Long Live Money in Anime Crossover

If Aya Shameimaru, being a tengu, hadn't been relatively calm and not violent, Mo Mo's actions just now would have been enough to get him killed by a yokai dozens of times over.

How dare you fool a monster? You're tired of living!

"You'd better give me an explanation, or even if I don't kill you, I won't let you off easily. Did you fool that little cat demon Orange and think that all demons are easy to deal with?"

Mo Mo could tell that Aya Shameimaru was genuinely angry. After all, she had reason to be angry. Aya Shameimaru had lowered herself to speak politely to Mo Mo, an ordinary human, and Mo Mo dared to deceive her—wasn't that courting death?

However, Mo Mo didn't intend to toy with Aya Shameimaru. Mo Mo had a good reason for leaving: he had discovered Yukari Yakumo's presence.

Yukari Yakumo's gap ability is unpredictable, but if she wants to spy on someone, she still needs to open at least a small gap.

This gap could be perfectly concealed and would generally go unnoticed by anyone. But it was different for Momo; he had left behind countless surveillance measures.

The spherical camera that Yukari Yakumo discovered was merely the large, visible device. What Momo truly kept was the aerial loop, which he had modified.

That's right, it's the little thing Aleister used to spy on the students of Academy City—an invisible nanoscale surveillance device, so light that it floats in the air.

Furthermore, Momer's space loop has undergone modifications using non-primitive matter and quantization, resulting in superior performance and the ability to directly transmit information via quantum mechanics.

In this way, Momo no longer needs to retrieve the hovering loops later to obtain information, as in Academy City. Instead, he can directly obtain real-time monitoring results through the hovering loops.

Therefore, no matter how skillfully Yakumo Yukari used her spying techniques, she couldn't withstand Mo Mo's aerial teleportation detection. Mo Mo discovered Yakumo Yukari the moment she appeared.

Yukari Yakumo appeared, but Mo Mo didn't go to meet her directly. Instead, he tricked Aya Shameimaru into leaving. He knew that a meeting between the two at this point would be pointless; either they would fight, or Yukari would simply leave.

Having overheard Yakumo Yukari and Yakumo Ran's conversation, Mo Mo was now certain that Yakumo Yukari had done something to Reimu Hakurei. This only fueled Mo Mo's anxiety, making him eager to go to the Hakurei Shrine to investigate.

As for the duel with Yakumo Yukari, since Yakumo Yukari and Momo share the same idea, let's begin.

Ultimately, is it Yukari Yakumo who secretly consolidates the leadership of Gensokyo, or is Momo's undermining tactic more effective?

"An explanation?"

Despite Aya Shameimaru's aggressive demeanor, Mo Mo remained completely unperturbed. Since Aya Shameimaru hadn't made a move, Mo Mo believed that Aya Shameimaru wouldn't actually do so either.

Besides, Momo wasn't really trying to escape. Now that only the two of them were around, it was the perfect opportunity for Momo to start digging into Aya Shameimaru's background.

"What was our deal again?"

Mo Mo asked the question knowingly, which made Aya Shameimaru believe that Mo Mo was trying to get something for nothing. She clenched her fist and said rudely, "Do I need to remind you in a yokai way, you foolish human?"

"Ah, I remember now!"

"Then tell me quickly!"

"Is it because you didn't give me enough money?"

"If you still want to cheat and shirk your responsibilities, I'm going to really take action!"

Mo Mo shrugged and said, "Okay, enough joking. The reason I left so quickly was just so that Cheng wouldn't be sad because of this temporary separation."

"Back to our deal, what you want to know is the big news, right?"

Upon hearing this, Aya Shameimaru's anger subsided slightly, and he said, "That's right, that's exactly it. So, hurry up and tell me what happened with that castle suddenly appearing. I still need to go back to Youkai Mountain to write my front-page headline!"

"But this won't work..."

"Huh? You're not going to change your mind again!"

"Of course not, don't worry!"

Mo Mo waved his hand, a teasing look in his eyes, and said, "I do know the big news, and I also know the information about the castle builder. But Wenwen, are you sure you want the information about the castle builder and not the big news?"

"Of course...wait?"

Shameimaru Aya was about to urge Momo again, but in an instant she realized that there was a deeper meaning in Momo's words.

"You mean... the big news you're going to tell me isn't the same person as the castle's founder?"

