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

"Although I can sense that this is related to the red rope and Lingzi, it's too rushed to find the connection."

“...Is that so…” A slightly disappointed voice murmured, but soon, Ōtakemaru cheered up and said, “There’s nothing to apologize for. Now that the red rope is in your hands, you will find her location sooner or later, so don’t worry about it.”

"Besides, we've waited for over two hundred years, three hundred years... so what's one more time?"

"That's true, but I still want to find them as soon as possible."

With a soft sigh, Shimizu Asahi looked at the red rope in her hand and finally put it into her bosom.

He was somewhat eager, but he also understood that he shouldn't rush things, so he gave up the idea of ​​exploring the secret now.

"Alright, that's all for now. Let's go back."

"You haven't told the people who came with you about this yet, have you? Do you plan to be honest with them?"

"Hmm... Our relationship will be exposed sooner or later, so I might as well tell them in advance. Although their reaction might be a bit strong, it's better than being constantly questioned by them when it's forced to be exposed."

Shimizu Asahi nodded. He hadn't mentioned it during breakfast because the shock of the matter was too great. Both Ibuki and the others, as well as Ootakemaru and the others, would be shocked at first. Dealing with so many people at the same time would make him a little flustered and overwhelmed. Therefore, in order to make things as smooth as possible, he chose to explain one by one.

When he got back, he told Ibuki and the other two about it.

“Is that so…Indeed, you should tell them about this. Also, before you find Suzuka Gozen, you need to think carefully about how to quell her anger.”

A hint of schadenfreude crept onto Ōtakemaru's usually calm and serious face.

Anyone would feel resentful when they discover that they have been searching for their husband for three hundred years, only to find that he has found them three sisters. A woman like Suzuka Gozen, who is possessive and even jealous of her younger sister, would naturally be even angrier.

If Shimizu Asahi doesn't find a way to deal with this, his home may become very unsettled in the future.

"..."

The half-demon shook his head helplessly at Ōtakemaru's gloating. He knew he would face these things, but he was still a little scared to hear them said so bluntly.

"Let's consider this kind of issue later."

After burying their emotions deep inside, Shimizu Asahi and Ōtakemaru left the place.

After returning to the house where Ōtakemaru was staying, the two parted ways. Ōtakemaru had to deal with matters at Suzuka Mountain, while Shimizu Asahi had to confess his own affairs.

"...Speaking of which, why did I use the word 'frank'?"

As Shimizu Asahi walked toward Ibuki and the others' room, she suddenly noticed some of her word choices.

Normally, when telling someone something, you should use words like "say" or "tell," but why would he subconsciously use "confess"? No matter how you look at it, this word doesn't fit the situation.

"...Never mind, it doesn't matter what we use, let's just tell them about this first."

With a gentle exhale, Shimizu Asahi arrived at Ibuki's door.

"Boom boom boom!"

A light knock sounded on the door, and Shimizu Asahi called out Ibuki's name from outside the door. Soon, Ibuki's voice came from inside the room.

"Sir? The door isn't locked, you can come right in."

Shimizu Asahi pushed open the door and went inside. Then, the figures of three people came into his view.

“Perfect, all three of you are here, so I don’t have to go looking for you one by one.”

He sat down at the only remaining seat at the low table and said casually, "There's something I want to tell you, but the content might be a bit... unsettling, so you should be prepared."

"Hehehe, I was right, wasn't I? Master was indeed hiding something from us."

Upon hearing this, Ibuki immediately smiled charmingly, looking at the two girls beside her with a smug smile.

Clearly, they gathered here because they guessed that Shimizu Asahi would come and tell them something they didn't know.

"Oh... I see. You noticed it while eating breakfast? You really can't hide anything from you, Ibuki."

"Hehehe, after all, I've been watching you, Master. So, what does Master want to say to us?"

Upon hearing this, Shimizu Asahi's smile turned serious, and then he took a deep breath.

"Actually, last night, under the power of the Eight-Span Curved Jewel, I returned to three hundred years ago..." Chapter 403: The fruit we fought for for so long, was just plucked by someone else?

The sound of clear water and rising sun echoed in the simple room as the three girls listened quietly to his story.

Six years is a very long time, long enough for a vibrant young man to become a prematurely aged youth. His words and his voice are exactly the same as they were five years ago, but his tone is completely different.

The girls who were quietly listening to him noticed this change.

Therefore, their expressions changed... blankness, astonishment, disbelief, all sorts of emotions appeared on their faces, but among these countless emotions, the only smile disappeared.

Of the three, Ibuki, who could always be smiling, also suppressed her smile at this moment.

After an unknown amount of time, Shimizu Asahi, who was telling his story, finally finished. He looked at the girl in front of him, gently exhaled, and said, "...This is the specific account of what happened."

After telling the story, he took a sip of tea and quietly waited for the girls' reactions.

However, the impact of this event seemed too great for them; for a minute after he stopped, no one spoke.

The silence continued to spread, and no sound could be heard except for breathing. Finally, it was Ibuki who broke the silence.

