Repaying the Favor

"Repaying a favor? That ancestor told us to repay a favor to you!?"

Hearing Miketsu's words, Fujiwara no Saneyori couldn't help but be stunned. He never imagined that this so-called ancestor, whom they hadn't even met, would remotely control them in Heian-kyo like this. And as a powerhouse who had lived in seclusion for a hundred years, didn't she have the ability to repay it herself?

However, after careful consideration, Fujiwara no Saneyori felt this matter might not be so simple. Could this be a test from that ancestor? A test of their branch's attitude to see if they valued her wishes? This might directly determine her future opinion of them.

Suddenly, in his mind, Saneyori imagined Mokou as a hidden master of their family, and his eyes grew fervent.

If what Miketsu said was true, then a hidden master of the Fujiwara who had cultivated for over two hundred years and attained the art of immortality! What would that mean for the current Fujiwara? If she truly decided to enter the world or even return to the Fujiwara, it would be a massive boost for them. Her strength would be at least at the Senior Secretary level.

However, whether this ancestor was willing to return to the Fujiwara likely depended on this trial. Therefore, the ancestor's instructions must not be neglected!

Just as Fujiwara no Saneyori was about to reply to Miketsu, he realized this was a major event for the entire Fujiwara clan, not something he could decide privately. After thinking seriously for a while, he replied solemnly to Miketsu.

"This matter is of great importance to my Fujiwara clan. I cannot make the decision alone; I must consult my father. However, you can rest assured. Since the ancestor has spoken, your reward will certainly not be small. Come here tomorrow morning, and I will give you an answer."

Hearing Saneyori's response, Miketsu nodded understandingly, said her goodbyes, and left. On the way home, she felt very relaxed; for now, her goal had been achieved.

She had carefully considered how to explain Mokou's situation to Saneyori. She absolutely could not tell him the truth. After all, if the existence of something like the Hourai Elixir got out, people might target Mokou.

Mokou was originally a wanderer who had been forced to roam for a hundred years, seeking a place to belong and a way to return. However, under Miketsu's specific framing, she became a hidden master who had secluded herself in the deep mountains to seek a breakthrough and happened to visit her remaining descendants upon re-entering the world. This maneuver by Miketsu instantly elevated Mokou's prestige significantly.

If the truth were told, although the Fujiwara might still accept Mokou, they wouldn't treat her with such importance. After all, even if you are an elder, you are still asking for a favor, which invisibly lowers your status. But once Miketsu crafted this image of a "hidden master," it was different. "I've come out to see my descendants"—what a great honor for the descendants! Wouldn't the juniors want to perform well in front of their ancestor?

This way, Mokou's life in the Fujiwara family would be much easier in the future.

Of course, Miketsu's reason for doing this wasn't just for Mokou; she had her own little schemes. Mokou would definitely come to her first when she arrived in Heian-kyo. Since she owed Miketsu a favor, it would be easy to maintain a good relationship. Once Mokou became a high-ranking member of the Fujiwara family, Miketsu could fleece them even more effectively.

At that time, if she was on sisterly terms with the Fujiwara ancestor, the entire Fujiwara clan would have to show her respect!

......

The sun in the sky gradually set in the west, and the light of dusk began to shroud the land. In the Upper Capital District of Heian-kyo, within the Fujiwara residence.

Inside a spacious hall, Fujiwara no Saneyori sat kneeling on the floor, silently bowing his head. Opposite him, on the main seat overlooking the entire hall, sat an old man in luxurious robes with white hair and beard. Before him lay Mokou's wooden plaque and a yellowed, ancient scroll.

The old man's expression was grave as he opened the scroll, moving his hand across it until it finally stopped on a name: Mokou.

"I didn't expect... there really is..."

With a soft sigh, the old man spoke.

"Father, did you find it?" Fujiwara no Saneyori, kneeling below, asked respectfully. This was Saneyori's father, the true leader of the Fujiwara family and the current Kanpaku of the imperial court, Fujiwara no Tadahira.

"Yes. It's not recorded in the ordinary family trees, but it truly exists in this secret genealogy. Fujiwara no Mokou... she is indeed the daughter of our ancestor Fuhito..."

Hearing Tadahira's words, Saneyori paused. After thinking to himself that it was indeed as he suspected, he continued to ask.

"May I ask, Father, are there any specific records of Mokou's deeds in the secret genealogy?"

"No. It only says she respected her father and disappeared before reaching marriageable age, never to be found again." Tadahira spoke calmly, then rolled up the precious secret genealogy.

"Then is it true, as that Asakura Hao said, that she went into the mountains to cultivate? Because she attained immortality, she is still alive today, and wanting to re-enter the world, she used the chance encounter with Asakura Hao to test us."

"Or is it possible that this so-called ancestor doesn't exist at all, and Asakura Hao obtained that wooden plaque by chance and wants to use it to swindle us for benefits?"

Saneyori proposed two possibilities, but Tadahira thought for a moment and directly dismissed the second one.

"The name Mokou only exists in this secret genealogy. Even within our Fujiwara clan, few know this name, let alone an outsider like Asakura Hao. If she were really fabricating a Fujiwara ancestor, she wouldn't use this name. Furthermore, if this Mokou were truly made up, she wouldn't specifically say the person would come to Heian-kyo to visit us in the future."

Tadahira's words essentially confirmed Mokou's existence.

"Then, how should we respond to the ancestor's arrangement?" After speaking, Saneyori waited in place for his father's final decision. Tadahira also pondered for a long time before slowly speaking.

"Since this is the ancestor's wish, then let's carry it out. Go to the treasury and select a high-quality item." Tadahira's words acknowledged the status Mokou held within the Fujiwara.

"Yes..." Saneyori bowed and then slowly rose to leave.

......

The next day, Miketsu arrived at the usual spot in the Onmyoryo as agreed. There, she saw Fujiwara no Saneyori standing next to a straw dummy wearing a thin robe.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, before Miketsu could even ask, Saneyori took a tachi from his attendant. Holding the sword with both hands, he took a stance and slashed fiercely at the straw dummy.

Then, the crisp sound of clashing steel, which shouldn't have occurred, came from the dummy. The dummy, dressed in the kariginu and secured in place, swayed twice before returning to its position. There wasn't a single scratch on the robe.

"This is..."

"This is a robe made from the fur of a fire-rat. It is impervious to blades and spears, and untouched by fierce flames. Its defensive power far exceeds ordinary armor, yet it is extremely lightweight. It is a very rare treasure even within the Fujiwara's secret collection."

"I think, given your fighting style, you must need something like this."

Miketsu looked at the precious robe before her and nodded with satisfaction, murmuring to herself.

"Now I can enjoy close combat even more! I won't have to just dodge anymore!"