A Suggestion

Hieda no Are... the author of the Kojiki... Miketsu murmured thoughtfully as she listened to the White-robed Daoist. Then, changing the subject, she asked, "If that is the case, is the Kojiki the Book of Investiture for Yamato Mythology?"

"You could say that. Long ago, the land of the East was ruled by Yamata no Orochi. The primary purpose of creating Yamato Mythology was to slay the Great Snake and establish a new mythological system led by Modern Gods. While they watched over the mortal realm, they also had to prevent the resurrection of the Ancient Gods they had slain... Heh, because the Great Snake was not completely destroyed back then, this humble immortal specifically gave them a series of arrays to seal the Great Snake's remains within the Yin-Yang gap," the White-robed Daoist said, stroking his beard slowly. Hearing this, Miketsu couldn't help but complain inwardly.

'So it turns out you were the one who helped set up the Four Symbols Array. And here I was wondering how those Yamato gods knew about such things.'

"According to what you've said, the duty of a mythology is to suppress the Ancient Gods within its domain. If so, there is a major problem on the Great Snake's side..." Miketsu said seriously. The White-robed Daoist's brow furrowed upon hearing this.

Miketsu then briefly informed the White-robed Daoist about the current state of Yamata no Orochi, the Four Symbols Array, and the strange behavior of Takamagahara. The Daoist's expression grew increasingly heavy as he listened, until finally, he let out a long sigh.

"I did not expect the Great Snake to have awakened from the seal so long ago, nor that it would already be destroying the seal..."

"Yes, and Takamagahara is completely indifferent to the Great Snake's actions, as if they are entirely unaware. Logically, shouldn't Takamagahara have the duty of guarding the Great Snake?" Miketsu continued. The White-robed Daoist nodded.

"Takamagahara's reaction is indeed very abnormal. Regarding this, this humble immortal will find time to visit and question Amaterasu personally. However, if she truly intends to hide something, I suspect I will only be met with excuses," the White-robed Daoist said leisurely. Judging by his tone, although his status was transcendent, he did not have direct authority over the Chief Gods of various regions.

"What about that snake, then? Aren't you going to do something about it?"

"As for that, I am afraid this humble immortal cannot step away for the time being... Because of the clash between the Exalted One and Chang'e, your powers have invisibly affected the entire world. Several Ancient Gods who were originally slumbering within seals have shown signs of awakening due to this disturbance. I must immediately travel to sealing sites across the globe to work with the various Chief Gods to strengthen the seals and stabilize those slumbering Ancient Gods. Otherwise... we may have to face more than just the Great Snake attempting to break its seal..." the White-robed Daoist explained with a trace of helplessness. As he spoke, he glanced at the white light ball on the other side.

"I see... Is there any way to repair the snake's seal?"

"According to your account, Exalted One, the Four Symbols Array sealing its remains has already had three of its nodes corrupted. Under these circumstances, it is only a matter of time before all four fall. Even if the final White Tiger Array has never been used, any repairs I attempt would be of little use at this stage," the White-robed Daoist continued. Miketsu's brow furrowed.

'Does this mean that since the majority of the Four Symbols Array is corrupted, even the unused White Tiger Array is at risk? It seems I must immediately take back the Four Symbols Seals from Mokou and Yura once I return.'

'But doing only that won't stop the Great Snake's resurrection; it will only protect them from corruption...' Miketsu thought solemnly. Seeing her expression, the White-robed Daoist took the opportunity to speak.

"Actually, if the Great Snake's resurrection is inevitable, the Exalted One does not need to focus all your energy on preventing it. Even if the Great Snake undoes the Four Symbols Array, what is released is merely its corpse. To fully resurrect into the form of an Ancient God requires many more elements."

"If this humble immortal may be so bold, you should focus your primary energy on seeking your own resurrection, Exalted One. If you return to this world in your form as an Ancient God, then even if Yamata no Orochi resurrects, you will have nothing to fear," the White-robed Daoist said calmly. Miketsu was surprised by this.

"Resurrect me? I am an Ancient God, after all. Aren't you afraid that after I resurrect, I'll become a threat to this world like the other Ancient Gods?" Miketsu asked bluntly. The White-robed Daoist only chuckled softly.

"The other Ancient Gods... this humble immortal naturally cannot trust. But if it is the Exalted One, I am willing to believe that you can overcome the nature of an Ancient God and stand on the side of living beings. If the resurrection of Ancient Gods becomes the norm in this world's future, rather than plugging every seal one by one, it would be better to first create a powerful Ancient God who stands on our side."

"Is that so..." Miketsu nodded. She felt his words made some sense. If she could simply beat the full-powered Great Snake into submission, why bother spending so much effort constantly watching for its resurrection?

"Then, do you know anything about who I was as an Ancient God?"

"My apologies. In the era when I attained immortality, an Ancient God like you did not exist. Although the ancestors of the Hata Clan have always... I suspect... you likely fell in a much earlier age," the White-robed Daoist responded. Miketsu fell into deep thought.

'So I didn't fall as one of those weakened Ancient Gods during the final era? I didn't fall in the war against the Modern Gods. The reason for my fall remains a mystery, but the timing shouldn't be too early. After all, the ancestors of the Hata Clan passed down my totem... so it must have been after humans appeared.'

'I can ask Suwako and Okina about this in detail when I get back. One knows about Ancient God affairs, and the other knows the history of the Hata Clan.'

"Phew... thank you for answering so many of my questions. Now that my godhead has been repaired and you have urgent business, I won't trouble you any longer," Miketsu said with a breath of relief. She intended to leave.

"The Exalted One may leave whenever you wish. I shall have an Immortal Crane carry you back to the land of the East," the White-robed Daoist said, bowing slightly to Miketsu once more.

"Then I'll trouble you... but before I go, I want to ask one last thing. You said the one over there is also an incarnation of one of the Chief Gods. Who exactly is he? Has he always been in such a... strange state?"

Before leaving, Miketsu pointed at the light ball not far away. It had been floating there motionless from the start, not saying a word and lacking a concrete form, which made Miketsu very curious.

"Him..." The White-robed Daoist looked at the light ball with a hint of melancholy in his eyes. He stroked his beard and spoke slowly.

"You ask what his name is? He has too many names; I do not know which one to use, and neither does he. He has many forms, yet he does not know which specific form to manifest as. He is the most unique among the Modern Gods, the only Chief God to have multiple prophets. Though his followers are beyond count, the divisions between them are vast... This has brought him endless power, but also endless contradictions. Within these contradictions, he finds it difficult to define himself."

"Contradictions..."

Just as the White-robed Daoist was about to say more in response to Miketsu, the white light ball suddenly flashed. Seeing this, the Daoist did not continue.

"Heh, well, I shall stop there. Exalted One, I must now head west to inspect and repair the various seals. This will likely take several years. If you wish to head to the land of the East now, I shall prepare the Immortal Crane for you immediately."

"Phew... alright." Miketsu nodded.

It was time to go back and handle other matters.