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

Based on Ibuki's understanding of Shimizu Asahi, he would consider it, but he would never agree.

Once war breaks out, it won't just be him participating in the battle; the Minamoto clan, Suzuka Mountain, the Kamo clan, and even the imperial family will be involved.

With the involvement of multiple forces, the casualties will inevitably be extremely high, which is why Shimizu Asahi is considering this.

Shimizu Asahi, who had dealt with evil gods before, knew that evil gods never kept their promises, and every word this god uttered could be a lie.

Therefore, he would never agree.

In other words, the most crucial factor in ending this war is trust.

As long as Shimizu Asahi trusts the evil god, this war will stop.

However, it's impossible for Shimizu Asahi to trust the evil god; he may never trust the evil god in his entire life.

Therefore, at this time, she needs to step in.

As an intermediary, she became the bridge between the two parties. Because of their trust in her, Shimizu Asahi would definitely consider it, and as long as she did, she could definitely get Shimizu Asahi to call a halt to the war.

Yes... In Ibuki's eyes, this war was one that could be stopped at any time.

As for the views on the evil god and the Genji clan?

None of that matters. All Ibuki needs to do is tell the evil god about this. Unless the evil god doesn't want her as his daughter, He must agree.

However, the negotiations... will certainly not end so quickly.

Even with her help, both sides will inevitably need a transition period.

During this transition period, she can...

“A request that comes only once in a lifetime, my father will not refuse.”

"And if this war really ends, how will you reward me, sir?"

Hehehe...

Her amethyst-like eyes narrowed slightly, and the lovely yet alluring girl revealed a greedy expression.

However, at that moment, a clear, cold voice suddenly came from outside.

"Stop the war? What a bold idea."

"But indeed, this is something only you can do, and it's the best solution to this situation. However, you should also know that the price of stopping the war is much higher than that."

The tightly closed door was opened silently, and Shimizu Mio, who should have been drinking tea in the courtyard, suddenly walked in.

She looked at the petite ghost king by the window and quietly sat down opposite her.

"Oh my, Mio?"

"I never expected you to come to my room... It's quite a rare sight."

Would you like a drink?

A red sake bowl filled with sake was handed to Mio, but she glanced at it briefly and shook her head in refusal.

"Aren't you going to drink? That's a real shame. This wine came from my wine gourd."

Ibuki regretfully put away the sake bowl, took a sip herself, and then said with a charming smile, "So, what brings you here?"

You should know very well why I'm looking for you.

“I originally had another way to deal with the evil god, but since you say you can stop the war, I will put aside my idea for now and give priority to your plan.”

"However, you should be aware of what price Chaoyang will pay if this plan fails."

Shimizu Mio looked at Ibuki quietly, her black eyes calm and deep.

The plan she mentioned failed not because the negotiations failed and the war resumed, but because both sides agreed to a ceasefire, but the evil god suddenly launched a war after the agreement was signed.

If the evil god breaks the agreement and attacks the unprepared Shimizu Asahi and his companions, then without a doubt, Shimizu Asahi will be utterly defeated, and Heian-kyo will be reduced to a sea of ​​fire.

If that were all, it would be fine, but after this incident, people's trust in Shimizu Asahi will be completely lost.

He would become a disgrace to humanity, a traitor who colluded with evil gods and monsters, and would be condemned by countless people.

There will be no place for him in the human world, and his dreams will forever remain just dreams.

—This is the ending that Shimizu Mio absolutely cannot allow to be seen!

"..."

Perhaps it was Shimizu Mio's seriousness, or perhaps it was the horror of the failed outcome, but Ibuki, who had been laughing, slowly stopped smiling.

The Demon King narrowed his eyes slightly, sipping his sake little by little, seemingly pondering the possibility of this matter.

A silence quietly spread.

About two or three minutes later, Ibuki gently put down the sake bowl, and as if she had made up her mind, she grinned.

"Hehehe... I know what you mean, Mio. So, don't worry, I won't let that happen."

"Of course, words alone cannot put your mind at ease, so I will risk my life."

“My father and master’s game has gambled the lives of everyone in Heian-kyo, and now I’m gambling my own life on it too.”

"How about it?"

The words, spoken as if in jest, might have seemed like a joke to others, but Shimizu Mio sensed their seriousness.

