Two Worlds, Starting with Kaguya of Penglai Mountain

To spend a lifetime describing a scene—only someone with truly great perseverance or a genuine passion could persist in that.

At this point in her thoughts, Youmu Konpaku shook her head as if sighing:

"In fact, the number of Onmyoji who specialize in illusion techniques is decreasing. The people you see, young master Kurokawa, are a unique lineage of the Saigyouji family. Because of the Saigyouji family's research on death, they can use illusion techniques to lead people to their deaths. That's why so many people specialize in learning illusion techniques. Generally speaking, illusion techniques are just auxiliary Onmyoji techniques."

The white-haired, meticulous samurai explained things to Kurokawa Kazuya.

It's normal for illusions, which have neither lethality nor productivity, to be gradually abandoned.

Kurokawa Kazuya listened to these words with a thoughtful expression.

He then broke into a cheerful smile: "It seems I really came to the right place by looking for the Saigyouji family. Youmu, do you believe that the illusionist profession will become increasingly popular?"

He's already come up with even more entirely new ways to play.

Konpaku Youmu: "..."

The white-haired girl turned to look at the confident Kurokawa Kazuya.

Because of her rigid and methodical personality, she had absolutely no intention of flattering anyone at this moment.

The girl looked at Kurokawa Kazuya thoughtfully for a while: "These illusions are actually the same as those surrounding things, aren't they? I remember you said, young master Kurokawa, that the faith that 'Tsukihime' draws from your country will gradually decrease in the future."

Youmu Konpaku: "One's own strength is the most important thing. These illusions may seem attractive now, but the more important reason for everyone to experience them is to enhance their immersion in the game 'Tsukihime' and to increase their absorption of spirituality."

The samurai girl explained her thoughts in a serious and methodical manner.

From her perspective, while people who play the illusions do find it interesting, that's about it; it's far from being an addiction.

If playing this game didn't increase the chances of absorbing spiritual energy, there would probably be far fewer people at the event.

After all, these illusionists don't charge cheap fees for using illusions.

A low-level quest completion certificate from the Yin-Yang Pavilion is enough to exchange for a piece of monster meat that can improve one's physique.

Kazuya Kurokawa: "Heh~ You don't understand, Youmu. I said that because I saw some commonalities. The fact that they can find the illusions created in simple text adventure games interesting proves that these people are no different from the people I know. In fact, because they haven't been exposed to too much entertainment, they are easier to deal with."

Since the will of the superhuman is no different from that of the people that Kurokawa Kazuya recognizes.

So it's perfectly normal for them to spend money on entertainment like games.

If we compare spiritual practice to working and earning money.

Most Onmyoji players probably prefer playing games to working.

Not everyone is a cultivation fanatic.

Kazuya Kurokawa: "How about a bet? My next game will be so good that people will spend money just because it's fun."

He looked at the youmu in front of him, a slightly smug expression unconsciously appearing on his face.

The stern and spirited young girl, however, remained as composed as ever when looking at Kurokawa Kazuya's smile.

She's the type who can't lie at all, so—

Youmu Konpaku: "I don't believe it."

Kazuya Kurokawa: "So, shall we make a bet?"

Looking at the meticulous Youmu, Kurokawa Kazuya felt completely at ease.

Youmu Konpaku: "Then let's make a bet. The loser has to grant the winner one reasonable request."

With the image of her young mistress's increasingly lazy attitude popping into her mind, Youmu felt she should take this opportunity to do something.

Kazuya Kurokawa: "Of course, no problem."

He watched as the smile on Youmu's face grew even brighter.

It's precisely this kind of single-minded girl that makes the bet even more enjoyable, and seeing her surprised expression makes it all the more fun.

To be honest, now that Kaguya Houraisan spends more time online, neither Kurokawa nor Miyako can boast about their information advantage to each other anymore.

It can be said that the appearance of Youmu Konpaku perfectly compensated for the desire of modern people to show off to ancient people that was deep in Kurokawa Kazuya's heart.

Youmu Konpaku: "Young Master Kurokawa, please don't be so confident."

The meticulous samurai watched as Kurokawa Kazuya shook his head and gave his evaluation with a stern face.

She felt that the other party really didn't understand people's thoughts at all. Who would waste the cultivation resources they worked so hard to earn on useless entertainment?

Becoming stronger has always been the primary need.

Kazuya Kurokawa: "Yes, yes, yes."

He nodded happily.

Kazuya Kurokawa: "Is that the largest performance plaza in Heian-kyo that you mentioned, Youmu?"

As he spoke, he walked forward, and as he approached the area where the performance square was located, he instinctively noticed a change in his surroundings:

"Are there fewer people around Youmu? Or is it because this plaza is special?"

【7k】

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Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Boss Was Actually Myself

The market, located in the busiest area of ​​Heian-kyo, has a huge open-air plaza.

This area is usually used for religious ceremonies on special days, as well as for some large-scale events, and of course, it is mostly used for religious ceremonies of various large religions.

Monks, shrine maidens, priests, and even some Onmyoji (yin-yang masters) would use this area where people gathered to hold specific rituals.

During periods when the site is not available for public rental, sections of the road surface will be provided for various itinerant vendors to sell their goods.

Theoretically speaking, it shouldn't be as desolate as Kurokawa Kazuya is experiencing right now.

I walked through the eerie, deserted streets toward the office.

He soon met the elderly man in charge of the venue, but before he could even ask for the price he would pay for renting the space.

“Amitabha Buddha~ This humble monk does not know what purpose you have come to Heian-kyo. Your act of holding a ceremony in the market to collect faith has already crossed the line here.”

The old man standing in front of Kurokawa Kazuya clasped his hands together and spoke with a resolute tone.

