The Reward

Preparing a new base for the yokai crowd led by Nura Rihyon was no simple task. Based on Miketsu's initial vision, to accommodate Owl's expanding influence in the demon realm of Heian-kyo, this base used as a headquarters had to be large enough to host more and more rowdy yokai gatherings and meet the needs of future expansion. Ideally, it should be grand, hidden within a Secret Realm of the demon realm, and inaccessible to ordinary mortals.

Finding such a place was actually quite difficult. There were only a few small-scale ghost markets in the Secret Realms near Heian-kyo, and almost none of them met her requirements.

In short, this was not something that could be resolved in a short time. After eating at the Cat Izakaya, Miketsu specifically instructed the Cat Shop Owner and others to keep an eye out for such information, and then she returned to Mount Inari.

After resting for a day in the Secret Realm of Inari, Miketsu prepared to return to Choyo-machi to discuss the base issue with the Cat Shop Owner and the others. However, at that moment, she received a message from Mokou.

"What? The follow-up rewards—you've already decided on them?" sitting atop the torii gate of the shrine, Miketsu spoke to herself. At this moment, she was using a Shikigami link to transmit words to the Paper Shikigami she had created, which was currently being held by Mokou at the Fujiwara residence.

On the eve of the confrontation with Prince Nagaya, Miketsu had folded a special Paper Shikigami for Mokou to facilitate communication. Afterward, Miketsu hadn't proactively taken it back, leaving it with Mokou as a means of contact, much like the one on Yamausagi. Originally, Miketsu intended to use it to find Mokou later, but instead, Mokou was now using it to contact her.

"Mhm... the people in the clan say it's almost finalized. But from what they're saying, the specific details still need to be discussed with you personally. I wanted to come find you directly, but I have no idea where you live in Heian-kyo." Through the Paper Shikigami's contract, Miketsu heard Mokou's voice in her mind.

Miketsu pondered Mokou's words for a moment. After taking the Sacred Scroll of Manifest Wisdom last time, she hadn't continued to demand things from the Fujiwara clan. However, the Fujiwara clearly knew how significant it was for Asakura Hao to help them deal with Prince Nagaya and guide their ancestor's return. This debt of gratitude could not be repaid with a single spirit tool; the follow-up rewards were long-planned.

So... what kind of reward did the powerful Fujiwara clan intend to give the genius Onmyoji, Asakura Hao? Thinking of this, Miketsu rubbed her chin playfully and spoke to Mokou through the Paper Shikigami.

"You don't need to come find me. This afternoon, I'll wait for you in Gion. We can meet and talk directly there."

......

Gion was the only place in Heian-kyo that could rival Choyo-machi in terms of bustle and prosperity. As an entertainment district for commoners, nobles, and merchants alike, the Hanamachi here remained brightly lit even when the rest of the city fell silent at night. This stood in stark contrast to other parts of the city. At the same time, it was precisely this vibrancy that made it a frequent site for yokai incidents in Heian-kyo.

Miketsu often wandered through Heian-kyo after finishing her reading at the Onmyoryo. Due to her nature as a foodie, she frequently sampled various izakayas throughout the city.

Although Miketsu's favorite dishes were still the meat dishes from the Cat Izakaya in Choyo-machi, it didn't mean she couldn't appreciate the standard seafood-based Japanese cuisine eaten by ordinary humans. Occasionally switching flavors was fine. Moreover, compared to the strong spirits in the demon realm which sometimes contained unknown ingredients, human sake tasted better. Thus, Miketsu had a few favorite establishments in Heian-kyo, one of which was in Gion.

In the afternoon in Heian-kyo, at an izakaya on the edge of the Gion Hanamachi, Miketsu, dressed in the kariginu of an Onmyoji, sat in a private room on the second floor. Opposite her sat Mokou, whom she hadn't seen for several days.

Mokou's appearance was now vastly different. She no longer looked disheveled and travel-worn from long periods of wandering in the wilderness. Her face was clean, she wore a crown, and her white hair was straight. Dressed in masculine noble attire, combined with her naturally masculine temperament, she looked heroic and quite androgynous. If one didn't pay attention, they might mistake her for a handsome young lord from somewhere.

Outside the private room where Mokou and Miketsu sat, several young men who looked like low-ranking nobles were hesitating, constantly peering inside. They had come because they recognized the Fujiwara clan crest on Mokou's person. While discussing where such a young high-ranking individual from the Fujiwara clan had come from, they were also debating whether to enter and offer their flatteries.

"Close the door and go out first, send those guys outside away..." Mokou glanced at the scene outside the door and spoke calmly to the submissive attendant standing beside her. The attendant complied, leaving the room and closing the door. For a moment, only Miketsu and Mokou remained in the room.

"Whew..." Mokou let out a long breath. She picked up a cup of tea, downed it in one gulp, and her upright posture instantly collapsed. She shifted into an incredibly casual sitting position, her aura of a cold, noble young lord vanishing instantly.

"So? How have things been over there these past two days?" Seeing Mokou like this, Miketsu spoke with a slight smile.

"Mmm... it's alright. I still remember the etiquette from when I lived at home. Putting myself in my father's and grandfather's old positions makes it more or less manageable. Though I was a bit nervous, there haven't been any blunders. Everyone respects me..." Mokou said, rubbing her chin as she thought.

"But from your expression, it seems you still don't quite like it?"

"Yeah... maybe it's because I stayed outside for too long. I'm still a bit unaccustomed to it. But after coming back and having so many people around, there is indeed a sense of stability... and I don't feel lonely all the time like I used to..." Mokou said with a sigh. At this moment, she seemed to recall her days of wandering, constantly struggling with loneliness and madness. After a short while, she shook her head.

"Never mind, let's not talk about that. I came to find you this time because of the rewards the Fujiwara promised you. They originally wanted me to decide, but I don't really know the ins and outs of Heian-kyo, so I refused and pushed it back on them. They've been discussing it until now and finally reached a conclusion. In short... the Fujiwara want to give you an identity."

"An identity?" Miketsu tilted her head, somewhat confused by Mokou's words.

"Yes, an identity. A genuine noble identity. First, they will promote your rank in the Onmyoryo. While maintaining your original privileges, you'll be promoted to Onmyo Junior Secretary. Besides that, they will confer an additional official post upon you, a respectable position at court..." Mokou looked at Miketsu as she spoke bit by bit.

"A court position? What use do I have for such a thing?" Miketsu said bluntly. She had no energy to participate in human power struggles.

"Easy now. They know you don't want to be restricted or involved in these matters. The position they plan for you is a titular one—high rank, but no real power. But the key is that this position can be passed down... you should understand what that means." Filling her teacup, Mokou spoke. Miketsu felt a wave of realization.

Pass it down? Meaning it can be hereditary! This meant the position could be tied to the name 'Asakura'. If she wished, she could pass it to someone else, making Asakura a true noble clan with a hereditary court position that could be passed down forever! Asakura could truly become one of the prominent clans of Heian-kyo; this was the essence of the so-called noble identity.

So that was possible? However, as a deity, Miketsu had no lifespan limits and no need for heirs to inherit such things. Such a reward might be extremely attractive to ordinary mortals, but it was meaningless to her. No matter how high a mortal's rank, it held no significance for a god.

Just as Miketsu was still pondering, Mokou spoke again.

"Oh, right. As a bonus, the Fujiwara will also give you a mansion in Heian-kyo to serve as your foundation." Mokou added. This time, Miketsu's eyes couldn't help but light up.

A mansion? Isn't that perfect? I'm currently lacking a place for Nura Rihyon and the others to use as a yokai den!