Her smile vanished as she looked at the black-haired boy; his purple eyes were like empty darkness, devouring the soul.

"Master was just... joking, wasn't he?"

"Hehehe... You must be joking, right? How could such a thing happen? Marriage, consummation, wedding night... Hehehe... Besides, you don't smell like any other woman... I knew you were joking."

“I know this is a bit too far-fetched, but I am not lying. The Yasakani no Magatama sent me to Suzuka Mountain three hundred years ago, which was built by me and them.”

"Although I cannot produce evidence that will convince you right now, I have produced evidence that will convince Ōtakemaru."

Shimizu Asahi chuckled with a hint of helplessness. He had guessed that Ibuki and the others wouldn't easily believe it, but he hadn't expected them to be so skeptical. Even Ibuki, who was usually most interested in these strange and unusual things, firmly stated that she didn't believe it.

But... that's a fact, and it won't be denied just because they deny it.

What he encountered, saw, and heard were undeniable facts.

A resolute yet slightly helpless voice reached the ears of the three, causing Qing Nufang and A Li's expressions to change. Although Qing Nufang was able to remain composed, A Li almost stood up and said that this was not true.

They were fighting over the gun, scheming and plotting to get Shimizu Asahi, but... without any of them knowing, Shimizu Asahi went back in time and met Suzuka Gozen. Then, in a daze, they got engaged, married, and consummated their marriage... The fruit they had fought for for so long was just plucked by her?

Unacceptable... Unacceptable... Ah Li, who thought she had grown up to be mature and rational enough, now realizes that her mentality is actually so fragile.

My husband was taken first!

"Heh, heh heh... heh heh..."

Just then, a low laugh suddenly rang out, and Ah Li, who was heartbroken, and Qing Nufang, whose heart was filled with sorrow, couldn't help but turn their heads.

Ibuki, who had been looking pale and lifeless, suddenly laughed, a dark and terrifying laugh like that of a demon.

She swayed as she slowly stood up, her charming face now showing a hint of darkness.

"Since you're no longer pure, sir, there's no need for me to stay... Hehehe, I might as well use force..."

"Ok?"

In that instant, the black-haired boy instinctively shivered. For some reason, looking at Ibuki in front of him, he felt a little scared.

Is it really that unacceptable for Ibuki to experience returning to the past?

Furthermore, what does "impure" mean, and what does "forced" mean?

"Wait, wait, Ibuki, calm down. I didn't do anything wrong, did I? It's just that going back to 300 years ago wasn't my intention... Please calm down a bit."

A strong will to survive compelled Shimizu Asahi to offer an explanation, but instead of calming Ibuki down, his explanation only made Ibuki's expression more terrifying.

Danger!

A blood-red "danger" character appeared above his head.

Fortunately, Qingnvfang, who had calmed down, grabbed Ibuki's wrist and pulled her to sit down.

"Chaoyang, you should go out first. This matter has been quite a shock to me and them as well. I want them to calm down."

"...I'm sorry to trouble you again, Qingnvfang."

After leaving those words, a bewildered Shimizu Asahi cautiously left the room, still confused.

After he left, Ibuki and Ari were silent for a while, and then their expressions changed again.

Anger, resentment, and above all, resentment—many emotions surfaced on their faces, and the regret welling up from the depths of their hearts almost overwhelmed them.

"Have you all calmed down?"

Seeing the expressions on their faces, Qingnufang took a sip of tea and calmly asked.

"How could I possibly calm down!"

Ali pursed her red lips, her dark eyes filled with deep sorrow and regret.

She finally escaped from the Liren Pavilion, finally gained her freedom, finally met the one she loved, but before she could even do anything with him, someone else took a bite out of him... His most important first time was gone!!

She remained so calm in the face of the harsh reality!

"You don't have anyone you like, so you don't understand this feeling."

"..."

Ah Li's words made Qing Nufang's hand holding the cup tremble slightly. She lowered her eyes to look at the black-haired girl, her face showing an expression as if she wanted to say something.

But... after struggling for a long time, she finally gave up the words stuck in her throat.

Whether Qingnvfang likes clear water and facing the sun is a question worth pondering.

In Ibuki's eyes, Aonobozu liked Shimizu Asahi, after all, she had so loudly admitted that she liked him. But in the eyes of Shimizu Mio and Arashi, she didn't like him, since she didn't show any desire to have him.

Even Shimizu Asahi, her master, didn't notice a trace of anything related to this.

Qingnvfang herself has stated on multiple occasions that she hates humans.

Therefore, Qingnvfang probably doesn't like clear water facing the sun.

But... no one knows how much pain Qing Nufang is feeling at this moment... Chapter 404: What's the point of marriage? Men still have to be fought over!

"..."

Gently closing her eyes, Qing Nufang used all her strength to suppress her regret and distress. She put down her teacup and calmly asked, "So, what do you plan to do next?"

"Asahiro is already married. His wife is Suzuka Gozen, the owner of Suzuka Mountain, and her younger sister, Shimizu Yoko. No matter how much you deny it, this fact cannot be changed."

"So, you plan to do this?"