticed the extra pair of shoes and were immediately puzzled.

They came to the outside of the living room, casually opened the door, and asked, "Yezi, do we have guests...Kurako?"

Looking at the Tennō Kurako inside the house, Shimizu Asahi couldn't help but pause for a moment.

Why are you here?

Upon seeing the clear water and the rising sun, Cangzi immediately stood up and bowed respectfully to greet them.

"Long time no see, Mr. Shimizu and Ms. Reiko."

"Yes, it has been a long time, about two and a half years, hasn't it?" Shimizu Asahi replied with a smile, while Reiko, standing next to him, frowned slightly, a hint of dislike unconsciously showing in her eyes.

Clearly, she was very unhappy with the arrival of Tennō Kurako, but with her fiancé and sister present, she couldn't say anything, so she just grunted and said nothing more.

However... just like two years ago, this guy still wears that annoying mask on his face.

After a brief greeting, Shimizu Asahi sat down on the other side and asked about the purpose of Tenjo Kurako's visit. The other party did not hide anything and stated the purpose of her visit very directly.

Unexpectedly, Shimizu Asahi rubbed her head awkwardly, realizing that this was why she had come.

He wouldn't feel embarrassed if Izumo Taisha learned of the news but did nothing; after all, that's normal. If he didn't invite Izumo Taisha, they wouldn't send anyone—that's only natural. But now, after learning of this, they proactively sent people to deliver their congratulations and gifts...

This makes the Tamura family seem a bit petty.

Perhaps sensing Shimizu Asahi's mood, Tenjo Kurako, after explaining the situation, smiled and said, "Mr. Shimizu, please don't worry about it. This is our own decision and has nothing to do with you."

"Moreover, since we came uninvited, we should be the ones who care."

The black-haired boy, who was about to apologize, paused for a moment. He shook his head and laughed, "That's really... Since you've said so, Cangzi, then let's not worry about right or wrong. We're here to treat you well."

"You should stay and rest for the next two days, don't rush to leave."

"If you don't mind, sir, I'll stay for a few days. I'm really sorry to trouble you." Cangzi squinted her eyes slightly, and her delicate face immediately showed a happy smile.

"Hehe, wait a moment, I'll go prepare dinner."

"After dinner, I'll take you to the guest room. Oh, and Reiko, have someone prepare the room. The bedding and willow branches—these aren't ready yet, are they?"

"Ah."

Hearing her fiancé's words, Reiko nodded and then left the living room with him. (Chapter 339, Section 342: The Change of Royal Power in Izumo)

After dinner, Shimizu Asahi chatted with Tenjo Kurako about Izumo Province and Izumo Taisha Shrine.

In fact, Shimizu Asahi was quite concerned about Izumo, since his senior brother would be the ruler of Izumo three hundred years from now, and he would need to go to the Izumo Grand Shrine again to borrow the Yasakani no Magatama when the time was almost up. Therefore, it was necessary for him to know about Izumo.

However, he had been living a nomadic life for the past two and a half years, and had also encountered various other things, so he neglected Izumo Province.

However, it's not too late to learn about it now.

From Kurako, he learned about the specific situation of Izumo Province and Izumo Taisha. To his surprise, Izumo Province had changed to a different family in charge.

That's right, the Kyogoku clan has replaced the Sasaki clan as the new royal family of Izumo Province!

Originally, the Sasaki clan could have continued to hold the throne, but the attack by Orochi killed all the core members of the Sasaki clan. After changing hands several times, the throne had to be handed over to a collateral branch. The collateral branch, which had always been looked down upon, became arrogant after gaining power.

They abused their royal status, issuing countless decrees that angered the people. Even when the Izumo Grand Shrine was trying to appease the people, they still attempted to instruct the shrine to act in their own way.

Such practices quickly provoked the people's condemnation, but the imperial family was, after all, the imperial family. After several suppressions and massacres, the people finally turned to Izumo Taisha for help.

At the request of the people, Izumo Taisha Shrine also made up its mind to replace this incompetent royal family who couldn't see the bigger picture.

Although the Shinto shrine left behind the rule that "Izumo Taisha must not interfere with the actions of the Imperial Family," the fact that Izumo Taisha does not take action does not mean that others cannot take action.

The Sasaki clan has more than one branch.

The reason the throne was given to that collateral branch was because that branch was closest to the Sasaki clan. In other words, with the Sasaki clan nearly extinct, it didn't matter who got the throne.

Since this collateral branch couldn't seize the opportunity, then other collateral branches should take its place.

