Onmyoji, a nobleman in Heian-kyo

The sky was a clear blue after the rain; it was a beautiful day.

In the lush courtyard, a girl with a gray top and her trousers rolled up to her knees, her bare feet bare, was tending to the grass with a hoe...

Unbeknownst to the girl, a calm-looking boy stood hesitantly outside the courtyard through the side door.

"Michitaka is dying. According to the course of history, Michikane, who should be the next Kanpaku, will also fall ill and die in seven days. Only then will the young Michikane whom I serve gradually become Kanpaku..."

But not necessarily.

Young Ayanokouji Kiyotaka pondered, perhaps there were others in the same situation as him, but from a different perspective.

4. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka / Michinaga Motion / Kyoto Ukyo no Peasant Girl

"Go and greet the visitors."

"...?!"

While hoeing weeds, Yukina reflexively looked towards the source of the sound, glanced at it, and then shrank her shoulders.

He lowered his head and continued weeding.

He seemed oblivious to the man who had appeared out of nowhere in front of Kousaka Kyosuke.

The imposing man in tight-fitting clothes walked outside unhurriedly.

A short while later, a young man dressed as a servant came over and presented the rattan talisman.

The vine talisman shimmers with distinctive and recognizable folds and floating lines.

"I am an attendant of Grand Councilor Gon no Dainagon. Are you Lord Kyosuke?"

"I am Kyosuke. May I ask what instructions Your Excellency has for me?"

Sitting upright, Kyosuke Kousaka glanced at Fujifuku and then asked the question directly.

Since he was dressed as an attendant, he must have been a commoner.

At most, their status was enhanced by working under nobles.

Compared to the Onmyoji, who hold a special position in this world, this is nothing.

If we insist on saying "the prime minister's family members are seventh-rank officials," then we should at least have a bodyguard dressed in a more imposing manner, right?

The sincerity is so-so.

"Master Dao hopes that Lord Jingjie can help with divination to determine good or bad fortune and taboos."

The young boy, Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, bowed respectfully and handed over a piece of paper.

Having been suddenly transported to this unfamiliar world half a month ago, he knew very well that he had no reason to be proud.

Even the lowest-ranking official, from the ninth rank, wouldn't treat himself with much respect.

Most importantly, my own attire was too shabby.

Before entering, he was actually considering whether he would be kicked out as a beggar.

This isn't the only worry.

Judging from Fujiwara no Michinaga's lack of concern for him these days, he is at risk of being abandoned at any time.

This arrival might even conceal something powerful enough to drag him to hell.

However, Kiyotaka Ayanokoji had no other choice.

Having witnessed the various treatments given to classmates he had only known for a day in this world, he realized that he was probably one of the better off.

By the way.

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji discovered that many of his classmates and even alumni from the same school had come to Kyoto, which was in the Heian period, just like him.

At the same time, through observation, or rather, speculation, it was also discovered that the arrangement of each person's status and position was closely related to their individual abilities...

Just as Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was pondering various questions, he suddenly froze.

The piece of paper that was stretched out before him was not caught as expected.

"I was just suspended from my duties at the Onmyodo by my superior yesterday, so please go back and tell the Chief that the divination matter should be handled by another Onmyoji."

"This……"

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka looked bewildered.

My mind was working at an astonishing speed.

"This Onmyoji named Kyosuke doesn't think highly of Master Dao?"

"Or perhaps he feels there's something wrong with this commission?"

"Did he see through the Daoist Master's motives?"

Countless thoughts raced through my mind.

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji realized that he was facing his first crisis half a month after arriving in this world.

If you can't even do what your master tells you, you might be considered useless and discarded.

Countless competitors who want to replace him will definitely try to trip him up without hesitation... and then he'll be in big trouble!

They might be reassigned to another environment by some opportunistic person within the organization, for any reason.

The degree of poorness may be within one's acceptable range, or it may be beyond one's acceptable range.

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, however, did not want to gamble.

"Lord Kyosuke, this is a request from Lord Gon Dainagon."

“In the past, I would have been willing to accept it sincerely, but now that I no longer hold any position, please forgive me for not being able to comply.”

Kyosuke Kosaka responded calmly.

Grand Councilor?

The character 权 (quán) means "to act as an agent".

Without this prefix, they would be true third-rank dukes and ministers.

At this tense time, it is at most a symbol of honor.

Of course, Kyosuke Kousaka himself is someone you can't afford to offend.

However, he could not tolerate the possibility of being used as a tool.

No matter how great he is in the future, if you underestimate him like this, he will definitely fight back!

be honest.

Having cultivated immortality for over twenty years, and relying on his own power and extraordinary background, it would be absolutely impossible for him not to be arrogant.

More importantly—wanting help without any benefit in return? Even capitalists who make empty promises would be impressed!

"Then please go back and report to the Daoist Master."

Kyosuke Kosaka picked up his cup and drank some water.

The imposing man who brought Ayanokouji Kiyotaka to the mansion, who was the spirit summoned by Kousaka Kyosuke using a talisman, walked to Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's side.

Knowing he had no chance of persuading Kousaka Kyosuke, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka left in frustration.

Knowing early on that almost all the Onmyoji in Kyoto possessed supernatural abilities, he dared not make any unnecessary moves.

His mind was constantly replaying what Kousaka Kyosuke had just said to him.

"With all my heart..."

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji pondered it carefully.

He glanced at the girl who was barefoot, weeding in the muddy courtyard and his eyes flickered.

Day 17 of crossing

Sunny weather.

After receiving the suspension order, Kyosuke Kosaka went hunting in the mountains.

He felt much more relaxed after no longer consulting fortune tellers.

After all, divination is very energy-consuming.

In particular, the imperial calendar, which was made a few days in advance, needed to be distributed to various noble households, so utmost care had to be taken.

In addition, the content needs to be corrected every day based on celestial phenomena, and other colleagues also need to do related work based on the almanac, etc. In short, it is very troublesome.

Being suspended from my job is actually a good thing; we have enough food at home to last a long time.

Two wild rabbits were caught that day, and they were dissected, pickled, and made into canned goods.

Seeing this, Yukinoshita, who was helping out nearby, tried her best to hide the surprise in her eyes.

Day 18 of crossing

Kyosuke Kosaka went to Ukyo to observe the feng shui and terrain.

Kyoto is divided into the Left Capital (Sakyo) to the east and the Right Capital (Ukyo) to the west, with the Imperial Palace as its central axis.