I have an unlimited number of shikigami

Compared to the local young people in the Kanto region, the young people from other places wore undisguised pride. This was especially true of the Kansai people, who had always liked to mock the Kanto people as nouveau riche. Their gazes towards their Kanto peers were either indifferent or disdainful, carrying a scrutinizing quality.

"Tch, country bumpkin..."

As a native Tokyoite, Asuka Kasahara also despises people from the Kansai region.

Especially since this group had come overnight, clearly intending to gloat, and the target of their gloating was none other than their senior, which greatly displeased Kasahara Shrine Maiden. Even before the meeting began, she was already plotting in her mind to find an opportunity to sack them and beat them all up afterward.

"Chairman Kasa has arrived!"

As the receptionist announced the names, the hall fell silent for a moment, then the silence was shattered the next second. Thousands of whispers arose, and thousands of eyes turned towards the hall entrance, landing on the elegant and dignified woman.

Within the Bureau of Onmyō, every resolution is initiated by a board member. Once approved by a majority of the board members, the resolution is submitted to the five chairpersons, the "Big Five," for final approval. Furthermore, any one of the Big Five members has veto power. In other words, even if all members agree to a resolution, it cannot be legally implemented if even one chairperson disagrees. (When Fujiwara Izaya first heard about this rule, he thought, "Isn't this like the five permanent members of the UN Security Council?!")

Furthermore, the Big 5 members of each branch are all members of the headquarters board of directors.

The five divisions, totaling 25 people, hold the power to decide the fate of all clergy in the country.

With power and strength, if she is also a young and beautiful woman... then naturally, she will be admired and pursued by everyone.

Amidst whispers, Mrs. Kasahara slowly entered the hall, her movements as graceful as a willow swaying in the breeze, a faint smile playing on her lips.

She was also wearing a traditional white and crimson shrine maiden outfit, but unlike ordinary shrine maiden outfits, hers had gold lace embroidered on the collar and cuffs. That gold, symbolizing power, made the ordinary shrine maiden outfit look incredibly gorgeous.

Her magnificent attire, combined with her noble appearance, made the light in the palace seem even brighter.

No one dared to remain seated. Thousands of people rose to greet them, and those from other branches who came to watch the spectacle also dared not be negligent. In an instant, it was as if a wave of people had surged through the hall.

"Welcome, Chairman Kasahara!"

Amidst the deafening roar that seemed to shatter the roof, only one person remained seated.

That person was none other than Asuka Kasahara, the youngest daughter of Chairman Kasahara and hailed as the rising star of Shintoism. At this moment, the little shrine maiden was not only not happy with her mother's magnanimity, but even felt a little resentful.

Today's board meeting was initiated by my mother herself.

In other words, today is the day Mother is going to take the lead in challenging the seniors. Given Kasahara Shrine Maiden's spoiled temper, it would be a favor if she didn't lie down in the middle of the main hall and throw a tantrum to disrupt the opening of the conference.

"Please sit down, don't be shy."

Chairman Kasa smiled and stretched out his arms, his sleeves drooping slightly, gesturing for everyone to sit down.

Then, her gaze swept over her sullen youngest daughter sitting in the audience, a look of both exasperation and amusement spreading across her face. With so many people watching, it wouldn't be right to discipline her now. She'd better wait until after the event and have Fujiwara-kun help her teach her a lesson; otherwise, Xiangxiang's temper would definitely cause her a lot of trouble in the future.

In the crowd, Fujishima Miyaji looked at the radiant chairman and raised an eyebrow slightly.

If nothing unexpected happens, after today's conference, he will be able to sit on equal footing with this woman. Just thinking about it makes him excited.

Hundred Alliance Book

"Chairman Hoshimi has arrived!"

Another announcement was made, and the atmosphere in the hall, which had just calmed down a little, became lively again.

Before the temple gate, Mrs. Hoshimi, dressed in the same gold-trimmed shrine maiden's robe, walked in amidst many enthusiastic gazes. The fiery red light emanating from the lantern flickered on her beautiful face, illuminating her delicate eyebrows, bright eyes, and the charming little indentation between her soft upper lip and the tip of her small nose.

