Chapter 89: Child of Destiny
The [Taizan Fukun Ritual] was originally a special ceremony from Chinese natural mythology. The God of Mount Tai, the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak, held an extremely high position in the Daoist pantheon. The ritual was, in essence, a sincere prayer to this deity, offering one's own life in exchange for the return of another's. In an era before the concept of Yama existed in the faith, even the underworld was under the jurisdiction of the Great Emperor of Mount Tai.
This Onmyōdō, and indeed Daoist culture itself, had been imported into Japan along with the ancient empire's influence, and thus the ritual had appeared in Japanese Onmyōdō.
However, Kaito was also aware that in this infinite multiverse, which was composed mostly of anime worlds, the [Taizan Fukun Ritual] was likely not the version from Chinese mythology. There was an anime called Tokyo Ravens whose central plot also involved this exact ritual. Kaito normally wouldn't have watched such an obscure, niche series, but he had recently spent so much time at Katsu's gym that he'd gotten bored and had started watching more obscure anime. He hadn't expected to run into a reference this soon.
"How did you know I was here to ask about that?" Kaito didn't deny it. Instead, he went along with the priest's words, sensing he was on the verge of uncovering the real issue. Did this man call me a "divine messenger" because of the reputation I built in the other world, or because of Inari's curse?
The old priest could clearly feel the aura of Inari on him. Without a doubt, this was a true divine messenger, one who was even closer to Lord Inari than the one who had come before.
"The truth is, half a year ago, another divine messenger came here, asking about the [Taizan Fukun Ritual]."
"It is a secret tradition of the Tsuchimikado clan. They apparently performed it once after that world-ending war, but it brought great ruin upon their own family and upon all of Japan. It would not be an exaggeration to say it shook the very fate of the nation."
"All I could do was refer that messenger to the Tsuchimikado family. And then, after that... that event happened…"
The old priest kept his head bowed, feeling as if the [Taizan Fukun Ritual] was a curse in itself. But in his heart, he still hoped that this new messenger was here to fix everything. This was not a disaster that the current Jujutsu world could solve. In his eyes, ever since the golden age of mysticism in the Heian period had ended, it was impossible for mortal sorcerers to solve this problem without the aid of a god.
Kaito had just obtained several critical pieces of information, giving him a much clearer picture of this world's current state. The Tsuchimikado clan were the descendants of the legendary Onmyōji [Abe no Seimei]. And the story of Tokyo Ravens did indeed mention that the head of the Tsuchimikado clan, the great Onmyōji [Tsuchimikado Yakou], had performed the [Taizan Fukun Ritual] after that sinful war of aggression, but the result had been a terrible spiritual disaster in Tokyo.
Although in the Tokyo Ravens story, Yakou's purpose had been to reincarnate into the body of a descendant, there was no guarantee that was his purpose in this world. The various worlds of the Nexus seemed to be connected on some level, but because so many branch timelines existed, you could never be sure where any single one was headed.
"One last question, Head Priest. This previous divine messenger you mentioned. What were his characteristics?"
The old priest looked up, as if Kaito's question had just made him realize he should have been paying attention to the messenger's appearance, not just his divine aura. "I did not see him clearly. But that man… he was wearing a white cloak, and he gave off a... special scent."
Kaito hadn't really wanted a physical description. Plot characters saw Reincarnators differently than other players, without the influence of their custom avatars. Appearance was meaningless. But habits and auras… those were useful.
"A special scent? What kind of scent?"
The old priest thought for a moment, then turned and looked at the forest down the mountain. "It was as if… no matter where he walked, sunlight would spill onto him, and on a hot day, a cool breeze would follow him. A special aura that just... drew your attention."
"In the eyes of a mortal," the priest concluded, "he might have been called a Child of Destiny."
The priest's description was poetic, but Kaito frowned deeply. That description didn't sound like a simple ability. It sounded like a special trait that transcended the normal dimensions of power. And the description "Child of Destiny" (天命之子) couldn't help but make Kaito think of the category of [Cardholders] the Professor had mentioned: The Twelve Heavenly Stems, bestowed upon those chosen by fate.
Tsk. This world just keeps getting more and more interesting.
The old priest gave Kaito the location of the current Tsuchimikado clan. As the sun was setting, he arrived at a large estate nestled in the mountain forests. The Tsuchimikado clan, as the direct descendants of Abe no Seimei, represented the pinnacle of Japanese Onmyōdō. But their estate was now cold and deserted.
When Kaito arrived, there were no guards at the gate, no one to announce him. He simply walked straight into the center of the clan grounds and found the white-haired, contemporary head of the family, [Tsuchimikado Ochiai].
