In Type-Moon, people create a magic family lineage

"Looks like you recognized me too." Lu Kang wasn't particularly surprised; his 'features' were already quite obvious. "But I'm not a doctor anymore, I'm just Dr. Quan."

The difference between the principal and the deputy is like heaven and earth.

Although he didn't really care.

"Also, did I just interrupt your inspiration again?" Lu Kang asked.

This time, the poem he recited was naturally different from the one before; it was entirely "created" by himself—although he borrowed a bit of the "spirit of the prime minister," which is the so-called AI creation.

But that still used my own way of thinking!

Thinking process does not equate to intelligence or IQ; it merely accelerates the speed of thought—making things that would normally take some time to come up with clear in an instant.

“No…” Fujiwara Kaori opened her mouth, recalling the poem Lu Kang had just recited, and also remembering the so-called masterpiece of the later poet Yang Wanli, which was clearly just a joke to her last time—whether last time or now, Lu Kang’s level of poetry far surpasses her own.

Moreover, although the words that do not carry any trace of melancholy are not Fujiwara Kaori's style, they still leave her with a lingering aftertaste when she savors them carefully.

There was no question of interruption, much less anger: "I apologize for the embarrassing situation, Doctor."

"That's why I said last time that children should act like children and not be so lifeless."

Lu Kang stepped forward and onto the bridge in the center of the lotus pond, closing the distance between him and Xiangzi slightly.

"But isn't the doctor also a child?"

She kept calling me a little girl and a little child... If she was only curious before meeting her, now that she has met her, Fujiwara Kaori still feels a little resentful.

"So you see, I'm quite energetic, aren't I?" Lu Kang chuckled and flicked his sleeve, flicking out a pebble that seemed to have been hidden inside all along.

The pebbles flew across the water, collided repeatedly, and eventually landed on the opposite bank.

"Look, I skipped nine stones! Isn't that amazing?"

The boy looked smug.

"..."

Fujiwara Kaori maintained her composure, but her eyes couldn't help but look strange.

Why does this peacock prince seem a bit 'childish'?

"Are you trying to say I'm naive?" Lu Kang's words cut to the chase.

Xiangzi's expression showed a slight panic.

“Being naive is good.” Lu Kang pointed to himself: “I’m not even seven years old yet. If I’m not naive now, I won’t have the chance in the future.”

"You too."

“At our age, we should be in the ‘newbie protection period’ where we’re fearless and carefree.”

New player protection period—?

What kind of word is this? Or is it some kind of allusion I don't know?

Xiangzi looked completely bewildered.

Lu Kang took the opportunity to pat her head, but she was completely unaware.

It's so much fun teasing kids!

[That's what you're thinking]

"Alright, here you go. You can skip stones here yourself." Lu Kang handed the remaining 'pebbles' to the little girl: "His Majesty the Emperor and the Regent are still waiting for me over there. I'll come find you to play again when I have time."

"If I think about it carefully, I don't really have any friends my age in Kyoto!"

After saying that, without waiting for Xiangzi's response, Lu Kang waved and turned to leave.

Come visit me again sometime...playmate?

These words, which should be commonplace for someone of Xiangzi's age, sounded somewhat unfamiliar to her.

Watching Sugawara Hajime's figure disappear at the other end of the bridge.

He also looked at the pebble in his hand.

Xiangzi's thoughts were inexplicable.

Her mind kept replaying the boy's cheerful words and unrestrained, natural demeanor, and she inexplicably imitated his actions... with a thud, she sank the pebble straight into the water.

"Nine stones skipping across the water..."

"This seems a bit difficult—"

...

As the culmination of the mono no aware style of the Heian period and one of the three great female writers of the Heian period, Murasaki Shikibu—Fujiwara no Kaori—created "The Tale of Genji." Although it is still filled with the unique mono no aware style, its language based on reality influenced countless writers in Yamato Province for the next thousand years.

However, whenever the protagonist 'Genji' appears in the work, the pervasive sense of mono no aware is always dispelled unintentionally by his words and actions, like the bright moon in the night sky, its light forming a redemptive contrast with the surrounding darkness.

Some say that Fujiwara no Kaori herself is an extremely important female character in The Tale of Genji, one of Genji's wives. She called herself "Murasaki Shikibu" in that era. Shikibu comes from the official title of Shikibu Daisuke inherited by her father and brothers. However, the word "murasaki" has no real-world origin and can only be found in the work.

And by reasoning, the protagonist 'Genji' probably also has an origin or prototype.

Numerous pieces of evidence also point out that its most important prototype is most likely the person who had a huge impact on Murasaki Shikibu's life—the most important man in her life.

The unique "Peacock Prince" of that era, Sugawara no Hajime.

Murasaki Shikibu also mentioned this in her surviving diary.

They met when they were children.

They also grew up together in the palace.

—On the Multifaceted Structure of Characters and Archetypal Conclusions in The Tale of Genji

...

On this day, your encounter with 'Murasaki Shikibu' was just a minor incident.

But let's start on this day.

Although you don't meet her every day, you're bumping into her more and more often.

[She seems to wait and anticipate every day, and it seems she has finally figured out your usual late return time.]

You discussed poetry and songs together, and you also skipped stones on the water, creating 'graffiti' on the pond.

You taught her how to make handmade dolls, and she also told you some unknown secrets of the palace.

As your fame grows, so too does the amount of 'ideas' you gain.

Your days, however, remain as ordinary as ever.

