Worship

Suzaku Avenue was the central axis of Heian-kyo. To its south lay the Rajomon gate, and its northern end terminated at the Imperial Palace. This was the most important area in Heian-kyo, home to the Emperor's Imperial Palace and numerous central administrative institutions. Every morning at dawn, officials of all ranks would ride in their ox-carts to this place to handle government affairs.

South of the Imperial Palace was a special institution: the Onmyoryo. It was managed by onmyoji and was responsible for matters such as divination, calendrics, astronomy, and timekeeping. In this world overrun by yokai and demons, the Onmyoryo had an even more crucial function: suppressing evil and exorcising demons. As an official body protecting Heian-kyo and handling all manner of supernatural affairs, the Onmyoryo held an unprecedentedly transcendent status compared to other institutions.

The head of the Onmyoryo was called the Onmyo-no-kami, the supreme leader of all official onmyoji in the imperial court. This position had to be held by a powerful onmyoji with extremely profound spiritual power and experience. The current Onmyo-no-kami was named Kamo no Tadayuki, the patriarch of the Kamo Clan.

The Kamo Clan had deep roots, having resided in this land even before the Emperor moved the capital. With a rich heritage passed down through generations, the clan produced an endless stream of talented individuals. They could be considered the foremost of the onmyoji families in Heian-kyo.

Wearing a crown with dangling cherry blossom ornaments and a black robe, the great onmyoji Kamo no Tadayuki, dressed in formal court attire, stepped into the assembly hall of the Onmyoryo. Having just concluded the morning court session, he walked to his seat of honor amidst the respectful bows of the onmyo-sei, sat cross-legged, and nodded to the bowing students, signaling for them to return to their posts.

Watching the Onmyoryo return to its bustling state, Kamo no Tadayuki let out a soft sigh. Although he appeared to be a middle-aged man, his eyes revealed an unconcealable exhaustion. Beneath his official cap, his sideburns were already streaked with white.

"Father... please have some tea..."

A handsome young onmyoji brought a cup of tea to Kamo no Tadayuki's side. Kamo no Tadayuki nodded, picked up the cup, took a sip, and then placed it back on the table.

"Yasunori, how are the preparations for the selection trials?" Kamo no Tadayuki asked, looking at his son.

"Everything is fully prepared. We are just waiting for the Hour of the Monkey today to officially begin."

"Mm..."

Kamo no Tadayuki nodded. He then noticed that his son had not withdrawn as usual but was still standing beside him with his head bowed respectfully.

"Is there something else you wish to say?"

"Father, can those country folk really be trusted?" the onmyo-sei named Kamo no Yasunori said, his tone carrying a faint trace of disdain.

"Whether they can be trusted or not, they are still a force to be reckoned with. The times have changed, Yasunori. Relying solely on the major clans is no longer enough to control the situation," Kamo no Tadayuki said, glancing at his son before continuing.

"What do you think of them?"

"They lack etiquette and proper training. They are crude and unbearable. They become conceited just because they happen to know a few third-rate tricks, showing off everywhere. Hmph... to think they'd wander all over Heian-kyo with their spiritual vision active, not even knowing to restrain their shikigami. They have no grace whatsoever!" Faced with his father's question, Kamo no Yasunori stated his opinion without reservation.

Kamo no Tadayuki silently looked at his son, his solemn face devoid of any expression.

"You are not wrong. These people are unfit for great tasks, but... at least they are human. That is enough."

"As you say, Father..."

Hearing his father's words, Kamo no Yasunori agreed. Although a trace of contempt still lingered in his heart, he did not let it show.

At that moment, Kamo no Tadayuki seemed to remember something. He glanced around before asking his son again.

"By the way, where is Seimei?"

"Seimei requested leave today. He did not come to the Onmyoryo..."

"Leave? For what? Is he ill?"

"No... Seimei... um... he said he wanted to take a good look around the city today at the unusual people who have gathered from all over." Hearing his father's inquiry, Kamo no Yasunori answered with some difficulty.

"He took leave for something like that?"

"I know it is against the rules, Yasunori, but you know how Seimei is..."

