Tokyo: My Hundred Demon Scroll

"Gu Yun, are you saying that the higher-ups have been suppressing exorcists all along?"

Hiratsuka Shizuka found it unbelievable: "Aren't they afraid of ghost stories and demons?"

"I'm really not afraid."

Gu Yun said, "First of all, there are clear organizations and regional divisions within the demons. For example, in Tokyo, there is the Nura Clan of Nurarihyon, and in Kyoto, there is the Thousand Demon Parade led by Hagoromo Gitsune."

“Ghost stories weren’t as prevalent in the past, and wealthy people were mostly closely associated with shrines and temples.”

Here we need to clarify the position and status of deities within the entire paranormal community.

The gods are neutral.

They build shrines among the people to gain faith, but they protect not ordinary people, but high-ranking officials and nobles.

The gods are not fools; they know very well who can build temples for them and who can determine policies for them.

The Abe family led the Japanese high command in making deals with the gods, establishing this unique network of relationships.

Abe's yin-yang master made a prophecy, giving a warning to high-ranking officials and nobles.

The latter went to temples and shrines to pay their respects.

The gods received the Abe family's application and bestowed blessings and protection upon them, shielding them from misfortune.

"What about ordinary people?"

"What should I do? Let's eat it cold!"

Gu Yun said, "Japan has 2 million people. The power of the gods is limited. How could they possibly manage everything?"

Therefore, as long as the decision-makers are not harmed, the deaths of ordinary people will not affect their worship and faith in Japan.

Of course, this was not decided by the gods.

It was a trading market that was built up by those in power over hundreds of years, under the guidance of the Abe family.

It has to be admitted that the Abe family is really something.

They truly mastered the power games of controlling the winds and rains for millennia.

They decisively abandoned magic and instead pulled the gods and the Japanese high command onto the war chariot.

There's a reason why the ten prominent families were humiliated by the Abe family.

As an aside, the Abe family has been a prominent family among the ten great families for nearly a thousand years; they were originally a member of this circle.

"Isn't the Abe family one of the ten most prestigious families?"

Upon hearing Hiratsuka Shizuka's question, Gu Yun shrugged and said, "It's hard to say, anyway, the Ten Famous Gates aren't full."

Therefore, the relationship between the Abe family and the Ten Famous Families is truly ambiguous.

It's like, after a few years, the Abe family joins the top ten families, and then after a while, they inexplicably withdraw.

Coming and going in and out like this is just like coming home; it's incredibly carefree.

Abe family: Whether or not they are among the top ten depends on the situation.

They are the ten masters when needed.

If it's not needed, then it's not.

When Gu Yun first learned of this behavior of repeatedly oscillating between yes and no, he was utterly dumbfounded: 'You can do that?!'

"Ten years ago, the Abe family wasn't one of the top ten families, but now it seems they are."

"Ten years ago?"

Hiratsuka Shizuka immediately thought of a time: "An economic crisis?"

"Yes, I also think it's because the Abe family isn't as wealthy as it used to be."

Gu Yun didn't mind speculating about the thoughts of the Abe family with the utmost malice. He said, "The Ten Famous Gates, a family alliance-like organization, is generally considered to be a sorcerer family that cooperates with the government. It is a prominent school of thought, in contrast to reclusive practitioners like us."

However, unlike the Abe family, they still practice magic and spiritual power, relying on their own strength to exorcise demons and ward off evil.

"So, is Miss Kotoko going to lead the Ten Famous Gates to establish a truly official organization?"

Hiratsuka Shizuka suddenly felt a bit of admiration for Higa Kotoko.

Such a heroine is something that young girls greatly admire.

"Moreover, there is actually another very important key here."

Gu Yun said, "Higa is a member of the anti-Japanese faction, and theoretically all the gods in Japan should obey her commands."

"This, this means..."

"That's right!"

Gu Yun: "The rule of the Abe family has come to a complete end!"

Higa emerged from the mountains, and the Michihan clan, carrying the sovereignty granted by Izanagi, commanded eight million gods.

This means that the shrine's network of connections, which only protected high-ranking officials and nobles, has been destroyed.

Because with just a word from Higa Kotoko, the gods might even refuse to protect the high-ranking officials and instead protect the common people.

In any case, to the gods, this is just a transaction.

The only difference is that the Abe family was asking them for help, while Higa was ordering them around!