Unlike President Kasane's dignified and elegant demeanor, she was a beauty with a touch of aloofness. If President Kasane was a magnificent cherry blossom, then she was a graceful and elegant plum blossom, her clear and dignified temperament exuding a refreshing and captivating charm.

"Welcome, Chairman Hoshimi!"

Faced with the welcoming voices of the crowd, Mrs. Hoshimi simply nodded and said, "Okay." That single word, "okay," was crisp and melodious, without a trace of turbidity, like icy water flowing down from a high mountain in a warm, sunny world.

She slowly walked up to the five main seats on the high platform, glanced at Mrs. Kasahara sitting in the middle, then lightly smoothed her sleeves and sat down in the seat next to her. The red lantern above shone down, casting the figures of the two ladies onto the screen behind them, making them look graceful and charming.

The next name to be called rang out.

The current head of the Tsuchimikado family, dressed in a pure white priest's robe, appeared in front of the temple gate.

Unlike ordinary priest robes, his priest robe, though also based on a white hunting robe, had black dragon patterns embroidered on the collar and sleeves, representing the power of the chairman. On the left side of his chest, there was also a Seimei Kikyo seal, representing Tsuchimikado Shinto and the Tsuchimikado family.

A sudden silence descended upon the entire hall, and all around was quiet.

Tsuchimikado Shinto is an unconventional force within Shintoism, and the attitudes of others towards them are quite ambiguous.

Shintoism, or Shintoism in its core, is a sect that originated from nature worship, ancestor worship, and emperor worship, and belongs to the animistic polytheistic religion. Tsuchimikado Shinto, on the other hand, is a branch of Onmyōdō (the Way of Yin and Yang) founded by Abe no Seimei, and is based on the Chinese Yin-Yang, Five Elements, and Eight Trigrams theories. It was established by Tsuchimikado Yasufuku, a direct descendant of Abe no Seimei.

Because the Yin-Yang and Five Elements theory had completely deviated from the three major cults of Shintoism, the Shinto sect itself was very unfriendly towards this new school, and its development was primarily characterized by suppression. However, from its inception, Tsuchimikado Shinto received strong support from the Tokugawa Shogunate, at one point controlling the compilation of the official national calendar and the right to participate in national politics, becoming the largest force within Shintoism.

But soon, Tsuchimikado Shinto declined from its peak.

After the Meiji Restoration, the new government abolished the legitimacy of Onmyōdō, and the influence of Tsuchimikado Shinto fell to its lowest point in a thousand years.

In 1952, the draft constitution on freedom of religion was passed, and Tsuchimikado Shinto returned to the public eye. Over the next few decades, through the efforts of three generations of family heads, Tsuchimikado Shinto finally regained its former glory under the leadership of the previous family head, Shino Tsuchimikado.

Despite ongoing controversies within Shintoism, no one dared to protest anymore in the face of its overwhelming power.

The lanterns swayed slightly, and the light was dim.

In the ensuing silence, the head of the Tsuchimikado family completely ignored the gazes of the crowd and walked straight to the high platform.

His massive, mountain-like body exuded a subtle sense of oppression.

Even from several meters away, the people seated on both sides of the aisle were intimidated by his imposing aura, lowering their heads and daring not to utter a sound. That powerful aura proved the terrifying strength of this family head, and also indicated that he was in a very bad mood.

Yes.

The head of the Tsuchimikado family is indeed in a bad mood right now.

A while ago, the previous head of the family sent a message from Takamagahara, instructing him to befriend Fujiwara Izaya as much as possible without harming the family's interests. He hadn't even started trying to befriend Fujiwara Izaya yet, and today that kid is being expelled from the Onmyōryō (Bureau of Yin and Yang). How could he be in a good mood?

The heavy atmosphere lingered for a moment, only dissipating slightly after the head of the Tsuchimikado family took his seat.

At this moment, the call to name rang out again.

"Chairman Hongwen has arrived!"

A gentle breeze blew, and the old monk of Senso-ji Temple walked in on the wind.

Wearing a white kasaya, Master Hongwen appeared to be an ordinary old monk. His pace was unhurried, and his expression was gentle and approachable, giving people a feeling like a spring breeze. One could not help but feel the profoundness of his Buddhist teachings.

