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

Of course, if that were all, it wouldn't be so bad.

The Minamoto clan maintained a cautious relationship with Minamoto no Saneyoshi, and it was impossible for anyone to find any clues about them.

If they can wait patiently, this matter can be gradually overlooked.

But what's worse is that it wasn't just the Kamo clan that attacked the Minamoto clan... the Fujiwara clan also joined in.

They keep harping on the issue of the Minamoto clan's assassins, saying that the Minamoto clan was thinking about preserving their strength even when Heian-kyo was in danger, only caring about the safety of their own clan and not about the rise and fall of the imperial family.

This move made the imperial family, the Genji's greatest backer, suspicious of them.

Two major families, two crises—if they don't handle these situations well, not only will their meticulously planned schemes be shelved for a long time, but the Minamoto clan itself will also be unable to hold its head high for a considerable period.

"Is no one willing to share their opinion?"

His eyes, as calm as the Dead Sea, swept around the room, and his words came out indifferently.

Although it was calm, the elders all felt a sense of oppression, a profound oppression... as if they were in the depths of the ocean, suffocating.

"this......"

The elders looked troubled, their eyes darting around; they understood that the patriarch was angry.

However, there was no way to solve the problem, and even though Minamoto no Manaka was angry and dissatisfied, they couldn't come up with a solution.

Some might say that allowing the Kamo clan to investigate and explaining directly to the Imperial Family would resolve the Minamoto clan crisis if the Imperial Family trusted them.

However, the imperial family was inherently suspicious, and Genji did not explain to them in person, but rather in secret, which speaks volumes.

Besides, how could the other two families let him escape so easily?

It's likely that they already had a plan in place.

The only way for Genji to break the deadlock was to distance himself from Minamoto no Saneyoshi and his assassins.

Only by completely clearing their names can they hold their heads high.

"Master, perhaps...we could fabricate evidence?"

However, suddenly, just when all the elders thought no one would speak, one of the elders stood up without warning.

"Falsifying evidence?"

The other elders were slightly taken aback, and then frowned.

They had naturally considered fabricating evidence. Using the 'evidence' collected by the Kamo family to prove their innocence was the most irrefutable plan. However, putting aside whether they could fabricate evidence that even Kamo Tadashi could not see through, the very act of doing so restricted them.

Under the covert surveillance of the Fujiwara and Kamo families, the Minamoto clan also found it difficult to act.

A few individuals might be able to manage, but a small group is insufficient to complete the forgery task.

Therefore, they ruled out this approach.

“Master, although the Minamoto clan seems to be surrounded by crises, in reality, their only real opponent is the Kamo family.” The elder said tentatively, “Whether it is the Fujiwara family or other officials, they are only using the Kamo family to suppress the Minamoto clan. As long as we show them ‘evidence’ and our attitude, we can make them back down.”

"After all, no one wants to really be an enemy of the Genji."

"If we can force the other families to back down, the pressure on us will be greatly reduced, and we will be able to communicate with the royal family..."

The elder spoke very little, and even seemed unsure of himself, but the other elders pondered for a moment, and then their eyes widened.

Upon closer examination, the Genji's current situation is not truly that critical. If they were to follow this elder's method, they might actually be able to change the situation.

Although the Fujiwara family, one of the three great families, is not easy to deal with, all they want is profit. If they can get rid of an enemy with a little profit, why wouldn't they do it?

Once the Fujiwara clan retreats, the Minamoto clan's only remaining enemy will be the Kamo clan.

Even though the Kamo clan is difficult to deal with, the Genji have absolutely nothing to fear if it's just the Kamo clan!

This game is over!

Excitement shone on the elders' faces.

Then, the gaze shifted upwards.

On the main seat, Yuan Manzhong looked at the elder.

His gaze was perfectly calm, without the slightest ripple. Under this utterly indifferent gaze, the elder who had spoken felt a sense of pressure.

Did I say something wrong?

He couldn't help but think this with trepidation.

But the next moment, Minamoto no Manaka smiled.

He laughed out loud.

"Ha, it seems that not all the elders of my Genji clan are useless."

"I've been waiting so long without making a move because I wanted to see who else, besides me, could see through the truth of the matter amidst the chaos."

"Fortunately, it didn't disappoint me!"

Yuan Manzhong's words shocked the elders. Their eyes widened in astonishment, their mouths agape, and their aged faces showed disbelief.

Is this... a test by Minamoto no Mitsunaka? Has he already seen through the truth of this matter?

