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

Before he could even savor the joys of parenthood, Tamamo-no-Mae lost his beloved wife.

He was filled with rage and transformed into his nine-tailed form, his overwhelming demonic aura covering the entire sky.

Just then, he heard the child crying.

The demonic aura he released frightened the newborn child.

Seeing her children wailing, Tamamo-no-Mae stopped her rampaging demonic energy and transformed into the appearance of her wife, embracing her two children.

Afterwards, Tamamo-no-Mae, along with her children named Aika and Hagoromo, went to live in seclusion near Heian-kyo.

During this time, he met Ge Ye, a fellow fox, who taught the children the art of transformation and gave them two bracelets to cover up their demonic aura.

And so, they lived peacefully for ten years.

However, one day five years ago, the younger sister, Aika, accidentally broke her bracelet, causing her demonic energy to leak out. This leaked demonic energy was detected by a passing Onmyoji (exorcist), who followed the energy to the shrine, intending to exorcise the two children.

Fortunately, Shimizu Mio happened to be passing through the mountains that day. Sensing the demonic and spiritual energy, she came to the shrine and rescued the two children in time.

After that, Shimizu Mio and Tamamo-no-Mae became friends, and she gave Aika and Hagoromo a talisman to cover up their demonic aura.

Over the next five years, Shimizu Mio met the white fox Kuzuha, and the three of them became close friends, occasionally getting together.

Because of the adults' close relationship, their descendants also became close friends through long-term contact.

As they stepped over the torii gate and arrived at the front of the shrine, a melodious voice reached their ears.

"Brother Chaoyang, Sister Mio."

Looking in the direction of the sound, a lovely girl with long white hair and delicate features came into their view.

The girl jogged out of the house and came to them.

"Brother Chaoyang, Sister Ling, you're here."

"Hmm." Looking at the cute girl in front of him, Shimizu Asahi smiled.

He gently patted the girl's head and said, "Aihua is getting cuter and cuter."

Aika, the twin sister, has long white hair and a lovely face. Although she is Tamamo-no-Mae's child, she gives people a pure and lovely feeling.

Yu Yi, the twin brother, has long black hair and a handsome face. Although he inherited his father's genes and gives off a playboy vibe, the fox ears on his head neutralize that vibe and add a touch of cuteness to his appearance.

Although they are twins and look exactly alike, they are still different genders. Even without looking at their hair color, you can tell who is Aihana and who is Hagoromo.

"Hehe, Brother Chaoyang is getting more and more handsome." The girl responded cutely to the young student's praise.

"Looks good... I'd rather you said I'm handsome." The young student smiled and shook his head. Aika liked to call boys "good-looking." Although he had brought this up with Aika many times, perhaps because of Tamamo-no-Mae's influence, Aika never changed her way of addressing him.

"By the way, Aika, where's Hagoromo?" Shimizu Asahi looked behind the girl but didn't see the boy who always challenged him to Onmyoji duels, so he asked curiously.

"My brother is still practicing Yin-Yang techniques in the courtyard. He said he must defeat Asahi-nii today," Aika said, pointing into the shrine.

"Is this child really that serious?" Shimizu Asahi looked surprised.

"Alright, Aihua, don't leave your Chaoyang brother and Mio sister standing outside. Bring them in."

At that moment, a clear and melodious voice came from inside the shrine.

Upon hearing this voice, the girl immediately responded loudly.

"I understand, Father."

Then, Aika took Shimizu Asahi's hand and said, "Asahi-nii, Mio-neechan, let's go inside."

"Ah."

Soon after, Shimizu Asahi and Shimizu Mio arrived at the shrine's main room.

Upon entering the room, the two saw Tamamo-no-Mae sitting quietly there.

As usual, he wore a red and white shrine maiden outfit, with soft black hair like silk and satin flowing down his back, and his skin exposed to the air was as translucent as jade.

Upon first seeing him, almost everyone's mind is filled with the words "good-looking" or "pretty."

Even clear water facing the rising sun is no exception.

However, even though he is more beautiful than most women in the world, he is still the father of two children.

P.S.: Waaah, this chapter seems a bit padded.

Section 35, Chapter Thirty-Five: Tamamo-no-Mae and Shimizu Mio

"We've bothered you again, Tamamo."

Entering the room, Shimizu Mio sat on the cushion opposite Tamamo-no-Mae and greeted her with a smile.

Shimizu Asahi sat down next to Shimizu Mio and greeted her as well, "Excuse me, Lady Tamamo-no-Mae." (Sob sob, I really can't think of how the protagonist should address his aunt. Can any readers help me think of something?)

“It’s too formal to say such things, Mio, Asahi.” Tamamo-no-Mae shook her head with a light laugh. “Kuzuha won’t arrive for a while. In the meantime, let’s have some tea and snacks.”

"All the desserts today were made by Aihua."

"Eh, made by Aika?" Shimizu Mio looked slightly surprised, then picked up a wagashi with some anticipation and put it in her mouth.

Her teeth gently touched the soft, pink pastry, and the next moment, the soft texture and sweet fragrance spread in her mouth, causing Shimizu Mio's eyes to light up slightly.

"It's so delicious." Shifting her gaze to the white-haired girl, Shimizu Mio couldn't help but praise, "Aika is amazing, her cooking is even better than mine."

"Mio-neechan, you're overpraising me. I've only just begun, and there's still so much to learn." The girl couldn't help but laugh as she listened to Mio Shimizu's praise.

"That child is right, Mio, but don't overpraise him."

