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

She didn't tell him the truth and called her sister over, probably to let him relax.

The fact that he was kept in the dark about his plans after arriving in Xingyuan was probably at his sister's suggestion.

"It seems my sister is really looking forward to this trip to Xingyuan..."

The younger brother scratched his head, then smiled helplessly after discovering his sister's secret.

He didn't intend to expose his sister's plan; since she liked it, he would just play along.

As long as she's happy.

But if that's the case, he'll have to go back as soon as possible. If his sister finds out he's out alone, she'll definitely suspect him.

With this thought in mind, Qingshui Chaoyang prepared to ask the boatman to take him back.

But then, a commotion came from the Liren Pavilion.

The once brightly lit pavilions suddenly went out, and the next moment, the luxurious stage facing the sea was illuminated by a sky full of flames.

Everyone stared intently, their wide eyes brimming with longing and anticipation.

"Oh, it's Shiranui! She's finally here! Thank you, Lord!"

"So beautiful! No matter how many times I see her, Shiranui is still so beautiful. No wonder she is the top courtesan of the Riren Pavilion!"

Amidst the cheers and the excitement of the crowd, Shimizu Asahi, who was about to leave, inexplicably turned her head back.

Then, his pupils widened.

"That is... the songstress Shiranui?"

On the stage, a stunningly beautiful young woman stood gracefully.

Her dark eyes were like stars, her black hair flowed like a waterfall, and her light pink makeup added a touch of tenderness.

No words were needed; the moment the firelight ignited, she was the most beautiful person on this sea. (Chapter 105, Section 107: My Brother's First Time)

Above the magnificent pavilions, drums and music resounded, and beneath the countless lights, graceful figures swayed.

Accompanied by ancient music, the young girl danced lightly, her movements as graceful as a startled swan.

"Shiranui! Shiranui! Shiranui!"

On the sea, the people who stood there called out her name. She seemed to have stepped out of a painting, hazy and ethereal, captivating all who saw her.

Under the lamplight, she was unique on this vast sea; time and darkness lost their meaning before her.

People sincerely hope that this dreamlike scene can last forever.

However, the ancient music gradually faded, and the dance gradually stopped. As the long and melodious music ended, the girl stopped moving.

There weren't many ups and downs; people had gotten used to this ending.

They stopped cheering and gradually left, the firelight that had illuminated the sea quietly fading away.

A dream is just a dream. Those who find contentment in a dream will not linger. The ending after the hazy dream shatters is departure.

The girl stood still, unmoved by the departing boat.

She gazed into the distance, her thoughts wandering, her dark eyes seeming to hold both longing and infatuation.

However, in her distance, there was only the vast, deep sea.

But suddenly, as if she had realized something, her pupils, which had been gazing into the distance, gradually lowered.

On the calm sea, a small boat rests quietly. A black-haired boy stands at the bow, raises his head slightly, and looks at the stage with eyes as dark as a girl's.

Their gazes met, piercing through darkness and light.

At that moment, the girl's eyes widened.

His eyes were filled with tenderness.

It was as if... I understood her sadness.

"Um, sir, you..."

The silence was inadvertently broken, and the deep darkness put the boatman in a difficult position. Although the passengers had not yet said they wanted to go back, the increasing darkness forced him to speak up and remind them.

Calmly withdrawing his gaze, the black-haired boy turned to the boatman and said softly, "...Sorry, boatman, let's go back."

Without turning his head again, he walked away as if he had no regrets.

On stage, the girl was taken aback. She parted her red lips slightly and raised her arm as if to hold on. But halfway through, she gently lowered it again.

The last small boat left the sea, and darkness swallowed the last piece of pure land.

The night was deep, and a cool sea breeze blew from afar. Her long, flowing hair danced in the wind. The girl closed her eyes and, like a caged bird, returned to the brightly lit, magnificent pavilion.

......

At the dock, Qingshui Chaoyang disembarked from the boat. He took out some copper coins and handed them to the boatman, saying, "I'm sorry for taking up your time. This is my compensation. Please accept it."

The boatman was taken aback, but then his face lit up with joy.

He accepted the copper coin and said with great gratitude, "Thank you, guest, thank you, guest."

"By the way, boatman, I wanted to ask you something. Was that songstress named Shiranui?"