Hearing his son's words, Kamo no Tadayuki's brow furrowed slightly. He was about to say something, but after a pause, he seemed to give up, letting out only a faint sigh.

"Forget it... let him be. It's not the first time, anyway..."

...

In the Sakyo-ku district of Heian-kyo, inside Gion Shrine, Miketsu followed the other worshipers into the shrine grounds. At this moment, she felt completely ill at ease.

"Do not be nervous, Lady Uka. Just act like an ordinary worshiper and use your spiritual vision to observe the shrine..." Tsuruha, still hidden in Miketsu's sleeve, sensed her master's discomfort and whispered a reminder.

"Mm... I know..." Miketsu whispered back in reply, but the tension in her heart showed no sign of easing. She had never imagined that her search for a shrine would lead her to her own father's.

What should I do? What if I really run into this body's father? He's a major god, an absolute top-tier figure. If he finds out his daughter's body has been taken over by me, it'll be a huge mess.

The moment she heard about the relationship between Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Uka-no-Mitama-no-Kami, Miketsu had almost backed out immediately. But doing so might have made Tsuruha suspicious. After all, her desire to retreat came right after learning of this father-daughter connection. That would look problematic no matter how you spun it.

And so, Miketsu could only brace herself and enter the shrine. Posing as an ordinary worshiper, she began the ritual process while activating her spiritual vision to observe the shrine's condition.

Under her spiritual vision, Gion Shrine showed no abnormalities. The divine realm was practically spotless; she could see no gods, no divine messengers, nor could she even sense their presence. It was worth noting that with spiritual vision, Miketsu could sense a certain area without relying on sight. On Mount Inari, whenever she activated her spiritual vision, she could know Tsuruha's location within a range far larger than this shrine.

The fact that her senses picked up nothing now meant that there was no god present in this shrine?

Seeing this, a part of the anxiety in Miketsu's heart subsided. However, since she was already in the shrine, she had to see the act through. She continued to follow the steps of the other worshipers, proceeding through the ritual.

As expected, a shrine built in the city gets a lot more worshipers. It's nothing like my remote place. There's even a line for praying.

Observing the scene before her, Miketsu couldn't help but think this. Finally, the worshiper in front of her finished, and it was her turn.

Miketsu stepped forward and, mimicking the actions of the previous worshipers, rang the bell, clapped her hands, and pretended to pray... she was so worried that Susanoo-no-Mikoto might actually receive her prayer that she kept her mind completely blank. But when it came to the next step, Miketsu found herself in a difficult situation.

It was time to toss money into the offering box, but unfortunately, Miketsu was completely penniless.

'Oh no, I was careless! I completely forgot to prepare some money for Lady Uka!' Tsuruha, in her sleeve, realized the situation and cursed her oversight. Miketsu's predicament instantly became awkward.

What is this? I don't have a single coin on me? What do I do now?

After patting herself down everywhere, Miketsu still couldn't find a single coin. For a moment, she was at a loss.

What do I do? This is so embarrassing... Should I just brazen it out and leave? The main deity of this shrine is my dad. He probably wouldn't mind a small thing like a single coin, right?

Although Miketsu thought this, the ones collecting the offerings weren't the gods, but the mortals who managed the shrine. Having delayed for too long, she could already feel the gaze of a nearby miko, a look reserved for a pauper.

Just as Miketsu felt she was about to be publicly humiliated, a crisp clinking sound came from the offering box in front of her. Miketsu knew it was the sound of a copper coin being tossed in.

I haven't moved out of the way yet, and someone's already throwing money in? Was that for me? Who could be so kind?

Miketsu immediately turned to look behind her, and there she saw a young boy.

The boy was about twelve or thirteen years old, a little shorter than Miketsu. He wore a flat eboshi cap and a white kariginu, and held a small bat-wing fan. His half-lidded eyes shone with a dazzling light, and a meaningful smile played on his exceptionally fair and handsome face. At a glance, he gave off an impression that was almost fox-like.

He... he's too good-looking. To be such a heartbreaker at this young age, what will he be like when he grows up?

Miketsu felt that if she were a genuine girl, she might have already burst into flames.

"Miss... it seems you've run into a bit of trouble."