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

Ibuki-doji's curiosity stemmed from Shimizu Asahi's attitude towards her.

She had encountered humans who were close to yokai before, but without exception, all of them had the idea that "I am human" and "it is a yokai".

Even if one lets go of their prejudice against monsters, this racial divide still lingers in their mind.

This is normal; it would be strange if there weren't such barriers.

But... Shimizu Asahi didn't.

He did not have this racial prejudice.

In his eyes, monsters and humans were like one big family.

Those heartfelt thoughts and actions sparked Ibuki-dōji's curiosity about 'why'.

Why doesn't he have this kind of distance?

She was very curious....

In search of this answer, she began to try to get in touch with Shimizu Asahi.

Although she could ask him directly, it would be too pointless. As a long-lived being who has lived for thousands of years, what she seeks is the process of finding the answer, not an empty answer.

So, the Demon King of Mount Ooe disguised himself as an ordinary evil spirit to approach the young students.

At first, she enjoyed the process of finding answers, but as she got to know them better, she began to feel as if she were interacting with her family.

Relaxed and at ease.

There was an indescribable sense of relaxation...it was an incredible feeling.

Unconsciously, she went from enjoying the 'pleasure of finding answers' to enjoying the 'peace of mind when in contact with clear water and rising sun'.

By the time she remembered her original purpose, a whole day had passed.

And of course, she hasn't found the answer yet.

Looking at the young student sleeping peacefully, and recalling his self-righteous concern yesterday, the Ghost King felt a strange and indescribable feeling.

She blinked, her amethyst-like eyes filled with a smile.

"Hehe, then... stay a few more days."

"By the master's side..."

The Ghost King stayed behind and remained by Qingshui Chaoyang's side.

When the young student woke up from his sleep, he wondered if it was just his imagination, but he felt that the girl's smile looked more genuine and more beautiful.

But upon closer inspection, he found no change.

He scratched his head and put the feeling behind him.

......

Like a gentle spring rain, nourishing things silently, three days passed in the blink of an eye.

At the hotel counter.

"Shopkeeper, I've packed everything up. Here's the cost for the next few days. Please check it."

Shimizu Asahi paid the hotel owner for the accommodation and food expenses for the past few days.

The shop owner carefully counted the money on the table, and after confirming that everything was correct, a sinister smile appeared on his somewhat fierce face.

"Guest, the amount is correct. Please take care."

Amidst the shop owner's warm greetings, Shimizu Asahi left the inn.

Three days have passed since Ibuki-dōji decided to stay.

Over the course of three days, Qingshui Chaoyang still found nothing. The ancient wine village was very peaceful, both day and night, like a calm lake without a ripple.

The monster has left.

Even if it's not 100% certain, there's still a 90% probability.

Therefore, Shimizu Asahi decided to leave the ancient wine village.

After all, a third of the two-week assessment period has already passed. If he continues to stay here, he probably won't have time to complete the next assessment.

Just yesterday evening, he told Ibuki-dōji about this decision.

Upon hearing this news, the Ghost King was stunned for a moment, then immediately pouted to express his dissatisfaction, saying things like, "Why go back so soon? Why not come back to Mount Ooe with me?"

He wasn't sure how much of what the girl said was true, but at least he was happy that she could say such things.

But while he was happy, he was also a little reluctant to part with it.

Although the two only spent four days together, four days was enough for a girl who was willing to accompany him to watch the stars on the rooftop.

.....

"The master has left..."

On the roof of the inn, Ibuki-dōji watched Shimizu Asahiro's receding figure, a faint smile playing on his amethyst eyes.

She had already figured out that Shimizu Asahi had set a departure time, but she just hadn't said anything.

After all, she couldn't let Shimizu Asahi stay here indefinitely, nor could she allow Shimizu Asahi to be captured and taken back to Mount Ooe...

Hmm... If that damn big guy hadn't been blocking her way, she might have really taken Shimizu Asahi back to Mount Ooe.

Ibuki-dōji will remember this grudge!

Then, in order to vent her frustration, she deliberately pouted yesterday to show that she was unhappy, and then asked Shimizu Asahi to coax her.

It's like a little girl throwing a tantrum.

