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

After having a good chat with Shimizu Asahi and Shimizu Reiko, whom they hadn't seen for a month, Yoko and Shimizu finally let go of them and took their seats.

During this time, Yoko and Kurako noticed Ōtakemaru, so Shimizu Asahi explained once again.

Upon learning that the little guy had become their younger brother, both of them showed expressions of surprise.

Yoko and Kurako were well aware of Ōtakemaru's ferocity, especially Kurako, who was the only one besides Shimizu Asahi and Reiko to have fought him and personally experienced the aura of that sea demon.

Even now, when she thinks back on it, she still feels a little scared.

However, after her initial surprise, her expression turned to admiration.

As expected of Mr. Shimizu, he can even suppress such a sea monster.

"Alright, Chaoyang, Lingzi, stay a few more days this time. Your rooms are still here, nothing has been touched, and servants clean them every week."

"Furthermore, there's no need to hide your identity at home. Those who are still at home are all very attached to this family, and they won't have any different opinions about Reiko because of her identity."

Just as Tamura was willing to take on everything for Reiko, the servants who remain in the Tamura household are also prepared to take on everything.

So even if they can't openly go out shopping, they can openly stay at home.

"Is that so... It seems we were being too cautious, Reiko."

Upon hearing this, the young man smiled happily. The servants' approval showed that the prestige Lingzi had built up over the past two years had earned them genuine respect, and it also proved that her actions over the years had not been in vain...

"Ah."

Reiko's eyes lit up, and she nodded in agreement.

"Oh, by the way, Father, what happened at home when we left? I have a feeling that the atmosphere at home has changed a lot..."

After exchanging a few brief words, Shimizu Asahi casually inquired about his family. Tamura Shimizu seemed to have anticipated this question and was not too surprised.

The man, who was nearing old age, sighed softly and said, "Actually, this matter is neither a big deal nor a small one. It's just that because Lingzi's identity was exposed, many people have associated us with monsters. Many people in the city have started pointing fingers at us and even insulting and hurling abuse at us."

"The Tamura family was the target of everyone's criticism some time ago."

"But that's all in the past. After more than a month of reflection, the people have stopped worrying about the Tiancun family. In the last few days, we haven't heard any more insults directed at anyone."

So, it's all over.

At this point, Tamura's slightly helpless expression turned into a smile.

"Are you alright?"

Shimizu Asahi instinctively glanced at Reiko; even without relying on his intuition, he knew that things were not over.

If it were truly over, how could Father still look so tired, with that lingering sorrow between his brows?

It seems that Father doesn't intend for them to be involved in this matter.

'Since Father doesn't want to talk about it, let's not ask for now. We'll ask Ye Zi directly later.'

Reiko, who had also guessed Tamura's thoughts, gave Shimizu Asahi a look, and upon receiving the message, he immediately replied with an "I understand" expression.

Then, he looked at Tamura Shige again and said with some guilt, "I'm sorry, Father, because of Reiko and me, this has happened to our family..."

"Hehe, it's nothing, just some insults. We've lived a life of constant danger, so why can't we live this kind of life? Besides, things are much better now, so don't worry about it."

"Alright, let's not talk about our side anymore. What about you guys? What are you doing right now?"

"Us? Hmm...we're building up our influence..."

Shimizu Asahi Junta Village servant continued speaking, directly changing the subject.

He briefly explained his actions and plans at Suzuka Mountain, and Tamura, having learned of their current progress, immediately understood another purpose of their return.

So he immediately patted his chest and said, "Clothes and seeds, leave those to Father. I can't give you much support in building Suzuka Mountain, but these things that can be bought with money are no problem."

"If you need anything in the future, just tell me and I will prepare it for you."

"I thought the dowry I prepared for Yezi and Lingzi would be useless, but I didn't expect it could be used here."

Upon hearing this, Shimizu Asahi immediately wanted to refuse. Although he was very poor for the first three years, in the last two years, he received gratitude from Izumo Taisha for teaching Kurako. Not only did they help him find Shimizu Mio, but they also sent him a lot of gold and silver jewelry. Although he refused most of it, the remaining small portion was still enough for him to live a carefree and unrestrained life.

So, once you have your own money, how can you use your parents' money?

Not to mention that it was Ye Zi and Ling Zi's dowry money.

However, Tamura insisted that he had to go, as it was the only help he could offer, and he couldn't refuse his kindness.

"Well... okay."

Having already brought this up, what could Shimizu Asahi say? In the end, he could only nod in agreement helplessly.

The six of them chatted there for a long time. When they came to their senses, the sky had already darkened. They went to the living room for dinner and then went back to their rooms to rest.

Ōtakemaru's room was arranged during the day, and he could lie down and rest after a simple wash.

However, after seeing Tamura return to his room, Kurako and Yoko immediately sneaked into Shimizu Asahi's room, knocked lightly on the door, and slipped in silently.

"Sister, Chaoyang, we're here."

Upon entering, the two immediately saw Shimizu Asahi and his two companions sitting at the wooden table, and then sat down on the floor next to them.

"Did we disturb Father?"

The black-haired boy blinked and looked warily toward the gate.

"Don't worry, we moved very quietly, and we didn't encounter any maids along the way, so no one noticed."

"That's good."

