Chapter 90: Child of Destiny (3k First Update)

The so-called "Taishan Fujun Festival" is supposed to refer to a specific ritual from the indigenous mythology of China.

The God of Mount Tai, the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak, holds an extremely high position in Taoist mythology.

The "Taishan Fujun Festival" originally meant to sincerely pray to the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak, exchanging one's own life for the return of the deceased's life.

In the era before Yama appeared in religious belief, the Yellow Springs were also under the jurisdiction of the Great Emperor of Mount Tai of the Eastern Peak.

This culture of Onmyodo and even Taoism was introduced to Japan along with the influence of the ancient empire on Japan.

In Japan's Onmyodo, the name "Taishan Fujun Festival" also appeared.

But Bai Cangshu also knew that in this Infinite Reincarnation Space, which is mostly composed of anime worlds, the "Taishan Fujun Festival" is likely not the version from that Eastern mythology.

There is an anime called "Tokyo Ravens" that also involves such a ritual at the core of its story.

Bai Cangshu had not originally watched such niche, obscure works, but recently, training with Xiao Ning had become too tedious, so he started playing some obscure anime works, and he did not expect to encounter this now.

"How did you know I came to ask about this?"

Bai Cangshu did not deny it; instead, he continued the conversation following the Shrine Priest's words, as he had vaguely realized where the problem lay.

Did the other party call him God's Envoy because he had once established a massive Reputation in the Demon Slayer World, or because of the curse the Inari God placed on him?

The old Shrine Priest felt the clear aura of the Inari God on the other party; there was no doubt, this was a true God's Envoy, closer to the "Inari God" than the one who had arrived previously.

"In fact, half a year ago, a God's Envoy came and asked about the ritual of the 'Taishan Fujun Festival'."

"That is a secret transmission of the Tsuchimikado Clan. They performed it once after that war that swept the world, but it caused tremendous damage to their own family and even Japan, enough to be called a shaking of the nation's destiny."

"I could only refer the God's Envoy to the Tsuchimikado Clan, and later, that incident happened..."

The old Shrine Priest hung his head low; he felt as if the "Taishan Fujun Festival" were some kind of curse.

But in his heart, he still hoped that the God's Envoy had come to fix everything.

This kind of matter was not something the current sorcerer world could resolve.

Or rather, in his view, since the curtain fell on that mysterious and glorious Heian Period, it was impossible for human sorcerers to resolve this matter without the help of Divine Power.

Bai Cangshu had obtained some important information and had a clearer grasp of the current state of this world.

The Tsuchimikado Clan were the descendants of the famous great Onmyoji of the Heian Period, "Abe no Seimei," and the story of "Tokyo Ravens" indeed mentioned that the head of the Tsuchimikado Clan, the great Onmyoji "Tsuchimikado Yako," had performed the "Taishan Fujun Festival" after that sinful war of aggression ended.

But the result was a terrifying Spirit Disaster erupting in Tokyo.

Although in the story of "Tokyo Ravens," Yako's purpose in performing the Taishan Fujun Festival was to reincarnate into a descendant of the clan, there was no guarantee what he intended to do with that Taishan Fujun Festival in the current world.

The many worlds in the Reincarnation Space seemed to have their worldviews connected to some extent, but because various branched world lines existed, one could not guarantee exactly where those other world lines were heading in these worlds.

"Last question, Shrine Priest, what were the characteristics of the previous God's Envoy you mentioned?"

The old Shrine Priest looked up at Bai Cangshu, seemingly noticing only because of Bai Cangshu's question that he should examine the God's Envoy's appearance, not just that radiance.

"I did not look closely, but that lord wore a white cloak and exuded a special scent from his whole body."

Bai Cangshu actually did not want to know the Reincarnator's appearance; because there was no influence of an Avatar, the Reincarnator would look completely different to Plot Characters than to other Reincarnators.

Appearance was meaningless, but certain temperamental and habitual characteristics were quite useful.

"A special scent, what kind of scent do you specifically mean?"

The old Shrine Priest thought for a moment, turned his head to look at the forest at the foot of the mountain, and said,

"It is as if no matter where he goes, the sunlight falls upon him, and in hot weather, he also receives a cool breeze—that kind of special scent that unconsciously attracts others' gazes."

"In the eyes of mortals, they might even mistake him for a Child of Destiny."

The old Shrine Priest's description was poetic, but Bai Cangshu frowned deeply.

This description did not sound like a simple ability; it was more like a special trait that clearly exceeded the dimension of ordinary power.

Moreover, the description of "Child of Destiny" forced Bai Cangshu to associate it with that category of special "cards" mentioned by the professor—the Heavenly Stem Twelve, bestowed upon the fated person.

Tsk, this world is truly becoming more and more interesting.

Bai Cangshu was also directed by the old Shrine Priest to the location of the contemporary Tsuchimikado Clan, and at sunset, he arrived at this large residence nestled between the mountain forests.

As the direct descendants of "Abe no Seimei," the Tsuchimikado Clan represented almost the highest level of Japanese Onmyodo.

But the residence at this moment was quite desolate.

When Bai Cangshu visited, there were no guards at the mountain gate, nor anyone to announce him; he arrived at the center of the Tsuchimikado Clan's territory in such an open and aboveboard manner and met the white-haired contemporary head of the Tsuchimikado Clan, "Tsuchimikado Ochiai."

Incidentally, he also saw that long-haired man standing behind Tsuchimikado Ochiai, wearing a Xuanse kasaya.

Intense killing intent and hostility instantly surrounded Bai Cangshu, and a cold, gloomy aura, like a swamp, enveloped him.