After stepping onto the platform, he bowed to the head of the Tsuchimikado family with a kind smile and said, "If you are feeling agitated, you can visit my Senso-ji Temple after the meeting."

“I won’t give any money for incense!” the Tsuchimikado family headman replied with a straight face.

"Amitabha."

The old monk put his hands together in prayer and silently recited a Buddhist mantra.

What seemed like a petty remark subtly conveyed the message that the two families had a good relationship, and the atmosphere in the hall immediately relaxed. The almost frozen air was instantly dissipated, like a gentle breeze across a spring lake, and the oppressive feeling in everyone's hearts vanished without a trace.

“Master Kobun must not forget me,” Mrs. Kasahara said with a smile.

“That’s natural.” The old monk Hongwen clasped his hands together and bowed slightly to her.

“And me,” Mrs. Hoshimi said with a smile. “Master Kobun wouldn’t be so stingy as to brew just one more cup of tea, would he?”

“Tea is certainly not lacking,” said the old monk Hongwen with a troubled expression, “but the two chairmen cannot be present at the same time, otherwise the tourists who come because of the two chairmen will crowd my humble little temple to the point of collapse.”

"Haha~"

Both chairpersons covered their lips slightly and smiled very happily.

The charm that emanated in that instant caused a stir in the hearts of everyone in the hall. They all cursed the old monk in their hearts for being improper, wishing they could sit on that high platform of power and chat and laugh with the two beauties just like him.

The council meeting was about to open, and the hall fell silent.

At this moment, everyone noticed the scene on the high platform.

Five positions were filled, but one person remained vacant for decades. That position represented absolute power in the Kanto region.

In the flickering light of the lanterns, more and more people's attention was drawn to the empty space.

Some elderly court officials recalled the scene decades ago when all five seats were filled with people, while others thought of the catastrophe that occurred, a disaster that is still being passed down by word of mouth to this day.

The Onmyōryō Kanto Council has five permanent chairpersons.

Tokyo Daijingu Shrine, Meiji Shrine, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, and Senso-ji Temple—together, there are only four seats available.

Which company has the last spot?

“Asakusa Shrine!”

I don't know who said it.

A soft murmur arose inside the hall, followed by laughter.

Some found it amusing, some wanted to mock it; some were intentional, some were unintentional; but all were jarring.

That shrine, which has long since become a ruin, has seen no one sit on the high platform anymore, and he hasn't even attended a board meeting for two or three decades.

Presumably, no one will represent Asakusa Shrine today.

Today's board meeting was convened specifically to execute the only priest at Asakusa Shrine.

After a while, Chairman Kasa gently flicked his sleeve, suppressing the laughter in the room, and said in a soft voice, "It's almost time. Let's begin today's meeting. In accordance with the agenda of this meeting, please begin the vote on whether to strip the Asakusa Shrine board members."

The entire hall fell silent.

The council members, seated on either side, gripped their pens and papers, beginning to exercise their powers as council members. Meanwhile, the fledglings behind them craned their necks, their curiosity churning as they awaited the final result.

However, at this moment, Fujiwara Izaya was still slowly walking towards the main hall.

"Ah~"

The junior priest who was greeting guests at the temple gate yawned boredly.

Outside the door was a white curtain of rain, and the hydrangeas were blooming beautifully. As he looked at them, he felt a little sleepy.

Just then, two figures walked over from a distance.

"Hey, senpai..." Fujiwara Izaya turned to look at Hoshimi Rinko, "Are there a lot of people here today?"

"Five or six thousand, I guess," Rinko Hoshimi gave a rough estimate.

A gust of wind blew by, and her long, straight black hair, reaching her waist, swayed slightly. A few strands of wet hair clung to her fair cheeks, looking delicate and charming against her beautiful skin, like lotus flowers in the rain.

Fujiwara Izaya stared at her face for a while.

Then, my gaze involuntarily drifted downwards, landing on the pristine white shrine maiden's robes. The white cloth, slightly damp from the mist, clung to her skin, outlining her delicate and graceful curves.

Every time he saw his senior's small breasts, Fujiwara Izaya would subconsciously think of his mother.

after all……

He has never had a drop of breast milk since he was born.

Some regrets.

"What are you looking at!" Hoshimi Rinko chopped him in the waist with a chop.