Tokyo Soft Rice King.

Tian Yuguang revealed an extremely displeased expression, his sharp killing intent towards Tian Yuchen overflowing.

Wow, that's terrifying... If Hikaru hadn't failed to get what he wanted and was now being held back by An-neechan, once she got her brother, the Tenyu family would be the next to suffer, and she would probably massacre them.

When the gods are angered, mortals suffer; the Tianyu family may be wiped out.

Since there's only one brother with the surname Hei Yu, then there's only one me with the surname Tian Yu, and that's enough for Xiao Guang. That's what he was thinking.

However, Tian Yuchen lived up to his reputation as the head of the Tianyu family and a contemporary sword saint. He did not show any fear in the face of this overwhelming killing intent, but instead calmly spoke.

“I can understand your hatred for me and the Tianyu family, but now that you have regained your original memories, you should also know the necessity of relying on you to seal the Great Serpent back then.”

"..."

Amane Hikari suppressed her murderous intent. She had fully retrieved her memories from before she became a god, when she was still a priestess slaying demons and monsters, so she knew very well that the serpent had not been completely killed.

The result was actually a lose-lose situation: the serpent lost its head but did not die completely, while the priestess lost all four limbs.

People feared the giant serpent's return, while the priestesses who could protect them had lost their fighting ability.

So people used its remains to create a shikigami to seal the giant serpent, and the belief in it has been passed down from generation to generation to this day...

"The Tenyu family was never a prestigious family to begin with, but rather 'survivors.' The lingering fear of the giant serpent will become the source of its power. This fear will allow the giant serpent's injuries to heal and grow other heads... So all we can do is postpone the disaster that will repeat itself in the future."

However, as time went by, not only did the Great Serpent not revive, but the Tenyu family also became corrupt, greedy for power and wealth, and eventually turned into what it is today.

"At that time, the infant mortality rate was very high, and the lifespan of ordinary people was only about twenty years. Humans simply did not have the ability to resist demons and evil spirits, so they could only continue the faith of Kushinada-hime through sacrifice... However, now, even if the serpent really comes back to life, or even if its head doubles to sixteen, a single missile from a fighter jet could blow the monster into the sky, without even needing a nuclear bomb."

"puff……"

Kuroba Akira couldn't help but laugh out loud. It has to be said that it was really funny for Tenyu Chen to say such a humorous thing with such a serious expression.

My lord, times have changed!

But is it really appropriate for you, the Sword Saint, to say that?

It seems even a swordsman knows that using cold weapons to fight against firearms is suicidal.

"In short, it can also be said that the contract that imprisoned the Tianyu family for a thousand years has come to an end in my generation, and I no longer have to be nagged by those old folks about opening my dojo."

It seems that Tian Yuchen is in the middle management of the Tianyu family, but his status is not as high as that of the elders. He is constantly being ordered around and does all the dirty and hard work, so he has been dissatisfied for a long time.

"There may still be some older people who are attached to power, but to be honest, they should have thought this day would come when the Emperor was expelled."

In fact, looking across Japan, there are quite a few families like the Amahana family that gained power by signing contracts with the gods in the old days. The Emperor was one of them. However, the largest families with divine contracts have been deposed, and there have been several rounds of divine liberation movements across the country, which is why the current Divine Alliance has been formed.

If large families from the old era do not transform, they will not be able to survive in the new era.

"It's only a matter of time before the family declines. I will return to the Tianyu family to handle the aftermath. Other collateral families will also need to be arranged separately. The crushing defeat and purge back then has caused other collateral families to harbor a lot of resentment towards the main family... Ugh, what a hassle."

No family wants to offer their children as sacrifices. Initially, it was agreed that everyone would take turns contributing, but eventually, some people would want to rebel against the system, so an internal purge was necessary. This is the origin of the phrase "shattered."

"Using the connections we've built up so far should be enough to get through the painful transition period. Besides, the Tianyu family isn't short of money. After that, they'll gradually withdraw from the financial world and return to being an ordinary family."

