Chapter 156: Resurrection
Sapporo, Hokkaido.
Hokkaido was the only "dō" among Japan's administrative regions. It belonged to the northernmost part of the country and was the largest island after Honshu.
Across the Tsugaru Strait to the south lay Honshu.
Across the Sōya Strait to the north lay Sakhalin.
Rich in mineral resources, especially coal, Hokkaido had long possessed immense reserves and production capacity. Its industry was dominated by food processing, while wood processing, papermaking, and steel were also highly developed.
Its wheat, potatoes, and dairy cattle production all ranked first in Japan, making it one of the country's major agricultural and livestock bases.
Sapporo was the heart of Hokkaido and its largest city.
Centered around Sapporo, Hokkaido had formed the famous Sapporo Metropolitan Area, one of Japan's major metropolitan areas outside the top three.
Deep within the Ishikari Mountains, in a place that symbolized Hokkaido's ancient wilderness, there stood a vast manor that had existed for an unknown number of years.
Few people set foot here.
It was also a place where legends of Yokai lingered.
The manor was elegant and ancient.
Cherry blossoms formed its main color, wooden bridges crossed over flowing streams, and the eastern mountains were borrowed as scenery. A pond-and-spring stroll garden spread across the grounds, presenting different views with every step.
It was obvious that enormous effort had gone into designing this manor.
More importantly, the cherry blossoms here bloomed out of season, completely unaffected by the coming winter.
Inside the main hall, designed with traditional architectural techniques and aesthetic elegance, the view opened beautifully with a single glance.
At this moment, more than a dozen beings that appeared human but radiated dense demonic energy were gathered inside in an orderly fashion.
Every one of them was a Great Yokai.
Not a single one stood below that rank.
Their expressions were solemn and respectful as they looked toward the bronze coffin placed at the center of the hall.
"Migi."
A Great Yokai in the form of an old man spoke to a sinister-looking middle-aged man who stood a head taller than him.
"Can the Master truly be resurrected this time?"
"What are you questioning?"
Migi withdrew his gaze from the bronze coffin and looked coldly around the hall.
"Or rather, what are all of you questioning?"
His voice turned sharp.
"Are you questioning the Master?"
The Great Yokai swept by his cold gaze lowered their heads.
Only the old man met his eyes directly, his gaze burning, showing no intention of backing down.
"Migi, I am not questioning you, nor am I questioning the Master."
The old Great Yokai's expression carried faint sorrow.
"I only hope that his death was not a failed attempt."
His voice lowered slightly.
"I hope it had value."
After all, they had known each other for a thousand years.
They had survived that terrifying disaster together, two of the few remaining Great Yokai who had endured from that era.
If not for his assistance and betrayal, his old friend would never have been captured so easily and used as a sacrifice to summon the Master.
Now, he only hoped that his old friend's sacrifice had meaning.
Otherwise, his death would have been far too pathetic.
Migi stared at the old Great Yokai for several breaths before withdrawing his gaze.
When he spoke again, it sounded as if he were answering the old man, yet also speaking to everyone present.
"Rest assured."
His gaze returned to the unmoving bronze coffin.
"The Master will definitely resurrect this time."
Migi's eyes became deeply respectful.
"The breaking of the seal on Kyoto's source of Yin energy."
"The appearance of Nue."
"These events were fundamentally weakening the power of Onmyōdō."
His voice was low, yet firm.
"Although everything seems to have returned to normal, some things cannot be fully restored immediately just because they have returned to the right track."
"Combined with our arrangements during the Mount Fuji Incident, right now, at least during this current period, Onmyōdō absolutely cannot continue suppressing the Master's resurrection."
Migi paused briefly.
"Furthermore, the appearance of the Master's phantom in Nijō Castle is undoubtedly the best proof."
His tone carried a trace of regret.
"The only pity is that we failed to save Nue. Otherwise, the weakening of Onmyōdō would have been far greater than it is now."
Migi's words were like a calming pill.
The restless and anxious Great Yokai gradually settled down.
After all, everything he said was reasonable.
However, to avoid unnecessary panic, Migi did not voice some of his deeper thoughts.
If that person wanted to obstruct the Master's resurrection, then they would have no choice but to wait for the next era.
But judging from the conversation between the Master and him in Nijō Castle, he did not seem to have any intention of stopping it.
