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

Before Shimizu Asahi returned, Kamo no Tadayuki had seriously considered how to defeat the evil god while also curbing the ambitions of the Minamoto clan.

Everyone believed that the most crucial element in this resurrection of the evil god was the evil god itself, and that the clan that resurrected it was insignificant and not worth paying much attention to. However, in Kamo no Tadayuki's view, the problems existing in the Minamoto clan were no less serious than the resurrection of the evil god.

Ultimately, wasn't it the Genji clan that resurrected the evil god?

Whether it was the evil god who actively tempted them or the Genji clan who surrendered first, the Genji clan were either fools or madmen to resolutely make contact with the evil god when they knew that making a deal with the evil god was tantamount to asking a tiger for its skin.

And naturally, the Genji clan couldn't be fools.

So, they are madmen! Madmen consumed by ambition!

No one can predict what terrible things a madman consumed by ambition might do. Even if they win this time, they could cause even more terrible dangers next time!

Kamo no Tadayuki wanted to stop it in advance; he wanted to defeat the Yamata no Orochi and suppress the ambitions of the Minamoto clan.

But as he had said before, they could not escape unscathed from the evil god. A nearly fully resurrected evil god was the most terrifying being in the world!

Ultimately, he abandoned this 'greedy' approach and prepared to hand over the task to Seimei's father, Abe no Masatsugu.

As the only Onmyoji in Heian-kyo who could be compared to him, Abe no Masatsugu was the most suitable candidate. As the head of the Kamo family, he was surrounded by countless people who were watching him, making it too difficult for him to escape.

But just then, Shimizu Chaoyang returned.

He not only brought important intelligence, but also solved the problem of how to achieve two objectives at the same time!

From Shimizu Asahi's words, Kamo Tadashi can infer that the evil god Yamata no Orochi is a capricious, greedy, and cunning being, but at the same time, it also possesses an arrogant and condescending attitude.

He regards all living beings as actors and all things in heaven and earth as a paradise. He disdains their actions and believes he can control everything.

Kamo no Tadayuki had encountered many such beings, so he knew very well how to deal with them.

—A provocation!

Those who consider themselves superior will not care about the pleas of the weak, but they will care about their own face.

They do not allow themselves to be defeated by the weak, nor do they allow themselves to break the rules by brute force if they lose.

Just as humans would not allow ants to defeat them in any way.

Three hundred years ago, Shimizu Asahi defeated the evil god and won the game. Although Shimizu Asahi sealed it away afterward, there is no doubt that the evil god remembered him and was preparing to take revenge again.

Although the evil god did not remember Shimizu Asahi during their previous meetings, once his identity was mentioned, he would quickly recall the scene of his defeat.

Then, unwilling to admit defeat, he had another match with Shimizu Asahi.

By making good use of this point, Shimizu Asahi can easily leave the Genji clan.

Kamo no Tadashi had thought everything through; all that remained was to turn this idea into reality.

but......

"All of this is just my speculation. Whether the evil god will fight you alone or let you leave is unknown. Even if the possibility is low, it is still a possibility."

"So even if I want you to take on the mission, I won't force you to."

"This decision is yours to make, Chaoyang."

The black-haired boy, on whom high hopes were placed, looked at his teacher's serious and earnest face, pursed his lips slightly, and then smiled.

He rubbed his head, a bright and gentle smile spreading across his face.

"Since the teacher has already gone this far, how could I refuse?"

"Moreover, as the teacher said, this is the most perfect method."

"Although there are dangers, everything comes at a price. If you want the best results, you have to pay the corresponding price."

"Moreover, this cost is almost negligible compared to the reward received."

"So, teacher, I'll take on this task!"

"Is that so... It is indeed the decision you would make..." Kamo Tadashi smiled faintly, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

However, that look quickly turned into seriousness.

"Now that you've made your decision, let me tell you what issues you need to be aware of for this mission."

......

Time passed slowly, and the sky gradually darkened. As the sun set behind the earth, Qingshui Chaoyang finally emerged from the Yin-Yang Pavilion.

After accepting the mission, Kamo Tadashi told Shimizu Asahi how to infiltrate and what to do after infiltrating.

Infiltrating and searching for clues sounds simple, but it's actually not.

The size of the target's headquarters, the hidden traps and mechanisms, the number of patrols, and the unknown secret altar are all challenges they face.

This task will never be easy until these things are figured out.

The only good thing was that Kamo no Tadayuki was quite familiar with the Minamoto clan. He drew a map of the Minamoto clan's main residence, marked the locations of each branch, and told Shimizu Asahi where to pay attention.

He even taught his disciples some of the formations and arrangements of Yin-Yang techniques.

However, the Minamoto clan has a deep foundation, and Kamo no Tadayuki would never mark all of the Minamoto clan's formations. As for the rest, Shimizu Asahi can only deal with them one step at a time.

As for the location of the altar, that's something that Shimizu Asahi can only decide for himself.