Tenyu Chen was already mentally prepared for this. In fact, he had long guessed that either his generation or the next would come to an end for the faith of Kushinada Hime.

Time flows like water, eventually smoothing out the rough edges of the raging demon god.

As time moved into the modern era, what was once a calamity had transformed into a lonely yearning for freedom.

"It's quite good that it ended peacefully. All of this is thanks to you, Kuroba Akira... No, it seems too impolite to keep calling you Kuroba. How about I restore your original surname? The name on your household registration can also be changed. The Ameba family has connections in the Ministry of Civil Affairs."

Kuroba Akira shrugged and declined.

"No need. I'm already used to the surname Kuroba. It would feel strange to change it back. Besides, the surname Kuroba isn't a curse to me."

"I see... So this isn't a curse for you... Anyway, on behalf of the Tianyu family, I thank you for your efforts. We owe you a huge favor, otherwise the entire family would probably have to bear her wrath for a thousand years and be buried with those witches who sacrificed themselves in the past."

"I didn't mean to save you. I just didn't want my sister to become a murderer."

“I know, even so, I still have to thank you. Although I haven’t been by Xiaoguang’s side for very long, I have been observing you since you were very young, and I have some understanding of her personality. So I guessed long ago that she was likely to be the last generation and would bring annihilation to the family. I just didn’t expect that she could actually replace the gods. She is truly a force to be reckoned with.”

Did even Tian Yuchen realize the danger posed by Xiao Guang?

Little sister, were you some kind of little devil back in our hometown...?

"Of course, just saying thank you verbally would be too hypocritical. We need to offer some tangible rewards. The Tianyu family has some businesses. If you want, I can make you the next head of the family."

No, I don't want that kind of troublesome business.

Moreover, Kuroba Akira is no longer short of money and has no desire to return to his hometown to become a local tyrant.

"Forget it, I have no interest in being the head of the family, it's just my parents..."

"Of course we won't restrict you from seeing your parents anymore. Whether you go back to your hometown or have your parents come to Tokyo, the Tianyu family can help make the arrangements."

"Oh, that's good. I also have something to tell my parents right now."

But isn't it a bit too sudden to tell your parents that you're getting married right after you've reunited?

And this isn't even a real marriage; he actually has many other partners... Ugh, it would be so embarrassing to go back to his parents after becoming such a scumbag...

On the other side, Haruka and Hikari naturally knew what Kuroba Akira wanted to tell their parents, and their expressions became stiff, revealing their resentment.

"Well, now that everything that needed to be settled has been settled, it's about time I took my leave."

Tian Yuchen didn't plan to stay long. He had only come to give a briefing and would be able to go back and report back later.

Then comes the troublesome power struggle within the family, but I believe he can handle it, after all, he's a capable older man.

Kuroba Akira and the others saw him to the door, and he shook hands with Kuroba Akira one last time and said something.

"The next generation of the entire Tenyu family and its collateral branches will thank you, Kuroba Akira. It was you who helped them win their freedom."

"That's enough, that's enough. I've said thank you so many times already, but it's definitely a good thing that the next generation can live the life they want."

"And thanks to you, I can reconsider getting married and having children, haha."

"...Congratulations in advance!"

Is it because he doesn't want his children to be used as sacrifices that he hasn't married or had children yet? This uncle is quite shrewd.

After Amayu Tatsumi took his leave, Tomita Hōgen also prepared to leave.

"Then I should go back. I still need to go back to the Divine Affairs Hall to write a report on this incident. The inheritance of the Tianyu family is not a big deal, but a god who has obtained human form... this is no small matter."

Tomita Hogen gave Amayu Hikaru a meaningful look; her current existence was indeed far too special.

Neither human nor god, it is a new existence resulting from the fusion of both, and it combines the advantages of both, making it truly extraordinary.

