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

Having left Phoenix Forest, she had nowhere to go and could only continue living in the forest.

Fortunately, having gained immortality by eating mermaid flesh, she had traveled to many places and endured much hardship. Living in the forest was not difficult for her at all, and she was even quite used to life in the forest.

"I'm very grateful for all the consideration, Master Shimizu. But it's alright, I'm quite content living here now. There's no one else here, no other yokai, and I can enjoy my time alone in peace and quiet every day..."

"Lord Shimizu should understand this feeling of being alone."

Naturally, Yaobikuni declined Shimizu Asahi's invitation.

"Ah... um... I guess I understand."

"However, a person is still a person. No matter how much one likes to be alone, it's impossible to stay alone forever... No, I don't seem to have any reason to say this. Since Lady Yaobikuni is unwilling, I won't say anything more."

"I'm sorry, I misspoke."

The black-haired boy originally wanted to persuade Yaobikuni, but then he thought that he and Yaobikuni were just acquaintances. It was okay to show some concern, but it wouldn't be appropriate to show too much concern.

At least, with Lingzi and Yezi still in front of him, he had to restrain himself a bit.

Of course, the most important thing was his feeling; his intuition told him that Yaobikuni would be better off alone.

"Well then, it's getting late, so we'll head back now. Farewell, Lady Yaobikuni."

Having said almost everything she wanted to say, Shimizu Asahi stood up to take her leave. Reiko and Yoko also said goodbye. She smiled and said goodbye, then watched them leave.

Before long, Shimizu Asahi and the others left the forest.

After the three figures disappeared from sight, Yaobikuni slowly withdrew her gaze.

A mysterious light shone in his light blue eyes, and a soft murmur drifted slowly through the quiet woods.

"It's time for me to fulfill my promise to you..." Chapter 518, Section 521: The Wedding of Four

Over the next two months, Shimizu Asahi first accompanied Reiko Yoko back to Suzuka Mountain and invited all the old friends who had voluntarily left Suzuka Mountain to make room for the new family members who lived near Suzuka Mountain.

They gathered together to celebrate the return of Shimizu Asahi and the Tamura sisters.

At this banquet, Shimizu Asahi also met Suzukayama's first family member, Kocho.

The little girl from before has grown into a beautiful young woman. If she hadn't revealed her identity, Shimizu Asahi might not have recognized her.

Unfortunately, Xiaodie's grandmother passed away.

Within a century of their passing, they silently departed due to their lifespan.

Although he had guessed that Xiaodie's grandmother would not live past 100 when he was treating her, he still felt regret when the moment actually came.

However, Xiaodie did not remain grieving. After her grandmother's death, she devoted all her attention to Mount Suzuka and worked even harder to contribute to the mountain. She deserves a large part of the credit for the beautiful landscape of Mount Suzuka.

Shimizu Asahi also took the opportunity to ask her why she didn't continue to stay in Suzuka Mountain, since she was still young and could continue to contribute to Suzuka Mountain.

She could even become a teacher at the academy in Suzuka Mountain and teach those little ones; there's no need for her to retire now.

But Xiaodie gave him this answer.

“You are the master of Suzuka Mountain, and we are the ones who followed you in transforming Suzuka Mountain from nothing into a sea kingdom. Now that you have left Suzuka Mountain, it is time for us, who followed you, to leave as well.”

"Just as you entrusted Mount Suzuka to Lady Reiko and Lady Ōtakemaru, we should also entrust Mount Suzuka to those who come after us."

"Besides, even without us, isn't Suzuka Mountain just as good as it is now?"

The people living on Mount Suzuka today are all sea monsters who follow Reiko and Ōtakemaru. They work together and move forward hand in hand to make the Mount Suzuka they have created even more prosperous and thriving.

Even without these elderly people, these children are doing just as well.

The future of Suzuka Mountain belongs to them.

"Is that so...?"

Xiaodie's answer stirred a feeling in the boy that he couldn't quite explain—a feeling of disharmony, a sense of melancholy, but mostly, a feeling of relief.

Suzuka Mountain was built from scratch by Shimizu Asahi. To him, Suzuka Mountain was like his own child. Even though he had clearly handed it over to Ōtakemaru, he still had his own thoughts about it in his subconscious.

Will there be any problems at Suzuka Mountain? And will Ōtakemaru be able to handle these problems?

His fatherly mentality has never disappeared.

But now, Xiaodie's words have given him a great reminder.

Yes, even without them, Suzuka Mountain is developing just as well. He doesn't need to keep thinking about Suzuka Mountain or worrying about it.

Just like when he left Suzukayama, he should also choose to let Suzukayama develop completely on its own.

"From now on, I won't worry about Suzuka Mountain anymore. Let Ōtakemaru lead these little ones and do their best!"

With his worries quietly put aside, Qing Shui Chaoyang felt much lighter, and it was time for him to seriously pursue his dreams.

After spending half a month at Suzuka Mountain, Shimizu Asahi, along with Ōtakemaru, Uminari, and Kocho, left Suzuka Mountain and set off back to Heian-kyo.

The purpose of this trip to Suzuka Mountain was twofold: firstly, to show Reiko and Yoko the current state of Suzuka Mountain, and secondly, to have Ōtakemaru attend their wedding.

Of course, their belated wedding ceremony required the presence of their younger brother, Ōtakemaru.

Well, originally only Ōtakemaru needed to go, but if the entire Sea Kingdom came, there would be too many people, and the Shimizu family wouldn't be able to accommodate them all. So, Ōtakemaru was sent as a representative of the Sea Kingdom. However, as someone who was discovered by Reiko and then became the teacher of many yokai in Suzuka Mountain, he has always held Reiko in high esteem, and he certainly didn't want to miss her wedding.

