There is a saying that Lu Xiao actually cannot recognize the difference between foxes and other canine creatures.
Considering the white-faced golden-haired nine-tailed fox that appeared in Japanese mythology, Lu Xiao subconsciously identified this shikigami with three tails as a fox... spirit.
Yongzhen raised a seal with one hand on his chest, looked at the three-tailed fox warningly and asked: "Shikigami, who ordered you? Why are you following us secretly?"
The three-tailed fox's attitude was still respectful, and she kept her saluting posture until Yongzhen and Lu Xiao asked her to raise her head.
"The little demon has no master, so he went to meet the two adults on his own initiative."
"absurd!"
Yongzhen retorted on the spot: "A shikigami without spiritual power provided by its master cannot exist in the world for a long time. It will either turn into a monster again, or disappear into thin air."
"You obviously still maintain the posture of a shikigami, don't think that since we are outsiders, we don't know the inside story."
The three-tailed fox smiled bitterly and explained: "Master Onmyoji, please calm down. The little demon's situation is quite special. He was imprisoned here by someone using the earth binding method, and he will never be able to escape."
"Earthbound?"
Yongzhen had read about this spell from Kama Taj's collection, and she probably understood the state of this three-tailed fox.
"In other words, your spiritual power in this world is provided by the earth veins of Kanda Sato Shrine?"
"Exactly."
Yongzhen pondered thoughtfully for a moment, then turned to look at Lu Xiao for advice.
Lu Xiao did not speak, but nodded silently to Yongzhen.
"You should raise your head first."
Yongzhen did not completely relax her vigilance, but she temporarily put down the right hand that was erected in the seal on her chest.
When the three-tailed fox lowered her head, Yongzhen and Lu Xiao could only see half of her profile.
The three-tailed fox raised its head, fully displaying its beautiful appearance.
Not long ago, Lu Xiao met Honora, the Queen of the Light Elf, who also had great looks. The beauty of the three-tailed fox was different from hers.
Honora is beautiful, but her flawless beauty makes people feel dreamlike and unreal, which makes Lu Xiao subconsciously distance herself from her.
In comparison, the beauty of the three-tailed fox can be said to have reached the limit that humans can accept. Even Yongzhen, a woman, couldn't help but be fascinated by her beauty and fell into a daze for a moment.
Lu Xiao's soul strength was extraordinary. He could force himself to stay awake amidst the demonic charm of the three-tailed fox, but he deliberately pretended to be absent-minded, staring at the three-tailed fox's beautiful face with obsession.
This is the best opportunity to test the opponent's intentions. If the opponent is hostile, this is the best time to strike.
But the three-tailed fox did not take action. She still maintained a polite posture and silently waited for the "two people" to come to their senses.
"Hiss~"
About two seconds later, Yongzhen took a deep breath and finally broke away from the three-tailed fox's magical charm.
"...This shouldn't be something you did on purpose, right?"
"Yes."
The three-tailed fox lowered its eyes with a dignified expression and replied: "This is the innate ability of the little demon, and it cannot be controlled by itself."
The contact between the three people seemed to be very long, but in fact, less than 10 seconds had passed since the three-tailed fox appeared.
Yongzhen and Lu Xiao's pause made the young onmyoji who watched them leave suspicious. He seemed unable to see the existence of the three-tailed fox and planned to step forward to urge them.
"Now is not the time for chatting."
Lu Xiao cast a spell that temporarily stopped the time of the entire Rito Shrine, and the advancing Onmyoji suddenly stopped.
"Little fox, you suddenly showed up to stop us. You should have prepared a suitable communication environment in advance, right?"
The three-tailed fox took a deep look at the onmyoji who was completely at a standstill, and nodded meekly: "Yes, sir, please follow me."
…
The three-tailed fox imprisoned in Kanda Sato Shrine has lived here for unknown years, and she clearly remembers every plant and tree in Sato Shrine.
Under her leadership, the three of them took advantage of the pause in time and quietly came to the back of the side hall on the left side of the main shrine building.
The three-tailed fox jumped into an ancient stone well first, followed immediately by Lu Xiao and Yong Zhen.
The bottom of this well cannot be seen at all, but its actual height is less than three meters.
After the three of them landed firmly, the three-tailed fox waved his hand to dispel the illusion, and what appeared in front of them was a rather vast secret space.
There are many rows of bookshelves stacked in this underground space, and a large number of ancient books are stored in them. It looks like a study room.
"This is a secret room that the little demon spent many years decorating. The onmyoji of the shrine will not be able to discover the mystery here unless he jumps directly into the well."
Under the guidance of the three-tailed fox, Lu Xiao and Yongzhen took their seats one after another.
Lu Xiao stared straight into the three-tailed fox's captivating eyes: "Little fox, tell me straight, what do you want from us?"
The three-tailed fox bowed slightly and bowed in a dignified manner: "Please allow Xiaoyao to introduce himself first."
"My name is Tamamo Mae, have you heard of this name?"
Lu Xiao was not surprised by the name given by the three-tailed fox. Lu Xiao had already made some guesses when he saw her three tails.
However, Yongzhen was very surprised and asked: "In front of Tamamo, the white-faced golden-haired nine-tailed fox that appeared in the Heian period? The peerless beauty who served Emperor Toba as a palace maid?"
Tamamo nods and admits without hesitation: "Yes, although there are many discrepancies between legends and facts, the little demon did not enter the human world until the end of the Muromachi shogunate."
As a native of Japan, Yongzhen was very interested in Tamamo-mae's experience, but Lu Xiao interrupted her and continued to ask.
"Your experience is not important. What is important is why you came forward to stop us."
Tamamo-mae smiled and explained: "The little demon naturally wants something. I hope to escape the fate of being bound here."
"I can provide you two adults with important information that affects your lives, and I can also become the shikigami of this Onmyoji-sama. I ask you to take me away from this small, unchanging world."
"Life is at stake..."
Lu Xiao narrowed his eyes, and his initially casual attitude became serious: "Go on, if your information is valuable, I can agree to your request."
A hint of joy flashed in Tamamo Mae's eyes. Hundreds of years of anticipation finally gave her hope. She calmed down before recounting the information she had learned.
…
"The mole...?"
The information provided by Tamamo Mae just filled in some of the information that Lu Xiao was missing in this conference.
According to her, there are many people in the Onmyoji Association who are dissatisfied with the current situation of the association being restricted and hope to integrate with the world in a more open way.
There is also a group of more radical Onmyoji hidden in this enlightened sect, headed by a famous queen named Abe Shunkichi. They hope that the Onmyoji Association can gain a pivotal position in the world and even replace the holy land of Kama Taj as the Earth's most powerful.
The leader of the mysterious world.
"Shunkichi Abe is one of the descendants of Japan's most famous onmyoji, Abe Seimei. He did not learn the essence of his ancestor's onmyoji, but he learned Seimei's insidiousness and cunning."
When talking about Abe Seimei, Tamamo-mae, who has always maintained an elegant posture, clearly showed murderous intent in his eyes. Apparently the two parties had conflicts before.
"Shunkichi Abe colluded with outsiders, intending to eliminate the conservatives and liberal moderates in the association in one fell swoop, and take control of the Onmyoji Association himself."
"The person who contacted Abe Shunji was the traitor of Karma Taj. Mordo accepted the power of the devil. When communicating with Abe Shunji, he called himself Baron Mordo."