If Lancer came to Fujiwara-kyō before simply because he didn't know where to go and habitually headed for the most crowded place, then after killing a rogue Yamawaro (Mountain Child), he unexpectedly obtained a task.
"Exterminate 5 different types of Youkai, unlock Side Quest · Tale of the Oni Exterminator"
"Side Quest: Tale of the Oni Exterminator"
"Task Requirement: Defeat 100 different types of Youkai, Oni can be submitted"
"Task Reward: Varies according to the strength of the defeated monster"
It could be said that this task was a complete surprise, and for Lancer, it was a task that could be completed along the way. The only problem was the 100 types, which was somewhat difficult.
Since he had a temporary goal, Lancer accelerated his pace.
Why go to Fujiwara-kyō to solve Youkai problems?
It's very simple. Since it is the center of the country, the information there is also the most abundant. What's more, sometimes crowded places don't mean fewer Youkai. As far as Lancer knows, many Youkai exist by depending on humans.
First, focus on dealing with the largest number, and then slowly deal with the rest. Lancer usually did this when playing RPGs before.
And when Lancer arrived at Fujiwara-kyō, he also encountered an 'accident'.
Simply put, he was stopped when he entered the city, but fortunately, he was prepared. After showing the doorman the letter of introduction written by the village chief whose village he handled, the other party let him leave. However, before he left, the other party also specifically reminded or warned him that 'a certain lord was attacked on his way back to Fujiwara-kyō some time ago, and now the entire Fujiwara-kyō is under search. Don't cause trouble.'
Lancer just nodded to this and didn't bother with it. After all, his original purpose was only to inquire about Youkai intelligence, and he didn't think he could be involved in this matter.
What is the simplest way to get information? Naturally, it is to buy information from specialized intelligence houses, but Lancer had no connections since he just arrived in this world. The next best thing is to go to places like bars to inquire about news, but there are also many problems, such as the information obtained in such places is simply unknown whether it is true or false.
Of course, there is an even simpler way, which is for someone to ask him for help, but he has no reputation now. Even if someone is attacked by a Youkai, they probably wouldn't look for him, right?
The helpless Lancer could only go to a pub, or rather an izakaya, to try his luck first.
"Boss, one plum wine, one appetizer."
Should he say it deserves to be Fujiwara-kyō? Lancer casually found an izakaya and there were quite a few people inside. One must know that ordinary people don't have the spare money to go to an izakaya.
Sake (rice wine) had too low an alcohol content, and the appetizer was just pickles. Lancer couldn't help but sigh. If it weren't for collecting information, drinking here would be better than asking Tiger to just grill some fish or something.
Since the food was only average, Lancer focused all his attention on the 'serious business'.
However, after listening for a while, he couldn't help but frown. Most of the men in the izakaya were talking about things around them, and a few people were even discussing the red-light district, but none of them mentioned the Youkai that Lancer cared about.
But just when he was about to finish the last glass of wine and leave, a few samurai wearing long swords walked into the izakaya.
Although the 'Sword Abolishment Edict' was only implemented a thousand years later, 'swords' were not common in ancient Japan. Those who could use weapons were basically private soldiers of the nobles, and the words of these samurai aroused Lancer curiosity.
'The girl born from bamboo'
Lancer first reaction was —————— Youkai!
And according to Lancer deduction, it might be a bamboo spirit. However, there are many Youkai in this era. Logically speaking, even if it is rare, it shouldn't be too strange. When he inquired more closely, he found out that the girl born from bamboo was very beautiful, and it was said that all men would be attracted by the charm on her body.
However, it seemed that many people had similar thoughts to Lancer, and some people asked if the very beautiful girl might be a Youkai, but the leading samurai shook his head.
"Of course not. Even you can think of such a thing, how could those lords not think of it? The officials of the Onmyōryō (Bureau of Yin-Yang) and the great monks from the temple have sent people to see her, and they can confirm that that girl is definitely not a Youkai. I even heard that ————"
The leading samurai's voice dropped suddenly, and the others also leaned closer very understandingly.
"Some lord said that she is a reincarnation of a God or Buddha."
After speaking, the other party didn't say much more, seeming not wanting to talk too much, but Lancer felt from the other party's expression that he probably didn't know more specific news.
If it were in the Celestial Dynasty (China), Lancer might be very excited to hear 'reincarnation of a God or Buddha', but in the case of Japan...
His expression was a bit subtle. Even if he hadn't specifically studied Japan mythology, he had heard of the saying of eight million gods. In fact, 'God' is not a rare existence in Japan, such as —————— Tsukumogami.
