Chapter 55 - Keeping the Appointment.

The three great families of Kamo, Fujiwara, and Minamoto. The two major Buddhist schools of Tendai and Shingon. Miketsu slowly processed the information she had just received, while Seimei, with his unchanging smile, continued to speak.

"Now you have a general understanding of the situation. Next, let's get to the main topic. You probably don't realize what a stir you caused by defeating the Demon-Faced Centipede in the Forest of Transformation and Slaughter that day."

"A stir? It was just one yokai I dealt with, what kind of stir could that cause?" Miketsu asked curiously, finishing the tea in her hand. Although she knew the Demon-Faced Centipede was strong, she didn't know its exact power level. In her previous understanding, she had always thought the onmyoji outside the forest should be able to handle it.

"That was no simple yokai. The Demon-Faced Centipede's power is not something an ordinary onmyoji can handle, yet you successfully defeated it – not just injuring or repelling it, but outright killing it. Such a young talent with this level of power is truly rare in this world..."

Miketsu fell silent upon hearing Seimei's words. She hadn't expected killing that centipede spirit would have such consequences. According to Seimei, she must now be on many people's radar, which was not the outcome she desired. She only wanted to quietly study Onmyojutsu without drawing attention.

"More importantly, you are a mountain hermit, not belonging to any faction, which has led some onmyoji families to consider recruiting you, including the three great families," Seimei continued, and Miketsu had a guess based on his words.

"So, you're here to recruit me?"

"Haha... don't misunderstand. Although I am a disciple of Kamo, I am not here to recruit you. While an Onmyodo genius is very tempting, my master does not wish to incur the suspicion of the other two families because of it." Seimei continued. Kamo no Tadayuki had indeed considered recruiting Miketsu, but he already had Seimei, a genius, on his side. Taking on a second genius disciple would inevitably arouse suspicion from the Fujiwara and Minamoto clans, who might suspect him of trying to use external forces from the selection trials to upset the balance.

Kamo no Tadayuki upheld the traditional style of the Kamo family, focusing solely on Onmyodo and not wishing to invite other troubles.

"My purpose in coming here is twofold: first, to inquire about the Demon-Faced Centipede, which is a task from my master. Second, to explain the current situation of the Onmyoryo to you, so you can decide your future choices. This is my own personal initiative."

Hearing Seimei's words, Miketsu felt a strange sense of goodwill from the young man before her.

"Then why are you specifically explaining all this to me? We've only met once before, haven't we?"

Hearing Miketsu's words, Seimei closed his small fan, lightly tapped his chin, and after a moment of thought, said,

"I think... it's probably because you give me a strange sense of affinity."

"Affinity?" Miketsu, who was eating beans from a small dish on the table, was startled. She hadn't expected such an answer from him.

"Yes, affinity. So I wonder if you are my kind?"

"My... kind?" Miketsu was momentarily bewildered by Seimei's words, remaining utterly confused.

"Hehe, never mind that for now. It's getting late, and you should head to the Onmyoryo. There's an important person waiting for you there," Seimei said with a smile, seemingly not in a hurry to confirm whether Miketsu was his kind.

"An important person?"

"The eldest son of the current Kanpaku, Lord Fujiwara no Tadahira, Fujiwara no Saneyori. The Fujiwara clan seems to hold you in very high regard.

"In any case, you now understand the general situation of Onmyodo. Your future choices are up to you. Now, you just need to walk straight along Suzaku Avenue, and you'll reach the Greater Imperial Palace; the Onmyoryo is located inside."

Draining the remaining tea, Seimei stood up, appearing ready to leave.

"Finally, I have a message from my master that he asked me to convey to you."

"Your master? You mean Kamo no Tadayuki?" Miketsu asked, somewhat confused by Seimei's words. She had never even met Kamo no Tadayuki, so what message could he have for her?

"Yes. My master asked me to tell you that no matter your identity, what secrets you hide, what purpose you have in Heian-kyo, which faction you might join in the future, or to what heights you may rise, he hopes you will always stand on the side of the Human Realm, on the side of Heian-kyo. Do not attempt anything that would harm the Human Realm or Heian-kyo; he will always be watching you."