Moreover, given the precedent of Tianyu Guang, there may be more similar beings emerging in the future, and dealing with them will be a new challenge for humanity.

To give an analogy, it's like a new kind of human suddenly emerging with superpowers. If we don't deal with it properly, the world could become as chaotic as in superhero movies.

As long as they stop locking up my sister for research, that should be fine. But I doubt that will happen, since she has powerful figures protecting her.

Kuroba Akira was more concerned about Kuroo's whereabouts, so he asked Tomita Hōken about it before he left.

"Uncle Faquan, Heiwei...did Cat Goddess come to your place?"

"Cat Goddess? No, she's always been with you, hasn't she? Besides, she hates me so much that she'd never come to me first, even if she's in a huge mess."

　"I see..."

"What happened?"

"I haven't seen her for several days. We had a fight about the giant snake residing in my body..."

"Hmm, I see. It seems that Lord Cat God is jealous."

"Huh? Jealous?"

This word would be perfectly reasonable on other people, but when it came to Kuroo, it only made Kuroba Akira frown in bewilderment.

That greedy cat...is it jealous?

Unbelievable!

Just like Kazuma had no feelings for Aqua, Akira Kuroba couldn't treat Kuroo as a potential partner either.

The only time he felt even slightly tempted was when Kuroo borrowed Haruka's body, but Kuroo faltered afterward because Haruka regained control of the body through her strong willpower.

"After all, you are her agent, so she certainly doesn't want you to be defiled by other gods. She probably already considers you her life partner."

"Uh... Kuroo and I aren't in that kind of relationship..."

"Really? In my opinion, she didn't invest this much emotion in the previous agent. No, I should say she has never cared about humanity as much as she does now."

Tomita Hokusen smiled, revealing the same teasing expression as the old lady Kobayashi who had been listening to gossip earlier.

Then, Mr. Kobayashi, the previous agent, agreed with the same expression.

"Indeed, Kuroo has always maintained a neutral attitude towards humans, and she has already treated you, Shirako, quite specially. If it weren't for Mika helping me mediate back then, Kuroo would probably still be complaining about me not providing her with faith."

That's just like that petty, vindictive cat.

"No matter what, we should make up with Kuroo as soon as possible. After all, we were able to have a second life thanks to her, weren't we?"

"Don't worry, this is the only shrine that the Cat Goddess has in Tokyo. This is her home, so she will return to you sooner or later."

The two adults looked at Kuroba Akira with the same kind of fatherly gaze they would give a child, which made Kuroba Akira's skin crawl.

It's like he's regretting his actions because his wife left him...

Even if Kuro-o returns as a beautiful catgirl, with that personality, I would never fall for her!

Chapter 470 A Virtuous Cycle Driven by Rewards

As February drew to a close, Tsukimi Ranyi pulled down her sunglasses, looked up at the entrance of the shrine, and murmured to herself.

"Is this the shrine where Akira Kuroba lives...? It's quite secluded."

She wore a hat, sunglasses, and a mask—the classic three-piece set to conceal her identity—covering herself up completely. After all, she was a national idol who would be mobbed by enthusiastic fans if her identity were exposed on the street, so she had to be very careful when going out.

However, she encountered very few people when she came here. Perhaps it was because this was the most prestigious residential area in the heart of Tokyo, and the people who could live here were all rich and powerful. So there weren't many passersby, and they didn't pay much attention to the entertainment industry. They just regarded Tsukimi Rii as a suspicious passerby.

Tsukimi Ranyi climbed the stone steps and approach, and arrived at Kuroba Akira's residence based on the information he had received. At the entrance, she took off her shoes, sunglasses, mask, hat, scarf, and wool coat.

Feeling the warmth of the room, she patted her chest and took a deep breath.

After being apart for so long, I'm a little nervous about seeing Kuroba Akira again...

No, why am I so nervous? It's like I'm going to meet my boyfriend...

No, since we're here today to discuss engagement matters, shouldn't he be considered a fiancé? Even higher than a boyfriend?