After receiving the assurance, Shimizu Asahi breathed a small sigh of relief. Then, a hint of seriousness appeared on his face as he said, "Since you're already here, I won't waste any more words. Yoko, Kurako, what exactly happened after we left here? Why is the atmosphere at home so gloomy?"

The two women exchanged a glance upon hearing the question. They guessed why Shimizu Asahi had summoned them, so after a brief hesitation, they slowly recounted their experiences over the past month... Chapter 380: The Cold Violence of Yamashiro Country

A month ago, the port incident was deliberately instigated by many high-ranking officials and nobles of Yamashiro Province, and countless people were misled and confused, and subsequently began to be hostile to the Tamura family.

At first, the people protested in front of the gate, demanding that Tamura hand over the leaves. However, under the protection of Tamura's family and soldiers, the people ultimately only talked and did not fight.

A few days later, the daimyo of Yamashiro Province summoned Tamura Samurai to the palace, hoping that he could bring Shimizu Asahi back.

If Shimizu Asahi returns, the daimyo will find a way to erase his sins and allow Tamura Samurai to once again become the most powerful family in Yamashiro Province.

However, Tamura refused.

His refusal angered the daimyo, but the daimyo was wary of Shimizu Asahi's possible return, so he did not force Tamura Samurai. However, he secretly told the nobles that he would pretend not to see what they did before Shimizu Asahi returned.

He intends to use high-ranking officials and nobles to target the Tamura family.

However, the nobles were not all fools. After realizing that Shimizu Asahi might return, they all stopped their actions and did not use the simplest and most brutal methods to deal with the Tamura family.

Under their control, the pressure on the Tamura family gradually decreased.

Perhaps the collusion between humans and monsters is an indelible stain, but the Tamura family is, after all, the Tamura family. Without anyone taking the lead, the people will eventually bury this matter in their hearts and no longer bring it up.

At most, it will only occasionally poke someone in the back.

However, just when Tamura thought the incident would pass, the situation changed again.

The people in the city stopped selling them things.

—Whoever sells things to the Tamura family is likely a monster colluding with them.

Such rumors spread throughout the entire Mountain City Kingdom at some point.

Because of this rumor, all the people began to refuse to do business with the Tamura family. They were not the Tamura family, nor did they have the same power. Once they became associated with the Tamura family, their future prospects would likely become increasingly limited.

As a result, the Tamura family began to be isolated by Yamashiro Province. No one spoke up for them, no one prayed for them, and no one offered them a helping hand.

They began to become invisible, like something 'superfluous' that the Mountain City Kingdom never existed and never needed.

The Tamura family is still able to survive because of the secret help from the families of the soldiers and the only minister in the court, Lord Maro. However, even so, the servants of the Tamura family have left one by one, and now there are less than ten people left who are willing to stay.

The number of servants, maids, and cooks was less than ten.

Some of the soldiers even deserted the Tamura family and joined other clans.

"..."

Ye Zi spoke her words carefully and clearly, and as she spoke, the atmosphere in the room quietly fell silent.

As the sun rose over the clear water, he squinted his eyes, and his usual gentle and easygoing smile gradually disappeared.

Those who know him well know that he is angry.

His previously loose fingers unconsciously clenched into a fist, and a low, suppressed aura emanated from the boy.

"Good, very good. The royal family and nobles of the Mountain City Kingdom... are truly excellent..."

"Do you want to use this method to oppress your father and eventually make him call me back?!"

"What a foolish move..."

An angry and icy voice echoed in the room, and an invisible rage burned deep within him. At this moment, he felt an urge to rush up and smash open the heads of the daimyo and nobles of the Mountain City Kingdom to see what was inside!

Cold violence... Those guys treated the Tamura family in a way that Shimizu Asahi found utterly intolerable!

Ever since that incident where Onidomaru violated the dormitory rules and refused to apologize, passive-aggressive behavior has become something that Shimizu Asahi absolutely cannot tolerate!

He would never allow anyone to harm his family in any way or in any manner!

Admittedly, passive-aggressive violence is more terrifying than active-aggressive violence. It can silently seize a person's will, destroy a person's perseverance without bloodshed, and achieve victory at a faster pace.

However, this method is also most likely to incite people's anger!

"Chaoyang, calm down. Although we all know that this was done by the royal family and those nobles, we don't have direct evidence to prove that they did it. If we make a fuss about it, we will only suffer in the end."

"Moreover, although the Tamura family's situation is difficult, there is still room for maneuver. Father has been looking for other ways to break the deadlock these past few days, and I believe that we will be able to get out of this predicament soon..."

Ye Zi, who had never seen Qing Shui Chao Yang look like this before, immediately spoke up to comfort him and calm him down a bit.

However, some of those words of comfort were false.

The Tamura family is already in a difficult situation. Unless they leave Yamashiro Province, they will have a hard time surviving under such circumstances. If Tamura Samurai had any good ideas, he wouldn't have been troubled for half a month.

The reason Tamura Samurai was unwilling to tell Shimizu Asahi about this was that he hoped Shimizu would not be distracted by his own affairs.

Asahi Shimizu can do what he wants and roam freely outside, so as a father, Samurai Tamura cannot allow himself to become a burden to his children.

Tamura himself will have to bear the consequences of his family's affairs!

only......

"Ye Zi, do you really think this will fool Reiko and Mr.?"