The Demon King, reborn in Japan as a monk

Perfect timing! The hot spring hotel in front of us is actually a huge bathhouse.

So in no time, the three of them changed their clothes and became dressed like Sato Haruka.

Afterwards, Sato Haruka led the three out of the changing room and headed towards another part of the hotel, the large dining room, which was originally used by guests who came to the hotel for company team building activities. Opening the door, they found another group of people waiting there.

There were more than a dozen women! Apart from a few who looked relatively young, most of the others were around thirty years old. Their demeanor and makeup made it clear at a glance that many of them were married.

However, besides Sato Haruka who was beside him, the only people Ishihara Sho truly knew were Iwase Kyoko, Kobayashi Aya, Takahashi Ayami, and Watanabe Naomi!

In other words, it belongs to all members of the Illuminati, while the others are the downlines that the Illuminati has developed during this period!

What they are about to undergo is the formal initiation ceremony unique to the Illuminati, also known as the ritual of bestowing strange gifts.

As for the development of these superpowers later, that's another plan. Neither Ishihara Akira nor Sato Haruka intended to give such powerful abilities to these newcomers at the beginning.

Not only is it detrimental to secrecy, but it also does not benefit the development of the Illuminati!

As for why Ishihara Akira invited Takagi Keiko and Aishwarya to join them, it was because of their backgrounds and professions—

As Keiko Takagi mentioned before, her family is the underground ruler of Nagoya, the core second generation of the Kodo-kai. Although they are not a well-known force nationwide, they are still very influential in the Nagoya area.

Furthermore, the existence of the Yakuza itself is very suitable for the expansion of the Illuminati's power and the promotion of its ranks. Therefore, after communicating with Sato Haruka, Ishihara Akira brought her over, intending to use her as a medium to formally intervene in the Yakuza's power.

The latter, Aishwarya, is just a yoga teacher, but in this day and age, those who can learn yoga are mostly young women and white-collar workers. The advanced courses also have no shortage of middle-class housewives who want to shape their bodies. It can be said to be a way to expand one's network. For the Illuminati, whose main member development target is women, it is the best source of members.

So after some consideration, Ishihara Akira decided to bring her into the Illuminati as an excellent salesperson to recruit downlines.

This can also be seen as a way to strengthen the relationship between myself and them.

Afterwards, Sato Haruka introduced the identity of Ishihara Sho, the only male present, and then expounded on the Illuminati's principles and promising future. She then called everyone together and they walked towards the hot spring bath of the inn.

"Kyoko, Naoko, Aya, and Ayami, distribute the holy water to everyone." After everyone was in position, Sato Haruka, standing next to Ishihara Akira, instructed her veteran companions.

"Yes." The group didn't contradict them and agreed. They picked up the water jugs that had been prepared beforehand, and one of them grabbed a few disposable paper cups. They poured the warm water from the jugs, which had been soaking fly agaric mushrooms, into the paper cups and handed them to all the women present.

The package includes Keiko Takagi and Aishwarya.

"Everyone, drink the water in your cups, then take off your yukatas and go into the hot spring. Don't worry or be afraid of anything that happens afterward; it's just a normal phenomenon and a test you must undergo to join the Society. Once you pass the test, you will be official members of the Illuminati, able to hear divine will, receive divine favor, and escape from your current lives to see a more real side of the world," Sato Haruka proclaimed with a devout expression, like a missionary.

Chapter 141 Qualification

The women hesitated, not only because Ishihara was present, making them hesitant to show off their figures, but also because of their doubts about the liquid in their hands.

After all, it was a strange thing, and the smell was not quite normal. If it weren't for Sato Haruka, they might have just frowned and drunk it. But after hearing Sato Haruka's explanation, they felt even more that what they had in their hands was not very proper, and the Illuminati didn't seem as bright and holy as its name suggested.

Similarly, Keiko Takagi and Aishwarya also turned to look at Ishihara, wanting to confirm whether the thing in their hands was drinkable.

Ishihara Sho nodded almost imperceptibly.

Without further hesitation, Keiko Takagi tilted her head back and poured the liquid from the cup into her mouth. Then she untied the sash of her yukata, took off her bathrobe, and strode confidently into the bathtub in front of her.

It's as if Ishihara Sho doesn't exist.

"Splash, splash..."

Seeing this, Aishwarya said nothing more, and not wanting to lose face, she tilted her head back, drank the liquid, took off her bathrobe, and walked into the hot spring.

His carefree demeanor made the women around him feel embarrassed. They looked at each other for a moment, and finally, led by one of the bolder women, they drank the liquid in their cups, took off their clothes, and walked into the hot spring pool with blushing cheeks.

So, not long after, apart from Ishihara Sho and Sato Haruka who were still standing by the pool, all the other women present sat in the hot spring water in the most natural way.

