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

"Hehe... It's not impossible. If you take Suzuka Mountain and challenge the entire ocean, or even start a war, then the entire ocean will remember your name."

"But in doing so, we and Suzuka Mountain will also be burdened with a corresponding bad reputation, becoming the most detested presence on the sea."

"How about it, want to give it a try?"

The boy blinked and spoke in a slightly seductive tone.

"How could I possibly want to try!" The girl rolled her eyes at him, replying with a hint of frustration, "Besides, even if I agreed, you wouldn't, would you?"

"You just know how to say things like that to flirt with me."

"Can this be considered flirting?" Shimizu Asahi blinked, genuinely surprised. "Reiko, do you have a misunderstanding of the concept of flirting?"

"I don't care, if I think it's true, then it is!"

"...Well, whatever you say it is, that's what it is."

He affectionately ruffled his wife's hair, then said, "Alright, it's about time. We should head back now."

They had been on the ship for a month, and their supplies and water were almost used up. It was time for them to go back.

The ship on the sea slowly turned around, the massive warship heading towards Mount Suzuka...

Then, several days passed quietly, and Shimizu Asahi and the others returned to Mount Suzuka once again.

Suzuka Mountain today is quite different from Suzuka Mountain a few months ago. A tall and ancient palace has appeared on this huge island. That is Suzuka Palace, the symbol of Suzuka Mountain. And outside Suzuka Palace, a huge floating torii gate has also been built in the sea southwest of Suzuka Mountain.

Although Reiko did not believe in gods, Kurako was the next shrine maiden of Izumo Taisha. She wanted to build a torii gate on Mount Suzuka. After thinking about it, Reiko felt that it would enhance the grandeur of Mount Suzuka, so she did not stop her.

Incidentally, because the festival and New Year's Day were approaching, Kurako had to go back to make some preparations, so she left Suzuka Mountain before their fourth voyage.

Reiko was happy about this for quite some time. (Chapter 389, Section 392: The Hall of Memories)

Stepping back onto the land of Suzuka Mountain, Shimizu Asahi couldn't help but stretch. He looked around at the island's scenery, then called out to the sea monsters on the ship, "Alright, get off here. This will be your home from now on."

The sirens looked at each other, their eyes still showing a hint of wariness and fear. But now that they had come this far, was it even possible for them to turn back?

After struggling with their feelings for a while, they finally made their way down from the deck with great care.

Not long after they came down, they saw a black-haired human girl leading some sea monsters out of the island.

The girl approached Shimizu Asahi and gently said, "You've had a hard time." Shimizu Asahi shook her head and replied, "It's nothing." After a brief exchange, Shimizu Asahi turned to the sea monster and said, "You'll be following them from now on. They will arrange accommodations for you and tell you about the island."

Having no other choice, the sirens nodded timidly and followed the island's inhabitants away from the island.

After all the new sirens had disappeared from sight, Shimizu Asahi laughed and called out, "Alright, now it's time to move the treasure. Let's unload everything from the ship."

The sirens who had not yet left cheered and happily ran aboard the large ship.

Before long, several boxes of treasure and some strange things were carried down.

"Lord Shimizu, everything has been moved down."

After the sirens looked around the cabin and confirmed that there was nothing left, they respectfully reported to Shimizu Asahi.

"Well, please move these things to the main hall. Oh, and remember to put the things Reiko brought back in the Memory Hall."

"Understood, Lord Shimizu!"

Having received their orders, they once again picked up the treasure and headed towards the Palace of Treasures and the Palace of Memories.

Actually, Shimizu Asahi had told them that they could just move to the main hall and the hall of memories without asking him for permission. However, the sea monsters said that this was a matter of respect, and that since Lord Shimizu had been so good to them, they could not ignore the respect they deserved.

Therefore, he would have this 'unnecessary' conversation every time he returned.

Incidentally, Suzuka Mountain now has two treasure troves: the Treasure Hall and the Memory Hall.

The former, as the name suggests, is a place specifically for storing rare treasures and wealth, while the latter... well... how to put it, it contains all sorts of strange little things, such as small stones, tattered sails, or a box.

These were all collected by Reiko when she went to sea. She believed that each item in them had special meaning and value.

However, these were not gold or silver treasures and could not be placed in the main hall. Therefore, Shimizu Asahi specially built a memory hall for her so that she could store all these things there.

Although this place is often referred to as a general store by Ōtakemaru.

With a touch of nostalgia, the group returned home, which was the largest temple on Mount Suzuka at that moment—the Suzuka Palace.

After completing the necessary tasks such as building houses, fertile fields, blades, and warships, Shimizu Asahi spent some time rebuilding his original home into a grand hall. He remembered that there was such a place in Suzuka Mountain three hundred years later.

However, three hundred years later, Ōtakemaru no longer lived in Suzuka-dono.

After the three returned home, Ōtakemaru, who was dealing with affairs in Suzuka Mountain, also came out.

He looked at the two of them, first saying "Welcome back," and then pulled Shimizu Asahi aside.

"What's wrong, Ōtakemaru? Have you run into some trouble again?"

Shimizu Asahi, who had been pulled aside, couldn't help but laugh. Because he and Reiko were going on an adventure, they had entrusted the affairs of Suzuka Mountain to Ōtakemaru. After he, Reiko, and Yoko would all leave in the future, Suzuka Mountain would eventually be handed over to him. Therefore, they unanimously decided to let him take over Suzuka Mountain now.

However, Ootakemaru is still young at this time, and even if he is mentally mature, there are some things that are difficult for him to handle, or even that he cannot handle well. Therefore, Yoko stayed in Suzuka Mountain to help him.