Gods: Oh no, something even more ruthless has arrived!

This matter is not really the fault of the Abe family for not being supportive; it's just that the anti-Abe clan is too overpowered.

Just like now, almost all the shrines and temples in Japan have switched sides to Higa Kotoko's side.

The ten prominent families united to launch an attack on the Japanese government controlled by the Abe family.

It's only a matter of time before the latter is defeated.

Moreover, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Higa Kotoko will likely recruit the Abe family, officially making them members of the Ten Famous Families (to avoid constantly switching sides), in order to reconcile their conflicts.

Over the past four years, Higa Kotoko has worried a lot about this and has made many concessions.

In short, the issues concerning the ten prominent families and the Abe family have been largely resolved.

At this point, the only remaining question is the Japanese government's attitude towards these exorcists who possess spiritual abilities.

Chapter 111 Reaching Cooperation

"Huh? So the Abe family doesn't represent the government after all!"

Upon hearing this, Hiratsuka Shizuka suddenly realized something: the Japanese government was not controlled by the Abe family.

"What are you thinking? They're just business partners."

Gu Yun said, "In terms of control, the current Japanese government has actually been overthrown by our Iijima Group."

No one can rule a country forever.

Now, the people in charge have become dozens of prestigious families centered around Tamaki Iijima, including the Hiratsuka family.

If the Abe family was once considered the national advisor, whether the new queen will continue to listen to her depends on whether the Abe family can produce results.

As the saying goes, "a new emperor brings a new court," and the Iijima family almost completely reshuffled the government officials, replacing them all with their own people.

If you want the Exorcist Association to be recognized, then the will of the Iijima Group will not be spared.

Of course, intimidation is also acceptable.

Have ten disciples cast spells on Iijima Tamaki to scare her.

"Unfortunately, my mother and the Iijima Group are not ordinary people."

Gu Yun said, "The Four Heavenly Kings of Wild Fox Zen represent the folk faction. Huaneng can do business peacefully and is not afraid of those underhanded tricks, and this is a big reason why."

This led to the Ten Famous Families wanting to apply to become a truly official force, backed by the Japanese government.

Previously, it was the Abe family that was preventing things from happening and causing trouble because they couldn't agree on the benefits.

Now, the Iijima Group is like a mountain, once again blocking their path.

"Yes, Huan isn't afraid of them, and neither are we."

Abe's so-called prophecies and divinations proved utterly ineffective under the blessing of Mikoto.

The Iijima Grand Alliance doesn't need any guidance from the Abe family. As long as they follow Iijima Tamaki and are blessed by the Inari god Fukuzawa, they can make a fortune even if they only get scraps.

The only problem is that Japan's national fortune was exhausted by its former rulers, and even the god Inari could not turn the tide.

Therefore, the Iijima Group's businesses and influence have been shifting overseas for the past four years.

In this way, even if there is another change of government in the future, Japanese zaibatsu will have to avoid the sharp edge of a huge international group, and may even be passively influenced by it.

The Iijima family's strategy was never rooted in Japan.

They have a global perspective, make far-sighted investments in various fields, and wield considerable dominance.

"Originally, Kotoko also planned to visit Mrs. Tamaki."

Kotoko Higa appeared very humble, completely unlike the arrogance she displayed when facing other wealthy families: "This is a good opportunity to discuss this matter with Mrs. Tamaki."

There's no way around it, I have to be good.

She was beaten up by her son, and from the physical (she couldn't beat him) to the emotional (he saved her life), Higa Kotoko was completely subdued by Taniguchi.

Even though she now has a plan in mind, Higa Kotoko still needs to pay attention to Tanigumo's reaction to decide whether or not to speak.

At this moment, if the Iijima family were compared to a country...

Gu Yun is the army of this country, while Iijima Tamaki, the Queen, is backed by an invincible army and is extremely powerful.

"I already know the specifics."

Tamaki Iijima said, "The establishment of the Ten Famous Gates and the Exorcists Association is beneficial to the balance between the two worlds in Japan."

"This is a good thing, and I have no reason to stop it."

"Thank you for your understanding."

For an association to operate, it certainly needs sufficient privileges and substantial funding.

In this respect, the Iijima Group has no problem at all; they have plenty of money, and almost every department is staffed by Iijima Tamaki.