"Why?"
Luo Shu tilted his head slightly, regarding Hidemoto Keikain with a smile:
"Because it's unnecessary, of course."
"I imagine you heard from Nurarihyon about certain organisations attempting to break Hagoromo Gitsune's seal, allowing Nue's birth so he can be permanently destroyed, correct?"
"You deduced from my presence at Nijō Castle that the SDS might be one such organisation behind this."
"Am I wrong?"
Hidemoto Keikain couldn't help but say enviously:
"How wonderful, to obtain precise divination without mental contamination through an Abyss Artefact."
Clearly, he mistook Luo Shu's words for divination results.
Which wasn't far from the truth.
After receiving the Keikain family's invitation, Luo Shu had used the Mysticism Encyclopaedia to divine information about them, combining the results to reach certain conclusions.
His earlier statements were part of those deductions.
Nurarihyon hadn't actually leaked information to Hidemoto Keikain - partly due to contractual constraints, but mainly because there was no need.
His true intention was to warn the Keikain family, guardians of Kyoto's seal, not to overcommit to maintaining Hagoromo Gitsune's seal and risk further diminishing their already dwindling numbers.
It was the well-meaning advice of an old friend to his comrade's descendants.
Hidemoto Keikain's assumption about Luo Shu, Hagoromo Gitsune and the Nura Clan collaborating stemmed entirely from the letter's contents and his detection of Hagoromo Gitsune's aura on Luo Shu.
This Onmyoji, skilled in divination, was indeed adept at inference.
"I can confirm that the mastermind behind the plan to unseal and destroy Nue, as mentioned in Nurarihyon's letter, is indeed me."
Luo Shu saw no reason to conceal this.
A Calamity Priest's ascension required orchestrating a disaster affecting 500,000 people, then drastically weakening it at the peak of despair.
The ritual's requirements didn't mandate secrecy - only that the weakening must occur when despair peaks.
Hence, Luo Shu's openness, even proactively informing certain key figures.
The guardian of Hagoromo Gitsune's seal, Hidemoto Keikain, clearly qualified for such disclosure.
"But with the plan laid bare, what exactly does the Keikain family bring to the table?"
"To stubbornly reinforce the seals and prevent Hagoromo Gitsune from establishing an esoteric connection with Nijo Castle?"
"Or perhaps, to inform the Cabinet and the Union about what's about to happen here?"
Luo Shu spoke calmly, his gaze levelled at Hidemoto Keikain before shaking his head:
"Frankly, I can't see what role the Keikain Family could play in this plan."
"Speaking purely of the Keikain Family's capabilities, Hagoromo Gitsune alone could crush your entire clan's combat strength."
"Not to mention the Gokadoin Family backing her, the Tsuchimikado secretly supporting her, and deeper still, myself and the Nura Clan lurking in the shadows."
"As for informing the Cabinet, it might indeed prompt those politicians to consider strengthening the seals to prevent incidents in Kyoto. But given the Cabinet's efficiency, by the time they reach a decision, Nue would have long since been resurrected."
"The only allies you can rely on who might actually act are the Twelve Akabane Houses of the Bujin-shū, since they oppose Abe no Seimei's resurrection and the strengthening of the Onmyou Agency."
"Yet allying with the Bujin-shū would constitute a political betrayal for the Keikain Family, generations of whom have served as the imperial family's Onmyoji."
"No methods to influence the larger situation, yet unable to take actions that truly affect it."
"Given this, why should I allow the Keikain Family onto the board as players to share in the subsequent benefits?"
"Because you've got cheek?"
Luo Shu's naked words left both Elder Hidemoto and Hidemoto Keikain silent.
Yet unlike the speechless elder, the younger-looking but senior Hidemoto Keikain wore a faint smile.
"Indeed. Expecting to become victors simply by offering the Keikain Family's resources would be difficult to justify."
Hidemoto Keikain sighed lightly before smiling at Luo Shu:
"How much more is needed?"
Luo Shu glanced at him, seemingly surprised by his directness.
Calmly picking up a toothpick from the low table, Luo Shu speared a piece of yokan and ate it before replying:
"I've always believed a collaboration's success depends on accurately identifying the other party's needs."
"Needs!" Hidemoto Keikain's eyes lit up with understanding.
After studying Luo Shu and performing rapid finger calculations—clearly divining something—he smiled:
"The Keikain Family can provide annual sponsorship of 100 million USD."
"Ah~" Luo Shu raised his eyebrows slightly, giving Hidemoto Keikain a look of mild surprise.
Seeing this, Hidemoto Keikain's heart sank as he silently cursed Luo Shu's greed.
For an organisation of the Keikain Family's scale, 100 million USD annually represented their maximum possible profit after full mobilisation.
As a millennium-old house, their true wealth lay in land management income, exorcism-related earnings from their Onmyouji duties, and controlled funeral industry assets.
Offering 100 million was already their utmost show of sincerity—yet apparently insufficient to satisfy Luo Shu's appetite.
Must they bleed further?
Hidemoto Keikain's sleeve-concealed fingers moved at blurring speed for twenty seconds before he spoke again:
"The Keikain family can dispatch 10 Onmyoji annually to assist the Hidden Management Department's work."
Luo Shu rubbed his chin, seemingly unfazed by the offer.
Seeing this, Hidemoto Keikain's face twitched before he continued:
"Internal classified documents and Abyss Artefacts will also be made available to the Hidden Management Department."
Luo Shu glanced at Hidemoto but remained silent.
Hidemoto was at a loss for words: "Director Luo appears... rather greedy."
Luo Shu smiled: "The strength of an alliance shouldn't be measured solely by money or resources, should it?"
Hidemoto froze, suddenly comprehending Luo Shu's implication, and blurted out in shock:
"This..."
"Mr Luo Shu, Yura is only eight years old!"