Xiaodie, who had been following Shimizu Asahi from the beginning, didn't want to miss this scene either, so she took the opportunity to say that she wanted to come too.

So the final situation turned out like this.

The Shimizu family set off together with Ōtakemaru, Uminari, and Kocho.

After sailing at sea for more than twenty days, they successfully returned to Heian-kyo, and the first thing they did upon returning was to prepare for their wedding.

We've notified everyone who needed to be notified, and invited everyone we needed to invite. The male and female protagonists are both here now. If we don't hold the wedding now, when will we?

Hmm...right, it seems I did forget someone...no, I should say a snake.

Since Orochi went to Izumo with Susanoo, he hadn't paid attention to Orochi for a while, and now that he's married, he's almost forgotten about him.

To be honest, Shimizu Asahi and Shimizu Mio had a proper discussion about whether or not to invite Orochi.

This doting father even harbored murderous intent towards Shimizu Asahi for his daughter's sake. What if he gets jealous during the wedding and attacks him?

He wasn't afraid of the evil god taking action, but this was his wedding. If it was ruined, how could he face Reiko, Yoko, and Ibuki?

However, after careful discussion, he ultimately decided to invite the evil god.

No matter what, he is Ibuki's father, and he would definitely be present for such a big event as his daughter's wedding. As for losing his temper... only his older brother Susanoo can persuade him properly.

With a series of preparations underway, time passed quietly, and soon it was the day that Shimizu Asahi and his three friends would get married.

Having already experienced it once, he was naturally no stranger to it, and the previous heart-pounding tension had turned into a calm and composed demeanor.

He just needs to wait for the time to come.

As for the bride, Reiko and Yoko weren't new to this either, so they weren't too nervous. They had originally planned to comfort Ibuki, but they found that the bride-to-be was still drinking by herself, showing no signs of nervousness about getting married.

It has to be said, Ibuki is much calmer; even though Reiko was nervous at all during her first time.

Without a sound, the auspicious hour arrived. Following etiquette, Shimizu Asahi emerged from his room, went to the three women's room, took their hands, and led them to the hall.

With Yamata no Orochi, Susanoo, and Mio Shimizu as witnesses, and under the guidance of two high-ranking priestesses, the Princess of Izumo Taisha and Saiō of Ise Grand Shrine, the three successfully completed their wedding ceremony.

Thus, Shimizu Asahi fulfilled his promise to the three girls, and they became husband and wife. Chapter 519 (Section 522): Are you going to confess? When?

As night fell, the silvery moon shone brightly, its gentle light bathing the Shimizu family's house, and the lively atmosphere gradually dissipated. With the passage of time and the arrival of night, many guests chose to return home to rest.

Those who remain in the Shimizu family now are only those closely related to the family.

For example, the Tamamo-no-Mae family, the Kamo family, the Abe family, as well as Ōtakemaru, Kocho, Uminari, Susanoo, and the evil gods.

Incidentally, when Shimizu Asahi set off for Suzuka Mountain, the Shimizu family completed its expansion, transforming the original six or seven-room house into a massive mansion resembling that of an aristocratic household.

A dozen or so rooms, and three or four courtyards.

It was precisely because of the expanded facility that Shimizu Asahi was able to accommodate these relatives at home. If it were the original house, he would probably have had to find a hotel outside.

Perhaps because the atmosphere was too lively today, none of the many people in the Shimizu family were resting.

Apart from the four who had completed their wedding and become a real couple and returned to their rooms, everyone else was talking with their close friends.

Inside the spacious room, the evil god was pulling Susanoo along, drinking continuously.

He has been drinking since the wedding started this morning and is still drinking now, with no sign of stopping.

Meanwhile, as he drank, he kept crying out, "Damn it! What's so good about that guy? Why did Ibuki have to fall for him? Isn't having me as her father enough? I could have stayed with her all the time, but she insisted on choosing that fickle bastard!"

"Damn it! I must avenge this!"

"One day, I'll kill that guy!"

"How dare you kidnap my only daughter!"

"Yes, yes, definitely..."

Susanoo kept brushing off his best friend's words. In reality, the evil god had been saying these things ever since he learned about it. Susanoo had advised him many times not to care. Besides, hadn't he already known about this? Why was he still so angry now?

However, the evil god wouldn't listen to his words at all, and kept insisting that he would make Shimizu Asahi suffer. Even if he became his son-in-law, he wouldn't get past him so easily.

Okay, okay, you're getting married off to your daughter, and you're heartbroken. I won't say much to you now; we'll talk after you've calmed down.

Meanwhile, in Shimizu Mio's room.

After the wedding, Shimizu Mio also gathered with her friends.

Tamamo-no-Mae, Kuzuha, Abe no Masatsugu... it's been a long time since they've had a proper chat and drink together.

However... well, just like Susanoo's situation, this brother-obsessed guy, who's practically a god of evil, revealed his sadness after the wedding, when only his closest friends were around.

However, unlike the evil god, Mio did not show that kind of broken expression. She just stayed there resentfully, drinking and complaining.

At the wedding, both families were 'crying'.

Besides them, Kidomaru, Seimei, Aika, and Hagoromo gathered together to chat about some interesting things that had happened recently; Ōtakemaru, Uminari, and Kocho laughed together and expressed their curiosity about the future of Shimizu Asahi and the others.

As for Qingnvfang and Ali... they were also chatting in a courtyard.

"Qingnvfang, one day, I will stand tall and proud beside the rising sun, just like Lingzi and the others!"

Looking at the bright moon in the sky, Ali remained silent for a long time before uttering these words.

Although the words were spoken softly, the seriousness and earnestness in them were unprecedented.

Qingnufang's pale yellow gaze involuntarily turned to her.