The Great Master of Gensokyo

She felt insignificant in this war.

“The duty of a shrine maiden is to protect her territory, and the duty of an onmyoji is to balance yin and yang. We should just do what we can.” He comforted Midori beside him, and Midori felt a little better.

"Humans are truly fascinating." Hagoromo Gitsune blinked, but remained silent at this moment.

As a demon, she is indifferent to human conflicts.

"After going down to Nara, it should be Yoshino, right?"

After passing Yoshino, you'll reach the real Heian-kyo.

On the other hand, Yoshino was the real battlefield of Heian-kyo, where the Abe and Minamoto clans clashed.

Hagoromo Gitsune's words made Saigyouji Hanyu nod slightly, "Yoshino, once we get here, this is truly the territory of Heian-kyo."

In the territory of Heian-kyo, the true aura of flying birds is hovering in the sky.

That is the national destiny that has been passed down since the Asuka period, but in the present Heian period, it has gradually become somewhat dim.

In this place, human energy and demonic energy are intertwined.

Humans have weak auras, while monsters have strong auras.

"Should we set foot in Heian-kyo?" Saigyouji Hanyu had a sudden thought and sent the Oboroguruma down from the sky.

Author's message:

P.S.: Second update.

PS2: This chapter was sent from my phone, so there are some formatting issues. My head is a bit foggy, I'll add the rest later.

Chapter Sixty-Eight: The Lotus of Fate and the White Lotus

Beyond Yoshino lies Heian-kyo (Kyoto).

Heian-kyo is surrounded by mountains on three sides, with Yoshino being the closest, and Nara being next to Yoshino.

He let the long-drawn carriage land, mainly because he didn't want to attract too much attention. This area had become a battlefield where conflict could break out at any moment.

Otherwise, he would have flown directly to the skies above Heian-kyo in the Oboroguruma.

Moreover, Kamo no Tadayuki had told him that by wielding the Three Sacred Treasures, Abe no Seimei had the ability to monitor the Heian-kyo region.

With the conflict between the Genji and Abe clans raging on, Saigyouji Habu did not want to cause any unnecessary trouble at this time.

Another point is that there is a rather famous temple here.

The temple was built by En no Ozuno and has close ties to the Kamo family. En no Ozuno was an ancestor of Kamo Tadayuki, and his full name was Kamo En no Ozuno. The origin of Onmyoji (yin-yang masters) comes from Shugendo.

Shugendo was built by Kamo no Ennozuno.

If Saigyouji Hanyu wants to re-establish contact with the Kamo family, he will inevitably have to go through Yoshino Temple.

As soon as they landed in Yoshino, the group sensed that something was wrong.

"Something's not right here on Mount Yoshino." Midori frowned slightly, sensing the gathering of demonic energy on Mount Yoshino. And this demonic energy was even more terrifying than anything she had ever seen before.

A dark, eerie aura enveloped the entire Yoshino Mountain.

It was clearly daytime, yet it evoked a sense of fear akin to that of the darkest night.

"Will we be able to make it to Heian-kyo smoothly?" Midori felt that the difficulties they encountered on their way from Nara were increasing.

The strength and number of monsters are increasing day by day, making it difficult to exterminate them.

“The battlefield is right at the foot of Mount Yoshino, so it’s not a big deal if there are monsters around,” Saigyouji Hanyu said, but after Midori mentioned it, he couldn’t help but become wary.

Because he also sensed that something was wrong.

"Could it be?" Saigyouji Yuusuke suddenly heightened his senses.

An overwhelming evil aura gathered from the foot of the mountain.

Violent demons roam at the foot of the mountain, and their numbers are quite numerous.

Meanwhile, in the mountains of Yoshino, a demonic disturbance is taking place at the Kinpozan-ji temple...

Jinfeng Mountain Temple is a sacred place, and ordinary monsters cannot possibly intrude upon it. The temple, with over a hundred inhabitants, is neither particularly large nor small.

The mountain spirits and monsters of Yoshino Mountain have almost disappeared, making it impossible for them to invade this place.

There is also a protective barrier here, and a highly respected monk is stationed here; he is the abbot of this Jinfeng Mountain Temple.

However, now, something has happened at Jinfeng Mountain Temple.

"The barrier has been destroyed."

"Didn't the Genji and Abe clans assure us that they wouldn't extend the war to Mount Yoshino?"

Inside the temple, the monks were furious. An illusory image of Vaishravana formed, chanting Buddhist scriptures and mantras, summoning Vaishravana, the Dharma protector, to guard the temple on Golden Peak Mountain.

However, even with Bishamonten in charge, the opponent is no ordinary demon.

Instead, it was Ao-bōzu, a general under Seimei.

The tall and imposing Aobozu, with his large, flat feet, appeared extremely strange despite his seemingly old and frail appearance.

On either side of him followed hundreds of Qingfang demons.

He was a demon transformed from a monk. His tall body was exceptionally ugly. Although he wore monk's robes, he did not look like a monk at all.

This is a monk who has fallen into evil ways and transformed into a demon.

"Old monk, why resist so stubbornly?"

"In less than half an hour, the Jinfeng Mountain Temple was reduced to ashes."

"You only need to become our meal as well."

The Azure Monk laughed loudly, his surging demonic energy gradually revealing the potential to transform into a great demon.

"Minglian, Bailian, you must stay safe."

The old Zen master's face was indifferent, but what he was worried about was his disciples, Minglian and Bailian.

...

Minglian was a disciple of the old Zen master, and thanks to Minglian's blessing, Bailian was also able to practice Buddhism.

However, they were not considered formal monks, and they had not even mastered any magical powers.

I was able to escape from Jinfeng Mountain Temple thanks to the old Zen master's help.