Simply put, according to Japan concept, not only are the powerful beings who created Japan in the legends 'Gods', but Youkai can also be 'Gods'. Of course, old objects used for a long time can also become Tsukumogami because of the owner's affection.
Simply put, the upper limit (creation of the world in mythology) and the lower limit (small pebbles on the side of the road) of Japan 'Gods' are too far apart.
However, since it is a reincarnation, it is definitely not his goal.
'What a pity.'
He originally thought he had found a target, but who knew it wasn't.
However, just when he was about to leave, he suddenly glanced to the side and then directly left.
Undoubtedly, Lancer was warning the person who was tracking him.
That's right, Lancer was being tracked, but he didn't intend to expose it. After all, in his opinion, he hadn't committed any crime. The reason why someone was tracking him was probably because of his physique. However, he didn't care, but that didn't mean he liked being followed no matter what he did. When he looked at the person tracking him just now, he was actually warning the other party not to provoke him.
After Lancer left the izakaya, the person tracking him was gone as expected, but this did not mean that Lancer trouble was over, because when he noticed that he was being tracked again, he found that the number of people tracking him had actually increased.
"How troublesome..."
After muttering to himself, he simply walked towards a less crowded place.
He had realized that the people tracking him did not seem to intend to give up easily, so it was better to deal with them first.
Soon, Lancer arrived at a place suspected to be a private residence of a noble, but since there was no one nearby, Lancer chose this place directly. As expected, when he stopped, the few trackers who had been monitoring him also stopped, but one of them left.
'He must have gone to report, right?'
After waiting for nearly five minutes, even when Lancer was bored and trying to configure a new circuit with his Dōriki (Orbment), the sound of wheels rolling suddenly came.
'The main person is finally here. This efficiency is really slow.'
After inwardly complaining, the people hiding in the dark came out.
The standard short shirt, short pants, and face mask. Lancer recognized their identity at a glance —————— Ninja.
And after they appeared, they didn't say a word and subtly surrounded Lancer. Lancer did not express any opinion on this. After all, an elephant would never care about an ant's bared fangs and claws. He was waiting for the main person to come out.
The sound of the wheels turning became louder and louder, and Lancer eyes narrowed slightly.
Because what appeared before him was neither an ox-cart nor a horse-drawn carriage, but a vehicle with burning wheels, and there was nothing in front of it.
Although he didn't know what it was, Lancer was sure that it was definitely not something a normal person could drive. It must be a Youkai, right?
Remembering his 'Side Quest', Lancer subconsciously reached for the briefcase in his right hand.
Perhaps the murderous aura inadvertently revealed by Lancer caught the attention of those ninjas, and they almost instinctively drew their waist swords and aimed them at Lancer.
However, Lancer didn't pay attention to them and continued to look at the burning 'vehicle'. After all, they posed no threat at all. But just at this moment ——————
"Put down your weapons, everyone. You cannot harm this samurai gentleman."
Following a clear, cold voice, the curtain of the 'vehicle' was pulled open, and Lancer face also showed a look of 'sudden realization'.
The towering eboshi (black cap), the kariginu (hunting clothes), and the 'bat fan' on his body were iconic. The reason Lancer recognized this attire originated from a sad story.
Once upon a time, an innocent young man played a 'casual game' because of a very exquisite promotional video, and then obtained the title of 'King of Non-Africans' (meaning terrible luck/whale)...
That's right, this innocent young man was Lancer!
So Lancer naturally knew of the existence of 'Onmyoji', not to mention that he already knew on his way here that Japan in this era had an organization called the 'Onmyōryō' (Bureau of Yin-Yang) to manage Onmyoji.
However, the only thing that puzzled Lancer was why the Onmyoji was looking for him? After all, Lancer did not feel any hostility from the man in front of him.
"This samurai gentleman, I apologize for the disturbance."
The other party's formal way of speaking made Lancer very helpless, so he directly threw a curveball.
"Is there something you want from me?"
Lancer direct question made the other party pause for a moment, but then he walked down from the 'vehicle' very simply.
"Before, Kamikuchi Village in Nara Prefecture was infested by a Tsuchigumo (Earth Spider). My Bureau sent an Onmyoji to resolve it, but when they arrived, they learned that a powerful samurai had dealt with the Tsuchigumo in advance. You presented the letter written by that village chief when you entered the city, and when the guards at the gate came to my Bureau for verification, we guessed it must have been you."