After reviewing all the information the teacher had given him, Shimizu Asahi couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

"If all goes well, this incident will be over soon, and I will be able to set off to find Reiko soon... I hope everything goes smoothly."

"Oh, right, I also need to inform Ōtakemaru... This time, we'll need the power of the Yasakani no Magatama."

Recalling the Yasakani no Magatama, images from three hundred years ago involuntarily surfaced in Shimizu Asahi's mind.

Wielding the Yasakani no Magatama, he fought against the evil god and ultimately emerged victorious...

"I wonder what expression the evil god will have when he recalls that scene."

"It's going to be really exciting."

......

"Sister, Ibuki, I'm back."

Back home, Shimizu Asahi called out as usual, and then went to the living room.

The five people in the house... four young girls and one deity were not sitting in the courtyard, but instead, unusually, stayed in the main hall.

Moreover, each of them had a different expression on their face, as if they were talking about something funny.

However, upon seeing Shimizu Asahi return, Shimizu Mio, as the older sister, was the first to react. She stood up, gently welcomed him back, and then pulled him to sit down next to her.

Shimizu Asahi obediently sat down as her older sister wished, then asked curiously, "What were you talking about just now?"

"Oh, the God of Fate just said that he has found a new believer."

"New believers?"

The black-haired boy's gaze involuntarily shifted to the proud and smug-looking Goddess of Fate standing to the side. (Chapter 423, Part 420: The Red Thread of Fate, I Have One Too!)

While Shimizu Asahi and Kamo Tadashi were discussing the evil god, many things were also happening on Enmusubi's side.

So, let's rewind to two hours ago...

After Shimizu Asahi and Shimizu Mio finished lunch and left, Ari and Aonobu skillfully cleaned up the dishes. Soon, only Enmusubi and Ibuki remained in the room.

The simple-minded god, having enjoyed a delicious lunch, was about to get up and rest when he was suddenly stopped by Ibuki, who was still sipping sake.

"Hehehe... Lord Enmusubi, would you please have a drink with me?"

"I have something I'd like to say to Lady Fate."

She squinted and extended an invitation.

"You have something to say?"

The puzzled god tilted his head, and although somewhat confused, returned to his position.

"I remember your name is... Ibuki, right?"

With her slender fingers resting on her chin, Enmusubi pondered for a moment. Although she was so excited to see Shimizu Asahi that she didn't have a chance to get to know the three of them, she did notice how Shimizu Asahi addressed them and thus remembered their names.

Recalling the name of this petite demon child, the innocent and kind-hearted deity said with some surprise, "Speaking of which, I just noticed that your name is exactly the same as that Demon King of Mount Ooe. What a coincidence."

"Coincidence...? Hehehe... Maybe it really is like that."

The Demon King of Mount Ooe squinted his eyes with pleasure and said this in a noncommittal manner.

"Hehehe...what do you want to tell me?"

"Hehe... Actually, I would like to ask Lord Fate God for a favor... a small favor."

"Help? That's easy. I'm a deity, I can do anything. Just rely on me!"

When the topic of helping came up, this simple-minded deity once again puffed out her chest. Despite having just lost all dignity as a god in front of Mio, she selectively forgot and put on what she considered a dignified posture.

In fact, if the Goddess of Fate hadn't shown that simple and honest smile, she might have been able to possess divine majesty. It's just a pity that her naturally honest and simple nature meant she could never shake off this personality trait, and therefore, she could never have majesty.

However... it is precisely because of her honest and simple nature that she was able to become friends with the former Shimizu Mio.

With a light laugh at the simple-mindedness of the god, Ibuki took a sip of the sake in her hand, and then revealed her purpose.

"I hope that the God of Fate can give me a red thread."

"Ah, if possible, I would also like the Goddess of Fate to personally tie the red string around my and my husband's wrists."

"A red thread? A predestined marriage? You want to be married?"

The black eyes suddenly sparkled, and the God of Fate, who hadn't heard such a request in a long time, excitedly pressed his hand on the table.

She leaned forward, her face flushed with excitement, as if she had heard some incredibly good news.

Great! Great! I'm finally open for business again! It's been over ten years... no, decades! No one has prayed to me for over ten years. Am I finally going to become the God of Fate again?

When she reunited with Mio, she told Mio that she had facilitated several marriages and that her divine power was still sufficient, but in reality, she was just lying to Mio.

The Northeast is a land of ice and snow, sparsely populated. Even if she encountered someone, who would believe that she was a matchmaker goddess? If she couldn't find food on her own, she might have been buried by the ice and snow while searching.

Well, if that were all, Enmusubi wouldn't be so excited. What truly excites her is Ibuki's initiative.

That's right, being proactive and being passive are very important relationships.

The idea that a deity begs the people to pray is completely different from the idea that the people actively pray to the deity. Since the shrine was abandoned, Enmusubi-gami has rarely heard anyone actively praying to her. The last time she was asked to do so was decades ago.