It was just a demon from the Green Pavilion, and it quickly caught up with the pursuers.

"You cannot escape, humans."

"No human being who lives on this Jinfeng Mountain Temple could possibly descend the mountain alive."

The ferocious demon bared its fangs and attacked.

"Sister, run!" Aobozu bit Minglian's arm, causing Minglian to cry out in pain.

"Brother!" Bai Lian felt terrified and uneasy, hating her own powerlessness. She wanted to save her brother, but Ming Lian pushed her away, causing her to roll on the ground and become some distance away from Ming Lian.

When she got up and raised her head, the demon of Qingfang had already eaten the arm of Minglian.

Just as the satisfied Ao-bozu was about to devour the Life Lotus, a talisman suddenly attacked from the sky.

"Spiritual Talisman, Seal."

A jet-black chain of cursed power formed on the flat ground, restraining Aoandon.

"Onmyoji?"

Aobozu's expression changed as he saw Saigyouji Yuusuke and his group appear in his field of vision.

"What a boring scene."

Saigyouji Hanyu never expected that he would encounter a scene of monsters eating people on this journey.

Human beings in this era are truly struggling to survive.

Malnutrition is common among the general population.

Monsters possess strength far exceeding that of ordinary people; how could two people of such young age possibly resist a monster?

"Are you alright?" Midori helped Byakuren up, while Byakuren looked at his younger brother's severed arm in horror. Byakuren, who had survived the monster's attack, gritted his teeth and gasped for breath.

"Release me, human!" The Aobozu was still baring its fangs and claws as it roared at Saigyouji Hanyu. Hagoromo Gitsune, standing nearby, merely glanced at it coldly; the aura of this high-ranking yokai sent shivers down one's spine.

"You're courting death." With a wave of her hand, Hagoromo Gitsune's demonic power locked onto Aobozu's throat, and he was instantly silenced.

Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Incident at Mount Yoshino

"... "

Saigyouji Hanyu was somewhat bewildered, and upon seeing this, he could only helplessly rub his forehead.

"I'm so sorry," Hagoromo Gitsune smiled and explained to Saigyouji Hanyu, "I just didn't want to hear anyone speak rudely to you, Hanyu."

A gentle gaze fell upon Saigyouji Hanyu's slightly flushed cheeks.

Just as Suiko helped Bailian up, she suddenly felt a green tinge on her head.

Stare~

"When did Lord Yuusuke and Hagoromo Gitsune become so close?" The little shrine maiden couldn't help but feel a little nervous. She had arrived first, and she couldn't let the fox spirit overtake her.

At this moment, the little witch suddenly made some decisions.

"Save...save my brother!" Bai Lian cried out in panic, looking at Ming Lian with her severed arm, not knowing what to do. The arm that Ming Lian had bitten off was now bleeding profusely.

Moreover, if the wound is not treated in time, even a minor infection can lead to death.

Due to the limitations of medical care in this era, ordinary people really cannot withstand any injuries or illnesses.

Minglian leaned against a large tree, gasping for breath in pain, but he was still relatively conscious. "Don't worry about me... Onmyoji, please save the temple."

Knowing she was doomed, Minglian had lost all hope.

"The temple is under attack by monsters; many monsters have broken through Yoshino's barrier..."

Myōren's words explained some of the doubts that Saigōji Hōshū had about coming here.

Kinpusan Temple is no ordinary temple, and Yoshino Mountain is no ordinary mountain. If the barrier has been breached, then the anomalies occurring on Yoshino Mountain can be understood.

"Waaah, Minglian, big brother, big sister, can you please save Minglian?"

Byakuren addressed Saigyouji Hanyu, feeling utterly helpless in the face of the situation. The only people she could rely on were Saigyouji Hanyu and the others who were there.

He knelt down on both knees, bowing before the three men.

Many of her tears had dried, and her delicate little face was covered in mud. It was clear that she had accidentally fallen earlier, and a forced smile appeared on Minglian's face.

"Big sister, please don't make things difficult for the Onmyoji..."

At this moment, Minglian had already given up hope.

"An ordinary Onmyoji or shrine maiden wouldn't be able to treat such a wound." Hagoromo Gitsune glanced at it, but didn't make any move. Byakuren's mood plummeted.

"There's still hope. Let me treat his wound, but don't touch him."

Saigyouji Hanyu's words instantly ignited hope in Byakuren's heart.

Saigyouji Hanyu pointed his finger and drew a line in the air, saying, "Amulet, life."

Several azure talismans formed and converged on Minglian's body. Wounds that ordinary medical methods could not heal were not only quickly stopped bleeding under Saigyouji Hanyu's incantation, but new flesh also regenerated.

"..." Minglian stared in disbelief, while Bailian knelt down and thanked her.

Minglian's complexion has improved a lot.

“Now, just rest well and you’ll be fine. Can you tell me what happened? Also, what are your names?” Saigyouji Hanyu asked. Myoren forced a smile. “We encountered a monster attack on Mount Yoshino. Aobozu led the monsters up here. I… my name is Myoren, a disciple of the Kinpozan Temple. She is my older sister, Byakuren.”

Those who have names but no surnames are the common people of this era.

“I understand.” Saigyouji Yuusuke nodded and said to Hagoromo Gitsune and Midori, “I will handle things at the temple. Midori and Hagoromo Gitsune, could you please take care of these two siblings?”

"Lord Yuzuru, are you alright on your own?" Midori asked with some concern, but looking at the injured man, she also felt a pang of pity.

"It's alright, with the Fire Spirit and the Demon Blade Princess to help." At this moment, he was holding the demon blade that the Demon Blade Princess had transformed into.

They encountered too many powerful monsters along the way, so Saigyouji Hanyu could only borrow as much power as possible from the Demon Sword Princess.