The other party clearly explained why he came to find Lancer in just a few simple sentences, and Lancer also raised an eyebrow. Anyway, it was a good thing that he wasn't here to cause him trouble.
And at the same time Lancer breathed a sigh of relief, the middle-aged Onmyoji was also observing Lancer.
The strength of the Youkai 'Tsuchigumo' fluctuates greatly. The strongest Tsuchigumo can completely be called a 'Great Youkai', but the Tsuchigumo that was dealt with by Lancer... or rather, Jack, whose strength could only be considered average, was only at the average level in the Tsuchigumo population.
However, this average level is only relative. The Onmyōryō would need at least one official Onmyoji leading at least a team of experienced and well-coordinated samurai to solve such a Tsuchigumo.
But according to the village's statement, they didn't even notice the commotion when the Tsuchigumo was dealt with. This undoubtedly proved from the side that the young man in front of him was very powerful, at least stronger than him. He was a 'Onmyō Dai-Yu' (Senior Judicial Officer of the Onmyōryō), holding the court rank of Junior Seventh Rank, Upper Grade, and the number of Onmyoji stronger than him was very limited.
After the Onmyoji responsible for dealing with the Tsuchigumo reported this matter using his Shikigami, they began to prepare to find the other party, but they didn't expect the other party to appear in Fujiwara-kyō himself, and he happened to be the 'Dai-Yu' on duty today, so he rushed over to recruit Lancer.
However, after truly contacting Lancer, he felt very tricky.
First of all, the other party did not seem to care about his identity as an Onmyoji, and even spoke to him very casually; secondly, the other party did not ask for any reward after solving the Tsuchigumo, showing that the other party did not care about money; the most crucial thing was that after the other party realized he was being tracked, he not only did not leave but waited here for his arrival, which was enough to show the other party's confidence in himself.
It is not easy to recruit such a powerful and seemingly desireless samurai.
Especially after he finished speaking, the other party didn't even reply, but instead looked at him with a strange expression, which made him feel a little embarrassed, but he couldn't get angry. After all, the other party had nothing to do with him, plus the other party's strength was there, what right did he have to be angry?
After thinking for a long time about what he should say, he had no choice but to 'learn' from Lancer and directly threw a 'curveball'.
"This samurai gentleman, I actually want to invite you to join our Onmyōryō..."
"Sorry, I don't want to serve in office."
Lancer directly interrupted the other party before he could finish. He didn't want to work for others anymore. He refused this point very decisively. He didn't want to get into trouble again.
But just when the other party looked a little disappointed, Lancer brought up another matter.
"By the way, does your Onmyōryō hire samurai to fight?"
Hire samurai to fight?
Generally speaking, the Onmyōryō would lead the samurai under the Onmyōryō when going to various places to solve Youkai problems, but sometimes due to personnel losses, or other uncontrollable factors leading to reduction in staff, they also have the authority to temporarily hire nobushi (wandering samurai) or rōnin to fight for them.
'Does this man in front of me wish to be hired?'
He doesn't want to serve in office but wants to be hired by the Onmyōryō. What an incredibly strange person, but hiring ——————
It is also a good choice when the other party is unwilling to join, right?
"Naturally we do, but please allow me to say one more thing. Samurai gentleman, why are you unwilling to serve in office, yet you want to be hired by our Onmyōryō? You refused the reward from that village before, so it shouldn't be because of money, right?"
"No reason, it's just simply because I want to eliminate those Youkai."
Lancer did not hide this matter, but what he didn't know was that when he said this, the funashiyaku was full of surprise, then shook his head, and finally stepped forward with a sincere expression and held Lancer hands.
"I see, I understand now."
It was obvious that the other party had already created a scenario for Lancer of at least 20 years where 'the family was destroyed by Youkai, and the young man went out after bitter training to seek revenge'.
And Lancer, internally, besides complaining 'What do you understand now', at least maintained a normal expression on the surface. No matter what, at least he got an intelligence source.
Information · Onmyōryō
I believe everyone is familiar with the common knowledge about Onmyoji, so I will just list the ranks of the Onmyōryō and so on. It does not affect the plot, but I'll put it out in advance, lest some friends get confused.
First, the functions of the Onmyōryō institution:
One of the governmental institutions of ancient Japan government, subordinate to the Ministry of the Center in the Left Great Council, responsible for the observation and judgment of divination, astronomy, time, and the calendar, and related education.
Four Classes of Officials:
Chief Official:
Onmyō no Kami (Director of Onmyōryō): Responsible for the management of the Onmyōryō. Court Rank: Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade.
