Neither Hagoromo Gitsune nor Nura Rihan showed surprise at Luo Shu's words.
This had been predetermined from the start.
Whether it was facilitating Nue's birth or completely eliminating Nue, the conditions required Kyoto's environment. Hence, the journey to Japan's ancient capital had long been decided.
However, before heading to Kyoto, Luo Shu needed to drive all of Hagoromo Group's forces back to Kyoto to ensure he could thoroughly eradicate their influence while stationed there.
"The Gokadoin Family has sent operatives to Tokyo."
After Luo Shu finished speaking and settled into the armchair, Hagoromo Gitsune briefly explained the situation:
"The one dispatched is the sixth head, Yuiyui Gokadoin. Besides her, there should be another head lurking in the shadows."
Upon hearing this, Rihan Nura rubbed his chin:
"Members of the Gokadoin Family... They're indeed troublesome opponents."
He wasn't unfamiliar with the Gokadoin Family, having deep impressions of those Onmyoji who wore white robes, calling themselves Abe, and black robes, calling themselves Gokadoin.
Eerie, hard to kill, and always lurking in the shadows.
Though such powerful members were exceedingly rare, every single member of the Gokadoin Family was an extremely formidable existence.
"If there are two members of the Gokadoin Family in Tokyo, it would be rather inconvenient for me."
The vast Nura Clan wasn't like the SDS, which had fewer than five bases across Japan with highly concealed members. The Nura Clan's headquarters was practically public knowledge among many factions, and its subordinate yokai organisations openly existed under corporate or group names.
Under such circumstances, with two Hero Grade Onmyoji lurking in Tokyo, Nura Rihan would naturally maintain sufficient forces there as a precautionary measure.
"Besides Yuiyui Gokadoin, the other Gokadoin member who came to Tokyo is Abe no Ariyuki."
Luo Shu offered no explanation about his intelligence source, simply stating the fact.
"So it's that child Ariyuki?" Hagoromo Gitsune seemed to have deep impressions of Abe no Ariyuki: "His strength is formidable, even rivalling or surpassing Yoshihira's child. Among the Gokadoin Family, he's the one closest to Seimei's level."
Abe no Yasunaga, once a head of the Gokadoin line, broke away from the main Abe family for various reasons. In time, his descendants established the Tsuchimikado family, with Ariyo Tsuchimikado remembered among its early figures. This brought the family from the shadows into prominence, making them the leading lineage in Onmyōdō for the next millennium.
Divisions within the Abe line gave rise to rival houses. Ariyo Tsuchimikado broke away and established his own branch, which came to be known as the Tsuchimikado family. His ideological clashes with Abe no Ariyuki, the fourth head of the main line, are said to have hastened this split. Meanwhile, another branch aligned itself with the court as the Gokadoin family, carrying the prestige of Abe no Seimei's blood under a different name.
Hagoromo Gitsune briefly outlined Abe no Ariyuki's background. As her great-great-grandchild, she retained some memory of him.
After hearing Hagoromo Gitsune's explanation about Abe no Ariyuki's background and appearance, Nura Rihan recalled certain events: "I see. So the Gokadoin member I fought during the Edo period was this Abe no Ariyuki?"
Nura Rihan wore a reminiscent expression before murmuring: "That man was a thoroughly orthodox Onmyoji, having reached remarkable mastery in divination, the five elements, Familiar Spirits, and even physical prowess."
He then added, "Back then, Kurotabo and I performed Matoi and managed to land a blow on him, but didn't kill him. He escaped."
Hagoromo Gitsune's expression shifted slightly at this.
Matoi!
A technique developed by Nura Rihan to maximally utilise the Hyakki Yagyō's power. The principle resembled armouring oneself with the Fear of subordinates - a special art that combined followers' strength to surpass one's own limits. A secret technique only possible for the half-yokai Nura Rihan.
In Matoi state, Nura Rihan, ordinarily just an average Hero Grade, could easily suppress other Hero Grades. Witnesses of his power thus regarded him as a force beyond Great Yokai.
However, according to Luo Shu's prior divination, this state was merely an unusual enhancement, his power remaining mid-tier among Hero Grades. This was unlike Tōga, who wielded the Three Supreme Swords and had nearly reached the pinnacle of Hero Grade, beginning to tap into conceptual power and attempt the path towards Demigod.
However, even so, for an Onmyoji—a mere human—to withstand Nura Rihan after he activated Matoi, and even survive being slashed by his blade...
Abe no Ariyuki's strength truly ranks among the top of the Gokadoin Family.
Upon hearing news of Abe no Ariyuki's appearance, Nura Rihan fell silent for a moment before saying:
"If it's him, then at the very least, my old man will have to stay behind on the Nura Clan's side."
Although Nurarihyon's lifespan had drastically shortened after Hagoromo Gitsune devoured his raw liver, he could still unleash his full strength for a short period...
In his prime, Nurarihyon was a trickster even Hagoromo Gitsune found troublesome—a Great Yokai capable of wresting the title of Lord of Monsters and Spirits from her grasp.
His presence alone could deter Abe no Ariyuki to some extent, preventing him from acting recklessly.
But if that were the case, it wouldn't align with Luo Shu's interests.
He wanted as many powerful figures as possible drawn into Kyoto to ensure the ritual's completion.
Thus, after Nura Rihan finished speaking, Luo Shu lightly tapped the glass table before him with his finger.
As Nura Rihan and Hagoromo Gitsune turned to look, he said calmly:
"There's no need to concern ourselves with Abe no Ariyuki."
Hagoromo Gitsune and Nura Rihan stared at Luo Shu in astonishment.
At that moment, Luo Shu's expression remained utterly composed.
Seeing this, both Hagoromo Gitsune and Nura Rihan felt a chill run down their spines.
They realised that Abe no Ariyuki might no longer exist in this world.
And even if he did, his circumstances were likely far worse than they imagined.
"Let's move on to other topics," Luo Shu said slowly, his tone brooking no refusal.
"Understood."
...
Shiba Park, Tokyo.
Beside a park bench, a young and handsome Onmyoji in white robes—his face still bearing traces of boyishness—frowned at the flat divination sticks in his hand.
"Great misfortune?!"
Abe no Ariyuki, who usually wore a perpetual smile, now found his expression faltering at the ominous omen.
He lowered his gaze to the various divination tools scattered on the ground.
Western tarot cards, Eastern turtle shells, even the Five Emperor Coins—he had tried them all. He'd even experimented with modern methods like the Ouija board and pendulum dowsing.
Yet every result pointed to an ill-fated future.
"My, my... To think I'd catch the attention of some formidable figure the moment I arrived in Tokyo."
"How unfortunate for me."
Abe no Ariyuki forced a smile back onto his face as he crouched to gather his tools.
Just then, a playful giggle sounded nearby:
"Ara ara, Onmyoji-san, are you divining your own fate?"
Abe no Ariyuki's outstretched hand froze. His expression stiffened as he slowly raised his head, searching for the source of the voice.
Yet he saw nothing.
The only thing that left an impression was a pair of heterochromatic eyes, one pupil resembling the hands of a clock, as if embodying the relentless passage of time.