Chapter 142. The Fake Death of Tamamo no Mae, the Cunning Plan of the Fox Spirit!

Chapter 142. The Fake Death of Tamamo no Mae, the Cunning Plan of the Fox Spirit!

[Minamoto no Raikou did not initiate this exorcism under her own name.]

[Instead, she chose to report the matter under the name of "Abe no Yasuchika."]

[The situation has changed.]

[It has now become an exorcism that you are personally organizing—with the goal of killing the "courtesan."]

"My lady."

"Why are you giving all the credit to me?"

"That's because danna-sama is also a part of the Genji clan."

"Seeing danna-sama being recognized for his talents and respected by everyone makes me feel as though I, too, am being respected."

"This feeling... is much happier than taking all the credit for myself."

[You understand Minamoto no Raikou's intentions.]

[But what you need to handle is not just the situation on Minamoto no Raikou's side.]

[There are also matters on Tamamo no Mae's side that require your attention.]

[You must ensure that the entire scene of the demon-slaying looks flawless, without a single loophole.]

Inside the residence where Tamamo no Mae was staying.

A thin rope extended across the ceiling beam above, then dropped down and was tied to a nearby pillar.

The other end of the rope tightly bound Tamamo no Mae's hands together.

This forced her to keep her arms raised high while her feet struggled to stay balanced on the tatami mat.

"Tamamo, are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

"Umu, then let's try it now."

"I understand."

After responding to Ian, Tamamo no Mae began struggling against the rope that bound her hands tightly.

Her entire body swayed back and forth on the tatami, causing both her fox tail and ears to tremble along with her movements.

It was a sight carrying a unique beauty.

But Ian was in no mood to admire it. He simply recorded the entire process, calculating the necessary amount of time.

Only when Tamamo no Mae successfully freed herself did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"Tamamo, that's great, you did it."

"This way, when the flames break out, you'll have a chance to escape."

"Really?"

Hearing this, Tamamo no Mae was overjoyed.

"Abe-sama, my efforts truly paid off, didn't they?"

"Umu." Ian gave a slight smile.

"Tamamo's efforts were indeed very useful."

The moment her gaze met Ian's, Tamamo no Mae suddenly felt a bit flustered.

"Abe-sama... am I being too proud of myself?"

"Umu, just a little."

"But that's perfectly fine."

Ian gently pinched Tamamo no Mae's cheek.

"Because I believe Tamamo was always meant to be someone cheerful and lively."

"Abe-sama..."

Tamamo no Mae's face flushed slightly, but in her heart, she felt as sweet as honey.

However, as if suddenly recalling something, she became a little dejected.

Ian, of course, immediately noticed this change in her mood.

"Tamamo, what's wrong?"

"..."

Tamamo no Mae glanced at Ian, as if making up her mind about something.

She spoke:

"Abe-sama, actually, I have often dreamed of many strange dreams..."

["The Dreams of the Fox Spirit" acquired: You have learned about some of the dreams Tamamo no Mae has experienced.]

[In these dreams, she has destroyed many dynasties under different identities.]

[As Lady Huayang, she destroyed a dynasty called Qin.]

[As Mo Xi, she destroyed a dynasty called Xia.]

[As Da Ji, she destroyed a dynasty called Shang.]

[As Bao Si, she destroyed a dynasty called Zhou.]

[These dreams often brought her immense suffering.]

"..."

Ian pulled Tamamo no Mae into his embrace, gently stroking her back over and over again.

Only when she had calmed down a little did the Grand Onmyoji finally speak:

"Tamamo."

"In those dreams... were you just as lonely as you are now?"

"...Mm."

Tamamo no Mae tightly grasped Ian's robe, nodding slightly with a sense of grievance.

"So—"

"I'm a little worried about whether I might bring misfortune to Abe-sama."

"Tamamo, perhaps you're underestimating me."

Ian looked at Tamamo no Mae's worried expression and gave a faint smile.

"I am the number one Onmyoji of Heian. Curses from mere demons mean nothing to me."

"Besides—"

"They are just dreams; there's nothing to be concerned about."

"Compared to that."

The Grand Onmyoji lifted the fox spirit's long robe, gazing at the treasure hidden beneath.

"Tamamo, how about replacing them with more tangible memories?"

"Mm..."

Tamamo no Mae took the initiative to place the Grand Onmyoji's hand inside.

She pressed her treasure against his hand, then gently rubbed against it.

"I think so too."

"Abe-sama, please help me forget those dreadful dreams."

"Mikon~!"

The fox spirit once again embarked on a journey at Ian's fingertips.

