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

"By the way, Kurako, you're the next shrine maiden of Izumo Taisha, right? If that's the case, then you also know Onmyojutsu? How about it, do you want to have a match with Asahi?"

"I think it will be very interesting."

Ye Zi blinked, seemingly wanting to see Cang Zi defeated, but unfortunately, Cang Zi saw through her thoughts and decisively refused.

She said that Onmyōdō (the art of Yin and Yang) had only been introduced to Yamato for a few decades, and neither the common people nor the shrines knew much about it. Even the Saiō of Ise Grand Shrine was slowly figuring it out bit by bit. But the gentleman was different from them, who were still figuring things out. His mastery of Onmyōdō had reached a level that no one had ever achieved before. To compete with him was to lose.

If there were any gains to be made, she wouldn't mind giving it a try; however, a competition where she would lose from the start was utterly meaningless.

Therefore, she naturally refused.

"Eh...is that so?"

Ye Zi gave a confused "Eh?"

Because she had never personally witnessed Shimizu Asahi using offensive Onmyojutsu, she was unfamiliar with Onmyojutsu combat and therefore could not understand what a match where the opponent was destined to lose from the start meant.

"Well, just remember that the master is very strong, stronger than anyone else."

"Really? But I know a lot of people who are better than me. Not to mention my sister, at least Reiko is better than me."

Upon hearing Kurako's words, Shimizu Asahi immediately laughed and gave Shimizu Reiko a somewhat indulgent look.

Noticing his gaze, Reiko immediately returned the smile.

"..."

"..."

Watching the two people's actions, for some reason, both Yezi and Cangzi felt as if something had been stuffed into their mouths.

Reiko, you're creating opportunities for your sister, aren't you? If that's the case, then tone down that overly intense aura that can't tolerate a third party.

Cangzi couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

To be honest, though, she was still a little envious.

In this era, only Shimizu Asahi could be so devoted to someone, setting aside reputation, status, identity, and power.

No wonder Reiko, who has never understood what love is, fell for it so quickly. Even if it were her, she might not have been able to hold on as long as Reiko.

It's a pity that her status prevented her from joining the war; otherwise, competing with her two friends for someone would have been quite an experience.

Just as she was thinking this, Shimizu Asahi suddenly looked at her again and said, "By the way, Kurako, if you have any questions or want to know anything about Onmyodo, you can ask me. I will answer whatever I can."

"Eh!?"

The girl, who had just been sighing and envious, immediately showed a surprised expression. "Wait, sir, is this kind of thing alright?"

"What's wrong with that?" Shimizu Asahi retorted.

"This... there's really nothing wrong with it, but sir, don't you feel it's a huge loss to just hand over the Yin-Yang arts that you've worked so hard to learn and master?"

"It's like the thought, 'Why should I hand over my Yin-Yang techniques to them for no reason?'"

Because the art of Yin and Yang was just beginning in this era, and only shrines and a few noble members possessed it, they regarded it as a force to differentiate themselves from other powers. Whoever mastered more Yin and Yang techniques would gain the upper hand. Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, no power would choose to hand over the Yin and Yang techniques they had discovered.

Even if it is handed over, it must be exchanged for an equivalent amount of Yin-Yang magic.

While the Yin-Yang techniques of Izumo Shrine are very discreet, they serve no other purpose besides concealment.

Cangzi had been craving Shimizu Asahi's Yin-Yang Technique for quite some time, but knowing what she could and couldn't do, she had never spoken up. She just never expected... happiness to come so suddenly!

Upon hearing Kurako's words, Shimizu Asahi paused for a moment. Indeed, this era was completely different from the era three hundred years later.

The art of Yin and Yang in this era had not yet reached its peak, and the Yin and Yang techniques of various families had not yet been truly finalized. Therefore, clans and shrines kept the art of Yin and Yang absolutely secret, and did not allow any leaks.

but......

He rubbed his head and said in a nonchalant tone, "As you've seen, I'm just a wanderer with no power, so I don't have any concerns about that."

"Although I could choose to pass on Onmyoji techniques to the Tamura family, neither Yoko nor Reiko likes Onmyoji techniques, so..."

"However, well, I'm still quite interested in the Onmyōdō techniques of Izumo Taisha. If possible, I'd like to learn them myself. How about we make a trade?"

"exchange?"

The boy's words sent a jolt through Kurako's heart. This deal... was perfect... For Izumo Taisha, it was an opportunity that was almost perfect, and could even be said to change the relative positions of Izumo Taisha and Ise Grand Shrine!

If we compare the Yin-Yang arts of Shimizu Asahi to gold and silver, then the Yin-Yang arts of Izumo Taisha are nothing but scrap metal, not even worth a copper coin, let alone silver.

Therefore, if she agrees, she can obtain countless jewels for no reason, and the strength of Izumo Taisha will increase at an unimaginable speed.

This was an opportunity, an absolute opportunity. Even Cangzi couldn't help but reveal his anticipation and longing.

Almost instinctively, she wanted to nod in agreement without even thinking.

