LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 23: Chapter 23
After Yae Miko walked through the gate to the other world, she felt an immediate change in her surroundings. The elemental energy that she was used to sensing had completely disappeared, just like a fish accustomed to saltwater suddenly being placed in freshwater.
Fortunately, the elemental power already in her body remained, and as a member of Narukami, she was able to draw elemental energy directly from Raiden Ei through their unique connection.
The connection was like a straw, allowing her to stay empowered.
As soon as she stepped out of the gate, Yae Miko was surprised by the sight of people kneeling before her. However, she quickly understood what was happening.
In this world, there were no real gods, only myths and legends. However, this country had a strong Shinto culture that believed in all sorts of supernatural beings.
Her usual mischievousness returned as she realized that since she was playing a role here, why not embody the role of the fox spirit under Narukami's command?
In the mythology of this land, the fox spirit was considered a deity, so she could indeed be seen as a god in this world.
She had always wanted to indulge in the feeling of being worshiped as a god. In Teyvat, her position and responsibilities prevented her from truly enjoying such reverence, but here, in this weaker world, she could relish it.
Yae Miko looked at the humans who had buried their heads, not daring to look up at the gods. She shook the Kagura Bell in her hand and spoke with her usual playful tone.
"Aiya~, such a grand welcome ceremony really surprises me~"
"There's no need to keep your heads down. It's not Narukami-sama who has descended this time. Besides, how could such trivial matters in the human world bring her here?"
The people, puzzled by the seductive female voice they had heard, slowly raised their heads, excited and curious.
They were stunned by what they saw.
Standing before them was a girl who seemed out of this world. Her long pink hair framed a pair of inhuman fox ears, and her attire was filled with mystery, making her look like a charming fox spirit from myth.
She exuded an aura that was both sacred and alluring, with her jade-like legs intentionally or unintentionally exposed, creating a contrast of purity and seduction.
Behind her, a man and a woman walked through the shimmering torii gate. They, too, had extraordinary auras. Their clothing was not as enchanting as the fox spirit's, but it was exquisitely noble—unlike anything seen in the human world.
"Oh my! Are you all captivated by my beauty? You can't even answer my questions~" Yae Miko teased with a lighthearted laugh, enjoying their reaction immensely.
Although yokai were now rare in Inazuma, the people of Inazuma had grown accustomed to their presence, so they only respected her because of her status as the high priestess of Narukami Shrine, not just because she was a fox spirit.
"Welcome, Lord Fox Spirit and the two divine envoys!"
The head of the priest family, the father of Ubuyashiki Amane, the Great Priest Kamisato, finally recovered from his stupor and spoke excitedly.
Although it was not the God of Thunder who had descended, it was still a Fox Spirit from Takamagahara, and he might be the first priest in a thousand years to welcome such a being.
"May I ask what purpose the immortals have in descending to the human world? Or is it an oracle from Jianyu Thunder God?" Great Priest Kamisato asked, his excitement barely contained.
Yae Miko felt pleased. This old man was clever enough to assign her a role, and she decided to reward his wisdom by teaching him some simple onmyodo (spirit arts).
Onmyodo in this world was not unlike the techniques that Harunosuke of Inazuma had learned from the Liyue immortals 400 years ago. He had modified these arts to make them accessible to mortals, using only human energy, blood, and vitality without any dangerous side effects.
"My lord grew curious a few days ago and cast her gaze upon the human world, discovering a group of man-eating evil spirits that had plunged the land into resentment. Thus, I, along with the two divine envoys, have descended to address this matter."
Upon hearing this, Great Priest Kamisato immediately turned to Ubuyashiki Kagaya, who was kneeling beside him.
"So this is the reason the three immortals have come to earth. Our Kamisato family and the Ubuyashiki family have fought against these man-eating ghosts for over a thousand years."
According to ancestral records, the ancestor of these ghosts had once been a noble scion of the Ubuyashiki family. For unknown reasons, he transformed into a ghost, and since then, the number of these beings had only increased.
For a millennium, they had been hunted, but not exterminated, and many had died in the process.
The Ubuyashiki family had even been cursed by the gods, with their descendants unable to live past adulthood, each generation producing only one child.
It was only by marrying into the Kamisato family that these descendants could live beyond the age of twenty.
"Yes, Lord Fox Spirit. We are deeply ashamed. These man-eating ghosts are the sins committed by my Ubuyashiki family a thousand years ago. For that reason, our Ubuyashiki family founded the Demon Slayer Corps to take in children whose families had been harmed by ghosts. We have long hoped to eradicate the original sin of our ancestor."
Hearing that the purpose of their arrival was related to the ghosts, Ubuyashiki Kagaya struggled to contain his emotions. Joy washed over him, and tears finally fell uncontrollably.
It was wonderful. Lord God, you were here to deal with the ghosts that had plagued this land for so long. It was a blessing.
They had been terrorizing people for a thousand years.
The Ubuyashiki family had wanted to put an end to this legacy for so long.
"Yes, I know of your Demon Slayer Corps. My lord observed everything from above," Yae Miko nodded.
After all, she knew the future trajectory of this world.
The Sky Island god was powerful, wasn't he the god of time as well?
"These original ghosts should have been dealt with a thousand years ago. It is regrettable that they were not," Yae Miko said, sighing lightly.
"Did Lord Fox Spirit mean that they should have been dealt with a thousand years ago?" Great Priest Kamisato asked, confused.
Yae Miko nodded. This old man was sharp—was this the compliment she'd heard in Liyue's crosstalk?
Kamisato Ayato and Kamisato Ayaka stood silently behind Yae Miko, watching her performance, already understanding what role they had to play.
They couldn't help but admire her skills. As expected of the high priestess of Narukami Shrine, her performance was flawless.
"That's right. None of the gods enshrined in this land have the correct names. It is like a letter sent with the wrong name and wrong address—the gods cannot receive it."
Yae Miko shook her Kagura Bell gently, the soft jingle ringing out.
"What? The names of the gods we worship are incorrect?" Great Priest Kamisato's eyes widened in shock, as if struck by lightning.
"Haha, the deity you call Jianyu Thunder God is actually named Yujian Mingshen. The meaning is similar, but it is worlds apart in effect."
Yae Miko walked gracefully into the dilapidated shrine of Jianyu Thunder God, her voice carrying softly but clearly.
"Of course, it's not your fault. After the Age of Gods ended three thousand years ago, the gods no longer descended to earth."
"Gods are eternal, while human lives are but fleeting moments. After a hundred generations of oral transmission, common knowledge and names are bound to be mistaken."
As she spoke, Yae Miko looked back at the people—some staring, some listening intently, others as if they had been struck by a bolt from the blue. Deep down, she felt a sense of satisfaction.
It was indeed entertaining to tease people.
And she was not lying, after all. Lies could be exposed, but if she spoke the truth with a twist, she could keep her intentions concealed—so the fox's tail remained safely hidden.