Miketsu was stunned after hearing Seimei's words. She hadn't expected the foremost figure in Onmyodo, whom she had never even met, to send such a message through his disciple. This indicated that he had indeed sensed something unusual about her.

"Heh... Is that a hope or a warning?" Miketsu chuckled softly, looking at Seimei as she replied.

"I believe it's both. After all, neither my master nor I can truly see through you. In any case, I hope you will stay on the right path."

With that, Seimei turned and left. He hadn't walked many steps before Miketsu's voice rang out behind him.

"Hey! You're paying the bill, right?" Read at Novels Haven (novelshaven.com)

Miketsu pointed at the tea table in front of her, asking Seimei. After their conversation, they had finished an entire pot of tea and a plate of beans, most of which Miketsu had consumed; Seimei had eaten very little.

However, in Miketsu's mind, since he had invited her, he should pay for the meal. Although Miketsu had brought some money this time, she simply didn't want to use it.

It was only a few copper coins; if she paid, they'd probably be gone!

Seimei froze. He never imagined that this young genius, as powerful as himself, would call out to him over such a trivial matter. After a moment, he said with a wry smile,

"Alright, alright, I'll pay, I'll pay..."

If I recall correctly, I paid last time you visited the shrine without money too...

And so, after paying the bill, Seimei left alone. Miketsu then descended from the teahouse and walked once again along Suzaku Avenue, following Seimei's directions straight ahead.

Although successfully getting a free meal and drinks again put her in a good mood, a hint of doubt still lingered in her heart.

‘Tsuruha, Seimei said he sees me as his kind. What exactly does that mean? Why did he say he has a strange affinity for me?’

As she walked, Miketsu used their spiritual contract to question Tsuruha, who quickly replied through the contract from within her sleeve.

‘That young man named Seimei has fox blood in him; he should be a Hanyo. Tsuruha believes he likely sees you, Lady Uka, as a fellow being with fox blood.’

‘As for the affinity he feels for you, it should also stem from the fox blood within him. Lady Uka, you may not know this, but because you designated foxes as your divine family, you possess a natural affinity for foxes. Any fox will feel a liking for you, even fox yokai.’

Tsuruha's reply genuinely surprised Miketsu. She hadn't realized that the original Inari Okami was so fond of foxes, and so beloved by them.

Shaking her head, Miketsu stopped thinking about unnecessary things and focused on walking the path to its end. Finally, at the road's terminus, she saw a large gate guarded by samurai and walls extending beyond her sight.

She had arrived... but how was she supposed to get in?

Just as Miketsu was pondering how to speak with the guards outside the gate, a voice sounded beside her.

"Lord Hao."

Miketsu was startled, then turned around to see a man dressed as an onmyoji bowing to her.

"You know me?"

"A few days ago in the Forest of Transformation and Slaughter, I saw you behind Lord Saneyori. I have been waiting here for you for quite some time, by Lord Saneyori's command. Please follow me now."

Hearing the man's reply, Miketsu nodded slightly. The man then turned and walked towards the gate, with Miketsu following closely behind.

They even sent someone specifically to pick her up; how thoughtful... Miketsu thought, her impression of the Fujiwara clan improving slightly.

Following the escorting man, Miketsu traversed among the countless spacious buildings within the Greater Imperial Palace. Before long, they arrived at their destination: the Onmyoryo.

The Onmyoryo had no clear boundary with other areas of the Greater Imperial Palace, yet Miketsu knew it was the Onmyoryo the moment she stepped inside. The Spiritual Vision cast from everywhere served as clear proof.

Countless young men and boys in white robes were busily moving about, carrying scrolls and books. Occasionally, onmyoji in kariginu could be seen hurrying past. The stone slabs in the open spaces between buildings were engraved with the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams. Wooden platforms were erected in many places, on which sundials, armillary spheres, and a host of other instruments Miketsu didn't understand were placed.

Led by the man, Miketsu arrived at a secluded and tranquil courtyard. Inside an elegant room in the courtyard, she met the middle-aged onmyoji she had seen a few days prior in the Forest of Transformation and Slaughter. Based on Seimei's earlier words, Miketsu now understood his identity: Fujiwara no Saneyori, the Onmyo Taiyu, and the Fujiwara clan's representative within the Onmyoryo.