Chapter 112: Friend of Humanity Nura Clan, Unequal Contract Conditions
Facing the pitch-black cold weapons formed by evil spirit power covering the sky, hundreds of yokai, including Nurarihyon, felt a desperate sense of oppression, even their breathing stagnated.
Rio and Miko were also dumbfounded.
What is this situation?
Yoru actually has this move?
Thousands of pure black weapons condensed from evil spirit power...
No wonder, no matter what he did, even breaking into the Kyoto City Museum, taking Onimaru Kunitsuna, and facing the full encirclement of the police, he appeared so calm and confident.
Turns out he was hiding such an amazing ability.
This was no longer in the category of spirit mediums.
This should be an Esper (Superpower User), right!?
"Now..."
Yoru stood on the top of the shrine building, looking at the solemn-faced Nurarihyon gripping Nenekirimaru tightly, and smiled.
"We can start talking."
Seeing Nurarihyon still standing there motionless, Yoru jumped down from the roof, landed lightly on the ground, and walked slowly towards him.
Seeing him approaching their Supreme Commander, the faces of hundreds of Nura Clan yokai changed.
Just as they wanted to take action, they felt the oppression from the sky getting closer.
"Don't move!"
Seeing the Unlimited Blade Works in the sky descending slightly towards the ground, although only less than half a meter, Nurarihyon's face changed, and he immediately raised his hand to stop the actions of his subordinate yokai.
After fighting with Yoru, he roughly understood the intensity of the evil spirit power weapons condensed by the opponent.
Meikyō Shisui: Sakura was considered one of Nurarihyon's killing moves.
But it was still blocked by that temporarily condensed black shield for nearly two seconds, and seven or eight tenths of its power was neutralized.
Now, if these thousands of evil spirit power weapons landed simultaneously, what kind of scene would it be?
Nurarihyon felt that he and Gyuki would only suffer injuries and surviving wouldn't be a big problem.
But the only ones who could survive were him and Gyuki.
Other yokai of the Nura Clan...
Probably none would survive.
If hundreds of yokai died here, the Nura Clan would be completely finished.
After all, Nurarihyon was old, no longer the powerhouse who could conquer other yokai and become the Commander of Yokai single-handedly back then.
A hero in his twilight years.
And his grandson, Nura Rikuo, who possessed a quarter of yokai blood, was far from growing up. Now he was just an ordinary human boy, unable to bear the responsibility of the Third Generation Supreme Commander of the Nura Clan at all.
Nurarihyon understood Yoru's meaning.
Talking is fine.
But before starting, everyone must know.
Which side holds the initiative in this negotiation.
While Nurarihyon was pondering, Yoru had already walked in front of him.
The opponent just waved his right hand casually, and a black chair condensed from evil spirit power appeared behind Nurarihyon.
"Supreme Commander Nurarihyon, sit."
Seeing Yoru's friendly smiling appearance, Nurarihyon sighed slightly and finally sat down.
"Why are you two still standing there?"
Yoru waved his hand again, condensing three black chairs formed by evil spirit power, and beckoned to Rio and Miko in the distance.
"Come over."
Rio and Miko froze for a moment, then walked over.
"Come come come, you sit here."
Rio originally thought she and Miko would sit on the left and right, leaving the middle seat for Yoru.
Unexpectedly, the opponent took her hand directly, led her to the middle seat directly opposite Nurarihyon, and sat down beside her himself.
Rio shook her head helplessly.
What is this?
Meaning let me talk?
"You guy, being lazy again, right?"
Hearing Rio's slightly dissatisfied whispered complaint, Yoru smiled nonchalantly. Then he turned his head and looked closely at her face. Such a serious gaze made Rio blush and feel a bit embarrassed.
"Looking at what?"
Yoru looked serious.
"Aiya, Rio, you taking off your glasses and tying this high ponytail hairstyle looks really beautiful. I can't look away."
Rio looked unable to laugh or cry, saying grumpily.
"Don't be crazy here. I've always dressed like this in the Otherworld; you've seen it countless times."
"Besides, when I tried this look for the first time, you had already seen it."
Hearing this, Miko beside them couldn't help but frown.
What does "when I tried this look for the first time, Yoru had already seen it" mean?
Where did he see it?
Did he really only see these?
