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

"..."

"Well... how should I put it, I guess I've met her before. But I'm not sure if it's her."

"Come with us first."

After exchanging a glance with her sister, Shimizu Asahi, unsure of what to say, led Yoko and Reiko to the outside of the spider lily field.

That is, the place where they met the black-haired monster.

It's unclear whether it's because the monster didn't want to resist, or because Shimizu Asahi was indeed quite ruthless, but in any case, the monster hasn't come out of the ice yet.

"Is the red spider lily you're talking about her?"

Pointing at the black-haired girl, Shimizu Asahi asked this question.

Reiko and Yoko exchanged a glance, a hint of embarrassment creeping onto their faces.

"..."

Okay, looks like I don't need to answer.

"Sorry, Chaoyang, this guy has caused you trouble."

Although Shimizu Asahi didn't say anything, Reiko could guess what she had done, so she sighed helplessly and apologized.

"Do we really need to apologize for our relationship? But... if I had known she had helped you, I wouldn't have been so ruthless."

Shimizu Asahi rubbed his head, smiled somewhat embarrassedly, and then went to the other shore flower. He first apologized and then dispelled the ice covering her.

"Reiko, and Yoko? You're still alive?"

The moment the ice dissipated, the spider lily turned its gaze to Reiko and Yoko beside Shimizu Asahi, and at the same time, uttered a rather unpleasant remark.

"I know that's not what you meant, but couldn't you have said something nicer?"

Ye Zi shook her head helplessly.

"You've all disappeared for two hundred years, so it's normal for me to think this way."

"But...do you guys know this guy?"

After exchanging greetings with her former friends, she turned her gaze to Shimizu Asahi. She had overheard the conversation, but for a moment she hadn't realized what kind of relationship the three of them had.

Reiko nodded and explained their relationship with Shimizu Asahi.

"You still remember why we came here, right?"

"He is the sunrise we've been searching for." Chapter 512, Section 515: When Ibuki Meets Reiko and Yoko

"Is he the person you're looking for?"

The red spider lily was startled. She never expected that the person she had accidentally met was the Qing Shui Chao Yang that Lingzi and Ye Zi had been searching for for hundreds of years.

To be honest, Reiko and Yoko did tell her the name Shimizu Asahi, but that was two hundred years ago, and she mistakenly thought they were dead, let alone the name Shimizu Asahi.

"Sorry, I was a little too rough with my hand just now."

Shimizu Asahi apologized again with a smile, and the spider lily looked at him again.

"...I was also at fault in that matter, you don't need to apologize."

It's not that I'm at fault, it's all her fault. The other shore flower took the initiative to flirt with Qing Shui Chao Yang and wanted to keep him here... The punishment given by the other party is already very light, what else can she say?

Moreover, it's one thing if it's just other people, but the person she 'flirted' with this time was Shimizu Asahi, her own friend's husband. If Yoko and Reiko found out, wouldn't they fight her to the death?

So, after she finished speaking, she took the initiative to change the subject.

"By the way, you must be tired after coming out. Would you like to rest at my place for a while?"

Reiko looked at Shimizu Asahi, wanting to ask for his opinion, but Shimizu Asahi gently shook his head, indicating that he would not make a judgment.

After all, he was her friend, and it was an invitation extended to her; he couldn't make the decision on her behalf.

Having understood the meaning behind "Clear Water Facing the Sun," she remained silent for a moment, and finally shook her head gently under the expectant gaze of the other shore flower, indicating, "No, we'll go home today and visit you again when we have time."

"...Is that so? Well then, I won't disturb your reunion any longer."

The other shore flower looked somewhat disappointed, but she didn't try to persuade him to stay, only saying this one sentence.

Reiko and Yoko said goodbye to her, and then left with Shimizu Asahi and Shimizu Mio.

As the field of red spider lilies gradually disappeared from view, Shimizu Asahi slowly withdrew her gaze, and then asked with some curiosity, "Reiko, do you guess what the red spider lilies said to me when we met?"

"Hmm...he wants you to stay here and keep her company, right?"

“That’s what she did when we met her.”

After pausing slightly and answering her husband's question, she then began to answer the 'why' that he was asking.

"She did this mainly because she was too lonely."

"lonely?"

"Ah."