“Shiranui? Ah, guest, is this your first time in Xingyuan? Everyone who comes to Xingyuan for the first time will mistake her for Shiranui. Actually, her name is not Shiranui, her name is Ari.”

The boatman carefully put away the copper coins and patiently explained, "She was a child that the owner of the Liren Pavilion bought from a fisherman more than ten years ago. During those ten years at the Liren Pavilion, she became a talented singer and dancer, graceful and stunning, and quickly became the most popular performer at the Liren Pavilion. Whenever she performed, countless flames would rise on the sea. Because this scene was very similar to the legend of Shiranui, people started calling her Shiranui."

"The firelight on the sea...?"

The boy looked up and gazed at the vast, silent sea, where only deep darkness remained...

"Um, sir, is there anything else you'd like to ask?"

"...How often does she perform?" After a moment of silence, Shimizu Asahi pondered for a while before asking again.

"Normally it's once every two weeks, but if the city lord needs it, then Liren Pavilion will add an extra session for her."

"After this one ends, the next one will be at the end of the month. However, the Sea Harvest Festival is also approaching. As the top performer of the Liren Pavilion, Shiranui will perform for seven days at the festival at the request of the city lord."

"If guests wish to see it again, they can patiently wait for the Haishou Festival."

"The Sea Harvest Festival...?" The unfamiliar words puzzled the boy, but he understood everything he wanted to know.

So he said gently, "Thank you, boatman. I have no more questions. You should go home soon."

"Okay, thank you, guest."

After thanking him, the boatman happily turned and left.

With a soft sigh, Shimizu Asahi also left.

......

With a leisurely pace, Shimizu Asahi returned to the hotel.

He opened the door and called out as if he had expected it: "I'm back, sister, Qingnufang."

In the simple room, the black-haired girl and the blue-haired girl sat side by side. Hearing his voice, Shimizu Mio, who had her eyes closed, opened them.

A hint of pressure emanated from her calm face as she looked at her returning brother, remaining silent.

"I'm sorry, sister, I'm late."

The boy scratched his head, apologetic smile on his face.

"I just wanted to go out for a casual stroll, but I didn't expect the scenery in Xingyuan to be so beautiful, so I accidentally..."

"Why didn't you tell your sister?" the girl asked in a low voice.

"Because if I tell my sister, she'll definitely come along. I want her to enjoy the hot springs a little longer," the boy said, spreading his hands as if feigning helplessness.

"Even so, you shouldn't have gone out alone. Your sister clearly wanted to go with you."

A hint of resentment flickered across the girl's pretty face. "It's my little brother's first time at the night market; his older sister should be with him. Damn it..."

Shimizu Mio's dissatisfaction wasn't because she was worried that Shimizu Asahi would find out about Shiranui. Her real reason for dissatisfaction was that she hadn't accompanied Shimizu Asahi to the night market in Kyohara.

My brother's first time... I'm so unwilling to accept it!

"Okay, sister, don't be sad. I brought you some delicious food."

Shimizu Asahi smiled gently and handed the snacks he had brought back to Shimizu Mio and Aonobo, saying, "Try them."

On the way back, to prevent them from guessing that she had seen Ali's performance, she bought some snacks along the way.

"Hmm, you always know how to use this method to coax your older sister."

The girl pouted and muttered in a dissatisfied tone.

Looking at his sister, who was like a child, the boy deliberately teased, "If you're not going to eat, then Qingnvfang and I will eat together."

"no!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the black-haired girl protected the snacks like a mother protecting her child.

"It was supposed to be for my sister, you can't take it!"

"Hehe, don't worry, sister, it's all yours."

"Ugh... Chaoyang, you've gone astray!"

Realizing she had been subtly teased, Shimizu Mio puffed out her cheeks.

Laughter and cheerful voices filled the simple little room.

......

In the Liren Pavilion, an incredibly luxurious room, A-Li, dressed in blue, stood by the window.

Despite being surrounded by bright lights, she felt cold and lonely.

This pavilion, like a cage, imprisoned her...

P.S.: The author is currently considering the plot developments, so there will only be two updates today. But don't worry, there will still be three updates tomorrow.

Chapter 106, Section 108: The way you spend money to pull for Shiranui is just like Lord Apricot Plains.