Mount Yakumo.
This is the sacred mountain of the Izumo Province, located on the Kawanagare Plains. The Izumo Taisha is situated here.
Adjacent to it, the continuous cherry blossom forest forms the grand “Chinju no Mori,” whose scale far surpasses that of the shrine at Numata Castle by an immeasurable degree.
The entrance to the shrine lies on the gable side of the mountain, forming a unique structure, further marked by a massive torii gate spanning across, symbolizing the boundary between deities and humans.
“This is the Izumo Taisha, the main hall of the deity Yakami no Kami…”
A group of cavalry galloped forward, their warhorses speeding, with the blue oni-head flag fluttering behind them, a sight that instilled fear throughout Izumo.
“Hmm… It’s said that Yakami no Kami holds a significant position within the pantheon of Japanese deities. Seeing this grand shrine now gives a glimpse of that status; even among numerous grand shrines, it stands at the forefront…”
Wu Ming opened his heavenly eye, observing the aura of the Izumo Taisha, murmuring inwardly.
In this world, the Japanese Shinto shrines have the Jingū dedicated specifically to the Three Noble Deities, while the Taisha are the shrines for worshiping great gods. Among these, the Izumo Taisha is clearly the largest, deserving of the title “Izumo Palace.”
“Yoshitsune, follow me!”
With the authority of the Oni family in Iwami District, there was no need to observe any formalities. Wu Ming ignored the approaching shrine priests and directly led Oniichi Yoshitsune inside.
The most captivating features of the entire Izumo Taisha were the main hall, standing over twenty meters high, and within the Kagura-den, the enormous shimenawa rope, measuring eight meters in length.
“Oniichi-dono…”
Beside them, several miko carried basins filled with clean water. The lead miko, with her delicate waist, wore a miko outfit that barely contained her charms, exuding an alluring grace.
Even though a group of priests from the Izumo Taisha had been killed, the current priests and miko seemed to have forgotten everything.
“What is your name?”
Feeling the deeply hidden dark power within her and her seductive charm, Wu Ming asked after cleansing his hands.
“My name is Kuni!”
The miko named Kuni lifted her head, her clear eyes carrying the pure Zen meaning of life and death. In that moment of attraction, even Oniichi Yoshitsune beside her was momentarily entranced.
“Haha… Indeed, a remarkable woman!”
Wu Ming laughed heartily, tossing a gold coin casually, “But you all may leave now. Yoshitsune will stay!”
“Yes!”
Although this was against protocol, the priests and miko respectfully bowed and withdrew. Moments later, the samurai of the Oniichi group also bowed and exited, closing the door behind them.
Inside the shrine, only Wu Ming and Oniichi Yoshitsune remained.
No! There was a third presence!
“Yakami no Mikoto… Have you made your decision?”
Wu Ming stared at the statue of Yakami no Kami in the center of the shrine, asking calmly.
Wuwu!
The curtains on both sides fluttered, a cold wind arose suddenly, and the sound of armor clanged, as if an unknown consciousness had descended here.
“My lord!”
Oniichi Yoshitsune placed his right hand on his sword but was ordered to step back by Wu Ming.
“Unlike the deities of Numata Castle, you are the guardian deity of Izumo Province, and the Iyu family is not your bloodline… Now that I have seized full control of Izumo, can’t I make a choice?”
Wu Ming’s voice was heavy. With his aura-reading technique, he saw the entire shrine seemingly immersed in a spiritual land. The statue radiated bright yellow light, and a pair of golden eyes gazed upon him. Indeed, this was a fourth-level Shinto deity!
A thought filled with anger erupted, accompanied by a terrifying pressure.
“Heh! Even if you rival a Yin-Yang Grand Master or a sword saint, you are still a yin deity!”
Wu Ming’s expression remained unchanged as his right hand pressed down in midair.
Boom!
A ripple spread out, suppressing all the strange phenomena.
“Now that I have seized full control of Izumo, my fortune is flourishing. While it may not be enough to subdue you with worldly power alone, I can certainly destroy your shrine. Do you want mutual destruction?”
“Furthermore, this heir beside me carries the bloodline of the Susanoo family. I will support him in marching to Kyoto and restoring our family name! If you agree, we can form a divine pact! We will still revere you as the deity of Izumo!”
“Enemy or ally, you must decide now!”
Wu Ming waved his hand, five-colored lightning flashed, and his voice rang like the collision of jade and ice.
The powerful consciousness turned its attention to Oniichi Yoshitsune, clearly conveying a sense of shock. After a long pause, a voice like a crane’s call was transmitted: “Agreed!”
Instantly, strands of bright yellow divine power descended, forming into a letter.
Wu Ming’s face turned solemn. Using his magical power as ink, he wrote swiftly, the paper emitting clouds and smoke, and in an instant, a contract was written.
“Yoshitsune!”
“Yes!”
Oniichi Yoshitsune tore open his clothes, removing the Yata no Kagami amulet that had always hung around his neck.
This amulet had originally resembled a dull gray stone, unremarkable in any way, but now it emitted a lustrous glow, revealing its divine nature.
“Among the three sacred treasures of Japan, the Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi and the Yata no Kagami aside, this Yata no Kagami amulet is the divine seal, representing the witness of the covenant between gods and humans!”
“Originally, divine objects conceal their true nature, but now that Yoshitsune’s fortune has begun to rise, its power naturally begins to reveal itself!”
