Tokyo: My Hundred Demon Scroll

A curse is a special kind of negative energy that can drive people mad and cause them to go berserk.

Ghost stories, like curses, are also products of emotions.

Unlike the intense emotions of curses, ghost stories exert a more subtle and gradual influence, somewhat like the impure power of faith.

More people are talking about it, and more people are discussing it.

These discussions, fears, and curiosity will continue to accumulate and eventually turn into a series of strange tales.

Ghost tales do not exist in the present world (the material world), but reside in a place called the 'illusory world'.

Using layers to describe it, the present world is the first layer, and the underworld is the second layer, also known as the afterlife.

As for the virtual world, it is a 2.5-layer structure between the 2nd and 3rd layers.

The virtual world is a world between the material present world and the afterlife, where the spirit returns to the underworld.

In the realm of exorcism, the illusory world is generally considered to be a trace of the 'past', where those remaining lights and shadows settle and accumulate in that world.

New monsters are born from ghost stories.

Gu Yun remembered that some time ago, Hayasaka Nao had told him about the Slit-Mouthed Woman.

The slit-mouthed woman here is a monster born from ghost stories.

Ghost stories themselves cannot be eliminated; as long as people continue to spread and discuss them, they will not disappear.

However, ghost stories only exist in the virtual world; they are merely images or illusions.

If ghost stories are likened to a 'mother nest,' then the Slit-Mouthed Woman is a monster born from that nest, who can be killed and destroyed.

Perhaps another Slit-Mouthed Woman will appear in the future, but that Slit-Mouthed Woman will not be the same one that was destroyed.

They are simply different individuals of the same race.

"Could it be her doing?"

This is just Gu Yun's guess; there are so many strange and bizarre tales.

So it's not that she has to be the Slit-Mouthed Woman; it's just that she was the closest to Gu Yun.

Gu Yun didn't pay much attention last time because at that time, the Slit-Mouthed Woman had no contact with Gu Yun's life.

In other words, Gu Yun simply couldn't find her, and wouldn't go on a pointless exorcism based on some unfounded rumor.

"They're causing trouble on my turf!"

This time the situation is different; the other party has provoked Gu Yun and has already stepped into his territory.

Gu Yun: Don't you know this area is under my protection, Iijima Konan's?!

Having made up his mind, Gu Yun couldn't allow a strange tale that could devour innocent children to continue causing trouble right under his nose.

"Naiyo-nee, you go ahead and do your work. I'll go and consult with Grandpa and my senior sister to see what they have to say."

Gu Yun lacked experience in exorcism cases, but fortunately, he had his grandfather and Miyako to consult.

"Okay, let me know if you need anything."

After hanging up the phone with Nao Hayasaka, Gu Yun called out to Sora.

He originally intended to ask Miss Tianhu.

Unfortunately, Miss Tianhu had no idea what ghost stories were.

She was sealed away for over five hundred years. In that era, information was not readily available, there were no newspapers, so there were no strange tales, only folk legends.

And isn't that kind of thing just garbage?

"So ghost stories are something new!"

"Yes."

Kong Huan took a sip of his marble soda and said with great enjoyment, "Anyway, back then, there weren't any ghost stories, but the situation of that little guy named Tamura was quite similar to the ghost story."

“If you’re dealing with Shin-hidden God, Kogu Yun, I do have some experience with that.”

Everyone has their own expertise. Miss Tianhu hasn't performed exorcisms in a long time, but if she really had to handle it, her skills wouldn't be lacking.

But this kind of detective-style judgment and consultation... well, let's just leave her alone.

You can't expect a 70 or 80-year-old grandfather to be a pro at using a mobile phone, can you?

That golden fox is over 2,500 years old, and she still doesn't know how to use a remote control.

"Ok."

"Then, I'll ask Grandpa first."

Konghuan lay down, and Gu Yun didn't blame her. As for the other shikigami, they didn't really understand what ghost stories were.

Having no other choice, Gu Yun had to call the old man first.

"This matter, barring any unforeseen circumstances, should be the work of ghost stories."

After hearing Gu Yun's description, the only thing Grandpa was certain of was that it was definitely related to ghost stories: "But without seeing it for myself, it's really hard to tell what kind of ghost story it is."