I hope everything proceeds smoothly today.
Hope and unease coexisted in Migi's heart.
Then, suddenly—
Clang.
Clang.
The sound of heavy chains rattling came from thin air.
At the center of the hall, with the bronze coffin as the source, a visible green whirlwind rippled outward.
It was sharp as a blade.
The wind expanded continuously until it formed a small tornado.
"Protect!"
To prevent the hall, and even the entire manor, from being destroyed, Migi directly used his power to lay down a defensive layer.
Only then did the building withstand the green whirlwind.
"This is the Master's power..."
"It is truly as Migi said. The Master may really break free from the suppression of Onmyōdō today and resurrect into this era."
"How wonderful... Master... Lord Daitengu..."
Seeing the changes in the bronze coffin, all the Great Yokai, including Migi, became overjoyed and excited.
The Master they had awaited for a thousand years was finally about to descend upon the world again.
However, outside the hall, standing in the corridor, was a girl with beautiful hair and delicate features.
She looked like an elegant young lady.
Yet unlike the Great Yokai inside the hall, there was no excitement on her face.
Instead, she watched the green whirlwind around the bronze coffin with a solemn expression.
"Is Daitengu, who shares equal fame with Her Highness, really going to resurrect here today?"
The girl murmured in a very low voice.
This girl was Kiyohime.
Her position here was somewhat awkward.
On the surface, she seemed to be a Great Yokai under Daitengu's command.
But in truth, she was an undercover agent sent by Tamamo-no-Mae.
If she were exposed, things would become extremely troublesome.
Bang.
Bang.
A new change began.
The green whirlwind seemed to be constantly colliding with invisible chains.
From time to time, the sound of chains breaking echoed through the hall.
It was clear that in the clash between those two powers, the invisible chains were gradually losing ground.
The green whirlwind grew increasingly violent.
Cracks even appeared across the surface of the bronze coffin, as if something inside was about to burst out.
Then, all the Great Yokai present felt a vitality coming from within the coffin.
Weak at first.
Then stronger.
At the same time, the familiar aura they had long awaited for over a thousand years quietly rose.
Boom!
With a dull, massive sound, the bronze coffin exploded from the inside.
Bronze fragments flew in every direction.
In the next instant, all the Great Yokai, including Migi and Kiyohime, felt a terrifying pressure descending upon them.
It was like pressure from the abyss itself.
Before it, they could not muster the slightest resistance.
The pressure came quickly.
It vanished just as quickly.
The sudden disappearance almost made Great Yokai like Migi lose their footing and fall.
But none of them cared about such a trivial matter.
Their excited, expectant gazes locked onto the figure emerging from the shattered bronze coffin.
White clothing similar to an Onmyoji's kariginu.
A pair of wings as noble and elegant as the night.
The iconic round fan in his hand.
He was an extraordinarily handsome young man.
Yet his eyes and expression carried the vicissitudes of countless years.
He was exactly the same as the phantom that had appeared in Nijō Castle.
One of the top Great Yokai who could rival Tamamo-no-Mae and Shuten-dōji.
Daitengu.
The top Great Yokai who had fallen during the Heian Period a thousand years ago had now, in this present age, broken free from the shackles of Onmyōdō and descended into the world once more.
"You have worked hard all these years."
Daitengu looked at the familiar subordinates before him, and emotion stirred in his heart.
A thousand years.
For long-lived beings like Great Yokai, it was still an extremely long time.
He could not say everything had changed beyond recognition, but this era was ultimately very different from the Heian Period he had known.
Fortunately, some old companions still remained.
"Welcome back, my lord."
Led by Migi, the Great Yokai all knelt on one knee.
"Congratulations on your resurrection and descent into this era."
They offered the highest form of submission to Daitengu.
Like the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons that had followed Nue, they had followed their hearts and waited in the shadows for over a thousand years, all for the fulfillment of their long-cherished wish.
Compared to the Night Parade under Kidōji and Rukugumō, Great Yokai like Migi were undoubtedly purer, especially in terms of loyalty.
Otherwise, they would never have been able to force their own companion to become a sacrifice.
"All of you, rise."
At Daitengu's command, Migi and the other Great Yokai slowly stood.
Then Daitengu looked toward Kiyohime.
"Little one, are you not going back to your true master?"
His tone was gentle, almost amused.