The Demon King of Mount Ooe before him was risking his life from the bottom of his heart!

Her dark gaze wavered slightly. Mio looked at Ibuki, moved her lips slightly as if she wanted to say something, but quickly closed her mouth and shook her head.

"Since you put it that way, I'll trust you this once. However, if Orochi breaks the agreement, I will take my own measures to resolve this matter."

"Hehehe... Don't worry, I won't let that happen."

The Lord of Takamagahara and the Demon King of Mount Oe exchanged a glance and decided on their next course of action.

No matter what preparations Qingshui Chaoyang makes, it can be said to be completely useless.

The predicament he saw as something he needed to find a way to break had already been easily solved by them.

After the matter was settled, the seriousness on Mio's face gradually faded.

She stood up and said, "I'll leave the matter of the Yamata no Orochi to you, Ibuki. I'll be leaving now."

"Yes, leave it to me."

Ibuki smiled and waved goodbye to her.

However, just as Mio opened the door to leave, something suddenly happened to her.

"Speaking of which, Mio, do you know my true identity?"

"Hmm? Hmm, a friend told me about it. Is there a problem?" Mio stopped and looked at her with some confusion.

"Hmm... friends?"

"Hehe...no problem, I'm just a little curious." (Chapter 446, Section 449) At this time, Kamo no Tadayuki was still trying to find a way to fight against the evil god.

After leaving his home, Shimizu Asahi headed towards the Yin-Yang Bureau, following the familiar path. Soon, he arrived at Kamo no Tadayuki's study.

"teacher."

Looking at the middle-aged man at the desk, he greeted him respectfully, and then recounted all the information he had received the previous night.

"You infiltrated the Genji stronghold last night?"

Kamo no Tadashi, who was still pondering other things, paused for a moment, then quickly came to his senses. He stood still, his expression becoming serious.

However, when he heard the name Genji, his serious expression suddenly changed.

"Wait, Chaoyang, you just said that Genji returned to the Genji clan? And that he obtained power from the evil god?"

"Hmm... I encountered him yesterday when I infiltrated the Genji Shrine, and we even exchanged a few blows."

"...I was easily defeated by him."

Shimizu Asahi nodded gently and honestly admitted that he had lost to Gen Kyung-ki.

"I never expected him to return to the Genji clan... How could we have overlooked him! What a blunder!"

For the first time, Kamo no Tadayuki's usually calm and composed face revealed a hint of helplessness and miscalculation.

"I should have realized that he was the one who orchestrated all of this. No one in the Genji clan, except him, could make such a decision concerning the life and death of the clan!"

"Teacher, Yuan Jingji, who has obtained the power of the evil god, is probably stronger than you now. We need to find a way to deal with him..."

"...I understand. I will find a way to resolve Yuan Jingji's matter."

Kamo no Tadayuki let out a soft breath, giving Shimizu Asahi a sliver of confidence, and then said, "You did a great job this time. You not only obtained the exact location of the altar, but also learned about the trump card that the Genji clan had hidden."

"Thank you for your hard work, Chaoyang."

"Actually, I didn't do anything. The evil god knew that I had come to the Minamoto clan, and not only did he take the initiative to have the Minamoto clan chief come out to meet me, but he also took the initiative to let me leave... I just delivered a message."

Shimizu Asahi responded modestly, without mentioning the pressure he faced the previous night or his risking his life for the Evil God Game.

After all, there's no need to say these things.

Moreover, to be honest, he still had some regrets, as he had not been able to completely hide it from the Genji clan.

If he had managed to deceive Yuan Jingji last night, then he could proudly say that he had perfectly completed his mission.

"You've done enough. Leave the rest to me."

Having memorized the information, Kamo no Tadayuki then told Shimizu Asahi to go back and rest.

Despite washing his face thoroughly, the weariness between his brows couldn't be hidden from the strongest Onmyoji in Heian-kyo.

"Only by maintaining my physical condition can I better participate in this war."

"You are a very important fighting force."

"I understand. I'll leave the rest to the teacher."

The black-haired boy nodded slightly, stood up without refusing, and then turned and left the Yin-Yang Bureau.

"..."

"..."

Looking at the closed wooden door, Kamo no Tadashi composed himself and slowly fell silent.