"I'll come over."

Grandpa had barely uttered those words when Gu Yun refused.

There was no other way; Grandpa was getting old after all. He had just returned from the Sanchui family's house and immediately went out to exorcise the spirit.

Such constant travel has taken a toll on his health.

Gu Yun had noticed earlier that the old man was very tired, so he couldn't let his grandfather come.

"I actually wanted to handle this myself."

Gu Yun said, "My skills are average, but with the shikigami and Xiao Kong, dealing with the ghost stories shouldn't be too much of a problem."

"Ah."

Grandpa acknowledges Gu Yun's current abilities.

Although he himself is still in the apprentice stage, he can't help but admire the awesomeness of the shikigami under him.

The three-tailed fox, Momiji, Hannya, and the celestial fox Kūgen—this family, when they join forces, can easily defeat even the greatest demons.

These are just supernatural tales, nothing to brag about.

"Let's play it safe."

Grandpa said, "Miyoko is the guardian of Suzunose. Ghost tales are actually a relatively recent phenomenon."

"Especially with the advent of television and the internet, information exchange has become more and more convenient, which has greatly helped the birth and development of ghost stories," Grandpa said. "So compared to an old man like me, a young person like Miyako is definitely more familiar with them than I am."

"Okay, my senior sister and I will handle this matter."

Gu Yun didn't want his grandfather to come in person, even though the old man loved him very much and would definitely come whenever he was called.

However, judging from Grandpa's attitude, this matter shouldn't be too troublesome.

At least with Gu Yun's abilities, the old man didn't think there would be any danger.

Therefore, Grandpa felt that the exorcism could be left to the two young people, Miyako and Tanigumo, which was exactly what Grandpa wanted to do.

Just as the older generation will eventually retire, the younger generation will eventually have to take the stage.

Perhaps he couldn't stay by Gu Yun's side, but with Miyako, an adult, taking care of him, Grandpa had nothing to worry about.

"no problem!"

Gu Yun called Miyako, and her senior sister agreed in no time.

“Oh, perfect timing, you can bring your brother-in-law and Xiaosheng along,” Gu Yun said. “My mother just mentioned a while ago that she wanted to host my senior sister.”

"Okay, okay, it's been a long time since I've seen Tamaki-chan."

The time has been agreed upon. The Gao family will arrive tomorrow, and then the senior and junior disciples will begin this exorcism together.

Soon, the mother and Hayasaka Nao returned home from get off work, and they also learned about the paranormal events surrounding Tamura's disappearance.

"Is there really a monster nearby?"

Despite being born into the Iijima family, her mother didn't know much about ghost stories.

This time, even the mother couldn't stop it.

The incident happened near Guyun Elementary School, and the mother is really worried if it isn't resolved.

Fortunately, this wasn't Gu Yun's first time exorcising a spirit.

Including the removal ceremony of the Mitsuchi family and the earliest Kayako, Gu Yun is a veteran who has completed two missions.

"The senior sister you're talking about, is it Miyako?"

Her mother had naturally met Miyako, who often played with her when she was very young, like a little sister from a relative's family.

Before, when Miyako was in college, she lived in the old house in Iijima, and her mother often invited her out for sightseeing and meals.

The two were very close, but after Miyako got married, they saw each other less often.

This is a good opportunity to bring them closer together again.

"If it's her, then that's quite reassuring."

The mother knew about Miyako's abilities.

Even her younger brother, Kai Iijima, said that Miyako's strength surpassed his.

Judging from what Gu Yun said, Miyako seems to have become stronger than before.

"Promise me that you'll stay by Miyako's side during this exorcism, and you absolutely mustn't be arrogant, understand?"

With Miyako around, her mother wasn't worried about Gu Yun's safety, but she still gave him a stern warning.

"Hi hi."

Gu Yun naturally agreed. Anyway, his mother wouldn't be around then, so whether or not he would help was up to him.

Chapter 38 The Appearance of a Human God

The next day, Gu Yun went straight home after school, and her mother also left work early without staying long at the company.

Jing Ke'ai noticed Gu Yun's unusually serious and focused attitude today. Curious, she declined the girls' invitation and went home early.