Feeling the increasing number of fellow demons and monsters around her, Miketsu, riding on Konkiku, couldn't help but shiver, worried they might suddenly pounce on her.
Using the corner of her eye, Miketsu subtly observed the yokai around her, noticing they weren't paying attention to her, all quietly going about their way. Some even seemed to have met old acquaintances along the path and started chatting.
So far, her disguise seemed quite successful; at least, these guys hadn't noticed anything unusual yet.
Feeling a slight ease, Miketsu continued forward with Konkiku. Before long, they arrived in a forest. Konkiku led Miketsu to a secluded corner, gestured for Miketsu to dismount, and then whispered to her.
“Lady Uka, please keep these two Turbid Qi Orbs safe. This forest is the entrance to the Secret Realm; only beings from the demon realm can pass through.”
Only beings from the demon realm can pass through? That's a bit like my Secret Realm, except mine can only be entered from the divine realm. No, according to Tsuruha, even beings from the divine realm cannot enter without my permission.
Thinking this way, perhaps her Secret Realm is even more advanced. Well, she is a true deity, after all.
At this thought, a tiny bit of superiority welled up in Miketsu's heart, but it quickly subsided. She followed the now-smaller Konkiku deeper into the forest. During this time, Miketsu felt the yin energy in the air gradually thickening, a sensation similar to what she felt in the Forest of Transformation and Slaughter.
As Miketsu continued forward, the surrounding light grew dimmer. Gradually, several floating will-o'-the-wisps appeared among the trees. Guided and illuminated by these ghost fires, Miketsu and Konkiku finally reached the end of the forest, where their vision suddenly opened up.
What appeared before Miketsu was a dazzling, brand new world.
A small river flowed gently. On both banks, there were neatly paved bluestone embankments and walkways. Along the embankments, at regular intervals, stood willow trees swaying with the river breeze. Beside the walkways were two rows of buildings extending into the distant horizon.
Each of these buildings was brightly lit, with open storefronts, some two, three, or even four or five stories high. Many were taller and larger than the human buildings Miketsu had seen in Heian-kyo.
Between the buildings and above the river, countless bright lanterns floated in mid-air. The lights from the buildings on both banks, shining in the air, reflected onto the shimmering, calm river surface, forming a breathtaking tableau.
Along the riverbanks and on the walkways, headless warriors, transparent scholars, long-tailed maidens, beast-headed monks... one grotesque figure after another moved about. They either paused to admire the scenery, conversed with each other, set up stalls, or went into shops together.
Several small boats floated on the river, and faintly, some things could be seen swimming beneath the surface.
This sight made Miketsu, who had just emerged from the forest, stand frozen in place. On her way here, she had repeatedly imagined what a gathering place for yokai would look like.
Dim and eerie, full of skeletons and corpses? Pungent and foul, bloody and terrifying, with severed limbs everywhere?
In any case, Miketsu had not expected a scene like this: vibrant and dazzling, even livelier than Heian-kyo during the day. Miketsu had only seen similar nightscapes when visiting ancient town-themed tourist attractions, but this one had less commercialism, more simplicity, and a touch of wonder.
“This is Choyo-machi. It's built on a tributary of the Kamo River, the liveliest and most prosperous ghost market around Heian-kyo, and it's Konkiku's favorite too~” Konkiku said, almost bragging, sensing her Lady Uka's astonished expression.
“I truly didn't expect a yokai gathering place to look like this,” Miketsu exclaimed, standing still.
“Konkiku already told Sister Tsuruha and the other foxes that yokai have very prosperous and fun gathering places, but they never believed me. Sister Tsuruha even wanted to punish me. Now that Lady Uka is here, they won't have any choice but to believe~” The little fox Konkiku continued happily. From her words, Miketsu could tell that this was likely the reason she had gone to such lengths to bring her here; she probably wanted Miketsu, the true leader of Inari Mountain, to see this sight with her own eyes.
“So, where is that izakaya you mentioned?” Having finished marveling at the scene, Miketsu was ready to get to the real reason for her visit. Seeing the yokai gathering place in such a state, Miketsu felt much more reassured about the safety of the food.
“I shall guide you, Lady Uka. During this time, please allow me to stay on your person for easier communication.”
Miketsu nodded, agreeing to Konkiku's request. The smaller Konkiku immediately climbed onto her, reaching her shoulder. At this moment, Konkiku felt a surge of excitement; among the Inari foxes, she was the second, after Tsuruha, to be so close to Lady Uka.
Standing on Miketsu's shoulder, Konkiku began to guide the way. Miketsu, following Konkiku's directions, stepped into the crowd of yokai, weaving through one strange or terrifying figure after another. She hadn't walked many steps when a sound rang out.
It was a clear, penetrating sound. The moment it appeared, Miketsu's attention was drawn to it. Her intuition told her it was the sound of a musical instrument, specifically a stringed instrument.
Sure enough, after the first note, the sound came again and again, varying in intensity and tempo, melodious and lingering. Different tones, skillfully arranged, wove together to form a beautiful melody that, carried by a mysterious power, spread throughout the bustling market.
The melody was generally soothing, making one feel peaceful and calm. Miketsu, who had learned some instruments as a child, could tell that the person playing this piece was an absolute master. However, a hint of doubt arose in Miketsu's heart; she felt the instrument playing the song sounded familiar, but she couldn't recall what it was.
Carrying this doubt, Miketsu walked to a secluded spot on the riverbank and looked in the direction of the sound. It was clearly a five-story pagoda standing on a small island in the middle of the river in the distance, and the instrument's sound came from the top of that pagoda.
I didn't expect there would be music-loving yokai here.
Standing by the riverbank, Miketsu listened appreciatively to the music coming from the five-story pagoda, sighing softly to herself. At the same time, she finally recognized the instrument.
It was the sound of a shamisen.
Rate on N.U.
