Separation

In the daytime, Heian-kyo, fresh from disaster, was in a state of commotion. The streets were filled with bustling crowds, clearing corpses and repairing damage.

At the Minamoto Residence in the Upper Capital District, the starting point of the demonic disaster, it was also incredibly busy. Because the Minamoto Clan was the origin of this series of calamities, they had to provide an explanation to the Onmyoryo, the court, and the other Onmyo Clans. Consequently, the Minamoto Residence had been in an extremely oppressive state since early this morning. Countless clan members and servants were imprisoned, most of whom were closely associated with Minamoto no Yorimasa. This was a purge, aimed at eradicating Minamoto no Yorimasa's influence within the Minamoto Clan.

Inside a quiet room, Minamoto no Mitsunaka, bandaged from his injuries, was seated formally in the main seat, listening to his son, Minamoto no Yorimitsu, report on the current situation.

“As Father instructed, I have already negotiated with the Onmyoryo. They have provisionally accepted our explanation. The sole mastermind and cause of this incident was that mysterious warrior. He meticulously planned to use demonic arts to bewitch some members of our clan, assassinate you, Father, and steal the White Tiger Seal and the Gentian Iron Token, thus initiating this entire disaster... We are currently investigating any anomalies among our clan members, and will later invite the Onmyoryo to supervise.”

Listening to Minamoto no Yorimitsu's report, Minamoto no Mitsunaka nodded slightly. Having been injured by Yamato-takeru-no-Mikoto's sneak attack, he had returned directly to the residence to recuperate after leaving the Onmyoryo, leaving Minamoto no Yorimitsu to handle the subsequent negotiations with the Onmyoryo.

“Well done... You still need to continue negotiating with the Onmyoryo to distance us from this incident... Furthermore, pressured by Owl, Kamo, and Fujiwara, we will likely have to abandon our clan's Demon-Binding Jail. I hope you can do your utmost to minimize the Minamoto Clan's losses when handling these matters...” Minamoto no Mitsunaka continued, a hint of desolation and weariness in his expression as he looked at Minamoto no Yorimitsu. It was clear that he was now preparing to entrust all affairs of the Minamoto Clan to Minamoto no Yorimitsu, his only heir.

“I will not fail in my mission...” Minamoto no Yorimitsu replied decisively. Then, a subtle glint flashed in his eyes, and he asked Minamoto no Mitsunaka.

“Also, Father, has a decision been made regarding Yorimasa's fate?”

“Hmph... yes, it has been decided. He will be sent to the Forbidden Grounds, to manage affairs there while being permanently confined, never to emerge again.” Minamoto no Mitsunaka sighed after a long breath when Minamoto no Yorimasa was mentioned.

“The Forbidden Grounds... If I recall correctly, Yorimasa was sent to the Forbidden Grounds to assist with rituals when he was young. Is he to return there now?” Listening to Minamoto no Mitsunaka's words, Minamoto no Yorimitsu couldn't help but frown slightly.

“Indeed... The elders wish for him to be permanently responsible for rituals within the Forbidden Grounds. After some consideration, I did not oppose this decision.”

“The elders' wishes... Does this mean a portion of the clan head's responsibilities will be separated?” Minamoto no Yorimitsu keenly grasped the crucial point in his father's words.

“Yes... You dislike those rituals, do you not? If that's the case, then from now on, the ritual responsibilities of the clan head will be separated and given to Yorimasa. You will primarily manage the clan's affairs. Do you have any objections to this...?” Minamoto no Mitsunaka explained his arrangements for his two sons. Listening to his father's words, Minamoto no Yorimitsu's expression subtly darkened, and he then continued.

“I will respectfully follow Father's arrangements...”

...

Traveling south from Heian-kyo, one could reach Heijo-kyo, the nation's former capital. Even after the emperor relocated the capital, it did not fall into ruin; it continued to develop as an urban settlement. This was Nara.

Compared to Heian-kyo, where numerous Onmyo Clans thrived and Onmyodo flourished, Nara boasted a multitude of monasteries. Temples of all sizes were established there. It was the place where Buddhist influence was deepest in the country.

Mount Shigi is located on the outskirts of Nara. Shigisan-ji Temple was built there. Just as Fushimi Inari Shrine is to Miketsu, this was Bishamonten's main temple, and a very important mountain gate within the Shingon school.

In this era, any force possessing supernatural power held its own secrets. Shigisan-ji Temple was naturally no exception. Within the temples on the mountainside, the chanting of scriptures was incessant. Yet beneath the temples, past layers of guards, one could reach a long tunnel leading deep underground.

Wearing a conical hat and a monk's robe, a Bhikkuni with long, slightly wavy, gradient-colored hair was slowly walking through the underground passage. Beside her, every few steps, a torch was inserted into the wall, illuminating the path ahead.

Byakuren walked alone in the dim light, her gaze like a torch fixed on what lay ahead. Within her gentle expression, hints of piety were evident.

Finally, after a long while, Byakuren reached the end of the tunnel. There was a small underground chamber, where countless scriptures were carved into the stone walls, and a simple stone pavilion stood in its center.

In the center of the stone pavilion, a figure clad in layers of luxurious monk's robes and a kasaya was seated motionless in a cross-legged position, appearing profound and mysterious. Upon closer inspection, it was unmistakably an extremely desiccated, withered corpse.

After carefully observing the corpse, Byakuren devoutly bowed deeply towards the desiccated body. Then, after Byakuren's bow, the desiccated corpse slowly began to move after a moment, and opened its mouth.

“It's been a long time... Sister...”

The speaker was the Shingon school's secret trump card, a highly skilled monk who had left behind countless legends, the Sokushinbutsu — Master Myoren.

This eminent monk, who had long since achieved Buddhahood and divinity, had his spiritual body gone to the Western Pure Land to stand among the Buddhas. His remaining physical shell, however, was enshrined by mortals, serving as a tool for communicating with the Celestial Realm and a vessel for descent.

“This journey took a considerable amount of time, and of course, there were some unexpected encounters. I have already conveyed the specifics to you through prayer...” Byakuren said, maintaining her pious posture. And Myoren knew what she was referring to.

“Dakini-ten and Inari Okami... While their syncretism was unexpected for you, it was still within causality; all of this was predetermined... What we need is to accept their outcome... Whether for Inari Okami or Dakini-ten, their seemingly conflicting divine natures can also be seen as a mutual completion...” Through the physical shell left in the mortal realm, Myoren, residing in the Celestial Realm, slowly responded to Byakuren's words.

“In that case... has the Western Pure Land already condoned this outcome?” Byakuren continued to question her former younger brother.

“Since all of this has already transpired, then we must learn to accept it. In reality, the matter of Inari Okami and Dakini-ten is not a bad thing. For the Shingon school, this is actually an opportunity...”