And, he also saw the long-haired man in the black monk's robes, standing right behind him.
An intense, cold wave of killing intent and hostility instantly enveloped Kaito, settling over him like a swamp. Kaito glanced back. The giant, bird-like Cursed Spirit had blocked the path he'd come from. On the courtyard wall, a voluptuous female Cursed Spirit was now floating, its face concealed.
"Head of the Tsuchimikado," Geto Suguru's voice was light. "Your estate isn't as deserted as you claimed. Another guest has arrived."
Tsuchimikado Ochiai looked up and was about to say he didn't know the newcomer when his eyes caught the emblem in Kaito's hand.
"This… this person appears to be a benefactor of the Tsuchimikado clan. Perhaps a descendant." He stood and bowed deeply to Kaito. "Honored guest. The Tsuchimikado clan never forgets a kindness given to us. In the Taisho era, our family, along with the other Shinto factions, gave that emblem to those who provided us with extraordinary aid."
"In the past, had you come with this emblem, we would have given you anything you sought. But now…" He looked around at his decaying home, his face a mask of sorrow.
Geto Suguru waved his hand. The special-grade Cursed Spirit, [Tamamo-no-Mae], slowly vanished. He studied Kaito with curiosity, feeling that this man's eyes and posture reminded him of someone... that smirk, constantly playing on his lips, and that habit of tilting his head back, looking down at people. Tsk. Such an arrogant look.
Kaito also recognized Geto. He mused that this supposed "savior" wasn't such an idiot after all. He, too, had identified the true core of the problem in the Dead Silent Capital.
"You've misunderstood, Tsuchimikado," Kaito said, ignoring Geto. "I'm not here to ask you for anything. I'm just here to ask you one question."
"The [Taizan Fukun Ritual]. Who did you give it to?"
Geto's expression changed. He had correctly deduced that the force that had killed Gojo Satoru and destroyed Tokyo was not Jujutsu, but Onmyōdō. He had come here to interrogate these old, declining noble families, starting with the Tsuchimikado. But this stranger had just walked in and named the exact technique.
"The Taizan Fukun Ritual?" Geto's voice was soft. "So that is the true name of that technique?"
A massive black serpent erupted from the shadows, instantly coiling around Tsuchimikado Ochiai. This was the age of Jujutsu. The techniques of Onmyōdō had faded with the mysteries of the past and were no match for Cursed Energy, a power rooted in the raw fear and emotion of humanity. Mystery would fade, but human fear only grew with civilization.
Geto's eyes narrowed into dangerous slits.
Kaito noted the distance between himself and Geto. Only about seven meters. He took a step forward.
"Mr. Sorcerer. Before I get my answer, you had better not do anything… extra. I am, after all, very dangerous." He grinned, an equally dangerous smile on his face.
Geto glanced at the strange sorcerer, whose Cursed Energy felt like a crimson flame. He didn't take the threat seriously. The man's energy trait was interesting, but the quantity was that of any ordinary sorcerer.
He reached out and tightened his grip on Ochiai's neck, lifting the old man into the air. Ochiai choked and whimpered. Geto looked at Kaito, about to speak, when he saw the man lift his foot and slam it down.
BOOM!
The ground trembled. Geto's expression changed. His eyes lost track of his opponent. This movement, this speed… it reminded him of something very unpleasant.
Geto instantly dropped Ochiai and ordered his giant snake curses to protect him, but it was too late. Many misunderstood Geto, thinking he relied only on Cursed Spirits. But in truth, his physical combat prowess was immense, superior even to Gojo Satoru's. As the wind tore at his back, he instantly spun, his fist cloaked in Cursed Energy.
But Kaito had already appeared behind him. He had completely ignored the falling Ochiai. As Geto's cursed punch flew, Kaito simply tilted his head.
Slice!
A searing pain shot through Geto's throat. A hand-blade had struck his larynx. He heard the sound of his own cartilage shattering before he even realized what had happened.
This guy…
His opponent had appeared behind him. Faced with his full-power counter-punch, the man hadn't slowed at all. He had simply tilted his head, dodging the blow by the smallest possible margin, and in the instant he passed by, had landed a perfect hand-blade strike to his throat. There was no wasted motion. Just the most appropriate speed and the most appropriate force to end the fight in a single blow.
As Geto collapsed, his three giant snake curses were only just now arriving where Kaito had been.
Kaito stood over him, his own hands now glowing with Cursed Energy. He looked down at the fallen savior.
"See? I told you. I'm very dangerous."
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Guys We cross the 1200 power stone goal and as promise here the bonus chapter
Next goal 1300 power stone,come on guys you'll can do it, good luck.
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