Thanks to his comfort yesterday, Ibuki-dōji's depression lessened considerably.

and.

'If Master knew that I did that on purpose yesterday, his expression would be quite adorable.'

After all, she was even more 'outrageous' than usual yesterday.

.....

After leaving the old sake village, Shimizu Asahi set off for Heian-kyo.

A distance of thirty or forty li was not considered close in those days, but it wasn't far either; it would take about two or three hours to walk.

As Qing Shui Chaoyang walked along the road, time quietly slipped by him, and the originally gentle sunlight unknowingly became intense.

After wiping the sweat from their brows, the young students finally saw their destination—Heian-kyo.

Since Emperor Kanmu moved the capital to Heian-kyo two hundred years ago, Heian-kyo has become the most prosperous and bustling city of this era, and it is always filled with the laughter and joy of the people.

After completing the final leg of his journey, Shimizu Asahi returned to Heian-kyo.

The first thing he did upon returning to Heian-kyo was to go to the Onmyōryō (Bureau of Yin and Yang).

The Yin-Yang Bureau is located in the northern part of Heian-kyo, near the Imperial Palace. There are no merchants or vendors there, and no children playing around, so the environment is pleasant and students can study in peace without being disturbed.

After entering the Yin-Yang Bureau, the young students walked smoothly down a long corridor and arrived at the teacher's office.

It was a 40-square-meter room with only a desk, a bookshelf, and two lanterns, and it looked very simple.

In front of the desk, a Taoist priest dressed in blue was kneeling.

This gentleman's name is Kamo no Tadayuki, the head of the Kamo family, one of the three great Yin-Yang families, and the most powerful fighter in Heian-kyo.

He is undoubtedly the strongest Onmyoji and the pillar of strength in Heian-kyo.

Both ordinary people and Onmyoji (yin-yang masters) deeply admired him.

Originally, a great Onmyoji like him should have stayed in the imperial palace, residing in the center and becoming a force that couldn't be easily moved. However, in order to cultivate even more outstanding Onmyoji, he voluntarily entered the Onmyo Bureau and became its head. (Chapter 11, Section 11: I, Shimizu Asahi, the Other People's Child)

"Dong dong."

A gentle knock sounded on the door, and Shimizu Asahi, standing outside, respectfully called out, "Teacher, your student Shimizu Asahi has come to submit his assessment."

Although it was almost noon, the most powerful Onmyoji in Heian-kyo was still busy with his work at his desk and did not notice his arrival.

Kamo no Tadayuki, who holds the triple identities of head of the Kamo family, strongest Onmyoji in Heian-kyo, and master of the Onmyodo, has countless tasks to complete every day.

When the monster group attacks Heian-kyo, he will be the first to stand on the city wall and provide a barrier for Heian-kyo.

Whenever the Kamo family encountered trouble, he would be the first to return to the family and take charge.

While at the Yin-Yang Bureau, he would carefully observe each student's progress in practicing Yin-Yang techniques and then plan the best training methods for them.

What are 996 and 007? For 365 days a year, Tadashi Kamo is either working or on his way to work.

They don't even get a break on holidays.

However, it is precisely because of this that the people of Heian-kyo have such great respect for him.

Of course, the same goes for clear water and rising sun.

Kamo no Tadashi, who was working with his head down, paused in his brushstrokes at the sudden sound and looked up at the door.

The figure of the young student suddenly came into his sight, a hint of surprise flashed in his dark eyes, but he regained his composure in the next moment.

"Chaoyang, come in."

"Thank you, teacher."

Many people say that Kamo no Tadashiki never smiles.

Because he always has a serious and earnest face, which never changes no matter what.

But in reality, Kamo no Tadayuki can smile.

No, I should say, how could anyone not laugh?

He doesn't laugh simply because he hasn't encountered anyone or anything that can make him laugh.

To be honest, the only people who can still make Kamo Tadayasu laugh are probably Kamo Yasunori, Kidomaru, and Shimizu Asahi.

The first two are his son and adopted son, so it's normal for him to smile at them. As for why Shimizu Asahi would be an exception... well, that's the privilege of being a top student.

Who could blame him when Qingshui Chaoyang was his most satisfied student?