["The Dreams of the Fox Spirit" has been enhanced to "The Dreams of the Fox Spirit +": You have replaced each terrifying scene in Tamamo no Mae's dreams with ones of submission.]

[You believe that rather than fearing nightmares, it is better to indulge in the beauty of physical contact.]

[You have unconsciously nurtured Tamamo no Mae's dependence on you.]

[In front of you, she will have more thoughts than usual.]

[She has begun to long for a future with you—one that does not lead to the downfall of a dynasty.]

[However, she also understands that the prerequisite for everything is the success of this staged death.]

[You are well aware of this as well.]

"Tamamo, be ready."

"That day will arrive very soon."

"Umu, I understand."

Tamamo no Mae lay on the damp tatami mat, nodding seriously—though her legs were still trembling.

It seemed that today's sessions had been a bit excessive.

[The demon-slaying plan submitted by Minamoto no Raikou quickly received a response from the Tenno.]

[You and she have received the Tenno's approval.]

[However, certain details in the reply make you a bit concerned.]

"An attempt to capture alive?"

Ian listened as Minamoto no Raikou relayed the Tenno's words, his expression puzzled.

"My lady, are you sure you didn't mishear?"

"If the 'courtesan' were a beauty, capturing her alive might make sense... But this time, the target is a fox spirit. Is this truly acceptable?"

"..."

Minamoto no Raikou remained silent.

Clearly.

She had also considered what Ian just said.

"Danna-sama, I don't know what this is about either."

"But—"

"Let's just follow the Tenno's instructions."

"…I understand."

[Though you say this, deep down, you have no intention of complying.]

[Capturing alive would mean handing Tamamo no Mae over to the Tenno.]

[This is something you must avoid at all costs.]

[You decide to proceed with the original plan—after all, the Tenno's order was to "attempt to capture alive," not "capture alive at all costs."]

[Yet, you still feel that something is off.]

[The Tenno's attitude towards Tamamo no Mae seems highly suspicious.]

[However, you have no time to dwell on this—there are still many details to perfect.]

[Time quickly passes.]

[The predetermined day in the plan has finally arrived.]

At night.

Cold winds swept through the streets of Heian-kyo.

Rumors about Ian's former lover had completely disappeared—everyone knew it was merely a trap set by the Grand Onmyoji to capture the fox spirit.

The ashigaru forces tasked with the capture had surrounded the residence where Tamamo no Mae frequently stayed.

Two figures stood at the forefront: Ian and Minamoto no Raikou.

"Danna-sama, the fox is inside, correct?"

"Yes, My lady."

Ian adjusted his breathing and tone, making his words sound more convincing.

"After tonight, Heian-kyo will no longer need to be wary of the fox spirit."

"Umu."

Minamoto no Raikou nodded—she completely trusted her danna-sama's words.

"There's no need to delay, danna-sama, let's begin the operation."

Thick clouds, strong winds, only the green glow continued to shine.

According to the plan, Ian led Minamoto no Raikou and several somewhat distinguished ashigaru into a corner of the residence.

Everything proceeded as planned.

Tamamo no Mae's hands were tightly bound with ropes, suspending her in midair.

Of course—

Only the Grand Onmyoji knew her true name.

To everyone else (including Minamoto no Raikou), she was nothing more than a fox spirit.

The place where Tamamo no Mae was suspended had also been carefully chosen.

It was at the intersection of light and shadow.

People could only see her lower half illuminated by the moonlight, still clothed, while her upper body was swallowed by darkness.

Beneath her feet, countless talismans fluttered in the wind.

The scene was exactly like that of a fox spirit captured by the Grand Onmyoji's sorcery.

No one harbored any doubts.

Ian secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He coughed lightly—a signal.

At once, Tamamo no Mae let out a wail, producing deep, guttural cries from her throat.

One had to admit—

If Ian weren't fully aware that Tamamo no Mae utterly disliked such theatrics, he might have been frightened by the sound himself.

It was no different from the desperate howling of a fox spirit before death, enough to send chills down anyone's spine.

But—

Since he knew the truth, he had no reason to be afraid.

The Grand Onmyoji glanced at Minamoto no Raikou and the ashigaru, who were now thoroughly shaken.

"It seems this fox spirit cannot be captured alive—its resentment is too deep."

"I must burn it to death here and now."

Upon hearing this, Minamoto no Raikou immediately nodded.

She always supported her danna-sama's decisions.

"I understand."

"Retreat at once!"

Everyone quickly withdrew from the residence.

Under their watchful gazes, Ian raised his hand.