"To think you dare remain here. Aren't you afraid I will throw you into the storm?"
The moment those words came out, Migi was startled.
Then his gaze snapped toward Kiyohime, filled with anger.
From Daitengu's words, it was not hard to understand that Kiyohime was an undercover agent planted among them by someone else.
Kiyohime ignored the furious gazes of the Great Yokai around her.
She merely bowed respectfully to Daitengu.
"Lord Daitengu, Kiyohime is here on behalf of my master, Her Highness Tamamo-no-Mae, to send greetings."
Her voice remained calm.
"Congratulations, my lord, on breaking free from the shackles of Onmyōdō and resurrecting into this era."
"You are that fox's subordinate?"
The Great Yokai led by Migi were all shocked.
One had to know that they had previously plotted in secret against that golden fox entrenched within the Imperial Palace.
They had never expected Kiyohime's master to be her.
In other words, all of their calculations and schemes had been known by that golden fox from the beginning.
A sense of frustration rose in them.
It was the feeling of having been toyed with in the palm of her hand.
"Migi, step back for now."
Daitengu directly stopped Migi, who was furious enough to leave Kiyohime here permanently.
"Yes, my lord."
Since Daitengu had spoken, Migi naturally did not dare say anything more.
He could only lock onto Kiyohime with a gaze brimming with killing intent.
There was no doubt that if Daitengu had not been present, Kiyohime would most likely not have escaped today.
"Kiyohime."
Daitengu looked at her.
"Please apologize to your master, Tamamo-no-Mae, on my behalf."
His expression remained composed.
"In a few days, I will personally visit the Imperial Palace and apologize for my subordinate's rudeness."
"My lord..."
Migi wanted to say something.
But after thinking of something, he ultimately closed his mouth in frustration.
"Lord Daitengu is too polite."
Kiyohime hurriedly lowered her head.
"Her Highness sent me here this time with no intention of demanding accountability. She only asked me to convey her congratulations to you."
"If my lord has no other instructions, Kiyohime will take her leave."
At Daitengu's signal, Kiyohime transformed into a blue bird and flew toward the Imperial Palace.
Although she had appeared calm when facing Daitengu and the hostility of numerous Great Yokai, only Kiyohime herself knew that it had all been an act.
If not for Her Highness's orders, she truly would not have dared come here.
If anything had gone wrong, she feared she would have been torn to shreds on the spot.
Furthermore, although Daitengu appeared gentle and kind, like a good-natured man, that was nothing more than a deceptive illusion.
As a top Great Yokai who shared equal fame with Her Highness Tamamo-no-Mae and Shuten-dōji, the words "good-natured man" could never truly be associated with Daitengu.
As for the so-called apology, Kiyohime believed Daitengu would sincerely apologize from the bottom of his heart to that man.
After all, the relationship between those two had been somewhat ambiguous and unfathomable to outsiders a thousand years ago.
But apologizing to Her Highness?
Forget it.
The two of them could barely stand the sight of each other.
Otherwise, Kiyohime would not have been planted as an undercover agent among Daitengu's Great Yokai in the first place.
"My lord, are we truly letting Kiyohime leave so easily?"
Migi asked cautiously.
"Otherwise?"
Daitengu glanced at him.
"Are we supposed to go to war with that fox right now?"
His voice remained mild.
"No matter the outcome, the one hiding on Mount Ōe would be the only one to benefit."
"I understand, my lord."
"As for the matter of Seimei, your handling of it was somewhat lacking."
"My lord, we..."
Migi instinctively wanted to argue.
But the moment he saw the faint coldness flash through Daitengu's eyes, his voice stopped.
"Forget it."
Daitengu did not continue making things difficult for his loyal subordinates.
He merely said indifferently, "I know you carry grievances against Seimei in your hearts."
"But you must also understand something."
"Some things are destined to have an outcome."
His gaze drifted beyond the hall.
"The era not only influences one's choices, but also the results of those choices."
He did not continue explaining.
"Alright. All of you may withdraw."
"Yes, my lord."
Under Daitengu's command, the Great Yokai led by Migi withdrew from the hall.
Soon, only Daitengu remained.
"I remember I still owe Seimei a gesture of sincerity."
Daitengu looked toward the azure sky beyond the manor and murmured softly.
"It seems I need to prepare it properly."
....
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