Did he see anything else?
Wait a minute.
Miko suddenly remembered something.
Before the Onimaru Kunitsuna operation last time, it seemed she suggested letting Yoru see if there was any solution regarding Rio's inability to cover that part.
Bad.
Did I become the scapegoat?
Seeing Yoru arrange Rio in the middle seat, Nurarihyon was also somewhat surprised.
In terms of power, this human girl was worlds apart from the one he just fought.
Nurarihyon originally thought Miko and Rio had abilities, but their relationship with Yoru should be similar to master and servant.
Now listening to the tone of conversation between Rio and Yoru, as well as their very relaxed demeanor and expressions, it wasn't the case at all.
Compared to master and servant, it seemed more like equal status.
Thinking of this, Nurarihyon breathed a sigh of relief.
To be honest, he was a bit afraid of Yoru.
On one hand, the power displayed by the opponent was too strong.
On the other hand, Yoru's performance during battle really didn't look like a normal human, more like a brutal and ruthless madman enjoying the pleasure of killing.
Now finally, he saw the opponent's side as a normal human.
As long as he wasn't a complete madman, they could talk.
Yokai and humans didn't necessarily have to fight to the death.
Of course, this was Nurarihyon's thought.
Whether the talk could succeed depended on the subsequent development.
"This... how should I address you?"
Hearing Nurarihyon's question, Rio didn't answer in a hurry. Instead, she took out her glasses from her bosom, put them back on, and then replied.
"You can just call me Futaba."
Rio wasn't as abstract as Yoru.
She really couldn't bring herself to call the old man opposite, who looked seventy or eighty years old, "Old Geezer."
Politeness was still necessary.
"Oh oh, Miss Futaba."
Nurarihyon nodded. A kind old man's expression appeared on his old face, smiling.
"Actually, our Nura Clan's visit to Kyoto this time really has no malice, just saw the news on TV and wanted to understand the situation."
"Mmhmm, I believe this point."
Rio wasn't surprised.
She had seen it long ago.
Whether the battle just now or the encounter in the city at the beginning.
Rio could sense that the opponent's goal wasn't to kill her and Miko.
On the contrary, they seemed a bit restrained, afraid to use full strength.
Speaking of this, Rio paused and looked at Yoru beside her.
"What do you think?"
"Let me introduce you first."
Yoru smiled. Next, under the incredulous gazes of Nurarihyon and the Nura Clan yokai, he gave Rio and Miko a comprehensive introduction to the background of the Nura Clan.
From the initial goal of establishment—Nurarihyon realizing that the future era would become increasingly difficult for yokai survival, so he wanted to create a sanctuary for yokai.
To the death of the Second Generation Supreme Commander, the strongest of the Nura family with half-human half-yokai blood, Nura Rihan.
And now, Nura Rikuo, who hadn't awakened yokai power yet and was just an ordinary human, and the predicament of the Nura Clan's gradual decline.
Directly a comprehensive analysis.
Many things among them, even many Nura Clan yokai present didn't know.
Hearing these words, the most shocked weren't Miko and Rio.
But Nurarihyon and Gyuki.
The two yokai looked at each other, their faces full of confusion.
How did the opponent know these things?
Even secrets like the cause of death of the Second Generation Supreme Commander Nura Rihan?
"So that's how it is..."
After listening to Yoru's introduction, Rio nodded noncommittally, looking at the Nura Clan yokai with curiosity in her eyes.
Such creatures actually exist in this world.
Although most yokai also held hostility towards humans, this hostility was completely different from evil spirits.
Evil spirits' killing intent towards humans felt like an instinct existing in their bones, without any reason or thinking.
Yokai were different.
Since they would obey Nurarihyon's instructions and choose to hide and live in seclusion, it proved they weren't naturally hostile to humans and had their own thinking ability.
Simply put.
Evil spirits were dangerous monsters that must be eliminated.
Yokai were just strange creatures with special abilities and different standpoints from humans.
There was a possibility of coexistence between the two sides.
"Then, what exactly is your purpose coming to Kyoto?"
Facing Rio's question, the smile on Nurarihyon's face became a bit bitter.
"Honestly, this old man just wanted to talk to you, to understand what kind of view and attitude the Onmyoji of this era have towards our yokai race, that's all."