The moderate water temperature accelerated their blood circulation, allowing them to quickly experience the toxicity of the fly agaric. They became dizzy and disoriented, and the world around them seemed distorted and bizarre.

"Haruka, Kyoko, you guys be careful not to let them drown. I'm going to Infinite City to activate their qualifications." Ishihara Akira sat cross-legged on the ground and said to Sato Haruka and the others around him.

"Don't worry, we'll be careful," Sato Haruka assured her.

Without further ado, Ishihara Akira scanned the pool with his mental energy, locking onto the mental frequencies of the women. He closed his eyes and pulled them all into a dream world…

He then fabricated strange phenomena and designed ghosts, burying his fragmented spirits (which hadn't reached their maximum splitting limit) into these designed strange phenomena and ghosts. Taking advantage of the women's weakened mental defenses due to hallucinations, he projected these strange phenomena and ghosts into their bodies.

While it might not be necessary to immediately grant them corresponding superpowers, it would be perfectly acceptable to use this opportunity to solidify their personal realities.

Therefore, soon afterward, all the women seemed to have been soaking in a hot spring for too long; their faces became rosy, their eyes glazed over, and they looked as if they were about to faint.

Seeing this, Sato Haruka and the others didn't dare to hesitate. They all took off their bathrobes and went into the hot spring pool to help straighten the women's bodies or carry them to the edge of the pool to prevent them from fainting in the pool due to the rapid blood circulation and drowning...

They organized this gathering not to kill anyone.

……

A moment later, having completed all the formalities, Ishihara Sho opened his eyes and looked at the pool in front of him—

It's safe to say that, aside from the fact that the water in the pool is hot spring water, not the low-alcohol grain liquor of ancient times, it would be perfectly acceptable to call the pool a "wine pool and meat forest," it's just missing a King Zhou to go in and enjoy it.

However, in order to maintain her sanctity and mystery, Ishihara Akane resisted the temptation and did not actually jump in to harm these women, who were, in a sense, her harem candidates. Instead, she took a deep breath, calmed herself down, and then called Sato Haruka, who had come back up. Together, they carried the women out of the pool one by one and transported them back to their rooms.

Until everyone has been moved.

"President, didn't you have any ideas just now?" Sato Haruka, who was also quite tired after transporting the people and was resting with Ishihara Akira at the hotel's vending machine, teased him.

"Yes, of course there is." Ishihara Sho took a big gulp of his iced drink and sighed, "But I know my place even better! If I can't even resist this little temptation, how can I ever grow the Illuminati into a superpower that can truly influence Japan?"

Sato Haruka, who was drinking, didn't say anything, but gave Ishihara Sho a thumbs-up to show her admiration.

"Besides, once they join, they're essentially mine. I can sleep with them anytime I want, so why should I rush things? It would not only be a bad experience, but it would also affect how you and they perceive me."

"So that's where the president was waiting." Sato Haruka said speechlessly.

Give me back my admiration!

"But I didn't realize that your figure is really impressive." Ishihara Akira turned around, stretched out his arm, and pinned Sato Haruka against the vending machine. Looking at her body, which was now hidden by her yukata, he teased her with a smile.

"So, is the president going to make a move against me now?" Sato Haruka asked Ishihara Sho with interest, showing no signs of panic or disgust.

Young, mysterious, powerful, and seemingly wealthy—if she could hook up with such a pleasing man who wouldn't have to worry about making a living, Sato Haruka thought it wouldn't be so bad.

This is also a good opportunity to strengthen my influence within the Illuminati and make my position more important.

She must be at least more important than Kyoko Iwase, who is also a vice president.

“Yes, I want to eat you,” Ishihara Akira affirmed.

"Then what is the president waiting for?" Sato Haruka asked with a smile.

Then, Ishihara Akira finished his drink in one gulp, threw it into the nearby trash can, bent down, picked up Sato Haruka, and strode towards Sato Haruka's room.

As for whether such a huge movement would attract the attention of Kyoko Iwase, Naomi Watanabe, and the others...

He doesn't care at all.

Just as he said, which woman who joins the Illuminati can escape his pursuit?

……

A peaceful night passed, and the next day arrived.

Ishihara Akira also saw all the women again during the meal.

"Congratulations on passing the test and becoming members of the Illuminati." Ishihara Akira, as the president, raised his glass of juice and congratulated the women present.

"Are you wondering if you're no different from before, and completely unaware of the meaning behind that ceremony we held before? I even dare to say that many of you women are thinking that the initiation ceremony was just a scheme I, the president, devised to take advantage of you, isn't it?"

Although the women didn't speak, Ishihara Akira knew from the subtle changes in their eyes and expressions that he had hit the nail on the head.

