The Great Master of Gensokyo

So, where is our future goddess priestess now?

"When will I be able to catch up with Master Yuzuru?" Accompanying Saigyouji Yuzuru, Midori knew very well that if it weren't for his care, she might not even have the ability to deal with monsters.

The monsters she had encountered before were all so powerful, and she still needed Saigyouji Hanyu's help to successfully defeat them.

As a shrine maiden, she is utterly unqualified.

Moreover, Saigyouji Hanyu will be a future great Onmyoji.

The Great Onmyoji is a nobleman of Heian-kyo, while I am just an ordinary shrine maiden. What can I do?

"I really want to become even better." The girl's thoughts drifted with melancholy on this night.

If only the old woman at the mountain shrine were still here, she could learn more about magic. But right now, Midori can only purify yokai with her own spiritual power; her energy consumption isn't enough to sustain her in prolonged battles.

Monsters always come in groups, and they have considerable fighting power.

The distraught Midori didn't know what to do, and besides, once she arrived in Heian-kyo, she would have to part ways with Saigyouji Hanyu.

As a young girl in the throes of first love, Midori was quite fond of Saigyouji Hanyu's gentleness.

Entering the Ise Grand Shrine, one can become a true Shinto priestess.

But if that's the case, would it really be as Midori wishes?

Her wish was to possess the power to destroy monsters, not just to become a shrine maiden. Midori fell into deep thought.

"Human, do you wish to become a qualified priestess and possess the power to eliminate monsters?" A majestic voice echoed from the room.

This made Cui Zi's expression freeze, and she felt a little strange.

"I didn't hear wrong, did I?" At this moment, Midori still thought it was her imagination.

"Hmph, you heard me right, this is not an illusion. I am the deity enshrined in this shrine." Kanako continued, realizing that her tone was a little anxious, she adjusted her voice, "If you believe in me and become my shrine maiden, then I can grant you true power."

"Eliminating mere monsters is a piece of cake."

The pressure from the gods was clearly felt by Cui Zi. She seemed to see the gods of ancient times, and the 'mystery' of that divine era made her eyes widen.

"Does the deity mean that I should become the shrine maiden of this shrine and serve you?" After thinking for a moment, Midori replied. Such divine power was indeed divine, and quite majestic at that.

Although she couldn't see the deity's figure, Midori felt that it must be a very powerful deity.

"Are you the Suwa Daimyojin of this shrine?"

However, as soon as Midori opened her mouth, Kanako was speechless, realizing that she had been mistaken for Suwako.

"No...no, this shrine has more than one deity. Don't you know what kind of deity I am?"

Kanako was angry and somewhat unhappy.

With the sign for Suwa Grand Shrine hanging up, does that mean the deity enshrined here is Suwako? Kanako, unable to understand, felt her heart grow heavy. Humans are such shallow creatures.

"Damn it, if my divine power hadn't weakened so rapidly, and if the events of Prince Shotoku's time hadn't led to the destruction of my shrine, how could I have ended up at Suwako's shrine?"

The original Kanako had a proper shrine, and even a shrine maiden who served her.

But that was so many years ago. Everything has changed because of the rise of Buddhism and Taoism. Nowadays, people worship Buddhist guardian deities and bodhisattvas, or arhats or Buddhas. Ancient Japanese gods like her have long been forgotten by mankind.

"Superficial humans!!!" She made outstanding contributions to the development of humanity, yet they can't even remember who she is.

"Eh?!!" Midori finally understood. Kanako's tone seemed a bit agitated. She didn't know what she had done to offend the god at this shrine.

"The problem is, I really don't know what kind of god this god is?" If it's not Suwa Daimyojin, then where did this god come from?

"Listen up, my god name is Takeminakata-gami, not Suwa Daimyo-gami. Remember that now."

Suwa Daimyojin is a deity name referring to Suwako. Suwako is worshipped by humans in the form of Suwa Daimyojin.

Suwa Daimyojin is Kunitsu-gami, which is a land deity.

Unlike Yasaka Kanako, who represents the Yamato gods, the gods of the central mythology.

Compared to Takemikazuchi, her mythology seems insignificant. According to the Kojiki, she was the son of Ōkuninushi and the husband of Yasaka no Tsubasa. When she relinquished her kingdom, she competed with Takemikazuchi in strength, was defeated, and fled.