"I see."
Rio turned to look at Miko.
"What do you think?"
Miko pondered for a moment before replying.
"Hmm... I think if they are yokai still doing evil, they are naturally our enemies. But organizations like the Nura Clan, which stay out of humans' way and maintain order in the yokai world, are allies of humanity to some extent."
"I think the same as you."
Rio nodded slightly, then looked at Yoru beside her, who had crossed his legs and looked lazy.
"What about your attitude?"
"My attitude..."
Yoru glanced at Nurarihyon and the hundreds of yokai behind him, bored.
"Can't eat, not interested, doesn't matter."
Rio naturally knew Yoru meant he couldn't devour yokai like devouring evil spirits to enhance his own ability.
It seems yokai and evil spirits are indeed completely different existences.
"Then it's simple."
Rio pushed her glasses and said faintly to Nurarihyon.
"You leave Kyoto immediately and return to your own territory."
"No problem."
Hearing this sentence, Nurarihyon breathed a sigh of relief as if a heavy burden was lifted.
Not reaching the point of fighting to the death was the best.
From Rio's attitude, Nurarihyon got very important information.
These three humans opposite, possessing special abilities he had never seen before and capable of confronting yokai head-on, weren't those traditional Onmyoji with conservative thinking who would kill yokai immediately upon seeing them regardless of whether the yokai committed crimes.
After confirming this, Nurarihyon's peripheral vision swept over the thousands of pure black weapons condensed by evil spirit power suspended in the sky, and his mind couldn't help but become active.
Since it's like this...
Can I reach some kind of cooperative relationship with the opponent?
Current Nura Clan was in the most difficult period.
First Generation Supreme Commander Nurarihyon was old and had his heart stolen (by Hagoromo Gitsune). Even if he could briefly turn back to his young appearance, his power was ultimately limited.
And Nura Rikuo, with only a quarter of yokai blood, was obviously not ready to take over the position of the Third Generation Supreme Commander.
At this time, if he could cooperate with such a powerful person, whether called Exorcist or Onmyoji.
In short, if cooperation could be reached, the Nura Clan would have an extra insurance at critical moments.
Thinking of this, Nurarihyon stood up from the chair, revealed a kind smile, and spoke slowly.
"Regarding the inconvenience caused to the three of you by this misunderstanding, this old man feels very sorry. If you have any requests, please mention them freely; consider it as this old man's apology."
"I really have a request."
Yoru stood up, walked in front of Nurarihyon, slowly extended his right hand...
Placed it on the back of the opponent's head.
The Nura Clan yokai in the distance were dumbfounded.
Even Nurarihyon, the party involved, had a very wonderful expression, looking like he wanted to say something but stopped.
"Such a strange structure, even has spiral patterns."
Yoru commented while stroking Nurarihyon's bald back of the head.
Rio and Miko looked at each other and sighed helplessly holding their foreheads at the same time.
Truly worthy of you.
After stroking Nurarihyon's back of the head once, Yoru even put his right arm directly on Nurarihyon's back of the head.
You don't say.
With the height difference between the two and the shape of Nurarihyon's back of the head.
This action could simply be called a perfect fit.
Seeing their Supreme Commander being used as an armrest by Yoru, the Nura Clan yokai remained silent.
Gyuki wanted to say something.
But glancing at the thousands of black weapons condensed by evil spirit power suspended in the sky, he could only swallow the words back.
Forced by the situation, have to bow down.
"Regarding the compensation issue..."
Yoru pondered, then smiled at Nurarihyon.
"Your Nura Clan should have collected many weapons with spiritual power over these hundreds of years, right? Pick a few suitable ones and send them over."
Hearing such a request, Nurarihyon finally breathed a sigh of relief. Without hesitation, he nodded and agreed directly.
"No problem."
For the Nura Clan established for hundreds of years, there were too many weapons with spiritual power.
Yoru didn't need them himself; he already had Onimaru Kunitsuna.
Mainly to update the equipment for Miko and Rio.
After all, the long sword sponsored by Oda Noto could only be considered an ordinary spiritual item, which couldn't quite match Miko's current strength.
Better let the new Nura Old Geezer sponsor a weapon.
"That's it."
Seeing Yoru didn't continue to make more requests, Nurarihyon looked surprised.