"No need to rush, I'll tell you the true purpose of that ritual now." With that, Ishihara snapped his fingers, and all the women suddenly found themselves in a spacious room that resembled the council chamber of an ancient noble family. The room was surrounded by latticed paper sliding doors, and the lighting was provided by lanterns hanging in the room, their surfaces painted with ukiyo-e scenes. The dim light created a mysterious atmosphere, causing everyone to hold their breath, afraid of disturbing the monster lurking there and awakening it.

Chapter 142 Revealing Ambition

"Welcome to Infinite City." Ishihara Akira no longer transformed himself into the bizarre, white-faced Onmyoji with the appearance of a Noh performer. Instead, he appeared before everyone in his original form, greeting the original members and the women who had recently joined the Illuminati with a smile.

"As the name suggests, this is the starting point of our infinite future, and also the true headquarters of our Illuminati. Now, please look around you..."

"ah."

"What the hell is this thing?"

"A ghost!" the women cried out in alarm.

"Don't be afraid, everyone. They won't hurt you. If you don't believe me, look at Vice President Yaoxiang and the others. Do you see how scared they are?" Ishihara Akira quickly reassured them upon seeing the situation.

Hearing this, the women turned their gazes to Sato Haruka and the others, and found that they were indeed standing calmly next to their respective strange beings. Not only were they not nervous, but they would also whisper to the strange beings next to them from time to time, like close companions, which gradually calmed the women down.

"Weren't you all wondering what the previous ritual was for? It was to grant you the privilege of entering the Infinite City at any time by giving access to these companions around you." After a pause, Ishihara Akira continued, "That's right, the ghosts and monsters around you are the companions I gave you, and they are also your credentials as members of the Illuminati!"

"As for what kind of power they possess, you can experience it for yourselves or learn about it through communication with them."

"Do you still have any questions about the previous ceremony?"

The women looked at each other and shook their heads together.

"Ishihara... no, Chairman, what is your purpose in establishing this Illuminati?" As a yakuza heiress, Takagi Keiko, who was well-informed and had enough courage, quickly calmed down and asked Ishihara Akira, who had revealed a side of herself that no one else knew.

"The Illuminati was originally established for mutual assistance, to provide all possible help to members who were in need, in difficulty, or in trouble, including money, connections, power, and everything else. But later I felt that this was a bit too small-minded, and since we have the amazing abilities you are seeing now, I decided to expand it so that it could help more than just the original few people. Therefore, we began to develop a downline, which are the spreaders you came into contact with before becoming official members."

“But if we only focus on the number of members, without significantly improving the Illuminati’s hierarchy and influence, our Illuminati will remain weak and may not be able to fully resolve the various difficulties our members encounter in life. Therefore, after discussing with Vice President Sato, we decided to try to increase our influence while developing our membership.”

"So we decided to take action against the yakuza in Nagoya, but we couldn't let outsiders misunderstand that our Illuminati was a so-called yakuza organization. Therefore, we needed a starting point, and coincidentally, I learned about your identity a few days ago..."

"So, you want to use my identity as a starting point to influence the Yamada Group, which is led by my father, and then influence and interfere with the Kodokai, is that right?" Takagi Keiko's eyes flickered as she asked Ishihara Akira to confirm.

"I prefer control to influence. After all, influence is mutual, but it is also independent. If it cannot be effectively controlled, mere influence may change under the influence of other interests or forces. Moreover, we are not without power, and given your status, if you are willing, I can completely help you take control of the Yamada Group and make you its ruler. Then, you can vigorously develop the Yamada Group until you replace the Kodokai as the rule-maker and maintainer of Nagoya's underground rules. At that time, we can go from the shadows to the light, form a group, and use the personnel advantage of the Yakuza to elect representatives who can protect our interests, gradually turning Nagoya into our Illuminati territory."

"I know this will take a long time, but we are all young now, and I believe that as long as we are willing to work hard, we will be able to achieve our goal before we close our eyes," Ishihara Akira said excitedly.

"I need to think about this," Keiko Takagi said, her eyes gleaming.

The future that Ishihara described was indeed very appealing, and it also made Takagi Keiko, who had never been interested in the so-called life of being a good wife and mother, interested. However, her father's authority was still deeply rooted in her heart, and coupled with the split of the Yamagumi, she couldn't make up her mind to leave her current life and throw herself into the turbulent and unpredictable world of martial arts.

So I've decided to talk to Ishihara about it later before deciding whether or not to go on this crazy adventure with him.

"Ms. Takagi is included because of her status, but why did you bring me into this?" Aishwarya asked, puzzled.

"It's also because of your identity," Ishihara Akira smiled. "As a well-known yoga teacher, your students come from all walks of life, making you the most natural source of members to help the Illuminati grow and expand. Now you understand."

"I understand," Aishwarya said, pouting slightly, looking a little unhappy.

She thought that Ishihara Akira pulled her along simply because of their relationship...

Unexpectedly, in the end, it was still for the purpose of exploitation.