Bai Cangshu looked back and saw that at the mountain gate where he had come from, a giant bird-shaped Cursed Spirit was blocking the path.

And outside the courtyard wall, a plump female Cursed Spirit with her face completely covered was also floating on the wall.

"Head of the Tsuchimikado, your territory doesn't seem as desolate as you said; another guest has arrived."

Tsuchimikado Ochiai looked up, examining Bai Cangshu, and was about to say he did not recognize the other party, when he suddenly spotted the emblem in the other's hand.

"This... this person seems indeed to be someone who has done a favor for our Tsuchimikado Clan; perhaps a descendant." He stood up and bowed with difficulty toward Bai Cangshu.

"This noble guest, my Tsuchimikado Clan always remembers any benefactor who has ever extended a helping hand to us."

He knew that such an emblem was only issued during the Taisho Era by the family and other forces like the Onmyodo and Shintoism to those who had provided exceptional help to their side.

"If it were in the past, if you could come holding this emblem, we would certainly be able to give you what you seek, but now..."

He looked at his fallen residence and the empty clan territory, his face showing sorrow.

Xia Youjie waved his hand, and the Special Grade Cursed Spirit, Tamamo-no-Mae, slowly disappeared. He curiously examined Bai Cangshu, only feeling that the eyes and posture of the person before him vaguely reminded him of someone.

That corner of the mouth that seemed to carry a mocking intent at all times, and that expression of slightly leaning back and habitually looking at people with his lower eyelids.

Tsk, looking so arrogant.

Bai Cangshu also recognized Xia Youjie, thinking to himself that this so-called savior was really not a fool, as he had actually found the true core of the problem in the "Deadly City."

"You misunderstood, Tsuchimikado, I didn't come to ask you for anything; I just want to ask you."

!

"That 'Taishan Fujun Festival,' who exactly did you give it to?"

Xia Youjie's expression changed slightly; he had indeed realized that the power which caused the fall of Gojo Satoru, and even turned all of Tokyo into a land of deathly silence, was not Cursed Energy, but Yin-Yang Arts.

Furthermore, he had also cast his suspicions upon those traditional noble clans whose power had waned due to the prevalence of Cursed Energy.

Yet this man, whose Cursed Energy constantly swirled like a scarlet flame, had actually spoken the name in one breath.

"Taishan Fujun Festival?"

"Is that the true face of that technique?"

A pitch-black giant serpent emerged from the shadows and, in an instant, coiled around Tsuchimikado Ochiai.

This is the era of Cursed Energy; with the changes of the times and the fading of mysterious powers, those things from the Yin-Yang Arts had long been unable to compare to the power of Cursed Energy, which is rooted in human emotions and fear.

Mystery may fade, but human emotions and fear grow ever more vast with the development of civilization.

Xia Youjie's eyes narrowed into dangerous arcs.

Bai Cangshu looked at the distance between himself and Xia Youjie at this moment; it was only about seven meters.

He took a step forward.

"Mr. Cursed User, before I get my answer, you had best not do anything unnecessary."

"I, after all, am very dangerous."

The corners of his mouth curled up, revealing an equally dangerous smile.

Out of the corner of his eye, Xia Youjie looked at this unfamiliar Cursed User whose Cursed Energy was not particularly outstanding, and did not take the other's threat seriously.

Although the nature of the opponent's Cursed Energy did indeed look decent, it was, in the end, only the amount of Cursed Energy of an ordinary Cursed User.

He reached out and grabbed Tsuchimikado Ochiai by the throat; the elderly head of the Tsuchimikado Clan was lifted up powerlessly, emitting a whimpering sound.

Xia Youjie looked at Bai Cangshu with composure, just about to speak, when he saw the other lift his left foot and stomp down violently.

Bang!

The ground shook with a boom, and Xia Youjie's expression changed; the trace of his opponent had already vanished from his pupils.

This kind of movement, this kind of speed, reminded him of some rather unpleasant things.

Xia Youjie suddenly dropped Tsuchimikado Ochiai, and those several pitch-black, serpent-like Grade 1 Cursed Spirits also crawled toward his back at the same time.

Many people actually have a misunderstanding about Xia Youjie, thinking he is the type who relies on Cursed Spirits to fight.

But in fact, Xia Youjie's physical techniques are extremely powerful; in terms of physical ability alone, even Gojo Satoru is not his equal.

As the strong wind rushed at his back, he turned around in an instant, Cursed Energy flowing, and threw a punch.

Bai Cangshu had indeed appeared behind Xia Youjie in an instant; he showed no reaction to Tsuchimikado Ochiai, who had been dropped to the ground, and as Xia Youjie's punch, wrapped in intense Cursed Energy, struck, Bai Cangshu merely tilted his head slightly.

Pfft!

Xia Youjie felt a pain in his throat; his windpipe was hit instantly by a hand blade.

The sound of cartilage shattering rang out, and only then did he realize what had happened.

This guy...

The opponent appeared behind him in an instant, and facing his own punch, the opponent's speed did not diminish in the slightest; he merely tilted his head, dodged his fist with the most precise margin, and then, the moment he stepped past him, struck his throat with a hand blade.

Without any unnecessary movements, he had knocked him down with a single blow, using only the most appropriate speed and the most appropriate power.

By the time Xia Youjie fell, those three pitch-black serpent Cursed Spirits had only just arrived in front of Bai Cangshu.

Cursed Energy appeared on Bai Cangshu's hands as well; he looked down at Xia Youjie and said,

"See, I told you, I am very dangerous."

(End of this chapter)