Chapter 125: A Trip to Tokyo

(It has already reached nearly 300,000 words in a flash; time really flies. The protagonist will successively travel to Tokyo, the United States, South Korea, and Hong Kong to experience the ghost and deity cultures as well as the myths and legends of each region. I hope you all continue to support me, meow, meow, meow!)

"Where am I?"

Fang You woke up in a room that reeked of rot—the kind of musty, decaying smell of a place that hadn't been inhabited for a long time.

"You're awake?" Abe Hareya walked over with a glass of water and handed it to Fang You: "I've already cleared the baleful energy from your body. Do you feel better now?"

"You brought me here?" Fang You took the glass and looked at Abe Hareya: "Is this Mount Taiwu? I recall that this should be the territory of the Faqiu clan, shouldn't it?"

"Mount Taiwu is indeed the territory of the Faqiu clan, and the Onmyoji Studio has only established a small branch at the foot of the mountain. It hasn't disturbed them, so they haven't taken any action to intervene," Abe Hareya replied, turning back to perform a sealing ritual on the ghost-baleful blade he had brought back. "I must take this evil blade back to the Abe Onmyoji clan and have it suppressed by the Abe ancestral hall. It has absorbed too much baleful energy; it is no longer something I can cleanse on my own."

"How long have I been unconscious?" Fang You asked.

"About three or four days, I suppose," Abe Hareya answered simply.

"Three or four days?" Fang You was shocked. He hurriedly checked his phone and found countless messages from Zhang Shengnan, all urging him to come back. Why hadn't he returned yet?

Fang You quickly replied: "Things are a bit complicated. I'll be back in a couple of days, don't worry."

"Oh, right, this is Tokyo. It’s not like you can just return to the East whenever you want!" Abe Hareya walked over to a statue, put his hands together, and bowed.

"Tokyo?" Fang You was so startled he nearly rolled off the bed: "Are you saying this is your hometown?"

"That's right!" Abe Hareya said: "There is someone here who wants to see you."

"Someone wants to see me?" Fang You was confused, as he didn't have any friends in Tokyo.

"You'll know when the time comes. I won't tell you now, lest you act impulsively," Abe Hareya said while changing into a fresh set of clothes. "I rushed back today specifically to attend my younger sister's high school graduation ceremony. If you're interested, you can come along. Afterward, I'll take you to meet the person who wants to see you."

"Your sister's graduation ceremony?" Fang You climbed out of bed and straightened his clothes.

Abe Hareya tossed a suit to Fang You: "Dress decently. From now on, you are my friend—don't embarrass your friend!"

"This...!" Fang You looked at the suit in front of him. After a moment of thought, he decided to put it on. After all, he was in someone else's hometown; as a guest, it was better to keep a low profile.

"Get ready, let's go!"

Abe Hareya took Fang You's hand, and the two walked out of the room together. Before leaving, Fang You noticed the characters "Onmyoji Studio" written on the building behind them.

"Is this your studio branch as well?" Fang You asked: "If that's the case, wouldn't it be better to stay in your hometown and develop your Onmyodo? Why go to the East?"

"It's precisely because I couldn't make it in my hometown that I went abroad!" Abe Hareya stepped outside.

Fang You said awkwardly: "Could you let go? What does it look like for two grown men to be holding hands?"

"My apologies. Let's get in the car," Abe Hareya said, leading Fang You forward.

"By the way, in Tokyo, the use of Onmyodo is restricted because it disturbs the lives of ordinary people. Usually, the use of Onmyodo requires official approval."

"There are currently four major Onmyoji families in Tokyo: the Abe family, the Minamoto family, the Kamo family, and the Kaikacho family."

"Aside from these four, all others are minor Onmyoji families or those that have fallen into decline."

As he spoke, Abe Hareya pulled an old, dilapidated bicycle out of an alleyway: "Lucky it still runs. I remember buying this in '92 with the first monthly salary I ever earned as an Onmyoji. It brings back memories!"

"You aren't suggesting we ride this to your sister's graduation ceremony, are you?" Fang You asked, puzzled: "Aren't you quite wealthy? You've performed so many feng shui placements for others!"

"Making money is one thing, but it all goes into building the Onmyoji Studio. I've sent the other members out on various missions, and the money I earn is used to support the entire sect. I just wanted to find a place to plant my feet. Don't be fooled by my love of money; I don't actually have much in my pockets."

"Come on, hop on!" Abe Hareya patted the back seat with unexpected excitement: "This Onmyoji will take you for a ride!"

(Author's note: Abe Hareya, please mind your language, okay? It’s damaging your character traits!)

Although hesitant, Fang You sat on the back of Abe Hareya's bicycle, and the two headed toward the distant Tokyo High School.

Tokyo High School was the most prestigious university in all of Tokyo.

In truth, a large portion of the money Abe Hareya earned in the East was sent to his sister, as she needed living expenses for school.

Abe Hareya had begun studying Onmyodo very early; he could determine feng shui at seven, command talismans at ten, and signed his first shikigami spirit at twelve. He could be considered quite a genius among Onmyoji.

Of course, everything Abe Hareya did was so that he could earn money early to support his sister's education.

Until one day, someone in the Abe Onmyoji clan claimed to have seen Abe Hareya personally release the evil soul of the Eight-Headed Serpent (Yamata no Orochi) that had been suppressed in the Demon-Suppressing Tower. Soon, word spread, and everyone knew that it was Abe Hareya who had released it.

However, Abe Hareya did not offer any explanation and willingly bore all the infamy. From then on, he could no longer remain in his hometown as an Onmyoji, so he began traveling, establishing his own sect and forging his own path.

As they neared Tokyo High School, Abe Hareya hurriedly hid his broken bicycle, smoothed his clothes, and helped Fang You straighten his collar: "I haven't seen her in many years; she must have grown up and become even prettier, right?"

"Do you love your sister that much?" Fang You asked.

"Of course. Actually, she isn't my biological sister. We grew up in the same orphanage, and later I adopted her as my foster sister and worked to put her through school. It's no use telling you all this; let's finish the ceremony, and then I'll take you to meet the person who wants to see you!"

As he spoke, Abe Hareya took hold of Fang You's hand again.

Fang You said with disgust: "Stop holding my hand, stop holding my hand! Be more dignified!"

(Oh no, my fujoshi heart seems to be acting up again!)