He was dressed in a very Japanese-style monk's attire, carrying a bamboo hat on his back, wearing a black kasaya, and with a string of wooden prayer beads around his neck.

Since Kurokawa Kazuya entered the sphere of influence of Heian-kyo, various local temples, shrines, and small religious sects have been trying to gauge his strength.

This is probably why, despite Kurokawa Kazuya's "game experience store" being prominently displayed for so long, no one has ever come to visit him.

Because no one could figure out what his attitude was as a powerful outsider.

As for why Kurokawa Kazuya was unquestionably recognized as a strong person...

In a short period of time, it gathered the faith of the entire population of Heian-kyo.

You think this kind of person is an ordinary person?

Even if the other person looks like an ordinary person and behaves like an ordinary person, no one will think that the other person is an ordinary person.

The Age of Gods has just passed away, and demons roam the world.

The division of different regions based on beliefs is essentially a way of assigning different regions to different powers for protection.

While it's true that those who possess land aren't necessarily strong, those who possess land in quantities like Kurokawa and Miya certainly must be strong.

To put it roughly from a modern perspective, it means—

Would you believe a super-rich man with billions in liquid assets who claims to be completely innocent and has no connection with any authority?

Kurokawa Kazuya, a guy who can easily acquire so many faiths, claims to be a person who can't even kill a chicken. Do you believe him?

Faith isn't a treasure trove; you can't find it by chance.

The amount of faith the opponent acquired in one go was equivalent to the entire capital city of Heian-kyo, something no single power in Heian-kyo could accomplish.

If we use this to measure the opponent's strength...

"His Excellency the Great Yin-Yang Master has notified the leaders of all factions and families to gather in the Yin-Yang Pavilion for joint defense. If you insist on holding the ceremony in the city, we will not yield until the last soldier is killed."

The old man clasped his hands together and looked resolutely at Kurokawa Kazuya.

Even though Kurokawa Kazuya was completely powerless, he could sense the determination in the other person that he was prepared to die for his cause.

It gave me the feeling that I was about to die with him at any moment.

Kazuya Kurokawa: "..."

He originally thought that after arriving in Heian-kyo, he would at most be targeted by a few religious forces because of his act of sharing his faith.

He had also come up with a way to deal with this.

But who knew that in the blink of an eye, the entire Heian-kyo would stand against him.

The old man in front of him, who could most likely kill him instantly, looked like the kind of unlucky guy who was pushed out to be tested.

Although he was currently under threat, Kurokawa Kazuya inexplicably felt like he was the villain in the face of the monk's resolute attitude.

In fact, he was seen as the villain by others.

The diversity of the world leads to differences in perception.

In the extraordinary world, there is no such thing as an army; powerful individuals are the army themselves.

To others, Kurokawa Kazuya's arrogant takeover, without saying a word, was no different from an enemy country sending its army to their doorstep.

Not to mention that the other party also wanted to hold religious ceremonies within the city.

They occupied our land, used our people, and even established bases in their cities right in front of us.

Do they really think everyone in Heian-kyo is dead?

Not only the old monk before them, but also the extraordinary individuals gathered in the Yin-Yang Pavilion, as he described, were all prepared to do whatever it took.

It's not that they are particularly selfless, but rather that the human race itself is the source of extraordinary growth.

Both the Shinto and Yokai paths require devouring human emotions to progress and even exist. Without Heian-kyo as their base, everyone's path is essentially cut off.

Youmu Konpaku: "The Saigyouji family has not received any relevant information."

The meticulous white-haired girl frowned and stepped aside to block Kurokawa Kazuya, raising her question.

The elderly monk said, "I have no reason to lie about this matter. As for why you haven't received the news..."

He shook his head at this point: "After the main branch of the Saigyouji family was wiped out, it was removed from the council. Miss Yuyuko's life is more important, and we have no intention of putting her in any danger."

The old man shook his head at Youmu the Soul.

Youmu Konpaku: "!?"

The samurai's longsword seemed ready to be drawn at any moment, its sharp, cold light flashing in the air.

The usually rigid samurai suddenly revealed an intense emotion he never showed before.

Youmu Konpaku: "If Lord Yoshikiyo were still alive, you wouldn't have the guts to do such a thing."

The white-haired girl stared ahead with her red eyes, seemingly conveying a sense of loyalty and righteous indignation.

The most prestigious member of the Saigyouji family in the previous generation was Sato Yoshikiyo, the father of Saigyouji Yuyuko, who married into the Saigyouji family.

It is known for its signature use of songs to exert power.

He also died in that accidental experiment at the Saigyouji family.

Since his death, the Saigyouji family's situation has deteriorated, and they have been constantly ostracized by other families.

The old monk said, “This is how families decline: the strong rise and the weak fall. With Yoshikiyo dead, the Saigyouji family naturally has to give up its share. Without enough resources, how can enough strong people be born? Little girl from the Konpaku family, you don’t actually think that Heian-kyo can stand peacefully in the world because of the sympathy of those yokai, do you?”

Although the monk's tone was apologetic, his words left no room for ambiguity.

The Age of Gods has long since passed, and demons still roam freely. This land is far from being a place where humans can roam at will.

The elderly monk said, "We chose to keep this from you precisely because we anticipated the Saigyouji family's current attitude."

Compared to those who still have a future, it's not impossible for the Saigyouji family, destined for decline, to defect to the enemy.

Needless to say, they all took the initiative to cooperate with Kurokawa Kazuya.

During the collaboration, the eldest member of the Saigyouji family, Konpaku Youki, who should have known the seriousness of the matter, said nothing.

Konpaku Youmu: "..."