In fact, both Takeminakata and Yasakato are the prototypes of Yasaka Kanako. Originally, Yasakato was her image, but later Takeminakata replaced her image. She didn't know why her female image later became Takeminakata.

"Takeminakata-gami?" Midori's expression still showed confusion, and Kanako was completely defeated.

It's so disheartening. Have humans forgotten me after all this time?

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Chapter Twenty-Nine: Requirements to Become a Priestess?

Humans are forgetful and may not be able to remember the achievements of the gods.

What they might remember are more the calamities brought by the gods. The older the god, the more likely they are to become just a legend.

The power of faith exists because humanity has needs, and through imagination about the unknown, it has creatively created deities.

Kanako Yasaka's sorrow probably stems from the fact that she has been forgotten by humanity.

"You can also call me Yasaka Touken, or Lord Yasaka Myojin!"

"Kanako Yasaka said, continuing in a very authoritative voice."

If you could see Yasaka Kanako, you would definitely find her appearance somewhat comical. How could a dignified goddess abandon her principles for the sake of faith?

The world is going to the dogs; people's hearts are no longer what they used to be.

"Hmm, Lord Yasaka Myojin, does my worship of you make me a qualified shrine maiden?" This is what Midori doesn't understand. Becoming a shrine maiden is not enough; gaining the god's approval is only the first step.

"Once they leave, you can find a chance to stay here. Remember to come before our statue and offer sacrifices to our devout faith." Seeing that Midori was already interested, Yasaka Kanako was quite pleased.

If Midori agrees, then she will be Kanako's first shrine maiden.

“But I want to go to Heian-kyo and enter the Ise Grand Shrine.” Midori’s expression was somewhat troubled. If she became a shrine maiden here, would she be able to get what she wanted?

Ise Grand Shrine is the official place for training shrine maidens.

The shrine maidens trained here were all worshipped by the imperial family and served as priestesses for the imperial clan's ancestral gods. However, nowadays, the role of Ise Grand Shrine has gradually shifted to the worship of the great gods who protect all of Japan.

The Inner Shrine is dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, while the Outer Shrine is dedicated to Toyoke Omikami.

"Idiot, what are you going to do at Ise Grand Shrine?" Kanako Yasaka's voice rose. "It's very difficult to become a truly qualified shrine maiden at Ise Grand Shrine."

"Besides, isn't your wish to become a priestess to possess the power to destroy monsters?"

"Is that so?" Midori's heart sank. Her wish was to become a true and qualified shrine maiden. And the most important reason to become a shrine maiden was to have the power to eliminate yokai.

“Yes, promise me.” Kanako Yasaka continued, feeling that she was one step closer to success.

She desperately needs a shrine maiden right now. If a shrine maiden stays here, Kanako Yasaka will be able to gradually regain her strength.

However, Midori still had some doubts in her heart; she wasn't sure if what Yasaka Kanako said was true or false.

Shrine maidens aren't just anyone who makes offerings to gods.

...

Meanwhile, in the room, Saigyouji Hanyu was testing his progress.

"The level of the technique has increased quite a bit." Saigyouji Yuzuru looked at his system panel in surprise. After using up his achievement points for enhancement, Saigyouji Yuzuru could feel the improvement in his abilities.

Name:【Saikyoji Hanyu】

Technique Level Lv2:50/100

Occupation: Onmyoji

Ability: Shikigami Fusion

Skills: Basic Talisman, Word of Power - First Form, Word of Power - Guard, Word of Power - Bind, Talisman - Life, Talisman - Annihilation, Word of Power - Star, Thunder Emperor Summon (Gray)

Ability: (Gray)

Achievement Points: 0

With about 50 more experience points, I'll be able to reach level 3 and use the Word of Power: Star. The only thing I can't use is Thunder Emperor Summoning.

The Thunder Emperor's Summoning skill is the most powerful; in reality, it would be a trump card. It's normal that the grayed-out version can't be used because Saigyouji Hanyu's level hasn't reached Lv3 yet.

Having reached level 3, it will be quite difficult for Saigyouji Hanyu to further improve his strength.

"The key is the promotion after Lv3, and the strengthening of shikigami in the future." If only there were more tasks for me to complete, Saigyouji Yuusuke felt that if he had the ability, he could definitely grind them out.

The strongest monsters he's encountered so far are only high-level yokai, but Saigyouji Hanyu is still hoping to encounter a great yokai.