But then she suddenly stopped talking.

Is it really okay to just agree like this?

Such a question involuntarily surfaced in her mind.

Is it really okay to agree to a transaction that is nominally a transaction but is actually equivalent to giving?

She knew that Shimizu Asahi was saying this because he considered her a true friend, but precisely because he considered her a friend, should she just agree without even thinking about it...?

True friendship is about mutual help, not just taking from each other. If you take what the other person gives for granted, then no matter how good the friendship is, it will eventually lead to a breakup.

This Yin-Yang technique is the immense benefit that could cause rifts between them and lead to their division.

Should you agree, risking a rift with Shimizu Asahi later, or should you refuse, deepening your relationship with Shimizu Asahi...?

The next shrine maiden of Izumo Taisha was wavering.

Perhaps sensing Kurako's hesitation, Shimizu Asahi chuckled and patted her shoulder. "Don't think about it so much, Kurako. Aren't we friends? Since we're friends, it's okay, right?" (Chapter 348, Section 351: The Development of Yin-Yang Techniques Three Hundred Years Ago)

"But sir..."

"No buts, it's settled then. During the time you stay here, we can have a proper discussion about Yin-Yang techniques."

The boy patted her on the shoulder and smiled gently.

Looking at his gentle smile, for some reason, Cangzi suddenly felt her heart beat faster.

Is this what it feels like to be smitten?

Without realizing it, Cangzi clutched her chest.

Then she laughed.

'...Sir, you really are...special...'

However, Cangzi is Cangzi after all. She quickly composed herself, took two steps back, and then gently bent down.

"I look forward to your guidance in the coming period."

"Yes, me too. Please take care of me, Kurako."

"..."

"..."

On the other side, seeing the two people whose atmosphere had suddenly become a little strange, Reiko's lips twitched involuntarily. Although she knew that Shimizu Asahi had no such thoughts, she still couldn't help but feel a little helpless.

at the same time......

"What are you doing, Tenjou Kurako! Didn't we agree to help Yoko? Now that you've taken over Shimizu, how can you help Yoko?!"

Perhaps it was because Reiko's gaze was too direct, but even Kurako, who was in a good mood, quickly noticed it. She turned to look at Reiko and then understood the meaning in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Reiko. Although I really want to help Yoko, this matter is too important to Izumo Taisha, so... I'm sorry."

"Besides, Yezi, you're still here, aren't you? If it were you, you'd surely have a way."

'This guy...!'

Reiko, understanding what the other person meant, immediately cursed him in her heart.

As expected, she and Tenjo Kurako could not get along peacefully. Just now, she even had a fleeting thought that this guy might be a good person. She really was an idiot!

After completely separating herself from Kurako, Reiko turned her head away and refused to look at her anymore.

After the conversation ended, the four returned to the hall.

As soon as Shimizu Asahi sat down, he said, "Kurako, let's schedule the discussion about Onmyodo this afternoon. What do you think?"

"afternoon?"

The shrine maiden thought for a moment, then nodded decisively and said, "Well, since you say so, sir, then let's do as you say."

"Then it's settled... Alright, it's about time. I'll go and have the servants prepare lunch. You all wait here, and we'll begin after lunch."

As he spoke, Shimizu Asahi, who had just sat down, stood up again and left the room... He should have known better than to sit down.

Before long, lunch was ready. The four of them ate their lunch quietly in the living room, and then went together to the study where Shimizu Asahi usually studied Yin-Yang techniques.

Although the Tamura family mansion was smaller than other noble mansions, it was still a general's mansion, so it was only natural to prepare more than a dozen rooms. In order to allow Shimizu Asahi to study Yin-Yang magic in peace, Tamura Samurai specially sent someone to turn a quiet room into a study.

Although it is similar to an ordinary study, the surrounding environment is very quiet. Unless you deliberately make loud noise, the quiet atmosphere will always surround you.

Asahi Shimizu himself really liked this room. It allowed him to quickly calm down. No matter how frustrated he became because of a problem, he could calm down quickly as soon as he put down his book.

Even if there's nothing much to do, he'll stay here on ordinary days.

"Is this where you study, sir? The atmosphere is wonderful."

After briefly taking in the atmosphere around her, Cangzi couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

"Of course, being here allows me to focus on exploring Yin-Yang techniques."

"But Reiko, Yoko, why aren't you going to training?"

As the boy took out the cushion that had been placed there, he looked at the Tamura sisters who had followed him with a puzzled expression.

They shouldn't be interested in Yin-Yang arts, right? Usually, when they hear that he wants to study Yin-Yang arts, they just leave without disturbing him. Why did they suddenly follow him this time?

"It's okay, I just finished lunch anyway, and exercising now wouldn't be good for my health."

"And I also want to see what you were like as a teacher."

Reiko pulled Yoko to sit down at the low table and then pretended to listen quietly.

"Is that so... Well, I don't really care, but Kurako, what do you think?"

Teaching is not just the teacher's responsibility, and the most important person in a class is the student. As long as the students are not affected, Qing Shui Chao Yang will not care.