The course of events was not complicated.

It turned out that on her way to Kyoto, Qing Ji encountered this Ashiya Doman, and upon seeing Qing Ji, he discovered her true identity. This old guy had some crooked ideas, wanting to subdue Qing Ji as his own shikigami.

Shikigami is also known as a servant god.

Typically, ordinary yin yang masters use spirit bodies that are invisible to the naked eye as shikigami. In this world, ghosts and demons with physical forms aren't weak. For yokai like Qing Ji, it's impossible to be made into a shikigami unless the yin yang master is extraordinarily powerful. This method of controlling ghostly entities is somewhat like a druid's animal spirit companion, except a yin yang master's methods are more extreme. Some malicious yin yang masters even personally refine shikigami, an evolution of witchcraft.

Subduing a yokai as a shikigami requires a secret magic contract; it's not as simple as capturing ordinary ghostly beings.

Ashiya Doman wanted to make Qing Ji his shikigami, but he suffered a major setback at her hands. If this old guy hadn't run away fast enough, he might have been reduced to ashes by Qing Ji's fire. Many great demons have strength surpassing yin yang masters. Most of Abe no Seimei's shikigami are ghostly entities, so Ashiya Doman's idea of capturing Qing Ji was tantamount to courting death.

Although he was a bit afraid of Qing Ji, after hearing the whole story, Su Ziyu's expression turned cold.

Fear of Qing Ji aside, it didn't mean he would allow this old man, Ashiya Doman, to target her!

— "Spiritual Vision!"

A trace of spiritual light appeared in Su Ziyu's eyes. He could see a white flood dragon coiling behind Abe no Seimei, while a ferocious giant dog demon followed Ashiya Doman.

In Fusang, there are tales of Inugami and Dog Demons. Inugami is a guardian spirit, commonly used to protect its master, while a Dog Demon is a more ferocious creature resembling an Inugami but more sinister, and it can backlash against its master. The one behind Ashiya Doman was a Dog Demon. In the world of yin yang masters, both Inugami and Dog Demons are considered high-tier shikigami; some yin yang masters may even be controlled by them. In terms of strength, this Dog Demon wasn't much weaker than Abe no Seimei's white flood dragon.

Su Ziyu's expression changed significantly.

Abe no Seimei was a wise man, and with just a glance, he guessed that Ashiya Doman had likely clashed with the two before him. However, he was quite pleased with this development, as Ashiya Doman had once been his rival. If it weren't for the major crisis in Kyoto prompting the Imperial Family to summon yin yang masters from all over, he wouldn't have cooperated with his old rival.

Qing Ji smiled softly, her face gentle, but her white hand was clutching her white paper umbrella. She slightly tilted her head, looking at Su Ziyu, as if waiting for his word to give Ashiya Doman a hard time.

"Abe no Seimei!" Ashiya Doman suddenly stood up and addressed Abe no Seimei, "The Imperial Family has instructed us to cooperate and quickly resolve the issue in Kyoto."

Hearing this, Abe no Seimei hesitated for a moment and then transmitted a message to Su Ziyu, "Might you do me a favor and settle your scores with him later?"

"Many yin yang masters have already arrived from various places."

"By tomorrow night, we are scheduled to attack the Ghost Capital and quell this turmoil."

Upon hearing these words, Su Ziyu pondered for a moment, then nodded, saying, "Alright."

He placed his hand gently on Qing Ji's, indicating she should hold off for now. The score with Ashiya Doman would surely be settled, but now was not the time to confront him directly. In Fusang, there are two factions of yin yang masters: one led by Abe no Seimei, part of the Imperial Family, and the other by Ashiya Doman, representing the civilian yin yang masters.

If a fight really broke out, this operation might lose a lot of cannon fodder.

"Rest assured, I will have the Imperial Family arrange for them to lead the charge," Abe no Seimei whispered with a faint smile, transmitting the message secretly.

Indeed, Abe no Seimei was quite adept.

Looking slightly embarrassed, Qing Ji glanced at the back of her hand. Her husband had just held her hand, and the thought of confronting Ashiya Doman wasn't as pressing anymore. She usually only thought of finding someone to beat up to vent when she was in a bad mood.

Ashiya Doman gave Su Ziyu a glance, his expression slightly grim, and bid farewell with a bow to Abe no Seimei.

Today, he had to rely on his old rival's help to get away, which was truly a disgrace. Yet, he dared not actually fight Qing Ji, as she had burned several of his shikigami to ashes last time. If he engaged now, his strength might be severely compromised before the action even began. Ashiya Doman had always wanted to replace Abe no Seimei. In his view, this operation was an opportunity, and he had already secretly reached out to Fujiwara Hideko's faction, believing that if he performed well, he could one day rival Abe no Seimei.

Ashiya Doman was originally exiled and had not chosen to become a civilian yin yang master of his own will.

"Lord Su!" After watching Ashiya Doman leave in disgrace, Abe no Seimei raised his hand in an inviting gesture.

An invisible ghostly maiden put away the tea set and quietly retreated into the dwelling.

This was the earth-bound spirit of the place.

"Hundreds of yin yang masters have already arrived in Kyoto today," Abe no Seimei said softly after sitting down. "More will likely arrive tomorrow, and by tomorrow night at midnight, we plan to lift the seal on Rashomon and enter the Underworld."

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