"The red spider lily is a monster born in the underworld, but the underworld is a dead place, where there are only ghosts and messengers. As for her, there is no one she can talk to."

"Although she didn't think much of it before, after going to the human world, she met humans and other monsters, learned to make friends and started to have a desire to make friends."

"She just doesn't want to admit it."

"Ye Zi and I have been in this underworld for a while now. I've seen her trying to get along with those little guys in the Yama Palace, but being ignored. I've also seen her wanting to go up and talk to them, but hesitating and not daring to speak."

"So, I know very well that she was just too lonely."

"She will try to make any living person or monster that comes here stay."

Upon hearing Reiko's explanation, Shimizu Asahi was taken aback. Although the other shore flower had already offered an explanation, it was clearly weak and unconvincing. Shimizu Asahi believed it was just an excuse, but she never expected it to be true.

"But if that's the case, why doesn't she go to the human world?"

"Since she was able to leave the underworld, she should be able to survive in the human world, right?"

“She can survive, but humans are unwilling to receive her. As for the reasons, Chaoyang, you should know them very well.”

"..."

This statement caused Shimizu Asahi to fall silent for a moment.

Indeed, even if Reiko hadn't said it, he should have known very well why the spider lily doesn't go to the human world.

The appearance and temperament of the red spider lily are completely different from those of humans. Its otherworldly and eerie aura makes humans fear and dread it, and they dare not even come into contact with it.

In some cases, people who were so terrified would call on Onmyoji (yin-yang masters) to destroy her.

It's simply impossible for them to integrate into the human race.

As for monsters... cute little monsters are fine, but those fierce and evil monsters, the spider lily simply doesn't like them.

"That's definitely true..."

The boy rubbed his head. For the spider lily, having a friend was truly extremely difficult.

Over the years, the only people she could truly call friends were Reiko and Yoko.

"By the way, if that's the case, why don't we rest at the Red Spider Lily for the night?"

"It's okay to go back tomorrow."

Hearing how pitiful the spider lily was, Shimizu Asahi felt compassion again, but Reiko shook her head, indicating that it wasn't necessary.

“If we stay there, she will keep bothering us and then use all sorts of excuses to stay.”

"With your kind heart, Chaoyang, it will probably take you a while to harden your heart and leave. In that case, I might as well just refuse."

"..."

The girl's words left Shimizu Asahi somewhat amused and exasperated; he wasn't the kind of person who couldn't bear to see others cry.

However... since Reiko said so, he would just listen to her.

"Let's go back today, rest for a couple of days, and then come back."

"Ah."

After making their decision, Shimizu Asahi and his group quickly left the Underworld.

No one was bothered, and no conflict was caused.

Come quietly, and leave quietly.

When they returned to the human world, it was sunset. The orange-red sunlight shone down from the western sky, which was about to turn into the twilight, warming the four of them.

"Is this Chaoyang's home?"

"Yes, we are still in Yamashiro Province... but you probably don't know that Yamashiro Province has been renamed Heian-kyo."

Qingshui Chaoyang said with a smile.

He didn't know when they went to the underworld, but they stayed in the source of the Sei no Kagawa for two days, which is two hundred years. Heian-kyo was named more than a hundred years ago, so they shouldn't know about this.

"Yamashiro Province was renamed Heian-kyo?"

Upon hearing this, Reiko and Yoko's expressions did indeed change.

"Well, I'll show you around Heian-kyo tomorrow."

"Alright, let's go in first."

Just as Shimizu Asahi was about to lead the two inside, the petite Ibuki suddenly appeared at the corridor and looked at them with interest.

"Hehehe... These two must be the master's wives, right? They're really beautiful. No wonder the master likes them so much." Chapter 513, Section 516: Family Reunion

The moment Shimizu Asahi and the other three returned, Ibuki, who had been keeping an eye on the place, noticed them immediately. So, she quickly went from the living room to the courtyard.

When she saw the two unfamiliar but identical young girls beside her master, she knew immediately that these were her master's lawfully wedded wives.

That is, her nominal 'older sister'.

Ibuki naturally wanted to take a good look at these two 'older sisters' before trying to build a good relationship with them.

And that's how that sentence came about.

The Demon King's charming laughter successfully caught the attention of the Tamura sisters.