Although that's what she said, Tamamo-no-Mae's expression showed even more joy than Aika's when she was being praised.

"I'm just telling the truth, right, Chaoyang?"

"Yes, I think it's delicious too." The young student nodded in agreement. "It's okay to be a little proud if you love flowers."

"Really? Hehe... I'm glad you like it, Brother Chaoyang."

"Speaking of which, why didn't you call Hagoromo over?" At this moment, Shimizu Mio suddenly noticed that her twin brother had not yet arrived, so she asked this question.

"That child is probably still preparing for his match against Asahi. He said he must beat Asahi at least once before he enters the Yin-Yang Bureau to study."

Tamamo-no-Mae smiled with a mixture of helplessness and indulgence.

"Oh, I see." Shimizu Asahi exclaimed softly, then continued, "However, it's not good to leave Hagoromo alone. Sister, Lady Tamamo-no-Mae, shall I go check on Hagoromo?"

“Then I’ll go too, Brother Chaoyang.” Upon hearing this, Aihua immediately raised her little hand, indicating that she would also go.

"Then, elder sister, Lady Tamamo-no-Mae, we shall take our leave now."

The two children said their goodbyes and left the room.

Looking at the closed wooden door, Shimizu Mio couldn't help but chuckle, then shifted her gaze to Tamamo-no-Mae.

"Alright, now that the children are gone, let's talk about something serious."

Taking a sip of her tea, the girl asked, "What's your decision regarding letting Yu Yi join the Yin-Yang Bureau?"

Upon hearing her friend bring up the matter, Tamamo-no-Mae immediately sighed and said, "I have no choice but to agree... Hagoromo has already said that he absolutely has to go to the Onmyōryō, how can I object?"

"Hey, Tamamo, you actually figured it out on your own?" Hearing the words in her ear, Shimizu Mio was slightly surprised, then teased, "I thought I had to persuade you with Kuzuha before you would let Hagoromo go to the Onmyōryō."

Since that incident five years ago, Tamamo-no-Mae has stopped trusting any human Onmyoji except for Shimizu Asahi.

Therefore, he hoped that Hagoromo and Aika could learn his demonic arts, and that the two children who inherited his bloodline would surely become powerful demons.

However, compared to his demonic arts, Hagoromo preferred Yin-Yang arts. When Tamamo-no-Mae was unable to train him into a capable Yin-Yang master, he proposed to study at the Yin-Yang Bureau.

However, his idea was opposed by Tamamo-no-Mae.

Heian-kyo is too dangerous for Hagoromo. Once his identity as a yokai is exposed, he may very well be stuck in Heian-kyo forever.

Tamamo-no-Mae did not want to experience the heart palpitations and lingering fear of five years ago again, so she did not want Hagoromo to go to the Onmyōryō.

Hagoromo argued with Tamamo-no-Mae for a long time over this matter, and even asked Kuzunoha and Shimizu Mio for help, hoping to persuade his father.

One of the main purposes of Shimizu Mio's visit this time was to get Tamamo-no-Mae to agree to Hagoromo going to the Onmyōryō.

After all, parents can't protect their children forever, and Tamamo-no-Mae can't always carry her robes and aika with her.

Otherwise, that incident five years ago wouldn't have happened.

Therefore, what Tamamo-no-Mae needs to do now is to let go and allow the children to have the power to truly become independent.

"I'm not one of those old fogies in Heian-kyo, I can't possibly not understand such a simple question." Tamamo-no-Mae replied with amusement as she looked at her friend who was teasing her.

"That's true. So when are you moving to Heian-kyo?"

"No, I plan to let that child go to Heian-kyo alone."

"Wait, alone?"

Hearing her friend's words, Shimizu Mio was somewhat startled. "Tamamo, while we should let children grow on their own, we shouldn't just abandon them like this."

"Don't worry, Mio. I've already spoken with Kuzuha. During our stay in Heian-kyo, Hagoromo will be staying at the Abe family's house. Although I'd like to go to Heian-kyo with Hagoromo, Aika also needs to begin her training as a shrine maiden, and I'm worried about leaving her here alone."

"Where do you live in Kuzunoha?" The girl paused for a moment, then nodded thoughtfully and said, "That's one way. It's reassuring to have Kuzunoha looking after things."

"But why didn't you tell me? I could have helped take care of Yu Yi."

"Doesn't Yu Yi still need Chao Yang's care in the dormitory? We can't leave everything to you and your brother."

"Isn't that too formal, Tamamo?" Shimizu Mio took a sip of tea and said with a smile, "We're all friends. If there's anything we can help with, we'll definitely do it if it's within our power."

“I know, but I can’t keep troubling you. Over the years, I have been unilaterally accepting your help. Although you think they are all trivial matters, I have always kept them in mind and feel a little guilty.”

"So, if possible, I'd like to try not to cause you any trouble."

Over the years, he had kept in mind all the help that Shimizu Mio and Kuzuha had given to his family. If it weren't for Aika's impending training as a shrine maiden, he wouldn't have asked Kuzuha for help.

"How can you call this troublesome... However, since you put it that way, I can't say anything more. Just don't worry, with Asahiro watching over the dormitory, Yu Yi will definitely not have any accidents."

After Shimizu Mio finished speaking, she suddenly noticed something else. "By the way, did you just say that Aika is going to undergo shrine maiden training?"

"That child, does she want to be a priestess?"

P.S.: This chapter is a bit late, sob sob.

Section 36, Chapter Thirty-Six: Gentle Feather Robe and Aika

After closing the wooden door in the middle, Shimizu Asahi and Aika walked towards the courtyard.