Flames erupted, waves of heat surged forth.

The myriad lights of Heian-kyo now gathered in the Grand Onmyoji's palm.

The next moment—

The entire residence went up in flames, engulfed in a brilliant inferno.

It was a ritual, a farewell to the fox spirit.

[The burning residence is the final step in your plan that you can control.]

[You know there is nothing more you can do.]

[Whether Tamamo no Mae survives or not depends entirely on her.]

"Danna-sama?"

Minamoto no Raikou's voice rang out.

"Is something the matter? You've been staring at the fire for a while."

Ian gave a faint smile.

"It's nothing."

"I only wish to rid the world of the fox spirit as soon as possible."

[The flames consuming the residence finally died down.]

[Black smoke from the ashes still lingered in the air.]

[You returned the city lights to Heian-kyo.]

[Now, it was time to check the results.]

Stepping over the charred beams, Ian and Minamoto no Raikou arrived at the place where Tamamo no Mae had been "imprisoned."

The moment he set foot there, the Grand Onmyoji let out a silent sigh of relief.

Because—

The plan had succeeded.

On the pitch-black ground, a "fox" lay scorched and motionless.

Of course.

But that was not a real fox.

It was a false body that Ian had created using "earth" while observing Tamamo no Mae in a completely unclothed state.

However—

Even though it was just a false body, the Grand Onmyoji had put considerable effort into it.

There was no need to discuss its proportions.

By referencing the real form, even if it reverted to the shape of a fox, there would be nothing unnatural about it.

The fur on its tail as well—all of it had been plucked directly from Tamamo no Mae, real fox fur.

But even that was not enough for Ian.

After creating the false body, he had Tamamo no Mae wash it repeatedly with water from the "fox's treasured artifact."

Thanks to that—

Aside from lacking life, this false body was nearly indistinguishable from a real fox spirit.

Even the scent was exactly the same.

Of course.

Upon close inspection, some abnormalities could still be found.

But Ian had chosen a night of the new moon when the light was weak.

Furthermore, he had used fire to refine it a second time.

No one could detect anything amiss—not even Minamoto no Raikou.

"Danna-sama."

Minamoto no Raikou stared at the "fox corpse" before her, a trace of sentiment in her voice.

"It has returned to its original form, hasn't it?"

"Indeed."

Ian responded to Minamoto no Raikou, preparing to make everything appear even more authentic.

"My lady, I will now perform the final procedure."

The Onmyoji drew a small knife from his sleeve.

It was a weapon that had slain countless demons and was also the object that had bound Ian and Minamoto no Raikou together from the very beginning.

He thrust it forcefully toward the "fox corpse."

At the moment the blade was about to pierce it, Ian secretly made a cut on his own hand.

Immediately—

Blood from the wound blended with the blade and dripped onto the "fox corpse," appearing just like a bloom of crimson flowers.

In that instant, all illusions became reality.

Ian withdrew the knife, lifted the "fox corpse" into his arms, smiled at Minamoto no Raikou, and said:

"My lady, it's over."

"We can now report our achievement to the Tenno."

"..."

Minamoto no Raikou looked at the man before her and happily nodded.

"Umu, everything has ended."

"Danna-sama, let's go home."

[The demon-slaying operation in Heian-kyo comes to a temporary close.]

[The event of Onmyoji Abe no Yasuchika exposing the fox demon will be recorded in history.]

[You and Minamoto no Raikou generously rewarded the ashigaru who participated in tonight's battle.]

[Afterward, the two of you returned to the residence together.]

Tonight, Minamoto no Raikou rarely drank to the point of intoxication.

But Ian completely understood—after all, the matter of the "courtesan" had haunted her for nearly an entire season.

Moreover…

The Onmyoji glanced at his wife beside him, unable to suppress a smile.

Minamoto no Raikou pouted, her breath warm as she spoke in a soft, delicate voice:

"Danna-sama~ does oka-san look adorable~?"

"Danna-sama~ do you love oka-san~?"

Seeing her act so coyly was truly a breathtaking sight.

But come to think of it—

Ian looked toward the distant road.

By now, Tamamo no Mae should have escaped, right?

Following the planned escape route, there was a village on the outskirts of Heian-kyo where she could take refuge.

He had already scouted and confirmed everything beforehand.

As he thought about this, Ian supported the drunken Minamoto no Raikou with one arm while carrying the "fox corpse" in the other, making his way back to the residence.

But at that very moment—

He suddenly heard a familiar cry.

"Mikon!"

Tamamo no Mae… hadn't left yet?