“A covenant between gods and humans, witnessed by heaven and earth!”
Oniichi Yoshitsune, his face solemn and dignified to the utmost, spoke in the language of cranes and pressed the Yata no Kagami amulet onto the contract.
Instantly, a blood-red seal shaped like a magatama jewel appeared, and in a flash, the pact was sealed.
Boom!
The contract exploded, transforming into two beams of light that landed on Wu Ming and Yakami no Kami.
“Excellent! I hope Yakami no Kami will honor this promise, and naturally, I will maintain your worship within Izumo Province!”
Wu Ming cast a deep glance at the Yakami no Kami shrine and left without looking back. Oniichi Yoshitsune, stunned, suddenly came to his senses and hurriedly followed.
“Having subdued Yakami no Kami, the Izumo Province will pose no problem!”
Oniichi Yoshitsune understood the weight of this deity within Izumo Province. It could be said that once subdued, the overall situation would be decided, and the people’s hearts would turn in their favor.
“Yes! Next, we only need to station ourselves at Kawanagare Castle and command the local lords of each district to submit!”
Throughout Izumo Province, countless people worshipped Yakami no Kami. If these beliefs were secretly connected, the resulting force might be sufficient to tear apart the entire province.
Even if Wu Ming could suppress it, it would consume a great deal of effort and foot soldiers, which would not be worth the cost.
Now, the only remaining opposition would be a small group of warrior lords still resisting.
“Moreover…”
Wu Ming glanced again at the Yata no Kagami amulet worn by Oniichi Yoshitsune.
After the pact was sealed, the amulet, although it had returned to its former appearance, now bore a slight luster like an unpolished gem, resembling a newly cut diamond, radiating a hint of beautiful light.
In fact, a faint connection to Yakami no Kami could be sensed from it.
“This is seizing the chaos of an era to reestablish the order of Japanese Shinto, signing divine pacts between gods and humans…”
Every few hundred years, during times of great disorder in Japan, it is both chaos and opportunity. When the Child of the World rises, it is the time to cleanse the Three Realms and establish the ranks of the deities beneath the Three Noble Deities, using the sacred treasures as witnesses!
By doing this, Wu Ming seemed to grasp some of the underlying principles of Japanese Shinto: “I suppose the Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi and the Yata no Kagami have similar functions. Next, it will be up to the Three Divine Heirs to continue rising, conquering various provinces and daimyōs, subduing local deities, forming divine pacts, and establishing their ranks and jurisdictions.”
Thinking of this, his expression became somewhat strange: “Why does this feel so similar to the Investiture of the Gods? Could it be that even in different worlds, the fundamental principles are the same?”
…
Inside the Tenshukaku of Kawanagare Castle.
The heads of the local clans from all districts of Izumo Province had gathered, kneeling in rows. In the central hall were the minor daimyōs and trusted retainers who held lands of over ten thousand koku.
These were the clan leaders who had received Wu Ming’s notice and immediately rode to the castle.
The Izumo Province was divided into eight districts: Inaba, Nita, Noyori, Ōhara, Kami, Iwami, Shimane, and Izumo, with a total rice production of 300,000 koku. Among them, the Iwami District alone had 80,000 koku, and together with the 50,000 koku from Inaba and Ōhara, Wu Ming was already the most powerful feudal lord within the province, surpassing the combined strength of other families. Under such command, none dared to disobey.
“Honorable Lord Izumo no Kami!”
The minor daimyōs, each holding lands of over ten thousand koku, knelt and bowed respectfully.
Originally, if Yakami no Kami of the Izumo Taisha had still resisted, they certainly would not have submitted so easily. However, after the Izumo Taisha was also subdued, they had completely lost all hope.
“Indeed… It’s very good that you all have come!”
Wu Ming, dressed in formal attire, nodded slightly at the sight before him: “Next… I will announce the laws and regulations of the Oni family! First, I will reward the meritorious retainers!”
“Yamanaka Shikanosuke, I promote you to a general, with a stipend of 5,000 koku!”
“Matsushita Ken’ichi, you shall serve as a samurai general with a stipend of 2,000 koku!”
I intend to implement an administrative system, with the following candidates: Land Survey Commissioner – Tachibana Shigehiro, who will also be promoted to the rank of samurai general, with a stipend of 1,000 koku!
“As for the list of meritorious ashigaru at the lowest level, they will each be promoted to samurai, with a stipend of 100 koku!”
…
“Hai!”
These decrees would become the laws of Izumo Province in the future. As they were gradually clarified, Wu Ming experienced a strange feeling of “his words carrying the force of law.”
“The total rice production of Izumo Province is 300,000 koku, but in reality, it is certainly more than that. It can be increased through land surveys, and those local lords who have been wavering will also need to be relocated…”
These were matters for the future. At the moment, Wu Ming was slightly immersed in the intoxication of the daimyōs bowing and offering their fortune.
As everyone knelt respectfully, Wu Ming opened his heavenly eye and saw red and white auras gathering, forming a net of laws that suddenly spread throughout the Izumo Province, centered around Kawanagare Castle.
Strands of fortune also continuously gathered, causing his external fortune to glow a deep red, with a strong golden hue in the center.
“With such fortune… it is sufficient for cultivation. However, if I accept it, there will be karmic ties. In the future, I must ensure peace and prosperity in Izumo Province to repay this karmic debt!”
Feeling the immense fortune and its subtle constraints, Wu Ming’s expression also changed.
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