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

Although Heian-kyo was the most prosperous city of that era, it was, after all, the center of the country, and what was presented to the people was its powerful strength and profound heritage.

Therefore, the word "prosperity" was applied to Xingyuan.

Of course, this word wasn't given out casually.

After Heian-kyo was removed, Kyohara was the undisputed number one city in the hearts of the people, and even Kyoto Port could hardly compare with it.

In fact, most of the goods that came from overseas, apart from those that were offered as tribute to the royal family and nobility, ended up in Xingyuan's territory.

The unique treasures attract many wealthy merchants who travel from afar, sparing no expense in their search for these treasures. The wealth they squander becomes the driving force behind Xingyuan's development.

However, after finding the treasures that satisfied them, many wealthy merchants saw the business opportunities here.

It's important to know that Xingyuan possesses far more than just treasures.

This city boasts the best hot springs, the finest wines, and the most beautiful songstresses of this era.

If managed properly, this city can become a machine for creating wealth.

Therefore, the wealthy businessmen stayed and devoted themselves to developing the city.

With the influx of countless amounts of money and people, the city began to develop at a rate that changed every day. Before people knew it, it had become the most popular city of the era.

"Is this Xingyuan...? Wow, Asahi, you know what? I've wanted to come here for a long time."

The gentle and beautiful black-haired girl smiled with surprise and curiosity.

She looked at the shops lining both sides of the street and the endless stream of people, listening to the occasional neighing of horses and the constant shouts of excited vendors, her black pearl-like eyes sparkling with girlish joy.

Although I was just standing here, the atmosphere of prosperity and flourishing swept over me like a breeze.

Beside her stood two boys, one with black hair and the other with blue hair.

Naturally, these three people are the Shimizu family.

However, their purpose in coming here was not for sightseeing and relaxation, but to investigate the reappearance of the great yokai, Shiranui.

In the city of Xingyuan, there is a legend.

'On the dark, silent sea, a small flame might suddenly appear. This flame is very weak, utterly insignificant compared to the vast ocean.'

'However, the flames will split and multiply, eventually becoming thousands upon thousands, reaching straight to the sky.'

The legend of the great yokai Shiranui is etched in the minds of the people of Kyohara, and both adults and children know about it.

Furthermore, legend has it that every few decades, the Shiranui fire will descend upon the sea off Anbara, bringing either blessings or disasters to the region.

However, despite the legends, very few people have actually seen Shiranui.

At least for the past hundred years, no one in Xingyuan has reported seeing Shiranui. Therefore, most people in Xingyuan take this legend with a grain of salt.

As a student of the Yin-Yang School, Shimizu Asahi had naturally heard this story. He even asked his teacher if Shiranui really existed, but his teacher told him that he had never seen Shiranui and therefore could not answer his question.

After that, he remained skeptical about the legend of Shiranui.

However, three days ago, the legend became a reality.

Kamo no Tadashi told him that Shiranui had reappeared.

After the demon army was defeated, the Onmyoji who had been sent to rescue various places returned safely to Heian-kyo. All that was left was to finish up the work.

Once the impact of this monster siege is dealt with properly, the Asura Demon King incident will be completely over, and Heian-kyo will be able to breathe a sigh of relief.

However, at this moment, the Onmyoji who returned from Xingyuan brought news that made the three major families somewhat concerned - the great yokai Shiranui has appeared!

The first reaction of the three major families upon receiving this news was disbelief. How could a great demon that hadn't appeared for hundreds of years suddenly reappear? But later, they had no choice but to believe it.

After all, the Onmyoji team supporting Xingyuan included members from the three major families.

The news sent back by our clan's master must be believed.

So, they were having a bit of a headache.

The siege by the demons had just ended, and most of the clan's elite were seriously injured and needed careful recuperation. Meanwhile, the clan leader needed to remain in the clan and maintain control of the situation. Under these circumstances, virtually no one could handle the legendary demon that was said to be able to burn the entire sea.

However, Kyohara's position forced them to find a way to deal with Shiranui.

So the three companies started making excuses.

In order to preserve their own family's power, they complained to each other and flattered each other, hoping to push this trouble onto the other two families.

However, the three races were evenly matched in strength and methods, and this battle of mutual blame remained unresolved for a long time.

Kamo no Tadashi felt a headache coming on. He knew that this kind of procrastination was not a solution. If the three clans could not determine the winner themselves, then he would just decide on the candidate directly.

One person is selected from each of the three clans, and no one is favored.

However, just as he was finalizing his choice, Shimizu Asahi returned.

Upon learning that his disciple possessed the strength of a great demon, Kamo no Tadayuki's mind began to stir.

Although his disciple had just returned, he still hoped that Shimizu Asahi could handle the Shiranui incident.

He acted on his idea immediately, and the next morning, his paper crane landed on the window facing the clear water and the morning sun.