Deputy Officials:
Onmyō no Suke (Assistant Director): Responsible for assisting and acting on behalf of the Onmyō no Kami. Junior Sixth Rank, Upper Grade.
Onmyō Gon-no-Suke (Provisional Assistant Director): Same as Onmyō no Suke, serving as the Deputy Official of the Bureau, called Gon-no-Suke. Court Rank: Junior Sixth Rank, Upper Grade.
Judicial Officers:
Onmyō Dai-Yu (Senior Judicial Officer): Responsible for the management of attendance, night watch, and the review and supplementation of official documents within the Bureau. Court Rank: Junior Seventh Rank, Upper Grade.
Onmyō Shō-Yu (Junior Judicial Officer): Deputy Judicial Officer, responsible for assisting the Dai-Yu.
Secretaries:
Onmyō Dai-Saku (Senior Secretary): Responsible for the creation, recording, receiving, issuing, registration, and management of official documents. Court Rank: Junior Eighth Rank, Lower Grade.
Onmyō Shō-Saku (Junior Secretary): Deputy Secretary, responsible for assisting the Dai-Saku. Court Rank: Grand Initial Rank, Upper Grade.
Technical Officers, Instructors:
The Onmyōryō is divided into four professional categories: Onmyōdō, Astronomical Studies, Calendar Studies, and Clepsydra Studies. Below the Hakase (Doctor/Instructor) are the Gon-no-Hakase (Provisional Doctor), who are the assistants to the Hakase. Students with excellent academic performance can become Tokugyōsei (Advanced Students), serving as candidates for Onmyoji.
Onmyōdō (Yin-Yang Way)
Onmyō Gon-no-Hakase (Provisional Doctor of Onmyōdō): Court Rank: Junior Seventh Rank, Upper Grade.
Onmyō Sei (Student of Onmyōdō): Students of the Onmyō Hakase.
Onmyō Tokugyōsei (Advanced Student of Onmyōdō)Onmyōji (Yin-Yang Master): Responsible for divination or land observation and determining good or bad fortune. Court Rank: Junior Seventh Rank, Upper Grade.
Onmyō Hakase (Doctor of Onmyōdō): Responsible for the technical education of Onmyōdō. Court Rank: Senior Seventh Rank, Lower Grade. Salary: 4 chō of official field.
Astronomical Studies
Tenmon Gon-no-Hakase (Provisional Doctor of Astronomical Studies): Court Rank: Junior Seventh Rank, Upper Grade.
Tenmon Sei (Student of Astronomical Studies): Students of the Tenmon Hakase, also known as Kansei.
Tenmon Tokugyōsei (Advanced Student of Astronomical Studies)Tenmon Hakase (Doctor of Astronomical Studies): Responsible for the technical education of Astronomical Studies; must submit a sealed report when noticing any celestial abnormality. Court Rank: Senior Seventh Rank, Lower Grade. Salary: 4 chō of official field. The highest position held by the famous Onmyoji Abe no Seimei in the Onmyōryō was Tenmon Hakase, with a rank reaching Junior Fourth Rank, Upper Grade, which was an exception.
Calendar Studies
Reki Gon-no-Hakase (Provisional Doctor of Calendar Studies): Court Rank: Junior Seventh Rank, Lower Grade.
Reki Sei (Student of Calendar Studies): Students of the Reki Hakase.
Reki Tokugyōsei (Advanced Student of Calendar Studies)Reki Hakase (Doctor of Calendar Studies): Responsible for the technical education of Calendar Studies; manages the calendar. Court Rank: Junior Seventh Rank, Upper Grade. Salary: 3 chō of official field.
Clepsydra Studies (Water Clock)
Rōkoku Gon-no-Hakase (Provisional Doctor of Clepsydra Studies): Court Rank: Senior Eighth Rank, Upper Grade.
Shushin Tei: Responsible for striking the hours according to the clepsydra.
Rōkoku Hakase (Doctor of Clepsydra Studies):Rōkoku is the water clock. The Rōkoku Hakase is responsible for managing the time. Court Rank: Junior Seventh Rank, Lower Grade.
Subordinate Staff:
Shibu: Serving as general workers in various units. The legitimate sons of officials with ranks from Sixth Rank to Junior Eighth Rank, who have reached 21 years old and have not yet taken office, and whose abilities are judged as lower grade, are assigned as Shibu.
Jikichō: Serving as general workers in various units.
By the way, Onmyoji appeared very early in Japan, but the official record of the Onmyōryō as a functional department first appeared in the 4th year of Emperor Tenmu (675 AD).