Lancer meeting with Fujiwara no Fuhito was actually even more "ordinary" than imagined.
He was indeed very agitated upon seeing his "daughter" unconscious, but he calmed down afterward and then began to ask about his daughter condition.
As for why Lancer was here? And why Lancer knew the situation? He didn't ask.
Because he knew that asking such things at a time like this was meaningless.
Lancer did not directly tell him what bloodline was awakening inside Fujiwara no Mokou. He only told him that because Mokou had reached adulthood, a certain special talent from her ancestors had awakened. One reason was that the claim of being a "descendant of Amaterasu" was too shocking, and the other was that Lancer was afraid Fujiwara no Fuhito might do something irrational upon knowing he had been cuckolded (until now, Lancer didn't know that the one cuckolded was Fujiwara no Fuhito adoptive father).
"Mokou problem... do you have a way?"
After listening to Lancer narration, Fujiwara no Fuhito was silent for a while before saying this seemingly simple sentence, and Lancer nodded.
"I have found a clue to the solution."
"Many thanks, Mr. Lancer. You have done so much for my daughter."
"No need for that, Lord Fujiwara. Mokou is like my own sister to me."
Saying to a father that his daughter is like one's own sister could be said to be a very strange thing. However, neither of the two people present had much mind to consider this, and Fujiwara no Fuhito only nodded in silence.
"I will ask the people of the Onmyoryo to help."
"That would be even better."
Lancer was not at all surprised by the other's words. After all, no one could pin all their hopes on one person unless there was no other way.
However, Fujiwara no Fuhito gaze when looking at Lancer was very complex. There was confusion, anger, and even more bewilderment, but in the end, it returned to calm. Because he was Fujiwara no Fuhito, a person capable of influencing this country. There were too many things he needed to handle; he couldn't possibly act willfully...
——
Among the materials for making the "Hourai Elixir" provided by Kaguya Houraisan, many were not considered rare. Lancer quickly gathered them with the help of acquaintances. After all, Lancer seemed to be alone, but in reality, his network of connections spanned all of Japan. Among his friends were Great Youkai of the three major youkai races, and even Omine Zenki-bo agreed to provide some help under the offensive of his sea of sake.
It was also at this time that most people in the youkai world realized just how terrifying this "Aka-Oni" , who seemed to cause trouble everywhere, really was. He had acquaintances, or subordinates of his acquaintances, in almost every region. And what was even more surprising was the reaction of these youkai.
Generally speaking, when a superior issues a task—especially a task without a deadline—their subordinates often choose to slack off. After all, it's like writing; if the editor isn't pushing, isn't it happier to be a pigeon?
But after receiving Lancer notice—which was less of an "order" and more of a "letter for help"—everyone burst forth with extraordinary passion.
For most youkai, Lancer was a generous protector. He never asked them for anything, yet gave them the peaceful life they craved. Facing Lancer request for help at this time, everyone chose to help without any hesitation. After all, having received Lancer selfless help all this time, they also hoped to be able to help Lancer.
It was not a simple exchange of interests, but a true mutual understanding. The connection established this way was even more indestructible.
No one knew that the reason for this operation that shocked the entire Japanese youkai world was merely because of a young girl.
And Lancer was also doing his best to find the list of medicines given by Kaguya Houraisan. He appeared more "anxious" than anyone else, not only because Fujiwara no Mokou body could no longer be suppressed solely by the ice he created, but more importantly because he knew his time was running out.
It had already been more than three months since he came to this world. For him, the remaining time he had was only 2/3...
'I must collect all these things before then.'
——
Wanting to collect hundreds or thousands of medicines or curios was not a simple matter. However, when the number of people involved in the collection grew from the initial nearly one hundred, and then they mobilized the people around them, these things began to gather at an astonishing speed. Many things were even their own possessions.
And Lancer was looking for the most critical thing in the "Hourai Elixir"——the catalyst.
'The Hourai Elixir making a person immortal and ageless is not something created out of thin air. The most critical thing among them is the crest feather of a Phoenix. There are many divine beasts in the world, but the Phoenix is the most special kind. They are born from fire, even in death... no, they don't have death in the true sense, but Nirvana. Only the Phoenix's crest feather, this most special feather, can inherit the specificity of their abilities. This is also the most important thing in the Hourai Elixir!'
Phoenix?
Is Lancer familiar with this thing?
Of course he is. As a person from the Celestial Empire (China), how could Lancer not have heard of the Four Sacred Beasts? But it was precisely because he knew them that he understood their terror even more.
But beyond being terrifying, their existence was also incredibly mysterious. At least after being in Japan for so long, Lancer had not heard any news regarding their existence. Therefore, while collecting medicinal materials, Lancer also asked Omine Zenki-bo and Kawashiro Amayuki to help collect information on the Phoenix.
As for Ibuki Suika and the others?
Although Hoshiguma Yuugi was very unhappy with Lancer act of breaking their appointment, she also knew the significance of Lancer operation this time. In the end, she only complained a few words and didn't really come to his door to fight. Unfortunately, although the Oni race helped him collect many medicinal materials, they couldn't help much with finding the Phoenix. After all, their numbers were too small, and they were a bunch of battle maniacs. They would basically charge at anyone they saw within three minutes. Expecting them to scout for information... that was expecting too much.
But the one thing this world does not lack is surprises. When Lancer broke off a branch from a tree only a few meters high but condensing a large amount of life force in the "Sea of Trees," a Gap appeared beside him.
"Yukari? Was there something you had to do just now when you left? If it's not resolved, go resolve it first. Anyway, the things that can be found are mostly found now."
In this collection of medicinal materials, the one who helped Lancer the most was Yakumo Yukari. Not only did she help Lancer find many clues by relying on her status as a Youkai Sage, but she also helped him transfer at high speed, which saved him a lot of time. She had suddenly left just now and now returned; he didn't know if the matter was resolved.
However, what he didn't expect was that Yakumo Yukari was looking at him with a strange expression.
"What is it?"
"Found it."
Lancer blanked for a moment, and he quickly realized what she was talking about.
"Did you find a clue to the Phoenix? Where! Who found it! I must thank her personally."
Just as Lancer finished speaking, a somewhat cold voice appeared behind Yakumo Yukari.
"It was me."
Ibaraki Kasen, her right arm wrapped in bandages, walked out from behind Yakumo Yukari.