Growing stronger

The following night in Kyoto, Bai Mo entered an elegant teahouse. The surroundings were very quiet, with only the rhythmic sound of the bamboo tubes in the nearby stream, like the ticking of a natural clock.

A beam of light shone behind him, and a woman as ethereal as a flowing cloud suddenly appeared. She glanced around, sat down at the tea table, and surveyed the building with great interest.

"Even though they're the same style of architecture, I feel like this place has a better atmosphere than mine. Is it because the architect put a lot of thought into it?"

"Really? I don't sense anything, but according to historical records, this tea room was used by Sen no Rikyu to entertain dignitaries. He was an overly obsessive person."

But then again, even Sen no Rikyu... what a strange world.

Bai Mo shook his head, while Shi, standing to the side, covered his face and laughed:

"He is indeed a strange person. He would actually clear out his evening schedule for someone who sat quietly in the meeting room all day without an appointment. Despite being in the vortex of power, he is completely devoid of human relationships."

He's an overly obsessive madman.

Bai Mo casually picked up a teapot, scooped up a pot of water from the pool, and the water flowed into his hand, transforming into a transparent stream of light, containing some of the Asura Way's understanding of life force.

Consider it a small compensation to her.

Time passed silently. The kaiseki cuisine prepared by Sen no Rikyu was simple and pure. After the meal was served as he wished, a firework lit up the sky. Fireworks in this era lasted only a short while, but it was enough to illuminate the place.

"It's so peaceful here. I hope I can have this kind of peace after my trip."

The fireworks soon ended, the quiet night arrived, and the sun would rise again the next day.

However, just as the two were quietly savoring the passage of time amidst the aroma of tea, a dazzling light suddenly burst forth in the distant sky, illuminating the entire night.

"What's that, fireworks?"

"I don't know, it seems to have come from His Majesty the Emperor. Is some kind of ritual being held?"

Many passersby were surprised by the sudden burst of enormous fireworks, while Bai Mo raised an eyebrow, a hint of doubt in his eyes. He was all too familiar with this; it wasn't some kind of firework, as fireworks couldn't possibly scatter the clouds in the sky.

It is the Magnetic Field Rotation.

Bai Mo and Shiki exchanged glances, neither speaking. The former's eyes held a question, while the latter shook his head slightly.

Did she cause someone's death?

No.

Then, the two of them tacitly brewed another cup of tea. Only Chiyome could have done this. As for why she had improved to the point of Magnetic Field Rotation and why she was in Kyoto, Bai Mo didn't want to ask in detail.

He wasn't her father, and Chiyome wasn't some indecisive child.

Of course, this doesn't mean Bai Mo won't question her afterwards. It's normal to be emotionally excited after gaining power, just like when someone becomes a superman, they can't help but enjoy flying.

But whatever she did with that power, Bai Mo will make her bear the corresponding responsibility afterward.

It's impossible to educate people forever; they must have firsthand experience.

Young eagles have to flap their wings a few times before they know how to fly, and only then do they realize how painful it is to crash into a wall. It is through pain that they learn their lesson.

Meanwhile, Chiyo, the Chiyome who caused the giant fireworks display in Kyoto, was fleeing in a somewhat disheveled state, even activating her Magnetic Field Power to perform ninjutsu in order to conceal her whereabouts.

She moved with ghostly speed across the rooftops, like a ninja fleeing in panic after missing her target. Yet, the flushed, drunken blush on her fair cheeks added an inexplicable element of absurdity to the scene.

As for why she acted this way, we need to set the timeline to this morning.

After defeating Ashiya Dōman, the curse of Kōga was lifted. Chiyome was unable to find any trace of Bai Mo, and even after going to the clinic, she couldn't find him.

Finally, he had no choice but to return to his room at the Mochizuki Clan, where he slept the best night of his life.

But upon waking, she felt no joy; her senses told her that the time for parting was fast approaching. Just as she subconsciously prepared to head to the clinic, she heard a childlike voice beside her:

"What's wrong? You look like your man ran off with someone else. If you're in this mood first thing in the morning, your whole day will be terrible."

"Huh? What are you doing here?"

Chiyome was startled. She looked at Ibuki-Douji, who had suddenly appeared beside her bed. He was still half-human and half-snake, staring at her with an eerie gaze.

"Since you've come all this way, I certainly won't be going back so soon. What's with that look on your face? We're practically acquaintances, and I even prepared a big gift for you."

With her hands on her hips, Ibuki-Douji's posture, though seemingly innocent, exuded a cuteness rather than authority.

"Seeing a deity first thing in the morning, this is the normal reaction I'd have... Wait, what did you say, a grand gift?"

Chiyome clutched her pillow, looking at Ibuki-Douji with some wariness. A gift from the gods might not be a good thing. The curse that had tormented her to the point of unbearable pain might, in his eyes, also be a gift.

Seeing Chiyome's wary expression, Ibuki-Douji revealed a subtle smile.

"Don't worry, it's about the power within you. Although I'm currently in my juvenile form, I recovered a lot of magical resources because that part of my body was destroyed. I was originally planning to squander it, but after thinking about it carefully, it's more interesting to use it on you."

Little sister, do you want to become stronger?

After saying that, Ibuki-Douji produced a hexagonal icicle-like object in his hand, its interior shimmering with iridescent light and radiating intense energy fluctuations.

Chiyome was stunned. When she chatted with Bai Mo earlier, Bai Mo had also discussed the specific system of Magnetic Field Power with her. She knew that her Electric Current Push was only a barely basic understanding.

At that time, Bai Mo said: He is currently also a force Electric Current Push current.

"Well, if you take this out, those Onmyoji will fight tooth and nail for it."

Chiyome frowned, half wary and half hesitant, and said:

Why are you helping me?

"Why? Because I find you surprisingly pleasing to the eye, and I'd like to take you in as a younger sister..."

Don't try to brush me off with that kind of talk.

Seeing Chiyome take a step back, Ibuki-Douji's smile vanished. His expression was very subtle, not at all like someone being questioned.

Ibuki-Douji retorted, "Why should I help you? Why don't you ask the person who brought you before me?"

Ibuki's words stunned Chiyome. The snake's tail slid to Chiyome's face, Ibuki-Douji gently ruffled Chiyome long hair, continuing meaningfully:

"What puzzles me most is why that person came to help you? He clearly doesn't owe you anything, and his duty is simply to collect your soul."

So, he could have simply ignored you and taken you back then, right? But he still brought you to find Yu, fighting against Yu's calamity from the sidelines in order to lift your curse.

Afterwards, he didn't seek any reward and left without saying a word.

So, I was very curious, and I wanted to do the same thing as him, since I could only understand things through imitation.

Chiyome fell silent, lowering her head, overwhelmed with mixed emotions, her own heart pounding louder and louder.

Ibuki-Douji handed the crystal in her hand to Chiyome, her voice like the whisper of a tempting demon.

"Can't answer? Well, at least you know how to choose this one, right? Like I said, do you want to force me?"