Chapter 56 - Solicitation.

Please, have a seat...

Sitting behind the small table, Fujiwara no Saneyori extended his hand, gesturing to Miketsu. Miketsu, without ceremony, sat on a cushion already prepared for her on the tatami mat opposite him.

"Hehe, we meet again, Asakura Hao. Today is the third day, and you are true to your word," Fujiwara no Saneyori said with a smile. To be honest, because he couldn't divine Miketsu's origins, he had once thought she might have used secret arts to conceal her whereabouts and left Heian-kyo early, not wanting to get involved in too many entanglements, and that the three-day promise was just an excuse.

"I am not one to break a promise, especially one with the Fujiwara clan," Miketsu replied. Knowing the identity of the person before her made it easier for her to respond.

Hearing Miketsu's words, a glimmer flashed in Fujiwara no Saneyori's eyes. He had initially thought that Asakura Hao, being a recluse from the mountains, didn't know his identity, which was why she had acted neither humble nor arrogant when they met, even treating him as merely an examiner for the trials by submitting the spiritual jade. His own status was far higher than Ono no Yasuharu's.

But now, the other party had directly stated his identity, and her attitude still showed no sign of deference. This indicated that she probably knew his identity from the start, but even so, she showed no intention of lowering her stance, acting as she pleased.

Is it the arrogance of a genius? Interesting... but she certainly has the right to be.

Fujiwara no Saneyori secretly labeled the young woman before him as a brilliant young talent, arrogant due to her abilities. Little did he know that Miketsu's behavior was entirely due to her lack of understanding of the human status system in this world. She had only heard a few tens of minutes ago that the Fujiwara were impressive, and this person before her was impressive, but she had no intuitive sense of just how impressive.

Moreover, she was a deity herself. Although she didn't truly consider herself a god, Tsuruha's constant emphasis on her nobility subtly influenced Miketsu.

After this, Fujiwara no Saneyori inquired about the Demon-Faced Centipede. Miketsu directly recited her pre-rehearsed explanation. Having told Seimei once before, this time she spoke even more convincingly, using a mix of truth and falsehood to conceal the information she needed to hide.

Fujiwara no Saneyori didn't say much after hearing Miketsu's somewhat ambiguous explanation. Like Seimei, he merely confirmed whether Miketsu truly didn't know the origin of the Demon-Faced Centipede. Upon receiving a negative answer, his brows furrowed slightly.

Fujiwara no Saneyori did not ask about Miketsu's origins or what techniques she used to subjugate the yokai. From Miketsu's answers a few days prior, he already knew she wouldn't answer such questions. More importantly, his main purpose in meeting Miketsu this time was not to uncover her background.

"A yokai like the Demon-Faced Centipede should have been handled by the Onmyoryo, but no one expected you to successfully subjugate it. Regardless of the process, you have rendered a meritorious service to the Onmyoryo." After listening to Miketsu's account, Fujiwara no Saneyori slowly took a sip of tea. He then placed the teacup on the table and continued, looking at Miketsu.

"To be honest, sometimes I truly feel regret for you. Young talents with your kind of natural gift are rare in this world. If you had been born into a prominent Onmyoji family and received profound teachings from a young age, your achievements today would likely be unparalleled. It's just a pity... you are a recluse from the mountains, unable to access truly advanced techniques no matter what."

Fujiwara no Saneyori's voice carried a hint of regret. Hearing this, Miketsu's expression became serious. According to Seimei, the real reason for this meeting was not to hear about the Demon-Faced Centipede, but to recruit her.

"Indeed. I came to participate in these trials precisely to acquire more Onmyojutsu." Facing Fujiwara no Saneyori, Miketsu did not hide her true intentions and spoke truthfully.

"Yes... a heaven-sent talent like yours being left outside is truly a great loss to Onmyodo. We, the Fujiwara, as one of the pillars of Onmyodo, naturally do not wish to see such a thing happen."

Fujiwara no Saneyori spoke, looking at Miketsu, who had already roughly guessed what he was going to say next.

"Therefore... I hope you will join the Fujiwara clan. From then on, you will receive our full cultivation, gain the most excellent training environment that all practitioners in the world desire, and even access the Fujiwara's hundred-layered treasury with its countless treasures.

These are things that all practitioners in the world dream of obtaining. What are your thoughts?"

Fujiwara no Saneyori finished speaking, then looked solemnly at Miketsu, awaiting her reply.

Fujiwara no Saneyori's description was indeed incredibly tempting for true practitioners. However, for Miketsu, a deity who had only learned two Onmyojutsu a few days ago, it didn't hold much meaning. Miketsu's stance was clear from the start: she could not leave the shrine to reside permanently in the Onmyoryo or the Fujiwara household.

"Your sincerity is great, but I am very sorry to say that by nature, I am not accustomed to restrictions. I merely wish to be an auxiliary member of the Onmyoryo, and I ask for nothing more." Miketsu responded solemnly to Fujiwara no Saneyori. She could clearly see a hint of disappointment flash in his eyes.

"Hehe... sometimes nature needs to make way for one's future, but it's alright. Your refusal now doesn't mean you won't agree later. When you truly understand the real situation of Onmyodo, I believe you will change your mind."

Fujiwara no Saneyori said this, his expression not changing much, clearly having been mentally prepared. He also knew that recruiting an arrogant genius with a single offer was unrealistic.

Besides this direct recruitment, he had other preparations for today.

Fujiwara no Saneyori tapped the table in front of him with two fingers. The sliding door beside him opened in response, and a young attendant walked in. In his hands, he carried a wooden tray, on which a set of white garments was neatly folded. On top of the garments lay a tall black cap. Miketsu recognized this tall cap; it was what the Onmyoji wore.

"You subjugated the Demon-Faced Centipede, which is a great meritorious deed and should be heavily rewarded. However, since you do not wish to directly join the Onmyoryo or become a disciple of my Fujiwara clan, how to bestow this reward becomes a problem. After all, many things can only be obtained once you have an official status.

Therefore, I have decided to bestow upon you such a status. This is the kariginu that only official Onmyoji of the Onmyoryo are permitted to wear. Accept it, and I will register you, making you an official Onmyoji serving the court. You will participate in Onmyoryo affairs, learn the spells recorded within the Onmyoryo, hold the official authority of an Onmyoji, and be able to accumulate merits and be promoted through Onmyoryo tasks.

You said you dislike restrictions. That's fine. While serving as an Onmyoji, you will not be required to abide by most of the Onmyoryo's regulations. You won't need to report daily or join a specific department for routine work. You can be like those external Read at Novels Haven (novelshaven.com)