Bloodstains

In the dead of night in Heian-kyo, a new moon hung high in the sky, and everything on the ground fell silent. At the eastern end of a small path traversing the market district, at a certain crossroads, a bloody scene unfolded.

Burning lanterns, an overturned ox-cart, a robust ox bitten to death, and Kizoku and their retainers lying in pools of blood, disemboweled, their faces frozen in a myriad of shock.

Patrolling soldiers circled the scene of the tragedy, securing it. Among them were several Onmyoji clad in Kariginu. The scent of blood attracted the Yokai wandering through Heian-kyo at night. The Yokai gathered but were kept outside by the Onmyoji maintaining order at the scene.

Guided by a messenger, Miketsu swiftly traversed countless main roads and narrow alleys in her ox-cart, moving quickly through the market district. She soon arrived at the scene of the tragedy, and as she stepped down, a familiar voice reached her ears.

“Oh, how rare it is for you to arrive so promptly this time, Lord Asakura Hao… that's quite a feat.” The speaker was Yura, standing in the center of the scene, turning to face her. He was in his masked public attire.

“Heh heh, I just happened to be at my residence in the capital tonight, so I arrived quite promptly, Lord Doman.” Miketsu didn't mind Yura's slight sarcasm, responding with a smile. As Miketsu was often absent from Heian-kyo, the Onmyoryo would usually send messages to the Asakura Residence if they needed her, and Princess Kaguya would then contact Miketsu via Jutsu-shiki. This often led to Miketsu's late arrivals, so Yura's irritation was understandable.

Arriving at the scene, Miketsu's brows furrowed slightly as she scanned the surrounding devastation. Beside her, Yura immediately began to brief her on the situation.

“The victims were minor Kizoku from the capital. They were ambushed by the monster while traveling at night and all perished. However, this time its movements weren't swift enough, allowing someone to scream, which triggered the alarm and drew a nearby patrol team. After a very brief engagement, the monster decisively retreated. The patrol team gave chase but couldn't catch it.” Yura finished his concise explanation, and after hearing his words, Miketsu couldn't help but ponder aloud.

“This time, it actually dared to act directly within Heian-kyo… Does that monster not realize that the capital's alert level has been significantly raised? What exactly is its objective?”

“Whatever it is, this time it acted, and we've managed to catch a clue, which is good for us.” Yura continued, a hint of ease in his voice, his words sparking a trace of doubt in Miketsu.

“Caught a clue? Didn't you say you didn't catch it?”

“We didn't catch it, but it sustained injuries during its fight with the patrol team and left traces. Lord Seimei is currently trying to process them, right over there.”

Saying this, Yura pointed to the other side of the street, where shattered bricks and stones marked the site of the battle. On that residual battlefield, the Great Onmyoji Abe no Seimei, clad in Kariginu, was crouched down, meticulously sifting through a pile of rubble, his fingertips glowing faintly to illuminate his work.

A short while later, Seimei's brow lifted as if he had found something. He stood up directly, turned his head to look towards Miketsu and Yura, and slowly approached with a rather relaxed expression.

“It seems you've made a discovery?” Yura asked curiously, observing Seimei.

“Of course, but it's not convenient to discuss it here for now. Let's return to the Onmyoryo first.” Seimei stated directly. Yura and Miketsu exchanged glances, then without another word, swiftly followed Seimei to the Onmyoryo.

“This is my find, both of you.” In the Astronomical Pavilion, Seimei spoke as he extended his hand, placing two small stones with dark red traces onto the table.

“This is… bloodstains?” After a brief identification, Miketsu quickly recognized what Seimei held.

“Precisely, bloodstains. I've already confirmed it's not human blood; it was left by that Yokai.” Seimei said with a slight smile.

“To actually find bloodstains… this means it can be used as a medium.” Listening to Seimei's words, Yura's eyes lit up. As a high-ranking Onmyoji, she knew the significance of having a physical medium.

“Indeed, these bloodstains can absolutely be used as a medium. They'll be useful for both curses and divination.”

“However, curses wouldn't be very effective against that Yokai, would they? And none of us three are particularly skilled in curses.” Yura interjected, listening to Seimei.

“Precisely. That Yokai clearly has a mastermind behind it, so using curses against it would be pointless. The key is to find its location and drag both it and its orchestrator out. Fortunately, thanks to my esteemed teacher, I'm quite proficient in divination.” Seimei said calmly. Miketsu merely nodded slightly in silence, offering no further words.

“Then without further ado, you should perform the divination immediately. Once we've located that creature, we'll act swiftly.” Yura said with a touch of urgency. Seimei, however, did not immediately begin the divination. Instead, he shifted the topic.

“Don't rush yet. You two should examine this situation first.” Seimei said, picking up one of the blood-stained stones. He formed a hand seal and then spoke.

“Dispel.”

Following Seimei's voice, a blue flame flashed on the stone, and the dark red bloodstains on it were instantly incinerated. Yura's eyes widened involuntarily.

“This is the blue flames used when summoning a body-contract Shikigami! That monster is truly an Onmyoji's Shikigami!?”

“Yes, originally there was a large pool of that Yokai's blood. While I was investigating, these bloodstains suddenly ignited with blue flames. I realized this meant the mastermind had become aware that the Shikigami was injured and had left bloodstains. So, taking advantage of the fact that the Shikigami's blood had only recently left its body, still possessing spiritual essence and capable of being encompassed by the contract, they re-summoned the Shikigami using a proxy, attempting to recall the residual blood. Fortunately, I promptly seized these two blood-stained stones and used Jutsu to block the contract's effect, preserving the bloodstains.” Seimei said, looking at Yura with a solemn expression.

“Yura, don't you think the blue flames just now felt familiar?”

“A familiar feeling…” Yura mused, then a look of astonishment spread across her face.

“The Contract Power within that blue flames… it seems to have a Minamoto Clan feel to it!” As Yura, who had studied within the Minamoto Clan for many years, she was extremely knowledgeable about their Jutsu-shiki, particularly their contract jutsu-shiki.

“Precisely, the Minamoto Clan. Their suspicion has now grown even heavier. If that Yokai is truly a Minamoto Clan Shikigami, I believe that even if we divine its location, the Minamoto Clan within the capital would immediately react if they detected our actions. In that case, our operation would likely be fruitless. Therefore, we must devise some thorough methods.”