At the age of seven, you condensed three 'Prime Minister Spirits'—this signifies an enhancement of your 'thinking', a doubling of your literary creation level, and a further step forward on this path of spiritual thought.

At the same time, you have also spawned countless evil spirits—reaping a barrage of malicious comments and slander.

They say you're dishonest and that you only got to where you are by connections, and that you have no real skills.

You didn't care, but Xiangzi was very angry and vowed to clear your name in the future.

You gently patted her head; the little girl's face flushed slightly, but she seemed used to this gesture.

She remained as quiet as ever, only becoming talkative when discussing poetry—and things related to you.

You couldn't help but interrupt her many times. The little girl looked at you pitifully when you interrupted her, and towards the end, you even felt a little sorry for her—so you had no choice but to listen patiently and reply carefully.

You 'grow' through these daily routines.

Xiangzi has also become completely accustomed to your presence and to our meetings.

She eagerly anticipated those precious few moments each day.

Chapter 118 The Darkest Night, Rashomon Ghost

But daily life always comes to an end.

Although you may see these as just minor ups and downs in a normal day, and that you can get through them and continue as usual,

[You are twelve years old this year, and have already condensed thirty-six 'Prime Minister's Spirits,' with endless evil spirits.]

Your statement has spread far and wide, from southern Kyushu to Hokkaido, and even to the coast of China across the sea. Some people have heard of your name there. It is said that the country is in the early years of the Song Dynasty, but the Yamato Kingdom in the Heian period only recognizes the Tang Dynasty and not the Song Dynasty. The only communication between them is through some private exchanges between coastal merchant ships.

[Despite being from the Onmyodo (Bureau of Yin and Yang), he is the youngest 'Onmyodo' in history]

However, unless specifically mentioned, people will only know of your literary talent, but not your actual profession.

This was something you did intentionally.

This is also how you prepare for your next step.

This year, this day

As always, you ended your meeting with Fujiwara Kaori, returning to the Onmyōryō under the watchful and reluctant gaze of the still twelve-year-old girl who was gradually growing up.

[You just entered the Onmyoji Guild]

And, quite surprisingly, I received a 'task'.

"I heard you've been having a lot of free time lately?"

In the main hall of the Yin-Yang Bureau's residence, separated by a screen, Lu Kang heard a deep, aged voice coming from behind.

The young man, dressed in a pure white hunting robe and with an upright posture, paused slightly and looked in the direction of the sound. A look of confusion appeared on his face, which was as exquisite as it had been in his childhood but had gradually become more handsome and sunny with age. After walking around the screen, he saw a figure that he had not seen for many years.

"teacher?"

Kamo no Yasuhiro.

Lu Kang and he had indeed not seen each other for many years.

Since the palace exorcism six years ago and the change of era name of Yamato Province to the new era name 'Sadagen', Kamo no Yasunori, who had already resigned from his position in the Bureau of Onmyōryō, left the Bureau and traveled the world alone to exorcise demons in various places, leaving only Rikō to continue his 'training' in the Bureau of Onmyōryō.

Now, six years have passed.

Seeing himself again, the only teacher he had taught in the three simulations, and the only reliable one, filled Lu Kang with genuine joy.

He knew very well that Kamo no Yasunori was nearly seventy years old, which was considered advanced age in this era.

Although he was a great Onmyoji, he didn't have the abilities of Abe no Seimei, and he was basically one day less to live.

It is truly a joy to be able to meet again.

Even though he looks much older than he did six years ago, although his posture is still upright, he is much thinner and his hair and beard are much whiter.

But his gaze only grew brighter.

There has been significant progress in 'inspiration', which is the foundation of the Shugendo incantation system.

However, compared to Lu Kang's joy, Kamo Yasunori, though equally happy to see his disciple whom he hadn't seen for six years, still maintained a serious expression on his face.

He snorted coldly, revealing his 'dissatisfaction': "So you still remember I'm your teacher?"

"A teacher for a day is a father for life—although I cannot introduce my mother to you, you will always be my teacher." Lu Kang said, half jokingly and half seriously.

"Nonsense!"

Kamo no Yasunori immediately said in an annoyed tone.

Lu Kang smiled and remained silent. It was only when facing these 'elders' that he could make such jokes without any restraint.

Looking at this guy's youthful appearance, the non-existent 'aura' that Kamo no Yasunori was pretending to put on immediately relaxed and disappeared completely.

What else does he have to say.

“I say, you came here all aggressively, as if I had mistreated your students.” Another voice came from outside the Yin-Yang Bureau behind Lu Kang.

Abe no Seimei, looking exactly the same as he had six years ago, walked over with a smile: "Your student is eating and drinking well and making rapid progress."

"Even if you were to make a move now, you might not be a match for him, Senior Brother Kamo Yasunori?"

The tall, refined old man waved a paper fan in his hand and smiled like a fox.

Seeing this guy, Kamo no Yasunori really mustered up a bit of energy.

"Seimei, how dare you say that?"

He glared at me, his beard bristling: "How much of the information you gave me about demons was wrong? How many times did you make me waste my time and energy?"

"Huh?" Abe no Seimei took two steps back, raising his fan to shield Kamo no Yasunori from his sudden appearance. "Didn't I already say that the diagram was a work from my youth? Things change all the time, haven't they?"

"Besides, this was your own request, so how can you blame me?"

"No matter how many changes occur, we can't go in the opposite direction, can we?"