"Speaking of which, the mission here has changed." Saigyouji Hanyu glanced at the mission list; the mission had changed after entering Suwa Grand Shrine.

[Host has entered Suwa Shrine. Please complete the exploration of Suwa Shrine and find the divine treasure, the Mirror of True Purity.]

Please join the shrine maiden Midori in awakening the slumbering deities of Suwa Shrine, Suwako Moriya and Kanako Yasaka.

[Rewards: Achievement Points +10, One Special Summoning Charm, Shikigami Enhancement Materials.]

"The treasure, the Mirror of True Purity, still requires Midori and me to awaken the sleeping deity of Suwa Shrine?" Saigyouji Hanyu thought to himself that he was leaving tomorrow, so how could he have time to look for the treasure here?

"As for Midori..." Saigyouji Hanyu was a little troubled, wondering if Midori would agree.

...

Unexpected events always seem to follow one after another.

Saigyouji Hanyu's journey to Heian-kyo is not going so smoothly.

"Does that mean I can't go to Heian-kyo with my teacher?"

Kamo no Tadayuki, who had been summoned late at night, explained to Saigyouji Habu.

"The grudge between you and your senior brother must be resolved eventually. If you enter Heian-kyo, I'm not confident I can protect you right now." The most crucial point is that I'm not confident I can protect Saigyouji Hanyu.

"Yuzuru, could we wait at this shrine for a few days until Master has finished dealing with matters in Heian-kyo...?"

This request to his apprentice was what troubled Kamo no Tadayuki the most.

"If the teacher has any difficulties, then I will stay here and wait for the teacher."

Seeing Kamo no Tadayuki's distressed expression, Saigyouji Habu had no choice but to speak.

In that case, he would have the opportunity to stay at Suwa Shrine.

In reality, he was quite a coward. If he actually entered Heian-kyo and ran into his senior brother, Saigyouji Yuusuke felt he was in big trouble.

However, what exactly is the problem between the teacher and Abe no Seimei? Saigyouji Habu, who was puzzled, found the answer after Kamo no Tadayuki explained it to him.

"..." The hatred of killing one's mother is indeed non-negotiable, even if Kamo no Tadayuki is his teacher.

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Chapter Thirty: The Past of the Great Onmyoji

After Kamo no Tadayuki explained the whole story, Saigyouji Habu understood.

The Abe clan, which originated with Emperor Jimmu, served as the successive candidates for Shinto priests and protectors of the imperial palace.

However, with the end of the Age of Gods, the priests no longer possessed the power they once had. The emergence of demons and the formation of the Yin-Yang Way gradually caused the Abe clan to lose their status as protectors of the imperial palace, as well as the power they had inherited throughout the generations.

This is intolerable to the Abe family.

So they associated with demons and befriended Taoist priests, prying into the power of Yin-Yang magic. When they found the right opportunity, they seduced the legendary white fox, causing her to give birth to Abe no Seimei, a genius of the Abe clan.

Furthermore, Kamo no Tadayuki, relying on his 'future vision,' discovered that Abe no Seimei was an unprecedented genius.

The Yin-Yang Way was later developed and flourished under the guidance of Abe no Seimei, who was accepted as a disciple at the request of the Abe clan.

This was originally a beautiful story, but after the white fox Kuzuha was used to give birth to Seimei, the Abe clan no longer needed her. They used Kamo no Seimei's power to kill Kuzuha and suppress Seimei's half-demon side.

The combination of a monster and a human, with the monster aspect always taking precedence.

The Abe clan needed Abe no Seimei's power, relying on him to become great Onmyoji (masters of Yin and Yang). Having ceased producing priests, the Abe clan could once again become the protectors of the Imperial Palace.

"Is that so?" With Kamo no Tadayuki's words, Saigyouji Habu witnessed a side of the history of the Great Onmyoji that he had never seen before.

Once a secret is discovered, it is no longer a secret.

“In that case, it’s just that the teacher was deceived by the Abe clan and mistakenly killed Seimei’s mother…” Saigyouji Yuzuru said, but he also felt a little awkward. In any case, Kamo no Tadayuki did cause Abe no Seimei to lose his mother.

"Teacher, what are your plans for returning to Heian-kyo?" Saigyouji Hanyu asked Kamo no Tadayuki, who had been quite kind to him as his teacher.