Even so, Ōtakemaru continued to protest, saying that they were irresponsible, didn't care about things, and made children do everything.

He used to absolutely refuse to admit that he was still young, but now he's saying that he's still young.

Hehe... what a little guy!

"It's about that thing I told you last time!" The little guy looked at him and complained helplessly, "The storeroom you built for Lingzi is almost full again, and we have to consider expanding it again."

"The storeroom... Ah, the Hall of Memories is full again? How could that be? Didn't I just expand it last time?"

Upon hearing this, Shimizu Asahi was taken aback. He remembered that he had specially expanded the building when he left, so it should have been able to last for a while. How could it be full again so quickly?

"It was enough at first, but after people found out she was collecting these things, everyone else on the island started to follow suit, collecting these things intentionally or unintentionally. Then, the storeroom became too small."

"I see... then I'll go and get another one later." The black-haired boy scratched his head, thought for a moment, and then smiled and said, "It's not a big problem."

"...Chaoyang, I asked you to talk about this trend!"

"These scrap metal pieces should just be thrown away. Collecting them here is not only useless, but also takes up so much space. It's a completely pointless thing to do."

Ootakemaru stood with his hands on his hips, constantly complaining to Shimizu Asahi about the downsides of doing this. However, in response to his complaints, Shimizu Asahi smiled and ruffled his hair, saying, "It doesn't really matter. Anyway, Reiko likes it, so let her collect it. It won't take up much space."

"Besides, isn't it nice to have a special place to store memories?"

"When you grow up, you'll understand the purpose of this place."

"...I'm not young anymore!"

Upon hearing this, Ōtakemaru instinctively shouted, then pouted unhappily, "Damn it, all they know is to spoil her. I don't care anymore, even if these pieces of junk occupy the entire Suzuka Mountain, I don't care!"

"Alright, alright, I'll cook you something delicious tonight. Just tell me what you want to eat."

When it comes to coaxing Ootengu, Shimizu Asahi has reached a level of perfection. As long as you bring up the food, he won't have any temper left.

"Food? Are you serious?"

Just as he expected, as soon as he heard about the delicious food, Ōtakemaru's little mood vanished completely.

He even looked at him expectantly like a child.

Hmm, eyes shining... Chapter 393: Preparing for the Spring Festival

"Speaking of which, the Spring Festival is almost here."

During dinner that evening, Shimizu Asahi seemed to remember something and subconsciously said this.

Ye Zi paused for a moment after hearing this, then nodded. "Yes, the Lunar New Year is just one month away."

Another year has passed... Time really flies.

The black-haired boy blinked, a sigh rising in his heart.

After this year, he will be twenty-two. In the blink of an eye, he has been in this era for six years.

"Although people often say that a lifetime is so long, if you really think about it, a person's life is actually not that long. Before we know it, most of our time has passed."

Ye Zi smiled and affirmed, her memory of arriving on the island still as clear as yesterday, but now, looking back, more than half a year had passed.

But then, she suddenly had a brilliant idea.

"By the way, Chaoyang, should we also hold a New Year's celebration?"

"Although this is a human festival, no one says that yokai can't celebrate with humans. Besides, doesn't the 'reunion' that the festival represents fit perfectly with our 'home' in Suzuka Mountain?"

"Perhaps, this festival can even help strengthen the sense of belonging among the monsters."

"Holding a New Year celebration? That's indeed a good idea, Shimizu, I think it's a good idea."

Reiko's eyes brightened slightly. The monsters on the island were all very gentle and kind, and she felt a great sense of belonging to the island. If the Spring Festival were held here, it would surely receive strong support and praise from the monsters.

"Indeed, this is a feasible method."

Shimizu Asahi stroked his chin and thought for a moment before agreeing with the idea.

"Okay, let's hold our first Spring Festival in Suzuka Mountain this year."

"However, there are many things to prepare for the Spring Festival, and we will probably be busy for a while."

"It's alright. Compared to the joy of the Spring Festival, this little bit of work is nothing. Besides, we don't plan to go out to sea during this period, so we have plenty of time to deal with these things."

Reiko waved her hand dismissively. Compared to these tasks, she was more excited to see the happy and joyful expressions of the monsters a month from now.

"In that case, let's start preparing tomorrow. Also, Ootakemaru, you should have the villagers start preparing as well."

"No matter what, let's get the atmosphere going first."

Because the monsters have no concept of the Spring Festival, they have to make preparations if they want to make the Spring Festival lively.

Their general plan is to first let the yokai know that a very grand festival will be held in a month. Since the yokai love festivals, they will definitely make as many preparations as possible. Then, while the yokai are preparing for the festival, they will tell them little by little about the points to note and the symbolic meaning of the festival, so that they can develop a sense of identity with 'home' and 'reunion'. Finally, they will cheer for Suzuka Mountain together.

This is a very simple, but also very good plan.

Furthermore, if possible, Shimizu Asahi also plans to make this festival a traditional festival in Suzuka Mountain.

The people of Suzuka Mountain think of the Lunar New Year as soon as the year ends, and they celebrate joyfully with their fellow Suzuka Mountain residents.

Just like humans.

Although it may not be successful in one or two attempts, as long as you persevere, you will definitely be able to make the Spring Festival take root and grow in Suzuka Mountain in five or ten years.

In addition to the Lunar New Year, Suzuka Mountain also has its own festivals.

No matter how wonderful the Spring Festival is, it was created by humankind. The roots of Suzuka Mountain should have their own unique traditions.