"this,"

They were embarrassed. They hadn't expected that their troubles these past few days were just a test from the patriarch... Fortunately, someone answered correctly; otherwise, the patriarch would surely have been furious.

The awkward expressions quickly disappeared, and the elders immediately began to change the subject.

"Then, patriarch, what should we do next?"

"I have already made arrangements for what follows, so you don't need to worry about it."

His smile faded, and Minamoto no Manchu's expression returned to calm.

“I have called you here to discuss a person.”

"The one who ruined my Genji plans twice!"

P.S.: Three chapters tomorrow!

Chapter 134, Section 137: Shimizu Asahi: The Genji Have Their Eyes on Me?

"Good morning, teacher. Is there something you need me for?"

In the simple room, Shimizu Asahi sat opposite Kamo Tadashi and greeted his teacher respectfully.

"Good morning, sunrise."

He straightened a teacup that had been lying upside down on the tea tray, rinsed it briefly with hot water, poured in some tea, and placed it in front of Shimizu Asahi.

Shimizu Asahi quickly accepted the teacup and said, "Thank you, teacher."

After serving clear tea to Shimizu Asahi, Kamo no Tadashi got straight to the point.

"I called you here today mainly to talk to you about two things."

"One item is related to the Genji clan, and the other is related to Kidomaru."

"Let's start with things related to the Genji."

Kamo no Tadayuki calmly picked up his teacup and said, "I believe you have also noticed that the Minamoto clan's situation has begun to improve. Rumors unfavorable to them and clans trying to take advantage of their misfortune are slowly disappearing."

"Before long, the only enemy of the Genji will be my Kamo family."

"Without the restraint of other clans, I can no longer launch an attack. The Xingyuan City incident may just come to a complete end like this."

"Is that so..." Shimizu Asahi nodded thoughtfully.

He wasn't surprised, because he had already guessed it.

After Kamo no Tadayuki challenged the Minamoto clan in court, the Kyohara Castle incident spread like wildfire to every corner of Heian-kyo, and the people of Heian-kyo began to discuss the Minamoto clan and the Kyohara Castle incident.

Given the rumors of manipulating the people and destroying Kyohara, it was only natural that the people felt disgust towards the Genji.

As long as this aversion persists, Genji will never have a moment of peace.

However, two or three days ago, Shimizu Asahi noticed that the people's attitude towards Genji had improved.

Upon realizing this, he immediately understood that the incident was about to be resolved.

However, Shimizu Asahi didn't care whether the relationship ended or not. The only thing he cared about was the price Genji would have to pay!

Therefore, after a pause, he asked, "Teacher, has there been any result regarding the punishment of Genji?"

"Yes, it already is."

Gently setting down his teacup, Kamo no Tadayuki said, "The Genji will not only have to bear half the cost of rebuilding Izuhara Castle, but also provide substantial compensation to the people of Izuhara. Although it's all money, this sum will be a significant financial burden even for the Genji."

In fact, the Genji suffered more than just a crippling blow this time. The immense cost they incurred a month ago to protect Heian-kyo was still fresh in their minds; this expenditure would be a devastating blow to their very being.

Furthermore, they will absolutely not be able to recover their strength in a short period of time.

Hearing the man's words, the black-haired boy was stunned for a moment, and then a look of joy appeared on his face.

He breathed a sigh of relief and murmured, "That's good..."

"Besides these compensations, the Genji also had to pay the price of making the Fujiwara clan back down. The Genji's losses were far greater than we imagined."

After the man finished speaking, he quietly added, "He brought it on himself."

"Yes, he really brought it on himself."

If the Genji had not coveted the power of Yamata, they would not have paid such a heavy price.

Ultimately, they brought this upon themselves.

"Then, teacher, what is it about Kidomaru?"

Having received a satisfactory answer, Shimizu Asahi smiled happily for a while, and then asked about Kidomaru.

However, Kamo no Tadayuki shook his head, indicating that he had not yet finished speaking about the Minamoto clan.

Sitting up straight with a solemn expression, the strongest Onmyoji in Heian-kyo said with utmost care, "I called you here today not only to tell you about the punishment of the Minamoto clan, but also to remind you to be careful lately."

"Be careful?"

The teacher's seriousness and earnestness left Shimizu Asahi looking puzzled.

"In the past two days, a rumor about you has been circulating in Heian-kyo... Someone has spread the news that you stopped Minamoto no Saneyoshi and saved Kyohara Castle."

"Wait, teacher, you and Gen... Genji weren't the only ones who knew about this? They did it?"