With the tacit approval of Izumo Taisha, many branches launched wars against the collateral branch that had just obtained the throne. Although the collateral branch wanted to consolidate its power, its actions were too foolish and it was easily defeated.

After it was defeated, Izumo Taisha immediately stepped in to mediate the war and announced that the family that defeated it would succeed to the throne.

Despite their discontent, the other collateral branches could not disobey the orders of the Izumo Taisha shrine, so they could only watch helplessly as the Kyogoku clan became the new imperial family.

And so, the royal family of Izumo was stabilized, and the pacification efforts at Izumo Taisha Shrine proceeded smoothly.

Of course, the internal situation of Izumo Taisha was also completely stabilized due to the return of the sacred artifact.

With the joint efforts of both sides, Izumo was completely restored to its original state in just a few months.

"I never imagined the real reason for the changes in the Izumo royal family was like this..."

After a slight sigh, Shimizu Asahi laughed again: "However, the Kyogoku clan and the Izumo Taisha are really amazing. They quelled so many things in just a few months. When I left Izumo, it was still a mess."

"After all, it is the Izumo Grand Shrine. If they can't even do this kind of thing well, then they are not qualified to be the rulers of Izumo."

"Moreover, with the sacred artifacts stolen, the gods will surely return to the shrine. It would be strange if Izumo were in chaos with them guarding it."

Hearing his words, Lingzi pursed her lips and responded with a soft hum.

"Hehe, Reiko, it's been two and a half years, and you still can't stand Izumo Taisha?"

"I've already said that monsters are petty, and for us, two years is like the blink of an eye; there's no such thing as that much time having passed."

"Hmm...that makes sense."

Scratching his head, the black-haired boy couldn't help but laugh. Talking about two and a half years to a monster that could live for tens of millions of years was like talking about two months, or even less, to a human.

"However, never mind. Although we will inevitably have some contact with Izumo Taisha in the future, we won't have too much contact, so normal communication is fine."

With a light laugh, Shimizu Asahi moved on from the topic and sat down next to Reiko, saying, "Alright, let's rest too."

"Um......"

......

Over the next few days, Shimizu Asahi took Tenjo Kurako on a tour of Yamashiro Province, visiting all the scenic spots and shrines. He also showed her the streets of Yamashiro Province, which, although not as grand as Shinmon County, were still very distinctive.

Ah, of course, besides Shimizu Asahi and Amamiya Kurako, Reiko and Yoko also came along. And for some reason, Yoko and Kurako hit it off immediately, and in just a few days, their relationship became very, very good.

Although Shimizu Asahi found this kind of friendship between girls a little strange, she didn't object to them becoming friends.

After all, Kurako is a very good person.

Despite being the next heir to the Izumo Grand Shrine and the future highest-ranking figure in the Izumo Kingdom, she never displayed a trace of arrogance or haughtiness. In fact, she would even apologize and reflect earnestly after realizing her mistakes. Such a person made him involuntarily think of her as his older sister.

Speaking of which, the reason why Yezi was able to become friends with Cangzi so quickly is probably because they are essentially the same kind of people, right?

So, if it weren't for that incident two and a half years ago, Reiko and Kurako could have become good friends.

Um......

Shimizu Asahi's gaze involuntarily fell on Reiko.

"What's wrong? Is something the matter?"

Perhaps it was because Shimizu Asahi's gaze was too direct, Reiko, who was standing to the side, immediately noticed it. Looking at the gaze that kept shifting between herself and Kurako, she asked in confusion.

"It's nothing, I was just suddenly thinking, if the misunderstanding is cleared up, would you become friends with Kurako like Yoko did?" Shimizu Asahi said with a smile, but as soon as he finished speaking, Reiko replied firmly and definitely, "Impossible, I will never become friends with her in this lifetime."

"So fast, and the answer was so decisive."

Shimizu Asahi was taken aback by the quick reply, but he soon laughed again.

"Is that so? I think you still have a good chance. It's not about forgiving Izumo Taisha, but about becoming friends with 'Ama-no-Kurako'."

Having been in the human world for so long, the only people Reiko has met are him, Tamura Samurai, and Yoko. Although she has some connections with other soldiers, they are just ordinary friends, not close friends with whom she can tell everything.

So, Shimizu Asahi wondered if Reiko could find a true confidante, someone who could share her joys and sorrows. (Chapter 343) You like Mr. Shimizu, and I like Mr. Shimizu too—what a coincidence!