Aya Shameimaru's eyes immediately lit up. To her, the sudden appearance of the castle was big news. After all, with the Scarlet Devil Mansion as an example, everyone would definitely be interested in this suddenly appearing castle.

And now, Momo is telling her that news about the castle, and about the castle's builders, is not big news at all.

So, what exactly constitutes big news?

Aya Shameimaru, a professional big news chaser, could already smell the intoxicating fragrance of big news, as if the big news had already arrived in front of him, waiting to be embraced.

"Tell me the big news! I don't want news about that castle... no, I want news about that castle too! Tell me everything!"

"I...I can pay other prices, so tell me everything!"

122 Are you not human?

Aya Shameimaru's eyes lit up, practically sparkling with excitement. Her earnestness and enthusiasm surprised Mo Mo, who couldn't help but notice that Aya Shameimaru's professionalism as a journalist was truly impressive.

Mo Mo was deeply moved by the genuine passion for journalism embodied by Aya Shameimaru, who was willing to dedicate everything to it.

Therefore, Momo decided to stop keeping Aya Shameimaru in suspense and instead tell her the truth in detail.

The prerequisite is that the additional money has been agreed upon first.

"Okay, let's get down to business and talk about what I, as an informant, should be paid."

Aya Shameimaru nodded repeatedly, as Momo's words made perfect sense. Although she had never paid her informants before, this time was different; it was big news enough to shake the entire Gensokyo.

If Aya Shameimaru reports this big news, her name will definitely resound throughout Gensokyo, and even the newly intelligent little fairies will know about her deeds. At that time, the news about Aya will be fought over by everyone in Gensokyo, and she, Aya Shameimaru, will truly have taken a higher step on the road of news, and reached the pinnacle of her life.

I'm actually a little excited just thinking about it!

“Aya Shameimaru, you are a Tengu, and you value integrity above all else. So you can guarantee that you'll give me a fair price for my big news story, right?”

Momo made a further demand, and Aya Shameimaru puffed out her chest, patted it hard, and said, "Of course! How could I lie to a human like you? That would be an insult to me, Aya Shameimaru! I would never allow the great cause of journalism to be disgraced!"

"That's good."

Mo Mo nodded in satisfaction, then took out the money pouch that Aya Shameimaru had just thrown to him, put it back in Aya's hand, and said, "Although money is a good thing, unfortunately, I don't lack money. Besides, Aya, this little bit of money probably won't be enough to buy anything."

Upon hearing this, Aya Shameimaru looked somewhat embarrassed. She knew, of course, that the money she had was practically nothing in human society and probably wouldn't amount to much.

However, it's simply unrealistic to expect a monster like her, who doesn't interact much with humans or need to buy anything from them, to suddenly produce a large sum of money.

Although Aya Shameimaru could easily get money from humans, Gensokyo was a place with rules. If she continued to oppress humans, that youkai sage would definitely come after her.

"Then, as I just said, I'll do something for you. But let me make this clear beforehand: even if I'm a monster, I can't help you do whatever you want, and I won't help you for too long. This is the limit of what I can do."

Aya Shameimaru's expression turned serious. This was the best condition she could think of. Moreover, even with this condition, Aya Shameimaru was taking a considerable risk. If what Momo asked her to do had a significant impact on Gensokyo, then the Yakumo family's youkai sages would still come looking for trouble.

"I see..."

Mo Mo began to ponder as Aya Shameimaru looked on expectantly. However, instead of making a decision immediately, Mo Mo looked Aya Shameimaru up and down with amusement.

Shameimaru Aya was slightly taken aback, and followed Mo Mo's gaze to look at herself, examining herself from head to toe, and found nothing wrong with it.

Is there something on me?

Momo's gaze intrigued Aya Shameimaru. Although he hadn't interacted much with humans, he knew that humans generally viewed yokai with fear and disgust. Aya knew very few yokai who could coexist with other yokai; was Momo another one to fill that role?

“No, no, no,” Mo Mo smiled slightly and said, “I’m just looking at you, not at what’s on you, but admiring you.”

Aya Shameimaru was completely stunned this time. Mo Mo's blunt words left her speechless for a moment.

As a thousand-year-old yokai, and also a reporter, Aya Shameimaru had seen all sorts of yokai and even had a considerable understanding of humans. However, in Aya's more than a thousand years of life, this was the first time someone had ever said such a thing to her.