"Just this?"
"Why, you want to give more things?"
"No no no."
Nurarihyon waved his hands repeatedly, thinking even if the Nura Clan's wealth is thick, giving away spiritual items still hurts.
"This old man just doesn't quite understand..."
"What's hard to understand?"
Yoru waved his hand nonchalantly, interrupting Nurarihyon's words.
"Rio and Miko both said it. Although your Nura Clan are all yokai, from a certain perspective, you are an existence maintaining the stability of the yokai world order, equivalent to humanity's allies."
"Killing you here brings no benefit to me."
"There is no reason for you and me to fight to the death."
Speaking of this, Yoru suddenly changed the subject, looking straight into Nurarihyon's eyes, his tone flat.
"However, I don't mind going to your home field Ukiyoe Town to have a hunting operation of slaughtering yokai, understand?"
Nurarihyon replied immediately.
"This time was a misunderstanding; there will absolutely be no next time."
Hearing this sentence, Yoru's face-changing speed was simply faster than flipping a book, instantly returning to a kind smile, nodding.
"That's good."
Nurarihyon's suspended heart finally landed.
Although the process was a bit tortuous.
But Nurarihyon still achieved the goal of bringing his subordinates to Kyoto initially.
That was to confirm what kind of attitude the Onmyoji in this city had towards the yokai race.
It seemed now Yoru's personality was elusive, crazy and excited during battle, and abstract and frivolous when speaking normally, but these weren't important.
As long as he wasn't the kind of extreme personality holding intense hatred towards yokai, killing every yokai indiscriminately upon sight.
"This old man feels..."
Nurarihyon asked tentatively and cautiously.
"Since the misunderstanding has been resolved, can we sign a contract to achieve a relationship of mutual trust?"
While saying this, Nurarihyon noticed that Hachishaku-sama and the Goat-Headed God not far away both showed very wonderful, gloating expressions.
He felt very confused.
Did I say something strange?
"Contract..."
Hearing these two words, Yoru revealed a meaningful smile and patted Nurarihyon's back of the head.
"Then let's sign one."
....
Half an hour later.
Nurarihyon was almost supported by his subordinate yokai to leave the shrine.
He felt his legs weak, seeing stars, and chest tight.
Not because he fought Yoru again.
But because Nurarihyon just signed a contract that could be called exploitation.
Clause 1: Among all spiritual weapons collected by the Nura Clan over these hundreds of years, Yoru can choose any five, including Nurarihyon's own sword, Nenekirimaru.
Clause 2: Without permission, no yokai of the Nura Clan may step into the scope of Kyoto City.
Clause 3: Any yokai of the Nura Clan is prohibited from revealing today's events.
Clause 4: All intelligence regarding strange phenomena collected by the Nura Clan must be truthfully informed to the Super-Quant Club without any concealment.
....
These four extremely unequal clauses for the Nura Clan were exchanged for a promise from Yoru.
"Will not actively initiate attacks on yokai or humans belonging to the Nura Clan."
Just such a simple sentence.
Miko and Rio listening by the side were dumbfounded.
Good grief, you exploit yokai too?
This is even more excessive than Hachishaku back then!
Hachishaku-sama at least had a salary.
And the reason Nurarihyon signed this contract could only be said to be forced.
On one hand, indeed the Nura Clan invaded Kyoto's territory first; this was equivalent to provocation.
On the other hand...
Yoru knew the internal affairs of the Nura Clan so well, even knowing the cause of death of the Second Generation Supreme Commander and the name of the Nura Clan's only heir now, Nura Rikuo.
This made Nurarihyon inevitably apprehensive.
The opponent knew the Nura Clan so well, plus that weird ability...
If Yoru really wanted to, he didn't need to launch a frontal attack at all. Just sneaking into Ukiyoe Town and killing Nura Rikuo who hadn't awakened yokai power yet...
The Nura Clan would completely disintegrate.
No choice.
Besides obediently signing the contract, Nurarihyon had no other choice to ensure the safety of the Nura Clan.
After this group of yokai left, Miko sighed thoughtfully.
"So there really are... yokai in this world."
Rio gave a precise complaint from the side.
"Evil spirits and ghosts exist; having yokai isn't something worth being surprised about, right?"