Mr. Shimizu Asahi naturally wouldn't refuse the request, and he readily accepted the task.

However, Shimizu Mio and Aonofusa were very unhappy when they learned of this news. Shimizu Asahi had just returned and hadn't even had two days of rest before going out on a mission again. Kamo Tadashi was simply exploiting his younger brother (an Onmyoji).

They wanted to confront Kamo no Tadashi, but were stopped by Shimizu Asahi.

With the only man in the house insisting, they could only sit aside and sulk.

Especially Shimizu Mio, while Aonobu could at least stay by Shimizu Asahi's side, but she could only stay at home waiting for him to come back.

The unfair treatment made this gentle older sister feel wronged.

However, perhaps Qingnvfang noticed the black-haired girl's grievances, and she suggested that Shimizu Mio travel with them.

Although Shimizu Asahi found it strange that Aonobo would suddenly bring up such an idea, he could only nod in agreement when he saw his sister's unhappy and pleading expression.

And so, they arrived at the bustling and prosperous Xingyuan.

P.S.: Keep it up, try your best to finish two chapters!

Chapter 99, Section 101: Ostensibly a mission, but actually a vacation.

"Hey, Asahi, let's go listen to some folk songs. Tamamo-no-Mae said the folk songs here are really nice."

With her black, pearly eyes gently darting around, the girl looked at her younger brother with anticipation.

People who hear about Xingyuan for the first time, or who have a basic understanding of the reasons for Xingyuan's rise, will generally subconsciously imagine Xingyuan as a city filled with the smell of money.

However, it is not.

No city can become the best city in the hearts of officials and common people simply because of its wealth.

Even Xingyuan, which rose to prominence because of its wealth and treasures, has its own unique culture—folk songs!

If songstresses and fine wines are the wealth of Anbara, then songs and life are its charm.

It is because of these unique songs that Xingyuan has become a city loved by everyone.

When you come to Xingyuan, you may not see the songstresses or drink fine wine, but you must listen to the folk songs.

This is a suggestion given by everyone who has visited Xingyuan.

Shimizu Asahi remembered that Tamamo-no-Mae had brought Aika and Hagoromo to Kyohara a few years ago, and when he came back and talked about it, he also specifically praised Kyohara's songs.

The fact that even the great demon Tamamo-no-Mae, who is indifferent to humans, could utter words of praise demonstrates the charm of Kyohara Kayo.

That's why Shimizu Mio, who rarely comes to Kyohara, wanted to hear this beautiful singing voice as soon as possible.

I want to hear not only about Shimizu Mio, but also about Shimizu Asahi.

However, he did not forget why he came here.

Whether Shiranui is friend or foe is still unknown; he should find it as soon as possible.

Therefore, Shimizu Asahi can only offer a small reminder to her sister.

"Sister, we didn't come here just to play."

"Oh, I know. But Chaoyang, your injury hasn't healed yet, it's okay to relax a little. If anything happens, I'll protect you!"

"So, how about we go listen to some folk songs together first?"

The girl held her younger brother's hand, a pleading look appearing on her delicate and lovely face.

"this,"

The black-haired boy was somewhat conflicted. He planned to complete the task first before playing, but seeing his sister's expression, he found it difficult to refuse...

Seeing that Asahi hesitated, Shimizu Mio disappointedly released his hand.

She pouted, looking slightly aggrieved, and whispered, "This is clearly our first time going out together..."

The soft voice reached Shimizu Asahi's ears, and he was stunned for a moment before he realized what it meant.

Yes, this seems to be the first time he has gone out to play with his sister... Before he was ten years old, he was too young to travel too far, so he stayed in Heian-kyo. After he turned ten, he studied Onmyodo every day, so he didn't have time to play. When he did go out occasionally, it was just to accompany Shimizu Mio to stroll around Heian-kyo.

Thinking about it carefully, the only shared memory he had with his sister was the size of Heian-kyo.

Is that why my sister is so happy this time...?

Thinking of this, the black-haired boy couldn't help but show a hint of apology.

He pursed his lips and considered it carefully for a while, but finally he held his sister's small hand in return and said gently, "Okay, then I'll listen to the nursery rhyme with you first, but only this once. After we finish listening to the nursery rhyme, we'll go and inquire about Shiranui."

"Really?"

The dejected girl looked up at the sound, and seeing her brother's slightly doting gaze, she immediately smiled happily.

"I knew it! Chaoyang is the best!"

Seeing her sister's happy expression, Shimizu Asahi couldn't help but smile as well.

My older sister also occasionally shows her girlish side.

"Alright, although we've decided to go listen to folk songs first, we still need to find a place to stay."

After the siblings decided on what to do next, Qingnufang calmly spoke up.

"I know a good hot spring resort, come with me."

"Hey, Qingnufang, have you been here before?"