This time, it was Aya Shameimaru's turn to look at Mo Mo with a strange and suspicious gaze. On the surface, she understood what Mo Mo meant, but if she really interpreted it according to the surface meaning, wouldn't it be a bit too ridiculous?

Pfft, admiring it?

She's a monster!

Did humans develop feelings for yokai, or even for a powerful yokai like her?

Mo Mo must have ulterior motives, or perhaps he intends to use this method to gain greater benefits from her?

That must be it. Humans are cunning creatures. Compared to the loyalty of monsters, human words are truly insignificant.

"If you're trying to cheat me, I advise you to give up that idea. Just because I can communicate with you normally right now doesn't mean I'm your equal."

"Human, remember, I am a monster. If my attitude makes you lose your sense of awe, then I don't mind helping you regain it."

A surge of demonic power erupted from Aya Shameimaru's body, and a gust of wind swept her up. A hint of danger appeared on her previously satisfied smile.

This is the majesty of a yokai, the majesty of Aya Shameimaru. Aya Shameimaru doesn't mind communicating normally with humans, but when the danger to yokai is challenged, Aya Shameimaru will definitely stand up to uphold this majesty.

However, to Aya Shameimaru's astonishment, Mo Mo seemed completely unfazed by his authority and oppression, still admiring everything about Aya Shameimaru with an unreserved gaze.

This gave Aya Shameimaru a strange feeling, as if her current behavior was still appreciated by Momo, as if she had deliberately put on this act for Momo to appreciate.

This thought instantly deflated Aya Shameimaru's spirits, and her previously rising momentum weakened considerably. However, she did not withdraw her demonic power; Momo's actions were tantamount to a provocation, and she had to respond.

However, Momo's next sentence instantly extinguished the last half of Aya Shameimaru's momentum.

"Who told you that I am an ordinary human being?"

The wind flowing around Aya Shameimaru seemed to stop as a result. She stared in astonishment, her eyes widening, and exclaimed in surprise, "Huh?"

"You...you're not human?"

Aya Shameimaru was genuinely surprised. With her sharp eyesight, how could she possibly be wrong about whether Mo Mo was human or not?

Ah, no...

It was only then that Aya Shameimaru realized that her judgment about the Momo race was actually flawed.

Aya Shameimaru was familiar with all races, so she could clearly determine that Momo was neither a youkai, nor a demon, nor a ghost, fairy, immortal, or celestial being—nothing strange or unusual. Momo didn't belong to any of the outcasts Aya Shameimaru had ever encountered in Gensokyo.

Because Mo Mo doesn't possess the distinctive power aura that emanates from those races; instead, he's more like a human without any power at all.

However, it was merely close.

Aya Shameimaru vaguely sensed that Momo possessed a power she wasn't familiar with. She didn't dwell on it, after all, Gensokyo was so vast; it wasn't surprising there were people she hadn't met before. Besides, Momo might have entered Gensokyo from the outside world.

Therefore, in conclusion, Aya Shameimaru subconsciously assumed that Momo was a human, not that Aya Shameimaru was certain that Momo was human, but rather that she used the process of elimination.

Since Momo is not one of the races in Gensokyo, then Momo can only be human.

But now, Mo Mo suddenly overturned Aya Shameimaru's subconscious judgment, which naturally made Aya Shameimaru exclaim in surprise.

Mo Mo's actions did not stop there. Immediately afterwards, a dense white light flowed behind him, forming six perfect and pure white wings that slowly fluttered behind him, lifting Mo Mo up as well.

Seeing Mo Mo's current condition and the unfamiliar yet mysterious power surging within him, Aya Shameimaru was now convinced that her earlier judgment was absolutely wrong.

Perhaps there are various individuals among humanity who have achieved great success in cultivation and mastered strange powers, but no one has ever been as fundamentally altered as the person before him.

With such beautiful wings, coupled with a power almost identical to Momo's very essence, Momo must not be human. Even if she was once human, she can no longer be considered human now.

This was Aya Shameimaru's judgment, and after making this judgment, his imposing aura vanished. Although Aya Shameimaru was very strong and one of the best among the yokai, he still seemed ready to draw his sword when facing Momo, who was also an anomaly.